DailyWorld News - The First International Newspaper From India https://dailyworld.in/ Sat, 30 May 2026 00:28:36 +0530 en https://dailyworld.in/national/rajya-sabha-poll-in-meghalaya-set-for-june-18-as-incumbents-term-expires-675587.html Shillong May 29 Meghalaya Chief Electoral Officer CEO Dr BDR Tiwari said on Friday that polling for the election to one Rajya Sabha seat from the state will be held on June 18 with vote counting scheduled later the same day The announcement was made after a meeting convened by the CEO with representatives of various political parties at the Main Secretariat Building in Shillong to brief them on the election process and statutory requirementsAccording to the election schedule the official notification for the Rajya Sabha election will be issued on June 1 while June 8 has been fixed as the last date for filing nominationsScrutiny of nomination papers will take place on June 9 and candidates will be allowed to withdraw their nominations till June 11Polling will be conducted from 9 am to 4 pm on June 18 followed by counting of votes at 5 pm the same dayThe entire election process is expected to be completed before June 20Addressing the media after the meeting Dr Tiwari said political parties were given detailed presentations on the election schedule nomination procedures method of voting counting process and legal compliances to be followed by candidates and partiesElection officials informed party representatives about the mandatory submission of nomination papers including Form 2C affidavits in Form 26 security deposits oath or affirmation requirements and Forms AA and BB for partysponsored candidates Provisions related to Forms C1 to C8 were also explained during the sessionSpecial emphasis was laid on compliance with Supreme Court directives and Election Commission guidelines regarding the publication of criminal antecedents of candidates by both candidates and political partiesOfficials also explained the system of election through proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote and the open ballot voting procedure under the Representation of the People Act 1951Political parties were informed that MLAs belonging to a political party must show their marked ballot paper only to the authorised agent of their own party while Independent MLAs are prohibited from showing their ballot papers to any agentRepresentatives of political parties interacted with election officials and sought clarifications on various aspects of the election processThe lone Rajya Sabha seat allotted to Meghalaya is set to fall vacant as the incumbent Member of Parliament Dr Wanweiroy Kharlukhi completes his sixyear term in late June 2026In view of the impending vacancy the Election Commission of India has scheduled the biennial election to the seat on June 18 2026Dr Kharlukhi who represents the ruling National Peopleâs Party NPP has reportedly expressed his desire to step away from active parliamentary politics after the completion of his tenureThe NPP is expected to comfortably retain the seat given its clear majority in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rajya-sabha-poll-in-meghalaya-set-for-june-18-as-incumbents-term-expires-675587.html Fri, 29 May 2026 17:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/16-transgenders-in-telangana-appointed-as-eagle-team-in-hydraa-675588.html Hyderabad May 29 In a novel initiative the Telangana governments Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency HYDRAA has provided employment opportunities to 16 transgenders Eleven trans women and five trans men have joined HYDRAA which has been in the news in recent times for removing encroachments on water bodies and government lands in and around HyderabadThe new recruits said that employment at HYDRAA has brought a new light into their lives and the dignity bestowed by this job has instilled a deep sense of selfconfidence within themAccording to an official release on Friday these 16 people are ready to perform their duties anywhere and at any time They are actively participating in the removal of encroachments on lakes and drainage channels and are at the forefront of protecting public parks and lands designated for community use in the stateUndeterred by the stature or influence of encroachers they perform their duties fearlessly and play an integral role in safeguarding public assets in TelanganaThey assert that the employment they secured at HYDRAA represents far more than just a means of livelihood it signifies a newfound identity for their livesThey express that wearing the HYDRAA uniform is a matter of great honour for them and shared their immense joy at being designated the HYDRA Eagle Team and being fully integrated into operational dutiesThe transgender team members played a pivotal role in successfully protecting 862 acres of government land in Ailapur located in the Aminpur Mandal of Sangareddy district Recently they played an active role in saving the Edulakunta lake in MadhapurThey play a key role in tasks such as persuading the public engaging with women to deescalate tensions and facilitating coordination between officials and the communityHYDRA officials say they have a natural ability to understand and empathise with peoples emotions and have been commended for consistently achieving excellent results in their fieldworkTransgenders currently working with HYDRAA are now providing financial support to their familiesThey are earning a steady monthly income and their standing within society has improved Most importantly their selfconfidence has been bolstered by the realisation that we too are capable of making a meaningful contribution through our workâWe were begging for a livelihood In the past wherever we went we were subjected to ridicule If we asked for work we were turned away But now when we step out in uniform to perform our duties everyone speaks to us with respectâ said Tanshi RaiâGiven the opportunity transgender individuals can excel in any field Our duties at HYDRAA serve as a living testament to this fact At HYDRAA everyoneâfrom the officials to every other staff memberâextends their full cooperation to us We are treated as equals in the performance of our dutiesâ said Gayatri IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/16-transgenders-in-telangana-appointed-as-eagle-team-in-hydraa-675588.html Fri, 29 May 2026 17:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/congress-talking-about-ntr-to-lure-andhra-voters-says-telangana-bjp-chief-675589.html Hyderabad May 29 Telangana Bharatiya Janata Party BJP President N Ramchander Rao on Friday accused the Congress government in the state of talking about Telugu Desam Party TDP founder and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister NTR to attract the voters of the state in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation GHMC elections He asked the Congress why it did not install statues of NT Rama Rao NTR all these yearsThe State BJP Chief was reacting to unveiling of a statue of NTR in Hyderabad by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Thursday to mark his birth anniversaryNTR a popular actorturnedpolitician was the founder of TDP and served as the Chief Minister of united Andhra Pradesh in 1980s and 1990s Addressing a meeting at the state BJP office Ramchander Rao said that the Congress has made it a habit to stage political dramas for votes ahead of every election He added that ahead of the Jubilee Hills byelection Congress leaders remarked Congress means Muslim Muslim means Congress to woo Muslim votes Now with the GHMC elections in mind theyve suddenly started talking about NTR to attract Andhra voters I am asking the Congress party Why havent they installed NTR garus statue all these years Why havent they honoured his legacy Congress has no moral right to talk about NTR garu Nor does it have the qualification to claim his legacy as their own he saidThe BJP leader recalled that it was NTR who first gave the call for a Congressfree India Today the BJP is working steadfastly in that direction he saidRamchander Rao also criticised the Congress for removing Siddaramaiah as the Chief Minister of KarnatakaRahul Gandhi speaks about OBCs wherever you look be it in Parliament or outside But the reality is that the Congress has even removed its only OBC Chief Minister Siddaramaiah Among the four Chief Ministers the Congress party has in the country today not a single one belongs to the OBC category the BJP leader saidHe criticised the Congress government in the state over procurement of paddy and other foodgrains from farmers He alleged that due to the absence of even basic facilities in grain procurement centres unavailability of lorries and shortage of tarpaulins farmers are facing severe hardships He claimed that it was only because of the BJPs campaign that the state government which was in deep slumber was finally forced to respondRamchander Rao said that over the past 12 years the Narendra Modiled Central government has allocated nearly Rs 13 lakh crore for the development of TelanganaThe revival of the Ramagundam Fertiliser Plant the Warangal Coach Factory the Mulugu SammakkaSarakka Central Tribal University AIIMS Bibinagar the expansion of National Highways the Hyderabad Regional Ring Road Metro expansion and MultiModal Transport System services all of these were made possible solely through the initiative of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi he addedAlleging that the people of Telangana are fed up with both the Bharat Rashtra Samithi and Congress Ramchander Rao claimed that they are eagerly awaiting with hope to give a chance to the BJP The Congress has turned into a commissions party Only the BJP is a party committed to good governance and development The BJP is a party built upon the ideals of service sacrifice and selfless devotion to the motherland he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/congress-talking-about-ntr-to-lure-andhra-voters-says-telangana-bjp-chief-675589.html Fri, 29 May 2026 17:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-high-court-upholds-trais-12-minute-cap-on-tv-advertisements-675591.html New Delhi May 29 IANS The Delhi High Court on Friday upheld the validity of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of Indias TRAI regulations capping television advertisements at 12 minutes per clock hournbspA division bench of Justices Anil Kshetarpal and Amit Mahajan dismissed a batch of petitions filed by general entertainment news and regional broadcasters challenging Rule 711 of the Cable Television Network Rules 1994 and Regulation 3 of the Standards of Quality of Service Duration of Advertisements in Television Channels Regulations 2012nbspThe broadcasters had contended that the cap of 10 minutes for commercial advertisements and two minutes for selfpromotional content per hour violated their rights under Articles 14 and 19 of the ConstitutionnbspIn its order the Delhi High Court held that the TRAI had acted within its statutory powers in prescribing the limit and observed that the regulation was aimed at protecting viewers from excessive commercial interruptions while maintaining the quality of servicenbspTRAIs statutory power to regulate the prescribed time for advertisements can be deduced from Section 111bv of the Act of 1997 the Justice Kshetarpalled Bench said adding that the TRAIs mandate includes enhancing the quality of viewers experience and balancing the interests of broadcasters and consumersnbspObserving that television viewers cannot skip or fastforward advertisements in the same manner as users of digital platforms the Delhi High Court said excessive or uneven advertising directly impairs consumers right to a fair viewing experiencenbspThe measure taken by TRAI to limit the advertisements to 12 minutes per clock hour is in pursuance of the recognised QoS objective of TRAI aimed at reducing excessive commercial breaks and preventing the artificial clustering of advertisements the judgment saidnbspThe bench rejected the argument that the restriction infringed broadcasters freedom of speech and expression holding that the grievance essentially related to loss of advertising revenue and therefore fell within the ambit of the freedom to carry on business under Article 191g which is subject to reasonable restrictions in the public interestnbspArticle 191g of the Constitution does not guarantee profitability and certainly not a right to monetise public property beyond reasonable structural limits imposed in the common good it observednbspThe judgment added that airwaves and spectrum are scarce public resources held by the government in trust for the people and cannot be subjected to unfettered commercial exploitationnbspThe broadcasters cannot claim an unfettered right to exploit spectrum for commercial purposes Their use of such resources is subject to licensing conditions statutory frameworks and regulatory oversight the Delhi High Court saidnbspReferring to Supreme Court precedents treating spectrum as a finite public resource the judgment held that regulation of advertisement time was linked to the constitutional mandate under Articles 39b and 39c to ensure that material resources of the community are utilised for the common goodnbspAccording to the Delhi High Court the framework represents a constitutionally sound exercise of regulatory authority and advances consumer interest while ensuring equitable utilisation of broadcast spectrum Highlighting the consumercentric objective of the regulation it added that the impugned regulations were introduced following widespread complaints about excessive and disruptive advertisements affecting viewing experiencenbspConcluding that the 12minute ceiling is a neutral timebased restriction that regulates the quantity of advertisements rather than their content the bench held that the framework neither violates Articles 14 and 19 nor suffers from arbitrarinessnbspRule 711 of the Rules of 1994 and Regulation 3 of the Regulation of 2012 as amended in 2013 constitute a constitutionally valid exercise of regulatory power striking a proportionate balance between broadcaster rights and the public interest in efficient and fair use of broadcast spectrum the Delhi High Court said while dismissing all 17 petitionsnbspIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-high-court-upholds-trais-12-minute-cap-on-tv-advertisements-675591.html Fri, 29 May 2026 17:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/noida-homebuyers-fraud-cbi-files-chargesheet-against-shubhkamna-buildtech-directors-675594.html New Delhi May 29 IANS Intensifying its crackdown in the ongoing investigation into the Noida homebuyers cheating fraud investigation the Central Bureau of Investigation CBI on Friday filed its tenth chargesheet against the builders under the scanner for alleged cheating and fraudThe investigation agency filed a chargesheet against Ms Shubhkamna Buildtech Pvt Ltd and its directors on Friday in connection with alleged fraudulent activities relating to a housing project in Greater NoidaThe CBI in its investigation has found serious wrongdoings on the part of the builder According to the agency the accused builder company and its directors induced innocent homebuyersinvestors through false assurances misleading representations and deceptive promises thereby dishonestly obtaining financial gains while causing wrongful loss to the victimsThe investigation unearthed substantial evidence following which the chargesheet was filed before the competent Court under relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code IPC on criminal conspiracy cheating and criminal breach of trustNotably the CBI is currently investigating 50 cases against various builder companies and unknown officials of financial institutions across the country in matters concerning alleged cheating and diversion of funds involving homebuyersTill date the CBI has filed 09 charge sheets against various builders and real estate developers namely Ms Rudra Buildwell Constructions Pvt Ltd Ms Dream Procon Pvt Ltd Ms Jaypee Infratech Ltd Ms AVJ Developers India Pvt Ltd Ms CHD Developers Pvt Ltd Ms Shubhkamna Buildtech Pvt Ltd Ms Sequel Buildcon Pvt Ltd Ms Logix City Developers Pvt Ltd and Ms Manju J Homes India Ltd and their Directors and also against the officials of certain banks and financial institutionsCBI reiterates its commitment to ensuring accountability in cases involving economic offences corruption and public fraud particularly matters adversely impacting the interests of common citizens and homebuyers the investigation agency said in a statementIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/noida-homebuyers-fraud-cbi-files-chargesheet-against-shubhkamna-buildtech-directors-675594.html Fri, 29 May 2026 17:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/south-african-deputy-president-paul-mashatile-to-arrive-in-india-today-675595.html JohannesburgNew Delhi May 29 South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile will arrive in New Delhi on Friday for a sixday visit to India He will be accompanied by his wife Humile Mashatile The last official visit by a Head of State from South Africa was in 2019 when President Cyril Ramaphosa was ChiefGuest at Indiaâs Republic Day celebrations Mashatile who will be South Africas second Deputy President to visit India will hold talks with External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar on June 2 He will also call on President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on the same day the Ministry of External Affairs MEA stated Through this Working Visit Deputy President Mashatile is expected to cement the bilateral relations with the business leaders and investors from India through a Roundtable discussion which aims to attract more investment for both countries the South African Presidency said in a statement Deputy President Mashatile will be accompanied by South Africas Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi Minister of Small Business Development Stella Ndabeni Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Thandi Moraka Deputy Minister of Science Technology and Innovation Nomalungelo Gina and Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Mondli GungubeleAfter concluding his engagements in Delhi he will emplane for Hyderabad South Africa and India enjoy a long relationship together which is based on shared history cultural ties and a shared vision of the world through its principled approach on nonalignment and supporting the development of the Global South through its promotion of SouthSouth partnerships read the statement issued by the South African Presidency Both South Africa and India are represented in many multilateral formations that promote this commitment to the development of the Global South and include membership to the NonAligned Movement NAM BRICS IBSA G20 and IORA it addedOn May 13 EAM Jaishankar held a meeting with his South African counterpart Ronald Lamola in New Delhi discussing various aspects of strategic partnership and multilateral issues of mutual interestGlad to meet FM Ronald Lamola of South Africa this evening Reviewed different aspects of our Strategic Partnership Also discussed multilateral issues of mutual interest Agreed on the need to intensify our interactions through institutional mechanisms EAM Jaishankar posted on X after the meetingLamola thanked India for its efforts in promoting international discourse on topical and forwardlooking issues by hosting BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting He expressed South Africas commitment to strengthening ties with India on a bilateral levelThank you Minister S Jaishankar and the Government of India for hosting the South African delegation and for Indiaâs efforts to promote international discourse on topical and forwardlooking issues by hosting the BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting Lamola wrote on XSouth Africa and India have enjoyed close and meaningful relations since the establishment of Diplomatic Relations over 30years ago and that the relationship is one of significance to South Africa We are committed to deepening and strengthening ties with India on a bilateral level and to ensure that the relationship with India reaches its full potential for the benefit of both populations he addedLast November Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited South Africa to attend the 20th G20 Leaders Summit On the sidelines of the summit PM Modi also met South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and other world leaders IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/south-african-deputy-president-paul-mashatile-to-arrive-in-india-today-675595.html Fri, 29 May 2026 17:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/four-killed-as-lightning-strikes-in-bihar-districts-675597.html Patna May 29 The weather across Bihar witnessed a dramatic change on Friday as several districts experienced heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds and lightning strikes While the sudden showers brought relief from the intense heat and humidity tragic incidents linked to lightning strikes claimed four lives across the stateA tragic incident occurred in Kishun Chak village under the Bhadwar police station area of Dumaria block in Gaya district where a farmer died after being struck by lightningThe deceased has been identified as Dinesh YadavAccording to local residents Dinesh Yadav had gone out on Friday morning to graze his buffaloes as he did regularlyHe had reached the Hariitar area in Bijua Barwadih nearly one km away from the village when the weather suddenly deterioratedAmid thunder and lightning a powerful lightning strike hit him directlyVillagers rushed to the spot after hearing about the incident but he had already succumbed to his injuriesFamily members also arrived at the site shortly afterward The incident left the family devastated and his wife reportedly collapsed upon seeing his bodyHis family includes his wife two sons and two daughters One of his daughters had recently been marriedUpon receiving information about the incident Station House Officer SHO Sachin Kumar reached the site with police personnelThe SHO said The police have taken custody of the body and sent it to Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical College Hospital for postmortem examination Government assistance will be provided to the dependent family under the disaster relief schemeAnother tragic lightning incident was reported from Gularved village in the Barachatti block of Gaya districtSeventeenyearold Manisha Kumari lost her life while her mother Gauri Devi sustained severe burn injuriesAccording to an official the mother and daughter had stepped outside their house when sudden rain beganIn an attempt to protect themselves from the downpour they took shelter beneath a Mahua tree near the village Moments later lightning struck the tree directlyManisha Kumari died immediately due to the impact while her mother suffered serious injuries and is currently undergoing treatmentApart from incidents in Gaya one individual was killed due to a lightning strike in Saran district The deceased was identified as Chandrama ChoudharyAnother person was killed during the lightning strike in PatnaMeanwhile the weather in Sitamarhi district changed abruptly on Friday afternoon as dark clouds covered the sky followed by heavy rainfall and strong windsThe sudden change brought muchneeded relief from the scorching summer heat and humidityHowever the storm also caused significant disruptionTrees and electric poles were damaged in several areas small trees and tin sheds reportedly collapsed and the power supply was interrupted in many localitiesAccording to the Meteorological Department strong winds along with light to moderate rainfall are expected to continue in the district over the coming days IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/four-killed-as-lightning-strikes-in-bihar-districts-675597.html Fri, 29 May 2026 17:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/shivakumar-set-to-become-ktaka-cm-after-siddaramaiahs-resignation-hk-patil-675600.html Bengaluru May 29 Following the resignation of Siddaramaiah as Karnataka Chief Minister Karnataka Minister HK Patil on Friday said that DK Shivakumar is set to become the next Chief Minister and will likely take oath within the next two days Speaking to IANS Patil said âShivakumar is already the Chief Ministerdesignate Yesterday when former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed his thoughts and spoke about the discussions held in Delhi he clearly stated that he had been advised to resign and that Shivakumar should be made the next Chief Minister From that moment itself it became clear that Shivakumar would be our next Chief MinisterâHe added that the Congress Legislature Party CLP meeting has been convened to formalise the decision âWe have a procedure to follow The CLP meeting will be held tomorrow at 4 PM where the High Commandâs decision will be formally endorsed Shivakumar is expected to be sworn in either the day after tomorrow or a day laterâ Patil saidReacting to questions regarding caste equations and the OBC factor in Karnataka politics Patil said such discussions were unnecessary âThis question is not appropriate because Shivakumar has also fought for OBC causes In a way he is also partly connected to the OBC community Therefore such questions are neither relevant nor necessaryâ he statedCommenting on Siddaramaiahâs resignation Patil praised the senior Congress leaderâs loyalty to the party âThis decision will definitely have an impact Siddaramaiah has grown even taller politically His historic decision and expression of loyalty to the party and leadership have surprised many of our opponents Though we were confident he would take such a stand the manner in which he displayed his commitment is truly notable and reflects his vast political experienceâ he saidOn whether Siddaramaiah would continue in the Cabinet Patil dismissed the possibility âNo how can he After serving as Chief Minister for eight years and being such a tall leader I do not think that question is relevantâ he addedCaretaker Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at Sonia Gandhis 10 Janpath residence in New Delhi following his resignation from the CMs postSiddaramaiah received a warm welcome from Rahul Gandhi during the meeting After greeting Siddaramaiah with a handshake Rahul Gandhi hugged him and posed for photographsThe meeting comes amid major political developments in Karnataka after Siddaramaiah stepped down as Chief Minister on Thursday He has however been asked to continue as caretaker Chief Minister until new arrangements are madeKarnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President and former Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Friday paid glowing tribute to Siddaramaiah following his resignation from the top post describing his political journey as a symbol of resilience perseverance and commitment to social justice IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/shivakumar-set-to-become-ktaka-cm-after-siddaramaiahs-resignation-hk-patil-675600.html Fri, 29 May 2026 18:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/zubeen-garg-death-case-bail-plea-of-accused-rejected-in-gauhati-hc-675601.html Guwahati May 29 The Gauhati High Court has rejected the bail plea of festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta one of the prime accused in the Zubeen Garg death case officials said on Friday Earlier a fast track court had also dismissed Mahantas bail application in connection with the case that had triggered widespread public reaction across AssamSources said the High Court while hearing the matter took note of the seriousness of the allegations and the ongoing investigation before refusing to grant bail to the accusedLegal experts said the courts decision indicates that the investigation is at a crucial stage and releasing the accused at this point could potentially influence the probeMeanwhile the family members and supporters seeking justice in the case welcomed the High Courts order terming it an important step towards ensuring a fair investigation and trialThe case has continued to draw strong reactions on social media with several users demanding strict punishment for those involved under the campaign Justice for Zubeen GargThe case pertains to the death of Zubeen Garg who died on September 19 last year while swimming near Lazarus Island in SingaporeThe incident occurred just a day before the singer was scheduled to perform at an event organised under the NEIF bannerFollowing the incident a Special Investigation Team SIT constituted by the Assam Polices Criminal Investigation Department conducted an extensive probe and filed a charge sheet in December 2025The charge sheet named seven accused individuals including Mahanta Of them four have been booked on charges of murder intensifying the sensitivity of the caseEarlier Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had termed the case a plain and simple murder during a discussion in the state Assembly underlining the governments stance on the matterMeanwhile a parallel investigation carried out by Singapore Police reached a different conclusion saying that there was no evidence of foul play in Gargs deathDespite this authorities in Assam have said that the findings of the foreign probe will not influence the ongoing investigation and trial in the stateThe case continues to draw widespread public and political attention with the upcoming bail hearing expected to be a crucial stage in the legal proceedings IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/zubeen-garg-death-case-bail-plea-of-accused-rejected-in-gauhati-hc-675601.html Fri, 29 May 2026 18:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/vice-president-launches-5-national-initiatives-as-art-of-living-marks-45-years-675602.html Bengaluru May 29 The Art of Living marked 45 years of humanitarian service and global outreach on Friday as Vice President CP Radhakrishnan launched five major national initiatives at the organisationâs International Centre in Bengaluru The Vice President also unveiled a commemorative postal stamp celebrating the organisationâs contribution to individual wellbeing social transformation and global peace over the past fourandahalf decadesThe event coincided with celebrations marking the lifelong contribution of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to peace wellbeing and human values as he turned 70 this monthThe initiatives launched during the event include the Youth Career Excellence Programme Faculty of Eastern Knowledge Systems Art of Living Innovation and Entrepreneurship Incubation Centre of Excellence on Consciousness Studies and Human Potential and Eco ShantiThe programmes focus on youth development entrepreneurship sustainability consciousness studies education and innovationAddressing the gathering Vice President CP Radhakrishnan praised the global reach and humanitarian work of the Art of LivingâToday is a celebration of a great vision that has touched millions of lives across continents I was astonished to learn that the Art of Living is present in 182 countries Almost the entire civilisation of mankind is getting linked through this movementâ he saidReflecting on the organisationâs journey he added âFortyfive years ago a movement began with a simple yet profound idea that inner peace is the foundation of outer harmony In a world marked by conflict and uncertainty Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar continues to inspire humanity with the values of wisdom awareness peace and harmonyâThe Vice President also praised Gurudevâs humility and personal warmthâHis smile his humility and his affection touch everyoneâs heart What makes his contribution extraordinary is the humility and humanity he embodiesâ he remarkedWelcoming the Vice President Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar highlighted the growing global recognition of meditation and inner wellbeingâThe world today has recognised that meditation is no longer a luxury With 192 countries coming together to declare World Meditation Day there is a growing understanding that meditation is a basic necessity for a healthy happy and stressfree lifeâ he saidEmphasising holistic human development Gurudev said âThree things must always accompany us through life knowledge meditation and musicâHe also called for global harmony and unityâLet us dream of a Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam one world family free from fear tension and hatred A peaceful and harmonious world begins with peaceful and harmonious individualsâ he addedKarnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot who also addressed the gathering said Karnataka was proud to be associated with the roots of the global movementâIt is a matter of pride for Karnataka that the roots of this global movement are connected to our sacred land For more than four decades The Art of Living has been promoting peace and wellbeing at the individual community and global levels through a variety of programmesâ he saidHighlighting Gurudevâs role in peacebuilding efforts the Governor said the organisationâs work had received recognition globally for promoting a violencefree and stressfree society through human valuesDuring his visit to the Ashram the Vice President toured several facilities and initiatives of the organisation He visited Sri Sri Gurukulam interacted with students offered prayers at the Prathap Ganpati Temple took darshan of the sacred relics of Shri Somnath Jyotirlingam and visited the Sri Sri Gaushala which houses nearly 1600 indigenous cowsA special highlight of the event was a demonstration by children participating in the Art of Livingâs Intuition Programme where they showcased intuitive abilities developed through systematic training and practiceThe launch ceremony marked the culmination of a monthlong celebration at the Art of Living International Centre attended by 678 distinguished guests including political leaders business icons sportspersons entrepreneurs academicians faith leaders diplomats artists and social changemakers from India and abroadAmong the prominent personalities who participated in the celebrations over the month were Prime Minister Narendra Modi Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari and Sarbananda Sonowal Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis N Chandrababu Naidu and Pramod Sawant Governors Ajay Kumar Bhalla and Lt Gen Gurmit Singh actor Rajinikanth actor Vikrant Massey industrialists Mukesh Ambani Anant Ambani and Niranjan Hiranandani along with leading faith leaders diplomats artists and scholarsThe monthlong celebrations featured global meditations at the newly inaugurated Dhyan Mandir cultural performances discussions on mental wellbeing and consciousness and stories of transformation from individuals influenced by Gurudevâs work over the past 45 yearsThe event concluded with a renewed emphasis on Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankarâs vision of a stressfree and violencefree society rooted in inner peace service and human values IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/vice-president-launches-5-national-initiatives-as-art-of-living-marks-45-years-675602.html Fri, 29 May 2026 18:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/maha-council-polls-mva-finalises-sharing-formula-for-15-seats-suspense-continues-over-2-675603.html Mumbai May 29 The Maha Vikas Aghadi MVA on Friday announced its seat sharing arrangement for the elections to the Maharashtra Legislative Council slated for June 18 The last date for filing nominations is June 1 Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal said that of the total 17 seats consensus has been reached on 15 adding that a decision regarding the remaining two seats will be taken within the next two daysA crucial meeting of the Maha Vikas Aghadi was held today regarding the seatsharing for the Legislative Council elections We have reached an agreement on 15 out of the 17 seats Consensus has been built on which party will contest which seatHowever discussions are still ongoing for two specific seats A final decision on these remaining two seats will be made in the next two days Since all three parties have staked a claim on the Nanded and Nashik seats we have announced the decision for the other 15 seats today excluding these two Sapkal statedThe Congress party will contest the seats in Chandrapur Yavatmal BhandaraGondia Amravati Ahilyanagar Solapur DharashivBeedLatur and the Nagpur byeelection announced SapkalHe further stated that Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray will field its candidates in Ratnagiri Jalgaon Parbhani Hingoli and Chhatrapati SambhajinagarFurther NCP Sharadchandra Pawar will contest three seats Pune Thane and SataraSangliLaunching a scathing attack on the ruling Mahayuti alliance Sapkal said We are contesting the Legislative Council election unitedly as the Maha Vikas Aghadi The core issue of this election is that we are moving forward to save democracy defying the Bharatiya Janata Partys BJP horsetradingIt is evident that massive amounts of money is being spent in this election The situation has become a display of sheer money power In many places corporators are being lured and picked up by offering Rs 5 lakh In this election its not just the Opposition voters but even the ruling parties are poaching voters from their own allies This is the extent of the horsetrading underwayAlthough the MVA leaders announced their seatsharing formula today unanimity eluded them on two out of the 17 seats A deadlock has emerged over the Nanded and Nashik seats as all three constituent parties of the MVA have staked their claim on themHowever Sapkal assured that a final decision on these two seats would be made in the next two days While meetings are simultaneously underway within the Mahayuti alliance they are yet to officially declare their seatsharing formula for the Legislative Council electionsAccording to the Mahayuti alliance insiders of the 17 seats BJP likely to field candidates on 11 seats Shiv Sena four seats and NCP two seats IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/maha-council-polls-mva-finalises-sharing-formula-for-15-seats-suspense-continues-over-2-675603.html Fri, 29 May 2026 18:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/piyush-goyal-engages-with-over-50-global-business-leaders-at-new-york-roundtable-675480.html New Delhi May 29 IANS Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Friday said he engaged with over 50 global business and industry leaders at a roundtable held in New YorknbspTaking to the microblogging platform X he stated that the meeting was hosted by the Consulate General of India in New York in collaboration with the USIndia Strategic Partnership Forum USISPFIn a post the minister highlighted Indias strong growth story reformdriven business environment and expanding opportunities for global investors under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra ModiHe said discussions focused on further deepening IndiaUS trade investment innovation and supply chain partnerships for shared prosperityThe engagement comes amid Indias broader efforts to intensify economic diplomacy with major partner countries following a series of recent highlevel international interactions aimed at boosting trade and investment tiesEarlier in the week the minister said that with IndiaCanada bilateral trade currently at approximately 85 billion both governments remain committed to their shared ambitious target of expanding it to 50 billion by 2030He added that he had a packed schedule of highimpact engagements in Toronto spanning academia innovation government business councils institutional investors and the diaspora communityThe threeday visit covering Ottawa on May 25 and Toronto from May 26 to 28 was aimed at strengthening bilateral trade and economic ties between India and Canada with a special focus on accelerating ongoing negotiations for the IndiaCanada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement CEPAEarlier in May the minister said that the deliberations took place between him and a delegation led by Jeff Shockey Executive Vice President Government Operations Global Public Policy ampamp Corporate Strategy at BoeingIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/piyush-goyal-engages-with-over-50-global-business-leaders-at-new-york-roundtable-675480.html Fri, 29 May 2026 12:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/odisha-govt-signs-semiconductor-substrate-manufacturing-pact-with-intel-3dgs-ashwini-vaishnaw-675481.html New Delhi May 29 IANS The Odisha government has signed a memorandum of understanding MoU with Intel and 3D Glass Solutions 3DGS to bring substrate manufacturing technology to India according to Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw on FridaynbspVaishnaw congratulated the state government Intel and 3DGS on signing the pact aimed at introducing substrate manufacturing capabilities in India through a post on social media platform XCongratulations to the Govt of Odisha Intel and 3DGS on signing an MoU to bring substrate manufacturing technology to India This will further advance semiconductor ecosystem in India the minister said in a postThe latest development builds on Odishas broader semiconductor push announced earlier this yearIn April the foundation stone was laid for the countrys first advanced 3D chip packaging unit at Info Valley in Bhubaneswar under the Heterogeneous Integration Packaging Solutions project promoted by 3D Glass Solutions 3DGSThe project involving an investment of nearly Rs 2000 crore is expected to manufacture around 70000 glass panels annually along with 50 million assembled units and nearly 13000 advanced 3D heterogeneous integration 3DHI modules according to the governmentAt the time Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership Indias semiconductor sector is witnessing rapid growth with Odisha emerging as an important contributor to the countrys semiconductor ambitionsIn addition Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had said the state emerged as the only state in the country where both Indias first compound semiconductor fabrication unit and first 3D glass substrate packaging facility were being establishedThe development comes as the Centre continues to strengthen the domestic semiconductor ecosystem through policy support and incentives under the Semicon India ProgrammenbspEarlier this week the government said that 12 fab or packaging projects and 24 semiconductor design projects have already been approved under the programmeMoreover the government has launched an online Investor Support portal aimed at boosting investor confidence and addressing industry concernsIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/odisha-govt-signs-semiconductor-substrate-manufacturing-pact-with-intel-3dgs-ashwini-vaishnaw-675481.html Fri, 29 May 2026 13:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rbi-records-206-pc-growth-in-assets-to-rs-9197-lakh-crore-in-fy26-675482.html Mumbai May 29 IANS The Reserve Bank of Indias RBI balance sheet expanded by a robust 206 per cent to Rs 9197 lakh crore as of March 31 2026 compared to the corresponding figure of the previous year on the back of a high growth in domestic investments gold holdings and foreign investments according to the RBIs annual report released on FridaynbspIn absolute terms the balance sheet expanded by Rs 1572 lakh crore during the year taking the total assets to Rs 9197 lakh crore from Rs 7625 lakh crore a year earlierThe increase marked an acceleration from the 82 per cent growth recorded in FY25 taking the size of the RBIs balance sheet to 264 per cent of gross domestic product The expansion reflected the impact of liquidity operations reserve management and changes in the composition of the RBIs assetsDomestic investments rose 449 per cent during FY26 while gold holdings increased 638 and foreign investments grew 79 per cent the report stated Domestic assets accounted for 291 per cent of total assets as of March 31 2026 compared with 257 per cent a year earlierForeign currency assets gold holdings loans and advances to financial institutions outside India accounted for the remaining 709 per cent of total assets down from 743 per cent a year earlier The shift indicates that domestic assets increased at a faster pace than foreign assets during the yearOn the liabilities side revaluation accounts notes issued deposits and other liabilities all increased during FY26The RBI said revaluation accounts rose 634 per cent while notes issued increased 118 per cent Deposits grew 116 per cent and other liabilities increased 211 per centThe report also showed that the central banks balance sheet has expanded steadily in recent years It stood at Rs 6345 lakh crore at the end of FY23 increased to Rs 7047 lakh crore in FY24 and rose further to Rs 7625 lakh crore in FY25 before reaching Rs 9197 lakh crore in FY26The RBI transferred Rs 109 lakh crore to the Contingency Fund during FY26 The central bank said the provision was made under its Economic Capital Framework No transfer was made to the Asset Development Fund during the yearA provision of Rs 10937964 crore was made and transferred to the Contingency Fund the RBI said The RBIs Economic Capital Framework allows the contingent risk buffer to remain within a range of 45 per cent to 75 per cent of the balance sheet the report addedThe RBI declared a record dividend of around Rs 287 lakh crore to Centre for FY26 that would help the government address challenges arising from the ongoing West Asia crisisnbspIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rbi-records-206-pc-growth-in-assets-to-rs-9197-lakh-crore-in-fy26-675482.html Fri, 29 May 2026 13:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/neet-ug-2026-cancelled-to-protect-students-interests-nta-in-sc-675483.html New Delhi May 29 IANS The National Testing Agency NTA on Friday told the Supreme Court that its decision to cancel the NEETUG 2026 examination and order a retest was taken in the interest of students and to preserve public confidence in the national examination systemnbspnbspIn an affidavit filed before the apex court in the batch of petitions seeking reforms in the conduct of NEETUG the NTA said the cancellation of the May 3 examination and referral of the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation CBI demonstrated the seriousness with which it viewed examination integrityIt is respectfully submitted that the cancellation of the NEET UG 2026 examination conducted on 03052026 and the reference of the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation CBI on 12052026 for investigation are themselves illustrative of the seriousness with which the Answering Respondent NTA and the Government of India view examination integrity the affidavit statedThe decision was taken in the interest of students and in recognition of the trust on which the national examination system rests it addedThe affidavit was filed in compliance with the Supreme Courts May 25 order directing the NTA to place on record the status of implementation of recommendations made by the highpowered committee headed by former ISRO Chairman K Radhakrishnan following the NEETUG 2024 controversyAccording to the NTA the examination held on May 3 was conducted at 5432 centres across 552 cities in India and 14 overseas cities with more than 22 lakh candidates appearing for the test under a strengthened security framework involving biometric verification AIassisted CCTV surveillance and mobile jammersThe affidavit said the NTA received inputs regarding alleged malpractice on the evening of May 7 and escalated the matter to central agencies the following morning for verification Based on the findings shared by investigative agencies the examination was cancelled and the matter referred to the CBI for a comprehensive probeDefending its handling of the situation the NTA told the apex court that it has acted in good faith with due diligence and in accordance with law to protect both the integrity of the examination process and the interests of genuine aspirantsThe affidavit said all necessary cooperation is being extended to the CBI in its ongoing investigationThe NTA further informed the Supreme Court that the reexamination scheduled for June 21 would be conducted under an even more robust security architecture with enhanced coordination involving Chief Secretaries Directors General of Police District Magistrates the Department of Posts and other authoritiesIt added that extensive reforms recommended by the Radhakrishnan committee have either been implemented or are at advanced stages of implementation including Aadhaarbased biometric authentication AIpowered CCTV monitoring installation of mobile jammers at all examination centres multitier oversight mechanisms and institutional coordination with state and district authoritiesThe NTA also reiterated that the highlevel expert committee had recommended a transition of NEETUG from penandpaper mode to a computerbased test CBT format and said the shift would be implemented from the next examination cycle in consultation with the Union Ministry of Health and Family WelfareEarlier this week the Supreme Court had issued notices to the Centre the NTA and other authorities on pleas seeking structural reforms in the conduct of NEETUG and an immediate transition to CBT mode observing that despite lessons from the 2024 controversy concerns regarding examination integrity had resurfacedWhen the matter was taken up for hearing on Friday it was passed over as Solicitor General Tushar Mehta was appearing before another BenchIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/neet-ug-2026-cancelled-to-protect-students-interests-nta-in-sc-675483.html Fri, 29 May 2026 13:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/v-p-radhakrishnan-to-begin-3-day-visit-to-ktaka-goa-and-kerala-today-675507.html New Delhi May 29 Vice President CP Radhakrishnan will undertake a threeday visit to Karnataka Goa and Kerala starting Friday to attend official events along with religious and cultural celebrations On Friday the Vice President will attend the global celebration marking 45 years of the Art of Living Foundation in Bengaluru KarnatakaLater in the day he will attend the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of University BDT College of Engineering at Davangere Karnataka said an official statementOn May 30 the Vice President will participate in the Statehood Day celebrations of Goa at Panaji Later in the day he will visit CSIRâNational Institute of Oceanography GoaOn May 31 the Vice President will visit the Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Manjunatha Swamy Temple He will also inaugurate the SIRI Industrial Park at Belthangady KarnatakaLater in the day the Vice President will visit Kerala to inaugurate the 140th Foundation Anniversary celebrations of Deepika Malayalam Daily at KottayamHe will also visit Kannur to participate in a private function organised by C Sadanandan Master Member of Parliament Rajya Sabha said the statementLast week Vice President Radhakrishnan in his capacity of Rajya Sabha Chairman appointed BJP Member Raghav Chadha as the new Chairman of the Committee on Petitions of the Upper HouseThe Committee was reconstituted on May 20 with its other members being Jebi Mather Hisham Harsh Mahajan Gulam Ali Mayank Kumar Nayak Masthan Rao Yadav Beedha Subhasish Khuntia Rwngwra Narzary Sandosh Kumar P and Shambhu Sharan PatelThe key responsibility for Chadha came close to his recent switch to the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP from the Aam Aadmi Party AAP along with six other MPs in the Upper HouseIn April seven Rajya Sabha MPs Raghav Chadha Ashok Mittal Sandeep Pathak Harbhajan Singh Vikram Sahney Swati Maliwal and Rajinder Gupta defected from the AAP to the BJP dealing a major blow to the AAP as its strength in the Upper House plunged from 10 to just threeSoon after Chadha met President Droupadi Murmu regarding the alleged misuse of state resources by the AAPled government in Punjab IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/v-p-radhakrishnan-to-begin-3-day-visit-to-ktaka-goa-and-kerala-today-675507.html Fri, 29 May 2026 14:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-bound-oil-tanker-crosses-strait-of-hormuz-675520.html New York May 29 An oil tanker carrying sorely needed petroleum for India has cleared the Strait of Hormuz according to several sites that track maritime traffic The Nissos Keros is on its way to Vishakapatnam and is expected to reach its destination on June 3 according to multiple sitesThe ship flying under the Marshall Islands flag left Shajrah on May 21 and was reported at 6 am Indian Standard Time on Friday in the Northern Arabian Sea off the west coast of IndiaIranâs news agency IRNA reported on Thursday that the Islamic Revolutionary Guards IRGC Navy allowed 23 commercial vessels including oil tankers and container ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz in the previous 24hour periodIt said that according to the Iranian military âall transits were conducted following formal coordination with IRGC naval authoritiesâIt was unclear whether the ships had to pay a fee to pass through the StraitIran which has said it would require payments to cross the Strait announced earlier this month that it was setting up an agency the Persian Gulf Strait Authority PGSA to regulate maritime traffic in the areaThe United Nations has declared it illegal to levy fees for sailing through international watersThe US has demanded that Iran restore free navigation through the Strait which Tehran has mined and attacked ships on it after the US joined Israel in bombing Iran in FebruaryFree navigation through the Strait is a major issue holding up a deal to end the Iran warâThe Strait is going to be open to everybodyâ US President Donald Trump said on WednesdayIrans action has put a chokehold on 20 per cent of the worldâs gas and oil that go through it creating a global energy and economic crisisOut of the blue Trump threatened on Wednesday to blow up Oman which is across the Strait from Iran if it made an arrangement with Tehran to collect fees to transit itAukevisser which keeps a roster of ship information lists Nissos Kerosâs owner as Arethusa Shipping Corporation and the operator as Kyklades Maritime CorporationThe Hyundaibuilt ship is 333 meters long and has a capacity of 318744 tonnes or 338648 cubic metres according to itAccording to the International Maritime Organisations SecretaryGeneral Arsenio Dominguez about 1500 ships are trapped in the Persian Gulf IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-bound-oil-tanker-crosses-strait-of-hormuz-675520.html Fri, 29 May 2026 14:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ktaka-governor-accepts-cm-siddaramaiahs-resignation-dissolves-council-of-ministers-675523.html Bengaluru May 29 The Governor of Karnataka Thaawarchand Gehlot on Friday accepted the resignation tendered by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and dissolved the Council of Ministers headed by him In the proceedings issued by the Governor on May 29 it was stated that Siddaramaiah in a letter dated May 28 had submitted his resignation from the office of the Chief Minister of KarnatakaThe order stated âIn exercise of the powers vested in me under Article 1641 of the Constitution of India I Thaawarchand Gehlot Governor of Karnataka hereby accept the resignation of Shri Siddaramaiah as Chief Minister of Karnataka Consequently the Council of Ministers headed by him stands dissolvedâIn a separate communication addressed to Siddaramaiah the Governor said âDear Siddaramaiah I have accepted the resignation tendered by you with immediate effect Until alternative arrangements are made kindly continue as caretaker Chief Minister It is needless to state that no executive decisions shall be taken during this periodâThe Governor also issued a notification reiterating that he had accepted Siddaramaiahâs resignation under Article 1641 of the Constitution and dissolved the Council of Ministers with immediate effectThe notification further stated that Siddaramaiah would continue to function as Chief Minister until alternative arrangements are madeMeanwhile R Prabhu Shankar Special Secretary to the Governor in a letter addressed to Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh said that a copy of the Governorâs notification dated May 29 had been enclosed The notification confirmed the acceptance of Siddaramaiahâs resignation and the dissolution of the Council of Ministers headed by himIn his brief resignation letter Siddaramaiah wrote âI hereby tender my resignation as the Chief Minister of Karnataka Kindly accept itâIt can be recalled that Siddaramaiah regarded as the Congressâ tallest mass leader in recent times submitted his resignation to the Governor at Lok Bhavan here on Thursday bringing an end to his tenure as the stateâs longestserving Chief MinisterSpeaking about the resignation process Siddaramaiah said âI have submitted my resignation from the Chief Ministerâs post to the Governorâs SecretaryâAfter a brief pause he continued âThe Governor was not in Bengaluru and officials informed me that he would return tonight In this background I submitted my resignation letter to the Governorâs Secretary I have always maintained both inside and outside the Assembly that whenever the high command directs me I will tender my resignation Two days ago the high command asked me to step down and keeping my word I have submitted my resignationâVisibly emotional during the press conference Siddaramaiah expressed confidence that Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot would formally accept his resignation upon returning to BengaluruâOur party enjoys the support of 138 MLAs and others have also extended support to the government We continue to have a full majority The Governor must now provide an opportunity to the next Chief Minister to form the governmentâ Siddaramaiah addedAmid the escalating political drama over the resignation of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot had left Bengaluru late Wednesday night triggering intense political speculation across the state The Governor had travelled to Mumbai and then proceeded to Indore in Madhya Pradesh on Thursday The Governorâs office had cited a family medical emergency as the reason for his sudden travel IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ktaka-governor-accepts-cm-siddaramaiahs-resignation-dissolves-council-of-ministers-675523.html Fri, 29 May 2026 14:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/after-ed-action-pinarayi-vijayan-facilitates-return-of-bineesh-kodiyeri-to-kerala-cpi-675525.html Thiruvananthapuram May 29 Kerala politics is witnessing a dramatic political turnaround that many within the CPIM are already describing as a rare moment of political poetic justice The decision to restore the party membership of Bineesh Kodiyeri son of former CPIM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan after three years of political exile has exposed the rapidly changing power equations inside the party especially in the backdrop of the Enforcement Directorate ED tightening its scrutiny around former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his daughter Veena VijayanWhat makes the development politically explosive is the widely discussed claim that Pinarayi Vijayan himself directly intervened to ensure Bineeshâs return overriding resistance within the state leadershipParty secretary MV Govindan had reportedly rejected repeated attempts to restore Bineeshâs membership despite his acquittal in the Bengaluru drugrelated case in 2023The turning point political observers say came after the dramatic ED raids in Thiruvananthapuram and the violent protests that followedWhen central agencies moved against Pinarayi Vijayanâs residence and intensified scrutiny around the monthly payment controversy involving Veena Vijayan the streets of the capital suddenly witnessed an aggressive mobilisation by CPIMDYFI workersMany of those later accused in the attacks on ED vehicles were known to be close associates and loyalists of Bineesh Kodiyeri Inside the party the message was impossible to missWhile several senior leaders reportedly kept a cautious distance Bineeshâs network emerged as one of the strongest forces willing to physically defend the former Chief Minister and build a resistance wall against the EDBineesh himself was also seen during the protestsThat spectacle appears to have emotionally and politically altered Pinarayi Vijayanâs approachYears ago when Bineesh was arrested by the ED Kodiyeri Balakrishnan had been forced to publicly distance himself from his son and even temporarily step aside as party secretary to protect the government and the partyToday with central agencies casting a shadow over his own family many in Kerala politics believe Pinarayi has finally understood the pain Kodiyeri went throughThe move is also being seen as a correction of past grievancesA section within the CPIM had long felt that Kodiyeriâs family was unfairly sidelined after his deathBineeshâs return now helps consolidate powerful Kodiyeri loyalists in Kannur and Thiruvananthapuram firmly behind Pinarayi at a politically sensitive momentMore importantly the reentry signals that the CPIM is preparing for a prolonged political confrontation with central agenciesThe leadership appears to have concluded that organisers like Bineesh capable of mobilising cadres and street resistance are too valuable to keep outside the party foldIn effect the ED raids meant to corner the former Chief Minister may have instead triggered the rise of Pinarayi Vijayanâs newest political defence fortress built around the son of the man who once suffered the same fate IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/after-ed-action-pinarayi-vijayan-facilitates-return-of-bineesh-kodiyeri-to-kerala-cpi-675525.html Fri, 29 May 2026 14:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/two-arrested-outside-mumbai-airport-with-fake-stamp-papers-worth-rs-625-lakh-675528.html Mumbai May 29 The Mumbai Crime Branch Unit has arrested two persons from outside the Mumbai airport for allegedly possessing counterfeit stamp papers worth more than Rs 625 lakh According to the Mumbai Crime Branch the accused have been identified as Rohit Jadhav 37 a resident of Badlapur and Narendra Ahire 46 a resident of Kopar Khairane in Navi MumbaiPolice said the duo was allegedly carrying fake stamp papers for delivery to another person when they were intercepted by the Crime Branch teamThe Crime Branch Unit 8 team seized 251 counterfeit nonjudicial stamp papers each purportedly valued at Rs 25000 taking the total face value of the seized papers to approximately Rs 6250500 Police said the forged stamp papers were intended for use in various nonjudicial works and transactionsAccording to investigators the accused allegedly prepared affidavits for loan applicants using these fake stamp papers and then asked them to travel to Delhi for loan processing During the journey the accused would allegedly make the bag containing the documents disappear and later inform the victims that the bag had been stolen due to which the loan process could not proceedPolice said Rohit Jadhav is originally from Ambernath while Narendra Ahire hails from Kopar Khairane in Navi Mumbai Investigators suspect Ahire to be the mastermind behind the fake stamp paper racketAccording to police Ahire allegedly handed over the fake stamp papers to Rohit Jadhav for further deliveryThe accused were produced before the Esplanade Court which remanded them to seven days of police custodyThe Mumbai Crime Branch is conducting further investigations to trace the source of the counterfeit stamp papers identify the intended recipients and uncover any larger network involved in the operationEarlier in February a Mumbai Police team arrested two more persons from Uttar Pradesh and Delhi in connection with a postal stamp forgery racket and recovered fake stamps with a face value of nearly Rs 28 lakh from them IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/two-arrested-outside-mumbai-airport-with-fake-stamp-papers-worth-rs-625-lakh-675528.html Fri, 29 May 2026 14:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-minister-booked-for-abusing-cops-viral-audio-sparks-row-675531.html Jaipur May 29 Rajasthan Cooperative Minister Gautam Dak has been booked following an alleged confrontation with police personnel at Dungla police station in Chittorgarh district The case filed on the complaint of the station officer includes charges related to obstructing government work and allegedly using abusive and indecent language against police officials The incident gained wider attention after an audio clip purportedly featuring the minister using abusive language towards police personnel went viral on social media triggering debate within political and police circlesHowever Minister Gautam Dak has denied any connection with the viral recordingIn a statement posted on social media Dak claimed that the audio had been manipulated using technology My voice has been altered through misuse of technology in an audio circulating on social media I have no connection with this edited audio the minister statedAccording to the complaint lodged by Dungla police station officer Shaitan Singh the incident dates back to May 25 Police had summoned Dhanraj Kharol a resident of Idra Mangalwad for questioning in connection with an ongoing investigation During interrogation officers allegedly asked Kharol to produce other family members relevant to the caseThe complaint states that Kharol contacted former Idra Sarpanch Chandrashekhar Sharma from the police station premises Sharma allegedly called Constable Laxminarayan and threatened him while invoking the ministerâs name Soon afterwards the station officer reportedly received a call from Minister Gautam Dak and was asked to come to the main gate of the police stationAccording to the police complaint upon arrival the minister allegedly demanded that constables Vishnu and Laxminarayan be called outsideThe station officer reportedly requested that the discussion take place inside the office but the minister insisted on meeting the constables publicly The complaint alleges that once the two policemen arrived Dak used abusive and indecent language against them in front of others presentThe complaint further alleges that the minister became aggressive attempted to use criminal force and raised his hand towards police personnel allegedly intending to intimidate and humiliate themPolice also alleged that the minister threatened Constable Laxminarayan referring to his earlier transfer from Badi Sadri police stationThe station officer stated in the report that he had never faced such treatment during his service and claimed the incident caused him mental distressSenior police officials were informed about the matter on May 27The case has intensified political discussion while the minister continues to deny the allegations and maintains that the viral audio is fabricated IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-minister-booked-for-abusing-cops-viral-audio-sparks-row-675531.html Fri, 29 May 2026 14:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/satheesan-led-udf-unveils-ambitious-agenda-in-assembly-to-release-financial-white-paper-675534.html Thiruvananthapuram May 29 The Congressled UDF government headed by Chief Minister VD Satheesan formally opened a new political chapter in Kerala on Friday with a highvoltage maiden policy address that combined sweeping welfare promises a sharp fiscal reality check and the first visible signs of confrontation with Lok Bhavan Presented by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar in 73 minutes at the opening session of the 16th Kerala Assembly the policy declaration laid out the new governmentâs political priorities amid massive public expectations following the UDFâs electoral victoryThe session itself began dramatically with a controversy over Vande MataramThough the Kerala Police band played the national song as part of the Governorâs ceremonial reception only the opening portion was rendered despite Lok Bhavan reportedly insisting during rehearsals that the full version be played The state government is understood to have refused to alter the longstanding convention triggering the first signs of friction between the new administration and the Governorâs office on the very first working day of the AssemblyInside the House however the Satheesan government attempted to project a confident and reformoriented imageThe centrepiece of the address was the announcement that the government would soon release a financial white paper detailing Keralaâs actual economic condition and treasury liabilities inherited from the previous administrationThe move is widely being viewed as an attempt to prepare the public for difficult economic decisions while simultaneously justifying the governmentâs aggressive welfare and development agendaThe policy address repeatedly invoked the UDFâs election plank of âIndira Guaranteesâ promising that all key commitments would be implementedAmong the biggest announcements were an increase in welfare pensions formation of a dedicated department for senior citizens and scholarship support for economically weaker students pursuing higher educationThe government also officially reaffirmed one of its most popular promises free travel for women in KSRTC buses from June 15 across the stateIn a major infrastructure push the government announced plans for an integrated transport system connecting road water and air transport networks under a large mobility projectThe address also promised reforms in excise policy expansion of Plus One seats stronger intervention in mananimal conflict zones and comprehensive agricultural reforms including scientific soiltesting systems and a women farmersâ consortiumThe speech strongly underlined the governmentâs commitment to corruptionfree and secular governance declaring that communal politics and divisive forces would not be allowed space in KeralaWith the UDF commanding 102 seats in the 140member Assembly the Left reduced to 35 and the BJP entering the House for the first time with three legislators Fridayâs session signalled not just the arrival of a new government but the beginning of a potentially combative new political era in KeralaThe Assembly will resume its session on Tuesday to pass the Governorâs address IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/satheesan-led-udf-unveils-ambitious-agenda-in-assembly-to-release-financial-white-paper-675534.html Fri, 29 May 2026 15:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/muraleedharan-leads-bjp-attack-over-truncated-vande-mataram-in-kerala-assembly-675537.html Thiruvananthapuram May 29 Senior BJP leader and firsttime legislator V Muraleedharan on Friday led a sharp attack against the Kerala government after a row erupted in the Assembly over the rendition of Vande Mataram during Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekarâs ceremonial reception Muraleedharan a former Union Minister is one of the BJPâs three legislators in the newlyconstituted 140member AssemblyHe accused the government of insulting both Raj Bhavan and the national song by refusing to play the complete version of Vande Mataram despite reported directions from the Governorâs office and the CentreThe controversy broke out on the first major working day of the 16th Kerala Assembly when the Kerala Police band rendered only the opening portion of Vande Mataram before the Governorâs maiden policy addressRaj Bhavan had reportedly instructed during rehearsals that the full rendition of the national song be played at official events attended by the GovernorHowever the government headed by Chief Minister VD Satheesan is understood to have retained the existing convention of playing only the first portion triggering the first major faceoff between the new UDF administration and Lok BhavanLaunching a political offensive Muraleedharan took to his social media and alleged that the government had bowed before the ideological positions of the CPIM and JamaateIslamiHe claimed the move reflected acceptance of arguments that Vande Mataram was inconsistent with secular valuesThe BJP leader also sought to put the Congress on the defensive historically asking when the party had begun distancing itself from a song first sung during the 1896 Congress session and closely associated with Indiaâs freedom struggleDespite the escalating political row Governor Arlekar avoided any direct confrontation inside the House and began his address in Malayalam with a âNamaskaramâ making no mention of the controversyThe dispute however overshadowed the UDF governmentâs maiden policy address which contained several major announcements including a financial White Paper on Keralaâs economy welfare expansion and infrastructure reformsWith the BJP making its debut in the Kerala Assembly with three MLAs and Muraleedharan emerging as one of its most aggressive voices inside the House Fridayâs Vande Mataram controversy has quickly turned into the first major ideological battle confronting the Satheesan government IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/muraleedharan-leads-bjp-attack-over-truncated-vande-mataram-in-kerala-assembly-675537.html Fri, 29 May 2026 15:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/newborn-found-abandoned-in-mumbai-hospital-bathroom-police-launch-search-for-mother-675538.html Mumbai May 29 In a heartwrenching incident reported from Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar Mumbai a newborn baby was found abandoned on the floor of a bathroom located outside Ward No 40 of the hospital The infantâs life was saved after his cries alerted people nearby The incident created panic within the hospital administration and the police department The Tilak Nagar Police have registered a case and launched a search for the unidentified woman who allegedly abandoned the child after giving birthAccording to the police Police Constable Jitendra Vishnu Patil who is posted at Tilak Nagar Police Station was on duty in the casualty department of Rajawadi Hospital on the night of May 25 At around 9 PM a young man identified as Vishnu Shriram Patel approached him in a distressed condition and informed him that a newborn baby was lying inside the bathroom outside Ward No 40 and was crying continuouslyUpon receiving the information Constable Patil rushed to the spot immediately The scene inside the bathroom shocked everyone present A newborn male infant was found lying helplessly on the cold bathroom floor crying continuouslyHospital nurses were immediately called to the spot With the assistance of the nursing staff and the young man who first alerted the police the infant was rescued cleaned and shifted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit NICU without delay Doctors later confirmed that the childâs life was saved because of the timely medical intervention and his condition is currently stablePreliminary investigations by the police have revealed that there is no official record in the hospital registers indicating that any woman underwent delivery procedures at the hospital during that period Based on this investigators suspect that an unidentified woman gave birth to the child inside the hospital bathroom abandoned him there and quietly fled the premisesThe Tilak Nagar Police have registered a case against an unidentified woman and started an investigation into the matter CCTV footage from various parts of the hospital premises is being examined in an effort to identify and trace the woman who allegedly abandoned the newbornAt present the infant remains under medical supervision and is said to be safe Police teams are continuing their search for the absconding woman IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/newborn-found-abandoned-in-mumbai-hospital-bathroom-police-launch-search-for-mother-675538.html Fri, 29 May 2026 15:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/siddaramaiah-resignation-triggers-political-row-bjp-targets-congress-leadership-675539.html New Delhi May 29 The resignation of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday triggered fresh political controversy with the BJP questioning the Congress leadership Speaking to IANS BJP Rajya Sabha MP Lahar Singh Siroya said âSiddaramaiah was doing bad politics He wants to finish the Congress in KarnatakaââHe thinks that if he is not there what will Congress do in Karnataka It depends on Congress what decision will be taken it is certain BJP will come to power there soonâThe resignation has sparked a strong political exchange between the BJP and Congress with leaders trading sharp remarks over the leadership change and its timingResponding to the development Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel said âNo member of Congress will question the decision of the High Command The BJPâs only job is to spread hatred and lies Whatever responsibility is given we are supposed to keep working BJP is deliberately spreading rumoursâWest Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh also reacted stating âIt has been a tradition in the Congress that no Chief Minister is able to complete their tenure The same applies to the ministers It is their internal matter who resigns but people deserve development and justiceâThe resignation of Siddaramaiah marks a significant political development in Karnataka coming after weeks of speculation over a possible leadership change within the state Congress unitSiddaramaiah regarded as the Congressâ tallest mass leader in recent times submitted his resignation to the Governors secretary at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru on Thursday in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar Cabinet ministers and senior party leaders formally ending his tenure as Chief MinisterThe development also concluded weeks of political uncertainty and internal discussions within the ruling partyLater addressing a press conference in Bengaluru alongside Shivakumar and Home Minister G Parameshwara Siddaramaiah said he had resigned in line with instructions from the Congress High CommandHe said he would always abide by the High Commandâs decision adding that he had followed its direction in stepping downSiddaramaiah 78 now joins an elite group of Karnataka leaders who have served as Chief Minister more than once including S Nijalingappa Veerendra Patil D Devaraj Urs Ramakrishna Hegde HD Kumaraswamy and BS Yediyurappa IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/siddaramaiah-resignation-triggers-political-row-bjp-targets-congress-leadership-675539.html Fri, 29 May 2026 15:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/four-killed-as-rain-strong-winds-wreak-havoc-in-andhra-675540.html Amaravati May 29 Four persons were killed in separate incidents as rains with strong winds caused havoc in parts of Andhra Pradesh late on Thursday night Two youths were killed when a tree fell on the motorbike they were riding in Krishna districts Kummarapalem The deceased were identified as Manohar and Shivarama KrishnaA Home Guard and a student died of electrocution in two separate incidentsA student died of electrocution in Krishna district The deceased was identified as Anitha a student of IntermediateThe incident occurred in Lankapalli village in Pamidimukkala mandal when Anitha had gone to the tap to fetch drinking water She came in contact with an electric wire which had snapped due to gusty winds last nightA Home Guard died when an electricity wire fell on him in Vijayawada in NTR districtTrees and electricity poles were uprooted and hoardings collapsed due to strong winds at some places in the affected districtsVehicular traffic was disrupted at some places as the uprooted trees fell on the roadsHeavy rains lashed Machilipatnam of Karishna district inundating roads and disrupting vehicular trafficLightning struck Rythu Seva Kendr in East Godavari district Empty bags stored at the centre for farmers caught fire Fire department personnel reached the scene and brought the flames under controlThe electricity supply was affected in some areas in the districts of Krishna Guntur Prakasam Bapatla Planadu East Godavari West Godavari Dr BR Ambedkar Konaseema and KadapaMinister for Energy Gottipati Ravi Kumar stated that there was disruption in electricity supply in some areas due to rains and strong winds last nightHe directed officials to restore the supply by Friday afternoon He said the restoration work was affected due to rains and strong windsOfficials informed the minister that electricity supply has been restored in most of the affected areas in the two Godavari districts He appealed to people to take all precautions to avoid incidents of electrocutionThe minister expressed grief over the incident in which a Home Guard died of electrocution after an electric wire snapped and fell on him He assured all support to the family of the deceasedMeanwhile State Disaster Management Authority said that scattered rains accompanied by lightning are likely in the districts of East Godavari Kakinada Guntur Bapatla and TirupatiAccording to Prakhar Jain Managing Director State Disaster Management Authority strong gusty winds with speeds of 40â50 kmph are expected He advised people to remain alert and not to stand under trees utility poles or hoardings IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/four-killed-as-rain-strong-winds-wreak-havoc-in-andhra-675540.html Fri, 29 May 2026 15:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/aap-making-substantial-lead-in-punjab-civic-polls-as-per-early-vote-count-trends-675541.html Chandigarh May 29 The ruling AAP in Punjab has been making substantial leads as per early vote count trends on Friday for the election to Urban Local Bodies The main Opposition Congress and the regional outfit Shiromani Akali Dal are necktoneck The AAP won 178 wards while the Congress and SAD tally stood at 58 and 53 wards respectively till 11 AMThe elections are seen as a litmus test for the AAP just ahead of the Assembly elections in the state slated in early 2027The state on May 26 went to the polls to elect representatives in 102 civic bodies comprising eight municipal corporations 75 municipal councils and 19 nagar panchayatsThe elections covered 1897 wards that saw a voter turnout of 6394 per cent A total of 7554 candidates are in the fray across all Urban Local BodiesThe eight municipal corporations are in Abohar Mohali Moga Bathinda Barnala Batala Kapurthala and PathankotOf the total candidates in the fray 1801 belong to the AAP 1550 to the Congress 1316 to the BJP 1251 to the SAD and 96 to the BSP while 1528 are Independent and 13 other candidatesNagar panchayats recorded the highest voter turnout at 7618 per cent followed by Municipal Councils with 6506 per cent and Municipal Corporations 5991 per centAccording to the state Election Commission Municipal Corporations accounted for 1071 lakh electors of whom 641 lakh cast their votes Municipal Councils had the largest electorate with over 2287 lakh voters and nearly 1488 lakh votes were cast In Nagar Panchayats over 107 lakh votes were recorded out of 141 lakh electorsPolling day saw clashes involving supporters of the BJP Congress AAP and the Akali Dal and allegations of booth capturing were reported at several placesIn Raikot Congress candidate from Ward 4 Jagdev Singh Jagga was allegedly attacked with sharpedged weapons by a group of men while in Barnala the husband of BJP candidate Deepinder Kaur from Ward 15 was allegedly assaulted after objecting to suspected bogus votingClashes were also reported in Gidderbaha in Muktsar district where supporters of AAP and the Akali Dal confronted each other during polling in Wards 18 and 19State Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and Congress legislator Partap Singh Bajwa condemned the incident and slammed the AAP government over the law and order situation in the state IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/aap-making-substantial-lead-in-punjab-civic-polls-as-per-early-vote-count-trends-675541.html Fri, 29 May 2026 15:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/assistant-teacher-found-murdered-with-throat-slit-in-jharkhands-palamu-675543.html Palamu Jharkhand May 29 An assistant teacher was found murdered with his throat slit in the Chhatarpur police station area of Palamu district in Jharkhand officials said on Friday The deceased has been identified as 45yearold Uday Singh a resident of Chilho KhurdAccording to the police Singh had received a phone call from an acquaintance on Thursday evening after which he left his home When he did not return till late at night his family began searching for himDuring the search his motorcycle was found parked along the roadside on the route to Patan near Nagdara village A further search of the surrounding area led to the recovery of his body from nearby bushes found soaked in bloodSingh was working as an assistant teacher at a local school and was also known to provide medical assistance to people in nearby areasUpon receiving information about the incident the Chhatarpur police reached the spot and launched an investigation Several liquor and beer bottles were recovered from the scenePreliminary findings suggest that Singh may have been lured to the location under the pretext of a drinking session and then killed with a sharpedged weaponPolice officials said the involvement of a known person cannot be ruled out Efforts are underway to identify the person who had called Singh and to examine their whereaboutsThe police are scanning the call details of the deceasedâs mobile phone and preparing to question those who were in contact with him lastSeveral crucial pieces of evidence have been collected from the spot and the investigation is being carried forward with the help of forensic experts The body has been sent for postmortemThe incident has triggered grief and anger in the area with locals demanding the swift arrest of the accusedPolice have assured that the case will be solved soon and those responsible will be taken into custody IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/assistant-teacher-found-murdered-with-throat-slit-in-jharkhands-palamu-675543.html Fri, 29 May 2026 15:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/isi-eyes-deported-illegal-immigrants-as-potential-assets-with-deep-knowledge-of-india-675554.html New Delhi May 29 Massive gatherings have been reported at the IndiaBangladesh border following an aggressive campaign launched by the newly formed BJP government in West Bengal to drive out illegal immigrants The government has directed the administration to detect detain and deport illegal immigrants Many who entered the country illegally have been selfdeporting themselves as they do not want to be put in detention centres However Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has explicitly ordered officials to expedite the repatriation processHe instructed the state police to bypass traditional judicial court proceedings when dealing with illegal immigrants from Bangladesh An official said that the drive is much needed as illegal immigrants have stressed the Indian systemsIndian agencies are keeping a very close watch on the developments as the ISI would look to activate its radicalisation wings along the border areas to tap those persons who have been deported An Intelligence Bureau official said that the ISI would look to capitalise on the situation and with the JamaateIslami winning handsomely in the bordering areas it would be an added advantage for Pakistan to go ahead with its plan the official addedUsanas Foundation CEO Dr Abhinav Pandya says that the agencies have long neglected issues of demographic change and the Islamisation of India The ISI had a malicious ambition of enforcing demographic change in India and they had hoped that there would be complete Islamisation of IndiaAnother official said that there are scores of touts across the border who are in charge of sending in illegal immigrants They are being contacted by ISI elements to hold as many persons who come into Bangladesh and then send them to radicalisation camps the official addedDr Pandya says that Pakistan has realised that it cannot beat India in a conventional war They had hoped that demographic change would be the ultimate solution They want to do in the rest of India what they did in Kashmir he addedHe further states that all these persons being sent out will have grievances The ISI would tap as many people as possible and recruit them into terror groups After all they have lived in India for a long time and have good knowledge of the country This would make them perfect for recruitment Dr Pandya addedLt Col Ujjual Abhishek Jha Retd an Intelligence veteran and analyst says that Pakistan would use this to build up a strong narrative about India being the oppressor The ISI would collude with the JamaateIslami and indulge in radicalisation activities The Jamaat has a strong support base along the West BengalBangladesh border he addedSpeaking about the longterm plans of the ISI he said that those radicalised would be connected with terror modules Further Pakistan would look to use this issue to strain IndiaBangladesh relations The ties between the two countries are currently delicate and as attempts are being made to improve relations Pakistan would use this issue to derail the processAn official said that they are closely watching the developments The borders are on very high alert All ISIbacked activity is being closely monitored and the agencies will ensure that those radicalised elements are blocked from reentering the country the official also added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/isi-eyes-deported-illegal-immigrants-as-potential-assets-with-deep-knowledge-of-india-675554.html Fri, 29 May 2026 15:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/majority-of-neet-reform-recommendations-already-implemented-former-isro-chief-to-sc-675559.html New Delhi May 29 Former ISRO Chairman K Radhakrishnan has informed the Supreme Court that a majority of the recommendations made by the highlevel expert committee constituted after the NEETUG 2024 controversy have either been implemented or are under active execution with several reforms already operational in the conduct of NEET examinations In an affidavit filed before the apex court Radhakrishnan who headed both the HighLevel Committee of Experts HLCE on NTA reforms and the subsequent HighPowered Steering Committee HPSC monitoring implementation of its recommendations said the reforms were aimed at ensuring âtransparent smooth and fair conduct of examinationsâ by the National Testing Agency NTAThe affidavit was filed pursuant to the Supreme Courtâs May 25 direction asking him to apprise the top court of the status of implementation of the panelâs recommendationsRadhakrishnan said the HLCE constituted by the Union Ministry of Education in June 2024 following the NEETUG controversy held extensive consultations with stakeholders including state governments police authorities technology experts academicians student groups and global testing agencies âThe HLCE also consulted stakeholders through the MyGov portal and received 37144 responses from students parentsguardians teachersacademicians etcâ the affidavit statedAccording to the affidavit the committee submitted its report on October 21 2024 making 101 recommendations covering examination reforms data security institutional restructuring of NTA examination integrity mental health support and technological safeguards âThe HLCE made a total of 101 recommendations with shortterm mediumterm and longterm perspectiveâ it saidThe affidavit stated that a HighPowered Steering Committee was subsequently constituted on November 14 2024 to oversee implementation of the recommendations and has been continuously monitoring progress through periodic reviews and presentations by NTA officialsHighlighting measures already put in place Radhakrishnan said state governments are now actively involved in the conduct of NEET examinations through StateLevel Coordination Committees SLCCs and DistrictLevel Coordination Committees DLCCs âStates are now actively involved in the conduct of NEETUG Examination as recommended by the HLCE State Level Coordination Committees SLCCs and District Level Coordination Committees DLCCs are functional and played a key role during NEET UG 2025 and 2026 Examinationsâ the affidavit saidIt added that more than 995 per cent of examination centres for NEETUG 2026 were government institutions and that city coordinators were drawn from government schools and Kendriya VidyalayasOn strengthening of the NTA the affidavit said the government had created 16 new seniorlevel posts and deployed domainspecific experts from institutions such as IITs the University Grants Commission UGC and Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan KVSRadhakrishnan also informed the top court that Aadhaarbased biometric authentication has been introduced for NEETUG candidates as part of the first phase of the proposed âDIGIEXAMâ systemâHPSC noted that NTA introduced Aadhaarbased biometric authentication for candidates appearing in NEETUG Examination as part of first phase for implementation of DIGIEXAM systemâ the affidavit statedIt further recorded that a multilayer frisking mechanism has been introduced CCTV surveillance has been expanded across examination centres and mobile jammers have been installed to prevent electronic malpracticeThe affidavit added that data analytics tools are now being used to identify suspicious patterns and anomalies in candidate responses while the grievance redressal system is being strengthened through artificial intelligence and machine learningbased functionalitiesOn the issue of examination format Radhakrishnan said the expert committee had recommended a gradual transition of NEETUG from penandpaper mode to a computerbased testing CBT format along with multisession and multistage testingâOn the structure of NEETUG the HLCE had recommended a transition from PenandPaper to ComputerBased Testingâ the affidavit stated However it clarified that such recommendations would have to be implemented in consultation with the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare which is the nodal ministry for NEETUGThe affidavit also said that several longterm reforms including educational testing research information security upgrades AIbased monitoring systems and harmonisation of entrance examinations are being implemented in a phased manner under the committeeâs supervisionThe affidavit comes in the backdrop of petitions seeking sweeping reforms in the conduct of NEETUG following the 2026 paper leak controversy IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/majority-of-neet-reform-recommendations-already-implemented-former-isro-chief-to-sc-675559.html Fri, 29 May 2026 15:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/acid-spill-claims-womans-life-injures-two-children-in-mp-village-675561.html Bhopal May 29 A heartbreaking accident in Mohanpura village of Barwani district has left a family devastated after a can of acid spilled over a sleeping mother and her two children The incident claimed the life of 24yearold Pinky while her two children sustained severe burnsThe tragedy occurred around 400 am on Friday when a fivelitre can containing acid stored inside the house for cleaning drip irrigation lines in their farmland fell from a rack According to police officials the movement of rats inside the house caused the can to topple spilling the corrosive chemical directly onto the family members who were asleep nearbyPinkyâs husband Vijay Chauhan a resident of Salkheda village had been living with his family in a house built on their agricultural landThe family relied on drip irrigation for farming which required the use of acid for periodic cleaning of the lines The acid can had been placed on a rack for safekeeping but the nocturnal activity of rats led to the fatal mishap the police officials saidFamily members immediately rushed the injured to the Rajpur Health Centre Given the critical nature of their burns doctors referred them to the District Hospital in BarwaniTragically Pinky succumbed to her injuries while being transported to the hospital The two children who suffered extensive burns have been admitted to the burn ward of the district hospitalA team of doctors is closely monitoring their condition which is currently reported as stable but seriousPolice have registered a case and initiated an investigation into the matterAuthorities are also examining whether proper safety protocols were followed while storing the acidThe district administration has assured full support to the grieving family including medical assistance for the injured children Local residents expressed grief over the avoidable tragedy highlighting the risks of storing hazardous chemicals in residential spaces IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/acid-spill-claims-womans-life-injures-two-children-in-mp-village-675561.html Fri, 