DailyWorld News - The First International Newspaper From India https://dailyworld.in/ Sat, 16 May 2026 16:13:31 +0530 en https://dailyworld.in/national/imd-issues-rain-storm-alert-across-15-states-heatwave-conditions-likely-in-delhi-ncr-674052.html New Delhi May 16 The India Meteorological Department IMD on Saturday issued an alert for heavy rain thunderstorms and strong winds across 15 states including Uttar Pradesh Bihar and Punjab The Meteorological Department warned that several parts of the country are likely to witness intense weather activity on May 16 and advised people to exercise extreme caution during the period Gusty winds with speeds ranging from 80 to 85 kmph are expected in many regions North Indian states may once again witness severe storms while hailstorm warnings have also been issued for several areasThe IMD has issued an alert for thunderstorms and rainfall in six districts of Punjab According to the Meteorological Centre in Chandigarh isolated incidents of severe thunderstorms accompanied by lightning are likely in Pathankot Gurdaspur Fazilka Amritsar Hoshiarpur and Muktsar Strong winds with speeds of 40 to 50 kmph are expected in these districtsAt the same time the weather department has issued a âYellow Alertâ for heatwave conditions across several parts of Punjab from May 16 to May 20Residents of Delhi woke up to a pleasant Friday morning with the minimum temperature settling at around 25 degrees Celsius a day after strong dust storms and gusty winds swept across parts of the national capital and northern IndiaHowever the IMD has forecast a sharp rise in temperatures across DelhiNCR over the next few days The maximum temperature in the national Capital is likely to cross the 40degree Celsius mark on SaturdayThe weather department had earlier predicted thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and light rainfall during the night hours Despite brief relief from the heat the IMDâs latest forecast suggests that hot and dry conditions are expected to return to the regionAccording to the forecast Delhi is likely to record a maximum temperature of 41 degrees Celsius and a minimum temperature of 24 degrees Celsius on May 16 under mainly clear skiesThe temperature may rise further to 42 degrees Celsius on May 17 with partly cloudy skies and the possibility of thunderstorms and lightning activity IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/imd-issues-rain-storm-alert-across-15-states-heatwave-conditions-likely-in-delhi-ncr-674052.html Sat, 16 May 2026 11:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/hm-shah-to-review-key-development-projects-in-gujarat-today-674053.html New Delhi May 16 Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah will be on a twoday visit to Gujarat starting Saturday where he will participate in a series of official programmes in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar During the visit the senior BJP leader is expected to review major development initiatives interact with newly elected civic representatives and inaugurate a new milk processing plant aimed at strengthening the dairy sector in the regionAs part of his engagements Amit Shah will meet the newly elected corporators of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation AMC He will also hold review meetings with senior municipal officials to assess the progress of ongoing development works in Ahmedabad and GandhinagarThe Union Minister will chair a highlevel review meeting at the AMC South West Zone office in Ahmedabad on Saturday The meeting will focus on development projects under the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency and is expected to include discussions on several important civic and infrastructure initiatives worth crores of rupeesKey issues likely to be discussed during the meeting include urban infrastructure development pond interlinking projects and preparations for the Mission 5 Million Trees campaign planned for the upcoming monsoon season Senior civic officials including the Municipal Commissioner and top administrative officers are expected to attend the review meetingThe visit is being seen as significant in terms of monitoring development activities and accelerating civic projects in the region Officials are also expected to brief the Union Minister on the implementation status of various public welfare and environmental initiativesOn May 17 Amit Shah will travel to Gandhinagar district to inaugurate a newly constructed milk processing plant of Madhur Dairy operated by the Gandhinagar District Milk Producersâ Cooperative SocietyThe new dairy plant has been set up near Dashela village close to Chiloda in Gandhinagar district The inauguration programme is scheduled to begin at 100 PM During the visit the Union Home Minister will inspect the modern milk processing facility and later address a public gathering at the venueThe newly inaugurated plant is expected to significantly enhance dairy processing capacity in the region and provide benefits to local milk producers associated with the cooperative network IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/hm-shah-to-review-key-development-projects-in-gujarat-today-674053.html Sat, 16 May 2026 11:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-shares-some-glimpses-from-warm-welcome-by-indian-diaspora-in-netherlands-674057.html New Delhi May 16 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday shared some glimpses from the remarkable welcome by the Indian community in the Netherlands PM Modi took to social media X and said Yesterdayâs welcome by the Indian diaspora in the Netherlands was remarkable The welcome included a dance performance covering Kathak Odissi Bharatanatyam Kuchipudi and Mohiniyattam It also included a Garba performanceIn another post PM Modi said Sharing some more glimpses from the welcome by the Indian community in the NetherlandsMeanwhile PM Modi will hold bilateral talks with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands Rob Jetten and will also meet King WillemAlexander and Queen Maxima on Saturday as part of his official visit to the countryThe Prime Minister is also expected to address the Indian community and interact with leading business leaders from the Netherlands during his stayPM Modi will remain in the Netherlands till May 17 This marks his second visit to the country with his previous visit taking place in 2017 The current visit comes at an important juncture in IndiaNetherlands bilateral relations and is expected to further strengthen strategic cooperation between the two nationsPM Modi arrived in the Netherlands on Friday evening as part of his multination diplomatic tour to enhance Indiaâs strategic economic and technological partnerships across EuropeAnnouncing the Prime Ministerâs arrival Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X stating âGoedeavond Nederland PM narendramodi has arrived in the Netherlands The visit will provide an opportunity to further strengthen the multifaceted IndiaâNetherlands partnership and to engage with the largest Indian diaspora on mainland EuropeâEarlier during a special briefing on the Prime Ministerâs visit Secretary West in the Ministry of External Affairs Sibi George said âOur partnership has considerably deepened over the last few years across traditional sectors of trade investment and priority sectors of WAH â water agriculture and health â as well as peopletopeople ties In recent years cooperation has further expanded into strategic areas such as technology innovation defence security semiconductors renewable energy education and the maritime domainâPeopletopeople ties continue to remain a significant pillar of the IndiaNetherlands bilateral relationship The Netherlands is home to more than 90000 NonResident Indians and Persons of Indian Origin as well as over 200000 members of the Suriname Hindustani community Additionally around 3500 Indian students are currently pursuing higher education at various universities across the countryThe visit carries a rich and substantive agenda and is expected to consolidate the new strategic dimensions of the partnership that have emerged through the sustained efforts of both countries IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-shares-some-glimpses-from-warm-welcome-by-indian-diaspora-in-netherlands-674057.html Sat, 16 May 2026 11:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indian-diaspora-in-netherlands-calls-meeting-pm-modi-a-blessing-674062.html The Hague May 16 Members of the Indian diaspora in the Netherlands on Saturday described themselves as fortunate to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally calling the experience one of the greatest honours of their lives A member of the Indian diaspora told IANS âWe are fortunate to meet PM Modi personally I would like to say that PM Modi is not just an Indian leader but a world leader He has put in a lot of effort into making India a strong nationâAnother member of the diaspora expressed excitement over the interaction and said âIt was amazing It was the honour of our lives Meeting PM Modi in person was truly a blessingâA member of the Muslim community in the Indian diaspora also shared happiness after meeting the Prime Minister and said âI am very happy I have grown up in India and today I got an opportunity to meet PM ModiâArtistes from the Netherlands who performed during the event also expressed gratitude and excitement over the opportunity to present Indian culture before the Prime MinisterOne artiste said âWe presented a beautiful Ram bhajan We were very honoured to perform in front of PM Modi It was blissful to see the twinkle in his eyes and it was truly a blessing to perform for himâAnother artiste said âIt was beautiful to present our classical art forms here in the Netherlands in front of PM Modi It truly feels like a blessed momentâA third performer described the occasion as a âunique experienceâ and said it was a great honour to perform before âone of the world leadersâEarlier in the day PM Modi shared some glimpses from the remarkable welcome by the Indian community in the NetherlandsPM Modi took to social media X and said Yesterdayâs welcome by the Indian diaspora in the Netherlands was remarkable The welcome included a dance performance covering Kathak Odissi Bharatanatyam Kuchipudi and Mohiniyattam It also included a Garba performanceIn another post PM Modi said Sharing some more glimpses from the welcome by the Indian community in the NetherlandsMeanwhile PM Modi will hold bilateral talks with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands Rob Jetten and will also meet King WillemAlexander and Queen Maxima on Saturday as part of his official visit to the countryThe Prime Minister is also expected to address the Indian community and interact with leading business leaders from the Netherlands during his stayPM Modi will remain in the Netherlands till May 17 This marks his second visit to the country with his previous visit taking place in 2017 The current visit comes at an important juncture in IndiaNetherlands bilateral relations and is expected to further strengthen strategic cooperation between the two nationsPM Modi arrived in the Netherlands on Friday evening as part of his multination diplomatic tour to enhance Indiaâs strategic economic and technological partnerships across Europe IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indian-diaspora-in-netherlands-calls-meeting-pm-modi-a-blessing-674062.html Sat, 16 May 2026 11:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ex-kerala-cm-vijayan-faces-heat-as-cpi-674074.html Thiruvananthapuram May 16 For nearly three decades Pinarayi Vijayan stood as the unquestioned strongman of the CPIM in Kerala Now the Assembly poll debacle has triggered a wave of dissent against Vijayan From the time he entered the EK Nayanar Cabinet in 1996 and later assumed charge as state secretary in 1998 Vijayan steadily consolidated his authority within the party with an iron grip that few dared to challengeHowever the political landscape within the CPIM appears to have dramatically shifted after the crushing Assembly election debacle of May 4 when the Left Front which once commanded 99 seats in the 140member Assembly was reduced to a mere 35 seatsThe electoral humiliation has triggered an unprecedented wave of dissent against Vijayan and state secretary MV GovindanWhat began as murmurs inside the Politburo soon spilled into the state committee meeting where Vijayan reportedly faced criticism unlike anything seen in his long political careerThat discontent has now spread to the district level with Pathanamthitta and Kannur district secretariat meetings openly questioning the leadership style and political decisions of both Vijayan and GovindanThe criticism from Pathanamthitta was particularly explosiveLeaders there openly challenged the decision to appoint Vijayan as Leader of the Opposition after the defeat arguing that the agelimit relaxation granted to him was meant to continue as Chief Minister and not to remain at the helm after a massive electoral rejectionThe meeting also attacked the functioning of the Chief Ministerâs Office alleging that grassroots party workers were alienated and denied access during the Left governmentâs decade long tenureKannur long considered Vijayanâs political fortress echoed similar concernsLeaders reportedly said the party leadership failed to read the public mood and that Vijayanâs style and public statements became liabilities during the campaignGovindan too finds himself under pressureUnlike Vijayan Govindan never fully connected either with the cadre or the broader publicNow allegations that he prioritised personal and family interests over organisational issues have further weakened his standing within the party It has doubled after his wife lost to a party rebelWith 12 more district committee meetings yet to take place party insiders do not expect the criticism to subsideAttention is now turning towards whether the CPIM leadership will convene a special plenum to seriously assess the collapseIronically after the disastrous 2024 Lok Sabha elections and again following the Leftâs worstever setback in the local body polls the leadership had promised a âreviewâThe same narrative is now being repeated once again But this time the crisis appears deeperThe CPIM is facing not just an electoral defeat but a crisis of leadership And for the first time in decades both Pinarayi Vijayan and Govindan appear politically vulnerable within their own party IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ex-kerala-cm-vijayan-faces-heat-as-cpi-674074.html Sat, 16 May 2026 12:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/diesel-price-hike-to-deepen-financial-crisis-of-tamil-nadu-transport-corporations-674077.html Chennai May 16 Tamil Naduâs staterun transport corporations are staring at an additional annual financial burden of nearly Rs 17558 crore following the recent Rs 286 per litre hike in highspeed diesel prices announced by oil marketing companies The increase is expected to further strain the already lossmaking public transport sector in the state The eight state transport undertakings â Metropolitan Transport Corporation MTC State Express Transport Corporation SETC and the six divisions of Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation TNSTC â together operate around 19000 buses every day across more than 10120 routes These buses consume an average of 1682 lakh litres of diesel daily while covering nearly 81 lakh kilometres across Tamil NaduAccording to Transport Department Secretary Shunchonngam Jatak Chiru the transport corporations are already incurring a combined daily loss of nearly Rs 19 crore With the latest rise in diesel prices the daily operational loss is expected to rise further by around Rs 4811 lakhOfficials said the transport corporations spend nearly Rs 5200 crore annually on diesel purchases alone which accounts for around 26 per cent of the total expenditure involved in operating bus services The staterun buses continue to remain the backbone of Tamil Naduâs public transport network connecting nearly 98 per cent of villages with populations exceeding 1000Transport workersâ unions have blamed the worsening financial condition on the governmentâs continued reluctance to revise bus fares in proportion to rising fuel prices Government bus fares were last revised in January 2018 when diesel was priced at around Rs 65 per litre The price has now touched nearly Rs 95 per litreOfficial records show that the average daily loss of the transport corporations rose steadily from Rs 1683 crore in 202223 to Rs 177 crore in 202324 before reaching Rs 189 crore in 202425 Despite the mounting losses Tamil Nadu continues to register the highest public transport ridership in the countryAverage daily passenger usage increased from 155 crore commuters in 202122 to nearly 205 crore in 202526 This includes around 70 lakh women passengers travelling free of cost under the State governmentâs Vidiyal Payanam scheme operating on 7331 ordinary busesTamil Nadu also continues to maintain one of the cheapest bus fare structures in the country The fare for ordinary buses stands at 58 paise per kilometre while ultra deluxe buses charge Rs 1 per kilometreIn neighbouring states such as Karnataka and Kerala ordinary bus fares range between 75 paise and Rs 1 per kilometre while premium services charge between Rs 120 and Rs 168 per kilometre IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/diesel-price-hike-to-deepen-financial-crisis-of-tamil-nadu-transport-corporations-674077.html Sat, 16 May 2026 12:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/diesel-price-hike-to-deepen-financial-crisis-of-tamil-nadu-transport-corporations-674079.html Chennai May 16 Tamil Naduâs staterun transport corporations are staring at an additional annual financial burden of nearly Rs 17558 crore following the recent Rs 286 per litre hike in highspeed diesel prices announced by oil marketing companies The increase is expected to further strain the already lossmaking public transport sector in the state The eight state transport undertakings â Metropolitan Transport Corporation MTC State Express Transport Corporation SETC and the six divisions of Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation TNSTC â together operate around 19000 buses every day across more than 10120 routes These buses consume an average of 1682 lakh litres of diesel daily while covering nearly 81 lakh kilometres across Tamil NaduAccording to Transport Department Secretary Shunchonngam Jatak Chiru the transport corporations are already incurring a combined daily loss of nearly Rs 19 crore With the latest rise in diesel prices the daily operational loss is expected to rise further by around Rs 4811 lakhOfficials said the transport corporations spend nearly Rs 5200 crore annually on diesel purchases alone which accounts for around 26 per cent of the total expenditure involved in operating bus services The staterun buses continue to remain the backbone of Tamil Naduâs public transport network connecting nearly 98 per cent of villages with populations exceeding 1000Transport workersâ unions have blamed the worsening financial condition on the governmentâs continued reluctance to revise bus fares in proportion to rising fuel prices Government bus fares were last revised in January 2018 when diesel was priced at around Rs 65 per litre The price has now touched nearly Rs 95 per litreOfficial records show that the average daily loss of the transport corporations rose steadily from Rs 1683 crore in 202223 to Rs 177 crore in 202324 before reaching Rs 189 crore in 202425 Despite the mounting losses Tamil Nadu continues to register the highest public transport ridership in the countryAverage daily passenger usage increased from 155 crore commuters in 202122 to nearly 205 crore in 202526 This includes around 70 lakh women passengers travelling free of cost under the State governmentâs Vidiyal Payanam scheme operating on 7331 ordinary busesTamil Nadu also continues to maintain one of the cheapest bus fare structures in the country The fare for ordinary buses stands at 58 paise per kilometre while ultra deluxe buses charge Rs 1 per kilometreIn neighbouring states such as Karnataka and Kerala ordinary bus fares range between 75 paise and Rs 1 per kilometre while premium services charge between Rs 120 and Rs 168 per kilometre IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/diesel-price-hike-to-deepen-financial-crisis-of-tamil-nadu-transport-corporations-674079.html Sat, 16 May 2026 12:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ktaka-bjp-chief-vijayendra-takes-metro-backs-pm-modi-targets-congress-on-fuel-prices-674080.html Bengaluru May 16 Karnataka BJP State President BY Vijayendra on Saturday said Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs call for conservation of fuel must be followed by all citizens in view of global economic challenges and rising fuel prices Speaking in Bengaluru while travelling by public transport Metro rail to attend official engagements Vijayendra said the global warlike situation and its economic consequences had affected not only India but countries across the worldâOur Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a call for conservation At a time when the world is facing economic challenges every citizen in the country should think about thisâ he saidReferring to the Prime Minister reducing the number of convoy vehicles Vijayendra said the BJP national leadership was also following the same principleâThe Prime Minister has reduced the number of vehicles in his convoy Following his call even the BJP National President is practising this It is a good thought We need to minimise the use of vehiclesâ he saidVijayendra further said the Prime Minister had encouraged citizens to use buses and public transport wherever possible âHe has given a call to switch to buses and public transport He is a model for every citizen of the country As the State President of the party it is my duty to follow his appealâ he saidHe said he was travelling by Metro to attend a party event at Kumbalagodu on the outskirts of Bengaluru and would also visit the Art of Living Centre to seek the blessings of spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi ShankarâI am travelling by Metro to the venues and will also return by Metroâ he addedCommenting on the criticism over fuel price hikes Vijayendra questioned the opposition parties over their stand and accused the Congress government in Karnataka of repeatedly increasing taxes on fuelâDo opposition parties not know why fuel prices are being increased If they are demanding the resignation of the Prime Minister over petrol price hikes then Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar should have resigned last year itselfâ he saidVijayendra alleged that the Karnataka government had increased fuel prices despite there being no comparable hike at the Centre or global level at that timeâWithout any corresponding price rise at the Centre or global level the Congress government in Karnataka increased fuel prices by imposing higher taxes They have done it multiple times How many times would Chief Minister Siddaramaiah have resigned then They should not speak merely for the sake of politicsâ he saidHe further stated that opposition parties should understand the present global economic situation and the reasons behind the Prime Ministerâs call for conservation of fuelAsked whether the Centre had delayed fuel price hikes until after state elections Vijayendra rejected the allegation and cited the Union governmentâs decision to increase the income tax exemption limitâFor the benefit of the middle class and to reduce the income tax burden there were demands to revise tax slabs If Congress were in power it would have announced it during the elections Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not do it during the elections The government took the decision two years before the Lok Sabha elections and increased the tax exemption limit up to Rs 12 lakhâ he saidHe asserted that the Central government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi never took decisions with elections in mind but acted in the interest of the people and the poor at an appropriate timeMeanwhile Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka also defended the Narendra Modiled Central government over fuel prices and accused the Congress government in Karnataka of burdening people with repeated price hikes on essential commodities and public servicesIn a statement Ashoka said the Central government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi had not imposed âeven a single paisa burdenâ on common citizens for 49 months despite global wars and international oil crisesâThe Narendra Modiled government maintained fuel price stability for a continuous period of four years despite immense pressure arising from wars and global oil market volatility This is a record in the history of independent Indiaâ he saidAshoka claimed that while fuel prices had increased sharply in several countries the rise in India remained comparatively lowâFuel prices increased by 897 per cent in Myanmar 549 per cent in Pakistan and 445 per cent in the United States whereas in India the increase was only 32 per cent This reflects the efficiency and strength of Modiâs governanceâ he statedAshoka further alleged that milk prices had been increased by Rs 9 electricity tariffs by 56 paise per unit and bus fares by 15 per cent during the Congress governmentâs tenure in KarnatakaâWater charges property tax and Metro fares have also gone upâ he saidAccusing the state government of misleading the public through its guarantee schemes Ashoka said âOn one hand they offer Rs 2000 guarantees but on the other hand they are taking away more than Rs 4000 every month from citizens through repeated price hikes What else should this be called if not daylight robberyâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ktaka-bjp-chief-vijayendra-takes-metro-backs-pm-modi-targets-congress-on-fuel-prices-674080.html Sat, 16 May 2026 12:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pakistans-lashkar-iskp-gamble-backfires-against-resurgent-bla-ttp-674084.html New Delhi May 16 After having faced embarrassing losses at the hands of the Balochistan Liberation Army BLA the Pakistani security forces have been hit hard by the TehreekeTaliban Pakistan TTP Eighteen Pakistani security personnel were killed and scores of others were injured following a coordinated attack that targeted security camps and police posts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa KP While these sudden surges in strikes are a clear case of escalation it also signals clearly that the strategy adopted by the Pakistan establishment has failedAfter having faced huge losses in recent months the ISI and army roped in the LashkareTayiba and Islamic State Khorasan Province ISKP to join the security forces in their battle against the BLA and the TTP While a large number of these operatives were deployed against the TTP it appears that they are no match The TTP launched surprise attacks in the Bajaur district These attacks included gun battles and loud explosionsAn official said that the Pakistani security forces and their stooges within the LashkareTayiba and ISKP were clearly caught nappingThese audacious attacks show the dominance that the TTP has Moreover the ISKP and LashkareTayiba along with the Pakistani security forces are finding it hard to battle against the TTP The TTP has grown in strength but more importantly they have the support of the locals This has in fact helped them in mapping the territory and this means that they are much better in terms of logistical superiority the official saidThe problem is similar in Balochistan The security forces have faced losses in the region due to similar problems The BLA too has grown in strength and has also started deploying female fidayeens to fight against the Pakistani security forcesAnother official said that in Balochistan the locals are willingly joining the BLA despite the organisation not forcing them to do soThis shows that the people have shown a lot of resolve in battling against the Pakistani security forces as they feel oppressed due to the unfair policies of the establishment the official addedThe LashkareTayiba and ISKP operatives have not managed to crack both the TTP and the BLA It is the lack of local support that is hurting them The TTP and the BLA have mapped and studied KP and Balochistan thoroughly for several years They have supremacy on almost all counts and this has been an important factor in their battleAn Intelligence Bureau official said that while the ISKP has shown resolve to fight the case is not the same with the LashkareTayiba They have agreed to fight this battle reluctantly There are questions that are being asked within the ranks about the need to battle against their own people Many of them were not happy about joining Pakistan in their battle against the Afghan Taliban whom they view as one of their ownThe official added that it is the misadventure by Field Marshal Asim Munir which has dragged the establishment into this mess Since the embarrassment faced by Asim Munir during Operation Sindoor he has indulged in various stunts to save his faceBe it the battle against the Afghan Taliban or raising the tempo against the TTP and BLA all his adventures have failed or backfired the official saidMunir and the ISI have managed to convince the ISKP to fight their battle The ISKP bosses even agreed because they felt that a weakened Afghan Taliban would mean that they would get to control Afghanistan As of now the ISKP has gained nothing in Afghanistan as the Taliban is still in control Even the fight against the TTP and BLA has not gone as plannedAnother official said that with these battles not exactly going their way there would soon come a time when the fighters would lose heart This is exactly what is happening to the Pakistani security forces who are fighting against the BLA and TTPMany have withdrawn as they are unable to bear any more losses Those on the battle front appear to be an extremely demoralised lot and this explains why the battle is not going Pakistanâs way the official added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pakistans-lashkar-iskp-gamble-backfires-against-resurgent-bla-ttp-674084.html Sat, 16 May 2026 13:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/neet-re-exam-likely-to-delay-engineering-arts-admissions-across-tamil-nadu-674087.html Chennai May 16 The decision to conduct a NEET reexamination on June 21 is set to disrupt the higher education admission schedule across Tamil Nadu with officials indicating that engineering counselling and admissions to arts and science colleges could face significant delays this year Traditionally engineering counselling in Tamil Nadu begins during the first week of July and continues for nearly a month However the counselling process is usually initiated only after the first round of medical admissions to avoid largescale seat vacancies in engineering colleges Many students who initially secure engineering seats later shift to MBBS programmes once medical counselling concludes particularly in toptier institutionsWith the NEET reexam now scheduled for June 21 authorities expect the publication of results and subsequent medical counselling to be pushed back by several weeks As a result engineering counselling is likely to commence only during the third or fourth week of July according to higher education department sourcesThe delay is also expected to affect admissions to arts and science colleges across the state A considerable number of students appearing for NEET simultaneously apply for engineering and undergraduate science degree programmes as alternative options in case they do not secure medical seats Since many students are expected to wait for the revised NEET results before confirming admissions elsewhere colleges may face uncertainty over actual enrolment figures during the initial stages of admissionOfficials said revising the engineering counselling calendar has become necessary to avoid confusion and prevent largescale seat withdrawals after counselling begins Similarly arts and science colleges are likely to postpone the release of merit lists and counselling schedules until there is greater clarity regarding the medical admission process Educational institutions are also concerned that prolonged uncertainty could compress the academic calendar for firstyear students and delay the commencement of classesPrivate colleges in particular fear fluctuations in enrolment patterns as students continue to keep multiple admission options open while awaiting NEET outcomesThe latest development highlights how changes in the schedule of a single nationallevel medical entrance examination can trigger a cascading impact across the entire higher education admission system in Tamil Nadu affecting lakhs of students seeking admission to professional and undergraduate courses IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/neet-re-exam-likely-to-delay-engineering-arts-admissions-across-tamil-nadu-674087.html Sat, 16 May 2026 13:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bjp-urges-citizens-to-remain-cautious-as-pm-modi-dismisses-foreign-travel-levy-report-674090.html Patna May 16 As Prime Minister Narendra Modi dismissed a sourcebased media report claiming that the government was considering imposing a levy on foreign travel the BJP on Saturday urged caution Speaking to IANS Dilip Kumar Jaiswal said âThe Prime Minister has already clarified the matter PM Modi has appealed to all citizens of the country regarding the ongoing concerns related to the dollar and gold markets urging them to remain alert and cautious in order to keep Indiaâs economy strongâSenior BJP leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain also criticised the spread of misinformation and said there was no reason to misrepresent the governmentâs positionHe said âThere is no need for anyone to spread any kind of rumours The Prime Minister has already posted about this and clearly stated that there is no need to misrepresent things that the government has not doneâBihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary alleged that the Opposition was misleading the public for political reasonsHe said âWithout any basis the Opposition was claiming that the government is going to impose a tax on foreign travel just to mislead the citizens The Prime Minister himself has clarified the situation stating that the government has no such intention The real matter is that because they have been continuously out of power and have been repeatedly rejected by the public due to their own character the Opposition is in a state of despair and frustrationIn a rare rebuttal PM Modi has rubbished a media report which claimed the government is considering a cess or tax on foreign travelThe report by CNBCTV18 said a proposal to levy a cess tax or surcharge on foreign travel was being discussed at the highest levels of the governmentTaking to X on Friday PM Modi replied to the post by the media outlet and said there was not even an iota of truth to the reportThis is totally false Not an iota of truth in this There is no question of putting such restrictions on foreign travel We remain committed to improving Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living for our people the Prime Minister wroteMinutes later CNBCTV18 issued an apology and said it was withdrawing the storyOur story on government considering taxcess on foreign travel is not accurate We withdraw the story and regret the error the outlet posted on XIn a graphic about the report that was shared on social media CNBCTV18 had said that the proposal on the tax was being discussed in the highest echelons of the government and was aimed at cushioning the fiscal impact from the US and Israels war against Iran The move it said would also mitigate higher crude and import costsThe report claimed the cess would go directly to the Centre and would be in place for a year It stated that the finance ministry had not responded to queries on the proposalOn Sunday PM Modi had urged citizens to help conserve petrol diesel and foreign exchange reserves by using public transport avoiding unnecessary foreign travel and refraining from nonessential gold purchases IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bjp-urges-citizens-to-remain-cautious-as-pm-modi-dismisses-foreign-travel-levy-report-674090.html Sat, 16 May 2026 14:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/from-myanmar-to-malabar-kerala-emerges-as-new-hub-in-indias-drug-war-674097.html New Delhi May 16 The Narendra Modi government has set a target of making India free from narcotics by 2047 Speaking at the annual R N Kao Memorial Lecture organised by the Research and Analysis Wing Union Home Minister Amit Shah reiterated the governmentâs commitment to achieving a DrugFree India by 2047Security and antinarcotics agencies say several international and domestic cartels are attempting to push drugs into India In Jammu and Kashmir Punjab and Maharashtra enforcement agencies have intensified operations to curb the growing menaceAn official said that the road ahead is going to be tough with these cartels chasing newer states to further the drug trade The modus operandi being used by the cartels in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir is established patterns and conventional methods In most cases the agencies have managed to get the better of cartelsHowever the main concern for the agencies is now Kerala Almost all cartels that target the Indian market are focusing heavily on Kerala An official said the smuggling patterns in Kerala differ from those seen in other states with traffickers constantly changing their methods Agencies have found that almost every major drug seizure in the state reveals a new modus operandi making enforcement operations more challenging and keeping investigators on constant alertIn Kerala the drugs earlier would make their way in from Afghanistan Pakistan and into India Once the contraband made it into Indian territory the narcotics would be taken to Kerala by road Officials now say the trafficking network has undergone a major shift with most drugs particularly heroin increasingly being sourced and smuggled in through MyanmarOfficials say heightened security along the IndiaPakistan border in Jammu and Kashmir Punjab and Rajasthan has made it increasingly difficult for narcotics cartels to use the traditional trafficking routes As a result smuggling networks have gradually shifted their operations with a growing volume of drugs now entering India through MyanmarThe Pakistani cartels have been coordinating with their counterparts in Myanmar These persons push the heroin into India through the Bangladesh border following which it makes its way to Kerala by road an official saidAnother official said that in addition to MDMA the drug that is smuggled in large quantities into Kerala is heroin âThis is not only because of the demand but the profit margins are very high A kilogram of heroin is valued at anything between Rs 2530 lakh The dealers purchase each gram at Rs 3000 and then sell it in the market at Rs 12000 a gramâ the official saidThese profit margins are huge and hence heroin is the preferred drug that makes its way into the Kerala marketFurther these smugglers have found various methods to conceal the drugs Heroin is concealed in soap boxes or in tiny bottles and smuggled into Kerala The idea is to smuggle more but in very small quantities per trip another official said This means those smuggling the drug from West Bengal or Assam come at regular frequencies The fact that it is being smuggled in very small quantities and concealed in tiny bottles has only made the challenge for law enforcement agencies even harderâThere are hits no doubt but the misses are quite large owing to this modus operandiâ officials saidThis modus operandi came to light following the arrest of three from Assam in Angamaly near Kochi in Kerala They were caught with 600 grams of heroin which was hidden in over 40 soap boxesAn official from the Intelligence Bureau said law enforcement agencies are closely monitoring the Malabar corridor in view of the sharp rise in drugrelated activities He said traffickers are increasingly targeting this region of Kerala for smuggling operations with Kozhikode emerging as a major area of concern The official added that large quantities of MDMA have been seized in the region as demand for the synthetic drug has now overtaken that of marijuanaOfficials say the region has also become a preferred destination for traffickers because of its proximity to the BengaluruMysuru corridor which functions as a major transit hub Kozhikode is additionally linked to several interstate road networks connecting Tamil Nadu Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh making the movement of contraband easierInvestigators have also noticed a changing pattern in the choice of carriers Officials say smuggling networks are increasingly using influential or highprofile individuals to transport narcotics There has also been a growing preference for women carriers as traffickers believe they attract less scrutiny during checks and surveillance operationsLast month the excise officials intercepted a car at Keralas Pantheerankavu toll plaza and seized 35 kilograms of MDMA worth Rs 3 crore Two people Fathima Nasreen a 20yearold social media influencer and a repeat offender PK Shafeeq were arrested They had reportedly sourced the drugs from Rajasthan and then driven all the way to KeralaIn another incident the agencies apprehended one Sheetal Shivdas 21 along with Firoz Musa The agencies recovered 1183 Kg of MDMA and 544 grams of cannabis from an apartment in Ulliyeri near the Malabar Medical College in KozhikodeLast year one Yasar Arfath and Rincy Mumtaz a YouTuber were nabbed in Kochi along with 22 grams of MDMA An official said that the changing patterns are making the battle against drugs harder in Kerala The official said the smugglersâ tactics resemble methods once employed by InterServices Intelligence to expand espionage networks in India with traffickers increasingly using women and social media influencers to widen their operations and move drugs discreetly IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/from-myanmar-to-malabar-kerala-emerges-as-new-hub-in-indias-drug-war-674097.html Sat, 16 May 2026 14:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-burglary-gang-busted-two-arrested-in-hari-nagar-theft-case-674098.html New Delhi May 16 Delhi Polices West District Special Staff has busted a gang of alleged burglars involved in a major house breakin case in the Hari Nagar area of the national capital by arresting two accused The police also recovered cash electronic items and the vehicle used in the crimeAccording to an official press release issued by the West District Police on Saturday the accused were identified as Sehjad aged 32 years a resident of Welcome Delhi and Salman aged 34 years a resident of Shahdara DelhiThe press release stated âTwo desperate burglars arrested by Special Staff West Districtâ adding that an âAscent car used in the commission of offenceâ had also been recovered Police further recovered âburgled cash amounting to Rs 29400 laptop and mobile phoneâ along with âclothes worn by the accused at the time of commission of offenceâAccording to police the burglary took place in the early hours of May 9 when a gang allegedly broke into the residence of an elderly couple in Ajay Enclave Hari Nagar and stole cash worth approximately Rs 45 lakh a laptop a mobile phone and important documentsConsidering the sensitivity of the case a dedicated investigation team was formed under the leadership of Inspector Rajesh Maurya InCharge of Special Staff West District under the supervision of ACP Operations Vijay Singh and overall supervision of DCP West District Darade Sharad BhaskarThe police said the team carried out extensive CCTV analysis and technical surveillance which revealed that the accused had used an Ascent car with a Uttar Pradesh registration number to reach and flee the crime sceneThe press release noted âThe team worked relentlessly and conducted extensive analysis of CCTV footage from the spot and surrounding areasâ Investigators later traced the vehicle through multiple ownership transfers and conducted raids at several locations across Delhi Ghaziabad Noida Bulandshahr Aligarh and TransYamuna areasFollowing sustained efforts police apprehended the two accused and recovered the stolen items During interrogation the accused allegedly disclosed the names of their associates identified as Kamal and Intazar Ahmad who are currently absconding Raids are underway to arrest themPolice further stated that the gang was also involved in a vehicle theft case registered at Police Station Sarai Rohilla on May 8 One of the arrested accused Sehjad was previously found to be involved in six cases related to burglary and theftâThe successful detection of the case reflects the professionalism dedication and relentless efforts of Special Staff West District in curbing organised property crimes and ensuring safety and security of citizensâ the press release addedFurther investigation into the case is currently underway IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-burglary-gang-busted-two-arrested-in-hari-nagar-theft-case-674098.html Sat, 16 May 2026 14:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/jampk-police-raids-15-locations-in-sopore-linked-to-uapa-cases-674099.html Srinagar May 16 Police in JampKâs Sopore subdivision on Saturday carried out searches at 15 locations in connection with the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act UAPA cases linked to the banned JamaateIslami organisation Police said that in Sopore subdivision searches were carried out at over 15 locations across Bomai Warpora Sopore and Tarzoo in connection with a UAPA case linked to the banned JamaateIslami networkThe ban on the JamaateIslami party was extended by the government of India for another five years starting from February 2024 declaring it an unlawful association under the UAPAThe organisation is accused of encouraging terrorism and secessionism in JampK Jamaat was first banned in 2019 and the ban was extended in February 2024 for another five years due to continued activities against national securityAuthorities are actively seizing properties and schools linked to the organisation Till April 2026 the JampK administration has taken over dozens of schools associated with the FalaheAam Trust which is linked to the banPolice continue to conduct raids and search operations against networks linked to the banned organisation under the UAPA including recent operations in North Kashmir areas this monthDespite the ban members affiliated with the group have shown interest in participating in democratic processes and some formerly associated members contested the 2024 Assembly elections under new banners creating a split within the group with some members exploring new political paths while others maintain the original stanceThe Ministry of Home Affairs states that the Jamaat is involved in fomenting militancy supporting antiIndia propaganda and aiming to disrupt the unity and integrity of the countryThe organisation was originally formed to encourage Islamic revival in the region but was banned due to its role in supporting violent activities and separatismThe terrorist outfit Hizbul Mujahideen was formed by youth and senior Jamaat activists as the armed wing of the JamaatThe socalled supreme commander of Hizbul Mujahideen Syed Yusuf Shah alias Syed Sallahuddin presently based in PakistanOccupiedKashmir PoK was a senior Jamaat leader and the party candidate in the 1987 Assembly electionsMost of the âeldersâ of the Hizbul Mujahideen were also senior cadre of the JamaateIslami IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/jampk-police-raids-15-locations-in-sopore-linked-to-uapa-cases-674099.html Sat, 16 May 2026 14:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/congress-moves-to-pacify-chennithala-as-talks-on-kerala-cabinet-heat-up-674110.html Thiruvananthapuram May 16 Even before the new Congressled government in Kerala formally takes oath the party leadership has begun hectic efforts to prevent the first signs of internal discontent from surfacing At the centre of the delicate balancing act is senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala who is understood to be deeply disappointed over being overlooked for the Chief Ministerâs post despite his long administrative and organisational experienceWith V D Satheesan emerging as the surprise consensus choice for the top post the Congress high command is now focused on ensuring that Chennithala remains firmly within the power structure of the new governmentParty insiders say Satheesan himself took the first major step in that direction by making a courtesy visit to Chennithala on Friday signalling the leadershipâs intention to avoid any public impression of factional bitternessThe outreach is expected to continue on Saturday when AICC general secretary K C Venugopal another senior leader who too reportedly missed out in the chief ministerial race is likely to hold detailed discussions with ChennithalaThe meeting is being closely watched within Congress circles as the party attempts to strike a careful political balance ahead of Mondayâs swearingin ceremonyFor the Congress leadership the stakes are highChennithala remains one of the partyâs most experienced faces in Kerala politics with considerable influence across organisational and community networksMany within the party believe sidelining him at this juncture could send out the wrong political message especially at a time when the Congress is attempting to project unity after returning to power with a massive mandateThe biggest question now revolves around the cabinet and portfolio allocationDuring the Oommen Chandy government Chennithala had successfully secured the powerful home portfolio after waiting in the wings for a whileWhether he will once again be able to flex his political muscles and reclaim the same prized department remains one of the most discussed subjects within the partyNegotiations over cabinet positions influential portfolios and powersharing arrangements are expected to continue through the weekendCongress insiders admit that if Chennithalaâs name does not figure prominently in Mondayâs swearingin list it could become the very first flashpoint of dissatisfaction for the Satheesan government even before it fully settles into officeFor Satheesan therefore managing governance may begin only after managing the Congress itselfState party president Sunny Joseph emerging from a meeting with Venugopal said everything is going smoothly and all issues would be addressed and the end will be a smooth affair IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/congress-moves-to-pacify-chennithala-as-talks-on-kerala-cabinet-heat-up-674110.html Sat, 16 May 2026 15:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-police-arrests-2-habitual-offenders-recovers-stolen-bicycle-674114.html New Delhi May 16 The East District Police of Delhi have solved a bicycle theft case by arresting two habitual offenders and recovering the stolen Tata Stryder bicycle officials said on Saturday According to the police Laxmi Nagar resident Ravi Dalmia had registered a First Information Report FIR on May 12 regarding theft of his bicycle by unknown personsInvestigation was immediately initiatedTo ensure early resolution of the case a dedicated police team comprising HC Rahish Kumar HC Arun Kumar Ct Devi Singh and HC Vasim Akram was constituted under the leadership of Laxmi Nagar Police Station SHO Inspector Ajeet Kumar Jha and under the supervision of ACP Preet Vihar Ashok KumarDuring the investigation the team conducted scrutiny of more than 100 CCTV footages to trace the route and movement of the accused persons Simultaneously extensive local enquiries informer inputs and field verification were carried out to gather actionable IntelligenceThrough persistent efforts technical surveillance and strong groundlevel policing the accused persons were identified tracked and successfully apprehendedUpon sustained interrogation one of the accused disclosed his identity as 26yearold Ashwani alias Vipin alias Bochi The second accused was identified as 23yearold Lalit alias Chuhiya Both of them are residents of Sarojini Naidu Park at Delhis Geeta Colony areaPolice have recovered the stolen Tata Stryder bicycle from their possession and further investigation is underwayOfficials noted that the accused are habitual offenders as one of them Ashwani was previously involved in more than 22 criminal cases while the other Lalit has 15 criminal cases against himMeanwhile the East District Police of Delhi have also solved a highprofile armed robbery case involving a goldsmith and arrested five accused including two main robbers and three accomplices officials said on FridayPolice recovered 21 robbed gold chains weighing around 250 gm and cash amounting to Rs 231 lakh from the accusedInvestigators said nearly 90 per cent of the robbed property has been recovered IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-police-arrests-2-habitual-offenders-recovers-stolen-bicycle-674114.html Sat, 16 May 2026 15:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/v-p-radhakrishnan-to-attend-statehood-day-events-in-sikkim-today-674041.html New Delhi May 16 Vice President C P Radhakrishnan will undertake his first visit to Sikkim on Saturday after assuming office During his visit the Vice President will attend the Statehood Day Celebrations in Gangtok according to official statementEarlier Sikkim was in the spotlight when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Gangtok last month for a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of Sikkims statehoodHe also inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for multiple development projects worth around Rs 4000 crore and enjoyed a football session with youngsters in GangtokSharing photos of his football session on X PM Modi wrote Nothing like playing some football with my young friends in Sikkim on a lovely Gangtok morningIn another post he said Clearly an energising football session with these youngstersPrime Minister Modi also held a twokilometrelong cultural roadshow with enthusiastic residents lining both sides of the road to welcome him waving the tricolour and dressed in traditional attireHe also had an enriching interaction with Padma awardees and several distinguished personalities from different fieldsSharing details of the meeting in a post on X the Prime Minister said it was wonderful discussing a wide range of issues with the attendees highlighting the importance of engaging with individuals who have made notable contributions in diverse sectorsAccording to officials the interaction brought together Padma awardees social workers artists academicians sportspersons and other achievers who have earned recognition for their service and excellence in their respective domainsThe Prime Ministers engagement with awardees and achievers is seen as part of his broader outreach to acknowledge grassroots contributors innovators and individuals who have played a significant role in nationbuildingAccording to sources the discussions covered a range of subjects including development culture innovation education social welfare and opportunities for youth The participants also shared their experiences and suggestions with the Prime Minister IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/v-p-radhakrishnan-to-attend-statehood-day-events-in-sikkim-today-674041.html Sat, 16 May 2026 10:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/congress-to-hold-statewide-protest-over-neet-row-in-mp-today-674044.html Bhopal May 16 The Indian National Congress in Madhya Pradesh will hold a statewide protest on Saturday over irregularities in the National EligibilitycumEntrance Test NEET examination The announcement was made by Madhya Pradesh Congress President Jitu Patwari during a press conference at the state Congress office in Bhopal where Patwari strongly criticised the BJP over what he called repeated paper leaks and examination scams across the countryâThe Congress leader accused the BJPled Centre and state governments of failing to protect the future of nearly 24 lakh students who appeared for the testâDescribing the NEETUG 2026 controversy as an issue tied to the âfuture and soul of the nationâ Patwari said recurring irregularities in nationallevel competitive examinations have severely damaged the trust of students and parents in the systemââNearly 24 lakh students appeared for the National EligibilitycumEntrance Test examination but once again allegations of paper leaks and manipulation have destroyed the hard work and aspirations of students and their familiesâ Patwari saidâHe added that similar complaints have emerged in previous years as wellâPatwari alleged that examination systems in BJPruled states and at the national level are becoming increasingly prone to corruption and political interferenceâHe cited the Vyapam scam in Madhya Pradesh as an example saying frequent paper leaks and recruitment irregularities point to a deeper systemic failureââThe future of the youth is being compromised Parents spend years preparing their children for these examinations They take loans sell land and send them to coaching centres in Kota and other cities but one paper leak destroys years of sacrifice in a single dayâ he saidâThe Congress leader stated that when such scams surface accountability is fixed only on lowerlevel officials and employees while those with political connections escape actionâHe claimed that investigations into several examinationrelated scams have revealed the role of organised networks operating with political patronageâHe announced that the Congress will hold protests across Madhya Pradesh to take the issue to students and the publicâThe party will also hold another press conference on Saturday to present a detailed campaign on youth employment and educationââStudents have started losing faith in the examination system If the future of 24 lakh aspirants is not secure then the countryâs future is also not secureâ Patwari addedâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/congress-to-hold-statewide-protest-over-neet-row-in-mp-today-674044.html Sat, 16 May 2026 10:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-to-visit-uae-today-talks-to-focus-on-energy-strategic-ties-673942.html New Delhi May 15 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay an official visit to the United Arab Emirates on Friday to advance the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership During his visit PM Modi will meet the President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan exchange views on bilateral issues and energy cooperation and discuss ways to advance the bilateral relationsâThey will also discuss ways to advance the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership underpinned by strong political cultural economic and peopletopeople linksâ the Ministry of External Affairs statedâThe visit will serve to promote the significant trade and investment linkages between the two countriesâ it addedEnergy security will be one of the key focus areas during PM Modiâs visit and two important MoUs in the areas of LPG and strategic petroleum reserves are likely to be concluded during it according to official sourcesAccording to MEA the UAE is Indiaâs thirdlargest trade partner and its seventhlargest source of investment cumulatively over the past 25 years With the UAE hosting a strong Indian community of over 45 million the visit will also be an opportunity to discuss their welfareBriefing the media Secretary West in the Ministry of External Affairs Sibi George stated that the Prime Minister will embark on a sixday visit to the UAE the Netherlands Sweden Norway and Italy For the second leg of his visit the Prime Minister will visit the Netherlands This will be the Prime Ministerâs second visit to the Netherlands since 2017 During the visit he will call on King WillemAlexander and Queen MÃxima and hold talks with Prime Minister Rob Jetten George saidFor the third leg of the visit PM Modi will travel to Swedens Gothenburg and hold bilateral talks with his Swedish counterpart Ulf Kristersson to review the entire gamut of bilateral relations and explore new avenues of cooperation to enhance bilateral tradeThe two Prime Ministers will also address the European Round Table for Industry a leading panEuropean business leadersâ forum along with the President of the European Commission Ursula von der LeyenGeorge further stated that during the fourth leg of his visit the Prime Minister will reach Norway on Monday for the 3rd IndiaNordic Summit and bilateral engagementsIn the final leg of his visit the Prime Minister will be in Italy on Tuesday During the visit PM Modi will call on the President Sergio Mattarella and hold talks with Prime Minister Georgia Meloni IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-to-visit-uae-today-talks-to-focus-on-energy-strategic-ties-673942.html Fri, 15 May 2026 09:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/dewas-firecracker-factory-blast-toll-rises-to-5-cm-mohan-yadav-visits-hospitals-673949.html DewasIndore May 15 The death toll in the firecracker factory explosion in Madhya Pradeshâs Dewas district has risen to five after two more severely injured workers died during treatment officials said on Friday The two victims succumbed to their injuries late on Thursday nightChief Minister Mohan Yadav travelled directly from New Delhi to Indore late Thursday night and visited hospitals to meet the injured He first reached Choithram Hospital where he interacted with victims of the Dewas accident and issued necessary instructions to doctors attending to themHe later visited MY Hospital to inquire about the health and wellbeing of other injured patients âThe state government is committed to providing every possible assistance to those affected by this tragedyâ CM Yadav said while speaking to the victims and their familiesThe Chief Minister directed medical officials to ensure all the injured receive appropriate and comprehensive medical care Demonstrating urgency CM Yadav had cancelled his other scheduled engagements in Delhi after receiving information about the incidentThe factory has been sealed and action under the National Security Act NSA has been invoked against owner Anil Malviya who has been arrested Police said cases are also being prepared against four persons including three contractors associated with the factory for alleged violations of safety conditions under the Explosives RulesUjjain Divisional Commissioner Ashish Singh has ordered a magisterial inquiry to examine the exact cause of the explosion verify compliance with the Explosives Rules and the National Building Code2016 and check the licences issued for operating the factoryOn Thursday Deputy Chief Minister and district incharge Minister Jagdish Devda visited the blast site and reviewed the relief measures with officialsâ He later met the injured workers admitted to Dewas District Hospital and Amaltas Hospitalâ âThe state government stands firmly with the affected families in this difficult time Every possible assistance and medical support will be provided to the injuredâ Devda saidâHe added that strict action would be taken against anyone found responsible for negligence during the investigationâThe incident has raised fresh concerns over safety practices and the monitoring of firecracker manufacturing units in Madhya Pradesh The district administration has directed departments to intensify inspections and verify licences and safety norms at all explosive manufacturing units operating in the region IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/dewas-firecracker-factory-blast-toll-rises-to-5-cm-mohan-yadav-visits-hospitals-673949.html Fri, 15 May 2026 09:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/after-stone-pelting-incidents-security-tightened-in-bhopal-areas-mp-police-warn-against-rumours-673959.html Bhopal May 15 Security has been tightened across all sensitive areas of the Old City in Bhopal ahead of Friday prayers as police moved to prevent any disturbance following communal tension over the assault on a Muslim youth earlier this week Authorities deployed additional police personnel in crowded localities and continued prohibitory measures under Section 144Strict vigil has been maintained around major mosques with separate security arrangements established at every gate of TajulMasajid Jama Masjid and Moti Masjid Personnel were also deployed outside Peer Gate Mosque Kulsum Biya Mosque in Budhwara and some other parts of the cityFriday prayers are scheduled between 1240 pm and 245 pm Bhopal Police Commissioner Sanjay Kumar said police forces had been put on high alert âPolice will take strict action if crowds gather Police will initiate stern measures against anyone disturbing the peaceâ he saidKumar urged residents not to assemble unnecessarily and added that additional forces would be deployed alongside the district police The police will also be keeping a close watch on social mediaHe appealed to all residents of Bhopal to maintain peace and not place trust in information circulating on social mediaThe heightened security follows protests and incidents of stonepelting reported in parts of the Old City after the assault on Arif Khan on May 10 According to police Khan was allegedly assaulted by activists linked to a Hindu organisation at a hotel in BhopalHe was beaten stripped seminaked and had ink and cow dung smeared on his face before being handed over to police personnel The incident triggered anger among members of the Muslim community leading to protests in several areas of the Old City since TuesdayAll seven persons named in the FIR including the main accused Vijendra Prajapati were arrested on Thursday and sent to judicial remand The accused Vijendra Prajapati Rohit Singh Jeetu Kushwah Ranjit Suryavanshi Lala Ram Meena Prateek and Ramesh have been booked under Sections 299 and 291 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for outraging religious sentiments and riotingBhopal City Qazi Syed Mushtaq Ali Nadvi also appealed for maintaining peace within the city The City Qazi stated that in accordance with community demands the police have arrested all the accused individuals and sent them to jailâDo not take any wrongful steps under the influence of provocation or misinformationâ he said Police said all the accused persons involved in this case have already been arrested and the investigation is underway IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/after-stone-pelting-incidents-security-tightened-in-bhopal-areas-mp-police-warn-against-rumours-673959.html Fri, 15 May 2026 09:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/remembering-the-legend-armed-forces-pay-tribute-to-field-marshal-km-cariappa-on-his-death-anniversary-673965.html New Delhi May 15 The Indian Armed Forces on Friday paid rich tributes to Field Marshal Kodandera M Cariappa on his death anniversary remembering his exemplary leadership discipline and foundational role in shaping a modern Indian Army The Indian Army posted on X âRemembering the LegendField Marshal KM Cariappa OBE the 1st Indian CommanderinChief of the Indian Army one of Indiaâs most distinguished military leadersâUnion Minister Nitin Gadkari also paid tribute posting on X âRemembering first Indian commanderinchief of Indian Army Field Marshal Gen K M Cariappa ji on his death anniversaryâThe Indian Air Force also honoured the former Army chief stating on X âRemembering Field Marshal KM Cariappa the first Indian CommanderinChief of the Indian Army On his Death Anniversary the Indian Air Force pays tribute to one of Indiaâs finest military leaders whose vision leadership and devotion to the nation continue to inspire the Armed ForcesâUttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya also paid homage writing âOn the death anniversary of Field Marshal K M Cariappa Ji the first CommanderinChief of the Indian Army and an embodiment of courage valor and heroism we pay humble tribute to him Through his disciplined leadership and visionary thinking he gave the Indian Army a new direction and a strong identityâField Marshal Cariappa remains one of the most respected figures in Indiaâs military history He was the first Indian CommanderinChief of the Army after independence taking charge in January 1949 succeeding British General Sir Roy Bucher and played a key role in transforming the colonialera force into a national institutionBorn on January 28 1899 in Shanivarsanthe in Kodagu district of presentday Karnataka Cariappa rose through the ranks to become one of Indiaâs most distinguished military leaders Following independence he was appointed the first Indian CommanderinChief of the Indian Army in 1949During his tenure he was instrumental in modernising the force and building its institutional identity He established key formations such as the Brigade of the Guards in 1949 and the Parachute Regiment in 1952 both notable for their inclusive recruitment across castes and classesIn recognition of his service and leadership he was awarded the US Legion of Merit by President Harry S Truman in 1949 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/remembering-the-legend-armed-forces-pay-tribute-to-field-marshal-km-cariappa-on-his-death-anniversary-673965.html Fri, 15 May 2026 10:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/satheesan-to-take-oath-in-grand-ceremony-on-monday-rahul-priyanka-to-attend-673966.html Thiruvananthapuram May 15 After ten days of intense uncertainty backroom negotiations and dramatic twists in Delhi and Kerala the Congress high command finally cleared the way for VD Satheesan to take oath as Keralaâs next Chief Minister on Monday marking the Congress partyâs return to the top post in the state after a long gap The last Congress Chief Minister to assume office in Kerala was Oommen Chandy in 2011The swearingin ceremony is being planned as a massive political show of strength at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram where nearly one lakh people are expected to gatherSenior Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Mallikarjuna Kharge are expected to attend the event along with the Chief Ministers of Karnataka and TelanganaThe entire cabinet is expected to be sworn in alongside SatheesanThe first session of the new Assembly is scheduled for Thursday when newly elected MLAs will take the oathIncluding Satheesan 21 MLAs will be sworn in to take over the state for the next five yearsThe United Democratic Front leadership is meeting here to finalise the composition of the cabinet with regard to the number of Ministers from each of the alliesThe decision in favour of Satheesan came only after hectic consultations at the highest level of the Congress leadershipThe crucial round of talks began early Thursday morning when KC Venugopal was called to Rahul Gandhiâs residence in DelhiDuring discussions that reportedly lasted nearly three hours Rahul Gandhi informed Venugopal that the leadership had decided to back Satheesan for the top postPriyanka Gandhi also joined efforts to ensure consensus within the partyRahul Gandhi later spoke to Ramesh Chennithala who is learnt to have expressed strong displeasure over the decisionMeanwhile senior leaders including Mukul Wasnik Ajay Maken Jairam Ramesh and Deepa Dasmunsi gathered at Khargeâs residence as the final contours of the announcement were worked outOnce Venugopal publicly declared his acceptance of the decision the remaining resistance before the high command melted away paving the way for Satheesanâs elevation to the stateâs highest office IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/satheesan-to-take-oath-in-grand-ceremony-on-monday-rahul-priyanka-to-attend-673966.html Fri, 15 May 2026 10:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/narrow-escape-for-36-passengers-as-bus-catches-fire-in-andhras-prakasam-673970.html Amaravati May 15 As many as 36 passengers of a private travel bus had a narrow escape as the vehicle caught fire in Andhra Pradeshâs Prakasam district early Friday The accident occurred at Bheemavaram Adda Road in Ulavapadu mandal There were no casualties police saidThe bus belonging to Kaveri Travels was on its way to Tirupati from Hyderabad The driver noticed smoke emanating from the engine Showing presence of mind he immediately stopped the bus and alerted passengers All the passengers managed to get down from the bus before the fire engulfed the vehicle Everyone heaved a sigh of relief as all passengers deboarded Firefighting personnel rushed to the spot and doused the fire The bus was completely guttedThe cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained Police registered a case and took up an investigationAndhra Pradesh and Telangana have seen a series of bus fire incidents in recent monthsOn April 27 a private travel bus was gutted in a fire in Telanganaâs Medak district There were no passengers in the bus at the time of the mishap The driver and another person who were in the bus immediately got off after noticing the fire At least 14 people were burnt alive and 15 others were injured as a private travel bus caught fire after colliding with a tipper truck in Andhra Pradeshâs Markapuram district on March 26 The accident occurred near Rayavaram when the bus collided with a tipper truck near a stone quarry Both vehicles were completely gutted in the fireNineteen people were burnt to death when a private bus caught fire after running over a motorbike lying on the road following an accident near Kurnool town of Andhra Pradesh on October 24 2025 The bus belonging to a private tour operator and carrying 46 people was on its way to Bengaluru from Hyderabad when the ghastly accident happened near Chinnatekur village on the outskirts of KurnoolOn November 3 2025 a bustruck collision in the Rangareddy district of Telangana claimed 19 lives and left 24 others injured The tipper truck laden with gravel rammed into the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation TGSRTC bus coming from the opposite direction IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/narrow-escape-for-36-passengers-as-bus-catches-fire-in-andhras-prakasam-673970.html Fri, 15 May 2026 11:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/satheesans-first-major-political-test-managing-veteran-chennithala-673978.html Thiruvananthapuram May 15 Even before formally taking oath as Keralaâs Chief Minister VD Satheesan faces perhaps his toughest political assignment pacifying veteran Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala a towering figure in Kerala politics whose long career has been marked more by resilience and success than by setbacks For Satheesan the challenge is not merely administrative or organisationalIt is deeply political and emotional within the Congress ecosystemChennithala who turns 70 later this month has spent over four decades at the centre of Kerala politics after first becoming a state minister four decades agoSince then he has held almost every major political position available to a Congress leader in the state Youth Congress leader state Congress president Opposition leader state Home Minister and senior strategist within the partyIn a career stretching across generations of Congress politics defeats have rarely come Chennithalaâs wayIn fact the lone major electoral setback he suffered was during the 2004 Lok Sabha election a rare blemish in an otherwise formidable political journeyThat long experience and organisational grip make him a leader impossible to ignore even for a newly anointed Chief Minister backed strongly by the high commandThe prolonged uncertainty over the Chief Ministerâs post had already exposed sharp undercurrents within the Congressled frontThough the high command finally settled on Satheesan after days of consultations and dramatic negotiations in Delhi it is no secret that sections within the party had rallied behind ChennithalaHis reported unhappiness over the final decision has therefore become the first major political hurdle before the incoming Chief MinisterHe missed the first meeting of the newly elected legislators held here on Thursday nightHe had left the state capital by noon and was spotted in the early hours on Friday at the famed Sree Krishna temple at GuruvayurâThe decision on who all should be in the cabinet is the prerogative of the CM I wish him all the best and thank the party high commandâ said ChennithalaOn Friday morning he returned home here and said he had nothing more to add to what he said in GuruvayurMeanwhile Satheesan is expected to arrive at Chennithalaâs residence and will invite him to take up a key portfolioDuring Oommen Chandyâs tenure 201116 he later joined as Home Minister after Chandy decided to hand it to himSatheesanâs immediate priority will now be to ensure that the transition does not leave behind bitterness capable of weakening the government before it even begins functioningMore than cabinet formation or portfolio allocation the real balancing act lies in keeping Chennithala politically engaged respected and visibly accommodated within the new power structureFor the Congress leadership the message is equally clear winning the election was only the first battle Preserving unity among ambitious senior leaders may prove to be the harder task in the days ahead IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/satheesans-first-major-political-test-managing-veteran-chennithala-673978.html Fri, 15 May 2026 11:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/no-panic-or-fear-our-economy-based-on-strong-fundamentals-gourav-vallabh--673986.html New Delhi May 15 Prof Gourav Vallabh a member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister EACPM on Friday criticised opposition leaders for trying to sow confusion about the Prime Ministers appeal for fuel conservation saying the measures must be seen in the context of ongoing global economic disruptions and geopolitical tensions Speaking to IANS Vallabh said âThere are three major geopolitical conflicts going on all over the world The first is the West Asia conflict The second is the RussiaUkraine war which has left a negative impact on European economies And the third is the commodity price conflict between the US and China Because of this the supply chain of goods across the world has been disrupted This disruption is affecting every country in the world The Prime Minister has called for postponing the purchase of gold for a year This is not a ban You can buy it but if possible postpone itâHe further said that shifting consumption patterns could strengthen the domestic economyâIf smart substitution of forexsensitive consumption is done through domestic production then there is no problem I am thinking 510 per cent if it becomes 1520 per cent then there is no problem at all So no panic no fear no misleading information No one should be misled by the misleading information given by some opposition leaders The economy is based on strong fundamentalsâ he saidHighlighting Indiaâs resilience in global trade Vallabh added âIndiaâs foreign policy and the strength of the âTirangaâ were evident when ships across the world were halted in the Strait of Hormuz but ships carrying the Indian flag continued transporting gas and crude oil to Indian ports Indiaâs economy is resilient and there is no issue of any kindâOn the Prime Ministerâs reported downsizing of his convoy Vallabh said PM Modi leads by example âWhatever the Prime Minister says he first applies it to himself First he applied the âsmart substitution of importsensitive consumptionâ to the things he uses If the Prime Minister can travel with two cars it becomes a benchmarkâ he saidHe also urged citizens and political leaders to adopt similar practices âI urge the opposition leader to travel in only one car Why go to Oman or Muscat when you can visit Jaisalmer or Barmer Why travel to Switzerland or Italy when you can go to Shillong or KeralamHe further stated âSome opposition leaders are trying to spread confusion For two months they have been claiming thereâs a shortage of petrol and diesel Did you face any inconvenience even once regarding petrol or diesel Did you face any inconvenience with LPG cylindersâOn PMâs call for workfromhome and public transport use Vallabh said âIf we all take a pledge to use public transport once a week work from home once a week and hold virtual meetings once a week we will not only strongly face the challenges brought upon the Indian economy due to these geopolitical conflicts but we will defeat them completely The Indian economy will not be affected by even one per centâCalling it a national interest issue he added âI believe this is not a political issue it is an issue of national interest It involves 140 crore people I urge all political parties Rahul Gandhi Asaduddin Owaisi and Akhilesh Yadav to lead by example Use public transport use the metroâEarlier Prime Minister Narendra Modi had appealed to citizens to conserve fuel use public transport revive work from home avoid nonessential goods purchases and postpone overseas vacations to save foreign exchange amid global uncertainty triggered by conflicts in West AsiaAddressing a public meeting organised by the BJP at Parade Grounds in Secunderabad the Prime Minister had called for collective participation to help India navigate global economic disruptions supply chain challenges and rising prices caused by international conflictsHe had emphasised that patriotism also means responsible consumption during difficult times stating that saving fuel directly helps conserve foreign exchange spent on imports of petrol and diesel reinforcing the need for collective national effort IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/no-panic-or-fear-our-economy-based-on-strong-fundamentals-gourav-vallabh--673986.html Fri, 15 May 2026 12:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/high-court-stays-felling-of-trees-for-flyover-in-chandigarh-673988.html Chandigarh May 15 The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday stayed the felling of trees for the Tribune Chowk flyover halting the proposed project A Division Bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjeev Berry said the matter had already been heard and likely to be decided at an early dateAs such it would be appropriate that the Chandigarh Administration and other respondents be restrained from felling any mango tree or any other tree in the vicinity of Tribune Chowk the Bench observedHowever the Bench which on Wednesday reserved its judgment observed that âthe interim direction shall remain subject to the final outcome in the petitionâPetitioners comprising Jagwant Bath have raised environmental concerns and challenged the axing of trees They also termed Chandigarhâs move against the cityâs heritage characterThe petitioners have argued that Chandigarh Master Plan of 2031 notified under the Capital of Punjab Act 1952 and the Punjab New Capital Periphery Control Act 1952 is a statutory document and it does not recommend the construction of flyovers within the city and mandates that alternative traffic management measures be exploredThe petitioners also claim the Department of Urban Planning was initially opposed to the project and was of the view that the Master Plan does not allow itChandigarh has got the nod to construct the flyover from the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways MoRTH The flyover proposed to ease traffic congestion at Tribune Chowk has faced repeated procedural delays since it was first conceived causing its cost to spike up from Rs 137 crore in 2019 to Rs 200 crore now a 45 per cent increase in seven yearsThe project conceived in 2016 is to decongest the Tribune roundabout as most of the traffic coming to the city passes through itThe proposed 16km flyover will start after the Government Medical College and Hospital in Sector 32 roundabout and land ahead of the railway overbridge on Dakshin Marg IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/high-court-stays-felling-of-trees-for-flyover-in-chandigarh-673988.html Fri, 15 May 2026 12:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/neet-exams-to-be-computer-based-from-next-year-dharmendra-pradhan-673994.html New Delhi May 15 Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday said that the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test NEET will shift to a computerbased examination model from next year Addressing a press conference in the capital Pradhan said there was an urgent need to conduct the examinations online indicating that the Centre has made up its mind to move from the paperbased format to the computerbased examination modelPradhanâs presser comes in the backdrop of NEET paper leaks and subsequent exam cancellation leaving lakhs of students anxious angry and disappointed over the state of affairs in the way NTA is conducting competitive examinations The Education Minister informed the press that the recommendations of the Radhakrishnan Committee had been implemented but admitted