29 May 2026 15:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bsnl-officer-in-jharkhand-convicted-in-da-case-gets-3-year-jail-675570.html Ranchi May 29 A special CBI court in Ranchi on Friday convicted former BSNL Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd technical officer Ram Vinod Singh in a disproportionate assets case and sentenced him to three yearsâ rigorous imprisonment The court also imposed a fine of Rs 25 lakh on the officerSpecial Judge Yogesh Kumar while delivering the verdict stated that failure to deposit the fine within the stipulated period would result in an additional one year of simple imprisonment in jailThe case dates back to 2007 when the CBIâs AntiCorruption Branch in Ranchi registered a case RC 02A2007 against the accused Ram Vinod SinghAccording to the investigating agency Singh while in service abused his official position to acquire assets worth around Rs 34 lakh in excess of his known sources of incomeThe CBI launched several searches at his premises in Jamshedpur and other areas During one of the searches the CBI found cash of Rs 68000 apart from the documents of several movable and immovable properties disproportionate to Singhâs known sources of incomeFollowing a detailed probe the CBI filed a charge sheet in court During the trial the agency presented documentary evidence and examined several witnesses in support of its caseCBI public prosecutor Davinder Pal Sood argued that the accused had amassed property through corrupt means by misusing his position as a BSNL officerBased on the prosecutionâs arguments documentary evidence and witness testimonies the court found Singh guilty under Sections 132 and 131e of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 and sentenced him to three years in jail apart from a fine of Rs 25 lakhCBI officials said that the investigation involved an assessment of the accusedâs movable and immovable assets which confirmed that he possessed wealth disproportionate to his legitimate income IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bsnl-officer-in-jharkhand-convicted-in-da-case-gets-3-year-jail-675570.html Fri, 29 May 2026 16:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/crpf-junior-officer-dies-in-jampks-shopian-youth-found-dead-in-kulgam-675571.html Srinagar May 29 A junior officer of the Central Reserve Police Force CRPF died inside a camp on Friday in Jammu and Kashmirâs Shopian district while a youth was found dead in Kulgam district Police said that an Assistant SubInspector ASI of the CRPF died after falling unconscious at a camp in Zainapora area of Shopian district todayThe ASI posted at the Horticulture Camp in Zainapora area suddenly collapsed inside the campâHe was immediately taken to the Community Health Centre CHC Zainapora where doctors declared him brought dead on arrivalâThe deceased was a resident of Rajbagh area of Kathua district Police have taken cognisance of the incident and started further proceedingsâ police saidIn another incident a 25yearold youth was found dead at his residence in Chimmer area of Kulgam districtThe deceased a mechanic by profession and a graduate was found hanging inside his homeâAfter completion of medicolegal formalities and postmortem examination the body was handed over to the family for last rites Police took cognisance of the incident and started further investigationâ a police officer saidWhile the exact reason for the youthâs death in Kulgam is still being investigated it must be mentioned that suicides by young people are becoming a major cause of concern in KashmirSuicides by youngsters in Kashmir have reached critical levels with suicide ranking as the fourth most prevalent cause of mortality for those aged between 15 to 29 in the regionOfficial records show a stark rise in such attempts as suicide cases in the Kashmir Valley increased from 472 in 2020 to 586 in 2021The situation is driven by a complex interplay of sociopolitical and economic factors including drug abuse and addiction Substance abuse is a major contributor with approximately 46 per cent of the population using opioid substancesRoughly twothirds of drug users began at a very young age usually between ages 11 to 20Mental health distress due to long term exposure to violence and sociopolitical unrest has severely impacted mental health An estimated 45 per cent of the adult population suffers from mental distress including depression 41 per cent anxiety 26 per cent and PostTraumatic Stress Disorder 19 per centEconomic pressures due to high unemployment rate and shattered dreams due to intense competition for academic and job opportunities are significant triggers for the youthSociocultural constraints including stigma surrounding drug abuse and mental health often prevents victims from seeking help Additionally familyrelated issues and love affairs gone wrong are frequently cited in local reports as reason for suicideIn addition to the youth found hanging in Kulgam district today just three days ago a 24yearold jumped into the River Jhelum in Srinagar city IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/crpf-junior-officer-dies-in-jampks-shopian-youth-found-dead-in-kulgam-675571.html Fri, 29 May 2026 16:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sharmila-meets-rahul-gandhi-amid-buzz-about-rajya-sabha-nomination-675575.html AmaravatiNew Delhi May 29 Congresss Andhra Pradesh state President Y S Sharmila on Friday met senior party leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in the national capital amid reports that the high command is considering her name for nomination to the Rajya Sabha When media persons asked Sharmila about her name being circulated for nomination to the Rajya Sabha she merely remarked that Rahul Gandhi knows betterWhen Sharmila came out after the meeting media persons asked her about the discussion that took place She evaded a reply when asked if her reported nomination to the Rajya Sabha was discussedThis discussion was about regular Andhra Pradesh political affairs she said When journalists continued their questions about her name being circulated for the nomination to the upper house of Parliament she said I am very sure Rahul Gandhi ji knows the bestLater Sharmila said in a post on X that they discussed issues relating to the strengthening the party in the stateSharmila said that she met Rahul Gandhi at his residence at 10 Janpath We discussed various issues regarding the strengthening of the Congress party in Andhra Pradesh and received several suggestions from Mr Rahul Gandhi she saidCongress General Secretary Organisation KC Venugopal was also reported to be present during the meetingThe central leadership of the Congress party is reportedly considering the proposal to nominate Sharmila for the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka where the party is in powerElections to four Rajya Sabha seats from Karnataka are scheduled on June 18Sharmilaâs likely nomination to the Rajya Sabha is being seen as part of the strategy by the Congress high command to strengthen the party in Andhra Pradesh where the party has had no MP or state legislator for more than a decadeSharmila sister of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSR Congress Pary president Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy was appointed state Congress President in January 2024 after she merged her YSR Telangana Party with the CongressShe led the party in the simultaneous elections to the state Assembly and Lok Sabha held in May 2024 However for a third consecutive time the Congress party drew a blank in both the Assembly and the Lok SabhaThe Congress party was virtually wiped out in 2014 as the party failed to win a single Assembly or Lok Sabha seat due to public anger over the bifurcation of the united Andhra Pradesh The party lost several senior leaders who joined either the YSRCP or the TDPThe party failed to open its account in 2019 as well There were hopes that Sharmilaâs appointment as state party chief would change the partyâs fortunes in 2024 However it once again failed to open its account IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sharmila-meets-rahul-gandhi-amid-buzz-about-rajya-sabha-nomination-675575.html Fri, 29 May 2026 16:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/lucknow-tin-shed-collapses-at-charbagh-railway-station-three-injured-675578.html Lucknow May 29 A portion of a tin shed at Platform No 5 of Lucknowâs Charbagh Railway Station collapsed on Friday injuring at least three people including passengers and a train ticket examiner TTE The incident occurred around 8 am while redevelopment and modernisation work was underway at the station under the Rail Land Development Authority RLDAAccording to officials the tin shed on Platforms 4 and 5 suddenly collapsed onto the platform area causing panic among passengers waiting for trains Railway Protection Force RPF personnel immediately rushed to the spot rescued the injured and shifted them to a nearby hospital for treatment Movement on the affected platform was temporarily suspended following the incidentOfficials said three passengers sustained injuries in the collapse and were admitted to the hospital Work to clear the debris from the damaged shed began soon after the incidentAn injured passenger Abhishek Balmiki who was present at the station at the time of the accident described the terrifying moment âI was going to Haridwar with five friends for a trip We were standing at Platform 5 of Charbagh Railway Station waiting for our train because it was delayed Suddenly the tin shed fell on usâ he told IANSAccording to railway officials the shed that collapsed had already been marked for removal as part of the ongoing redevelopment work at the station Despite this Platform 5 remained operational for passenger movement while the adjacent Platform 4 had been closed due to modernisation activitiesOfficials said the injured passengers along with several others were waiting for the HowrahDoon Express 13037 on Platform 5 when the incident took placeEarlier on Thursday at least six workers were killed after an underconstruction bridge collapsed during a latenight storm in Uttar Pradeshs Hamirpur district The death count is feared to rise to eightUttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the loss of lives in the tragic incident and directed officials to intensify relief and rescue operations at the sitePosting on X CM Yogi said âThe loss of lives in a tragic accident on the Betwa River in Hamirpur district is extremely heartbreaking and heartrending My condolences are with the bereaved families Instructions have been issued to the district administration to swiftly carry out relief and rescue operations in coordination with SDRF I pray to Lord Shri Ram that the departed souls attain a place at His divine feet and the injured recover swiftlyâAccording to the Chief Ministerâs Office CMO CM Yogi took immediate cognisance of the incident and directed senior officials to reach the site without delay and accelerate rescue operationsHe also instructed authorities to ensure proper treatment for the injured and provide adequate compensation to the families of the deceased IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/lucknow-tin-shed-collapses-at-charbagh-railway-station-three-injured-675578.html Fri, 29 May 2026 16:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sports-promote-perseverance-unity-and-discipline-manipur-governor-at-ncc-event-675579.html Imphal May 29 Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Friday highlighted the importance of sports and cultural activities saying that sports teach the values of perseverance cooperation and the graceful acceptance of both victory and defeat The Governor along with his wife Jyoti Bhalla graced the grand finale of the NCC Ekta Cup 2026 at the Artificial Turf Ground Lamlong Thongkhong in Imphal Addressing the gathering he said that cultural programmes remind people of the richness of Indiaâs diversity and help strengthen the values of respect harmony and unityBhalla expressed happiness at being part of the concluding function of the firstever NCC Ekta Cup organised in Manipur He observed that the tournament had showcased not only sporting excellence and healthy competition but also discipline teamwork friendship and the spirit of national integrationThe Governor stated that the word âEktaâ signifies unity and remarked that the tournament had truly reflected its noble meaning by bringing together young cadets and students from diverse backgroundsBhalla who earlier served as Union Home Secretary highlighted the role of the National Cadet Corps NCC in shaping disciplined confident and patriotic citizens He said that initiatives such as the NCC Ekta Cup contribute significantly towards preparing the youth to succeed in life and serve society and the nation with commitment and dedicationThe Under17 Boys Football Tournament was organised by the NCC Group Headquarters Imphal under the NCC Northeast Region Headquarters in ShillongThe event began with spectacular cultural and musical performances presented by local artists Manka Mayanglambam and John Oinam respectivelyDeputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho who holds the Forest Environment and Climate Change portfolio senior NCC officers cadets and students attended the event The final match was played between NCC and RFA with NCC registering a 10 victory IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sports-promote-perseverance-unity-and-discipline-manipur-governor-at-ncc-event-675579.html Fri, 29 May 2026 16:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/may-eid-al-adha-deepen-spirit-of-brotherhood-happiness-in-society-pm-modi-675420.html New Delhi May 28 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday extended Eid alAdha greetings to the countrymen and prayed for happiness and good health in societynbspEid ulAdha greetings May this occasion deepen the spirit of brotherhood and happiness in our society Praying for everyones success and good health PM Modi said in a post on XBakrid also known as Eid alAdha is being celebrated with deep religious fervour and enthusiasm across the country on Thursday as thousands of devotees gathered at mosques and Eidgahs from early morning to offer special prayers and mark one of the most significant festivals in IslamLarge congregations of worshippers were witnessed at several places across the country with people dressed in traditional attire participating in prayers and exchanging greetings with family members friends and neighboursWorshippers said the festival carries a message of brotherhood communal harmony and peaceful coexistence while also reminding people about compassion sacrifice and charityAuthorities made elaborate security arrangements in several cities to ensure that celebrations passed off peacefully and law and order were maintained during the festivitiesEid alAdha widely known as Bakrid in India holds immense religious significance for Muslims across the world The festival commemorates the devotion and sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim who was willing to sacrifice his son in obedience to Gods command The occasion symbolises unwavering faith obedience to God gratitude compassion forgiveness sacrifice and charityFamilies gathered to celebrate the festival with prayers festive meals and acts of kindness while many people also distributed food and extended help to the underprivileged as part of the spirit of the occasionWhile Bakrid was celebrated in most parts of India on Thursday some regions including parts of Jammu and Kashmir observed the festival on WednesdayAs with other Islamic festivals the date of Eid alAdha depends on the sighting of the crescent moonnbspThis year religious authorities in several parts of India confirmed that the DhulHijjah crescent moon was not sighted on the expected evening As a result the beginning of the Islamic month shifted by a day leading to Bakrid being celebrated on May 28 in most states across the countryIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/may-eid-al-adha-deepen-spirit-of-brotherhood-happiness-in-society-pm-modi-675420.html Thu, 28 May 2026 12:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/amit-shah-to-begin-two-day-gujarat-visit-today-launch-multiple-development-projects-675421.html Gandhinagar May 28 IANS Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah will begin his twoday visit to Gujarat on Thursday during which he is scheduled to inaugurate and lay foundation stones for multiple development projects across the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency and Ahmedabad and to hold organisational and review meetingsShah who is also the Member of Parliament from the constituency will begin his programmes on Thursday with a series of developmentrelated events across different locationsIn Vadsar he will inaugurate the newly constructed Jedva Lake developed under the Anandam Parivar CSR fundAt the same location as well as in Jalund and Sardhav he will also inaugurate newly established libraries developed under Toyota Kirloskar Motors Limiteds CSR initiativeAt Khatraj he will lay the foundation stone for lake beautification works undertaken by the Arvind Foundation He will also inaugurate a newly constructed village panchayat officeFurther engagements include the inauguration of the Pay Centre Primary School at Moti Bhoyan as well as the foundation stone laying and inauguration of various development works in Sonipur village and in areas under the Kalol and Gandhinagar North assembly constituenciesDuring the visit to Sonipur Shah is also scheduled to have lunch at the residence of former sarpanch and senior BJP worker Gandaji ThakorLater at the state party headquarters Shri Kamalam a meeting of senior BJP officebearers will be held in his presenceHe is also scheduled to inaugurate the CBSE regional office at the Chandkheda area of Ahmedabad and a newly constructed hostel building at the Umiyadham campus in SolaIn Ahmedabad the newly constructed Bharat Mata sculpture developed by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation at New Vadaj will be inauguratedThis will be followed by a review meeting at the Circuit House on preparations for the Olympic Commonwealth and World Police and Fire Games which will be chaired by ShahAfter completing the scheduled programmes on Thursday he is expected to travel to Bhuj in Kutch The visit continues on Friday with additional engagements as part of the twoday programme across GujaratIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/amit-shah-to-begin-two-day-gujarat-visit-today-launch-multiple-development-projects-675421.html Thu, 28 May 2026 13:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/karnataka-celebrations-erupt-at-shivakumars-residence-security-beefed-up-near-guvs-house-675423.html Bengaluru May 28 IANS Celebrations broke out at the residence of Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President DK Shivakumar on Thursday after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced his decision to resign during the highprofile breakfast meeting held at his official residence KaverinbspnbspFollowing the development large numbers of Shivakumars supporters and fans gathered outside his residence in Sadashivanagar Bengaluru Supporters were seen chanting slogans in his favour distributing sweets and celebrating amid strong speculation that Shivakumar is set to become the next Chief Minister of KarnatakaPolice and security personnel were deployed in large numbers at the residence to manage the swelling crowd and maintain law and ordernbspSources said that while announcing his resignation decision before Cabinet colleagues Siddaramaiah spoke about the states financial condition challenges in implementing the governments guarantee schemes and the need to continue welfare programmes in the futurenbspAccording to sources Siddaramaiah informed the ministers that the Congress high command had conveyed to him that DK Shivakumar would be the next Chief Minister Members of the Council of Ministers reportedly expressed their consent and support following the announcementSiddaramaiah also urged his Cabinet colleagues to continue delivering good governance and welfare programmes to the people of the statenbspSources stated that Siddaramaiah remained composed while making the announcement However after concluding his remarks the Chief Minister reportedly became emotional I am satisfied with the work that I have done he is said to have told his colleaguesSeveral ministers considered close to Siddaramaiah including Labour Minister Santosh Lad also became emotional during the meetingnbspMeanwhile after the meeting Shivakumar returned to his residence Sources close to him said that he is expected to visit Nonavinakere Mutt to seek the blessings of seer Ajjayya Swamiji and discuss an auspicious time for the swearingin ceremony Shivakumar is reportedly accompanied by his daughter during the visitSecurity has also been tightened at Lok Bhavan ahead of Siddaramaiahs scheduled arrival to submit his resignation Barricades have been installed around the premises and senior officials have stepped up security arrangementsnbspLok Bhavan Secretary R Prabhushankar has arrived at the premises and Siddaramaiah is expected to hand over his resignation letter to him as Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot is currently in Indore Madhya Pradesh following a personal emergencyIn a major development Siddaramaiah on Thursday announced his decision to tender his resignation during the breakfast meeting hosted by him at his official residence Kaveri in BengalurunbspThe official statement by the CMs office stated Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will visit Lok Bhavan today at 230 PM Later at 3 PM he will address a press conference at his other official residence KrishnanbspState Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs HK Patil while leaving after attending the breakfast meeting further confirmed CM is going to Raj Bhavan CM Siddaramaiah will make Shivakumar the new CM https://dailyworld.in/national/karnataka-celebrations-erupt-at-shivakumars-residence-security-beefed-up-near-guvs-house-675423.html Thu, 28 May 2026 14:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/eam-jaishankar-meets-counterparts-from-eu-countries-in-cyprus--675424.html Nicosia May 28 IANS External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar met his counterparts from Estonia France Romania Slovakia Poland and Netherlands on the sidelines of the Informal Meeting of the European Union EU Foreign Ministers in Cyprus on ThursdaynbspnbspA quick catch up with DPM and FM Radoslaw Sikorski FM of Romania Toiu Oana and FM Tom Berendsen of Netherlands in Cyprus today EAM Jaishankar posted on X after his meetingsnbspHe also met his Slovakian counterpart Juraj Blanar on the sidelines of the meetingnbspAlways nice to meet FM JeanNoel Barrot of France this time in Cyprus stated EAM Jaishankar after meeting his French counterpartEAM Jaishankar also met his Estonian counterpart Margus Tsahkna and European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Suica on the sidelines of the meetingnbspEarlier the External Affairs Minister participated in the Informal Meeting of the EU Foreign MinistersnbspDuring the meeting the ministers discussed opportunities practical collaborations and shared interests in the emerging multipolar ordernbspGreat to be in Limassol to join the informal Gymnich meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Ministers Our partnership with EU and the region continues to deepen across a wide range of domains Discussed opportunities practical collaborations and our shared interests in the emerging multipolar order EAM Jaishankar posted on XEAM Jaishankar was invited to attend the EUs Informal Meeting of Foreign Affairs Ministers Gymnich in Cyprus Limassol on May 2728nbspOn the sidelines of the meeting he held a meeting with his Spanish counterpart Jose Manuel Albares with discussions held on trade technology defence and peopletopeople tiesnbspA pleasure to meet FM Jose Manuel Albares of Spain on sidelines of Cyprus Gymnich meeting today Discussed further steps for our trade technology defence and P2P ties Appreciate his views on ongoing global and regional developments EAM Jaishankar posted on XEAM Jaishankar also met his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha with both ministers discussing the Ukraine conflict and exploring ways to deepen bilateral cooperationnbspA useful meeting with FM Andrii Sybiha of Ukraine Exchanged views on the Ukraine conflict Also discussed our bilateral cooperation he posted on XnbspEAM Jaishankar held a meeting with Saudi Arabias Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud where the two sides exchanged views on the regional development in West AsiaSharing the details of the interaction on X EAM Jaishankar stated A good meeting with FM HH Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud of Saudi Arabia Appreciate his assessments and insights on the evolving situation in West AsiaMiddle EastnbspHe also met EUs High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas and discussed IndiaEU cooperation and the geopolitical situation in West AsiaIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/eam-jaishankar-meets-counterparts-from-eu-countries-in-cyprus--675424.html Thu, 28 May 2026 15:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/look-forward-to-hosting-pm-modi-soon-australian-pm-albanese-hails-bilateral-ties--675425.html Canberra May 28 IANS Hailing their bilateral relationship Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that the ties between the two nations continue to deepen through culture education cricket and trade and that he looks forward to hosting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the near futurenbspIn his address at the Australian Parliament Albanese highlighted Indias economic growth and emphasised that the trade relationship between the two nations has been further enhanced by the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement ECTA He recalled his first visit to India in 1991 describing it as a wonderful experienceIndia of course has the largest population in the world but it will also grow to be the third largest economy in the world over this decade That is an extraordinary opportunity for us in our region We are a Pacific nation but we are also an Indian Ocean nation as well Our trading relationship has been enhanced by the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement and we are further drawn together through culture education and of course the international language of cricket One of my great honours has been my two visits so far to India as Prime MinisternbspWhen I first visited India as a backpacker way back in 1991 a long time ago I travelled a bit differently in those days I do want to say if you want to understand India get on a video bus or train It is a wonderful experience to see firsthand the warmth that is there Now likewise will have the privilege of hosting Prime Minister Modi here soon a privilege I look forward to repeating for the second time he addedAlbanese lauded the Indian communitys contribution to Australian society and how they have strengthened ties between the two nations He expressed the Australian governments commitment to supporting Indians and their interestsnbspLike last time Prime Minister Modis visit will be made extraordinary by so many of the millionstrong Indian Australian community the largest growing migrant community in Australia Thats a community that has added so much through their love of this country their spirit of generosity and through generations of hard work and aspiration that have strengthened our economy and enhanced our society not least of course all those wonderful small businesses that have benefited from the Indian diaspora he saidWhat these great Australians have done in the process is strengthen the important links between this land that is their home and future and the land of their extraordinary heritage I say to them were a better country because of you My government will always stand up for you and your interests We will reject any attempt to divide That is definitely worth noting that we need to celebrate the contribution that Indian migrants have made and will continue to make to this country he addedWhile sharing Albaneses video on X Australias High Commissioner to India Philip Green said When your Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks with so much conviction ampamp passion about India the country where you serve as the High Commissioner it makes your job infinitely more meaningful We look forward to welcoming you to Australia Prime Minister Narendra Modi jiIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/look-forward-to-hosting-pm-modi-soon-australian-pm-albanese-hails-bilateral-ties--675425.html Thu, 28 May 2026 15:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/siddaramaiah-resigns-brings-curtains-down-on-tenure-as-karnatakas-longest-serving-cm-675454.html Bengaluru May 28 IANS Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah regarded as the Congresss tallest mass leader in recent times submitted his resignation to the Governor at Lok Bhavan here on Thursday bringing an end to his tenure as the states longestserving Chief MinisternbspThe development also brought the curtain down on weeks of intense political drama and speculation surrounding a possible leadership change in KarnatakanbspnbspSiddaramaiah submitted his resignation to the Governors Secretary in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar all cabinet ministers and other prominent party leadersLater addressing a joint press conference in Bengaluru alongside Shivakumar and Home Minister G Parameshwara Siddaramaiah said I have submitted my resignation from the Chief Ministers post to the Governors SecretarynbspThe Governor was not in town and officials informed me that he would return by tonight Against this background I have submitted my resignation letter to the Governors Secretary I have always said both inside and outside the Assembly that whenever the high command directs me I will tender my resignation Two days ago the high command asked me to step down and keeping my word I am submitting my resignationSiddaramaiah 78 now joins an elite group of Karnataka politicians who have occupied the Chief Ministers post more than once including S Nijalingappa Veerendra Patil D Devaraj Urs Ramakrishna Hegde HD Kumaraswamy and BS YediyurappanbspBorn in August 1947 in Siddaramanahundi village of Mysuru district Siddaramaiah rose from humble beginnings to become one of Karnatakas most influential political leaders As a child he tended cattle and began his formal education directly from Class 4 He later completed a law degree before entering politicsHis father Siddarame Gowda had unsuccessfully contested Gram Panchayat elections and reportedly advised Siddaramaiah not to trust people in politics However Siddaramaiah went on to successfully contest and win a Taluk Board election marking the beginning of his long political journeynbspOver the course of his career Siddaramaiah contested 12 Assembly elections and won nine of them He also holds the record for presenting 17 state budgetsnbspJDS supremo and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda is widely regarded as Siddaramaiahs political mentor who helped shape him into a mass leader However ideological and political differences later led Siddaramaiah to part ways with Deve Gowda and the Janata Dal He subsequently joined the Congress and went on to become a twoterm Chief Minister and Karnatakas longestserving CMSiddaramaiah is known for several major welfare and social justice initiatives during his political career His decisions on internal reservation reservation for oppressed communities in government tenders and providing largescale representation to backward and oppressed classes in the cabinet have often been described by supporters as pathbreaking measuresnbspHe also emerged as one of the Congresss strongest critics of the BJP RSS Hindutva politics Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit ShahnbspAt the same time Siddaramaiah has often faced criticism from political opponents who accused him of pursuing appeasement politicsSiddaramaiahs political journey spans nearly five decades and includes several major turning points He first contested the Assembly election in 1978 from the Chamundeshwari constituency on the ticket of the Lok Dal led by former PM Charan Singh but lost In 1983 he won from Chamundeshwari as an Independent candidate He later became the Transport Minister in the SR Bommai cabinet in 1988 However in 1989 he lost the Assembly election from Chamundeshwari In 1991 he contested the Lok Sabha election from Koppal but suffered defeatnbspIn 1992 Siddaramaiah joined the Janata Dal following the merger of the Samajwadi Janata Party His political career gained momentum in 1994 when he won from Chamundeshwari for the third time and became Finance Minister in the Deve Gowda cabinet In 1996 he was elevated as Deputy Chief Minister in the late JH Patel government He secured his fourth victory from Chamundeshwari in 2004A major turning point came in 2005 when Siddaramaiah launched the AHINDA movement and was later expelled from the JDS In 2006 he joined the Congress in the presence of its thenPresident Sonia Gandhi and won a byelection by a narrow margin of 257 votes In 2008 he won from Varuna and became MLA for the sixth timenbspSiddaramaiah reached the peak of his political career in 2013 when he took the oath as the Chief Minister of Karnataka on May 13 In the 2018 Assembly elections he won from the Badami constituency while losing from Chamundeshwari Later in 2018 after the formation of the CongressJDS coalition government he was appointed chairman of the coordination committee between the two parties Later he served as the opposition leader in 2019nbspWith Siddaramaiah stepping down from office Karnataka politics now enters a new phase even as his supporters describe his tenure as one of the most influential and transformative periods in the states political history https://dailyworld.in/national/siddaramaiah-resigns-brings-curtains-down-on-tenure-as-karnatakas-longest-serving-cm-675454.html Thu, 28 May 2026 17:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/na-jaane-kis-gali-mein-zindagi-ki-shaam-ho-jaaye-renowned-urdu-poet-dr-bashir-badr-passes-away-675455.html Bhopal May 28 IANS Renowned Urdu poet Dr Bashir Badr known for his expressive and evocative shayrinbsp passed away in Bhopal on Thursday afternoon leaving behind a rich literary legacy that spanned decades He was 91nbspHe breathed his last at around 12 noon at the age of 91nbspAccording to family members Badr had been suffering from dementia for a long time a condition that gradually eroded his memory and left him unable to recognise even close acquaintances His health had been deteriorating steadily in recent months and despite medical care his condition worsened until his demiseThe funeral arrangements are yet to be finalised though family sources indicated that the last rites may be performed later on Thursday onlynbspHis passing marks the end of an era in Urdu poetry as Badr was celebrated for his evocative verses like Ujale apni yaadon ke hamare saath rahne doNa jaane kis gali mein zindagi ki shaam ho jaaye or Kai sitaron ko main jaanta hoon bachapan seKahin bhi jaaun mere saath saath chalte hai or Sar jhukaoge to patthar devtaa ho jaayegaItna mat chaaho use wo bewafa ho jaayegaa Khuda ham ko aisi khudaai na deKi apne siva kuch dikhai na de Kuch to majbooriyan rahi hongiYun koi bewafa nahi hota and many more that captured the complexities of love longing and human emotion with unmatched simplicity and depthHis literary journey was not only prolific but also profoundly inspiring influencing generations of readers and writers alike A familiar figure in mushairas across India he was much admired for the art with which he not only recited his sparkling couplets but frequently elaborated on their creation and his inspirationBorn in 1935 Bashir Badr rose to prominence in the postIndependence period becoming one of the most widely read and quoted poets in contemporary Urdu literature His ghazals often laced with poignant reflections on life and relationships earned him admiration across India and beyond He was known for bridging the gap between classical traditions and modern sensibilities making Urdu poetry accessible to a broader audienceHis couplets frequently shared in everyday conversations and on social platforms remain etched in public memory Despite his illness in later years Badrs contributions continued to resonate reminding admirers of the enduring power of words He once wrote Ham bhi darya hain hamen apna hunar maaluum haiJis taraf bhi chal padenge raasta ho jaayeganbspHis decline due to dementia was a painful chapter as the poet who once illuminated minds with his verses gradually lost his own connection to memory and recognition Yet his work stands as a testament to resilience and creativity ensuring that his voice will echo long after his departureAs the literary community mourns his loss tributes are pouring in from writers scholars and admirers who regard him as a towering figure in Urdu poetry Dr Bashir Badrs death leaves a void that cannot be filled but his words will continue to inspire and console countless heartsAs he wrote Musafir hai ham bhi musafir ho tum bhiKisi mod pe phir mulaqaat hogi https://dailyworld.in/national/na-jaane-kis-gali-mein-zindagi-ki-shaam-ho-jaaye-renowned-urdu-poet-dr-bashir-badr-passes-away-675455.html Thu, 28 May 2026 17:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/union-minister-manohar-lal-sets-sept-deadline-to-flatten-delhis-bhalswa-garbage-mountain-675456.html New Delhi May 28 IANS Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal on Thursday visited the Bhalswa landfill site in North Delhi to review the ongoing legacy waste remediation work and directed civic officials to complete the task by September this yearnbspDuring the visit Manohar Lal reviewed the biomining operations environmental safeguards fire prevention measures leachate management systems and the future road map for complete remediation of the dumpsite said an official statementIn a message on X the Union Minister said Today I conducted a detailed inspection of the ongoing cleaning and waste processing operations at the Bhalswa Dumpsite Last year I had resolved that by October 2026 this dumpsite would be completely eliminated and work is continuing at a warfooting to achieve that very goalnbspTo eliminate this massive mountain of garbage the processing of legacy waste and the scientific waste disposal process have been accelerated through scientific and modern technologies he saidAt the same time continuous efforts are being made to improve cleanliness health safety and civic amenities in the surrounding areas while ensuring compliance with environmental standards said Manohar LalnbspUnder the leadership of Prime Minister Shri narendramodi ji the Central government is fully committed to realizing the vision of Swachh Bharat Mission by providing Delhi residents with a clean and pollutionfree environment and in this direction all necessary steps are being swiftly taken to ensure the closure of the Bhalswa dumpsite within the stipulated timeframe he saidThe officials told the Union Minister that the site had approximately 73 lakh metric tonnes of legacy waste in June 2022 and since July 2022 biomining operations have been continuously undertaken in mission mode with around 15000 metric tonnes processed dailynbspAs on May 26 this year around 2317 lakh metric tonnes of waste is left at the site for remediationnbspManohar Lal said that owing to the sustained biomining and remediation efforts nearly 43 acres of land has been reclaimed out of the total dumpsite area of about 70 acresBhalswa dumpsite has been adopted by Manohar Lal under the Dumpsite Remediation and Action Plan DRAP initiative a nationwide missionmode programme launched by the Ministry under Swachh Bharat Mission U 20nbspThe plan aims for remediation of major legacy dumpsites across the country with the target of achieving Lakshya Zero Dumpsites through scientific remediation environmental restoration and reclamation of valuable urban landIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/union-minister-manohar-lal-sets-sept-deadline-to-flatten-delhis-bhalswa-garbage-mountain-675456.html Thu, 28 May 2026 17:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/prez-murmu-urges-police-to-become-partners-of-citizens-while-honouring-sikkim-police-675457.html Gangtok May 28 IANS President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday presented the prestigious President of Indias Police Colour to the Sikkim Police at a ceremonial event held in Gangtok recognising the forces longstanding contribution towards maintaining peace security and public trust in the Himalayan statenbspAddressing officers and personnel during the ceremony the President congratulated members of the Sikkim Police both past and present for earning one of the highest honours bestowed upon a police force in the countryShe noted that since its establishment in 1897 the Sikkim Police have consistently worked to uphold justice maintain harmony and ensure the safety of citizensnbspPresident Murmu highlighted the need for a transformation in Indias policing approach stating that the countrys police system still carries traces of its colonial past She observed that during British rule policing was largely designed to control people rather than serve them which led to the development of a colonial mindset within the systemnbspShe stressed that this outlook must now be completely discarded to empower citizens and strengthen democratic valuesAccording to the President a peoplecentric policing system is essential for achieving the vision of a Viksit BharatnbspEmphasising the importance of transparency and accountability President Murmu said the police system must become more citizenfriendly so that ordinary people can approach law enforcement agencies without fearnbspShe also called for greater sensitivity in dealing with women children and vulnerable sections of society The police must evolve into partners and guides for the citizens the President said adding that stronger cooperation between the public and the police would help build trust improve social security and reinforce respect for the rule of lawShe further remarked that the role of the police should not be limited merely to arresting criminals but should extend towards building a secure socially conscious and harmonious societynbspThe President also praised the Sikkim Police for maintaining peace and communal harmony in the state through professional conduct and a peoplefriendly approachnbspShe said the force has earned the affection and respect of the people of Sikkim through its dedicated service and commitment towards public welfarenbspThe President of Indias Police Colour is awarded in recognition of exceptional service rendered by a police force to the nation and societyIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/prez-murmu-urges-police-to-become-partners-of-citizens-while-honouring-sikkim-police-675457.html Thu, 28 May 2026 17:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/revanth-reddy-considered-joining-bjp-before-cong-claims-mp-dharmapuri-arvind-675329.html Hyderabad May 27 BJP MP Dharmapuri Arvind on Wednesday made a startling claim that he had information suggesting Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy had once considered joining the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP before moving from the Telugu Desam Party TDP to Congress while asserting that such a leader cannot be loyal to anybody The remarks came a day after Arvind alleged that Revanth Reddy could eventually do a Suvendu Adhikari to the Congress party He had also suggested that CM Reddy might have some sort of understanding or connection with Prime Minister Narendra ModiI am a small worker in the BJP so I do not have complete details But just like how Suvendu Adhikari aligned with the BJP in West Bengal Revanth Reddy might also be trying to build a similar relationship with PM Modi Arvind had said while referring to PM Modis recent remarks at a public event in HyderabadReacting further to the issue while speaking to IANS Arvind stated Revanth Reddy had switched multiple political parties in the past and therefore his future political position remained uncertainIt is the Revanth model I will not say Assam model West Bengal model or some other model Revanth was in BRS He moved to TDP He moved to Congress In between I have certain information before moving to Congress he was considering the BJP So such a person cannot be loyal to anybody We never know He might take up another party Arvind saidWhen asked whether the BJP would accept Revanth Reddy if he were to join the party in the future the BJP MP said the matter would entirely depend on the party leadershipThat is up to the party high command I cannot commit But generally the Bharatiya Janata Party is a huge party And when certain people come they accept mostly they accept But at the end of the day it is the party high commands decision he addedArvind also criticised the Revanth Reddyled Telangana government over the removal of a hired Telangana State Road Transport Corporation TGSRTC bus driver identified as B Ashok from duty at the Jagtial depot on May 26 The action was taken after the driver allegedly advised local Congress leaders protesting against fuel prices to instead focus on the procurement of paddy and maize from distressed farmersThe BJP MP accused the Congress government in Telangana of acting with arrogance and highhandedness against the RTC driverHe was suggesting to the Congress leaders who were agitating on the road He was advising them to focus on speeding up the process of paddy procurement and also paying a reasonable price to the maize farmer He was not criticising anybody He was just suggesting Maybe he got a farming background or is a sympathiser of a farmer Arvind saidThe Congress government dealt with him with highhandedness and arrogance Removing him from duty is uncalled for And we will not appreciate this move of the Congress party We will stand by the driver personally Partywise we will stand by the driver he addedThe BJP MP also attacked the Congress over criticism directed at the Centre regarding rising fuel prices and alleged that Telangana had among the highest fuel prices in the country because of statelevel taxesI have the prices of various states across the nation Telangana is the highest The price is Rs 11570 per litre Kerala another Congressruled state has a Rs 11230 per litre Karnataka Rs 10770 per litre Tamil Nadu Rs 10560 per litre Compared to Delhiruled states Delhi Rs 995 Gujarat Rs 991 UP Rs 995 Haryana Rs 997 Arvind claimedHe further said that the Central government had already reduced fuel prices earlier and urged the Telangana government to cut VAT on petroleum productsAlready the Central government has reduced Rs 10 in March So it is up to the state government to take a step forward and reduce prices the duty prices which the VAT amount They are collecting the highest in the country So I suggest the state government reduce its duty on fuel the BJP MP added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/revanth-reddy-considered-joining-bjp-before-cong-claims-mp-dharmapuri-arvind-675329.html Wed, 27 May 2026 11:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-hc-upholds-asarams-life-sentence-in-minor-sexual-assault-case-will-now-have-to-surrender-675335.html Jaipur May 27 The Rajasthan High Courtâs Jodhpur Bench on Wednesday upheld the life imprisonment sentence awarded to Asaram in the case involving the sexual assault of a minor student While affirming the conviction the court acquitted coaccused Shilpi and Sharatchand Asaram who is presently out on interim medical bail will now have to surrender The verdict was delivered by a Division Bench comprising Justice Arun Monga and Justice Yogendra Kumar PurohitAsaram was arrested in August 2013 following allegations of sexually assaulting a minor student at his ashram in Jodhpur After a prolonged trial a Special POCSO Court in Jodhpur convicted him on April 25 2018 sentencing him to life imprisonment The High Court conducted daytoday hearings in the appeal from February 16 to April 20 2026 Following the conclusion of arguments the Division Bench reserved its judgment on April 20 and pronounced the verdict on May 27During the hearings Asaramâs defence described the case as fabricated and pointed to alleged inconsistencies in the statements of the victimâs parents The defence argued that no call records established communication between Asaram and the victim on the night of the incident Invoking the principle of parity the lawyers contended that since certain coaccused had been acquitted based on the same evidence Asaram too could not be held guiltyOpposing the appeal the prosecution and the victimâs counsel PC Solanki argued that under the POCSO Act the testimony of the victim alone can constitute sufficient evidence for conviction a principle repeatedly upheld by the Supreme CourtThey further argued that attacks on and killings of witnesses reflected attempts to destroy evidence and influence the caseAsaram is already serving a life sentence in another sexual assault case involving a female devotee at his ashram in Gandhinagar Gujarat He was convicted in that case in January 2023 The 86yearold had repeatedly sought bail citing advanced age and deteriorating health Acting on directions of the Supreme Court the High Court had granted interim medical bail which was extended on multiple occasions Following the latest verdict he is now required to surrender to the authorities IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-hc-upholds-asarams-life-sentence-in-minor-sexual-assault-case-will-now-have-to-surrender-675335.html Wed, 27 May 2026 12:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/heinous-crime-against-pinarayi-vijayan-cpi-675339.html Thiruvananthapuram May 27 CPIM General Secretary MA Baby on Wednesday launched a blistering attack on the BJPled Centre and the Congress party after the Enforcement Directorate ED carried out raids at 10 locations across Kerala linked to former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan his family members and associates in the controversial CMRLExalogic case Describing the ED action as âa heinous crime against Pinarayi Vijayanâ Baby alleged that the Narendra Modi government was using Central agencies to politically target the CPIM and its seniormost leader in KeralaâThe justification for this raid is the Kerala High Court order allowing the ED probe to continue But Veena Vijayan Vijayanâs daughter had cooperated with the investigation and appeared before the concerned officials whenever summonedâ Baby saidThe ED on Wednesday starting 6 am is engaged in simultaneous searches at Vijayanâs residences in Thiruvananthapuram and Kannur the Kozhikode residence of former Minister PA Mohammed Riyas premises linked to Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd CMRL and other locations connected to the alleged financial transactions involving Veena Vijayanâs IT firm ExalogicRiyas the Beypore CPIM legislator is Veenas husbandThe case centres around allegations that Exalogic received payments from CMRL for services that were allegedly not renderedHowever Baby sought to distance the party from the merits of the case saying the company itself had already clarified its standâI am not going into the merits of the CMRL issue The company itself has made its position clearâ he said Drawing parallels with the Emergency era Baby said Vijayan had faced political persecution in the past as well âEven during the Emergency Pinarayi Vijayan was haunted Now the Modi government is repeating the sameâ he alleged while also accusing the Congress of joining hands with the BJP in targeting VijayanReferring to earlier controversies involving the son of late CPIM leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan Baby maintained that the present case was entirely differentAs the ED action triggered outrage within the CPIM protests erupted in Kannur and Kozhikode with party workers raising slogans against the Centre and the EDSenior CPIM leaders held emergency consultations and indications are that the protests could spread across Kerala during the course of the dayMeanwhile security has been tightened for BJP leader Shaun George who was among those instrumental in pursuing complaints related to the Veena Vijayan case before the Serious Fraud Investigation Office SFIO IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/heinous-crime-against-pinarayi-vijayan-cpi-675339.html Wed, 27 May 2026 12:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/govt-closely-monitoring-ebola-situation-no-confirmed-case-in-india-675342.html New Delhi May 27 The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has said it is closely monitoring the evolving situation of Ebola Virus Disease following recent outbreaks reported in parts of Africa The government stated that while exercising abundant caution it had placed an individual with recent travel history from Uganda under isolation at the staterun Epidemic Diseases Hospital in Bengaluru after the person reported mild symptoms of body acheOfficials clarified that the individual was otherwise healthy apart from mild body aches and a sample was collected and sent to the National Institute of Virology for laboratory testing The test result has now returned negative for Ebola Virus DiseaseThe Ministry in coordination with concerned state authorities said it is maintaining close surveillance and ensuring that all necessary public health protocols are being followed in accordance with World Health Organisation WHO guidelines It further confirmed that no case of Ebola Virus Disease has been confirmed in IndiaReiterating its preparedness the government said screening and surveillance measures are continuing at all designated points of entry including airports and border health facilities as well as across the wider public health system Citizens have been advised not to panic avoid spreading misinformation and rely only on official sources for updatesHealth authorities also emphasised that India remains vigilant in view of global disease patterns and continues to strengthen its early detection and response mechanisms to prevent any potential spread of infectionMeanwhile according to the latest statistics issued by the World Health Organisation WHO DirectorGeneral Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus the Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo DRC is likely much larger than currently confirmed figures warning that active transmission continues to expand across affected regionsSharing an update on the outbreak in a post on X Tedros said 101 cases have so far been confirmed in the DRC including 10 confirmed deaths However he cautioned that the actual scale of the epidemic is significantly higher with more than 900 suspected cases and 220 suspected deaths under investigationHe further noted that neighbouring nation Uganda has also reported fresh infections including two additional confirmed cases among healthcare workers taking the total number of confirmed cases in the country to seven including one deathHe added that the WHO and partner agencies are scaling up response measures with global health teams working to intensify contact tracing and surveillance to identify infected individuals at the earliest and break chains of transmission IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/govt-closely-monitoring-ebola-situation-no-confirmed-case-in-india-675342.html Wed, 27 May 2026 12:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-teen-shot-in-eatery-dispute-juvenile-held-search-for-others-on-675344.html New Delhi May 27 A 17yearold student was critically injured after being shot at a restaurant in southeast Delhis Amar Colony area when he allegedly objected to a group of young men brushing past his chair According to the police one of the three accused was apprehended on Wednesday The incident which has shocked the locality prompted a largescale investigation with multiple police teams examining CCTV footage and tracking the movements of the accused involved in the firingSources said the detained accused is a juvenile and is not believed to be the main shooter in the caseOfficials said the PCR call regarding the firing incident was received at the Amar Colony Police Station at around 754 pm on TuesdayPolice said the victim identified as Sahil had gone to the eatery along with his friends when a group of boys walked past their table During the interaction one of the boys allegedly touched Sahils chair following which the teenager objected and asked them to walk properlyInvestigators said the group initially left the restaurant after the brief altercation but returned a short while laterAccording to officials one of the youths then allegedly opened fire at Sahil before fleeing the scene along with the others The teenager was the only person injured in the firing incidentSoon after receiving information about the incident local police teams along with the Station House Officer and Assistant Commissioner of Police rushed to the spot However by the time the police arrived the injured student had already been shifted to the hospital by local residents and friendsSenior police officers later reached the hospital where they found the teenager unconscious and on ventilator supportOfficials said Sahil was initially admitted to Moolchand Hospital before being referred to the AIIMS Trauma Centre for advanced treatmentDoctors stated that the teenager remains in critical condition and is currently on ventilator support although his condition is reported to be stable at presentPolice officials said raids are underway to identify and arrest the remaining accused involved in the shooting while CCTV footage from nearby areas is being analysed as part of the investigation IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-teen-shot-in-eatery-dispute-juvenile-held-search-for-others-on-675344.html Wed, 27 May 2026 12:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/two-more-arrested-from-latur-pune-in-neet-paper-leak-case-675348.html Pune May 27 IANS Two more accused in the NEETUG 2026 paper leak case have been arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation CBI officials said on WednesdaynbspThis brings the total number of people arrested to 13The two accused have been identified as Dr Manoj Shirure a Laturbased doctor and Tejas Harshadkumar Shah who is a physics faculty at Abhang Prabhu Medical Academy APMA a Punebased coaching centreAccording to the officials Shirure played a key role in facilitating three students including the son of an accused coaching centre owner in getting the Chemistry questions from PV Kulkarni who is being called the kingpin of the entire paper leak scamnbspMeanwhile another accused Tejas Harshadkumar Shah got the leaked Physics questions of the NEET UG 2026 Exam from the arrested accused Manisha HavaldarnbspInvestigation to unearth the chain as well as the conspiracy in this case is ongoing CBI has so far conducted searches at 49 locations in various places and seized several incriminating documents Laptops and mobile phones Detailed analysis of the seized items is going on officials saidThe CBI registered this case on May 12 based on the written complaint given by the Ministry of Educations Department of Higher Education pertaining to the alleged paper leak of the NEETUG 2026 ExaminationnbspImmediately after registration of the case special teams were formed and searches were conducted at various locations across the country and several suspects were picked up and interrogated officials saidnbspThe investigators said that the 13 accused who have been arrested in this case are from Delhi Jaipur Gurugram Nashik Pune Latur and AhliyanagarnbspInvestigation is continuing with various special teams working in tandem and the investigation has brought out the actual source of the leakage of Chemistry Biology and Physics questions which were circulated before the exam the CBI saidnbspThe CBI also reaffirmed its commitment to a comprehensive impartial and professional investigation in this caseInvestigations are underway and further details are awaitedIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/two-more-arrested-from-latur-pune-in-neet-paper-leak-case-675348.html Wed, 27 May 2026 12:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/heat-is-harsh-offer-glass-of-water-to-others-such-kindness-goes-a-long-way-says-pm-modi-675349.html New Delhi May 27 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday urged people across the country to take all possible precautions as several parts of India continue to witness soaring temperatures He also encouraged people to offer a glass of water to others saying that such kindness goes a long way in extreme weather conditions Taking to the social media platform X PM Modi said âDifferent parts of India are witnessing soaring temperatures and the challenges that come with it This heat is harsh on all of us and I urge you all to take as many precautions as possible Please stay hydrated keep water with you when stepping out Offer a glass of water to others In weather like this such kindness goes a long wayMeanwhile residents of the DelhiNational Capital Region NCR are expected to face severe heatwave conditions over the next two days with the maximum temperature likely to touch 45 degrees Celsius while the minimum temperature may hover around 28 degrees Celsius according to the Meteorological DepartmentThe Meteorological Department has issued an explicit warning for a âheatwaveâ In addition strong surface winds are likely to prevail during the afternoon and evening hours Additionally humidity levels on May 27 are expected to range between a maximum of 40 per cent and a minimum of 25 per centThe department has warned that heatwave conditions may be accompanied by strong and hot winds during the afternoon and evening People have been advised to avoid stepping outdoors during peak afternoon hours drink plenty of water and take adequate precautions against direct sun exposureHowever weather conditions are expected to change from May 28 onwardsAccording to the department the maximum temperature on May 28 is likely to settle around 43 degrees Celsius while the minimum temperature may remain close to 29 degrees CelsiusThe Meteorological Department has forecast âthunderstorms with rainâ for the day During the afternoon and evening hours light to very light rainfall is expected accompanied by strong winds and squalls with speeds ranging between 50 and 60 kilometres per hourA significant shift in weather conditions is anticipated on May 29 According to the department the maximum temperature is expected to witness a sharp drop and may fall to around 36 degrees Celsius while the minimum temperature is likely to remain at 26 degrees CelsiusAn alert for thunderstorms accompanied by rain has also been issued for May 29The Meteorological Department stated that light rainfall is likely during the afternoon and evening hours along with strong winds blowing at speeds of 40 to 50 kilometres per hour There is also a possibility of lightning and squallsConditions involving âthunderstorms with rainâ are expected to continue on May 30 and 31 as well During these two days the maximum temperatures are forecast to hover around 35 degrees and 36 degrees respectively while the minimum temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees and 26 degrees CelsiusAlthough the Meteorological Department has not issued any specific warning for these two days the possibility of overcast skies and light rainfall will continueThereafter on June 1 weather conditions are expected to return to nearnormal The maximum temperature is likely to reach 37 degrees while the minimum temperature may remain around 27 degrees Celsius The day is expected to witness a partly cloudy sky and no specific weather warning has been issuedWeather experts noted that strong winds dust storms thunderstorms lightning and rain were witnessed across North Central and East India during the final days of May and are part of premonsoon activityTherefore the rainfall expected around May 29 can be classified as premonsoon rain Following this change in weather conditions residents are likely to get significant relief from the scorching heat IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/heat-is-harsh-offer-glass-of-water-to-others-such-kindness-goes-a-long-way-says-pm-modi-675349.html Wed, 27 May 2026 12:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/we-will-abide-by-high-commands-decision-parameshwara-amid-ktaka-leadership-change-buzz-675353.html Bengaluru May 27 Amid strong speculation over a possible leadership change in Karnataka state Home Minister G Parameshwara on Wednesday said the party leaders will abide by the decision of the Congress high command He also said that the partys General Secretary and Karnataka incharge Randeep Singh Surjewala would address a press conference and provide clarity on the issueSpeaking to the media in Bengaluru Parameshwara while responding to questions regarding the leadership change speculation said âWe are committed to abiding by the decision of the high command Whatever the matter the high command will make a decision As of now we only know about the discussions regarding the selection of candidates for the Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council electionsâHe further stated âAICC General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala is arriving in Bengaluru and he will provide all clarifications regarding the leadership change issue We are not aware of the details of the meeting in Delhi yesterday We do not know what was discussed thereâParameshwara added that Surjewala would hold discussions with party leaders in Bengaluru before briefing the media âHe will provide all details including information related to the meeting He may address a press conference either today or tomorrow We do not know what Surjewala and other senior leaders are going to announceâ he saidResponding to questions regarding the latenight meeting on Tuesday Parameshwara clarified that no political discussion took place in the residence of Minister KJ George âWe had dinner together there Chief Minister Siddaramaiah did not discuss anything related to leadership change with usâ he statedMeanwhile according to sources Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has reportedly sought time at Raj Bhavan at 1030 am on Thursday and is expected to tender his resignation Sources stated that after the breakfast meeting with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar Siddaramaiah is likely to proceed to Raj Bhavan to submit his resignationSources further claimed that the Chief Minister has personally invited cabinet ministers for a meeting scheduled for Thursday Messages in this regard were reportedly sent to all ministers on Tuesday nightSeveral ministers and senior legislators including close associate and Social Welfare Minister HC Mahadevappa have started arriving at the Chief Ministerâs residence amid the ongoing political developmentsAmid strong rumours of a leadership change in Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee KPCC President DK Shivakumar is set to hold a breakfast meeting with CM Siddaramaiah on Thursday further fuelling speculation over the political scenario in the stateShivakumarâs office on Wednesday confirmed the breakfast meeting with Siddaramaiah scheduled for Thursday May 28 at the Chief Ministerâs residence Kaveri in BengaluruThe official statement said that Shivakumar who is currently in Delhi will leave from Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi at 5 am on Thursday and arrive in Bengaluru at 830 am After arriving in Bengaluru he will head straight to Siddaramaiahâs official residence for the breakfast meeting at 9 amSources stated that after the meeting both leaders are likely to address a press conference and clarify the ongoing speculation surrounding the leadership change issueAmid the speculation Surjewala is arriving in Bengaluru on Wednesday Though it is officially claimed that his visit is related to the elections concerning the Greater Bengaluru Authority GBA insiders say he is arriving and staying in the city to ensure a smooth transition of powerSources further stated that CM Siddaramaiah has been asked by Rahul Gandhi to step down to facilitate Shivakumarâs elevation to the post of Chief Minister The Siddaramaiah camp is now claiming that he is ready to tender his resignation as Rahul Gandhi played a key role in helping him become Chief Minister for a second term However the camp maintains that a group of ministers and his staunch supporters are strongly opposed to the move and insist that Siddaramaiah should not step down under any circumstances IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/we-will-abide-by-high-commands-decision-parameshwara-amid-ktaka-leadership-change-buzz-675353.html Wed, 27 May 2026 12:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/narendra-modi-urges-people-to-offer-water-amid-harsh-heatwave-675356.html New Delhi May 27 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday urged people across the country to take all possible precautions as several parts of India continue to witness soaring temperatures He also encouraged people to offer a glass of water to others saying that such kindness goes a long way in extreme weather conditionsTaking to the social media platform X PM Modi said Different parts of India are witnessing soaring temperatures and the challenges that come with it This heat is harsh on all of us and I urge you all to take as many precautions as possible Please stay hydrated keep water with you when stepping out Offer a glass of water to others In weather like this such kindness goes a long wayMeanwhile residents of the DelhiNational Capital Region NCR are expected to face severe heatwave conditions over the next two days with the maximum temperature likely to touch 45 degrees Celsius while the minimum temperature may hover around 28 degrees Celsius according to the Meteorological DepartmentThe Meteorological Department has issued an explicit warning for a heatwave In addition strong surface winds are likely to prevail during the afternoon and evening hours Additionally humidity levels on May 27 are expected to range between a maximum of 40 per cent and a minimum of 25 per centThe department has warned that heatwave conditions may be accompanied by strong and hot winds during the afternoon and evening People have been advised to avoid stepping outdoors during peak afternoon hours drink plenty of water and take adequate precautions against direct sun exposureHowever weather conditions are expected to change from May 28 onwardsAccording to the department the maximum temperature on May 28 is likely to settle around 43 degrees Celsius while the minimum temperature may remain close to 29 degrees CelsiusThe Meteorological Department has forecast thunderstorms with rain for the day During the afternoon and evening hours light to very light rainfall is expected accompanied by strong winds and squalls with speeds ranging between 50 and 60 kilometres per hourA significant shift in weather conditions is anticipated on May 29 According to the department the maximum temperature is expected to witness a sharp drop and may fall to around 36 degrees Celsius while the minimum temperature is likely to remain at 26 degrees CelsiusAn alert for thunderstorms accompanied by rain has also been issued for May 29The Meteorological Department stated that light rainfall is likely during the afternoon and evening hours along with strong winds blowing at speeds of 40 to 50 kilometres per hour There is also a possibility of lightning and squallsConditions involving thunderstorms with rain are expected to continue on May 30 and 31 as well During these two days the maximum temperatures are forecast to hover around 35 degrees and 36 degrees respectively while the minimum temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees and 26 degrees CelsiusAlthough the Meteorological Department has not issued any specific warning for these two days the possibility of overcast skies and light rainfall will continueThereafter on June 1 weather conditions are expected to return to nearnormal The maximum temperature is likely to reach 37 degrees while the minimum temperature may remain around 27 degrees Celsius The day is expected to witness a partly cloudy sky and no specific weather warning has been issuedWeather experts noted that strong winds dust storms thunderstorms lightning and rain were witnessed across North Central and East India during the final days of May and are part of premonsoon activityTherefore the rainfall expected around May 29 can be classified as premonsoon rain Following this change in weather conditions residents are likely to get significant relief from the scorching heatIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/narendra-modi-urges-people-to-offer-water-amid-harsh-heatwave-675356.html Wed, 27 May 2026 12:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rahul-gandhi-congress-stand-exposed-bjp-on-scs-ruling-on-sir-675357.html New Delhi May 27 IANS The Bharatiya Janata Party BJP on Wednesday said that the Supreme Courts ruling on the Special Intensive Revision SIR of electoral rolls exposed that Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition LoP Rahul Gandhi and Congress stood with the infiltrationsThe Supreme Court upheld the Election Commission of Indias decision to undertake a SIR of electoral rolls holding that the revision exercise was within the constitutional and statutory powers of the poll body and was aimed at preserving the integrity of the electoral processnbspnbspReacting to this BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandhari said Rahul Gandhi ampamp Congress party stands exposed Supreme Court declare SIR Process Legal ampamp ConstitutionalIts clear Rahul Gandhi ampamp Congress opposed all through because they stood with illegal infiltrators not with Indian voters This was in true sense an Anti National Act Will Rahul Gandhi apologise today for defaming Indian Democracy he addedA Bench of Chief Justice of India CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi ruled that the impugned SIR exercise did not violate the provisions of the Representation of the People Act RPA 1950 or the rules framed thereunder and held that the ECI was empowered to undertake such a revision under Article 324 of the Constitution read with Section 213 of the RPA ActHolding that the ECI had not acted in excess of its powers the Supreme Court observed that the SIR exercise breathes life into the constitutional mandate under Article 324 within the precise statutory contours provided by Section 213 of the Representation of the People Act 1950It further held that the objective of the SIR exercise bore a direct nexus to the constitutional goal of free and fair elections Free and fair elections do not rest merely upon the mechanics of polling They fundamentally depend upon the integrity accuracy and credibility of the electoral rolls which form the foundation of the democratic process the CJI Kantled Bench saidReferring to the reasons recorded by the ECI for initiating the SIR exercise the apex court found that more than four decades had passed since the last intensive revision and that largescale additions and deletions rapid urbanisation and migration had created the possibility of duplication and inaccuracies in the electoral rollsThe judgment came on a batch of petitions challenging the SIR exercise initiated by the ECI beginning with Bihar and subsequently extended to several states and Union TerritoriesUTs including West Bengal Kerala and Tamil NaduIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rahul-gandhi-congress-stand-exposed-bjp-on-scs-ruling-on-sir-675357.html Wed, 27 May 2026 12:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/singapore-court-announces-6-month-jail-term-for-byju-raveendran-over-contempt-675358.html New Delhi May 27 IANS Edtech firm Byjus founder Byju Raveendran has been sentenced to six months in jail by a Singapore court for contempt after allegedly failing to comply with multiple court orders related to his assets a report has saidnbspBloomberg reported that the Singapore court directed Raveendran to surrender to authorities pay legal costs of S90000 70500 and furnish documents proving his ownership of Beeaar Investco Pte a corporate entity that held shares in a related companyByjus was yet to comment on the reportThe development marks the latest setback for the embattled founder who is facing legal and financial scrutiny from investors and lenders across multiple jurisdictions including the US where creditors are seeking to recover losses tied to a soured 12 billion loanThe legal action in Singapore has been initiated by a subsidiary of Qatar Investment Authority which had invested in the company during a period when Byjus was cutting jobs and restructuring operations according to the reportMoreover Qatar Holdings was represented by law firm Drew ampamp Napier while Byjus Investments was represented by Fervent Chambers in the matterThe development comes months after the Delaware Court in December 2025 reversed its earlier 1 billion judgment against Raveendran after reviewing fresh submissions filed through a motion seeking correction of a November 20 rulingThe Delaware Court had then observed that damages had not been properly determined and ordered a fresh phase of proceedings to decide whether any damages were owedRaveendrans legal team had alleged that GLAS Trust and lenders withheld or misrepresented key information during proceedings which they claimed contributed to the collapse of the edtech business and erosion of enterprise valueIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/singapore-court-announces-6-month-jail-term-for-byju-raveendran-over-contempt-675358.html Wed, 27 May 2026 13:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pharmaceutical-diversion-international-cartels-highway-routes-deepen-indias-narco-threat-675370.html New Delhi May 27 As the Indian agencies continue to crack down on drug cartels and narcotic smuggling an increasing trend of pharmaceutical drug diversions has come to light There has been an increase in the number of such cases in Bihar West Bengal Assam and Tripura the agencies have learnt In addition to identifying and cracking down on drug smugglers their modus operandi and the routes they use the agencies are closely monitoring chemical and pharmaceutical diversion The highest number of cases relating to pharmaceutical diversion has been reported from West BengalBetween 2020 and 2024 the state recorded the highest number of codeinebased cough syrup bottles being seized The Narcotic Control Bureau NCB said that during this period the agencies seized 2750 lakh codeine based caught syrup bottles During the five years the agencies in Assam seized 172 crore tablets This is the highest number of seizures relating to tablets in the country the NCB foundThe case was similar in Tripura where a large number of tablets and codeinebased syrup bottles were seized An official said that newer trends are being noticed when it comes to narcotics smuggling There are concerns all over the country and these issues are not limited to just a particular regionThe Narendra Modi government understands the risks attached if action is not taken This led to the Union Government declaring a war on drugs and a âdrugfree Indiaâ the official explained An Intelligence Bureau official said that another trend that is being witnessed is the use of the highway infrastructure to smuggle drugsRecent seizures have indicated that Haryana has become a major transit corridor for drug smuggling a major narcotics trafficking corridor which links DelhiNCR Punjab Uttar Pradesh Rajasthan Uttarakhand Himachal Pradesh Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh Haryana is well connected both through road and rail and smugglers tend to exploit this They have used this corridor to smuggle marijuana poppy husk and opiumDuring the investigations into these cases the NCB found the need for extensive highway interdiction and better logistics monitoring operations In the period between 2020 and 2024 the agencies from this corridor have seized 146599 kg of opium In the case of marijuana and poppy husk the numbers stood at 51074 kg and 74828 kg respectively during the same periodOfficials say that while these routes are being monitored Manipur remains a highvalue trafficking risk This is an area of concern as the number of foreign players is higher The Manipur trafficking route is directly linked to the Golden Triangle which has deadly cartels dealing in very highvalue drugsAnother official said that the International players operate and the drugs that they deal with are synthetic in nature The highest seizures are those of heroin the NCB noted Drugs are produced in Myanmar Thailand and Laos and then make it into India through the Manipur route officials sayThe agencies say that while the corridors in Northwest and Haryana remain a concern the problem is still the highest in Punjab The ISI has been pushing drugs into Punjab heavily and has managed to set up a welloiled network in the stateIn Punjab 62245 persons were arrested during the last five years During the same period 594229 kg of heroin were seized Officials note that each region has a different style of consumption If heroin is preferred in the northeastern states in the case of Delhi the demand is high for cocaine mephedrone and ephedrine In Jammu and Kashmir it was noted during the seizures that the highest preference is for heroin and hashish In Bihar and Jharkhand the preference is for opium and poppy while in Odisha it is marijuana the NCB has learntAn official said that efforts to tackle this menace would need to be immense Not only is India dealing with its local operatives but it is also dealing with players on the international level The coordination between the Central and state agencies and the Intelligence Bureau is crucial to tackle this problemThe official added that the pharmaceutical drug diversion the extensive use of the highway and railway network and of course the newer trends being witnessed in Punjab and northeastern states are key focus areas in this battle IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pharmaceutical-diversion-international-cartels-highway-routes-deepen-indias-narco-threat-675370.html Wed, 27 May 2026 15:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-seeks-centre-cbse-response-on-plea-challenging-three-language-mandate-675383.html New Delhi May 27 IANS The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to examine the validity of the Central Board of Secondary Educations CBSE revised threelanguage formula mandating Class 9 students to study three languages including at least two native Indian languages from the current academic sessionA Bench of Chief Justice of India CJI Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi issued notice on a petition challenging the CBSE circular and sought a comprehensive response from the Centre the CBSE and the National Council of Educational Research and Training NCERTDeclining to grant any interim stay on the implementation of the policy the CJIled Bench said it would take up the matter for final hearing in the second week of July after the top court reopens following the summer vacationDuring the hearing senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi appearing for the petitioner contended that the CBSE circular effectively mandates students to study three languages from July 1 despite the lack of preparedness on the groundEven textbooks are not available he submitted highlighting practical difficulties in rolling out the policy Senior advocate Kapil Sibal appearing in a connected matter argued that the issue raised important constitutional concerns including federalism and the right to choose ones languageLanguage is a matter of choice and cannot be imposed Sibal submitted describing the policy as having federal implicationsHowever the bench observed that the apex court at this stage was not examining the federal aspect but was focused on implementationrelated issues such as the availability of teachers and study materialDuring the hearing Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati appearing for the Centre opposed the plea for urgent interim relief and submitted that the matter could be heard in detail later since the implementation would remain subject to the Supreme Courts final ordersAs per the CBSEs May 15 circular issued as part of a transitional alignment with the National Education Policy NEP 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education NCFSE 2023 Class 9 students will be required to study three languages R1 R2 and R3 with at least two being native Indian languagesThe Board clarified that students may opt for a foreign language only as the third language provided the other two are Indian languages or as an additional fourth languageTo address concerns about the availability of study material CBSE said that until dedicated textbooks are released Class 6nbsp textbooks for the third language would be used for Class 9 studentsIt also stated that no Board examination would be conducted for the third language at the Class 10 level with assessment remaining internalThe Board acknowledged potential challenges in securing qualified language teachers and allowed schools to adopt flexible measures such as interschool resource sharing hybrid teaching and hiring retired educators during the transition periodMeanwhile former Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai has urged the CBSE to withdraw the circular contending that the sudden implementation would impose unnecessary academic burden on students and parentsIn a post on X Annamalai said that while he had initially welcomed the threelanguage framework introduced in April 2026 the latest circular which makes it compulsory for Class 9 students from the current academic session has caused anxiety among parents particularly in Tamil Nadu where language issues remain politically sensitiveHe claimed that the earlier notification had indicated that the requirement for Class 9 students would come into effect only from the 202930 academic year and argued that students who had already chosen their languages in Class 6 should not be compelled to abruptly take up an additional language nowWarning that abrupt changes in curriculum could affect students performance Annamalai called on the CBSE to reconsider the decisionIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-seeks-centre-cbse-response-on-plea-challenging-three-language-mandate-675383.html Wed, 27 May 2026 16:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/seven-cpi-m-workers-held-after-two-hour-standoff-at-party-office-over-ed-attack-675393.html Thiruvananthapuram May 27 IANS Seven CPIM workers were taken into police custody on Wednesday for allegedly attacking Enforcement Directorate ED officials and damaging their vehicles outside the residence of former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan after their raid there ending nearly two hours of high drama in the heart of the state capitalnbspThe tense standoff unfolded outside a local CPIM office where a few accused in the attack case were believed to have taken shelter after the violence that erupted following the ED raids linked to the CMRLExalogic financial transactions caseHectic discussions were held between top Kerala Police officials and senior CPIM leaders outside as police handed over photographs of the identified accused to the party leadersnbspAmong the CPIM leaders engaged in the talks were Rajya Sabha member John Brittas former ministers V Sivankutty and Kadakampally Surendran besides CPIM legislator V JoynbspAs police officials reportedly informed the CPIM leaders that several of the identified accused were inside Joy made it clear that the police would not be allowed to enter the party office under any circumstances at the end of prolonged discussions between the two sides three of the accused were seen walking out of the party office before being taken into custody by the policenbspFour others were also earlier detained in connection with the attacknbspBrittas who led the talks on behalf of the CPIM said the party would not protect any wrongdoers but urged the police not to create unnecessary tension around the party officenbspWe will not shield anyone who has done wrong Those involved can be arrested even if it takes an hour or two But there is no need to create a scene Brittas told the media after the discussions with police officialsPolice had earlier identified at least 10 accused using CCTV visuals media footage and videos circulating on social medianbspInvestigators alleged that CPIM workers attacked ED officials and central security personnel using stones and concrete blocks after the raids concluded earlier in the daynbspSeveral vehicles including those used by ED officials were damaged in the violence while drivers and a few police personnel sustained injuriesnbspThe incident has triggered a major political controversy in Kerala with opposition parties accusing the CPIM of attempting to intimidate central agencies probing the highprofile financial transactions caseIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/seven-cpi-m-workers-held-after-two-hour-standoff-at-party-office-over-ed-attack-675393.html Wed, 27 May 2026 18:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/tamil-nadu-cm-vijay-to-meet-pm-modi-during-first-official-delhi-visit-today-675320.html New Delhi May 27 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph C Vijay is set to visit New Delhi on Wednesday in his first official trip to the national capital after assuming office During the visit he is likely to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to submit memoranda seeking enhanced financial assistance for Tamil Nadu and faster approvals for several key infrastructure and development projectsAccording to sources Vijay is expected to leave for Delhi on Wednesday and return to Chennai on the same dayThe Chief Minister is expected to push for greater Central support for infrastructure expansion pending financial allocations industrial growth initiatives welfare programmes and major connectivity projects considered crucial for Tamil Naduâs economic developmentThe visit assumes political significance as it comes just weeks after Vijay and his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK scripted one of the most remarkable electoral performances in Tamil Naduâs recent political historyContesting its maiden Assembly election the TVK emerged as the single largest party by securing 108 seats in the 234member Assembly ending the longstanding political dominance of the Dravidian majors However despite emerging as the largest party it fell short of the majority mark of 118 seats resulting in intense postelection political developmentsVijay subsequently secured support from several parties including the Congress Left parties the Indian Union Muslim League IUML and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi VCK enabling him to comfortably cross the required threshold and eventually paving the way for the formation of a coalition government a political arrangement the state has not witnessed for several decades The development marked a major shift in the stateâs political structure traditionally dominated by singleparty or allianceled governments under either the DMK or the AIADMK IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/tamil-nadu-cm-vijay-to-meet-pm-modi-during-first-official-delhi-visit-today-675320.html Wed, 27 May 2026 11:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-mlas-meet-pm-modi-in-delhi-discuss-governance-constituency-development-675323.html New Delhi May 27 A group of Gujarat Bharatiya Janata Party BJP MLAs met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence in New Delhi on Tuesday evening The meeting which brought together representatives from different constituencies of Gujarat was described by participants as a courtesy interaction during which they conveyed their experiences in public life and received guidance on governance and public serviceVejalpur MLA Amit Thaker said the meeting left a strong impression on him and described it as a source of renewed motivationHe said âIt was an honour to meet the respected Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence who is the illustrious servant of the nation pride of India and a source of inspiration for 140 crore citizens Patriotism development service and security these four words are the living embodiment of respected Narendra ModiThis meeting was not just a moment but a renewed inspiration to move forward with greater dedication towards public service I will continue to work with more strength and new resolve for the development of Vejalpur and Ahmedabad he addedSavarkundlaLiliya MLA Mahesh Kaswala also termed the interaction a memorable occasion noting its timing alongside the Prime Ministerâs years in public serviceHe said âToday I had the honourable and historic opportunity to meet the respected Prime Minister Narendra Bhai Modi Meeting him on a special day marking 12 years of dedicated public service of the Prime Minister is a moment of great pride and joy for me This was not just a meeting but an experience of positivity and the energy of ânation firstâHe further added I received inspiration from the Prime Minister to further advance public welfare works for SavarkundlaLiliya and the entire state of Gujarat with greater enthusiasm and dedicationâAmong other legislators present were Bapunagar MLA Dineshsinh Kushwaha Gandhinagar North MLA Rita Patel Naroda MLA Payal Kukrani and Vijapur MLA Chatursinh Javanji Chavda along with other members of the delegationParticipants said the interaction provided them an opportunity to discuss constituencylevel development issues and to reflect on administrative prioritiesThe meeting concluded with the MLAs expressing appreciation for the exchange and stating that the discussion would help reinforce their focus on governance and public welfare initiatives in their respective constituencies across Gujarat IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-mlas-meet-pm-modi-in-delhi-discuss-governance-constituency-development-675323.html Wed, 27 May 2026 11:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bihar-police-seize-over-455-kg-ganja-in-supaul-and-madhubani-raids-675141.html Patna May 26 Bihar Police carried out two major antinarcotics operations in Supaul and Madhubani districts recovering more than 455 kg of ganja and arresting five alleged smugglers The first operation was conducted by Pipra Police Station in Supaul district where police recovered 42795 kg of cannabis from a pickup vehicle during a special blockade operationRajesh Kumar Jha SHO of Pipra Police Station said âWe received confidential intelligence that a large consignment of narcotics was being transported from the Bhutaha area of Madhubani towards BhagalpurâFollowing the tipoff a special police team led by SubInspector Rajiv Kumar Singh launched an intensive checking drive near Singheshwar Road beyond the railway bridge at around 4 am on MondayDuring the operation police intercepted a suspicious pickup truck whose driver allegedly attempted to flee after spotting the blockadePolice personnel chased and surrounded the vehicle before taking it into custodyDuring the search police discovered a concealed compartment built beneath the rear seating and cargo section of the vehicleThe hidden cavity allegedly contained sacks filled with cannabis which had been covered with empty plastic crates to avoid suspicionPolice said the recovered narcotics weighed 42795 kg and had an estimated international market value of around Rs 171 croreThe arrested accused was identified as Upendra Kumar Yadav a resident of Kopa village under the Dulhin Bazar Police Station area in Patna districtAccording to police the accused allegedly confessed during interrogation that the consignment had been collected from Bhutaha and was being transported to BhagalpurPolice have seized both the contraband and the pickup truck and registered a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances NDPS ActFurther raids are underway to identify and arrest others allegedly linked to the smuggling networkIn a separate operation police from Narahiya Police Station in Madhubani district seized 28 kg of cannabis from a passenger bus during a raid at Bhutaha Chowk on NH27Police officer Nilesh Kumar said police had received information that four youths travelling on a bus from the Araria side were carrying narcotics concealed inside bagsActing on the intelligence police cordoned off Bhutaha Chowk and stopped a passenger bus named Maa Durga Bus bearing registration number BR06PF 3694During the search officers recovered large quantities of cannabis from four bags kept by passengers seated in the sleeper section of the busPolice later weighed the seized narcotics in the presence of a magistrate and confirmed the total quantity at 28 kgThe arrested accused were identified as Badri Kumar Indrajit Kumar Mukesh Kumar and Ashish KumarPolice said all four had been sent to judicial custody after cases were registered under the NDPS Act IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bihar-police-seize-over-455-kg-ganja-in-supaul-and-madhubani-raids-675141.html Tue, 26 May 2026 06:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/quad-foreign-ministers-to-meet-in-new-delhi-today-675142.html New Delhi May 26 India will host the Quad Foreign Ministersâ Meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar set to welcome Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for highlevel discussions under the Quad framework According to the Ministry of External Affairs the meeting is expected to focus on strengthening cooperation in the IndoPacific region maritime security critical minerals emerging technologies supply chain resilience and regional geopolitical developments including the situations in West Asia and UkraineThe official statement said âIn keeping with the Quad vision for a Free and Open IndoPacific the Ministers will build on discussions held in Washington DC on 1 July 2025 They will exchange views on advancing Quad cooperation across priority areas review progress on ongoing Quad initiatives and reflect on recent developments in the IndoPacific region and other international issues of mutual concernâThe meeting is expected to focus on key areas of cooperation including maritime security resilient supply chains infrastructure development critical and emerging technologies climate action and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief The discussions will also review ongoing Quad initiatives aimed at strengthening regional stability and economic growthDuring their India visit the Foreign Ministers of Australia and Japan along with the US Secretary of State were also expected to hold bilateral meetings with EAM Jaishankar Earlier on Monday EAM Jaishankar met Japanese counterpart Toshimitsu Motegi ahead of Tuesdays Quad Foreign Ministers Meeting in New Delhi highlighting that the special strategic and global partnership between both countries remains rooted in their joint vision for a free and open IndoPacificBetween India and Japan of course we have a special strategic and global partnership and that signals that our ties have a larger implication larger importance larger impact and one example of that will be tomorrow when we meet in the Quad format to discuss how to advance free and open IndoPacific EAM Jaishankar said in his opening remarks during a meeting with the visiting Japanese Foreign MinisterDuring his stay in New Delhi the Japanese Foreign Minister is also scheduled to call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi with other ministers on TuesdayThe Quad meeting comes at a time when IndoPacific geopolitical dynamics continue to evolve with member countries seeking to deepen cooperation and coordination on shared regional and global challengesReports suggest the Quad countries may announce new measures to strengthen economic security and technology partnerships during the meeting Earlier on Sunday US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that India and the US are strategically aligned on several key global issues including critical minerals supply chains and terrorism He called India one of the most important strategic partners for the US in the worldWhile addressing a joint press briefing with EAM Jaishankar Rubio said that India and the US have suffered due to global terrorism networks He noted that India and the US as democracies understand the importance of public scrutiny accountabilityRubio said I have to go back and justify to the American people every decision we make and the president has to do the same on why its good for our country and our counterparts here in India have to do the exact same thing You have to respond to the people of India about why your partnership with the United States or your stance on any issue for that matter is to the benefit of your country I imagine this is true in every country in the world to some degree but it is particularly true for democracies IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/quad-foreign-ministers-to-meet-in-new-delhi-today-675142.html Tue, 26 May 2026 06:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-cm-satheesan-to-meet-pm-modi-in-new-delhi-today-675144.html New Delhi May 26 Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan will hold his first official meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday in New Delhi marking a politically significant engagement soon after assuming office This is Satheesans first meeting with PM Modi after the United Democratic Front government came to power in KeralaThough details of the agenda have not been officially disclosed the discussions are expected to focus on Keralaâs immediate development priorities central assistance and key state issues requiring Union government interventionLater in the day the Chief Minister is scheduled to meet the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at 230 pm at Kartavya Bhavan in New DelhiEarlier on Saturday Satheesan held backtoback meetings with senior Congress leaders signalling the party leadershipâs continued engagement with the new Kerala administrationHe first met Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal at around 9 am followed by discussions with Congress President Mallikarjuna KhargeSatheesan later met senior leaders Rahul Gandhi Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi VadraDuring the interactions he is learnt to have thanked the Congress high command for its support during the Assembly electionsOrganisational matters and the partyâs future political strategy were also discussed according to sourcesMeanwhile Satheesanâs first visit to Delhi after becoming Chief Minister drew enthusiastic crowds at Kerala House where students and supporters gathered late into the night to greet himThe Chief Minister spent time interacting with visitors and posed for photographs adding to the celebratory atmosphere surrounding his arrival in the national capitalSatheesan led the Congressled United Democratic Front to a stunning victory in the Assembly electionsThe UDF won 102 seats while the Left was reduced to just 35 seats from 99 The BJP also reopened its account by winning three seatsOn May 18 Satheesan along with 20 of his Cabinet colleagues was sworn in IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-cm-satheesan-to-meet-pm-modi-in-new-delhi-today-675144.html Tue, 26 May 2026 07:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/14-day-ban-imposed-on-public-gatherings-in-pune-675149.html Pune May 26 The Pune administration has imposed a 14day ban on public gatherings across the city effective from 1201 am on May 16 until midnight on June 8 to maintain the law and order situation in view of the upcoming festivals Acting under Section 37 of the Maharashtra Police Act 1951 authorities have prohibited marches protests rallies processions and public assemblies during this period This measure according to the officials has been taken in light of the escalating protests by various political and social groups against the frequent hikes in petrol and diesel prices in PuneOfficials stated that these restrictions are also aimed at maintaining peace within the jurisdiction of the Pune Police Commissionerate during Bakrid and other festivalsThe order prohibits the carrying of weapons sticks stones explosives flammable substances or any other object capable of causing harm officials said Authorities have also banned provocative slogans inflammatory speeches public announcements noisy assemblies the burning of effigies or images and the distribution of objectionable posters or banners that could disrupt public order they addedAccording to the police officials legal action may be initiated against anyone found violating this order and any prohibited items found in their possession will be immediately confiscatedWhile daily life essential services and general movement are expected to continue as usual public demonstrations and mass gatherings will be kept under strict surveillance for the next 14 daysBakrid also known as Eid alAdha will be celebrated across India on May 28 a day later than the holiday scheduled in the 2026 calendar The change in date occurred after the crescent moon was sighted on May 18 marking the beginning of the Islamic month of Zil Hijja IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/14-day-ban-imposed-on-public-gatherings-in-pune-675149.html Tue, 26 May 2026 08:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/polling-begins-for-punjab-civic-bodies-litmus-test-for-aap-675150.html Chandigarh May 26 Ahead of the Assembly elections in Punjab slated in early 2027 the AAPruled state on Tuesday went to the polls to elect councillors for 1896 wards and eight municipal corporations amid tight security A total of 3545 lakh voters will exercise their franchise till 5 pm Electors across the state could be seen reaching polling stations even before voting started at 8 am âThere has been no report of any delay in starting the poll processâ a state electoral officer told IANS hereThe state Election Commission has deputed around 32000 police personnel and 35000 election staff to ensure free and fair elections at eight municipal corporations 75 municipal councils and 20 nagar panchayatsThe eight municipal corporations are in Abohar Mohali Moga Bathinda Barnala Batala Kapurthala and Pathankot Of 7555 candidates in the fray 1801 belong to the Aam Aadmi Party 1550 to the Congress 1316 to the BJP 1251 to the Shiromani Akali Dal and 96 to the Bahujan Samaj Party while 1528 are Independent and 13 other candidates The electorate comprises 1833712 male voters 1711635 women and 220 voters listed under the âotherâ categoryAhead of the municipal elections the Punjab and Haryana High Court had dismissed a PIL challenging the Election Commissionâs decision to switch from electronic voting machines EVMs to ballot papers A Division Bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry had rejected the plea that the shift from EVMVVPAT to ballot papers had been made abruptly through an administrative communication without any statutory amendment legislative sanction or public consultationâIt is now too late for us to pass any orders or issue any writ since the election programme was published as early as May 13 The election programme of municipal elections has progressed to an advanced stage where the last date of withdrawal of candidature was May 19â it had observed on May 22Later the Supreme Court too dismissed the petition seeking the use of EVMs instead of ballot papers in the municipal elections Noting that the elections are scheduled to take place on Tuesday the bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul Pancholi refused to interfere saying it was too late as all arrangements had been madeState BJP President Sunil Jakhar has warned the government against using any illegal means to win the local body elections saying Punjab would no longer bow to AAPâs fear and pressure tacticsHe said statements being made by AAP MLAs and leaders about shutting polling booth doors and capturing booths to win elections reflected the desperation of the government Although Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann did not campaign for the polls his ministers MPs and MLAs campaigned aggressively for the party candidatesWhatever the outcome of the ongoing elections the state unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP believes it is rapidly emerging as one of the strongest political forces in the state and steadily expanding its footprint in both urban and rural regions The transformation in the BJPâs position in Punjab politics between the February 2021 local body elections and the current May 2026 civic polls has been dramatic a senior BJP functionary told IANSIn 2021 the party faced protests across several parts of Punjab and even struggled to field candidates in many areas In sharp contrast he said the current elections witnessed enthusiastic participation from aspiring BJP candidates with people lining up to seek party tickets while no protests against BJP candidates were reported anywhere in the stateThe BJP fielded 1226 candidates for Municipal Council and Nagar Panchayat elections and 367 candidates for the eight Municipal Corporation elections reflecting the partyâs rapidly growing organisational strength and acceptance among the people of Punjab Importantly the BJPâs growing support is no longer limited to urban Punjab IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/polling-begins-for-punjab-civic-bodies-litmus-test-for-aap-675150.html Tue, 26 May 2026 08:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pmk-welcomes-tn-govts-crop-loan-waiver-seeks-wider-relief-for-farmers-675151.html Chennai May 26 PMK founder Dr S Ramadoss on Tuesday welcomed the Tamil Nadu governmentâs decision to waive crop loans for small and marginal farmers through cooperative societies while urging the state to introduce broader relief measures to address the challenges faced by the farming community In a statement Ramadoss said the governmentâs order to write off crop loans of up to Rs 50000 availed through cooperative societies since May last year was a positive and muchneeded step He also welcomed the decision to provide partial relief for loans in higher categories noting that farmers with crop loans between Rs 50000 and Rs 1 lakh would receive waivers ranging from Rs 5000 to Rs 40000He observed that while the announcement may not completely reduce the burden on all farmers it should be viewed as an attempt to provide support and confidence to the agricultural community under difficult economic circumstancesRamadoss pointed out that farmers across various sectors are currently struggling due to multiple challenges including recurring natural disasters rising production costs and inadequate returns for their agricultural produceIn this situation he said the government should consider announcing more comprehensive relief packages aimed at addressing the broader financial distress affecting the farming sector He further stressed that steps should be taken to ensure that all farmers receive essential agricultural inputs such as seeds fertilisers and other materials at subsidised prices through cooperative societiesAccording to him timely access to such resources would help reduce cultivation costs and improve productivityThe PMK leader also called on the government to ensure that farmers who benefit from the crop loan waiver scheme are provided fresh loans through cooperative societies so that they can continue their agricultural activities without disruption He said there should not be any administrative obstacles in extending such supportRamadoss additionally urged the state government to consider extending partial crop loan relief to farmers beyond the small and marginal categoryHe said protecting farmers and improving their livelihoods remains one of the governmentâs foremost responsibilities adding that sustained and farmerfriendly policies are essential to safeguard the agricultural sector which he described as the backbone of Tamil Nadu IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pmk-welcomes-tn-govts-crop-loan-waiver-seeks-wider-relief-for-farmers-675151.html Tue, 26 May 2026 08:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/nine-killed-in-two-separate-road-accidents-in-uttar-pradesh-675153.html Lucknow May 26 Five people lost their lives while several were left injured after a bus packed with passengers travelling from Delhi to Bihar lost control and overturned in Uttar Pradeshs Unnao on Tuesday officials said The accident occurred early on Tuesday within the Auras Police Station jurisdiction in UnnaoUpon receiving the information police and rescue officials immediately reached the spot Officials said that there were over 30 passengers on board the bus at the time of the accident While five people died on the spot several others sustained severe injuries after falling off the expressway officials said They added that the critically injured have been referred to the Lucknow Trauma Centre for further treatment The police said that the preliminary investigation suggests that the accident occurred because the driver fell asleep at the wheelThe incident occurred at the 262kilometre mark of the AgraLucknow Expressway within the jurisdiction of the Auras police stationIn a separate accident four pilgrims died while three others were seriously injured as a car en route to Kainchi Dham crashed into the rear of a trailer in Barabanki on the SultanpurLucknow Expressway According to the officials the incident took place near Bhikhra village in the Haidergarh Police Station area at around 200 am on Tuesday The car was completely wrecked following the collision The injured were taken to the Community Health Centre and were subsequently referred to the KGMU Trauma Centre officials saidThis comes close on the heels of another accident in Barabanki on May 23 when a speeding dumper truck crushed four members of a family including three children sleeping by the roadsideThe accident occurred on the FatehpurBhanoli road near the village of Jhansa located within the Fatehpur Kotwali police station area of BarabankiThe accident claimed the lives of a man and his three children while his wife and the childrens mother sustained critical injuries IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/nine-killed-in-two-separate-road-accidents-in-uttar-pradesh-675153.html Tue, 26 May 2026 09:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cng-prices-hiked-in-delhi-by-rs-2-per-kg-675156.html Mumbai May 26 Gas distributor Indraprastha Gas Limited IGL on Tuesday announced a fresh increase in compressed natural gas CNG prices marking the fourth hike in less than two weeks CNG prices in Delhi have been hiked by Rs 2 per kgFollowing the latest revision by IGL CNG in Delhi will now cost Rs 8309 per kg up from Rs 8109 per kgHowever prices were revised upward across the National Capital Region with consumers in Noida Ghaziabad and Greater Noida now paying Rs 9170 per kg while rates in Gurugram rose to Rs 8812 per kg In Ajmer CNG prices increased to Rs 9244 per kgThe increase comes shortly after a Rs 1 hike announced on Saturday continuing a steady upward trend in fuel rates over the past several daysThe repeated rise in CNG prices is expected to significantly impact users of CNGpowered vehicles especially in metropolitan cities like Delhi and Mumbai where public transport systems taxis and commercial vehicles heavily depend on the fuel Transport operators fear that the higher operating costs may eventually lead to increased fares for passengersAt the same time oil marketing companies have also revised petrol and diesel prices upward for the fourth time in under two weeks The backtoback hikes are being attributed to volatility in global energy markets and growing concerns over crude oil supply amid continuing tensions in the Middle EastIn Delhi petrol prices have risen by Rs 261 per litre and are now retailing at Rs 10212 per litre Diesel prices in the national capital have increased by Rs 271 taking the rate to Rs 9520 per litreKolkata witnessed one of the sharpest increases among major cities Petrol prices there climbed by Rs 287 per litre to reach Rs 11351 while diesel prices rose by Rs 280 to Rs 9982 per litreMumbai also recorded a significant rise in fuel prices Petrol rates in the financial capital increased by Rs 272 to Rs 11121 per litre while diesel prices went up by Rs 281 and are currently being sold at Rs 9783 per litreIn Chennai petrol prices increased by Rs 246 per litre to Rs 10777 while diesel rates rose by Rs 257 reaching Rs 9955 per litreThe latest round of hikes follows a series of fuel price revisions earlier this monthOn May 15 petrol and diesel prices were increased by Rs 3 per litre each Another increase of 90 paise per litre followed on May 19On May 23 petrol prices were again raised by 87 paise per litre while diesel rates saw an increase of 91 paise per litreExperts say fuel prices are closely linked to international crude oil rates currency exchange fluctuations and domestic taxation policiesThe continuous rise in fuel costs is likely to push up transportation and logistics expenses which may eventually affect the prices of essential goods transported by road Consumers are also expected to face higher daily travel expensesMeanwhile the government had reduced excise duty on petrol and diesel on March 27 to provide relief to consumers IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cng-prices-hiked-in-delhi-by-rs-2-per-kg-675156.html Tue, 26 May 2026 09:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/66-hard-disks-stolen-from-zoya-akhtar-reema-kagtis-production-house-mumbai-police-arrest-one-675163.html Mumbai May 26 A major data theft case has sent shockwaves through the Mumbai film industry after 66 hard disks containing sensitive film and web seriesrelated data allegedly went missing from the office of filmmaker duo Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagtiâs production company Tiger Baby Digital LLP According to the Bandra Police the missing hard disks reportedly contained crucial digital content related to films web series advertisements raw footage edited material postproduction backups and archives of unreleased projects The estimated value of the missing devices and data is believed to be between Rs 12 lakh and Rs 13 lakh However industry insiders fear that the actual losses could run into crores if any unreleased content is leaked onlineThe Bandra Police have registered an FIR in connection with the case and arrested one accused identified as Mohammad Shahid Azim Khan while another accused identified as Ritesh is currently absconding Police teams are conducting searches to trace the remaining hard disks and uncover the full extent of the theftInvestigators are also trying to determine whether the stolen data was accessed copied sold or leaked further Officials suspect that a larger network involved in digital data theft may also be linked to the caseThe matter came to light after employees at the Bandra West office of the production house were unable to locate certain hard disks required for ongoing work on May 21 Following a detailed search of the storage area staff members reportedly discovered that several hard disks were missing Instead of the original devices empty and partially damaged boxes were allegedly found inside the storage cabinetsPolice said there were no signs of forced entry fire or any external damage at the office premises prompting the company to launch an internal inquiry Based on a complaint filed by the companyâs Executive Assistant and HR Admin Mehjabeen Mushtaq Sheikh the Bandra Police initiated an investigation into the matterDuring interrogation Shahid who worked as an office boy and had reportedly been responsible for handling and storing the hard disks for several years allegedly confessed to stealing multiple hard disks over the past five monthsAccording to police officials the accused admitted to selling 24 hard disks to a Borivalibased man named Ritesh for approximately Rs 15000 to Rs 20000 each However Shahid has allegedly failed to provide a clear explanation regarding the whereabouts of the remaining missing hard disks raising suspicion that additional individuals may be involved in the operationSources said the stolen hard disks allegedly contained important production material related to several major projects including raw footage edit timelines backup files and production archives Some of the projects whose data was reportedly stored on the missing disks include Made In Heaven Ghost Stories Nykaa campaigns and Gandhi MoneyInvestigators are also examining the possibility that unreleased content from these projects may have been compromised or illegally circulatedInternal checks conducted by the production company reportedly revealed that a total of 119 hard disks were stored at the office out of which 66 are currently unaccounted for These were highcapacity storage devices ranging from 16TB to 72TB and were being used to store massive volumes of digital production data connected to films OTT projects and commercial shootsPolice are also examining the possible role of another staff member identified as Kalpesh Pawar While suspicion has reportedly been raised regarding his possible involvement in the disappearance of some hard disks investigators clarified that no conclusion has been reached and the probe remains ongoingThe incident has once again highlighted growing concerns over digital security in the entertainment industry With the film and OTT sectors now heavily dependent on digital storage systems and cloudbased workflows any leak of unreleased footage or confidential project files could result in severe financial and reputational damage for production houses IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/66-hard-disks-stolen-from-zoya-akhtar-reema-kagtis-production-house-mumbai-police-arrest-one-675163.html Tue, 26 May 2026 09:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/polling-underway-for-first-phase-of-1-293-gram-panchayats-in-himachal-675205.html Shimla May 26 Voting began on Tuesday for 1293 gram panchayats in the first phase of Panchayati Raj elections in Himachal Pradesh amid tight security The next two phases of the poll with a total of 3745 gram panchayats will be held on May 28 and 30 The main Opposition BJP has expressed apprehensions about the misuse of government machinery by the ruling Congress in the electioneeringPolling will be conducted through ballot papers till 3 pm Each voter will cast five separate votes to elect a ward member vicepradhan pradhan panchayat samiti member and zila parishad member The results for panch pradhan and uppradhan posts will be declared immediately after polling in each phase while counting for panchayat samiti and zila parishad seats will take place on May 31Earlier a voter turnout of 6916 per cent was recorded in the elections to 51 urban local bodies ULBs including four Municipal Corporations held across the state on May 17Hamirpur district recorded the highest voter turnout at around 78 per cent while Solan district registered the lowest at 64 per centAmong the urban local bodies Naina Devi recorded the highest turnout at 86 per centThe polling for the four Municipal Corporations Dharamsala Palampur Mandi and Solan was concluded on May 17 alongside 51 other urban local bodies but election results will be declared on May 31A BJP delegation led by state President Rajeev Bindal on Monday met Governor Kavinder Gupta here and raised concerns regarding alleged interference in Panchayati Raj and Urban Local Body elections by the governmentLeader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur was also present at the meeting along with several senior BJP leaders and officebearersThe delegation submitted a memorandum to the Governor highlighting what the party termed as repeated attempts by the government to manipulate democratic processes amend rules during the election period and influence the public mandate through administrative and political pressure IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/polling-underway-for-first-phase-of-1-293-gram-panchayats-in-himachal-675205.html Tue, 26 May 2026 11:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/eid-shopping-markets-in-jampks-srinagar-witness-huge-festive-rush-675217.html Srinagar May 26 The markets across Jammu and Kashmir particularly in Srinagar are experiencing a significant festive rush with people shopping for Eid All big and small markets in Srinagar and other towns in Kashmir were witnessing heavy footfall causing traffic congestionPeople came out early to buy essentials of life so that their families have enough to celebrate the Eid alAdha festival on Wednesday in the union territoryShops selling bakery mutton poultry and hosiery were witnessing huge crowds And children thronging toy markets brought Srinagar city to life early todayPeople carrying bags of foodstuffs and other essentials were seen jostling with each other to negotiate the heavy traffic on city roads as traffic snarls resulted in confusion and chaos in some placesMany makeshift shops set up by pavement sellers have added to the choking of pedestrian spaces in uptown Srinagar city as police try to be polite and lenient on the eve of the Eid festival so that the pavement sellers can do some business and share the joys of the festival with their familiesThe most soughtafter on this Eid are the animal markets full of sheep and goats brought to the city from faroff places like Poonch Rajouri and even from Delhi and RajasthanWellfed and wellkept sheep and goats are reared by sheep and goatherds to sell them at handsome prices on Eid alAdha Authorities have deployed teams of checking squads to ensure that prices remain under control and all the edibles sold on Eid are fresh and fit for human consumption There is no shortage of essentials in the valley and despite this some unscrupulous traders try to exploit the buyersâ rush to unreasonably hike pricesFollowing the centuriesold tradition Muslims throughout the world offer animal sacrifices on Eid alAdha also called the Bakr Eid Muslims believe that the spirit behind these animal sacrifices is to commemorate the greatest submission to Allahâs command and total submission of humankind to Godâs mercy IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/eid-shopping-markets-in-jampks-srinagar-witness-huge-festive-rush-675217.html Tue, 26 May 2026 12:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/hm-shah-to-hold-meeting-on-crisis-facing-maha-onion-growers-sugar-cooperatives-675219.html Mumbai May 26 Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah will hold a meeting at his Delhi residence on Wednesday to address the crisis confronting Maharashtras onion growers and the cooperative sugar industry The meeting scheduled for 5 pm will be attended by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar along with senior ministers legislators and representatives of cooperative sugar bodiesThe intervention comes amid mounting stress in the stateâs agrarian economy with onion farmers reeling under a sharp price crash and the sugar sector facing policy uncertainties and rising costs due to the export banMinisters Chhagan Bhujbal Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and Shivendraraje Bhosale legislators Dilip Walse Patil Jayant Patil Vinay Kore Abhimanyu Pawar the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories Chairman Harshvardhan Patil and the Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories in Maharashtra Chairman PR Patil will also attend the meetingThe onion belt of Maharashtra primarily Nashik Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and parts of Marathwada is witnessing severe farm distress Despite strong production a convergence of adverse weather and geopolitical bottlenecks has driven wholesale prices to a fraction of production costsIn several Agricultural Produce Market Committees APMCs like Satana Lasalgaon and Paithan wholesale rates for belowaverage quality onions crashed to between 50 paise and Re 1 per kg in early May Premiumquality stocks are being secured at only Rs 12 to Rs 15 per kgAccording to data from the State Agriculture Department cultivation rose to 10 lakh hectares in the 202526 season yielding a bumper 165170 lakh metric tonnes However input costs seeds fertilisers labour and transport average Rs 18 to Rs 20 per kg leading to severe financial losses for cultivatorsThe ongoing conflict in West Asia has severely hit traditional export markets like the Arab nations and Iran Container freight prices from India skyrocketed from 600 to 6500 pricing out Indian exporters while competitors like Egypt and Yemen supply these markets via overland trucks Over 150 containers remain stranded at Mumbaiâs Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust JNPTUnseasonal rainfall and hailstorms across North Maharashtra and Marathwada have compromised the quality and shelflife of the rabi harvest forcing desperate farmers to execute immediate distress salesOn May 15 2026 the Central Government announced it would procure 2 lakh tonnes of onions via NAFED and NCCF at Rs 1235 per kg Rs 1235 per quintal The Maharashtra State Onion Growersâ Association has strongly rejected this rate calling it inadequate to cover basic inputs and demanding a minimum floor price of Rs 30 per kg along with a Rs 1500 per quintal subsidy for past lossesTaking note of ongoing agitation launched by onion growers the Centre on Monday decided to increase the procurement price set by NAFED for onions from Rs 1235 to Rs 1580 per kg However the onion growers have said it was not enough when the production cost is Rs 18 to Rs 20 per kg The onion growers have launched fresh agitation in Chandwad from Nashik district demanding a minimum purchase of Rs 30 per kg They have warned not to allow even an inch of movement on the MumbaiAgra highwayIn the case of Maharashtra cooperative sugar industry despite the state concluding the 202526 crushing season as Indias top sugarproducing state crushing 104421 lakh tonnes of cane to yield 9920 lakh tonnes of sugar the sector faces immense structural friction On May 13 2026 the Directorate General of Foreign Trade DGFT imposed an immediate ban on the export of raw white and refined sugar until September 30 2026 to secure a domestic supply and control retail inflation This came just three months after the Centre had permitted exports in February 2026The ruling and opposition parties along with farmer bodies such as the All India Kisan Sabha AIKS and Swabhiman Shetkari Sanghatana criticised the policy flipflop saying it cuts off highvalue international revenues at a time when global demand is peakingWhile the Centre raised the Fair and Remunerative Price FRP paid to cane farmers to Rs 365 per quintal for the upcoming season the Minimum Selling Price MSP of sugar has remained frozen at Rs 31 per kg since 2019 However the sugar industry has pointed out that the average production cost for mills has soared to Rs 4172 per kg leading to a widening viability gapMoreover the financial squeeze on mills has trickled down to the sugarcane growers As of midMay 2026 83 sugar mills across Maharashtra owe Rs 934 crore in outstanding FRP dues to farmers The Sugar Commissionerate has initiated hearings and issued seizure warnings to noncompliant factoriesAdding to the distress the IMD has projected the 2026 Southwest Monsoon at 92 per cent of the Long Period Average LPA amid emerging El Nino warnings sparking fears of a sharp cane shortfall for the 202627 crushing season beginning in OctoberA senior minister said that for both onion and sugar the overarching friction stems from an imbalance between rising domestic cultivation costs and restrictive trade policies designed to keep retail inflation low pushing the financial burden directly onto the rural economy He argued that against this backdrop the Centreâs bailout package is needed to help crisisridden onion growers and the cooperative sugar industry to survive IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/hm-shah-to-hold-meeting-on-crisis-facing-maha-onion-growers-sugar-cooperatives-675219.html Tue, 26 May 2026 12:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/heatwave-to-continue-in-delhi-ncr-for-next-three-days-weather-likely-to-change-from-may-29-675220.html New Delhi May 26 IANS The ongoing spell of intense heat and heatwave conditions is expected to continue across DelhiNCR for the next three days with the India Meteorological Department IMD issuing a yellow alert for the region on May 26 and 27 According to the latest forecast the maximum temperature may touch 44 degrees Celsius during this period while the minimum temperature is likely to remain between 30 and 31 degrees CelsiusThe Meteorological Department has advised residents to remain cautious especially during the afternoon hours when heatwave conditions are expected to peak Authorities have urged people to avoid unnecessary outdoor activities and stay hydrated to prevent heatrelated illnessesAccording to the IMD the maximum temperature on May 26 is likely to reach 44 degrees Celsius while the minimum temperature may settle around 30 degrees Celsius Heatwave conditions are expected to persist throughout the day The department has also warned that strong surface winds are likely to blow during the afternoon and evening hours further intensifying the effect of the hot weatherWeather conditions on May 27 are expected to remain largely unchanged The maximum temperature is again likely to hover around 44 degrees Celsius while the minimum temperature may rise slightly to 31 degrees Celsius The IMD has continued its warning for heatwave conditions and strong hot winds on this day as wellStrong surface winds are expected during the afternoon and evening increasing the risk of heatstroke and dehydration among people exposed to the harsh weather conditions With temperatures remaining consistently high residents are likely to face considerable discomfort while stepping outdoorsHowever the weather is expected to witness a gradual change beginning May 28 According to the Meteorological Department the maximum temperature on May 28 is expected to dip slightly to 43 degrees Celsius while the minimum temperature may rise to 32 degrees CelsiusThe IMD has predicted the possibility of light rainfall accompanied by thunder and lightning on that day Strong gusty winds and stormy conditions with wind speeds ranging between 50 and 60 kilometres per hour may also occur Warnings for light rain and thunder squalls have been issued for the afternoon and evening hoursA more noticeable change in weather conditions is likely from May 29 onward The Meteorological Department has forecast a significant drop in temperatures with the maximum temperature expected to come down to nearly 36 degrees Celsius while the minimum temperature is likely to remain around 28 degrees CelsiusOn May 29 there is also a possibility of light rainfall accompanied by thunder and lightning Strong winds with speeds between 40 and 50 kilometres per hour are expected to prevail across parts of the NCR region According to weather officials the rainfall and strong winds are likely to provide muchneeded relief to residents from the scorching heat that has gripped the region over the past several daysThe weather is expected to remain relatively pleasant on May 30 and 31 as well In these two days the maximum temperature is likely to remain between 35 and 36 degrees Celsius while the minimum temperature may hover around 25 degrees CelsiusThe IMD has issued a no warning status for these days although chances of light rainfall and thunderstorms are expected to continue Humidity levels during this period are likely to fluctuate between 40 and 70 per centAccording to weather experts the anticipated change in weather across DelhiNCR is mainly due to the influence of a Western Disturbance and shifting atmospheric conditions Until then residents have been advised to remain alert and take necessary precautions against the prevailing heatwave conditions over the next few daysIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/heatwave-to-continue-in-delhi-ncr-for-next-three-days-weather-likely-to-change-from-may-29-675220.html Tue, 26 May 2026 12:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/wanted-ndps-accused-from-rajasthan-held-in-ahmedabad-675221.html Ahmedabad May 26 A Rajasthanbased man wanted in multiple narcotics cases has been arrested in connection with a mephedrone seizure in Ahmedabad police said on Tuesday The accused identified as Rajuram Bishnoi 40 a businessman from Danta Bawaliya village in Sanchore taluka of Jalore district was apprehended by the Ahmedabad Crime Branch from his native villagePolice said Bishnoi allegedly supplied 412 grams of mephedrone valued at Rs 1236 lakh which was seized in Ahmedabad last monthOfficers acting on specific intelligence carried out a raid on April 13 near Ganesh Selection shop below Laxmi Market in the Ghee Kanta area of AhmedabadDuring the operation police arrested Malaram Devasi Rabari and Ashokkumar Darji who were allegedly found in possession of 412 grams of mephedrone without any legal authorisation or permitFollowing the seizure the Detection of Crime Branch registered an offence at DCB Police Station Part âCâ under Sections 8c 22c and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances NDPS ActPolice said the investigation later revealed Bishnoiâs alleged role in supplying the contrabandâThe accused who had supplied the seized mephedrone consignment was traced to village Danta Bawaliya in Sanchore taluka of Rajasthan and was brought to Ahmedabad and arrested in the NDPS offenceâ officials saidOfficials further said Bishnoi is also wanted in another NDPS case registered at Abu Road RIICO Police Station in Rajasthan for offences under Sections 8 and 22 of the NDPS ActCrime Branch records show the accused has previously been booked in several criminal cases in RajasthanThese include a theft case registered at Industrial Area Pali Police Station in 2016 under Section 379 of the Indian Penal Code an NDPS case at Sanchore Police Station in 2019 under Sections 8 and 21 another NDPS case registered there in 2022 under Sections 8 21 22 25 and 29 and a further NDPS case at Karda Police Station in 2022 under Sections 8 22 and 29 of the ActPolice said further investigation into the interstate narcotics network and the source of the seized mephedrone is underway IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/wanted-ndps-accused-from-rajasthan-held-in-ahmedabad-675221.html Tue, 26 May 2026 12:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cbi-scrutinises-assets-of-arrested-accused-in-neet-paper-leak-case-675222.html New Delhi May 26 IANS The Central Bureau of Investigation CBI currently investigating the NEET paper leak case is now also scrutinising the assets of the three accused individuals arrested in connection with the matternbspThe investigative agency suspects that the accused have acquired multiple properties using funds generated from the paper leak racket officials saidThe CBI further suspects that these very accused individuals currently in custody were also involved in the alleged NEET paper leak case that surfaced in 2024 The agency is now examining the links between the two cases and attempting to ascertain whether the same syndicate has been operating this racket for a prolonged periodSeveral professors from Pune may now also come under the ambit of the investigationnbspAccording to official sources certain educators may be interrogated and their roles in the matter are currently being examinednbspThe CBI is working to identify all individuals involved in the paper leak networkMeanwhile on Monday the CBI once again conducted raids at premises linked to Manisha Gurunath Mandhare a Botany Teacher from Pune and Manisha Havaldar a Punebased physics lecturernbspThe investigative agency anticipates that these search operations and the examination of seized documents will yield crucial leads in the caseCurrently the CBI is conducting an indepth investigation into the financial transactions assets and associates connected to this entire networkEarlier on Monday the Supreme Court issued notices to the Centre the National Testing Agency NTA and other authorities on pleas seeking structural reforms in the conduct of the NEETUG examination including an immediate transition to a computerbased testing CBT mode in the wake of the alleged 2026 paper leak controversynbspnbspA Bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe directed that copies of the petitions be served upon Solicitor General Tushar Mehta the Centres secondhighest law officer and listed the matter for further hearing on Friday May 29During the proceedings the apex court remarked that despite the controversy surrounding NEETUG 2024 and the recommendations made thereafter by a highpowered committee headed by former ISRO Chairman K Radhakrishnan concerns regarding examination integrity had resurfacedIts sad that they have not learnt their lesson the Justice Narasimhaled Bench orally observedThe Supreme Court recalled that after the 2024 controversy a committee had already been constituted recommendations were accepted and even a monitoring mechanism was put in placenbspIn this backdrop the Justice Narasimhaled Bench directed the NTA to file an affidavit clarifying the present status regarding compliance with the recommendations of the monitoring committee constituted on November 14 2024 including details of its functioningIt also asked Prof K Radhakrishnan Chairman of the highpowered committee to submit a separate affidavit indicating the steps taken to ensure implementation of the panels recommendations as well as compliance with the directions issued earlier by the apex courtThe latest directions came on petitions including those filed by the Federation of All India Medical Association FAIMA and the United Doctors Front seeking accountability and systemic reforms in the conduct of the NEETUG examinationIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cbi-scrutinises-assets-of-arrested-accused-in-neet-paper-leak-case-675222.html Tue, 26 May 2026 12:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/amit-shah-to-meet-on-maharashtra-onion-growers-and-sugar-cooperatives-crisis-675225.html Mumbai May 26 IANSnbsp Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah will hold a meeting at his Delhi residence on Wednesday to address the crisis confronting Maharashtras onion growers and the cooperative sugar industrynbspThe meeting scheduled for 5 pm will be attended by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar along with senior ministers legislators and representatives of cooperative sugar bodiesThe intervention comes amid mounting stress in the states agrarian economy with onion farmers reeling under a sharp price crash and the sugar sector facing policy uncertainties and rising costs due to the export banMinisters Chhagan Bhujbal Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and Shivendraraje Bhosale legislators Dilip Walse Patil Jayant Patil Vinay Kore Abhimanyu Pawar the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories Chairman Harshvardhan Patil and the Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories in Maharashtra Chairman PR Patil will also attend the meetingThe onion belt of Maharashtra primarily Nashik Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and parts of Marathwada is witnessing severe farm distress Despite strong production a convergence of adverse weather and geopolitical bottlenecks has driven wholesale prices to a fraction of production costsIn several Agricultural Produce Market Committees APMCs like Satana Lasalgaon and Paithan wholesale rates for belowaverage quality onions crashed to between 50 paise and Re 1 per kg in early May Premiumquality stocks are being secured at only Rs 12 to Rs 15 per kgAccording to data from the State Agriculture Department cultivation rose to 10 lakh hectares in the 202526 season yielding a bumper 165170 lakh metric tonnes However input costs seeds fertilisers labour and transport average Rs 18 to Rs 20 per kg leading to severe financial losses for cultivatorsThe ongoing conflict in West Asia has severely hit traditional export markets like the Arab nations and Iran Container freight prices from India skyrocketed from 600 to 6500 pricing out Indian exporters while competitors like Egypt and Yemen supply these markets via overland trucks Over 150 containers remain stranded at Mumbais Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust JNPTUnseasonal rainfall and hailstorms across North Maharashtra and Marathwada have compromised the quality and shelflife of the rabi harvest forcing desperate farmers to execute immediate distress salesOn May 15 2026 the Central Government announced it would procure 2 lakh tonnes of onions via NAFED and NCCF at Rs 1235 per kg Rs 1235 per quintal The Maharashtra State Onion Growers Association has strongly rejected this rate calling it inadequate to cover basic inputs and demanding a minimum floor price of Rs 30 per kg along with a Rs 1500 per quintal subsidy for past lossesTaking note of ongoing agitation launched by onion growers the Centre on Monday decided to increase the procurement price set by NAFED for onions from Rs 1235 to Rs 1580 per kg However the onion growers have said it was not enough when the production cost is Rs 18 to Rs 20 per kg The onion growers have launched fresh agitation in Chandwad from Nashik district demanding a minimum purchase of Rs 30 per kg They have warned not to allow even an inch of movement on the MumbaiAgra highwayIn the case of Maharashtra cooperative sugar industry despite the state concluding the 202526 crushing season as Indias top sugarproducing state crushing 104421 lakh tonnes of cane to yield 9920 lakh tonnes of sugar the sector faces immense structural friction On May 13 2026 the Directorate General of Foreign Trade DGFT imposed an immediate ban on the export of raw white and refined sugar until September 30 2026 to secure a domestic supply and control retail inflation This came just three months after the Centre had permitted exports in February 2026The ruling and opposition parties along with farmer bodies such as the All India Kisan Sabha AIKS and Swabhiman Shetkari Sanghatana criticised the policy flipflop saying it cuts off highvalue international revenues at a time when global demand is peakingWhile the Centre raised the Fair and Remunerative Price FRP paid to cane farmers to Rs 365 per quintal for the upcoming season the Minimum Selling Price MSP of sugar has remained frozen at Rs 31 per kg since 2019 However the sugar industry has pointed out that the average production cost for mills has soared to Rs 4172 per kg leading to a widening viability gapMoreover the financial squeeze on mills has trickled down to the sugarcane growers As of midMay 2026 83 sugar mills across Maharashtra owe Rs 934 crore in outstanding FRP dues to farmers The Sugar Commissionerate has initiated hearings and issued seizure warnings to noncompliant factoriesAdding to the distress the IMD has projected the 2026 Southwest Monsoon at 92 per cent of the Long Period Average LPA amid emerging El Nino warnings sparking fears of a sharp cane shortfall for the 202627 crushing season beginning in OctoberA senior minister said that for both onion and sugar the overarching friction stems from an imbalance between rising domestic cultivation costs and restrictive trade policies designed to keep retail inflation low pushing the financial burden directly onto the rural economy He argued that against this backdrop the Centres bailout package is needed to help crisisridden onion growers and the cooperative sugar industry to surviveIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/amit-shah-to-meet-on-maharashtra-onion-growers-and-sugar-cooperatives-crisis-675225.html Tue, 26 May 2026 13:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cm-satheesan-meets-pm-modi-in-delhi-outreach-after-udfs-landslide-win-675226.html New Delhi May 26 IANS In his first meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi after leading the Congressled UDF to a sweeping victory in the Kerala Assembly elections Chief Minister VD Satheesan on Tuesday held crucial talks with the PM in New Delhi signalling the start of the new state governments engagement with the CentrenbspThe PMO office posted pictures of the meeting between the twoThe nearly 20minute meeting at the Prime Ministers Office assumed political significance coming just days after the change of guard in Kerala ending the decadelong rule of the Left Democratic Front led by former Chief Minister Pinarayi VijayanCM Satheesan was accompanied by Kerala Chief Secretary A Jayathilak during the meetingSources said the Chief Minister submitted a detailed memorandum seeking Central support for several key development projects and financial packages for the state while also following up on a number of pending issues concerning KeralaThough official details of the discussions were not disclosed it is learnt that infrastructure development financial assistance pending railway and highway projects disaster relief support and issues concerning Keralas overall fiscal position figured prominently during the talksDespite the political importance attached to the meeting Satheesan remained tightlipped while leaving the venue and avoided responding to questions from the media regarding the outcome of the discussions with the Prime MinisterThe Chief Minister has temporarily camped at Kerala House as part of his twoday visit to the national capitalLater in the day Satheesan is scheduled to meet Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to press for greater financial support for Kerala amid the states continuing fiscal challengesOn Wednesday the Chief Minister is expected to hold separate meetings with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan before returning to ThiruvananthapuramThe Delhi visit is being closely watched both politically and administratively with indications that the new UDF government is keen to strike a pragmatic working relationship with the BJPled Centre despite sharp political differences between the two sidesIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cm-satheesan-meets-pm-modi-in-delhi-outreach-after-udfs-landslide-win-675226.html Tue, 26 May 2026 13:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-canada-trade-talks-industry-roundtables-b2b-engagements-next-on-agenda-675229.html OttawaNew Delhi May 26 IANS After highlevel trade talks in Ottawa Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will lead the Indian business delegation through an intensive programme of industry roundtables and B2B engagements in Toronto from May 2627 aimed at translating ministeriallevel commitment into concrete commercial partnerships across priority sectors the government said on TuesdaynbspThe visit carries forward the mandate set by Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Mark Carney during Carneys New Delhi visit in March 2026 and builds on sustained highlevel engagement between the two countries since mid2025With bilateral trade currently standing at approximately 85 billion both governments have set an ambitious shared target of expanding this to 50 billion by 2030Goyal arrived in Ottawa heading the largestever Indian business delegation to Canada comprising industry leaders from over 100 companies in a landmark step towards the full revival of IndiaCanada economic relations according to Commerce MinistrynbspThe threeday visit to Canada is aimed at advancing bilateral trade and economic ties between India and Canada with a particular focus on accelerating the ongoing negotiations for the IndiaCanada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement CEPA the ministry addedIn Ottawa Goyal held a series of highlevel meetings with senior Canadian leaders and Ministers to deepen bilateral cooperation across trade investment technology agriculture and strategic sectorsCalling on Carney Goyal conveyed warm greetings from Prime Minister Modi Both sides held forwardlooking discussions on further deepening bilateral cooperation across multiple domains and expressed optimism towards the early conclusion of the IndiaCanada CEPACarney affirmed that the proposed free trade agreement with India would be a game changer unlocking a massive new marketGoyal also held constructive bilateral discussions with Canadas Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu on advancing the IndiaCanada CEPA negotiations The CEPA is expected to strengthen economic partnerships and deliver tangible benefits to businesses and citizens of both countries deepening the bilateral economic relationship to its fullest potentialIn a meeting with Canadas Minister of Agriculture and AgriFood Heath MacDonald discussions centred on strengthening bilateral cooperation in agriculture with a focus on food security sustainability and agritechnologyGoyal also held wideranging talks with Canadas Foreign Minister Anita Anand and emphasised the importance of trade investment and technology linkages for the IndiaCanada Strategic PartnershipnbspHe highlighted Indias expanding infrastructure renewable energy logistics digital infrastructure and consumer sectors as offering significant opportunities for greater collaboration and longterm Canadian investmentsnbspIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-canada-trade-talks-industry-roundtables-b2b-engagements-next-on-agenda-675229.html Tue, 26 May 2026 13:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-hc-denies-bail-to-expelled-cong-councillor-in-dalit-womans-exploitation-case-675230.html Kochi May 26 In a major setback to expelled Congress councillor MA Prashob the Kerala High Court on Tuesday refused to grant him anticipatory bail in a rape case involving allegations of sexual exploitation of a Dalit woman on the promise of employment and lifelong support Justice A Badharudeen upheld the earlier order of the Special SCST Court which had rejected the former councillorâs plea for prearrest bail after finding that a prima facie case existed against himThe case registered at the Palakkad Town South Police Station has triggered political embarrassment for the Congress in Palakkad after the allegations surfaced against the nowexpelled municipal councillorThe incident was used by the CPIM during the Assembly polls campaignAccording to the prosecution Prashob despite being married maintained a relationship with the complainant for nearly oneandahalf years and repeatedly engaged in sexual intercourse with her by allegedly assuring her of a job and continued support in lifeThe woman who belongs to the Scheduled Caste community alleged that she later became pregnant during the relationship and was subsequently threatened and abused after details of the affair became publicBased on the complaint police booked Prashob under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita including charges related to rape sexual exploitation under false promises and criminal intimidation apart from Sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities ActSeeking anticipatory bail Prashob had argued before the High Court that the allegations even if accepted entirely pointed only to a consensual relationship between two adultsHis counsel contended that the provisions of the SCST Act were wrongly invoked and therefore the statutory restrictions against granting anticipatory bail under the Act would not apply in the caseThe defence also argued that the Special Court had failed to record any prima facie finding specifically substantiating the allegation of rape and had rejected bail mainly on the basis of offences under the SCST ActHowever the counsel appearing for the complainant strongly opposed the bail plea alleging that the accused had manipulated and exploited the woman emotionally and sexually over a prolonged periodThe complainant further alleged that she first came into contact with Prashob after his father who ran a tea shop allegedly misbehaved with herAccording to her Prashob later persuaded her not to pursue a complaint and gradually gained her trust by offering assurances of employment and protection before luring her into the relationshipWith the High Court declining relief the expelled councillor now faces the prospect of arrest as the investigation progresses IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-hc-denies-bail-to-expelled-cong-councillor-in-dalit-womans-exploitation-case-675230.html Tue, 26 May 2026 13:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/nia-arrests-15-in-sir-based-road-blockade-judges-detention-cases-in-malda-ld-675233.html New Delhi May 26 IANS The National Investigation Agency NIA arrested 15 protesters in a special operation conducted in West Bengals Malda district in connection with last months road blockade incidents and the alleged illegal detention of judicial officers engaged in the Special Intensive Revision SIR exercise of electoral rolls ahead of the Assembly elections in the stateThe NIA had taken over the investigation following directions from the Election Commission of India after the Supreme Court reportedly took suo motu cognisance of the incidents During the extensive operation carried out in Malda district the agency apprehended 15 individuals on Monday who had been allegedly involved in blocking roads and detaining judicial officers on duty in two separate casesIn one of the cases 12 individuals including the main accused Joshim Sk and Asmaul Sk were arrested for allegedly detaining a woman judicial officer for nearly eight hours on the road between Haibatola and AmlitolaThree other accused identified as Alamgir Sk Nurul Islam and Habibur Rahman were arrested in connection with the blockade of Bagmara Bridge in the Mothabari block areaAccording to officials investigations are underway to identify and trace other persons allegedly involved in the incidents The NIA is also probing the possibility of a larger conspiracy behind the coordinated road blockades and the detention of judicial officersBefore the latest arrests nearly 50 people had already been taken into custody in connection with the caseThose arrested earlier included advocate Mofakkerul Islam Trinamool Congress Kaliachak Block President Mohammad Sariul Sheikh Indian Secular Front ISF Gram Panchayat member Golam Rabbani and ISF candidate Shahjahan Ali KadriPolice had earlier identified advocate Mofakkerul Islam and ISF leader Maulana Shahjahan Ali among the alleged key conspirators in the matterThe case is linked to violence that erupted on April 1 at the Mothabari Block Office in Malda district during protests related to the electoral roll revision exerciseAccording to officials judicial officers engaged in the SIR exercise allegedly came under attack while performing official duties Police later rescued the officers from the protest site but authorities claimed that the convoy escorting them was attacked again while leaving the areaThe incident drew nationwide attention after reports surfaced that seven judicial officers were allegedly surrounded by a large mob during the protests Officials stated that nearly 200 to 300 protesters gathered near the Kaliachak II block office and allegedly confined the officers inside the premises for more than nine hoursThe officers reportedly remained trapped without food or water and allegedly faced verbal abuse and threats before being rescued by security personnel around midnight Among those reportedly confined inside were three women officers and another officer accompanied by a fiveyearold childWest Bengal Police later described the violence as a preplanned attack rather than a spontaneous protestFollowing the incident Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP of attempting to create unrest in the state and plotting to have the West Bengal Assembly elections cancelled in order to impose Presidents RuleIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/nia-arrests-15-in-sir-based-road-blockade-judges-detention-cases-in-malda-ld-675233.html Tue, 26 May 2026 13:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cng-prices-in-delhi-hiked-by-rs-2-per-kg-raising-transport-and-commuting-costs-across-the-capital-675235.html Mumbai May 26 IANS Gas distributor Indraprastha Gas Limited IGL on Tuesday announced a fresh increase in compressed natural gas CNG prices marking the fourth hike in less than two weeksCNG prices in Delhi have been hiked by Rs 2 per kgFollowing the latest revision by IGL CNG in Delhi will now cost Rs 8309 per kg up from Rs 8109 per kgHowever prices were revised upward across the National Capital Region with consumers in Noida Ghaziabad and Greater Noida now paying Rs 9170 per kg while rates in Gurugram rose to Rs 8812 per kg In Ajmer CNG prices increased to Rs 9244 per kgThe increase comes shortly after a Rs 1 hike announced on Saturday continuing a steady upward trend in fuel rates over the past several daysThe repeated rise in CNG prices is expected to significantly impact users of CNGpowered vehicles especially in metropolitan cities like Delhi and Mumbai where public transport systems taxis and commercial vehicles heavily depend on the fuel Transport operators fear that the higher operating costs may eventually lead to increased fares for passengersAt the same time stateowned oil marketing companies OMCs have revised petrol and diesel prices upward for the fourth time in under two weeks The backtoback hikes are being attributed to volatility in global energy markets and growing concerns over crude oil supply amid continuing tensions in the Middle EastIn Delhi petrol prices have risen by Rs 261 per litre and are now retailing at Rs 10212 per litre Diesel prices in the national capital have increased by Rs 271 taking the rate to Rs 9520 per litreKolkata witnessed one of the sharpest increases among major cities Petrol prices there climbed by Rs 287 per litre to reach Rs 11351 while diesel prices rose by Rs 280 to Rs 9982 per litreMumbai also recorded a significant rise in fuel prices Petrol rates in the financial capital increased by Rs 272 to Rs 11121 per litre while diesel prices went up by Rs 281 and are currently being sold at Rs 9783 per litreIn Chennai petrol prices increased by Rs 246 per litre to Rs 10777 while diesel rates rose by Rs 257 reaching Rs 9955 per litreThe latest round of hikes follows a series of fuel price revisions earlier this monthOn May 15 petrol and diesel prices were increased by Rs 3 per litre each Another increase of 90 paise per litre followed on May 19On May 23 petrol prices were again raised by 87 paise per litre while diesel rates saw an increase of 91 paise per litreExperts say fuel prices are closely linked to international crude oil rates currency exchange fluctuations and domestic taxation policiesThe continuous rise in fuel costs is likely to push up transportation and logistics expenses which may eventually affect the prices of essential goods transported by road Consumers are also expected to face higher daily travel expensesMeanwhile the government had reduced excise duty on petrol and diesel on March 27 to provide relief to consumersIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cng-prices-in-delhi-hiked-by-rs-2-per-kg-raising-transport-and-commuting-costs-across-the-capital-675235.html Tue, 26 May 2026 13:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/petrol-and-diesel-price-hike-in-india-smallest-among-fuel-importing-economies-675115.html New Delhi May 25 IANS As the Middle East crisis continues to impact retail fuel prices India had one of the smaller percentage increases and sits on one of the lower absolute price levels among nonsubsidising economiesnbspThrough the 78 days from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz on February 28 to the oil marketing companies OMCs revisions of May 15 19 23 and May 25 India held petrol and diesel prices essentially unchanged while the rest of the world raised prices by 10 20 50 and in some cases 90 per centnbspThe cumulative Indian revision at just over Rs 7 a litre takes the headline movement on the retail price to roughly seven and a half per cent equivalent to Rs 735 per litre on petrol and Rs 753 per litre on diesel taking petrol prices in Delhi from Rs 9477 to Rs 10212 and diesel from Rs 8767 to Rs 9520Every major developed economy now retails petrol above Rs 150 a litre and most above Rs 180 the EU 27 weighted average sits at Rs 179 on petrol and Rs 184 on dieselnbspIndias two large neighbours Pakistan and Nepal have moved well past Rs 135 a litre on petrol despite lower nominal incomes Sri Lanka Myanmar and the Philippines have crossed Rs 130 a litrenbspThe only economies retailing petrol consistently below the Indian range are direct subsidisers the UAE and Malaysia or the US which has structurally low fuel taxationnbspIndia therefore prices petrol and diesel at or below most of the developing world and at roughly half the European pump while still raising less than any nonsubsidising peer through the present disruptionEvery other major importing economy has passed on the cost to its consumers and in several cases doubling pump prices over 48 months India has notThe Indian revision of just over Rs 7 a litre equivalent to roughly seven and a half per cent off the Delhi base is the smallest material upward movement of any major economy outside the directly subsidising Gulf producers smaller than Japan smaller than every European economy smaller even than the South Asian peers that lack Indias buffersIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/petrol-and-diesel-price-hike-in-india-smallest-among-fuel-importing-economies-675115.html Mon, 25 May 2026 12:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/marco-rubio-in-jaipur-today-traffic-restrictions-at-airport-amer-route-675116.html Jaipur May 25 IANS The capital city of Rajasthan was witnessing heightened security and major traffic diversions on Monday as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to arrive in Jaipur as part of his India tournbspnbspHe will land at Jaipur International Airport at around 2 pm and will visit Amer Palace and participate in cultural engagements during his brief stay before departing on Tuesday morningDuring his visit to Amer Palace Rubio may also visit the Elephant Village City Palace and selected markets within the walled city area He is expected to spend nearly an hour at Amer Palace where a traditional Rajasthani welcome has been plannedThe Jaipur administration and security agencies have enforced extensive traffic restrictions in view of the VVIP movementAccording to the Traffic Police the AirportAmer corridor will remain closed to general traffic and tourists between noon and 6 pm affecting movement along major stretches including JLN Marg Rubio is expected to travel from Jaipur Airport to Amer Palace with traffic movement along the entire route being suspended from around 1 pm until he arrives at Amer at approximately 230 pmLater he is scheduled to leave Amer around 430 pm for Rambagh Hotel during which traffic from Amer to Rambagh Crossing will remain closed between 4 pm and 530 pm Authorities said parking of all vehicles will be prohibited along the VVIP route extending from Jaipur Airport through OTS JDA Crossing Ramniwas Bagh Jawaharlal Nehru Marg New Gate Choura Rasta Tripolia Bazaar Hawa Mahal Bazaar and Subhash Chowk up to Amer However ambulances and essential service vehicles will be exempted from restrictionsTraffic police have arranged diversion routes through Tonk Road Jhalana Bypass Jawahar Nagar Bypass Janpath MI Road Govind Marg Delhi Road and other parallel roads Light commercial vehicles buses minibuses and slowmoving vehicles will face restrictions where required Amer Palace will remain closed to tourists from 1 pm to 5 pm following district administration orders issued for security reasonsRubio is expected to visit major sections of the palace including Sheesh Mahal DiwaneAam and Ganesh Pol where the Tourism Department has arranged a ceremonial reception featuring Ghoomar Kalbelia Kachhi Ghodi and Ravanahatha performancesSecurity has been tightened across Jaipur and the Police Commissionerate has imposed a twoday ban on drone operations in 24 police station jurisdictions on May 25 and 26 Legal action will be taken against violators under provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita BNSSIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/marco-rubio-in-jaipur-today-traffic-restrictions-at-airport-amer-route-675116.html Mon, 25 May 2026 12:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/nia-probe-reveals-faridabad-modules-plan-for-multiple-bomb-factories-high-intensity-blasts-675126.html New Delhi May 25 IANS Investigations by the National Investigation Agency NIA in connection with the Faridabad terror module and the Red Fort blast case have revealed a larger plot for multiple bomb making factories and highintensity blasts across IndianbspThe Faridabad module mainly comprising of doctors is one of the most sophisticated terror modules that the country has ever seen Had this module not been busted and 2900 kilograms of fertiliser meant for bomb making not been seized then the country would have witnessed the unthinkableAn official said that the busting of this module not only prevented multiple high intensity blasts but it also put the brakes on the modules plans to set up multiple bomb making laboratories in various parts of the countryThe members of this module were not planning on having a manufacturing unit in Faridabad alone They had surveyed many other places and had plans on setting up several more manufacturing units across the countryAfter the Faridabad bomb making factory their next plan was to set up one in LucknowAnother official said that the Faridabad unit was meant to concentrate on Delhi and the neighbouring areasThe ones in Lucknow and other places in the state were aimed at carrying out big blasts in Uttar PradeshThe National Investigation Agency in its chargesheet says that Dr Muzammil the main player in the Faridabad module had identified several chemical shops in Uttar Pradesh He then told another coaccused Dr Shaheen Saeed about this shop and she wrote down the names by handThey then got in touch with a local contact who was tasked with reaching out to these chemical shopsThe materials that they were planning on sourcing were meant to prepare the highly volatile TATP which is referred to as Mother of SatanThe local contact was asked to get in touch with these chemical shops and find out if the raw material to prepare the TATP could be supplied in very large quantitiesThe one thing common in both these operations was the use of TATP to carry out blastsHowever what is important is that the plan was so big that they wanted the material in very large quantitiesAn official explained that the idea was not to strike once and then lie low The plan was repeated high intensity blasts at multiple locationsThe blasts were not being planned in just one shot Like the Indian Mujahideen the idea was the surprise element and to strike at frequent intervalsThe Indian Mujahideen too followed the same pattern They would carry out a major blast and then lie low for a couple of weeks before returning to carry out the next attackThe Faridabad module was working on similar lines the official saidTo execute their Uttar Pradesh plan the members of the module had prepared a blueprint Dr Muzammil would visit Lucknow often and then carry out a reconnaissance by foot at several locations There was no wind of what he was up to considering his profession another official saidHe had surveyed the Lok Bhawan Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha the Civil Secretariat and Bapu Bhawan officials saidThis module apart from striking at top locations which houses government buildings also planned on striking at crowded placesThe module members had even visited Lal Bagh and Aminabad and the agencies believe that these locations could have been potential targetsThe NIA says that these operations were carried out between August 25 and 30 last year During this period they visited several places apart from also planning the logistics the NIA learntThe Faridabad module which owed allegiance to the Ansar GhazwatulHind AGuH was eventually busted in October 2025IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/nia-probe-reveals-faridabad-modules-plan-for-multiple-bomb-factories-high-intensity-blasts-675126.html Mon, 25 May 2026 12:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sad-they-have-not-learnt-their-lesson-sc-questions-authorities-over-fresh-neet-ug-2026-row-and-exam-irregularity-concerns-675128.html New Delhi May 25 IANS The Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to the Centre the National Testing Agency NTA and other authorities on pleas seeking structural reforms in the conduct of the NEETUG examination including an immediate transition to a computerbased testing CBT mode in the wake of the alleged 2026 paper leak controversynbspnbspA Bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe directed that copies of the petitions be served upon Solicitor General Tushar Mehta the Centres secondhighest law officer and listed the matter for further hearing on Friday May 29During the proceedings the apex court remarked that despite the controversy surrounding NEETUG 2024 and the recommendations made thereafter by a highpowered committee headed by former ISRO Chairman K Radhakrishnan concerns regarding examination integrity had resurfacedIts sad that they have not learnt their lesson the Justice Narasimhaled Bench orally observedThe Supreme Court recalled that after the 2024 controversy a committee had already been constituted recommendations were accepted and even a monitoring mechanism was put in place In this backdrop the Justice Narasimhaled Bench directed the NTA to file an affidavit clarifying the present status regarding compliance with the recommendations of the monitoring committee constituted on November 14 2024 including details of its functioningIt also asked Prof K Radhakrishnan Chairman of the highpowered committee to submit a separate affidavit indicating the steps taken to ensure implementation of the panels recommendations as well as compliance with the directions issued earlier by the apex courtThe latest directions came on petitions including those filed by the Federation of All India Medical Association FAIMA and the United Doctors Front seeking accountability and systemic reforms in the conduct of the NEETUG examinationOne of the petitions sought immediate transition of NEETUG to a fully computerbased test mode contending that the existing penandpaper framework involving physical printing transportation and storage of confidential examination material remained inherently vulnerableThe plea argued that despite recommendations made after the NEETUG 2024 controversy the examination continued under substantially the same penandpaper framework It contended that the Union government had already publicly announced that NEETUG would transition to CBT mode from 2027 which itself amounted to an acknowledgement that technological reform and secure digital examination architecture are necessaryThe petition further sought replacement of the NTA with a new independent transparent and professionally regulated National Examination Authority having statutory accountability judicial oversight and advanced technological safeguardsAnother plea challenged the systemic failure of the NTA and sought dissolution of the agency in its present form as a society registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860The petitions have also sought the constitution of a courtmonitored committee to oversee reforms in national examinations and implementation of encrypted digital paper transmission systems biometric verification AIbased surveillance and stricter cybersecurity protocolsAdditionally directions have been sought for strict criminal prosecution of those allegedly involved in paper leaks and organised cheating rackets as well as a status report from the CBI on the progress of the investigation into the alleged NEETUG 2026 paper leakThe petitions argued that the controversy surrounding NEETUG 2026 including allegations of the circulation of guess papers before the May 3 examination and the subsequent cancellation of the test on May 12 is part of a recurring pattern affecting nationallevel examinationsIIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sad-they-have-not-learnt-their-lesson-sc-questions-authorities-over-fresh-neet-ug-2026-row-and-exam-irregularity-concerns-675128.html Mon, 25 May 2026 13:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-cannot-afford-fear-mongering-economy-remains-resilient-fm-sitharaman-675130.html Mumbai May 25 IANS Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Monday that Indias economy continues to show resilience amid global uncertainty and came out strongly against attempts to paint a pessimistic and cynical narrative that presents an inaccurate picture of the countrys growth trajectorynbspAddressing the SIDBI foundation day event here FM Sitharaman pushed back against concerns around Indias economic trajectory India cannot afford fear mongering that damages public confidence she said and criticised the naysayers who decry the achievements of their own peopleThe finance minister hit out at those spreading a pessimistic and cynical narrative around Indias economic progress saying it unfairly ignores the achievements and contributions of ordinary citizensShe argued that highfrequency indicators continue to point to resilient domestic demand GST collections remained strong despite the rate cuts in September 2025 while vehicle sales and credit growth across retail agriculture and MSME segments remain healthySitharaman also cited CII data showing private sector expenditure rose 67 per cent yearonyear in September 2025 while corporate profit margins hit their highest level in the March quarterShe warned that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East could create pressure on Indias economy through higher fuel prices elevated shipping costs and disruptions to exports while insisting that Indias broader economic fundamentals remain strongSitharaman said the geopolitical tensions may affect working capital cycles for businesses and create uncertainty around export ordersThe conflict could affect fuel cost further leading to costly shipping the finance minister said adding that Indian export cargo had already faced disruptions during the crisis To minimise the impact the government simplified customs procedures and allowed exporters to reroute or bring back cargo affected by disruptions she addedSitharaman highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modis recent appeal for austerity amid rising global crude oil fertiliser and gold prices saying the pressure on imports had implications for both inflation and foreign exchange reservesShe also announced several MSMEfocused measures including a colending platform between Small Industries Development Bank of India SIDBI and regional rural banks aimed at expanding credit accessShe pointed out that the government introduced a special micro credit card under the CGTMSE scheme allowing Udyamregistered MSMEs to access collateralfree loans of up to Rs 5 lakh Additionally the Cabinet has approved ECLGS 50 which will enable up to Rs 255 lakh crore in loans for MSMEsSitharaman added that the government is likely to absorb a revenue hit of nearly Rs 1 lakh crore in FY27 due to reductions in excise duty on petrol and diesel a move aimed at shielding consumers and businesses from surging global energy pricesIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-cannot-afford-fear-mongering-economy-remains-resilient-fm-sitharaman-675130.html Mon, 25 May 2026 13:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cm-vijay-orders-swift-action-against-serious-crimes-calls-for-faster-trials-strict-punishment-675133.html Chennai May 25 IANS Tamil Nadu Chief Minister S Joseph Vijay on Monday directed police officials to ensure the immediate registration of cases speedy investigations and strict punishment for those involved in serious crimes with particular focus on offences against women and childrennbspnbspThe directive was issued during a highlevel review meeting held at the State Secretariat to assess measures related to crimes against women and children expediting criminal cases preventive action and awareness initiativesnbspAccording to an official statement released by the Tamil Nadu government the meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Vijay and attended by senior officials from the police department the Social Welfare Department and the office of the Advocate GeneralnbspDuring the meeting the Chief Minister stressed the need for swift handling of cases involving sexual offences and said legal procedures should be pursued effectively to ensure stringent punishment for offendersnbspHe observed that timely investigation and successful prosecution leading to severe punishment would act as a strong deterrent against those planning to commit such crimes in the futurenbspThe Chief Minister instructed officials to strengthen coordination between investigative agencies and departments concerned to ensure that criminal cases especially those involving women and children move forward without unnecessary delaysnbspHe also emphasised the importance of preventive measures and public awareness campaigns aimed at reducing crime and improving public safetynbspOfficials discussed the present status of investigations the speed of legal proceedings and the need for greater awareness among the public regarding safety measures and legal protections available for vulnerable sections of societynbspThe meeting also reviewed mechanisms to improve the handling of sensitive cases and examined ways to ensure that justice is delivered within a shorter timeframenbspSenior officials who attended the meeting included Chief Secretary Dr M Saikumar Additional Chief Secretary for Home Prohibition and Excise Department Dr K Manivasan Advocate General Vijay Narayan Social Welfare and Women Rights Department Secretary Mariam Pallavi Baldev and Director General of Police Dr Sandeep Rai Rathod along with other police and government officialsnbspThe review comes amid increasing public focus on law and order and crimes involving women and children across the statenbspIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cm-vijay-orders-swift-action-against-serious-crimes-calls-for-faster-trials-strict-punishment-675133.html Mon, 25 May 2026 13:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/marco-rubio-wife-jeanette-visit-taj-mahal-and-jaipurs-amber-fort--675138.html Agra May 25 IANS US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his wife Jeanette Rubio visited the iconic Taj Mahal in Uttar Pradeshs Agra and the Amber Fort in Rajasthans Jaipur on MondaynbspUS Ambassador to India Sergio Gor also accompanied them during their visit to both placesSharing pictures from their visit Gor stated Wonderful to be back at the iconic Taj Mahal with Secretary Rubio Jeanette Rubio and Robert Gabriel A breathtaking symbol of Indias extraordinary heritage and craftsmanshipLast year US Vice President J D Vance along with his wife and three children also visited Taj Mahal during his official visit to IndiaLater Rubio and his wife travelled to Jaipur as part their India visit This was Rubios first visit to JaipurPreparations for a ceremonial reception were being held at Jaleb Chowk inside the historic fort complex since early morningFolk artists and cultural troupes were mobilised to showcase Rajasthans traditional heritage and cultural performances as part of the welcome ceremonyIn view of the highprofile visit the Jaipur district administration police and security agencies were placed on a high alertOfficials inspected travel routes event venues and accommodation facilities linked to the visit Security agencies are maintaining close surveillance at hotels tourist sites and locations earmarked for the VVIP movementA detailed traffic and crowd management plan has been prepared to ensure smooth movement and avoid disruptions during Rubios stayCivic agencies have intensified cleanliness drives lighting arrangements and beautification work at major tourist sites particularly Amber Palace ahead of the visitRubio is currently on a fourday visit to India from May 23 to 26 covering Kolkata Agra Jaipur and New DelhiThe visit is focused on strengthening cooperation between India and the United States in areas such as trade defence energy and strategic affairsIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/marco-rubio-wife-jeanette-visit-taj-mahal-and-jaipurs-amber-fort--675138.html Mon, 25 May 2026 16:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/missing-girl-students-body-discovered-hanging-from-tree-in-jharkhands-east-singhbhum-675072.html Jamshedpur May 24 The body of a missing 15yearold Class 9 student was hanging from a tree in a secluded area in Jharkhands East Singhbhum district triggering tension in the area officials said on Sunday The deceased identified as Mala Singh had been missing since the evening of May 21 Her body was discovered on Saturday in a secluded area near a field around two kilometres from her home in Nutandih village under the Bodam police station limits triggering panic and outrage among villagersThe situation turned tense on Sunday after the body was brought back to the village following postmortem examination with family members and local residents alleging murder and demanding a fair highlevel investigation along with the immediate arrest of those responsibleMala Singh was a Class 9 student at Lailam School in Bodam According to her family she had left home on the evening of May 21 after informing them that she was going to bathe in the village pond When she did not return till late evening family members and villagers began searching for her in nearby areasDespite extensive efforts over the next two days no trace of her was found On Saturday some villagers spotted her body hanging from a tree in an isolated spot outside the village and alerted the policeA team from the Bodam police station reached the spot brought the body down and took it into custody After completing legal formalities the body was sent to MGM Medical College for postmortem and was handed over to the family on SundayThe incident has left the family devastated while grief and anger have spread across the villageFamily members have rejected the possibility of suicide and termed the incident a case of murder They said Mala was cheerful and had not shown any signs of distress or suicidal behaviourThey also questioned how she could have reached a deserted location nearly two kilometres away when she had left home only to visit the village pondThe family further claimed there were scratch marks on her body raising suspicion of a possible struggle before her deathVillagers warned of protests if a fair probe is not conducted and those responsible are not identifiedThe Bodam police station in charge said an unnatural death case has been registered and an investigation is underway from all possible angles He added that while the case may initially appear to be suicide the exact cause of death would be established only after the postmortem report is received IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/missing-girl-students-body-discovered-hanging-from-tree-in-jharkhands-east-singhbhum-675072.html Sun, 24 May 2026 19:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/green-technology-set-to-revamp-gujarats-roads-new-projects-in-various-cities-sanctioned-at-rs-1-147-crore-675075.html Gandhinagar May 24 Gujarat is advancing towards environmentally friendly and sustainable development through the modernisation of its road infrastructure To add strength to the states green corridors the state government is set to undertake Rs 1147 crores project for the construction of climateresilient roads using modern technology Work on 20 roads across various districts of the state will begin using green technology with old road materials being reused to reduce costs and promote sustainabilityThe introduction of modern and environmentfriendly roads is set to bring down costs of construction besides improving their durability and longevityThe array of projects include road widening resurfacing RCC gutter lines protection works fourlaning earthworks side shoulders rumble strips road furniture white topping and glass grid technology They will be developed using climateresilient and environmentally friendly modern technologyUnder the green technology being used for reconstruction the road are excavated treated with lime and stabilised through pulverising and rollingThe old road material is then spread over the surface followed by dry rolling cement spreading and chemical stabilisation Levelling and compaction are carried out using modern machineryAfter seven days a Stress Absorbing Membrane Interlayer SAMI a hightech fibre sheet is laid before asphalt application to prevent cracks absorb vehicular pressure and increase the lifespan of the roadAccording to experts the green technology promotes the reuse of materials such as old pavement soil and metal helping reduce construction costs while strengthening the road baseThis also improves the longterm durability of roads increases their lifespan and reduces the need for frequent repairs It also helps lower carbon emissions and conserve natural resourcesReconstruction work using green technology worth Rs 50 crore has been approved for the JambusarTankaliDeola road in Bharuch districtAmong the other key projects undergoing reconstruction under the green technology include LanwaManundSanderBalisana Road and RadhanpurMashaliMadhapura Road in Patan district Bhidiya Somnath Road in Gir Somnath SantrampurJalod Road in Mahisagar DayadaraNabipurJanor Road and IlavKosamba Road in Bharuch MorbiNani VavdiBaghthala Road in Morbi Surendranagar Bypass Road in Surendranagar DindoliKaradwaIklera Road in Surat ManglejNareshwar Road and KarjanAmod Road in Vadodara KosindraBhakha Road in Chhota Udepur IsarwadaUndel Road and VadtalJolBakrol Road in Anand ValamKadi Road and PepluKapra Road in Mehsana LuniGundalaPatriTapparBabiya Road in Kutch TalajaGopnath Road in Bhavnagar KalavadJamvanthaliFala Road in Jamnagar and Kothara Approach Road in Narmada district IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/green-technology-set-to-revamp-gujarats-roads-new-projects-in-various-cities-sanctioned-at-rs-1-147-crore-675075.html Sun, 24 May 2026 20:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/assam-narcotics-worth-rs-21-crore-seized-one-held-674990.html Guwahati May 24 Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said that a major consignment of banned Codeine Phosphate syrup worth around Rs 21 crore was seized by the Cachar Police as part of the state governments ongoing antidrug operations Sharing the development on Saturday on social media platform X the Chief Minister added that the seizure was made after police acted on reliable intelligence inputs and intercepted a truck in Cachar districtUpdate on AssamAgainstDrugs Based on reliable inputs a truck was intercepted by cacharpolice leading to the recovery of Rs 21 crore worth of banned Codeine Phosphate Syrup One individual has been arrested Our efforts to dismantle the drugs network will continue CM Sarma saidAccording to police sources the truck was intercepted during a special operation carried out by the Cachar Police in southern AssamDuring the search operation a huge quantity of banned cough syrup bottles containing Codeine Phosphate was recovered from the vehiclePolice said that one person was arrested in connection with the case while further investigation is underway to ascertain the source and intended destination of the consignmentOfficials suspect that the narcotic substances were being transported through Assam as part of an interstate drug trafficking networkThe seizure is the latest in a series of antinarcotics operations launched across Assam over the past few years under the state governments intensified crackdown on drug trafficking and illegal narcotics tradeThe Assam government has repeatedly said that the fight against drugs remains one of its top priorities with law enforcement agencies conducting regular operations in border districts and key transit routesChief Minister Sarma has often asserted that the state administration would continue strict action against drug peddlers and organised trafficking networks to make Assam drugfree IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/assam-narcotics-worth-rs-21-crore-seized-one-held-674990.html Sun, 24 May 2026 14:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/dont-use-ai-for-harmful-activities-actress-rukmini-vasanth-reacts-to-viral-fake-bikini-photos-674998.html Bengaluru May 24 Actress Rukmini Vasanth who had gained national attention for her role in the film Kantara Chapter2 has reacted after artificial intelligence AIgenerated bikini photos and videos falsely claiming to feature her went viral on the social media The actress on Saturday clarified that the content is fake and urged people not to misuse AI for harmful activitiesTaking to her Instagram account Rukmini Vasanth said that she and her team had come across manipulated images circulating online in her nameMy team and I have come across certain AIgenerated images being circulated online claiming to be me I want to state clearly that these images are entirely fake and fabricated The creation and circulation of such manipulated content is deeply irresponsible and a serious violation