that a breakdown had happened somewhere in the chain of command He also assured that corrective steps are being undertaken to strengthen the systemHe also called it a âlong and sustained fightâ against the education mafia in the countryHe said the Central Bureau of Investigation has already launched a detailed probe at multiple levels into the breach and will soon find out how the miscreants and mafia managed to break into the âfoolproofâ systemFurther assuring students and allaying their apprehensions he said âThe entire government machinery will ensure no malpractices happen this timeâHe further informed that the National Testing Agency NTA will hold the NEET reexaminations on June 21 nearly a month after the original exams He said that all the candidates and NEET aspirants will receive their admit card by June 14âAspirants will get an opportunity to choose their choice of city for appearing in reexaminations A window of one week will be given to aspirantsâ he statedHe also said that 15 minutes of extra time will be given to students for filling in the details in OMR sheetHe also said that the NTA has taken two decisions on the NEET Exam cancellation day ie the candidates will be refunded the fees of the examinations and no extra fees will be charged for the reexamination IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/neet-exams-to-be-computer-based-from-next-year-dharmendra-pradhan-673994.html Fri, 15 May 2026 12:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/fuel-price-rise-in-raj-petrol-up-over-rs-3-sri-ganganagar-tops-at-rs-10946-diesel-nears-rs-95-per-litre-673998.html Jaipur May 15 Petrol and diesel prices have been sharply increased by oil companies with the revised rates coming into effect from Friday night Following the hike petrol in Jaipur is now being sold at Rs 10797 per litre Meanwhile Sri Ganganagar has recorded the highest petrol price in Rajasthan with rates reaching Rs 10946 per litre Diesel prices in the district have also climbed to Rs 9474 per litre The increase is being linked to the continued rise in crude oil prices in the international market In Jaipur petrol prices have risen by nearly Rs 325 per litre while diesel has become costlier by Rs 302 per litreThe sudden spike has triggered concern among consumers transporters and businesses dependent on fuelFuel prices have risen sharply across Rajasthan with petrol becoming costlier by more than Rs 3 per litre in several districtsIn Ajmer petrol prices increased from Rs 10436 to Rs 10761 per litre while in Kota rates climbed from Rs 10426 to Rs 10751Chittorgarh witnessed a rise from Rs 10438 to Rs 10762 per litre Sri Ganganagar recorded the highest petrol price in the state jumping from Rs 10621 to Rs 10946 per litre In Udaipur petrol prices increased from Rs 10554 to Rs 10879 while Jaipur saw rates rise from Rs 10472 to Rs 10797 per litre Diesel prices have also registered a significant increase across the stateIn Ajmer diesel rates rose from Rs 8988 to Rs 9290 per litre while Kota witnessed an increase from Rs 8979 to Rs 9281 In Chittorgarh diesel prices climbed from Rs 8992 to Rs 9293 per litre Sri Ganganagar again recorded the highest diesel rate with prices rising from Rs 9172 to Rs 9474 per litreUdaipur saw diesel rates increase from Rs 9096 to Rs 9398 while in Jaipur prices went up from Rs 9021 to Rs 9323 per litreExperts believe that if tensions in West Asia continue fuel prices may witness further hikes in the coming daysPetrol and diesel prices across the country had remained unchanged since March 2024 Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections the government had reduced fuel prices by Rs 2 per litre offering relief to consumersMeanwhile the Rajasthan Petrol and Diesel Dealers Association has also raised objections over alleged pressure from petroleum companies regarding supply limitsThe Association claims that dealers are being instructed through messages and verbal directions to provide petrol and diesel to consumers only in restricted quantitiesRegarding the sale of petrol and diesel in Rajasthan the Pump Dealers Association has written a letter to Manoj Gupta the Executive Director and StateLevel Coordinator of Indian Oil Corporation The Association has stated that oil companies are supplying fuel to petrol pumps in limited quantities Dealers are being instructedâvia mobile messages and verbal directives to dispense petrol and diesel to consumers only in limited amounts IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/fuel-price-rise-in-raj-petrol-up-over-rs-3-sri-ganganagar-tops-at-rs-10946-diesel-nears-rs-95-per-litre-673998.html Fri, 15 May 2026 12:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/global-oil-shock-petrol-and-diesel-prices-up-by-rs-3-per-litre-cng-gets-costlier-by-rs-2-674002.html New Delhi May 15 IANS As oil marketing companies OMCs face mounting losses amid the ongoing West Asia crisis they raised petrol and diesel prices by Rs 3 per litre each on FridaynbspThe revised rates came into effect immediately across the countrynbspIn Delhi petrol prices rose by Rs 314 per litre to Rs 9777 while diesel became costlier by Rs 311 per litreMeanwhile amid the Middle East crisis oil companies have also raised CNG prices Effective Friday the price of CNG has increased by Rs 2 per kilogram The new CNG rate in Delhi is Rs 7909 per kilogramThe OMCs continue to face mounting financial losses from keeping retail fuel prices unchanged despite surge in crude oil pricesnbspThe combined underrecovery on petrol diesel and LPG has reached nearly Rs 30000 crore every month according to Sujata Sharma Joint Secretary in the Union Petroleum MinistryOur OMCs are buying crude oil at higher rates but are not selling at corresponding rates to protect our consumers This impacts their finances said SharmanbspShe further said the Centre had already cut excise duties on petrol and diesel sacrificing nearly Rs 14000 crore in monthly revenue but underrecoveries continue to widen she informedIndias staterun oil marketing companies OMCs are staring at the possibility of their entire FY26 profits being wiped out if crude oil prices remain elevated Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri warned amid escalating tensions in the Middle EastSpeaking at the CII Annual Business Summit 2026 this week Puri said the ongoing energy crisis triggered by the conflict in the Middle East has sharply increased pressure on Indian fuel retailers with oil marketing companies currently losing nearly Rs 1000 crore every dayHe estimated that their combined quarterly losses could touch around Rs 1 lakh crore if current trends continueThe warning comes at a time when global crude oil prices have surged past the psychologically important 100 per barrel mark due to fears of prolonged supply disruptions linked to the USIran conflictThe financial stress on staterun fuel retailers has become so severe that a single quarter of losses at prevailing crude price levels could potentially erase their entire profit after tax for FY26 the minister statedThe three major public sector oil retailers Indian Oil Corporation Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum are projected to report combined losses of nearly Rs 12 lakh crore in the first quarter of FY27 alone according to industry estimates cited during the discussionIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/global-oil-shock-petrol-and-diesel-prices-up-by-rs-3-per-litre-cng-gets-costlier-by-rs-2-674002.html Fri, 15 May 2026 13:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-emplanes-for-uae-to-hold-talks-with-president-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-674004.html New Delhi May 15 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday emplaned for Abu Dhabi beginning his official visit to the United Arab Emirates aimed at further strengthening the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countriesnbspDuring the visit PM Modi will hold talks with the President of the UAE Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on key areas of cooperation including trade investment energy security and peopletopeople ties The visit is expected to further deepen strategic and economic engagement between India and the UAE one of Indias key partners in the Gulf regionThe visit will serve to promote the significant trade and investment linkages between the two countries the Ministry of External Affairs statedEnergy security will be one of the key focus areas during PM Modis visit and two important MoUs in the areas of LPG and strategic petroleum reserves are likely to be concluded during it according to official sourcesAccording to MEA the UAE is Indias thirdlargest trade partner and its seventhlargest source of investment cumulatively over the past 25 years With the UAE hosting a strong Indian community of over 45 million the visit will also be an opportunity to discuss their welfareBriefing the media Secretary West in the Ministry of External Affairs Sibi George earlier stated that in the second leg of his visit the Prime Minister will visit the Netherlands This will be the Prime Ministers second visit to the Netherlands since 2017 During the visit he will call on King WillemAlexander and Queen Máxima and hold talks with Prime Minister Rob Jetten George saidFor the third leg of the visit PM Modi will travel to Swedens Gothenburg and hold bilateral talks with his Swedish counterpart Ulf Kristersson to review the entire gamut of bilateral relations and explore new avenues of cooperation to enhance bilateral tradeThe two Prime Ministers will also address the European Round Table for Industry a leading panEuropean business leaders forum along with the President of the European Commission Ursula von der LeyenGeorge further stated that during the fourth leg of his visit the Prime Minister will reach Norway on Monday for the 3rd IndiaNordic Summit and bilateral engagementsIn the final leg of his visit the Prime Minister will be in Italy on Tuesday During the visit PM Modi will call on the President Sergio Mattarella and hold talks with Prime Minister Georgia MeloniIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-emplanes-for-uae-to-hold-talks-with-president-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-674004.html Fri, 15 May 2026 13:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sharia-over-azadi-faridabad-module-used-al-qaeda-banner-as-mask-674008.html New Delhi May 15 When the Faridabad module was busted initially it was being linked to the JaisheMohammad JeM However the probe by the National Investigation Agency NIA found that the module operated under the banner of the AlQaeda affiliated Ansar GhazwatulHind AGuH which is a lesser known terror outfit in India when compared to the JeM According to the NIA the module led by Umar Un Nabi a doctor by profession had used the name of the Jaish briefly to attract the youth This was because the name JeM resonates better with the youth when compared to the AlQaeda affiliated AGuH the NIA probe learntIt appeared at first that the module operated independently Although it largely did so the ISI had initially managed to get some of its cronies in Jammu and Kashmir to guide the moduleWhat is interesting is that the module operated under the banner of the AGuH which is a lesser known terror outfit in India when compared to the JeMThe AGuH primarily operated in Jammu and Kashmir but had not managed to make a massive impact What is key here is that the AGuH is affiliated to the AlQaeda and not the JaisheMohammad or LashkareTayibaThis according to officials was a deliberate ploy to maintain plausible deniability The LashkareTayiba or JaisheMohammad connection immediately brings out the Pakistan link and the ISI wanted to avoid thisThe AlQaeda on the other hand is considered to be a global terror organisation and the Pakistan linkages are limited when compared to the other two terror groups an official saidAlthough the Faridabad module which executed the Delhi Red Fort blast appeared to be independent in reality it was not There were handlers on the payrolls of the ISI from Jammu and Kashmir who helped manage the modulesDr Shaheen Shahid an important member of the module was in touch with Jammu and Kashmirbased Mufti Irfan Ahmad Wagay Their interactions were key to the functioning of the module Not only were the logistics arranged for but the radicalisation drive which got members into the module was largely handled by the duoAnother important aspect that the agencies learnt while investigation this module is that their intention was not to seek âAzadiâ or freedom for Jammu and Kashmir This was a much more radicalised structure that felt that it would be better to seek Sharia law rather than AzadiThe probe found that the ultimate goal was the implementation of Sharia law in Jammu and Kashmir This according to the members of the module would help in liberating the Union TerritoryHaving the people live under the Sharia law would lead to an extremely radicalised society and hence the push for such a law was being madeAccording to investigations the aim was not to just focus on Jammu and Kashmir blasts were being planned in Delhi and several other locationsThe long term plan was to create panic and fear and get the people to agitate against the Indian governmentAn Intelligence Bureau official said that the findings indicate that the Faridabad module wanted to move away from the Azadi call This meant that the battle in Kashmir cannot be political as there would be no traction going forwardThe shift that was being made was towards religious propaganda They felt that this would gain more traction among the people when compared to making a political call for freedomThe official explained that the module appeared to be acting more on the lines of the AlQaeda or Islamic State which has primarily focussed on religion and the implementation of the Sharia lawFor the Islamic State this has worked well in many places and such a push has led to a wave of radicalisation across the worldUmar Nabi was attempting something similar officials said In addition to attempting a series of bomb blasts the Faridabad module also focussed heavily on messaging to lure the youthThe messaging channels had been opened to push radical ideology so that the youth understand the importance of implementing the Sharia law an official also said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sharia-over-azadi-faridabad-module-used-al-qaeda-banner-as-mask-674008.html Fri, 15 May 2026 13:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/fuel-price-hike-triggers-political-row-rohini-acharya-attacks-centre-674009.html Patna May 15 A fresh round of fuel price hikes has triggered a political row with RJD leader Rohini Acharya the daughter of Lalu Prasad attacking the Centre over the rising cost of living Taking to X Rohini Acharya criticised the government stating that the issue goes beyond the Rs 3 hike and reflects the broader pressure of sustained inflationIn her post she remarked that for the common people rising fuel prices have turned financial strain into a daily reality The question is not just about a 3rupee hike its about the burden of relentlessly rising inflation she said in the postShe further alleged that the burden of inflation falls disproportionately on daily wage earners and ordinary citizens while the government remains unresponsive to their hardshipsAcharya also targeted the governmentâs longstanding slogan of âAchhe Dinâ arguing that while public expenses continue to rise meaningful relief or explanations from the government remain absentWhen petrol and diesel prices rise the heaviest burden falls on those who earn and eat daily on the common people but the government which works at the behest of wealthy tycoons couldnt care less about the hardships of the common folk she added The rising inflation has delivered a multipronged blow to the general public across India triggering widespread concern over increasing household expenses Prices of several essential commodities have gone up in quick succession intensifying anxiety among citizensThe price surge began with an increase in import duties on gold and silver following an appeal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi which led to a spike in bullion pricesThis was followed by a rise in milk prices and CNG rates Now fuel prices have also been increasedEffective Friday May 15 petrol and diesel prices across the country have gone up by more than Rs 3 per litre IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/fuel-price-hike-triggers-political-row-rohini-acharya-attacks-centre-674009.html Fri, 15 May 2026 13:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/neet-paper-leak-case-key-accuseds-mbbs-daughter-goes-missing-as-cbi-closes-in-674011.html Jaipur May 15 IANS The NEET paper leak scandal in Rajasthan is beginning to resemble a fullblown crime thriller with every new revelation exposing another layer of an alleged education mafia that may have penetrated deep into the countrys medical admission systemnbspNow the investigation has reached the corridors of Pandit Nawal Kishore Sharma Government Medical College in Dausa and at the centre of the latest twist is a young MBBS student who has suddenly vanished from campus Pragati Biwal a firstyear MBBS student and daughter of arrested NEET paper leak accused Mangilal Biwal has reportedly gone missing from the college soon after the CBI intensified its crackdown on the familyAccording to sources Pragati quietly submitted a leave application and left the campus immediately after the arrests of her father and uncle Dinesh Biwal both considered key figures in the growing paper leak scandal For the past two days Pragati has not attended classes and her sudden disappearance has sparked intense speculation within academic circles and among investigatorsWhile family members insist she secured admission through merit and hard work the timing of her exit has raised uncomfortable questions What has particularly caught the attention of investigators is the extraordinary number of medical admissions within the same familyThe CBI is now reportedly scrutinising the academic records and admission history of multiple members of the Biwal family to determine whether the alleged NEET paper leak network was used to secure seats in prestigious medical collegesThe list is striking Pragati Biwal is studying MBBS in Dausa Her brother Vikas is enrolled at Sawai Madhopur Medical College Her cousin Saniya studies at SMS Medical College Jaipur Another cousin Palak is pursuing medical education in Mumbai Gunjan another family member is studying medicine in BanarasInvestigators are now trying to determine whether this concentration of medical admissions in one family is merely exceptional academic success or evidence of something far more sinisterMeanwhile the CBI has intensified searches at the familys properties in Jamwaramgarh JaipurOn Thursday teams conducted raids at the residence of the accused brothers Mangilal and Dinesh Biwal in Khatik Mohalla Sources say no male family members were present during the operation prompting investigators to question the women of the household including the accuseds mother and wives for several hoursThe agency also searched a nearby farmhouse examined luxury vehicles parked at the premises and seized several important documents believed to be linked to the racketThe investigation has now spread beyond Rajasthan with arrests already made in MaharashtraSo far seven people have been arrested in connection with the NEET paper leak case while five accused including Dinesh Biwal Mangilal Biwal and Vikas have been sent to sevenday CBI custodyThe CBI is also searching for Dinesh Biwals son Rishi a NEET aspirant this year who is reportedly abscondingAs the probe widens investigators suspect the scandal may be much larger than initially believed potentially involving a wellorganised network manipulating one of Indias most competitive entrance examinationsWith an MBBS student mysteriously disappearing from her college campus just as the investigation closes in on her family the NEET paper leak case has taken yet another dramatic turn one that could expose what may become Rajasthans biggest education scam in recent memoryIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/neet-paper-leak-case-key-accuseds-mbbs-daughter-goes-missing-as-cbi-closes-in-674011.html Fri, 15 May 2026 13:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-africa-bilateral-trade-reaches-9369-billion-in-202526-674015.html New Delhi May 15 IANS Bilateral trade between India and Africa reached 9369 billion in 202526 registering a growth of 1439 per cent over the previous year according to the governmentnbspIndias exports to Africa stood at 4542 billion while imports reached 4827 billion during the same periodAccording to Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal India and Africa together can shape a more inclusive resilient and innovationdriven future for the Global SouthAddressing a curtainraiser event for the forthcoming IndiaAfrica Business Dialogue IABD and Exhibition the minister emphasised the need to build upon existing trade ties and preferential trade frameworks by aligning standards customs procedures and business practices to facilitate faster and smarter growth for businesses on both sidesnbspHighlighting the immense economic potential of collaboration between India and Africa he noted that the African Continental Free Trade Area AfCFTA valued at nearly 34 trillion together with Indias rapidly expanding 4 trillion economy presents immense opportunities to create resilient partnerships diversify supply chains and move beyond raw material trade towards highervalue manufacturing and integrated value chainsHe further underlined the importance of technology transfer and youthdriven growth in shaping the future of IndiaAfrica cooperationnbspStressing that nearly twothirds of the population of India and Africa was below the age of 35 he called for greater focus on skilling startups innovation ecosystems and talent development to prepare the workforce for industries of the futurenbspGoyal underlined that the next phase of IndiaAfrica partnership must move beyond traditional raw material trade towards highervalue products integrated supply chains local manufacturing and technologydriven cooperationnbspHe identified agriculture and food processing digital public infrastructure healthcare and pharmaceuticals renewable energy critical minerals electric mobility manufacturing defence production and emerging technologies as key sectors for future collaborationThe IABD and Exhibition is envisioned as a premier platform to deepen economic and strategic engagement between India and African nations through enhanced trade investment technology partnerships and peopletopeople collaborationIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-africa-bilateral-trade-reaches-9369-billion-in-202526-674015.html Fri, 15 May 2026 13:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/banners-proclaiming-shivakumar-as-next-karnataka-cm-surface-on-his-64th-birthday-674020.html Bengaluru May 15 Amid the leadership tussle in Karnataka banners declaring Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President DK Shivakumar as the next Chief Minister surfaced in Belagavi and other places on Friday in the state during celebrations marking his 64th birthday The hoarding installed at Channamma Circle in Belagavi city in North Karnataka also conveyed birthday wishes to ShivakumarIt was reportedly put up by Congress leader and Minister for Women and Child Welfare Lakshmi Hebbalkarâs son Mrinal HebbalkarIt can be noted that Shivakumar is regarded as the godfather of Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar It can also be noted that Hebbalkars brother Channaraj Hattiholi is a Congress MLCThe banner prominently projected Shivakumar as the future Chief Minister of Karnataka despite the Deputy Chief Minister having earlier appealed to party workers and supporters not to put up banners or posters for his birthday celebrationsEven after his public warning and appeals by Shivakumar himself against such displays the âNext CMâ banner was installed triggering fresh political discussion and attracting public attention in the regionMeanwhile Vedic scholars and priests met DK Shivakumar at his Sadashivanagar residence in Bengaluru on Friday morning and extended birthday greetings by chanting Vedic hymnsMinister for Medical Education amp Skill Development Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Department Sharan Prakash Patil also met Shivakumar at his residence and extended birthday greetings to himSpeaking to the media in Bengaluru while commenting on his birthday celebrations Shivakumar said âCelebrations continued throughout the night My friends and supporters were waiting to see me What can I do Their love confidence and blessings are such I had instructed all my supporters not to erect banners on the occasion The authorities have already removed about 50 per cent of the bannersââHowever many people have put up banners out of affection I have instructed the civic agencies to remove those banners as well The Opposition BJP has also put up banners and those too should be removed This is not good and hygiene and cleanliness should be maintained in Bengaluru city The government has taken several measures to help the people of Bengaluru with property ownershiprelated documentsâ Shivakumar saidâAll these years such reforms had not been introducedâ he addedResponding to criticism from Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy and the BJP Shivakumar said âCriticism is natural They need to oppose our good work Even 20 years from now the people of Bengaluru will remember the good work I have doneâWhen asked whether he was expecting any good news from the party high command as the elections in five states were over Shivakumar declined to respond IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/banners-proclaiming-shivakumar-as-next-karnataka-cm-surface-on-his-64th-birthday-674020.html Fri, 15 May 2026 14:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/uttarakhand-more-than-12-lakh-pilgrims-undertake-char-dham-yatra-in-less-than-a-month-674022.html Dehradun May 15 The Char Dham Yatra one of the most sacred pilgrimages for Hindus is witnessing a record surge in the number of devotees visiting the four holy shrines Badrinath Kedarnath Gangotri and Yamunotri Devotees are arriving in droves with as many as 80000 in a single day The pilgrimage committee has pegged the total number of pilgrims visiting the Char Dham at 1262 lakh till May 14 Notably the portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri temples were opened on April 19 amid the chanting of Vedic hymns while those of Kedarnath and Badrinath shrines opened on April 22 and April 23According to available estimates more than 1262 lakh pilgrims have undertaken the Char Dham Yatra with daily footfall hovering around 70000 to 80000An entry of over 121 lakh vehicles was also recorded indicating the number of pilgrims arriving in their private carsOn May 13 more than 13000 devotees offered prayers at Yamunotri and Gangotri Dham each over 32000 at Kedarnath and over 21000 at Badrinath Dham The figure cumulatively accounted for 80405 pilgrimsOut of 1262 lakh in total over two lakh devotees visited Yamunotri and Gangotri each while more than five lakh reached Kedarnath and over three lakh paid obeisance at Badrinath DhamA total of 40 pilgrim deaths have been reported so far the reasons being attributed to healthrelated causes The breakup of fatalities stood at 22 at Kedarnath followed by seven at Badrinath six at Yamunotri and five at GangotriNo deaths resulting from any other causes or natural disasters have been reportedFor the first time restrictions have been imposed on the entry of nonHindus to three shrines Badrinath Kedarnath and Gangotri The Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee in a sort of relaxation stated that nonHindus must submit an affidavit affirming faith in Sanatan Dharma for entryLast year more than 50 lakh pilgrims had visited the Char Dham IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/uttarakhand-more-than-12-lakh-pilgrims-undertake-char-dham-yatra-in-less-than-a-month-674022.html Fri, 15 May 2026 14:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/diplomatic-outreach-satheesan-calls-on-vijayan-chats-over-a-cup-of-tea-674023.html Thiruvananthapuram May 15 In one of the most politically symbolic moments in recent Kerala politics Chief Minister designate VD Satheesan on Friday drove to the residence of his predecessor and long time political adversary Pinarayi Vijayan marking a dramatic reversal of roles in the stateâs power corridors For nearly a decade Vijayan occupied the stateâs top office while Satheesan led the Opposition Benches through some of the fiercest political battles in the AssemblyNow with the Congressled UDF returning to power the equations have turned with Satheesan preparing to take charge as Chief Minister while Vijayan moves into the post of Leader of Opposition for the first time in his political careerThe meeting at Vijayanâs now rented residence naturally became the most watched political event of the daySatheesan was received by Vijayan his wife Kamala daughter Veena and family membersAfter exchanging pleasantries the two leaders sat down for a cup of green tea in what observers described as a relaxed and cordial interaction despite years of bitter political rivalryEmerging after the meeting Satheesan made it clear that the visit was both personal and politicalâI came to see him as he is the senior most Kerala politician and was Chief Minister for a decade and led his party for long years I came to seek support as we have to go together for developing Kerala Governments are a continuing affair and hence everything will be done seeking cooperation I also invited him for our swearinginâ Satheesan told reportersVijayan known for his guarded public demeanour did not elaborate before the mediaSmiling faintly he merely responded with an âokay okayâ while seeing the incoming Chief Minister offThe visit to Vijayans house formed the centerpiece of Satheesanâs packed day of political courtesy calls and outreach efforts ahead of the new government assuming officeEarlier he visited veteran Kerala Congress leader PJ Joseph who recently stepped aside to pave the way for his sonâs electoral entry from ThodupuzhaSatheesan also met the family of late Congress stalwart G Karthikeyan and held discussions with his wife and son a twotime former legislator KS Sabarinathan at their residenceHe later called on Congress MP and UDF convenor Adoor Prakash before heading to Vijayanâs houseThe day concluded with a visit to senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala another aspirant for the Chief Ministerâs post in a move seen as an effort to carry every faction along as the new administration prepares to take office on Monday IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/diplomatic-outreach-satheesan-calls-on-vijayan-chats-over-a-cup-of-tea-674023.html Fri, 15 May 2026 14:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/andhra-pradesh-chief-secretary-sai-prasad-gets-six-month-extension-674025.html Amaravati May 15 The Central Government has extended the tenure of Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary G Sai Prasad for another six months According to an official announcement on Friday his tenure has been extended from June 1 to November 30 2026The Central Government granted this approval in response to a request made by the State GovernmentRajesh Kumar Yadav Under Secretary to the Union Ministry of Personnel Public Grievances and Pensions Department of Personnel and TrainingâDoPT informed the Principal Secretary of the State Governments General Administration Department Political via a letter regarding the sixmonth extension of Chief Secretary Sai Prasads tenure in accordance with Rule 161 of the All India Services DeathcumRetirement Benefits Rules 1958Although Sai Prasad was originally scheduled to retire at the end of this month the State Government submitted proposals to the Centre seeking an extension of his tenure with the objective of continuing to utilise his services for an extended periodActing upon this request the Central Government issued orders extending Sai Prasads tenure by six months effective from June 1 to November 30Sai Prasad assumed office as the Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh on February 28 2026 He took charge from K Vijayanand who retired from service The State government on November 29 2025 issued orders extending the term of Vijayanand for another three months till February 28 2026 and appointed Sai Prasad as his successorSai Prasad was serving as Special Chief Secretary Water Resources when he was appointed as Chief Secretary of Andhra PradeshA 1991 batch IAS officer of Andhra Pradesh Cadre Sai Prasad first worked as Assistant Collector of Warangal in the combined Andhra Pradesh from June 1992 to May 1993Sai Prasad who holds an MTech degree served in different positions including the Chief Commissioner of Land Administration CCLA IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/andhra-pradesh-chief-secretary-sai-prasad-gets-six-month-extension-674025.html Fri, 15 May 2026 15:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-sets-aside-delhi-hc-order-suspending-sengars-sentence-in-unnao-rape-case-674026.html New Delhi May 15 The Supreme Court on Friday set aside the Delhi High Court order suspending the life sentence of expelled BJP leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the 2017 Unnao rape case A Bench of Chief Justice of India CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi partly allowed the special leave petition SLP filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation CBI against the Delhi High Court order granting conditional bail to Sengar during the pendency of his appeal against convictionThe apex court requested the Delhi High Court to make an endeavour to decide Sengarâs criminal appeal as expeditiously as possible preferably within three months âIn case the High Court finds that the appeal is not likely to be decided early it may pass a fresh order on the prayer for suspension of sentence after hearing all parties including counsel for the complainantâ the CJI Kantled Bench ordered clarifying that it was not expressing any opinion on the merits of the matter at this stageDuring the hearing Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appearing for the CBI submitted that the Delhi High Court had erred in adopting a narrow interpretation while considering whether an MLA would qualify as a âpublic servantâ under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences POCSO ActJustice Bagchi orally remarked that the apex court was ânot endorsing the hypertechnical approach taken by the High Courtâ SG Mehta argued that a legislator occupied a dominant position and could not be excluded from the ambit of aggravated penetrative sexual assault provisions under the POCSO Act merely on technical groundsSenior advocate N Hariharan appearing for Sengar contended that there was material to show that the prosecutrix was not a minor at the time of the incident and argued that the POCSO Act itself may not be attractedHariharan further submitted that Sengar had already spent more than 10 years in custody and said that the issue regarding whether an MLA could be treated as a public servant would also require considerationThe CJI Kantled Bench was hearing the CBIâs plea challenging the December 2025 order of the Delhi High Court which had suspended Sengarâs life sentence and granted him conditional bail during the pendency of his appeal However in December last year itself the Supreme Court had stayed the operation of the Delhi High Courtâs order and clarified that Sengar would not be released pursuant to the impugned judgmentIn December 2019 a Delhi trial court had convicted Sengar of kidnapping and raping a minor girl and sentenced him to imprisonment for the remainder of his natural life along with a fine of Rs 25 lakhThe Supreme Court had earlier transferred all cases related to the Unnao incident from Uttar Pradesh to Delhi and directed that the trial be conducted on a daytoday basisSeparately in February this year the Supreme Court had declined to interfere with the Delhi High Courtâs refusal to suspend Sengarâs sentence in the custodial death case of the rape survivorâs fatherSengar was convicted by a Delhi court in March 2020 for conspiring in the custodial death of the survivorâs father and was sentenced to 10 yearsâ rigorous imprisonment IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-sets-aside-delhi-hc-order-suspending-sengars-sentence-in-unnao-rape-case-674026.html Fri, 15 May 2026 15:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/two-bike-borne-men-snatch-gold-chain-of-rjd-mlas-brother-in-patna-674027.html Patna May 15 The brother of Rashtriya Janata Dal RJD MLA Rahul Kumar became a victim of a chain snatching in the Bihar capital on Friday when two bikeborne assailants attacked him The incident occurred near Sai Mandir under the jurisdiction of Kankarbagh police station triggering panic among local residentsAccording to an official Rohit Kumar brother of MLA Rahul Kumar was targeted by two unidentified criminals The victim was passing near the temple when the accused riding on the bike approached him snatched the gold chain from his neck and fled the spot within secondsThe entire incident was captured on nearby CCTV cameras Footage clearly shows two bikers arriving on a motorcycle executing the snatching and escaping swiftly leaving bystanders shockedSoon after the incident a crowd gathered at the spot heightening tension in the areaUpon receiving information a team of Kankarbagh police reached the scene and initiated an investigationStation House Officer SHO Abhay Kumar stated that prima facie it appears to be a case of chain snatching involving two criminalsPolice teams are currently scanning CCTV footage from nearby locations and relying on human intelligence to identify the accusedâIt appears to be a case of chain snatching carried out by two criminals Police are examining CCTV footage from surrounding areas and the accused will be identified and arrested soonâ said Abhay KumarAt present Kankarbagh police are pursuing the case through both technical surveillance and groundlevel intelligence with officials expressing confidence that the accused will be apprehended soonIn recent months incidents of chain snatching and street robbery have been reported frequently across PatnaEarlier a similar case was reported in the Shastri Nagar area where a couple was targeted however police had managed to arrest the accused promptly in that instanceNotably criminals riding motorcycles are increasingly targeting pedestrians and women particularly during evening hours creating an atmosphere of fear in several localities IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/two-bike-borne-men-snatch-gold-chain-of-rjd-mlas-brother-in-patna-674027.html Fri, 15 May 2026 15:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-announces-virtual-hearings-car-pooling-partial-wfh-for-registry-staff-674033.html New Delhi May 15 IANS The Supreme Court on Friday announced a series of fuel conservation measures including virtual hearings on miscellaneous days carpooling by judges and Work From Home WFH arrangements for registry staff in line with the Centres broader push to cut fuel consumption amid the ongoing West Asia crisisnbspnbspIn a circular issued by Secretary General Bharat Parashar the apex court said that matters listed on miscellaneous days Mondays Fridays or such other days declared as miscellaneous as well as matters taken up during partial working days will now be heard only through videoconferencing until further ordersThe Registry shall ensure that links for the videoconferencing are sent in a timely manner maintain stable videoconferencing facilities and extend timely technical assistance so as to avoid any inconvenience to the Honble Court the circular statedThe Supreme Court also said that its judges have unanimously resolved to encourage carpooling arrangements among themselves to ensure optimum utilisation of fuelIn another significant step the apex court permitted up to 50 per cent staff in each branch or section of the registry to work from home for up to two days a weekThe circular clarified that the remaining staff would continue to remain physically present in office to ensure uninterrupted functioning of the court administrationThe Registrar concerned shall ensure that a weekly roster is prepared before the commencement of the week the circular saidIt further directed that officials permitted to work from home must remain available on telephone and be prepared to attend office whenever requiredThe circular also empowered concerned Registrars to restrict or modify the WFH arrangement in branches where the nature of work requires physical presence or where remote functioning is found ineffectiveThe measures come days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to citizens and institutions to reduce fuel consumption and avoid unnecessary expenditure in view of the economic pressures arising from the prolonged conflict in West AsiaSeveral state governments and organisations including the Delhi government have since announced fuelsaving steps such as WFH arrangements promotion of public transport and curbs on official travelIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-announces-virtual-hearings-car-pooling-partial-wfh-for-registry-staff-674033.html Fri, 15 May 2026 17:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/eam-jaishankar-holds-series-of-key-bilateral-meetings-on-sidelines-of-brics-meet-673792.html New Delhi May 14 External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar on Thursday held a meeting with Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono and reviewed progress on the IndiaIndonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and ASEAN cooperation In a post on X EAM Jaishankar said Glad to welcome FM Sugiono of Indonesia Reviewed the progress of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and our cooperation with ASEANThis meeting was held on the sidelines of the BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting being held in Delhi EAM Jaishankar will chair the meeting on ThursdayEarlier on Wednesday the EAM also held a bilateral meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov and discussed the cooperation between the two countries across various sectors This evening had a productive exchange of views with FM Sergey Lavrov of Russia here in Delhi Our conversation touched upon several aspects of the Special amp Privileged Strategic Partnership including trade amp investment energy amp connectivity science amp technology as well as facilitating mobility of skills amp talent Other global and multilateral issues of mutual interest were also discussed EAM Jaishankar posted on XHe also met Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira and exchanged views on bilateral regional and global issuesDuring his bilateral discussion with Maldivian Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam EAM Jaishankar highlighted Indias Neighbourhood First policy and reviewed the bilateral cooperation between the two nations He also reiterated Indias commitment to the Maldives progress and development These meetings come on the sidelines of the BRICS meet during which the Foreign Ministers of BRICS member countries will exchange views on global and regional issues of mutual interestAccording to the MEA BRICS Foreign Ministers and heads of delegations from member and partner countries will participate in the meeting and also call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/eam-jaishankar-holds-series-of-key-bilateral-meetings-on-sidelines-of-brics-meet-673792.html Thu, 14 May 2026 10:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/three-killed-in-truck-auto-collision-on-nh-531-in-bihars-saran-673808.html Patna May 14 A tragic road accident claimed three lives after a headon collision between a speeding truck and an autorickshaw on NH531 within the jurisdiction of Daudpur Police Station in Bihars Saran district on Thursday The accident occurred near Purab Sonia Bridge at around 500 am As of now the identities of the deceased have not been confirmedAccording to the initial investigation three individuals including the autorickshaw driver were travelling from Chhapra towards Ekma when a truck coming at high speed from the direction of Siwan rammed into the vehicleThe collision was so intense that the autorickshaw was completely mangled leaving the occupants critically injuredPolice personnel rushed to the spot and shifted the injured to the Community Health Centre in EkmaOne of the victims died on the way to the hospitalDue to their critical condition the other two victims were referred to the Sadar Hospital in Chhapra where both later succumbed to their injuriesPolice have seized both the truck and the damaged autorickshaw and initiated an investigation into the incidentLocal residents reported finding musical instruments inside the autorickshaw leading to speculation that the victims may have been associated with a cultural or musical troupeHowever authorities are verifying all aspects before confirming any detailsDespite the autorickshaw being CNGpowered it did not catch fire or explode a factor that may have prevented an even more catastrophic outcomeAn FIR has been registered under the relevant sections of rash and negligent driving against the errant truck driver in Daudpur police station and raids are on to nab him He is absconding soon after the fatal accidentThe district police kept the bodies in the mortuary and are making efforts to identify them and inform their family members about the tragic accidentThis accident has once again raised concerns about how unsafe roads are in Bihar especially when driving at night or in the early morning hours IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/three-killed-in-truck-auto-collision-on-nh-531-in-bihars-saran-673808.html Thu, 14 May 2026 11:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/growing-expectation-for-brics-to-play-constructive-stabilising-role-amid-global-uncertainty-says-eam-jaishankar--673811.html New Delhi May 14 External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar on Thursday said there is a growing expectation among emerging markets and developing countries that BRICS will play a âconstructive and stabilising roleâ amid global uncertainty conflicts and economic challenges He made the remarks while delivering his opening address at the BRICS Foreign Ministersâ Meeting being held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi under Indiaâs 2026 chairship of the expanded groupingForeign ministers and senior diplomats from BRICS member and partner nations arrived in the national capital earlier in the day to participate in the highlevel meeting EAM Jaishankar personally welcomed the visiting leaders and dignitaries at the venue before the start of the discussionsAddressing the gathering EAM Jaishankar said âIndiaâs chairship appreciates your support which has contributed to the steady progress of our workâHighlighting the current global situation he said the meeting was taking place at a time of significant changes and instability in international relationsâWe meet at a time of considerable flux in international relations ongoing conflicts economic uncertainties and challenges in trade technology and climate are shaping the global landscapeâ he saidEmphasising the significance of the BRICS grouping the EAM stated âThere is a growing expectation particularly from emerging markets and developing countries that BRICS will play a constructive and stabilising roleâReferring to the importance of the ongoing deliberations he said the discussions offered an opportunity to reflect on major global and regional developments and explore practical methods to strengthen cooperation among member nationsâIn this background our discussions today are an opportunity to reflect on global and regional developments and to consider practical ways to strengthen our cooperationâ he saidThe External Affairs Minister stressed that developmentrelated concerns continue to remain central to the BRICS agendaâMany countries face challenges in energy food fertiliser and health security as well as access to finance BRICS can help them respond more effectively Economic resilience is also key Reliable supply chains and diversified markets are its essential components We must focus on bothâ EAM Jaishankar saidAddressing climaterelated concerns the EAM said climate change continues to remain an urgent global issue requiring collective attentionâClimate change remains a pressing concern Our discussions must advance sustainable development while advancing principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilitiesâ he statedHe also underlined the growing impact of technological advancements on the global order and said these developments should be used to promote good governance and inclusive growthThe External Affairs Minister further stressed that issues related to peace and security remain central to the global order and highlighted the need for dialogue and diplomacy amid continuing conflicts across regionsâPeace and security issues remain central to the global order Recent conflicts only underline the importance of dialogue and diplomacyâ he said while also calling for stronger cooperation against terrorismEAM Jaishankar also thanked all participating delegations for their continued support towards strengthening cooperation within the BRICS frameworkâAs Chair I thank each delegation for its presence and for its continued commitment to strengthening cooperation within the BRICS framework All of us remain in close and regular contact through bilateral and multilateral engagements Gathering today for the BRICS meeting is a special occasion It allows us to exchange perspectives and encourages us to develop convergences In this complicated and uncertain world that is of evergreater importanceâ the External Affairs Minister saidAs the Chair of the meeting EAM Jaishankar said India would facilitate an âopen and constructive exchangeâ during the deliberations and encouraged participating delegations to present their perspectives freelyâYour inputs will help guide our discussions and contribute to meaningful outcomes I once again welcome you all and look forward to a productive discussionâ he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/growing-expectation-for-brics-to-play-constructive-stabilising-role-amid-global-uncertainty-says-eam-jaishankar--673811.html Thu, 14 May 2026 12:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/neet-paper-leak-case-medical-students-relatives-in-rajasthans-sikar-under-cbi-scanner-673827.html Jaipur May 14 IANS Rajasthans coaching hub Sikar has emerged as the alleged nerve centre of the NEETUG 2026 paper leak network with the CBI now probing possible links of coaching institutes middlemen students and relatives of the accusednbspInvestigators believe the networks coordination began in Sikar where accused Yash Yadav and Vikas reportedly studied together at a coaching instituteThe agency is now examining how the alleged paper leak racket spread through coaching circles and student networks The investigation has also widened to include family members of the accused who recently cleared NEET and secured admissions in various medical colleges raising fresh questions over the extent of the alleged network and its reach into medical educationMeanwhile the Central Bureau of Investigation has intensified its probe into the NEETUG 2026 paper leak case and the CBI has now arrested four key accused from Jaipur Mangilal Biwal Dinesh Biwal Haryana resident Yash Yadav and Mangilals son Vikas All four were produced before a magistrate on Wednesday following which they were taken on transit remand and shifted to Delhi for further interrogationAccording to sources linked to the investigation key accused individuals were allegedly informed around the Diwali period itself that the NEET paper would be made available this year indicating that the leak network had been activated months before the examination Investigators believe that Rajasthans coaching hub Sikar acted as the operational base of the alleged paper leak racketAccording to the probe accused Yash Yadav and Vikas had studied together at a coaching institute in Sikar where investigators suspect the network and coordination first developed The CBI is now examining possible links between coaching circles middlemen and students connected to the accused The investigation has also widened to include relatives of the accused who recently cleared NEET and secured admission to medical colleges Sources said Sonia niece of the accused Dinesh Biwal is currently studying at a medical college in MumbaiAnother niece Palak is also under scrutiny Investigators are additionally examining the cases of Prakriti daughter of Mangilal Biwal and a student at Dausa Medical College and Vikas who was allotted a seat at Sawai Madhopur Medical College The agency is probing whether these admissions may have been influenced through access to leaked examination materialAccording to investigative agencies the leaked paper allegedly originated from Dhananjay a resident of Ahilyabai Nagar in Maharashtra The paper was then allegedly passed on to Shubham Khairnar from Nashik who subsequently shared it with Yash Yadav in Haryana From Haryana the material allegedly reached Mangilal and Dinesh Biwal in Rajasthan where it was circulated among contacts in Sikar and JaipurMeanwhile Dinesh Biwals son Rishi remains absconding The CBI is also continuing intense questioning of accused Rakesh Mandwariya from Sikar and another accused identified as Prajapat from Jaipur A CBI team has now camped in Sikar and is examining people linked to the network Several students and parents earlier detained by the Rajasthan SOG have been questionedWhile some have been released they have reportedly been instructed not to leave the city without permission Officials believe the interrogations in Delhi could expose influential individuals allegedly linked to the networkThe developments have once again raised serious concerns over the security and integrity of Indias largest medical entrance examination and the possibility of organised interstate networks operating behind paper leaksIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/neet-paper-leak-case-medical-students-relatives-in-rajasthans-sikar-under-cbi-scanner-673827.html Thu, 14 May 2026 13:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/congress-finally-decides-for-kerala-vd-satheesan-to-be-the-new-cm-673828.html New DelhiThiruvananthapuram May 14 After days of suspense endless speculation and highvoltage lobbying stretching from Thiruvananthapuram to Delhi the Congress high command finally picked VD Satheesan as Keralaâs 13th Chief Minister marking what many within the party describe as the formal arrival of a new generation at the helm of Kerala politics The announcement was made in Delhi by Congress top leaders Deepadas Munshi Mukul Wasnik and Ajay MakenThe decision delayed till the very edge of political exhaustion was conveyed with characteristic Congress dramaCongress General Secretary KC Venugopal who was in Delhi through the final rounds of consultations was summoned for a meeting with Rahul Gandhi before being informed of the leadership decisionSenior leader Ramesh Chennithala meanwhile received the message through a closeddoor telephone call from Rahul that the race was over and Satheesan had got the nodFor Satheesan the elevation caps a remarkable political rise that mirrors the Congress partyâs attempt to reinvent itself in Kerala after years of factional fatigue and electoral setbacksBorn in Kochi district and turning 62 later this month Satheesan built his political identity not through backroom factional arithmetic but through relentless Assembly performances and organisational workA lawyer by profession he entered the Assembly from Paravur in 2001 and soon earned a reputation as one of the Congress partyâs sharpest debatersArmed with statistics sarcasm and theatrical timing Satheesan became a familiar tormentor of the Left benches Ironically his biggest breakthrough came after one of the Congress partyâs darkest momentsFollowing the UDFâs crushing defeat in the 2021 Assembly elections Satheesan was unexpectedly chosen as Leader of the Opposition initially viewed by many as a compromise candidate amid bitter internal rivalriesInstead he transformed the role into a political launch padWhether it was the gold smuggling controversy the AI camera allegations or repeated attacks on the Vijayan government over law and order Satheesan steadily positioned himself as the most visible and aggressive face of antiLeft politics in KeralaUnlike many Congress veterans Satheesan was never seen as fully belonging to either the old âAâ or âIâ faction camps that dominated Congress politics in Kerala for decadesThat relative independence helped him attract younger legislators and grassroots workers hungry for generational changeHis critics within the party often accuse him of centralising decisionmaking and moving with political impatience Yet even detractors concede that among the Congress leadership Satheesan currently enjoys perhaps the strongest public connectSatheesan in the morning along with his immediate family members hit the road to the state capital and reached his official residence of the past five years as Leader of OppositionHe reached minutes before the AICC made the announcement and without saying a word he waded through the huge crowd that had gathered at his official residenceNow as he prepares to move from the Opposition benches to the Chief Ministerâs chair Satheesan carries expectations far larger than merely running a governmentHis ascent signals the Congress partyâs attempt to hand Keralaâs political steering wheel to a younger more combative and mediasavvy generation ready to take on the formidable legacy of outgoing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/congress-finally-decides-for-kerala-vd-satheesan-to-be-the-new-cm-673828.html Thu, 14 May 2026 13:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/s-jaishankar-brics-expected-to-be-stabilising-force-amid-global-uncertainty-673834.html New Delhi May 14 IANS External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar on Thursday said there is a growing expectation among emerging markets and developing countries that BRICS will play a constructive and stabilising role amid global uncertainty conflicts and economic challengesnbspHe made the remarks while delivering his opening address at the BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting being held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi under Indias 2026 chairship of the expanded groupingForeign ministers and senior diplomats from BRICS member and partner nations arrived in the national capital earlier in the day to participate in the highlevel meeting EAM Jaishankar personally welcomed the visiting leaders and dignitaries at the venue before the start of the discussionsAddressing the gathering EAM Jaishankar said Indias chairship appreciates your support which has contributed to the steady progress of our workHighlighting the current global situation he said the meeting was taking place at a time of significant changes and instability in international relationsWe meet at a time of considerable flux in international relations ongoing conflicts economic uncertainties and challenges in trade technology and climate are shaping the global landscape he saidEmphasising the significance of the BRICS grouping the EAM stated There is a growing expectation particularly from emerging markets and developing countries that BRICS will play a constructive and stabilising roleReferring to the importance of the ongoing deliberations he said the discussions offered an opportunity to reflect on major global and regional developments and explore practical methods to strengthen cooperation among member nationsIn this background our discussions today are an opportunity to reflect on global and regional developments and to consider practical ways to strengthen our cooperation he saidThe External Affairs Minister stressed that developmentrelated concerns continue to remain central to the BRICS agendaMany countries face challenges in energy food fertiliser and health security as well as access to finance BRICS can help them respond more effectively Economic resilience is also key Reliable supply chains and diversified markets are its essential components We must focus on both EAM Jaishankar saidAddressing climaterelated concerns the EAM said climate change continues to remain an urgent global issue requiring collective attentionClimate change remains a pressing concern Our discussions must advance sustainable development while advancing principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities he statedHe also underlined the growing impact of technological advancements on the global order and said these developments should be used to promote good governance and inclusive growthThe External Affairs Minister further stressed that issues related to peace and security remain central to the global order and highlighted the need for dialogue and diplomacy amid continuing conflicts across regionsPeace and security issues remain central to the global order Recent conflicts only underline the importance of dialogue and diplomacy he said while also calling for stronger cooperation against terrorismEAM Jaishankar also thanked all participating delegations for their continued support towards strengthening cooperation within the BRICS frameworkAs Chair I thank each delegation for its presence and for its continued commitment to strengthening cooperation within the BRICS framework All of us remain in close and regular contact through bilateral and multilateral engagements Gathering today for the BRICS meeting is a special occasion It allows us to exchange perspectives and encourages us to develop convergences In this complicated and uncertain world that is of evergreater importance the External Affairs Minister saidAs the Chair of the meeting EAM Jaishankar said India would facilitate an open and constructive exchange during the deliberations and encouraged participating delegations to present their perspectives freelyYour inputs will help guide our discussions and contribute to meaningful outcomes I once again welcome you all and look forward to a productive discussion he addedIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/s-jaishankar-brics-expected-to-be-stabilising-force-amid-global-uncertainty-673834.html Thu, 14 May 2026 13:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/tribal-artisans-earn-over-rs-531-lakh-at-vibrant-gujarat-exhibition-in-surat-673835.html Surat May 14 More than Rs 531 lakh worth of tribal handicrafts herbal products and traditional goods were sold within five days at the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Exhibition2026â in Surat with the earnings going directly to tribal artisans without any deductions or operational costs officials said on Thursday The exhibition organised from May 1 to 5 alongside the âVibrant Gujarat Regional Conferenceâ VGRC on the occasion of Gujarat Foundation Day featured 25 stalls dedicated to tribal heritage and traditional products from across the stateThe initiative was aimed at showcasing the social economic and cultural diversity of tribal communities while also providing artisans with wider market exposureThe tribal heritage section of the exhibition was inaugurated by Chief Minister Bhupendra PatelThe stalls displayed bamboo handicrafts wooden artefacts traditional jewellery handloom garments forestbased herbal products and natural food items prepared by artisans from different tribal districtsHerbal products and bamboo artefacts emerged as major attractions during the eventThe Gujarat Tribal Development Department organised the stalls under the leadership of Tribal Development Minister Naresh PatelOfficials said the exhibition sought to preserve and promote tribal art craftsmanship lifestyle and cultural traditions while also encouraging artisans to explore entrepreneurship opportunitiesA total of 38 tribal artisans participated in the exhibition The state government covered their travel accommodation and food expenses to enable them to take part in the event without a financial burdenSeveral senior leaders and delegates visited the tribal exhibition area during the fiveday eventAmong them were Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi and State Minister Jayram Gamit Delegates from various countries also interacted with artisans and viewed the displaysDuring a panel discussion at the VGRC Gujarat Tribal Research and Training Society Executive Director Dr CC Chaudhary spoke on promoting tourism in tribal and rural regionsHe discussed opportunities for linking tribal culture local crafts and rural tourism to create sustainable livelihoods in tribal areasThe exhibition formed part of the wider Vibrant Gujarat initiative which this year also focussed on cultural heritage and communitybased economic development alongside industrial growth IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/tribal-artisans-earn-over-rs-531-lakh-at-vibrant-gujarat-exhibition-in-surat-673835.html Thu, 14 May 2026 13:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/dangerous-obsession-man-shoots-sister-in-law-kills-self-in-ups-kushinagar-673837.html Kushinagar UP May 14 A shocking case of murder and suicide in Uttar Pradeshâs Kushinagar left the entire region stunned after villagers heard three successive gunshots coming from a locked room and later discovered an 18yearold girl and her brotherinlaw lying in a pool of blood The incident occurred in Basdila Buzurg village under the Tamkuhi Raj police station area on Wednesday morningPolice suspect the incident is linked to an alleged romantic relationship and obsessive behaviour Preliminary investigation indicates that the man allegedly shot his sisterinlaw before turning the weapon on himselfThe deceased man has been identified as 25yearold Jitendra Prajapati a resident of the Uchkagaon police station area in Biharâs Gopalganj district The deceased girl was identified as Naina his sisterinlawAccording to police officials Jitendra had married Nainaâs elder sister Baby nearly a year ago Following the marriage he frequently visited his inlawsâ house in Basdila Buzurg village During this period he reportedly developed a close relationship with Naina and allegedly became deeply attached to herFamily members told investigators that Jitendra had become obsessed with Naina and had allegedly been pressuring the family over his desire to marry herPolice said Jitendra had arrived at his inlawsâ residence on Tuesday evening and stayed there overnight On Wednesday morning around 9 AM Naina reportedly went to his room to serve breakfast Investigators said that soon after she entered Jitendra locked the room from insideA heated argument allegedly broke out between the two shortly afterwards Hearing loud voices and commotion from inside the room family members rushed towards the door and began asking them to open it Moments later a gunshot was heard Within a short span two more gunshots rang out triggering panic across the villageVillagers gathered outside the house while local police from the Tamkuhi Raj police station rushed to the scene after receiving information about the incidentPolice personnel broke open the locked door and found both Jitendra and Naina lying inside the room with severe gunshot injuries A 312 bore countrymade pistol was also recovered from the spotOfficials said Naina had sustained bullet injuries to her forehead and chest while Jitendra was found with a gunshot wound to his templeThe police immediately secured the area and sent both bodies for postmortem examination A forensic team was also called to the spot to collect evidence and assist in the investigationAccording to family members and villagers Naina was a bright student pursuing her high school education She also taught children at a private school as a tutor and was known in the area for her academic abilitiesThe incident has left the family devastated and created an atmosphere of shock and grief in the villagePolice said the mobile phones of both the deceased have been seized and are being examined as part of the investigation Officials added that the case is being probed from every possible angle to establish the complete sequence of events leading to the deaths IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/dangerous-obsession-man-shoots-sister-in-law-kills-self-in-ups-kushinagar-673837.html Thu, 14 May 2026 13:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/eam-jaishankar-flags-fragile-west-asia-situation-says-safe-waterways-vital-for-global-economic-well-being-673838.html New Delhi May 14 Highlighting the fragile security environment in West Asia External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar on Thursday said that persistent tensions in the region along with threats to shipping routes and energy infrastructure remain a matter of global concern Delivering the national statement at the BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting in New Delhi under Indias 2026 chairship the EAM said The conflict in West Asia merits particular attention Continuing tensions risks to maritime traffic and disruptions to energy infrastructure highlight the fragility of the situation Safe and unimpeded maritime flows through international waterways including the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea remain vital for global economic wellbeingHe also reaffirmed Indias strong commitment to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity must remain the foundation of international relations Dialogue and diplomacy are the only sustainable means of resolving conflicts the EAM saidEAM Jaishankar further said that even as the challenges mount in the times of global uncertainties the multilateral system unfortunately weakens He said that the state of the United Nations which is at its core is particularly worrisome With each passing day the case for reformed multilateralism only gets stronger This includes the reform of the UN Security Council in both the permanent and nonpermanent categories Continued delay comes at a high cost he addedMeanwhile speaking at the opening address of the meeting EAM Jaishankar stressed the need for enhanced cooperation among BRICS member nations amid growing geopolitical and economic uncertaintiesWe meet at a time of considerable flux in international relations Ongoing conflicts economic uncertainties and challenges in trade technology and climate are shaping the global landscape There is a growing expectation particularly from emerging markets and developing countries that BRICS will play a constructive and stabilising role EAM statedIn this background our discussions today are an opportunity to reflect on global and regional developments and to consider practical ways to strengthen our cooperation he addedSeveral foreign ministers including Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono and senior representatives from BRICS nations and partner countries are attending the meetingMarking Tehrans first highlevel diplomatic outreach since the conflict in West Asia began Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday for a threeday official visitAraghchi is expected to hold wideranging bilateral talks with EAM Jaishankar with discussions likely to focus on deepening the crisis arising from the conflictAraghchi arrived aboard an aircraft named Minab168 a symbolic reference to the 168 schoolgirls killed in a missile strike on a school in the Iranian city of Minab after the outbreak of the conflict in West AsiaFollowing the worsening conflict in West Asia Iran called on India the current BRICS chair to play an independent role to bring an end to USIsrael hostilities against IranEarlier Irans Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi who is currently in New Delhi to participate in the BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting said that Tehran views its active participation in mechanisms such as BRICS as a strategic step towards strengthening genuine multilateralism and promoting a more balanced and just international orderGharibabadi made the remarks while highlighting the significance of the BRICS platform amid ongoing discussions among member nations on global governance reforms economic cooperation and the role of the Global South in shaping international affairsIn a post shared on X the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister said the BRICS meeting presents an important opportunity for dialogue on the future direction of cooperation among developing nationsGharibabadi further said Irans participation in BRICS aligns with its broader strategic vision of enhancing equitable cooperation and contributing to a more inclusive international frameworkAccording to him Iran possesses significant geopolitical energy scientific transit and human capacities that can contribute meaningfully to the BRICS agendaIran with its geopolitical energy transit scientific and human capacities can play an effective role in the BRICS agenda for balanced development economic security regional connectivity and amplifying the voice of independent countries he saidThe Iranian minister also stressed the importance of opposing unilateral coercive measures and sanctions particularly those imposed by the United States describing them as harmful to economic justice and developmentIn this path opposition to Americas unilateral coercive measures and their illegal and antidevelopment effects is an inseparable part of defending economic justice and the rights of nations to development Gharibabadi addedThe escalating tensions in West Asia have also rattled global energy markets with oil and gas prices surging after Iran effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz the strategic shipping corridor between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman that carries nearly 20 per cent of the worlds oil and LNG liquefied natural gas supplies IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/eam-jaishankar-flags-fragile-west-asia-situation-says-safe-waterways-vital-for-global-economic-well-being-673838.html Thu, 14 May 2026 13:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/up-several-schoolchildren-injured-after-bus-falls-into-ditch-in-aligarh-673839.html Aligarh May 14 Several schoolchildren were injured after a school bus lost control and overturned into a roadside ditch in the Gangiri police station area on the AligarhHathras border on Thursday police said The accident created panic among the children and nearby residents Local villagers rushed to the spot immediately after the incident and broke the bus window panes to rescue the trapped studentsSome children sustained minor injuries and were taken to a nearby medical centre for treatment while one seriously injured child was referred to a hospital in AligarhAccording to police officials the bus was carrying children to school when the driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle causing it to overturn into a roadside ditchProviding details about the incident SP Rural Manish Kumar Mishra said that around seven to eight children were injured in the accident He added that one child suffered facial injuries and was admitted to a hospital in Aligarh for further treatmentâWhen the incident occurred the police immediately reached the spot Around seven to eight children were injured One child sustained injuries on the face and has been admitted to a hospital in Aligarh We are investigating the matterâ Mishra saidPolice officials stated that all the other injured children are out of danger Authorities have launched a detailed investigation into the incident including an enquiry into the fitness and condition of the school busThe incident has once again raised concerns over the safety standards of school vehicles in Uttar PradeshEarlier on March 2 a sixyearold girl died in a tragic accident in Kasganj district after she fell through the broken floor of a moving school bus and was crushed under its rear wheel The deceased child identified as Ananya Kumari was a UKG student of Mount Dev International School in AligarhAccording to police Ananya was returning home from school when the incident took place near the AligarhKasganj border The bus driver reportedly stopped the vehicle only after other students and passersby alerted him about the accident IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/up-several-schoolchildren-injured-after-bus-falls-into-ditch-in-aligarh-673839.html Thu, 14 May 2026 13:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-allows-ripl-board-meet-bars-director-and-bank-signatory-changes-in-rk-family-trust-case-673843.html New Delhi May 14 IANS The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to stall a proposed board meeting of Raghuvanshi Investment Private Limited RIPL in the highprofile RK Family Trust dispute involving Rani Kapur and Priya Sachdev Kapur but restrained the company from taking up agenda items relating to the appointment of independent directors and changes in authorised bank signatories during the meetingnbspnbspA Bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and Ujjal Bhuyan passed the direction while hearing a fresh plea moved by 80yearold Rani Kapur mother of late businessman Sunjay Kapur who had sought a stay on the board meeting scheduled for May 18nbspAt the outset the apex court observed that since the dispute had already been referred to mediation the parties should refrain from taking any steps which may directly impact the mediation proceedings We have already requested the mediator to start with the mediation proceedings For the present we request the opponents not to do anything which may directly affect mediation Time and again we have said it will be in the interest of all parties to put an end to this dispute else it will be a long drawn battle the Justice Pardiwalaled Bench observednbspAppearing on behalf of Rani Kapur senior advocate Navin Pahwa argued that the proposed board meeting was intended to ensure that she is completely drowned out from the affairs of the familycontrolled entitiesnbspReferring to the dispute over the family estate it was argued that Rani Kapurs majority shareholding in the group companies had allegedly been transferred into a trust without her consentnbspMy shareholding was transferred into the trust behind my back I was holding the majority shares in all the companies My daughterinlaw transferred my shareholding into a trust the senior counsel submitted on behalf of Rani KapurnbspOn the other hand senior advocate Kapil Sibal appearing for the respondents including Priya Sachdev Kapur and RIPL submitted that the appointment of independent directors was being undertaken pursuant to directions issued by the Reserve Bank of India RBI following an inspectionnbspSibal argued that the proposed board meeting was convened primarily to comply with statutory and regulatory obligations and not with an intention to alter the status quo during the mediation processnbspTaking note of the submissions the apex court clarified that while the board meeting itself may proceed agenda items concerning the appointment of independent directors and the change in authorised signatories for certain bank accounts need not be acted upon for nownbspIt repeatedly urged the parties to sincerely attempt an amicable settlement and cautioned against converting the family dispute into prolonged litigation She is an 80yearold woman We all came with empty hands and we have to go with empty hands All we carry is our souls There has to be a will to settle the matter Dont go before the mediator with a heavy heart just because the court has pushed you Each one of you try the Justice Pardiwalaled Bench observed during the hearingnbspThe latest plea arose from a notice dated May 8 issued by RIPL convening a board meeting on May 18 Rani Kapur had described the meeting as a fraudulent attempt to bypass courtordered mediation and sought directions restraining the company from proceeding with the meeting till the mediation proceedings concludenbspShe had also sought directions restraining Priya Sachdev Kapur and other respondents from interfering in the functioning of the alleged RK Family Trust during the pendency of the mediation proceedings The disputed agenda items included the appointment of two independent directors and changes in authorised signatories for certain bank accountsnbspEarlier on May 7 the Supreme Court had appointed former Chief Justice of India CJI DY Chandrachud as mediator to resolve the ongoing family dispute between Rani Kapur and Priya Sachdev Kapur over the alleged RK Family TrustnbspA Bench of Justices Pardiwala and Bhuyan had passed the order after all parties agreed to explore a settlement through mediationnbspObserving that the controversy was a family affair the apex court had requested the parties not to make public statements or social media posts concerning the dispute Its a family dispute let it be confined among the family only It should not be a source of entertainment the Justice Pardiwalaled Bench had orally remarkednbspThe apex court had said that it would await a preliminary report from the mediator before taking up the matter further and posted the case for hearing in AugustnbspThe dispute pertains to the creation and control of the alleged RK Family TrustRani Kapur Family Trust which has been challenged by Rani Kapur as fraudulent and illegalnbspAccording to the plea Rani Kapur is the sole beneficiary of the estate of her late husband industrialist Dr Surinder Kapur who allegedly bequeathed all movable and immovable properties to her through a will probated by the Bombay High Court in 2016nbspRani Kapur has alleged that despite this the family estate was clandestinely transferred into a newly created trust without her informed consent and that control over key group companies was assumed without her knowledge following the death of her son Sunjay KapurnbspIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-allows-ripl-board-meet-bars-director-and-bank-signatory-changes-in-rk-family-trust-case-673843.html Thu, 14 May 2026 13:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/party-above-all-says-venugopal-after-congress-names-satheesan-as-kerala-cm-673847.html New Delhi May 14 In a display of calculated restraint after one of the fiercest leadership contests the Congress party in Kerala has witnessed in recent years party General Secretary KC Venugopal on Thursday publicly accepted the high commandâs decision to appoint VD Satheesan as Keralaâs next Chief Minister even as more than 50 newly elected Congress MLAs were widely believed to have backed his candidature for the top post Speaking to reporters in Delhi shortly after the announcement Venugopal struck a tone that was part statesman part loyal organisational soldier and carefully avoided any trace of bitterness despite missing out in a race many insiders believed had gone down to the wireâSatheesan has been appointed as Chief Minister The CLP will meet and accept it It was a stunning victory for the Congressled UDF with 102 seatsâ he said congratulating Satheesan and stressing that the partyâs collective mandate remained bigger than individual ambitionsâAll along I was saying the decision of the high command will prevail and it is my responsibility to see that the high commandâs decision is respected and implementedâ Venugopal declared effectively drawing a line under days of feverish lobbying and speculationThe remark carried significance because Venugopal was not merely another aspirant Backed by a powerful organisational network and strong support among legislators he was seen by many as one of the most formidable contenders in the raceHis supporters had openly projected him as the natural administrative face of the new government Yet even in disappointment Venugopal remained firmly within the Congress culture of highcommand supremacyâParty is ultimate for me I will be pained if my party is painedâ he said while dismissing questions over cyber attacks and criticism from rival campsâI have been in politics for over 45 years Let the attacks continue My decision is very clear party leadership is the final wordâ he saidRejecting BJP allegations that the Congress leadership had succumbed to pressure from the IUML Venugopal termed the charge âbaselessâAnd when asked whether he would attend Satheesanâs swearingin ceremony the veteran leader responded âWhat a questionâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/party-above-all-says-venugopal-after-congress-names-satheesan-as-kerala-cm-673847.html Thu, 14 May 2026 14:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/meghalaya-cm-flags-off-new-fleet-of-police-vehicles-to-boost-operational-capabilities-673849.html Shillong May 14 Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday flagged off a new fleet of police vehicles in Shillong aimed at strengthening the operational preparedness mobility and emergency response capabilities of the state police force The programme was held at the Police Officersâ Mess at Golflink in the presence of Director General of Police Idashisha Nongrang senior government officials and police personnelOfficials informed that a total of 95 vehicles have been procured for the Meghalaya Police including 79 vehicles acquired through funds provided by the Central Assistance to State Police Scheme of the Government of IndiaThe newlyinducted fleet includes 20 Maruti Jimny vehicles 19 Tata truck troop carriers five Mahindra mini trucks 19 buses with a seating capacity of 20 personnel 10 buses with a capacity of 24 personnel eight buses capable of carrying 36 personnel and eight Tata Yodha vehicles for the CID wingThe procurement estimated at nearly Rs 30 crore is expected to significantly enhance police mobility operational efficiency and emergency response across the stateAddressing the gathering Sangma said maintenance of law and order remains one of the most critical responsibilities of any government and reiterated his administrationâs commitment to strengthening the police force through sustained reforms and investmentsHe said the government has prioritised police modernisation and introduced measures such as the Police Reserve Fund to improve infrastructure and administrative efficiency at the grassroots levelâThrough these reforms infrastructure that was once in a dilapidated condition is now being renovated and upgraded Authority and responsibility have also been delegated to Superintendents of Police and unit commanders for faster executionâ the Chief Minister saidSangma also highlighted the recruitment of over 3000 personnel into longvacant posts describing it as a major step towards improving manpower strength in the forceReferring to recent tensions in Lapangap in West Jaintia Hills the Chief Minister praised the Meghalaya Police for maintaining peace and stability while the government continued dialogue with Assam over the interstate boundary issueHe also lauded DGP Nongrang and the police force for their dedication and professionalism in maintaining law and order across the state IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/meghalaya-cm-flags-off-new-fleet-of-police-vehicles-to-boost-operational-capabilities-673849.html Thu, 14 May 2026 14:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/god-given-responsibility-cm-designate-satheesan-seeks-support-to-build-new-kerala-673850.html Thiruvananthapuram May 14 Kerala Chief Ministerdesignate VD Satheesan on Thursday struck a careful balance between gratitude humility and political messaging in his first reaction after being chosen by the Congress high command as the 13th Chief Minister of the state declaring that the massive UDF victory belonged not to an individual leader but to âTeam UDFâ and lakhs of party workers Hours after the Congress leadership formally ended days of suspense over the top post Satheesan addressed the media and sought to immediately project unity within the party after the bruising internal contest that had kept Kerala politics on edgeâThe Congress has given me a huge responsibility and I am deeply thankful to Congress President Mallikarjuna Kharge and Rahul Gandhiâ Satheesan saidIn a significant political gesture aimed at calming internal nerves Satheesan openly credited the partys General Secretary KC Venugopal and campaign committee chairman Ramesh Chennithala for the UDFâs landslide victory describing Chennithala as âmy leaderââThe main persons behind this victory are KC Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala I will work together with them and also with state Congress President Sunny Josephâ he said signalling that the incoming administration would attempt to carry along all major power centres within the CongressSatheesan repeatedly emphasised collective leadership and public participation asserting that âone person alone can do nothingâ and promising to build a broadbased team to govern KeralaâWe are facing huge challenges To build a new Kerala I want the help and support of the people We all will work towards itâ he said while promising that every major assurance given by the UDF during the election campaign would be implementedIn perhaps his most striking remark Satheesan declared that his government would ârewrite the new order in public lifeâ describing the Chief Ministerâs post as a âGodgiven responsibilityâSeeking to blunt criticism over the prolonged delay in announcing the Chief Ministerdesignate Satheesan insisted there was ânothing shamefulâ in the process pointing out that consultations were held with every legislator and senior leader before the final decision was madeOn the swearingin date and cabinet members Satheesan said cabinet composition decisions would be taken by the party leadership in consultation with allies and the swearingin with the Governor IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/god-given-responsibility-cm-designate-satheesan-seeks-support-to-build-new-kerala-673850.html Thu, 14 May 2026 14:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-neet-leak-accused-celebrated-5-mbbs-selections-under-sog-scanner-673851.html Jaipur May 14 The alleged masterminds behind the Rajasthan NEET2026 paper leak Mangilal and Dinesh Binwal belong to a family that had recently drawn attention for producing five medical students Even as the Special Operations Group investigates their alleged wealth political connections and financial dealings relatives maintain that the brothers are innocent and have been involved only in the real estate business not in any examination racketIn a social media post dated November 6 2025 Dinesh Binwal described it as âa matter of prideâ that five children from the family had secured admission to Government Medical Colleges through NEET Family members said two daughters of Dineshâs late elder brother Ghanshyam Khatik had qualified through NEET2024 while another daughter from the same family and Dinesh Binwalâs son reportedly cleared NEET in 2025However family members refused to disclose the identity of the fifth candidate referred to in the social media post Investigators suspect that Mangilalâs son who appeared for NEET2026 this year may also have gained access to the leaked question paper The Rajasthan NEET2026 paper leak probe has now placed alleged masterminds Mangilal Binwal and Dinesh Binwal under scrutiny with investigators accusing the brothers of distributing the leaked paper across the stateAccording to sources in the Rajasthan Special Operations Group SOG the brothers allegedly obtained the paper from Gurugram on April 26 nearly a week before the examination after paying an advance of Rs 30 lakh Investigators believe the leaked paper may have been circulated among more than 1000 candidates across RajasthanThe SOG is now examining the financial background political connections and business activities of the accused brothers Mangilal Binwal and Dinesh Binwal belong to Jamwa Ramgarh tehsil about 30 km from Jaipur where they live with their extended family in a sprawling farmhouse built over nearly 2000 square yards The SOG arrested the two on May 9 following intelligence inputs linked to the NEET paper leak case Their farmhouse is located barely a kilometre from the Jamwa Ramgarh police station and locals describe the brothers as known for their lavish lifestyleThe property is said to have several modern amenities with multiple luxury vehicles parked on the premises Dinesh Binwal is also believed to be politically active with his social media accounts carrying photographs alongside prominent politicians including sitting ministers former ministers and MLAs Investigators suspect the brothers had established links with a Gurugrambased âpaper mafiaâ nearly eight months before the examination The alleged deal for the NEET paper was reportedly struck at Rs 45 lakh of which Rs 30 lakh was paid in advance Despite the allegations family members continue to insist that the brothers are innocent and are engaged only in the business of buying and selling real estateThe accused brothers have reportedly claimed that influential individuals are being shielded in the investigation Investigators allege that Mangilal and Dinesh Binwal procured the leaked NEET paper from Gurugram and distributed it to hundreds of candidates across RajasthanMangilalâs wife Sonu denied any involvement of her husband in the paper leak racket âMy husband works in the property business He does not buy leaked exam papersâ she said adding that she had little information about the ongoing investigationThe brothersâ mother Prabhu Devi described the case as a conspiracy against her sons âPeople are jealous of our children because they are intelligent and successfulâ she said âIf we were involved in such activities would we still be living with these difficultiesâWhen asked who she believed was targeting the family she did not name anyone directly but repeated that others were envious of the familyâs successAccording to sources the SOG conducted raids across Jaipur Jaipur Rural Sikar and Jhunjhunu after receiving intelligence inputs about the alleged paper leak During questioning investigators reportedly identified a NEET candidate accused of circulating the leaked paper among several other aspirants The candidate is said to have named his father Mangilal and uncle Dinesh which eventually led to the brothersâ arrestA team from the Delhi CBI also visited the Jaipur SOG office earlier this week to question the accused Investigators claim that Dinesh Binwal admitted to selling the leaked paper to nearly ten students and allegedly accepted payment in cash During interrogation he reportedly told officials that he had received the âguess paperâ from a man identified as Yash a Rajasthan native currently based in GurugramThe SOG is now examining the brothersâ mobile phones digital records and bank accounts in an attempt to trace the money trail and identify other beneficiaries and accused linked to the racket Meanwhile the brothers currently in CBI custody have allegedly claimed that influential figures are being protected in the case Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully has questioned who these âbigwigsâ are that the accused say are being shielded IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-neet-leak-accused-celebrated-5-mbbs-selections-under-sog-scanner-673851.html Thu, 14 May 2026 14:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rk-family-trust-dispute-sc-allows-ripl-board-meeting-but-bars-discussion-on-directors-bank-signatories-673862.html New Delhi May 14 The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to stall a proposed board meeting of Raghuvanshi Investment Private Limited RIPL in the highprofile RK Family Trust dispute involving Rani Kapur and Priya Sachdev Kapur but restrained the company from taking up agenda items relating to the appointment of independent directors and changes in authorised bank signatories during the meeting A Bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and Ujjal Bhuyan passed the direction while hearing a fresh plea moved by 80yearold Rani Kapur mother of late businessman Sunjay Kapur who had sought a stay on the board meeting scheduled for May 18 At the outset the apex court observed that since the dispute had already been referred to mediation the parties should refrain from taking any steps which may directly impact the mediation proceedings âWe have already requested the mediator to start with the mediation proceedings For the present we request the opponents not to do anything which may directly affect mediation Time and again we have said it will be in the interest of all parties to put an end to this dispute else it will be a long drawn battleâ the Justice Pardiwalaled Bench observed Appearing on behalf of Rani Kapur senior advocate Navin Pahwa argued that the proposed board meeting was intended to ensure that she is âcompletely drowned outâ from the affairs of the familycontrolled entities Referring to the dispute over the family estate it was argued that Rani Kapurâs majority shareholding in the group companies had allegedly been transferred into a trust without her consent âMy shareholding was transferred into the trust behind my back I was holding the majority shares in all the companies My daughterinlaw transferred my shareholding into a trustâ the senior counsel submitted on behalf of Rani Kapur On the other hand senior advocate Kapil Sibal appearing for the respondents including Priya Sachdev Kapur and RIPL submitted that the appointment of independent directors was being undertaken pursuant to directions issued by the Reserve Bank of India RBI following an inspection Sibal argued that the proposed board meeting was convened primarily to comply with statutory and regulatory obligations and not with an intention to alter the status quo during the mediation process Taking note of the submissions the apex court clarified that while the board meeting itself may proceed agenda items concerning the appointment of independent directors and the change in authorised signatories for certain bank accounts need not be acted upon for now It repeatedly urged the parties to sincerely attempt an amicable settlement and cautioned against converting the family dispute into prolonged litigation âShe is an 80yearold woman We all came with empty hands and we have to go with empty hands All we carry is our souls There has to be a will to settle the matter Donât go before the mediator with a heavy heart just because the court has pushed you Each one of you tryâ the Justice Pardiwalaled Bench observed during the hearing The latest plea arose from a notice dated May 8 issued by RIPL convening a board meeting on May 18 Rani Kapur had described the meeting as a âfraudulent attempt to bypass courtordered mediationâ and sought directions restraining the company from proceeding with the meeting till the mediation proceedings conclude She had also sought directions restraining Priya Sachdev Kapur and other respondents from interfering in the functioning of the alleged RK Family Trust during the pendency of the mediation proceedings The disputed agenda items included the appointment of two independent directors and changes in authorised signatories for certain bank accounts Earlier on May 7 the Supreme Court had appointed former Chief Justice of India CJI DY Chandrachud as mediator to resolve the ongoing family dispute between Rani Kapur and Priya Sachdev Kapur over the alleged RK Family Trust A Bench of Justices Pardiwala and Bhuyan had passed the order after all parties agreed to explore a settlement through mediation Observing that the controversy was a âfamily affairâ the apex court had requested the parties not to make public statements or social media posts concerning the dispute âItâs a family dispute let it be confined among the family only It should not be a source of entertainmentâ the Justice Pardiwalaled Bench had orally remarked The apex court had said that it would await a preliminary report from the mediator before taking up the matter further and posted the case for hearing in August The dispute pertains to the creation and control of the alleged RK Family TrustRani Kapur Family Trust which has been challenged by Rani Kapur as fraudulent and illegal According to the plea Rani Kapur is the sole beneficiary of the estate of her late husband industrialist Dr Surinder Kapur who allegedly bequeathed all movable and immovable properties to her through a will probated by the Bombay High Court in 2016 Rani Kapur has alleged that despite this the family estate was clandestinely transferred into a newly created trust without her informed consent and that control over key group companies was assumed without her knowledge following the death of her son Sunjay Kapur IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rk-family-trust-dispute-sc-allows-ripl-board-meeting-but-bars-discussion-on-directors-bank-signatories-673862.html Thu, 14 May 2026 14:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/electric-bus-penetration-in-india-to-rise-from-7-pc-to-3540-pc-of-annual-bus-sales-by-fy35-673864.html New Delhi May 14 The electric bus penetration in India is expected to rise from around 7 per cent currently to 35â40 per cent of annual bus sales by FY35 with public transport EV penetration projected to exceed 85 per cent over the same period a new report showed on Thursday Indiaâs bus market historically stable at 35000â50000 units annually is entering a new phase of transition as electrification government procurement programmes and infrastructure investments reshape the sectorâs growth trajectoryWith buses accounting for nearly 57 per cent of passengerkilometres travelled in India electrification of the segment is expected to play a key role in the countryâs clean mobility and decarbonization ambitions according to the KPMG in India reportâIndiaâs electric bus transition is moving beyond a policyled initiative to becoming a structural transformation opportunity for the broader mobility ecosystem Public transport electrification has already created strong momentum supported by government procurement programmes improving cost economics and increasing infrastructure investmentsâ said Rohan Rao Partner Automotive and Lead Electric Mobility KPMG IndiaGoing forward the focus will increasingly shift towards building a scalable ecosystem that combines domestic manufacturing financing innovation charging infrastructure expansion and operational efficiency to support sustainable longterm growth across both public and private transport segments he mentionedAmid rising urbanisation increasing mobility demand sustainability commitments and governmentled clean mobility initiatives the report indicates that Indiaâs bus industry is entering a significant phase of structural transformation This is supported by accelerating electric vehicle EV adoption infrastructure development and evolving operating models across public and private transport networksIndiaâs ebus ecosystem is entering a critical phase where scale localization and execution capabilities will become key differentiators While public transport undertakings continue to lead adoption the next phase of growth is expected to emerge from private intercity mobility airport transport platformbased mobility solutions and corporate fleets explained Raghavan Viswanathan Partner Deal Advisory KPMG in India According to the report electric buses can deliver up to 70 per cent higher energy efficiency and significantly lower lifetime emissions compared to diesel buses PMeBus Sewa tenders for around 6600 buses could potentially save 12 million tonnes of carbon dioxide and 2â3 billion in oil imports over the concession periodNearly 62000 ebus tenders have been issued in India with approximately 46000 buses awarded under various government schemes Around 16300 electric buses were operational on Indian roads as of March 2026 reflecting both strong momentum and continuing deployment challenges said the reportMore than 90 per cent of Indiaâs current ebus deployments have been driven by governmentled tenders and public transport undertakings India is expected to tender nearly 40000 additional electric buses by FY30 through central and stateled initiatives it added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/electric-bus-penetration-in-india-to-rise-from-7-pc-to-3540-pc-of-annual-bus-sales-by-fy35-673864.html Thu, 14 May 2026 14:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/isi-plans-countrywide-expansion-of-khalistan-style-gangster-terror-module-673865.html New Delhi May 14 The experiment that the ISI conducted with the Khalistan modules is now being replicated across other networks as well The idea of bringing gangsters and terrorists together to further operations in India is increasingly becoming a new norm investigations have revealed An official said that the ISI does not want terror groups and gangsters to operate separately The Pakistan spy agency realises that it would be best to get the two together so that the resources are common Shared resources and cooperation between criminals have always yielded results and this is what the ISI has been cashing in on the official addedWhat began as an experiment in Punjab is now spreading across to Maharashtra Gujarat and the Northeastern states as wellIn Punjab the ISI got together various gangsters working both within India and abroad to liaison with terror networks The gangster network which is better aware of the logistics aids terror groups which in turn carry out attacksThe gangster network also helps in the supply and circulation of narcotics and the funds generated are used to finance terror groups The gangster networks also help a great deal in recruitments and these persons are used to carry out small time attacksRaids in various states such as Punjab and now Maharashtra have revealed that the ISI wants both networks to operate as one entityAs compared to recruitment into terror groups roping in youth into gangster networks is relatively easier Terror groups come under much higher scrutiny when compared to the gangs It is this aspect that the ISI has been using of late to synchronise the two networks an official addedAn Intelligence Bureau official said when it comes to Punjab and the Khalistan movement the ISI has found a great deal of success in uniting the two networks From Punjab it has now moved on to other states and Maharashtra is the next laboratory for this experiment the official addedIn Maharashtra the Anti Terrorism Squad ATS has managed to unearth a massive gangsterterror network Raids were conducted across the state with the focus largely on Mumbai Pune Jalgaon Nagpur Nashik Nanded Mira Road and NalasoparaThe ISI backed elements had been using social media extensively to rope in the youth The idea is to get them to supply drugs and raise funds for terror networks The raids and subsequent investigations revealed that there is a welloiled mechanism in place to facilitate the sale of drugs The operations which were being overlooked by the Shahzad Bhatti network was being facilitated by the Dogar GangBhatti is originally from Lahore and has been on the payrolls of the ISI for several years now He operates largely from Dubai and PakistanAnother official said that the big plan of the ISI is to get gangs and terrorists together across the country They would be given a designated area to operate from For instance the gangsters who are aligned to the Khalistan terror network would not be used for operations in Maharashtra or the other states Similar would be the case when it comes to Delhi or Uttar PradeshThe official added that this modus operandi is becoming a headache for the security agencies What the coming together of both these networks does is create confusion for the agenciesTerror groups and gangster networks operate differently The gangsters are more cash driven but for terror groups it is largely ideology that mattersHowever for the ISI the primary focus is to unleash terror in India It could be in the form of blasts fidayeen strikes narcotics supply and financial terrorism The official explained that when it comes to terror in India the ISI follows no ideology The destruction of India or bleeding the nation by a thousand cuts is all that matters to PakistanOfficials say that the gangsterterror network is becoming a major headache The fact that the ISI plans to replicate a similar modus operandi across the country is something that the agencies would have to deal withThis would require cooperation between the central and state agencies Minoring the social media is very important as it has been found in all similar investigations that this medium is being used the most to run this network while also carrying out the recruitment process the official further added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/isi-plans-countrywide-expansion-of-khalistan-style-gangster-terror-module-673865.html Thu, 14 May 2026 14:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/i-dedicate-my-chief-ministership-to-the-people-of-kerala-vd-satheesan-673869.html Thiruvananthapuram May 14 After the Congress high command finally picked VD Satheesan as Keralaâs 13th Chief Minister he spoke exclusively to IANS and said he was dedicating his Chief Ministership to the people of the state Speaking to IANS Chief Ministerdesignate Satheesan said âI am very grateful to the AICC leaders for entrusting me with this big responsibility I dedicate my Chief Ministership to the people of Kerala We will build a strong team that will work for the future of KeralaâResponding to questions about the time taken by the Congress leadership to finalise the decision Satheesan said the process involved extensive consultations and should not be seen as a delayâI cannot say that this was a delay This is a process Earlier there was no such intense media and social media scrutiny Sometimes even fake news spreads The leadership discussed the matter with former PCC presidents working committee members MLAs and MPs before arriving at a decisionâ he saidSatheesan also highlighted the economic challenges facing the stateHe said We are going through a very vulnerable period because the fiscal situation in Kerala is very poor We have to make many changes We have studied a lot prepared documents and discussed with experts This is the first opposition in the history of India that two years before the election started our preparationEarlier in the day the announcement was made in Delhi by Congress top leaders Deepadas Munshi Mukul Wasnik and Ajay MakenThe decision delayed till the very edge of political exhaustion was conveyed with characteristic Congress dramaCongress General Secretary KC Venugopal who was in Delhi through the final rounds of consultations was summoned for a meeting with Rahul Gandhi before being informed of the leadership decision Senior leader Ramesh Chennithala meanwhile received the message through a closeddoor telephone call from Rahul Gandhi that the race was over and Satheesan had got the nodFor Satheesan the elevation caps a remarkable political rise that mirrors the Congress partyâs attempt to reinvent itself in Kerala after years of factional fatigue and electoral setbacksBorn in Kochi district and turning 62 later this month Satheesan built his political identity not through backroom factional arithmetic but through relentless Assembly performances and organisational workA lawyer by profession he entered the Assembly from Paravur in 2001 and soon earned a reputation as one of the Congress partyâs sharpest debatersArmed with statistics sarcasm and theatrical timing Satheesan became a familiar tormentor of the Left benches Ironically his biggest breakthrough came after one of the Congress partyâs darkest momentsFollowing the UDFâs crushing defeat in the 2021 Assembly elections Satheesan was unexpectedly chosen as Leader of Opposition initially viewed by many as a compromise candidate amid bitter internal rivalriesInstead he transformed the role into a political launch padWhether it was the gold smuggling controversy the AI camera allegations or repeated attacks on the Vijayan government over law and order Satheesan steadily positioned himself as the most visible and aggressive face of antiLeft politics in Kerala Unlike many Congress veterans Satheesan was never seen as fully belonging to any faction in the party IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/i-dedicate-my-chief-ministership-to-the-people-of-kerala-vd-satheesan-673869.html Thu, 14 May 2026 15:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/adani-airport-holdings-ihg-hotels-amp-resorts-sign-5-hotel-deal-to-boost-indias-travel-economic-growth-673872.html Mumbai May 14 In a significant boost to Indias travel and economic growth Adani Airport Holdings Limited AAHL and IHG Hotels amp Resorts have signed a landmark managed hotel portfolio agreement to develop five hotels across key airportlinked and highgrowth urban destinations The agreement will add close to 1500 keys across multiple brands and locations in line with IHGâs growth plans for India and aligning with rising travel demand and the rapid expansion of Indiaâs aviation tourism and airportled urban infrastructure sectorsâAs the Adani Group expands its presence across hospitality and airportled urban infrastructure our vision is to create worldclass destinations that seamlessly integrate travel stay and urban experiences around Indiaâs rapidly growing aviation ecosystem We are building this platform in partnership with leading international hotel brands that bring global standards operational excellence and scaleâ said Pranav Adani Director Adani Enterprises Limited AELâOur collaboration with IHG Hotels amp Resorts and the development of five hotels across key gateway destinations marks an important step in strengthening highquality hospitality infrastructure aligned with Indiaâs longterm travel and economic growthâ Pranav Adani maintainedThe portfolio includes a Kimpton hotel in Jaipur as well as Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express hotels within upcoming hospitalityled mixeduse developments as part of the Adani Airport cities These hotels are planned across Navi Mumbai Mangaluru and ThiruvananthapuramIndiaâs largest private airport operator is also in advanced discussions with IHG to further deepen and expand this partnershipThe partnership also marks the debut of Kimpton Hotels amp Restaurants in India Known globally for its designled hotels chefdriven dining experiences and boutique luxury positioning Kimptonâs entry reflects the growing demand for premium lifestyle hospitality experiences in IndiaâThe partnership with Adani Airport Holdings reflects the scale of opportunity we continue to see in Indiaâs hospitality sector particularly across gateway cities and airportled developments that are witnessing strong demand from business leisure and transit travellers alikeâ said Sudeep Jain Managing Director South West Asia IHG Hotels amp ResortsAdani Airport City is focused on the development of integrated hospitalityled airport city destinations across India Managing eight airports that serve nearly 90 million passengers annually Adani Airport Holdings Limiteds network is being developed as integrated airport cities that blend aviation with retail hospitality and convention centresSpanning over 650 acres across key cities including Mumbai Navi Mumbai Ahmedabad Lucknow Jaipur and Guwahati Adani Airport City Limitedâs first phase will deliver 22 million sq ft of mixeduse developments comprising branded hotels experiential retail worldclass dining convention centres Grade A office spaces entertainment zones and arena districts IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/adani-airport-holdings-ihg-hotels-amp-resorts-sign-5-hotel-deal-to-boost-indias-travel-economic-growth-673872.html Thu, 14 May 2026 15:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/eci-to-roll-out-special-intensive-revision-in-phased-manner-across-16-states-3-uts-673873.html New Delhi May 14 The Election Commission of India ECI on Thursday announced the launch of the Special Intensive Revision SIR of electoral rolls in a phased manner across 16 States and three Union Territories It said this is going to be a major nationwide exercise aimed at strengthening the accuracy and transparency of voter lists According to the Commission the PhaseIII schedule of the SIR has been finalised while keeping in view the availability of the common field machinery currently engaged in the ongoing census houselisting operationsWith the commencement of Phase III the SIR exercise will effectively cover the entire country except for Himachal Pradesh Jammu amp Kashmir and LadakhThe Commission said the schedule for these three regions will be announced at a later stage after taking into account the completion of PhaseII of the census exercise as well as weatherrelated challenges in upper reaches and snowbound areasAs part of the largescale revision drive more than 394 lakh Booth Level Officers BLOs will conduct doortodoor verification of approximately 3673 crore electors during the Enumeration Phase The BLOs will be assisted by around 342 lakh Booth Level Agents BLAs nominated by various political partiesThe ECI described the SIR as a âparticipative and transparent exerciseâ involving electors political parties and election officials at multiple levelsStressing the importance of political participation the Commission urged all recognised political parties to appoint Booth Level Agents for every polling booth to ensure transparency inclusiveness and effective scrutiny during the revision processâI appeal to all electors to enthusiastically participate in Phase III of Special Intensive Revision SIR and fill their Enumeration Forms SIR is being conducted with the objective to ensure that Only Eligible voters to be included in the Electoral Roll and No Ineligible names to be includedâ said CEC Gyanesh Kumar on the launch of SIR Phase III in 16 States and 3 UTsThe Commission further said that the first two phases of the SIR exercise conducted across 13 States and Union Territories covered nearly 59 crore electors as on the date of issuance of the respective SIR ordersMore than 63 lakh BLOs and 92 lakh BLAs were engaged in various stages of the process during these phases it saidOfficials said the intensive revision exercise is aimed at ensuring errorfree electoral rolls by identifying duplicate shifted deceased or ineligible entries while facilitating the inclusion of all eligible voters IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/eci-to-roll-out-special-intensive-revision-in-phased-manner-across-16-states-3-uts-673873.html Thu, 14 May 2026 15:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/annamalai-criticises-dmk-tvk-over-remarks-on-sanatana-dharma-673874.html Chennai May 14 BJP leader K Annamalai on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the DMK and the TVK over remarks made against Sanatana Dharma accusing both parties of harbouring hatred towards Hindu beliefs and traditions The BJP leaderâs criticism after DMK MLA Udhayanidhi Stalin reiterated his controversial remarks on âSanathanamâ on the floor of the Tamil Nadu Legislative AssemblyTVK MLA VMS Mustafa later backed Udhayanidhiâs comments triggering a fresh political controversy in the stateIn a stronglyworded post on social media platform X Annamalai said the remarks made by leaders of the DMK and TVK reflected their âhatredâ towards Sanatana DharmaâDMK and TVK in their very short history have proven to the people that they are two sides of the same coinâ Annamalai saidHe further alleged that both parties had concealed their ideological stand during the election campaign and only revealed their âtrue intentionsâ after securing votesâIf either DMK or TVK had the courage of conviction they should have openly declared during their election campaigns that targeting Sanatana Dharma would be central to their politicsâ he claimedAnnamalai accused the two parties of âhiding behind secularism and theatricsâ during the polls and later insulting the faith of millions of people The BJP leader also warned that people would not remain silent over repeated attacks on Hindu beliefsâSanatana Dharma is not your punching bagâ he said adding that he hoped the remarks would not go âunpunished by the peopleâThe controversy surrounding Udhayanidhi Stalinâs comments on Sanatan Dharma has remained a major political flashpoint in Tamil Nadu over the past two years with the BJP repeatedly accusing the DMK of hurting Hindu sentimentsThe latest intervention by TVK MLA Mustafa has further intensified the debate with the BJP attempting to portray both the ruling DMK and Vijayled TVK as parties sharing a common ideological stand against Hindu traditionsThe DMK however has maintained that its criticism is directed at caste discrimination and social inequality associated with certain interpretations of Sanatan practices and not against individual religious beliefs IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/annamalai-criticises-dmk-tvk-over-remarks-on-sanatana-dharma-673874.html Thu, 14 May 2026 15:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sunil-mittal-plans-to-hand-over-airtel-reins-to-next-generation-in-next-10-years-673879.html New Delhi May 14 Airtel Chairman and Managing Director Sunil Bharti Mittal on Thursday said that he plans to hand over the reins of the telecom major to the next generation in the next ten years I wish to hand over the reins to the next generation in the next 10 years Mittal said in the companys concallMittal was reappointed as Chairman of Bharti Airtel for another fiveyear term on Wednesday with effect from October 1 2026 The companys board also approved the reappointment of Nisaba Godrej as an Independent Director for a second term of five years effective August 4 this yearThe Airtel CMD said that he was not happy with the Q4 financial results of Airtel and would be working to step up the Average Revenue Per User ARPU of the telecom majorAirtels mobile services segment in India contributed 28831 crore to the total revenue in Q4 FY2026 with growth of 83 per cent during the JanMarch quarter The growth came on the back of a rising customer base along with about 5 per cent growth in ARPU to Rs 257 from Rs 245 earlier the company has stated in a regulatory filingBharti Airtel posted a 335 per cent decline in consolidated net profit to Rs 7325 crore for the March 2026 quarter mainly due to onetime provisions related to statutory and tax liabilitiesThe companys annual revenue crossed Rs 2 lakh crore for the first timeAirtelâs consolidated revenue from operations rose 156 per cent to Rs 553832 crore in Q4 FY26 from Rs 478762 crore annually driven by a 40 per cent jump in the Africa businessShares of Bharti Airtel rose over 3 per cent on Thursday a day after the company announced its JanuaryMarch quarter results Despite reporting a lowerthanexpected net profit in the March quarter owing to a onetime charge investors remain largely upbeat on the stock on the back of the companys strong fundamentals In March 2026 the company crossed a milestone of 65 crore customers as part of its expanding business IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sunil-mittal-plans-to-hand-over-airtel-reins-to-next-generation-in-next-10-years-673879.html Thu, 14 May 2026 15:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/vijay-govt-announces-2-pc-da-hike-for-employees-pensioners-673890.html Chennai May 14 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Thursday announced a two per cent increase in Dearness Allowance DA for state government employees teachers pensioners and family pensioners raising it from 58 per cent to 60 per cent with retrospective effect from January 1 2026 The announcement was made through an official government press release issued by the Department of Information and Public RelationsThe move is expected to benefit nearly 16 lakh government employees teachers pensioners and family pensioners across the stateAccording to the statement the decision was taken after the Union government enhanced the Dearness Allowance for Central government employees from 58 per cent to 60 per cent with effect from January 1 2026The Tamil Nadu government has now extended the same benefit to state government staff and pensionersThe state government said the hike reflects its commitment towards the welfare of its employees and teachers who play a crucial role in implementing welfare schemes and public service initiatives across the stateThe press release noted that the administration led by Chief Minister Vijay has been focused on introducing and effectively implementing several peoplecentric welfare measuresOfficials said the increase in DA would result in an additional annual expenditure of approximately Rs 1230 crore for the state exchequer Despite the financial burden the government has decided to allocate the necessary additional funds keeping in mind the welfare of employees teachers pensioners and family pensionersThe announcement comes at a time when the newly elected Tamil Nadu government is rolling out a series of administrative and welfarerelated measures following the 2026 Assembly electionsEmployee unions and pensionersâ associations have welcomed the move stating that the hike would provide relief amid rising living costs and inflationary pressuresThe revised Dearness Allowance will be implemented retrospectively from January 1 2026 and the government is expected to issue detailed orders regarding disbursement and arrears soon IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/vijay-govt-announces-2-pc-da-hike-for-employees-pensioners-673890.html Thu, 14 May 2026 16:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-leadership-decision-after-the-call-from-delhi-chennithala-retreats-into-silence-673891.html Thiruvananthapuram May 14 As celebrations erupted in Congress circles following the announcement of V D Satheesan as Keralaâs next Chief Minister an air of silence and disappointment descended over the residence of veteran party leader Ramesh Chennithala where hopes had remained very much alive until the very last moment For Chennithala one of the seniormost leaders in the Congress and among the principal contenders for the top post Thursdayâs decision was perhaps the closing of a political chapter he had long hoped would end at Cliff House the official residence of Kerala Chief MinisterA loyal organisational soldier for decades Chennithala had risen through the ranks of the Congress at a remarkably young age becoming a minister at just 27 in the cabinet led by then Chief Minister K KarunakaranEven at 70 party insiders say he believed seniority experience and years of service to the Congress might finally tilt the balance in his favourTill Thursday morning optimism reportedly lingered within his campBut around 10 am according to sources close to the leader a crucial telephone call came from senior party leader Rahul Gandhi in DelhiSoon after receiving the message Chennithala quietly withdrew to his bedroomFor nearly half an hour the veteran leader remained inside even as close associates and legislators waited outside anxiouslyWhen he finally emerged it had become clear that the Congress high command had settled on SatheesanWhat followed was a political disappearance of sortsThree of Chennithalaâs closest confidants all newly elected MLAs were closeted with him briefly before the veteran leader quietly slipped out through the rear entrance of the residence avoiding the growing media presence outside his homeAs television crews and reporters waited for a reaction after Satheesanâs formal announcement aides simply maintained that âChennithala is not at homeâSources later indicated that the senior Congress leader had begun travelling towards his hometown Haripad in Alappuzha district and was expected to proceed from there to the famed Guruvayur Temple for the earlymorning darshan on FridayHis absence is likely to be politically noticed because it means Chennithala may skip the customary Congress Legislative Party meeting later in the day where Satheesan will formally be elected CLP leader a moment that will officially seal the Congressâ generational transition IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-leadership-decision-after-the-call-from-delhi-chennithala-retreats-into-silence-673891.html Thu, 14 May 2026 16:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-included-in-revised-eu-draft-list-for-continued-aquaculture-product-exports-673896.html New Delhi May 14 The government on Thursday said India has been included in the revised draft list published by the European Union for continued export of aquaculture products to the EU market Indiaâs proposed inclusion is a major positive development for the countryâs seafood export sector and reflects the European Unionâs confidence in Indiaâs regulatory systems residue monitoring mechanisms and food safety standards âOnce formally adopted by the European Commission the revised regulation is expected to ensure uninterrupted export of Indian aquaculture products to the EU market beyond September 2026â said Commerce Ministry in a statementThe revied draft addresses concerns arising from the earlier omission in Implementing Regulation EU issued on October 4 2024 The earlier regulation had not included India among third countries authorised to export products of animal origin intended for human consumption to the EU from September 2026The European Union is one of the key destinations for Indian seafood exports During 2025â26 the EU emerged as the thirdlargest market for Indian seafood exports accounting for 1894 per cent of total export value worth 1593 billion Exports to the EU recorded significant growth over 2024â25 with export value rising by 4145 per cent and quantity by 3829 per cent Farmed shrimp continued to constitute the major share of exports to the regionThe development also recognises sustained efforts undertaken by the Department of Commerce through organisations such as the Marine Products Export Development Authority MPEDA and the Export Inspection Council EIC to strengthen regulatory compliance and promote responsible aquaculture practicesAccording to the statement India has consistently enhanced its systems relating to veterinary medicinal products antimicrobial residues traceability and quality assurance in aquaculture production and seafood processing The proposed inclusion is viewed as a positive outcome of continued technical engagement and regulatory cooperation between India and the European Union and is expected to support export growth employment generation and foreign exchange earnings from the seafood sector IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-included-in-revised-eu-draft-list-for-continued-aquaculture-product-exports-673896.html Thu, 14 May 2026 16:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kolkata-police-deputy-commissioner-biswas-finally-appears-before-ed-in-criminal-linked-syndicate-case-673897.html Kolkata May 14 Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Sinha Biswas appeared at the Enforcement Directorate ED office here on Thursday for questioning in a criminallinked syndicate case The development comes two days after the ED wrote a letter to the Directorate of Security asking to know the status of Biswas and whether he was serving any duty This was done to make the police officer who had skipped multiple summons of the agency appear before the ED officersThe central investigation agency had summoned him several times before including on April 28 the day before the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly election However Biswas did not turn up Fearing that Biswas might leave the country the ED finally issued a lookout notice against himThe Deputy Commissioner of Kolkata Police was asked to appear at the CGO Complex as part of the EDs investigation into a money laundering case against an alleged criminallinked syndicate run by Sona Pappu alias Biswajit PoddarSona Pappu a resident of Ballygunge in south Kolkata faces various charges including land grabbing and extortion There is also a case against him under the Arms Act The ED has started an investigation in the wake of several such allegations and has already arrested businessman Joy Kamdar in that caseBased on the information in this case the ED raided Biswass house on Fern Road last month and the official was not seen in public subsequently The day after the search the ED summoned Biswas and his two sons Sayantan and Manish to the CGO complex in the Sona Pappu case However none of them went to the ED office that dayEarlier the ED had summoned Biswas who is also a former OfficerinCharge of Kalighat police station in Bhabanipur for the investigation into the sand smuggling case However he did not appear before the ED officers Instead his lawyer went to the ED office According to sources Biwas sought time from the central investigation agency due to his busy schedule The ED is investigating allegations of financial misappropriation in a case related to sand smuggling and its officials wanted to question him in connection with that case also IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kolkata-police-deputy-commissioner-biswas-finally-appears-before-ed-in-criminal-linked-syndicate-case-673897.html Thu, 14 May 2026 16:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/shikohpur-land-deal-case-robert-vadra-fails-to-get-immediate-relief-from-delhi-hc-673898.html New Delhi May 14 Businessman Robert Vadra on Thursday failed to secure immediate relief from the Delhi High Court in a money laundering case linked to a 2008 land deal in Gurugramâs Shikohpur village A singlejudge Bench of Justice Manoj Jain was hearing Robert Vadraâs plea challenging a Rouse Avenue Court order taking cognisance of an ED complaint under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act PMLA and issuing summons to him and eight othersDuring the hearing senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi appearing for Vadra argued that some of the offences invoked in the predicate case under the Indian Penal Code IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act were added to the schedule of the PMLA after the alleged commission of the offence between 2008 and 2012He contended that the issue relating to jurisdiction and retrospective application of the provisions had been raised before the trial court but was not dealt withOpposing the plea ED counsel Zoheb Hossain submitted that Vadra had made âfalse and incorrect statementsâ in his petition âThis needs to go with costs I have done an exercise of pulling out all the bare acts Complete false submissions Section 467 IPC was there in its original inception in the PMLA schedule Ex facie false and incorrect statements are madeâ Hossain submittedThe Delhi High Court after hearing submissions on behalf of Robert Vadra and the ED which opposed the plea on maintainability grounds adjourned the matter for further hearing on May 18âMr Singhvi please come prepared on this aspect on Monday because that is your central plank We will hear you on Mondayâ Justice Jain saidEarlier on April 15 the Rouse Avenue Court had issued a summons to Vadra and eight others after taking cognisance of the EDâs prosecution complaint The Special Court had directed Vadra husband of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi and the other accused to appear before it on May 16Accordingly Robert Vadra will have to appear before the trial court on the date fixed in compliance with the summons issued to himThe ED has alleged that Vadraâs company Skylight Hospitality Private Limited acquired around 35 acres of land in Haryanaâs Shikohpur village in February 2008 for Rs 750 crore from Omkareshwar Properties Private Limited despite having limited capitalAccording to the probe agency no actual payment was made and the sale deed contained false declarations including reference to a cheque that was allegedly never issued or encashedThe ED has further claimed that the land was undervalued in the sale deed resulting in evasion of stamp duty and constituting an offence under Section 423 of the IPCIn its prosecution complaint the ED has identified Rs 58 crore as proceeds of crime and provisionally attached 43 immovable properties worth Rs 3869 crore allegedly linked to Vadra his proprietary concern Artex Skylight Hospitality Private Limited and associated entitiesThe federal antimoney laundering agency has sought a maximum punishment of seven yearsâ rigorous imprisonment under Section 4 of the PMLA along with confiscation of the attached propertiesIn October 2012 senior IAS officer Ashok Khemka had cancelled the Shikohpur land deal citing procedural irregularities Though an inhouse government panel later gave a clean chit to Vadra and DLF an FIR was subsequently registered after the BJP government came to power in Haryana IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/shikohpur-land-deal-case-robert-vadra-fails-to-get-immediate-relief-from-delhi-hc-673898.html Thu, 14 May 2026 16:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/right-choice-digvijaya-singh-endorses-satheesan-as-kerala-legislative-party-leader-673899.html New Delhi May 14 Senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Digvijaya Singh has extended his warm congratulations to VD Satheesan following his appointment as the leader of the Congress Legislature Party and the next Chief Minister of Kerala Singh shared his thoughts and a photograph of Shatheesan with Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on his X handleIn his message Singh emphasised that the selection of Satheesan marks a significant and positive step for the party leadershipSingh described Satheesan as a grassroots leader highlighting his deep connection with the fundamental levels of the political organisation and the general publicSingh said Satheesan possesses a strong base of support among specific demographics particularly noting that he enjoys the confidence and backing of the weaker sections of society and minority communitiesHe is a grassroot leader who enjoys the support of the Weaker Sections and Minorities Thank you âkhargeâ ji and Rahul ji for the Right Choice Singh wrote on X After days of speculations and highvoltage lobbying from Thiruvananthapuram to Delhi the Congress high command finally picked VD Satheesan as Keralaâs 13th Chief Minister on Thursday The announcement was made in Delhi by Congress top leaders Deepadas Munshi Mukul Wasnik and Ajay MakenBorn in Kochi district and turning 62 later this month Satheesan built his political identity not through backroom factional arithmetic but through relentless Assembly performances and organisational workA lawyer by profession he entered the Assembly from Paravur in 2001 and soon earned a reputation as one of the Congress partyâs sharpest debatersSatheesan after he was chosen for the top job in Kerala addressed the media and sought to project unity within the party âThe Congress has given me a huge responsibility and I am deeply thankful to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhiâ Satheesan said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/right-choice-digvijaya-singh-endorses-satheesan-as-kerala-legislative-party-leader-673899.html Thu, 14 May 2026 16:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/responding-to-pm-modis-call-residents-of-jammu-border-village-bring-back-traditional-stoves-673907.html Jammu May 14 Declaring their support for Prime Minister Narendra Modis appeal to save fuel around 40 families from a border village in Jammu pledged to cook food on traditional stoves The women made chapattis and vegetables on stoves using wood and cow dung PM Modis appeal to save petrol diesel LPG and oil and not to buy jewellery for a year came in view of the ongoing West Asia conflict and the resultant global hike in crude oil pricesSpeaking to IANS a woman from Gajansu village located near the International Border in Jammu appealed to people across the nation to follow the same practiceShe said Now is the time to rise when the country is facing difficulties Everybody should shift to stoves to cook food to save cooking gas and oilReferring to the lockdown during the Covid pandemic she said At that time too people had followed PM Modis directiveAnother woman added Given the current situation we should go back to earlier times when we used to cook food on stoves using wood and cow dungThere are 40 to 50 families in our village Even during Covid all of us followed the lockdown guidelines this time too we are adhering to his appeal she mentionedFurther she described the advantages of cooking food on stovesShe said Food that is cooked on traditional stoves is better than what is cooked on gas This food is good for health Even the ash which is left after cooking on the stove is useful for washing utensils Also one can sit comfortably and cook on the stove rather than standing for an extended period while cooking on gas she addedMoreover the women highlighted that consuming food cooked on stoves can contribute towards a healthy lifestyle since one can avoid using oilAshwani who is also a resident of the village asserted that during the Covid pandemic other countries learned from India about how PM Modi runs the countryHe said Even during Operation Sindoor the majority of residents in border areas did not leave their houses despite shelling from Pakistan and stood by the nationPraising PM Modis appeal he urged citizens to follow the directiveAll the 40 families here have turned to stoves to save LPG I hope this initiative will inspire others too to save fuel he mentionedMoreover Ashwani urged people to carpool to save petrol and diesel There is nothing to be scared of our country is independent enough he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/responding-to-pm-modis-call-residents-of-jammu-border-village-bring-back-traditional-stoves-673907.html Thu, 14 May 2026 17:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/dri-seizes-diamonds-worth-over-rs-57-crore-at-mumbai-airport-two-arrested-673908.html Mumbai May 14 The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence DRI Mumbai has seized diamonds worth over Rs 57 crore at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International CSMI Airport and arrested two persons for allegedly attempting to smuggle them to Bangkok According to the DRI the accused were intercepted at the Mumbai airport based on specific Intelligence inputs During examination and questioning both passengers admitted that they had concealed two capsules each inside their bodiesThe capsules were later purged by the passengers leading to the recovery of 1624 carats of diamonds including natural diamonds as well as labgrown ones The total value of the seized diamonds has been estimated at approximately Rs 570 croreOfficials said the diamonds had been deliberately concealed for the purpose of illegal exportThe recovered diamonds were seized under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act 1962 and both accused persons were arrestedThe DRI stated that further investigation is underway to dismantle the syndicate allegedly involved in the smuggling operation which appears to have links to international money laundering activitiesEarlier on April 20 the DRI Mumbai had arrested an importer for smuggling âWatermelon Seedsâ and âGreen Peasâ worth Rs 139 crore from Tanzania Sudan and CanadaThe illegal consignment was seized at Nhava Sheva Port and the proprietor of the importing firm â a key person behind this organised smuggling â was arrested on Sunday said a statement issued by the DRIâActing on specific Intelligence officers intercepted 132 containers containing approximately 3029 metric tonnes of goods misdeclared as âToor DalPigeon Peasâ The seized consignments are valued at around Rs 139 croreâDetailed examination revealed blatant misdeclaration with recovery of 2710 MT of watermelon seeds originating from Tanzania and Sudan and 319 MT of green peas from Canada instead of the declared goods âToor DalPigeon PeasââThe government had imposed strict import restrictions on these commodities to safeguard domestic farmers from lowpriced importsâImport of melon seeds has been restrictedprohibited post June 2024 DGFT Notification No 052023 dated April 5 2024 while imports of green peas are restricted under DGFT Notification No 372015â20 dated December 18 2019 subject to a Minimum Import Price Rs 200kg CIF and restricted import through Kolkata port onlyâThe DRI continues to intensify Intelligencedriven operations against the smuggling of restrictedprohibited goods reaffirming its commitment to protecting the nations economic interests ensuring a level playing field for domestic producers and enforcing compliance with import regulations the statement saidâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/dri-seizes-diamonds-worth-over-rs-57-crore-at-mumbai-airport-two-arrested-673908.html Thu, 14 May 2026 17:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/severe-heatwave-grips-madhya-pradesh-khajuraho-sizzles-at-454-degrees-celsius-673910.html Bhopal May 14 Madhya Pradesh continued to reel under severe heatwave conditions on Thursday with the India Meteorological Department IMD centre in Bhopal issuing a detailed weather bulletin highlighting a sharp rise in temperatures across several parts of the state According to observations recorded on May 14 2026 the state is witnessing extreme weather conditions marked by intense heatwaves warm nights and isolated incidents of rainfall storms and hailKhajuraho in Chhatarpur district recorded the highest maximum temperature in the state at 454 degrees CelsiusOther cities witnessing scorching conditions included Ratlam at 452 degrees Celsius and Dhar at 45 degrees CelsiusIn contrast Pachmarhi recorded the lowest minimum temperature at 194 degrees CelsiusThe meteorological summary stated that maximum temperatures remained largely stable during the past 24 hours but were appreciably above normal in the Indore and Ujjain divisionsHeatwave conditions have already been recorded in districts such as Dhar Ratlam and Khajuraho while residents in Indore and Ujjain experienced uncomfortable warm nightsLooking ahead the IMD has issued warnings for continued heatwave conditions across several districts including Guna Rajgarh and GwaliorResidents in Bhopal and adjoining areas are likely to witness partly cloudy skies with temperatures expected to hover around 43 degrees CelsiusDespite the prevailing heat some regions received brief spells of moistureIsolated rainfall was reported from the Jabalpur and Shahdol divisions with Khairlanji receiving 112 mm rainfallSome areas including Seoni also reported hailstorms while Satna witnessed a dust stormStrong gusty winds were recorded in several places reaching speeds of up to 52 kmph in ChitrakootAuthorities have advised people to remain hydrated and avoid exposure to direct sunlight between noon and 3 pmFarmers have also been advised to undertake frequent irrigation and use mulching techniques to protect crops from rising temperaturesWith temperatures expected to rise by another two to three degrees Celsius over the next three days the state administration remains on alert over worsening summer conditions IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/severe-heatwave-grips-madhya-pradesh-khajuraho-sizzles-at-454-degrees-celsius-673910.html Thu, 14 May 2026 17:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/searches-at-7-locations-in-mumbai-gurugram-bengaluru-in-reliance-ada-group-cases-cbi-673915.html New Delhi May 14 The Central Bureau of Investigation CBI on Thursday said it has conducted searches at seven premises in connection with a case registered against Reliance Communications Ltd one of the Reliance ADA Group companies These premises were spread across Mumbai Gurugram and Bengaluru the Bureau said in a statementâThe searches were conducted at the residential premises of the then CEO CFO and Directors of the company who served during the period 2015â2017 The searches were conducted on the strength of Search Warrants dated 14052026 issued by the Special Judge for CBI Cases Mumbai The searches resulted in seizure of incriminating documents and further investigation is continuingâ said the CBIThe CBI during the last few months has registered seven cases against the Anil Ambaniled Reliance Group on the complaints lodged by various Public Sector Banks PSBs and LIC in connection with alleged frauds involving thousands of crores of rupeesThe total quantum of alleged loss in these cases is Rs 27337 croreCBI earlier conducted searches at 31 locations in the last few months after registration of these casesTwo senior executives of RCom D Vishwanath Joint President of Reliance Communications who was overall incharge of banking operations of the Group and Anil Kalya Vice President who had actively supported D Vishwanath in managing banking operations and paymentsutilisation of funds were arrested on April 20Both the accused persons are presently in judicial custody The investigation into the cases relating to the Anil Ambaniled Reliance Group is being monitored by the Supreme Court said the CBILast Saturday the CBI conducted searches at 17 premises in Mumbai in connection with three cases registered against Anil Ambaniled Reliance ADA Group companies Reliance Telecom Ltd Reliance Commercial Finance Ltd Reliance Home Finance Ltd and their Directors IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/searches-at-7-locations-in-mumbai-gurugram-bengaluru-in-reliance-ada-group-cases-cbi-673915.html Thu, 14 May 2026 18:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bihar-tejashwi-yadav-granted-bail-in-covid-period-case--673919.html Patna May 14 Leader of the Opposition in Bihar Tejashwi Yadav was granted bail on Thursday in a sixyearold case dating back to the COVID19 periodâ He appeared before the MPMLA Court in Patna and surrendered before the court of Praveen Kumar Malviya following which his bail plea was acceptedâThe case pertains to protests and sitins organised during the COVID19 pandemicâAccording to Tejashwi Yadav the FIR was registered by the administration in a forced manner in response to demonstrations he led to highlight public grievances during the crisisâSpeaking to the media after securing bail he said âDuring the COVID period a case was forcibly registered against me by the administration As a public representative I organised protests to raise issues affecting the publicââTejashwi Yadav recalled the hardships faced by migrant workers during the pandemic when thousands were forced to walk back to their homes due to a lack of transport facilitiesâHe alleged that the government did not make adequate arrangements at the timeâHe stated that the Opposition had a responsibility to raise these concerns and ensure that the voices of affected people reached the governmentâTargeting the administration the RJD leader said that taking action against leaders for raising public issues goes against democratic principlesâHe asserted that the Opposition would continue to speak up for the rights and welfare of the peopleâThe case is among several filed during the pandemic period when protests over lockdown measures and migrant worker issues led to FIRs under various sections for alleged violations of guidelinesâTejashwi Yadav also targeted the Centre following Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs appeal to citizens to conserve energy reduce the use of petroleum products and adopt public transportationâReacting to the appeal Tejashwi Yadav said that such a message reflects the failure of the governmentâs policiesâHe remarked that a similar appeal had been made during the demonetization period and questioned its outcomeââThe Prime Ministerâs appeal to the nation is actually a sign of policy failure A similar appeal was made during demonetizationâwhat came of it The decisions taken by the Prime Minister in the past have not been in the interest of the common peopleâ he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bihar-tejashwi-yadav-granted-bail-in-covid-period-case--673919.html Thu, 14 May 2026 18:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/maha-begins-voter-roll-revision-986-crore-voters-to-be-verified-673921.html Mumbai May 14 In a massive effort to ensure the accuracy of electoral rolls the Election Commission of India has announced the third phase of the âSpecial Intensive Revisionâ campaign across 16 states and three Union Territories from June 30 to July 29 The final electoral roll will be released on October 7â Maharashtra is a key participant in this phase with the electoral machinery set to verify the records of approximately 986 crore voters through doortodoor visitsâBooth Level Officers will personally visit every household to verify the details of 98644413 registered voters in the state To maintain transparency the Election Commission of India has encouraged political parties to appoint Booth Level Agents to assist and supervise the process alongside the Booth Level Officers the government release saidâThe schedule has been strategically aligned with ongoing Census activities to optimise the use of field machinery and personnel The revision process is slated to begin in June and will conclude with the publication of the final list in October 2026ââThe schedule for the third phase has been fixed keeping in mind ongoing Census work involving field staff In Maharashtra the drive will begin in June 2026 and conclude in October 2026ââFrom June 20 to 29 2026 training and preparation for Booth Level Officers will take place from June 30 to July 29 2026 doortodoor visits to voters will be conducted on August 5 2026 the draft electoral roll will be published from August 5 to September 4 2026 there will be a window for filing claims and objections and on October 7 2026 the final electoral roll will be publishedâ said the releaseâThe primary goal of this intensive drive is to create a âzeroerrorâ voter listâBy visiting households officials aim to identify and remove voters registered in multiple constituencies strike the names of individuals who have passed away from the register to prevent fraudulent voting and ensure that every eligible citizen who has recently turned 18 or changed residence is includedâThe Election Commission has issued a special appeal to all political parties to ensure their agents are present at every polling station emphasising that their cooperation is vital for a fair and democratic revision processâTypically voter list updates are âsummary revisionsâ where the onus is often on citizens to file forms for changes However an Intensive Revision as the one announced for 2026 involves the administration proactively reaching out to every citizenâThis move is particularly significant in Maharashtra a state with high internal migration and rapid urbanisation which often leads to discrepancies in residential addresses and voter dataâBy syncing this with the Census infrastructure the government aims to achieve a level of data integrity that annual updates cannot provide according to government sources IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/maha-begins-voter-roll-revision-986-crore-voters-to-be-verified-673921.html Thu, 14 May 2026 19:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rjd-wins-bhojpurbuxar-mlc-bypoll-nda-faces-first-electoral-setback-under-cm-choudhary--673922.html Patna May 14 In a significant political development in Bihar the NDA has suffered its first electoral defeat since Samrat Choudhary assumed office as Chief Minister The Rashtriya Janata Dal RJDbacked Mahagathbandhan candidate Sonu Kumar Rai won the Legislative Council byeelection for the BhojpurâBuxar Local Authorities constituency defeating Janata Dal United nominee Kanhaiya Prasad by 340 votesVoting for the byeelection was held on May 12 with counting beginning at 800 AM on ThursdayOut of a total of 5956 votes cast Sonu Kumar Rai secured 2486 votes while Kanhaiya Prasad received 2146 votes Manoj Upadhyay got 636 votes and as many as 621 votes were declared invalidThe counting process was conducted across 13 tables in two roundsSonu Kumar Rai maintained a consistent lead from the initial rounds of countingAs the trend became clear enthusiasm grew among RJD workers and supportersFollowing the official declaration of results celebrations erupted with party workers distributing sweetsThe victory is being seen as a major boost for the Mahagathbandhan and a morale setback for the NDA government in the stateThe seat had fallen vacant after Radhacharan Seth resigned upon being elected as an MLASonu Kumar Rai son of former MLC Laldas Rai has long been associated with the RJD and its leadership under Tejashwi YadavRJD Chief Spokesperson Shakti Singh Yadav hailed the victory stating âWherever elections are conducted through ballot papers we will winâHe further alleged irregularities in elections conducted via Electronic Voting Machines EVMs a claim often raised in political debates though denied by the Election Commission of IndiaEjaz Ahmed spokesperson for the Bihar State RJD stated that this victory serves as a clear affirmation â stamped by the people of Bhojpur and Buxar â of the publics enduring trust and support for the RJDKanhaiya Prasad son of Radhacharan Seth was fielded by the JDU with backing from the NDADespite the partyâs efforts he fell short in the closelycontested election IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rjd-wins-bhojpurbuxar-mlc-bypoll-nda-faces-first-electoral-setback-under-cm-choudhary--673922.html Thu, 14 May 2026 19:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/education-key-to-nation-building-in-ai-era-delhi-l-g-ts-sandhu-673932.html New Delhi May 14 Delhi Lieutenant Governor LG TS Sandhu said on Thursday that education remains the strongest foundation for nationbuilding in this era of rapid transformation driven by artificial intelligence and technology Addressing the graduating students at the Convocation of BR Ambedkar University LG Sandhu encouraged the youth to move beyond college degrees and embrace continuous learning innovation and leadershipFor the graduating students present here today this occasion is therefore not merely the conclusion of your academic journey It is the beginning of a larger responsibility The knowledge and values you have acquired here must ultimately contribute to society and to the nation in meaningful ways he saidI would also urge you to remain deeply connected to the society around you Education acquires its true meaning when it uplifts not only individual lives but also the communities and institutions around us the LG addedWhether you choose careers in public policy academia law media entrepreneurship social work or the arts carry with you a strong sense of integrity empathy and public purpose he saidLG Sandhu said that Delhi itself stands as a powerful reminder of this shared responsibility This city represents both history and aspiration the LG addedIt is shaped by diversity strength and ambition Its future will depend significantly on the contributions of young people like you individuals capable of combining professional excellence with social awareness and national commitment he saidUrging students to contribute meaningfully toward building a futureready city the LG added It is heartening to see the University emerge as a preferred institution through Common University Entrance Test CUET rooted in the values of inclusion academic excellence and critical thinkingIn a message on social media platform X LG Sandhu said I encouraged the graduates to move beyond college degrees and embrace continuous learning innovation and leadership As they step into the professional world I urged them to uphold the values of integrity and public purpose and contribute meaningfully toward building a futureready ViksitDilli and ViksitBharat IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/education-key-to-nation-building-in-ai-era-delhi-l-g-ts-sandhu-673932.html Thu, 14 May 2026 20:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/political-parties-welcome-bengal-govts-move-on-compulsory-vande-mataram-in-schools-673933.html Kolkata May 14 Political parties in West Bengal welcomed the state governmentâs decision to make the singing of âVande Mataramâ compulsory in staterun schools At the same time Opposition parties in the state said that the national anthem âJana Gana Manaâ must not be compromised in any wayâ Speaking to IANS Bharatiya Janata Party leader Shatorupa said that singing Vande Mataram in schools would instil a sense of national pride and patriotism among studentsââThe entire country has been singing Vande Mataram The previous Trinamool Congress government had stopped it in West Bengal Now the Bharatiya Janata Party government has implemented it once more We welcome the decision This will help instil a sense of patriotism among studentsâ said the Bharatiya Janata Party leaderâThe Trinamool Congress on the other hand said that it had no issue with the song being sung in schools as it was penned by a BengaliââThe song was written by a Bengali It helps take Bengalâs traditions and cultural values forward We have no objection to it But it must be ensured that the message of secularism brotherhood and amity is not overshadowed by thisâ said Trinamool Congress spokesperson Arup ChakrabortyâThe Congress also welcomed the state governmentâs moveâSpeaking to IANS Congress leader Ashutosh Chatterjee said âNo one should have any objection or reservation to this We welcome the decision to sing Vande Mataram in schools But we must not oppose Rabindranath Tagore and his songs in any wayââThe Communist Party of India Marxist also echoed the same sentimentâSpeaking to IANS party leader Kaustav Chatterjee said âThere is no objection to singing Vande Mataram But the national anthem must not be compromised We have to protect the Constitution and secularism That aspect must not be overlookedââThe West Bengal government on Tuesday instructed all staterun and aided schools to make the singing of Vande Mataram compulsory during morning assemblies with immediate effectâThe directive states that every student must sing the national song at the start of the school day Heads of institutions have been instructed to ensure strict complianceââThe singing of Vande Mataram during morning assembly prayers prior to the start of classes should be made mandatory so that Vande Mataram is sung by all students in all schools in the state with immediate effectâ the Director of Education specified in a communication to staterun and stateaided school heads on May 13âThe move comes shortly after the Union government initiated steps to strengthen provisions related to respect for national symbols including a proposed amendment to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act 1971 that would make obstruction to the singing of Vande Mataram a punishable offenceâEarlier schools in the state traditionally sang only the national anthem Jana Gana Mana composed by Rabindranath TagoreâIn recent years the previous Trinamool Congress government had introduced âBanglar Mati Banglar Jolâ also penned by Tagore in 1905 during protests against the partition of Bengal as the state songâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/political-parties-welcome-bengal-govts-move-on-compulsory-vande-mataram-in-schools-673933.html Thu, 14 May 2026 20:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ayushman-bharat-resulting-in-transformative-impact-health-secy-673935.html Puducherry May 14 Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava addressed the 12th Convocation of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences courses at the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research JIPMER highlighting the transformative impact of Ayushman Bharat and the 118 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs an official said on Thursday Conferring college degrees on 320 students across Nursing and Allied Health Sciences courses at JIPMER Srivastava elaborated on the four foundational pillars of Ayushman Bharat which represent a paradigm shift from a primary focus on reproductive and child health to a broader emphasis on screening early detection and management of noncommunicable diseases NCDsEmphasising quality in healthcare delivery she spoke about the importance of Indian Public Health Standards IPHS and the National Quality Assurance Standards NQAS an official statement saidShe noted that more than two lakh public health facilities including Ayushman Arogya Mandirs Community Health Centres and District Hospitals are being assessed for infrastructure and service gapsShe told that about 64000 public health facilities have already achieved NQAS certification and encouraged the graduates to actively contribute towards quality improvement in the institutions they joinShe outlined the remaining pillars of Ayushman Bharat including Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana AB PMJAY which provides financial protection and health assurance to beneficiaries the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission ABDM which enables creation of ABHA accounts for seamless digital health records and datadriven healthcare and the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission PMABHIM which is strengthening health infrastructure through initiatives such as critical care blocks and expansion of the Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratories VRDL networkThe Union Health Secretary described the convocation as a defining milestone in the lives of the graduating students She urged the graduating students to dedicate their professional journey to service compassion and nationbuilding noting that their contributions would significantly shape the future of the countrys healthcare systemShe emphasised that as graduates of the prestigious JIPMER they carry forward a legacy of commitment competence and ethical service which must be upheld in their professional livesSrivastava said that nursing and allied healthcare professionals form the backbone of Indias healthcare system playing a crucial role in both public health and clinical care deliveryShe highlighted key legislative reforms including the enactment of the National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Act and the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act aimed at strengthening education regulation and professional standards in these sectorsSrivastava also pointed to significant capacitybuilding initiatives including the establishment of 157 nursing colleges colocated with medical colleges and the Union governments commitment to nurture one lakh healthcare professionals over the next five years IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ayushman-bharat-resulting-in-transformative-impact-health-secy-673935.html Thu, 14 May 2026 20:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/punjab-fully-prepared-for-statewide-electoral-roll-revision-exercise-ceo-mitra-673936.html DW Bureau Chandigarh May142026nbspnbspPunjab Chief Electoral Officer CEO Mrs Anindita Mitra on Thursday said the Election Commission of India ECI will undertake a Special Intensive Revision SIR of electoral rolls across Punjab to ensure that the voter database remains accurate inclusive and free from discrepanciesnbspAddressing a press conference at the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer here Mrs Mitra said the largescale revision exercise will commence across the state from June 15 2026 As part of the programme Booth Level Officers BLOs will carry out extensive doortodoor verification to identify newly eligible voters shifted voters absent electors and duplicate entries in the electoral rollsShe said the primary objective of the exercise is to include every eligible citizen in the voter list while removing ineligible or duplicate entries in accordance with the provisions of the Representation of the People Act and guidelines issued by the Election Commission of IndianbspMrs Mitra informed that Punjab has completed most preparatory arrangements for the smooth implementation of the revision process Around 24453 BLOs 2476 Supervisors 117 Electoral Registration Officers EROs and 234 Assistant Electoral Registration Officers AEROs will be deployed across the state for the exerciseShe said each BLO has been assigned approximately 300 households and nearly 1200 voters to ensure effective fieldlevel verification and timely completion of the process Training programmes for BLOs and supervisory staff will be conducted from June 15 to June 24 2026The CEO said voter verification forms will be collected during the housetohouse campaign and BLOs will make up to three visits to households to ensure maximum voter coverage and retrieval of formsnbspMrs Mitra informed that under the PreSIR mapping exercise conducted by the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer Punjab mapping of over 179 crore voters has already been completed out of the total electorate of 214 crore voters in the state accounting for nearly 8369 percent coverage Rural areas have recorded around 8958 percent mapping while urban areas have achieved nearly 73 percent coverage so farShe further informed that the draft electoral rolls will be prepared and published on July 31 2026 after completion of rationalisation of polling stations by July 24 Following publication of the draft rolls citizens will be able to file claims and objections regarding inclusion deletion correction or shifting of voter details from July 31 to August 30 2026During the revision period Electoral Registration Officers EROs will issue notices conduct hearings and pass speaking orders on all claims and objections received The disposal process will continue till September 28 2026 while the final electoral rolls will be published on October 1 2026nbspProviding details about voterrelated forms Mrs Mitra said Form 6 will be used for inclusion of names in the electoral rolls while Form 8 can be used for correction updating and transfer of voter details Objections regarding duplicate or incorrect entries will also be entertained during the prescribed claims and objections periodnbspThe CEO clarified that Aadhaar Card will be accepted only as a means of identification and not as proof of citizenship during the revision exercise However in cases where