of privacy she addedThe actress also said that legal and cybercrime action was being initiated against those responsible for creating and spreading the fake contentWe are taking this matter seriously and initiating the necessary legal and cybercrime action against those involved in creating and spreading these images Requesting everyone to refrain from sharing or engaging with such content she addedSpeaking to the media during a private event in Bengaluru Rukmini Vasanth revealed that she had already filed a complaint with the cyber police and expressed confidence that authorities would take strict actionAI should be used for good purposes and not for harmful activities Not just actresses but many other women are also facing problems because of this I believe the police will take action in this matter she saidThe actress reiterated that the viral video was not her and warned of legal action against those involved in circulating the fake videos She also appealed to the public not to share such fabricated content on social mediaI have already filed a complaint with the cyber police regarding the photos going viral on social media The police will take appropriate action AI should be used for good purposes and not for harmful activities Not just actresses but many other women are also facing problems because of this I believe the police will take action in this matter she reiterated IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/dont-use-ai-for-harmful-activities-actress-rukmini-vasanth-reacts-to-viral-fake-bikini-photos-674998.html Sun, 24 May 2026 14:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-ministers-upset-after-chief-secy-announces-bureaucratic-reshuffle-674999.html Thiruvananthapuram May 24 A major confrontation appears to be brewing within the newly formed state government after Kerala Ministers expressed displeasure over the sweeping IAS reshuffle carried out by Chief Secretary A Jayathilak who is due to retire next month The controversy has erupted barely days after the new administration led by Chief Minister VD Satheesan assumed office with Ministers accusing the Chief Secretary of pushing through key appointments and transfers without consulting the political leadership concernedThe strongest resentment has emerged over the transfer of district collectors and appointments to sensitive departments which several Ministers claim were made unilaterallyRevenue Minister AP Anil Kumar was reportedly kept in the dark about the reshuffle involving collectors in key districts while Industries Minister PK Kunhalikutty is understood to have objected strongly to the appointment of Arun K Vijayan as Director of Industries without prior consultationThe unusual public expression of dissatisfaction by Ministers has triggered intense discussions within government circles especially since the reshuffle was executed at a time when the administration was expected to settle into office under the new political leadershipSenior leaders are learnt to be concerned that the controversy could deepen into a larger tussle between the bureaucracy and the elected Kerala governmentThe appointment of Arun K Vijayan has emerged as the most contentious decisionThe former Kannur Collector had faced severe criticism in connection with the suicide case of former Kannur Additional District Magistrate ADM Naveen BabuAllegations were raised that Vijayan remained silent when then Kannur District Panchayat President and top CPIM leader PP Divya publicly humiliated the ADM Naveen Babu during a farewell eventNaveen Babus family had also levelled serious accusations against the Collector at the timeDespite the controversy Vijayan has now been elevated as Director of Industries and also given additional charge as Managing Director of Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation a move that has reportedly upset sections within the state governmentThe reshuffle has brought extensive changes across the administrative hierarchyPatil Ajit Bhagwat Rao has been appointed Finance Resources Secretary while PB Nooh becomes the new GST Commissioner K Imbasekhar has been named Managing Director of the Kerala Water AuthoritySnehal Kumar Singh has been appointed Director of Collegiate Education with additional charge as Entrance CommissionerWith Chief Secretary Jayathilak set to retire next month the controversy surrounding his final round of appointments is expected to become a major political talking point in the days aheadChief Minister VD Satheesan was in Delhi on Saturday when this reshuffle took place IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-ministers-upset-after-chief-secy-announces-bureaucratic-reshuffle-674999.html Sun, 24 May 2026 14:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ngt-seeks-action-taken-report-from-rpcb-in-alwar-groundwater-contamination-case-675000.html Jaipur May 24 The Bhopal Central Zone Bench of the National Green Tribunal NGT while taking a serious note of groundwater contamination in and around the Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation RIICO Industrial Area in Sotanala of Rajasthans Alwar has directed the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board RSPCB to submit a detailed action taken report The matter pertains to original application titled Ms Dhansa Labs Limited formerly Ambey Laboratories Ltd vs Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board amp Others which came up for hearing on Saturday before a bench comprising Justice Sheo Kumar Singh Judicial Member and Sudhir Kumar Chaturvedi Expert MemberThe application highlights serious concerns over groundwater pollution allegedly caused by pesticide residues discharged from industries operating in the RIICO industrial areas of Sotanala and adjoining regionsDuring the proceedings the Tribunal took note of findings recorded in a scientific study conducted by the National Institute of Hydrology NIH Roorkee at the instance of the Rajasthan State Pollution Control BoardAccording to the NIH report groundwater in the RIICO industrial areas of Keshwana and Sotanala has been found to be severely contaminatedThe study also warned that the contamination plume may gradually spread towards the RIICO industrial area of Behror in the future potentially aggravating environmental and public health risks in the regionThe report also said that the deteriorating groundwater quality could have adverse impacts on human healthIt recommended urgent remedial measures including scientific groundwater remediation and implementation of rainwater harvesting systems particularly rooftop rainwater harvesting structures to help restore groundwater quality and improve rechargeTaking the matter seriously the National Green Tribunal directed the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board to identify the industries actually responsible for the contamination place on record the remedial and corrective measures undertaken so far and ensure further action in accordance with the recommendations made in the NIH reportThe Tribunal has listed the matter for further hearing on August 19 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ngt-seeks-action-taken-report-from-rpcb-in-alwar-groundwater-contamination-case-675000.html Sun, 24 May 2026 14:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-joint-custodian-held-for-alleged-rs-87-crore-theft-from-rbi-currency-chest-in-ahmedabad-675001.html Ahmedabad May 23 An employee working as a joint custodian at an RBI currency chest housed inside the Bank of Baroda branch in Ahmedabads Kalupur area has been arrested for allegedly embezzling Rs 870 crore over more than four months with police recovering Rs 220 crore in cash concealed inside a parked car officials said The accused identified as Harshsiddh Kadiyara 42 a resident of Chandkheda area in Ahmedabad was arrested by the Local Crime Branch LCB Zone3 from Everest Enclave on Sola NFC Road officials added on SaturdayAccording to the police Kadiyara was employed as a joint custodian at the RBI currency chest maintained at the Bank of Baroda branch on Gandhi Road in KalupurInvestigators alleged that between January 6 and May 13 he committed criminal breach of trust and theft of Rs 870 crore by manipulating official records linked to the eKuber Currency Chest portalPolice said that the accused submitted false chest balance certificates and chest slips on the portal and entered false information in accounts and books to conceal the alleged misappropriationA case was registered at Kalupur police station on May 15 under Sections 3165 3363 and 340 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023Police SubInspector VH Rathod and his team were patrolling in the Zone3 area during the investigation when they received specific information regarding the accuseds whereaboutsDuring interrogation the accused allegedly disclosed that a portion of the stolen money had been hidden inside an Ertiga car parked in the residential complexs parking areaPolice said Kalupur police inspector VN Chaudhary and his team in the presence of panch witnesses carried out a recovery panchnama and seized Rs 220 crore in cash from the vehicleOfficials said efforts were continuing to recover the remaining amountAccording to the police property collectively valued at Rs 22635500 has been recovered so farThe seized property includes cash worth Rs 220 crore the Ertiga car valued at Rs six lakh and three mobile phones collectively worth Rs 35500Investigators alleged that Kadiyara carried out the theft with the assistance of two men identified as Zulfiqar Ansari and Sultan Ansari who were engaged in loading and unloading work at the bankDescribing the alleged modus operandi police said the accused and the two workers entered the banks storeroom where 174 reams stored in three boxes were redistributed into 14 separate boxes in smaller quantitiesThe boxes were then loaded onto a trolley and transported out of the bank to the accuseds residencePolice alleged that Zulfiqar Ansari and Sultan Ansari later removed bundles of Rs 500 denomination notes from the boxes and repacked them into three boxesAccording to the investigation two of the boxes allegedly containing around Rs 7 to Rs 8 crore were taken by Kadiyara while another cashfilled box allegedly containing around Rs 1 crore was taken away by the coaccused IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-joint-custodian-held-for-alleged-rs-87-crore-theft-from-rbi-currency-chest-in-ahmedabad-675001.html Sun, 24 May 2026 14:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ban-on-heavy-vehicles-at-bridge-in-bihars-gopalganj-due-to-structural-concerns-675002.html Patna May 23 Fresh concerns over bridge safety in Bihar have emerged after structural issues were reported on the JadopurMangalpur Mahasetu a key bridge connecting Gopalganj and Bettiah Following the detection of a gap in one of the bridge spans the district administration has imposed an immediate ban on the movement of heavy vehicles across the bridge officials said on SaturdayAt present only light and small vehicles are being allowed to cross under strict monitoring and with caution to prevent any untoward incidentGopalganj District Magistrate Pawan Kumar Sinha said the structural gap observed in the bridge is a matter of serious concern and warned that delay in repairs could worsen the condition and make restoration more difficultAccording to District Magistrate Sinha expert teams from the National Institute of Technology and the Indian Institute of Technology Patna are being called to conduct a detailed technical assessment and safety inspection of the bridgeHe said that the expert team will inspect the structure identify the causes behind the cracks and gaps and recommend immediate repair measuresThe JadopurMangalpur Mahasetu stretches nearly 192 km and serves as an important transport link between Gopalganj and BettiahThe bridge significantly reduced travel distance between the two districts by nearly 120 km and is considered a lifeline for hundreds of villages located in the riverine Diara regionsOfficials noted that the bridge had earlier faced issues in 2020 when flooding and river pressure caused cracks in the approach roadThose damages were later repaired and additional road connectivity works were undertaken in 2023 and 2024Constructed at an estimated cost of around Rs 550 crore the bridge was inaugurated during 2015â16 by the then Bihar Chief Minister Nitish KumarThe emergence of major structural concerns within a decade of inauguration has now raised fresh questions over construction quality longterm maintenance and monitoring of infrastructure projects in the stateEarlier a section of the Vikramshila Bridge in Bhagalpur district collapsed which led to criticism of the Bihar governmentNow the repair work on the damaged section is underway IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ban-on-heavy-vehicles-at-bridge-in-bihars-gopalganj-due-to-structural-concerns-675002.html Sun, 24 May 2026 14:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/heavy-rain-likely-in-tn-10-districts-on-alert-today-675009.html Chennai May 24 An atmospheric circulation prevailing over the southeast Bay of Bengal and its adjoining central parts is likely to trigger widespread rainfall activity across Tamil Nadu in the coming days according to the Regional Meteorological Centre RMC Chennai The weather system is expected to bring heavy to very heavy rainfall to several districts across the stateAccording to the weather department heavy rainfall is likely today in 10 districts Nilgiris Erode Salem Dharmapuri Krishnagiri Tirupattur Vellore Tiruvannamalai Kallakurichi and NamakkalThe RMC said rainfall activity is expected to intensify further over the next few days due to the prevailing weather conditionsHeavy to very heavy rainfall is forecast in several districts including Nilgiris Coimbatore Erode Tiruppur Salem Dharmapuri Krishnagiri Tirupattur Vellore Ranipet Tiruvannamalai Kallakurichi Perambalur Tiruchy Namakkal Karur Dindigul Theni and Madurai The same pattern is expected to continue the following day with many of these districts likely to witness intense rainfallOfficials have advised people living in vulnerable and lowlying regions to remain cautious as heavy downpours could lead to localised flooding and disruption in normal lifeThe weather department also stated that on May 26 isolated heavy rainfall is likely over the hilly regions of Coimbatore and Tiruppur districts along with Nilgiris Theni Dindigul Virudhunagar Tenkasi Tirunelveli and Kanniyakumari districtsDespite the expected rain activity there is unlikely to be any significant change in maximum temperatures across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry according to the weather departmentTemperatures are expected to remain close to normal levelsFor Chennai the forecast predicts a partly cloudy sky with light to moderate rain likely during the evening or night hoursIntermittent showers and cloud cover are expected to bring relatively pleasant weather conditions to the cityAuthorities have urged residents particularly in hilly and waterloggingprone areas to monitor weather updates and take necessary precautions IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/heavy-rain-likely-in-tn-10-districts-on-alert-today-675009.html Sun, 24 May 2026 14:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bsp-supremo-mayawati-reviews-poll-strategy-in-up-stresses-on-stronger-booth-level-connect-675019.html Lucknow May 24 IANS Bahujan Samaj Party BSP national president and former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Mayawati on Sunday held a key meeting of the partys state unit in Lucknow and asked workers to strengthen the organisation down to the polling booth level while intensifying preparations for the 2027 Assembly electionsnbspnbspReviewing the partys organisational work and election readiness at the BSP state office on Mall Avenue Mayawati said preparations must be made more efficient and vigilant in view of what she described as new and serious challenges emerging in elections across the countryShe said the BSPs objective was to form a propeople government in Uttar Pradesh for the fifth time citing growing public support for the partynbspThe meeting was attended by boothlevel incharges as well as Assembly district and state committee officebearers who presented progress reports on organisational strengthening social outreach and financial support for the partyExpressing satisfaction over the implementation of directions issued during the previous meeting Mayawati nonetheless cautioned party workers against complacency and said the political environment indicated rival parties were engaged in deceptive politicsCalling on workers to unite all sections of society she urged them to work towards victory with the slogan Haathi wale button ko dabao satta mein wapas lao Press the button on the elephant bring back to power and stressed the importance of safeguarding every votenbspReferring to the Assembly elections held recently in five states Mayawati said the BSP needed to draw lessons from those contests as Uttar Pradesh Uttarakhand and Punjab move closer to elections expected early next year or slightly ahead of scheduleShe alleged that ruling parties often resort to polarisation and diversionary politics during elections and later fail to address peoples welfare concernsnbspThe BSP chief said ordinary people were struggling with inflation unemployment and policy burdens and accused parties in power of making attractive promises during elections only to turn indifferent afterwardnbspDescribing the countrys political social and economic conditions as distressing and painful she said governments should remain committed to constitutional and welfareoriented governance rather than policies favouring big industrialists and the wealthyMayawati said the people of Uttar Pradesh have not forgotten BSPs record in governance during its previous four terms which she claimed ensured law and order and promoted employmentoriented development with dignitynbspThe people of Uttar Pradesh are once again looking towards the experienced and tested BSP government and its leadership with hope she saidShe also invoked BSP founder Kanshi Ram saying the party remained committed to his mission of Sarvajan Hitay Sarvajan SukhaynbspAppealing to voters in Uttar Pradesh to place their trust in the BSP once again Mayawati said governments should focus on livelihood peace communal harmony and law and order and should not turn away from their constitutional responsibility of functioning as welfareoriented administrationsIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bsp-supremo-mayawati-reviews-poll-strategy-in-up-stresses-on-stronger-booth-level-connect-675019.html Sun, 24 May 2026 14:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/upsc-prelims-2026-underway-across-the-nation-amid-tight-security-675020.html New Delhi May 24 The Union Public Service Commission UPSC is conducting the Civil Services Preliminary Examination CSE Prelims across the country on Sunday This year a total of 819372 candidates have enrolled for UPSC CSE 2026 for approximately 933 positionsThe preliminary examination for UPSC CSE is being held in two sessions using an offline OMR format The General Studies Paper I commenced at 930 am while the Civil Services Aptitude Test CSAT Paper II will be conducted in the afternoon Along with a current photo ID candidates are required to present a printed version of their eadmit card at their designated examination centreTight security arrangements including CCTV surveillance jammers and intensive checking have been put in place to ensure smooth and fair conduct of the examination Aspirants expressed hope that they would clear the examination with satisfactory results Candidates arrived at Kendriya Vidyalaya in New Delhis Pushp Vihar for the examination and expressed hope to do well in the examinationSpeaking to IANS one aspirant said I am a bit nervous but I have prepared well I hope that I clear the examThere is no fixed limit to preparation we keep preparing continuously another aspirant who is attempting the exam for the third time saidIn Uttar Pradeshs Prayagraj aspirants arrived early at the examination centres where tight security and checking arrangements were made The arrangements at the centre have been well made Biometrics and retina scans are being checked before candidates are allowed to enter a youth told IANS Another speaking to IANS said The arrangements are good I am feeling good about the examination I hope to do wellIn Madhya Pradeshs Gwalior the examination is being conducted at 21 centres Around 6652 candidates are appearing for the examinationSDM and Incharge of the UPSC Examination Centre Vinod Singh speaking to IANS about the arrangements said For the UPSC examination a total of 21 examination centres have been set up in the district by UPSC and we have appointed eight route incharges for all the examination centres who are currently carrying the question papers to all the centresAn aspirant speaking to IANS said I am very excited for the examination I hope it goes well IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/upsc-prelims-2026-underway-across-the-nation-amid-tight-security-675020.html Sun, 24 May 2026 14:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/seeman-criticises-shivakumar-over-mekedatu-dam-remarks-urges-tn-govt-to-oppose-ktaka-move-675021.html Chennai May 24 Naam Tamilar Katchi NTK coordinator Seeman has vehemently condemned Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar for his recent comments that Tamil Nadu lacks the authority to contest the proposed Mekedatu Dam project on the Cauvery River Seeman characterised these remarks as the height of arrogance and an effort to undermine Tamil Nadus historical and legal rights over the river In a statement on Sunday Seeman alleged that Karnatakaâs continued push for the Mekedatu dam reflected a larger attempt to gain complete control over the Cauvery River waters at the expense of Tamil NaduHe argued that such efforts run contrary to established principles governing interstate river water sharing and accused Karnataka of attempting to deny downstream regions their legitimate share of water resourcesHighlighting the historical significance of the Cauvery to Tamil Nadu Seeman said the river shared a bond with Tamil society that predates the formation of both the Kannada language and the Karnataka stateHe maintained that the river has been an integral part of Tamil civilisation and culture for centuries and therefore cannot be treated as the exclusive property of a single stateQuestioning Karnatakaâs position Seeman asked whether the Cauvery River belonged solely to Karnataka and stressed that existing river watersharing principles recognise the rights of downstream statesAccording to him downstream regions have a strong stake in the equitable distribution of river waters making Tamil Naduâs concerns over projects such as the Mekedatu dam valid and legitimateHe said DK Shivakumarâs comments reflected an attitude of dominance and disregard for the concerns of Tamil Nadu and strongly condemned the statementSeeman further appealed to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay to officially condemn the Karnataka Deputy Chief Ministerâs remarks and take a firm stand against Karnatakaâs efforts to construct the Mekedatu damThe Mekedatu project has remained a contentious issue between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu for several years with Tamil Nadu consistently expressing concerns that the proposed reservoir could affect the flow of Cauvery water to the state and impact irrigation and drinking water requirements IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/seeman-criticises-shivakumar-over-mekedatu-dam-remarks-urges-tn-govt-to-oppose-ktaka-move-675021.html Sun, 24 May 2026 14:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/congress-councillor-held-in-dehradun-land-fraud-case-675022.html Dehradun May 24 The Dehradun Police have arrested Congress councillor Amit Bhandari alias Deepu in connection with an alleged organised land fraud racket operating in the city officials said on Sunday According to the police Bhandari and his associates allegedly duped several people by promising to sell them land using forged and fabricated documentsEarlier the police had arrested the main accused identified as fraudster Pradeep Saklani along with his associate Ajay Sajwan on Friday in connection with the same case Later on Saturday Bhandari was arrestedOfficials said an FIR had been registered against the accused in October last year over allegations of cheating a person out of Rs 30 lakh Police records show that as many as 27 FIRs have already been lodged against Saklani in different cases related to fraud and cheatingSP City Pramod Kumar said that during questioning Saklani disclosed the names of several people allegedly linked to the fraud network after which special police teams intensified the interrogation of the suspectsâDuring interrogation Pradeep Saklani revealed the names of several accomplices following which special teams carried out detailed questioning of the suspectsâ the officials saidThe investigation further revealed that the accused had allegedly prepared forged ownership documents related to a plot of land in Dehradun belonging to an elderly woman currently residing in MaharashtraPolice officials said the accused also allegedly created fake death certificates of the womanâs two sons in an attempt to establish fraudulent ownership claims over the propertyUsing the forged papers the accused reportedly sold the same piece of land to three different buyers thereby cheating multiple individualsâCouncillor Amit Bhandari was arrested after concrete evidence establishing his involvement in this fraud case Case No 8226 came to lightâ officials statedThe police said some other suspects questioned in the case were later handed over to their families as no conclusive evidence had emerged against them so far However they have been directed to cooperate with investigators whenever requiredOfficials added that the police are likely to seek Police Custody Remand PCR of the prime accused Pradeep Saklani to further probe the wider network and uncover additional details linked to the alleged land scam IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/congress-councillor-held-in-dehradun-land-fraud-case-675022.html Sun, 24 May 2026 14:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/landlord-asks-trinamool-to-vacate-east-kolkata-building-housing-party-hq-675024.html Kolkata May 24 The Trinamool Congress leadership has received a notice to vacate the partys temporary headquarters or Trinamool Bhaban located in East Kolkata The owner of the rented multistorey building in the Topsia area along the EM Bypass which was the Trinamool headquarters for the past few years has asked the party to vacate It is reported that this decision was made due to security concerns following the vandalism outside the building after the Assembly election results were announcedThe owner of this luxurious multistorey building is Montu Saha the head of one of the states renowned companies Modern Decorators He himself is said to have verbally informed the Trinamool leadership about vacating the houseSaha has also specified that the deadline to vacate the multistorey building has been given He said that he had spoken to the Trinamool leadership and the party has clearly assured him that the multistorey building will be completely vacated within the next two monthsThere has been a recent political upheaval in the state after the change of government However Montu Saha said that there was no political motive pressure or any other reason behind itHe said Immediately after the results of the Assembly elections were announced on May 4 there was widespread vandalism outside that house If there is any damage to the house the loss will be mine There is nothing else in thisâSaha said he asked Trinamool to vacate the house mainly due to security reasons and has no personal grudge against the party He also confirmed that the Trinamool leadership has always paid the house rent as per the agreementThere has been no response from Trinamool Congress on the issueIt is worth noting that after retaining power in the 2021 Assembly elections the Trinamool top leadership decided to renovate the partys main office located in the Topsia area The old building was demolished and a modern multistorey building was built For this reason the building in the metropolitan area of ââEM Bypass was rented in 2022 as an alternative officeAlthough the building was initially rented for only two years the contract was extended by another two years since work on the main building in Topsia was not completedAs a result for the last four years this metropolitan building was the main hub of all the political and organisational activities of the Trinamool In this temporary Trinamool building separate wellfurnished rooms were arranged for party supremo Mamata Banerjee and General Secretary Abhishek BanerjeeAlmost every important organisational meeting of the party election strategy formulation and press conference were held in this house The top leaders of the party MLAs and ministers used to come here every day This office was mainly managed and looked after by the partys state president Subrata Bakshi and vicepresident Jay Prakash Majumdar IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/landlord-asks-trinamool-to-vacate-east-kolkata-building-housing-party-hq-675024.html Sun, 24 May 2026 14:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/palaniswami-attacks-tn-govt-over-long-power-cuts-urges-immediate-action-675027.html Chennai May 24 AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami EPS on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the newly elected Tamil Nadu government over reports of power disruptions in several parts of the state alleging that inadequate planning and unstable governance have resulted in widespread electricity shortages affecting both households and industries In a statement Palaniswami said it was well known that electricity demand in Tamil Nadu rises significantly during the summer season due to increased domestic consumption during daytime hours as well as higher industrial and commercial usageHe said that during the AIADMK government under former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa advanced precautionary measures were regularly undertaken to ensure that the stateâs seasonal power requirements were met without disruptionRecalling the AIADMKâs tenure in power Palaniswami claimed that when the âAmma governmentâ assumed office in 2011 it inherited a difficult situation where many parts of Tamil Nadu had been experiencing power cuts lasting over 10 hours a day He said the government subsequently addressed the crisis and transformed Tamil Nadu into a powersurplus state through a series of strategic interventionsPalaniswami stated that the previous administration had anticipated increased summer demand and taken steps to expand electricity generation from wind solar and thermal power sources He added that additional power had also been procured through shortterm arrangements from the Central government and private power producers to ensure an uninterrupted electricity supply across the stateCriticising the current administration EPS alleged that its âsuperficial and unstableâ approach had created serious difficulties for people across various regions of Tamil NaduAccording to him prolonged and unannounced power cuts have disrupted daily life with residents experiencing sleepless nights and daytime outages affecting household activities including cooking and other essential tasksHe also referred to media reports claiming that residents affected by power outages had staged protests and demonstrations in several placesHe pointed to reports from Chennaiâs suburban areas including Thandaiyarpet where residents allegedly faced repeated power interruptions and had taken to the streets in protestThe AIADMK leader further said the power disruptions had affected not only households but also micro small and medium enterprises as well as larger industries causing economic strain across sectors He urged the newly formed government not to cite its recent assumption of office as an excuse and called for immediate warfooting measures to address the power crisis IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/palaniswami-attacks-tn-govt-over-long-power-cuts-urges-immediate-action-675027.html Sun, 24 May 2026 14:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/anti-terrorist-operation-enters-second-day-in-jampks-rajouri-675032.html Jammu May 24 The antiterrorist operation in Jammu and Kashmirâs Rajouri district entered its second day on Sunday as heavy security deployment continued to trace the hiding terrorists An encounter had started on Saturday in the forest area of Ghambir Mughlan when hiding terrorists opened fire at the security forcesThe terrorist fire was returned after which an encounter started there The security forces including the Army JampK Police and the CRPF jointly started the antiterrorist operation in the area following intelligence inputs about the presence of 23 terrorists in the Ghambir Mughlan forests of Rajouri districtNagrota headquartered White Knight Corps of the Army said on X on Saturday âOp Sheruwali Contact With TerroristsâToday at around 1130 AM contact was established with terrorists in the general area of Gambhir Muglan Rajouri during an intelligencebased joint operation conducted alongwith JmuKmrPolice and CRPF Troops responded swiftly with calibrated action Firefight ensued and a cordon has been effectively established Operation remains underwayâ the Army saidReinforcements were rushed to plug the escape points of the hiding terrorists after contact was established with the terrorists yesterdayIt is believed that two to three terrorists may be trapped inside the forest area This forest area located in the Pir Panjal range of Rajouri district is considered one of the most challenging terrains for antiterror operations due to its steep hills dense forests and limited accessibilitySecurity personnel have intensified surveillance in adjoining areas setting up checkpoints and closely monitoring vehicular and pedestrian movementSearch operations continued throughout the day as forces carried out systematic combing operations across multiple forest pocketsThe entire range has been placed under a tight cordon and search operations are continuing Residents are cooperating with the security agencies and hoping the situation returns to normal soonNo casualty has so far been reported from any side in this operation so far IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/anti-terrorist-operation-enters-second-day-in-jampks-rajouri-675032.html Sun, 24 May 2026 14:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/twisha-sharma-death-case-2nd-post-mortem-underway-at-aiims-bhopal-amid-tight-security-675033.html Bhopal May 24 The process for the second postmortem of Twisha Sharmas body the 33yearold former Miss Pune contestant who died under mysterious circumstances began on Sunday at AIIMS Bhopal A highlevel forensic team from AIIMS Delhi led by Dr Sudhir Gupta Head of the Department of Forensic Medicine arrived in the city on Saturday evening via a special aircraft arranged by the Madhya Pradesh governmentThe fourmember medical board constituted under the supervision of the AIIMS Delhi Director following Madhya Pradesh High Court orders is conducting a detailed scientific examination of the body for another timeThe procedure is being fully videographed to maintain transparency and ensure credible findings on the exact cause of deathTwisha Sharmaâs family members along with the Special Investigation Team SIT reached the mortuary where the body had been preserved since May 12 Strict security arrangements have been put in place with heavy police deployment barricades and additional AIIMS guards to prevent any untoward incidentTwisha Sharma originally from Noida Uttar Pradesh was found hanging at her matrimonial home in Bhopalâs Katara Hills area on May 12 barely five months after her marriage to lawyer Samarth Singh Her family has strongly alleged that she was subjected to severe dowry harassment and mental torture by her husband and motherinlaw Giribala Singh a retired judgeThey have consistently demanded a second postmortem claiming the initial findings were not satisfactoryTwishaâs father Navnidhi Sharma approached the High Court after the initial rejection of their plea seeking an impartial probeHer husband Samarth Singh who was on the run for nearly ten days recently surrendered and is currently in a sevenday police remandThe role of his mother Giribala Singh is also under scrutinyCCTV footage from a salon that Twisha visited hours before her death has added another layer to the investigation showing her appearing calm and relaxedIn a significant development the Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the case registering it under the title related to alleged institutional bias and procedural discrepancies in unnatural deaths at matrimonial homesA bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant is scheduled to hear the matter on May 25The case has sparked widespread public outrage and intense media attention across the country raising serious questions about womenâs safety in marriage and the handling of dowryrelated complaintsExperts note that the second postmortem report will be crucial in determining whether Twishaâs death was a case of suicide or homicideThe Madhya Pradesh government has assured full cooperation with Chief Minister Mohan Yadav earlier stating that the truth will be uncovered through a fair investigationAs the second autopsy proceeds all eyes remain on the detailed scientific findings that could reshape the course of this sensitive investigation IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/twisha-sharma-death-case-2nd-post-mortem-underway-at-aiims-bhopal-amid-tight-security-675033.html Sun, 24 May 2026 14:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/hyderabad-police-hunt-for-four-suspects-in-advocates-murder-675037.html Hyderabad May 24 The Hyderabad Police launched a hunt for four suspects who were allegedly in the speeding SUV used for the targeted killing of Telangana High Court advocate Khaja Moizuddin Four special teams were on the lookout for the suspects who had been reportedly identified in the CCTV footagePreliminary investigation by police indicates that they used the vehicle without a number plate to attack the advocate on SaturdayThe CCTV footage also indicates that the suspects were lying in wait near the victimâs residence before hitting him as he was getting into his carMoizuddin was killed near his residence in the Masab Tank area in the heart of the cityAccording to police Khaja Moizuddin was getting into his car near his residence around 445 am when a speeding SUV hit him from behind The Scorpio sped away as the advocate was thrown on the road and suffered grievous injuries He was shifted to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuriesIt was initially suspected to be a hitandrun case but following the complaint by the family and after scanning the CCTV footage police registered a case of murder with suspected links to cases relating to Waqf landPolice believe that it was a wellplanned attack with the accused conducting a recce near the victimâs house for three days Moizuddin was a senior advocate practising in the High Court and City Civil Court for nearly 35 yearsPolice suspect the involvement of persons linked to disputes over Waqf lands in Malakpet and other areas in HyderabadThe family of Moizuddin named two persons who are allegedly connected to legal battles handled by him related to alleged encroachments on Waqf landsMoizuddinâs son Farhan who is also an advocate told the media that his father had received threats from two individuals allegedly involved in the encroachment of Waqf landsFarhan told the media that his father had been attacked five times in the past He claimed that one of the two individuals allegedly involved in the murder had visited his fatherâs office a few months ago and issued a âlast warningâ regarding legal cases he was handling IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/hyderabad-police-hunt-for-four-suspects-in-advocates-murder-675037.html Sun, 24 May 2026 14:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/twisha-sharmas-final-rites-today-in-bhopal-after-2nd-autopsy-by-aiims-delhi-team-675043.html Bhopal May 24 Thirteen days after modelturnedactor Twisha Sharma allegedly died by suicide at her inlawsâ residence in Bhopal her final rites will be performed at Bhadbhada Vishram Ghat at 5 pm on Sunday after a second postmortem examination is conducted by a team of senior doctors from AIIMSDelhi at AIIMSBhopal The fresh autopsy was ordered following objections raised by Twishaâs family regarding the initial postmortem report conducted on May 13A fourmember medical board from AIIMS Delhi arrived in Bhopal on Saturday evening to carry out the second examination and interact with the family over their concerns The team is led by Dr Sudhir Gupta the Head of the Department of Forensic Medicine AIIMS DelhiIn an emotional statement issued ahead of the cremation Twishaâs father Navnidhi Sharma said the family had endured âprofound grief unbearable sorrow and prolonged uncertaintyâ over the past 13 daysâIt is with profound grief unbearable sorrow and a heavy heart that the family of Late Twisha Sharma announces that her final rites and cremation shall be performed today at 500 PM at Bhadbhada Vishram Ghat Bhopalâ the statement saidThe family said the delay in conducting the cremation had intensified their emotional trauma especially as several Hindu postdeath rituals are traditionally completed within the 13day mourning periodâTwishaâs family is only now able to perform her cremation This painful reality has left the family emotionally shatteredâ the statement addedTwisha Sharma was found dead on May 12 under circumstances that sparked public outrage and demands for an impartial probeThe Sharma family reiterated that it has cooperated fully with the investigation and continues to place faith in the legal processâThe familyâs only request is that all investigations be conducted fairly transparently independently and strictly in accordance with lawâ the statement saidHer husband Samarth Singh who was arrested on Friday evening from Jabalpur was sent to seven days police remand by a Bhopal district court on Saturday IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/twisha-sharmas-final-rites-today-in-bhopal-after-2nd-autopsy-by-aiims-delhi-team-675043.html Sun, 24 May 2026 15:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/10-month-old-girl-abducted-from-home-in-delhis-bhalswa-dairy-675049.html New Delhi May 24 In a shocking incident a 10monthold baby girl was allegedly abducted from her home in Delhiâs Bhalswa Dairy area early on Sunday police officials said adding that an investigation is currently underway According to the police the incident took place in Lane No 9 of Mukundpur which falls under the jurisdiction of Bhalswa Dairy Police StationOfficials said the incident occurred around 5 am on Sunday when the childâs father had stepped out briefly to a nearby shop During that time the main entrance of the house was reportedly left open When he returned home the infant was found missing from inside the houseThe mother and the elder daughter were reportedly sleeping together in the same room at the time of the incident The sudden disappearance of the baby from within the house has triggered panic and concern across the localityAccording to officials the mother and elder child were allegedly found unconscious when the husband returned to the houseSpeaking to IANS the distressed mother of the missing child said My husband went to buy milk I also woke up and fed her milk My elder daughter who was down with a fever asked me to go to the washroom with her After this we went back to sleep When my husband came back he found us unconscious He then tried to wake us up and asked us where the child was Then we got to know she was missingWe searched everywhere My motherinlaw lives nearby We went to check there also but my motherinlaw said that she had not seen her She is just 10 months old I donât know who took her I want to see her She has been gone since morning she addedOfficials said that during the early morning hours a baby feeding nipple used by the infant for milk was found lying outside the residence further adding to the concern surrounding the incidentAt present a team from Bhalswa Dairy Police Station is actively investigating the case Police are examining CCTV footage from nearby locations and are trying to gather clues that could help trace the missing childFurther investigation is underway as authorities continue efforts to locate the infant and determine the circumstances surrounding the alleged abduction IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/10-month-old-girl-abducted-from-home-in-delhis-bhalswa-dairy-675049.html Sun, 24 May 2026 16:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bengal-govt-directs-creation-of-holding-centres-to-keep-illegal-infiltrators-foreign-prisoners-675051.html Kolkata May 24 IANS The West Bengal government has ordered the creation of holding centres in each district to keep those arrested on suspicion of being Bangladeshis or Rohingyasnbsp a senior government official said on SundaynbspSuspects can be detained in these holding centres for 30 daysnbspnbspThe state government has said that not only those arrested on suspicion of being infiltrators but also those who were previously caught and imprisoned and those in the process of being sent out of the country can be kept thereThe Central government had already issued instructions to identify and send back infiltratorsnbspChief Minister Suvendu Adhikari recently held a press conference in the State Secretariat Nabanna and said that the previous Trinamool Congress government did not follow the instructions of the Central governmentnbspAfter the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP government came to power the relevant law has been implemented in the statenbspThis time those who are not included in the CAA or the Citizenship Amendment Act will be identified immediately and arrested They will be directly handed over to the Border Security Force BSF The BSF will work to send them back to their respective countries After Suvendu Adhikaris announcement the state government has issued instructions in this regardThe directive of the state government says that the process of sending back Bangladeshis or Rohingyas who have been caught illegally residing in this state is being started for which holding centres will be set up in all districts across the statenbspAll these centres will be used to keep illegal infiltrators and foreign prisoners released from the jails of this statenbspnbspInstructions are being given to take necessary steps to set up the centresnbspAn instruction to this effect has been sent from Nabanna to the West Bengal Director General of Police Siddh Nath Gupta the District Magistrate of each district and the Superintendents of Police This instruction has also been sent to the Commissioners of each police Commissionerate including KolkatanbspOn May 2 2025 the Foreigners Division of the Union Home Ministry issued an eightpage guideline on Rohingya and Bangladeshi infiltratorsnbspIt also mentioned the creation of holding centres to keep the infiltratorsnbspAccording to the Centres guidelines if law enforcement officials suspect that a person is not an Indian citizen heshe can be arrested Heshe can be detained in a holding centre for 30 days Within 30 days the documents will be checked to verify whether he is an Indian citizen or notnbspThe final decision in this regard will be taken by the concerned District Magistrate or District Collectorlevel officernbspThe West Bengal government has adopted a policy of detect delete and deport for illegal immigrantsnbspThe Centres guidelines have detailed instructions on how this process will be carried outnbspThe Centre has asked each state to form a special task force STF of police based on districts to identify illegal immigrants and send them back to their respective countriesnbspThose who are identified as infiltrators at the holding centre will have their biometric information collected and uploaded on the Centres portal after they will be handed over to the Border Guard They will be blacklisted in IndianbspThe guidelines also state that in emergency situations after the investigation is completed the Border Guard or Coast Guard can pick up the illegal immigrants from the holding centre They can be sent directly outside the countrys bordersIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bengal-govt-directs-creation-of-holding-centres-to-keep-illegal-infiltrators-foreign-prisoners-675051.html Sun, 24 May 2026 17:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/every-country-in-world-has-stupid-people-marco-rubio-on-racist-remarks-against-indians-in-us--675054.html New Delhi May 24 IANS US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday described the United States as a welcoming country and termed the racist comments made against Indians as the actions of stupid peoplenbspAddressing a joint press conference with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar Rubio stated that he takes such comments very seriouslyOn being asked about racist remarks against Indians in the US he responded I dont know how to address that but Ill take that very seriously about the comments Look Im sure that there are people who have made comments online and other places because every country in the world has stupid people Im sure there are stupid people here There are stupid people in the United States who make dumb comments all the time I dont know what else to tell you other than uh the United States is a very welcoming country Our nation has been enriched by people who come to our country have come from our country from all over the world have become Americans have assimilated into our way of life and have contributed greatly So thats all I can comment on that in regard to your pointHighlighting the contribution of the Indian community in the US economy Rubio said Over 20 billion dollars have been invested in the US economy by Indian companies We want that number to continue to increase and obviously the expertise as well that theyve provided to our economy has been very very valuableRubio also stated that the US is modernising its migration system and changes in immigration policy were applied across the world and not Indiaspecific He noted that over 20 million people had illegally entered the US over the past few years and stressed the importance of addressing that challengeOn concerns about the recent changes in J1 visa F1 H1B visa and his message to Indians in this regard Rubio said The changes that are happening now or the modernisation of our migration system into the United States is not focused is not Indiaspecific It is global its being applied across the world We are in a period of modernisation and Ill be frank and honest with you because its important to talk about this Weve had a migratory crisis in the United States This is not because of India but broadly we had over 20 million people illegally enter the United States over the last few years and weve had to address that challenge In addition to that challenge and I think this is true for India this is true for every country in the worldEverything that you do as a country needs to be in your national interest and that includes your immigration policyHe noted that immigration has enriched the country but stressed that the system must be adjusted with changing timesThe United States I believe is the most welcoming country in the world for immigration Every single year a million people roughly become permanent residents of the United States and contribute greatly My parents entered the United States as permanent residents in 1956 from Cuba and so its a process thats enriched us but it has to be a process thats adjusted in every era to the realities of the modern times in which you live and we are and its long overdue he addedRubio said that the US is currently undergoing a process of reforming the system and acknowledged that the transition could create some difficulties and friction points However he stated that the system that will be implemented after the process will be more efficient and better than the previous systemThe United States is currently undergoing a process of reforming the system by which we choose how many people come into our country who comes in when they come in etc Anytime you undertake a reform anytime you undertake a change in the system by which you admit people or frankly anytime you undertake a reform in any system not just on immigration there are going to be theres going to be a period of transition thats going to create you know some friction points and some difficulties and so forth Ultimately we think that when this process is in place once this process has been modernised and thats really what it is We are modernising the US immigration system for the 21st century so that it is an immigration system thats not just good for America but its also good for the people that are comingOnce we are complete and once weve done the work of modernising that system I think were going to going to wind up with a system thats more efficient and even better than the previous system and in some ways may prove to be even more beneficial than the previous system was to people from India who seek to enter the United States to work and innovate But obviously theres going to be a period of adjustment along the way So I just dont what I want to clear is that the changes while they may be having a disproportionate impact on a place like India that provides so many highskilled workers to the US economy it is not a system that is targeted at India It is one thats being applied globally But were in a period of transition and like any period of transition theres going to be some bumps on that road But we think ultimately our destination is going to be a better system a more efficient system one that works better than the one that we had embraced previously and more sustainable by the way he addedIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/every-country-in-world-has-stupid-people-marco-rubio-on-racist-remarks-against-indians-in-us--675054.html Sun, 24 May 2026 17:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rahul-gandhi-should-worry-about-himself-nda-leaders-on-remarks-against-modi-govt--675055.html New Delhi May 24 IANS The National Democratic Alliance NDA leaders led by the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP launched a sharp attack on Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Sunday They said Gandhi should worry about his own electoral victory rather than thinking about the BJPnbspThe political exchange comes after LoP Gandhi reportedly said that the Modi government will fall in the next one year during a Congress minority advisory committee meeting attributing it to rising economic discontentnbspBihar BJP President Sanjay Saraogi said Rahul Gandhi should worry about himself whether he will win any election or not the Congress has been wiped outThe Congress party is no longer relevant in India Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the most popular leader in the world and the Bharatiya Janata Party is the largest party globally he told reportersnbspAccording to Union Minister and Republican Party of India Athawale National President Ramdas Athawale Rahul Gandhi is making predictions about the futurenbspHis predictions are not accurate The whole country knows that in 2019 when the Congress Party got only 52 seats Rahul Gandhi had said that he would remove PM Narendra Modi but under the Prime Ministers leadership the NDA won a majority he told IANSReferring to the BJP individually falling short of a majority in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections he said Though the BJP fell short we did not allege bogus voting or blame the Electronic Voting Machine EVMnbspHe asserted that the BJPled NDA will gain a majority in the 2029 polls as well and PM Modi will be sworn in as the Prime MinisternbspMaharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis called Gandhis statement as wishful thinkingUttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said Rahul Gandhi is going through extreme frustrationnbspHe said that PM Modis welfare schemes for the poor have garnered popularity among the people and public trust in the Prime Minister has increasedRahul Gandhi and the Congress party understand this very well that their plans are no longer going to succeed That is why they Congress have been constantly using inappropriate words against BJP leaders The people of the country will never forgive them he addednbspEarlier a political controversy had erupted over LoP Rahul Gandhis alleged traitor remark against PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit ShahIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rahul-gandhi-should-worry-about-himself-nda-leaders-on-remarks-against-modi-govt--675055.html Sun, 24 May 2026 17:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/heatwave-to-persist-over-northwest-india-for-next-4-5-days-thunderstorms-likely-in-hills-imd-675057.html New DelhiChandigarh May 24 IANS Heatwave conditions are expected to continue across large parts of northwest India over the next four to five days with the India Meteorological Department IMD maintaining a red alert for Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh and a yellow alert for Delhi Punjab Haryana and RajasthannbspMeteorologist Akhil Srivastava told IANS that a western disturbance was currently centred over Jammu ampamp Kashmir which is likely to trigger thunderstorm activity in the hilly regions especially Jammu ampamp Kashmir Himachal Pradesh and UttarakhandToday a western disturbance was centred over Jammu ampamp Kashmir In view of this thunderstorm activity is likely in the hilly regions mainly across Jammu ampamp Kashmir Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand he saidnbspSrivastava added that there was also a possibility of a hailstorm at a few isolated places in JammunbspThere is also a possibility of a hailstorm at a few isolated places in Jammu Keeping this in mind an orange alert has been issued for Jammu ampamp Kashmir he saidSrivastava further noted that isolated thunderstorm activity may also occur in the plains but it is unlikely to bring any major relief from the prevailing heatnbspThe heatwave conditions currently prevailing over northwest India are expected to continue for the next four to five days as there is little likelihood of any significant change in maximum temperatures he addednbspMeanwhile heatwave conditions continued across Chandigarh Punjab and parts of Himachal Pradesh on Sunday with residents reporting rising temperatures and difficult daytime conditionsA Chandigarh resident told IANS that the increasing heat was becoming a concern not just for people but also for animals and the environmentnbspThe heat is increasing a lot and the temperature is rising significantly We all should take care of ourselves as well as birds animals and trees the resident saidnbspThe IMD has advised people in affected regions to avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight during peak afternoon hours stay hydrated and take precautions against heatrelated illnessesnbspThe continuing spell of high temperatures across north and central India has raised concerns over public health and agricultural stress with authorities closely monitoring weather developments in the coming daysIANSnbsp https://dailyworld.in/national/heatwave-to-persist-over-northwest-india-for-next-4-5-days-thunderstorms-likely-in-hills-imd-675057.html Sun, 24 May 2026 17:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/manu-to-compete-in-three-events-as-nrai-names-squad-for-blue-riband-munich-wc-675058.html New Delhi May 24 IANS The National Rifle Association of India NRAI selection committee announced a 22member Indian team for the ISSF World Cup Munich with double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and fellow Olympian and world championship medallist Esha Singh being the only members of the squad to start in two individual pistol events while Manu will additionally compete in the mixed team pistol eventnbspThe ISSF World Cup RiflePistol is scheduled from May 24 to 31 in Munich Germany which is traditionally billed as a blueriband annual event in the sportThe first shots will be fired at the iconic OlympiaschieBanlage in the German capital on Tuesday with the 25m Pistol Women Precision Stage as the first event Simultaneously the qualification round of the 10m Air Pistol Men and the elimination round of the womens 50m Rifle 3 Positions will also commence followed by the qualification for the 10m Air Rifle Men event The first day will see two finals 10m Air Pistol Men and 10m Air Rifle Men being heldA huge 696 athletes from 80 countries have entered the fray for the Munich World Cup including a galaxy of Olympic and world champions ready to test their competition readiness their weapons and ammunition and indeed their accuracy against the best of the best ahead of premiere multisport events and the Shooting World Championships later in the yearThis will be the years second RiflePistol World Cup with India having garnered one gold in the Granada World Cup back in April That team consisted of shooters ranked between 3 and 6 in the domestic rankings In Munich the topranked Indian rifle and pistol shooters are set to compete in a top international competition away from home for the first time in the yearThe Indian team has a healthy mix of experience and youth but they will be up against it with the royalty of rifle and pistol shooting set to make their annual trip to MunichRahi Sarnobat twotime Olympian and a former Asian Games champion will be the seniormost Indian marksman in Munich Other proven international performers include the likes of Samrat Rana reigning world champion Rudrankksh Patil former world champion Anish Bhanwala world championship silver Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar world championship silver Elavenil Valarivan world championship bronze Suruchi Singh World Cup Final winner and Arjun Babuta reigning Munich mixed team championAmong the India debutants Sakshi Padekar from Pune Maharashtra is 22 and a remarkable success story She has been in great form in qualifications over the past year recording at least two scores of 634 in the period Two others were over 632 She bettered the womens 10m air rifle finals national record score en route to trials win over Elavenil Valarivan earlier in the year She is also a Khelo India University Games championSuraj Sharma is just 18 and the youngest of the Indian debutants in Munich A MP Shooting Academy product and the son of a BSF martyr Surajs rise through the junior ranks to emerge as one of the most promising pistol shooters of the country has been stunning He is a former junior world champion in standard pistol and a reigning Asian champion in 25m pistol He has recorded a high score of 558 in the trials earlier this yearAjendra Singh Chauhan is a 23yearold army marksman who made the team over impressive performances in the domestic circuit He shot a top 588 in the trials earlier in the yearUdhayveer Sidhu twin brother of Olympian Vijayveer Sidhu is 23 and a threetime junior world champion in nonolympic events and will be making his Olympic event debut for India in Munich when he starts in the mens 25m rapidfire pistol The Punjab lad shot a 585 in the trials to pip his brother to the third Munich spotIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/manu-to-compete-in-three-events-as-nrai-names-squad-for-blue-riband-munich-wc-675058.html Sun, 24 May 2026 17:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/falta-repoll-bjp-candidate-wins-by-a-margin-of-1-09-021-votes-cpm-finishes-second-675060.html Kolkata May 24 IANS Results for the Falta Assembly repoll in West Bengal have been declared at the end of all the rounds of counting on Sunday with the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP candidate Debangshu Panda being declared elected by a landslide margin of 109021 votesnbspWhile Panda secured a total of 149666 votes CPIM candidate Sambhunath Kurmi came in the second position securing a total of 40645 votesnbspCongress candidate Abdur Razzak came in the third position receiving 10084 votesTrinamool Congress candidate Jahangir Khan ended fourth in the tally securing 7783 votesnbspThe deposits of both Congress and Trinamool Congress candidates have been forfeitednbspThe results of the Falta repoll are unique from two angles This is for the first time in any election in history since the Trinamool Congress foundation in January 1988 that any party candidate has finished the race in the fourth positionnbspSecondly this is the first time since 2011 which marked the end of the 34year Left Front regime and the beginning of the Trinamool Congress 15year regime that any party candidate has had his or her deposit forfeitedThe repoll at Falta was conducted on May 21nbspWith the victory of Panda in Falta BJPs total tally in the 294 West Bengal Assembly constituencies now stands at 208 followed by Trinamool Congress at 80 Congress and Aam Janata Unnayan Party AJUP at two each and CPIM and All India Secular Front AISF at one eachnbspThe trend on Sunday is a complete study in contrast to the results in Falta both in the 2021 West Bengal Assembly polls as well as in the 2024 Lok Sabha pollsIn the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections the Trinamool Congress Shankar Kumar Nashkar was elected by a margin of 41000 votes from Falta which is one of the seven Assembly constituencies under the Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituencynbspAbhishek Banerjee Trinamool Congress general secretary and Mamata Banerjees nephew has represented the Diamond Harbour seat three timesnbspIn the 2024 Lok Sabha polls the Falta Assembly constituency gave Banerjee a lead margin of around 120000 votes which opposition parties described as a mockery of the polling processPolling for the Falta Assembly constituency was conducted on April 29 in the second phase of the recently concluded twophase Assembly polls in the statenbspOn April 29 several complaints of electoral malpractices were reported in Falta At several polling booths the EVM buttons corresponding to the names and symbols of BJP candidates were covered with white tape Hundreds of voters took to the streets after they were not allowed to vote allegedly by Jahangir Khans supportersnbspSubsequently special poll observer Subrata Gupta currently serving as advisor to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari personally visited Falta and conducted an inquiry Based on Guptas findings the Election Commission of India ECI ordered repoll across the entire Falta Assembly constituencyIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/falta-repoll-bjp-candidate-wins-by-a-margin-of-1-09-021-votes-cpm-finishes-second-675060.html Sun, 24 May 2026 17:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/fairpoint-when-a-cockroach-seeks-space-in-indian-politics-675061.html New Delhi May 24 Few creatures invite as much dislike as cockroaches do which is why it is weird that the same insect has suddenly become the centre of fascination for a section of people who otherwise would never hesitate to eliminate it The cockroach has managed to create such a buzz that it is now trending across social media gathering followers in massive numbers In a democracy divergent views and satire have always had space They often reflect the vibrancy of public discourse So when an Indian student studying at a foreign university decided to channel his mischievous creativity into a satirical political idea built around a cockroach the reaction that followed was far larger than anyone might have anticipatedEven the student himself Abhijeet Dipke from Maharashtras Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district may not have expected the scale at which his socalled Cockroach Janta Party CJP would resonate online There is nothing inherently wrong with satire India has a long tradition of using humour and mockery to question authority Long before the digital age newspaper cartoons served as some of the sharpest political commentaries Satirical mushairas ridiculed governments through poetry while in recent years standup comedy and online content have emerged as powerful tools of political expression In that sense the rise of something like the CJP is not extraordinary in itselfBut questions inevitably arise Can a single student operating independently generate such a widespread digital storm That seems unlikely Given how political narratives are increasingly shaped online and considering similar developments witnessed in countries such as Nepal Bangladesh and Sri Lanka suspicions about larger backing naturally emergeDipkes association with the Aam Aadmi Party is part of the public record now Reports suggest he was linked to the party between 2020 and 2023 and volunteered with its social media team Some accounts also claim that he participated in the AAPs digital campaigning during the 2020 Delhi Assembly election won by the Arvind Kejriwalled partyThis has led to speculation that the CJP may not be entirely independent but could instead resemble a politically driven digital experiment The CJP seems to be trying to ape the India Against Corruption movement launched by Anna Hazare which Kejriwal later used to form the AAP Whether that comparison is fully justified or not time will tell but the parallels are being discussedThe timing of the CJPs rise has added another layer to the debateIn recent weeks Kejriwals confrontation with the judiciary has intensified The friction became visible after his appearance on April 13 before Delhi High Court judge Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma in connection with the excise policy case where he argued for her recusal Clips of the courtroom exchange quickly spread across social mediaLater on April 27 Kejriwal wrote to Justice Sharma stating that he would neither appear before her personally nor through legal counsel Claiming he had lost hope of receiving justice from the judge he said he would follow Mahatma Gandhis path of satyagraha Manish Sisodia adopted a similar line and both leaders later visited Raj GhatA strong social media campaign accompanied these developments with attempts to portray both Kejriwal and the AAP as victims in the judicial process Justice Sharma eventually recused herself from the matter while also initiating contempt proceedings against Kejriwal Sisodia Sanjay Singh Saurabh Bharadwaj and others over alleged attempts to undermine the courts integrity onlineAmid these developments came the announcement of the CJP The launch followed shortly after remarks were attributed to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant involving the words parasites and cockroaches during court proceedings on May 15 Although clarification later emerged that the comments had been misinterpreted The CJP also attempted to build momentum around the NEET paper leak controversy Dipkes first public campaign involved an online petition demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan He also released a video message urging students and young people to mobilise around the issue Notably these videos appeared days after Kejriwal publicly appealed to students on May 12 to protest over the NEET controversyPolitics rarely functions in isolation and Dipkes old social media posts reflecting his admiration for Sisodia and commitment to the AAP have further fuelled speculation One such post written before he left for Boston thanked Sisodia for the opportunities provided to him and reaffirmed his support for the party A photograph of the two together has also resurfaced onlineWhether the CJP is truly an AAPbacked digital movement on the lines of IAC remains open to interpretation But the episode certainly raises broader questions How easily can online narratives be manufactured How vulnerable are young audiences especially Gen Z users to highly packaged political messaging emerging from outside the countryEqually notable is the attention the platform has begun receiving in sections of the international media Some political parties in India particularly within the Opposition are now openly or indirectly speaking in favour of the CJP perhaps without fully realising what its sudden rise actually reflectsHad the Opposition in India remained consistently constructive and not entirely indulged in BJPhate mongering politics the political space would never have been left open for something symbolised by a cockroach to occupy itThat is what makes the trend unsettling Political satire has its place in a democracy but when public frustration begins finding expression through symbols associated with decay and disorder it points to a deeper vacuum in the opposition ecosystemPeople understand what a cockroach represents And just as it is never allowed to breed unchecked in homes democratic spaces too must remain cautiousDeepika Bhan can be contacted at deepikabiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/fairpoint-when-a-cockroach-seeks-space-in-indian-politics-675061.html Sun, 24 May 2026 17:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-gymkhana-club-eviction-congress-questions-move-bjp-hits-back-675062.html New Delhi May 24 The Union governments plan to reclaim the 273acre land of the Delhi Gymkhana Club sparked a political duel on Sunday with the Congress questioning the need for acquiring the big swathe of land for PM residence and the BJP criticising it for doubting the public security purposes behind the move Bharatiya Janata Party BJP leader Amit Malviya posted a video on his X account featuring Congress leader Surendra RajputIn the video Rajput is seen alleging that the Clubs land was being reclaimed to expand Prime Minister Narendra Modis official residence at Lok Kalyan MargRajput is also seen in the video asking a question How much space does the Prime Minister need to live in The BJPled government will have to explain thisMalviya hit back saying Sonia Gandhi who occupies 10 Janpath spread across 15181 square metres larger than 7 Lok Kalyan Marg at 14101 square metres has apparently sent a note to Surendar Rajput It reads sit downThe entitlement and hypocrisy in the Congress ecosystem never cease to amaze Malviya said InCharge of BJPs National Information and Technology Department on XThe imperialera Club frequented by the highheeled and the influential in the power corridors is located close to the Prime Ministers official residence at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg in the heart of Lutyens DelhiThe Club management was issued an eviction notice by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs on May 22 informing that the premises would be taken over by the Union government on June 5The land at 2 Safdarjung Road was given to the exclusive Club started in the Colonial era on a perpetual lease in 1918 and the current process for reclaiming the land would vest the parcel with President Droupadi MurmuThe government notice referred to Clause 4 of the lease deed noting that the lessor has the authority to reenter the premises if the land is required for a public purposeExercising those powers the President of India acting through the Land and Development Office has determined the lease and ordered immediate reentry of the property the notice saidIn response the Clubs management has sought an urgent meeting with Ministry officials to seek clarity on issues in the interests of member and the employeesThe Club functionaries are also reportedly considering a legal challenge to the Ministrys land reclaim noticeThe Centre has also issued eviction notice to the Indian Polo Association opposite Prime Ministers official residenceIn this case as well the Ministry linked the reclaiming of land as a necessity to strengthen and secure Defence infrastructure and other vital public security purposes IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-gymkhana-club-eviction-congress-questions-move-bjp-hits-back-675062.html Sun, 24 May 2026 18:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/l-g-ts-sandhu-praises-delhis-8-year-old-ai-whizkid-ranvir-singh-sachdeva-675066.html New Delhi May 24 Delhi Lieutenant Governor TS Sandhu on Sunday highlighted the achievements of the cityâs eightyearold AI whizkid who rocked the tech world by becoming the youngest speaker at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 In a message on X Sandhu shared the photo of Ranvir Singh Sachdeva praising his understanding of future technologiesâWonderful meeting young Ranvir Singh Sachdeva in Rishikesh a few days ago At just eight years old this exceptional child from Delhi has already developed a remarkable understanding of Artificial Intelligence earning recognition as the youngest speaker at the India AI Impact Summit 2026â said Sandhu on XâIt is inspiring to see our youngest minds engaging so confidently with future technologies while embracing the values of responsible innovation and digital literacy Such talent and curiosity at a young age reflect the immense potential of Indiaâs next generation A very bright future indeed awaits himâ said the Lieutenant GovernorSandhu is a big proponent of technologydriven ease of living and ease of business often highlighting the transformative power of innovation digital infrastructure and responsible technologyEarlier this month the Lieutenant Governor attended a technology conference and wrote on X âA pleasure to deliver the keynote address on the Role of Technology in Nation Building at the NASSCOM Global Confluence 2026 in New Delhi Emphasised the transformative power of innovation digital infrastructure amp responsible tech in shaping an inclusive amp futureready IndiaâRecently Sandhu also directed Delhi officials to hasten reforms to enhance Ease of Living and the transition towards a âPermitted Until Prohibitedâ ecosystem removing regulatory hurdles by June 30âGuided by the Prime Ministerâs vision of reducing compliance burden and improving ease of living for citizens every procedural reform must translate into greater efficiency transparency and opportunity for the people of Delhiâ the LG told officials including Chief Secretary Rajeev VermaSandhu also signalled that the Delhi government would fasttrack the Ease of Doing Business Bill 2026 to streamline approvals and simplify complianceIn a message on X the Lieutenant Governor said âAdvised officers to ensure implementation of all remaining priority areas identified by the Government of India for Ease of Doing Business reforms by June 30 2026 without failâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/l-g-ts-sandhu-praises-delhis-8-year-old-ai-whizkid-ranvir-singh-sachdeva-675066.html Sun, 24 May 2026 18:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bangladesh-minorities-face-fear-displacement-and-land-grab-pressures-report-675067.html New Delhi May 24 Minority communities in Bangladesh are facing growing insecurity amid incidents of violence land encroachment and sustained social intimidation linked to Islamist networks according to a report which warned that vulnerable religious groups continue to live under fear in several parts of the country The report said Hindu Buddhist and Christian minorities in Bangladesh are increasingly confronting attacks ranging from vandalism and intimidation to forced displacement with incidents allegedly forming part of a wider pattern aimed at weakening their presence in local communities and forcing them off ancestral landIt noted that such incidents have surfaced repeatedly across districts over the years often during periods of political unrest or after rumours related to blasphemy or religious tensions creating an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty for minority familiesAccording to Eurasia Review in an opinion piece by Ashu Mann violence against minorities in Bangladesh is not limited to isolated communal flareups but reflects a deeper and more organised pattern of coercionThe article said homes shops temples and monasteries belonging to minority communities have frequently been targeted leaving many residents feeling unsafe and increasingly vulnerableThe report said that a major underlying factor behind these incidents is land It alleged that organised intimidation and communal violence are often used as pressure tactics to force minority families to abandon valuable land and property which is then occupied or transferred illegallyThe oped described this as a longterm pattern that has steadily eroded both economic security and community confidence among minorities in several regionsThe Eurasia Review commentary also pointed to attacks on religious places as having a severe psychological impact Beyond physical destruction it said assaults on temples and monasteries have damaged the sense of security among communities and reinforced fears over religious freedom and equal citizenshipCiting past incidents of communal violence the article noted that several attacks had altered local demographics and affected social relations at the grassroots level with many families reportedly choosing migration over continued uncertaintyThe piece also said that Bangladeshs minority population especially Hindus has declined sharply over the decades It linked that decline to repeated cycles of insecurity targeted violence and the absence of adequate safeguards to protect vulnerable communitiesFor India this is not merely a humanrights concern but a strategic one The documented hostility of JamaateIslami to secular norms and minorities combined with its longstanding ideological links to Pakistan raises serious concerns that Bangladesh could become a more permissive environment for extremist networksThe report also raised concerns over alleged ideological and operational links between JamaateIslami and Pakistanbacked Islamist networks warning that the trend could deepen radicalisation and weaken Bangladeshs pluralistic traditionsIt concluded that the issue extends beyond Bangladeshs domestic politics and carries wider strategic implications for South Asia stressing that protecting minority rights ensuring justice and preserving communal harmony remain essential for longterm peace and regional stability IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bangladesh-minorities-face-fear-displacement-and-land-grab-pressures-report-675067.html Sun, 24 May 2026 18:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/dharmendra-pradhan-sends-for-iit-experts-to-resolve-cbse-website-glitches-675068.html New Delhi May 24 IANS Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has decided to rope in professors and technical experts from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras and IIT Kanpur to help the CBSE ensure a glitchfree reevaluation process an official said on SundayPradhans direction to involve IIT experts comes in the backdrop of concerns raised by students and parents regarding the CBSE postresult services portal which has allegedly crashed or remained inaccessible for filing applications for revaluation and seeking copies of answersheetsThe glitches have forced the Central Board of Secondary Education CBSE to repeatedly extend the deadline for filling revaluation applications and depositing feePradhan recently conceded hiccups in the new OnScreen Marking OSM system of the CBSE saying that these were part of attempts to create a new systemHe said that creating a new system may face shortcomings and only collective consultation and criticism can show the way forwardA statement issued by the Ministry said on Sunday that the expert teams will implement focused technological improvements of the systems and technical workflows and specifically examine portal stability and server performance the statement addedThe team will also examine the overall IT Infrastructure robustness and assist in taking corrective measures to ensure that login authenticationuser access systemspayment gateways are accurate and in orderPradhan reiterated that student interests remain paramount and all necessary corrective measures need to be undertaken by CBSE on priority to ensure a transparent efficient and studentfriendly systemHe dismissed the criticism of OSM highlighting its benefits of errorfree scientific and uniform assessment in Board examsPradhan said the time has come to admit lack of uniformity in assessment and award of marks to resourceful parents wards studying in an urban school and marks given to a meritorious student from a distant rural schoolIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/dharmendra-pradhan-sends-for-iit-experts-to-resolve-cbse-website-glitches-675068.html Sun, 24 May 2026 18:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-highlights-rich-legacy-and-progress-of-sikkim-675069.html New Delhi May 24 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday shared an article authored by Union Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia as Sikkim enters its 51st year of statehood The Prime Minister noted that the article highlights Khangchendzonga lauding it as the protector of the land memory and consciousness of SikkimâHe highlights that the five treasures of Khangchendzonga continue to illuminate the states journey paving the way for Viksit Sikkim 2047 PM Modi wrote on XThe minister writes that Khangchendzonga the âmountain massifâ stands out in our imagination as distant Himalayan peaks wrapped in Lungta prayer flags clouds and snow Nearly onefourth of Sikkimâs land is embraced by the Khangchendzonga National Park For centuries Khangchendzonga has lived in the folklore of the indigenous communities as a sacred civilisational force â the protector of land memory and consciousness of Sikkim itself The great Lama Lhatsun Chenpo interpreted this belief with poetic brilliance calling the five summits as the Five Treasures of the Eternal Snow âthe peak most conspicuously gilded by the rising sun is the treasury of gold the peak that remains in cold grey shade is the storehouse for silver and other peaks are vaults for gems grains and the holy booksâThe minister states that during his recent visit for Sikkimâs 51st Statehood Day celebrations this lore revealed itself with renewed contemporary relevanceThe first treasure is gold and nowhere is Sikkim richer than in its people Development acquires permanence only when it grows from the confidence of communities and Sikkim offers compelling evidence of that truth in the unity and social harmony of the Lepcha Bhutia and Nepali communities Scindia observed He underscored that the second treasure silver manifests itself through Sikkimâs elemental beauty and biodiversity The Teesta and Rangeet rivers revealed themselves between the dense forests and clouds while unbloomed cherry trees stood amongst the slopes of tea gardens awaiting the onset of winterThe third treasure is gems and in Sikkim these gems are cultural spiritual and civilisational They appear in various monasteries in the grand Buddha Park at Ravangla in the Bhaleydhunga skywalk overlooking the valley and in the sacred geography blessed by Guru Padmasambhava himself Sikkim continues to preserve a sense of spirituality that feels increasingly precious and pristine in todayâs restless world This spiritual inheritance now coexists with modern aspirations the minister statesHe also highlights that the fourth treasure grains carries the story of sustenance Sikkimâs journey as a 100 per cent organic state is among the most important developmental achievements in contemporary India The stateâs success in organic farming cardamom cultivation and sustainable agriculture demonstrates how mountain ecosystems can sustain prosperous local economiesThe fifth treasure the holy books is Sikkimâs intelligence It lives in education where the new educational institutions and the permanent campus of Sikkim State University in Namchi reflect a future that respects tradition while opening doors to knowledge skill and innovation The future of Viksit Bharat shall depend substantially upon how effectively such institutions nurture talent across the frontier regions of the country PM Modiâs visit made this clear as he spoke of education connectivity health care urban development and tourism as the pillars of Sikkimâs next phase The old and the new meet here with unusual grace and the result is a development model rooted in heritage the minister added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-highlights-rich-legacy-and-progress-of-sikkim-675069.html Sun, 24 May 2026 19:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pakistan-struggling-amid-worsening-foreign-exchange-crisis-675071.html New Delhi May 24 Pakistan is grappling with a mounting foreign exchange crisis driven by pressure to repay roughly 48 billion of external debt weak investor confidence and falling foreign direct investment FDI according to an international media report The report in the Times of Oman stated that foreign direct investment in Pakistan plummeted by 33 per cent in FY26 to 1195 billion from 192 billion in 2023â24 and 183 billion in 2024â25 As a share of GDP FDI remained below 045 per centThe report highlighted that the declining confidence in the countryâs economy is also reflected in the exit and downsizing of several multinational companies in recent years Various policy measures announced by the government to revive investors confidence have failed to yield resultsThe report mentions Procter amp Gamble among the multinational giants that have decided to shut down manufacturing operations in Pakistan along with companies such as Shell Telenor Uber Yamaha Eni some foreign banks and pharmaceutical firms deciding to scale down or shut operations in PakistanThe report mentioned labour force survey data showing the unemployment rate rising to 63 per cent to 69 per cent from 2020â21 to 2024â25 with women and youth experiencing the biggest bruntPakistanâs external and fiscal vulnerabilities are apparent from public debt surging to Rs 8052 lakh crore by the end of FY25 while external debt and liabilities stood at 138 billion the report said Economic growth for the last three years has averaged about 17 per cent The governmentâs debt is worth 70 per cent of GDP and gross financing needs are among the highest in the world it addedThe report also points out that Pakistanâs economy remained highly exposed to West Asian shocks as the country spends about 4 per cent of GDP annually on fuel and fertiliser imports from the Gulf Due to heavy reliance on fuel food and remittances from West Asia and the Gulf the economy is under significant strain with Islamabad ordering austerity measures like the closure of schools and a reduced work week to deal with the oil crisis it said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pakistan-struggling-amid-worsening-foreign-exchange-crisis-675071.html Sun, 24 May 2026 19:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/no-overall-shortage-of-petrol-diesel-in-country-indian-oil-corporation-674912.html New Delhi May 23 IANS There is no overall shortage of petrol and diesel in the country and outages reported at some retail outlets are highly localised and temporary Indian Oil Corporation IOC said on SaturdaynbspThese small outages are caused by regional demandsupply mismatches and shifting sales patterns the IOC said in a statement The company is closely monitoring the situation and taking adequate measures to address these isolated situations and ensure uninterrupted fuel supplies to consumersWe wish to reassure customers and the general public that there is no overall shortage of petrol and diesel in the country The current situation being witnessed at certain retail outlets is highly localised and temporary in nature arising due to local demandsupply imbalances and redistribution of sales patterns in select areas according to the statementHigher demand at certain retail outlets was caused by a seasonal rise in diesel consumption during the harvesting season migration of customers from private pumps where retail prices were relatively higher and increased institutional purchases at public sector outletsOnly a very small number of outlets in its network of more than 42000 fuel stations had witnessed supply disruptions while stocks and supplies at the majority of pumps remained normal and adequate said IOCStateowned oil marketing firms continued to maintain sufficient fuel inventories nationwide and were taking steps to address isolated disruptions and ensure uninterrupted supplies Despite this sustained and exceptionally high growth in demand IndianOil continues to consistently meet customer requirements across the country it addedEarlier in the day petrol and diesel prices were increased marking the third revision in retail fuel rates in just 10 daysPetrol became costlier by Rs 087 per litre while diesel prices were raised by Rs 091 per litre by stateowned oil marketing companies The latest hike comes amid sustained pressure from rising global crude oil prices and ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia which continue to impact international energy marketsIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/no-overall-shortage-of-petrol-diesel-in-country-indian-oil-corporation-674912.html Sat, 23 May 2026 12:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indigo-issues-delhi-travel-advisory-amid-thunderstorm-rain-forecast-674914.html New Delhi May 23 IANS IndiGo on Saturday issued a travel advisory for passengers travelling to and from Delhi amid forecasts of thunderstorms and rain in the national capital warning that flight departures and arrivals could be impacted due to adverse weather conditionsnbspTaking to social media platform X the airline said weather conditions over Delhi may temporarily affect flight operations even as airport and airline teams were making preparations in advance to minimise disruptionsWith thunderstorms and rain expected to pass over Delhi departures and arrivals may be impacted While our teams are preparing well in advance to keep things running smoothly the weather may slow things down a touch IndiGo said on the social media platformMoreover the airline advised passengers to check their flight status through its website or mobile application before leaving for the airportIn addition it urged travellers to keep additional travel time in hand noting that road traffic movement in parts of the city could be affected due to rain and waterloggingIf youre travelling today we recommend checking your flight status on our website or app before heading out the airline saidOn Friday the airline firm had issued a travel advisory for passengers travelling to and from Mumbai in view of heavy rainfall forecast across the city It requested passengers to leave for the airport earlier than usual to avoid possible delays caused by adverse weather conditionsPlease keep an eye on traffic updates and check your flight status using our app or website before heading out the airline saidEarlier in May adverse weather conditions had also impacted IndiGo flight operations in eastern IndiaAn IndiGo flight travelling from Kolkata to Patna was diverted to Lucknow after poor weather conditions prevented the aircraft from landing at Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport in PatnaIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indigo-issues-delhi-travel-advisory-amid-thunderstorm-rain-forecast-674914.html Sat, 23 May 2026 13:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/us-ambassador-highlights-shared-values-after-rubio-visits-missionaries-of-charity-in-kolkata-674929.html New Delhi May 23 IANS US Ambassador Sergio Gor highlighted the role of shared humanitarian values in strengthening bilateral ties after accompanying US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a visit to the famed humanitarian organisation Missionaries of Charity in KolkatanbspnbspIn a post on X Gor wrote Joined SecRubio in Kolkata for a visit to the Missionaries of Charity Moments like these remind us the USIndia partnership rests not only on strong policies but also on shared values and the spirit of selfless service that transcends bordersRubios visit to Kolkata marks the beginning of his fourday official tour of India his first trip to the country since assuming office last yearHe landed in the city on Saturday morning and was received by senior officials upon arrival The US Secretary of State is expected to travel across multiple Indian cities including Agra and Jaipur during the visitAccording to US Ambassador Sergio Gor Rubio is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi later in the day in New Delhi The visit comes at a time when Washington and New Delhi are seeking to deepen cooperation on strategic and economic issues amid evolving global geopolitical challengesTaking to social media platform X Gor also posted Honoured to welcome my friend Sec Rubio to India We have an ambitious agenda ahead including the Quad Foreign Ministers Meeting focussed on advancing POTUS vision for an even stronger USIndia partnership Looking forward to great conversations and making real progress togetherThe top US diplomat is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday He will later attend the Quad Foreign Ministers Meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday which will bring together foreign ministers from India the United States Australia and JapanThe Quad meeting is scheduled for May 26 in New Delhi where External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will host US Secretary of State Marco Rubio Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu MotegiDiscussions are expected to focus on strengthening cooperation in the IndoPacific region as well as expanding collaboration in Defence trade energy security and regional stability amid shifting geopolitical dynamicsIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/us-ambassador-highlights-shared-values-after-rubio-visits-missionaries-of-charity-in-kolkata-674929.html Sat, 23 May 2026 16:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/productivity-means-resilience-innovation-and-inclusive-growth-piyush-goyal-674897.html New Delhi May 22 IANS Productivity today extends beyond efficiency to include resilience innovation and inclusive growth according to Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush GoyalnbspHe highlighted Indias reforms under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 68th Session of the Governing Body Meeting GBM of the Asian Productivity Organization APO hereInitiatives such as Make In India Startup India Skill India the Production Linked Incentive Schemes PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan the National Logistics Policy UPI Aadhaar and ONDC are examples of productivitydriven transformation Goyal said reaffirming Indias commitment to regional cooperation sustainable development and futureready growth through the Asian Productivity Organisation APOThe event brought together senior government officials Heads of National Productivity Organizations NPOs policymakers productivity experts and delegates from APO member economiesNeerja Sekhar Director General NPC India highlighted NPCs commitment to digital transformation green productivity capability building and measurable outcomes to strengthen MSMEs enhance competitiveness and promote sustainable and resilient economic growthnbspDr VK Saraswat former Member NITI Aayog and Chair of the APO National Award SearchcumSelection Committee emphasised the importance of recognising productivity champions and technical experts contributing toward national and regional productivity enhancementAt the event the APO National Award certificates were presented by Goyal followed by brief remarks from the awardees acknowledging the role of productivity innovation and institutional excellence in achieving sustainable developmentThe GBM also witnessed important leadership transitions APO Director for Indonesia Professor Anwar Sanusi assumed the position of APO Chair for 202627 succeeding APO Director for India Amardeep Singh BhatianbspThe Acting APO Director for Iran and the Acting APO Director for Japan assumed the positions of First Vice Chair and Second Vice Chair of the APO respectively according to Commerce MinistryThe APO is a premier intergovernmental organisation committed to improving productivity for sustainable socioeconomic development in the AsiaPacific region through mutual cooperation and policy supportnbspEstablished in 1961 the APO currently has 21 member economiesIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/productivity-means-resilience-innovation-and-inclusive-growth-piyush-goyal-674897.html Fri, 22 May 2026 12:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cbi-conducts-searches-in-mumbai-ahmedabad-in-rs-119-crore-bank-fraud-cases-674906.html Mumbai May 22 IANS The Central Bureau of Investigation CBI conducted searches at seven locations across Mumbai and Ahmedabad in connection with two separate bank fraud cases involving alleged losses of more than Rs 119 crore to public sector banks officials said on FridaynbspAccording to the agency the searches were carried out on May 21 at premises linked to Ms Shri Hari Extrusion Pvt Ltd and Ms Jay Formulations Ltd The raids were conducted at the residential premises of the directors of the companies after obtaining search warrants from designated courts in Mumbai and AhmedabadIn the first case related to Ms Shri Hari Extrusion Pvt Ltd the CBI booked the accused for allegedly defrauding Punjab National Bank to the tune of Rs 6198 crore The matter pertains to cash credit and term loan facilities availed from the bankThe agency alleged that after obtaining the loans the borrowers indulged in fraudulent practices and misused the sanctioned funds The accused allegedly diverted funds through unsecured loans transactions with sister concerns nonrouting of sales through the lender bank and payments to related partiesThe CBI said searches in this case were conducted on the strength of warrants issued by the Special Judge for CBI cases in Mumbai During the raids investigators seized several incriminating documents which are being examined as part of the ongoing probeIn the second case involving Ms Jay Formulations Ltd the agency alleged a fraud of Rs 5705 crore against State Bank of India According to investigators the company secured fundbased and nonfundbased credit facilities from the bank by allegedly submitting false books of accountsThe probe agency further alleged that after availing the credit facilities the accused diverted the loan funds causing substantial losses to the bankSearches in this matter were conducted at residential premises linked to the directors of the company following warrants issued by a court in AhmedabadThe CBI said the combined wrongful loss caused to the two public sector banks in these cases stands at Rs 11903 crore Further investigation in both matters is underwayIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cbi-conducts-searches-in-mumbai-ahmedabad-in-rs-119-crore-bank-fraud-cases-674906.html Fri, 22 May 2026 13:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-cyprus-elevate-ties-to-strategic-partnership-says-pm-modi--674908.html New Delhi May 22 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday announced that ties between India and Cyprus have been elevated to a strategic partnership He said that Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides visit to India marks the next milestone in the shared journey of the two nationsnbspWhile addressing a joint press meet with President Christodoulides following their talks at Hyderabad House on Friday PM Modi said Cyprus is one of Indias top 10 investors In the last decade investments from Cyprus in India have nearly doubled Trust between the two countries has grown The IndiaEU FTA has opened up new opportunities Leveraging this we aim to double this investment once again over the next five years and to realise this commitment today we are elevating our trusted partnership to the level of a strategic partnershipPM Modi extended a warm welcome to President Christodoulides and his delegation to IndiaWhile recalling his visit to Cyprus in 2025 PM Modi said I am delighted to welcome the President of Cyprus and his delegation to India Mr President last year you welcomed us in Cyprus with exceptional warmth In a gesture of respect for India you honoured me with Cypruss highest civilian award Throughout the visit we deeply felt your warmth your affection and your special connection with India Your visit to India today marks the next milestone in our shared journeyHailing the ties between the two nations PM Modi termed the friendship between India and Cyprus strong and futuristic He expressed Indias commitment to respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nationsThe friendship between India and Cyprus is both strong and futuristic Shared faith in values like democracy and the rule of law forms the foundation of our partnership We respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries India is fully committed to these principles and will continue to remain so he saidPM Modi also expressed Indias commitment to supporting efforts aimed at ending conflict in West Asia and UkraineHe said Today we also discussed global issues Whether in Ukraine or West Asia we remain committed to supporting efforts aimed at achieving an early end to the conflict and establishing peace We also agree that urgent and significant reforms of global institutions are necessary to address increasing global challengesIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-cyprus-elevate-ties-to-strategic-partnership-says-pm-modi--674908.html Fri, 22 May 2026 14:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-and-cyprus-vow-to-combat-terrorism-elevate-bilateral-ties-to-strategic-partnership-674910.html New Delhi May 22 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides on Friday reiterated their commitment to combating terrorismnbsp including crossborder terrorism in all its forms and manifestations during their meeting in New DelhinbspThe talks between both leaders covered areas of trade and investment defence and security maritime and financial connectivity technology and innovation mobility education culture and IndiaEuropean Union EU engagementBuilding upon IndiaCyprus comprehensive and trusted partnership Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wideranging discussions with President Christodulides of Cyprus in New Delhi today The discussions covered areas of trade and investment defence and security maritime and financial connectivity technology and innovation mobility education culture and IndiaEU engagement They also exchanged perspectives on regional and global issues Ministry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on XBoth leaders reiterated their commitment in combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations including crossborder terrorism In a significant step India and Cyprus elevated their bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership The leaders also witnessed exchange of several agreements including counterterrorism maritime security diplomatic training innovation education and culture among others he addedBefore the meeting President Christodoulides shared a light moment with PM Modi as both posed for a selfie at the Hyderabad HouseEarlier in the day President Christodoulides paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at RajghatExternal Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar also called on President Christodoulides and expressed appreciation for his positive sentiments and guidance for the bilateral ties and cooperation between India and the European UnionFollowing the meeting EAM Jaishankar posted on X Delighted to call on President Christodulides of the Republic of Cyprus in New Delhi today Value his positive sentiments and guidance for strengthening our bilateral ties and India EU cooperationChristodoulides arrived in the national capital on Thursday and was received at the airport by Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Ajay TamtaWarm welcome to President Nikos Christodoulides of the Republic of Cyprus as he arrives in New Delhi following the Mumbai leg of his visit He was accorded a ceremonial welcome and Guard of Honour and was warmly received by Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Shri Ajay Tamta the MEA posted on XThe visit builds on the momentum generated by PM Modis historic visit to Cyprus in June 2025 and reflects the shared commitment to further strengthening the IndiaCyprus partnershipChristodoulides is also scheduled to call on President Droupadi Murmu who will host an official banquet in honour of the visiting dignitary at the Rashtrapati BhavanBefore arriving in New Delhi Christodoulides travelled to Mumbai as part of his fourday State Visit to India Earlier on Thursday Christodoulides along with NSE Chairman Srinivas Injeti and NSE MD and CEO Ashishkumar Chauhan rang the NSE India bell in MumbaiIn a statement MEA stated India and Cyprus share close and timetested partnership The visit will build upon the ongoing momentum in bilateral relations reflecting the shared commitment of both sides to further deepen cooperation including in the wider IndiaEU context The two countries will mark 65 years of diplomatic relations on 10 February 2027IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-and-cyprus-vow-to-combat-terrorism-elevate-bilateral-ties-to-strategic-partnership-674910.html Fri, 22 May 2026 16:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bluru-college-student-raped-at-part-time-workplace-police-probe-on-674816.html Bengaluru May 21 A college student who works parttime was allegedly raped at the workplace by a friend of her employers said officials on Thursday adding that the case is being investigated The case was reported within the limits of the Madiwala police station in Bengaluru on WednesdayAccording to the police the victim stated that the incident took place on May 11 After attending college the victim worked at a momos shop She alleged that a man identified as Hynash who was known to her through the shop committed the crimeThe victim stated that the owners of the momos shop Atul and Ghosh along with Hynash had gathered for a party She alleged that while Atul and Ghosh had gone out for dinner the accused committed the crime around midnight The victim further claimed that the accused threatened her against approaching the police or filing a complaintAccording to the complaint the accused was acting as a middleman assisting the owners in selling the momos shop The victim has filed a complaint against three persons and further alleged that despite filing the complaint no action has been initiated by the jurisdictional policeIt can be recalled that police recently arrested two men in Bengaluru South who sexually assaulted two orphaned girls aged 11 and 12 for over a year The abusers recorded these acts and uploaded them to social media for financial gain leading to their apprehension following an alert from the National Cyber Crime Reporting PortalIn another case the authorities arrested five individuals in connection with the alleged drugging and gangrape of a 19yearold college student at a villa in Jakkur in Bengaluru The initial complaint also involved counterclaims of extortion and a honey trap which prompted an extensive police inquiry into both partiesThe 19yearold victim a college student had alleged that she was gangraped by two men after being forced to consume an intoxicating substance at a private villa in a posh area of Bengaluru police said The survivor a firstyear BA student originally from Tirupur in Tamil Nadu had been living in the city for the past five months for her studiesThe woman alleged that at the party the two accused forced her to consume a pinkcoloured tablet following which she began feeling dizzy and disoriented before losing consciousnessAccording to her complaint she was later sexually assaulted inside a room at the villa She told police that she regained partial consciousness during the incident and subsequently found herself confined inside the room IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bluru-college-student-raped-at-part-time-workplace-police-probe-on-674816.html Thu, 21 May 2026 14:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/tn-cabinet-expansion-reshapes-vijay-govt-portfolios-distributed-as-23-new-ministers-take-over-674818.html Chennai May 21 In a major political and administrative exercise aimed at strengthening governance and broadening representation Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Thursday carried out the first major expansion of the Tamil Nadu Cabinet inducting 23 new ministers and simultaneously restructuring key portfolios The move significantly expands the administrative structure of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVKled government that assumed office earlier this monthThe cabinet expansion comes less than two weeks after the formation of the Vijayled government and is being viewed as an effort to accommodate regional social and alliance considerations while filling several important departments that had remained unassigned during the initial phase of government formationAmong the politically significant developments was the inclusion of Congress representatives in the ministryS Rajesh Kumar of Killiyoor and P Viswanathan of Melur were inducted into the cabinet marking Congressâ entry into the Tamil Nadu government after nearly six decadesRajesh Kumar was assigned the Tourism portfolio while Viswanathan was given charge of Higher Education including Technical Education Electronics Science and TechnologyApart from the induction of new faces the government also revised responsibilities among senior ministersChief Minister Vijay retained core departments including Home Police and General Administration while adding Special Initiatives and Poverty Alleviationrelated subjects under his direct controlMinister N Anand relinquished poverty alleviation responsibilities while R Nirmalkumarâs Law and Energy portfolios underwent modificationsA major reshuffle involved KA Sengottaiyan who was shifted from Finance to Revenue and Disaster ManagementThe crucial Finance Planning and Development portfolio has now been assigned to the newly inducted minister N Marie WilsonSeveral longpending sectors also received dedicated ministers Agriculture was assigned to Vinoth Housing to B Rajkumar Artificial Intelligence and Digital Services to Kumar R Labour Welfare and Skill Development to Mohamed Farvas and Social Welfare and Women Empowerment to JegadeshwariThe government also created dedicated responsibilities for NonResident Tamils Welfare and AIdriven digital governance initiativesOfficials said the expansion is expected to improve administrative efficiency while helping the government address sectorspecific priorities as it moves into its first full phase of governance IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/tn-cabinet-expansion-reshapes-vijay-govt-portfolios-distributed-as-23-new-ministers-take-over-674818.html Thu, 21 May 2026 14:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pahalgam-terror-attack-probe-pak-sought-propaganda-victory-then-scrambled-to-deny-role-fearing-indias-response-674819.html New Delhi May 21 India has managed to clearly establish a direct Pakistan hand in the Pahalgam attack in which 26 innocent lives were lost After a painstaking probe by the National Investigation Agency NIA it was established that the attack was handled from Lahore by Saifullah alias Sajid Jatt alias Langde a top operative of the LashkareTayiba A clear pattern has come to light before and after the terror attack that took place on April 22 2025 in which 26 people were killedInvestigations suggest that Pakistan had thought it would get away with the attack However as the international condemnation grew and India began preparing for a strong response the Pakistanis did not want to have anything to do with the attackAn official explained that it all began with the provocative statements made by Pakistanâs army chief Asim MunirMunir had said days before the attack during an Overseas Pakistanis Convention that Kashmir is our jugular vein it will be out jugular vein and we will not forget itHe also spoke about the twonation theory and highlighted explicitly the differences between Hindus and MuslimsThis was aimed at ideological division Prior to this he had spoken about war Munir said that three wars had been fought for Kashmir and if need be then ten more would be foughtAn official said that these statements were aimed at inciting violence and it went on to become the platform for the Pahalgam terror attack on IndiaThe official pointed out that the sequence of events post the Pahalgam attack had the Pakistanis worried All of a sudden they wanted to have nothing to do with the attack The NIA describes this clearly in its chargesheet when speaking about The Resistance Front The outfit which is an offshoot of the LashkareTayiba had claimed responsibility for the attack but immediately withdrewThe claim was made on a Telegram channel called âKashmir Fightâ However when the heat was up and the Pakistanis realised that the Narendra Modi government was planning harsh retaliation The Resistance Front withdrew its statement and claimed that its Telegram channel had been hackedAnother official explained that ideally The Resistance Front would have wanted to tomtom about the attack and its capabilities in Jammu and Kashmir However the outfit was advised by the Pakistani establishment to withdraw that statementAfter having withdrawn the statement the Pakistanis indulged in a false flag narrative It wanted to send out a message that the attack was carried out by someone else and there was no Pakistani link to itAnother key aspect that played on the minds of the Pakistanis was the change of doctrine India said that an act of terror would not be treated as crossborder terror but as an act of war It was clear that despite Asim Munirâs tall claims about being ready for ten more wars the Pakistan army was clearly not ready or prepared for a fight with IndiaThis explains the false flag narrative the official added The NIAâs probe found that the Telegram channel âKashmir Fightâ was being operated from Battagram area in Pakistans Khyber Pakhtunkhwa KPA second channel called The Resistance FrontOfFcial which was also used to guide the Pahalgam attack was being operated from Rawalpindi according to the probe by the NIAThe mobile phones that were recovered from the Pahalgam attackers who were killed during Operation Mahadev also helped the NIA establish the Pakistan linkOne of the phones was purchased online and sent to an address in Lahoreâs QaideAzam Industrial Estate The second phone was purchased from Karachi the NIA foundThe NIA said that the entire operation was managed staged and handled from Pakistan by Saifullah and this suggests the direct role of the LashkareTayibaThe NIA also identified two Pakistani locals Bashir Ahmed and Parvez who helped the Pakistani terrorists carry out the attack Further the NIA said that on April 15 and 16 the LashkareTayiba sent Faisal Jatt alias Suleiman Habib Tahir alias Chhotu and Hamza Afghani all Pakistanis to carry out a reconnaissance of the Baisaran Valley This helped them understand the security arrangements in the areaThe Pahalgam attack was then carried out on April 22 and during the entire duration of the strike the terrorists were provided real time information that included coordinates and other logistical dataIndia hit back by carrying out Operation Sindoor during which a significant number of terror infrastructure belonging to the LashkareTayiba JaisheMohammad and Hizbul Mujahideen were razed to rubble IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pahalgam-terror-attack-probe-pak-sought-propaganda-victory-then-scrambled-to-deny-role-fearing-indias-response-674819.html Thu, 21 May 2026 14:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bombs-threat-letter-found-outside-bjp-leaders-house-in-bengals-basirhat-674820.html Kolkata May 21 A crude bomb and a threatening letter were recovered from outside the residence of a BJP leader in West Bengals North 24 Parganas district on Thursday morning triggering panic in the area According to locals the incident occurred at Shasina village under Basirhat police station limits where BJP booth president Anil Baran Mallick resides Miscreants allegedly took advantage of the darkness during the night and left two crude bombs at the entrance of his house before fleeing The matter came to light early on Thursday morning when Mallick opened the door and spotted the explosives The discovery led to tension in the area as villagers gathered at the spot and informed the police Locals informed the police about the incidentPolice personnel along with central forces deployed in the region rushed to the site and safely removed the explosives A threatening letter and bottles tied to the balcony grille were also found which according to the BJP leader indicated earlier attempts at intimidationAnil Baran Mallick claimed he has been associated with the BJP for nearly two decades and had not faced threats earlier While he did not name anyone directly he alleged that political rivalry could be behind the incident Anil claimed that the miscreants are angry because he has been working as the BJP booth president for a long time When asked directly who is behind this he said I have not seen anyone with my own eyes so I do not want to increase enmity by taking any name But now who else but the Trinamool CongressLocal BJP workers condemned the incident and demanded enhanced security for Mallick alleging fear among residents Police said a case has been registered based on a written complaint and an investigation is underway Additional security has been deployed in the area and route marches are being conducted to restore public confidenceBhaskar Chowdhury a local BJP worker strongly condemned the incident saying BJP polled a huge number of votes on this booth this time And because of that the opposition party ie Trinamool Congress is angryPolice are also questioning locals to find out where the bombs were brought from and who entered the house in the middle of the night The police said that a case has been registered based on a written complaint and an investigation has been launched The administration has assured that no one will be spared IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bombs-threat-letter-found-outside-bjp-leaders-house-in-bengals-basirhat-674820.html Thu, 21 May 2026 14:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-arrives-in-delhi-after-successfully-concluding-five-nation-tour--674826.html New Delhi May 21 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to New Delhi on Thursday morning after concluding a highprofile fivenation diplomatic tour that covered the United Arab Emirates UAE the Netherlands Sweden Norway and ItalyThe Prime Minister began his overseas visit on May 15 from the UAE and completed the final leg in Italy on May 20 marking a closely watched diplomatic outreach aimed at strengthening Indias global partnershipsThe tour was strategically focused on securing longterm energy supplies expanding technology collaborations and enhancing Indias economic and strategic engagement with European and West Asian partnersIn the UAE India signed key agreements to ensure longterm LPG supply arrangements and strengthen strategic petroleum reserves The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company Abu Dhabi National Oil Company was also permitted to expand crude storage capacity in India to 30 million barrels The UAE further committed investments worth USD 5 billion in IndiaIndia and the Netherlands signed 17 agreements spanning defence cooperation critical minerals and green hydrogen initiatives During the visit PM Modi also visited the Afsluitdijk dam to study Dutch expertise in flood control and water management systemsDuring his visit to Sweden from May 1718 India and Sweden elevated their bilateral relations to the level of a Strategic Partnership Prime Minister Modi also addressed the European Round Table for Industry alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and was conferred Swedens prestigious Royal Order of the Polar Star Degree Commander Grand CrossPM Modi arrived in Norway on May 19 marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country in 43 years He participated in the 3rd IndiaNordic Summit in Oslo where he engaged with leaders from Denmark Norway Finland Iceland and Sweden on cooperation in areas such as green technology and artificial intelligence He was also awarded the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of MeritDuring PM Modis visit to Italy both nations upgraded their bilateral ties to a Special Strategic Partnership with an ambition to expand trade to 20 billion by 2029nbspThe two sides signed agreements covering agriculture financial crime prevention and mobility of Indian healthcare professionals to Italy Highlevel discussions with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also advanced cooperation on the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Corridor IMECThe visit underscored Indias growing diplomatic engagement with key global partners with a strong emphasis on energy security innovation climate cooperation and expanded trade relations across regionsIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-arrives-in-delhi-after-successfully-concluding-five-nation-tour--674826.html Thu, 21 May 2026 14:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/37-mp-districts-under-severe-heatwave-alert-khajuraho-sizzles-at-474-degrees-674828.html Bhopal May 21 Madhya Pradesh is reeling under an intense heatwave with maximum temperatures remaining significantly above normal across the state A total of 37 districts have been placed under heatwave alerts for the coming days The western parts of the state recorded maximum temperatures between 42 and 44 degrees Celsius on May 20 while eastern Madhya Pradesh saw temperatures ranging from 43 to 45 degrees CelsiusThe highest temperature of 474 degrees Celsius was registered in Khajuraho sending alarm bells ringing among authorities and residents alikeHeatwave conditions were officially recorded in Satna Khajuraho Mandla Nougong and Damoh The India Meteorological Departmentâs Meteorological Centre in Bhopal has warned that on Thursday most parts of the state are likely to experience maximum temperatures between 43 and 45 degrees Celsius with several districts expected to remain under severe heatwave influenceA total of 37 districts have been placed under heatwave alerts for the coming days These include Bhopal Raisen Vidisha Sehore Burhanpur Khandwa Khargone Ratlam Shajapur Agar Malwa Mandsaur Neemuch Guna Ashoknagar Shivpuri Gwalior Morena Sheopur Shahdol Jabalpur Narsinghpur Mandla Katni Umaria Balaghat Dindori Anuppur Mauganj Satna Panna Damoh Sagar Chhatarpur Tikamgarh and NiwariThe heat index is also expected to remain high increasing discomfort and health risks for the populationMeteorologists have attributed the prevailing conditions to the ongoing dry spell and absence of any significant weather system that could bring relief in the immediate futureDaytime temperatures are likely to stay elevated making outdoor activities particularly challenging during peak afternoon hoursHealth authorities have issued detailed advisories urging citizens to take necessary precautions Residents have been advised to drink plenty of water and stay well hydrated while avoiding direct exposure to sunlight between noon and 4 pmThe use of lightcoloured loose cotton clothing head covers umbrellas and sunglasses is strongly recommendedPeople should avoid strenuous physical activities during the hottest parts of the day and take frequent breaks in shaded or cool areasThe administration has appealed to citizens to remain vigilant especially the elderly children and those with preexisting health conditionsWith temperatures showing no immediate signs of abatement officials have urged people to follow weather updates from the India Meteorological Department IMD and local authorities closely to ensure their safety during this intense summer spell IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/37-mp-districts-under-severe-heatwave-alert-khajuraho-sizzles-at-474-degrees-674828.html Thu, 21 May 2026 15:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/jampk-police-review-security-cybercrime-in-rajouri-poonch-range-674830.html Jammu May 21 Deputy Inspector General of Police DIG RajouriPoonch range in Jammu and Kashmir Sandeep Wazir on Thursday chaired a highlevel meeting to review security cybercrime and modern policing Police said a comprehensive DGPIGP Conference was organised at the District Police Office Poonch under the chairmanship of Sandeep WazirThe conference was attended by Shafket Hussain SSP Poonch Additional SP ops Poonch all supervisory officers Station House Officers and other officers from across the districtThe conference served as an important platform for reviewing the prevailing security scenario and deliberating upon various operational investigative and administrative aspects of policingOfficers delivered detailed presentations and lectures on diverse professional subjects through PowerPoint presentations highlighting contemporary challenges and best practices in policingThe deliberations primarily focused on crime prevention counterterrorism strategies narcotics control measures cybercrime investigation public grievance redressal mechanisms modern policing techniques quality investigation standards and strengthening community policing initiativesSpecial emphasis was laid on enhancing professional competence ensuring effective law enforcement and improving public outreach The meeting also reviewed the progress of antidrug operations being conducted under the ongoing âNasha Mukt Jammu amp Kashmir AbhiyaanâDiscussions were held regarding coordinated efforts to combat the menace of drug trafficking dismantle narcotics networks and spread awareness among the youth regarding the harmful effects of substance abuseAddressing the officers DIG RajouriPoonch Range stressed maintaining the highest standards of professionalism discipline operational preparedness and peoplefriendly policing He underscored the importance of effective supervision timely disposal of public grievances and optimum use of technology in policing to improve efficiency transparency and public trustThe DIG further directed officers to remain vigilant and proactive in tackling emerging security challenges cyberrelated offences and other criminal activities He also emphasised the need for better coordination among various police units and security agencies to strengthen the overall security grid in the districtThe conference concluded with detailed deliberations on improving fieldlevel policing enhancing intelligence coordination strengthening investigation standards and ensuring a robust and responsive policing mechanism across District Poonch IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/jampk-police-review-security-cybercrime-in-rajouri-poonch-range-674830.html Thu, 21 May 2026 15:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/omcs-dismiss-fuel-and-lpg-shortage-concerns-urge-public-not-to-rely-on-rumours-674838.html New Delhi May 21 IANS Indias leading staterun oil marketing companies OMCs HPCL IOCL and BPCL on Thursday assured customers that petrol diesel and LPG supplies remain stable across the country while urging people not to rely on rumours or unverified social media messages regarding fuel shortagesnbspTaking to the microblogging platform X Indian Oil Corporation IndianOil Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited HPCL and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited BPCL said fuel distribution networks are functioning normally with adequate stock availability and regular replenishmentHPCL clarified that fuel and LPG supplies remain stable across Rajasthan Karnataka and parts of Uttarakhand despite rumours of shortages and restrictions circulating on social mediaThe company said all retail outlets in Rajasthan including Jaipur are operating normally with continuous replenishment and adequate fuel stocksAccording to HPCL petrol supplies in Rajasthan increased 19 per cent between May 1 and May 20 compared to historical sales while diesel supplies rose 245 per cent during the same periodThe company further dismissed reports regarding fuel shortages in Uttarakhands Augustmuni and Guptkashi areas stating that nearby retail outlets currently have sufficient stock availability and no restrictions have been imposed on fuel salesSeparately HPCL said LPG supplies across Karnataka remain stable despite enforcement action against black marketing and irregularitiesThe Karnataka government has seized 1874 LPG cylinders and initiated cases against irregular activities as of May 19 2026 the company saidSimilarly IndianOil said its retail outlets across the country continue to maintain sufficient supplies of petrol and diesel to ensure uninterrupted availability for consumersIndianOils network continues to ensure adequate Petrol MS and Diesel HSD supplies across the country Drive responsibly refuel calmly and trust only verified information the company said in a post on XMeanwhile BPCL clarified that fuel availability at its retail outlet in Kaladhungi in Uttarakhands Nainital district remains normal and adequately positioned to meet demandThe company said current fuel stocks at the outlet are sufficient to cater to nearly four days of regular sales requirementsBPCL added that fresh replenishment supplies have also been received ensuring uninterrupted availability of petrol and dieselAdditionally the OMCs requested customers to avoid panic buying and depend only on official communication channels for verified information regarding fuel suppliesIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/omcs-dismiss-fuel-and-lpg-shortage-concerns-urge-public-not-to-rely-on-rumours-674838.html Thu, 21 May 2026 15:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/re-polling-begins-for-bengals-falta-assembly-constituency-674759.html Kolkata May 21 Repolling commenced for Falta Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas district in West Bengal from 7 am on Thursday under a blanket security coverage provided by the 35 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces CAPF personnel a number significantly high for a single constituency The polling process had been peaceful till the time the report was filedWith Trinamool Congress candidate Jahangir Khan announcing his withdrawal from the contest recently political observers feel that a victory in the Falta repolling has now become a cakewalk for the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP which if won would thus improve the partys tally in the West Bengal Assembly to 208Last week Khan announced his decision to withdraw from the contest expressing solidarity with the new development package for Falta as announced by the new and ninth Chief Minister Suvendu AdhikariHowever the CEOs office clarified that irrespective of Khans announcement his name would remain as a Trinamool Congress candidate in the repoll and continue to appear on the EVMPolling for the Falta Assembly constituency had already been conducted once on April 29 On May 21 it will just be a repoll So nothing else changes including the candidates contesting from Falta the CEOs office insider saidObservers suggest that it will be interesting to see whether the vote percentages for the CPIM and Congress candidates in the Falta Assembly seat improve remain the same or decline compared to the previous electionsOn April 29 several complaints of alleged electoral malpractices emerged from Falta At several polling booths the EVM buttons corresponding to the names and symbols of BJP candidates were allegedly covered with white tapeSubsequently special poll observer Subrata Gupta currently serving as advisor to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari personally visited Falta and conducted an inquiry into the allegationsBased on Guptas findings the Election Commission of India ECI ordered repolling across the entire Falta Assembly constituency IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/re-polling-begins-for-bengals-falta-assembly-constituency-674759.html Thu, 21 May 2026 12:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/adani-power-to-acquire-24-pc-stake-in-jaiprakash-power-thermal-power-assets-for-rs-4-194-crore-674767.html Ahmedabad May 21 Adani Power on Thursday said it has entered into definitive agreements with Jaiprakash Associates Ltd JAL to acquire a 24 per cent stake in Jaiprakash Power Ventures Ltd JPVL and the 180 MW Churk thermal power plant in Uttar Pradesh under the NCLTapproved resolution plan for JAL In a stock exchange filing the Adani Group company said it has executed a Share Purchase Agreement to acquire JALâs 24 per cent holding in Jaiprakash Power Ventures Ltd for about Rs 29936 croreSeparately it has entered into a Business Transfer Agreement to purchase JALâs 180 MW Churk thermal power station in Sonbhadra along with associated assets including an 1149 per cent stake in Prayagraj Power Generation Company Ltd for Rs 1200 croreThe company noted that the transactions are part of the NCLTapproved resolution plan for Jaiprakash Associates Ltd under which Adani Enterprises Ltd is the resolution applicant and Adani Power is acting as one of the implementing entitiesAdani Power had earlier indicated its interest in participating in the resolution process and said the latest agreements formalise the asset acquisition under the approved frameworkThe deals will be completed in cash and are expected to be concluded on the âeffective dateâ defined under the resolution plan which is linked to the implementation timeline following regulatory approvals according to the exchange filingThe Competition Commission of India CCI had cleared the transaction in August 2025 while the NCLTâs Allahabad Bench approved the resolution plan in March 2026The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal NCLAT later upheld the order in May 2026JPVL operates a portfolio of thermal and hydropower assets with a combined capacity of 2220 MW along with interests in coal mining sand mining and cement grindingThe Churk plant is a 180 MW thermal power facility located in Uttar Pradeshâs Sonbhadra district IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/adani-power-to-acquire-24-pc-stake-in-jaiprakash-power-thermal-power-assets-for-rs-4-194-crore-674767.html Thu, 21 May 2026 12:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bangladeshi-national-living-illegally-in-lucknow-for-14-years-arrested-674771.html Lucknow May 21 A Bangladeshi national who had allegedly been living illegally in Lucknow for nearly 14 years was arrested by police from the Bakshi Ka Talab BKT area The accused has been identified as Arup Bakshi a native of Devbhog in Bangladeshâs Narail district According to the BKT police the accused had been residing in India after illegally entering the country in 2012 through Nepal and the Lakhimpur Kheri route Police said that he managed to stay in the country by obtaining forged Indian identity documentsSubInspector Yogendra Kumar of BKT Police Station lodged an FIR against the accused following a confidential complaint and subsequent investigation Acting on the findings police arrested Arup Bakshi and recovered an Aadhaar card a mobile phone and several other documents from his possessionDuring the investigation police found that after entering India illegally Arup initially stayed with Dr Swapna Biswas a resident of Udrauli village under the Maholi police station limits in Sitapur district During his stay there he allegedly procured several forged documents including a voter ID card driving licence Aadhaar card and opened a bank account Later he reportedly obtained an Indian passport as wellPolice further stated that between 2014 and 2015 the accused started living as a tenant at the residence of advocate Mrityunjay Singh Chauhan in Maa Durgapuram Colony near Asti Crossing in the BKT areaIn 2019 Arup allegedly purchased an 800squarefoot plot in Mamapur Bana village using forged documents Investigators also revealed that he had been operating a clinic without possessing a valid medical degree and was allegedly collecting money from people under the pretext of providing treatmentDuring interrogation the accused reportedly confessed that he had obtained all the forged documents while residing in Sitapur Police are now preparing a list of his associates and close contacts in Sitapur and are also investigating the people he was in contact with in Lucknow IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bangladeshi-national-living-illegally-in-lucknow-for-14-years-arrested-674771.html Thu, 21 May 2026 12:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/adani-ports-to-acquire-jaypee-fertilizers-for-rs-1-500-crore-under-jal-resolution-674774.html Ahmedabad May 21 Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd APSEZ on Thursday said it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Jaypee Fertilizers amp Industries Ltd JFIL for Rs 1500 crore as part of the NCLTapproved resolution plan for Jaiprakash Associates Ltd JAL In a regulatory filing the Adani Group company said it has entered into a share purchase agreement with JAL to acquire 100 per cent shareholding in JFIL which is the holding company of Kanpur Fertilizers and Chemicals Ltd KFCLThe acquisition would give APSEZ indirect control over KFCL which owns around 243 acres of industrial and commercial land in Kanpur that is considered strategically suitable for the development of a logistics park and warehousing facilities the filing saidAccording to APSEZ the transaction aligns with its strategy to strengthen inland logistics operations and expand service capabilities in north IndiaThe acquisition also supports the companyâs broader target of increasing its multimodal logistics park MMLP network from 12 to 16 and expanding warehousing capacity nearly fourfold by 2031The acquisition is being undertaken under the approved resolution plan submitted by Adani Enterprises Ltd for debtridden JAL where APSEZ is acting as one of the implementing entitiesThe transaction is expected to be completed on the effective date under the resolution plan which is expected within 90 days from the NCLT approval granted on March 17 2026Notably the Competition Commission of India had approved the transaction in August 2025 while the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal NCLAT upheld the resolution plan in May 2026Separately Adani Power said it has entered into definitive agreements with JAL to acquire a 24 per cent stake in Jaiprakash Power Ventures Ltd JPVL and the 180 MW Churk thermal power plant in Uttar PradeshShares of Adani Ports on Thursday rose 124 per cent to hit an intraday high of Rs 179550 apiece on the BSE IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/adani-ports-to-acquire-jaypee-fertilizers-for-rs-1-500-crore-under-jal-resolution-674774.html Thu, 21 May 2026 12:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-transport-strike-unions-demand-fare-revision-amid-rising-fuel-costs-674775.html New Delhi May 21 Truck taxi and autorickshaw drivers in the national capital began a threeday strike on Thursday demanding a revision in fares and relief from rising fuel prices and operational expenses The strike which will continue until May 23 is likely to impact transport services across DelhiNCR Drivers participating in the protest said that despite working for nearly 12 hours a day they are struggling financially due to stagnant fares and the continuous increase in the prices of diesel petrol and CNGSpeaking about the strike a truck driver said that transport workers have been demanding a fare hike for several yearsâOur fares have not been increased for a long time which means our wages have also remained stagnant At the same time diesel petrol and CNG prices have continued to rise and even the prices of food essentials have increased We have gone on strike to demand higher fares and better wagesâ he saidA cab driver expressed similar concerns saying âWe work throughout the night but are unable to save even Rs 500 From that amount we have to manage household expenses such as cooking oil vegetables and other essentialsâAnother cab driver told IANS that earlier they somehow managed to survive but now their financial condition has worsened considerably Our accounts are almost empty now Fuel prices have increased but if we raise fares customers face problems We are completely dependent on this work for survivalâ he addedA taxi driver at Delhi Airport also spoke about the impact of rising fuel costs âThe number of taxis is currently low and people are saying there could be a complete strike Diesel petrol and CNG prices have increased significantly Passengers are unwilling to pay higher fares making it difficult for us to operate vehiclesâ he saidThe impact of the strike was visible at Delhiâs Indira Gandhi International Airport where fewer taxis were seen compared to a normal day However passengers did not face major inconvenience as cabs operated by several appbased companies continued to functionDrivers at the airport stated that while the number of taxis had reduced fare rates had not yet been revised They blamed rising fuel prices for triggering the agitation and said the full impact of the strike could become visible later in the dayMore than 68 transport unions under the banners of the All India Motor Transport Congress AIMTC and the United Front of All Transport Associations UFTA are expected to participate in the âchakka jamâ protestEarlier this week the AIMTC wrote to Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta listing several demandsThe unions are demanding an increase in taxi fares a rollback of the Enhanced Congestion Charges ECC and reconsideration of restrictions imposed on commercial vehicles According to the unions taxi fares in DelhiNCR have remained unchanged for nearly 15 years despite a sharp rise in fuel prices and operational costsTransport unions have warned that if the Delhi government fails to issue a notification regarding fare revision within the next two weeks the agitation will be intensified further IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-transport-strike-unions-demand-fare-revision-amid-rising-fuel-costs-674775.html Thu, 21 May 2026 12:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sriganganagar-hottest-at-465-degrees-heatwave-to-intensify-in-rajasthan-674780.html Jaipur May 21 The Meteorological Department on Thursday warned of severe heatwave conditions in several districts of Rajasthan for the next four days Sriganganagar has emerged as the hottest city in the state in the last 24 hours recording a maximum temperature of 465 degrees Celsius Pilani in Jhunjhunu was the second hottest at 453 degrees CelsiusPhalodi and Bikaner recorded 448 degrees Celsius Churu 445 degrees Celsius Kota and Alwar 442 degrees Celsius and Chittorgarh 44 degrees CelsiusMost cities in Jaipur Jodhpur Bikaner Bharatpur and Kota divisions remained in the grip of heatwave conditionsThe Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for heatwave conditions in more than half of Rajasthan for the next three to four days with little relief expected from the scorching temperaturesAmid the rising heat preventive measures are being taken in several cities Water is being continuously sprinkled near Zorawar Singh Gate on Amer Road in Jaipur to reduce surface temperaturesIn Kota water is being sprayed morning and evening at some cattle shelters to protect animals from the intense heatFurther Sirohi recorded a maximum temperature of 39 degrees Celsius while Pratapgarh recorded 396 degrees Celsius making them among the few districts to remain below the 40degree mark on TuesdaySirohi in fact also recorded a minimum temperature of 218 degrees Celsius making it the lowest temperature in the state in the last 24 hoursJaipur recorded a slight fall in temperature on Wednesday but residents continued to face intense heat throughout the day The city recorded a maximum temperature of 425 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 311 degrees Celsius over the past 24 hoursAlwar continued to reel under temperatures close to 45 degrees Celsius for the third consecutive day The Municipal Corporation sprinkled water on roads and installed tents at several places to provide shade to pedestrians and commutersAjmer experienced severe heat and humidity from morning The district recorded a maximum temperature of 409 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 286 degrees CelsiusTraffic remained sparse during afternoon hours as residents tried to avoid the scorching conditionsThe Shekhawati region including Sikar district has been facing continuous heatwave conditions for the past six days On Wednesday Sikar recorded a maximum temperature of 43 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 244 degrees CelsiusHot winds and rising temperatures have disrupted normal life in most parts of the state with roads remaining deserted during the peak afternoon hours IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sriganganagar-hottest-at-465-degrees-heatwave-to-intensify-in-rajasthan-674780.html Thu, 21 May 2026 12:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/adani-power-to-buy-24-stake-in-jaiprakash-power-ventures-thermal-assets-for-4-194-crore-674787.html Ahmedabad May 21 IANS Adani Power on Thursday said it has entered into definitive agreements with Jaiprakash Associates Ltd JAL to acquire a 24 per cent stake in Jaiprakash Power Ventures Ltd JPVL and the 180 MW Churk thermal power plant in Uttar Pradesh under the NCLTapproved resolution plan for JALnbspIn a stock exchange filing the Adani Group company said it has executed a Share Purchase Agreement to acquire JALs 24 per cent holding in Jaiprakash Power Ventures Ltd for about Rs 29936 croreSeparately it has entered into a Business Transfer Agreement to purchase JALs 180 MW Churk thermal power station in Sonbhadra along with associated assets including an 1149 per cent stake in Prayagraj Power Generation Company Ltd for Rs 1200 croreThe company noted that the transactions are part of the NCLTapproved resolution plan for Jaiprakash Associates Ltd under which Adani Enterprises Ltd is the resolution applicant and Adani Power is acting as one of the implementing entitiesAdani Power had earlier indicated its interest in participating in the resolution process and said the latest agreements formalise the asset acquisition under the approved frameworkThe deals will be completed in cash and are expected to be concluded on the effective date defined under the resolution plan which is linked to the implementation timeline following regulatory approvals according to the exchange filingThe Competition Commission of India CCI had cleared the transaction in August 2025 while the NCLTs Allahabad Bench approved the resolution plan in March 2026The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal NCLAT later upheld the order in May 2026JPVL operates a portfolio of thermal and hydropower assets with a combined capacity of 2220 MW along with interests in coal mining sand mining and cement grindingThe Churk plant is a 180 MW thermal power facility located in Uttar Pradeshs Sonbhadra districtIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/adani-power-to-buy-24-stake-in-jaiprakash-power-ventures-thermal-assets-for-4-194-crore-674787.html Thu, 21 May 2026 12:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/robber-injured-two-policemen-hurt-in-encounter-in-bihars-kishanganj-674792.html Patna May 21 A suspected robber was injured and two police personnel sustained gunshot wounds during a latenight encounter in Biharâs Kishanganj district police said on Thursday The exchange of fire took place near the Faringola railway crossing in Chauhan Basti under the Town Police Station limits on Wednesday night during an operation against an alleged motorcycle theft gangAccording to officials the gang was led by Pawan Kumar alias Chintu who is wanted in multiple criminal cases across several districts of Bihar Acting on intelligence inputs a police team launched an operation after learning that the suspects had gathered in the area to plan a major crimeTwo police personnel Nitish Kumar and Mushtaq sustained gunshot injuries during the exchange of fire Both officers were immediately shifted to the Sadar Hospital where they are currently undergoing treatmentOfficials said that during the operation Pawan Kumar alias Chintu allegedly opened fire on the police team triggering a retaliatory exchange of gunfire from both sides In the police counteraction the accused sustained a bullet injury to his leg and was subsequently apprehended He was later taken to the hospital for treatment alongside the injured police personnelSantosh Kumar the SP of Kishanganj stated that the accused has a criminal history and had been under police surveillance for several days after his photograph recently went viral in connection with criminal activitiesAccording to the SP dozens of criminal cases are registered against him in multiple districts and he has previously served jail time Police suspect he had arrived in Kishanganj along with associates to execute a major criminal actFollowing the incident District Magistrate Vishal Raj and SP Santosh Kumar rushed to the encounter site with a heavy police deployment and reviewed the situation in detailPolice have since cordoned off the entire area around the crime scene A Forensic Science Laboratory FSL team has also been called to collect scientific evidence from the siteRaids are underway to trace and apprehend the remaining accomplices who allegedly escaped during the encounter IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/robber-injured-two-policemen-hurt-in-encounter-in-bihars-kishanganj-674792.html Thu, 21 May 2026 12:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/fuel-dispensing-continues-without-curbs-in-maharashtra-674796.html Mumbai May 20 IANS Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies OMCs including Indian Oil Corporation Ltd IOCL Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd through State Level Coordinator Oil Industry for Maharashtra Mihir Joshi on Wednesday assured the people that the availability of essential petroleum products including petrol diesel and Liquefied Petroleum Gas LPG remains normal and uninterrupted across the stateThe overall fuel supply in Maharashtra continues to remain stable and adequate with all supply channels comprising terminals depots LPG bottling plants and retail outlets functioning efficientlyFuel stocks are being continuously monitored and replenishment activities are progressing seamlessly across all locations without any restrictions in line with prescribed safety and operational norms the statement saidAdequate stocks of petroleum products are available across the supply chain and replenishment is being carried out continuously to meet genuine consumer demand efficientlynbspLPG supplies to domestic consumers are also being maintained normally and deliveries are progressing smoothly across the statenbspPSU OMCs have appealed to the public to avoid panic buyingThe OMCs have also advised the public to rely only on official communications issued by the companies or government authorities for accurate and verified information regarding fuel availability the statement addednbspIn a bid to boost clean energy adoption residents of newly constructed buildings can now submit applications for Piped Natural Gas PNG connections on a collective or individual basis as applicablenbspSimultaneously City Gas Distribution CGD companies and their authorised distributors are launching largescale advertising campaigns across the state to encourage citizens to opt for new PNG connectionsnbspSince April 1 2026 a total of 94220 new PNG gas connections have been commissioned in Maharashtra marking one of the highest installation rates in the countryAccording to the statement to ensure the smooth and uninterrupted supply of petroleum products across Maharashtra and to curb black marketing and hoarding the state government has initiated strict vigilance measuresnbspDistrict Collectors have been directed to set up dedicated vigilance and mobile squads to conduct districtlevel inspections and raidsnbspndividuals involved in illegal activities such as the unauthorised use of domestic LPG hoarding and black marketing are facing stringent action under the Essential Commodities Act 1955As part of this statewide crackdown a total of 9494 raids were conducted up to May 17 2026nbspThese operations resulted in the seizure of 4449 cylinders due to distribution irregularitiesnbspAs many as 70 FIRs have been registered and 52 individuals have been taken into custodyIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/fuel-dispensing-continues-without-curbs-in-maharashtra-674796.html Thu, 21 May 2026 13:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bjp-accuses-karnataka-govt-of-prioritising-real-estate-development-over-bengalurus-safety-674798.html Bengaluru May 21 Senior BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly R Ashoka on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the state government alleging that it was more interested in attaching the Bengaluru tag to neighbouring districts to develop real estate rather than ensuring the safety and law and order situation in the state capital In a statement Ashoka alleged that if even âhalf the interestâ shown by the government in developing areas around Bengaluru had been shown towards public safety and law enforcement the Silicon City would not have turned into a âcrime cityâHe accused the government of neglecting Bengaluruâs development and law and order while focussing solely on developing neighbouring districtsâAs a result our proud Silicon City has turned into a crime city The capital of innovation is becoming the capital of crimesâ he allegedCiting crime statistics Ashoka alleged that Bengaluru ranked second in the country in murder cases among metropolitan cities with 176 murder cases registered in 2024He further alleged that crimes against women were on the rise stating that 4748 cases of atrocities against women including 16 gang rape cases had been registered in the cityâIs this the socalled âBrand Bengaluruââ he questionedAshoka also described Bengaluru as the âcyber crime capitalâ claiming that 17561 cyber crime cases were registered in a single year with cyber criminals looting the hardearned money of citizensReferring to drugrelated crimes he alleged that narcotic substances worth Rs 9869 crore including ganja and heroin had been seized but the drug mafia continued to operate fearlesslyThe BJP leader further claimed that even senior citizens were not safe in the city with 671 cases targeting elderly persons being registeredHe also expressed concern over the rise in juvenile crime cases stating that the number of such cases had increased from 200 in 2022 to 427 in 2023 while 386 cases had already been registered in 2024Questioning the state governmentâs Sadhana Samavesha celebrations Ashoka asked whether this was the governmentâs achievement and whether this represented its vision of Brand BengaluruHe alleged that while public safety in Bengaluru had collapsed Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar were more concerned about real estate gains in Tumakuru and Ramanagara districtsâThe government has lost the moral right to continue in powerâ he said adding that removing the Congress government had become essential for protecting Bengaluruâs dignity safety and future IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bjp-accuses-karnataka-govt-of-prioritising-real-estate-development-over-bengalurus-safety-674798.html Thu, 21 May 2026 13:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/12-day-saraswati-antya-pushkaralu-begins-in-telanganas-kaleshwaram-674799.html Hyderabad May 21 Saraswati Antya Pushkaralu began at Kaleshwaram in Jayashankar Bhupalapally district of Telangana on Thursday with Kanchi Math pontiff Sri Shankar Vijayendra Saraswati taking the first holy dip State Endowments Minister Konda Surekha IT and Industries Minister Dudilla Sridhar Babu and his wife and others also took the first sacred bath at 543 amAuthorities expect about 2030 lakh devotees to take part in the 12day holy event being held in Telangana for the first timeSaraswati River is a mystical subterranean stream that merges with the Godavari and Pranahita rivers at Kaleshwaram forming the sacred Triveni Sangam at Kaleshwaram It is one of the only two places in India along with Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh where this confluence occursTaking a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam is believed to wash away sins and free devotees from the cycle of rebirthMLAs Gandra Satyanarayana Rao and Malreddy Rangareddy Endowments Department Commissioner Hanumantha Rao District Collector Rahul Sharma religious advisor Govinda Hari and others also participated in the sacred bath A large number of devotees from various Telangana and other states are taking the holy dipAccording to an official release the district administration has made all arrangements to ensure devotees face no inconvenience All facilities such as security cleanliness drinking water medical services transportation and more have been provided District Collector Rahul Sharma stated that all departments are working in coordination to ensure devotees can perform their Pushkara Snanams comfortably and safely during this auspicious periodEarlier Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy called for the Saraswati Antya Pushkaralu to be observed with devotion and grandeur He stated that the state government has made extensive arrangements for the Saraswati Antya Pushkaralu to be held from May 21 to June 1 The CM has directed officials to ensure that devotees arriving for the Pushkara baths face no difficulties He instructed that traffic control be implemented without hindrance to the devotees movement Given the intense heat he advised devotees to take necessary precautions to protect their health IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/12-day-saraswati-antya-pushkaralu-begins-in-telanganas-kaleshwaram-674799.html Thu, 21 May 2026 13:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/biggest-ever-mass-surrender-in-jharkhand-as-27-maoists-lay-down-arms-674802.html Ranchi May 21 Security forces got major success in Jharkhand on Thursday as they secured the surrender of 27 Maoists marking the largest such collective surrender in the states history The group included 25 Maoists active in the Saranda and Kolhan regions of the state in West Singhbhum district along with two extremists from the banned Jharkhand Jan Mukti Parishad JJMP They laid down arms at the police headquarters in Ranchi in the presence of Director General of Police DGP Tadasha Mishra and senior officials of the police department and CRPFAmong those who surrendered were eight hardcore Maoists carrying cash rewards These included six cadres with a bounty of Rs 5 lakh each one with a reward of Rs 2 lakh and a woman cadre carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakhPolice said the surrendered extremists were involved in 426 serious cases across various police stations in the state These cases include charges of murder attacks on security forces extortion explosions and other armed activitiesDuring the surrender the cadres also handed over a large cache of arms and ammunition including one LMG INSAS four INSAS rifles nine SLRs a boltaction rifle a pistol 31 magazines 2987 live cartridges and eight walkietalkiesOfficials said the continued operations by security forces and the Jharkhand governmentâs surrender and rehabilitation policy played a key role in persuading them to return to the mainstream of societyThose who surrendered include seven subzonal commanders seven area commanders and 13 active cadres of the CPI Maoist Key surrendered Maoists include Gadi Munda alias Gulshan Nagendra Munda alias Prabhat Munda Rekha Munda alias Jayanti Sagen Angaria alias Dokol Suleman Hansda alias Suni Hansda and JJMP member Sachin BekOthers who returned to the mainstream include Darshan alias Binj Hansda Karan Tiu alias Dangur Basumati Jerai alias Basu Baijnath Munda Raghu Kayam alias Guna Kishore Sirka alias Durga Sirka and Ram Dayal MundaAmong the women cadres who surrendered are Vandana alias Shanti Sunita Sardar Sapna alias Suru Kalundia and Anisha Koda alias RaniPolice officials said all surrendered extremists would receive financial assistance and rehabilitation benefits under the state governmentâs policy Additional incentives will also be provided for depositing weaponsSenior officials present at the event included IG Pankaj Kamboj IG Prabhat Kumar IG Sunil Bansal IG Asim Vikrant Minz IG Anoop Birthare IG Mayur Patel Kanhaiyalal DIG Indrajeet Mehta DIG Manoj Ratan Chauthe DIG Kartik S Shailendra Barnwal SSP Rakesh Ranjan SP Harish Bin Juma and SP Saurabh among others IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/biggest-ever-mass-surrender-in-jharkhand-as-27-maoists-lay-down-arms-674802.html Thu, 21 May 2026 13:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/hyderabad-fire-breaks-out-in-shopping-complex-near-charminar-no-casualties-674804.html Hyderabad May 21 A huge fire broke out at a commercial complex near historic Charminar in Hyderabad on Thursday No casualties were reported The incident occurred in a garment shop and spread to adjoining shops on the first floor of SYJ Complex at Pathergatti near the busy Madina CrossroadsEight fire engines rushed to the spot to extinguish the fire Personnel from five different fire stations were mobilised to control the blazeFire services personnel and police brought the fire under control after strenuous efforts for two hoursDeputy Commissioner of Police Charminar Zone Kiran Khare and other senior officials supervised the firefighting operation which prevented the blaze from spreading to other shops Three shops were gutted in the fire Casualties were averted as the fire broke out before the shops opened for the day The complex has several shops banks and diagnostic centres The cause of the fire was not known Police said they were investigatingThe incident occurred a year after a devastating fire in the same area claimed the lives of 17 members of a pearl traderâs familyMeanwhile five shops were gutted in a fire in Telanganaâs Nagarkurnool district late on Wednesday nightThe fire broke out around midnight near Anjaneyaswamy temple in Maddimadugu in Padara mandal Police said the fire was caused by a short circuit Five shops a motorbike and other property were gutted in the blaze In another incident a huge fire erupted on the outskirts of Guntur in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh on ThursdayThe incident occurred at Teachersâ Colony near Inner Ring Road According to police pipelines used for underground drainage works caught fire in the morningMassive flames and dense smoke triggered panic among people in the area Fire services personnel and police rushed to the spot and were trying to douse the fireAccording to locals the pipelines were lying there for a long time due to a court case relating to underground drainage works A heap of garbage had piled up close to the pipelines IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/hyderabad-fire-breaks-out-in-shopping-complex-near-charminar-no-casualties-674804.html Thu, 21 May 2026 13:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-hc-raps-tantrik-based-probe-orders-change-of-investigating-officer-674811.html Jaipur May 21 The Rajasthan High Court has strongly criticised the police investigation into a jewellery theft case in Nagaur district after it emerged that the probe was influenced by a âtantrikâ witch doctor The court observed that a criminal investigation cannot be carried out on the dictates of a tantrik and ordered the removal of the investigating officer within 15 daysThe order was passed by the single bench of Justice Munnuri Laxman while hearing a petition filed by 80yearold petitioner Khemi Devi a resident of Utwalia village under Sri Balaji police station limits in Nagaur district The court directed the Nagaur Superintendent of Police to transfer the investigation from Sri Balaji police station to a subinspector or higherranking officer from another police stationAccording to the petition Khemi Devi had lodged an FIR on March 8 alleging theft of gold and silver jewellery belonging to her and her daughterinlaw from their home on the night of March 7 Her counsel advocate Manohar Singh Rathore told the court that despite being provided with the names of suspected persons the investigating officer Head Constable Ratiram failed to recover the stolen jewellery or identify the accusedThe petition further alleged that instead of relying on evidence the investigating officer resorted to superstition and allegedly visited a tantrik in Alwar district along with the daughterinlawâs father and some village eldersAccording to the petitioner the tantrik allegedly claimed that the daughterinlawâs father was involved in the theft after which the police began treating him as a suspect without any concrete evidence and attempted to frame him in the caseDuring the hearing Public Prosecutor Vikram Singh Rajpurohit appearing for the state government submitted a status report received from the Nagaur Superintendent of Police The report stated that the investigating officer had questioned several suspects and visited multiple places during the investigation While the prosecution denied that villagers had been taken to the tantrik it admitted that the investigating officer had visited the tantrikâs place in Alwar districtAfter examining the status report and hearing both sides Justice Munnuri Laxman observed that there was a possibility the investigation had been influenced or tainted by the tantrikâs opinionsThe court said an independent and impartial investigation was necessary to identify the actual culprits and held that under no circumstances could a criminal investigation be conducted at the behest of a tantrikOn these grounds the High Court ordered the removal of the present investigating officer and directed that the probe be handed over to another officer within 15 days IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-hc-raps-tantrik-based-probe-orders-change-of-investigating-officer-674811.html Thu, 21 May 2026 13:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kmc-restricts-access-to-birth-death-registration-portal-to-verify-certificates-issued-in-bengal-sir-period-674812.html Kolkata May 21 The birth and death registration portal of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation has been partially closed to verify certificates issued during the Special Intensive Revision SIR period said KMC officials on Thursday Insiders from the KMC said that during the SIR period there was an abnormal rise in the number of applications for backdated birth and death certificates for the purpose of being used as supporting documents in the revision exerciseHowever the sources said the new state government feels that there are high possibilities that the death and birth certificates issued during that SIR period might not be genuine and hence a decision has been taken to reverify them for which the portal has been partially closedExplaining the partial shutdown of the portal an insider from the KMC said that certain options will not be available for some timeâFor now data of the current cases of deaths and births can be uploaded and certificates will be available from the portal However for the time being old birth and death certificates or digital certificates will not be available from that portal At the same time duplicate copies of lost certificates might also not be available from the portal for the time being However the partial closure of the portal will be temporary and soon all the options will be available thereâ the KMC insider saidHowever he admitted that the public might face some problems because of the partial closure of the portal âThe reverification of the certificates issued during the SIR period is also necessary to ascertain whether the certificates issued then were genuine or notâ the KMC insider addedHowever he admitted that following the decision there is confusion among the public who are trying to access old data an option which has been disabled for the time being Due to this altercations between people and KMC employees are breaking out IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kmc-restricts-access-to-birth-death-registration-portal-to-verify-certificates-issued-in-bengal-sir-period-674812.html Thu, 21 May 2026 13:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pahalgam-terror-attack-probe-pak-sought-propaganda-victory-then-scrambled-to-deny-role-fearing-indias-response-674813.html New Delhi May 21 IANS India has managed to clearly establish a direct Pakistan hand in the Pahalgam attack in which 26 innocent lives were lost After a painstaking probe by the National Investigation Agency NIA it was established that the attack was handled from Lahore by Saifullah alias Sajid Jatt alias Langde a top operative of the LashkareTayibanbspnbspA clear pattern has come to light before and after the terror attack that took place on April 22 2025 in which 26 people were killedInvestigations suggest that Pakistan had thought it would get away with the attack However as the international condemnation grew and India began preparing for a strong response the Pakistanis did not want to have anything to do with the attackAn official explained that it all began with the provocative statements made by Pakistans army chief Asim MunirMunir had said days before the attack during an Overseas Pakistanis Convention that Kashmir is our jugular vein it will be out jugular vein and we will not forget itHe also spoke about the twonation theory and highlighted explicitly the differences between Hindus and MuslimsThis was aimed at ideological division Prior to this he had spoken about war Munir said that three wars had been fought for Kashmir and if need be then ten more would be foughtAn official said that these statements were aimed at inciting violence and it went on to become the platform for the Pahalgam terror attack on IndiaThe official pointed out that the sequence of events post the Pahalgam attack had the Pakistanis worried All of a sudden they wanted to have nothing to do with the attack The NIA describes this clearly in its chargesheet when speaking about The Resistance Front The outfit which is an offshoot of the LashkareTayiba had claimed responsibility for the attack but immediately withdrewThe claim was made on a Telegram channel called Kashmir Fight However when the heat was up and the Pakistanis realised that the Narendra Modi government was planning harsh retaliation The Resistance Front withdrew its statement and claimed that its Telegram channel had been hackedAnother official explained that ideally The Resistance Front would have wanted to tomtom about the attack and its capabilities in Jammu and Kashmir However the outfit was advised by the Pakistani establishment to withdraw that statementAfter having withdrawn the statement the Pakistanis indulged in a false flag narrative It wanted to send out a message that the attack was carried out by someone else and there was no Pakistani link to itAnother key aspect that played on the minds of the Pakistanis was the change of doctrine India said that an act of terror would not be treated as crossborder terror but as an act of war It was clear that despite Asim Munirs tall claims about being ready for ten more wars the Pakistan army was clearly not ready or prepared for a fight with IndiaThis explains the false flag narrative the official added The NIAs probe found that the Telegram channel Kashmir Fight was being operated from Battagram area in Pakistans Khyber Pakhtunkhwa KPA second channel called The Resistance FrontOfFcial which was also used to guide the Pahalgam attack was being operated from Rawalpindi according to the probe by the NIAThe mobile phones that were recovered from the Pahalgam attackers who were killed during Operation Mahadev also helped the NIA establish the Pakistan linkOne of the phones was purchased online and sent to an address in Lahores QaideAzam Industrial Estate The second phone was purchased from Karachi the NIA foundThe NIA said that the entire operation was managed staged and handled from Pakistan by Saifullah and this suggests the direct role of the LashkareTayibaThe NIA also identified two Pakistani locals Bashir Ahmed and Parvez who helped the Pakistani terrorists carry out the attack Further the NIA said that on April 15 and 16 the LashkareTayiba sent Faisal Jatt alias Suleiman Habib Tahir alias Chhotu and Hamza Afghani all Pakistanis to carry out a reconnaissance of the Baisaran Valley This helped them understand the security arrangements in the areaThe Pahalgam attack was then carried out on April 22 and during the entire duration of the strike the terrorists were provided real time information that included coordinates and other logistical dataIndia hit back by carrying out Operation Sindoor during which a significant number of terror infrastructure belonging to the LashkareTayiba JaisheMohammad and Hizbul Mujahideen were razed to rubbleIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pahalgam-terror-attack-probe-pak-sought-propaganda-victory-then-scrambled-to-deny-role-fearing-indias-response-674813.html Thu, 21 May 2026 13:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-hc-reserves-order-on-raghav-chadhas-interim-plea-against-removal-of-defamatory-content-674814.html New Delhi May 21 IANS The Delhi High Court on Thursday reserved its order on an interim application filed by Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha seeking the removal of allegedly defamatory and manipulated online content portraying that he sold himself for money after switching from the AAP to the BJPnbspA singlejudge Bench of Justice Subramonium Prasad orally observed that prima facie the content flagged by Chadha appeared to be criticism of a political decision and did not disclose any violation of personality rightsPrima facie there is no personality right involved in this case A decision taken by you in a political arena is being criticised the Delhi High Court remarked during the hearingIt further observed that the distinction between criticism and defamation was quite thin and indicated that the present matter may not warrant interim injunction on the basis of personality rightsJustice Prasad orally remarked that while personality rights protect against unauthorised commercial exploitation of an individuals persona they do not extend to shielding public figures from critique of their political actionsSenior advocate Rajiv Nayar appearing for Chadha contended that certain posts went beyond criticism and were defamatory in nature alleging that they falsely portrayed the MP as having sold himself for moneyThe senior counsel referred to images depicting the Prime Minister showering Chadha with cash and other morphed visualsNayar pressed for interim relief limited to the removal of such content arguing that the material was profane and damaging to Chadhas reputationHowever the Delhi High Court orally remarked that the issue raised may fall within the domain of defamation rather than personality rightsIt is not a defamation suit It is a suit on the basis of personality rights Justice Prasad said while suggesting that Chadha may seek amendment of the plaint if he intends to pursue defamation claimsAfter hearing submissions the Delhi High Court reserved its order on the plea seeking interim reliefChadha had moved the High Court seeking protection of his personality and publicity rights against the alleged unauthorised use and misuse of his name image likeness and identity across online and digital platforms including through AIgenerated deepfake and morphed contentThe plea also sought directions for removal of synthetic voice cloning fabricated speeches and manipulated digital content allegedly circulated after his recent switch from AAP to BJPThe Raghav Chadha case adds to a growing list of highprofile personalities invoking their personality and publicity rights before the Delhi High CourtIn recent months former cricketer and current head coach Gautam Gambhir former cricket captain Sunil Gavaskar spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar actors Arjun Kapoor Allu Arjun Nagarjuna Kajol Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan singer Jubin Nautiyal filmmaker Karan Johar podcaster Raj Shamani and Congress MP Shashi Tharoor have secured or sought court protection against the unauthorised use of their identity likeness or AIgenerated imitationsIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-hc-reserves-order-on-raghav-chadhas-interim-plea-against-removal-of-defamatory-content-674814.html Thu, 21 May 2026 14:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/nationwide-chemists-strike-today-against-online-sale-of-medicines-674594.html New Delhi May 20 Chemists across the country have called for a nationwide strike on Wednesday to protest against online pharmacies and the growing sale of medicines through digital platforms The agitation led by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists AIOCD is expected to disrupt medicine supply with more than 124 million private medical stores likely to remain closedChemistsâ associations have alleged that several epharmacy platforms are selling medicines without adequate regulatory oversight They claim that prescriptions are often not properly verified and that norms governing the storage and delivery of medicines are not strictly followed raising concerns over patient safety and quality controlThe protesting groups have warned that the unchecked expansion of online medicine sales could increase the risk of counterfeit drugs medication misuse and the unauthorised sale of prescription medicines Pharmacists have flagged issues such as the easy availability of narcotics and Schedule H drugs online without adequate checks which they say is contributing to misuse and societal harmAccording to pharmacy professionals traditional chemists operate under strict provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act which mandate prescription verification and limit the quantity of medicines dispensedIn contrast they claim that epharmacies often lack such safeguardsRavi Kumar associated with the Bihar Chemists and Druggists Association emphasised that uniform regulations should apply to both online and offline pharmacies to ensure patient safetyPrasanna Kumar Singh President of the Bihar Chemists and Druggists Association said that many medicines require strict temperaturecontrolled storage cold chain which is often compromised during online delivery via courier servicesHe warned that such lapses can reduce the efficacy of medicines and in some cases make them harmfulMeanwhile the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana PMBJP Kendras will remain operational ensuring uninterrupted access to medicinesThe decision was taken by the PMBJK Retailer Association which announced on Tuesday that Jan Aushadhi Kendras will continue to function particularly at major hospitals such as AIIMS and Patna Medical College and Hospital to avoid inconvenience to patients IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/nationwide-chemists-strike-today-against-online-sale-of-medicines-674594.html Wed, 20 May 2026 09:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-govt-transfers-17-ips-officers-sps-of-seven-districts-changed-674601.html Jaipur May 20 The Rajasthan government has carried out a major reshuffle in the police department transferring 17 IPS officers and replacing the Superintendents of Police SPs in seven districts The districts affected by the late Tuesday night reshuffle include Chittorgarh Bhilwara DidwanaKuchaman Nagaur Tonk Bharatpur and DausaAs part of the transfers Harendra Kumar Mahawar has been appointed Inspector General IG of the Kota Range a post that had been lying vacant Manish Tripathi has been shifted from Superintendent of Police SP Chittorgarh to SP ATS JaipurDharmendra Singh who was serving as SP Bhilwara has now been appointed SP ChittorgarhSagar previously posted as SP Dausa will take over as the new SP of BhilwaraGyan Chandra Yadav who was serving in the ATS has been appointed SP of DidwanaKuchamanRicha Tomar the outgoing SP of DidwanaKuchaman has been transferred as Commandant of the 11th Battalion of the RAC in DelhiRajesh Kumar Meena has been transferred from SP Tonk to SP Bharatpur while Roshan Meena has been shifted from SP Nagaur to SP TonkPiyush Dixit earlier posted as SP in the ACB Jaipur has now been appointed SP DausaLata Manoj Kumar has been transferred from the post of ADG Civil Rights AntiHuman Trafficking and Community Policing to ADG Community Policing and Public GrievancesKB Vandana who was awaiting posting after returning from central deputation on April 29 has been appointed IG CID Crime Branch JaipurParam Jyoti has been transferred from IG Crime Police Headquarters to IG RAC Jaipur Kaluram Rawat has been shifted from IG Civil Rights and AntiHuman Trafficking to IG TelecommunicationsThe latest reshuffle has seen some officers transferred again within a short span Harendra Kumar Mahawar and Kaluram Rawat had both been transferred earlier on February 23 Similarly Piyush Dixit who was appointed SP in the ACB on March 19 has now been shifted to Dausa within just two monthsShweta Dhankhar has been posted as DIG RAC Jaipur after serving as DIG Civil Rights at Police HeadquartersBhuvan Bhushan Yadav has been transferred from DIG ACB Bikaner to DIG SOG JaipurGordhan Lal Saunkariya has been shifted from SP Law and Order Police Headquarters to SP ACB JaipurAshima Vaswani has been transferred from SP Mavli to ASP Bharatpur CityAdditionally ADG Police Headquarters Hawa Singh Ghumaria has been given additional charge of ADG Civil Rights and AntiHuman Trafficking IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-govt-transfers-17-ips-officers-sps-of-seven-districts-changed-674601.html Wed, 20 May 2026 09:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/youth-shot-dead-in-northeast-delhi-police-suspect-personal-rivalry-674602.html New Delhi May 20 A 22yearold man was shot dead during the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday in the Welcome police station area of northeast Delhi officials said The incident took place near Keshav Chowk where unidentified assailants allegedly intercepted the victim while he was riding a scooter and opened fire at him from close range The deceased has been identified as Amanullah Qureshi a resident of Gurdwara Mohalla in MaujpurAccording to police officials and eyewitness accounts Amanullah was travelling towards Shahdara on his scooter late at night when the attackers who were allegedly waiting near Keshav Chowk targeted himThe assailants fired multiple rounds at the victim seriously injuring him He collapsed on the road soon after the attack The sound of gunfire created panic in the area and drew residents to the spotResidents immediately informed the police about the incident after which Delhi Police personnel reached the scene and shifted the injured man to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital for treatment However doctors declared him dead after examination officials saidThe murder has created fear and tension in the surrounding locality with heavy police deployment made in the area following the incidentDuring the preliminary investigation police indicated that the murder may have stemmed from personal enmity or an old dispute involving the deceased and the attackers However officials said the exact motive behind the crime is still being ascertained and all possible angles are being investigatedPolice teams are examining CCTV footage collected from cameras installed near the crime scene in an effort to identify the accused persons and trace their movements before and after the attackInvestigators are also questioning locals and eyewitnesses who may have seen the assailants or have information related to the incidentOfficials said several empty shell casings were recovered from the spot during the inspection The recovered evidence has been sent to the forensic team for detailed examinationThe body has been sent for postmortem examination and officials said the report is expected to provide crucial details related to the nature of injuries and other aspects connected to the murderAccording to police multiple teams have been constituted to identify and arrest the accused persons involved in the shooting and raids are being conducted at various locationsPolice said that an FIR has been registered at Welcome Police Station under Section 1031 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 27 of the Arms ActOfficials said efforts are underway to arrest the attackers at the earliest and an investigation into the case is continuingFurther details are awaited IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/youth-shot-dead-in-northeast-delhi-police-suspect-personal-rivalry-674602.html Wed, 20 May 2026 09:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/chittorgarh-simmers-at-463-degrees-yellow-orange-alerts-issued-in-18-rajasthan-districts-674603.html Jaipur May 20 Rajasthan continued to reel under an intense heatwave in the last 24 hours with Chittorgarh recording the highest temperature in the state at a scorching 463 degrees Celsius The Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for severe heatwave conditions in two districts for Wednesday while 16 districts remain under a yellow alert as blistering temperatures and hot nights continue to grip large parts of the state Several districts across Rajasthan witnessed temperatures above 44 degrees Celsius as severe heatwave conditions gripped both western and eastern parts of the state from morning till late eveningAccording to the Meteorological Department nearly all districts of Rajasthan except Sirohi recorded daytime temperatures between 40 and 47 degrees Celsius Northwestern Rajasthan remained the worst affected by the ongoing heatwaveThe Meteorological Department has warned that similar heatwave conditions are likely to persist over northeastern and western Rajasthan for the next three to four days For Wednesday an orange alert for severe heatwave conditions has been issued in two districts while a yellow alert has been sounded for 16 districtsThe capital city Jaipur continued to face heatwave conditions for the second consecutive day The city recorded a maximum temperature of 432 degrees Celsius while the minimum temperature remained unusually high at 313 degrees Celsius making Jaipurâs night hotter than even desert cities like Barmer and Jaisalmer The Meteorological Department described the conditions as a âwarm nightâ indicating little overnight relief from the heatSimilar weather conditions are expected to continue in Jaipur for the next two to three daysAmid the severe heat special arrangements have been made at Jaipur Zoo where water sprinklers have been installed inside the Emu enclosure to protect animals from rising temperaturesUdaipur witnessed marginal relief compared to Monday though temperatures remained high The city recorded a maximum temperature of 417 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 256 degrees Celsius on Tuesday compared to 433 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius respectively a day earlier Despite the slight dip strong sunshine and hot winds continued to trouble residents with roads and markets appearing largely deserted during the afternoon hoursAjmer also continued to battle intense heat with the maximum temperature reaching 418 degrees Celsius and the minimum temperature settling at 293 degrees Celsius Officials said hot winds are now being felt even during nighttime hours as the gap between day and night temperatures narrows The Meteorological Department has forecast dry weather conditions in the Ajmer division for the coming week accompanied by strong winds of 20 to 30 kilometres per hourTo provide some relief from the heat the Fire Brigade deployed water tankers to sprinkle water on roads across the cityThe entire Shekhawati belt including Sikar remained under severe heatwave conditions Residents continued to face scorching heat and hot winds for the sixth consecutive daySikar recorded a maximum temperature of 435 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 259 degrees Celsius Roads and marketplaces wore a deserted look during peak afternoon hours as people stepped out only with their faces coveredThe weather department has predicted dry conditions in the region for the next four days with no immediate relief expectedJodhpur recorded a daytime maximum temperature of 43 degrees Celsius on Tuesday Humidity added to public discomfort while the Meteorological Department issued a heatwave alert for the city for the next three days IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/chittorgarh-simmers-at-463-degrees-yellow-orange-alerts-issued-in-18-rajasthan-districts-674603.html Wed, 20 May 2026 09:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/downpour-eases-tn-heatwave-five-districts-brace-for-heavy-showers-674605.html Chennai May 20 Rainfall across Chennai several districts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry brought muchneeded relief to residents after days of intense summer heat with people welcoming the sudden change in weather conditions The India Meteorological Department