voter details are successfully matched with previous electoral roll records additional supporting documents may not be requiredIn cases involving discrepancies or mismatch of records voters may be asked to provide supporting documents such as Aadhaar Card PAN Card Birth Certificate Passport educational certificates or other residence and identityrelated documents for verification purposesnbspMrs Mitra appealed to voters across Punjab to cooperate fully with BLOs during the housetohouse verification drive and ensure that their electoral details are accurate and updated She also urged political parties to appoint Booth Level Agents BLAs for smooth conduct and greater transparency in the revision processnbspShe added that the Election Commission is committed to conducting the Special Intensive Revision in a fully transparent participative and errorfree manner to strengthen the integrity of the electoral process in Punjab https://dailyworld.in/national/punjab-fully-prepared-for-statewide-electoral-roll-revision-exercise-ceo-mitra-673936.html Thu, 14 May 2026 20:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/us-authorities-likely-to-drop-case-against-adani-group-chief-soon-673937.html New Delhi May 14 IANS The US authorities are moving to resolve the allegations of fraud against Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani and bring to an end the case which has been lingering for more than a year according to sourcesnbspThe US Justice Department may announce the dropping of charges as early as this week Besides the Securities and Exchange Commission SEC is also moving to settle a parallel civil fraud case it brought against the billionaire industrialist and others in November 2024 according to people in the know of the matterWhile the Justice Department could effectively move to drop the charges with the defendants out of the country a resolution to the SEC would likely involve a monetary penalty sources saidThe case brought by the SEC alongside a criminal complaint by the Department of Justice alleges that the Adanis sought to pay over 250 million in bribes to Indian officials to secure solar energy contracts and concealed the scheme from US investors and banks when they raised fundsThe counsel for Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani stated in court that there was no credible evidence supporting the alleged bribery scheme They pointed out that the SEC lacked necessary jurisdiction over the two men and that the alleged misstatements underpinning the case werent actionableThe Adani Group has denied all allegations stating that none of its entities or executives has been charged under the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and that Adani Green Energy the renewable energy arm that raised the funds is not a party to the proceedingsLast month a US judge granted a request from Gautam Adani to schedule a hearing to dismiss the US SEC case of alleged fraud The plea states that the case represents an impermissible extraterritorial application of US law and that the SEC has failed to establish actionable claims under US securities lawsIn filings Adanis legal team has argued that the case lacks a sufficient jurisdictional basis and fails to establish actionable claims under US securities lawsThe plea also argues that the SECs claims over a 2021 bond sale by the Groups renewable energy arm Adani Green Energy are legally flawed on multiple groundsThe 750million bond sale was conducted outside the United States under Rule 144A and Regulation S exemptions with securities sold to nonUS underwriters and only later resold in part to qualified institutional buyers they saidThe Adanis argued that the SEC lacked personal jurisdiction saying neither of them had sufficient contacts with the US or direct involvement in the bond offeringThe plea filed by the lawyers added that the complaint does not allege that Gautam Adani approved the issuance attended key meetings or directed any activity at US investorsThe plea also highlights that the SEC does not allege that there were any investor losses and there were none The bonds have matured and Adani Green repaid all principal and interest in full to investors in 2024 it addedThe filing also contends the SECs case is impermissibly extraterritorial noting the securities were not listed in the United States the issuer is Indian and the alleged misconduct occurred entirely in IndiaIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/us-authorities-likely-to-drop-case-against-adani-group-chief-soon-673937.html Thu, 14 May 2026 23:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/amit-shah-nitin-gadkari-pay-tributes-to-sambhaji-maharaj-call-him-symbol-of-valour-673764.html New Delhi May 14 Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday paid homage to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj on his birth anniversary praising the Maratha ruler for freeing strategic areas from Mughal control and defeating their armies in numerous battles In a post on X both in Hindi and Marathi Shah hailed Sambhajis early embrace of patriotism and dharma his lifelong opposition to religious conversions and his ultimate sacrifice for swadharma swabhasha and swarajHaving imbibed the values ââof patriotism the defence of Dharma and the ideals of Hindavi Swaraj since his very childhood Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj liberated numerous strategic territories from Mughal occupation and defeated the Mughal army in countless battles the Home Minister said Resolute throughout his life in his commitment to preventing religious conversions Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj never allowed the torch of swadharma swabhasha and swaraj to be extinguished ultimately sacrificing his very life for these noble causes he added offering his countless salutations to the valiant defender of Dharma Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari also took to social media and paid tributes to the Maratha ruler Symbol of valour and bravery On the birth anniversary of Swarajya Rakshak Dharmaveer Chhatrapati Shri Sambhaji Maharaj offering respectful salutations to him Gadkari posted on XSambhaji Maharaj the eldest son of Shivaji Maharaj continued and adapted his fathers military legacy while facing intense multifront pressures from the Mughal Empire under Aurangzeb the Siddis of Janjira the Portuguese and other regional powers Sambhaji born on May 14 1657 ruled from 1681 to 1689 as the second king of the Maratha Empire IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/amit-shah-nitin-gadkari-pay-tributes-to-sambhaji-maharaj-call-him-symbol-of-valour-673764.html Thu, 14 May 2026 08:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/after-10-day-suspense-congress-to-announce-new-kerala-cm-today-673767.html Thiruvananthapuram May 14 Ten days after the results of the Assembly elections were announced Congress is set to announce the new Chief Minister of Kerala on Thursday The Congress high command on Wednesday night finally signalled that the wait for the southern stateâs next Chief Minister was nearing an endThe breakthrough indication came when Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh stepped out of Congress President Mallikarjuna Khargeâs residence in Delhi and announced that discussions authorised by the Congress Legislative Party had been completed and the new Chief Minister of Kerala would be declared on ThursdayThe statement though brief immediately sent waves across Kerala where political uncertainty has steadily snowballed ever since the Congressled UDF registered its emphatic victory by overthrowing the decadeold Left government led by Pinarayi VijayanBehind the scenes Wednesday witnessed hectic consultations involving Rahul Gandhi Kharge and veteran Congress strategist A K Antony as the leadership weighed the claims of the three principal contenders V D Satheesan Ramesh Chennithala and K C VenugopalAs Delhi deliberated Kerala simmeredThe most politically charged location in the state on Wednesday was Satheesanâs residence at Aluva where hundreds of supporters gathered from early morning and remained camped outside through the day closely following every development from the national capitalTelevision crews sloganshouting workers and constant speculation transformed the otherwise calm neighbourhood into a highvoltage political nerve centreAt Chennithalaâs residence in the state capital too supporters anxiously waited for the final word convinced that the veteran leaderâs experience and organisational acceptability still kept him firmly in contentionYet perhaps the most intriguing silence through the day surrounded VenugopalThe Congress General Secretary Organisation whose sudden emergence as a serious contender dramatically altered Keralaâs political equations and significantly prolonged the decisionmaking process was conspicuously absent from the highprofile consultations involving Rahul Gandhi and KhargeWhile the rival camps remained visibly active Venugopal stayed put at his Delhi residence fuelling intense speculation over quiet backchannel discussionsMeanwhile another lateevening political development triggered fresh curiosity in Kerala Senior Lok Sabha MP Kodikunnil Suresh was spotted visiting Antonyâs residence in Thiruvananthapuram setting off another round of whispers over possible lastminute interventionsNow after ten days of extraordinary suspense Kerala waits for the Congress high command to finally unveil the man who will become the stateâs 13th Chief Minister IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/after-10-day-suspense-congress-to-announce-new-kerala-cm-today-673767.html Thu, 14 May 2026 08:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/mk-stalin-expresses-gratitude-to-dmk-partners-but-omits-cong-pledges-secular-fronts-battle-for-tn-673782.html Chennai May 14 Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK President MK Stalin expressed gratitude to all alliance partners party workers and leaders of the Secular Progressive Alliance SPA asserting that the coalition would continue its ideological and political journey despite failing to secure power in the 2026 Assembly elections In a detailed statement Stalin said the alliance remained committed to protecting Tamil Naduâs rights and welfare and would continue to stand united against attempts to weaken the stateâs federal powers and social justice frameworkThanking leaders and cadres of the DMKled alliance Stalin said the coalition had collectively faced several electoral battles since 2019 including two Lok Sabha elections two Assembly elections local body polls and multiple byelections He noted that several new parties had joined the alliance during the 2026 Assembly election campaign strengthening what he described as a broad secular and democratic platform in Tamil NaduStalin said he would never forget the trust reposed in him by alliance partners and political movements that stood with the DMK during the election campaignHe thanked Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President K Selvaperunthagai MDMK General Secretary Vaiko DMDK leader Premalatha Vijayakanth and VCK President Thol Thirumavalavan CPI state secretary M Veerapandian CPIM leader P Shanmugam IUML leader KM Kader Mohideen Manithaneya Makkal Katchi president MH Jawahirullah Kongunadu Makkal Desia Katchi leader ER Eswaran and several other alliance leaders for their cooperation during the campaignThe DMK president also acknowledged the support extended by leaders and organisations that were not directly part of electoral politics but campaigned for the allianceHe made special mention of Dravidar Kazhagam president K Veeramani who campaigned extensively across Tamil Nadu despite being 93 years old and actorpolitician Kamal Haasan who had publicly stated that defeating ideological opponents was more important than seeking constituencies for electoral gainStalin said that as leader of the alliance he took full responsibility for all decisions related to seatsharing talks campaign coordination and political negotiations He also expressed regret if any alliance leaders or cadres had faced inconvenience during the electoral process because of his political decisionsReferring to the election outcome Stalin said the alliance may not have achieved a complete victory but securing over 154 crore votes and winning 72 Assembly seats reflected the enduring faith that the people of Tamil Nadu continued to place in the DMKled frontHe further stated that several alliance partners had already declared that they would continue their association with the DMK even after the election results which according to him demonstrated the ideological strength and unity of the coalitionâAs principled political parties we will remain united and continue our journey for the welfare of the people and the rights of Tamil Nadu We possess the strength and fighting spirit to protect Tamil Naduâ Stalin said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/mk-stalin-expresses-gratitude-to-dmk-partners-but-omits-cong-pledges-secular-fronts-battle-for-tn-673782.html Thu, 14 May 2026 09:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/mp-two-minor-girls-die-after-lightning-strike-in-tikamgarh-673610.html Bhopal May 13 Tragedy struck Tikamgarh district in Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday as two eightyearold girls identified as Nibiya and Tanvi Sahu lost their lives when lightning struck a tree under which they had taken shelterâ According to police the incident occurred between 7 pm and 730 pm during a sudden onset of thunderstorms and gusty winds in Baidora villageâThe fatal strike came amid extreme weather volatility in Madhya Pradesh where northern districts are battling severe storms while western and central regions are enduring a blistering heatwaveâReports indicate that the weather took a violent turn in the Niwari tehsil of Tikamgarh district where several villages were hit by hailstorms and intense windsâWhile these localised storms brought destruction and grief to the north the rest of the state remained gripped by relentless heatâRatlam emerged as the hottest spot in the state recording a maximum temperature of 445 degrees CelsiusâOther regions also faced highvelocity winds with Balaghat reporting wind speeds reaching up to 60 kilometres per hourâThe Weather Centre in Bhopal has issued an urgent forecast for the night hours predicting that the atmospheric instability will continueâResidents in Morena and Bhind have been warned of moderate thunderstorms with lightning and possible hail with wind speeds expected to reach 60 kilometres per hourâAdditionally light thunderstorms with lightning are likely to persist over Tikamgarh north Gwalior Sagar Damoh and north Chhatarpur including the tourist destination of KhajurahoâData from the meteorological department shows that several cities are currently exceeding 40 degreesâWhile Ratlam led the heat chart Gwalior recorded 431 degrees Celsius and Jabalpur recorded 416 degrees CelsiusâConversely Pachmarhi offered the only respite with a high of 358 degrees CelsiusâExperts suggest that the state is currently experiencing temperature fluctuations between dry heat from the west and moistureladen winds leading to localised convective activityâAuthorities have urged citizens to stay indoors during thunderstorms and avoid taking shelter under trees or near metal structures as the current weather patterns remain unpredictable and potentially lifethreateningâThe administration remains on high alert in the stormaffected northern belt to manage any further emergenciesâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/mp-two-minor-girls-die-after-lightning-strike-in-tikamgarh-673610.html Wed, 13 May 2026 07:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-to-hear-plea-against-madras-hc-order-barring-tvk-mla-from-floor-test-proceedings-today-673616.html New Delhi May 13 The Supreme Court is slated to hear on Wednesday a plea filed by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK MLA R Seenivasa Sethupathi challenging the Madras High Courtâs interim order restraining him from participating in any floor test proceedings in the Tamil Nadu Assembly amid a dispute over his onevote victory from the Tiruppattur Assembly constituency According to the details available on the official website of the apex court a Special Leave Petition SLP filed by Sethupathi was registered earlier on Tuesday and is listed before a bench of Justices Vikram Nath Sandeep Mehta and Vijay Bishnoi for hearing on WednesdayThe plea was mentioned for urgent hearing before Chief Justice of India CJI Surya Kant by senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi earlier on Tuesday following which the apex court agreed to list the matter for hearing on WednesdaySethupathi has moved the top court challenging the interim order passed by a vacation Bench of the Madras High Court restraining him from voting or otherwise taking part in any floor test including confidence motion noconfidence motion trust vote or any voting proceeding in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly where the numerical strength of the House is tested until further ordersA bench of Justices L Victoria Gowri and N Senthilkumar had passed the interim direction while hearing a writ petition filed by former Tamil Nadu Minister and DMK leader KR Periakaruppan who lost the Tiruppattur Assembly seat in Sivaganga district by a margin of just one voteAccording to the official results declared by the Election Commission of India ECI Sethupathi secured 83365 votes while Periakaruppan polled 83364 votesPeriakaruppan had alleged serious irregularities in the counting process and claimed that a postal ballot meant for Tiruppattur Assembly constituency No185 in Sivaganga district was mistakenly sent to Tiruppattur Assembly constituency No50 in Tiruppattur district near Vellore and was rejected there instead of being transmitted back to the correct constituencyIn its order the Madras High Court observed that the case disclosed a peculiar constitutional anomaly where a postal ballot admittedly relatable to a live and concluded election in one constituency was allegedly diverted to another constituency bearing a similar nomenclature and came to be rejected thereThe order said the controversy was not a routine election dispute involving recounting or rejection of votes simpliciter but arose from an antecedent administrative failure in preserving the integrity of the electoral chain itselfIt further observed that in an election decided by a margin of one vote every vote is not merely relevant it is potentially determinativeReferring to the alleged discrepancy of 18 EVM votes between two official sources and the disputed postal ballot the Madras High Court held that the issues could not be brushed aside at the threshold particularly in view of the razorthin margin of victoryIt had also directed election authorities to preserve all records connected with the counting process including postal ballot records rejected postal ballot covers EVM vote account records videographic footage of counting and all related materialsAt the same time the Madras High Court clarified that its interim order should not be construed as setting aside Sethupathiâs election or conferring any right upon the petitioner to be declared electedDuring the hearing before the High Court the Election Commission of India ECI had opposed the writ petition and contended that once election results are declared any dispute can only be adjudicated through an election petition under the Representation of the People Act 1951 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-to-hear-plea-against-madras-hc-order-barring-tvk-mla-from-floor-test-proceedings-today-673616.html Wed, 13 May 2026 07:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/1998-pokhran-tests-demonstrated-indias-unwavering-resolve-to-world-pm-modi-673638.html New Delhi May 13 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that the Pokhran nuclear tests of 1998 demonstrated Indias unwavering resolve to the world and showcased that no power can bend the nation In a post on X PM Modi said On this very day in 1998 the nuclear tests conducted by India demonstrated to the world just how unwavering our nations resolve is After the May 11 tests the entire world brought pressure to bear on India but we demonstrated that no power can bend IndiaPokhranII or Operation Shakti was a series of five underground nuclear tests conducted by India in May 1998 at the Indian Armys Pokhran Test Range in Rajasthan The tests occurred over two days May 11 three tests and May 13 two testsPrime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee authorised the tests with key scientific leadership from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam and the Atomic Energy Commission These tests established India as a nucleararmed state officially declared on May 11 now celebrated annually as National Technology Day Earlier on May 11 during the Somnath Amrut Mahotsav celebrations PM Modi recalled the nuclear tests conducted in Pokhran on May 11 1998 highlighting Indias firm and resolute resolve to take forward its nuclear ambitions despite immense pressure from world powersHe said that India conducted two nuclear tests in 1998 first on May 11 and then on May 13 and asserted that no power in the world could make the country and its citizens bow before external forcesinvoked the 1998 nuclear tests one of the defining moments in the countrys history to highlight Indias rise as a global power under the leadership of former Prime Minister late Atal Bihari VajpayeeOn May 11 India conducted three nuclear tests in Pokhran Our scientists showcased the countrys might and prowess before the world This sent shockwaves across the world he said addressing the gathering after Kumbhabhishek at the Somnath templeHe stated that the global powers took a grim view of our nuclear prowess and imposed a lot of economic sanctions and restraintsAnybody would have been shaken by this when global powers gang up against you But we are made of different soil After May 11 the world powers stepped up their vigil but our scientists had done the job Again on May 13 two more nuclear tests were conducted That day the world will come to know the atal resolute will of Indias political leadership PM Modi saidHe said that there was immense pressure on the country but under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee the BJP government had shown that the national interests reign supreme for us and no power in the world could force us to bow downThe Prime Minister also elucidated on the naming of the nuclear mission as Operation Shakti stating that it marked Indias growing selfbelief and strategic positioning despite hurdles IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/1998-pokhran-tests-demonstrated-indias-unwavering-resolve-to-world-pm-modi-673638.html Wed, 13 May 2026 09:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cm-vijay-seeks-trust-vote-in-tn-assembly-congress-left-vck-extend-support-673662.html Chennai May 13 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Wednesday moved the confidence motion in the state Assembly seeking to prove the majority of his newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVKled government amid dramatic political developments and growing divisions within the AIADMK Soon after the motion was introduced on the floor of the House MLAs belonging to the Congress Legislature Party and the CPI CPIM formally extended their support to the Vijayled administration strengthening the ruling allianceâs position during the crucial floor test Members of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi VCK also backed the confidence motion indicating broad support for the new government from its alliance partnersIn a significant political development a section of rebel AIADMK legislators led by senior leaders CVe Shanmugham and SP Velumani also extended support to the Vijay government during the trust vote proceedings The move further deepened the internal crisis within the AIADMK which has been witnessing an intense leadership tussle following the Assembly election defeatThe confidence vote assumes significance as the TVK emerged as the single largest party in the recently concluded Assembly elections but fell short of the majority mark in the 234member Assembly The party subsequently formed the government with the backing of Congress CPIM CPI and VCKParticipating in the debate on the confidence motion VCK MLA Vanni Arasu raised several policy demands and urged the new administration to adopt progressive reforms and continue welfareoriented governanceAddressing the Assembly Arasu called for the enactment of a stringent law against superstitious practices including astrology arguing that scientific temper and rational thinking should be promoted across society His remarks drew attention in the House as the issue has long remained part of Tamil Naduâs rationalist political discourseThe VCK legislator also urged the government to take immediate diplomatic and administrative steps to resolve the recurring issue of Tamil Nadu fishermen being arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy while fishing near the International Maritime Boundary Line He stressed that protecting the livelihoods and safety of fishermen from coastal districts must remain a priority for the new administrationIn addition Arasu appealed to the Vijay government to continue key welfare initiatives introduced by the previous DMK administration including the Breakfast Scheme for school studentsThe Assembly proceedings continued amid intense political interest with the ruling alliance appearing comfortably placed to secure the numbers required to win the trust vote IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cm-vijay-seeks-trust-vote-in-tn-assembly-congress-left-vck-extend-support-673662.html Wed, 13 May 2026 11:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/major-bureaucratic-reshuffle-in-gujarat-72-ias-officers-transferred-673668.html Gandhinagar May 13 In a major administrative exercise the Gujarat government on Wednesday effected a largescale reshuffle involving 72 IAS officers transferring and reassigning senior officials across district administrations municipal corporations and key state departments The reshuffle includes changes at collectorates across several districts such as Ahmedabad Surat Bharuch Navsari Morbi Dahod Junagadh Valsad KutchBhuj Arvalli Botad Tapi Narmada and Kheda alongside postings in Gandhinagar and multiple urban development bodiesAmong the prominent changes Ahmedabad Collector Sujeet Kumar has been appointed Special Commissioner of State Tax Bhavya Verma previously Collector of Valsad has been named the new Collector of AhmedabadSurat Collector Dr Sourabh Pardhi has been transferred as Director of Civil Supplies in Gandhinagar while Tejas Parmar earlier Municipal Commissioner of Junagadh has been appointed Collector of SuratIn other key movements DN Modi has been posted as Development Commissioner in Gandhinagar after serving in the Jamnagar Municipal CorporationAnand Patel formerly Collector of KutchBhuj has been appointed Commissioner of Schools in Gandhinagar and will also hold additional responsibilities relating to PMPOSHAN and the Gujarat Council of Educational Research and TrainingAjay Prakash has been moved from Gujarat Energy Development Agency to Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Limited as Managing Director while Gaurang Makwana has been transferred from Bharuch Collectorate to the Climate Change Department with additional charge of state power sector entities including Gujarat Power Corporation Limited and Uttar Gujarat Vij Company LimitedAt the district and municipal level several officers have been interchanged between collectorates and civic bodiesTransfers include postings involving Junagadh Morbi Navsari Vapi Mehsana Surendranagar and Gandhidham with multiple municipal commissioners shifted into district administration roles and vice versaIn Gandhinagar a significant administrative reshuffle has been carried out across departments including industries urban development tribal development civil supplies and energyOfficers have also been assigned additional charges in institutions such as Gujarat Informatics Limited Gujarat Livelihood Promotion Company Limited Gujarat Urban Development authorities and Swachh Bharat Mission UrbanThe notification further includes extensive reshuffling of district development officers and assistant collectors many of whom have been posted as project administrators in Tribal Area Sub Plan regions or reassigned to urban local bodies including the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation Vadodara Municipal Corporation and other civic agenciesOfficials said the 72post reshuffle covers a wide spectrum of governance functions spanning revenue administration infrastructure development urban management and welfare delivery marking one of the most extensive administrative reallocations in the state in recent times IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/major-bureaucratic-reshuffle-in-gujarat-72-ias-officers-transferred-673668.html Wed, 13 May 2026 11:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bomb-threat-at-jaipurs-sms-hospital-triggers-panic-probe-underway-673670.html Jaipur May 13 Jaipurâs Sawai Man Singh SMS Hospital received a bomb threat on Wednesday triggering panic among patients staff and visitors Acting swiftly police teams bomb disposal squads dog squads and Civil Defence personnel rushed to the site and launched an extensive search operation across the hospital campus Officials said that panic gripped SMS Hospital after the hospital received a bomb threat message demanding Rs 40 croreThe threatening message was reportedly received at the Abhay Command Centre warning that the hospital would be blown up if the money was not paidFollowing the alert police and multiple investigative agencies immediately launched a largescale security operation at the hospital premises Teams from the police fire brigade and dog squad rushed to the spot and an intensive search operation is currently underway across the hospital campus All suspicious objects and areas are being thoroughly checked by security personnel Authorities are investigating the source of the threat message while maintaining heightened security at the hospital After a thorough inspection authorities did not find any suspicious objectsHowever the incident once again exposed the growing challenge posed by repeated hoax threats across the state Dr Mrinal Joshi Superintendent SMS Hospital Jaipur said A threat to bomb the hospital was received at the Police Control Room Following this the police and other teams conducted a search of the hospital premises however no suspicious objects were found The police are investigating the matterRajasthan authorities have remained on heightened alert in recent months due to a series of bomb threats targeting key public institutions and landmarks Earlier similar threats were issued against the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly the Rajasthan High Court schools airports and courtcollectorate complexesAlthough investigations into previous cases did not uncover any explosives officials continue to treat every threat with utmost seriousness as per standard security protocols Jaipur has recorded the highest number of bomb threat incidents in the state Official data showed that over 20 such cases were reported in the capital in 2024 while the number rose to 34 in 2025 Jodhpur recorded the secondhighest number of incidents with 10 cases in 2024 and nine in 2025 Other cities also witnessed a sharp rise in such threats including Kota Ajmer Udaipur Alwar and Sri GanganagarPolice sources said Rajasthan has received nearly 40 bomb threat alerts since January this year alone In comparison the state recorded around 40 cases in 2024 and 55 cases in 2025Investigators noted that schools airports and courtcollectorate complexes have emerged as the primary targets of these threats Officials acknowledged that threats sent through emails and social media platforms have created significant technical and cyberinvestigation challenges for law enforcement agenciesDespite multiple investigations authorities have so far failed to identify or apprehend those responsible for issuing the threats Most alerts eventually turn out to be hoaxes but agencies remain compelled to respond to each incident with fullscale security measures to ensure public safety IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bomb-threat-at-jaipurs-sms-hospital-triggers-panic-probe-underway-673670.html Wed, 13 May 2026 11:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/people-fear-the-system-more-than-criminals-bjp-attacks-ktaka-govt-673672.html Bengaluru May 13 Senior BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka on Wednesday alleged that law and order has completely collapsed in Karnataka and questioned whether those entrusted with protecting the public had themselves become predators under the government led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah People fear the system more than criminals he stated with concern In a strongly worded statement Ashoka claimed that people in Karnataka were now more afraid of the law enforcement system than of criminals themselves Referring to recent reports on the police department he said the figures exposed an alarming picture of the stateâs law and order situationHe alleged that under the leadership of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the Congress government in Karnataka the police department has lost discipline ethics and public trust and has sunk into corruptionCiting statistics Ashoka said 713 police officers have been suspended in the last two years which according to him reflected not isolated misconduct but a systemic collapse within the departmentHe further alleged that criminal cases have been registered against 95 police personnel and questioned how citizens could trust the very people responsible for ensuring public safety if they themselves were involved in serious crimesAshoka also claimed that the names of police personnel had surfaced in cases related to robbery theft and murder âIf those responsible for enforcing the law begin violating it without fear how can justice survive in the stateâ he askedExpressing concern over Bengaluruâs image the BJP leader alleged that a majority of the suspended officers were from the city He warned that if law and order deteriorated to such an extent in Indiaâs technology capital it would damage Bengaluruâs brand value and reputationAshoka further claimed that more than 400 police officials have been found guilty in departmental inquiries and questioned what stringent action the government had taken against themAccording to him there was growing public fear that individuals allegedly collaborating with rowdysheeters running fake document networks and harassing innocent people were operating without fear of the lawCalling it not merely a failure of the police department but the âcomplete bankruptcyâ of the Home Department Ashoka asked who would guarantee the protection of peopleâs lives property and dignity under the Congress governmentâs guarantee schemesHe also questioned whether the government was controlling criminals or extending political protection to them Ashoka urged the government to immediately cleanse the system and restore public faith in the police department warning that public anger could eventually unseat the government from powerAshoka further accused the Karnataka government of neglecting the public education system and questioned whether there was a deliberate attempt to shut down government schools in the stateThe BJP leader alleged that the large number of vacant teaching posts in government schools reflected not merely an administrative failure but a âcruel negligenceâ that was allowing the public education system to slowly collapseHe claimed that 38163 teacher posts were currently vacant in government schools across Karnataka and said that nearly 22 per cent of teaching positions remained unfilled âIf one out of every five teaching posts is vacant how are schools expected to functionâ he askedAshoka also questioned whether the governmentâs flagship guarantee schemes could replace teachers in classrooms He said that if there were no teachers in schools poor children would be deprived of the basic education and guidance needed to build their futureThe BJP leader further criticised the Congress government for allegedly failing to fulfil its promise of recruiting 15000 teachers He accused the government of remaining silent on the issue after making public commitments regarding teacher recruitmentâDisplaying concern for education in advertisements while leaving schools without teachers in reality cannot be called social justiceâ Ashoka saidHe questioned whether the delay in recruitment was due to a lack of funds or a lack of political will Ashoka alleged that the government had sufficient funds for guarantee implementation committees luxury events and minority welfare programmes but claimed there was no money available for recruiting teachers for government schoolsâThis is not a financial problem it is a lack of willpowerâ he saidAshoka stated that a school without teachers was nothing more than an empty building and warned that education the future of poor children and social equality would all suffer if the situation continuedHe further alleged that the weakening of government schools could eventually be used as a reason to shut them down on the grounds of low student attendanceDemanding immediate action Ashoka urged the Karnataka government to begin a fullscale teacher recruitment process without delay and stop what he described as a systematic attempt to weaken and close government schools in the state IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/people-fear-the-system-more-than-criminals-bjp-attacks-ktaka-govt-673672.html Wed, 13 May 2026 11:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/oil-shock-air-india-to-suspend-several-international-flights-for-3-months-from-june-673680.html New Delhi May 13 IANS Air India has decided to suspend several international flights for three months beginning June amid surging jet fuel prices due to the Middle East crisis said reportsnbspMultiple reports said that the reduction in international flights from Delhi include key destinations like Chicago and Newark in the US Singapore and ShanghaiMoreover Air India flights to destinations like San Francisco Paris and Toronto have been cutnbspOverall the airline has reduced around 100 daily flights said reportsAir India CEO Campbell Wilson last week said that the airline would continue reducing international services amid higher fuel prices amid geopolitical tensionsFacing rising financial pressure and operational challenges Air India has intensified its internal compliance and costcontrol measures with the airline terminating more than 1000 employees over the last three years for ethical misconduct and policy violationsThe disclosure was made by Wilson during a town hall meeting with employees last weekWilson reportedly told staff that the airline had taken action against employees involved in multiple violations including misuse of the Employee Leisure Travel ELT system smuggling items off aircraft and allowing excess baggage without proper chargesThe airlines stricter enforcement comes at a time when it is battling significant financial stressThe Air India Group comprising Air India and Air India Express is projected to have posted losses of more than Rs 22000 crore in the financial year ended March 2026As part of its broader restructuring and turnaround efforts under the Tata Group the airline has already initiated several costsaving measuresThese include withholding annual salary increments for employees reducing discretionary spending and cutting noncritical expenditure across departmentsThe TataGroup airline implementing these measures as government data also showed that Air India Express reported a significant jump in losses during the FY25IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/oil-shock-air-india-to-suspend-several-international-flights-for-3-months-from-june-673680.html Wed, 13 May 2026 12:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/barmer-hottest-in-rajasthan-with-483-degrees-celsius-red-alert-issued-for-severe-heatwave-in-3-districts-today-673683.html Jaipur May 13 Rajasthan continues to reel under an intense heatwave with the Meteorological Department issuing a red alert for severe heatwave conditions in three districts on Wednesday while rain and thunderstorm activity is expected in five districts Barmer emerged as the hottest place in the state on Tuesday recording a maximum temperature of 483 degrees Celsius the highest of the season so farMeteorological data shows that Barmer had not recorded temperatures above 48 degrees Celsius before May 12 in the last ten yearsAccording to the Meteorological Department the district recorded 495 degrees Celsius on May 19 in 2016 Last year Barmer recorded 476 degrees Celsius on May 24 and 499 degrees Celsius on May 27 2024Rajasthan is likely to witness contrasting weather conditions on Wednesday too with scorching heat in western districts and rain activity in parts of eastern and northern RajasthanOn Tuesday western districts including Barmer Jaisalmer Jodhpur and Bikaner recorded maximum temperatures above 45 degrees CelsiusAt the same time a western disturbance triggered rain and thunderstorms in districts such as Alwar and Bharatpur during the evening hoursHailstorms were also reported from parts of Jhunjhunu while strong winds and dust storms brought temporary relief in Dholpur The impact of the western disturbance was also seen in Deeg Sikar Churu Hanumangarh and Sri GanganagarMeanwhile temperatures across the state crossed the 40 degrees Celsius mark on Tuesday as the severe heatwave continued to grip the stateAmid the rising temperatures the Meteorological Department has advised people to avoid direct sunlight during peak afternoon hours and remain hydratedOn Tuesday Phalodi recorded 464 degrees Celsius Jaisalmer 458 degrees Celsius Jodhpur 446 degrees Celsius Chittorgarh 456 degrees Celsius Kota 447 degrees Celsius Churu and Pilani 445 degrees Celsius each Fatehpur 44 degrees Celsius Jhunjhunu 448 degrees Celsius and Bikaner 45 degrees CelsiusOfficials said that temperatures across Rajasthan are currently running up to six degrees above normalIn Jaipur although a thunderstorm and rain alert had been issued for the capital on Tuesday the weather remained largely unchangedClear skies and hot winds persisted throughout the day in Jaipur The maximum temperature in Jaipur rose to 432 degrees Celsius on Tuesday while the minimum temperature settled at 291 degrees CelsiusAccording to the Meteorological Centre severe heatwave conditions are likely to persist over the next two days with red alerts issued for more than six districts and orange alerts for around ten districts IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/barmer-hottest-in-rajasthan-with-483-degrees-celsius-red-alert-issued-for-severe-heatwave-in-3-districts-today-673683.html Wed, 13 May 2026 12:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/tn-assembly-vijay-wins-trust-vote-with-144-in-favour-amid-aiadmk-rift-dmk-walkout-673685.html Chennai May 13 IANS Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay successfully cleared the first major test for his newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVKled government on Wednesday after winning the confidence motion in the Legislative Assembly with 144 votes in favournbspnbspWhile 22 MLAs voted against the motion five members abstainedFollowing the completion of the trust vote the Assembly was adjourned sine dieThe floor test witnessed dramatic scenes including a walkout by the DMK open divisions within the AIADMK and heated exchanges between rival camps in the HouseAhead of the voting Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin led all DMK MLAs out of the Assembly after sharply criticising the Vijayled government during the debate on the confidence motionHe accused the Chief Minister of encouraging political defections by meeting rebel AIADMK legislators earlier in the dayQuestioning the political developments surrounding the trust vote Stalin asked whether Tamil Nadu was witnessing change or exchange in politics He also alleged that the TVK government lacked a stable independent majority and was surviving through external support and defectionsThe situation inside the Assembly turned tense when AIADMK general secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami announced that all 47 MLAs belonging to his faction would oppose the confidence motionPalaniswami also objected to Vijays reported meeting with rebel AIADMK leaders and questioned the legitimacy of their support for the governmentHowever commotion erupted after Speaker JCD Prabhakar invited rebel AIADMK leader SP Velumani to participate in the debate on the trust motionAIADMK members loyal to Palaniswami strongly protested the move but the Speaker maintained that he had the authority to permit any member to speak in the HouseAmid loud protests from the AIADMK benches Velumani addressed the Assembly and subsequently led the rebel MLAs in voting in favour of the TVK government further exposing the deepening split within the opposition partyReplying to the debate before the vote Chief Minister Vijay asserted that his administration would remain firmly secular and committed to governance This government will function with the speed of a horse and not indulge in horse trading Vijay said in a sharp political remark directed at the oppositionHe also assured the House that all major welfare schemes implemented by previous governments would continue under the TVK administrationIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/tn-assembly-vijay-wins-trust-vote-with-144-in-favour-amid-aiadmk-rift-dmk-walkout-673685.html Wed, 13 May 2026 12:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/tn-assembly-vijay-wins-trust-vote-with-144-votes-in-favour-673686.html Chennai May 13 IANS Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay successfully cleared the first major test for his newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVKled government on Wednesday after winning the confidence motion in the Legislative Assembly with 144 votes in favournbspnbspWhile 22 MLAs voted against the motion five members abstainedFollowing the completion of the trust vote the Assembly was adjourned sine dieThe floor test witnessed dramatic scenes including a walkout by the DMK open divisions within the AIADMK and heated exchanges between rival camps in the HouseAhead of the voting Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin led all DMK MLAs out of the Assembly after sharply criticising the Vijayled government during the debate on the confidence motionHe accused the Chief Minister of encouraging political defections by meeting rebel AIADMK legislators earlier in the dayQuestioning the political developments surrounding the trust vote Stalin asked whether Tamil Nadu was witnessing change or exchange in politics He also alleged that the TVK government lacked a stable independent majority and was surviving through external support and defectionsThe situation inside the Assembly turned tense when AIADMK general secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami announced that all 47 MLAs belonging to his faction would oppose the confidence motionPalaniswami also objected to Vijays reported meeting with rebel AIADMK leaders and questioned the legitimacy of their support for the governmentHowever commotion erupted after Speaker JCD Prabhakar invited rebel AIADMK leader SP Velumani to participate in the debate on the trust motionAIADMK members loyal to Palaniswami strongly protested the move but the Speaker maintained that he had the authority to permit any member to speak in the HouseAmid loud protests from the AIADMK benches Velumani addressed the Assembly and subsequently led the rebel MLAs in voting in favour of the TVK government further exposing the deepening split within the opposition partyReplying to the debate before the vote Chief Minister Vijay asserted that his administration would remain firmly secular and committed to governance This government will function with the speed of a horse and not indulge in horse trading Vijay said in a sharp political remark directed at the oppositionHe also assured the House that all major welfare schemes implemented by previous governments would continue under the TVK administrationIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/tn-assembly-vijay-wins-trust-vote-with-144-votes-in-favour-673686.html Wed, 13 May 2026 12:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cbi-probe-extends-to-kerala-in-neet-leak-case-673690.html Thiruvananthapuram May 13 IANS The widening investigation into the NEET question paper leak has now cast a shadow over Kerala with the Central Bureau of Investigation CBI probing the possible involvement of students from two districts in the statenbspInvestigators suspect that a model question paper allegedly prepared from the leaked original NEET paper had reached several students in Kerala days before the examinationThe Kerala connection surfaced after the Rajasthan Police handed over details of nearly 200 students believed to have accessed the leaked paperAmong them are students linked to Kerala while investigators are also probing the role of a medical student from Churu Rajasthan currently studying in the stateOfficials suspect he acted as a key link in circulating the paper among aspirants in KeralaThe CBI has now widened its investigation to 10 states and formed a special investigation team deploying four separate squads to track the network behind what is emerging as one of the biggest entrance exam frauds in recent yearsPreliminary findings suggest the leak originated not during transportation of question papers as seen in earlier scams but directly from the printing press in Nashik Maharashtra where this years NEET paper was printedInvestigators allege that a medical student named Shubham Karniyar secured the original paper from the press and passed it through intermediaries in HaryanaFrom there it allegedly reached the masterminds operating from SikarTo avoid suspicion the original leaked paper was reportedly modified into the form of a model question paper before being circulated through networks in states including Kerala Telangana Andhra Pradesh and Bihar Investigators found that 90 Biology questions and 35 out of 45 Chemistry questions in the model paper matched the actual exam paperThe papers were allegedly sold through platforms such as Telegram and WhatsApp for amounts ranging from Rs 25000 to Rs 2 lakh exposing what officials describe as a highly organised interstate examination racketIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cbi-probe-extends-to-kerala-in-neet-leak-case-673690.html Wed, 13 May 2026 12:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pawan-khera-appears-before-assam-police-673694.html Guwahati May 13 IANS Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera on Wednesday appeared before the Crime Branch in Guwahati in connection with a case filed by Riniki Bhuyan Sharma wife of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa SarmanbspPawan Khera arrived at the Crime Branch office during the day and cooperated with the investigation an official saidEarlier the Supreme Court had granted anticipatory bail to Pawan Khera in the matter providing him protection from arrest while directing him to cooperate with the investigation processSpeaking briefly to mediapersons outside the Crime Branch office Khera said he has faith in the judiciary and would abide by the lawThe case stems from a complaint lodged by Riniki Bhuyan at the Guwahati Crime Branch Police StationThe complaint was filed over Kheras public allegations at a Press conference that she possessed multiple foreign passports and had financial interests abroadThe FIR invokes several Sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita including provisions related to false statements in connection with elections cheating forgery of valuable security forgery of public records using forged documents as genuine intentional insult and defamationKhera had initially approached the Telangana High Court which granted him one weeks transit anticipatory bail on April 10 to seek regular relief before the competent court in AssamSubsequently the Supreme Court stayed the operation of the transit anticipatory bail and clarified that any plea filed before the competent court in Assam would be considered independentlyIt later declined Kheras request to vacate the stay or extend interim protectionKhera then moved the Gauhati High Court seeking anticipatory bail The High Court rejected the plea observing that the matter was not one of simple defamation and that custodial interrogation was necessary to ascertain the source of the documents cited by himEarlier this month the Assam Police had also conducted searches at Kheras Delhi residence and pursued investigative steps in Hyderabad as part of its probe against the leaderIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pawan-khera-appears-before-assam-police-673694.html Wed, 13 May 2026 13:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/migration-becomes-isis-new-tool-to-derail-india-bangladesh-ties-reset-673698.html New Delhi May 13 Migration remains a sensitive issue between India and Bangladesh which have recently sought to reset ties on several fronts following Tarique Rahmanâs victory Bilateral relations had strained after the fall of the Awami League government Ties which deteriorated under the interim government improved significantly after Rahmanâs Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP won the elections Officials said migration is a sensitive issue and would be handled maturely by the two countriesThe worry is that many ISIbacked elements are trying to exploit this and spread a false narrative The ISI which has several of its stooges in Bangladesh has been instructed to drum up a narrative about migration and spread false news about itThis is not only to create communal discord but also to ruin bilateral ties between the two countries The ISI since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government has managed to expand its footprint across Bangladesh It has managed to set up several networks aimed at working against the interests of India and Bangladesh another official saidAn Intelligence Bureau official said that currently Pakistanâs ISI is operating covertly It is trying to tap into ideologically driven groups in Bangladesh The digital campaigns against India are being increased and the primary focus would be on migration the official addedWhile this would be the first phase of the plan the second would be to activate modules in the bordering states Outfits such as the HarkatulJihadi Islami HuJI and JamaatulMujahideen Bangladesh JMB are all active currently Most of their cadres have made several visits to Pakistan and have undergone training They have managed to set up several of their modules in the areas that border India and BangladeshPost the disinformation campaign that the ISI plans to run the next step would be to get these modules to act For India and Bangladesh sharing good ties is of utmost importance The relations are a pillar of stability in eastern South Asia Relations between the two countries are also important as it helps reduce crossborder terror battle insurgents all of which are crucial to peace in the northeastern statesBangladesh watchers say that there will be repeated attempts to drum up false narratives by these ISIbacked groups The Pakistanis have been attempting to make a strong imprint in Bangladesh and for this to happen derailing ties with India is something that they would try to doExperts say that the ISIâs Bangladesh project is nothing new It has been in place since the Liberation War This time around it wants to enhance its operational reach and hence there is a sudden surge in activity the experts also point outOfficials say the thaw in relations between the two countries has not gone down too well for the Pakistanis Since the BNP came to power both India and Bangladesh have been closely working on border management consular service and Joint River Commission meetings Both countries are looking to sort out the problem of illegal immigration amicablyBangladesh High Commissioner to India Riaz Hamiduallah flew to Dhaka on Tuesday to consult with the political leadership on how to engage with the Indian government on this issue The Intelligence agencies are keeping a close watch on the ISIrelated activities that are taking place in Bangladesh On the radar are the hardliners some influencers who are proPakistan and also the two terror groups HuJI and JMB which could prove detrimental to Indiaâs national security if not kept under check IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/migration-becomes-isis-new-tool-to-derail-india-bangladesh-ties-reset-673698.html Wed, 13 May 2026 13:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/petition-urges-sc-to-take-suo-motu-cognisance-of-repeated-neet-leaks-seeks-overhaul-of-nta-673699.html New Delhi May 13 IANS A letter petition has been submitted before the Supreme Court seeking suo motu intervention into the repeated NEET examination leaks impersonation scams and alleged systemic failures in the functioning of the National Testing Agency NTA contending that the credibility and transparency of nationallevel entrance examinations have been fundamentally compromisednbspnbspThe petition addressed to the Chief Justice of India CJI Surya Kant sought directions for a courtmonitored probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation CBI or a Special Investigation Team SIT into the recent NEETUG 2026 paper leak controversy and demanded the replacement of the NTA with an independent transparent and professionally regulated National Examination AuthorityFiled by Dr Dhruv Chauhan National Spokesperson of the Indian Medical Association Junior Doctors Network IMAJDN and social activist Harisharan Devgan through advocate Satyam Singh the plea said that repeated paper leaks solver gangs impersonation rackets cybersecurity failures and administrative lapses have destroyed public confidence in the examination systemReferring to previous controversies linked to NEET and other examinations conducted by the NTA the petition alleged that the examination framework has suffered from continuing collapse of examination security mechanisms despite judicial scrutiny criminal investigations and expert committee recommendationsThe plea referred to alleged instances of paper leaks and impersonation rackets in NEET examinations over the years including controversies linked to NEETUG 2024 and JEE Main 2021 and claimed that the recurring nature of such incidents reflects institutional incapacity and systemic breakdown within the National Testing AgencyIt further relied on parliamentary disclosures made by the Union Ministry of Education in Rajya Sabha in March 2025 which stated that the CBI had filed five charge sheets against 45 accused persons in connection with the NEETUG 2024 paper theft case and that beneficiaries of the leaked paper impersonators and MBBS students allegedly involved had been identified for necessary actionAccording to the petition lakhs of students from economically weaker and middleclass backgrounds dedicate years of preparation for NEET and recurring examination leaks destroy not only careers but also the constitutional guarantee of equality and fair opportunity under Articles 14 and 21The recurring paper leaks have created an environment where deserving students increasingly believe that merit and hard work alone are insufficient to secure success in national examinations the plea statedThe petition sought directions to replace the NTA with a new independent transparent and professionally regulated National Examination Authority having statutory accountability judicial oversight and advanced technological safeguardsIt also sought the constitution of a highlevel committee comprising retired judges cybersecurity experts educationists and administrative experts to recommend structural reforms for the secure conduct of nationallevel examinationsThe plea further prayed for implementation of encrypted digital paper transmission systems biometric verification mechanisms strict cybersecurity protocols and fasttrack prosecution against individuals coaching centres and officials allegedly involved in examination leaks and organised cheating racketsThe plea comes amid the NEETUG 2026 controversy after the NTA on Tuesday cancelled the examination conducted on May 3 and announced that the test would be reconducted on dates to be notified separately following inputs from Central agencies and law enforcement authorities regarding alleged irregularities in the examination processIn its official statement the NTA said that the present examination process could not be allowed to stand after findings shared by investigative agencies established serious concerns relating to the integrity of the examinationThe examination body also announced that the matter had been referred to the CBI for a comprehensive inquiry into the allegations surrounding the examinationMeanwhile the widening investigation into the NEETUG 2026 paper leak has also reached Kerala where the CBI is probing the possible involvement of students from two districts after details shared by the Rajasthan Police allegedly revealed links to nearly 200 students who may have accessed the leaked paperThe investigation reveals that a model question paper allegedly prepared using the leaked original paper was circulated among students in several states including Kerala Telangana Andhra Pradesh and Bihar through platforms such as Telegram and WhatsApp for amounts ranging from Rs 25000 to Rs 2 lakhIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/petition-urges-sc-to-take-suo-motu-cognisance-of-repeated-neet-leaks-seeks-overhaul-of-nta-673699.html Wed, 13 May 2026 13:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/nepali-gang-strikes-again-in-hyderabad-robs-elderly-couple-673702.html Hyderabad May 13 Even as Hyderabad Police were still looking for a breakthrough in the last weekâs sensational murder of former IPS officer Vinay Ranjan Rayâs wife at their residence by their Nepali maid and her associates another Nepali gang struck in the city by targeting an elderly couple and escaping with 70 tolas of gold and other valuables A Nepali couple along with their associates committed the robbery at a house at Golf Enclave Kowkur under the limits of Jawaharnagar Police Station of Malkajgiri Police Commissionerate police said on WednesdayThey tied up N Murali Mohan a retired professor and his wife K Vijaya Lakshmi a doctor in a room and drugged them The gang escaped with gold 20 kg silver Rs30000 cash and other valuablesThe crime was committed on the night of May 11 but came to light on Tuesday afternoon after the couple raised an alarm after gaining consciousness Some workers nearby heard their cries for help rescued them and alerted the policeAccording to police the family had hired a Nepali couple as domestic servants about 20 days ago As they had gained the trust of their employers on Monday they sought permission to celebrate a birthday in the house and invited about six outsiders to the partyThe gang destroyed CCTV cameras in the premises and also damaged the hard disks They tied up Murali Mohan and his wife Vijaya Lakshmi a physician in a room The couple pleaded with the gang not to harm them and take whatever they wantedThe robber drugged them before decamping with the jewellery cash and other valuablesMalkajgiri Police Commissioner Sumati said six special teams have been formed to arrest the gangPolice were questioning a woman who had brought the Nepali couple for work Preliminary investigation by the police indicate that the accused may have fled to Delhi and from there to NepalThe robbery occurred even as Hyderabad police were continuing investigation into the gruesome murder of Tanuja Ranjan wife of retired IPS officer Vinay Ranjan RayA Nepali woman working as maid in their house in posh Jubilee Hills along with her two associates killed Tanuja on the night of May 7 The assailants escaped with jewellery and other valuablesPolice have formed 10 teams to arrest the gang The suspects were reported to be hiding in Pune Police were still trying for a breakthrough in the caseHyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar has already appealed to citizens not to hire Nepalis as domestic workers as Nepali gangs were found involved in similar crimes in cities like Mumbai Pune and Bengaluru IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/nepali-gang-strikes-again-in-hyderabad-robs-elderly-couple-673702.html Wed, 13 May 2026 14:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-halts-madras-hc-order-restraining-tvk-mla-from-assembly-floor-test-participation-673703.html New Delhi May 13 In relief to Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK MLA R Seenivasa Sethupathi the Supreme Court on Wednesday stayed the Madras High Courtâs interim order restraining him from participating in any floor test proceedings in the Tamil Nadu Assembly amid a dispute over his onevote victory from the Tiruppattur Assembly constituency A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath Sandeep Mehta and Vijay Bishnoi passed the interim order while hearing a Special Leave Petition SLP filed by Sethupathi challenging the Madras High Courtâs directionTerming the High Court order as âatrociousâ the apex court questioned how a writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution could be entertained in an election dispute when the law provides for an election petition as the appropriate remedyâThis is atrocious to say the leastâ the Justice Nathled Bench remarked during the hearing It questioned senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi appearing for DMK leader KR Periakaruppan how a writ petition challenging an election result could be maintained before the Madras High Court âThis is atrocious The High Court says remedy is an election petition and still entertains the writ petitionâ the Supreme Court remarkedAfter hearing the submissions on behalf of the parties the apex court ordered âWe have heard the senior counsels for the parties Counsel for the respondent is granted two weeks to file a reply In the meantime the impugned order shall remain stayed Further proceedings before the High Court also stayedâSethupathi had moved the top court challenging the interim order passed by a vacation Bench of the Madras High Court restraining him from âvoting or otherwise taking part in any floor test including confidence motion noconfidence motion trust vote or any voting proceeding in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly where the numerical strength of the House is tested until further ordersâA Bench of Justices L Victoria Gowri and N Senthilkumar had passed the interim direction while hearing a writ petition filed by former Tamil Nadu Minister and DMK leader KR Periakaruppan who lost the Tiruppattur Assembly seat in Sivaganga district by a margin of just one voteAccording to the official results declared by the Election Commission of India ECI Sethupathi secured 83365 votes while Periakaruppan polled 83364 votes Periakaruppan had alleged serious irregularities in the counting process and claimed that a postal ballot meant for Tiruppattur Assembly constituency No185 in Sivaganga district was mistakenly sent to Tiruppattur Assembly constituency No 50 in Tiruppattur district near Vellore and was rejected there instead of being transmitted back to the correct constituencyThe Madras High Court had said that the controversy was not a routine election dispute involving recounting or rejection of votes simpliciter but arose from âan antecedent administrative failure in preserving the integrity of the electoral chain itselfâReferring to the razorthin margin of victory the High Court had observed that in an election decided by one vote âevery vote is not merely relevant it is potentially determinativeâDuring the hearing before the Madras High Court the ECI had opposed the maintainability of the writ petition and contended that once election results are declared any dispute can only be adjudicated through an election petition under the Representation of the People Act 1951The Supreme Courtâs interim order came on a day when Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay successfully won the confidence motion in the Legislative Assembly with 144 votes in favour while 22 MLAs voted against the motion and five abstainedThe floor test witnessed dramatic scenes including a walkout by the DMK sharp exchanges between rival camps and visible divisions within the AIADMK Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin led the DMK members out of the House after accusing the Vijayled government of encouraging political defections by meeting rebel AIADMK legislators ahead of the trust voteThe situation further escalated after AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami announced that all 47 MLAs belonging to his faction would oppose the confidence motion while rebel AIADMK leader SP Velumani and supporting legislators eventually backed the TVK government during the votingReplying to the debate before the trust vote Chief Minister Vijay asserted that his government would remain secular and committed to governance âThis government will function with the speed of a horse and not indulge in horse tradingâ Vijay said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-halts-madras-hc-order-restraining-tvk-mla-from-assembly-floor-test-participation-673703.html Wed, 13 May 2026 14:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rangaswamy-sworn-in-as-puducherry-cm-for-5th-time-nda-govt-takes-charge-673706.html Puducherry May 13 The National Democratic Alliance NDA government headed by N Rangasamy assumed office in Puducherry on Wednesday with the veteran leader taking oath as Chief Minister for a record fifth term The swearingin ceremony was held at the Puducherry Lok Bhavan where Lieutenant Governor K Kailasanathan administered the oath of office and secrecy to Rangasamy and the newly inducted ministersAlong with the Chief Minister BJP MLA A Namassivayam and All India NR Congress AINRC MLA Malladi Krishna Rao were sworn in as ministers in the new CabinetThis marks Rangasamyâs second consecutive term as Chief Minister under the NDA alliance and further strengthens his position as one of the most influential political leaders in the union territoryâs historyWith his latest swearingin Rangasamy has now become the first leader to hold the office of Chief Minister of Puducherry five times setting a new political record in the UTThe NDA alliance secured a comfortable majority in the recently concluded Puducherry Assembly elections In the 30member Assembly Rangasamyâs All India NR Congress emerged as the dominant force within the alliance with 12 MLAsThe Bharatiya Janata Party BJP has four legislators while the AIADMK and the Latchiya Jananayaga Katchi have one member eachPolitical observers view the continuation of the Rangasamyled administration as a sign of political stability in Puducherry especially at a time when regional parties continue to play a crucial role in the union territoryâs governanceSources in the alliance indicated that the ministry expansion would take place at a later stage Three more members are expected to be inducted into the Cabinet in the coming days as part of the alliancesharing arrangementSenior BJP leaders alliance partners elected representatives and party workers attended the ceremony at Lok Bhavan Tight security arrangements were put in place around the venue in view of the swearingin eventThe new government is expected to focus on welfare measures infrastructure development employment generation and strengthening coordination between the union territory administration and the Central government IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rangaswamy-sworn-in-as-puducherry-cm-for-5th-time-nda-govt-takes-charge-673706.html Wed, 13 May 2026 14:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/condolences-pour-in-as-kannada-actor-producer-dileep-raj-passes-away-after-heart-attack-673708.html Bengaluru May 13 As news spread of Kannada film and television actorproducer Dileep Raj passing away in the early hours of Wednesday following a heart attack condolences poured in According to sources close to the family he was admitted to Apollo Hospital in Kumaraswamy Layout after suffering a cardiac arrest but did not respond to treatment and breathed his last at the hospitalHis mortal remains have been kept at the hospital premises for family members friends and members of the Kannada film industry to pay their last respects Several politicians actors and personalities from the Kannada film fraternity expressed grief over his untimely demise describing it as a major loss to the industryBJP State President and MLA BY Vijayendra expressed grief over the demise of Dileep Raj stating that he was deeply shocked to hear the news of his passingIn a condolence message issued in Bengaluru Vijayendra said Dileep Raj had won the hearts of people through his performances in films such as Milana and U TurnHe prayed that God grant peace to the departed soul and give strength to his family members and fans to bear the immense griefActor Ganesh recalled his long association with Dileep Raj and expressed shock and grief over his untimely demise Speaking about their journey together Ganesh said he was deeply saddened by the news and found it difficult to come to terms with the lossâI do not know what to say It is extremely painful Dileep Raj was a wonderful person and an excellent actor We were all part of a small group We came together after completing college and used to perform plays in theatre Among our group Dileep was the first to gain popularityâ Ganesh saidHe further remembered Dileep Raj as a talented dancer and a hardworking individualâHe was an outstanding dancer and watching him perform always made us happy There was a serial called âPreethigagiâ in which Kitty and Dileep acted together We would often visit the shooting sets I have known Dileep since the early days of our careers He was extremely hardworkingâ he saidExpressing shock over Dileep Rajâs death at a relatively young age Ganesh said âHe was still very young We are all shocked that this happened at the age of 48 When I heard the news in the morning I could not believe whether it was true or falseâGanesh also prayed for strength for Dileep Rajâs family and close associates to bear the lossâI pray that God gives strength to his entire family and loved ones to overcome this grief May Dileep Rajâs soul rest in peaceâ he addedActor Rishab Shetty shared a post on his social media remembering Dileep RajâHe was not just a good actor director and producer but above all a good human being Though the occasions we met were only a handful the impression of his personality that stayed in my heart can never fade away May your soul rest in peaceâ he wroteDileep Raj had carved a niche for himself in both television and cinema and was widely recognised as a versatile performer Though he gained immense popularity through Kannada television serials he also made a mark in films with several notable performancesHe made his silver screen debut in 2005 with the film Boyfriend in which he played the character Shiva Over the years he appeared in more than 25 films including Milana where he earned appreciation for portraying the brother of late Kannada superstar Puneeth RajkumarSome of his other notable films include Parichaya Nanni Paaru Border and Panchamrutha Apart from acting Dileep Raj was also known as a skilled dubbing artistIndustry members and fans remembered him as a talented actor whose contributions to Kannada television and cinema left a lasting impact Dileep Raj had acted in 28 films including Sugriva Geleya and U TurnHe was currently producing the popular television serial Krishna Rukku The 47yearold actor was last seen in the film Love Mocktail 3 He had also acted in television serials such as Maneyondu Mooru Bagilu Rathasapthami and PreethigagiDilip Raj is survived by his wife and two daughters Along with his wife Vidya he had launched a production house and produced several popular television serials Family sources said Dilip Raj was looking forward to celebrating his 25th wedding anniversary this year He often appreciated his wifeâs role in the production company and openly expressed his love and admiration for her IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/condolences-pour-in-as-kannada-actor-producer-dileep-raj-passes-away-after-heart-attack-673708.html Wed, 13 May 2026 14:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sonia-gandhi-briefly-admitted-to-gurugram-hospital-returns-home-after-routine-check-up-673709.html New Delhi May 13 Congress Parliamentary Party CPP chairperson Sonia Gandhi was admitted to Gurugramâs Medanta hospital on Tuesday night where she underwent some medical procedures and was subsequently discharged Wednesday morning Sharing an update on her hospital admission Congress leader Jairam Ramesh informed that she was stable and now back home after a routine medical checkupLately Sonia Gandhiâs health has been of considerable concern for the party as well as her wellwishers due to her repeated hospital visitsTwo months ago the 79yearold Congress leader was admitted to Delhiâs Sir Ganga Ram Hospital on March 24 following complaints of nausea and vomitingAt the time the hospital in its health update had said that she was being treated for âsystemic infectionâ and responding well to antibioticsShe was discharged from the hospital after being treated for fever and systemic infection and spent almost a week in the hospitalA systemic infection means pathogens like bacteria entering the bloodstream and spreading in the body rather than staying localisedThe Rajya Sabha member has faced health issues in recent times and has been hospitalised a couple of timesIn June last year she was admitted to Indira Gandhi Medical College Hospital in Shimla after complaints of high blood pressure The medical exigency came while she was on a personal visit to Himachal Pradesh with her daughter Priyanka Gandhi VadraShe was also hospitalised in the past for a fungal infection in her respiratory tract apparently triggered by Delhiâs high pollution levels and underwent a medical procedure for the sameFormer Congress President Sonia Gandhi turned 79 in December last year and is currently serving as a member of the Upper House from RajasthanShe has served five terms as Parliamentarian having been elected from the Lok Sabha constituencies of Amethi and Rae Bareli before getting elected to the Rajya Sabha She has also served two terms as the party president IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sonia-gandhi-briefly-admitted-to-gurugram-hospital-returns-home-after-routine-check-up-673709.html Wed, 13 May 2026 15:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/former-jharkhand-minister-madhav-lal-singh-passes-away-after-prolonged-illness-673710.html Ranchi May 14 Former Jharkhand minister and veteran leader Madhav Lal Singh passed away on Wednesday after prolonged illness He was undergoing treatment at Pulse Hospital in Bariatu Ranchi where he breathed his last at 905 am triggering a wave of grief across the stateâs political and social circles According to reports Singhâs health had deteriorated in recent days following which he was shifted from Bokaro to Ranchi for advanced medical care Despite continuous treatment and monitoring by a team of doctors he could not surviveA prominent political figure from the Bokaro district Madhav Lal Singh represented the Gomia Assembly constituency four times winning elections in 1985 1990 2000 and 2009 From the era of undivided Bihar to the formation of Jharkhand he remained vocal on regional concerns and publicinterest issuesDuring his long political career he served as a minister in both the Bihar and Jharkhand governments He had also held the post of Chairman of the Jharkhand State Religious Trust Board He was around 75 years oldJharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren condoled his demise and said in a social media post The news of the demise of respected Shri Madhav Lal Singh former MLA from Gomia and minister in the undivided Bihar government as well as the Jharkhand government after state formation is extremely saddening He made significant contributions to public service and social life for a long time The demise of Madhav Babu is an irreparable loss to public lifeThe Chief Minister further prayed for peace to the departed soul and strength for the bereaved family members and supporters to bear the lossKnown as a grassroots leader in Jharkhand politics Singh was closely associated with several public movements particularly in the Gomia region He enjoyed strong support in rural areas and was widely regarded as a simple accessible and honest leaderDespite holding ministerial positions he maintained the image of a humble public representative Many local residents viewed him more as a guardian figure than a politicianFollowing the news of his demise supporters and wellwishers gathered at the hospital and his residence to pay their respects Leaders from various political and social organisations also expressed condolences describing his death as a major loss to Jharkhandâs political landscape IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/former-jharkhand-minister-madhav-lal-singh-passes-away-after-prolonged-illness-673710.html Wed, 13 May 2026 15:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/operation-sindoor-sparks-rare-lashkar-pushback-against-isi-pakistan-army-673714.html New Delhi May 13 IANS The LashkareTayiba has been infected by the JaisheMohammad bug Both outfits have been witnessing internal discord and while the JaisheMohammad has been attempting to rebuild its infrastructure that is not the case with the LashkareTayibanbspBoth these terror groups had faced immense losses when the Indian armed forces carried out Operation Sindoor to avenge the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed in KashmirOfficials say that the LashkareTayiba is not responding to both the Pakistan Army as well as the ISI since the past couple of weeksThe founder and chief of the LashkareTayiba Hafiz Saeed has gone into a shell and has not been mingling with any of his cadreThe official said that what is interesting is that while Saeed refuses to speak some of his other commanders have been publicly acknowledging the losses incurred by their outfit during the operationRepeated calls to rebuild the Muridke training facility have been ignored Neither do any of the commanders nor the top brass seem to be interested in putting the training facility back in shapeThe Indian Intelligence agencies have been able to gather that there is no activity there and initial reports of it being put back in place do not appear to be trueAn Intelligence Bureau official said that this is a deliberate strategy by the LashkareTayiba The reality is something else and the Pakistan establishment wants everyone to believe that they came out victorious during Operation SindoorWhile at first the leadership did play along today that dynamic has drastically changed The outfit and its members do not want the army to take credit for a battle that it clearly did not win the official addedWhile the army and ISI want the people to believe theyre part of the story outfits such as the JaisheMohammad and LashkareTayiba do not want to play alongAt first the LashkareTayiba did play along and showed some signs of staging a major comeback However there are plenty of indications that Operation Sindoor has changed the dynamicsThe cadres are constantly questioning the leadership as to why it is silent about the war that Pakistan got into with the Afghan TalibanSecond the fact that the LashkareTayiba is being expected to team up with the Islamic State to fight against the TehreekeTaliban Pakistan TTP and the Balochistan Liberation Army BLA has not gone down well with several members of the outfitAnother official said that these developments are extremely interesting There appears to be a revolt against the ISI and army What makes this interesting is that this is the first time that the Lashkar is not playing along with what the ISI and army expects them to doEven the JaisheMohammad had revolted in the past and attempted the assassination of former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf That has never been the case where the LashkareTayiba is concerned the official addedPrior to the Mumbai 2611 attacks the ISI had noticed that many within the LashkareTayiba were trying to step away and revolt against the leadership They wanted to go to Afghanistan and fight alongside the Taliban who were battling the western forcesThe Mumbai attack originally planned by Ilyas Kashmir the head of the 313 Brigade of the AlQaeda was then sanctioned to be carried out by the LashkareTayiba This was a move made by the ISI to keep the cadres distracted and also away from Afghanistan as the establishment did not want to anger the western forcesOperation Sindoor has changed that equation and it is no longer a LashkareTayiba that would listen entirely to the establishment another official saidThe official explained that Operation Sindoor did not just take down terror infrastructure but also broke the morale of these terror groupsIf the LashkareTayiba indeed revolts then that would be a massive change in dynamics between the terror group and the ISI and army the official explainedIANSnbsp https://dailyworld.in/national/operation-sindoor-sparks-rare-lashkar-pushback-against-isi-pakistan-army-673714.html Wed, 13 May 2026 15:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/tripura-chit-fund-scam-case-cbi-arrests-key-absconding-accused-from-kolkata-673722.html AgartalaKolkata May 13 The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested a proclaimed offender from Kolkata who had been chargesheeted in two Tripura chit fund cases said the CBI on Wednesday The accused Sanjit Chakraborty Chairman and Managing Director of Ms Cosmic Negociators Pvt Ltd Kolkata was at large since the registration of FIR by Tripura Police in 2013 the agency said in a press releaseChakraborty who had been absconding for 13 years was finally arrested in Kolkata on TuesdayThe CBI earlier took over the cases after notifications of the Tripura and Central governments under the DSPE Act 1946 the central probe agency said in the statementIt said that after investigation a charge sheet in the first case was filed against the accused Sanjit Chakraborty and others in 2015 for duping the public of approximately Rs 748 crore The charge sheet in the second case was filed in 2024 against the accused and others for duping public money to the tune of approximately Rs 2713 lakhIn both cases Chakraborty was shown as an absconding accused in the charge sheet the statement saidThe accused had been hiding and evading arrest since 2013 After sustained efforts based on inputs collected during field verification technical and physical surveillance and analysis the accused Sanjit Chakraborty was located in Kolkata West Bengal and was arrested by the CBI on May 12The arrested accused will be brought to Tripura for production before the competent court after securing a transit warrant from the jurisdictional court in KolkataFurther investigation is underway said the officialsEarlier the CBI also arrested many people from different states including Assam Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra in connection with the Tripura chit fund scam cases The chit fund scams in Tripura have rocked the Northeastern state as many illegal chit fund companies under various controversial Ponzi schemes collected thousands of crores duping thousands of people The Tripura High Court in 2024 ordered the formulation of a scheme to return money to customers cheated by chit fund companies IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/tripura-chit-fund-scam-case-cbi-arrests-key-absconding-accused-from-kolkata-673722.html Wed, 13 May 2026 16:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cbse-class-12-results-8520-per-cent-students-clear-exams-319-per-cent-less-than-last-year-673723.html New Delhi May 13 The Central Board of Secondary Education CBSE declared the Class 12 board examination results on Wednesday recording an overall passing percentage of 8520 per cent A key highlight of the CBSE class 12 results is the sharp drop in the passing percentage of students as compared to the last yearAccording to estimates the passing percentage of the current academic session stands at 8520 per cent sliding 319 per cent from 8839 last year thereby bringing the spotlight on the reasons behind the alarming declineAccording to the CBSE Board a total of 1780365 students registered for the Class 12 examinations in 2026 Of these 1768968 students appeared for the exams and among them 1507109 students have been declared successful or passedThe CBSE board however adopted a digital evaluation method â marking a first in the evaluation process of the studentsâ answer sheetsAccording to the Board the digital evaluation drive accounted for the largest such exercise undertaken till now as about 9866622 answer sheets were evaluated digitallyThe Class 12 results also show girls surpassing boys both in terms of passing percentage and stellar performanceAccording to the board results the pass percentage for girls stood at 8886 per cent while for boys it was recorded at 8213 per cent giving a lead of 673 per cent over boysIn terms of regional performances the students from the Delhi zone stood out against the national averageThe pass percentage for the Delhi West region was recorded at 9234 per cent while for the Delhi East region it stood at 9173 per cent A total of 301977 students from the Delhi zone registered for the Class 12 Board examinations Of these students 300732 appeared for the exams and 276583 successfully cleared themThis time the Class 12 examinations were conducted from February 17 2026 to April 10 2026 Arrangements were made for 19967 schools and 7573 examination centres across the country for the exams whereas in 2025 there were 19299 schools and 7330 centresMaking a significant change to the evaluation process for the 2026 Class 12 Board examinations the Central Board of Secondary Education CBSE for the first time implemented an OnScreen Marking system on a full scale IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cbse-class-12-results-8520-per-cent-students-clear-exams-319-per-cent-less-than-last-year-673723.html Wed, 13 May 2026 17:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/building-owner-among-two-arrested-in-kolkata-fire-incident-case-673724.html Kolkata May 13 Two people including building owner Zafar Nishad were arrested by the police in less than 24 hours after the Tiljala fire incident in the state capital which claimed two lives The police said on Wednesday that the two were arrested from Palm Avenue in South KolkataThe state government had formed a highlevel investigation committee on Tuesday on the instructions of Chief Minister Subhendu AdhikariThe committee was conducting a detailed survey of the fire site and will submit a report later in the day The state government also directed Kolkata Police to lodge a specific FIR in the matter immediately Based on the FIR the two arrests were madeOn Tuesday two people were killed while five others were injured after a fire broke out in a multistorey building on GJ Khan Road in the Tiljala area of East Kolkata The injured are undergoing treatment in the hospital with burns Their condition is said to be criticalAccording to locals the fire broke out on the second floor of a fourstorey building at 501 GJ Khan Road The fire spread instantly and soon black smoke completely covered the surroundings As soon as the locals noticed the blaze the fire department was informed Four fire engines rushed to the spot one by oneMeanwhile the intensity of the fire increased to the point that seven people were trapped in a room on the floor Some reports said that the seven tried to save themselves from the flames by taking shelter in the washroom However they were trapped in a suffocating situation The fire officials finally rescued them and sent them to the Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital where doctors declared two deadAccording to the fire department the two died due to severe respiratory distress On the other hand the condition of the five others is also criticalThe police were investigating the incident but so far it was unclear as to how the fire started The preliminary report of the fire department is that the blaze may have started due to a short circuit IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/building-owner-among-two-arrested-in-kolkata-fire-incident-case-673724.html Wed, 13 May 2026 17:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/posters-surface-in-hyderabad-claiming-mos-bandi-sanjays-son-absconding--673725.html Hyderabad May 13 Posters have surfaced in parts of Hyderabad claiming that Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjayâs son Bandi Bhageerath an accused in a POCSO case is absconding The posters carrying the picture of Bandi Sanjay and his son have been pasted on walls by unidentified persons in Chanda Nagar Nallagandla and other areasâABSCONDING Bandi Bhageerath Son of Union Minister Bandi Sanjay involved in sexual assault on minor in Telanganaâ reads the posterMeanwhile a few people including women were seen carrying posters in Hyderabad Metro demanding the arrest of BhagirathThey were heard informing passengers that Bhageerath is absconding and requesting them to inform the police if they find himA few women passengers wondered how he could go absconding One of the men carrying posters alleged that this happened due to the collaboration of Chief Minister Revanth ReddyA case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences POSCO Act was registered against Bhageerath on May 8 at Pet Basheerabad Police Station for alleged sexual assault on a 17yearold girlThe incident has triggered a huge political row with the main opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi BRS accusing the Congress government of shielding the accusedBRS leaders and workers have been staging protests for the last four days demanding the immediate arrest of BhageerathPolice on Tuesday served a notice on Bhageerath at his relativeâs house in Karimnagar directing him to appear at Pet Basheerabad Police Station for questioning at 2 pm on WednesdayBhageerath 25 has approached the Telangana High Court seeking interim bail A vacation bench is scheduled to hear the petition on ThursdayMeanwhile BRS working president K T Rama Rao KTR questioned the âdouble standardsâ following in POCSO casesâOne Nation One Tax One Nation One Election BJP wants uniformity in all things But when it comes to shielding their kith and kin One POCSO Act But two standards one for Union Ministerâs Son and another for a common manâ Rama Rao posted on XThe BRS leader posted a media report about the POCSO case against Bandi Sanjayâs son and another report about the arrest of a fifth person in a separate POCO case registered in HyderabadIn another post KTR alleged that Telangana recorded the highest rate of crime against women in IndiaâUnder the leadership of CMHome Minister Revanth who has the highest criminal cases for any CM in the country Now Telangana achieved highest rate of crime against women in India and also the topper in cyber crime tooâ posted KTR who remarked âWell done Rahul Gandhi Telangana is indeed Risingâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/posters-surface-in-hyderabad-claiming-mos-bandi-sanjays-son-absconding--673725.html Wed, 13 May 2026 17:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pms-appeal-receives-strong-response-from-surat-women-wedding-plans-changed-foreign-trips-cancelled-673730.html Surat May 13 Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs recent appeal urging citizens to save fuel avoid unnecessary foreign travel and reduce gold purchases is beginning to reflect on the ground with several women and young professionals in Gujaratâs Surat changing their lifestyles and spending habits in response Inspired by the Prime Ministerâs call for responsible use of resources and support for the domestic economy many families in the diamond city are opting for simpler celebrations public transport and domestic tourismSuratbased entrepreneur Kritika Shah said her family recently decided to cancel a planned destination wedding abroad and instead organise the ceremony in Surat itselfSo the PM has appealed that we have to control gold import so we should not buy gold this year Use less transportation dont go abroad stay in India You can roam about in India she told IANSKritika added that the family had already finalised plans for an overseas destination wedding but after hearing the Prime Ministerâs appeal they reconsidered the decisionThere is a wedding in our family and we had declared a destination wedding abroad But because of this appeal three days ago we are going to have the entire function here in Surat she saidShe also advocated the use of imitation jewellery instead of excessive gold purchases saying modern artificial jewellery is crafted so perfectly that it is often difficult to distinguish it from real gold or silver ornamentsNowadays artificial jewellery is made with such perfection that it is hard to distinguish it from gold jewellery Heavy jewellery such as necklaces earrings and other items can easily be imitated she saidKritika further suggested that women can creatively balance traditional gold ornaments with imitation jewellery and heritage family pieces especially when paired with Indian attireArchitect Pranjal Patel also shared how her family has altered daily routines following the Prime Ministerâs messageFollowing Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs appeal there was a lot of discussion in our family Earlier I used to travel to office in my personal vehicle but now I travel with my father He drops me off and picks me up and we travel together she said adding that members of her family have increasingly started using public transport to reduce fuel consumptionI have also cancelled a preplanned international trip with my friend I would also request other youth to follow the PMâs instructions she addedThese women said the appeal made by the Prime Minister along with Gujarat Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi would not only help families save money but also contribute towards reducing pollution and conserving foreign exchange reservesThey also appealed to the youth and other sections of society to support the Vocal for Local campaign by preferring domestic tourism limiting unnecessary luxury spending and adopting resourcesaving habits IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pms-appeal-receives-strong-response-from-surat-women-wedding-plans-changed-foreign-trips-cancelled-673730.html Wed, 13 May 2026 17:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/jharkhand-cyber-fraud-racket-operated-from-control-room-in-giridih-forest-busted-six-arrested-673731.html Giridih May 13 In a startling revelation from Jharkhandâs Giridih district cyber criminals were found operating a sophisticated fraud network from deep inside forest areas to evade police detection Acting on a tipoff the Giridih cyber police busted a makeshift control room hidden in the Charanbari and Kothahariya forests under Bengabad police station limits and arrested six accused involved in largescale cyber fraud The operation was carried out under the direction of Giridih SP Dr Bimal Kumar According to police the accused had deliberately chosen dense forest locations as their operational base so they could keep watch on approaching police teams from a distance while carrying out cyber fraud activities undisturbedThe arrested accused have been identified as Mahendra Kumar Mandal Krishna Kumar Mandal Ishwar Mandal Pankaj Kumar Mandal Ranjit Kumar Mandal and Aditya Kumar Mandal Police said the gang had been targeting people across the country using highly sophisticated techniquesInvestigators revealed that the accused used to send fake APK file links to unsuspecting victims through mobile phones Once the link was opened the fraudsters allegedly gained complete remote access to the victimâs device Using the compromised phones they siphoned money from bank accounts within minutesDuring the raid police recovered 11 mobile phones 13 SIM cards and five motorcycles from the spot The motorcycles were reportedly used to travel to the forest hideouts and transport equipment used in cyber fraud operationsSP Dr Bimal Kumar said several members of the gang are habitual offenders and had previously been jailed in cybercrime cases registered in Delhi and various police stations of Giridih district After being released from prison they regrouped and shifted their operations to forest areas to avoid surveillance and arrestPolice have launched a deeper investigation into the gangâs bank accounts financial transactions and possible links with wider cybercrime networks operating in other states IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/jharkhand-cyber-fraud-racket-operated-from-control-room-in-giridih-forest-busted-six-arrested-673731.html Wed, 13 May 2026 17:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/girl-student-arrested-for-transporting-hybrid-ganja-in-mangaluru-673734.html Mangaluru Karnataka May 13 Karnataka Police have arrested a BCA student on charges of transporting hybrid ganja worth Rs 35 lakh in Mangaluru city police said on Wednesday The accused has been identified as 21yearold Suhana a resident of Sagar in Shivamogga districtAccording to the police the accused brought ganja from Chennai and sold it to students in the coastal city of MangaluruPolice further stated that several criminal cases had already been registered against her in Bengaluru and Mangaluru The Mulki police have registered a case in connection with the present incident and are carrying out an investigationThe accused is a finalyear BCA student at a reputed college in Kundapura town of Udupi district Police nabbed her on Tuesday while she was allegedly selling the narcotic substance on Mulki Railway Station RoadSpecial police teams from Panambur and Mulki jointly carried out the operation and arrested the accusedPolice seized 140 kilograms of hybrid ganja worth Rs 35 lakh The seized ganja is said to have a high market valuePolice also confiscated a mobile phone and other documents from her possessionAccording to the preliminary investigation Suhana had allegedly transported the narcotic substance from Chennai to Mangaluru She is accused of selling the narcotics to college students and affluent individuals in the Mangaluru districtThe police investigation has also revealed her alleged involvement in serious criminal cases in the past The Kavooru police have registered a case under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances NDPS ActIt has also come to light that the Customs Department at Bengaluru International Airport had earlier registered a case related to the transportation of narcotics against herIt may be recalled that Bengaluru Police have intensified their crackdown on narcotics amid a rise in incidents involving drug trafficking and the arrest of peddlers in the cityIn a major operation against drug networks on May 5 police seized narcotic substances worth Rs 1475 crore in two separate cases Police teams from Nandini Layout and Yeshwanthpur recovered a total of 137 kilograms of hydro ganja and MDMA crystals during the raids IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/girl-student-arrested-for-transporting-hybrid-ganja-in-mangaluru-673734.html Wed, 13 May 2026 18:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/odisha-bjd-leader-ayub-khan-passes-away-at-78-673738.html Bhubaneswar May 13 Senior Biju Janata Dal BJD leader and former MLA Haji Md Ayub Khan passed away at his residence at Kantabanji in Odishas Balangir district on Wednesday at the age of 78 Sources said that the veteran BJD leader died following a prolonged illness His death has saddened people across Kantabanji and adjoining regions where he was respected as an influential political leaderAyub Khan entered the Odisha Legislative Assembly for the first time in 2004 after winning the Kantabanji seat as an independent candidate He later joined the BJD and secured victory once again from the constituency in the 2014 Assembly elections on the partyâs ticketExpressing deep sorrow over the demise of Khan Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi wrote on his X handle âI am saddened to learn the passing of senior leader and former Kantabanji MLA Ayub Khan He will always be remembered as a seasoned peopleâs representative In this hour of grief I extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved family members while praying for eternal peace for his departed soulâTaking to his X handle Leader of Opposition LoP and BJD president Naveen Patnaik wrote âI am deeply saddened to learn the passing of Ayub Khan senior organiser of the Biju Janata Dal and former legislator from Kantabanji In his demise the party has lost a skilled organiser and compassionate leader The work he has done for the development of the region and the service of the people will forever immortalise him In this hour of grief speaking with his son Dr Amjad Alli Khan I extended my deepest condolences to the entire family and prayed for the eternal peace of his departed soulâApart from this Deputy CMs Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and Pravati Parida have also expressed deep grief on the passing away of former MLA Kantabanji Balangir Ayub KhanI am deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Ayub Khan former MLA Kantabanji During this hour of immense grief my thoughts and prayers are with the family beloved ones and supporters of Ayub Khan in Kantabanji I pray to the Almighty to grant the departed soul eternal peace and to provide the family strength and fortitude to bear this monumental loss wrote Deo IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/odisha-bjd-leader-ayub-khan-passes-away-at-78-673738.html Wed, 13 May 2026 18:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bjp-criticises-ktaka-govt-for-plans-to-build-project-on-agricultural-land-near-bengaluru-673739.html Bengaluru May 13 Senior BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly R Ashoka on Wednesday criticised the state government for trying to set up a government housing project on 9600 acres of agricultural land in Bidadi and Kanchaganahalli near Bengaluru Addressing reporters Ashoka alleged that the government was targeting fertile agricultural land in the region historically associated with Nadaprabhu Kempegowda the founder of Bengaluru city where crops such as coconut areca nut and silk are cultivatedâThe Congress government is moving to loot 9600 acres of land in Bidadi and Kanchaganahalli There are already around seven lakh vacant private and government flats Out of this land 3000 acres belong to the government and there is a plan to loot money through this projectâ Ashoka allegedAshoka said former Chief Minister and current Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy had earlier stalled the project but the same proposal was now being revived by the state government He warned that converting agricultural land for housing projects would eventually lead to food shortagesHe also raised concerns over the financial burden on the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike BBMP claiming the expansion would increase garbage management costs substantiallyâThis will burden BBMP with an annual garbage mafia cost of nearly Rs 700 crore Increasing tender amounts will ultimately burden the public Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar should first guarantee removal of garbageâ he saidReferring to Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs recent appeal for austerity and reduced expenditure Ashoka defended the call and criticised Congress leaders for objecting to itâPrime Minister Modi has appealed to people to reduce unnecessary expenses without imposing restrictions Even for this Congress leaders are creating controversyâ he claimedAshoka recalled that during Congress rule former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had appealed to citizens to donate gold while former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram had urged people not to buy goldâPrime Minister Modi has not asked people to bring gold like the Congress did Union ministers are setting examples by using bicycles I too am reducing the use of escort vehicles and my family will also practice austerityâ he addedCiting global uncertainties and ongoing conflicts Ashoka said precautionary economic measures were necessaryHe further suggested that government officials and political leaders should begin using public transportâEarlier I used to travel by bus Similarly officials can now travel by bus Chief Minister Siddaramaiah should take steps in this regardâ he saidOn the irregularities in the NEET examination Ashoka said the investigation had already been handed over to the CBI and that the Central government had taken immediate actionâThe Centre will correct this system Congress should first examine how many times question papers have leaked in KPSC examinations and rectify thatâ he saidRegarding the upcoming BBMP elections Ashoka announced that the BJP would hold a preparatory meeting at the party office on May 15 to discuss candidate selection and booth committeesâBBMP has an annual income of around Rs 4000 crore Cities like Mumbai and Delhi despite having higher revenues manage their civic administration effectively However Congress keeps changing its stand on dividing the corporation It is not right to delay elections this way The elections should be conducted at the earliestâ he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bjp-criticises-ktaka-govt-for-plans-to-build-project-on-agricultural-land-near-bengaluru-673739.html Wed, 13 May 2026 18:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/protests-erupt-in-ranchi-over-missing-18monthold-girl-nh-blocked-673743.html Ranchi May 13 Family members of an 18monthold girl missing for the last four days and other residents staged a massive protest in Ranchi on Wednesday demanding the recovery of the girl The protesters blocked traffic at Koker Chowk for nearly an hour leading to massive congestion on the National Highway and severely disrupting vehicular movement in the areaOn receiving information about the blockade personnel from the Sadar police station and traffic police rushed to the spot and began diverting vehicles through alternative routesAditi Pandey reportedly went missing from near her home around 430 pm on May 9 Despite extensive efforts no trace of her has been found so far Following this her family lodged a complaint at the Sadar police stationTaking the matter seriously Ranchi police constituted multiple teams to trace the child and announced a reward of Rs 50000 for information leading to her recoveryDuring the initial investigation police suspected that the child may have fallen into a nearby large drain Based on this theory a joint team of the NDRF the municipal corporation and Ranchi Police conducted an intensive search operation from Koker Khorhatoli to the Swarnarekha river near Namkum The operation continued for several hours amid sludge filth and strong water currentsOn Tuesday the discovery of a piece of flesh and a bone near a drain in the Garhi village area fuelled suspicion that they could be linked to the missing child However the family questioned this claim stating that doctors during the postâmortem examination had said the bone belonged to an animalThe family has alleged that the police are attempting to push the case towards the drain theory despite the absence of any concrete evidence so farMeanwhile several police teams are continuing their efforts to trace the missing child but so far they have not met with success IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/protests-erupt-in-ranchi-over-missing-18monthold-girl-nh-blocked-673743.html Wed, 13 May 2026 18:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cbse-class-12-board-results-trivandrum-tops-chennai-second-in-pass-percentage-documents-available-on-digilocker-673744.html New Delhi May 13 The best performance in the CBSE Class 12 Board examination results has been recorded by the Trivandrum region of Kerala Trivandrum secured the top position in the country in terms of pass percentage Notably the Central Board of Secondary Education CBSE on Wednesday declared the Class 12 Board examination resultsAccording to the CBSE Board in the regionwise results across the country Trivandrum secured first place with a pass percentage of 9562 per cent Tamil Nadus Chennai region stood second with 9384 per cent while Karnatakas Bengaluru secured third position with a pass percentage of 9319 per centThe Vijayawada region in Andhra Pradesh recorded a result of 9277 per cent Delhi West region registered a pass percentage of 9234 per cent while Delhi East recorded 9173 per centAmong other regions Ahmedabad recorded a result of 9060 per cent Gurugram region registered a pass percentage of 8845 per cent Ludhiana 8792 per cent and Pune 8732 per centThe lowest result was recorded in the Prayagraj region at 7243 per cent while Patna region registered 7445 per centAlong with declaring the Class 10 and 12 Board Examination 2026 results CBSE also released important information regarding digital documents and online services for studentsThe Board clarified that students would be able to easily access their examination results and certificates through digital platformsAccording to CBSE students can use the DigiLocker mobile application to access their certificates and other academic documents Students can download the DigiLocker app from the Google Play Store to view their marksheets passing certificates migration certificates and skill certificatesThe UMANG mobile app has also been made available for checking resultsThe Board stated that immediately after the declaration of results digital academic documents have been made available through CBSEâs digital academic repository Parinam Manjusha These include marksheets certificates migration certificates and skill certificatesStudents studying abroad will also receive their digital documents via email through the CBSE DigiLocker page Their printed marksheets and certificates will continue to be sent through their respective schoolsThe Board has also made separate arrangements for private candidates These students will receive electronic documents in DigiLocker through their Aadhaar numberExcept for students under the Delhi East and Delhi West regional offices printed documents for all other students will be sent to the address mentioned in the examination form Students from Delhi East and Delhi West regions will have to collect these documents from their examination centresThe Board also informed that the process for students wishing to improve their performance after passing the Main Examination 2026 as well as for students placed in the compartment category will begin from June 2 2026 A detailed circular regarding this will be issued soonThe entire process will be conducted online onlyCBSE clarified that after submission of the online list no change in name or subject will be acceptedThe Board advised schools and students to strictly adhere to the prescribed timeline as no application will be considered after the last date IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cbse-class-12-board-results-trivandrum-tops-chennai-second-in-pass-percentage-documents-available-on-digilocker-673744.html Wed, 13 May 2026 18:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/andhra-pradesh-cm-chandrababu-naidu-moots-work-from-home-in-administration-673745.html Amaravati May 13 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday said Work from Home culture is here to stay and that he intends to implement it within the government sector as well Backing the austerity measures suggested by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in West Asia he appealed to people to adhere to the eightpoint agenda announced by the Prime MinisterThe Chief Minister said the state government would also announce its own action plan in this regard in a day or twoHe was speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Bollineni Institute of Skill Education and Research BISER in NidamarruWork from Home is now a reality A situation is emerging where the entire world can function remotely from home This practice should be encouragedâ he saidStating that the ongoing conflict is placing a burden on the nation in various ways he emphasised that during such critical times citizens along with the governments must act responsiblyAppealing to people to adhere to the eightpoint agenda announced by the Prime Minister to overcome any temporary difficulties that may arise he said cutting down on the consumption of petrol and diesel will result in savings of foreign exchange reservesChandrababu Naidu called for curbing wasteful expenditure He remarked that travelling in large convoys of vehicles has become a major trend for everyoneCM Naidu said public representatives should set an example by reducing the size of their convoys Security details should also be scaled down he said adding that security arrangements should be sensible and purposefulHe called for adhering to the Prime Ministerâs suggestion to curtail foreign travel âOur countryâand our stateâare home to excellent tourist destinations Instead of travelling abroad people should choose to visit our own domestic tourist spotsâ he said adding that every citizen should adopt the mindset âMy country My responsibilityâThe Prime Minister has also advised reducing the purchase of gold People should give serious thought to this as well he saidNaidu said the government has initiated a strategic plan to produce green energy locally thereby reducing our dependence on foreign nationsPower generation units like solar rooftops should be installed on every farm and atop every homeThe Chief Minister termed BISER an innovative initiative within the capital city of Amaravati A college is being established across 23 acres alongside a Skill University on two acres to ensure excellence in both education and healthcare By establishing a medical college and a Skill University this institution is poised to impart skill training to 100000 individualsHe noted that KIMS Hospital which began on a modest scale has now expanded to become an asset worth Rs 30000 croreStating that Hyderabad has emerged as a medical hub for the entire nation he said institutions like KIMS were instrumental in achieving thisThe Chief Minister revealed that in the second phase Amaravati will be built as a futuristic cityHe said in addition to Amaravati the government was developing Visakhapatnam as a global cityCM Naidu stated that on May 15 the foundation stone will be laid for a fighter jet manufacturing facility in the Rayalaseema region He said Rayalaseema is set to transform into a major hub for both horticulture and technology Kurnool has emerged as a Drone City while Sri City has established itself as a prominent industrial hub IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/andhra-pradesh-cm-chandrababu-naidu-moots-work-from-home-in-administration-673745.html Wed, 13 May 2026 18:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/malaysian-pm-anwar-ibrahim-congratulates-vijay-on-tamil-nadu-cm-win-673345.html Kuala Lumpur May 12 Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has extended warm congratulations to actorturnedpolitician C Joseph Vijay after he was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu marked a dramatic political shift in the southern Indian state In a post on X Anwar Ibrahim wrote that he âwarmly congratulates my friend Vijay on being elected Chief Minister of Tamil Naduâ adding a lighthearted reference to the actorâs cinematic legacy âFor many years his adoring fans watched him defeat corrupt politicians and assorted villains within three hoursâ The people of Tamil Nadu have now entrusted Vijay with a responsibility far greater than any role performed on screenâ he said invoking Vijayâs popular slogan âOru Viral Puratchiâ onefinger revolution and expressing optimism about future MalaysiaâTamil Nadu cooperationVijay president of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK was sworn in on Sunday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai in a ceremony administered by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath ArlekarNine ministers also took the oath alongside him as part of the new council of ministersThe swearingin marks a historic political transition in Tamil Nadu ending nearly six decades of alternating governance between the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam DMK and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam AIADMKThe TVKled alliance secured the backing of 120 MLAs in the 234member Assembly comfortably crossing the 118seat majority mark despite falling short of an outright solo majorityThe ceremony drew highprofile attendance including the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi along with film personalities party workers and thousands of supporters Authorities deployed heavy security across Chennai with intensified vehicle checks and strict access control around the venueThe swearingin of Vijay marks a watershed moment in Tamil Nadu politics as a nonDravidian party has come to power in the state for the first time since 1967 Political observers view the development as a major realignment in the stateâs political landscape long dominated by the DMK and AIADMK IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/malaysian-pm-anwar-ibrahim-congratulates-vijay-on-tamil-nadu-cm-win-673345.html Tue, 12 May 2026 08:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cbi-raids-punjab-vigilance-bureau-office-arrests-middleman-in-rs-25-lakh-bribery-case-673346.html Chandigarh May 12 A CBI team has raided the Punjab Vigilance Bureau office in Mohali near here and detained its Director SS Chauhanâs reader over bribery charges of Rs 25 lakh The raid which began late Monday evening is still on and the Vigilance office has been sealedSources said the CBI first raided a fivestar hotel in Chandigarh where Inspector OP Rana reader to the vigilance chief along with âmiddlemanâ Raghav Goel were striking a deal with a complainant The Rs 13 lakh in bribes has been seized Goel a resident of Muktsarâs Malout was arrested while Rana managed to escape they saidAkali leader and former Cabinet Minister Bikram Singh Majithia claimed on X that the central agency ârecovered Rs 13 lakh from a vigilance official in a Rs 20 lakh bribery scandalâIn another post he wrote âMy source reveals that Vigilance DGP office has been sealed by the central agency after the raid Vigilance chiefâs is reportedly missing and currently his phone is switched off It is being believed that the Vigilance chief may be on the run after the crackdownâQuoting sources he said they revealed that a deal was struck at a fivestar hotel through a middleman identified as GoelMore explosive details expected soon âReader OP Rana of Vigilance chief has reportedly been picked up by Central agency as probe intensifies into alleged bribery and corruption networkâ he said adding âThe Punjab Vigilance office has allegedly turned into a harassment den under AAPPunjab government and Bhagwant MannâMajithia further said the current raid is a followup of suspended Punjab Police Deputy Inspector General DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar a 2009batch IPS officer who was arrested by the CBI in October 2025 in the bribery scandalâRemember IPS Bhullar Rs 75 crore recovery here comes a new feather in the cap of BhagwantMannâ he wrote in another post on X âCorruption in Punjab is now being exposed layer by layer from top to bottom Bhagwant Mann has no moral right to continue as Chief Minister and Home Ministerâ he saidâPunjab deserves transparent governance not fear intimidation and corruption driven administrationâ Majithia added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cbi-raids-punjab-vigilance-bureau-office-arrests-middleman-in-rs-25-lakh-bribery-case-673346.html Tue, 12 May 2026 09:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cbi-to-take-over-chandranath-rath-murder-case-673351.html Kolkata May 12 The Central Bureau of Investigation CBI will take over the investigation into the Chandranath Rath assassination case officials said on Tuesday A 7member Special Investigation Team SIT headed by a DIGrank officer from the CBI will conduct the investigationThe CBI will take over the case from the West Bengal Police later in the dayEarlier the Bengal Police had recommended a CBI inquiry into this caseOn Monday the Bengal Police arrested three sharpshooters from Uttar Pradesh and presented them before a district court in Barasat North 24 Parganas The court remanded them to police custody till May 24The three were arrested by the Special Investigation Team SIT of the West Bengal Police which is probing the murder caseChandranath Rath the personal assistant of the current West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari was shot dead on May 6 by bikeborne assailantsIt is learnt that the three arrested persons were quietly brought to Kolkata on Sunday night and taken to the state police headquarters of Bhabani Bhavan in South Kolkata The investigating officials interrogated them throughout the night sources saidRath was murdered on the night of May 6 just two days after the results of the West Bengal Assembly elections were declared on May 4 The BJP candidates were declared victors from 207 Assembly constituencies reducing the erstwhile ruling Trinamool Congress to just 80As Rath was on his way back home at Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas district from a party programme on May 6 night his vehicle was stopped at a particular crossing by a fourwheelerAs per the initial investigation while Rathâs vehicle stopped after getting blocked by the other fourwheeler one of the two motorcycles that had been shadowing Rathâs vehicle for a long time stopped beside Rathâs vehicle An assailant driving that motorcycle shot ten rounds of bullets from a close distanceWhile Rath died on the spot his driver Buddhadeb Bera was critically injured Bera however is recovering fastLater investigation revealed that the number plates of that fourwheeler which blocked Rathâs vehicle as well as the two motorcycles used in the assassination were fakeAdhikari had claimed that Rath would not have been killed had he not been the personal assistant of the person who defeated the former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at Bhabanipur in South Kolkata by a margin of over 15000 votes IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cbi-to-take-over-chandranath-rath-murder-case-673351.html Tue, 12 May 2026 09:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/nation-is-proud-of-you-amit-shah-salutes-nurses-on-international-nurses-day-673353.html New Delhi May 12 On International Nurses Day Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday saluted nurses who stand as a pillar of hope for the suffering He also said that the nation takes pride in their contributions HM Shah took to social media X and said On International Nurses Day I salute every nurse who stands as a pillar of hope for the suffering Their selfless sewa and unwavering dedication is the true foundation of a healthy Bharat The nation is proud of youInternational Nurses Day is observed every year to honour the vital role nurses play in hospitals clinics emergency departments and community healthcare systems around the world Their responsibilities often extend well beyond patient treatment Nurses provide emotional support manage medical coordination handle documentation monitor patient conditions and respond to emergencies often all within a single shiftThe day is being marked globally to acknowledge the dedication and impact of nurses on healthcare systems every day The date commemorates the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale whose contributions laid the foundation for modern nursing practices worldwide This yearâs theme âOur Nurses Our Future Empowered Nurses Save Livesâ highlights the importance of supporting nurses through safer working conditions better opportunities and stronger institutional backing to improve healthcare outcomesInternational Nurses Day is organised globally by the International Council of Nurses to emphasise the essential role nurses play in healthcare servicesEvery year the council releases an IND Kit that includes educational resources campaign materials and guidance for healthcare organisations and nursing professionalsThe occasion is now observed in more than 100 countries with hospitals medical institutions and communities recognising the contributions nurses make to patient care and the overall functioning of healthcare systemsThe origins of the observance date back several decades In 1953 Dorothy Sutherland from the US Department of Health proposed establishing a dedicated day to honour nurses though the idea was not approved at the time The International Council of Nurses later began commemorating the occasion in 1965 and officially established it in 1974The 2026 Nurses Day theme âOur Nurses Our Future Empowered Nurses Save Livesâ focuses on the relationship between strong healthcare systems and wellsupported nursing staffAccording to the campaign message healthcare services improve when nurses receive fair salaries adequate staffing support leadership opportunities and access to quality education and trainingThis yearâs campaign will also promote hashtags such as IND2026 and OurNursesOurFuture across social media platformsThe theme comes at a time when healthcare systems in many countries continue to face increasing pressure due to staff shortages rising patient demand climaterelated emergencies and conflict situations Nurses remain at the forefront of these challenges often working under demanding conditions with limited support IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/nation-is-proud-of-you-amit-shah-salutes-nurses-on-international-nurses-day-673353.html Tue, 12 May 2026 09:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/vijay-govt-orders-closure-of-717-tasmac-outlets-near-temples-schools-bus-stands-673357.html Chennai May 12 In a major policy move with significant political implications Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Tuesday ordered the closure of 717 TASMAC liquor retail outlets functioning near places of worship educational institutions and bus stands across the state within the next two weeks The decision marks the first largescale regulatory intervention in the staterun liquor retail network since the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK government assumed officeThe move is also seen as an attempt by the new administration to deliver on one of its key campaign promises related to public welfare and alcohol regulationDuring the Assembly election campaign Vijay and the TVK leadership had sharply criticised successive governments for allegedly encouraging the expansion of liquor sales while ignoring its social and economic consequences on families and youthAccording to an official release Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation TASMAC currently operates 4765 liquor retail outlets across Tamil NaduFollowing directions from the Chief Minister officials carried out a statewide inspection and review to identify liquor shops functioning within a 500metre radius of sensitive public locationsThe survey reportedly found that 717 TASMAC outlets were operating within the restricted distance norms Of these 276 shops were located near temples mosques and churches while 186 were functioning close to schools and colleges Another 255 outlets were found near bus stands and transport hubs frequented by the public on a daily basisThe government said the Chief Minister had ordered immediate action considering the larger public interest and welfare concernsâConsidering public welfare the Chief Minister has directed that all the identified liquor retail outlets be closed within two weeksâ the official statement saidOfficials indicated that district administrations and TASMAC authorities have been instructed to begin the closure process immediately and submit compliance reports within the stipulated periodThe move is expected to trigger political debate in the coming days particularly because TASMAC sales constitute a major source of revenue for the Tamil Nadu governmentAt the same time the decision is likely to be welcomed by religious organisations parentsâ associations and antiliquor campaign groups that have long demanded the relocation or closure of liquor outlets near public institutions and residential areas IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/vijay-govt-orders-closure-of-717-tasmac-outlets-near-temples-schools-bus-stands-673357.html Tue, 12 May 2026 09:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-police-solve-house-theft-case-within-hours-burglar-arrested-673362.html New Delhi May 12 The Delhi Police said on Tuesday that they have successfully resolved a house theft case just hours after the incident apprehending the burglar in the process The police recovered several stolen electronic devices including Apple products from the accusedâs possession According to police the staff of Police Station Kishangarh arrested the accused identified as Md Ashad Anwar and recovered stolen articles including an iPhone iPad Android mobile phone Apple wristwatches a Nikon DSLR camera and other electronic itemsPolice said the accused was traced with the help of the live location feature of the stolen Apple devicesSharing details of the case officials said that on May 9 a PCR call regarding a house theft was received at Kishangarh police station in SouthWest Delhi The call was assigned to Sub Inspector Vinod Kumar who along with Constable Kewenilo immediately reached the spot and inspected the scene of the crime with the Crime Team of the SouthWest DistrictSubsequently EFIR No 8003802026 under Section 305 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita BNS was registered at the police station based on the complaint filed by the victim The complainant informed police that an iPhone iPad Android mobile phone Apple wristwatches a Nikon DSLR camera and other valuable items had been stolen from her residenceDuring the investigation the complainant shared the live location details of the stolen Apple products with the police team Acting swiftly on the technical input the police traced the accused to Shani Bazar in Kishangarh and recovered the stolen property from his possessionDuring sustained interrogation the accused disclosed that he had gone to meet a friend residing in the same building While coming downstairs he noticed that the keys had been left in the lock of a room situated on the fifth floor Taking advantage of the situation he entered the room and stole mobile phones and other valuable articlesThe accused further revealed that he was unemployed and committed the theft to earn easy money and fulfil his liquor expensesPolice said further investigation into the case is underway IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-police-solve-house-theft-case-within-hours-burglar-arrested-673362.html Tue, 12 May 2026 09:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/aiadmk-rift-intensifies-as-cv-shanmugam-backs-tvk-govt-targets-palaniswami-673368.html Chennai May 12 The internal crisis within the AIADMK intensified on Tuesday after senior party leader and former Minister CV Shanmugam openly accused party General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami EPS of attempting to explore a tieup with the DMK and announced support for Chief Minister C Joseph Vijayled TVK government Addressing the media along with senior AIADMK leaders including former Minister SP Velumani Shanmugam said the party was passing through one of the most difficult phases in its history after suffering consecutive electoral defeatsâThe AIADMK is facing continuous setbacks and there is an urgent need to revive the party and restore the rule envisioned by MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaaâ he saidReferring to the recently concluded Tamil Nadu Assembly elections in which the AIADMK was pushed to third place with only 47 seats Shanmugam said the NDA led by the AIADMK has failed to win the confidence of the people and the verdict has been accepted with humilityHe alleged that during internal consultations held after the election defeat EPS proposed exploring the possibility of forming a government with the support of the DMK âAIADMK was founded to oppose the DMK We were shocked when such a suggestion was made We clearly told him that any move towards the DMK would destroy the identity of the AIADMKâ Shanmugam saidAccording to him a majority of AIADMK MLAs later passed a resolution declaring that the prepoll alliance no longer existed and decided to extend support to the Vijayled Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK governmentShanmugam announced that SP Velumani had been elected as the leader of the AIADMK Legislature Party while former Minister C Vijayabaskar was chosen as the party whip in the AssemblyHe also said senior leaders had urged EPS to convene the AIADMK General Council immediately to analyse the reasons behind the repeated electoral defeats and initiate corrective measuresThe developments come amid widening divisions within the party with one faction led by EPS and another led by Velumani and Shanmugam holding parallel consultations over the past few days IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/aiadmk-rift-intensifies-as-cv-shanmugam-backs-tvk-govt-targets-palaniswami-673368.html Tue, 12 May 2026 10:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-cm-puzzle-deepens-as-congress-high-command-keeps-all-guessing-673370.html New Delhi May 12 Eight days after the Congressled UDF stormed to power with a spectacular 102 seats in the 140member Kerala Assembly the alliance still finds itself without a captain at the helm What was expected to be a swift and celebratory transition of power has instead turned into a gripping political suspense drama with the Congress high command yet to reveal its choice for the coveted chief ministerâs chairEven as celebrations continue across Kerala over the UDFâs emphatic victory the corridors of power in Delhi remain abuzz with intense lobbying strategic calculations and closeddoor consultationsOn Tuesday the suspense is set to deepen further with another crucial round of discussions after the party leadership summoned former Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president and senior leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan for consultationsAs things stand now AICC general secretary organisation KC Venugopal appears to enjoy the backing of a majority among the Congressâ 63 legislatorsHe is followed by veteran leader Ramesh Chennithala and outgoing Leader of Opposition VD SatheesanHowever the emergence of Venugopal as a serious contender has triggered a wave of resentment among sections of Congress workers and supporters in KeralaMany within the partyâs grassroots openly argue that the post rightfully belongs to Satheesan whose aggressive opposition politics kept the second Pinarayi Vijayan government under relentless pressure over the past five yearsWhile Venugopal is widely seen as the preferred choice of the central leadership and enjoys the confidence of Rahul Gandhi Satheesan appears to command greater emotional support among ordinary Congress supporters in KeralaChennithala meanwhile continues to remain a formidable claimant with his long administrative and organisational experienceThe debate has now spilled beyond party circles into public discussion as wellThe biggest question being asked is why a sitting MP should be brought in as Keralaâs chief minister But Congress insiders insist that such concerns hardly trouble the high commandThey point to Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy who was an MP when elevated to the top post besides several past instances of Union ministers AK Antony moving to state politics as chief ministersFor now Kerala waits as the Congress high command takes time to make the decisionRadhakrishnan just before leaving to meet the high command said things are coming to a close on the selection of the next CMAnother top leader MM Hassan said We all expect the name to be announced without further delay as by now itself the time has elapsed IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-cm-puzzle-deepens-as-congress-high-command-keeps-all-guessing-673370.html Tue, 12 May 2026 11:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/beware-of-silk-trap-of-delhis-power-play-shiv-sena-673375.html Mumbai May 12 The Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray UBT on Tuesday said that Tamil Nadu has finally witnessed a change in power The transition follows a historic election where Vijayâs party TVK secured the mandate of the Tamil people breaking the traditional cycle of power between the DMK and AIADMK However the Thackeray camp in an editorial in the partys mouthpiece Saamana said that while the state celebrates the road ahead is full of challenges âVijayâs government holds only a slim majority The report suggests that maintaining stability will be a challenge particularly with the central influence of leaders like PM Modi and HM Shah in Delhi The new Chief Minister who is Christian has pledged to be a leader for all religions asserting that providing security to every citizen is his primary duty As Vijay transitions from the silver screen to the secretariat the nation watches to see if he can maintain his common man image while navigating the complex realities of governanceâ it addedThe swearingin ceremony was marked by a distinct display of nationalism In a departure from recent trends in other states the ceremony commenced with Vande Mataram followed by the national anthem Jana Gana Mana and concluded with the Tamil State Song This sequence appeared designed to prioritise national sentiment said the editorialThe editorial stated that in his first address which echoed the dramatic flair of his cinematic persona Vijay struck an emotional chord with the public and declared the eight crore people of Tamil Nadu as his family He further emphasised his humble roots stating he is neither a prince nor an angel but a common manWasting no time Chief Minister Vijay signed his first official file providing 200 units of free electricity to domestic consumers a move expected to directly benefit the middle class His administration has also outlined several immediate priorities âThe CM issued a stern warning to his cabinet and MLAs stating he would not tolerate the looting of public funds To combat rising substance abuse among youth a Special Task Force has been ordered to dismantle drug networks The establishment of a dedicated Womens Security Wing within the police department has been sanctioned Acknowledging the states debt of Rs 10 lakh crore Vijay called for strict financial disciplineâ said the editorialHowever the Uddhav Thackerayled Shiv Sena claimed that the formation of the new government has caused ripples in the national political landscape The Congress party provided support to help Vijay establish his government a move that reportedly upset the outgoing Chief Minister Stalinâs DMK party Consequently the DMK has decided to exit the INDIA bloc a decision critics suggest may lead to the partyâs isolation in national politics Despite the political friction outgoing CM Stalin maintained a level of decorum by offering his best wishes to the new administration the party said in the editorialThe Thackeray camp has advised the outgoing CM Stalin to stay away from the BJP and urged him not to fall into the silk trap of PM Modi and Shah for the benefit of the state and the nation IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/beware-of-silk-trap-of-delhis-power-play-shiv-sena-673375.html Tue, 12 May 2026 11:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/tn-assembly-tvks-jcd-prabhakar-elected-unopposed-as-speaker-ravi-shankar-becomes-deputy-speaker-673377.html Chennai May 12 JCD Prabhakar was elected unopposed as the Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly while Ravi Shankar was chosen as the Deputy Speaker during the second day of the 17th Assembly session held amid a tense political atmosphere following the recently concluded elections The development assumes significance as the newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVKled coalition government headed by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay continues to consolidate its position in the Assembly after emerging as the single largest formation with 108 seats in the 234member HouseFollowing the Assembly elections the TVK formed the government with the support of several parties In the runup to the first session of the new Assembly Cholavandan MLA Karuppiah was appointed Protem Speaker and was administered the oath of office by Governor Rajendra Viswanath ArlekarThe first session of the newly elected Assembly commenced on Monday during which all newly elected legislators took the oath as Members of the Legislative AssemblyChief Minister Vijay Opposition Leader Udhayanidhi Stalin ministers and MLAs from various political parties formally assumed office in the HouseAgainst the backdrop of shifting political equations and intense postelection developments in Tamil Nadu the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker was closely watched by political observersSince no rival candidates filed nominations for the two posts JCD Prabhakar and Ravi Shankar were declared elected unopposedIn keeping with Assembly tradition Protem Speaker Karuppiah and Opposition Leader Udhayanidhi Stalin escorted Speaker JCD Prabhakar to the Speakerâs chair in the HouseLeaders from both the treasury and opposition benches including Chief Minister Vijay and Udhayanidhi Stalin congratulated the newly elected Speaker and Deputy Speaker during the proceedingsThe smooth conduct of the election is being viewed as an important step towards ensuring stability in the functioning of the Assembly following the dramatic political realignments witnessed after the election resultsDuring the discussion in the House AMMK MLA Kamaraj extended support to the TVK government and expressed confidence that Chief Minister Vijay would provide good governance over the next five years He also conveyed hope that the present administration would continue for its full termThe Assembly proceedings were peaceful even as political circles continue to closely monitor developments within the ruling alliance and opposition parties IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/tn-assembly-tvks-jcd-prabhakar-elected-unopposed-as-speaker-ravi-shankar-becomes-deputy-speaker-673377.html Tue, 12 May 2026 11:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-ncr-braces-for-rain-thunderstorms-as-imd-issues-yellow-alert-673382.html New Delhi May 12 DelhiNCR is likely to witness a sudden and significant change in weather conditions on Tuesday with the India Meteorological Department IMD issuing a âyellow alertâ for Tuesday According to the Meteorological Department the day is expected to remain overcast with the possibility of light rain accompanied by thunderstorms lightning and gusty winds Weather activity is likely to intensify during the afternoon evening and night hours The wind speed may reach between 40 and 50 kmphAs per the local weather forecast issued by the IMD the maximum temperature on Tuesday is expected to hover around 35 degrees Celsius while the minimum temperature is likely to settle at 27 degrees Celsius The department has warned of âthunderstorms with rainâ throughout the day indicating rainfall accompanied by strong winds and lightning activityAccording to the IMD the forenoon hours may witness very light to light rainfall along with thunder and lightning accompanied by gusty winds blowing at speeds of 30 to 40 kmph Weather conditions are expected to deteriorate further during the afternoon with a likelihood of squally winds reaching speeds of 40 to 50 kmph along with lightning strikesSimilar weather conditions are likely to continue during the evening and night with light rainfall expected in several areas across the NCR The Meteorological Department has advised residents to remain cautious and vigilant during this periodPeople have been urged to avoid standing in open spaces or taking shelter under trees and electric poles during thunderstorms Traffic movement may also be affected due to heavy winds and rain Farmers and those engaged in construction activities have been advised to take necessary precautionsLooking ahead partly cloudy skies and the possibility of thunderstorms are expected to persist on May 13 as well The maximum temperature on Wednesday is likely to remain around 35 degrees Celsius while the minimum temperature may settle at 26 degrees CelsiusHowever weather conditions are expected to improve from May 14 onwards The temperature is likely to rise gradually with forecasts indicating 3725 degrees Celsius on May 14 3826 degrees on May 15 3927 degrees on May 16 and 4027 degrees Celsius on May 17The skies are expected to remain mostly clear during these days and no weather warnings have been issued so farWeather experts have attributed the sudden change in NCR weather conditions to the influence of a Western Disturbance and local meteorological activity For now residents may experience temporary relief from the heat due to rain and strong winds An improvement in the Air Quality Index AQI is also expected following the weather changeMeanwhile AQI levels recorded across several areas included Anand Vihar at 193 Aya Nagar at 147 Bawana at 172 Chandni Chowk at 125 DTU at 142 Dwarka Sector8 at 180 IIT Delhi at 146 JNU at 122 Nehru Nagar at 175 RK Puram at 141 Rohini at 192 Sonia Vihar at 165 and Wazirpur at 194 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-ncr-braces-for-rain-thunderstorms-as-imd-issues-yellow-alert-673382.html Tue, 12 May 2026 12:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/grp-personnel-open-fire-on-suspects-to-foil-train-robbery-attempt-in-andhra-673383.html Amaravati May 12 Government Railway Police GRP opened fire on suspects in Andhra Pradeshâs Guntur district to foil a train robbery attempt in the early hours of Tuesday The incident occurred around 3 AM near Aluru railway gate in Ponnur mandal under Guntur railway subdivisionPersonnel of Government Railway Police GRP spotted suspects moving near the tracks with cutters and challenged them The suspects pelted stones on the police personnel forcing them to open fire The suspects got away in the darknessThe incident triggered a scare in the area Additional police force from Ponnur Police Station rushed there to ensure security of the trains passing through the routeRecently there have been several attempts by miscreants to tamper with signalling systems in Vijayawada division to commit train robberies In view of these incidents GRP has stepped up patrolling along the tracksA SubInspector and two Constables who were patrolling the area found two persons moving in a suspicious manner near the railway signal The policemen saw them carrying tools to cut the wires They tried to nab the suspects but the latter pelted them with stones The policemen opened fire in selfdefence The suspects escaped in the darkness in the nearby fieldsSenior police officials rushed to the spot GRP Deputy Superintendent of Police DSP Akhleshwar Rao stated that a total of 10 rounds were fired Six rounds were fired from 303 rifles while the SI opened four rounds from his pistolPolice recovered a cutter tester gloves and other items left behind by the miscreants Following the incident police launched a massive hunt for themSix teams of GRP and local police were making efforts to nab the suspected robbersOfficials said they would further step up security measures for the safety of railway passengersTop officials have already given permission to police personnel on the field level to open fire to foil any attempt to tamper with the signalling systemThe region has witnessed a series of train robberies in recent weeksOn April 19 thieves armed with knives robbed passengers on the BengaluruNarsapuram train in Bapatla district IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/grp-personnel-open-fire-on-suspects-to-foil-train-robbery-attempt-in-andhra-673383.html Tue, 12 May 2026 12:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/eight-year-old-girl-killed-in-wall-collapse-after-heavy-rain-in-karnatakas-yadgir-673384.html Yadgir Karnataka May 12 An eightyearold girl was killed after a house wall collapsed following heavy rains in Yadgir district of Karnataka police said on Tuesday The incident occurred at Tumakuru village in Vadagera taluk where the kitchen wall of a house belonging to Siddappa collapsed after heavy rainfall on MondayYadgir Deputy Commissioner Harshal Bhoyar and Superintendent of Police Pruthwik Shankar visited the spot on TuesdayThe deceased has been identified as 8yearold Akshata According to police following heavy rains on Monday the kitchen wall of a house belonging to Siddappa collapsed Akshata was playing in the hall along with other girls when the wall fell on themAkshata died on the spot while two other children who were playing with her sustained injuries The injured children have been shifted to the Yadgir Institute of Medical Sciences YIMS for treatmentThe jurisdictional Vadagera police have registered a case and are investigating the matter More details are yet to emerge regarding the incidentEarlier in April heavy rains and severe weather in Bengaluru Karnataka caused the collapse of an 8foot compound wall near Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital resulting in seven deaths including three childrenThe incident which occurred during intense rainfall and high winds on April 29 also caused injuries and trapped victims under debris with rescue operations conducted immediatelyChief Minister Siddaramaiah visited the site ordered a highlevel investigation into the tragedy and announced Rs 5 lakh compensation for the families of the deceasedEarlier separate rainrelated incidents on April 27 resulted in at least two additional deaths in BTM Layout and Whitefield due to electrocution and wall failureOne woman died while four others including three children suffered injuries after the wall of a house collapsed at Hanagallu in Somwarpet taluk in Madikeri on July 26 2025 The deceased was identified as Sushma Her brother Akshay and three children have suffered injuries The deceased hailed from Afzalpur in Kalburgi She was residing in a rented house along with her husband her brother and three children IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/eight-year-old-girl-killed-in-wall-collapse-after-heavy-rain-in-karnatakas-yadgir-673384.html Tue, 12 May 2026 12:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-police-arrest-proclaimed-offender-evading-trial-in-robbery-case-673385.html New Delhi May 12 The AntiJail Bail and Proclaimed Offenders Cell of Dwarka District Police has arrested a Proclaimed Offender who had been evading trial in a robbery case officials said on Tuesday The accused identified as Mohit alias Monty was declared a Proclaimed Offender on April 22 in connection with FIR No 982018 registered under Sections 392 411 and 34 of the IPC at Janakpuri Nagar Police Station by the Dwarka CourtAccording to police a special drive against Proclaimed Offenders is being conducted under the directions of Dwarka District DCP Kushal Pal Singh In this regard a dedicated team was formed under the leadership of Inspector Harish Kumar and supervised by ACP Operations Subhash MalikThe police team included Head Constables Ajit Yadav Kulwant Singh and Rahul Yadav along with Constables Rohit and Ankur from the AntiPO Jail Bail and Proclaimed Offender Cell of Dwarka DistrictPolice said the team was continuously working on both technical surveillance and manual Intelligence inputs to trace Proclaimed Offenders operating in the areaOn May 1 while the police team was present in the Madipur area they received specific information that the accused Mohit alias Monty who had been absconding after being declared a Proclaimed Offender by the Dwarka Court was present in the localityActing swiftly on the tipoff the team laid a trap in the area and successfully apprehended the accused from Madipur Delhi He was subsequently arrested under Section 351D of the BNSS vide DD No 70A dated May 1 at PS Dwarka NorthPolice said the accused is a resident of JJ Colony Madipur Delhi and is 31yearsold During verification it was found that he was previously involved in 10 criminal casesFurther investigation into the matter is underway police addedEarlier in the day the Delhi Police also successfully resolved a house theft case just hours after the incident apprehending the burglar in the process The police recovered several stolen electronic devices including Apple products from the accusedâs possessionAccording to police the staff of Police Station Kishangarh arrested the accused identified as Md Ashad Anwar and recovered stolen articles including an iPhone iPad Android mobile phone Apple wristwatches a Nikon DSLR camera and other electronic items IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-police-arrest-proclaimed-offender-evading-trial-in-robbery-case-673385.html Tue, 12 May 2026 12:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/in-tn-assembly-vijay-references-british-parliamentary-history-quotes-abraham-lincoln-673386.html Chennai May 12 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Tuesday invoked the history of the British parliamentary system and stressed the importance of democratic traditions while addressing the Assembly after TVK MLA JCD Prabhakar was elected unopposed as the Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Speaking in the House Vijay recalled how Speakers in England during the monarchy era played a crucial role in communicating Parliamentâs decisions to the King often at great personal riskâThe Speaker had the responsibility of informing the King whenever Parliament rejected his proposals In those days kings even had the power to order executions and Speakers sometimes faced severe punishment for conveying Parliamentâs standâ Vijay saidHe also referred to the old parliamentary custom where newly elected Speakers would symbolically hesitate to occupy the chair and would be escorted to the seat by leaders of the House and oppositionâThat tradition continues even today as a symbol of democratic valuesâ the Chief Minister remarkedVijay said the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly must function as the âheart of democracyâ and quoted former US President Abraham Lincolnâs famous definition of democracy as a government âof the people by the people and for the peopleâThe Chief Minister assured full cooperation from all Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK legislators to the Speaker and stressed that even parties with a single member should be given due importance in the HouseâEvery member in the Assembly is equal Legislative traditions and democratic values must be protectedâ Vijay said adding that the governmentâs functioning should ensure that more people benefit from its welfare measures and governance initiativesEarlier in the day TVK MLA JCD Prabhakar was elected unopposed as the Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly while party legislator M Ravi Shankar was elected Deputy Speaker without a contestPrabhakar the MLA from Thousand Lights constituency had filed his nomination for the Speakerâs post on Monday on behalf of the ruling TVK Ravi Shankar representing the Thuraiyur constituency had submitted his nomination papers for the Deputy Speakerâs postAs no opposition party fielded candidates against the TVK nominees both leaders were declared elected unopposed when the Assembly met on TuesdayFollowing Assembly tradition Leader of the House Sengottaiyan and Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin escorted Prabhakar to the Speakerâs chair after his election Members from both the treasury and opposition benches congratulated the newly elected Speaker IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/in-tn-assembly-vijay-references-british-parliamentary-history-quotes-abraham-lincoln-673386.html Tue, 12 May 2026 12:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/vijay-cites-british-parliamentary-history-quotes-abraham-lincoln-in-tn-assembl-673388.html nbspChennai May 12 IANS Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Tuesday invoked the history of the British parliamentary system and stressed the importance of democratic traditions while addressing the Assembly after TVK MLA JCD Prabhakar was elected unopposed as the Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative AssemblynbspSpeaking in the House Vijay recalled how Speakers in England during the monarchy era played a crucial role in communicating Parliaments decisions to the King often at great personal riskThe Speaker had the responsibility of informing the King whenever Parliament rejected his proposals In those days kings even had the power to order executions and Speakers sometimes faced severe punishment for conveying Parliaments stand Vijay saidHe also referred to the old parliamentary custom where newly elected Speakers would symbolically hesitate to occupy the chair and would be escorted to the seat by leaders of the House and oppositionThat tradition continues even today as a symbol of democratic values the Chief Minister remarkedVijay said the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly must function as the heart of democracy and quoted former US President Abraham Lincolns famous definition of democracy as a government of the people by the people and for the peopleThe Chief Minister assured full cooperation from all Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK legislators to the Speaker and stressed that even parties with a single member should be given due importance in the HouseEvery member in the Assembly is equal Legislative traditions and democratic values must be protected Vijay said adding that the governments functioning should ensure that more people benefit from its welfare measures and governance initiativesEarlier in the day TVK MLA JCD Prabhakar was elected unopposed as the Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly while party legislator M Ravi Shankar was elected Deputy Speaker without a contestPrabhakar the MLA from Thousand Lights constituency had filed his nomination for the Speakers post on Monday on behalf of the ruling TVK Ravi Shankar representing the Thuraiyur constituency had submitted his nomination papers for the Deputy Speakers postAs no opposition party fielded candidates against the TVK nominees both leaders were declared elected unopposed when the Assembly met on TuesdayFollowing Assembly tradition Leader of the House Sengottaiyan and Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin escorted Prabhakar to the Speakers chair after his election Members from both the treasury and opposition benches congratulated the newly elected SpeakerIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/vijay-cites-british-parliamentary-history-quotes-abraham-lincoln-in-tn-assembl-673388.html Tue, 12 May 2026 12:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cbi-raids-punjab-vigilance-bureau-office-arrests-middleman-in-rs-25-lakh-bribery-case-673389.html Chandigarh May 12 IANS A CBI team has raided the Punjab Vigilance Bureau office in Mohali near here and detained its Director SS Chauhans reader over bribery charges of Rs 25 lakhnbspnbspThe raid which began late Monday evening is still on and the Vigilance office has been sealedSources said the CBI first raided a fivestar hotel in Chandigarh where Inspector OP Rana reader to the vigilance chief along with middleman Raghav Goel were striking a deal with a complainant The Rs 13 lakh in bribes has been seized Goel a resident of Muktsars Malout was arrested while Rana managed to escape they saidAkali leader and former Cabinet Minister Bikram Singh Majithia claimed on X that the central agency recovered Rs 13 lakh from a vigilance official in a Rs 20 lakh bribery scandalIn another post he wrote My source reveals that Vigilance DGP office has been sealed by the central agency after the raid Vigilance chiefs is reportedly missing and currently his phone is switched off It is being believed that the Vigilance chief may be on the run after the crackdownQuoting sources he said they revealed that a deal was struck at a fivestar hotel through a middleman identified as GoelMore explosive details expected soon Reader OP Rana of Vigilance chief has reportedly been picked up by Central agency as probe intensifies into alleged bribery and corruption network he said adding The Punjab Vigilance office has allegedly turned into a harassment den under AAPPunjab government and Bhagwant MannMajithia further said the current raid is a followup of suspended Punjab Police Deputy Inspector General DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar a 2009batch IPS officer who was arrested by the CBI in October 2025 in the bribery scandalRemember IPS Bhullar Rs 75 crore recovery here comes a new feather in the cap of BhagwantMann he wrote in another post on X Corruption in Punjab is now being exposed layer by layer from top to bottom Bhagwant Mann has no moral right to continue as Chief Minister and Home Minister he saidPunjab deserves transparent governance not fear intimidation and corruption driven administration Majithia addedIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cbi-raids-punjab-vigilance-bureau-office-arrests-middleman-in-rs-25-lakh-bribery-case-673389.html Tue, 12 May 2026 12:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cong-leaders-should-revisit-their-partys-history-before-criticising-pm-modi-on-austerity-call-ktaka-bjp-673390.html Bengaluru May 12 Senior BJP leader R Ashoka on Tuesday accused Congress leaders of displaying economic ignorance and blind opposition by criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs recent austerity appeal to citizens and asked them to visit their own partys history The Leader of the Opposition in Karnataka Assembly also shared a news clipping of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi appealing to citizens not to buy gold and calling for national discipline in 1967He further shared a video clipping of former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram making a similar appeal in 2013In a statement Ashoka said Congress leaders had made it a âdaily routineâ to oppose every move made by Prime Minister Modi without understanding history or economic managementâTodayâs Congress leaders neither understand history nor have any knowledge of economic administration Opposing every step taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become their daily activityâ he saidDefending PM Modiâs call for restraint and economic discipline in view of the global situation Ashoka said Congress leaders were mocking suggestions made in national interest and urged them to revisit their own partyâs historyReferring to past Congress governments Ashoka said late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had appealed to citizens in 1967 not to buy gold in order to maintain economic discipline in the countryHe also recalled that in 2013 during the Congressled UPA government then Finance Minister P Chidambaram had repeatedly urged people to reduce their obsession with gold purchases to address the Current Account Deficit CADAshoka alleged that Congress viewed economic appeals made during the tenures of Indira Gandhi or Sonia Gandhi as sound economic policy but criticised similar appeals when made by Modi in national interestâIf Congress governments made such appeals during the eras of PM Indira Gandhi or Sonia Gandhi it was termed economic policy But when PM Modi makes a similar appeal in the national interest Congress leaders portray it as wrong This reflects their double standardsâ he saidThe BJP leader further stated that Congress leaders should first learn the basics of economics before making politically motivated comments on the countryâs economyâDo not sacrifice the nationâs interests merely in the eagerness to oppose Modiâ Ashoka addedIt can be recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi on last Sunday called upon citizens to remain united and patient amid global uncertainties stating that the ongoing crisis in West Asia was impacting the entire world including IndiaKarnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday launched a sharp attack on PM Narendra Modi over his speech in Bengaluru questioning whether he had spoken as the Prime Minister the BJP state President or the Leader of the Opposition in the state IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cong-leaders-should-revisit-their-partys-history-before-criticising-pm-modi-on-austerity-call-ktaka-bjp-673390.html Tue, 12 May 2026 12:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/jampk-police-arrest-two-with-arms-and-ammunition-in-srinagar-673392.html Srinagar May 12 The JampK Police said on Tuesday that they have arrested two persons with arms ammunition and posters of the proscribed terror outfit LashkareTaiba LeT during checking in Srinagar district Officials said a police team intercepted two persons on a bike near the Baba Dem area of Srinagar during routine checking They said the duo was stopped and during the search police recovered one pistol three magazines 21 live rounds two mobile phones and 10 LeT posters from their possessionâA case FIR