IMD has meanwhile forecast heavy rainfall in five districts Coimbatore Nilgiris Theni Erode and Dindigul over the next two daysAfter residents in Chennai experienced sweltering heat during the day weather conditions changed dramatically by evening as several parts of the city received rain Areas including Nungambakkam Kodambakkam Vadapalani Koyambedu and Saidapet witnessed showers that brought down temperatures and created a cooler atmosphere much to the delight of residentsRain was also reported from Chennaiâs suburban regions including Kelambakkam Padur and Thiruporur where motorists and commuters were caught in the downpour while travelling during peak evening hoursNeighbouring Tiruvallur district and surrounding areas such as Thirupachur Pandur Kuppammal Chathiram Siruvanur and Pullarambakkam also experienced rainfallWaterlogging was reported in certain stretches of the ChennaiTirupati highway due to the sudden showers In Chengalpattu district widespread rainfall was recorded in several localities including Singaperumal Koil Maraimalai Nagar Thiruporur and Thirukazhukundram Similar weather conditions prevailed in Krishnagiri district where areas including Kaveripattinam Bargur Allapatti and Kundarapalli witnessed a sudden shift from hot weather in the morning to cooler conditions after evening rainfallPuducherry also received widespread rain accompanied by thunder and lightning for nearly half an hour in areas such as Lawspet Muthialpet Uzhavarkarai Korimedu Bahour Usudu Mannadipet and ThirukanurDespite the rain in many regions intense heat conditions continued in some locations Tiruttani recorded the highest temperature at around 40 degrees Celsius while places including Chennai Meenambakkam Nungambakkam Vellore Erode Madurai Airport and Tiruchy also experienced high temperaturesAccording to the Meteorological Department an upperair cyclonic circulation persists over south coastal Andhra Pradesh and adjoining regions while a trough extends from the Lakshadweep area to south coastal Andhra PradeshThe weather system is expected to trigger heavy rainfall in parts of western Tamil Nadu over the next two days Chennai is likely to witness partly cloudy skies with continued hot and humid conditions IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/downpour-eases-tn-heatwave-five-districts-brace-for-heavy-showers-674605.html Wed, 20 May 2026 09:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/unity-move-in-aiadmk-as-efforts-begin-to-bridge-palaniswami-shanmugham-rift-674607.html Chennai May 20 Even as AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami EPS called for unity during a meeting of district secretaries parallel efforts appear to be underway within the party to reconcile differences between him and the dissident faction led by senior leader CVe Shanmugam amid concerns that continued infighting could weaken the party further Party sources said a section of senior leaders has initiated attempts to reduce tensions between the EPS camp and Shanmugamâs group believing that prolonged internal divisions would only benefit political rivals and hurt the AIADMKâs prospects in the long term However the extent of progress made in these efforts remains unclearThe developments come at a time when Shanmugam has reiterated his demand for an early meeting of the partyâs General Council to discuss crucial issues including the AIADMKâs repeated electoral setbacks in recent yearsThe informal meeting of district secretaries on Tuesday convened by Palaniswami witnessed some unexpected developments Though it was originally scheduled to be held at his residence the venue was shifted at the last minute to the AIADMK headquartersLeaders loyal to EPS claimed that the majority of the partyâs 82 district secretaries attended the meeting while the rival camp insisted that a considerable number of officebearers stayed awayFormer minister and senior leader D Jayakumar was among the notable absenteesThe AIADMK headquarters later stated that some district secretaries who could not attend had conveyed reasons for their absenceAccording to party sources Palaniswami used the meeting to explain the partyâs electoral performance and reassure district secretaries including newly appointed functionaries that AIADMK had previously overcome difficult political phases and returned to power despite severe electoral setbacksMeanwhile Shanmugam held separate consultations with supporting MLAs and officebearers at his office Speaking to reporters afterwards he said his camp was ready for dialogue but stressed that the General Council should be convened at the earliestâWe are ready for discussions but the General Council meeting should be convened at the earliest Our aim is to strengthen and unify the AIADMK by bringing back leaders who were expelled and those who drifted away from the partyâ Shanmugam saidHe also claimed that Palaniswami had so far removed 31 district secretaries from their positionsIn the latest organisational reshuffle former MLA Elambai R Thamizhselvan was removed as Perambalur district secretary on Tuesday evening IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/unity-move-in-aiadmk-as-efforts-begin-to-bridge-palaniswami-shanmugham-rift-674607.html Wed, 20 May 2026 09:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/passengers-hail-redevelopment-of-assams-majbat-railway-station-under-amrit-bharat-scheme-674609.html Guwahati May 20 Majbat Railway Station in Assamâs Udalguri district has been comprehensively redeveloped under the Centreâs Amrit Bharat Railway Station Scheme Passengers expressed happiness over the upgraded facilities and credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the transformation Equipped with modern infrastructure enhanced passenger amenities digital services and an upgraded architectural design the revamped station is likely to be inaugurated by the Prime Minister in the coming daysThe redeveloped station now includes several upgraded facilities aimed at improving passenger convenience and travel experience Key additions include a modern station building spacious circulating and parking areas a newly constructed Foot Over Bridge FOB for easier access between platforms and improved waiting halls for passengersPassengers speaking to IANS appreciated the transformation of the station and praised the Centre for introducing modern facilities such as airconditioned waiting rooms better seating arrangements and improved drinking water facilitiesA passenger said the condition of the station had improved significantly compared to earlier yearsâCompared to before more seating arrangements have been provided Clean drinking water filters have been installed Fans and other facilities have been arranged which are much better than before Cleanliness at the station has also improved a lot compared to earlierâ the passenger saidAnother commuter highlighted the newly built infrastructure and additional services introduced at the station under the redevelopment projectâA new building a new entrance gate and a newly developed platform have been built at Majbat Railway Station Additionally lifts WiFi facilities and other things have been brought in to redevelop this station New trains will also stop here After PM Modi came to power the city has seen significant development compared to earlier Our tourism has increased the businessmen here are happy because they are able to sell their products more efficiently and people are also getting several other benefitsâ the passenger told IANSAnother passenger remarked that the railway station has undergone a complete transformation and credited the Prime Ministerâs initiatives for the changesâThe station looks very beautiful and has become very modern Facilities have improved from every side Business has improved There are lights lifts and every kind of facility It has become like an airport I credit PM Modi for all these initiativesâ he saidA local also said that the redevelopment would bring longterm benefits to the town and improve overall connectivity and convenience for travellersâThe station has developed a lot Earlier there were not so many facilities but now there are many facilities including proper drinking water Compared to before it is much more developed now Now we are very happy it will benefit the city a lotâ another passenger saidThe redevelopment of Majbat Railway Station forms part of a larger national initiative to modernise railway infrastructure across the country Under the Amrit Bharat Railway Station Scheme 50 railway stations in Assam are being redeveloped with a focus on passenger convenience improved accessibility and modern facilitiesThe initiative also includes provisions for free WiFi services upgraded passenger information systems executive lounges and cleanliness improvements while simultaneously promoting local businesses through the âOne Station One Productâ initiativeThe Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is currently reshaping railway infrastructure across Assam and the wider northeast region under the jurisdiction of the Northeast Frontier RailwayA total of 92 railway stations have been identified for redevelopment within the Northeast Frontier Railway zone out of which 60 stations are being upgraded under the scheme These include 50 stations in Assam four in Tripura and one station each in Sikkim Meghalaya Arunachal Pradesh Manipur Mizoram and Nagaland IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/passengers-hail-redevelopment-of-assams-majbat-railway-station-under-amrit-bharat-scheme-674609.html Wed, 20 May 2026 10:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/greater-chennai-corporation-plans-biometric-attendance-system-to-ensure-full-duty-hours-for-employees-674613.html Chennai May 20 The Greater Chennai Corporation GCC in Tamil Nadu is planning to introduce a comprehensive biometric attendance system for its employees in an effort to improve workplace discipline and ensure staff complete their mandatory eighthour work shifts The move comes in response to repeated complaints regarding employees not reporting to work on time and concerns over attendance monitoring particularly among fieldlevel staff Corporation officials said complaints had surfaced from various zones with the Ambattur zone witnessing recurring allegations involving conservancy sanitary inspectors and irregular attendance patternsThe proposed system is expected to strengthen accountability and improve the monitoring of employee work schedules across the civic body According to GCC records the Corporation currently employs 36381 workers including 12960 permanent employees and 23421 contract staff membersGiven the size of the workforce and the nature of operations spread across multiple zones and departments officials believe a technologydriven attendance system could help streamline administration and enhance efficiencyGCC Commissioner GS Sameeran confirmed that preliminary discussions had been held regarding the feasibility of introducing biometric attendance for all categories of employeesHe stated that the proposal is still at an early stage and that detailed plans would be finalised only after further assessment of implementation requirements and operational progressAs part of the proposed framework employees may be required to record their attendance twice a day once at the beginning of their shift and again at the end of the workday Officials involved in field inspections and outdoor duties could also be brought under a mobilebased attendance mechanism integrated with geofencing technology Such a system would capture the employeeâs photograph and location details while marking attendance enabling authorities to verify field presence in real timeFormer GCC Commissioner J Kumaragurubaran said discussions on introducing facerecognition attendance systems had already taken place and that a mobile application for field staff attendance had been developed earlierEmployee unions however claim similar systems introduced in the past were not implemented effectively and have raised concerns about enforcement gaps At present biometric attendance is operational only for administrative staff at the Ripon Building while several senior officials remain exempt from the system IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/greater-chennai-corporation-plans-biometric-attendance-system-to-ensure-full-duty-hours-for-employees-674613.html Wed, 20 May 2026 10:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/onion-farmers-will-make-you-cry-tomorrow-shiv-sen-674622.html Mumbai May 20 The Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray UBT on Wednesday accused the Maharashtra government of apathy towards the onion growers who are reeling under financial stress due to a sharp fall in prices The party said that regardless of the season the onion growers in the state are perpetually left in tears Sometimes unseasonable rains and severe hailstorms snatch the harvest right out of their hands and at other times even when they manage a bumper harvest the governments sheer incompetence forces them to sell their produce at throwaway prices or dump it on the streets it saidThe Thackeray camp in an editorial in the partys mouthpiece Saamana said that the states onion farmers find themselves pushed to the brink once again While onion production has been excellent market prices have plummeted relentlessly The current price offered for onions fails to even cover the basic cost of production yet the government remains characteristically indifferent As a result the crop that farmers cultivated with immense hardship has turned into a lossmaking venture it saidThe editorial referred to the recent announcement of the onion procurement price of Rs 1235 per quintal made by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at a programme in Satara in the presence of Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan âHowever leave aside profit this price does not even cover the cost of production making this rate nothing but a mockery of the farmers The government should have determined the procurement price keeping various factors in mind Instead the government has forced a decadeold rate onto the farmers To add to this the government has hiked fuel prices for the second time which will further increase onion transportation costsâ claimed the editorialOn the international front the Gulf War has led to a drop in onion exports causing an oversupply in the domestic market State agencies however lack the capacity to manage and clear such a massive influx of onion stock These compounding factors have triggered a continuous collapse in onion prices stated the editorial highlighting the severity of the crisisâInstead of reining in this downward spiral the ruling administration has reduced farmers to a state where they are forced to sell their onions for a meagre Re 1 per kilogram In a poignant protest against this injustice Sudhakar Sultane a farmer from Marathwada mailed a letter a onerupee coin and a single onion to the Chief Minister Yet this thickskinned government remains completely unmovedâ remarked the editorialThe Thackeray camp said that three years ago while serving as the Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis had promised a guaranteed rate of Rs 2410 per quintal Where has that promise vanished today Why is Fadnavis now stubbornly sticking to a mere Rs 1235 per quintal Since there are no immediate elections looming in the state the ruling politicians evidently feel no urgency to wipe away the tears of these farmers These are the same rulers who artificially freeze fuel price hikes during Assembly elections in five states purely for political mileage only to burden the public with heavy losses the moment voting concludes Expecting such politicians to provide a fair price and compensate the losses of ordinary onion growers is entirely unrealisticâ commented the editorialThe Uddhav Thackerayled Shiv Sena claimed that due to the governments neglect Maharashtras onion growers are trapped in a vicious cycle âIf they store the harvest it rots if they sell it it goes for dirtcheap prices Today the government has brought tears to their eyes and refuses to even bother wiping them away But the ruling administration must remember one thing tomorrow these very onion farmers will undoubtedly bring tears to your eyesâ it warned IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/onion-farmers-will-make-you-cry-tomorrow-shiv-sen-674622.html Wed, 20 May 2026 11:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/from-red-bastion-to-cong-led-treasury-bench-sudhakaran-becomes-kerala-pro-tem-speaker-674632.html Thiruvananthapuram May 20 In a politically loaded moment that underlined Keralaâs dramatic change of guard veteran legislator and former CPIM strongman G Sudhakaran was on Wednesday sworn in as a legislator of the 16th Kerala Legislative Assembly by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at the Lok Bhavan Present on the occasion were Chief Minister VD Satheesan and his cabinet colleaguesSudhakaran was nominated by the state cabinet on Monday as the Protem Speaker who was once among the most influential faces of the CPIM in south KeralaNow an Independent backed by the Congressled UDF has instantly become one of the most discussed political developments following the emphatic defeat suffered by the Left in the Assembly electionsThe 75yearold twotime former minister and a seasoned tactician during Left rule Sudhakaran had contested from his traditional Ambalapuzha constituency after openly rebelling against the CPIM leadershipFollowing his decision to enter the fray as an Independent the Congressled UDF threw its weight behind him turning the election into a prestige battleHis victory was later viewed in political circles as both a personal comeback and a symbolic rejection of the CPIM leadershipâs handling of senior leadersAs Protem Speaker Sudhakaran will administer the oath of office to the remaining 139 newly elected MLAs when the Assembly convenes on ThursdayHis tenure however will last only till the election of the new Speaker on FridaySenior Congress leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan is set to be elected Speaker with the numbers overwhelmingly stacked in favour of the ruling frontThe UDF currently commands 102 seats in the Assembly while the Left Democratic Front has been reduced to 35 membersThe BJP has opened its account with three seatsBut beyond the procedural formalities all eyes are now on the conduct of the CPIM legislators inside the House when Sudhakaran occupies the Speakerâs chairThe development carries unmistakable political irony for the party which had expelled him after he chose to contest against its official lineFor many observers Thursdayâs Assembly session promises more than a routine swearingin ceremony it will also serve as the first visual reminder of Keralaâs sharply altered political landscape IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/from-red-bastion-to-cong-led-treasury-bench-sudhakaran-becomes-kerala-pro-tem-speaker-674632.html Wed, 20 May 2026 11:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/tamil-nadu-class-10-results-declared-9431-pc-pass-674634.html Chennai May 20 Tamil Nadu has recorded an impressive overall pass percentage of 9431 in the Secondary School Leaving Certificate SSLC Class 10 board examinations for the academic year 202526 according to results announced by the Directorate of Government Examinations DGE on Wednesday More than nine lakh students who appeared for the crucial public examinations across the state can now access their marks through multiple channels introduced by the governmentThe SSLC examinations were conducted between March and April at examination centres across Tamil Nadu with lakhs of students appearing for one of the most significant milestones in their academic journey The declaration of results brings relief and excitement to students and parents after weeks of anticipationStudents can check and download their provisional marksheets through the official result portals including tnresultsnicin dgetngovin digilockergovin and umanggovinTo access their marks online candidates are required to enter their registration number along with their date of birth in the designated fields on the websites Education authorities advised students to keep their hall ticket details ready before logging in to avoid delays and ensure a smoother process while accessing the resultsWith a large number of students expected to visit the websites simultaneously officials have urged students and parents not to panic in case of temporary delays due to heavy trafficApart from online facilities students can also obtain their examination results directly from the schools where they studied School administrations across the state have been instructed to assist students and parents in accessing and verifying results without inconvenienceThe government has also made arrangements for delivering examination results through SMS services to ensure broader accessibility School students will receive result updates on the mobile phone numbers submitted to their respective schools while private candidates will receive notifications on the numbers provided during their online registration processOfficials from the School Education Department said multiple result access options had been introduced to reduce server congestion and ensure that students across urban and rural regions receive their results quickly and conveniently The department added that the measures are aimed at providing a seamless experience during one of the busiest result declaration days of the academic year IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/tamil-nadu-class-10-results-declared-9431-pc-pass-674634.html Wed, 20 May 2026 11:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-hails-global-appeal-of-indian-classical-dance-after-five-italian-women-perform-674638.html New Delhi May 20 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that it was wonderful to see Indian dance forms drawing global interest as he shared a video of five Italian women performing Kuchipudi Bharatanatyam and Kathak to welcome him in Rome during his visit to ItalynbspPM Modi took to social media X and said Five Italians passionate about Indian dance Svamini Atmananda Giri Ms Martina Meenakshi Argada Ms Lucrezia Maniscotti Ms Valeria Vespaziani Ms Rosella Fanelli performed Trigalbandi which included Kuchipudi Bharatanatyam and Kathak It is wonderful to see Indian dance forms drawing global interestArtist Martina Argada spoke to IANS and said He told us the performance was excellent We are very thankful to the Indian Embassy in Rome for giving us the opportunity to perform in front of the Indian Prime MinisterKathak artist Rosella Fanelli said It was very nice for me and for my friends We were waiting for a long time so the emotions were very high I consider this opportunity a very nice experience and I hope we can meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in IndiaMeanwhile PM Modi also visited the Colosseum in Rome along with his Italian counterpart Giorgia MeloniThe Colosseum is the largest ancient amphitheatre ever built situated in the historic centre of Rome It was completed in 80 AD under the Flavian dynastyThis iconic elliptical structure made of stone and concrete could accommodate up to 80000 spectators who came to watch gladiatorial contests and public spectaclesItalian PM Giorgia Meloni warmly welcomed Prime Minister Modi to Italy as he arrived in Rome on Tuesday night local time for the final leg of his fivenation tourExtending a personal greeting to the Indian Prime Minister Meloni posted on X Welcome to Rome my friend underlining the close rapport between the two leadersEarlier PM Modi also attended a dinner hosted by Italian PM Giorgia MeloniHe also shared pictures from the dinner in a post on XPM Modi said he is looking forward to holding talks with Meloni during which they will continue discussing how to strengthen IndiaItaly friendshipUpon landing in Rome had the opportunity to meet Prime Minister Meloni over dinner followed by a visit to the iconic Colosseum We exchanged perspectives on a wide range of subjects Looking forward to our talks today where we will continue the conversation on how to boost the IndiaItaly friendship PM Modi posted on XPM Modi is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with PM Meloni and meet President Sergio MattarellaPrime Minister Modi also shared details of his arrival saying he had landed in Rome for an official visit aimed at strengthening ties between the two countries The Prime Minister is scheduled to meet Giorgia Meloni on Wednesday at the historic Villa Doria Pamphili where both leaders are expected to adopt a joint declaration to further deepen the IndiaItaly strategic partnershipIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-hails-global-appeal-of-indian-classical-dance-after-five-italian-women-perform-674638.html Wed, 20 May 2026 13:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/vp-radhakrishnan-cm-dhami-pay-final-respects-to-bc-khanduri-in-dehradun-674648.html Dehradun May 20 IANS Vice President CP Radhakrishnan on Wednesday paid final respects to former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Major General Retd Bhuwan Chandra Khanduri in Dehradun calling him an extraordinary leader whose contributions leave a lasting legacyMaj Gen Khanduri passed away in Dehradun on Tuesday at the age of 91 The final rites will be held in Haridwar later in the day with full state honoursIn a statement VP Radhakrishnan said Paid heartfelt tributes to former Union Minister and former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Major General B C Khanduri Ji at his residence in Dehradun todayHe will be remembered as an extraordinary leader a distinguished soldier and a veteran administrator who devoted his life to the service of the nation and its people whose contribution to improving connectivity and strengthening Indias road infrastructure remains a lasting legacy he addedSeveral other leaders including Uttarakhand Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also paid their final respects to the veteran BJP leader at his Basant Vihar residence in DehradunIn a post on X CM Dhami said For me revered Khanduri Ji was not merely a senior leader but a guardian source of inspiration and guide His affection discipline simplicity dedication to national service and work style will forever remain a source of inspiration The values guidance and ideals imparted by him in public life are an invaluable legacy for meLater the mortal remains of Maj Gen Khanduri were brought to the state BJP office for the people and party workers to pay their final respectsThe revered Khanduri ji made significant contributions to the service of Mother India while in the Army Thereafter he chose the path of public service through the Bharatiya Janata Party making national interest and social service his lifes mission His disciplined life simple personality and dedication to public welfare will forever remain an inspiration to us all CM Dhami said in another post on XHis passing is an irreparable loss to the BJP family His fearlessness sharp leadership abilities and unwavering commitment to principles in political and public life will continue to serve as a source of inspiration for us all he addedBhuwan Chandra Khanduri was born on October 1 1934 in DehradunA former Army officer who transitioned into politics Maj Gen Khanduri served two terms as the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand first from 2007 to 2009 and second from 2011 to 2012 steering the states administrationFrom 1954 to 1990 spanning a full 36 years he served in the Corps of Engineers of the Indian Army During this long tenure he served as a Regimental Commander participated in the 1971 IndiaPakistan War held the position of Chief Engineer in the Army and served as the Additional Military Secretary at Army HeadquartersnbspIn 1982 he was conferred the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal AVSM by the President of India in recognition of his exceptional services The discipline simplicity and integrity that had become ingrained in his very being during his time in the Army eventually became the defining characteristics of his political identity as wellHe was introduced to the world of politics during the Ram Mandir movement in the 1990s at which time he joined the BJPIn 1991 he entered Parliament for the first time after winning the Lok Sabha election from the Garhwal constituency Subsequently he continued to win from this very seat in 1998 1999 and 2004During Atal Bihari Vajpayees tenure he served as the Minister of State Independent Charge for the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways from 2000 to 2003 subsequently in 2003 he was elevated to the rank of Cabinet MinisterFollowing the 2004 Lok Sabha elections he transitioned from parliamentary politics to statelevel politicsIn February 2007 he led the BJP to victory in the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly elections and on March 8 2007 he assumed office as the states Chief MinisterDuring his tenure as the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand he took stringent measures against corruption and laid the foundation for a transparent and disciplined administration within the stateIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/vp-radhakrishnan-cm-dhami-pay-final-respects-to-bc-khanduri-in-dehradun-674648.html Wed, 20 May 2026 14:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/adani-green-energy-to-develop-2-250-mw-pumped-storage-project-in-andhra-pradesh-674650.html Amaravati May 20 Adani Hydro Energy Eleven Ltd AHE11L part of the diversified Adani Green Energy will develop the 2250 MW Gandikota2 Pumped Storage Project PSP in YSR Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh The state government approved the allocation of the project to AHE11L which is expected to further strengthen the stateâs position as Indiaâs emerging clean energy and energy storage hub said an official release on WednesdayThe project to be developed by the Adani Group under the Andhra Pradesh Integrated Clean Energy Policy 2024 is expected to become one of the largest pumped storage projects in the country and a key pillar of Andhra Pradeshâs nextgeneration power infrastructure strategy The approval was accorded following clearance by the State Investment Promotion Board SIPB chaired by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu The Gandikota2 PSP will be developed at the Lord Balaji Donthi Kona PSP Park in YSR Kadapa district The project is expected to significantly strengthen Andhra Pradeshâs renewable energy balancing and storage capabilities while supporting the stateâs rapidly growing ecosystem of green hydrogen advanced manufacturing electric mobility and AIdriven data centresGlobally pumped storage projects are increasingly viewed as the backbone of renewableheavy power systems enabling stable roundtheclock clean energy by storing surplus solar and wind power during offpeak hours and releasing it during peak demand periods said the releaseIndia is witnessing rapid expansion in pumped storage capacity as the country accelerates its transition towards largescale renewable energy integration According to Government of India data Andhra Pradesh has emerged as one of the leading destinations for pumped storage development with a significant pipeline of projects under implementation The Adani Group has also been expanding its national pumped storage portfolio as part of its broader renewable energy and energy transition strategy with projects across multiple states including Andhra Pradesh Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh Andhra Pradesh has already emerged as a major destination for Adani Groupâs clean energy investments including pumped storage and renewable energy infrastructure projects Industry experts view largescale storage assets such as Gandikota2 as critical enablers for Indiaâs future energy economy and for supporting energyintensive digital infrastructure such as hyperscale data centresAs part of the approvals the government has sanctioned allocation of 2920 MCM of water for onetime initial filling and 220 MCM annually towards evaporation losses from the existing Gandikota reservoir subject to prevailing guidelines The project will also be eligible for incentives under the Andhra Pradesh Integrated Clean Energy Policy 2024 which targets investments worth nearly Rs 10 lakh crore and aims to generate employment for approximately 75 lakh people across the clean energy value chain The government reiterated that Andhra Pradesh continues to attract some of Indiaâs largest energy and infrastructure investments due to its policy stability fasttrack approvals strong transmission planning and integrated approach towards industrial and clean energy developmentThe Gandikota2 PSP is scheduled to be completed within 72 months IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/adani-green-energy-to-develop-2-250-mw-pumped-storage-project-in-andhra-pradesh-674650.html Wed, 20 May 2026 14:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-issues-notice-on-pil-against-liquor-sold-in-tetra-packs-sachets-674652.html New Delhi May 20 IANS The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued notice to the Centre and all states on a public interest litigation PIL raising concerns over the sale of alcohol in inconspicuous packaging such as tetra packs PET bottles plastic sachets and other portable containersnbspA Bench of Chief Justice of India CJI Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi passed the order while hearing a petition filed by an NGODuring the hearing the CJI Kantled Bench orally remarked This is very deceptive after being informed by the petitioners counsel advocateonrecord Vipin Nair that certain alcoholic beverages were being packaged in containers resembling fruit juices complete with fruit imagery and flavoursThe plea seeks formulation of uniform and harmonised guidelines across states to regulate the packaging of liquor contending that divergent definitions under various State Excise Acts allow alcohol to be sold in flasks pots wrappers and other similar receptacles According to the petition alcohol is increasingly being sold in portable and inconspicuous packaging such as tetra packs plastic sachets and small PET bottles which can be easily concealed and carried in public placesIt argued that such packaging poses various risks including consumption by juveniles drinking in a moving vehicle health risks increased ease of smuggling ease of public consumption and environmental risksThe plea further highlighted that these products are often marketed using fruit names and colourful designs making them deceptively similar to nonalcoholic beverages and consequently increasing their appeal particularly among younger consumersSuch packaging being deceptively similar to fruit juices facilitates easy access and concealment encourages underage consumption promotes public drinking and drunk driving the petition statedIt added that unlike tobacco products these alcohol packs do not carry prominent health warnings with any cautionary messages being printed in small barely visible textThe petitioner organisation which has been campaigning against drunken driving and underage drinking for over two decades contended that the absence of uniform regulation has resulted in states prioritising revenue considerations over public health and safetyThe plea referred to provisions under different state excise laws including those in Uttar Pradesh Punjab Maharashtra Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh which define bottle and bottling in broad terms to include receptacles such as sachets wrappers flasks packets and similar containersSeeking intervention of the apex court the petition prayed for uniform and harmonised guidelines governing liquor packaging across the country while keeping public health road safety and environmental concerns in mindSeeking intervention of the top court the petition has prayed for directions to the Union and states to adopt a uniform definition of bottle restricted to clearly identifiable containers and to frame guidelines keeping in view public health road safety and environmental concernsIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-issues-notice-on-pil-against-liquor-sold-in-tetra-packs-sachets-674652.html Wed, 20 May 2026 14:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/vijay-led-tvk-govt-likely-to-expand-cabinet-tomorrow-674655.html Chennai May 20 The C Joseph Vijayled Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK government is preparing for its first Cabinet expansion on Thursday with the exercise emerging as a crucial political balancing act aimed at addressing alliance expectations regional representation and internal party dynamics Sources indicated that the final round of consultations on the ministerial list is nearing completion ahead of a likely swearingin ceremony scheduled for Thursday morningGovernor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar who is currently holding additional charge is expected to arrive in Chennai on Wednesday evening to oversee the formalities related to the expansionAccording to sources within the ruling establishment the government is likely to accommodate alliance partner Congress in the expanded CabinetTwo Congress legislators have emerged as leading contenders for ministerial positionsDespite speculation surrounding possible Cabinet berths for members of the AIADMK faction led by CVe Shanmugam and SP Velumani sources indicated that the ruling leadership has stepped back from such a move following strong opposition from alliance partners including Congress Left parties and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi VCKA senior minister speaking on condition of anonymity said there had never been any formal discussion regarding the induction of AIADMK legislators into the Cabinet and clarified that their support during the Assembly confidence vote was merely political support extended on the floor of the HouseSources close to the government also revealed that legal advisers and alliance partners had warned against taking politically sensitive decisions that could potentially create instability at the beginning of the governmentâs tenureMeanwhile intense lobbying has reportedly begun within the TVK with several firsttime MLAs and influential party functionaries pushing for representation in the CabinetThe expansion is also expected to address the absence of ministers in more than 20 key government departments including Higher Education Revenue Transport and Social WelfareSeveral other portfolios such as Agriculture Housing and Urban Development Tourism Information Technology Labour Welfare Fisheries and Environment continue to remain without formally appointed ministersSecretariat sources said some departments are currently functioning under informal supervision by existing ministers with officials already reviewing files and holding discussions pending formal portfolio allocations IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/vijay-led-tvk-govt-likely-to-expand-cabinet-tomorrow-674655.html Wed, 20 May 2026 14:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/criminal-injured-during-encounter-with-police-in-samastipur-third-encounter-in-last-three-days-in-bihar-674657.html Patna May 20 The crackdown on criminals in Biharâs Samastipur district is intensifying with police carrying out another major operation in the early hours of Wednesday During an encounter between police personnel and a wanted criminal notorious accused Prince Kumar sustained a bullet injury to his leg and was subsequently arrestedAccording to police sources authorities received confidential information that Prince Kumarâallegedly involved in several robbery and snatching cases across the districtâwas hiding in the area along with his associatesActing on the tipoff a police team launched an early morning raid around 3 AM to apprehend himPolice officials stated that Prince Kumar allegedly opened fire after realising that he had been surroundedIn response the police retaliated in selfdefence During the exchange of fire Prince Kumar was shot in the leg and collapsed on the spot after which officers took him into custodyInvestigators say the accused had been linked to multiple incidents of robbery snatching and other criminal activities in the district and police had been searching for him for a long timeAuthorities are now trying to gather more information about his criminal network and identify his accomplicesFollowing the encounter the injured accused was admitted to Sadar Hospital in Samastipur under heavy police security where he is undergoing treatmentSenior police officials have so far refrained from issuing a detailed statement regarding the incidentHowever the operation is being viewed as a significant success in the districtâs ongoing campaign against organised crimeThis was the third incident of an encounter in the last three daysEarlier on Tuesday Patna Police as part of the campaign popularly referred to as âOperation Langdaâ conducted a halfencounter in the Gopalpur police station areaThe operation took place in Udayini village along the PatnaâMasaurhi roadAccording to Patnaâs Senior Superintendent of Police SSP Kartikeya Sharma one accusedâidentified as Nitish Kumar the alleged mastermindâwas shot in the leg during the exchange of fire while three others were arrested from the spotSiwan police carried out a similar half encounter of an accused involved in the robbery at a gold merchantâs outlet in the district on Monday IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/criminal-injured-during-encounter-with-police-in-samastipur-third-encounter-in-last-three-days-in-bihar-674657.html Wed, 20 May 2026 14:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/telangana-official-sent-to-judicial-custody-in-disproportionate-assets-case-674662.html Hyderabad May 20 An ACB court on Wednesday sent a top official of Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board to judicial custody for 14 days in a Disproportionate Assets case The AntiCorruption Bureau ACB which registered a case against SA Laxmi Kumar and arrested him on Tuesday produced him before the courtAfter the court remanded him to judicial custody he was shifted to Chanchalguda Central PrisonLaxmi Kumar General Manager Engg Project DivisionVIII Red Hills HMWSampSB was booked after assets of over Rs588 crore were found during searches at premises linked to himAccording to the ACB he acquired assets disproportionate to his known sources of income by indulging in corrupt practices and dubious means during his serviceAs this is an offence punishable under Section 13 1 b and 12 922 of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 as amended in 2018 searches were conducted on May 1 at his residence and eight other places belonging to his relatives friends benamis and other associates the ACB said in a releaseThe antigraft agency stated that during the searches documents relating to 18 acres agricultural land in Nizamabad and Sangareddy six open plots three flats and one house in Hyderabad were foundFurther during the searches net cash of Rs110 crore gold ornaments weighing 21 kg and silver articles weighing 92 kg were also found in the accused officerâs house the ACB said Further one Maruti Ritz car one Bajaj motor bike all assets worth Rs 58855490 were foundâThe market value of movable and immovable property may be many times higher than the document valueâ said the releaseFurther verification of additional assets is underway The case is under investigation it addedACB officials conducted simultaneous searches at eight locations since early morningOne of the teams conducted searches at his residence at Mallapur The officials were seen counting cash and sealing gold ornaments silver items and other valuables They were also checking documents relating to properties at various places in Hyderabad and other districts IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/telangana-official-sent-to-judicial-custody-in-disproportionate-assets-case-674662.html Wed, 20 May 2026 14:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/khalistan-networks-replicate-mumbai-underworld-model-groom-juveniles-for-low-cost-high-success-attacks-674664.html New Delhi May 20 The crime landscape in Punjab is fast changing with terror groups and criminal networks deploying new strategies almost daily to disrupt law and order While the larger push that is being made is for a separate Khalistan nation these syndicates at play are carrying out low intensity explosions to keep the state on the boil The Khalistan networks are also trying to replicate the Mumbai underworld model of grooming juveniles for lowcost highsuccess attacks The police and Intelligence agencies have stated that the target audience is the youth and these gangsterterror networks are taking advantage of the massive drug problem in the state to undertake recruitmentsHowever a particular area of concern that has now come to light is that these syndicates are largely targeting juveniles to be part of their network In recent weeks these networks have even recruited boys who are in their 12th standard to undertake attacksAn Intelligence Bureau official said that these criminal and terror syndicates are using the various loopholes in the law and hence are targeting juveniles As per the intercepts that the agencies have picked up there are several mentions made by the recruiters to spot juveniles and rope them into their networksThe law defines a juvenile as any person under the age of 18 Children above the age of 7 who commit heinous offences are tried by the Juvenile Justice Board The trial is also held depending on the childâs mental capacities and the circumstances of the crime These persons have the right to anonymity under the Juvenile Justice Care and Protection of Children Act 2015Another official explained that the Khalistan terror networks are replicating what the underworld in Mumbai did several years back In addition to all these safeguards these juveniles enjoy under the law they also have the advantage of not coming under the scanner of the law enforcement agenciesA school or college going boy hardly ever is a suspect and hence they have become the preferred choice for recruitments the officials explainedOfficials say that in addition to all these safeguards children of such young ages hardly ask any questions Even their enumerations are not high and this works as an added advantage officials say Moreover they do not even understand the consequences of their actions and with ideology not mattering to them either there is every chance that these persons would get the job done at least 90 per cent of the time the official explainedTake for instance the May 6 case that was reported from Chandigarh A class 12 student was picked up by the police after it was found that he was on his way to Tarn Taran allegedly to carry out a murderHe was operating at the behest of gangsters based abroad He was in contact with gangsters Prabh Dasuwal and Gurvinder Singh alias Afridi Tootawala through the social mediaThe gangster network learnt that he had got into a fight with another person and was looking for revenge The gangsters kept in touch with him and groomed him to commit a murder of a rival of the gangster network investigations foundAn official said that this is one case of where a juvenile was being used to commit a murder of another gangster Hiring such people also brings in the surprise element into an attack as these persons are unassuming and the suspicion levels are very low the official addedThe official added that the push to hire more juveniles is also being done with the aim of them being used to carry out grenade attacks This has been the latest strategy of the ISIbacked Khalistani elements where the modus operandi is to carry out lowcost grenade attacks at strategic locationsA student would be recruited and be asked to carry a grenade in his school bag He would then be instructed to hurl it at a location that is designated by the terror group While doing so the boy would hardly come under scrutiny and hence the chance of the strike being successful is very high the official also explainedIn Punjab a massive push is being made by the ISI to ramp up terror attacks It has over the last couple of years being pushing the Khalistan outfits to carry out strikes in the state and then push for the creation of a separate Khalistan nation carved out of Indiaâs Punjab officials point out IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/khalistan-networks-replicate-mumbai-underworld-model-groom-juveniles-for-low-cost-high-success-attacks-674664.html Wed, 20 May 2026 14:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pragati-2026-12-countries-join-multinational-military-exercise-in-meghalaya-674665.html Shillong May 20 A multilateral military exercise PRAGATI 2026 involving armed forces personnel from 12 friendly nations commenced on Wednesday at the Umroi Military Station in Meghalaya officials said The twoweeklong exercise has brought together participants from Bhutan Cambodia Indonesia Laos Malaysia Maldives Myanmar Nepal the Philippines Seychelles Sri Lanka and Vietnam to strengthen regional cooperation interoperability and strategic coordination among the participating countriesDefence spokesman Lt Col Mahendra Rawat said that the multilateral military exercise âPRAGATI 2026â which stands for partnership of regional armies for growth and transformation in the Indian Ocean Region is being conducted in the spirit of equality friendship and mutual respectThe exercise provides a common platform for participating armies to engage in professional exchange learn from one anotherâs experiences and build closer militarytomilitary ties he saidThe opening ceremony was attended by senior military officials and dignitaries In his address Major General Sunil Sheoran Additional Director General of Infantry Indian Army welcomed all contingents and highlighted the importance of collective engagement in addressing contemporary security challengesHe encouraged all participants to engage with openness mutual respect and a willingness to learn from one anotherâs experiences while highlighting that the strengths and perspectives brought by each nation would contribute meaningfully towards achieving the collective objectives of the exerciseAccording to Lt Col Rawat the objectives of the exercise include enabling seamless coordination among participating nations in joint operations and identifying common areas of cooperation sharing expertise and establishing an institutionalised mechanism for the exchange of best practices evolved through individual experiencesThe exercise is being held to strengthen defence ties and camaraderie through joint training and cultural exchange and evolving common concepts for management and sharing of intelligence in a multinational environmentThe twoweeklong exercise will focus on counterterrorism operations in semimountainous and jungle terrainThe defence spokesman said that the training programme will include joint planning exercises tacticallevel drills and coordinated operations designed to improve adaptability endurance and tactical proficiency of participating troopsEmphasis will be laid on physical fitness discipline and coordination while operating in challenging conditionsAs part of the exercise Indian technology and defence companies will showcase indigenous equipment and innovations under the âAatmanirbhar Bharatâ initiative providing a platform for knowledge exchange and highlighting Indiaâs growing capabilities in defence production innovation and selfreliance the official saidExercise âPRAGATI 2026â is expected to further strengthen militarytomilitary cooperation deepen professional bonds and contribute towards a shared approach to common security challenges among regional partners Lt Col Rawat pointed out IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pragati-2026-12-countries-join-multinational-military-exercise-in-meghalaya-674665.html Wed, 20 May 2026 14:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/third-accused-arrested-in-greater-noida-dowry-death-case-674668.html Greater Noida May 20 A third arrest has been made in the Greater Noida dowry death case after police apprehended the deceaseds husbands cousin officials said on Wednesday The arrested individual has been identified as Vinod the cousin of Hrithik Hrithik is the husband of the deceased 24yearold woman Deepika Nagar A total of three accused individuals Hrithik his father Manoj and Vinod have been arrested in connection with the case so farPolice teams are continuously conducting raids to apprehend the remaining individuals involvedThe incident occurred in Greater Noidas Ecotech3 area in Uttar Pradesh when Deepika died under mysterious circumstances The family of the deceased alleged that this happened due to dowry harassment at the hands of her inlaws A marriage that took place about a year ago with great opulence and grandeur turned tragic as the woman jumped to her death in Jalpura village earlier in the day leaving the local residents alarmed and panicked over the incidentThe deceaseds family members have alleged that it was a dowryrelated murder whereas the polices preliminary investigation suggests the case involves a suicide committed due to distress caused by dowry harassmentAccording to reports Deepikas marriage to Hrithik son of Manoj and a resident of Jalpura village took place with great pomp and grandeur approximately 14 months ago Her family members claim that nearly Rs one crore was spent on the wedding including the cost of a Fortuner carThe family alleges that Deepika was subjected to mental and physical torture ever since the marriage took place and her inlaws continued to demand additional dowryThe postmortem report has revealed a series of external and internal injuries on Deepika Nagars body including a bonedeep wound and spleen rupture indicating that she was under deep trauma before succumbing to injuries With the postmortem report identifying several injury marks on her body the city police will seek to corroborate the autopsy findings with the familys claims to draw a conclusionAccording to the autopsy report several external and internal injuries were found on Deepikas body and she was also under severe trauma triggered by rupture of the spleen and hematoma in the brainDetails of internal injuries suggest a hematoma blood clot condition in the central and left regions of the brain and haemorrhage bleeding while external injuries range from injuries in various body parts to a bonedeep woundThe postmortem report found swelling on her face injuries on her left elbow left forearm and wounds in the lower back and lower abdomen regionA blue pressure markcontusion measuring approximately 38 cm à 14 cm on the right thigh and a bonedeep wound measuring approximately 4 cm à 15 cm on the left knee joint said the reportIt also found bleeding from the left ear and deep abrasion marks on the left side of the chest and abdomenDeepikas parents had given Rs 10 lakh cash a car and several ornaments during the lavish wedding However they claimed that the demands kept increasing and now they were demanding an SUV and Rs 50 lakh in cash IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/third-accused-arrested-in-greater-noida-dowry-death-case-674668.html Wed, 20 May 2026 15:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bengal-govt-launches-major-security-revamp-at-5-kolkata-hospitals-night-patrols-in-place-674669.html Kolkata May 20 The Bharatiya Janata Partyled West Bengal government has initiated a major overhaul of security and infrastructure at five prominent government hospitals in Kolkata with authorities announcing stricter surveillance and tighter access control measures across the facilities The Kolkata Police issued formal directives to the authorities of SSKM Hospital Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital RG Kar Medical College and Hospital National Medical College and Hospital and Calcutta Medical College and Hospital to implement the strict protocols immediatelyStrict police surveillance will continue to prevent incidents of damage to government property due to minor disturbances a senior government official stated on Wednesday The official added that individuals causing damage to hospital property will face heavy fines and imprisonment under various legal provisionsOfficials said the security network at the major hospitals would be strengthened significantly Each hospital will now be equipped with wireless communication systems to ensure swift coordination during emergenciesSuperintendents and principals of the medical colleges and hospitals will remain in direct contact with local police stations divisional control rooms and Lalbazar the headquarters of the Kolkata PoliceThe government has also directed hospitals to enhance fire safety preparedness Fire extinguishers and hydrants will remain ready for immediate use while hospital authorities have been asked to maintain close coordination with the fire department Joint night patrols involving police personnel and private security staff will also be introduced on hospital campusesAccording to officials the number of security guards at all five hospitals is being increased Strict checks will now be enforced at hospital entry points with visitors and attendants subject to screening before entering the premisesAuthorities said unrestricted movement inside hospitals would no longer be allowed Relatives of patients will be permitted only during designated visiting hours while the entry of outside vehicles into hospital campuses will also be restrictedA comprehensive database of private security guards ambulance operators and other hospitallinked personnel is expected to be prepared within the next monthThe administration has also moved to curb illegal parking inside hospital compounds Except for vehicles belonging to patientsâ families doctors and healthcare workers no other vehicles will be allowed within the premises Officials added that areas outside the main hospital gates would be made hawkerfree while helpline numbers for doctors nurses and patients would be prominently displayed across the campuses IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bengal-govt-launches-major-security-revamp-at-5-kolkata-hospitals-night-patrols-in-place-674669.html Wed, 20 May 2026 15:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/andhra-pradesh-governor-cm-pay-tribute-to-prakasam-pantulu-on-death-anniversary-674671.html Amaravati May 20 Andhra Pradesh Governor S Abdul Nazeer and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday paid tributes to Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu who served as the premier of the Madras Presidency and the first Chief Minister of Andhra State on his death anniversary The Governor said Prakasam Pantulu was a fearless freedom fighter visionary leader and a symbol of courage and integrity Popularly known as âAndhra Kesariâ he dedicated his life to the service of the nation and the welfare of the peopleHis sacrifices patriotism and commitment towards democratic values continue to inspire future generations Governor Abdul Nazeer saidChief Minister Chandrababu Naidu also paid tributes to Prakasam Pantulu âTanguturi Prakasam Pantulu Garu was a symbol of the courage adventures and selfrespect of the Telugu people He was a great soul who lived solely for the people with unwavering patriotism honesty and dedication On the occasion of Prakasam Pantulu Garus death anniversary let us remember the services of that noble leaderâ Chandrababu Naidu saidFormer chief minister and YSR Congress Party president Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy paid floral tributes by garlanding the portrait of Prakasam Pantulu at the partyâs central office at Tadepalli âA symbol of courage an alter ego of integrity and an immortal emblem of public service the great leader Andhra Kesari Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu Garu He was a valiant hero who stood unflinchingly against the oppression of British rulers offering his chest to their bullets without fear The path he treaded for the rights of the people and the upliftment of society remains an eternal source of inspiration for todays generations On the occasion of Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu Garus birth anniversary today we remember his services and pay our homageâ Jagan Mohan Reddy said in a post on âXâMinister for Human Resources Development and Information Technology Nara Lokesh also paid tributes to Praksam Pantulu âOn the occasion of the death anniversary of the prominent freedom fighter and the first Chief Minister of Andhra State Shri Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu I offer my profound respects to the memory of that great soul Shri Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu was a person who dedicated his life to the nation He stands as a symbol of courage and valor public service and patriotism His services from the freedom struggle to the formation of the state are unforgettable Let us all rededicate ourselves to realizing the ideals of Shri Tanguturi Prakasam Pantuluâ Lokesh posted on âXâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/andhra-pradesh-governor-cm-pay-tribute-to-prakasam-pantulu-on-death-anniversary-674671.html Wed, 20 May 2026 15:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-completes-221-crore-cubic-metres-of-earthwork-in-three-years-surpassing-target-674673.html Gandhinagar May 20 The Gujarat government has completed 221 crore 22137 lakh cubic metres of earthwork over the last three years to strengthen reservoirs and increase water storage capacity across the state exceeding its original target for the period Water Resources and Water Supply Minister Ishwarsinh Patel said on Wednesday The work was undertaken between 202223 and 202425 through government machinery under the Water Resources Department as part of annual special drives aimed at strengthening irrigation systems and extending irrigation facilities to farmers at the tailend of canal networksAccording to the government the department had planned to complete 203 lakh cubic metres of earthwork during the threeyear period but achieved 22137 lakh cubic metres insteadThe department had established a new milestone under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel by surpassing the target Patel saidThe minister said the works were carried out to improve the strength of reservoirs and increase water storage and watercarrying capacity in canalsStructural improvement and maintenance activities were also undertaken across approximately 123 lakh square metres covering a total length of 4223 kilometresThe operations included the removal of unwanted vegetation such as bushes and shrubs growing on dams canals lakes and channels across the state during the last three years he saidA total of 1474 sites were completed during the period with an average of 88 to 96 government machinery deployed for the workâThe completion of this campaign has increased the strength of the stateâs reservoirs as well as the lifespan and water carrying capacity of canalsâ Patel saidThe department also undertook deepening and desilting work in reservoirs canals rivers check dams streams channels and lakesCleaning maintenance and restoration of canal and drainage systems removal of obstructions affecting floodwater flow and emergency floodrelief operations were also carried out through the use of modern heavy earthmoving machineryPatel said Offices functioning under the Irrigation Mechanical Circles of Vadodara and Ahmedabad played an important role in maintaining and improving irrigation infrastructure across different regions of the state using the irrigation departmentâs heavy machineryHe said major works included conservation and strengthening of reservoirs maintenance of canals rivers and drainage systems strengthening of earthen embankments and bunds prevention and improvement of salinity ingress and construction of cofferdams as part of specialised engineering activitiesâTo complete this campaign the departmentâs entire staff and labourers remained engaged day and night despite geographical challenges and adverse weather conditionsâ the minister saidHe added that the Irrigation Mechanical Department would continue modernisation and technologybased works in the coming years and expressed confidence that Gujarat would move further towards becoming a watersurplus state IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-completes-221-crore-cubic-metres-of-earthwork-in-three-years-surpassing-target-674673.html Wed, 20 May 2026 15:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/centre-ready-for-in-principle-approval-for-hyderabad-metro-phase-ii-kishan-reddy-674674.html Hyderabad May 20 Union Minister for Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy said on Wednesday that the Centre has no objections for inprinciple approval to Hyderabad Metro PhaseII project He stated that the Centre is prepared to proceed on a costsharing basis wherein the Central and Telangana governments contribute equally Kishan Reddy stated this after meeting Union Minister for Urban Development Manohar Lal Khattar in New Delhi on WednesdayThey jointly conducted a review of various key projects currently underway in Hyderabad city under the aegis of the Union Ministry of Urban DevelopmentThe two Central ministers discussed several important issues related to urban development infrastructure sanitation and public transportationThey also discussed the Phase II project of the Hyderabad Metro In light of the State government having already taken over operations from LampT Khattar stated that the Central government would comprehensively examine the Detailed Project Report DPR and other technical specifications pertaining to the remaining PhaseII works and subsequently take a decisionKishan Reddy said in a statement that the Centre has no objection for inprinciple approval to Hyderabad Metro PhaseII project and that it is prepared to proceed on 5050 cost sharing basis with the Telangana governmentNoting that the State government has already submitted proposals for the PhaseII Metro expansion covering a stretch of 162 kms Khattar revealed that the Central government would give these proposals positive consideration and initiate further necessary actionsAccording to Kishan Reddy Manohar Lal Khattar shared key details regarding the sanitation of the Musi River in Hyderabad He stated that as part of the Central governments AMRUT 20 scheme a total of 39 Sewage Treatment Plants STPs have been sanctioned to treat the sewage flowing into the Musi River with the total cost of these projects amounting to â¹3975 croreKhattar further revealed that these 39 STPs will have the capacity to treat 972 million litres of sewage per day He noted that this initiative will not only prevent untreated wastewater from flowing directly into the Musi River but will also contribute significantly to the conservation of the river and the improvement of sanitation within the cityKishan Reddy said Khattar clarified that the Central government is extending its full cooperation towards the development of Hyderabad city and the provision of improved infrastructure facilities for its citizensKishan Reddy thanked him on behalf of the people of Hyderabad IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/centre-ready-for-in-principle-approval-for-hyderabad-metro-phase-ii-kishan-reddy-674674.html Wed, 20 May 2026 15:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/heatwave-grips-north-india-temperatures-cross-45-degrees-celsius-imd-issues-red-orange-alerts-674716.html New Delhi May 20 IANS Severe heatwave conditions continued to intensify across Delhi and several parts of North India on Wednesday with temperatures crossing 45 degrees Celsius in many areas of Rajasthan Haryana Punjab and Uttar Pradesh prompting the India Meteorological Department IMD to issue red and orange alerts in multiple statesnbspAccording to the IMD the ongoing heatwave is likely to persist over the next few days severely impacting normal life across the regionnbspIn Delhi scorching heat and hot winds made outdoor movement difficult during the afternoon hours as several areas recorded temperatures above 45 degrees CelsiusUttar Pradesh remained among the worstaffected states In Varanasi residents struggled with extreme heat as the mercury touched 4546 degrees Celsius Locals were seen using umbrellas and cotton cloths to shield themselves from the blazing sunnbspA local resident told IANS There is extreme heat in Varanasi and the temperature is soaring up to 4546 degrees Celsius People are using umbrellas and cotton clothes to cover their headsnbspAnother resident advised tourists and devotees to avoid venturing out during the afternoon hoursTourists and devotees should avoid going out in the afternoon Either step out in the evening or in the morning because theres a risk of falling sick the local saidHamirpur district is also witnessing severe heatwave conditions with residents complaining that this years summer is harsher than previous yearsnbspThis time the heat is much more intense than last year One does not feel like stepping out of the house a local resident saidnbspIn Noida authorities have stepped up medical preparedness amid rising cases of heatrelated illnesses A special heat stroke cool room has been established at the district hospital with separate beds reserved for heat stroke patients and additional doctors deployed on alert dutyIn Ghazipur Medical College Principal DrThenbsp Anand Mishra said a dedicated 10bed heatwave ward has been set up in view of temperatures ranging between 41 and 45 degrees Celsius and increasing heatwave alertsnbspBanda district in Uttar Pradesh also remained in the grip of severe heatwave conditionsnbspIn Rajasthans Kota extreme heat has started affecting both people and livestock Municipal officials said arrangements such as water sprays and coolers are being provided in gaushalas to protect animals from the scorching temperaturesChandigarh also reeled under intense heat IMD Director Surinder Paul said heatwavelike conditions are expected to continue for at least the next 48 hoursnbspHaryanas Rohtak recorded the highest temperature in the state at 469 degrees Celsius while Punjabs Faridkot registered 47 degrees Celsius he saidnbspHill states too are witnessing unusual heat conditions In Himachal Pradesh the Meteorological Department issued heatwave alerts for Kangra and Solan districts for Wednesday and ThursdayUna remained the hottest place in the state with a temperature of 434 degrees Celsius which was 45 degrees above normal Shimla also recorded the seasons highest temperature at 294 degrees CelsiusnbspIn Jammu and Kashmirs Rajouri district severe heatwave conditions disrupted daily life and livelihoods Medical experts advised people to stay hydrated and avoid exposure to direct sunlight during peak afternoon hoursnbspAuthorities across North India have urged citizens to remain indoors during peak daytime hours drink sufficient water and take precautions to avoid heatstroke and dehydration https://dailyworld.in/national/heatwave-grips-north-india-temperatures-cross-45-degrees-celsius-imd-issues-red-orange-alerts-674716.html Wed, 20 May 2026 20:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-italy-agree-to-expand-bilateral-trade-to-20-billion-euros-by-2029-674717.html Rome May 20 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni on Wednesday agreed to leverage the IndiaEU Free Trade Agreement to expand bilateral trade to 20 billion euros by 2029 according to a joint statement after their talksnbspThe leaders took note of the renewed momentum in bilateral economic and commercial ties growing investments and efforts to build longterm collaborations In this context they welcomed the exchange of three Business Forums last year They also met select Italian and Indian CEOs representing sectors such as defence digital energy transition infrastructure and logistics the joint statement saidBoth leaders agreed to leverage the opportunities from the IndiaEU Free Trade Agreement and called for its early implementation it saidnbspThe leaders also expressed satisfaction with growing engagements between researchers and scientific institutions from both countries They welcomed ongoing collaboration between the Italian Space Agency and the Indian Space Research Organisation and efforts to strengthen commercial space collaboration They also called for greater collaboration in the fields of AI semiconductors critical minerals and other cuttingedge technologies synergising Indias talented workforce and Italys technological prowessBoth leaders expressed their keen desire to build connectivity infrastructure through concrete projects and reaffirmed their commitment to the implementation of the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Corridor IMEC according to the statementnbspThey welcomed the signing of MoUs between India and Italy on cooperation on the development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal Gujarat and on the recruitment of nurses from IndiaBoth leaders acknowledged the valuable contribution of the Indian diaspora in Italy and agreed to facilitate mobility of students researchers and academia They agreed to celebrate 2027 as the Year of Culture and Tourism between India and ItalynbspPrime Minister Modi thanked Prime Minister Meloni for the warm hospitality extended by the Italian government and people and invited her to visit India at a mutually convenient timenbspThe two leaders also welcomed the signing of the Joint Declaration of Intent in the defence sector an Industrial Roadmap for collaboration in codesign codevelopment and coproduction of defence products https://dailyworld.in/national/india-italy-agree-to-expand-bilateral-trade-to-20-billion-euros-by-2029-674717.html Wed, 20 May 2026 20:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/nhrc-chief-cautions-state-rights-panels-against-exceeding-jurisdiction-674561.html New Delhi May 19 NHRC Chairperson Justice V Ramasubramanian cautioned State Commissions against exceeding their jurisdiction underlining the need to avoid duplication of cases and improve information sharing an official said on Tuesdayâ Addressing a daylong virtual conference of the State Human Rights Commissions SHRCs along with Special Rapporteurs and Special Monitors Justice Ramasubramanian said that while courts have expanded the scope of fundamental rights human rights institutions must remain guided by the definition under the Protection of Human Rights ActâHe said that maintaining jurisdictional clarity would reduce unnecessary litigation and enable Commissions to deliver more effective highquality serviceâJustice Ramasubramanian urged SHRCs to digitise their operations and join the common integrated HRCNet portal with the National Human Rights Commission NHRC expressing hope for closer collaboration and future inperson engagements among the CommissionsâNHRC Members Justice Dr Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi Vijaya Bharathi Sayani Secretary General Bharat Lal DG I Anupama Nilekar Chandra and senior officers were presentâJustice Sarangi described the interaction between the NHRC and SHRCs as an important initiative to strengthen coordinationâHe called for better communication and coordination between them to ensure effective implementation of orders and timely delivery of benefits to persons in distress particularly in sensitive matters such as custodial deathsâSayani urged SHRCs to increase field visits and engage more with affected communitiesâShe said that coordination between SHRCs and NHRC Special Monitors and Special Rapporteurs may strengthen institutional effectiveness She also highlighted the initiative of the Karnataka government to display SHRC contact details for public assistanceâSecretary General Bharat Lal highlighted that in the last 5 years 428 lakh complaints have been received out of which major complaints fall in different categories Police related violations 18 per cent organised exploitation by mafias 174 per cent service matters â nonpayment of pensionssalary 6 per cent violations of womenâs rights 58 per cent conditions in jails and prisons 35 per cent Workers rights violations 22 per cent health related violations 2 per cent human rights violations in educational institutions 2 per cent child rights violations 17 per cent among othersâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/nhrc-chief-cautions-state-rights-panels-against-exceeding-jurisdiction-674561.html Tue, 19 May 2026 18:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rg-kar-rape-amp-murder-case-calcutta-hc-directs-cbi-to-seal-all-hospital-areas-that-may-be-linked-to-crime-674568.html Kolkata May 19 The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation CBI to immediately seal all the areas in the staterun RG Kar Medical College amp Hospital that may be linked with the ghastly rape amp murder of a junior woman doctor there in August 2024 A division bench of Justice Shampa Sarkar and Justice Tirthankar Ghosh which had been recently assigned the matter at the end of its first hearing specially directed the agency to ensure that the seal of the seminar room within the hospital premises where the body of the victim was detected in the morning of August 9 2024 remained intactIt also directed the CBI to seal other suspected sports within the hospital premises like the office and chamber of the then Principal Sandip Ghosh who is already tainted both in the rape amp murder case as well as the multicrore financial irregularities in the said medical college amp hospitalDuring the hearing on Tuesday on the petition by the family members of the victim seeking permission to visit the scene of the crime the division bench asked the CBI counsel whether the seminar room was still in a sealed condition or the seal had been removedWhen the CBI counsel informed the court that the seal was still there the counsel of the victimâs family informed the court that the office and chamber of Ghosh had not been sealed Thereafter the division bench again questioned the CBI counsel whether the investigating officials of the central agency did not feel it necessary to seal spots other than the seminar room for the sake of proper investigationIt directed the CBI to immediately seal all the suspected spots within the hospital premises that might have links with the tragedy The next hearing in the matter had been scheduled on May 21After the previous division bench headed by Justice Rajasekhar Mantha recused from hearing the matter on May 12 observing that this important case needs to be heard quickly the Calcutta High Courtâs Chief Justice Sujoy Paul on May 15 referred the matter to the division bench of Justice Sarkar and Justice Ghosh IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rg-kar-rape-amp-murder-case-calcutta-hc-directs-cbi-to-seal-all-hospital-areas-that-may-be-linked-to-crime-674568.html Tue, 19 May 2026 19:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/people-must-deliver-final-blow-to-drug-abuse-jampk-l-g-674569.html Srinagar May 19 JampK Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday urged the people to strike the final blow to drug abuse so that the people and the administration together dismantle the narcoterror network and save the younger generation from addiction JampK LG joined the peopleâs movement against drugs in Pulwama and addressed citizens urging them to intensify the fight against drug abuse and work collectively to dismantle the narcoterror networkHe said the past month had witnessed an awakening of public spirit across Jammu and KashmirâIn Baramulla I saw thousands raising their voices against drugs Similarly in Jammu Samba Udhampur Kathua Srinagar and other districts I saw young people and parents resolutely committed to this fightâ the JampK LG saidHe said that over the last 39 days across different districts of Jammu and Kashmir neighbours had become each otherâs support and the longstanding silence surrounding the issue had begun to breakAccording to the JampK LG that silence had now turned into a loud collective outcry against drugsâOur fight is against a vast narcoterror network fuelled by fear greed and destruction In Pulwama alone more than 11000 local events have been organised in recent daysâ he saidHe added that First Information Reports had been registered against 48 drug smugglers and 56 drug traffickers had been arrested saying these figures showed that authorities were striking directly at the roots of terrorThe JampK LG said that for many decades drug smuggling in Jammu and Kashmir had been treated merely as a local crime but people must now realise that drug smugglers and terrorists were âtwo sides of the same coinââDrug smugglers profit by destroying the futures of our youth and terror outfits use that money to fuel terrorism and radicalisation in Jammu and Kashmirâ he saidHe added that every deal made by a drug peddler not only wrecked a young life but also financed the killing of innocent citizensâWhen drug smugglers earn money our youth lose their future and that money arms terrorists against innocents in Jammu and Kashmirâ the JampK LG saidReaffirming his resolve the JampK LG said the administration would remove drug smugglers and peddlers from the soil of Jammu and KashmirHe warned the narcoterror ecosystem that it could no longer hide and said law enforcement agencies were actively pursuing those involvedâWe will hunt you down even in your deepest hideouts Our mission is not just arrests but the complete destruction of the narcoterror empire and tearing out the very roots from which this poison spreadsâ he saidIt is pertinent to mention that since April 11 about 897 drug smugglers and peddlers have been arrested while recommendations have been made to cancel the passports of 18 traffickersAdditionally the driving licences of 382 traffickers and peddlers and the registrations of 386 vehicles have been cancelled 49 immovable properties have been seized and 45 properties have been demolishedAcross both the Jammu and Kashmir divisions nearly 5045 drug stores have been inspected Licences of 225 drug stores have been suspended licences of 27 stores have been cancelled and First Information Reports have been registered against six storesFrom April 11 until now 393000 programmes have been held throughout Jammu and Kashmir with millions participating in awareness and outreach activitiesTo strengthen groundlevel monitoring and rehabilitation 6646 village womenâs committees and 2997 youth clubs have been formed across Jammu and Kashmir to block drug trafficking and ensure rehabilitation of those trapped by addictionThe JampK LG said more than 100 helpline calls were being received daily and over 52000 patients had so far received treatment at addiction treatment facilitiesâAs this 100day campaign advances we must fuel its momentum Stay vigilant Stay unitedâ he saidHe urged the people of Jammu and Kashmir to remember that stopping one peddler saved a life and every life saved weakened terror in the ValleyâTogether we will break addictionâs chains in Jammu and Kashmir end terrorism and light up our streets homes and future A month ago we dreamed of a drugfree Jammu and Kashmir Today we are proving it is realâ the JampK LG said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/people-must-deliver-final-blow-to-drug-abuse-jampk-l-g-674569.html Tue, 19 May 2026 19:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/andhra-pradesh-waqf-board-set-to-receive-records-from-telangana-674572.html Amaravati May 19 Records about Waqf properties in Andhra Pradesh are set to be handed over to the state from Telangana a senior official said on Tuesday The records are with the Waqf Board of the combined Andhra Pradesh located in Telangana and their transfer has been pending for more than a decadeAndhra Pradesh Waqf Board Chairman Shaik Abdul Aziz said progress had been made towards resolving the longpending issue regarding the records which had remained stalled for 10 yearsHe said the positive development came after the intervention of Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu and Minister for Minority Welfare NMD FarooqAccording to Abdul Aziz the Waqf Board has also initiated measures to secure outstanding funds in addition to the recordsFollowing the bifurcation of the combined Andhra Pradesh in 2014 key records files survey forms districtwise gazettes copies of Board resolutions and other vital documents pertaining to the Andhra Pradesh Waqf Board had remained under the jurisdiction of the Telangana Waqf BoardAlthough the Waqf Act 1995 along with the bifurcation guidelines formulated by the Central Government mandated the transfer of all records asset details and associated funds relevant to Andhra Pradesh to the Andhra Pradesh Waqf Board the process had failed to gain momentum over the last several yearsAbdul Aziz stated that upon assuming responsibilities as Andhra Pradesh Waqf Board Chairman he treated the matter as a top priority He said he personally met the Chairman of the Telangana Waqf Board and devoted special attention to the issueHe further stated that he held multiple meetings with the Chief Executive Officer and other senior officials of the Telangana Waqf Board and actively pursued the matter through official correspondenceAccording to Abdul Aziz Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Minister Farooq took special cognisance of the issue He said they not only intervened at the appropriate levels but also extended exceptional cooperation towards resolving the problemHe noted that it was due to their intervention that rapid progress on the matter became possibleDescribing it as a welcome development Abdul Aziz said that as a result of continuous followups highlevel official discussions and administrative efforts the Telangana government had finally issued orders through a memorandum to the Hyderabad District Collector to release the records room and hand it over to the Chief Executive Officer of the Telangana State Waqf BoardHe informed that the Telangana Waqf Board currently holds a total of 2971 files eight Survey Commissioner report books and three gazettes pertaining to the Andhra Pradesh Waqf BoardHe stated that the Andhra Pradesh Waqf Board would take custody of the records once the records room was vacated and the records handed over to the Telangana Chief Executive OfficerHe added that official teams had already been dispatched on behalf of the Andhra Pradesh Waqf Board to expedite the process of identifying inventorying and taking custody of the recordsHe emphasised that these crucial records are indispensable for the protection of Waqf properties the management of legal cases the verification of surveys and the uploading of details onto the Central Governmentâs UMEED portalHe revealed that measures are currently underway to recover not only the records but also the outstanding cash balances deposits and other financial assets due to the Andhra Pradesh Waqf BoardHe noted that the outstanding cash balances deposits and other financial dues owed to the Andhra Pradesh Waqf Board amount to Rs 555 crore IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/andhra-pradesh-waqf-board-set-to-receive-records-from-telangana-674572.html Tue, 19 May 2026 19:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-can-meet-rising-critical-mineral-demand-g-kishan-reddy-674574.html Jaipur May 19 Union Minister for Mines and Coal G Kishan Reddy on Tuesday said Rajasthan possesses vast reserves of critical minerals and has the potential to meet the growing demand from strategic sectors such as defence energy agriculture solar power and automobiles He said the state is rapidly emerging as a major hub for critical minerals driven by proactive policies scientific mining practices and a favourable investment climateReddy was speaking during a review meeting of the Department of Mines and Coal held on Tuesday at the Chief Ministerâs Residence in JaipurThe Union Minister said the countryâs mining sector had witnessed comprehensive reformsâThe Central Governmentâs policies focused on improving the ease of doing business have accelerated exploration auctioning and production activities in the critical minerals sectorâ he saidAccording to Reddy Rajasthan possesses vast reserves of critical minerals and has the potential to meet growing demand from sectors such as defence energy agriculture solar power and automobilesHe added that the state was making rapid progress in the mining sectorâScientific mining practices investorfriendly policies and transparent governance have helped create a favourable investment climate positioning Rajasthan as a major mining hub in the countryâ the Union Minister saidReddy stressed the need for close coordination between the Central and State Governments to resolve miningrelated issues within a fixed timeframe and to promote investment and productionDetailed discussions were also held on matters related to the energy sector including the Coal IndiaRajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited joint venture solar energy projects auction of critical mineral blocks District Mineral Foundation funds environmental and forest clearances speedy operationalisation of mineral blocks and ongoing geological and mineral exploration activities in the stateChief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma stated that Rajasthan ranks among the countryâs leading mineralrich states and possesses immense potential in the mining sectorThe state is endowed with 82 mineral types of which 57 are currently being minedHe said the State Government was prioritising transparency policy reforms and infrastructure development in the mining sectorSharma directed officials to hold regular meetings in coordination with the Central Government to resolve miningrelated issues and ensure that all mining projects are completed within the stipulated timeframeHe said the Siwana Ring Complex spread over nearly 725 square kilometres in Barmer and Balotra districts is a geological structure comprising circular and semicircular igneous rocksRare Earth Elements and Heavy Rare Earth Elements have been identified in the Siwana Ring Complex and Siwana Granite formationsAccording to Sharma the region is strategically important to the modern technology and clean energy sectorsThe Chief Minister directed officials to appoint a nodal officer to ensure the effective implementation of initiatives related to the Siwana Ring ComplexHe also instructed the Mines Department and the concerned District Collectors to coordinate with Central Government officials to accelerate work on the projectSharma urged the Central Government to share information regarding sites identified and explored by the Geological Survey of India within the stateHe said this would help ensure that land identified for conservation purposes is not later allotted for other usesThe Chief Minister also directed officials to expedite processes for environmental and forest clearances emphasising that mineral blocks that have already been auctioned should commence production at the earliestSharma further instructed the Mines Department to conduct regular review meetings and formulate action plans for mining activities to prevent future bottlenecks and avoid duplication of workDuring the meeting Additional Chief Secretary for Mines and Petroleum Aparna Arora gave a presentation on the State Governmentâs policies related to the mining and petroleum sectors along with issues concerning the Central GovernmentChief Secretary V Srinivas and senior officials from the Central and State Governments were also present during the meeting IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-can-meet-rising-critical-mineral-demand-g-kishan-reddy-674574.html Tue, 19 May 2026 19:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ups-shahi-chief-mufti-backs-cm-yogis-order-says-offering-namaz-on-roads-against-islam-674576.html Aligarh May 19 Shahi Chief Mufti of Uttar Pradesh Maulana Chaudhary Ifraheem Husain on Tuesday came out in support of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanaths statement that offering namaz on public roads should not be allowed The Muslim religious leader asserted that such a practice is against Islam Addressing an event on Monday Chief Minister Yogi said that religious gatherings involving a large number of people should be conducted in an organised manner at designated places and if required in shifts to avoid overcrowding and disruptionDefending the UP CMs statement Hussain said CM Yogis statement that namaz should not be offered on roads is absolutely correct in terms of IslamFurther he said According to Islam namaz should not be offered at any disputed or public placesRoads are meant for commuters People of all religions commute through the roads and especially ambulances pass through them Therefore one should be careful that namaz is not offered at such places he addedHe reiterated Muslims should not do it Its against IslamThe religious leader referred to a recent Allahabad High courts judgment which held that the right to practise religion does not extend to converting private premises into an unregulated congregational spaceHe said According to the courts order the decision implies for all religions without any biasThe court had dismissed a plea seeking permission and police protection for offering regular namaz at an alleged private property in Uttar Pradeshs Sambhal districtUPs Shahi Chief Mufti further responded to claims that functions of other religions do take place on roads like Kanwar Yatra and Holika Dahan and jagratasThere is a difference between Kanwar Yatra and namaz The latter is offered while sitting and when one is at peace while Kanwar Yatra is a procession Both of them cannot be compared he saidEarlier the Uttarakhand Madarsa Education Board Chairman Mufti Shamoon Qasmi also expressed support for Chief Minister Adityanaths remarks saying that those who claim to represent the Muslim community often lack a proper understanding of Islamic teachings IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ups-shahi-chief-mufti-backs-cm-yogis-order-says-offering-namaz-on-roads-against-islam-674576.html Tue, 19 May 2026 19:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kumaraswamy-accuses-ktaka-govt-of-suppressing-farmer-suicide-cases-674581.html Bengaluru May 19 Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel and Janata Dal Secular leader HD Kumaraswamy on Tuesday alleged that the Congress government in Karnataka had deliberately suppressed farmer suicide cases in the state and accused it of celebrating governance achievements while farmers continued to die in distress Addressing reporters at the Janata Dal Secular state office JP Bhavan in Bengaluru Kumaraswamy cited National Crime Records Bureau data and claimed that 2423 farmers and agricultural labourers died by suicide in Karnataka in 2023 while another 2971 deaths were reported in 2024âIn just two years 5394 farmers have lost their lives Karnataka stands second in the country in farmer suicide cases Is the government unaware of these figures or is it intentionally suppressing themâ he questionedKumaraswamy said he was shocked after reading a newspaper report highlighting the rise in farmer suicides and criticised the state government for allegedly ignoring the issue while organising large public conventionsâI expected the government to wake up after such reports appeared in newspapers Instead it is busy holding celebration conventions with no concern for farmersâ welfareâ he allegedTargeting the Congress governmentâs convention in Tumakuru marking three years in office Kumaraswamy accused it of spending crores of rupees extravagantly while farmers were sufferingâThis government has built a tomb over the lives of farmers and is showcasing its grandeur on top of it Farmers are dying every day while the government is celebrating in the name of guarantee schemesâ he saidQuestioning the effectiveness of the state governmentâs welfare guarantees Kumaraswamy asked why farmers were continuing to commit suicide if the schemes were truly successfulHe further alleged that officials were being misused to mobilise crowds for the government eventâThe government itself is bringing people to attend the convention Officials have been given targets to gather crowds because people are not voluntarily attending Congress programmesâ he chargedThe Union Minister also criticised the functioning of the Revenue Department alleging that farmers across the state continued to face serious problems despite the government publicising revenuerelated initiatives during the conventionâThey are now projecting a âLand Guaranteeâ as the sixth guarantee scheme and seeking publicity But the continuing farmer suicides expose the true state of governanceâ he saidResponding to Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumarâs challenge over the proposed Bidadi Township project Kumaraswamy said he was ready for a public debate anywhereâI am prepared for a debate Nearly 3500 people in Bidadi have submitted objections and petitions Farmers are allegedly being threatened by goons and police pressure If the project was genuinely beneficial farmers themselves would have willingly given their landâ he allegedKumaraswamy said the government should act in farmers interests and reconsider the projectThe Janata Dal Secular leader also announced that former Member of Legislative Assembly Akhanda Srinivas Murthy was likely to join the party soonDescribing his visit to Murthyâs residence in Bengaluru earlier in the day as a courtesy visit Kumaraswamy said discussions were held regarding strengthening the party organisationâHe is keen on joining the Janata Dal Secular and we will soon finalise a date for formally inducting him into the partyâ he saidKolar Member of Parliament Mallesh Babu Greater Bengaluru Janata Dal Secular President HM Ramesh Gowda former Legislative Council member Chowdareddy Thoopalli and several other leaders accompanied Kumaraswamy during the visit IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kumaraswamy-accuses-ktaka-govt-of-suppressing-farmer-suicide-cases-674581.html Tue, 19 May 2026 19:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/jal-shakti-minister-cr-paatil-reviews-studies-on-assam-irrigation-projects-674582.html New Delhi May 19 Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Paatil on Tuesday reviewed the expanding role in externally funded projects including studies on sustainable irrigation development in Assam economic impacts of Brahmaputra water diversion and water management practices in North East India Speaking at the 6th Meeting of the Governing Body of the North Eastern Regional Institute of Water and Land Management NERIWALM an institute under the Department of Water Resources River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Paatil emphasised the importance of scientific water managementHe also shed light on capacitybuilding and greater state engagement to address emerging challenges in the North Eastern Region according to an official statementHe reaffirmed the Ministryâs commitment to strengthening NERIWALMâs role as a centre of excellence in water and land managementA major agenda item included the proposal to establish an Irrigation Field Laboratory and Demonstration Farm to enhance research field demonstrations and the dissemination of irrigation technologies in the regionThe Governing Body also discussed recommendations on scholarship support for MTech and PhD students faculty development strengthening research capabilities and advancing studies in climate and GISbased applications in water resources managementFurther the meeting reviewed findings of a significant study on livelihood challenges faced by erosionaffected families in the Brahmaputra Valley and deliberated on sustainable rehabilitation and livelihood interventions for displaced communitiesThe Governing Body reviewed the instituteâs achievements approved key institutional matters and deliberated on future strategies to strengthen water and land management in the North Eastern RegionThe Governing Body approved the Annual Report and Audited Accounts for FY 2024â25 and appreciated NERIWALMâs continued progress in capacity building research and academic activitiesDuring the year NERIWALM exceeded its training targets by organising 71 training programmes benefitting more than 2800 participants while continuing its specialised MTech and PhD programmes in Water Resource Management IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/jal-shakti-minister-cr-paatil-reviews-studies-on-assam-irrigation-projects-674582.html Tue, 19 May 2026 19:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/jharkhand-congress-seeks-sarna-religion-code-in-census-flags-voter-list-deletions-674583.html Ranchi May 19 The Congresss Jharkhand unit on Tuesday demanded that the Centre implement a Sarna religion code in the ongoing Census to ensure a distinct religious identity for tribal communities Addressing a press conference at the party office here state Congress President Keshav Mahto Kamlesh and CLP leader Pradeep Yadav said that more than 125 crore people in the country follow the tribal Sarna faith but there is no separate code or column for it in the Census formsThey said this is a decadesold demand of tribal communities which continues to be ignored by the Central governmentThe leaders alleged that the Centre does not want to recognise the independent religious and cultural identity of tribal people They asserted that the party will continue to raise the issue of the Sarna religion code both on the streets and in the legislatureRaising concerns over the Special Intensive Revision SIR of electoral rolls the Congress leaders claimed that the names of a large number of voters are being removed across the countryThey alleged that the process could unfairly delete crores of voters affecting democratic rights In Jharkhand too where the Election Commission is set to launch the exercise from June the party said it will closely monitor developmentsThey added that the Congress has already begun activating its organisation down to the booth level in the state to ensure that votersâ names remain on the electoral rollsThe leaders also criticised the Centreâs economic policies and rising inflation Yadav said prices of fuel and essential commodities continue to increase adding to the financial burden on common peopleReferring to the alleged NEET paper leak case the Congress demanded a fair probe by the Central government Yadav said repeated irregularities in the examination system are a matter of serious concern for studentsâ future IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/jharkhand-congress-seeks-sarna-religion-code-in-census-flags-voter-list-deletions-674583.html Tue, 19 May 2026 19:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-tourism-body-urges-cm-satheesan-to-fast-track-reforms-in-sector-674584.html Kochi May 19 A Kerala tourism body has welcomed the new government led by VD Satheesan while urging it to accord higher priority to the tourism sector through faster infrastructure development policy reforms and improved public amenities Flagging tourism as one of Keralaâs most critical economic drivers the tourism body leaders said the sector contributes substantially to the Stateâs GDP employment generation and tax revenues benefiting stakeholders ranging from hotels and tour operators to tourist guides taxi drivers and small businesses dependent on visitor trafficKerala Travel Mart Society KTM Society president Jose Pradeep stressed that despite improvements in road connectivity across the State the absence of clean and accessible public toilets continues to remain a major challenge particularly along major tourist routes leading to destinations such as Munnar and WayanadTourists he noted are often forced to rely on hotel facilities due to the lack of public infrastructureCalling for a more ambitious tourism vision KTM suggested that instead of fragmented microlevel initiatives the government should focus on developing landmark tourism projects in each district on the lines of the Muziris Heritage Project Jatayu Earth Centre and Sargaalaya Kerala Arts and Crafts VillageThe industry body also advocated publicprivate partnership models for maintaining modern public toilets including facilities linked to petrol pumps supermarkets and highways in line with international tourism standardsAnother major concern flagged by the tourism industry is the prolonged delay in land conversion approvals required for hotel and tourism infrastructure projectsAccording to KTM the process can take nearly two years discouraging private investment and delaying expansion plansThe organisation urged the government to introduce a transparent and timebound clearance mechanismKTM secretary S Swaminathan called for urgent attention to key tourism destinations including the renovation of Fort Kochi Beach and the revival of proposals such as the Queen of the Arabian Sea statue and the Fort KochiBolgatty cable car projectHe also expressed concern over the declining standards at Kovalam Beach and worsening traffic congestion on the Wayanad Ghat roadsThe body further alleged that only a fraction of the tourism budget is directly utilised for tourism promotion urging the government to ensure dedicated spending on global marketing trade fairs and destination campaigns ahead of the upcoming Kerala Travel Mart scheduled for September IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-tourism-body-urges-cm-satheesan-to-fast-track-reforms-in-sector-674584.html Tue, 19 May 2026 19:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-collegium-recommends-appointment-of-permanent-judges-in-bombay-hc-674585.html New Delhi May 19 The Supreme Court Collegium headed by Chief Justice of India CJI Surya Kant has recommended the appointment of six additional judges as permanent judges of the Bombay High Court In a statement issued on Tuesday the apex court Collegium said that in its meeting held on May 18 it approved the proposal for the appointment of Justices Nivedita Prakash Mehta Prafulla Surendrakumar Khubalkar Ashwin Damodar Bhobe Rohit Wasudeo Joshi Advait Mahendra Sethna and Pravin Sheshrao Patil as permanent judges of the Bombay High CourtâThe Supreme Court Collegium in its meeting held on 18th May 2026 has approved the proposal for appointment of the following Additional Judges as Permanent Judges of High Court of Bombay i Ms Justice Nivedita Prakash Mehta ii Shri Justice Prafulla Surendrakumar Khubalkar iii Shri Justice Ashwin Damodar Bhobe iv Shri Justice Rohit Wasudeo Joshi v Shri Justice Advait Mahendra Sethna and vi Shri Justice Pravin Sheshrao Patil the statement saidThe Chief Justice and Judges of the High Courts are appointed by the President under clause 1 of Article 217 of the ConstitutionWhile recommending the appointment of an additional judge as a permanent judge the Chief Justice of the High Court is required to furnish detailed statistics including monthwise disposal of cases and judgments delivered by the judge concerned as well as the number of cases reported in law journals The data must also include information regarding the total number of working days the number of days the judge actually attended court and the days of absence during the relevant period for which disposal statistics are submittedIn a separate development the Supreme Court Collegium has also approved proposals for the appointment of 19 advocates and judicial officers as judges of the Madras High Court IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-collegium-recommends-appointment-of-permanent-judges-in-bombay-hc-674585.html Tue, 19 May 2026 19:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/mp-one-dead-several-injured-in-satna-solvent-plant-boiler-blast-674434.html Satna May 19 At least one person was reported dead and several others injured after a boiler explosion triggered a massive fire at the Vidyashree Solvent Plant in Madhya Pradeshâs Satna district late on Monday Upon receiving information officials from the district administration and local police including SDM Rahul Siladia and CSP Devendra Singh reached the spot and monitored the situationConfirming the incident a police official said the exact cause of the boiler explosion would be known only after a technical inquiryHe added that experts would examine maintenance records operating pressure and whether standard safety protocols were followedSafety compliance and plant licensing will also be examined as part of the investigation including factory permits boiler certification and fire safety clearances he saidIn the incident a machine operator was trapped in the flames and died after being burned aliveThe deceased was yet to be identifiedKotwali police station TI Ravindra Dwivedi said that senior officials had reached the site and initiated an investigationThe injured persons were rushed to Satna district hospital and further investigation was underwayAccording to information the explosion occurred at a plant operating within the rice mill complex owned by local bullion trader Saurabh JainThe unit produced rice bran oil using paddy husksThe blast was so powerful that it triggered panic in the surrounding areaAs flames began to encroach upon a nearby residential settlement residents rushed out of their homes amid thick smoke and chaosFollowing the accident irate residents staged a brief road blockade demanding strict action and safety audits of industrial units near populated areasPolice later persuaded them to lift the blockade restoring traffic flowFurther details are awaited IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/mp-one-dead-several-injured-in-satna-solvent-plant-boiler-blast-674434.html Tue, 19 May 2026 10:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/hm-amit-shah-to-chair-26th-central-zone-council-meeting-in-bastar-today-674441.html New Delhi May 19 Union Home Minister Amit Shah will chair the 26th meeting of the Central Zonal Council in Bastar on Tuesday marking a significant moment for regional governance and development in central India The highprofile meeting being held in the historic Bastar region of Chhattisgarh is also being seen as a reflection of the successful restoration of peace and stability in an area once heavily affectedThe event will see the convergence of the Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh Uttar Pradesh Uttarakhand and the host state of Chhattisgarh making it a critical forum for interstate cooperation and federal dialogueIn anticipation of this significant event Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai chaired a comprehensive highlevel review meeting to assess the ongoing preparationsDuring this preparatory session senior administrative officials presented a detailed PowerPoint overview outlining the specific topics and strategic proposals that the Chhattisgarh government plans to introduce during the council proceedingsReviewing each agenda point thoroughly Chief Minister Sai assigned clear responsibilities to top officials and issued strict directives to ensure flawless execution emphasising that arrangements must be handled with utmost seriousness and seamless coordinationReflecting on the importance of the event Chief Minister Sai earlier highlighted that the member states of the Central Zonal Council play a pivotal role in achieving the vision of a Developed IndiaHe noted that this particular council serves as an exemplary model for the entire country uniquely defined by an atmosphere of mutual cooperation and a total absence of disputes among its participantsAccording to the Chief Minister these regional councils have transformed into highly effective platforms for fostering constructive dialogue and resolving shared challenges bridging the gap between individual states as well as between the provincial governments and the CentreHosting this national assembly in Bastar is a source of immense pride for ChhattisgarhChief Minister Sai pointed out that organising a convention of this magnitude in Bastar reflects the successful restoration of peace in the area under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/hm-amit-shah-to-chair-26th-central-zone-council-meeting-in-bastar-today-674441.html Tue, 19 May 2026 10:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-police-arrest-man-recover-stolen-mobile-phones-and-bike-674452.html New Delhi May 19 In a significant breakthrough against rising street crime and mobile snatching incidents the AntiAuto Theft Squad AATS of the South District Police apprehended a mobile phone snatcher on Tuesday It recovered six stolen and snatched mobile phones from his possession and the motorcycle allegedly used in the commission of the crime was also seized The case came to light after a complaint was lodged by Yuvika Wadhwa regarding the snatching of her mobile phone near GBlock CR Park Following the complaint FIR No 932026 under Section 3042 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita BNS was registered at Police Station CR Park on May 5 and an investigation was initiated immediatelyTo crack the case a dedicated police team comprising Sub Inspector Sajid Husain ASI Ravinder Singh Head Constable Kamal Prakash HC Krishan Kumar HC Virender and Constable Arvind was constituted under the leadership of Inspector Umesh Yadav InCharge of AATS South District The team functioned under the close supervision of Additional DCP Operations Arvind KumarDuring the course of the investigation the police team reached the spot and carried out a detailed analysis of CCTV footage collected from cameras installed near the scene of the crime The footage revealed that the snatching was committed by a lone individual riding a motorcycle with a defective number plate The accused had concealed his identity by covering his facePolice officials said that sustained technical surveillance CCTV trail analysis and development of local intelligence helped investigators trace the accused to the Sangam Vihar area The suspect was later identified as AakashOn May 17 the police received specific secret information that the accused would arrive near Nala Road in Khirki Village to dispose of stolen property Acting swiftly on the tipoff the police team laid a strategic trap in the area and successfully apprehended the accused while he was riding the motorcycleDuring the search operation six stolen mobile phones were recovered from his possession Verification of the recovered devices revealed that all the mobile phones were linked to previously reported theft and snatching cases registered at different police stations in DelhiDuring interrogation the accused disclosed that he had sold the snatched mobile phone connected to the present CR Park case to a person identified as Bunty a resident of Sangam Vihar Police said efforts are underway to apprehend the receiver and recover the snatched deviceInvestigators further revealed that the accused used to target unsuspecting pedestrians in crowded areas while riding a motorcycle To avoid identification he deliberately used a motorcycle with a defective number plate and covered his face during the commission of the crimes After committing the offences he allegedly sold the stolen mobile phones through local contacts to earn quick money to support his drug addictionThe police recovered six stolen mobile phones and one motorcycle allegedly used in the commission of the crimesThe accused has been identified as Aakash son of Late Harkesh a resident of Sangam Vihar New Delhi aged 20 years According to police he is a budding criminal and drug addict who has allegedly resorted to theft and mobile snatching to finance his addictionPolice records show that although no previous involvement had been officially documented against him the present arrest helped solve multiple theft and snatching cases registered across DelhiThe cases worked out following the arrest include FIR No 932026 of Police Station CR Park EFIR No 8000297226 registered at Police Station Mehrauli EFIR No 8000712226 of PS Fatehpur Beri EFIR No 8006159225 of PS Mehrauli EFIR No 8000155326 of PS Saket EFIR No 8012394325 of PS Ambedkar Nagar and EFIR No 80058666025 of PS MehrauliDelhi Police stated that the prompt response detailed CCTV analysis technical surveillance and continuous field efforts by the AATS team led to the successful apprehension of the accused involved in several cases of theft and snatchingThe South District Police reiterated that they remain committed to maintaining public safety and taking strict action against criminals involved in street offences including theft and mobile snatching Further investigation into the matter is currently underway IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-police-arrest-man-recover-stolen-mobile-phones-and-bike-674452.html Tue, 19 May 2026 11:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/three-coaches-of-ujjaini-express-derail-in-rishikesh-probe-on-674454.html Rishikesh May 19 Three coaches of the Ujjaini Express derailed in the Khand Gaon area near the Yog Nagari Railway Station in Uttarakhands Rishikesh There were no passengers on board at the time of the incident officials said on Tuesday The incident occurred on Monday at around 930 pmRestoration work is currently underway at the site of the incidentAccording to the initial investigation the train derailed during shunting operations Three coaches of the train derailedUpon receiving the information a police team from the local Kotwali station also arrived at the site Repair work continued late into the night Kailash Chandra Bhatt the InspectorinCharge of the Kotwali station stated that the incident occurred during maintenance hours when no passenger was on boardLocals reported hearing a loud noise at the time of the accident prompting residents to rush out of their homes and shops Railway personnel at the scene immediately evacuated the area and all movement on the tracks was haltedAccording to sources a technical glitch or human error during shunting operations is preliminarily suspected to be the cause of the accident However railway officials are currently refraining from making any definitive statementsOfficials stated that the matter is under investigation and that a technical team is preparing a report Following the incident the railway tracks and the damaged sections were inspected The railway administration is currently carrying out relief and repair operationsThe incident adds to the series of railwayrelated accidents that have occurred in the past few daysEarlier on Monday a massive fire broke out in one of the coaches of a passenger train bound for Patna No injuries were reportedThe incident occurred on the SasaramPatna fast passenger train near the Bihars Sasaram railway station at around 6 am According to the preliminary investigation the fire was caused by a suspected short circuitThe coach caught fire while it was at the Sasaram railway station shortly before it was scheduled to departOn Sunday a fire broke out in two rear coaches of the Delhibound Rajdhani Express near Rajasthans Kota No injuries were reported in this incidentRailway officials said all passengers from the affected coach were immediately deboarded safely According to railway authorities the Overhead Equipment OHE power supply was immediately shut down after the fire was detected to prevent further danger and the affected coach was removedThe officials further stated that the builtin safety systems of the coach functioned promptly leading to the automatic halt of the train soon after the incident occurred IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/three-coaches-of-ujjaini-express-derail-in-rishikesh-probe-on-674454.html Tue, 19 May 2026 11:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/two-murder-accused-injured-in-police-encounter-in-noida-two-minors-detained-674455.html Noida May 19 In a major operation related to the murder of a youth at Sector63 Police Station in Noida Uttar Pradesh police arrested two accused following an encounter During the exchange of fire both accused sustained gunshot injuries while two other accused who are minors were detained during a subsequent combing operation Police also recovered illegal firearms cartridges a knife and two motorcycles from the possession of the accusedAccording to police officials on May 17 20yearold Deepak son of Suraj Singh and a resident of Chotpur Colony was attacked with knives by a group of youths over a monetary dispute Deepak was admitted to a hospital in critical condition where he later succumbed to his injuries during treatmentFollowing the incident a case was immediately registered at Sector63 Police Station After the victimâs death Section 1031 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita BNS was added to the chargesWhile investigating the case and attempting to apprehend the accused the Sector63 Police team was conducting a latenight checking drive on Sunday on the green belt service road leading from the Bahalolpur underpass towards FNG Road During the operation four youths riding two motorcycles were seen approaching the areaPolice signalled them to stop but the accused allegedly turned their motorcycles around and attempted to flee Suspecting foul play the police team chased themAccording to police officials when the accused realised they were surrounded they allegedly opened fire on the police team with the intention to kill The police retaliated in selfdefence during which two of the accused sustained gunshot injuriesThe injured accused have been identified as Aman son of Veer Singh a resident of Bulandshahr and Sandeep Kumar son of Sanjay Singh also a resident of Bulandshahr Both were reportedly living as tenants in Chotpur ColonyPolice said the injured accused were admitted to a hospital for treatmentMeanwhile the two other accused involved in the incident were found to be juveniles in conflict with the law and were taken into custody during the combing operationFrom the possession of the accused police recovered three illegal countrymade pistols two empty cartridges four live cartridges one knife and two motorcycles allegedly used in the commission of the crimePolice officials stated that further investigation into the case is underway and efforts are being made to gather details regarding the criminal history of the accused IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/two-murder-accused-injured-in-police-encounter-in-noida-two-minors-detained-674455.html Tue, 19 May 2026 11:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/imd-issues-yellow-alert-for-heatwave-in-delhi-ncr-for-next-three-days-674460.html New Delhi May 19 The spell of intense heat across DelhiNCR is steadily worsening with the India Meteorological Department IMD issuing a yellow alert for severe heatwave conditions over the next three days According to the latest forecast issued by the weather department residents of DelhiNCR are likely to face scorching temperatures strong hot winds and rising discomfort from May 19 to May 22Delhi experienced its hottest day of the season on Monday with temperatures nearing 44 degrees Celsius in several areas of the city The Safdarjung observatory considered Delhiâs primary weather station recorded a maximum temperature of 434 degrees Celsius making it the hottest day of the month so farThe IMD has warned that the combination of intense sunlight and strong surface winds during daytime is likely to aggravate public discomfort In addition a steady increase in nighttime temperatures is expected offering little relief from the prevailing heat conditionsAccording to the departmentâs local weather forecast the maximum temperature on May 19 is likely to touch 44 degrees Celsius while the minimum temperature may remain around 28 degrees Celsius Heatwave conditions accompanied by strong surface winds are expected to persist during the afternoon and evening hours The IMD has advised residents to avoid venturing outdoors during peak afternoon hours unless absolutely necessary as prolonged exposure to the heat may adversely affect healthThe department stated that no major respite from the scorching weather is expected on May 20 either The maximum temperature is again forecast to hover around 44 degrees Celsius with the minimum temperature likely to settle at 27 degrees Celsius Heatwave conditions are expected to continue through the afternoon and evening while strong hot winds are likely to sweep across the region throughout the dayOn May 21 despite a marginal dip in temperature the impact of the heatwave is likely to continue The maximum temperature is expected to remain around 43 degrees Celsius while the minimum temperature may stay close to 27 degrees Celsius The weather department said heatwave conditions would prevail during the afternoon and evening hours on this day as wellHumidity levels are expected to fluctuate between 35 and 50 per cent increasing the feeling of mugginess and discomfort for residents Similar weather conditions are likely to continue on May 22 with the IMD forecasting a maximum temperature of 43 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 27 degrees Celsius Hot and dry winds are expected to blow throughout the dayHowever a slight change in weather patterns may begin from May 23 when the sky is likely to remain predominantly clear and conditions may improve graduallyHealth experts and doctors have advised children senior citizens and people suffering from preexisting medical conditions to take extra precautions during the heatwave They have recommended drinking water regularly staying hydrated avoiding direct exposure to sunlight and limiting outdoor activities to prevent dehydration and heatstroke IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/imd-issues-yellow-alert-for-heatwave-in-delhi-ncr-for-next-three-days-674460.html Tue, 19 May 2026 11:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ktaka-bjp-questions-cong-govts-self-praising-report-card-3-year-celebratory-event-674462.html Bengaluru May 19 Karnataka BJP President and MLA BY Vijayendra on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Congress government questioning its decision to celebrate completion of three years in office and alleging that the state has witnessed âmisgovernance corruption and administrative collapseâ under its rule It can be noted that amid continuing speculation over leadership issues within the Congress party the Karnataka government is set to celebrate the completion of three years in office with a mega event titled Pragatiyatta Karnataka in Tumakuru near Bengaluru on Tuesday As part of the programme the government will distribute property documents to 152 lakh beneficiariesIn a statement Vijayendra asked what exactly the Congress government intended to celebrate alleging that the state was facing rising debt an empty treasury and a lack of development works He claimed that roads hospitals schools irrigation projects and civic infrastructure works across the state were suffering due to a shortage of funds while the government was focused on advertisements and political managementHe further alleged that the financial burden of the governmentâs policies would ultimately fall on the youth of Karnataka in the future The BJP leader also accused the government of failing to clear contractor payments delaying infrastructure projects and delivering âzero developmentâ during its tenureCriticising the Congress governmentâs guarantee schemes Vijayendra alleged that the guarantees were irregular and delayed and were being used more as electoral tools than welfare commitments He also accused the government of burdening common citizens through price hikes of essential commoditiesVijayendra further alleged that scams commissions and diversion of public resources had become rampant under the present administration He claimed that Karnataka was being turned into an âATMâ for the Congress high command in an attempt to protect the ruling leadershipâs positionThe BJP state president also targeted the government over the law and order situation in the state He alleged that riots drug networks rowdy activities murders and assaults had increased creating fear among citizens According to him criminals appeared emboldened under the current government while ordinary people no longer felt protectedReferring to recent allegations regarding prison conditions Vijayendra claimed that even jails were turning into âparty hubsâ with criminals allegedly enjoying VIP treatment inside prisons âIf criminals are celebrating inside prisons what moral right does the Congress government have to celebrate outsideâ he questionedAccusing the government of failing on finances development welfare delivery and law and order Vijayendra described the Congress governmentâs anniversary celebrations as a reminder of âthree years of misgovernance corruption appeasement and betrayal of peopleâs trustâHe asserted that while the Congress may project a âselfpraising report cardâ the people of Karnataka would deliver their verdict through the ballot box IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ktaka-bjp-questions-cong-govts-self-praising-report-card-3-year-celebratory-event-674462.html Tue, 19 May 2026 11:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/new-division-bench-of-calcutta-hc-to-hear-rg-kar-rape-murder-case-today-674464.html Kolkata May 19 A new division bench of the Calcutta High Court Justice Shampa Sarkar and Justice Tirthankar Ghosh will hear on Tuesday the case on the 2024 ghastly rape and murder of a woman doctor of the staterun RG Kar Medical College and Hospital As per the cause list of the Calcutta High Court the hearing in the matter will start at 1 pmAfter the previous division bench headed by Justice Rajasekhar Mantha recused from hearing the matter on May 12 observing that âthis important case needs to be heard quicklyâ the Calcutta High Courtâs Chief Justice Sujoy Paul on May 15 referred the matter to the new division bench of Justice Sarkar and Justice GhoshWhile referring the matter to the new bench Justice Paul observed that all petitions connected to the matter including the plea by the victimâs family seeking permission to visit the crime scene would now be heard by the new division benchTo recall although the Central Bureau of Investigation CBI which is probing the matter did not object to the plea from the victimâs family seeking permission to visit the crime scene the previous state government led by the previous Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had objectedIn fact the previous division bench headed by Justice Mantha during a hearing then questioned why the state government was objecting to the plea from the victimâs family when CBI as the investigating agency was not objectingRecently the new state government led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the suspension of former Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal and two deputy commissioners of the city police namely Indira Mukherjee and Abhishek Gupta for shoddy handling of the initial probe by the city police before the charge of the probe was handed over to the CBI by the Calcutta High CourtAdhikari had on Monday also announced the state governmentâs decision to permit the ED to prosecute the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital Sandip Ghosh who has been linked to both the RG Kar financial irregularities case as well as the rape and murder of the junior doctor a permission which was long held back by the previous regimeHowever since the ED is conducting the probe into the RG Kar financial irregularities case the formal permission granted by the state government to prosecute and convict Sandip Ghosh is limited to that caseThe Central Bureau of Investigation is conducting a parallel probe into the RG Kar financial irregularities case as well as the rape and murder case within the same hospital premises in August 2024 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/new-division-bench-of-calcutta-hc-to-hear-rg-kar-rape-murder-case-today-674464.html Tue, 19 May 2026 11:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/telangana-raises-upper-age-limit-by-10-years-for-direct-recruitment-jobs-674478.html Hyderabad May 19 The Telangana government has raised the upper age limit by 10 years for a period of one year for direct recruitment jobs The state government issued a Government Order GO Number 86 raising the upper age limitWith this the upper age limit has been raised from 34 years to 44 yearsThe government on February 8 2024 issued GO No 30 raising the maximum age limit prescribed in the Telangana State and Subordinate Service Rules 1996 for appointment by direct recruitments by two years in addition to 10 years for a period of two yearsThis had taken the upper age limit to 46 years However with the GO lapsing in February 2026 the base upper age limit for direct recruitment was reverted to 34 yearsThe latest GO states that a number of representations have been received from unemployed youths for considering relaxation of the upper age limit for direct recruitment to enable more unemployed youth to become eligible to compete in the recruitment processâAfter careful examination of the matter Government have decided to raise the upper age limit by ten 10 years ie from 34 years to 44 years to other than Uniform Services for a period of one 1 year for the ensuing direct recruitments in various categories of posts to be notified by the recruiting agencies in the Stateâ reads the GO issued by Chief Secretary K Ramakrishna RaoTelangana Rakshana Sena TRS leader K Kavitha had demanded that the state government implement the 10year age relaxation announced in 2024 for recruitments through the State Public Service CommissionShe called for cancelling the notification issued by the Public Service Commission to fill 20 posts of Assistant Scientist in the Pollution Control Board with an age eligibility criterion of 1834 yearsKavitha had warned that if the government fails to cancel the notification issued on April 20 and implement GO 30 issued in 2024 without any restrictions they will launch a massive agitationThe former MP said that Congress came to power with the votes of unemployed people after promising in its election manifesto to fill two lakh jobs within two months but after coming to power it completely forgot about issuing job notificationsShe stated on February 8 2024 the government issued GO 30 extending the 10year age relaxation granted by the previous government by an additional two years thereby projecting an image of benefiting the unemployedIt was stipulated that this relaxation would remain in force for two years Consequently the upper age limit for employment eligibility was raised from 44 to 46 years However despite the passage of twoandahalf years since then not a single job notification has been released she alleged IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/telangana-raises-upper-age-limit-by-10-years-for-direct-recruitment-jobs-674478.html Tue, 19 May 2026 11:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ahmedabad-crime-branch-arrests-jewellery-store-employee-in-rs-166-crore-gold-theft-case-674480.html Ahmedabad May 19 The Ahmedabad Crime Branch in Gujarat has arrested a female employee in connection with the alleged theft of gold ornaments worth over Rs 166 crore from a jewellery shop in the Nikol area officials said on Tuesday According to a police official a complaint was registered at Nikol Police Station after gold ornaments valued at Rs 16688437 were reported stolen on May 11 from âAabhushan Jewellersâ located at Gravity Shopping Mall in the areaThe accused identified as Harshida Shetty 38 a resident of Nikol area was employed at the shop at the time of the incidentFollowing the complaint the Crime Branch formed multiple teams to trace the accused Officers examined around 300 CCTV camera feeds and also used human intelligence inputs during the investigationThe accused was subsequently located and apprehended During the operation jewellery and other stolen property worth Rs 2254500 were recoveredDuring interrogation police stated that the accused had allegedly planned the theft with her associate identified as Mayur MaliAs per the alleged plan the stolen gold ornaments were taken after the incident and the duo attempted to flee GujaratThey travelled on a motorcycle from Ahmedabad to Udaipur and then proceeded towards Jaipur and DelhiInvestigators further stated that during their stay in a hotel the coaccused allegedly left the woman behind and escaped with the stolen gold ornamentsPolice have recovered multiple ornaments from the accused including a gold bracelet worth Rs 998 lakh an eagleembossed gold ring studded with white stones valued at Rs 134 lakh a gold mangalsutra worth Rs 743 lakh and a gold chain priced at Rs 362 lakhA mobile phone was also recovered from her possession The case was registered under Section 306 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita BNSThe arrested accused has been handed over to the Nikol Police Station for further legal proceedingsEfforts are underway to trace the absconding accused who is stated to be a resident of the Vastral areaPolice said further investigation is in progress to recover the remaining stolen valuables and establish the full sequence of events related to the alleged offence IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ahmedabad-crime-branch-arrests-jewellery-store-employee-in-rs-166-crore-gold-theft-case-674480.html Tue, 19 May 2026 11:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ats-busts-illegal-arms-racket-one-arrested-with-pistols-in-mahas-buldhana-674484.html New Delhi May 19 In a major crackdown on illegal arms trafficking the AntiTerrorism Squad ATS has arrested a 22yearold man in Buldhana and recovered a cache of weapons and ammunition officials said The arrested accused has been identified as Shubham Pawar 22 a resident of Wardha district in Maharashtra According to officials the operation was conducted following specific Intelligence inputs indicating that the accused was attempting to sell illegal pistols in the regionActing on the tipoff an ATS team laid a trap in Pimpri Koli village under the Raipur police station limits in Chikhli tehsil The operation was carried out between approximately 100 AM and 130 AM when the accused had reportedly arrived at his relativesâ residence in the villageAs soon as he reached the location ATS personnel apprehended him on the spot During the search officials recovered two pistols four magazines and 92 live cartridges from his possession In addition a fourwheeler vehicle used in the operation was also seizedOfficials said the recovery highlights a suspected illegal arms supply network operating in the region Preliminary information suggests that the accused was en route to deliver the weapons for sale when he was intercepted by the ATS teamFollowing the arrest a case has been registered at Raipur Police Station under relevant Sections of the Arms Act Further investigation is underway jointly by the ATS and local police to trace the source of the weapons and identify other individuals possibly linked to the racketAuthorities have indicated that more arrests are likely as the probe progresses with investigators examining possible interstate links to the illegal arms supply chainThe ATS action has triggered concern in the district as officials continue efforts to dismantle organised networks involved in trafficking firearms and ammunition across regionsEarlier this month the Maharashtra ATS interrogated 57 people across the state as it launched a major operation earlier on Wednesday targeting individuals linked to or associated with Pakistanbased gangster networks including the Shahzad Bhatti gang and the Dogra gang officials saidAccording to officials coordinated ATS raids took place across multiple locations in Maharashtra including Mumbai Pune Nagpur Nalasopara Mira Road Akola Nanded Nashik and JalgaonThe operation is part of a larger crackdown aimed at dismantling alleged gangsterlinked networks operating within the state and identifying individuals suspected of maintaining direct or indirect connections with the gangs IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ats-busts-illegal-arms-racket-one-arrested-with-pistols-in-mahas-buldhana-674484.html Tue, 19 May 2026 12:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-antf-shahdara-apprehends-liquor-supplier-1-200-quarters-of-illicit-liquor-seized-674485.html New Delhi May 19 The AntiNarcotics Task Force ANTF of Shahdara District Police on Tuesday has achieved a major breakthrough against illegal liquor smuggling by apprehending a liquor supplier and recovering 1200 quarters of illicit liquor intended for illegal distribution in Delhi Police also seized a car allegedly used for transporting the contraband According to police officials the operation was carried out following specific Intelligence inputs received by ANTFShahdara on May 15 The information suggested that an individual identified as Anand would arrive near JampK Block Dilshad Garden under the jurisdiction of Police Station Seemapuri around 730 PM in a white Hyundai Xcent car to deliver a consignment of illicit liquorThe Intelligence further indicated that a substantial quantity of illegal liquor could be recovered if a timely raid was conductedAfter verification of the information a dedicated raiding team comprising SI Dheer Singh ASI Shokinder HC Vikas Malik HC Rajesh Kumar HC Pankaj Kumar HC Vedpal and Constable Arjun was constituted under the leadership of Inspector Vinod Kumar Incharge of ANTFShahdara The operation was conducted under the supervision of ACP Vivek Vihar and the overall guidance of DCP ShahdaraDuring the operation the police team laid a trap near Main Road JampK Block Dilshad Garden and successfully apprehended the accused Upon checking the vehicle police recovered a large quantity of illicit liquor concealed for illegal supply in Delhi The recovered liquor and the vehicle were seized and taken into police custodySubsequently a case vide FIR No 3372026 dated May 16 2026 under Sections 33 and 58 of the Delhi Excise Act was registered at Police Station SeemapuriDuring interrogation the accused allegedly disclosed the identities of several individuals involved in the supply of illicit liquor Police said further raids are being conducted to identify and apprehend other members of the supply chain and receivers involved in the illegal tradeOfficials added that efforts are underway to uncover the entire network responsible for the procurement transportation and distribution of the contraband liquorThe recovery made by the police includes 1200 quarters 24 boxes of illicit liquor each bottle containing 180 ml The liquor was identified as Race7 Metro Liquor Police also recovered a white Hyundai Xcent car bearing registration number DL1RTBXXXX which was allegedly being used for transporting the illicit liquorThe accused has been identified as Anand a 33yearold resident of Karkardooma DelhiAccording to police Anand reportedly worked as a daily wage labourer During interrogation it emerged that due to financial difficulties he became involved in the illegal transportation and supply of liquorPolice said further investigation is in progress to trace the source of the liquor identify the supply chain and determine the intended distribution network Necessary legal action is being taken in accordance with the law IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-antf-shahdara-apprehends-liquor-supplier-1-200-quarters-of-illicit-liquor-seized-674485.html Tue, 19 May 2026 12:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/illegal-cannabis-cultivation-busted-in-gujarat-cops-seize-drugs-arrest-one-674486.html GandhinagarSabarkantha May 19 The AntiNarcotics Task Force ANTF of CID Crime and Railways carried out a raid in Gujarats Sabarkantha district leading to the seizure of cannabis plants and processed contraband valued at approximately Rs 638 lakh officials said on Tuesday Acting on specific intelligence inputs and under the supervision of senior police officers a team led by Police Inspector RV Patel conducted a search operation in agricultural land and a residential property at Vinchi village in the Wadi area of Poshina talukaDuring the raid on May 17 the team recovered approximately 8060 kilograms of green cannabis plants from cultivated land and 4700 kilograms of dry cannabis from a residential premisesThe total estimated value of the seized contraband was stated to be Rs 638000Police also detained one individual identified as Makana Gamar aged 53 a resident of Vinchi village in PoshinaAccording to the officials the operation was executed with the assistance of multiple personnel including police inspectors subinspectors assistant subinspectors head constables constables and technical expertsThe team also utilised surveillance inputs and technical intelligence to locate the illegal cultivation and storagePreliminary investigation suggested Gamars involvement in illegal cultivation and possession of narcotic substances under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances ActA case has been registered under relevant sections including Sections 8bc 20a and 20b1 and 20b2b of the NDPS ActPolice said further investigation is being conducted jointly by ANTF officials and Kheroj Police Station to determine the source of cultivation distribution network and any additional involvement of other individualsRecent ANTF operations in Gujarat have led to multiple major seizures and arrests across the state as part of intensified enforcement against drug networksIn one of the significant actions earlier this year units in Gandhinagar intercepted suspected traffickers and recovered nearly 12 kilograms of ganja worth around Rs six lakh after acting on specific intelligence inputs and conducting targeted surveillance operations including vehicle interception and coordinated raidsIn another major Ahmedabad zone operation ANTF teams carried out a raid at a residential premises in Bopal and seized a mix of narcotic substances including methamphetamine hybrid marijuana and cocaine valued at over Rs 18 lakh highlighting the unitâs continued focus on urban supply chains IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/illegal-cannabis-cultivation-busted-in-gujarat-cops-seize-drugs-arrest-one-674486.html Tue, 19 May 2026 12:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/fake-notes-from-the-sky-isis-latest-drone-plot-alarms-indian-agencies-674488.html New Delhi May 19 Pakistanâs ISI and its stooges have been making a massive push to flood the Indian markets with fake currency the agencies have learnt The key areas of concern remain the TripuraBangladesh border and PunjabWhile couriers are being used to push fake currency into the Indian market along the Bangladesh border in Punjab the menace is rising due to the use of dronesIt is a twopronged strategy that the ISI has adopted when it comes to fake Indian currency On one hand it wants to hurt the Indian economy and on the other the intention is to raise funds for terror groups in Pakistan an official said The problem is however higher along the IndiaBangladesh border when compared to Punjab an official saidAgencies such as the National Investigation Agency NIA which is at the forefront of battling this problem have also been probing cases within the country The NIA is not only trying to stop the menace at the border but is also probing several cases within West Bengal The area of focus in the state has remained Malda where scores of units that print fake currency have come upAn Intelligence Bureau official said the ISI would eventually move to using drones to drop off fake currency Almost all attempts that have been made to drop fake Indian currency using drones have been foiled so farThe official however added that it is not the time to remain complicit as these attempts may be just dry runs These elements are trying to study the security apparatus and hence are undertaking dry runsFake currency that has been coming in is in lower quantities Once they are able to dodge the security mechanism these elements would look to push in fake currency using drones in much larger numbers the official further addedAnother official said the main focus would first be to shut down fake currency printing units in West Bengal Once the Malda module is shut down it would solve a large part of the problemThe focus could then shift to the borders through which fake currency is being smuggled into the country the official added Officials say that the ISI is aware that the main focus would be on the couriers who carry the fake currencyWith the NIA upping the ante the ISI would move completely towards the drone module to send fake currency to India officials also saidInvestigators who are dealing with the menace say the challenge would be immense going forward The choice of drones to further this racket will be a big test for the security agencies The border forces have been successful in tracking drones that have been used to drop off drugs arms and ammunition However fake currency would be a real testSmaller payloads of fake currency are harder to detect These drones carrying smaller payloads are capable of evading the radar and also dodging surveillance an official saidThe ISIbacked elements are trying to utilise every loophole within the system to drop fake currency into India Currently this modus operandi is in testing mode Once all tests are conducted and multiple dry runs are attempted then these elements will go in for the big operation This would involve using multiple drones at regular intervals However the payload would be smaller as this would help in avoiding detection the official addedThe agencies are bracing up for this new modus operandi and it would be crucial to get the better of these elementsThe ISI has long pushed fake currency into India using the Dawood Ibrahim syndicate with the clear intention of undertaking economic sabotage in India apart from also using the money generated to fund terror groups officials say IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/fake-notes-from-the-sky-isis-latest-drone-plot-alarms-indian-agencies-674488.html Tue, 19 May 2026 12:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bjp-criticises-karnataka-govt-over-3-year-anniversary-celebration-questions-achievements-674489.html Bengaluru May 19 Senior BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the Congress government over its threeyear anniversary celebrations in Tumakuru questioning the achievements of the administration and accusing it of corruption financial mismanagement and administrative failure Addressing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar in a statement he targeted the government over the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority MUDA caseHe claimed that the Enforcement Directorate ED had attached properties worth nearly Rs 100 crore including assets allegedly linked to associates close to the Chief MinisterHe further alleged that the government had spent Rs 316 crore from the state exchequer towards legal fees to prevent a Central Bureau of Investigation CBI probe into the matter It can be noted that CM Siddaramaiah is named as the accused number one in the MUDA scamAshoka asked whether the government was aware of the âreal conditionâ of Karnataka while organising grand celebrations to mark three years in officeWhich great achievement are you celebratingâ he questionedAshoka alleged that the Congress government had pushed the state into severe financial distress He claimed that Karnatakaâs debt burden had crossed Rs 8 lakh crore and alleged that the 202526 budget proposed fresh borrowings of Rs 150 lakh crore According to him every Kannadiga was burdened with debt exceeding Rs 1 lakhThe BJP leader also accused the Congress government of pushing electricity supply companies into a debt crisis He claimed that Electricity Supply Companies ESCOMs in the state were burdened with debts of Rs 42750 crore including dues of Rs 6211 crore from Bangalore Electricity Supply Company BESCOM aloneAshoka further alleged that the Public Works Department PWD had awarded road project tenders worth Rs 10000 crore in Hoskote and Malur to a company facing a CBI investigation He questioned the governmentâs claims of transparency in administrationReferring to an alleged scam in the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board KIADB office in Ballari he claimed that Rs 16 crore had been illegally diverted through fake cheques and bank transactions He alleged that the incident was another addition to a series of scams including the Valmiki Corporation MUDA and Karnataka Public Service Commission KPSC controversiesThe BJP leader also accused the Congress government of attempting to suppress the Opposition and critics He said the state government had filed a defamation case against the BJP over its âtwo years of failureâ chargesheet and alleged that cases were being registered against social media critics which according to him amounted to stifling democracyOn farmersâ issues Ashoka alleged that the government had failed to respond to protests by sugarcane and maize growers He claimed that farmers were forced to run from office to office for years without getting their work done and alleged that some farmers had been driven to extreme distressThe BJP leader also referred to the wall collapse incident at the Bowring Hospital complex in Bengaluru on April 29 in which seven persons including three children lost their lives He alleged that the Lokayukta had termed the incident a result of âmisgovernanceâ and accused the government of negligence in maintaining public hospitalsHe further alleged that government hospitals in the state were suffering due to shortage of medicines doctors and scanning facilities pushing poor patients into hardshipAshoka concluded by alleging that while people across the state were facing hardships the Congress government was spending public money to operate around 4000 buses for the anniversary celebrations He asserted that the people of Karnataka would âteach the government a fitting lessonâIt can be noted that over 2 lakh people are expected to attend the mega statelevel convention in Tumakuru today May 19 which is being held to commemorate the third anniversary of the Congress governments administration in KarnatakaThe conventionâofficially titled the Sadhana Samaveshaâfocusses on state achievements virtual inaugurations and the distribution of land title deeds to around 152 lakh beneficiaries The Congress government is completing three years at office on May 20 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bjp-criticises-karnataka-govt-over-3-year-anniversary-celebration-questions-achievements-674489.html Tue, 19 May 2026 12:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/mamata-banerjee-to-meet-party-mlas-today-to-outline-oppn-strategy-674492.html Kolkata May 19 IANS Trinamool Congress supremo and former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has on Tuesday convened a meeting with the 80 elected party legislators in the recently concluded Assembly polls to discuss and adopt a strategy as the principal opposition party in the state nownbspTrinamool Congress general secretary and the partys Lok Sabha member Abhishek Banerjee is also supposed to be present at the meeting in the afternoonA party member in the current Assembly on strict condition of anonymity said one of the major issues on the agenda is how to tackle the situation when the political administration of the different civic bodies in the state which are still Trinamool Congresscontrolled are facing bureaucratic insubordination in the changed political situationThe meeting has been convened amid the development with Kolkata Municipal Corporation KMC authorities which still has the current and fourtime Trinamool Congress and former member in the previous Mamata Banerjeeled cabinet Firhad Hakim as its Mayor issuing notices under Section 4001 of the KMC Act 1980 which allows owners of allegedly illegal constructions an opportunity to appear before civic authorities and present their casenbspNotices have been served to 17 properties owned by Abhishek Banerjee in areas within the KMC jurisdiction and copies have been pasted on the walls of these propertiesIncidentally the KMC authorities served these notices a couple of days after the current Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari while addressing a gathering at Falat in South 24 Parganas district last week hinted at enquiries about such properties linked to one corporate entity reportedly owned by Abhishek BanerjeeHowever while hinting at this the Chief Minister felt short of directly naming Banerjee and instead addressed him as Mr NephewIn the meeting Adhikari also said that he had brought a list of 24 properties owned by a company of Mr Nephew from the KMCEven on Monday the Chief Minister reminded that the new cabinet led by him is determined to take strong legal action against every person who was involved in corruption and looting public money during the previous Trinamool Congress regimeIncidentally on Monday the Chief Minister announced the formation of two separate probe commissions both headed by retired judges of the Calcutta High Court to investigate cases of institutional corruption and crime against womenBoth the probe commissions will start functioning from June Justice Biswajit Basu retired of the Calcutta High Court will head the committee probing cases of institutional corruption On the other hand the committee probing cases of crime against women will be headed by Justice Samapti Chattopadhyay the Chief Minister told media persons on Monday afternoonIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/mamata-banerjee-to-meet-party-mlas-today-to-outline-oppn-strategy-674492.html Tue, 19 May 2026 12:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-refuses-to-dilute-directions-on-relocation-of-stray-dogs-from-public-spaces-674493.html New Delhi May 19 IANS The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to recall its earlier directions on the management of stray dogs in public places while issuing a series of fresh directions to ensure stricter implementation of the Animal Birth Control ABC framework across the countrynbspA Bench of Justices Vikram Nath Sandeep Mehta and NV Anjaria dismissed a batch of applications filed by dog lovers and animal rights groups seeking modifications to the directions issued by the apex court in November last yearThe directions mandated that stray dogs picked up from sensitive public places such as schools hospitals bus stands and railway stations must not be released back at the same locations after sterilisation and vaccinationPronouncing the judgment the Justice Nathled Bench stressed that the right to life with dignity includes the right to live without fear of dog attacks in public spaces and pulled up authorities for failing to effectively address the growing menace of stray dog bitesReferring to multiple reports of attacks the top court observed that the issue has assumed staggering dimensions and reflects serious deficiencies in the implementation of existing directions and statutory rulesThe Justice Nathled Bench warned that erring officials who fail to comply with its directions would be liable for contempt of court and disciplinary actionIssuing comprehensive directions the Supreme Court ordered all states and union territories UTs to take timebound steps to strengthen infrastructure under the ABC Rules It mandated the establishment of at least one fully functional ABC centre in every district equipped with surgical facilities trained personnel and adequate logistics supportAuthorities have also been directed to expand the number of such centres based on population density and geographical requirements and to undertake capacitybuilding measures including training of staff strengthening of shelters and coordinated vaccination drivesThe apex court also ordered that antirabies vaccines and immunoglobulin must be adequately available in all government medical facilities along with a robust public health response mechanism to deal with dog bite casesIn a significant direction the Justice Nathled Bench allowed authorities to take legally permissible measures including euthanasia in cases involving rabid incurably ill or demonstrably aggressive dogs to effectively mitigate threats to human lifeIt further directed the National Highways Authority of India NHAI in coordination with states and UTs to formulate and implement a comprehensive mechanism to address the presence of stray animals on national highways and expressways This includes deployment of specialised transport vehicles creation of holding facilities and collaboration with animal welfare organisationsThe top court also asked authorities to consider extending its directions to other highfootfall public areas after assessing ground realities and risks to public safety Providing protection to officials implementing its orders the Justice Nathled Bench said that no FIR or coercive action should ordinarily be initiated against officers acting in good faith in compliance with judicial directionsThe judgment comes in the backdrop of the top court reserving its verdict in January this year after an extensive hearing involving multiple stakeholders including the Centre state governments the Animal Welfare Board of India and civil society groupsIn November 2025 the Supreme Court directed that stray dogs be removed from key public spaces and relocated to shelters making it clear that such animals should not return to the same locations Subsequent pleas sought dilution of these directions which now stand rejectedIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-refuses-to-dilute-directions-on-relocation-of-stray-dogs-from-public-spaces-674493.html Tue, 19 May 2026 12:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-meteorological-department-issues-yellow-alert-for-heatwave-in-delhi-ncr-for-the-next-three-days-674494.html New Delhi May 19 IANS The spell of intense heat across DelhiNCR is steadily worsening with the India Meteorological Department IMD issuing a yellow alert for severe heatwave conditions over the next three daysnbspAccording to the latest forecast issued by the weather department residents of DelhiNCR are likely to face scorching temperatures strong hot winds and rising discomfort from May 19 to May 22Delhi experienced its hottest day of the season on Monday with temperatures nearing 44 degrees Celsius in several areas of the city The Safdarjung observatory considered Delhis primary weather station recorded a maximum temperature of 434 degrees Celsius making it the hottest day of the month so farThe IMD has warned that the combination of intense sunlight and strong surface winds during daytime is likely to aggravate public discomfort In addition a steady increase in nighttime temperatures is expected offering little relief from the prevailing heat conditionsAccording to the departments local weather forecast the maximum temperature on May 19 is likely to touch 44 degrees Celsius while the minimum temperature may remain around 28 degrees Celsius Heatwave conditions accompanied by strong surface winds are expected to persist during the afternoon and evening hours The IMD has advised residents to avoid venturing outdoors during peak afternoon hours unless absolutely necessary as prolonged exposure to the heat may adversely affect healthThe department stated that no major respite from the scorching weather is expected on May 20 either The maximum temperature is again forecast to hover around 44 degrees Celsius with the minimum temperature likely to settle at 27 degrees Celsius Heatwave conditions are expected to continue through the afternoon and evening while strong hot winds are likely to sweep across the region throughout the dayOn May 21 despite a marginal dip in temperature the impact of the heatwave is likely to continue The maximum temperature is expected to remain around 43 degrees Celsius while the minimum temperature may stay close to 27 degrees Celsius The weather department said heatwave conditions would prevail during the afternoon and evening hours on this day as wellHumidity levels are expected to fluctuate between 35 and 50 per cent increasing the feeling of mugginess and discomfort for residents Similar weather conditions are likely to continue on May 22 with the IMD forecasting a maximum temperature of 43 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 27 degrees Celsius Hot and dry winds are expected to blow throughout the dayHowever a slight change in weather patterns may begin from May 23 when the sky is likely to remain predominantly clear and conditions may improve graduallyHealth experts and doctors have advised children senior citizens and people suffering from preexisting medical conditions to take extra precautions during the heatwave They have recommended drinking water regularly staying hydrated avoiding direct exposure to sunlight and limiting outdoor activities to prevent dehydration and heatstrokeIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-meteorological-department-issues-yellow-alert-for-heatwave-in-delhi-ncr-for-the-next-three-days-674494.html Tue, 19 May 2026 13:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/second-fuel-price-hike-in-a-week-pushes-petrol-near-rs-109-in-jaipur-674496.html Jaipur May 19 IANS Rajasthan witnessed the second hike in petrol and diesel prices within a week on Tuesday as petroleum companies increased petrol rates by around 94 paise per litre and diesel by approximately 91 paise per litre Following the latest revision petrol prices in Jaipur have risen to Rs 10891 per litre while diesel is now being sold at Rs 9414 per litrenbspThe fresh increase comes just four days after fuel prices were hiked by Rs 3 per litre on May 15 intensifying concerns over rising transportation and household expenses Oil companies have attributed the repeated hikes to the continued surge in crude oil prices in the international marketWith fuel costs steadily climbing transporters and traders fear a ripple effect on the prices of vegetables food items construction materials and delivery services potentially adding further pressure on inflation Amid rumours of fuel shortages circulating on social media and in local markets petrol companies have assured the public that fuel and LPG supplies across Rajasthan remain normal and adequateManoj Gupta Executive Director and Rajasthan StateLevel Coordinator for Indian Oil Corporation said fuel stocks are being monitored roundtheclock and replenishment is taking place without delay wherever required Oil companies have appealed to citizens to avoid panic buying maintain normal fuel consumption patterns and refrain from believing or spreading misleading reports regarding fuel availabilityStateLevel Coordinator Manoj Gupta Executive Director and State Head IOCL stated The overall petroleum supply situation in Rajasthan is completely stable normal and adequate The entire fuel supply chain from all our terminals and depots right down to the retail outlets petrol pumps in cities and villages is operating smoothly and with great efficiency There are absolutely no disruptions of any kind to the supply anywhere across the entire stateAccording to officials fuel stocks across all districts of Rajasthan are being monitored continuously and in realtimeIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/second-fuel-price-hike-in-a-week-pushes-petrol-near-rs-109-in-jaipur-674496.html Tue, 19 May 2026 13:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ai-needs-oversight-enforceable-accountability-in-law-justice-manmohan-at-jgu-674497.html New Delhi May 19 âAI needs institutional oversight and enforceable accountability in lawâ said the Honâble Justice Manmohan Judge Supreme Court of India at the Dr HR Bhardwaj Memorial Lecture on the theme The Emergence of AI and Its Implications for Justice Delivery and Legal Systems held at OP Jindal Global University âWhat is needed is that human judgment must remain central even with the use of AI India requires a clear regulatory framework for judicial AI and it must be developed in the Indian context Capacity building within the judiciary will be required and universities will have to develop courses on ethical constitutional and procedural dimensions of AI deploymentâ he addedJustice Manmohan paid tribute to Dr HR Bhardwaj and said âDr HR Bhardwaj was a multifaceted personality He was an author and a senior advocate designated by the Supreme Court He was a Member of Parliament five times and a minister for 15 years under three Prime Ministers He belonged to a generation where people across the political divide could be friends His question across five decades was always the same How do we bring justice to every Indian And he believed in technology In fact the first phase of the programme the eMode Phase One which is being implemented in the Supreme Court was launched while he was the law minister Technology and law have always had a very symbiotic relationship where technology has challenged fundamental concepts of law All our laws when they were promulgated we were dealing with a physical world Today we live in a digital world So when we are applying these laws are we doing the right thing by applying the same principles Or do we need a different set of principlesâAI the artificial intelligence as we call it is also demanding the same reckoning but at a pace which is unimaginable and at a scale which is also unbelievable due to its evolving nature If a computer software programme operates according to rules defined in advance by the programmers it is not an AI system But if a system is built using techniques that allow the programme to create rules of its own based on input data or data sets provided to the programme then it is an AI system Today the question is no longer whether they will be used or not The question is whether their use will be structured by clear principles of institutional oversight and enforceable accountability Keeping in view the importance of AI the Supreme Court has constituted an AI committee chaired by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court to lay down a broad strategy and policy with adequate guardrailsThe Supreme Courts White Paper on AI and judiciary released by the Centre for Policy Research and Planning in November 2025 is an authoritative statement of where the institution currently stands The paper positions AI as an assisted technology capable of supporting legal research transcription translation filing scrutiny and administrative analytics while firmly stating that judges must remain the ultimate decision makers with every AI output subject to human verification In consonance with our constitutional mandate there is human oversight throughout the process There is also the issue of privacy Data is collected by consent or not but what are the inferences that are being drawn and whether the individual who has given their consent is even aware of the downstream consequencesIn his Welcome Address Prof Dr C Raj Kumar Founding Vice Chancellor OP Jindal Global University said âThis is an occasion of remembrance gratitude and reflection a tribute to a statesman a constitutionalist a mentor an institution builder and above all a remarkable human being It was a dream to be able to come to India and be part of an effort to build a worldclass university I had not known HR Bhardwaj before I wrote to him and shared with him the idea of creating a university in India This is how the idea of establishing OP Jindal Global University began I want to begin by expressing this deep sense of institutional gratitude from the bottom of my heart and also from the hearts of more than 16000 students 4000 faculty members and the staff of O P Jindal Global University Dr Bhardwaj believed that India deserved a truly global university A university rooted in Indian values but globally engaged A university committed to constitutional morality public service and intellectual excellence He had extraordinary faith in the transformative power of youth and education Bharadwajs contribution is quite extraordinary He had a deep commitment to the Constitution of India and dedicated his life to preserving democratic values He oversaw significant legal and judicial reforms and promoted modernization within legal institutions He supported the expansion of legal aid and initiatives and was a strong advocate for worldclass legal education in India A number of his writings including books reflected the idea of Indias history civilization and heritage He believed education must cultivate humanity and compassion Legacies survive not only through institutions but through families preserved through values and memories and today I also pay tribute to his family for their supportâKarn Bhardwaj Advocate shared his reflections on his illustrious grandfather Dr HR Bhardwaj and said âToday is very meaningful for us because not only are we here with our near and dear ones but its also the birth anniversary of my grandfather Dr HR Bhardwaj The digitization of the courts and the use of AI are very new and very fastevolving aspects of legal practice And it is something that everybody is engaging with New entrants into the legal profession come with a very different mindset they are technologydriven They believe in electronic case management And they are really very differently evolved as professional individuals And as a lawyer in my generation I believe that this mindset transition has come not just because of access to technology but because of the integration of technology into the legal profession Today technology is so deeply integrated in law and Im proud to say that the late Dr H R Bhardwaj has had a founding role in the implementation of technology in our justice system as it stands todayâAlso present at the Memorial Lecture were members of his family including his wife Dr Prafullata Bhardwaj his son Arun Bharadwaj Senior Advocate and grandchildren Karn Bhardwaj Advocate and Gautam Bhardwaj AdvocateDr Hans Raj Bhadwaj 17th May 1937 08th March 2020 former Governor of Karnataka and Kerala 201213 former Union Minister of Law and Justice 20042009 was an inspirational leader eminent lawyer humanitarian educationist and politician who leaves behind a remarkable legacyIn a legal and political career spanning over five decades as a fivetime Member of Parliament Rajya Sabha 19822009 Dr Bhardwaj served under several Prime Ministers Dr Bharadwaj also played a founding role in establishing the International Centre for Alternative Dispute Resolution ICADR and has been at the helm of legal and judicial reforms including womenâs right to property introduction of rural courts for doorstep justice reservation for women in the House of the People Lok Sabha and legislative assemblies perks and privileges for the judiciary etcThe Concluding Remarks were given by Prof Dabiru Sridhar Patnaik Registrar OP Jindal Global University IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ai-needs-oversight-enforceable-accountability-in-law-justice-manmohan-at-jgu-674497.html Tue, 19 May 2026 13:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/former-uttarakhand-cm-bhuwan-chandra-khanduri-passes-away-in-dehradun-674499.html Dehradun May 19 Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Major General Retd Bhuwan Chandra Khanduri passed away on Tuesday at Max Hospital in Dehradun after a prolonged illness A former Army officer who transitioned into politics General Khanduri served two terms as the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand first from 2007 to 2009 and second from 2011 to 2012 steering the states administration During his tenure he took stringent measures against corruption and laid the foundation for a transparent and disciplined administration within the stateUttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed grief over the passing of General Khanduri and called his death an irreparable loss in the landscape of national politics In a statement CM Dhami said I have received the tragic news of the passing of the Honourable Major General Bhuwan Chandra Khanduri Retd former Chief Minister of UttarakhandRecalling Gen Khanduris tenure in the Indian Army the Chief Minister said During his tenure in the Indian Army Shri Khanduri set an unparalleled example of national service discipline and dedication From his military career to his public life his persona remained steadfastly devoted to the national interest and public serviceIn the realm of politics CM Dhami said that Gen Khanduri established a strong legacy defined by the development of Uttarakhand good governance transparency and an honest work ethic As a public leader he took numerous pivotal decisions for the progress of the state and through his simplicity candour and efficiency carved a special place for himself in the hearts of the people His demise constitutes an irreparable loss not only for Uttarakhand but for the landscape of national politics as well he saidI pray to the Almighty to grant eternal peace to his noble soul at His divine feet and to bestow upon his bereaved family the strength to bear this profound grief CM Dhami added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/former-uttarakhand-cm-bhuwan-chandra-khanduri-passes-away-in-dehradun-674499.html Tue, 19 May 2026 13:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/acb-searches-telangana-officials-premises-unearths-rs-110-crore-cash-gold-674500.html Hyderabad May 19 More than Rs 110 crore cash one kg of gold ornaments and property documents were uncovered during Telangana ACBâs raids on premises linked to an official of Hyderabad Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board here on Tuesday Officials of the AntiCorruption Bureau ACB conducted simultaneous searches at eight locations linked to SL Kumar General Manager of Hyderabad Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board HMWSSB Red HillsThe searches were conducted following allegations that the official owns assets disproportionate to his known sources of incomeSearches led by a Deputy Superintendent of Police DSP reportedly uncovered Rs 11 crore in cash around one kg of gold ornaments 25 kg of silver items and documents relating to prime properties Officials suspect Kumar owns assets worth nearly Rs 100 crore including three flats in gated communities in Hyderabad six open plots and three acres of agricultural land in Nizamabad district The antigraft agency also reportedly uncovered a couple of cars owned by KumarThe searches began early Tuesday morning at Kumarâs house and other premises linked to him and his relatives in Hyderabad Rangareddy and Nizamabad districtsOne of the teams was conducting searches at his residence at Mallapur The officials were seen counting cash and sealing gold ornaments silver items and other valuables They were also checking documents relating to properties at various places in Hyderabad and other districtsThe ACB officials have detained Kumar and are questioning him to collect more details about his assets The agency was also examining bank lockersDetails regarding the alleged disproportionate assets are likely to be released by eveningIn a similar case in December last year the ACB uncovered assets of over Rs100 crore allegedly amassed by an official of the Telangana transport departmentA case of disproportionate assets was registered against Mood Kishan Deputy Transport Commissioner Mahabubnagar districtThough the document value of his properties was pegged at Rs 1272 crore their actual market value is estimated to be over Rs 100 crore The 31acre agricultural land he holds in Sangareddy district near Hyderabad alone is estimated to be worth over Rs 60 crore IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/acb-searches-telangana-officials-premises-unearths-rs-110-crore-cash-gold-674500.html Tue, 19 May 2026 13:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/man-kills-wife-three-children-in-bihars-darbhanga-attempts-suicide-674501.html Patna May 19 A gruesome case of domestic violence has emerged from Biharâs Darbhanga district where a man allegedly killed his wife and three children following a domestic dispute a police official said The incident occurred in the Chandanpatti area under the jurisdiction of Pator Police Station around 5 am on TuesdayAccording to the police the accused identified as Sandeep Das attacked his family using a baton and sharpedged weapons in a fit of rage during the early hours of TuesdaySandeep Das a native of Dalkhola in West Bengal had been working at a poultry farm in Chandanpatti along with his wife Phool Kumari Das 30 and their childrenPolice sources indicated that the couple frequently engaged in heated argumentsOn Tuesday morning another dispute broke out between them which allegedly escalated into fatal violenceIn the assault Sandeep brutally attacked his wife and three children leaving them critically injuredHis wife and two children died on the spot while the third child succumbed to injuries during treatment at Darbhanga Medical College and HospitalAfter the attack the accused also attempted to take his own life and sustained injuriesHe is currently undergoing treatment at the same hospital and is reported to be out of dangerChandra Bhushan Kumar Station House Officer SHO of Pator Police Station confirmed that police reached the spot promptly after receiving information and have initiated an investigationThe bodies have been taken into custody and sent for postmortem examinationA team from the Forensic Science Laboratory FSL has been called to assist in the investigation The district police have seized the weapons used in the crimeThe police are waiting for the recovery of the accused to take his statement and accordingly lodge an FIR against himThe exact cause of the dispute is yet to be determinedThe incident has sent shockwaves across the region raising serious concerns about domestic violence and mental health IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/man-kills-wife-three-children-in-bihars-darbhanga-attempts-suicide-674501.html Tue, 19 May 2026 13:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-traders-employees-abducted-robbed-of-rs-42-lakh-in-kolkata-after-fake-deal-trap-674505.html Kolkata May 19 Two employees of a businessman from Gujarat were allegedly robbed by a gang on the pretext of carrying out a business transaction After looting Rs 42 lakh from them the accused allegedly abducted the two employees and forced them into a car However it is alleged that the two men were later taken to the Kona Expressway in Howrah district and thrown out of the car After learning about the incident the businessman from Gujarat arrived in Kolkata and lodged a formal complaint the police said on TuesdayThe alleged robbery took place in the Survey Park area of South Kolkata The businessman lodged a complaint at the Survey Park police station following which a case of robbery and kidnapping was registered The police launched an investigation and are examining CCTV footage from the area to identify the accusedThe police said that the incident took place in the first week of this month The businessman from Gandhinagar in Gujarat was allegedly contacted by some people from Kolkata over a business deal The suspects introduced themselves as businessmen and discussed sending certain goods from Kolkata to GujaratThe Gujarati businessman was allegedly told that the goods would be dispatched immediately if he paid Rs 42 lakh to the accused Following the agreement the businessman from Gandhinagar sent the money to Kolkata through two of his employees They were taken to a house in the New Santoshpur area of south Kolkata On reaching there the employees were allegedly asked to hand over the cash while they in turn demanded delivery of the goodsIt is alleged that the two employees were then confined in a room in the same house Around six armed men allegedly held them at gunpoint and snatched the bag containing Rs 42 lakh from the employees The victims reportedly kept banging on the door in an attempt to escape Later the accused allegedly took them out at gunpoint on the pretext of dropping them at Howrah station The accused took the victims in a vehicle and abandoned them on the Kona Expressway before fleeing the sceneThe victims managed to reach the Howrah railway station and returned to Gujarat where they informed the businessman about the entire incident On Monday the businessman reached Kolkata and lodged a complaint at the Survey Park police station regarding the robbery and abduction of his employeesThe Police are now trying to identify the house in the Survey Park area where the victims were kept Investigators are trying to trace the vehicle and identify the accused through the contact numbers used to communicate with the businessman The CCTV footage from Kolkata and Howrah is also being examined the police said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-traders-employees-abducted-robbed-of-rs-42-lakh-in-kolkata-after-fake-deal-trap-674505.html Tue, 19 May 2026 13:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/drdo-employee-posted-in-bengaluru-found-hanging-from-tree-in-jharkhands-ramgarh-674506.html Ramgarh Jharkhand May 19 A Defence Research and Development Organisation DRDO employee posted in Bengaluru was found hanging from a tree near his native village in Jharkhandâs Ramgarh district on Tuesday morning police said The deceased was identified as Kamal Kishore Mahto a resident of Talatad Bhuiyan Tola under the Patratu police station area He had returned to his ancestral village on leave on April 19 and had been staying with his family for the past few weeksAccording to family members Mahto had been under severe mental stress and depression for several days They said he had also been suffering from insomnia and often appeared disturbed and withdrawn because of his worsening mental conditionVillagers said he was seen roaming alone in the locality around 11 pm on Monday His behaviour reportedly appeared unusual though no one suspected that something tragic might happen later in the nightFamily members woke up around 2 am and found his bed empty Concerned over his sudden disappearance relatives and villagers started searching for him through the night but they could not trace him due to the darkness and the hilly terrain around the villageThe search resumed early on Tuesday morning with the help of more villagers A few hours later his body was discovered hanging from a tree on a nearby hill sending shockwaves through the entire localityThe incident has left the village griefstricken Mahto is survived by his wife and two young sons aged six and fourAfter receiving information about the incident a team from Patratu police station rushed to the spot and brought the body down from the tree Police completed the preliminary legal formalities and later sent the body to Sadar Hospital for postmortem examinationOfficials said further investigation is underway to ascertain the circumstances that led to the incident IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/drdo-employee-posted-in-bengaluru-found-hanging-from-tree-in-jharkhands-ramgarh-674506.html Tue, 19 May 2026 13:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/police-arrest-mastermind-behind-park-circus-violence-in-kolkata-674513.html Kolkata May 19 The sleuths of Kolkata Police on Tuesday morning arrested Faridul Islam the mastermind behind the violence at minoritydominated Park Circus area in central Kolkata on Sunday afternoon Protesters pelted stones and bricks injuring several police personnel while the latter attempted to prevent a violent demonstration against the use of bulldozers to demolish illegal constructions An insider from the city police said that the arrested person took the lead role in organising the violent protest demonstration first through provocative social media posts and then by giving instigating speeches at the demonstration site on Sunday afternoonAccording to a city police insider the accused persons involved in rowdyism on that day are being identified and arrested after examining the CCTV footage of the day of the incidentWith the arrest of Faridul the number of people arrested in this connection has increased to 46The entire Park Circus area turned into a virtual battlefield on Sunday afternoonAfter the protesters blocked the busy sevenpoint crossing at Park Circus illegally the Kolkata Police and the Central Armed Police Force CAPF personnel tried to remove the blockade The protesters then started pelting stones and bricks at themPolice vehicles were vandalised and some police and CAPF personnel were severely injured in that sudden attack by the protesters Later the police and CAPF personnel resorted to massive lathicharge to bring the situation under controlChief Minister Suvendu Adhikari went to the office of the deputy commissioner of the South East Division of Kolkata Police under whose jurisdiction Park Circus comes to talk to them on MondayStanding at Park Circus crossing CM Adhikari gave a message of zero tolerance towards hooliganism He made it clear that no antisocial act would be tolerated Highranking officials of Kolkata Police including the city police chief Ajay Nand were present along with the Chief Minister thenThis was the first and last attack on police personnel during my governmentâs tenure If any policeman is attacked in future strict legal action would follow Sundayâs agitation was a preplanned action Any political organisation or religious organisation can inform the police and organise their programme But gathering people raising religious slogans and pelting stones cannot be accepted Stone pelting at police has stopped in Kashmir and Srinagar and I think it will stop in West Bengal and Kolkata as wellâ the Chief Minister said on Monday afternoonLater he spoke to the injured police personnel and injured CAPF personnel IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/police-arrest-mastermind-behind-park-circus-violence-in-kolkata-674513.html Tue, 19 May 2026 14:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ktaka-dy-cm-shivakumar-visits-tirumala-temple-says-prayed-for-country-to-overcome-economic-crisis-674518.html BengaluruTirumala May 19 Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress President DK Shivakumar on Tuesday said that he prayed to Lord Venkateshwara at the Hindu pilgrimage centre of Tirumala for the country to overcome the economic crisis and for the state to receive good rainfall His visit to Tirumala has assumed significance amid the ongoing leadership tussle in the state Shivakumar along with his wife Usha offered prayers and had darshan of Lord Sri Venkateshwara Swamy at around 3 amHe arrived in Tirumala on Monday evening and stayed there overnight Later he travelled to Tumakuru to attend the mega event organised by the Karnataka government to mark the completion of three years in officeShivakumar is considered a strong contender for the post of Chief Minister and had recently stated that both he and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would be called to Delhi Speaking to mediapersons after offering prayers at the Tirumala Tirupati temple Shivakumar said he sought blessings for peace prosperity and good health for people across the countryâI have prayed to Lord Venkateswara that the country should not suffer from an economic crisis that everyone be blessed with strength and good health and that the state receives good rainfallâ he saidThe Deputy Chief Minister said he also prayed for peace and stability in the country and for the nation to effectively face its challengesâI have prayed that the entire country be filled with peace and that it faces its challenges effectively I am very happy to have come here on this significant dayâ he saidShivakumar said he was visiting Tirumala after nearly six to seven years and appreciated the changes and development initiatives undertaken by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams TTDâThe Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams has brought about many changes and developments It has maintained discipline and cleanliness and is running a good administration The government has done good work I thank everyoneâ he saidExpressing happiness over the darshan of Lord Venkateshwara Shivakumar also praised the functioning of the TTD administration and its chairmanâI am delighted to have had the darshan of Sri Venkateswara The TTD Chairman is also doing excellent work along with his team I met the Revenue Minister here as well and he too is doing outstanding work I extend my best wishes to all of themâ he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ktaka-dy-cm-shivakumar-visits-tirumala-temple-says-prayed-for-country-to-overcome-economic-crisis-674518.html Tue, 19 May 2026 14:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-hc-sentences-youtuber-to-six-months-jail-for-criminal-contempt-674521.html New Delhi May 19 IANS The Delhi High Court has sentenced YouTuber Gulshan Pahuja who runs the channel Fight 4 Judicial Reforms to six months simple imprisonment in two criminal contempt cases for making derogatory and scandalous remarks against the judiciary and judicial officersnbspA division bench of Justices Navin Chawla and Ravinder Dudeja also imposed a fine of Rs 2000 in each matter while observing that the contemnor had shown no remorse and had in fact compounded the contempt through further scandalous submissions made during the hearingHowever the Delhi High Court suspended the sentence for 60 days to enable Pahuja to challenge its judgment holding him guilty of criminal contempt before the Supreme CourtThe Justice Chawlaled Bench said that despite being given an opportunity to make submissions on punishment the contemnor questioned the conviction itself and during oral arguments made further scandalous remarks against the judicial systemHe in fact compounds his contempt by making further scandalous submissions before this Court and thus evidently he is neither repentant nor deserves any mercy the order saidRejecting his plea to recall the conviction judgment the Delhi High Court said it could not sit in review of its earlier order and that the contemnor was free to challenge the same in accordance with lawAs far as his submissions on our judgment dated 