No 262025 under relevant sections of UAPA and Arms Act has been registered and further investigation has been taken upâ he said They have been identified as Faisal Ahmad Bhat of Malpora Habba Kadal and Faisal Ahmad Guroo of Rajouri KadalThe JampK Police and the security forces have been carrying out aggressive operations against terrorists their overground workers OGWs and sympathisers These operations are part of the revised security strategy aimed at targeting the entire support system of terrorism rather than focusing on only the gunwielding terroristsWhile police and security forces carry out antiterror operations in the hinterland the Army and the Border Security Force BSF are deployed on the Line of Control LoC and the international border IB in JampKThe LoC guarded by the Army is 740 km long in the Baramulla Kupwara Bandipora districts of the Valley and Poonch Rajouri and partly in the Jammu district of the Jammu divisionIn addition JampK has a 240 kmlong international border IB guarded by the BSF in Samba Kathua and Jammu districtsThe Army and BSF prevent infiltration exfiltration smuggling and drone activities initiated by terror outfits from across the LoC and the border with the support of the Pakistan Army and the ISI Drones are used by terror outfits to drop payloads of armsammunition cash and drugs to sustain terrorism in the union territory These payloads are picked up by OGWs and passed on to the terrorists IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/jampk-police-arrest-two-with-arms-and-ammunition-in-srinagar-673392.html Tue, 12 May 2026 13:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/narendra-modi-hails-ayushman-bharat-rollout-in-bengal-says-peoples-welfare-is-top-priority-673393.html New Delhi May 12 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed happiness over the implementation of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana in West Bengal saying that the people of the state will now have access to the worlds largest healthcare scheme that guarantees quality and affordable medical treatmentnbspPM Modi took to social media X and said The welfare of my sisters and brothers of West Bengal is supreme Im very happy that the people of the state will have access to Ayushman Bharat the worlds largest healthcare scheme that ensures topquality and affordable healthcare At the same time the doubleengine Government will ensure seamless delivery of key Central schemesThe Prime Ministers remarks came after newly swornin West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari shared details of the decisions taken during the first Cabinet meeting held at Nabanna after assuming office on May 9In a post on X Adhikari described the first day of his government as eventful and said that the administration had begun transforming its promises into action through six landmark decisions aimed at reclaiming the glory of the stateAmong the major announcements was the implementation of Ayushman Bharat in West Bengal enabling residents to avail benefits under the Centres flagship healthcare schemeThe scheme Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana a component of the Centres broader Ayushman Bharat initiative is implemented by the National Health Authority NHA under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare This aims to provide cashless hospitalisation coverage of Rs 500000 per family per year to poor and vulnerable families for secondary and tertiary healthcare servicesThis was launched by the Centre in September 2018 to provide health insurance coverage to economically weaker sections of the societyAdditionally the West Bengal government has approved the immediate transfer of land to the Border Security Force BSF for border fencing work which is expected to be completed within 45 daysIn another key decision the government increased the upper age limit for state government job aspirants by five years citing the loss of opportunities faced by many youths during the previous regimeAdhikari further announced the implementation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita BNS and granted approval for conducting the Census to ensure proper representationThe Cabinet also took steps for the welfare of 321 families who lost their loved ones while standing for democracy in the stateAdditionally the government cleared hurdles in implementing several Central schemes including PM Vishwakarma Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and PM Ujjwala 30Adhikari asserted that the new administration would function as a government of the people by the people and for the people and declared that the era of Asol Poribortan has begunIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/narendra-modi-hails-ayushman-bharat-rollout-in-bengal-says-peoples-welfare-is-top-priority-673393.html Tue, 12 May 2026 13:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/nta-cancels-neet-ug-2026-exam-announces-retest-cbi-to-probe-673396.html New Delhi May 12 The National Testing Agency NTA on Tuesday cancelled the NEETUG 2026 examination conducted on May 3 and announced that the exam would be reconducted on dates to be notified separately The NTA issued an official statement on the social media platform X stating that the decision was taken after examining inputs received from Central agencies and law enforcement authorities regarding alleged irregularities in the examination processâIn continuation of its press release dated 10 May 2026 the National Testing Agency wishes to inform candidates parents and members of the public of the following decisions taken in respect of NEET UG 2026 NTA had on 8 May 2026 referred the matters then under consideration to the central agencies for independent verification and necessary action consistent with its standing commitment to the fair secure and credible conduct of the national examinations entrusted to itâ the agency saidThe NTA further stated that based on the findings shared by investigative agencies and after coordination with Central authorities the examination process could not be allowed to standâOn the basis of the inputs subsequently examined by NTA in coordination with the central agencies and the investigative findings shared by the law enforcement agencies and in order to ensure that there is transparency in the system the National Testing Agency with the approval of the Government of India has decided to cancel the NEET UG 2026 examination conducted on 3 May 2026 and to reconduct the examination on dates that will be notified separatelyâ the statement addedThe agency also announced that the Government of India has decided to hand over the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation CBI for a comprehensive inquiry into the allegations surrounding the examinationThe Government of India has further decided to refer the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation for a comprehensive inquiry into the allegations therein NTA will extend full cooperation to the Bureau and will provide all materials records and assistance the inquiry requires NTA addedâThe inputs received by NTA taken together with the findings shared by the law enforcement agencies established that the present examination process could not be allowed to stand The reconducted examination dates along with the reissued admitcard schedule will be communicated through the official channels of the Agency in the coming daysâ the statement saidThe examination body acknowledged the inconvenience caused to students and parents due to the cancellation and reexamination process but maintained that the decision was necessary to protect the integrity of the national examination systemâThis decision has been taken in the interest of students and in recognition of the trust on which the national examination system rests The Agency is conscious that the reconduct will cause real and significant inconvenience to candidates and their families However the alternative would have caused greater and more lasting damage to that trustâ the NTA saidThe agency clarified that the registration data candidature and examination centres opted for during the May 2026 cycle would remain valid for the reconducted examination No fresh registration process will be required and no additional examination fee will be chargedThe NTA also stated that the examination fee already paid by candidates would be refunded while the reexamination would be conducted using the agencyâs internal resourcesFurther details regarding the revised examination schedule and reissued admit cards will be announced through the official channels of the agencyFurther communications including the reconducted examination dates and the reissued admitcard schedule will be issued through the official channels of the Agency Candidates and parents are requested to rely only on these official channels and to disregard unverified reports circulating on social media the NTA saidMeanwhile reports of a possible paper leak had surfaced from Rajasthan after the NEETUG 2026 examination held on May 3 The Rajasthan Special Operations Group SOG launched an investigation into the allegationsAccording to reports investigators recovered a handwritten suggestion paper in which nearly 120 questions allegedly matched the actual NEET question paper including around 90 Biology questions and 30 Chemistry questions IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/nta-cancels-neet-ug-2026-exam-announces-retest-cbi-to-probe-673396.html Tue, 12 May 2026 13:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/political-turmoil-over-ncp-673397.html Mumbai May 12 Significant political confusion has gripped the Nationalist Congress Party NCPAjit Pawar Group following the release of a list detailing its new National Executive The document submitted to the Election Commission of India ECI has intensified discussions across Maharashtra as it appeared to sideline veteran heavyweights in favour of the next generation of the Pawar family Eyebrows were raised when the names of stalwarts â including Praful Patel Chhagan Bhujbal Sunil Tatkare and Dilip Patil â were missing from the executive list dated April 29In the newlyformed national executive Sunetra Pawar has been mentioned as the National President her elder son and Rajya Sabha MP Parth Pawar as the National General Secretary and younger son Jai Pawar as a National SecretaryThe absence of Sunil Tatkare who previously served as National General Secretary and Praful Patel a trusted veteran led to immediate speculation regarding a potential internal purge or a major strategic realignmentAs the list went viral on social media Sunetra Pawar moved quickly to quell the controversy In a post on X she clarified that the discrepancies were not intentional There is a technical error in the list of NCP officebearers currently circulating in the media It will be corrected soon she statedSources indicate that a followup letter was sent to the Election Commission on the same day to rectify these technical and clerical errorsDespite this explanation political analysts suggest the move may signal the partys underlying intent to elevate younger faces to national prominenceHowever of the three page document submitted to the ECI one page gave details about the establishment of the National Working Committee headed by Sunetra Pawar This is in addition to the list of the National Executive CommitteePraful Patel has been inducted in the National Working Committee with a designation of NCP leader in Rajya Sabha but there is no mention of him as National Working President Sunil Tatkare has been designated as NCP leader in Lok Sabha without mention as the Maharashtra unit President He is no more a National General SecretaryThe list also includes veteran minister Chhagan Bhujbal and senior legislator Dilip Walse Patil but without any official designationState council member Shivajirao Garje has been appointed as the national treasurer Parth Pawar and former union minister Subodh Mohite have been assigned the role of general secretary and Jay Pawar as national secretary disciplinary committee president and treasurerFurther former agriculture minister Manikrao Kokate who had to resign amid controversy over playing cards in the Upper House has found place in the National Working Committee as a memberIn addition party legislators Chetan Tupe Shekhar Nikam Sana Malik and Saroj Ahire are members The other members include former general secretary Avinash Adik who has been demoted as national secretary Dhiraj Sharma national president youth and Toko Tatung legislator and Arunachal state unit presidentNational secretaries Sanjay Prajapathi Rana Ranvir Singh Raman Preet Singh Dhananjay Sharma and Abhishek Bokey have also been inducted in the National Working Committee as membersIncidentally the former general secretary and national chief spokesperson Brijmohan Shrivastav has not been included either in the National Executive or in the National Working CommitteeAmid the confusion and turmoil Sunetra Pawar who is in Guwahati a little while ago in her latest post on X has mentioned Praful Patel as Working President She said âI participated in the swearing in ceremony of the Cabinet alongside the newlyelected CM of West Bengal Suvendu Adhikari On this occasion I had the opportunity to interact with Shri Adhikari and extended my best wishes for his successful political and social career ahead At the same time I met our countryâs popular Prime Minister Hon Shri Narendra Modi ji on the dais and accorded him a respectful welcome On this occasion the National Working President and MP of the NCP Shri Praful Patel ji and MP Shri Parth Pawar were presentâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/political-turmoil-over-ncp-673397.html Tue, 12 May 2026 13:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-micro-enterprises-must-develop-strong-trade-skills-to-propel-growth-cea-nageswaran-673398.html New Delhi May 12 IANS The future of Indias growth will be determined by how inclusively microenterprises are enabled to adopt adapt scale and compete Chief Economic Advisor CEA Dr V Anantha Nageswaran said on TuesdaynbspAddressing a session during the CII Annual Business Summit 2026 here Nageswaran said in many leading economies MSMEs are not technological backwaters but often at the forefront of innovation and technological advancementIndias microenterprises must evolve in the same direction The most critical requirement for this is the development of strong trade skills he told the gatheringHe further stated that entrepreneurs must invest in their own skills and set an example making sure their employees no matter if they are in service areas like accounting HR or inventory also invest in these tradesThese are also pathways to growth as these skills will lead to employment generation This is the way for them to integrate themselves into the global value chain said NageswaranR Dinesh Past President CII and Chairman CII Centre of Excellence on Employment and Livelihood CEL said that when we speak about the future of India micro and small enterprises will play a key roleWe think the future doesnt lie just in boardrooms or tech labs We want to become the enablers for MSMEs and rural jobs We have to make the future of India bright and resilient this paves the way for economic depth social stability and employment architecture he mentioned during the eventAccording to Rajiv Memani President CII the broader question for India is not just what we import but also how we think about manufacturing competitiveness trade relationships and longterm economic resilienceMeanwhile the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi this month approved the launch of the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme ECLGS 50 aimed at providing crucial financial support to businesses impacted by the ongoing West Asia crisisUnder the new phase of the scheme the government will extend enhanced credit guarantee coverage through the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited NCGTCThe scheme offers 100 per cent guarantee coverage for micro small and medium enterprises MSMEs and 90 per cent coverage for nonMSMEs as well as the airline sector This backing is intended to encourage banks and financial institutions to lend additional funds without fear of default risksIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-micro-enterprises-must-develop-strong-trade-skills-to-propel-growth-cea-nageswaran-673398.html Tue, 12 May 2026 13:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-ahmedabad-civic-body-flags-274-unsafe-structures-sends-notices-before-rath-yatra-673404.html Ahmedabad May 12 The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation AMC has intensified action against dangerous and dilapidated buildings across the city ahead of the annual Rath Yatra issuing notices to property owners and occupiers as part of its monsoon preparedness and public safety measures officials said on Tuesday The civic body said special inspections were carried out in various parts of Ahmedabad covering government semigovernment private individual and religious trustowned propertiesThe exercise was undertaken keeping in view the upcoming monsoon season and the annual Rath Yatra one of Ahmedabadâs largest religious processions which draws thousands of devotees and passes through several densely populated areas of the old cityAccording to AMC owners and occupiers of buildings found in a dangerous condition have been directed to immediately remove hazardous portions of structures undertake necessary repairs and ensure that no accidents occurThe corporation warned that if any loss of life or property takes place due to the collapse of a dangerous structure full responsibility would rest with the owner concerned occupier or responsible personIn the Central Zone alone a survey conducted this year identified 274 dangerous buildingsNotices under Section 264 of the Gujarat Provincial Municipal Corporations GPMC Act were issued by the Property Tax Department to owners and occupiers for removal of risky portions and repair workThe notices were also served to owners occupiers and responsible persons of dangerous buildings in the Khadia ward one of the key stretches through which the Rath Yatra procession passesAMC said that between 2023 and 2025 notices had been issued to 1251 dangerous buildings across the cityWith the addition of 274 buildings identified in 2026 the total number of properties served notices under Section 264 of the GPMC Act has reached 1525The corporation has instructed property owners to complete repairs and remove hazardous sections of buildings without delayIt also appealed to citizens not to enter or reside in structures declared dangerous and to avoid using such premises for any purposeResidents living near dangerous buildings have also been urged to remain alert and take necessary precautions for their safety during the monsoon period and ahead of the Rath Yatra festivities in the city IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-ahmedabad-civic-body-flags-274-unsafe-structures-sends-notices-before-rath-yatra-673404.html Tue, 12 May 2026 14:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/army-pays-tribute-to-jco-hira-bahadur-pandey-who-died-during-operational-duty-in-kashmir-673407.html Srinagar May 12 The Army on Tuesday paid tribute to the junior commissioned officer JCO of 32 Rashtriya Rifles Naib Subedar Hira Bahadur Pandey who laid down his life in the service of the nation Srinagar headquartered Chinar Corps of the Army said on X âChinar Corps honours the supreme sacrifice of Braveheart Naib Subedar Hira Bahadur Pandey while on operational duty in Baramulla district His courage and dedication will forever inspire usâChinar Warriors salute the valour and sacrifice of the Braveheart We stand in solidarity with the bereaved family and are committed to their wellbeingâ it further saidNaib Subedar Hira Bahadur Pandey of the 32 Rashtriya Rifles was martyred during a special operation in the Rafiabad area of Baramulla district in North Kashmir after reportedly falling into a deep gorge while on dutyAccording to reports security forces launched a special operation late on Sunday night in the Markoot Hamam forest area located in the upper reaches of RafiabadDuring the operation Naib Subedar Pandey reportedly slipped while climbing a steep mountainous terrain and fell into a deep gorge Fellow soldiers immediately launched a rescue effort and managed to evacuate him from the area According to official sources the mishap took place while the Army personnel were engaged in a night patrol operation in the dense upper forest region of Hamam MarkootDuring the movement through the challenging terrain the officer reportedly lost his balance and slipped sustaining critical injuries He succumbed to his injuries on the spot officials confirmed Following the incident the body was recovered from the areaArmy authorities have initiated the necessary procedural stepsOfficials have classified the incident as accidental and the local police have registered a case in connection with the fallThe upper forest belts of Rafiabad are known for their difficult and rugged terrain Security forces frequently conduct patrols in these areas particularly at night as part of surveillance and antimilitancy operations IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/army-pays-tribute-to-jco-hira-bahadur-pandey-who-died-during-operational-duty-in-kashmir-673407.html Tue, 12 May 2026 14:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-hc-bans-commercial-religious-activities-on-yamuna-floodplains-at-sur-ghat-673409.html New Delhi May 12 IANS The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi Development Authority DDA to ensure that no commercial or religious activity takes place on the Yamuna floodplains at Sur Ghat observing that the ecologically sensitive area cannot be used even for parking purposesnbspnbspA singlejudge Bench of Justice Jasmeet Singh said that no activity including parking of vehicles for commercial purposes should be permitted on the land situated in ZoneO of the Yamuna floodplainsIt is directed that the respondent No1DDA shall ensure that no activity is allowed to take place on the said land including parking of any vehicle for any kind or for any commercial purpose even if it may be for the convenience of people coming to pay respecthomage to the river on any auspicious occasion the Delhi High Court saidIt added that in view of environmental protection concerns and the ecological sensitivity of the area all types of commercialreligious activities for any purpose whatsoever shall be restricted from the said areaThe direction came while disposing of a petition filed by one Suresh Kumar seeking restoration of possession of a parking site at Yamuna Sur Ghat in accordance with a Notice Inviting Tender NIT issued by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi MCD in September 2022The petitioner submitted that he was declared the highest bidder for operating the parking site and was granted possession for a period of three years after depositing security and advance licence fee amounts During the hearing the Delhi High Court was informed that while DDA had handed over only 2508 square metres of land to the MCD the civic body allotted 3780 square metres to the petitioner Subsequently the DDA withdrew the permission granted to the MCD and the allotment of the parking site was cancelled on January 31 2025In its order the Delhi High Court noted a submission made on behalf of the DDA that the parking site at Sur Ghat was urgently required to be vacated for development purposes and that the land forms part of the Yamuna floodplainsRejecting the plea for restoration of the parking site it observed that the petitioner had not challenged the cancellation order and that disputed questions relating to the validity of the cancellation and compensation could not be adjudicated in writ proceedingsThe question regarding the correctness and validity of the cancellation and the petitioners entitlement to compensation are disputed questions of fact which certainly cannot be adjudicated in the present writ petition Justice Singh observedGranting liberty to the petitioner to seek damages through a civil suit the Delhi High Court further directed the DDA to make alternative parking arrangements away from the Yamuna floodplains if required for visitors coming to worship the river during auspicious occasionsIf in case the respondent No1DDA is of the opinion that parking space is required to be provided to people coming to worship at the river on any auspicious occasion the respondent No1DDA is directed to make alternative arrangements accordingly away from the Yamuna Flood Plains without disturbing the ecologically sensitive area the order saidIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-hc-bans-commercial-religious-activities-on-yamuna-floodplains-at-sur-ghat-673409.html Tue, 12 May 2026 15:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/security-lapse-during-pm-modis-bluru-visit-must-be-probed-by-nia-ktaka-bjp-leader-673439.html Bengaluru May 12 Former Karnataka minister and senior BJP leader B Sriramulu on Tuesday demanded a probe by the National Investigation Agency NIA into the alleged security lapse during Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs recent visit to Bengaluru Addressing the media at the BJPâs state headquarters Jagannath Bhavan in Bengaluru Sriramulu alleged that the Congressled Karnataka government had failed to provide adequate security to the Prime Minister during his visitâPrime Minister Narendra Modi is provided with proper security wherever he travels across the world If there were lapses when he visited Karnataka how can it be justifiedâ he questionedSriramulu alleged that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Home Minister G Parameshwara appeared to view PM Modi only as the Prime Minister of BJP supporters and not of the entire countryâHe is the Prime Minister of the nation There is always a security threat perception surrounding the Prime Minister but the state government has failed to understand thisâ he saidReferring to the recovery of gelatin sticks along the Prime Ministerâs designated convoy route near Bengaluru ahead of the visit Sriramulu questioned the timing of the transfer of nearly 100 police inspectors by the state governmentâWhen the Prime Minister was visiting Bengaluru the government transferred around 100 inspectors What was the urgency behind such transfers Gelatin sticks were found along the Prime Ministerâs route If anything untoward had happened who would have taken responsibilityâ he askedThe BJP leader further alleged that Congress was upset over the BJPâs victory in the recent Assembly elections held in five states and accused the Karnataka government of lacking concern and respect for the Prime MinisterResponding to questions regarding PM Modiâs recent appeal urging restraint in gold purchases and fuel consumption Sriramulu criticised Congress leaders for attacking the statementâI have seen the criticism by Congress leader BK Hariprasad Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah They should remember the statements made earlier by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and then Finance Minister P Chidambaramâ he saidSriramulu stated that the ongoing tensions involving the US Iran and Israel have created a difficult global situation affecting fuel imports and economic stabilityâThe Prime Minister has only advised people to use petrol and diesel sparingly because importing them has become difficult in the current situation There is no other intention behind the appealâ he saidHe alleged that Congress leaders had forgotten similar statements made by Chidambaram during the UPA government and accused them of making irresponsible comments without understanding the economic contextSriramulu further praised PM Modiâs leadership stating that India had gained global respect under his tenure after many yearsâThe Prime Minister has advised restrained consumption to promote awareness among people and strengthen initiatives like Make in India Indiaâs economic condition is strong and its GDP has improved Congress leaders speak irresponsibly without understanding these realitiesâ he alleged IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/security-lapse-during-pm-modis-bluru-visit-must-be-probed-by-nia-ktaka-bjp-leader-673439.html Tue, 12 May 2026 15:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pak-gangster-shahzad-bhatti-network-under-scanner-as-india-pushes-for-extradition-673440.html New Delhi May 12 The name of Pakistanbased gangster Shahzad Bhatti has surfaced repeatedly in multiple investigations linked to terror recruitment radicalisation and espionage activities in India over the past several months More than a dozen cases have reportedly been registered against him by various agencies Bhatti a Lahorebased gangster has allegedly been operating out of Dubai for several years while frequently travelling between Pakistan the UAE and other countries in the Middle East according to investigating agencies With multiple cases linked to terror recruitment and radicalisation being registered against him Indian agencies are now prioritising efforts to secure his extradition and bring him to trialAn Indian security agency official said Bhatti had managed to exploit certain legal and jurisdictional gaps to stay beyond the reach of Indian investigatorsâHe is not an Indian national and belongs to Pakistan Moreover he has never travelled to India which has made the extradition process more complicatedâ the official saidAnother official said that although the extradition process would be complicated it was still achievable Agencies are expected to coordinate with countries where Bhatti is believed to be operating in an effort to bring him to India for trial the official addedOfficials pointed to previous terror investigations to underline that such extraditions though difficult are possible One of the key accused in the 2611 Mumbai attacks was extradited to India after exhausting all legal appeals in courts in the USIn the case of David Headley extradition could not proceed because of a plea bargain agreement with US authorities Under the pact Headley was allowed to remain in the US and could not be extradited to India Indian investigators however were permitted to question him and later appeared through video conferencing during the trial proceedingsOfficials describe Bhatti as a highvalue operative who is likely to receive protection from Pakistanâs InterServices Intelligence ISI According to security agencies there are concerns that he may return to Pakistan if Indian efforts to secure his extradition begin to gain tractionAn Intelligence Bureau official said the immediate priority was to dismantle Bhattiâs recruitment network which investigators believe has been functioning largely through social media platforms Bhatti and several of his Pakistanbased associates are alleged to have used online channels extensively to identify and recruit operativesInvestigators said youngsters from various states were allegedly targeted with promises of money influence and recognition They are made to believe they will become heroes âFinancial incentives and the lure of power have also been used during recruitmentâ the official saidInvestigators believe Bhattiâs recruitment network was intended to facilitate attacks in different parts of the country Initially agencies suspected that the recruitment drive was largely focused on carrying out strikes in PunjabBhattiâs name first surfaced prominently in March 2024 after a grenade attack near the residence of Punjabi YouTuber Rozer Sandhu in Jalandhar Punjab Investigators had also linked his network to the murder of Nationalist Congress Party leader Baba Siddique in Mumbai in October 2024Several arrests made this year are also believed to be connected to Bhattiâs network Recently the Special Cell of Delhi Police arrested nine persons from Uttar Pradesh Madhya Pradesh Jammu and Kashmir Punjab and GujaratAccording to investigators all the accused had allegedly been recruited by Bhatti and were instructed to target a major temple in Delhi a military camp in Haryana and a popular eatery along the DelhiSonipat highwayIn April two people were arrested in Madhya Pradesh after investigators found that they were allegedly planning grenade attacks outside crowded restaurants in Delhi Agencies are also probing possible links between Bhattiâs network and the lowintensity blasts reported near the Border Security Force headquarters and Amritsar Cantonment on May 5According to investigators Bhatti has claimed to have established networks in 16 countries and to command nearly 200 operatives His recruitment activities are not confined to any single region in India with youths from several states allegedly being drawn into the network This has prompted closer coordination among police forces across different statesInvestigators further said the recruitment pattern suggests that operatives are often used for a single assignment and then discarded âIt functions like a disposable module Once a recruit completes a task he is usually not used again for another operationâ an official saidThe recruitment operations need to be stopped at the earliest otherwise the situation could spiral out of control the official said adding that agencies were simultaneously pursuing efforts to secure Bhattiâs extradition IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pak-gangster-shahzad-bhatti-network-under-scanner-as-india-pushes-for-extradition-673440.html Tue, 12 May 2026 15:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-micro-enterprises-must-develop-strong-trade-skills-to-propel-growth-cea-nageswaran-673441.html New Delhi May 12 The future of Indiaâs growth will be determined by how inclusively microenterprises are enabled to adopt adapt scale and compete Chief Economic Advisor CEA Dr V Anantha Nageswaran said on Tuesday Addressing a session during the âCII Annual Business Summit 2026â here Nageswaran said in many leading economies MSMEs are not technological backwaters but often at the forefront of innovation and technological advancementâIndiaâs microenterprises must evolve in the same direction The most critical requirement for this is the development of strong trade skillsâ he told the gatheringHe further stated that entrepreneurs must invest in their own skills and set an example making sure their employees no matter if they are in service areas like accounting HR or inventory also invest in these tradesâThese are also pathways to growth as these skills will lead to employment generation This is the way for them to integrate themselves into the global value chainâ said NageswaranR Dinesh Past President CII and Chairman CII Centre of Excellence on Employment and Livelihood CEL said that when we speak about the future of India micro and small enterprises will play a key roleâWe think the future doesnât lie just in boardrooms or tech labs We want to become the enablers for MSMEs and rural jobs We have to make the future of India bright and resilient this paves the way for economic depth social stability and employment architectureâ he mentioned during the eventAccording to Rajiv Memani President CII the broader question for India is not just what we import but also how we think about manufacturing competitiveness trade relationships and longterm economic resilienceMeanwhile the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi this month approved the launch of the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme ECLGS 50 aimed at providing crucial financial support to businesses impacted by the ongoing West Asia crisisUnder the new phase of the scheme the government will extend enhanced credit guarantee coverage through the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited NCGTCThe scheme offers 100 per cent guarantee coverage for micro small and medium enterprises MSMEs and 90 per cent coverage for nonMSMEs as well as the airline sector This backing is intended to encourage banks and financial institutions to lend additional funds without fear of default risks IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-micro-enterprises-must-develop-strong-trade-skills-to-propel-growth-cea-nageswaran-673441.html Tue, 12 May 2026 15:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pune-child-marriage-case-fir-filed-against-35-including-bridegroom-673444.html Pune May 12 A shocking incident of child marriage has emerged from Pune a city widely regarded as a hub of modernity and education The marriage of a minor girl was allegedly forcibly solemnised in Balewadi one of the cityâs upscale localities Taking a stern stance on the matter the police have registered a case against 35 individuals including the groom his parents and the girlâs relatives According to information received from the police the marriage took place on Sunday in the Balewadi area and the victim is only 15yearsoldWhat is particularly shocking is that both the groomâs family and the brideâs family were fully aware that the girl was not legally eligible for marriage Despite this ignoring both social responsibility and the law the wedding rituals were carried outBy the time the local police received information regarding the clandestine marriage the formalities had already been completed Acting swiftly the police launched an investigation and established that the offence had been committed deliberatelyThe Baner police have taken strict action in connection with the case A complaint has been registered against the 22yearold groom his parents and relatives who were present at the eventSpeaking on the matter Senior Police Inspector Anil Vibhute of Bavdhan Police Station said that a case has been registered against 35 individuals including the groom members of the wedding procession close relatives attending the ceremony and guardians from both sides under Sections 9 10 and 11 of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006Providing further details officer Vibhute said âIt is extremely unfortunate that even in 2026 we are still compelled to take action against such social evils In this case the girl is merely 15 We received information that a minor was being married off in Balewadi in violation of the law We immediately registered a First Information Report FIR Thirtyfive individuals have been named in the case and the investigation is ongoingâHe further added âWe want to send a clear message to society that anyone involved in a child marriage â whether a relative or even a guest attending the ceremony â will not be sparedâChild marriage defined under Prohibition of Child Marriage Act as any union where the female is under 18 years of age and a male is below 21 years of age perpetuates cycles of poverty gender inequality and health risks particularly in rural and tribal areas Furthermore child marriage directly amounts to child rape under Indian lawAs per the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 any sexual act by a man with his wife who is below 18 years of age amounts to rape The Supreme Court of India has further clarified that when the husband of a child bride commits penetrative sexual assault on her it amounts to aggravated penetrative sexual assault an offence punishable under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences POCSO Act 2012Efforts to curb child marriage in India began as early as the 19th century with social reformers like Raja Rammohan Roy Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar and Mahatma Jyotirao Phule leading campaigns against the practice resulting in the Age of Consent Act 1891 and later the Child Marriage Restraint Act Sarda Act of 1929 which set the minimum marriage age at 14 for girls and 18 for boysPostIndependence the government raised these limits through the 1948 amendment 15 for girls 1978 amendment 18 years for girls and 21 years for boys and finally the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006 18 for women 21 for men IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pune-child-marriage-case-fir-filed-against-35-including-bridegroom-673444.html Tue, 12 May 2026 16:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/brs-stages-protest-demands-arrest-of-bandi-sanjays-son-in-pocso-case-673445.html Hyderabad May 12 Bharat Rashtra Samithi BRS staged a sitin protest at Amberpet here on Tuesday demanding the arrest of Union Minister Bandi Sanjayâs son Bandi Bhagirath against whom a POCSO case has been registered Carrying placards and raising slogans the BRS cadres demanded the immediate arrest of Bandi Bhagirath who is reported to be abscondingBRS MLA Kaleru Venkatesh along with BRS leaders and women activists participated in the protest Venkatesh alleged that an attempt was made to dilute the case by registering a case of a honey trap against the victimHe said instead of registering a case against Bhagirath for harassing the minor girl an attempt was made to shield him by booking a honey trap case against the victim and her family membersThe MLA accused the Congress government of trying to protect Bandi Sanjayâs son He claimed that this proved their allegation that Congress and the BJP were hand in gloveThe BRS leader demanded that owning responsibility for the incident Bandi Sanjay should immediately resign as the Central minister He demanded that the state government respond by immediately arresting Bandi Bhagirath and remanding him to custody He called upon everyone to fight until justice is served to the victims familyâBandi Bhageerath son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay and an accused in a POCSO case is reportedly absconding If anyone has information about his whereabouts please inform the nearest police stationâ reads a social media post by BRSThe BRS has accused Chief Minister Revanth Reddy of shielding Bhagirath and Bandi Sanjay âWhile the Congress government made quick arrests in other cases it is delaying the arrest of Bhagirath Different rules for different people Justice must be served for the minor girlâ it said Meanwhile BRS working president KT Rama Rao targeted both the BJP and Congress âOriginal slogan was âBeti Padao Beti Bachaoâ Latest is âBeta Bhagao Beta Bachaoâ Well done both BJP and Congressâ Rama Rao posted on âXâA case was registered against Bandi Bhagirath on May 8 at the Pet Basheerabad Police Station of Cyberabad Commissionerate under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences POCSO Act for alleged sexual assault on a 17yearold girlThe girlâs mother alleged that Bhagirath had been harassing their daughter for over six months He also allegedly misbehaved with her at a farmhouse in MoinabadOn her complaint the police registered a case under Section 11 rw 12 of the POCSO Act and sections 74 and 75 of the BNSBhagirath 25 had earlier lodged a complaint in Karimnagar II Town Police Station against the girl and her parents He alleged that they attempted to honeytrap him and demanded Rs 5 crore for not filing a police complaint against himOn his complaint a case was booked against the girl and her parents under various sections of the BNS for extortion criminal intimidation criminal conspiracy and common intentionBandi Sanjay has denied the allegation against his son He claimed that political rivals were trying to tarnish his image by making false allegations IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/brs-stages-protest-demands-arrest-of-bandi-sanjays-son-in-pocso-case-673445.html Tue, 12 May 2026 16:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-summons-kerala-acp-over-failure-to-register-fir-673452.html New Delhi May 12 The Supreme Court has expressed strong dissatisfaction over the Kerala Policeâs failure to register a formal FIR despite receiving a complaint by post and directed the Assistant Commissioner of Police Ernakulam district to personally appear before it with an explanation A bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R Mahadevan said the affidavit filed by the state of Kerala pursuant to an earlier order was thoroughly unsatisfactory as it failed to answer the core issue raised by the top courtWe find the same to be thoroughly unsatisfactory as the basic point as to why immediately upon receipt of the complaint filed by the petitioner a formal FIR was not registered has not been answered the Justice Amanullahled Bench observed in its order passed on May 8The apex court recorded that it was an admitted position that the complaint sent through post had been received by the Assistant Commissioner of Police Ernakulam district on January 8Accordingly we direct the Assistant Commissioner of Police District Ernakulam Kerala to be personally present before the Court on 15052026â to explain as to why upon receipt of the complaint through post no formal FIR was registered the order statedIt also extended the interim protection earlier granted to the petitioner on February 19 till the next date of hearingThe protection restrains coercive action against the petitioner in connection with FIR No10 of 2026 registered at Panangad Police Station in Ernakulam City subject to his cooperation in the investigation and trialDuring the previous hearing on April 2 the apex court had questioned the Kerala Police over allegations that a complaint filed by a coaccused person in relation to the same incident â alleging outraging of modesty of a woman belonging to the SCST community and supported by a medical report showing injuries â was not acted uponWe are at a loss to understand as to how when a counter affidavit is being filed and the said issue has been raised at more than one place in the pleadings there is no answer given in the counter affidavit on this issue the bench had remarkedHighlighting the wider ramifications of such alleged police inaction the Supreme Court had observed that the issue had a larger implication as it relates to the faith of the general public in the police when they approach it with any complaint supported by some evidence It had also cautioned that if dereliction of duty on the part of the authorities was established it would take a strict view of the same IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-summons-kerala-acp-over-failure-to-register-fir-673452.html Tue, 12 May 2026 16:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/will-hand-over-pm-modi-security-lapse-case-to-nia-if-sought-ktaka-home-minister-673454.html Bengaluru May 12 Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Tuesday said the state government would hand over the investigation into the alleged security lapse during Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs recent visit to Bengaluru to the National Investigation Agency NIA if the Central agency formally sought the case Speaking to the media in Bengaluru Parameshwara said the state police were already investigating the matter and declined to reveal further details at this stageâOne person had made a call claiming that a bomb had been planted at the Art of Living Centre ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs visit He has been arrested and is being questionedâ he saidReferring to the recovery of gelatin sticks along the Prime Ministerâs convoy route the Home Minister said police had secured all the materials and were conducting an investigationâThere is a possibility of NIA officials joining the probe I have learnt that the NIA has sought the case for investigation If they formally ask for it we will grant permissionâ he saidParameshwara stated that security arrangements for the Prime Ministerâs programmes are jointly handled by Central security agencies and the state governmentâHighlevel security is always provided during the Prime Ministerâs programmes The state government also makes arrangements according to the prescribed guidelines The suspicious materials were detected nearly two hours before the programme commenced which reflects good work by the policeâ he saidHowever he added that no conclusions could be drawn until the investigation was completedâOnly after the probe is completed and details emerge can the information be shared with the mediaâ he statedCommenting on the Supreme Courtâs stay on declaring a BJP candidate as the winner in the Sringeri recount case Parameshwara said discrepancies in vote counting needed to be examined seriouslyâIf one candidate gains 250 additional votes after recounting it means the counting process was not conducted properly The officials responsible should be identified and action should be takenâ he saidHe noted that candidates from both parties had approached the courts over the issue and added that the Supreme Court had currently stayed the declaration based on its assessment of the counting processParameshwara also said allegations made by Congress workers regarding tampering would be investigated with the assistance of forensic experts and the Forensic Science Laboratory FSLRegarding the Bengaluru civic body elections the Home Minister said the government was also keen on conducting the polls at the earliest but procedural issues needed to be corrected firstâWe also want the elections to be held early However if there are mistakes in the process they must be rectified Since the census work is underway adequate workforce arrangements are also required Conducting elections is our responsibility and it will be doneâ he saidSpeaking about public transport infrastructure Parameshwara said the government was promoting greater use of public transportation and highlighted the proposed BengaluruâTumakuru Metro projectâA feasibility study has already been conducted and the Detailed Project Report DPR is expected by next week If implemented nearly one lakh commuters travelling between Bengaluru and Tumakuru will benefit and the traffic burden on Bengaluru will reduceâ he saidParameshwara also defended the rural employment guarantee scheme introduced during the tenure of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh saying it was designed to provide employment opportunities and support development worksâThe programme was introduced to provide jobs for unemployed people while also supporting development activities The Centre had always supported it as a flagship national programme implemented across statesâ he saidHe criticised attempts to discontinue the scheme citing corruption allegationsâThey are citing rampant corruption and underutilisation as reasons But if corruption has taken place administrative measures can correct it and action can be taken against those responsible The entire programme should not be discontinuedâ he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/will-hand-over-pm-modi-security-lapse-case-to-nia-if-sought-ktaka-home-minister-673454.html Tue, 12 May 2026 17:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/one-vote-victory-row-tvk-mla-moves-sc-against-madras-hc-order-barring-him-from-floor-test-673456.html New Delhi May 12 Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK MLA R Seenivasa Sethupathi has moved the Supreme Court challenging the Madras High Courtâs interim order restraining him from participating in any floor test proceedings in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly amid a dispute over his onevote victory from the Tiruppattur Assembly constituency The plea was mentioned for urgent hearing before Chief Justice of India CJI Surya Kant by senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi on TuesdayThe apex court agreed to list the matter for hearing on WednesdayThe challenge comes immediately after a vacation Bench of the Madras High Court passed an interim order restraining Sethupathi from âvoting or otherwise taking part in any floor test including confidence motion noconfidence motion trust vote or any voting proceeding in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly where the numerical strength of the House is tested until further ordersâA Bench of Justices L Victoria Gowri and N Senthilkumar had passed the interim direction while hearing a writ petition filed by former Tamil Nadu Minister and DMK leader KR Periakaruppan who lost the Tiruppattur Assembly seat in Sivaganga district by a margin of just one voteAccording to the official results declared by the Election Commission of India ECI Sethupathi secured 83365 votes while Periakaruppan polled 83364 votesPeriakaruppan had alleged serious irregularities in the counting process and claimed that a postal ballot meant for Tiruppattur Assembly constituency No185 in Sivaganga district was mistakenly sent to Tiruppattur Assembly constituency No50 in Tiruppattur district near Vellore and was rejected there instead of being transmitted back to the correct constituencyIn its order the Madras High Court observed that the case disclosed a âpeculiar constitutional anomaly where a postal ballot admittedly relatable to a live and concluded election in one constituency was allegedly diverted to another constituency bearing a similar nomenclature and came to be rejected thereâThe order said the controversy was not a routine election dispute involving recounting or rejection of votes simpliciter but arose from âan antecedent administrative failure in preserving the integrity of the electoral chain itselfâIt further observed that in an election decided by a margin of one vote âevery vote is not merely relevant it is potentially determinativeâReferring to the alleged discrepancy of 18 EVM votes between two official sources and the disputed postal ballot the Madras High Court held that the issues could not be brushed aside at the threshold particularly in view of the razorthin margin of victoryIt had also directed election authorities to preserve all records connected with the counting process including postal ballot records rejected postal ballot covers EVM vote account records videographic footage of counting and all related materialsAt the same time the Madras High Court clarified that its interim order should not be construed as setting aside Sethupathiâs election or conferring any right upon the petitioner to be declared electedDuring the hearing before the High Court the Election Commission of India ECI had opposed the writ petition and contended that once election results are declared any dispute can only be adjudicated through an election petition under the Representation of the People Act 1951Senior counsel G Rajagopalan appearing for the ECI had argued that the Returning Officerâs powers cease after declaration of results and that âthe moment results are declared our hands are tiedâHowever the Madras High Court held that the present case stood on an âexceptional and unprecedented factual footingâ involving preservation of electoral integrity and constitutional justice IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/one-vote-victory-row-tvk-mla-moves-sc-against-madras-hc-order-barring-him-from-floor-test-673456.html Tue, 12 May 2026 17:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/arvind-kejriwal-sees-political-patronage-behind-neet-paper-leak-673458.html New Delhi May 12 IANS Aam Aadmi Party AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday slammed the Central government over the NEETUG 2026 paper leak and questioned its silence and inaction against the examination mafiaSpeaking to newsmen in a press conference Kejriwal claimed that the largescale collusion at top levels and political patronage to those involved in such crimes are primarily the reasons behind the paper leak of such magnitudeHe said that the lives of lakhs of students are at stake because of the NEET paper leak but the government is looking the other way questioning whether it understands the scale of suffering that the children and their families go through during such timesThe NEET examinations held on May 3 were cancelled on Tuesday by the National Testing Agency NTA the central body that conducts competitive exams after incriminating inputs were received by the central agencies about irregularities in the examination processKejriwal accusing the Centre of gross failure as well as negligence said that this was not the first time that the exam papers had been leakedSimilar instances of NEET paper leak took place on multiple occasions in 2017 2021 2024 and now in 2026 Government must tell where those people are behind the previous paper leaks he statednbspDoubling down his charge he stated If the government cant conduct an examination without paper leak how can one expect them to run an efficient governanceThe former Delhi CM also demanded strict action against those sitting in top positions and presiding over the conduct of examinations and failing utterly in conducting the examinations in all fairnessThe future of lakhs of students is at stake Those responsible must be held accountable and hauled up for gross incompetence he demandedRecalling his own experience of preparatory years for competitive exams like IIT and IAS he said that the parents undergo severe hardships during these times and this calls fostrict accountability from those responsibleExpressing his solidarity with the affected students Kejriwal also urged the students to fight decisively against the paper leak mafia stating I want to tell them that if they want to hit the streets to voice their anger and outrage Kejriwal is standing with themIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/arvind-kejriwal-sees-political-patronage-behind-neet-paper-leak-673458.html Tue, 12 May 2026 17:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-l-g-sandhu-leads-police-event-to-return-12-600-stolen-phones-to-owners-673467.html New Delhi May 12 Calling it a shining example of technologyenabled policing Lieutenant Governor TS Sandhu on Tuesday led a Delhi Police programme for returning over 12600 phones to their original owners after law enforcers recovered these instruments from snatchers and thieves arrested across the city âI am informed that this year Delhi Police has recovered around 16000 devices with a recovery rate of 74 per cent More than 12600 phones are being handed over today across the districts simultaneously These numbers reflect the strength of technologyenabled policingâ said Sandhu appreciating the smiles brought to the faces of phone owners by policeLauding Operation Vishwas an ongoing initiative by the Delhi Police aimed at tracing and returning lost stolen or snatched mobile phones to their rightful owners Sandhu called upon citizens to join law enforcers in countering crimeâTechnology alone cannot produce such results Behind every recovered phone is the hard work of police personnel â constables following leads officers coordinating verification technical teams analysing inputs and district units tracking movementâ he saidâCommunity partnership matters too When citizens cooperate RWAs and MWAs Market Welfare Associations stay engaged and the media carries the right message policing becomes more effective and humane This spirit of cooperation will shape Viksit Dilli a capital city that reflects both Indiaâs civilisational values and its modern aspirationsâ he saidThe LG said Delhiâs policing outlook must remain globalâ I can say with conviction that the world today looks at India as a leader in technologydriven governance Bharatâs leadership in digital public infrastructure show how innovation can serve citizens and inspire confidence worldwideâ he saidOperation Vishwas is part of this larger story â that India is building systems which are modern transparent and trusted not only by its own citizens but admired internationally he said appreciating the efforts of Police Commissioner Satish GolchaHe said specialised operations against narcotics cybercrime street crime and weapons glorification further strengthen crime controlâI am confident Delhi Police will continue to update itself with new technologies be firm against crime improve service delivery with a humane approach and make Delhi safer and more responsive for every citizenâ he saidThe Lieutenant Governor also took to social media to highlight the joy of phone owners who got their stolen instruments back IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-l-g-sandhu-leads-police-event-to-return-12-600-stolen-phones-to-owners-673467.html Tue, 12 May 2026 17:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/l-g-sandhu-sets-goal-of-drug-free-delhi-by-2027-approves-1st-anti-narcotics-police-station-673470.html New Delhi May 12 Approving Delhis first dedicated AntiNarcotics Task Force ANTF Police Station Lieutenant Governor LG TS Sandhu on Tuesday set a collective goal of DrugFree Delhi by 2027 He announced the two decisions while setting in motion the destruction of 1700 kg of seized narcotics worth Rs 72 crore at an incineration facility an official saidThis morning I also joined the destruction of seized narcotics at Jahangirpuri a strong message against drugs and organised crime LG Sandhu saidThe Lieutenant Governor also appealed to the youth to avoid addiction and lead a purposeful lifeI urge the youth to choose purpose over peer pressure Together we will ensure that drugs find no market no shelter and no acceptance in our National Capital he said in a message on social media platform XLG Sandhu noted that the Delhi Police are taking a decisive step toward dismantling the drug ecosystem in the national capitalGuided by the vision of PM narendramodi Ji and the resolve of Union Home Minister AmitShah Ji we have set a collective goal for a DrugFree Delhi by 2027 he said on XTo strengthen this mission I am pleased to announce the approval for Delhis first dedicated AntiNarcotics Task Force ANTF Police Station Our strategy focuses on dismantling the financial backbone of traffickers while prioritising community awareness through initiatives like Nasha Not Cool LG Sandhu addedEarlier the LG chaired a Delhi Police programme for returning more than 12600 phones to their original owners after law enforcers recovered these instruments from snatchers and thieves arrested across the national capitalI am informed that this year Delhi Police have recovered around 16000 devices with a recovery rate of 74 per cent More than 12600 phones are being handed over today across the districts simultaneously These numbers reflect the strength of technologyenabled policing LG Sandhu saidLauding Operation Vishwas an ongoing initiative by the Delhi Police aimed at tracing and returning lost stolen or snatched mobile phones to their rightful owners the LG called upon citizens to join efforts of law enforcers in countering crimeTechnology alone cannot produce such results Behind every recovered phone is the hard work of police personnel Constables following leads officers coordinating verification technical teams analysing inputs and district units tracking movement he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/l-g-sandhu-sets-goal-of-drug-free-delhi-by-2027-approves-1st-anti-narcotics-police-station-673470.html Tue, 12 May 2026 17:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/mos-bandi-sanjays-son-approaches-telangana-hc-for-bail-in-pocso-case-673471.html Hyderabad May 12 Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumarâs son Bandi Bhagirath has approached the Telangana High Court seeking interim bail in connection with a POCSO case registered against him Due to ongoing summer holiday for the High Court the petition has been filed before the Vacation Bench The petition will come up for hearing on May 14A case was registered against Bandi Bhagirath on May 8 at Pet Basheerabad Police Station of Cyberabad Commissionerate under Protection Of Children from Sexual Offences POCSO Act for alleged sexual assault on a 17yearold girlOn a complaint by the victimâs mother the police registered a case under Section 11 rw 12 of POCSO Act and sections 74 and 75 of BNSEarlier Bhagirath 25 had lodged a complaint in Karimnagar II Town Police Station against the girl and her parents He alleged that they attempted to honey trap him and demanded Rs5 crore to not file a police complaint against himOn his complaint a case was booked against the girl and her parents under various Sections of the BNS for extortion criminal intimidation criminal conspiracy and common intentionBandi Sanjay has denied the allegation against his son He claimed that political rivals were trying to tarnish his image by making false allegationsChief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Monday asked Director General of Police CV Anand to immediately initiate an investigation into the POCSO case registered against Bandi BhagirathThe DGP was directed to constitute special teams for a comprehensive investigation into the case of the alleged sexual assault on a minor girl by Bandi BhagirathThe Chief Minister questioned the DGP over the delay in taking action despite the complaint having been lodged on May 8Following the Chief Ministerâs direction Cyberabad Police Commissioner asked Deputy Commissioner of Police Ritiraj to personally supervise the investigation in the caseThe DCP visited Pet Basheerbad Police Station to take stock of the investigationShe analysed the case details and spoke to concerned Assistant Commissioner of Police and Station House OfficerThe IPS officer told the media that she discussed with ACP and SHO further steps to be taken in the case âWe have drafted a plan of action and we will proceed accordinglyâ she saidThe DCP said they have already recorded the victims statement but they need some more information She said she would talk to herThe officer said during last couple of days police did whatever needed to be done after registering the POCSO case and collected documentationHinting that the accused is absconding she said if police find the accused they would definitely arrest himShe said the police were trying to gather information about the accused by analysing his Call Detail Record IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/mos-bandi-sanjays-son-approaches-telangana-hc-for-bail-in-pocso-case-673471.html Tue, 12 May 2026 18:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-retail-inflation-recorded-at-348-per-cent-in-april-673473.html New Delhi April 12 Indias retail inflation rate based on the new Consumer Price Index CPI series was recorded at 348 per cent in April compared to the same month of the previous year according to data released by the Ministry of Statistics on Tuesday The commodities that posted the highest inflation during the month were silver jewellery which saw a 14434 per cent jump in prices and gold jewellery which clocked a 4072 per cent increase in pricesOverall food inflation in April stood at 42 per cent as the prices of potatoes plummeted by as much as 2369 per cent during the month while onions turned cheaper by 1767 per cent The prices of chickpea and peas also declined during the month However tomato prices shot up by 3528 per cent the figures showedThe inflation rate for the category housing water electricity gas and other fuels remained subdued at 171 per cent in April despite the soaring oil prices in global markets due to the Middle East conflict as the government did not pass on the hike to consumersSequentially the CPI inflation rate stayed steady in April as it was recorded at 34 per cent in the previous month of MarchMeanwhile the Reserve Bank of India RBI has projected the countryâs inflation rate based on the consumer price index CPI for 202627 at 46 per cent as the nearterm food supply prospects have been boosted by a robust rabi crop which provides some comfort amid rising oil prices in the international market due to the Iran warRBI Governor Sanjaya Malhotra said The passthrough of higher global energy prices has resulted in price increases in select fuels such as premium petrol LPG and diesel for industrial use On the other hand the nearterm food supply prospects have been boosted by a robust rabi crop providing some comfortConsidering all these factors CPI inflation for 202627 is projected to be at 46 per cent with Q1 at 40 per cent Q2 at 44 per cent Q3 at 52 per cent and Q4 at 47 per cent the RBI Governor saidHowever persistently elevated energy prices due to the West Asia conflict and possible El NiÃo conditions which could have a negative impact on the southwest monsoon pose upside risks to inflation he observedMalhotra said that Indiaâs core inflation which excludes food and fuel prices is projected at 44 per cent for 202627 and excluding precious metals it is even lower indicating that underlying inflation pressures are expected to remain contained IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-retail-inflation-recorded-at-348-per-cent-in-april-673473.html Tue, 12 May 2026 18:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/neet-ug-2026-cancellation-oppn-claims-mafia-involvement-in-paper-leak-673479.html New Delhi May 12 The Opposition leaders on Tuesday claimed involvement of mafia or influential people in the NEETUG paper leak They said that the BJPled Centre should be answerable to the lakhs of students and their parents who put in their years of hard work and money to prepare for the medical exam The Oppositions response came after the National Testing Agency NTA cancelled the NEETUG 2026 examination conducted on May 3 and announced that the exam would be reconducted on dates to be notified separatelyThe Rajasthan investigators are probing allegations that a âguess paperâ circulated before the exam contained questions that closely matched those on the actual paperâCongress leader Sachin Pilot highlighted that paper leak has not been reported for the first timeLakhs of students work hard and their parents too put in so much effort to save enough money so that their children are able to attend coaching for these exams he told reportersNow questions are being raised on the system itself and NTA is getting exposed he addedPilot stated that since paper leaks are happening repeatedly there must be the involvement of some mafia and gangs behind itThe head of such gangs must be some influential person since the questions in the main paper and guess paper were exactly similarLater speaking to IANS he said accountability needs to be taken for such incidentsI think those responsible must stand up and take accountability If the department is not able to conduct exams fairly every year its happening repeatedly I think those responsible should have to step aside he saidHe appealed to the Central government to pay attention to such incidents and urged for a timebound judicial enquiry into the case Not a CBI but a judicial enquiry is required into the case Pilot stressedAAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj cautioned that it is possible that all the paper leaks have not yet come into the public eyeThis is among those cases that we are getting to know of There may be several unknown cases of paper leaks he told IANSBharadwaj claimed that the Supreme Court not scrapping the NEETUG examination in 2024 despite reported irregularities messed with the future of lakhs of medical studentsThe then SC verdict gave a message that even if paper leak was caught later at least those who had received the questions beforehand and those who received money for it would be benefitted he saidTrinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy said such incidents would break the trust that people have in the NTAEchoing similar views as Congress leader Pilot AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi said What will happen to those students who have been preparing hard for the exam and whose parents have spent lakhs of rupees on coaching feesHe said that the BJPled Central government should be answerable to those students and parents IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/neet-ug-2026-cancellation-oppn-claims-mafia-involvement-in-paper-leak-673479.html Tue, 12 May 2026 18:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/himachal-pradesh-saw-86-cloudbursts-and-121-flash-floods-from-2023-to-2025-673480.html Chandigarh May 12 Himachal Pradesh saw 86 cloudbursts 234 landslides and 121 flash floods from 2023 to 2025 resulting in a cumulative loss of Rs 12500 crore This fact came to light after a highlevel meeting here chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to review the Resilient Action for Development and Disaster Recovery Himachal Pradesh READYHP An official statement issued on Tuesday quoting the Chief Minister said the total outlay of the Resilient Action for Development and Disaster Recovery Himachal Pradesh READYHP project is Rs 2687 crore and described it as a crucial initiative for strengthening disaster management capacity in the state and reducing the damage caused by natural disastersThe Chief Minister while referring to the increasing impact of natural calamities said Himachal Pradesh is highly vulnerable to natural calamities as it falls in the young and fragile Himalayan regionChief Minister Sukhu said the project aims to restore disasteraffected infrastructure including roads water supply schemes power and livelihoods projects while ensuring a resilient recovery mechanism across the stateHe said the objective of READYHP is to support resilient disaster recovery It will also focus on developing resilient public services promoting livelihood opportunities through initiatives like green panchayats and strengthening riskinformed social safety and insurance mechanismsThe Chief Minister stressed on the need for developing robust infrastructure to support farmers and horticulturists so that their livelihoods remain protected and resilient during natural disastersChief Secretary Sanjay Gupta Additional Chief Secretary Revenue KK Pant Principal Secretary Finance Devesh Kumar Advisor Planning Ravinder Kumar Director Energy Rakesh Kumar Prajapati Director Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Raghav Sharma Deputy Project Director Surender Maltu and other senior officers were present at the meeting IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/himachal-pradesh-saw-86-cloudbursts-and-121-flash-floods-from-2023-to-2025-673480.html Tue, 12 May 2026 18:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/adani-ports-arm-ties-up-with-us-firm-oceaneering-for-deepwater-push-673481.html New Delhi May 12 Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd APSEZ on Tuesday said its maritime subsidiary Astro Offshore has partnered with USbased engineering and applied technology company Oceaneering International Inc to expand into ultradeepwater and subsea operations a major step in its global offshore growth strategy The agreement between the companies is aimed at tapping specialised offshore opportunities in Europe and strengthening capabilities in complex subsea engineering projects including underwater construction pipeline installation inspection and maintenanceThe move supports APSEZâs broader ambition to build a globally diversified marine platform spanning logistics offshore support services and deepwater infrastructure solutionsAs part of its expansion Astro Offshore has inducted Astro Atlas its first ultradeepwater vessel reinforcing its focus on building a younger highspecification fleet with advanced operational capabilitiesAPSEZ Wholetime Director and Chief Executive Officer Ashwani Gupta said that this development supports APSEZâs ambition to build a globally diversified marine platformHe further added that by combining Astro Offshoreâs expanding highspecification fleet with Oceaneeringâs deepwater engineering and ROV expertise we are enhancing our capabilities in complex offshore operations while expanding into EuropeAstro Offshore CEO Mark Humphreys said the addition of Astro Atlas strengthens the companyâs ultradeepwater capabilities and enables it to address a wider range of offshore requirementsAs our largest and most capable vessel to date she enables us to support a broader range of complex offshore operations and respond more effectively to evolving client requirements he saidAdditionally the 97metre DP2 multipurpose support vessel formerly Energy Savannah is equipped with advanced subsea systems including a 150tonne crane a secondary crane a moonpool and accommodation for up to 100 personnelIt is capable of operating in water depths exceeding 3000 metres the company saidThe partnership comes as APSEZ accelerates its longterm strategy to scale its marine business globally targeting a 200vessel fleet along with marine revenue of Rs 6000 crore and capital expenditure of Rs 13000 crore by FY31 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/adani-ports-arm-ties-up-with-us-firm-oceaneering-for-deepwater-push-673481.html Tue, 12 May 2026 18:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/how-china-chokes-foreign-banks-673483.html New Delhi May 12 Although foreign banks have been in China for decades they have failed to grow and currently account for a mere 5 per cent of the countryâs total banking assets according to a media article When Chinaâs accession to the World Trade Organisation in December 2001 was finalised the promise extended to foreign financial institutions was one of gradual meaningful integration However this has not taken place the article by Dr Shalini Kumar in the UKs Asian Lite newspaper noted Foreign banks are allowed to function but their growth has been checked by multiple regulators who have put in place a complex set of rules that banks find it difficult to comply with Besides taxes on foreign banks are higher and they are not allowed to repatriate their profitsThe daytoday functioning of foreign banks is monitored by three institutions the Peopleâs Bank of China the National Financial Regulatory Administration and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange This means that a foreign bank is not dealing with a single regulator but with multiple authorities at the same time Routine activities such as lending foreign exchange transactions and compliance reporting fall under overlapping oversight the article statedIt highlights that foreign banks in China are expected to submit close to a thousand reports every year These are not limited to annual disclosures but include daily weekly fortnightly monthly halfyearly and annual submissions A typical week for a compliance team in a foreign bank involves preparing multiple filings at the same time Daily liquidity and transaction reports may be due alongside weekly summaries and monthly statements At the same time banks must keep track of deadlines for halfyearly and annual submissions which require more detailed documentationDelays or errors in these submissions are not treated lightly Even a missed deadline can attract monetary penalties This means that compliance is not just about meeting regulatory standards but about meeting them on time the article points outThe financial side of the equation adds another layer of pressure Foreign banks in China pay around 18 per cent tax to the Chinese government along with a 6 per cent valueadded tax on the interest they earn Interest income is the core of banking When a bank lends money the margin it earns on that loan is its primary source of profit Applying VAT directly to this income means that taxation cuts into the main business activity itself For a foreign bank operating on a smaller scale compared to domestic competitors this has a noticeable impact Margins are tighter and the room to expand lending or offer competitive rates is reduced Regulatory costs and tax burdens do not operate separately Together they shape how much a foreign bank can realistically earn and reinvest the article observedPerhaps the most significant constraint comes after profits are earned Foreign banks are not freely allowed to transfer overseas the profits they make from interest income Instead they are expected to retain and reinvest those earnings within China This changes the basic logic of operating in a foreign market the article added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/how-china-chokes-foreign-banks-673483.html Tue, 12 May 2026 19:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/mp-hc-judge-dd-bansal-cycles-to-court-in-jabalpur-backs-pms-fuel-saving-appeal-673485.html JabalpurBhopal May 12 In a symbolic gesture supporting Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs appeal to reduce fuel consumption Madhya Pradesh High Court judge Justice DD Bansal rode a bicycle from his official residence to the High Court in Jabalpur on Tuesday setting an example amid growing concerns over fuel usage and environmental conservation Justice Bansal cycled three kilometres from the Civil Lines area to the High Court in the scorching summer heat What made the scene more striking was that his security personnel also accompanied him on bicycles instead of the usual official convoyTypically when a High Court judge travels through the city traffic movement is regulated and a pilot vehicle escorts the official car Judges of the Madhya Pradesh High Court generally commute in official or personal vehicles from their residences in Civil Lines to the court premisesHowever Tuesday morning presented an unusual and widely discussed sight as Justice Bansal chose a bicycle over a carLater speaking to news reporters Justice Bansal said he was inspired by the Prime Ministerâs repeated appeal to citizens to minimise petrol and diesel consumptionâPrime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed to the public to reduce their consumption of petrol Consequently I decided to commute from my bungalow to the High Court on a bicycleâ he saidHe further stated that cycling has always been a part of his life and that he did not face any inconvenience while travelling to courtâCycling is nothing new to me During my childhood I used to cycle to school Even now I cycle regularly on Dumna Road I have also cycled within the city with the Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court Justice Sanjeev Sachdevaâ he addedRejecting the notion that judges cannot commute by bicycle Justice Bansal remarked âIt is hot so there may be some minor inconvenience but cycling is beneficial I experienced absolutely no discomfort while covering the distance from Civil Lines to the High CourtâHis gesture comes at a time when large political convoys and VIP vehicle movements often draw criticism over fuel wastageWhile in Bhopal Madhya Pradesh Energy Minister Pradyuman Singh Tomar also opted for an escooter instead of a large vehicle while travelling to the state ministry in Bhopal on Tuesday IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/mp-hc-judge-dd-bansal-cycles-to-court-in-jabalpur-backs-pms-fuel-saving-appeal-673485.html Tue, 12 May 2026 19:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/trinamool-congress-mla-madan-mitra-hospitalised-condition-stable-673486.html Kolkata May 12 Trinamool Congress MLA Madan Mitra was admitted to a hospital after falling ill said party leaders on Tuesday He was admitted to a hospital in South Kolkata on Monday evening According to hospital sources the Trinamool MLA has urinary problems He has been kept under observation by doctorsHospital sources also informed that Madans physical condition is stable for now and he is responding positively to treatment However Mitras close aides said that he has been under mental pressure after his partys defeat in the West Bengal Assembly electionsAccording to family members if everything is fine the Trinamool MLA will be discharged from the hospital in the next few daysMadan had contested from his Kamarhati constituency in this years Assembly elections While Trinamool suffered an electoral debacle in the state Madan managed to win his constituency His followers are worried after the veteran leader suddenly fell illMadan Mitra was also in the news during the election campaign From singing to campaigning in colourful dresses the Trinamool leader was seen selling jhalmuriIn 2011 he contested from Kamarhati and won when Trinamool Congress came to power ending the 34year reign of the Left Front governmentIn 2014 he was arrested in the Saradha chit fund case After spending about 21 months in jail he got bail in September 2016 He contested from Kamarhati in that years election which he lost After that Trinamool fielded him again in the Bhatpara byelection in 2019 Madan was also defeated by Arjun Singhs son Pawan Singh in Bhatpara After that he contested from Kamarhati again in the 2021 Assembly elections which he won After that the Trinamool leader won from Kamarhati in 2026 as well IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/trinamool-congress-mla-madan-mitra-hospitalised-condition-stable-673486.html Tue, 12 May 2026 19:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/april-inflation-reflects-relatively-stable-price-conditions-monsoon-a-key-factor-673487.html New Delhi May 12 The moderate jump in inflation in April reflects relatively stable price conditions across several core consumption categories particularly transport industry leaders said on Tuesday However food price pressures remain elevated in select commodities indicating the continued importance of supplyside monitoring said PHDCCIâAmong major commodity groups transport inflation remained subdued at nearzero levels as Government has not increased retail pump prices despite Brent crude oil prices remaining above 100 per barrel in the international markets since the East Asia Crisisâ said Rajeev Juneja President PHDCCIIndiaâs retail inflation CPI stood at 348 per cent in April on a yearonyear basis according to provisional estimatesFood inflation rose to 420 per cent compared with 387 per cent in March 2026 Rural food inflation at 426 per cent was higher than urban food inflation which stood at 410 per centHowever precious metal prices recorded comparatively higher inflation rates due to jump in international metal prices and depreciating INR compared to US dollar Juneja addedOn the other hand at the food item level potatoes onions motor cars and jeeps peas and chickpeas and air conditioners recorded the lowest inflation rates during AprilâIn India recently a deviation between food and nonfood inflation trends continues to impact the inflation outlook Volatility in agricultural commodities baring seasonal commodities and precious metals may continue to influence household inflation expectations in the near termâ said Dr Ranjeet Mehta SG and CEO PHDCCIRajeev Sharan Head of Research Brickwork Ratings said with the monsoon forecast still uncertain the outlook hinges on whether early rains stabilise vegetable and cereal supplies or amplify existing stresses in perishablesCore inflation at 33 per cent remains relatively contained with categories such as housing 215 per cent health 164 per cent household goods 161 per cent and several nonfood categories showing moderate price momentumâOverall inflation is within a manageable range but the monsoon will determine whether India sustains this benign core trend or faces renewed broadbased price pressuresâ said Sharan IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/april-inflation-reflects-relatively-stable-price-conditions-monsoon-a-key-factor-673487.html Tue, 12 May 2026 19:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/chandrababu-pawan-kalyan-congratulate-himanta-sarma-on-taking-oath-as-assam-cm-673489.html Amaravati May 12 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Tuesday congratulated Himanta Biswa Sarma on taking oath as the Chief Minister of Assam Chandrababu Naidu who attended the swearingin ceremony in Guwahati took to X to extend his greetingsâHeartiest congratulations to Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma Ji on taking oath once again as the Chief Minister of Assam and securing a remarkable hattrick for NDA I also extend my warm congratulations and best wishes to all members of his Council of Ministers for a successful and impactful tenure in serving the people of Assam and contributing to the vision of Viksit Bharat under the visionary leadership of Honâble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Jiâ posted Naidu whose Telugu Desam Party TDP is a key partner in the NDA government at the CentreNaiduâs son Nara Lokesh who is a minister in his Cabinet and the working president of TDP also attended the swearingin ceremonyLokesh stated that as a âtoweringâ leader from the Northeast Himanta has set a benchmark for developmentdriven governance and transformative leadershipâAs NDA leaders we are proud of the renewed mandate in Assam Himanta jiâs leadership reflects Honâble Prime Minister Narendra Modi jiâs vision of inclusive growth rapid development strong governance and empowerment of every region of India especially the Northeast which today stands transformed into a major growth engine of the nationâ said LokeshHe also posted about their meeting with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari at Guwahati airportâThe âHighway Man of Indiaâ continues to inspire all of us with his infectious enthusiasm for nationbuilding transformative infrastructure and his relentless drive to build a faster stronger India Thank you sir for your warm words of appreciation for the work being done in Andhra Pradesh under the leadership of our CM Shri N Chandrababu Naidu garu Your encouragement means a lot to us as we work towards building worldclass infrastructure and accelerating growth in APâ wrote LokeshDeputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan also congratulated Himanta Sarma on taking the oath as the Chief Minister of Assam The Jana Sena leader also congratulated all those who took the oath as ministers at the swearingin ceremonyâI am confident that under your leadership the new government will continue to fulfil the aspirations of the people strengthen border security combat illegal immigration and antisocial elements with the support of our armed forces and lead Assam towards greater growth and prosperityâ posted the actorpolitician IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/chandrababu-pawan-kalyan-congratulate-himanta-sarma-on-taking-oath-as-assam-cm-673489.html Tue, 12 May 2026 19:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/jampk-l-g-manoj-sinha-leads-anti-drug-padyatra-in-baramulla-673492.html Srinagar May 12 Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor LG Manoj Sinha on Tuesday joined the DrugFree Jammu and Kashmir campaign in Baramulla town engaging with citizens and participating in a Padyatra The LG also announced the launch of two innovative pillars under the campaign for the next 69 days the Community Immunisation Program against drugs and the Family Fortress InitiativeSpeaking on the occasion LG Sinha said that just as we have taught communities to vaccinate against bacteria or viruses we will partner with religious leaders and social groups to create Community Immunisation initiative against drugs in 5 to 10 highrisk hotspot areas per districtI urge schools mosques temples gurdwaras and NGOs to dedicate one hour weekly to strengthen this initiative through awareness It will deliver real results acting like an early warning system monitoring hotspots while building them into fully drugfree zonesThe second pillar is the Family Fortress Initiative which will rely on the strong family and community bonds for the ultimate shield against drug addiction the LG addedOver the next 69 days every school college and place of worship in Jammu and Kashmir should host a weekly family dialogue on drugs These dialogues should be open honest paired with local campaign audits to spot and fix gaps he saidHe highlighted that in the past 31 days more than 235000 awareness and outreach events have been held across Jammu and Kashmir More than 44000 OPD patients have been treated nearly 700 drug smugglers and peddlers arrested and stringent action has been taken against the drug supply chainAction has targeted every financial transaction of drug cartels seizing crores in properties built from drug money by major smugglers Across Jammu and Kashmir divisions 300 driving licenses and more than 400 vehicle registrations linked to drug smugglers have been recommended for cancellation the LG saidEnforcement agencies have ensured massive drug hauls We have inspected more than 3300 drug stores and 150 licenses have been suspended for violating the norms Nearly 3000 CCTV cameras are now installed at the drug stores across the Union TerritoryOver two dozen smugglers have been nabbed under Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act PITNDPS Act I assure the people that we will chase every rupee every asset and shell company of drug traffickers ensuring the harshest punishment for those who are destroying our youths future LG Sinha addedHe said that fuelled by public support this peoples movement is setting historic records in Jammu and Kashmir and no past social campaign has seen such massive participationWe have received nearly 3000 calls for teleManas counselling and support in the past 31 days I want our response to drugs to be rooted in science We dont shame diabetes patients into health or cure cancer victims through stigmaLikewise we must treat and rehabilitate addicts with dignity reconnecting them to societys mainstream through resolve and compassion Government officials and citizens must unite for surveillance rally against drugs and foster drugfree villages and towns the LG added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/jampk-l-g-manoj-sinha-leads-anti-drug-padyatra-in-baramulla-673492.html Tue, 12 May 2026 20:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cm-vijay-urges-eam-jaishankar-to-secure-release-of-arrested-tn-fishermen-from-sri-lankan-custody-673494.html Chennai May 12 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Tuesday urged the External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar to take immediate diplomatic steps to secure the release of six fishermen from the state arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy and to retrieve their seized fishing boat In a letter addressed to Union Minister Jaishankar Chief Minister Vijay expressed concern over the continuing arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen by Sri Lankan authorities and highlighted the growing distress among coastal communities in the state Drawing EAM Jaishankars attention to the latest incident the Chief Minister said six fishermen from Mandapam in Ramanathapuram district were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy on Tuesday for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line IMBL The arrested fishermen were identified as Alex Antony Rajan Santhana Arokiyas Arul DBritto Albert and Sahaya Selvasanu According to the letter the fishermen had ventured into the sea on May 10 in a country boat from the Mandapam coastal region for routine fishing operations before they were detained by the Sri Lankan Naval personnel on May 12 Chief Minister Vijay said that the repeated arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen had become a serious humanitarian and livelihood issue affecting hundreds of fishing families dependent on the Palk Bay region for their survival The Chief Minister also added that 54 Tamil Nadu fishermen are currently lodged in Sri Lankan prisons following earlier arrests by the Sri Lankan Navy In addition he noted that Sri Lankan authorities have so far seized 264 fishing boats belonging to fishermen from Tamil Nadu Stressing the need for urgent intervention by the Centre Chief Minister Vijay urged EAM Jaishankar to immediately engage with the Sri Lankan government through appropriate diplomatic channels to secure the fishermens release and ensure the return of their boats at the earliest The letter comes amid renewed tension in the Palk Strait region where incidents involving Tamil Nadu fishermen and the Sri Lankan Navy continue to recur despite repeated bilateral discussions between India and Sri Lanka on the longpending fishing dispute The Tamil Nadu government has consistently said that the livelihood concerns of traditional fishermen should be handled with sensitivity and has repeatedly sought permanent diplomatic and humanitarian solutions to prevent arrests and boat seizures in the future IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cm-vijay-urges-eam-jaishankar-to-secure-release-of-arrested-tn-fishermen-from-sri-lankan-custody-673494.html Tue, 12 May 2026 20:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/restaurant-of-arrested-tmc-leader-earned-rs-111-crore-during-covid-lockdown-ed-tells-court-673496.html Kolkata May 12 A restaurant owned by former West Bengal Minister Sujit Bose earned over Rs 1 crore during the Covid19 lockdown in 2020 despite remaining completely shut the Enforcement Directorate ED told a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act PMLA court in Kolkata on Tuesday Bose who served as a minister during the previous Trinamool Congress government was arrested by ED officials on Monday night in connection with the multicrore municipal recruitment scam after a marathon interrogation at the agencyâs Salt Lake office on the outskirts of KolkataHe was presented at the special PMLA court by the ED officials on Tuesday afternoon during which the ED counsel gave details of the alleged moneylaundering transactions linked to the restaurant of the former ministerThe ED council informed the court that the said restaurant showed an income of Rs 111 crore during the Covid19 lockdown when the entity remained closed totally and none of its employees was in service during that periodThe ED counsel also informed the court that besides Rs 11 crore transferred to the said restaurant another amount of Rs 22 crore was transferred to the personal account of BoseThe ED further submitted that investigators had unearthed multiple financial transactions involving Bose with individuals where the transfers lacked any legal basisThe agency also informed the court that it had found evidence of at least 150 illegal recruitments in the Uttar Dum Dum Municipality in the North 24 Parganas district allegedly carried out on Boseâs recommendationThe ED counsel sought 10 days of remand of Bose to interrogate him The court order is yet to be deliveredMeanwhile moving the bail plea Boseâs counsel informed the court that the documents based on which ED had arrested his client were available with the investigating officers of the central agency between 2022 and 2023Boseâs counsel questioned the justification of the arrest based on documents available three to four years back He also claimed that even the earlier charge sheet presented by ED in the matter did not have his clients name as the accusedBose a threetime Trinamool Congress legislator from Bidhannagar assembly constituency in North 24 Parganas district was defeated this timeED officials had first received information about the multicrore municipalities job case while conducting raids and search operations at the residence of Trinamool Congresslinked promoter Ayan Shil in connection with another money laundering case related to the cashforschool jobs scam in West BengalLater the Central Bureau of Investigation had also started a parallel probe into the municipalitiesâ job case following an order of the Calcutta High CourtAs officials of the two central agencies progressed further with the investigation the names of several politically influential persons including state ministers and ruling party leaders surfaced IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/restaurant-of-arrested-tmc-leader-earned-rs-111-crore-during-covid-lockdown-ed-tells-court-673496.html Tue, 12 May 2026 20:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/govt-committed-to-building-cyber-secure-bharat-hm-shah-on-mha-rbi-inking-mou-to-combat-digital-fraud-673497.html New Delhi May 12 In a significant step to combat incidents of cybercrime and digital fraud the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre I4C under the Ministry of Home Affairs and Reserve Bank Innovation Hub RBIH signed a Memorandum of Understanding MoU on Tuesday The MoU seeks to create an integrated system and strengthen collaboration in combating cyberenabled financial fraud while curtailing mule accounts across the banking and digital payments ecosystemUnion Home Minister Amit Shah took to X to affirm the governmentâs focus and commitment to building a cybersecure BharatâModi govt is tirelessly working for cybersecure Bharat Mule accounts are a big hurdle in curbing cyber crimes Today the I4C under MHA signed an MoU with Reserve Bank Innovation Hub RBIH unleashing the power of Artificial Intelligence to combat cyber fraudâ he wrote in a post on XHe further stated âThe move will swiftly detect and cull hidden mule accounts by feeding the data from the I4Cs Suspect Registry to the AIdriven fraud detection system and serve the citizens as their nextgen shield against cybercrimeâThe MoU aims to strengthen fraudrisk intelligence sharing analytical support and operational coordination to combat cyberenabled financial fraudUnder the arrangement I4C and RBIH will collaborate for the sharing of mule accountrelated intelligence and suspect identifiers from I4CMHAâs Suspect Registry to strengthen AIdriven fraud detection systems implemented across banks The RBIH will utilise the datasets for training and enhancement of AIdriven fraudrisk assessment modelsAs mule accounts remain one of the biggest hurdles in curbing cybercrime the power of Artificial Intelligence AI will be unleashed to combat incidents of cyber fraudThe move will swiftly detect and cull hidden mule accounts by feeding the data from the I4Cs Suspect Registry to the AIdriven fraud detection system It will serve the citizens as their nextgeneration shield against cybercrime IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/govt-committed-to-building-cyber-secure-bharat-hm-shah-on-mha-rbi-inking-mou-to-combat-digital-fraud-673497.html Tue, 12 May 2026 20:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/mp-four-cheetah-cubs-die-in-kuno-probe-underway-673498.html Sheopur May 12 Four cheetah cubs born to female cheetah KGP12 were found dead at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradeshâs Sheopur on Tuesday morning in a setback for Indiaâs cheetah reintroduction projectâ Forest officials suspect the cubs may have been killed by a wild predator The cubs born on April 11 were about one month oldâA monitoring team discovered their bodies near the den site during routine tracking in the Sheopur forest area the Cheetah Field Director at Kuno said while confirming the reportâIt stated that the same team had seen all four cubs alive on Monday evening making the deaths suddenâThe Field Director of Project Cheetah in an official statement on Tuesday said the cubsâ bodies were partially eaten which suggests an attack by a carnivorous animalââThe exact cause of death will be confirmed only after postmortem reports are receivedâ the statement saidâIt added that the mother KGP12 is safe and healthy and remains under close watch by forest staffââFollowing the incident surveillance and patrolling in the area have been intensifiedâ the statement readâMonitoring teams have also stepped up vigilance around other cheetahs and cubs in the parkâForest officials said protecting newborn cubs in the open forest is one of the projects toughest challengesâKunoâs habitat also supports leopards hyenas and jackals which pose a threat to young cubs that cannot defend themselvesâThe incident comes a day after Chief Minister Mohan Yadav released two female cheetahs into the wild at KunoâThe release was part of efforts to expand the freeranging cheetah population in the parkâWith the death of the four cubs Kuno National Park now has 50 cheetahs Of these 33 were born in India under the breeding programmeâThree more cheetahs are currently at Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary taking Indiaâs total cheetah population to 53âIndia launched Project Cheetah in September 2022 after cheetahs went extinct in the country in 1952âThe first batch was brought from Namibia followed by cheetahs from South Africa Since then Kuno has seen several litters marking progress for the projectâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/mp-four-cheetah-cubs-die-in-kuno-probe-underway-673498.html Tue, 12 May 2026 20:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/neet-exams-nta-received-reports-of-irregularities-on-may-7-to-refund-fees-to-23-million-students-673499.html New Delhi May 12 The National Testing Agency NTA which had conducted the NEETUG 2026 examinations on May 3 decided to cancel them almost 10 days later on May 12 after âincriminatingâ inputs began to surface pointing to widespread irregularities in the examination procedure and an alleged paper leakâ According to the NTA it received the first reports of irregularities associated with the NEET UG examination on May 7 and after duly examining the inputs from central and enforcement agencies decided to cancel it altogetherâThe NTA the umbrella body responsible for conducting examinations has made it clear that students appearing in the NEET UG 2026 exams will be issued an examination fee refund as soon as possible and that it will not charge any reexamination feesâThe agency in its clarification also stated that it had implemented hightech measures such as GPS surveillance and watermarking to ensure the security of the question papers however despite the stringent security arrangements the question papers were leakedâThe new reexamination dates will be officially announced shortly Students will be notified separately According to the NTA a new admit card will be issued for the reexamination The complete schedule for this process will also be shared by the NTA Also the students will not be required to reapply for examinations as their previous registrations will remain validâThe NTA further said that it will bear the entire cost of conducting the reexamination using its own internal resourcesâAdditionally a helpline and email support facility remain operational to address students queries and to provide any necessary assistance or informationâThe agency further acknowledged the inconvenience and trouble caused to students and their families due to reexamination but stated that this was an essential step to uphold trust in the examination systemâRegarding the discovery of a paper leak and related goofup it stated that in the evening on May 7 four days after the examination it received certain information regarding alleged irregularities associated with the examâThis information was forwarded to central agencies on the morning of May 8 for independent investigation and necessary action And after receiving credible input the agency decided to cancel the examsâThe NTA also said that it is extending its full cooperation to the investigating agencies and providing access to all relevant recordsâIt has also urged students and parents to rely on official notifications and avoid falling for rumors circulating on social mediaâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/neet-exams-nta-received-reports-of-irregularities-on-may-7-to-refund-fees-to-23-million-students-673499.html Tue, 12 May 2026 20:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/feeling-blessed-to-be-here-pm-modi-on-attending-somnath-amrut-mahotsav-673284.html Gir Somnath May 11 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that he feels blessed to attend the Somnath Amrut Mahotsav in Gujarats Gir Somnath district as the shrine celebrated the 75th anniversary of its reconstruction in 1951nbspSharing a video in a post on X PM Modi said Jai Somnath Feeling blessed to be here when we are marking 75 years since the rebuilt temple opened its doors for devoteesThe attached video shows the Prime Minister walking with joined hands through a ceremonial pathway lined with yellowclad devotees playing Damrus and ShanknadIn another X post PM Modi said At Somnath one can experience Bhakti in every corner Countless people have come together to mark 75 years since the rebuilt Temple opened its doors to devotees That day was indeed a milestone in the civilisational journey of BharatSomnath Temple one of Indias oldest Shiva temples and one of the 12 Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt over centuriesnbspThe celebrations at the historic Somnath Temple commemorated the temples restoration and its inauguration by Indias first President Dr Rajendra Prasad in 1951Ahead of the religious ceremonies PM Modi held a roadshow in Somnath after arriving from Jamnagar where he had stayed overnight following his arrival in Gujarat on Sunday nightChief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi were also present at the roadshowThousands of people gathered along the nearly 15km route from the helipad to Veer Hamirji Circle near the temple to welcome the Prime MinisterSupporters waved flags and raised slogans as his convoy passed through the area while artists from several states including West Bengal performed traditional cultural dances at designated points along the routeThe Prime Minister later joined the ceremonies at the temple complex where special rituals and prayers were organised as part of the celebrationsA Kumbhabhishek ceremony was conducted using holy water brought from 11 sacred pilgrimage sites across the countryCeremonial flag hoisting and traditional religious rites were also held amid Vedic chants and devotional prayersPM Modi performed rituals including jal abhishek dhwaj puja and maha puja at the templeFlower petals were also showered on the temple from helicopters during the ceremoniesThe temple premises were extensively decorated for the occasion with large numbers of devotees and dignitaries attending the eventSecurity arrangements were tightened across the district in view of the Prime Ministers visit and the expected public turnoutThe Somnath Temple located on the Arabian Sea coast in Prabhas Patan holds significant religious importance in Hindu tradition and is regarded as a symbol of faith and cultural heritageThe current celebrations have been organised to mark 75 years since the reconstructed temple was formally inaugurated after independenceLater in the day the Prime Minister is scheduled to address a public gathering at Sadbhavana Ground in SomnathIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/feeling-blessed-to-be-here-pm-modi-on-attending-somnath-amrut-mahotsav-673284.html Mon, 11 May 2026 13:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/centre-notifies-vb-g-ram-g-to-replace-mgnreaga-nationwide-from-july-1-673292.html New Delhi May 11 IANS Setting the ball rolling for the implementation of Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Gramin VB G RAM G the Centre on Monday notified the commencement of the rural employment guarantee schemenbspThe law replacing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act MGNREGA will come into effect across all rural areas from July 1 while the latter will stand repealed from the same dateUnion Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan briefing the press about the historic transition in Indias rural development framework said Starting July 1st labourers in rural areas seeking employment will be provided with 125 days of work rather than the previous 100 daysIn the interim period work under MGNREGA will continue as usual he added highlighting how this will usher in a new era of integrated futureready and productivityoriented rural transformation aligned with the vision of Viksit BharatHe said that most states will have a period of six months to complete the necessary preparations and if anyone fails to complete the requisite preparations by July 1st the work will proceed directly under the Viksit Bharat 2047 schemeGiving an insight into fund allocation for the VB GRAM G he said that the combined financial outlays from both the Central and state governments will exceed Rs 151000 croreEfforts are being made to ensure payment to labourers within three days and labourers will also be eligible for compensation in cases of delayed payments the Union Minister saidIf employment is not provided an unemployment allowance will also be granted he informedAccording to the notification the existing eKYC verified MGNREGA job cards shall remain valid under VB G RAM G until the Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards are issuedWorkers without Job Cards may continue to register at the Gram Panchayat level and they must not be denied employment due to pending eKYC said the notificationIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/centre-notifies-vb-g-ram-g-to-replace-mgnreaga-nationwide-from-july-1-673292.html Mon, 11 May 2026 13:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/intelligence-agencies-warn-aqis-could-use-mali-attacks-to-regroup-in-india-673294.html New Delhi May 11 Over 70 people were killed last week in a fresh wave of jihadist attacks in central Mali The attacks were claimed by the Jamaat Nusrat alIslam wal Muslimin JNIM a terror group closely linked to the AlQaeda Following the death of Osama Bin Laden and other senior functionaries of the outfit many had presumed that the AlQaeda is on its decline The outfit even launched its wing called the AllQaeda in the SubContinent AQIS The outfit was launched in Afghanistan with its primary focus being on India The outfit did not take off as it would have expected but it still remains a grave threatOfficials say that there is an emerging pattern that one notices where the outfit is concerned The AlQaeda has over the years made significant progress in Africa The attacks in Mali which falls in West Africa is testimony of how powerful the outfit is the official addedWhat the AlQaeda benefited from is that the world had taken its eyes off the outfit thinking that it had gone down None expected a resurgence and the fact that it was off the radar in fact helped the outfit rebuildThe same is in the case of the AQIS It has remained relatively quiet for several years now It has focussed its resources on online propaganda but has deliberately ensured that it is not as vocal as the Islamic StateAn Intelligence Bureau official says that such attacks like the one we saw in Mali are all factors that the AQIS would take into account to relaunch itself in a big way The law enforcement agencies cannot afford to take the AQIS lightly as it is capable of making a comeback in a very big wayMoreover the AQIS is capable of generating more traction in India when compared to the Islamic State Many especially within the southern states still consider Osama Bin Laden to be a hero Despite being gone for long Bin Laden is still a big draw and an extremely polarising figure the official addedAnother official said that the AlQaeda has learnt the art of deception Take the case of the attacks in Mali The JNIM is an affiliate of the AlQaeda and draws inspiration from its ideology and Bin Laden The official said that the AlQaeda would continue to operate through its affiliates For the terror group the important thing is to get the job done instead of claiming credit for attacksAn official said that the Mali attack serves as inspiration for the AQIS It would cite such attacks during its propaganda campaign and look to lure the youth into its fold The official said that in India the affiliate of the AQIS is the Base Movement This group which had been lying low for several years has started boosting up its online propaganda The Mali attacks would act as a booster for the Base Movement to step up operations in India the official addedOfficials also say that the AQIS and Base Movement have several operatives across the country They had deliberately kept a low profile for all these years The flurry of online activity that the Intelligence agencies are picking up recently suggest that these operatives are likely to come out and prepare for strikes in IndiaThe official added that the world is currently busy with the events in Iran Many countries which kept tabs on the AlQaeda are currently focussed elsewhere and this is something that the AlQaeda is taking advantage ofA similar trend is being noticed where the AQIS is concerned It is looking to take advantage of the fact that the attention of the world is elsewhere Taking advantage of the situation across the world and also the fact that it carried out a major attack in Mali the AQIS would use this to push their agenda and carry out major strikes in India the Intelligence agencies warn IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/intelligence-agencies-warn-aqis-could-use-mali-attacks-to-regroup-in-india-673294.html Mon, 11 May 2026 13:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-sees-rain-and-storms-in-parts-even-as-heatwave-tightens-grip-on-western-region-673295.html Jaipur May 11 Even as a severe heatwave continues to scorch much of western Rajasthan parts of the state witnessed thunderstorms and light rain on Monday under the influence of an active Western Disturbance the Meteorological Department said A yellow alert has been sounded in Churu Alwar Deeg Bharatpur Jhunjhunu and other districts of the state warning of rains and thunderstormsMeanwhile Hanumangarh witnessed a sudden change in the weather on Monday morning as clouds gathered around 630 am followed by intermittent rainfall beginning at 645 am The rain continued for nearly an hour accompanied by strong windsThe rainfall brought relief to residents from the intense heat that had prevailed for several days Met officials said that isolated dust storms and light rainfall are likely on May 11 and 12 in parts of the Bikaner division the Shekhawati region and northern areas of the Jaipur and Bharatpur divisions under the influence of a new Western Disturbance Also both minimum and maximum temperatures are likely to rise by 23 degrees across most parts of the state over the coming daysHeatwave conditions are also expected to intensify in parts of western Rajasthan where the possibility of âwarm nightsâ unusually high nighttime temperatures remains strong over the next five to six daysMeanwhile on Sunday Barmer recorded the hottest day of the season and emerged as the hottest city in the state with the mercury soaring to 468 degrees Celsius Heatwave conditions persisted throughout the day in Barmer Jaisalmer Bikaner and Phalodi while several districts in eastern Rajasthan witnessed comparatively mild weather conditionsAccording to the weather department skies remained clear across the state on Sunday with intense sunshine prevailing from morning till evening Apart from Barmer maximum temperatures recorded included 463 degrees Celsius in Jaisalmer 46 degrees Celsius in Phalodi 446 degrees Celsius in Jodhpur 444 degrees Celsius in Bikaner and 43 degrees Celsius in Sri Ganganagar The heatwave had the strongest impact in Barmer Balotra Phalodi Jaisalmer and Jodhpur where daytime conditions resembled a curfewlike situation due to deserted roads and marketsOther major temperatures recorded across the state included 43 degrees Celsius in Jalore 434 degrees Celsius in Chittorgarh 42 degrees Celsius in Pali 425 degrees Celsius in Lunkaransar 417 degrees C in Nagaur 416 degrees C in Udaipur 418 degrees C in Kota and 41 degrees C in AjmerRadheshyam Sharma Director of the Meteorological Centre in Jaipur said the Western Disturbance became active in Rajasthan from Monday Under its influence districts in the Jaipur and Bharatpur divisions are likely to witness strong winds dust storms scattered cloud cover and light rainfall over the next few days However heatwave conditions are expected to continue in the Jodhpur division of western Rajasthan and the Udaipur division of southern RajasthanIn view of the prevailing conditions alerts have been issued for several districts for the next three days Daily life in Jodhpur continued to be affected by extreme heat on Sunday with the maximum temperature reaching 446 degrees Celsius The Meteorological Department has issued a heatwave warning for the district from May 11 to May 13Ajmer recorded a maximum temperature of 41 degrees C and a minimum of 259 degrees C on Sunday Officials said temperatures may rise by another 12 degrees over the next two days Dust storms and strong winds are also likely during the afternoon hoursSikar has been witnessing steadily rising temperatures for the past three days accompanied by hot winds and intense sunshine The Meteorological Department has predicted dry weather conditions in the district for the next three days with no immediate relief expectedThe weather remained clear in Alwar on Sunday where the maximum temperature settled at 38 degrees C The Meteorological Department has issued an alert for thunderstorms rain and strong winds in the district for the next two days Kota recorded a maximum temperature of 418 degrees C on Sunday High humidity and low wind speeds increased discomfort among residents IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-sees-rain-and-storms-in-parts-even-as-heatwave-tightens-grip-on-western-region-673295.html Mon, 11 May 2026 13:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-police-crime-branch-rescues-two-missing-minor-girls-in-separate-operations-673299.html New Delhi May 11 Delhi Police Crime Branch has successfully traced and rescued two missing minor girls in separate operations carried out by its AntiHuman Trafficking Unit AHTU highlighting what officials described as the forceâs humanitarian commitmentâ and vigilance in protecting vulnerable children According to an official press release issued by the Crime Branch on Monday the AHTU team recovered the two girls from different locations after conducting intensive search operations involving technical surveillance field Intelligence and groundlevel verificationThe Delhi Police in its statement said âThese successful operations highlight the relentless dedication of the AHTU team in navigating the complex emotional and social landscapes that lead children away from safetyâThe first case involved a 16yearold girl who had been missing since January 11 2026 under FIR No 162026 registered at Wazirabad Police Station under Section 1372 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita BNS Officials said the girlâs disappearance had raised serious concerns due to her vulnerabilityA special team led by Inspector Mukesh Kumar along with ASI Ajay Kumar Jha and Woman Constable Deepika under the supervision of ACP Suresh Kumar launched a focussed investigation During the enquiry police found that the girl had been distressed due to frequent domestic disputes caused by her fatherâs alcohol addictionShe had reportedly left home without informing her family and was later found staying with her maternal aunt The girl was safely recovered and handed over to the local police station for further legal proceduresIn another operation the AHTU rescued a 15yearold girl who had been missing since October 2 2024 in a case registered at Budh Vihar Police Station under FIR No 3502024 During questioning the girl stated that she had voluntarily left home after coming in contact with a boyActing on secret information regarding her presence near Rithala Village in Haiderpur the police team carried out a swift search operation and successfully traced her She was later handed over to Budh Vihar Police Station for further legal actionThe Delhi Police stated that the operations were not merely recoveries but âstories of resilience compassion and reunion that restored hope to two familiesâIn its concluding message the Crime Branch reiterated its public commitment saying âDelhi Police â Always Alert Always Caring Always Thereâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-police-crime-branch-rescues-two-missing-minor-girls-in-separate-operations-673299.html Mon, 11 May 2026 14:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/suvendu-adhikari-led-cabinets-first-moves-bsf-fencing-land-ayushman-bharat-rollout-announced-673301.html Kolkata May 11 IANS During the first meeting of the newly formed West Bengal cabinet presided over by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday a significant decision was made to allocate land for the installation of barbed fencing at the currently unfenced international border with Bangladesh to the Border Security Force BSF within a period of 45 daysnbspAnnouncing this after the cabinet meeting CM Adhikari said the promise to hand over land to the BSF within 45 days for the formation of the new cabinet was made in the BJPs preelection Sankalp Patra election manifesto and also announced by Union Home Minister Amit ShahSo in the first meeting of the new cabinet today that decision had been cleared Adhikari told media persons after the cabinet meetingThe second important decision cleared in the first meeting of the new cabinet was the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat the centrallysponsored health insurance scheme in West Bengal This was not implemented by the previous Mamata Banerjeeled Trinamool Congress government on the grounds that the Central scheme was redundant because of the implementation of the states own health insurance scheme Swastha SathiCM Adhikari said the decision was taken at the cabinet meeting to start the process of involving the state in several other Centrallysponsored schemes including Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana Pradhan Mantri Krishak Bima Yojana PM Shree Vishwakarma Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and Ujjwala YojanaThe District Magistrates have been instructed to send all applications to the Central Ministry at the earliest the Chief Minister saidSpeaking to the media persons he also assured that none of the existing welfare schemes introduced during the tenure of the previous government would be stoppedNot a single ongoing social project will be stopped However nonIndians or deceased persons will not be allowed to get the benefits of these projects This should not happen CM Adhikari saidAt the same time he added with effect from Monday West Bengal has been linked to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita BNS 2023 and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita BNSS 2023The previous Acts like the Indian Penal Code IPC and Code of Criminal Procedure CrPC were being implemented in a very illegal manner in the state for so long From today West Bengal has been linked entirely with the BNS and BNSS the Chief Minister saidHe said in the cabinet meeting that a decision has also been taken to increase the upper age limit for applying to state government jobs by five yearsBefore the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections our Union Home Minister said that for the last 15 years there has not been any fresh state government recruitment So many educated youths have crossed the upper age limit for applying for state government jobs So we have decided to increase the upper age limit by five years to provide scope for such people to apply for jobs CM Adhikari saidnbspnbspIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/suvendu-adhikari-led-cabinets-first-moves-bsf-fencing-land-ayushman-bharat-rollout-announced-673301.html Mon, 11 May 2026 14:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/islamic-state-planning-sri-lanka-style-attacks-in-india-using-foreign-operatives-673303.html New Delhi May 11 The Islamic State has devised a new strategy whereby it would use its radicalised elements from various countries around India to carry out both propaganda and attacks When the Islamic State announced itself on the world stage in late 2013 there were plenty of people from India who left the country to join the outfit However over the years the agencies have managed to prevent many from leaving the country to join the Islamic State in Syria Iraq and AfghanistanThere have been successful deradicalisation campaigns which ensured that many who had plans of joining the outfit returned to the mainstreamAn Intelligence Bureau official says that while the problem is largely in check in India there are attempts now being made to push in recruits from other countriesThe Islamic State has dedicated wings in Pakistan Bangladesh Maldives and Sri LankaThe effects of the Islamic Stateâs Sri Lankan module was seen in Tamil Nadu and Mangaluru In both these places a radicalised individual part of the Islamic State attempted to carry out attacks However both failedThe common angle in these incidents is that the accused persons Jamesha Mubin and Mohammad Sharique were radicalised by the same individual from Sri Lanka Zahran Hashim the mastermind of the Easter Bombings in Sri Lanka was the leader of the Islamic State in the country He had visited South India and stayed for a considerable period of time during which both Mubin and Sharique were radicalisedOfficials say that the Islamic State is planning on pushing its recruits from Maldives Sri Lanka and Bangladesh into India Travel into India from these countries is relatively easier and the outfit is looking to take advantage of thatThe official added that the modules in Bangladesh are focussing heavily on pushing in recruits into West Bengal and Bihar On the other hand the push into the southern states would be made by Sri Lanka and Maldives the official addedAssessing the threat perception another official said that the push that is being attempted from Bangladesh is the highest A recent edition of Dabiq the mouthpiece of the Islamic State had an article titled The Revival of Jihad in Bengal aimed at calling the youth to dedicate themselves to JihadOfficials say that this was the first time that the Islamic State module in Bangladesh was attempting to push its agenda in IndiaAnother official said that the threat from Sri Lanka is the least Post the Easter Bombings a large part of the outfit has been eliminated although it would be wrong to assume that the group has shut shop in the country This explains why a major push is being attempted from Maldives into South India the official addedThe official further stated that the intended cause is to carry out attacks in India on the scale of which was carried out in Sri Lanka The Islamic State wants foreign players to carry out these attacks There are two reasons for this the official added There is hardly any information on foreign fighters Moreover it has also been noticed that the radicalisation of a foreign fighter is much higher when compared to an operative from IndiaThe Intelligence agencies say that while the aim is to strike big in India the other plan is to use this as a recruitment toolThe Islamic State has been pushing some of its India operatives to carry out strikes in India but they have failed many times Attacks by foreign operatives could set an example for the Indian operatives the Islamic State feelsSuch attacks could become a benchmark and the Indian operatives could inspiration from them and carry out strikes within the country an official said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/islamic-state-planning-sri-lanka-style-attacks-in-india-using-foreign-operatives-673303.html Mon, 11 May 2026 14:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/jacqueline-fernandez-did-not-cooperate-during-probe-ed-tells-delhi-court-673304.html New Delhi May 11 The Enforcement Directorate ED on Monday opposed Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandezâs plea seeking to turn approver in the Rs 200 crore money laundering case linked to alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar telling a Delhi court that her conduct during the investigation was ânot satisfactoryâ and that she failed to fully cooperate with the probe Appearing before the Patiala House Court the federal antimoney laundering agency contended that Jacqueline did not make a âfull and true disclosureâ in her statements recorded under Section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act PMLAThe ED said that during the course of the investigation Jacquelineâs conduct was not cooperative as she âconsistently failed to make full and truthful disclosuresâ in connection with the proceeds of crime allegedly generated by ChandrashekharOpposing her plea to become a prosecution witness the ED further alleged that Jacqueline continued to remain in regular contact with Chandrashekhar even after becoming aware of his criminal antecedentsAccording to the probe agency Chandrashekhar had arranged âall benefits gifts and valuablesâ for Jacqueline out of the proceeds of crime generated through the alleged money laundering activitiesAfter hearing the submissions the Patiala House Court granted time to Jacqueline Fernandezâs counsel to file a rejoinder to the EDâs reply and posted the matter for further hearing on May 12The ED has accused Jacqueline of allegedly receiving luxury gifts worth around Rs 7 crore from Chandrashekhar However the actor has consistently maintained that she had no knowledge about his alleged criminal activities or the source of the money used for those giftsIn September last year the Supreme Court had declined to entertain Jacqueline Fernandezâs plea seeking the quashing of the money laundering proceedings initiated against her by the EDSenior advocate Mukul Rohatgi appearing for Jacqueline before the apex court had argued that she could not be prosecuted under Sections 3 and 4 of the PMLA as she had no knowledge that the gifts received from Chandrashekhar were proceeds of crimeThe Justice Dattaled Bench however referred to the Supreme Courtâs judgment in the Vijay Madanlal Choudhary case upholding the EDâs powers under the PMLA and observed that allegations at the stage of framing of charges must be accepted as they standThe ED has filed multiple charge sheets in the case and named Jacqueline Fernandez as an accused in a supplementary prosecution complaint while another Bollywood actor Nora Fatehi was examined as a witnessThe probe agency has alleged that Chandrashekharâs aide Pinky Irani facilitated the delivery of luxury gifts and expensive items to Jacqueline on his behalfThe money laundering case stems from allegations that Chandrashekhar cheated the wives of former Ranbaxy promoters Shivinder Singh and Malvinder Singh of nearly Rs 200 crore However Fernandez maintained that she had no role in laundering Chandrashekharâs alleged illegal wealthThe 40yearold Sri Lankan actress who entered Bollywood after winning the Miss Universe Sri Lanka crown in 2006 has been a prominent figure in Hindi cinema for over a decade also featuring in music videos and reality shows IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/jacqueline-fernandez-did-not-cooperate-during-probe-ed-tells-delhi-court-673304.html Mon, 11 May 2026 14:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/csmia-achieves-99-pc-waste-diversion-bags-cii-highest-platinum-rating-for-zero-waste-to-landfill-673310.html Mumbai May 11 Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport CSMIA operated by Mumbai International Airport Limited MIAL on Monday announced that it has been honoured with the prestigious Zero Waste to Landfill ZWL Platinum â Class I Rating by the Confederation of Indian Industry CII MIAL is a joint venture between Adani Airport Holdings Limited AAHL and Airports Authority of India AAI with AAHL holding 74 per cent stake With this milestone CSMIA joins the ranks of Indian airports handling over 50 million passengers annually that have earned this certificationThis recognition highlights the airportâs commitment to sustainable waste management with over 99 per cent of waste diverted from landfills through integrated airportwide systemsThe ZWL assessment verified that CSMIA has implemented bestinclass waste management practices through efficient segregation recycling and recovery mechanisms with key waste streams such as plastic waste MSW wet and dry and other recyclables successfully diverted from landfillsConducted in FY202526 the assessment aligns with ZWLâs objective of maximising waste diversion while minimising overall generationPrimary waste sources at the airport includes food plastic paper and operational waste CSMIA has implemented a robust value chainâdriven approach anchored in the 5R principles Reduce Reuse Repurpose Recycle Recover enabling a significant reduction in landfill dependency and improved waste recoveryThis includes segregation at source recycling monitoring and continuous waste reduction supported by a dedicated Environment and Sustainability team and welldemarcated infrastructure for collection and transfer to authorised recycling facilitiesThe recognition builds on CSMIAâs global sustainability leadership including ACA Level 5 Carbon accreditationOver the past year the airport has accelerated its sustainability roadmap through key initiatives such as transitioning to 100 per cent renewable energy improving energy efficiency by over 40 per cent electrifying its ground fleet scaling energyefficient technologies and strengthening ESG governanceWith this milestone CSMIA is shaping a futureready aviation ecosystem integrating sustainability at the core of its operations IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/csmia-achieves-99-pc-waste-diversion-bags-cii-highest-platinum-rating-for-zero-waste-to-landfill-673310.html Mon, 11 May 2026 15:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/lightning-kills-90-sheep-goats-in-jampks-ganderbal-district-673311.html Srinagar May 11 Lightning killed 90 sheep and goats overnight in Jammu and Kashmirâs Ganderbal district officials said on Monday Officials said nearly 90 sheep and goats belonging to a nomadic family from Rajouri district were killed after lightning struck during the intervening night in a highaltitude forest area of Poshkar Kangan in Central Kashmirâs Ganderbal district officials and locals said on MondayThe incident occurred in the Dhana Dok area of Poshkar a remote grazing belt frequented by migratory tribal families during the summer season The livestock reportedly belonged to nomads identified as Mohmmad Yaseen Bijran and Abdul Majeed Bijran sons of Khan Mohammad Bijran and residents of Sunderbani area of Rajouri districtLocals said the area witnessed intense weather activity during the night following which dozens of animals were found dead in the pasture on Monday morning Preliminary reports suggested that lightning may have struck the flock during the storm The incident has caused massive financial loss to the affected family whose livelihood primarily depends on livestock rearing and seasonal migration to upper reaches for grazingPolice and local authorities were informed about the incident who assessed the exact scale of the damage Such incidents are not uncommon in the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir during the summer migration season when nomadic families move with their livestock to alpine pastures vulnerable to sudden weather changes thunderstorms and lightning activityScores of nomadic goatherds called the âBakarwalsâ move from the plains during summer months into highland pastures of the Valley with their families livestock and household goods to spend over four months in the Valleyâs meadowsThese hardy souls cover hundreds of miles on foot to and from their winter homes in Rajouri Poonch Reasi and Ramban districts each year to tend to their livestockThe Government has created many facilities for the Bakarwal families like mobile schools for their children while veterinary doctors and nursing staff visit the meadows at regular periods to provide professional services to the livestock and the people etcDue to their high physical mobility despite consuming large amounts of milk butter and âGheeâ the Bakarwals very rarely have lifestyle diseases like fatty liver high blood pressure diabetes etcEach Bakarwal family has a pair of special breed of shepherd dogs who work as guards and sentinels for their masterâs livestock guarding animals against predators like leopards bears jackals etc IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/lightning-kills-90-sheep-goats-in-jampks-ganderbal-district-673311.html Mon, 11 May 2026 15:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/vijay-cabinets-only-woman-member-keerthana-known-for-political-communication-and-management-skills-673315.html Chennai May 11 S Keerthana the 29yearold firsttime MLA from Sivakasi has emerged as one of the most talkedabout faces in Chief Minister C Joseph Vijayâs newly formed Tamil Nadu cabinet The young leader from the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK is not only the youngest member of the cabinet but also the only woman minister in the new governmentHer induction into the cabinet is being seen as a major signal of the TVKâs attempt to project a youthful and technocratic image in Tamil Nadu politicsKeerthana represents Sivakasi in Virudhunagar district a constituency nationally known as the Fireworks Capital of IndiaIn the recently concluded Assembly elections she scripted history by becoming the first woman MLA elected from Sivakasi in nearly seven decades Keerthana defeated her rivals with a winning margin of 11697 votes a result that drew considerable political attention given the constituencyâs long history of male representationPolitical observers believe her victory reflected TVKâs successful outreach among young voters and women in southern Tamil NaduBefore entering electoral politics Keerthana worked as a political consultant and digital strategist with leading campaign firms such as IPAC and Showtime Consulting During her professional career she was associated with election campaigns and political communication strategies for several major leaders including MK Stalin and Mamata Banerjee Known for her expertise in datadriven campaign management and youth mobilisation Keerthana reportedly played an important behindthescenes role in shaping the TVKâs digital communication and social media outreach during the partyâs formative yearsShe holds a BSc in Mathematics from Madurai University and an MSc in Statistics from Pondicherry Central University Party insiders describe her as one of the emerging policyoriented leaders in the new administration Keerthana is also fluent in five languages including Tamil English and Hindi Her command over Hindi recently triggered political discussions in Tamil Nadu after she used the language during public interactions drawing both praise and criticism in a state where language politics remains highly sensitive Despite the controversy her rise within the TVK is being viewed as symbolic of a generational shift in Tamil Nadu politics under Chief Minister Vijayâs leadership IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/vijay-cabinets-only-woman-member-keerthana-known-for-political-communication-and-management-skills-673315.html Mon, 11 May 2026 16:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ex-bengal-minister-sujit-bose-appears-before-ed-in-municipal-job-corruption-case-673316.html Kolkata May 11 Former West Bengal Minister Sujit Bose on Monday appeared before Enforcement Directorate ED officers for questioning in connection with the municipal recruitment corruption case He went to the EDs CGO Complex office in the Salt Lake area of Kolkata along with his son Samudra Bose who was also summoned by the ED in the same case He reached the ED office at 1030 am said an ED officerOn April 6 the day of filing nomination papers for the Assembly election Sujit Bose received multiple notices from the ED asking him to appear for questioning At that time he approached the Calcutta High Court seeking time saying that he was busy with election campaigningTrinamool sources claimed that the Trinamool candidate from Bidhannagar avoided the EDs presence during the elections in compliance with the courts order As soon as the voting was over Sujit Bose faced the ED investigators at the Salt Lake CGO Complex on May 1 in cooperation with the investigation into the municipal recruitment corruption case He was accompanied by his lawyer then and left the office after several hours That day Sujit said that he had come to the ED office with a copy of the court orderIt is worth noting that even before the Assembly elections the ED had summoned Sujit Bose his wife son and daughter several times in the municipal recruitment corruption case They also appeared before the agencyThe ED officials along with the central forces conducted raids at several places including the ministers house office and his sons restaurant adjacent to VIP Road He had criticised the EDs activities during the electionsSujit had alleged a conspiracy in the name of investigation He had told the media Sujit Boses condition is not so bad that he has to sell his job to earn money People know that This is a conspiracy by the Election Commission and the EDHowever the former minister did not say anything else before appearing at the ED office on Monday IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ex-bengal-minister-sujit-bose-appears-before-ed-in-municipal-job-corruption-case-673316.html Mon, 11 May 2026 16:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/list-weekly-limit-adjournments-sc-issues-directions-for-speedy-disposal-of-bail-pleas-pending-in-hcs-673317.html New Delhi May 11 The Supreme Court on Monday issued a slew of directions to ensure the expeditious disposal of bail applications pending before High Courts across the country stressing that courts investigating agencies and governments must work in coordination to safeguard the personal liberty of undertrial prisoners without compromising victimsâ rights Expressing concern over delays in hearing bail pleas a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India CJI Surya Kant said bail matters should be listed weekly or at least fortnightly and directed High Courts to evolve an automatic mechanism for relisting pending bail pleas every two weeks Observing that delay in hearing bail applications directly impacts the fundamental rights of accused persons the apex court said that fresh bail pleas should ordinarily be listed promptly preferably on alternate days or within a week from filing The bench also comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi directed that status reports must be mandatorily filed before the first hearing of a bail plea It further said that advocates filing bail applications would be required to serve an advance copy upon the office of the Advocate General or the designated agency concernedThe practice of issuing notice at the admission stage has to be dispensed with the top court said adding that bail applications which could not be taken up for hearing should be automatically relisted without requiring fresh procedural steps The Supreme Court further directed all High Courts to prescribe an outer timeline for the expeditious disposal of bail matters and said unnecessary adjournments sought by the Union or state governments should be discouraged Practice has to be developed to not grant casual adjournments to the Union or States keeping in mind the courtâs solemn duty to protect fundamental rights the CJIled bench observed The apex court also flagged delays in forensic reports and said that though forensic science laboratories FSLs have been established Chief Justices of High Courts should work in coordination with state governments to ensure the timely submission of FSL reports In victimcentric cases the Supreme Court said investigating officers must remain conscious that any laxity on their part during investigation may ultimately become a ground for the grant of bail to an accused or suspect The bench said High Courts and investigating agencies should work together to ensure the timely adjudication of bail applications while balancing the rights of victims High Courts and investigating agencies must coordinate so that bail pleas are decided expeditiously without adversely affecting victimsâ rights it added The directions came in the course of proceedings dealing with delays in consideration of bail matters across various High Courts The apex court had earlier expressed extreme disappointment over the manner in which pleas involving personal liberty were being handled observing that several bail applications remained pending for months and were repeatedly adjourned IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/list-weekly-limit-adjournments-sc-issues-directions-for-speedy-disposal-of-bail-pleas-pending-in-hcs-673317.html Mon, 11 May 2026 16:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/all-you-need-to-know-about-viksit-bharat-g-ram-g-act-673320.html New Delhi May 11 The government on Monday issued frequently asked questions FAQs on Viksit BharatG RAM G Act 2025 to provide a detailed explainer on Indiaâs rural employment and development legislation aimed at aligning rural development with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 by providing a statutory guarantee of 125 days of unskilled wage employment to rural households and promoting the creation of productive rural assets The Viksit BharatâG RAM G Act will come into effect on July 1 2026 It will replace Mahatma Gandhi NREGA scheme MGNREGA which will then stand repealed 1 Will the Viksit BharatG RAM G Act be implemented simultaneously across all StatesYes The Viksit BharatG RAM G Act shall be implemented across the country from 01072026 as notified by the Central Government2 How many days of employment are guaranteed under the ActThe Act guarantees 125 days of wage employment in a financial year to every eligible rural household whose adult members volunteer to undertake unskilled manual work3 Are State Governments required to frame schemes under the ActYes State Governments are required to notify schemes consistent with the provisions of the Act within the prescribed period after commencement of the Act4 What happens to ongoing Mahatma Gandhi NREGA works after repealOngoing works under Mahatma Gandhi NREGA as on the date of commencement may continue as per the provisions of the VBâG RAM G ActThese works shall be seamlessly migrated and prioritized for completion ensuring that public assets are not left incomplete and community benefits continue5 Will employment under Mahatma Gandhi NREGA continue during the transition to the Viksit BharatG RAM G ActYes Employment under Mahatma Gandhi NREGA will continue in a seamless and uninterrupted manner till the commencement of VB G RAM G6 What steps have been taken to ensure uninterrupted employment availability before commencementAdequate labour budget has been made available to States and Union Territories in alignment with emerging demand patterns and field requirements to ensure uninterrupted employment opportunities and timely payment of wages7 Can new works be opened during transitionYes Where ongoing works are insufficient to meet employment demand new works from the shelf of works consistent with Schedule I of the Viksit BharatG RAM G Act may be taken up8 Will workers continue to get employment guarantee under the new ActYes Every rural household whose adult members volunteer to undertake unskilled manual work shall continue to receive a statutory employment guarantee The guarantee has been enhanced from 100 days to 125 days per financial year9 Will existing Job Cards workers remain validYes Existing MGNREGA Job Cardsworkers for whom eKYC has been completed shall continue to remain valid till new Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards are issued in accordance with the provisions under the Viksit BharatG RAM G Act 202510 Who is eligible for employment under this ActEvery rural household whose adult members volunteer to undertake unskilled manual work shall be eligible for employment under this Act11 How does a household register for Gramin Rozgar Guarantee CardAny rural household not having a MGNREGA Job Card may apply for registration by submitting the names ages and address details of the household through any adult member to the concerned Gram Panchayat for issuance of a Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Card12 How can a household seek employmentAdult members of rural areas may demand employment through the Gram Panchayat Applications can be made orally in writing through the same form 6 as before or through digital platforms to the Gram Panchayat Programme Officer or any authorized person13 Within how many days must employment be providedEmployment must be provided within 15 days from the date of application14 What happens if employment is not provided within 15 daysSuch workers shall be entitled to unemployment allowance15 What unemployment allowance is payable if employment is not providedIf employment is not provided within the stipulated period as per the demand for employment unemployment allowance shall be payable by the State Government at not less than onefourth of the notified wage rate for the first thirty days during the financial year and not less than onehalf of the notified wage rate for the remaining period16 Will enhanced Wage Rates be given under the Viksit Bharat G RAM G SchemeYes Enhanced Wage Rates shall be provided as per the provisions of Section 10 of the Act Until new Wage Rates are notified under the Act the existing Mahatma Gandhi NREGA wage rates shall continue to apply17 How frequently will wages be paidWages shall be paid weekly or in any case not later than a fortnight after closure of muster roll18 How are wages paidWages are paid directly to the individual accounts of the workers in Banks or Post Offices through Direct Benefit Transfer19 What happens if wage payment is delayedIf wages are not paid within fifteen days from the closure of the muster roll wage seekers are entitled to delay compensation at a rate of 005 of the unpaid wages per day of delay20 How will attendance be captured under the new ActAttendance at worksites shall be captured through a face authenticationbased attendance mechanism However an exception handling mechanism shall also be available for genuine cases such as poor or no network connectivity technical issues devicerelated problems or other exceptional circumstances as per guidelines issued by the Government21 Will workers receive Worksite facilitiesYes Worksite facilities shall be provided at the worksite A worksite must have safe drinking water shade for children and rest periods and a first aid box22 Can work continue during peak agricultural seasonsTo facilitate adequate labour availability during peak agricultural seasons such as sowing and harvesting periods the State Governments shall notify a period covering peak agriculture seasons during which works under the Act shall not be undertaken23 What if the work is further than five kilometersAs far as possible employment will be provided within a radius of 5 kilometers of the applicants village If provided beyond that but within the Block workers are paid an extra 10 of the wage rate for transport and living expenses24 Who will implement the Scheme at district levelThe District Collector or equivalent officer designated by the State Government shall function as the District Programme Coordinator DPC25 Who will function as Programme OfficerAn officer not below the rank of Block Development Officer shall be appointed as Programme Officer at block level26 What is the role of Gram PanchayatsGram Panchayats shall play a central role in implementation of the Scheme including registration of households receiving applications for employment execution of works maintenance of records related to the Scheme and preparation of Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans VGPPs etc27 What is the fund sharing pattern under the ActThe fund sharing pattern isâ 9010 for North Eastern and Himalayan Statesâ 6040 for other StatesUTs with legislatureâ 100 per cent Central funding for UTs without legislature28 How are Statewise allocations determined under the ActStatewise normative allocations are proposed to be determined by the Central Government based on objective parameters prescribed under the Act29 How is transparency ensured at the worksiteA Janata Board must be displayed at every worksite indicating work details estimated labour days material quantities and itemwise costs IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/all-you-need-to-know-about-viksit-bharat-g-ram-g-act-673320.html Mon, 11 May 2026 16:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cbi-files-7th-chargesheet-in-homebuyers-fraud-case-673321.html New Delhi May 11 IANS The CBI filed a seventh chargesheet in connection with the alleged fraudulent activities of builders for cheating home buyers arraigning Sequel Buildcon which had promised to deliver highend flats in Noida said an official on MondaynbspnbspThe building company and its Directors were booked by the Central Bureau of Investigation CBI in connection with alleged fraudulent activities relating to a housing project situated at Noida said a statementAn investigation conducted by the CBI revealed that the accused builder company and its directors in furtherance of a criminal conspiracy allegedly induced innocent homebuyersinvestors through false assurances misleading representations and deceptive promises thereby dishonestly obtaining financial gain while causing wrongful loss to the victimsThe charge sheet has been filed before a Special Court under relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code pertaining to criminal conspiracy cheating and criminal breach of trustThe CBI is presently investigating 50 cases registered pursuant to the directions of the Supreme Court against various builder companies and unknown officials of financial institutions across the country in matters concerning alleged cheating and diversion of fundsEarlier the CBI filed six charge sheets in similar cases against Rudra Buildwell Constructions and its Directors Dream Procon and its Directors Jaypee Infratech and its Directors AVJ Developers India and its Directors along with officers of certain banks and financial institutions CHD Developers and its Directors and Shubhkamna Buildtech and its Directors said a statementThe investigation conducted by CBI revealed that Sequel Buildcon and its Directors in furtherance of a criminal conspiracy allegedly induced innocent homebuyersinvestors through false assurancesThe builders made misleading representations and deceptive promises to collect home booking amounts but diverted the money to activities other than the promised project thereby dishonestly obtaining financial gainsThe statement said that the CBI remains committed to ensuring accountability in cases involving economic offences corruption and public fraud particularly those adversely affecting the interests of common citizens and homebuyersIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cbi-files-7th-chargesheet-in-homebuyers-fraud-case-673321.html Mon, 11 May 2026 17:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ed-questions-bengal-ex-minister-sujit-bose-in-municipal-recruitment-case-673322.html Kolkata May 11 Former West Bengal minister Sujit Bose on Monday appeared before the Enforcement Directorate officials for questioning in connection with the alleged municipal recruitment corruption case Bose arrived at the EDâs CGO Complex office in the Salt Lake area of Kolkata along with his son Samudra Bose who was also summoned in the same case According to an ED officer they reached the office around 1030 amOn April 6 the day nominations were being filed for the state Assembly elections Bose received multiple notices from the ED directing him to appear for questioning He later moved the Calcutta High Court seeking more time on the grounds that he was occupied with election campaigningSources in the All India Trinamool Congress claimed that the Bidhannagar candidate deferred his appearance before the agency during the election period in accordance with the courtâs order After the polling process concluded Bose appeared before ED officials at the Salt Lake CGO Complex on May 1 and cooperated with the investigationHe was accompanied by his lawyer and left the office after several hours Speaking to reporters that day Bose said he had visited the ED office carrying a copy of the court orderEven before the Assembly elections the ED had summoned Bose his wife son and daughter multiple times in connection with the alleged municipal recruitment irregularities Family members had also joined the investigation processEarlier ED officials accompanied by central forces conducted searches at several locations linked to Bose including his residence office and his sonâs restaurant near VIP RoadBose had previously criticised the EDâs actions during the election period and alleged that the investigation was politically motivatedSpeaking to the media earlier he had said âSujit Boseâs condition is not so bad that he has to sell jobs to earn money People know that This is a conspiracy by the Election Commission and the EDâHowever before entering the ED office on Monday the former minister declined to make any further comments IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ed-questions-bengal-ex-minister-sujit-bose-in-municipal-recruitment-case-673322.html Mon, 11 May 2026 18:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/vb-g-ram-g-act-to-ensure-125-days-rural-employment-from-july-1-chouhan-673323.html BhopalNew Delhi May 11 The Centre has notified the Viksit BharatâGuarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission Gramin or VBG RAM G Act which will be implemented across India from July 1 this year Union Agricultural Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Monday Addressing the media in Bhopal Chouhan said the new law will raise guaranteed rural employment from 100 days to 125 days for workers seeking workHe said the Act aims to expand job opportunities and strengthen livelihood security for labourers women farmers and selfhelp groupsâThe notification for the Viksit Bharat GRAMG Act has been issued and from July 1 labourers in rural areas seeking work will get 125 days of employment instead of 100 daysâ Chouhan saidHe clarified that all provisions of MGNREGA would continue during the transition period Unfinished works under the existing scheme will be completed before the new framework takes full effect he addedThe Centre is holding extensive consultations with states to finalise rules for implementation Chouhan said the priority is to ensure no worker is deprived of employment during the transitionMost states will get up to six months to complete preparations under the new systemHowever if any state is unable to finish preparations by July 1 the funding pattern for works undertaken after that date will still shift to the VBG RAM G framework he saidOn finances Chouhan said the Centre has allocated more than Rs 95000 crore in the Budget under Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs leadershipWith states also making budgetary provisions the combined annual allocation of the Centre and states would exceed Rs 151 lakh croreWages under the scheme will be transferred directly into workersâ bank or post office accounts through Direct Benefit TransferâOur effort will be to make payments within three days but in any case wages will be credited within 15 days If there is a delay beyond 15 days workers will get delayed payment compensationâ Chouhan saidUnemployment allowance will also be paid if employment is not provided on demand he addedThe scheme will cover a wide range of rural works including water conservation roads bridges culverts schools Anganwadi buildings and farmrelated infrastructureInfrastructure such as working sheds for selfhelp groups and Farmer Producer Organisations can also be developed under the programmeTo improve implementation the administrative expenditure component has been raised from 6 per cent to 9 per cent This will ensure timely payment of salaries to staff handling the scheme Chouhan saidCalling it a major step towards rural transformation Chouhan expressed confidence that the Act would improve the lives of labourers and help achieve the vision of developed villages for a developed IndiaThe minister said the new law will bring more accountability faster payments and better infrastructure to rural areas while keeping the core employment guarantee intact IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/vb-g-ram-g-act-to-ensure-125-days-rural-employment-from-july-1-chouhan-673323.html Mon, 11 May 2026 18:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/telangana-cm-orders-investigation-into-pocso-case-against-mos-bandi-sanjays-son-673325.html Hyderabad May 11 Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Monday directed Director General of Police CV Anand to immediately initiate an investigation into the Protection Of Children from Sexual Offences POCSO Act case registered against Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjayâs son Bandi Bhagirath The Chief Minister instructed the DGP to constitute special teams for a comprehensive investigation into the case of the alleged sexual assault on a minor girl by Bandi BhagirathThe Chief Minister questioned the DGP over the delay in taking action despite the complaint having been lodged on May 8 at Pet Basheerabad Police StationFollowing the Chief Ministerâs direction the police chief reportedly constituted a Special Investigation Team SIT to probe the caseAccording to the Chief Ministerâs Office DGP Anand briefed the Chief Minister on the details of the case The DGP informed the Chief Minister that the entire police force had been engaged in security arrangements in view of Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs visit to HyderabadMeanwhile the Telangana State Commission for Protection of Child Rights TSCPCR has formed a special Bench to hear the caseTGSCPCR Chairperson Kothakota Seetha Dayakar Reddy obtained details from the City Police Commissioner and constituted a special Bench to conduct an enquiry into the matterThe action by TSCPCR and the Chief Ministerâs direction to the DGP came amid the continuing protest by the Opposition Bharath Rashtra Samithi BRS demanding action against Bandi Sanjayâs sonA case was registered against Bandi Bhagirath under POCSO Act for alleged sexual assault on a 17yearold girlThe girlâs mother alleged that Bhagirath had been harassing their daughter for over six months He also allegedly misbehaved with her at a farmhouse in MoinabadOn her complaint the police registered a case under Section 11 of the POCSO Act and relevant sections of BNSBhagirath 25 had earlier lodged a complaint in Karimnagar II Town Police Station against the girl and her parents He alleged that they attempted to honey trap him and demanded Rs 5 crore to not file a police complaint against himOn his complaint a case was booked against the girl and her parents under various Sections of the BNS for extortion criminal intimidation criminal conspiracy and common intentionBandi Sanjay has denied the allegation against his son He claimed that political rivals were trying to tarnish his image by making false allegations IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/telangana-cm-orders-investigation-into-pocso-case-against-mos-bandi-sanjays-son-673325.html Mon, 11 May 2026 18:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pdp-leader-iltija-muftis-x-account-withheld-in-india-673329.html Srinagar May 11 The X account of Iltija Mufti the daughter of Peopleâs Democratic Party PDP President and former JampK Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has been withheld in India The platform said that the action has been taken in response to a legal demand It announced the withholding of Iltija Muftiâs account days after the Cyber Police Kashmir registered an FIR against her following the circulation of a video clip featuring late separatist Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah GeelaniAttempts by users to access her X account in India came to a notice stating that access to the account has been restricted in compliance with a legal requestSimilar notices are generally issued by X when accounts are blocked or withheld under legal provisions or government directivesCyber Police Srinagar has registered FIR No 11 under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita BNS alleging that certain online content promoted separatist narratives and could disturb public orderIltija Mufti had publicly stated that she alone should be held responsible for sharing the video and had urged authorities not to harass those who merely reposted or interacted with her contentShe has been critical of action against separatists holding that meaningful engagement is the only way to resolve issues and punitive action only leads to embittered of public relations and creation of mistrust among the peopleShe has often opposed the imposition of restrictions by authorities including the house arrest of her mother and other leaders to maintain law and orderLast year she gave a slip to her personal security by leaving her mothers residence in the middle of the night and later showed up in the Poonch district of the Jammu divisionIltija Mufti fought the 2024 Assembly elections from her ancestral hometown constituency of Bijbehara in Anantnag district but was defeated by National Conference NC candidate Dr Bashir Ahmad Shah Veeri IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pdp-leader-iltija-muftis-x-account-withheld-in-india-673329.html Mon, 11 May 2026 18:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-nuclear-breakthrough-sets-stage-for-realising-own-power-generation-dreams-report-673228.html New Delhi May 11 The Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor PFBR in Tamil Nadus Kalpakkam achieved criticality recently marking a first and paving the way for India to realise its own nuclear power generation dreams This nuclear breakthrough will go a long way in making India selfsufficient amidst highly volatile situation in the West Asia and will also strengthen Indias indigenous capability given its corresponding thrust in the Budget 202526 a leading portal Business Report saidIn the 202526 budget the Centre had announced Nuclear Energy Mission setting a goal of achieving 100 GW of nuclear power generation capacity by 2047The milestone in civil nuclear programme achieved after two decades of painstaking hard work puts the country at the cusp of generating its own nuclear energyThis also marked the second stage of Indias threestage nuclear power program conceived by Dr Homi Jehangir Bhabha and will soon position India into select league of nationsThe second stage criticality means the fastbreeder reactor will produce more fuel that it consumes taking the country closer to its goal of longterm energy securityThe portal says that the fastbreeder reactors at Kalpakkam will now be used to breed Uranium233 from thorium thus laying the groundwork for Stage 3 where the nuclear reactors will be able to use Indias vast thorium reserves at scale using the Uranium233 bred in Stage 2 as fuelSince thorium is a near limitless source of energy which can potentially power India for 400 years the last phase of its nuclear programme holds the key to the countrys longterm energy security it saidAt present the countrys nuclear capacity stands at 878 Gigawatt GW with nuclear power accounting for nearly three per cent of its total electricity generationAccording