21042026 are concerned we cannot sit in review of the said judgment and the contemnor has full right and had an opportunity to challenge the same in accordance with law the bench saidIt further recorded that during oral arguments Pahuja made remarks such as adaalaton ki manmarzi badhti jaa rahi hai aur main koi nyay ki umeed nahi kar raha the wilfulness of the courts is constantly increasing and I am not hopeful of any justice and described the functioning of courts as taanashahi dictatorshipAdvocate Harsh Prabhaka amicus curiae appointed in the matter submitted that Pahuja had shown no course correction or remorse and continued uploading videos targeting judicial officers despite earlier directions restraining him from doing soConsidering the nature of the conduct the Delhi High Court observed that leniency in such circumstances could embolden similar conduct in the future and that the case warranted maximum punishmentnbspWe also find that by not imposing adequate punishment on him we may encourage him to repeat these acts in future and to embolden him in doing the same We are of the opinion that these cases call for the imposition of the maximum punishment the bench observednbspAccordingly the Delhi High Court sentenced Pahuja to six months simple imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 2000 in each case directing that the sentences would run concurrentlynbspIt further ordered that in case of default in payment of the fine he would undergo an additional one months simple imprisonmentnbspHowever taking note of the contemnors submission that he intends to challenge the judgment before the Supreme Court the bench suspended the sentence for a period of 60 daysnbspIn case an order suspending the sentence is not passed by the Supreme Court the contemnor shall on his own surrender before the Registrar General of this Court forthwith on expiry of the abovementioned period the order saidnbspThe contempt proceedings arose from videos and online content uploaded by Pahuja on his YouTube channel in which he made sweeping and unverified allegations against judicial officers and the judiciary In its earlier judgment the Delhi High Court had held that such remarks were intended to scandalise the institution and lower public confidence in the justice system and were not protected under the right to free speechnbspIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-hc-sentences-youtuber-to-six-months-jail-for-criminal-contempt-674521.html Tue, 19 May 2026 15:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-4-pc-fuel-price-hike-lowest-among-major-economies-674524.html New Delhi May 19 Indiaâs increase of Rs 391 per litre in the prices of petrol and diesel announced this week works out to 44 per cent which is the smallest hike of any major economy outside the directly subsidising Gulf producers such as Saudi Arabia according to figures compiled by GlobalPetrolPricescom An Indian Oil official pointed out that the Rs 391 increase which restores only part of the rise in crude prices has been undertaken after 76 days of complete absorption of costs by the public sector oil companies In sharp contrast the rest of the world has been adjusting prices for the rise in crude costs through increases ranging from 10 to 90 per cent in the retail prices of the two fuelsThe passthrough has been steepest in liberalised emerging markets directly exposed to West Asian supply and freight where governments do not absorb volatility Myanmar Malaysia Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates have all seen petrol move up by more than half the prewar price with diesel rising even more sharply because of its closer link to global trade and freight The Pakistani consumer is paying about 55 per cent more for petrol today than three months ago the Malaysian about 56 per cent more and the Emirati consumers about 52 per cent higher prices the figures show In the advanced economies the increases are smaller in percentage terms but still substantial American petrol prices which respond quickly to crude because federal and state excise loadings are modest have risen by close to 45 per cent and diesel by 48 per cent In Europe where excise duties dampen the swing the United Kingdom is up about 19 per cent on petrol and 34 per cent on diesel Germany about 14 per cent on petrol and 20 per cent on diesel and France about 21 per cent and 30 per cent respectively In the case of Japan South Korea and Singapore the hike in petrol prices has been held below 20 per cent The price of diesel has risen considerably faster with Singapore registering a 65 per cent jumpIn Indiaâs case the Rs 391 per litre increase has helped reduce the daily losses that the governmentowned oil companies were incurring due to the skyrocketing cost of imported crude from Rs 1000 crore a day to Rs 750 crore The retail increase in fuel prices has resulted in cutting losses by only 25 per cent the Indian Oil official saidâIndia is the visible exception as until 15th May 2026 the public sector oil marketing companies held petrol and diesel prices essentially unchanged from their 23rd February 2026 levels absorbing the cost of crude at refinery gate and accumulating daily underrecoveries of around Rs 1000 croreâ he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-4-pc-fuel-price-hike-lowest-among-major-economies-674524.html Tue, 19 May 2026 15:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/trinamool-block-president-arrested-in-cooch-behar-on-charges-of-violence-molestation-674529.html Kolkata May 19 A Trinamool Congress block president has been arrested in north Bengals Cooch Behar district for allegedly indulging in violence and molestation said the police on Tuesday The police have arrested Abdul Kader the Trinamool Congress president of Cooch Behar IB block The police arrested him from Guriahati II gram panchayat areas on MondayHe was produced in court on Monday afternoon According to police sources there are allegations of vandalism looting and molestation against him before the West Bengal Assembly elections Based on a complaint over these allegations the Trinamool leader has been arrestedThis marks the second highprofile arrest of a Trinamool block president in the region within a matter of days signalling a sweeping crackdown on political violence following the recent change of guard in the state administrationA few days back Shuvankar Dey the Trinamool President for Cooch Behar Block II was arrested in connection with an attack on the convoy of the current Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari dating back to August 5 2025It may be recalled that in August last year Adhikaris convoy was attacked in Cooch Behar district of north Bengal where he had gone to lead a protest rallyThe arrest of two Trinamool Congress block presidents in Cooch Behar has started a heated discussion in political circlesSince the BJP formed a government in the state there has been a crackdown on illegal and criminal activities of Trinamool Congress leaders The police have been active in taking action against antisocial elements and often acting against Trinamool Congress leaders against whom allegations of breaking the law were raisedRecently Trinamool Congress councillor of Baranagar Municipality in North 24 Parganas district Shantanu Majumdar alias Mejo has been arrested on charges of extortion He is the councillor of ward number 14 of BaranagarOn May 9 police arrested Trinamool Congress councillor Bhishmadev Karmakar in Berhampore of Murshidabad district who was accused of obstructing Congress leader Adhir Chowdhurys Assembly election campaignOn May 6 a Trinamool councillor was arrested on charges of punching and breaking a police officers nose in Hooghlys Serampore Trinamool councillor Rajesh Shah alias Kukua however alleged political vendetta against himOn May 5 a Trinamool Congress councillor named Amirul Sheikh Islam was arrested again under the Arms Act He is the councillor of ward number 14 of Pujali Municipality in Diamond Harbour of South 24 Parganas district IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/trinamool-block-president-arrested-in-cooch-behar-on-charges-of-violence-molestation-674529.html Tue, 19 May 2026 15:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/the-stunning-fall-of-kerala-cpi-674542.html Thiruvananthapuram May 19 From being projected as the golden generation of the CPIM to becoming symbols of political arrogance and public backlash the journey of Arya Rajendran and KM Sachin Dev is perhaps one of the most dramatic political cautionary tales in recent Kerala politics There was a time when the young couple embodied everything the party wanted to showcase before the public ie youth energy modernity and ideological commitmentAt just 21 Arya scripted history by becoming the youngest mayor in the country when she took charge of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation in 2020Few months later Dev emerged as the youngest member of the Kerala Assembly after his emphatic victory from Balussery at the age of 23For the CPIM they were not merely young leaders They were branding exercises proof that the party could still produce fresh faces capable of connecting with a changing generationTheir 2022 marriage only added to the aura around them and the media celebrated them endlessly while party workers flaunted them proudlyTogether they looked like a political fairytale in the making But politics has a cruel way of humbling those who begin to believe too deeply in their own invincibilityThe first visible crack came in April 2024 when the couple got embroiled in the now infamous altercation with a KSRTC driver in ThiruvananthapuramWhat could have remained a routine roadside argument quickly snowballed into a public relations disasterAllegations flew from both sides police cases were registered and television channels played the visuals repeatedlyFor many ordinary people the incident reinforced an uncomfortable perception that power had begun getting into the heads of the oncerelatable young leadersThat single episode altered public perception sharplyThe image of youthful simplicity slowly gave way to accusations of entitlement and political arroganceSocial media which had once celebrated them as icons of a new generation turned mercilessTrolls multiplied Memes flourished The political sheen around the couple began fading rapidlyThe electoral setbacks that followed only deepened the fall Arya was denied renomination in the local body polls a stunning development for someone once seen as the partyâs future face in the capitalWorse still for the CPIM the BJP wrested control of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation ending decades of Left dominance and symbolically marking the collapse of the image that Arya once representedThen came the final blow Dev once hailed as one of the brightest young legislators in Kerala lost the Assembly election by over 16000 votes to the Congress candidateThe defeat was not merely electoral it was psychologicalFrom commanding headlines as rising stars the couple suddenly found themselves reduced to examples in debates about political immaturity and unchecked egoAnd now comes the bitterest irony of all the KSRTC driver whose clash with them damaged their public image is set to be reinstated almost serving as the closing scene in a political downfall few could have imagined six years agoIn Kerala politics where leaders often rise rapidly on waves of public affection Arya and Devâs story is a reminder that humility remains the most valuable currency in public lifePower may arrive early Fame may arrive suddenly But when authority begins to resemble entitlement the fall can be even faster than the rise IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/the-stunning-fall-of-kerala-cpi-674542.html Tue, 19 May 2026 16:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/no-compromise-on-safeguarding-rights-of-fishermen-says-andhra-cm-naidu-674544.html Amaravati May 19 Amid reports of alleged trespassing and illegal fishing by mechanised fishing boats of Tamil Nadu in the territorial waters of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday made it clear that Andhra Pradesh will not tolerate anyone from neighbouring states encroaching upon its coastal waters âThis coastline belongs to us the boats are ours and the fishing rights are ours there will be no compromise on this matterâ he declared while addressing fishermen at Thummalapenta Village in SPSR Nellore districtâWe will not tolerate anyone from neighbouring states encroaching upon our coastal waters We will safeguard the rights of our fishermenâ he saidThe Chief Minister assured farmers that the government will maintain strict surveillance along the coastline and take measures to prevent boats from neighbouring states from entering our watersParticipating in the programme âin the service of fishermenâ the Chief Minister said as the fishing is banned from April 15 to June 14 the government is providing financial assistance of Rs 20000 to every fishermans familyâWe have deposited a total of Rs 262 crore directly into the bank accounts of 130796 fishermen familiesâ he said and assured that the coalition government remain committed to supporting themHe noted that hundreds of thousands of fisherfolk derive their livelihood from fishing along the stateâs extensive coastline However between 2019 and 2024 fish production witnessed a drastic declineThe Chief Minister stated that after agriculture and the construction sector the fisheries sector is the primary source of livelihood for the largest number of peopleâAndhra Pradesh stands at the forefront of fish production in the country We will continue to stand firmly by our fishermenâ he saidHe listed the steps taken to help fishermen including a diesel subsidy of Rs 9 per litre for mechanised and motorised fishing boats In 202627 the government provided diesel subsidies worth Rs 50 crore to fishing boatsThe government is also establishing nine fishing harbours and eight fish landing centres for Rs 3256 crore To ensure the safety of fishermen it installed 4550 transponders at sea and established a robust communication systemHe gave an assurance that 200 mechanised boats will be sanctioned for fishermen In addition to providing a 60 per cent subsidy the government will sanction the remaining amount as a loanStating that the government is undertaking construction of the Juvvaladinne Fishing Harbour for Rs 288 crore to economically empower fishermen he urged them not to believe the false propaganda being spread by certain individuals regarding this projectâWe will encourage fishermen to embrace new technologies alongside their traditional fishing practices We will bring prosperity into the lives of fishermen through seaweed cultivation We will enable fisherwomen and women belonging to DWCRA groups to earn additional income through seaweed farmingâ Chandrababu Naidu said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/no-compromise-on-safeguarding-rights-of-fishermen-says-andhra-cm-naidu-674544.html Tue, 19 May 2026 16:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/tourist-death-case-ktaka-govt-announces-compensation-minister-calls-for-strict-guidelines-674547.html Bengaluru May 19 Karnataka Minister for Minor Irrigation Science and Technology and Madikeri District Incharge Minister NS Boseraju on Tuesday directed the Madikeri district administration to strictly enforce guidelines at the famous Dubare Elephant Camp following the tragic death of a woman tourist during a clash between captive elephants in the camp In a press release the Minister expressed deep sorrow over the incidentâI have discussed the matter with the Madikeri Deputy Commissioner senior officials of the Forest Department and the Police Department and obtained preliminary information regarding the incident I have instructed officials to submit a comprehensive report on the exact cause of the incident and whether there was any lapse in the management of tourist guidelinesâ the Minister statedKeeping tourist safety in mind the Minister directed officials to implement strict safety guidelines âOfficials and staff must ensure that these guidelines are mandatorily followed by everyone The district administration should take appropriate precautionary measuresâ he clarifiedThe Minister further noted that it is impossible for anyone to accurately predict the behaviour and reactions of wild animals Therefore tourists visiting forest areas and elephant camps must strictly follow the instructions issued by the Forest Department While observing animals visitors should maintain a safe distance and exercise extreme caution regarding their own safety he appealedIt can be recalled that in a tragic incident a woman tourist from Tamil Nadu was killed on Monday after coming under a captive elephant that was fighting with another elephant at the Dubare Elephant Camp in Karnatakaâs Madikeri districtThe deceased was identified as 33yearold S Juneshe Her husband Joyal sustained severe injuries in the incident and has been shifted to the Kushalnagar Government Hospital for treatmentAccording to police the couple had arrived at the Dubare Elephant Camp on Monday morning They initially got photographs taken with the trained elephants Later they ventured into the waterbody along with other tourists while elephants were being taken for a bath by mahouts The tourists were also participating in cleaning and bathing the elephantsWhile the tourists were engaged in the activity two captive elephants Marthanda and Kanjan suddenly started fighting with each other Despite repeated attempts by the mahouts to control them the elephants continued fightingDuring the commotion Marthanda reportedly fell on Juneshe killing her on the spot and seriously injuring her husband IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/tourist-death-case-ktaka-govt-announces-compensation-minister-calls-for-strict-guidelines-674547.html Tue, 19 May 2026 16:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/woman-dies-under-mysterious-circumstances-in-kolkata-guest-house-two-arrested-674550.html Kolkata May 19 A young woman died under mysterious circumstances in a guest house in the Salt Lake area of Kolkata the police said on Tuesday adding that two persons have been arrested Initially it was known that she died after falling from a mango tree However the family of the deceased alleged that their daughter was raped and murdered The police later recovered the body and sent it for an autopsyIt is learnt that the deceased woman went to the guest house in Salt Lake in an app cab on Monday night with one of her friends and two young men She died mysteriously thereHer companions claimed that the woman had climbed a tree on the premises of the guest house late on Monday night to pick mangoes But she fell and sustained serious injuries She was rushed to the hospital and declared dead by the doctorsAs soon as the matter came to light tension erupted in the area On receiving the news the police recovered the body and sent it for a postmortemThe Bidhannagar North Police Station is investigating the exact cause of the death of the young womanTwo people including a woman have already been arrested However the family of the deceased is reluctant to accept the theory of death while picking mangoes from the treeThe family has informed the Bidhannagar North Police Station that their daughter could not have climbed the tree The family claimed that the woman was raped and thrown from the guest house A senior officer of Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation said that investigators are exploring all possible anglesA complaint has been lodged by the family of the deceased The body has been sent for autopsy Once the autopsy report comes the cause of the death will be known and also whether any foul play was involved Investigation is on Two people have been arrested said the officer IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/woman-dies-under-mysterious-circumstances-in-kolkata-guest-house-two-arrested-674550.html Tue, 19 May 2026 16:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/interstate-drug-syndicate-courier-held-with-opium-in-jharkhands-chatra-674551.html Chatra Jharkhand May 19 Police in Jharkhandâs Chatra district have arrested an alleged courier of an interstate narcotics syndicate with 29 kg of illegal wet opium worth nearly Rs 17 lakh during a vehicle checking drive near the JharkhandBihar border officials said on Tuesday The accused identified as Anil Kumar Yadav a resident of Sikkid village under Chatra Sadar police station limits was arrested during a vehicle checking drive near the JharkhandBihar border Police said raids are underway to nab the main supplier and other members of the networkAddressing a press conference at the Collectorate on Tuesday Chatra Superintendent of Police Animesh Naithani said the district police had received specific intelligence that a youth carrying a large consignment of opium was travelling from the ChatraJori route towards Delhi via Biharâs Gaya district in a passenger tempoActing on the input a special raiding team led by the SubDivisional Police Officer SDPO was constituted Barricades were set up near Gosaidih on the JharkhandBihar border and intensive checking of vehicles was launchedDuring the operation police intercepted a passenger tempo On spotting the police team a suspicious youth attempted to flee with a black backpack However the alert personnel chased and overpowered him before he could escapeA search of the bag led to the recovery of 29 kg of highquality wet opium two smartphones and Rs 1200 in cashSP Naithani said the arrested accused was working as a courier for a larger interstate narcotics network According to a preliminary investigation he had been assigned the task of transporting the consignment to Delhi where he was to receive the exact delivery location and details of the buyer over phone callsPolice said interrogation of the accused has yielded several crucial leads about the syndicates operations and supply chain The main supplier involved in the racket has been identified and is expected to be arrested soonInvestigators said the illegal opium network operating from Chatra has links extending to Bihar Delhi Punjab and Haryana Police also suspect that the accused had delivered narcotics consignments to other states on multiple occasions in the past IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/interstate-drug-syndicate-courier-held-with-opium-in-jharkhands-chatra-674551.html Tue, 19 May 2026 16:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/meghalaya-youth-second-to-none-says-conrad-sangma-at-ncc-battalion-inauguration-674557.html Shillong May 19 Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday said the stateâs youth are âsecond to noneâ and asserted that investments in young people should be seen not as expenditure but as the foundation for the stateâs future growth and transformation Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the newly relocated 41 Meghalaya Battalion NCC complex at Cherangre in Tura the Chief Minister said the National Cadet Corps plays a crucial role in shaping disciplined confident and responsible citizensâI have always believed that the youth of Meghalaya are second to none not just in the country but in the worldâ Sangma said adding that young people in the state only need the right opportunities and exposure to excel in different fieldsCalling the inauguration a âmomentous occasionâ the Chief Minister said the establishment of the battalion in Tura was âalmost like a dream come trueâ and aligned with the governmentâs broader vision of youth empowermentâThe success of a government should not be measured by how many crores are spent or how many buildings are constructed It should be measured by how many lives are transformed because of those investmentsâ he saidHighlighting Meghalayaâs demographic profile CM Sangma said nearly 75 per cent of the stateâs population is below the age of 35 and almost half is below 20 years making youth development one of the governmentâs top prioritiesHe said the recently announced Youth and Sports Policy aims to create a longterm roadmap to empower young people through education sports entrepreneurship arts culture and skill developmentâThe inauguration of the 41 Meghalaya Battalion NCC complex is part of that larger vision It brings us one step closer to achieving the future we envision for our youthâ he statedRecalling his childhood fascination with the armed forces and police services CM Sangma said the discipline dedication and sense of purpose associated with uniformed personnel had deeply inspired himâThe NCC instils discipline patriotism hard work and values that shape young people into responsible citizensâ he addedThe Chief Minister also assured continued government support for strengthening NCC infrastructure and youthoriented initiatives across the stateTracing the battalionâs history officials said the 41 Meghalaya Battalion NCC originated from the 15 Assam Artillery Battery NCC raised in 1961 and was upgraded in October 2020 The battalion currently oversees NCC activities across five districts of Garo Hills and has expanded its reach to seven colleges and 18 schools with around 2400 cadets enrolled as of May 2026 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/meghalaya-youth-second-to-none-says-conrad-sangma-at-ncc-battalion-inauguration-674557.html Tue, 19 May 2026 18:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/jampk-chief-secretary-reviews-arrangements-for-machail-mata-yatra-674559.html Srinagar May 19 Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Tuesday reviewed arrangements for the annual Machail Mata Yatra Officials said that the Chief Secretary reviewed elaborate arrangements for smooth safe conduct of Machail Mata Yatra at a highlevel meetingThe Chief Secretary took stock of the arrangements being put in place by the concerned Divisional and District Administrations for the smooth safe and hasslefree conduct of the annual Machail Mata Yatra scheduled to commence in August this year in the mountainous region of KishtwarThe meeting besides Additional Chief Secretary PWD and Principal Secretary Home was attended by Director General Fire amp Emergency Services Divisional Commissioner Jammu IGP Jammu Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar SSP Kishtwar Managing Director JPDCL Chief Engineer Project Sampark and other officers concernedDuring the meeting the Chief Secretary took a detailed assessment of the arrangements being made for ensuring safe and smooth conduct of the pilgrimage this year including sanitation measures entrusted to the Rural Development Department and arrangements related to water supply power medical facilities transport management and emergency response by the line departments concernedThe Chief Secretary also reviewed the implementation of the directions issued in the aftermath of last years disaster incident along the yatra route He took a detailed appraisal of measures such as introduction of online and RFIDbased registration systems disaster mitigation initiatives installation of Automatic Rain Gauges ARG and Automatic Weather Stations AWS for realtime weather alerts and development of detailed Standard Operating Procedures SOPs aimed at ensuring safety and smooth movement of pilgrims throughout the Yatra periodThe Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar apprised the meeting that elaborate accommodation arrangements were being made at various locations including Kishtwar headquarters Gulabgarh Chishoti and Machail to cater to the expected rush of devoteesGovernment accommodations private lodging facilities homestays and tented accommodations are being augmented while a dedicated tent city is also being established at Machail for the convenience of pilgrimsSpecial emphasis was laid on crowd management and realtime monitoring of pilgrims through implementation of 100 per cent online registration and RFIDenabled tracking mechanismsThe arrangements for daily monitoring of pilgrim movement deployment of adequate manpower at sensitive points and strengthening coordination among departments for effective management of the Yatra were also detailed out by the Divisional Commissioner during this meetingTo enhance pilgrim safety the administration is also undertaking landslide mitigation measures and strengthening monitoring systems at vulnerable stretches along the routeThe departments concerned were directed to maintain strict vigil and ensure immediate response to any weatherrelated exigencies during the pilgrimage periodThe Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Pankaj Kumar Sharma divulged the details about the comprehensive traffic and transport management plans prepared to ensure smooth vehicular movement and timely restoration of road connectivity wherever requiredHe apprised the meeting about the establishment of designated parking areas regulation of traffic movement and ensuring uninterrupted access for emergency response vehiclesThe Chief Secretary further reviewed medical preparedness and emergency response arrangements for the Yatra The meeting was informed that medical camps ambulance services emergency response teams and firstaid facilities would be established at key locations along the routeAdequate healthcare personnel and essential medicines are also being arranged to meet any eventuality during the pilgrimage The meeting also reviewed arrangements related to drinking water supply uninterrupted electricity communication facilities sanitation and solid waste management made for this years yatraDirections were issued to all departments to work in close coordination to ensure efficient delivery of essential services and maintain cleanliness and environmental protection along the pilgrimage routeReiterating the administrationâs commitment towards ensuring a spiritually fulfilling and incidentfree pilgrimage the Chief Secretary called for coordinated efforts among all stakeholder departments and agencies for successful conduct of the Machail Mata Yatra this year IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/jampk-chief-secretary-reviews-arrangements-for-machail-mata-yatra-674559.html Tue, 19 May 2026 18:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/fir-filed-against-arrested-businessman-in-bluru-over-threats-to-customs-officer-674304.html Bengaluru May 18 The Bengaluru police have registered another FIR against businessman M Kripalani who was earlier arrested in connection with allegations of blackmail and sexual assault of a female Customs officer The latest case has been registered at the Halasuru Police Station following a complaint filed by Customs officer D Anthony police said on Monday Anthony is serving as a Customs Superintendent in Mangaluru According to the complaint Kripalani had earlier been involved in a smuggling case in an attempt to evade Customs charges In connection with the case Anthony had imposed a penalty of around Rs 850 lakh on KripalaniPolice said Kripalani allegedly sought revenge over the action taken against him He is accused of calling one of Anthonyâs colleagues and issuing death threats According to the complaint Kripalani allegedly threatened that Anthony his wife and children would not be spared aliveFollowing the complaint Halasuru police registered a case against Kripalani under Sections 3084 3513 and 3511 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita BNSKripalani is already under arrest in another case involving allegations of blackmail and sexual assault of a female Customs officer Police said the accused allegedly blackmailed the woman officer and threatened to release her private photographs and videos if she did not comply with his demandsThe woman officer unable to bear the alleged harassment later approached the police and lodged a complaint Initially a rape case was registered against Kripalani at the Yelahanka Police Station before it was transferred to the Indiranagar Police Station for further investigationThe woman officer has also levelled several other serious allegations against Kripalani According to the complaint Kripalani who was involved in the electronics business allegedly carried out several transactions while evading Customs scrutinyPolice investigations further revealed that Kripalani had become acquainted with the woman Customs officer nearly nine years ago and allegedly gained her trust by pretending to be in a romantic relationship with her He is also accused of luring her with promises of marriage and obtaining information about loopholes in Customs proceduresUsing such information Kripalani allegedly filed false complaints against some Customs officers and extorted money from them Police suspect that several Customs officials may have suffered due to his activities and have urged anyone who may have been similarly victimised to come forward and file complaintsFurther investigation is underway IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/fir-filed-against-arrested-businessman-in-bluru-over-threats-to-customs-officer-674304.html Mon, 18 May 2026 14:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ex-tn-minister-takes-break-from-politics-after-electoral-loss-says-will-return-recharged-674305.html Chennai May 18 Senior DMK leader and former Tamil Nadu Finance Minister P Thiaga Rajan PTR has announced that he will temporarily step back from active politics following the partyâs defeat in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections saying he intends to take a âshort breakâ after spending a decade in elected office In a detailed statement reflecting on the election outcome and the evolving political environment in Tamil Nadu PTR said he was looking forward to spending a few weeks away from public life and reconnecting with life as a private citizenHe explained that the break would allow him to pursue opportunities that had remained out of reach during his years in public office including invitations to deliver lectures and participate in events in India and abroadPTR also revealed that he plans to devote time to writing a book Alongside his professional commitments he said he hopes to focus on his health and adopt a more balanced lifestyle after recently turning 60At the same time the former minister made it clear that his decision should not be interpreted as a permanent withdrawal from politics âI am adapting to the reality that I am not going to be an elected representative for a while at least until the next electionBut my passion for public service and to be an agent of change remains undiminished I shall return recharged and refreshedâ he saidPTR has been one of the prominent and articulate faces of the DMK in recent years earning recognition for his strong views on governance and economic policy mattersHe was first elected from the Madurai Central constituency in the 2016 Tamil Nadu Assembly election and retained the seat in 2021Following the DMKâs victory that year Chief Minister MK Stalin appointed him Minister for Finance and Human Resources Management During his tenure PTR released a White Paper detailing Tamil Naduâs financial condition and debt profile In a Cabinet reshuffle in May 2023 he was moved to the Information Technology and Digital Services portfolio However his electoral journey suffered a setback in the 2026 Assembly election when he lost Madurai Central to TVK candidate Madhar Badhurudeen who secured a decisive victory by a margin of more than 19000 votes IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ex-tn-minister-takes-break-from-politics-after-electoral-loss-says-will-return-recharged-674305.html Mon, 18 May 2026 14:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/edappadi-fears-losing-grip-over-his-party-leadership-dmks-elangovan-on-aiadmk-rift-674306.html Chennai May 18 DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan on Monday claimed that the ongoing rift within the AIADMK is rooted in Edappadi K Palaniswamiâs fear that his leadership position could weaken if senior leaders from the partyâs past are brought back into the fold The remarks came as the internal crisis within the AIADMK intensified further with factional tensions spreading across several district units in Tamil Nadu and leading to police intervention in multiple locationsThe growing confrontation between supporters of AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami EPS and the rival faction led by former Ministers SP Velumani and CVe Shanmugham has reportedly escalated into a battle for organisational control In several districts party offices were locked and placed under police security amid rising tensionsEPS has meanwhile accused the rebel faction of prioritising personal ambitions for ministerial posts over the unity and stability of the partyReacting to the developments Elangovan told IANS âThis fight has been going on for quite some time and Edappadi K Palaniswami does not want to bring back leaders who were earlier senior members of the AIADMK He is afraid that if they return his own position may be weakened This only reflects the weakness in Edappadiâs leadership which has led to all these splitsâThe DMK leader also commented on actor Rajinikanth congratulating actorturnedpolitician Vijay following the announcement of the Assembly election resultsRajinikanth had earlier taken to X to extend his wishes to Vijay after the election outcome Later he also dismissed rumours suggesting that he was jealous of Vijayâs political success The veteran actor clarified that his recent meeting with former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin was purely personal in nature and stressed that their friendship spans nearly four decades and goes beyond political affiliationsRajinikanth had also strongly rejected speculation that the meeting with Stalin was aimed at preventing Vijay from emerging as Chief MinisterResponding to the issue Elangovan said âWhat is wrong with it He appreciates Stalin and knows that Stalin is a close friend of his When someone from the film industry comes to power he Rajinikanth will definitely wish them What is wrong with thatâElangovan also reacted to criticism raised by actor Vishal and several others over Chief Minister Vijay allocating the Film Industry portfolio to Minister RajmohanâThere should be somebody who knows the film industry They must be posted as ministers so that they know what the film industry is and how to improve it Maybe that is the reason there is criticismâ Elangovan said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/edappadi-fears-losing-grip-over-his-party-leadership-dmks-elangovan-on-aiadmk-rift-674306.html Mon, 18 May 2026 14:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/after-taking-oath-cm-satheesan-holds-first-cabinet-meeting-674308.html Thiruvananthapuram May 18 Heavy rain failed to dampen the spirit of thousands of jubilant supporters as the new government led by VD Satheesan formally stepped into office on Monday marking the beginning of a new political chapter in Kerala after a gap of 10 years Soon after the swearingin ceremony Satheesan and his 21member cabinet drove to Lok Bhavan for the customary tea hosted by Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath ArlekarEven as ministers exchanged greetings and settled into the reality of governance dark clouds gathered over the capital cityBy the time the new ministers began their journey to the North Block of the State Secretariat for the first cabinet meeting torrential rain had lashed the cityBut the weather only seemed to energise the crowd waiting outside Amid the downpour rose loud chants of âSatheesanâ and slogans welcoming the Congressled UDF government back to powerA sizeable section of the crowd comprised proUDF Secretariat employees party workers and ordinary supporters who had gathered despite the rain to witness the historic momentSecurity personnel struggled to control the swelling crowd as ministers made their way into the Secretariat premisesSatheesan first entered the Chief Ministerâs office where he formally assumed charge by signing the initial files marking the transfer of powerWhile the new Chief Minister completed the official formalities cabinet colleagues slowly assembled in the cabinet meeting hall adjacent to his officeMinutes later Satheesan walked into the cabinet room and took his seat at the head of the long table signalling the formal commencement of the first cabinet meeting of the new governmentExpectations are already mounting over the decisions to emerge from the maiden meeting with several key policy announcements and welfare measures anticipated in the coming daysMany of these are expected to directly impact the lives of ordinary Keralites Satheesan will brief the media after the conclusion of the cabinet meeting outlining the governmentâs immediate priorities and direction IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/after-taking-oath-cm-satheesan-holds-first-cabinet-meeting-674308.html Mon, 18 May 2026 14:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/jampk-crime-branch-files-chargesheet-against-retired-senior-engineer-for-forgery-destruction-of-evidence-674309.html Srinagar May 18 Jammu and Kashmir Crime Branch filed a chargesheet on Monday in the court against a retired senior engineer in a case of forgery and destruction of evidence The accused was the Superintendent Engineer of the JampK State Power Development Corporation and has retired nowA statement by the Crime Branch Kashmir said âThe Economic Offences Wing EOW of Crime Branch has submitted a chargesheet before the Honâble Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Srinagar in FIR No 092015 under Sections 420 467 468 471 and 201 RPC against the then incharge Superintendent Engineer JampK State Power Development Corporation now retiredThe Crime Branch said that upon receipt of a written complaint alleging manipulation of the date of birth in the service records of the then incharge Superintendent Engineer JampK State Power Development Corporation a probe was initiated at the police station Crime Branch Kashmir now Economic Offences Wing KashmirInvestigation revealed that the accused fraudulently manipulated his date of birth in official service records from 28101955 to 28101958 in order to secure undue service benefits the press release mentionedThe manipulation was confirmed through FSL Srinagar and JampK BOSE verification reports The accused also destroyed his original service book to conceal evidence leading to the invocation of Section 201 RPCThe investigation in the instant case was concluded as proved against him and accordingly the chargesheet was submitted before the Court of Law for judicial determination The statement also had a word of caution saying the general public is advised to remain vigilant against economic fraudsters and report any such incidents directly to SSP EOW Kashmir Crime Branch JampK Victims of economic fraud may also send their complaints to the official email sspeowkmrjkpolicegovin said the statementThe Crime Branch wing of JampK Police carries out dedicated investigations in special crimes and in economic offences that require special expertise and dedicated investigation The executive police engaged with maintenance of law and order cannot devote full time to such investigations and that is why such crimes are handled by the Crime BranchJampK Crime Branch has two wings one for the Valley and one for the Jammu division Both these wings have special teams of sleuths deployed to deal with economic offences exclusively IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/jampk-crime-branch-files-chargesheet-against-retired-senior-engineer-for-forgery-destruction-of-evidence-674309.html Mon, 18 May 2026 14:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/high-voltage-drama-in-jharkhand-youth-climbs-200-foot-tower-to-press-for-marriage-with-girlfriend-674311.html Giridih Jharkhand May 18 Mobile towers in Jharkhand are increasingly becoming the stage for dramatic displays of love defiance and emotional outbursts In yet another incident resembling the iconic Veeru scene from the blockbuster film Sholay a youth in Giridih district climbed a nearly 200foothigh mobile tower on Monday demanding that his family arrange his marriage with his girlfriend triggering panic and drawing huge crowds to the spot The incident took place in Motileda village under Bengabad police station limits in Giridih districtAccording to locals the youth identified as Sanjay Rajak climbed the tower early in the morning and declared that he would not come down until arrangements were made for his marriage to his girlfriendThe sight of the youth perched atop the towering structure triggered panic in the village with hundreds of residents gathering at the spot within a short time Fearing an untoward incident villagers immediately alerted the policeActing swiftly a team from Bengabad police station reached the scene and launched a rescue operation Police personnel along with villagers and local elders repeatedly appealed to the youth through loudspeakers to climb down safely However Sanjay remained adamant and continued to insist on immediate marriageThe incident is the latest in a series of similar episodes reported from Jharkhand in recent daysOn Sunday a woman in Gomoh area of Dhanbad district climbed a mobile tower demanding the release of her arrested boyfriend A day earlier in Nimiaghat area of Giridih a married man had remained atop a tower for nearly seven hours creating high drama and forcing police and local authorities into actionOfficials said this is the fourth such incident reported in Jharkhand within the last fifteen days highlighting a growing trend of emotionally charged public spectacles that have become a major challenge for the police and administrationAfter several hours of persuasion and coordinated efforts involving police personnel and respected local residents Sanjay Rajak was finally brought down safely from the tower He was later taken to the police station where his family members were called for counselling and further discussions IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/high-voltage-drama-in-jharkhand-youth-climbs-200-foot-tower-to-press-for-marriage-with-girlfriend-674311.html Mon, 18 May 2026 14:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/justice-manoj-jain-to-hear-cbi-plea-division-bench-to-hear-contempt-case-against-kejriwal-674315.html New Delhi May 18 IANS The Delhi High Court has constituted a new Bench to hear the CBIs plea challenging the discharge of AAP leaders including former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and exDeputy CM Manish Sisodia in the excise policy case after Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma recused from the matter following initiation of criminal contempt proceedingsnbspA singlejudge Bench of Justice Manoj Jain will now hear the CBIs revision petition against the trial court order that had discharged Kejriwal Manish Sisodia and others in the alleged excise policy corruption case The matter is scheduled to be taken up on TuesdaySeparately a Division Bench of Justices Navin Chawla and Ravinder Dudeja has been constituted to hear the criminal contempt case against Kejriwal Sisodia AAP MP Sanjay Singh and party leaders Saurabh Bharadwaj Vinay Mishra and Durgesh Pathak The contempt proceedings will also be heard on TuesdayThe developments come days after Justice Sharma initiated criminal contempt proceedings observing that a coordinated social media campaign had been carried out to scandalise the judiciary in connection with the excise policy caseIn a detailed order the Delhi High Court held that the actions of the proposed contemnors were calculated to scandalise the Court lower the authority of the institution of justice interfere with the administration of justice and intimidate the independent exercise of judicial functionsIt observed that while fair criticism of judicial orders is permissible there is a distinction between fair criticism and running a campaign to portray a judge as biasedThe Court cannot permit erosion of the constitutional system and the justice delivery system by tolerating organised assaults in the name of public discourse the order said adding that such attempts if unchecked could undermine public confidence in the judiciaryJustice Sharma also made it clear that the contempt proceedings were not driven by personal grievance stating that she neither seeks sympathy nor demands immunity from criticism but is dutybound to protect the institutionThe judge had clarified that transfer of the main excise policy case to another Bench was not a recusal at the asking of the accused persons but a step necessitated by judicial propriety and discipline after initiation of contempt proceedingsThe main revision petition can always be heard by any other Bench However the acts of the proposed contemnors directed against this Court and the institution of the judiciary could only have been noticed and addressed by this Court the order saidIt added that the transfer of the case should not be construed as succumbing to recusal demands stating that the earlier order rejecting recusal continues to hold the fieldThe contempt proceedings were initiated after the Delhi High Court took exception to alleged defamatory and vilifying material circulated against Justice Sharma on social media following her refusal to recuse from the matterAccording to the Delhi High Court instead of challenging the recusal order before a higher forum the accused persons sought to carry the matter to social media by publishing letters and videos questioning the judges impartiality thereby attempting to create public distrust in the judiciaryThe trial court in a judgment running into more than 1100 paragraphs had discharged all accused persons holding that the nowscrapped excise policy was the outcome of a consultative and deliberative process and that the prosecution failed to establish an overarching conspiracyIn its revision plea before the High Court the CBI has alleged that the excise policy framed by the then AAPled Delhi government was manipulated to favour select liquor traders in exchange for kickbacksIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/justice-manoj-jain-to-hear-cbi-plea-division-bench-to-hear-contempt-case-against-kejriwal-674315.html Mon, 18 May 2026 14:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-exports-to-scale-1-trillion-mark-in-fy27-piyush-goyal-674319.html New Delhi May 18 IANS Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said on Monday that India is targeting exports worth 2 trillion over the next five years while pegging the overall exports target for FY27 at 1 trillionnbspIndias total exports of goods and services increased to an alltime high of 863 billion in FY26 despite the uncertainties in global markets triggered by the US tariff turmoil and geopolitical tensionsThe minister said India continues to remain a bright spot amid global geopolitical and economic uncertainty caused by the war in Ukraine and tensions in West Asia due to the Iran warAddressing an event here the minister said that Indias FTAs now cover over twothirds of global tradeThe minister also said that Indias free trade agreement with Oman is expected to come into effect from June 1 while the FTAs signed with other countries are also likely to be implemented this year after the legal process is completedIndia and Oman signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement CEPA on December 18 2025 giving most Indian exports including textiles dutyfree accessThe CEPA gives India zeroduty access on 9808 per cent of Omans tariff lines covering 9938 per cent of Indian exports by valueIndia will cut duties on about 78 per cent of its tariff lines covering nearly 95 per cent of imports from Oman with sensitive products given access mainly through tariffrate quotasTalks for the free trade agreement began in November 2023 and were successfully wrapped up in August 2025 after five rounds of negotiations The total volume of trade between India and Oman touched 1061 billion in 202425 which represented a growth of 186 per cent over the previous yearIndia has also operationalised trade agreements with the UAE Australia and the European Free Trade Association EFTA bloc among others while pacts with the European Union and the United Kingdom are expected to come into force this yearOther FTAs which are going through legal ratification will also start kicking in Goyal saidThe minister also released the seventh Logistics Ease Across Different States LEADS 2025 report and the 4th ceremony for Logistics Excellence Advancements and Perform Shield LEAPS 2025 He said that the government has taken reducing logistics costs as an urgent national mission to make India globally competitiveHe added that heavy investments are being made in infrastructure and delivery systems to ensure seamless logistics across the country Goyal highlighted that the countrys growth remains strong driven by continuous investments across sectors rapid innovation by startups and competitive labour costs backed by Indias skilled workforceIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-exports-to-scale-1-trillion-mark-in-fy27-piyush-goyal-674319.html Mon, 18 May 2026 14:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bhilwara-petrol-pumps-shut-indefinitely-as-dealers-protest-unethical-inspections-674323.html Jaipur May 18 All petrol pumps in Rajasthanâs Bhilwara district were shut indefinitely from Monday after the Bhilwara Petroleum Dealer Society called a strike protesting alleged âunethicalâ inspection practices and objectionable social media remarks targeting pump owners The decision was taken during a meeting of the Society held on Sunday According to Society Secretary Ashok Kumar Mundra the sale of petrol and diesel at all fuel stations in the district was suspended from 9 am on MondayThe dealers have launched the strike in protest against alleged objectionable social media comments targeting petrol pump owners as well as what they described as âunethicalâ inspection procedures that have damaged their reputationThe Society said it would submit a memorandum to the district administration outlining its demands and grievances Dealers claim the move was necessary to protect their credibility and public image after surprise inspections were conducted at several petrol pumps in Bhilwara on the directions of Rajasthan Minister for Consumer Affairs Sumit GodaraThe inspections were carried out under the provisions of the Legal Metrology Act During the inspections officials allegedly detected a shortage of 30 millilitres of fuel in a standard 5litre measurement However the Dealersâ Society has strongly contested the findings arguing that the testing process was technically flawed and misleadingAccording to the Society the design of dispensing machines is such that even a discrepancy of 21 millilitres can cause the metre to display a reading of 30 milliliters Dealers insist this does not necessarily mean consumers were shortchanged by the same amountThe Society further clarified that government norms allow a permissible variation of up to 25 millilitres either excess or short in a 5litre fuel measurement In such cases dealers cannot legally be held guilty of underdelivery they saidPetrol pump owners also objected to what they termed a âmedia trialâ alleging that the issue was widely circulated across print electronic and social media platforms before any legal determination of wrongdoing had been made The dealers alleged that several unidentified individuals posted derogatory and baseless comments against petrol pump owners on social media severely harming their reputationSociety officebearers including President Zahir Hussain Secretary Ashok Kumar Mundra and Treasurer Dinesh Bhagat said they have full faith in the judicial system but would not tolerate public defamation in the name of investigations In their memorandum to the District Collector the dealers demanded immediate legal action against those spreading false information and posting objectionable remarks on social mediaThe Society stated that petrol pumps across Bhilwara would remain closed until their demands are addressedEarlier on Sunday officials from the Rajasthan Ministry for Consumer Affairs said that four fuel nozzles at three petrol pumps in Bhilwara district have been sealed after inspections found discrepancies in fuel dispensingAt Deepak Petroleum Shiv Indian Oil and Shri Shyam Filling Station the pumps were reportedly delivering 34 to 90 millilitres less petrol than the prescribed quantity they said in an official statement IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bhilwara-petrol-pumps-shut-indefinitely-as-dealers-protest-unethical-inspections-674323.html Mon, 18 May 2026 15:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bengal-cabinet-clears-7th-pay-commission-annapurna-bhandar-rollout-674329.html Kolkata May 18 The West Bengal cabinet on Monday approved implementation of the 7th Pay Commission for state government employees Announcing the decision after the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari state minister for Women amp Child Development and Social Welfare Agnimitra Paul said the move addresses a longpending demand of employees She said the matter was taken up at the cabinet meeting and the proposal was clearedShe said that the state cabinet also cleared the proposal for implementation of the Annapurna Bhandar project the monthly financial assistance scheme for women in the state involving a monthly allowance of Rs 3000 which was proposed in the Bharatiya Janata Party BJPâs Sankalp Patra election manifesto in the recently concluded West Bengal assembly electionsAccording to her the women who were receiving monthly allowances under the previous Lakshmir Bhandar scheme a similar financial assistance scheme run by the previous Mamata Banerjeeled government will automatically get linked to the new Annapurna Bhandar projectâThe money will be automatically transferred to their bank accounts Those who were not receiving the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme benefits so far can now apply for enrollment under the Annapurna Bhandar scheme The new applications can be made only for which a new portal will be opened shortlyâ Paul explainedâAt the same timeâ she added âthe state cabinet in its meeting today had also cleared a proposal for free rides for all women in the state in all staterun public buses from June 1âShe also said that at the moment no decision has been made in the cabinet meeting about increasing the number of buses âWe will use the existing infrastructure of government buses The full state budget will be presented in June However in the cabinet meeting the Chief Minister said that some new electric buses will be included in the state transport systemâ Paul saidHowever she informed that the state cabinet has decided to stop all supportive schemes provided on the basis of religious classifications under both the state information amp cultural affairs and minority affairs amp madrasah education departments from next monthâSuch scholarship will be in force only for this current month and will be stopped from June 1â Paul said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bengal-cabinet-clears-7th-pay-commission-annapurna-bhandar-rollout-674329.html Mon, 18 May 2026 16:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/jodhpur-police-registers-suo-motu-fir-in-womans-suspicious-death-followed-by-overnight-cremation-674330.html Jodhpur May 18 Jodhpur Rural Police registered a suo motu FIR in connection with the suspicious death of a woman in the AsopBhopalgarh area and her subsequent overnight cremation Superintendent of Police PD Nitya said on Monday According to the SP the incident is being treated as serious and suspicious due to the circumstances surrounding the womanâs death and the hurried cremation carried out during the night without prior information to the authoritiesSP PD Nitya stated that on May 14 the woman and her husband had visited the Asop police station following mutual disputes and familyrelated tensionsBoth parties expressed apprehension and claimed they felt threatened by one another Police officials counseled the couple at the police station and asked the woman whether she wished to file a formal complaintHowever she declined to lodge any report Considering the situation the Station House Officer presented both individuals before an Executive Magistrate for preventive legal actionDuring this process the womanâs brothers also arrived at the police station and assured officials that they would take responsibility for her safety and ensure that no further dispute occurred between the two sidesThe woman subsequently left with her brothers for her maternal home The SP further stated that on the morning of May 15 police received information regarding the death of a woman in the village and that her cremation had already been carried out overnightWhen police reached the spot it emerged that the deceased was the same woman who had visited the police station a day earlierFamily members informed officials that the woman had allegedly died by suicide following which her cremation was performed during the night itselfFinding the circumstances suspicious police took suo motu cognisance and registered an inquest reportForensic investigation teams including the FSL and Mobile Forensic Unit were called to the site to collect evidence Police officials collected samples from the cremation site including bones and bodily remains firewood and other materials used during the cremation processAccording to SP PD Nitya a Medical Board has conducted a postmortem examination of the remains and all collected samples will be sent for forensic analysisThe investigating agency has been directed to conduct a detailed enquiry into all aspects related to the womanâs death and the circumstances under which the cremation was carried outFurther legal action will be initiated based on the findings of the investigation the SP added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/jodhpur-police-registers-suo-motu-fir-in-womans-suspicious-death-followed-by-overnight-cremation-674330.html Mon, 18 May 2026 16:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-exports-to-scale-1-trillion-mark-in-fy27-piyush-goyal-674331.html New Delhi May 18 Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said on Monday that India is targeting exports worth 2 trillion over the next five years while pegging the overall exports target for FY27 at 1 trillion Indias total exports of goods and services increased to an alltime high of 863 billion in FY26 despite the uncertainties in global markets triggered by the US tariff turmoil and geopolitical tensionsThe minister said India continues to remain a bright spot amid global geopolitical and economic uncertainty caused by the war in Ukraine and tensions in West Asia due to the Iran warAddressing an event here the minister said that Indiaâs FTAs now cover over twothirds of global tradeThe minister also said that Indiaâs free trade agreement with Oman is expected to come into effect from June 1 while the FTAs signed with other countries are also likely to be implemented this year after the legal process is completedIndia and Oman signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement CEPA on December 18 2025 giving most Indian exports including textiles dutyfree accessThe CEPA gives India zeroduty access on 9808 per cent of Omanâs tariff lines covering 9938 per cent of Indian exports by valueIndia will cut duties on about 78 per cent of its tariff lines covering nearly 95 per cent of imports from Oman with sensitive products given access mainly through tariffrate quotasTalks for the free trade agreement began in November 2023 and were successfully wrapped up in August 2025 after five rounds of negotiations The total volume of trade between India and Oman touched 1061 billion in 202425 which represented a growth of 186 per cent over the previous yearIndia has also operationalised trade agreements with the UAE Australia and the European Free Trade Association EFTA bloc among others while pacts with the European Union and the United Kingdom are expected to come into force this yearOther FTAs which are going through legal ratification will also start kicking in Goyal saidThe minister also released the seventh Logistics Ease Across Different States LEADS 2025 report and the 4th ceremony for Logistics Excellence Advancements and Perform Shield LEAPS 2025 He said that the government has taken reducing logistics costs as an urgent national mission to make India globally competitiveHe added that heavy investments are being made in infrastructure and delivery systems to ensure seamless logistics across the country Goyal highlighted that the countryâs growth remains strong driven by continuous investments across sectors rapid innovation by startups and competitive labour costs backed by Indiaâs skilled workforce IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-exports-to-scale-1-trillion-mark-in-fy27-piyush-goyal-674331.html Mon, 18 May 2026 16:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cm-satheesan-unveils-welfare-bonanza-in-first-cabinet-meeting-674333.html Thiruvananthapuram May 18 Delivering on election promises within hours of assuming office the maiden cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister VD Satheesan on Monday rolled out a series of sweeping welfare decisions signalling the beginning of an aggressive peoplecentric governance model under the new Congressled UDF government In perhaps the biggest announcement of the day the government declared free travel for women in KSRTC buses from June 15 implementing one of the five guarantees promised by the UDF during the election campaignCM Satheesan also announced the creation of a separate department for the welfare of senior citizens describing it as the first such initiative in the countryDrawing inspiration from Japanâs elderly care system the Chief Minister said a detailed study of the Japanese model would be conducted within two monthsâA society is judged by how it treats its elderly Kerala will soon become a model state in caring for senior citizensâ CM Satheesan said after the cabinet meetingThe government also moved swiftly to address longpending demands of ASHA workersKeeping another election promise the cabinet approved a Rs 3000 hike in their honorarium raising it to Rs 12000Retirement benefitrelated announcements for ASHA workers are expected within a monthAnganwadi workers catering workers preprimary teachers and ayahs were also granted a Rs 1000 increase in wages Satheesan said additional benefits would be considered once the stateâs financial condition improvesIn another politically significant move veteran former CPIM leader G Sudhakaran who was booted out of the party and contested with the UDF support was appointed Protem Speaker The MLAs swearingin will be held on May 21 and the next day the election of the Speaker will take place On May 29 the Governor will address the AssemblyThe government also named senior advocate Jaiju Babu as Advocate General after the incumbent resigned while T Asaf Ali was appointed Director General of ProsecutionThe cabinet further ordered a Special Investigation Team probe into the alleged assault on Youth Congress workers during the Nava Kerala Sadas programme in Alappuzha in December 2023CM Satheesan announced that a White Paper on Keralaâs finances would soon be prepared by an expert committee while monsoon preparedness would be treated as an urgent priority of the new administration IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cm-satheesan-unveils-welfare-bonanza-in-first-cabinet-meeting-674333.html Mon, 18 May 2026 16:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-refuses-to-hear-pil-on-temple-priests-wages-674336.html New Delhi May 18 The Supreme Court on Monday declined to entertain a public interest litigation PIL seeking directions for framing a uniform wage and welfare framework for priests sevadars and temple staff working in statecontrolled temples across the country A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta expressed disinclination to interfere in the matter and refused to entertain the plea filed by advocate Ashwini Upadhyay who appeared in personAfter the apex court indicated its unwillingness to examine the issue Upadhyay sought permission to withdraw the petition with liberty to approach the appropriate authoritiesThe Justice Vikram Nathled Bench thereafter dismissed the matter as withdrawnThe petitioner seeks permission to withdraw the plea with liberty to approach the appropriate authorities The petition is dismissed as withdrawn the top court recorded in its orderThe plea had sought directions to the Centre and state governments to constitute a judicial commission or expert committee to review the wages and service conditions of priests sevadars and temple staff in temples under government control The petition also sought a declaration that priests and temple staff fall within the definition of employee under Section 2k of the Code on Wages 2019 making them entitled to minimum wages and other labour welfare protectionsThe plea contended that once state governments assume administrative financial and economic control over temples an employeremployee relationship arises between temple administrations and priests or temple workers It claimed that priests and temple staff in several states survive on arbitrary honorariums dakshinabased payments and meagre remuneration often ranging between Rs 1000 and Rs 5000 per month without pension healthcare or social security protectionsReferring to statutory frameworks governing temples in states such as Tamil Nadu Andhra Pradesh Telangana Karnataka and Kerala the plea argued that governments exercise pervasive control over appointments service conditions disciplinary supervision and temple revenues while simultaneously denying labour welfare protections to temple workersThe petition further relied on constitutional provisions under Articles 14 and 21 contending that denial of fair wages and dignified livelihood to priests and temple staff violates their fundamental rightsReferring to judicial precedents including observations of the Allahabad High Court on minimum wages for temple staff the plea contended that the issue had nationwide implications and warranted intervention by the apex court IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-refuses-to-hear-pil-on-temple-priests-wages-674336.html Mon, 18 May 2026 17:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/there-can-be-no-rift-between-bjp-and-jd-674340.html Bengaluru May 18 Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda on Monday asserted that there can be no difference between the BJP and the JDS stating that the partnership between the two parties within the NDA will continue to be robust Speaking to reporters after offering special prayers at the Venkateshwara Temple in JP Nagar on the occasion of his 94th birthday Deve Gowda said he remained committed to working for the welfare of the people despite his advancing ageâI will continue to work for the people of the state to the best of my ability I have made a firm resolve to continue fighting for the problems of the people for some more time I will not sit at home just because I have turned 93 Even if required I will move around in a wheelchairâ he saidResponding to questions regarding the 2028 Assembly elections Deve Gowda stated that the JDS was a partner in the NDA and shared cordial relations with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit ShahâWe are partners in the NDA We have good relations with PM Modi and Amit Shah There will not be any crisis in this alliance Even if difficult situations arise during the course of this political struggle we will sit together resolve them and continue the fightâ he saidHe further stated that he had no concerns regarding the future of the alliance due to the strong relationship the party shared with the BJP leadershipReferring to the political situation in South India Deve Gowda said Congress leaders often claimed that the party was strong in Kerala Telangana and Karnataka but added that the future political scenario remained to be seenâLet us wait and see what happens in the future I do not want to speak much about it now I will speak when the appropriate time comesâ he remarkedCalling upon JDS workers to remain disciplined and committed to the party Deve Gowda urged them to fulfil the responsibilities assigned by Union Minister and senior JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy at the taluk and district levelsâI appeal to party workers and legislators to work sincerely as disciplined soldiers of the party and carry out the responsibilities entrusted to them with dedicationâ he saidDeve Gowda also expressed concern over the worsening problems faced by the people and indicated that he would address the issue further during a press conference scheduled for May 20âThe problems faced by the people have become very serious I have already spoken about this in a press conference earlier I will again address the media on May 20 and discuss issues concerning the state and the countryâ he saidHighlighting his long political journey Deve Gowda said he had spent 68 years in public life fighting for peopleâs causesâIt does not matter how much recognition people give me What matters is continuing the struggle I will keep workingâ he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/there-can-be-no-rift-between-bjp-and-jd-674340.html Mon, 18 May 2026 17:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/assam-rifles-seize-1-200-detonators-in-mizoram-one-held-674341.html Aizawl May 18 Assam Rifles personnel seized 1200 detonators and arrested an individual in Mizoramâs Aizawl district officials said on Monday A defence spokesman said that in a successful operation Assam Rifles troops recovered the detonators used to trigger a larger explosion in a bomb or explosive charge from the Durtlang area of AizawlDuring the operation one individual was apprehended and his vehicle seizedThe spokesman said that the operation was launched based on specific intelligence inputs regarding the movement of explosive materials in the Aizawl areaActing swiftly on the information troopers of the Assam Rifles carried out vehicle interception and checking in the suspected area he said During the check the team recovered 1200 detonators concealed inside the driverâs seat of the vehicleThe entire operation was conducted with utmost caution keeping in view the sensitive nature of the recovered itemsThe apprehended individual along with the recovered detonators and vehicle has been handed over to the Durtlang police station for further investigation and legal proceedingsAn Assam Rifles statement said that the successful recovery once again highlights the unwavering commitment of the Assam Rifles towards maintaining peace security and stability in MizoramAssam Rifles continues to remain vigilant and committed in its efforts to curb illegal activities and ensure safety in the region it notedAizawl district shares interdistrict borders with Champhai and Mamit districts which in turn share unfenced international borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh respectively Officials suspect that the explosive materials were procured for transborder smugglingMizoram has emerged as a major drug and various contraband trafficking corridors in Northeast India due to its long unfenced borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh Among the most commonly trafficked narcotic substances from Myanmar are highly addictive methamphetamine tablets widely known as Yaba or âparty tabletsâ and heroin Often referred to as the âcrazy drugâ these tablets contain a mixture of methamphetamine and caffeine and are strictly banned in India Officials said that such illegal consignments are frequently smuggled through six districts of Mizoram Champhai Siaha Lawngtlai Hnahthial Saitual and Serchhip IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/assam-rifles-seize-1-200-detonators-in-mizoram-one-held-674341.html Mon, 18 May 2026 17:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-governor-unveils-new-emblem-names-13-gates-within-assembly-premises-674342.html Jaipur May 18 Marking 75 years of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly Governor Haribhau Bagde on Monday unveiled the newly designed emblem of the Assembly and announced the names of 13 gates within the premises Describing the Legislative Assembly as the âsacred temple of democracyâ the Governor said the new emblem reflects Rajasthanâs rich cultural identity and democratic heritage He noted that while the Legislative Assembly was formally constituted in 1952 after Independence the roots of representative governance in the state go back to 1913 when Maharaja Ganga Singh established a Pratinidhi Sabha Representative AssemblyCalling the unveiling a significant milestone during Indiaâs Amrit Kaal Bagde said the emblem symbolises the collective spirit and values of Rajasthanâs peopleThe logo developed on the initiative of Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani incorporates symbols such as the Rohida flower the Khejri tree and the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly buildingThe Governor said these elements represent the resilience and vibrant cultural spirit of Rajasthanâs people who continue to celebrate life despite the regionâs harsh geographical conditions Referring to the Khejri tree as Rajasthanâs own Kalpa Vriksha he also recalled the historic sacrifice made by villagers in Khejadli to protect trees describing it as a lasting symbol of harmony between nature and societyDuring his address the Governor shared an anecdote involving Ganesh Vasudev Mavalankar the first Speaker of the Lok Sabha He recounted how Mavalankar once responded to a man claiming expertise in management by pointing out the food left wasted on his plate and remarking that proper management begins with personal disciplineUsing the story to underline the importance of responsibility and practical conduct the Governor said effective management principles should guide every aspect of life and governance The Governor stressed the need to improve educational opportunities for underprivileged children stating that a nation progresses through education and the talent of its youth He called for greater emphasis on practical learning and quality education in schoolsDrawing from his experience as Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Bagde said democracy becomes stronger when citizens remain equally conscious of their duties and rights He also praised the decision to name the Assembly gates after places associated with Rajasthanâs valour and heroic traditions calling it a tribute to the stateâs glorious legacy IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-governor-unveils-new-emblem-names-13-gates-within-assembly-premises-674342.html Mon, 18 May 2026 17:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-cm-gupta-calls-on-lg-sandhu-to-discuss-development-growth-issues-674343.html New Delhi May 18 Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday discussed issues related to development and growth with Lieutenant Governor TS Sandhu a meeting which came amid a major push by the government to promote public transport and undertake measures to check monsoon flooding âHonâble Chief Minister Smt guptarekha called on Honâble LtGovDelhi Sardar SandhuTaranjitS LokNiwasDelhi Discussions focussed on key issues related to the development and growth of Delhiâ said Lok Niwas in a message on XThe discussions followed the Chief Ministerâs reiteration that if it concerns Delhiâs people the development work will get doneShe also announced Rs 150 crore for Dwarkaâs development alongside the Rs 6200 crore Metro expansion project from Kirti Nagar to PalamEarlier on Monday Chief Minister Gupta participated in the âMetro Mondayâ initiative launched under the âMera Bharat Mera Yogdanâ public campaign conveying the message of public transport usage fuel conservation and responsible citizen participationFollowing the Chief Ministerâs appeal all Ministers of the Delhi Government and senior government officials also used Metro Rail and buses of the Delhi Transport Corporation DTC to commute to their officesThe Chief Minister began her day with a message of public participation She walked from her residence at Raj Niwas Marg in Civil Lines to Lok Niwas closeby to attend a meeting chaired by the Lieutenant GovernorThereafter the Chief Minister travelled by electric car to Kashmere Gate Metro Station and used Delhi Metro services from there to ITO Metro Station After reaching ITO Metro Station the Chief Minister used the feeder bus service to travel to her office at the Delhi SecretariatCabinet Ministers in the Delhi Government Parvesh Verma and Ravinder Indraj were also present with the Chief Minister during the journeyThe Chief Minister said that the âMera Bharat Mera Yogdanâ campaign is not merely a government initiative but a movement for public participation Its objective is to convey to every citizen that even a small effort made in national interest plays a significant role in strengthening the countryâs energy security environmental protection and economic balance IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-cm-gupta-calls-on-lg-sandhu-to-discuss-development-growth-issues-674343.html Mon, 18 May 2026 17:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/mp-three-held-for-forging-mbbs-degree-securing-employment-under-national-health-mission-in-damoh-674236.html BhopalDamoh May 17 A major and shocking fraud involving the healthcare system has come to light in Madhya Pradeshs Damoh where three alleged doctors employed at Sanjeevani Clinics operated under the National Health Mission have been apprehended by the police officials said Earlier a doctor N John Cam was apprehended by the police for forging a cardiology postgraduate degree and performing surgery on innocent patients in DamohThe individuals were found to be working on the basis of forged MBBS degrees and fraudulent Medical Council registrations police said on SundayThe revelation of this case has sent shockwaves through the Health Department and the administrative machinery alikeInvestigations conducted by the Kotwali police revealed that the accused had been posing as doctors and treating patients at government health centres for nearly a yearThe police suspect that this case is not limited to just these three individuals but rather suggests a vast network involving forged degrees and fraudulent appointments that may extend across the entire stateAccording to the police on May 16 the Kotwali police station received an investigative report from the office of the Chief Medical and Health OfficerThe report said that Kumar Sachin Yadav a resident of Gwalior and Rajpal Gaur a resident of Sehore had submitted forged and fabricated MBBS degrees Medical Council registration certificates and other educational documents to secure appointments at the Sanjeevani Clinic located in Subhash Colony of DamohDuring the verification of these documents several discrepancies and suspicious details were identifiedConsequently the police registered separate cases against both accused individuals and initiated legal proceedingsSubsequent interrogation and document verification confirmed that the certificates submitted by both individuals were indeed forgedThe investigation also revealed that both accused had been providing government healthcare services while posing as doctors for nearly a yearDuring this period they treated numerous unsuspecting patientsOfficials have said that this constitutes not merely an act of fraud but a grave endangerment to the health and lives of the general publicAccording to police officials had this matter not come to light in a timely manner this fraudulent scheme would have continued for a much longer durationDuring the interrogation of the two accused the name of Ajay Maurya who was employed in Jabalpur surfacedThe police received information indicating that he was also working at a Sanjeevani facility on the basis of forged documentsActing swiftly the police team immediately took him into custody as wellThe police are now questioning all three accused to ascertain who provided them with the forged degrees and registration documentsPolice officials have emphasised that this case is extremely serious and sensitive given that Sanjeevani Clinics are directly involved in providing medical treatment and healthcare services to the general publicThe Kotwali Police Station has registered a case against the accused under Sections 318 338 336 and 340 of the Bharatiya Nyaya SanhitaIn this context the fact that fake doctors were posted in government hospitals raises serious questions about the entire system The police are now searching for those individuals involved in procuring fake degrees medical registrations and other documents as well as in facilitating these appointmentsThe investigation into the matter is ongoing and the police claim that further major revelations regarding this widespread fraud may emerge in the coming days as the network is uncovered IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/mp-three-held-for-forging-mbbs-degree-securing-employment-under-national-health-mission-in-damoh-674236.html Mon, 18 May 2026 12:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/plea-in-sc-seeks-immediate-shift-of-neet-ug-to-computer-based-test-mode-674238.html New Delhi May 18 IANS A fresh petition has been filed before the Supreme Court seeking immediate transition of the National EligibilitycumEntrance Test NEETUG to a ComputerBased Test CBT mode contending that repeated paper leak controversies and alleged security lapses have exposed the vulnerability of the existing penandpaper examination system conducted by the National Testing Agency NTAnbspnbspAccording to the plea despite recommendations made by the highlevel committee headed by former ISRO Chairman K Radhakrishnan after the 2024 controversy NEETUG 2026 continued under substantially the same penandpaper framework involving physical printing storage transportation and handling of confidential examination materialThe present penandpaper system is inherently vulnerable owing to dependence upon physical logistics chains strong rooms transportation networks and thirdparty operational mechanisms each creating multiple access points and possibilities of unauthorised disclosure the petition statedThe plea said that the Union government had already publicly announced that NEETUG would transition to a fully computerbased test mode from 2027 which itself amounted to an acknowledgement that technological reform and secure digital examination architecture are necessaryOnce the Respondents authorities have accepted the inevitability of transition to CBT mode postponing implementation despite the events of NEETUG 2026 lacks reasonable justification it addedThe petition contended that the CBT mode would substantially reduce risks associated with physical handling of confidential papers through encrypted delivery systems digital audit trails biometric verification and realtime security protocolsSeeking urgent directions the plea prayed for conducting the retest scheduled on June 21 through the CBT mode instead of the existing penandpaper format It also sought directions to the Centre to prepare a timebound roadmap for the transition of NEETUG to a fully computerbased framework along with details of infrastructure development cybersecurity mechanisms and candidate accessibility measuresFurther the petition sought replacement of the NTA with a new independent transparent and professionally regulated National Examination Authority having statutory accountability judicial oversight and advanced technological safeguardsThe plea also sought the constitution of a highlevel monitoring committee comprising retired Supreme Court judges educationists psychologists cybersecurity experts forensic scientists and administrative experts to recommend structural reforms for the secure conduct of nationallevel examinationsIn addition the petition sought directions for the implementation of encrypted digital paper transmission systems biometric verification AIbased surveillance systems and strict cybersecurity protocols in national examinationsThe plea further prayed for strict criminal prosecution and fasttrack investigation against individuals coaching centres middlemen and officials allegedly involved in examination leaks and organised cheating racketsIt also sought a direction to the CBI to file a status report before the apex court within four weeks regarding the investigation into the alleged NEETUG 2026 paper leak including details of arrests charges and progress of prosecutionReferring to the NEETUG 2026 examination conducted on May 3 the petition alleged that guess papers and leaked material were circulated on digital platforms including WhatsApp and Telegram before the examination The cancellation of a national examination affecting more than 22 lakh candidates itself demonstrates that the integrity of the examination process stood compromised and that the existing security architecture failed to preserve the confidentiality of examination material the plea statedThe petition said that the National Testing Agency NTA cancelled the examination on May 12 after receiving investigative inputs regarding compromise of examination integrity and directed the reconduct of the test on June 21According to the plea the events surrounding NEETUG 2026 were not isolated incidents but part of a continuing pattern of controversies linked to examinations conducted by the NTAThe petition filed under Article 32 of the Constitution clarified that it does not challenge the cancellation or reconduct of NEETUG 2026 itself Rather its limited grievance concerns the repeated institutional failures in the conduct of NEET examinations and the urgent need for structural reformsIt referred to instances of impersonation forged identities proxy candidates and organised solver networks allegedly detected during NEET examinations in 2021 as well as allegations of remoteaccess software misuse and organised cheating modules in JEEMain 2021The petition further cited the NEETUG 2024 controversy involving allegations of paper leaks circulation of solved papers suspicious grace marks and interstate cheating syndicatesReferring to the Supreme Courts observations in Vanshika Yadav vs Union of India 2024 the plea quoted the apex court as saying This indicates that there is a serious lapse in security and that security measures which are stringent and effective must be implemented by NTAThe petition also referred to the cancellation of UGCNET 2024 following concerns relating to compromise of examination integrityThe petition has been filed before the Supreme Court by RJD MP Sudhakar Singh social activist Anubhav Garg Dr Dhruv Chauhan National Spokesperson of the Indian Medical Association IMA and political leader Harisharan Devgan through advocate Satyam Singh Rajput advocateonRecord Neema along with a legal team comprising Muskan Singh and Adarsh SinghIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/plea-in-sc-seeks-immediate-shift-of-neet-ug-to-computer-based-test-mode-674238.html Mon, 18 May 2026 12:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/plea-in-sc-seeks-immediate-cbt-mode-for-neet-ug-674240.html New Delhi May 18 IANS A fresh petition has been filed before the Supreme Court seeking immediate transition of the National EligibilitycumEntrance Test NEETUG to a ComputerBased Test CBT mode contending that repeated paper leak controversies and alleged security lapses have exposed the vulnerability of the existing penandpaper examination system conducted by the National Testing Agency NTAnbspnbspAccording to the plea despite recommendations made by the highlevel committee headed by former ISRO Chairman K Radhakrishnan after the 2024 controversy NEETUG 2026 continued under substantially the same penandpaper framework involving physical printing storage transportation and handling of confidential examination materialThe present penandpaper system is inherently vulnerable owing to dependence upon physical logistics chains strong rooms transportation networks and thirdparty operational mechanisms each creating multiple access points and possibilities of unauthorised disclosure the petition statedThe plea said that the Union government had already publicly announced that NEETUG would transition to a fully computerbased test mode from 2027 which itself amounted to an acknowledgement that technological reform and secure digital examination architecture are necessaryOnce the Respondents authorities have accepted the inevitability of transition to CBT mode postponing implementation despite the events of NEETUG 2026 lacks reasonable justification it addedThe petition contended that the CBT mode would substantially reduce risks associated with physical handling of confidential papers through encrypted delivery systems digital audit trails biometric verification and realtime security protocolsSeeking urgent directions the plea prayed for conducting the retest scheduled on June 21 through the CBT mode instead of the existing penandpaper format It also sought directions to the Centre to prepare a timebound roadmap for the transition of NEETUG to a fully computerbased framework along with details of infrastructure development cybersecurity mechanisms and candidate accessibility measuresFurther the petition sought replacement of the NTA with a new independent transparent and professionally regulated National Examination Authority having statutory accountability judicial oversight and advanced technological safeguardsThe plea also sought the constitution of a highlevel monitoring committee comprising retired Supreme Court judges educationists psychologists cybersecurity experts forensic scientists and administrative experts to recommend structural reforms for the secure conduct of nationallevel examinationsIn addition the petition sought directions for the implementation of encrypted digital paper transmission systems biometric verification AIbased surveillance systems and strict cybersecurity protocols in national examinationsThe plea further prayed for strict criminal prosecution and fasttrack investigation against individuals coaching centres middlemen and officials allegedly involved in examination leaks and organised cheating racketsIt also sought a direction to the CBI to file a status report before the apex court within four weeks regarding the investigation into the alleged NEETUG 2026 paper leak including details of arrests charges and progress of prosecutionReferring to the NEETUG 2026 examination conducted on May 3 the petition alleged that guess papers and leaked material were circulated on digital platforms including WhatsApp and Telegram before the examination The cancellation of a national examination affecting more than 22 lakh candidates itself demonstrates that the integrity of the examination process stood compromised and that the existing security architecture failed to preserve the confidentiality of examination material the plea statedThe petition said that the National Testing Agency NTA cancelled the examination on May 12 after receiving investigative inputs regarding compromise of examination integrity and directed the reconduct of the test on June 21According to the plea the events surrounding NEETUG 2026 were not isolated incidents but part of a continuing pattern of controversies linked to examinations conducted by the NTAThe petition filed under Article 32 of the Constitution clarified that it does not challenge the cancellation or reconduct of NEETUG 2026 itself Rather its limited grievance concerns the repeated institutional failures in the conduct of NEET examinations and the urgent need for structural reformsIt referred to instances of impersonation forged identities proxy candidates and organised solver networks allegedly detected during NEET examinations in 2021 as well as allegations of remoteaccess software misuse and organised cheating modules in JEEMain 2021The petition further cited the NEETUG 2024 controversy involving allegations of paper leaks circulation of solved papers suspicious grace marks and interstate cheating syndicatesReferring to the Supreme Courts observations in Vanshika Yadav vs Union of India 2024 the plea quoted the apex court as saying This indicates that there is a serious lapse in security and that security measures which are stringent and effective must be implemented by NTAThe petition also referred to the cancellation of UGCNET 2024 following concerns relating to compromise of examination integrityThe petition has been filed before the Supreme Court by RJD MP Sudhakar Singh social activist Anubhav Garg Dr Dhruv Chauhan National Spokesperson of the Indian Medical Association IMA and political leader Harisharan Devgan through advocate Satyam Singh Rajput advocateonRecord Neema along with a legal team comprising Muskan Singh and Adarsh SinghIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/plea-in-sc-seeks-immediate-cbt-mode-for-neet-ug-674240.html Mon, 18 May 2026 12:57:00 +0530