to the portal sustained and dedicated efforts are underway to scale the production to more than 22 GW in the next four to five years with international cooperationBy advancing towards energy selfsufficiency through clean and reliable nuclear power the country is not only insulating itself against external shocks but also laying the groundwork for sustained economic growth it said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-nuclear-breakthrough-sets-stage-for-realising-own-power-generation-dreams-report-673228.html Mon, 11 May 2026 07:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/madhya-pradesh-ashutosh-bagri-appointed-new-burhanpur-sp-673229.html Bhopal May 11 The Madhya Pradesh government has once again reshuffled senior police officials issuing transfer orders for three Indian Police Service IPS officers officials said According to the Home Departments directive on Sunday Rakesh Sagar a 2010batch IPS officer has been shifted from his position as the Deputy Inspector General of the 2nd Battalion Special Armed Force in Gwalior to the Police Headquarters in Bhopal where he will serve as the Deputy Inspector General DIG of PoliceAshutosh Bagri a 2015batch officer has been transferred from Commandant of the 17th Battalion Special Armed Force SAF in Bhind to take charge as Superintendent of Police SP in BurhanpurMeanwhile Vidita Dagar a 2021batch officer has been shifted from her role as Additional Superintendent of Police in Gwalior to Commandant of the 2nd Battalion SAF in GwaliorThis latest reshuffle comes just a week after the Home Department carried out a sweeping transfer of 62 IPS officers across the stateThat earlier exercise had seen the replacement of Superintendents of Police in several districts including Seoni and Singrauli following incidents involving hawala rackets and bank robberiesThe backtoback transfers reflect the state governments effort to strengthen law enforcement and improve administrative efficiency in sensitive regionsThe appointment of Ashutosh Bagri as Burhanpur SP is particularly significant as the district has witnessed challenges in maintaining law and order in recent monthsSimilarly the posting of Vidita Dagar as Commandant in Gwalior signals the state governments intent to place younger officers in key positions within the Special Armed ForceBy moving Rakesh Sagar to the Police Headquarters the administration has ensured that experienced officers are positioned to oversee critical operations at the state levelFrequent reshuffles of IPS officers are a hallmark of Madhya Pradeshs policing strategy aimed at balancing experience with fresh energy in the forceWhile such transfers often bring new momentum to local policing they also highlight the state governments responsiveness to emerging law and order issuesWith these latest changes the state leadership appears focused on reinforcing its police machinery to meet both administrative and security challenges across districts IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/madhya-pradesh-ashutosh-bagri-appointed-new-burhanpur-sp-673229.html Mon, 11 May 2026 07:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/mumbai-police-dismiss-constable-for-negligence-in-baba-siddique-murder-case-673248.html Mumbai May 11 The Mumbai Police has dismissed Constable Shyam Sonawane the bodyguard of former NCP leader Baba Siddique from service on charges of negligence of duty in connection with the murder case Baba Siddique was shot dead by three assailants on the night of October 12 2024 outside the Bandra office of his son Zeeshan Siddique who is an MLAAccording to Mumbai Police Constable Shyam Sonawane was posted with the Protection and Security Branch and had been assigned to Baba Siddiqueâs security detail Following the incident he was suspended and a departmental inquiry was initiated against himThe inquiry found Sonawane guilty of negligence of duty following which a showcause notice was issued asking why he should not be removed from serviceSubsequently the Police Department issued him a dismissal letter which he acknowledged on May 2 He has now been officially removed from service on grounds of negligence of dutySiddique 66 was shot dead outside his son Zeeshan Siddiqueâs office in Bandra on the night of October 12 2024 Sonawane who was attached to the Protection and Security Branch of Mumbai Police had been deputed for Siddiqueâs security Officials said that he was suspended immediately after the incident and subjected to departmental proceedingsIn November 2025 Anmol Bishnoi the younger brother of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi was brought to New Delhi after being deported from the United States in connection with the Baba Siddique murder caseBishnoi became the 19th accused to be arrested in the National Investigation Agency NIA probe In March 2023 the antiterror agency had filed a charge sheet detailing Bishnoiâs alleged links with Goldy Brar and Lawrence Bishnoi in several major crimes across the country between 2020 and 2023In June 2025 Zeeshan Akhtar an alleged key conspirator in Baba Siddiqueâs murder was arrested in Canada IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/mumbai-police-dismiss-constable-for-negligence-in-baba-siddique-murder-case-673248.html Mon, 11 May 2026 10:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/as-krishna-supply-resumes-chennai-set-to-receive-water-from-may-15-673263.html Chennai May 11 Chennai is expected to receive Krishna water supply again from May 15 after the Andhra Pradesh government temporarily halted discharge for maintenance work in water bodies linked to the interstate supply system Officials of the Water Resources Department WRD said the resumed inflow is likely to strengthen the cityâs reservoir storage ahead of the peak summer demand period and help maintain comfortable drinking water reserves until the onset of the northeast monsoon later this yearThe Andhra Pradesh government had released Krishna water from the Kandaleru reservoir on February 25 as part of the ongoing second spell of water supply to Tamil Nadu The water reached the Poondi reservoir on March 4 and continued to flow at an average rate of 300 to 400 cusecs before the supply was suspended on March 29 for maintenanceAccording to WRD officials Chennai has already received around 11 thousand million cubic feet tmcft of water during the current second spellAuthorities expect the city to receive more than 15 tmcft by the end of June if the supply resumes as scheduled next week Officials also anticipate uninterrupted discharge during the first spell of supply from July to October which could significantly improve the cityâs water securityUnder the Krishna watersharing agreement between Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh the neighbouring state is required to supply 12 tmcft of water during the first spell every year However Chennai drew only 37 tmcft during the previous cycle because the city reservoirs had reached nearfull capacity following the strong northeast monsoon in 2025During the current second spell officials estimate that Chennai may receive around 3 to 4 tmcft in total The WRD is also reviewing reservoir storage levels and assessing whether excess water may need to be shifted between reservoirs to optimise storage capacity and distributionAs of Sunday Chennaiâs six major reservoirs together held 8226 million cubic feet mcft of water against their combined storage capacity of 13222 mcftChembarambakkam reservoir recorded the highest storage at 2960 mcft followed by Red Hills with 2075 mcft and Poondi with 1725 mcft Kannankottai Thervoykandigai at 384 mcft while Cholavaram had the lowest storage at 246 mcft Veeranam reservoir which also supports Chennaiâs drinking water supply recorded a storage level of 836 mcft ensuring sufficient water availability for the ongoing summer season IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/as-krishna-supply-resumes-chennai-set-to-receive-water-from-may-15-673263.html Mon, 11 May 2026 12:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kpsc-plagued-by-corruption-delays-ruining-future-of-youth-ktaka-bjp-chief-673265.html Bengaluru May 11 Karnataka BJP President BY Vijayendra on Monday alleged that the Karnataka Public Service Commission KPSC instead of becoming a âwishfulfilling treeâ for talented unemployed youth has acquired a âdark historyâ of pushing lakhs of job aspirants into uncertainty through corruption and flawed recruitment processes In a statement Vijayendra said the state government had announced the initiation of recruitment for 56432 posts after bowing to massive protests by unemployed youths However he pointed out that no official notification has been issued so farHe alleged that the KPSC which bears the constitutional responsibility of appointing qualified officers to efficiently run the government machinery has failed to maintain transparency in the selection of candidates According to him the commission has gained notoriety for âmassive corruption irregularities and defective proceduresâ in recruitmentVijayendra further stated that several court judgments against the commission had exposed the âcorrupt systemâ and unmasked some of the guilty officials Despite this he said no meaningful effort has been made so far to overhaul the functioning of the commissionReferring to reports that the commission plans to introduce new technology and reforms in the selection process Vijayendra said job aspirants have lost confidence in the institution He warned that unless the KPSC ensures transparency adopts stringent rules and establishes a robust system for selecting deserving candidates questions may arise in future about the very existence of the commissionHe urged the Karnataka government to demonstrate its commitment by immediately issuing the notification to fill the 56432 vacancies without further delay and ensuring a fair and speedy recruitment processVijayendra cautioned that otherwise the anger of lakhs of unemployed youths who are already on the verge of frustration and despair could erupt into largescale protestsIt can be noted that the Karnataka government approved the recruitment of 56432 posts across various departments including Group A B and C positions Initiated by the Cabinet in early 2026 this drive aims to fill positions in Transport Education Health and Revenue using a 400point roster system and internal reservation for Scheduled CastesIt can be recalled that allegations of corruption and persistent irregularities in the Karnataka Public Service Commission KPSC triggered an intense debate in the Legislative Assembly recently with members seeking reforms and IT minister Priyak Kharge calling for the abolition of the tainted Commission The BJP members who initiated the debate urged the state government to intervene even though KPSC is an autonomous body âThe government cannot turn a blind eye to alleged irregularities Lakhs of youths particularly from rural areas aspire to secure government jobs and spend years preparing for competitive examinations However the current system is killing the aspirations of youth BJP state General Secretary and MLA V Sunil Kumar IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kpsc-plagued-by-corruption-delays-ruining-future-of-youth-ktaka-bjp-chief-673265.html Mon, 11 May 2026 12:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rahul-gandhi-targets-centre-says-people-now-being-told-what-to-buy-where-to-go-673267.html New Delhi May 11 IANS After Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged people to cut fuel use and avoid foreign travel amid the global energy crisis due to the USIran war Congress leader Rahul Gandhi remarked that over the span of 12 years the country has been brought to such a juncture that the public now has to be told what to buy and what not to buy where to go and where not to goRahul Gandhi took to social media X and said Yesterday Modi Ji called upon the public to make sacrificesdo not buy gold do not travel abroad consume less petrol cut down on fertilisers and cooking oil take the Metro and work from home These are not words of counsel they are evidence of failureHe further said the country has been brought to such a state that the public now has to be told what to buy and what not to buyOver the span of 12 years the country has been brought to such a juncture that the public now has to be told what to buy and what not to buy where to go and where not to go Time and again they shift the responsibility onto the public simply to evade their own accountability he saidOn Sunday PM Modi urged citizens to avoid buying gold for a year and postpone foreign travel as part of a broader appeal to conserve foreign exchange amid global uncertaintyNotably the Prime Ministers appeal is aimed at strengthening Indias economic resilience at a time when the West Asia conflict rising energy prices and supplychain disruptions are increasing pressure on importdependent economiesAddressing a BJP rally in Hyderabad on Sunday PM Modi urged citizens to reduce nonessential foreign exchange outflows including gold purchases and overseas travel while stressing the importance of collective public participation amid the current global crisisWe have to save foreign exchange by any means PM Modi said calling on people to postpone gold purchases and foreign vacations for one yearThe Prime Minister framed the appeal as part of a broader push for economic patriotism alongside measures such as reduced fuel consumption greater use of public transport workfromhome systems natural farming and support for swadeshi productsIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rahul-gandhi-targets-centre-says-people-now-being-told-what-to-buy-where-to-go-673267.html Mon, 11 May 2026 12:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/we-are-building-for-a-living-rising-demanding-india-gautam-adani--673268.html New Delhi May 11 IANS Gautam Adani Chairman of the Adani Group said on Monday that Indias path will not be Americas or Chinas path because we are not building for an abstract future we are building for a living rising demanding IndianbspnbspAddressing the CII Annual Business Summit 2026 here Gautam Adani said India is building for households moving up cities expanding outward factories coming alive vehicles turning electric and millions of small businesses waiting to scalenbspIndias advantage is simple Everything we build will already have demand waiting for it The task before us is to build the capacity that can keep pace with the demand the Adani Group Chairman told the gatheringnbspIn the energy sector India has made extraordinary progress As of March 2026 India has crossed 500 gigawatts of installed power capacity A staggering 53 per cent of this capacity has been added over the past 10 yearsnbspAnd India is well on its way to add another 4X capacity over the next two decades to take India to 2000 gigawatts by 2047 This is not a symbolic progress This is nationscale execution growing rapidly industrialising deeply digitising massively and decarbonising meaningfully all at the same time said the billionaire industrialistNotably the GDP trajectory is the best manifestation of the growth storynbspIt took India 67 years after Independence to become a 2trilliondollar economy But it took just 12 more years to add the next two trillion Gautam Adani emphasisedHe further stated that India is no longer growing through incremental additionnbspIndia is growing through compounding acceleration Every road port airport factory energy asset and data centre augments the next layer of growth At this pace India will add the equivalent of a new European economy to its GDP every decade This is not linear growth This is compounding national power Gautam Adani notedA decade ago few imagined the scale of Indias mobile data explosion But once smartphones became affordable networks expanded data prices fell and consumption explodedAI will create a similar surge but this surge will be far more powerhungry Data centre capacity that is expected to reach five gigawatts by 2030 could rise to nearly 75 gigawatts by 2047 That is why India must prepare now the Adani Group Chairman highlightedThere is one version of the AI story circulating across global boardrooms It says AI will eliminate workers It says technology will replace human judgement It says efficiency means fewer peopleI reject this story entirely India must not import fear from the western world A country can limit its own future not only by a lack of capability but also by accepting someone elses assumptions as truth India must build AI not as a force that removes opportunity but as a force that expands productivity creates new jobs empowers small businesses and gives Indians the tools to compete with the best said Gautam AdaniWhen UPI was launched many considered it just a payment system That was too small a way to understand UPI UPI did not simply move money from one account to another It moved trust into the hands of ordinary IndiansIt made a street vendor digitally visible It made a small merchant instantly payable It transformed the mobile phone from a communication device into an economic instrument Once trust became instant commerce became instant Once payments became frictionless new markets became viable he mentionedOnce ordinary Indians entered the digital economy entirely new business models became possibleMarkets that were invisible became visible Customers who were underserved became reachable Needs that had not yet been named became new enterprises AI will do the same but at a far greater scale It will create companies we cannot yet name It will create business models we cannot yet define It will create markets that today are invisible said Gautam AdaniIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/we-are-building-for-a-living-rising-demanding-india-gautam-adani--673268.html Mon, 11 May 2026 12:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/i-solemnly-affirm-with-sincerity-cm-joseph-vijay-takes-oath-as-mla-in-tn-assembly-673271.html Chennai May 11 IANS A day after taking oath as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK leader C Joseph Vijay on Monday took oath as a Member of the Legislative Assembly MLA during the first session of the newly constituted 17th Tamil Nadu AssemblynbspThe oathtaking ceremony for newly elected legislators was held at the Assembly Hall under the supervision of Protem Speaker Karuppiah who administered the oath to the membersThe proceedings marked the formal commencement of the new Assembly following the recently concluded Tamil Nadu Assembly electionsChief Minister Vijay who had taken oath as Chief Minister on Sunday invoking Andavan Meedhu Aanaiyaga in the name of God adopted a different constitutional affirmation while taking oath as an MLA on Monday stating Ulamara Urudhi Koorugiren I solemnly affirm with sincerityVijay was sworn in as the MLA from the Perambur Assembly constituency which he retained after winning from both Perambur and Trichy East in the electionsFollowing his decision to continue as the representative from Perambur he resigned from the Trichy East seat paving the way for a byelection thereSoon after Vijays oathtaking senior TVK leader N Anand took oath as the MLA from T Nagar constituency while Aadhav Arjuna was sworn in as the legislator from Villivakkam constituencyThe Assembly witnessed enthusiastic scenes as newly elected members entered the House for the first time after the dramatic electoral verdict that brought TVK to power in its maiden Assembly electionThe party emerged as the single largest party in the 234member House and later formed the government with the support of alliance partnersAddressing the House during the proceedings Protem Speaker Karuppiah congratulated the newly elected members and called upon them to work with dedication for the welfare of the peopleHe said that despite several hardships and obstacles the new leadership had overcome challenges and earned the trust of the peopleThe public has elected us to serve them Every member must understand this responsibility and work sincerely for the people he saidKaruppiah further stated that the new government should function by following the ideals and principles of leaders such as Periyar Kamarajar Velu Nachiyar and Anjalai Ammal while also upholding rationalist and social justice values in governanceIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/i-solemnly-affirm-with-sincerity-cm-joseph-vijay-takes-oath-as-mla-in-tn-assembly-673271.html Mon, 11 May 2026 12:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/chinese-consulate-in-kolkata-again-cautions-nationals-against-illegal-india-entry-from-nepal-673272.html Kolkata May 11 Following the recent detention of a Chinese national by Sashastra Seema Bal SSB for illegally entering India from Nepal the Chinese Consulate General in Kolkata has once again advised its nationals to strictly avoid inadvertently crossing into Indian territory without valid travel documents In a statement issued on Monday the consulate reminded Chinese nationals that they must obtain an Indian visa before entering India It noted that the NepalIndia border is an open border with relatively few boundary markers increasing the risk of accidental crossings particularly for Chinese nationals travelling in Nepalâs border areas Without a valid Indian visa they may face detention by Indian border troops or police it said The consulate further warned that India imposes severe penalties on illegal entrants Regardless of whether the entry is intentional or accidental anyone found to have entered illegally will be detained and handed over to judicial authorities facing prison sentences of two to eight years and fines with bail being difficult to obtain According to the statement the consulate urged Chinese nationals in Nepal to take this issue seriously avoid travelling to areas near the IndiaNepal border and refrain from taking chances or following local guides to avoid unnecessary serious consequences and personal losses The consulate further reminded Chinese nationals that even with a valid Indian visa they must obtain written permission from Indian authorities before traveling to a restricted area The consulate also reminded Chinese nationals that they must leave India before their visas expire and not overstay Otherwise they will be held fully responsible for any legal consequences The directive was issued days after a Chinese national attempting to enter India without valid travel documents was arrested near the Jogbani check post along the IndiaNepal border in Araria district of Bihar Janardan Mishra Commandant of the SSB 56 Battalion told media persons that the man has been identified as Zhou Huan 41 a resident of Hunan province in China He was intercepted during routine surveillance IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/chinese-consulate-in-kolkata-again-cautions-nationals-against-illegal-india-entry-from-nepal-673272.html Mon, 11 May 2026 12:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cop-killed-by-unidentified-men-in-andhra-pradeshs-kakinada-probe-on-673274.html Amaravati May 11 A constable was murdered by unidentified men in Kakinada town of Andhra Pradesh police said on Monday The incident occurred in the Gandhi Nagar area of Kakinada late on Sunday nightAccording to police unidentified men attacked Andhra Pradesh Special Police APSP constable Nageswara Rao with a knife They slit his throat resulting in his deathLocals told police that some youth who were under the influence of alcohol attacked a man who was walking on the roadPolice rushed to the spot and identified the deceased as an APSP constable The body was shifted to the Government General Hospital for postmortem examination The police team visited the crime scene and collected clues Senior police officials also visited the scenePolice registered a case and took up an investigation The investigating officials were scanning the CCTV footage in the area A police officer said they were working on some clues to identify and arrest the assailantsMore details are awaitedMeanwhile a person drowned and another went missing in Palnadu district when a boat overturnedThe incident occurred in Kakani village in Narsaraopet mandal when a boat drowned in the tank The body of one of them was recovered by the locals while the search was on for the other missing personThe deceased was identified as Pitlabanda Hussain Rescue workers continued the search for Argraharam HussainAccording to police the incident occurred when the two men were putting fish feed into the tankMeanwhile three people were injured in a road accident in neighbouring Telangana The accident occurred in Nalgonda district when a car rammed into an oil tankerAccording to police the collision occurred near Veliminedu in Chiryal mandal in Nalgonda district Three people travelling in the car were injured and they were shifted to a nearby hospitalThe oil tanker overturned on the highway disrupting the movement of vehicles between Vijayawada and Hyderabad IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cop-killed-by-unidentified-men-in-andhra-pradeshs-kakinada-probe-on-673274.html Mon, 11 May 2026 12:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/joseph-vijay-takes-oath-as-mla-in-tamil-nadu-assembly-673275.html Chennai May 11 IANS A day after taking oath as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK leader C Joseph Vijay on Monday took oath as a Member of the Legislative Assembly MLA during the first session of the newly constituted 17th Tamil Nadu AssemblynbspThe oathtaking ceremony for newly elected legislators was held at the Assembly Hall under the supervision of Protem Speaker Karuppiah who administered the oath to the membersThe proceedings marked the formal commencement of the new Assembly following the recently concluded Tamil Nadu Assembly electionsChief Minister Vijay who had taken oath as Chief Minister on Sunday invoking Andavan Meedhu Aanaiyaga in the name of God adopted a different constitutional affirmation while taking oath as an MLA on Monday stating Ulamara Urudhi Koorugiren I solemnly affirm with sincerityVijay was sworn in as the MLA from the Perambur Assembly constituency which he retained after winning from both Perambur and Trichy East in the electionsFollowing his decision to continue as the representative from Perambur he resigned from the Trichy East seat paving the way for a byelection thereSoon after Vijays oathtaking senior TVK leader N Anand took oath as the MLA from T Nagar constituency while Aadhav Arjuna was sworn in as the legislator from Villivakkam constituencyThe Assembly witnessed enthusiastic scenes as newly elected members entered the House for the first time after the dramatic electoral verdict that brought TVK to power in its maiden Assembly electionThe party emerged as the single largest party in the 234member House and later formed the government with the support of alliance partnersAddressing the House during the proceedings Protem Speaker Karuppiah congratulated the newly elected members and called upon them to work with dedication for the welfare of the peopleHe said that despite several hardships and obstacles the new leadership had overcome challenges and earned the trust of the peopleThe public has elected us to serve them Every member must understand this responsibility and work sincerely for the people he saidKaruppiah further stated that the new government should function by following the ideals and principles of leaders such as Periyar Kamarajar Velu Nachiyar and Anjalai Ammal while also upholding rationalist and social justice values in governanceIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/joseph-vijay-takes-oath-as-mla-in-tamil-nadu-assembly-673275.html Mon, 11 May 2026 12:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/mea-issues-fake-news-alert-debunks-evacuation-claim-through-fujairah-port-673277.html New Delhi May 11 Indiaâs Ministry of External Affairsâ MEA official factchecking handle has strongly debunked multiple false claims circulating on social media calling them fabricated and misleading attempts to spread disinformation about Indiaâs foreign policy and Defence matters In a clear rebuttal the MEAâs official factcheck handle issued a âFake News Alertâ denying reports that India and the United Arab Emirates UAE were working on any evacuation arrangement through Fujairah port for Indian nationals abroadA widely circulated news report by The Times of India had claimed that both countries were planning an agreement to facilitate the evacuation of lakhs of Indian workers via the UAE portThe factcheck post stated âThere is no basis in fact for such a story There is no evacuation being planned Please stay alert against such false and baseless claimsâ Officials clarified that no such discussions or agreements exist between India and the UAE regarding evacuation through Fujairah or any similar arrangementThe post also shared a newspaper cutout which shows a headline India UAE working on pact to help in evacuation of Indians via Fujairah portIn a separate warning the MEA also flagged a Deepfake Video Alert after an AIgenerated clip falsely showing MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal began circulating on social mediaThe manipulated video falsely claimed that India had admitted to losing Rafale fighter jets and made other misleading allegations including claims related to water flow to PakistanThe MEA categorically rejected the video as fake stating that the spokesperson had never made such statements The advisory said âThis is an AIgenerated video intended to spread disinformation Please stay alert against such fake videos and content on social mediaâThe Press Information Bureauâs factcheck unit PIB Fact Check also confirmed that the video was digitally altered and part of a coordinated misinformation campaign It further urged citizens not to believe or share manipulated content and to verify all information only through official government sourcesPIB Fact Check added that the original unedited video of the MEA briefing is publicly available and can be accessed through official platforms reinforcing that no such remarks were ever madeOfficials noted that several Pakistanbased propaganda accounts were behind the circulation of these misleading videos and fabricated headlines aiming to distort facts and damage Indiaâs international imageAuthorities have once again appealed to citizens to remain vigilant avoid sharing unverified content and rely only on authenticated government communications for accurate information IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/mea-issues-fake-news-alert-debunks-evacuation-claim-through-fujairah-port-673277.html Mon, 11 May 2026 12:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/strengthen-smes-ecosystem-boost-farming-sector-eam-jaishankar-as-india-hands-over-agro-facility-in-trinidad-amp-tobago-673100.html Port of Spain May 10 External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar has jointly handed over an agroprocessing facility in Trinidad and Tobago along with the Caribbean nations Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar EAM Jaishankar said on Saturday that the commitment made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in July 2025 during his visit is being delivered nowThis project will strengthen Trinidad and Tobagos Small and Medium Enterprises SMEs ecosystem and provide fresh impetus to its farming sector the EAM wrote on social media platform XEarlier on Saturday EAM Jaishankar joined Trinidad and Tobagos Prime Minister for a Quick Impact Project QIP on Nelson Island where the first Indians arrived in island nationSupported by Indian assistance this will preserve and showcase the shared heritage of an enduring journey he said on X regarding the QIPOn Friday Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar said in the Trinidad and Tobago Parliament that India has honoured and delivered on its commitments to the Caribbean nation the Trinidad Express Newspaper reportedShe also mentioned that 800 citizens benefited from the prosthetic limb initiative supported by India and mentioned that Trinidad and Tobago will receive 20 hemodialysis units and two sea ambulances from India to strengthen healthcare delivery and emergency medical response the report notedThe EAM also joined Prime Minister PersadBissessar at the presentation ceremony of Made in India laptops for school children in Trinidad and TobagoReferring to Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs earlier commitment EAM Jaishankar said Joined PM Kamla PersadBissessar at the presentation of Made In India laptops to Trinbagonian schoolchildren Delivering on PM Narendra Modis commitment last year this is a message of learning awareness and opportunitySpeaking at the flagraising ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs the EAM underlined the historic relationship between the two countriesS Jaishankar said India had traditionally had very warm and friendly relations with Trinidad and Tobago and these ties have been shaped by shared history a struggle against colonialism and a very special bond of cricket People of the two countries share a lot in commonHe also announced the conclusion of several agreements during the visitIn another X post the EAM said Concluded Agreements today on Tourism on Solarisation of Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs building on Quick Impact Projects and on establishing Ayurveda Chair IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/strengthen-smes-ecosystem-boost-farming-sector-eam-jaishankar-as-india-hands-over-agro-facility-in-trinidad-amp-tobago-673100.html Sun, 10 May 2026 08:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/vijay-to-take-oath-as-tamil-nadu-cm-today-rahul-gandhi-to-attend-swearing-in-ceremony-673103.html New Delhi May 10 Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK chief C Joseph Vijay will take the oath as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Sunday at 10 am at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennaiâ Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar will administer the oath of office to himâSeveral senior national and regional political leaders film personalities and party workers are expected to attend the ceremonyâLok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi will arrive in Chennai to attend the swearingin ceremonyThe development comes after the TVK which emerged as the single largest party in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections secured the support of multiple parties to cross the majority mark in the 234member AssemblyâThough TVK fell short of a simple majority on its own the Indian National Congress soon after the election results extended support to VijayâThe Communist parties Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and Indian Union Muslim League also announced unconditional support to the Vijayled formationâWith backing from alliance partners and supporting parties the TVKled bloc has secured the support of 120 Members of the Legislative Assembly comfortably crossing the 118member majority mark required to form the government in Tamil NaduâGovernor Arlekar formally invited Vijay to form the government after the alliance partners submitted letters of support to the Raj BhavanâVijay is expected to take the oath along with a few members of his Cabinet while the full ministry is likely to be expanded laterâPolitical observers view Vijayâs rise as one of the most significant political developments in Tamil Nadu in recent years with the actorturnedpolitician set to begin his first term as Chief Minister amid heightened public and political interest across the stateâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/vijay-to-take-oath-as-tamil-nadu-cm-today-rahul-gandhi-to-attend-swearing-in-ceremony-673103.html Sun, 10 May 2026 08:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-police-arrest-two-wanted-criminals-after-gunfight-near-zakir-husain-college-673107.html New Delhi May 10 Two alleged notorious criminals were arrested after an encounter with the Delhi Police near Zakir Husain College on Jawaharlal Nehru Marg in the national capital officials said on Sunday The operation was carried out by the Special Staff team of the Central District of Delhi Police which apprehended the two accused identified as Sahil and Avinash following an exchange of fire late on Saturday night Both sustained bullet injuries to their legs during the encounter and were later admitted to a hospital for treatmentAccording to police officials Sahil and Avinash had been on the Delhi Polices list of mostwanted criminals for the past several days The duo was allegedly involved in a recent firing incident in Delhis Karol Bagh area where shots were fired in broad daylight prompting an extensive manhunt by the Special Staff teams across the cityPolice said that late on Saturday night the Special Staff received specific intelligence inputs suggesting that the two accused involved in the Karol Bagh firing case were likely to visit the area around Zakir Husain College either to meet someone or to commit another crime allegedlyActing on the information police personnel laid a trap in the area and intensified surveillance around the college premises and adjoining roadsOfficials said that when the police team attempted to stop the suspects the accused allegedly tried to escape and opened fire at the police personnelAccording to police sources nearly 10 rounds were fired during the encounterThe police team retaliated in selfdefence and fired at the accused injuring both Sahil and Avinash in their legs before overpowering and arresting them on the spotPolice officials stated that both accused were immediately shifted to a nearby hospital after the encounter for medical treatment and are currently under police supervisionInvestigators also recovered illegal firearms and live cartridges from the spot which are believed to have been used by the accused during the exchange of fire with the police teamThe Delhi Police has now launched further investigations to ascertain the criminal backgrounds of the two accused including their alleged links with other gangs and criminal networks operating in the cityOfficials are also probing the motive behind the recent firing incident in Karol Bagh and examining whether the accused were planning another attack or criminal operation in the central Delhi area before being intercepted by the police IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-police-arrest-two-wanted-criminals-after-gunfight-near-zakir-husain-college-673107.html Sun, 10 May 2026 08:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/traffic-restrictions-imposed-in-hyderabad-ahead-of-pm-modis-visit-today-673115.html Hyderabad May 10 Police in Hyderabad have imposed traffic restrictions across several key routes in view of Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs visit to the city on Sunday Traffic curbs have been imposed within the limits of the Hyderabad Cyberabad and Malkajgiri police commissionerates from 1 pm to 10 pmTraffic restrictions and temporary stoppages have been imposed at certain locations in the cityPolice have advised citizens to avoid certain road stretches along the route to be taken by the Prime Ministerâs convoy from Begumpet Airport to Hitech City Cyberabad where the Prime Minister is schedule to launch various development projects and inaugurate Sindhu HospitalAfter arrival at Begumpet Airport from Bengaluru the Prime Minister will travel to HICC Cyberabad by road to lay the foundation stone inaugurate and dedicate to the nation multiple development projects worth around â¹9377 croreThe Prime Minister will also inaugurate Sindhu Hospital Sindhu Hospital a stateoftheart cancerfocused multisuper speciality quaternary care notforprofit institutionHe will then reach Parade Grounds Secunderabad to address a public meeting He will also launch various development projectsFor the public meeting over 2000 police personnel along with specialised forces have been deployed under the leadership of Malkajgiri Police Commissioner B Sumathi for foolproof security crowd management and public safetyShe said that the Joint Command amp Control Room has been installed with CCTV cameras for realtime monitoringThe specialised teams were carrying out antisabotage and bomb disposal checks OCTOPUS NSG and other specialised forces have been deployed SHE teams will also be deployed for womens safety while emergency medical and fire services will be on standbyPolice have announced that cameras bags helmets water bottles sharp objects and electronic gadgets are prohibited at the public meeting venueThe public has also been requested to avoid MG Road RP Road and SD Road in Secunderabad between 2 pm and 10 pm to avoid inconvenience and traffic congestionGeneral passengers intending to travel to Secunderabad Railway Station have been requested to start early to reach their destinations on time Citizens have also been advised to utilise Metro Rail services wherever possibleMalkajgiri Police Commissioner Sumathi said that all security and traffic arrangements are in place for the public meetingShe said police were issuing advance advisories to the public regarding traffic diversions She requested citizens to exercise caution and follow the guidelinesâWe estimate that 100000 people will attend the event Arrangements have been made to accommodate this expected crowdâ she saidSecurity arrangements involve a deployment of 2000 police personnel and 620 traffic police personnelThe areas surrounding the Parade Ground will be brought under police control four hours prior to the event The vicinity of the Parade Ground will be monitored via CCTV camerasâProhibited items will not be permitted at the entry gates We have declared this area a NoDrone Zone Every individual will undergo a thorough security checkâ the Commissioner said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/traffic-restrictions-imposed-in-hyderabad-ahead-of-pm-modis-visit-today-673115.html Sun, 10 May 2026 09:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/karnataka-minister-d-sudhakar-passes-away-in-bengaluru-dy-cm-shivakumar-condoles-death-673117.html Bengaluru May 10 Karnataka Minister for Planning and Statistics D Sudhakar passed away in the early hours of Sunday at KIMS Hospital in Bengaluru where he had been undergoing treatment in the Intensive Care Unit ICU for the past month Hospital authorities confirmed his death in an official statement stating that Minister Sudhakar passed away at 315 amIn the statement Medical Director Dr R Chinnadurai said Honourable Minister D Sudhakar 66 was declared dead at around 315 am on May 10 at Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences KIMS Electronic CityD Sudhakar also Chitradurga District InCharge Minister considered Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President D K Shivakumar as his political mentor and shared a close association with him Earlier Dr Pavan Yadav M V Clinical Director amp Senior Consultant â Interventional Pulmonology amp Sleep Medicine Associate Director Lung Transplantation at KIMS stated On April 20 around 8 pm he was shifted from Manipal Hospital on ECLS ExtraCorporeal Life Support for further advanced care here and currently he is on full life support to assist his vital organ functions A specialised multidisciplinary team of expert doctors is monitoring his condition round the clock At present he is stable on life supports and if his lungs doesnt show significant improvement he may be considered for lung transplantation Fourtime MLA Sudhakar initially got admitted to the Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru for knee surgery After the surgery he developed an infection in his lungs which turned serious He was later shifted to KIMS Hospital and preparations were underway for lung transplantation However before lung transplantation he passed awayD Sudhakar was originally from Challakere and belonged to the Jain community Born on March 28 1961 Sudhakar was the third son of businessman Dasharathayya and Kanchanmala After obtaining a BCom degree he entered politics Minister Sudhakar is survived by his wife Harshini son Suhas and daughter SpoorthiHe was the current Congress MLA from Hiriyur and the president of the Chitradurga DCC Bank He was first elected as an MLA from the Challakere Assembly constituency in 2004 Later after Challakere became a reserved constituency he shifted to the Hiriyur constituency in 2008 and won as an independent candidate He had supported the BJP government in 2008 During this period D Sudhakar also served as the Minister for Social Welfare in the B S Yediyurappa government A year later the Beggars Colony scam came to light following which the Social Welfare portfolio was taken away from him He was later made the Minister for the Muzrai DepartmentHe was elected as a Congress MLA from the Hiriyur constituency in 2013 Later he lost to Poornima Srinivas in 2018 Later in 2023 he won the seat against Srinivas as a candidate from the Congress party During the drought in Chitradurga district he personally cultivated fodder around the lakes in Hiriyur and distributed it to farmers cattle a service that is still remembered by the peopleDeputy Chief Minister Shivakumar expressing distress stated I am deeply saddened by the demise of our cabinet colleague and close associate D Sudhakar who had been undergoing treatment for illness and passed away todayHe further stated that D Sudhakar had rendered commendable public service in an effective manner It is painful that Sudhakar has left behind his family members relatives and a large number of supporters today I pray that God grants eternal peace to the soul of D Sudhakar and gives strength to his family to bear this loss Om Shanti the Deputy Chief Minister saidLeader of the Opposition LoP in the Karnataka Assembly R Ashoka stated My condolences on the passing of Shri D Sudhakar Minister for Planning and Statistics Department and District Incharge Minister of Chitradurga I pray that the Almighty grants eternal peace to his soul and gives strength to his family members to bear the sorrow of this irreparable loss IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/karnataka-minister-d-sudhakar-passes-away-in-bengaluru-dy-cm-shivakumar-condoles-death-673117.html Sun, 10 May 2026 09:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/heavy-rain-disrupts-normal-life-in-tamil-nadu-boosts-inflows-to-major-reservoirs-673120.html Tiruchy May 10 Continuous rainfall ranging from moderate to heavy intensity since Friday evening has affected several districts across Tamil Naduâs Delta and southern regions disrupting normal life causing waterlogging in many urban areas and significantly increasing inflows into major reservoirs However farmers welcomed the timely showers saying the rains would greatly benefit standing summer crops and ongoing cultivation activitiesAs forecast by the India Meteorological Department IMD widespread rains began on Friday evening and continued intermittently till Saturday morning across Tiruchy Thanjavur Thiruvarur Nagapattinam Mayiladuthurai Perambalur Ariyalur and parts of Pudukkottai districtsIn Thanjavur district Budalur recorded the highest rainfall at 52 cm while Thanjavur town received 16 cm In Tiruchy district Devimangalam received 258 cm of rainfall followed by Pullambadi with 114 cm and Lalgudi with 106 cmContinuous showers in Tiruchy city led to waterlogging in several lowlying areas inconveniencing motorists and commuters Heavy rainfall was also recorded in the coastal belt with Mayiladuthurai town receiving 23 cm and Nagapattinam town 212 cm of rainfallIn the Pudukkottai district Tirumayam and Aranthangi received 25 cm and 2 cm of rainfall respectively Kudavasal in the Thiruvarur district recorded the highest rainfall in the district at 234 cmFarmers across the Delta region expressed relief over the rainfall stating that it would support standing summer paddy crops and improve soil moisture for cultivation of rainfed crops such as pulses maize and groundnutMany farmers had already begun new crop cultivation following the recent summer showers Meanwhile heavy overnight rainfall in Tirunelveli and Tenkasi districts substantially improved inflow into several dams in the Western Ghats regionOothu in the Manjolai tea estate area recorded the highest rainfall in Tirunelveli district at 17 cm The increased rainfall boosted water storage in major reservoirs including Papanasam Manimuthar Servalar Gadananathi Ramanathi and Adavinainar damsOfficials said the inflow to the Papanasam dam more than doubled to 215 cusecs while water levels in several dams rose sharply within a day due to continuous rain in the catchment areas IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/heavy-rain-disrupts-normal-life-in-tamil-nadu-boosts-inflows-to-major-reservoirs-673120.html Sun, 10 May 2026 09:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/vijay-led-new-tn-govt-faces-crucial-floor-test-after-swearing-in-ceremony-673121.html Chennai May 10 Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK chief C Joseph Vijay will take oath as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Sunday along with nine ministers marking the beginning of a new political chapter in the state However the newly formed government cannot formally begin functioning until it successfully completes two crucial constitutional procedures in the Assembly â the election of the Speaker and the trust vote Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has directed the Vijayled government to prove its majority on or before May 13 As part of this process the Assembly must first elect a Speaker and Deputy Speaker The ruling alliance is expected to nominate its candidate for Speaker while the opposition may field a rival nominee paving the way for a contest on the Assembly floor If there is a contest voting will be conducted and the winning candidate will be declared Speaker In the event of a consensus candidate the tradition of the Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition escorting the newly elected Speaker to the Chair is expected to be followed Following the Speakerâs election the government will move a confidence motion either on the same day or on May 13A member of the ruling side will introduce the motion seeking the confidence of the House after which Chief Minister Vijay will address the Assembly and appeal for support Leaders of opposition parties are also expected to participate in the debate The trust vote could become a tense and closely watched exercise especially if the opposition demands a division vote Under the Assembly procedure the Speaker must allow a formal division if requested Bells will be rung three times to summon all MLAs into the House before the voting process begins Once the doors of the Assembly are closed the Assembly Secretary will conduct the divisionwise voting MLAs supporting and opposing the motion will be asked to stand separately in each of the six divisions of the House The Chief Minister traditionally sits in the first division while the Leader of the Opposition occupies a seat in the sixth division directly opposite The final count will then be submitted to the Speaker who will announce whether the government has won or lost the confidence motion If the motion is passed the Vijay government will continue in office If defeated the Governor could initiate steps to dissolve the government With the ruling alliance holding only a narrow majority the presence of every MLA from the alliance camp is expected to be crucial during the floor test IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/vijay-led-new-tn-govt-faces-crucial-floor-test-after-swearing-in-ceremony-673121.html Sun, 10 May 2026 09:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/three-days-after-killing-of-bengal-cm-aide-chandranath-rath-police-yet-to-nab-accused-673164.html Kolkata May 10 Even 72 hours after the murder of Chandranath Rath personal assistant to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari the assailants remain at large with police yet to make any arrests Investigators say their biggest challenge is tracking the attackers escape route due to a lack of usable CCTV footage Several cameras along the route adjacent to DohariaMathpara in Madhyamgram through which the miscreants are believed to have fled have been out of order for a long time a senior police officer said on SundayThe shooting took place on Wednesday night in the Doharia area of Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas district where the assailants stopped Rathâs car midroad before opening fire After the attack the attackers are believed to have fled the scene on motorbikes via an alley road towards Peyara Bagan A search is underway along that route but the absence of effective CCTV coverage at key locations has hampered the investigationPolice investigations have revealed that many CCTV cameras in the area have been nonfunctional for a long time while some installed on light poles were positioned incorrectly As a result no clear visuals of the attackersâ movements are available CCTV cameras at roadside shops have also yielded no clues as most establishments were closed at the time of the incidentA section of investigators believes the assailants deliberately waited for darkness to fall so that faces and number plates would not be clearly captured as they sped away on their bikes the officer saidMeanwhile a red car has emerged as a new mystery in the case CCTV footage shows the vehicle following Rathâs Scorpio from Birati intersection to Jessore Road and remaining close behind even after entering the Doharia area Investigators suspect the car may have been tailing Rath from the start and a vigorous search is underway to trace itA special investigation team has been formed to probe the case which police believe was executed in a wellplanned manner IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/three-days-after-killing-of-bengal-cm-aide-chandranath-rath-police-yet-to-nab-accused-673164.html Sun, 10 May 2026 11:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-congratulates-new-tn-cm-says-will-keep-working-with-state-to-improve-lives-673166.html Bengaluru May 10 Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated C Joseph Vijay the President of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK on his swearingin as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Sunday and expressed hope for effective collaboration for the benefit of the public Extending best wishes PM Modi took to X and said Congratulations to Thiru C Joseph Vijay on taking oath as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Best wishes for his tenure ahead The Central Government will keep working with the Tamil Nadu Government to improve the lives of peopleVijay was sworn in on Sunday marking a historic political shift in the state which saw an end to nearly six decades of alternating rule by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam DMK and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam AIADMKGovernor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office and secrecy to Vijay at a grand ceremony held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium hereNine ministers were also sworn in alongside him as part of the new Council of MinistersThe event was attended by several national and regional political leaders including the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi film personalities party workers and thousands of supporters prompting authorities to enforce massive security arrangements in and around the venueChennai city police deployed heavy security intensified vehicle checks and imposed strict access control measures around the stadium ahead of the ceremonyVijay assumes office after the TVKled alliance secured the support of 120 MLAs in the 234member Tamil Nadu Assembly comfortably crossing the majority mark of 118 required to form the governmentWhile the TVK emerged as the single largest party in the recently concluded Assembly elections it fell short of an outright majority triggering intense political negotiations over the last few daysThe uncertainty finally ended on Saturday evening after the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi VCK and the Indian Union Muslim League IUML extended their support to the Vijayled formationEarlier the Congress the Communist Party of India CPI and the Communist Party of IndiaMarxist had also backed the TVK enabling the actorturnedpolitician to stake a claim to form the governmentFollowing the securing of support Vijay met Governor Arlekar at Lok Bhavan in Chennai on Saturday night and submitted letters of support from all five allies the Congress the CPI the CPIM the VCK and the IUML The Governor subsequently appointed Vijay as Chief Ministerdesignate and invited him to form the ministry He has also directed the new Chief Minister to seek a vote of confidence in the Assembly on or before May 13The swearingin of Vijay marks a watershed moment in Tamil Nadu politics as a nonDravidian party has come to power in the state for the first time since 1967 Political observers view the development as a major realignment in the states political landscape long dominated by the DMK and AIADMK IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-congratulates-new-tn-cm-says-will-keep-working-with-state-to-improve-lives-673166.html Sun, 10 May 2026 11:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/vijay-announces-200-units-of-free-electricity-after-taking-oath-as-tamil-nadu-chief-minister-673169.html Chennai May 10 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Sunday announced 200 units of free electricity and the formation of the SingaPen Special Task Force as among the first major decisions of his government shortly after taking the oath Soon after the swearingin ceremony at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium here Vijay signed key official files in the presence of senior officials and ministers signalling the beginning of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK governmentâs welfare and governance agendaVijay was sworn in as the Chief Minister by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar amid loud cheers from thousands of party workers supporters and film fans gathered at the venue He took the oaths of office and secrecy in the name of C Joseph VijayThe TVK chief assumed office after his party emerged as the single largest formation in the recently concluded Tamil Nadu Assembly elections by winning 108 seats in the 234member House Though the party fell short of the majority mark of 118 the Congress extended support to itThe Communist Party of India CPI the Communist Party of IndiaMarxist the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi VCK and the Indian Union Muslim League IUML also backed the coalition taking its strength to 120 MLAsThe swearingin ceremony witnessed elaborate security arrangements with only around 6000 invitees allowed inside the stadium through special passes Chennai Police deployed massive security arrangements under the supervision of the Police Commissioner with five Additional Commissioners and 12 Joint Commissioners overseeing arrangementsSeveral prominent political leaders and film personalities attended the event including Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi alliance leaders Vijayâs parents relatives friends and notables from the Tamil film industryAlong with Vijay N Anand Aadhav Arjuna Dr KG Arunraj KA Sengottaiyan P Venkataramanan R Nirmalkumar Rajmohan Dr TK Prabhu and S Keerthan were sworn in as ministers in the new cabinet The ceremony marked a historic political moment in Tamil Nadu ending decades of dominance by the stateâs traditional Dravidian parties and ushering in a new political era under Vijayâs leadership IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/vijay-announces-200-units-of-free-electricity-after-taking-oath-as-tamil-nadu-chief-minister-673169.html Sun, 10 May 2026 12:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/extremely-painful-moment-karnataka-cm-siddaramaiah-expresses-grief-over-minister-d-sudhakars-death-673184.html Bengaluru May 10 Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday condoled the death of state Planning and Statistics Minister D Sudhakar terming it an extremely painful moment I am saddened by the untimely demise of D Sudhakar who was our governmentâs Minister for Planning and Statistics and a senior leader He had been undergoing treatment in the hospital for the past few days due to illness Recently I had personally visited the hospital and obtained information about his health from the doctors treating him At that time I was hopeful of his recovery the Chief Minister saidSudhakar was a person who had immense concern and commitment towards public service A person like him should have remained among the people for many more years Despite the continuous efforts of doctors and the prayers and wishes of all of us Sudhakar has left us today This is an extremely painful moment he addedI pray to God that the departed soul attains eternal peace and that his family members and admirers get the strength to bear this loss Siddaramaiah statedDeputy Chief Minister and state Congress President DK Shivakumar also expressed deep condolences over the demise of SudhakarTalking to the media he said The demise of Minister D Sudhakar who was an extremely active colleague always thinking about the development of his constituency and public service every moment is deeply painful Whenever he came to meet me he would invariably bring requests related to one or another developmental work for his constituency The passing away of Sudhakar who was also close to me has caused immense griefSudhakar began his political career through the cooperative sector by becoming the president of the DCC Bank He was a leader admired by people from all communities Despite not having strong numerical support from his community he was elected as an MLA four times which stood testimony to the love trust and confidence the people of his constituency had in him That was Sudhakarâs true distinctionShivakumar recalled that the late minister would always discuss irrigation projects related to his constituency with him including the Bhadra Upper Canal ProjectAs a generous philanthropist he had earned popularity among the people as the friend of the poor Having answered the call of time he has left us and his countless admirers I pray that his soul attains eternal peace and that God gives strength to his family members and lakhs of party workers to bear the pain of his loss Shivakumar said in his condolence messageLarge and Medium Industries Minister MB Patil has expressed grief over the demise of the minister noting Sudhakar was known for his simplicity decency propeople attitude and friendly personality He remembered that Sudhakar had begun his political career from the Challakere constituency and through his active public life had also succeeded in winning the support of the people of the Hiriyur constituencyIn his condolence message Patil said that he still vividly remembered Sudhakar meeting him before being admitted to the hospital and discussing development projects related to his constituency He added that Sudhakar had immense concern for the people of his constituencyAgriculture Minister N Cheluvarayaswamy said The news of the demise of Shri D Sudhakar who was the Minister for Planning and Statistics Chitradurga district incharge minister and also a close associate of mine has caused me deep sorrow Through his simple personality and public service he had created a distinct identity in public lifeSudhakar passed away in the early hours of Sunday at KIMS Hospital in Bengaluru where he had been undergoing treatment in the Intensive Care Unit ICU for the past monthHospital authorities in a statement said that the minister passed away at 315 amFourtime MLA Sudhakar initially got admitted to the Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru for knee surgery After the surgery he developed an infection in his lungs which turned serious He was later shifted to KIMS Hospital and preparations were underway for lung transplantation However before this could be done he passed awaySudhakar was originally from Challakere and belonged to the Jain community Born on March 28 1961 he was the third son of businessman Dasharathayya and Kanchanmala After obtaining a BCom degree he entered politics He is survived by his wife Harshini son Suhas and daughter Spoorthi IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/extremely-painful-moment-karnataka-cm-siddaramaiah-expresses-grief-over-minister-d-sudhakars-death-673184.html Sun, 10 May 2026 13:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/market-valuation-of-4-of-top-10-firms-falls-over-rs-1-lakh-crore-last-week-673187.html Mumbai May 10 Amid a rangebound trend in equities the combined market valuation of four of the top10 most valued firms eroded by more than Rs 1 lakh crore last week with State Bank of India emerging as the biggest laggard During the week the benchmark Sensex gained 41469 points or 053 per cent while the Nifty advanced 1786 points or 074 per centAmong the top10 valued companies Bharti Airtel State Bank of India SBI Tata Consultancy Services TCS and Larsen amp Toubro LampT witnessed a decline in their market capitalisation In contrast HDFC Bank ICICI Bank Bajaj Finance Hindustan Unilever and Life Insurance Corporation of India LIC posted gains in valuationSBI suffered the steepest erosion in market value with its valuation falling by Rs 4472234 crore to Rs 94110762 crore Bharti Airtelâs market capitalisation declined by Rs 311671 crore to Rs 111805503 croreThe valuation of TCS dropped by Rs 2845626 crore to Rs 86647769 crore while Larsen amp Toubro saw its market capitalisation slip by Rs 537184 crore to Rs 54662121 croreOn the gaining side HDFC Bank added Rs 1542509 crore taking its valuation to Rs 120269926 crore Bajaj Finance saw its market capitalisation rise by Rs 1148689 crore to Rs 59461002 croreHindustan Unilever gained Rs 876397 crore in valuation to reach Rs 53756298 crore while LIC added Rs 275137 crore to take its market capitalisation to Rs 50754944 crore ICICI Bank also registered an increase of Rs 169461 crore pushing its valuation to Rs 90667539 croreHDFC Bank remained the second most valued firm during the week followed by Bharti Airtel SBI ICICI Bank TCS Bajaj Finance Larsen amp Toubro Hindustan Unilever and LICMeanwhile commenting on Niftys technical outlook experts said that on the upside resistance levels are placed at 24500 and 24600On the downside support is seen at 24000 and 23800 A breakdown below 23800 could result in increased selling pressure an analyst stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/market-valuation-of-4-of-top-10-firms-falls-over-rs-1-lakh-crore-last-week-673187.html Sun, 10 May 2026 14:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/deeply-honoured-to-welcome-pm-at-our-residence-chandrababu-naidu-673190.html Hyderabad May 10 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday said that he would be deeply honoured to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence in Hyderabad We are deeply honoured and delighted to welcome Honâble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji to our residence today This is a truly special and memorable moment for our family Chandrababu Naidu posted on XThe Prime Minister who is arriving here on Sunday afternoon is scheduled to visit Naidus residence at Jubilee Hills Naidus Telugu Desam Party TDP is a key partner in PM Modiled NDA government at the CentrePM Modi is visiting Hyderabad to launch various development projects worth over Rs 9000 crore and address a public meetingThis is his first visit to Telangana after assuming office as the Prime Minister for a third term He is also likely to visit the residence of Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan who is also a partner in the BJPled NDAMeanwhile Pawan Kalyan also posted a message on X welcoming the Prime Minister Telangana welcomes Honâble Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi Ji on his visit for the foundation laying of development projects worth â¹9400 crore posted the Jana Sena leaderMy heartfelt gratitude to the NDA Central Government for its commitment towards strengthening infrastructure connectivity and economic growth in the State creating new opportunities for youth and accelerating Telanganaâs progress he wroteOn behalf of Jana Sena Party I thank PM Modi Ji for his continued focus on the development of Telangana he addedThe Prime Minister is scheduled to lay the foundation stone inaugurate and dedicate to the nation multiple development projects worth around Rs 9377 croreHe will also address a public meeting organised by the BJP at Parade Grounds Secunderabad IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/deeply-honoured-to-welcome-pm-at-our-residence-chandrababu-naidu-673190.html Sun, 10 May 2026 14:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/telangana-cm-dy-cm-congratulate-vijay-on-taking-oath-as-tn-cm-673204.html Hyderabad May 10 Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Sunday congratulated C Joseph Vijay on taking the oath as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu According to a statement from the Telangana Chief Ministers Office CMO Revanth Reddy extended his heartfelt felicitation and warm congratulations to Vijay on assuming office as the Chief Minister of Tamil NaduThe Chief Minister expressed his earnest hope that in accordance with the aspirations and expectations of the people of Tamil Nadu Vijay will usher in an era of progressive governance dedicated public service and visionary leadership contributing significantly to the states development and the welfare of its citizensHe further conveyed his best wishes for a successful and distinguished tenure while expressing confidence that Vijayâs leadership and commitment to public welfare will earn him an enduring and cherished place in the hearts of the people of Tamil NaduDeputy Chief Minister Vikramarka also extended hearty congratulations to Vijay on taking charge as the Chief Minister of Tamil NaduWishing you a tenure filled with monumental progress and people centric governance Best wishes for a successful journey ahead he posted on XPawan Kalyan has also congratulated Vijay on taking oath as the Tamil Nadu Chief MinisterHeartfelt congratulations to Vijay on taking oath as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and to all those who took oath as Ministers the Jana Sena Party leader saidI wish the new government will fullfill the aspirations of the people ensure transparent and progressive governance and lead Tamil Nadu towards greater growth and prosperity added the actorpoliticianTelangana Transport and Backward Classes Welfare Ponnam Prabhakar also congratulated VijayWishing you strength wisdom and success in serving the people with dedication and vision May your leadership bring progress and prosperity he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/telangana-cm-dy-cm-congratulate-vijay-on-taking-oath-as-tn-cm-673204.html Sun, 10 May 2026 16:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-australia-deepen-maritime-defence-cooperation-report-673205.html New Delhi May 10 Australia and India have reaffirmed their rapidly expanding strategic and defence partnership with both countries committing to deeper military cooperation enhanced maritime security coordination and stronger defence industry engagement according to a report The report by âThe Australia Todayâ stated that the two countries reviewed the progress of bilateral defence ties during the 10th Defence Policy Talks held in New Delhi on May 8The discussions were led by Joint Secretary International Cooperation in the Defence Ministry Amitabh Prasad and Australiaâs First Assistant Secretary for International Policy Bernard PhilipAccording to The Australia Today report the meeting reviewed developments under the IndiaAustralia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as both nations seek to strengthen defence and security coordination in the IndoPacific regionOfficials from both countries welcomed the expansion of bilateral defence cooperation including the establishment of the annual IndiaAustralia Defence Ministersâ Dialogue in 2025 the report said adding that the initiative reflected increasing trust and strategic alignment between Canberra and New DelhiThe report further noted that discussions focused on âenhancing interoperability across military domains increasing the scale and complexity of joint exercises and advancing maritime security cooperation amid growing regional strategic competitionâBoth sides also reviewed progress on commitments made during the 2024 IndiaAustralia Annual Leadersâ Summit including efforts to renew the Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation and formulate a Joint Maritime Security Collaboration RoadmapThe Australia Today reported that India and Australia confirmed plans to hold the first IndiaAustralia Joint Staff Talks later this year describing it as another significant step toward expanding institutional defence engagement between the two nationsTraining and officer exchange programmes also featured prominently during the talks The report highlighted initiatives such as the Gen Bipin Rawat Memorial Young Officers Exchange Programme and military academy exchanges between the Indian Military Academy and Australiaâs Royal Military College DuntroonOfficials said these initiatives were helping in building mutual trust peopletopeople links and shared strategic understanding according to the reportDefence industry cooperation emerged as another major area of focus The report pointed to several recent initiatives including the first IndiaAustralia Defence Industry Roundtable held in Sydney in 2025 Australiaâs first defence trade mission to India and a strategic defence industry roundtable conducted during the Raisina Dialogue earlier this yearThe developments come as India and Australia continue expanding collaboration across defence trade and regional security under their broader strategic partnership framework The Australia Today noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-australia-deepen-maritime-defence-cooperation-report-673205.html Sun, 10 May 2026 16:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/4-000-new-constables-to-be-utilised-for-specialised-technical-roles-due-to-unique-challenges-jampk-dgp-673206.html Srinagar May 10 JampK DGP Nalin Prabhat said on Sunday that over 4000 constables including 600 females are being utilised for specialised technical roles due to unique challenges Addressing newly recruited constables he said that these constables include BTech and MTech candidates whose services will be utilised in specialised technical roles within the forceThe police chief said that the newly recruited constables of JampK Police represent a new generation of educated and technically skilled youth who will play a crucial role in strengthening the force in the coming yearsAt the appointment letter presentation ceremony by LG Manoj Sinha at the Armed Police Complex Zewan here the DGP said more than 4000 youth have been recruited into JampK Police including nearly 600 women candidatesHe said over 55 lakh applications were received for the posts which had been advertised in 2024 He said many of the selected candidates are graduates postgraduates BTech and MTech degree holdersThe DGP stated that such highly educated recruits would be identified during the training process and their expertise would be utilised in specialised and technical fields related to Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita BNS CCPS and other technologybased policing systemsHe said the recruitment of highly educated youth into the police force reflects their patriotism and commitment towards national serviceDescribing JampK Police as a modern and technologydriven force he said there is a growing need to strengthen citizencentric policing and improve professional capabilities within the organisation Calling the newly recruited constables the backbone of the force he said the police uniform symbolises discipline honesty loyalty courage sacrifice and dedication towards public serviceHe urged the recruits to make full use of the training period and learn every aspect of policing with sincerity and commitment The DGP further said that unlike many other police organisations in the country JampK Police operates under unique and challenging circumstances where policing goes beyond conventional lawandorder dutiesOur challenges are different and our responsibilities are wider During the training process we will prepare you not only physically but also mentally and professionally to deal with these challenges effectively he told the recruits IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/4-000-new-constables-to-be-utilised-for-specialised-technical-roles-due-to-unique-challenges-jampk-dgp-673206.html Sun, 10 May 2026 16:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/jamnagar-illuminated-ahead-of-pm-modis-two-day-gujarat-visit-673216.html Jamnagar May 10 Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs twoday visit to Gujarat Jamnagar has been illuminated and decorated with a series of programmes scheduled across Jamnagar Somnath and Vadodara on May 10 and 11 Major roads government buildings and traffic circles in Jamnagar have been adorned with decorative lighting stretching from the Air Force Station to Lal Bangla Circle Prominent locations including Darbargadh DKV College Bedi Naku Pavan Chakki Annapurna Circle and Mahakali Circle have also been illuminated creating a festive atmosphere across the cityDocumentary screenings highlighting welfare schemes implemented under the Prime Ministerâs leadership are also on display at major circlesA public reception programme has been scheduled at Lal Bangla Circle at around 730 pm on Sunday May 10Gujarati folk singer Kirtidan Gadhvi is set to perform a Lok dayro during the event while cultural performances including Hudo Raas Sidi Dhamal and Maniyaro Raas by folk groups from Saurashtra have also been plannedAccording to the Prime Ministerâs Office Modiâs Gujarat visit will include programmes in Jamnagar Somnath and VadodaraOn May 11 the Prime Minister will participate in the Somnath Amrut Mahotsav marking 75 years since the inauguration of the reconstructed Somnath TempleDuring the visit he is scheduled to take part in the Vishesh Maha Puja Kumbhabhishek and Dhvajarohan ceremonies at the templeThe Somnath programmes are being organised as part of celebrations commemorating the restoration of the temple after Independence an initiative closely associated with Indiaâs first Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai PatelThe visit to Somnath will also coincide with a series of special events including the firstever Indian Air Forces Suryakiran aerobatic air show over Somnath and a special Kumbhabhishek ceremony using holy water collected from 11 pilgrimage sites across the countryLater on Monday May 11 PM Modi is scheduled to visit Vadodara where he will inaugurate the Sardardham Hostel complex near Waghodia crossroadsLocal authorities and BJP workers have been preparing for a large public turnout while a roadshow in the city is also expected during the visit IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/jamnagar-illuminated-ahead-of-pm-modis-two-day-gujarat-visit-673216.html Sun, 10 May 2026 16:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/critically-endangered-gharial-returns-to-kaziranga-national-park-in-major-conservation-milestone-673217.html Guwahati May 10 Once feared to have vanished from Assams river systems the critically endangered gharial has been sighted once again in Kaziranga National Park marking a remarkable and encouraging moment for wildlife conservation in the region officials said on Sunday The rare sighting has sparked hope among conservationists and wildlife experts highlighting the success of ongoing efforts to restore and protect the stateâs fragile riverine ecosystemKaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve KNPTR Director Sonali Ghosh said that on April 26 a gharial Gavialis gangeticus was spotted basking on a sand bar near the Maite antipoaching camp area of Burapahar Range of the parkThe sighting was reported by a team of Forest staff while on patrolling duty along the confluence of Difolu and Brahmaputra River she saidExperts say that river confluences and sandy banks are the preferred habitat of gharials for feeding basking and breedingGhosh said that since then more such sightings were reported with photographic proof from the same location in the following days The last reported sighting was on May 8 from Burapahar Range by tourist guide Shishukanta Nath which was widely welcomed on social mediaAssam Chief Ministerâs Office CMO while taking to social media posted Once believed to have disappeared from Assamâs river systems the critically endangered gharial has now been spotted at Kaziranga a truly remarkable moment for wildlife conservationKNPTR Director said that for tourists and forest officials alike this was more than just a rare sightingIt was a powerful reminder of Assamâs extraordinary biodiversity and the silent success of sustained conservation efforts across our forests wetlands and rivers the senior Indian Forest Service officer saidThe gharial is a specialised fisheating reptile identifiable by its very long thin snout It is listed as critically endangered due to a historical 98 per cent population decline and an estimated 6501000 mature breeding individuals left in the wild Ghosh saidShe informed that major remaining wild populations gharial and reintroduction sanctuaries are located near the National Chambal Sanctuary Madhya Pradesh Rajasthan Uttar Pradesh Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary Uttar Pradesh and the Gandak River BiharAs an apex predator and keystone species it acts as an indicator of river health playing an essential role in regulating fish populations and keeping freshwater ecosystems balancedTheir historical decline in Assam was largely driven by habitat degradation and changing river dynamicsThe KNPTR Director said that occasional sightings of gharial in the Brahmaputra were also reported historically from Dibru Soikhowa National Park Manas National Park and Dikhow and Subansiri river basins of Sibsagar and Lakhimpur districts of AssamShe said that gharials historically inhabited the Brahmaputra River system in Northeast India with records from the 1950s across sixteen rivers in the region The species was considered locally extinct there after the 1950s due to habitat loss and other factors though unconfirmed sightings were reported for single individuals occasionallyGhosh said that such sightings indicate a possible continuous presence of the reptile in Assam although the species was thought to be locally extinct The sightings are seen as a strong indicator of successful ecological preservation and longterm wetland conservation initiatives across Assams protected areasThe official noted that recent surveys conducted by Kaziranga Park Authority in collaboration with WII Wildlife Institute of India WWF World Wide Fund for Nature and TSAFI Turtle Survival Alliance Foundation India including one in January 2026 along 160 km of the river have documented the lone gharial female in the past few years alongside diverse aquatic life prompting reintroduction proposals from sources like Chambal Conservation Breeding centre wherein Madhya Pradesh government has expressed its willingness to support with the sameConservation efforts highlight the Brahmaputras potential due to ample fish prey and low human disturbance in protected areas the official saidThe Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve Indiaâs seventh UNESCO World Heritage Site is renowned for its âBig Fiveâ wildlife species greater onehorned rhinoceroses Bengal tigers Asian elephants buffaloes and eastern swamp deer Spread across the districts of Golaghat Nagaon Sonitpur and Biswanath it comprises three forest divisions Eastern Assam Wildlife Division Bokakhat Biswanath Wildlife Division Biswanath Chariali and Nagaon Wildlife Division Nagaon IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/critically-endangered-gharial-returns-to-kaziranga-national-park-in-major-conservation-milestone-673217.html Sun, 10 May 2026 16:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/fairpoint-why-mamata-banerjees-defeat-resonated-beyond-india--673218.html New Delhi May 10 There was something unusual about the reaction to the Assembly election results this time State elections in India routinely produce celebrations accusations posturing and political drama But the outcome in West Bengal travelled far beyond Indias borders From Dhaka to Washington the result triggered reactions rarely seen after a state poll in India That alone suggested that what happened in Bengal was not being viewed merely as a regional political shift It was being read as something larger a strategic and ideological development in one of Indias most sensitive border states And the international attention it attracted was equally strikingUS President Donald Trump congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on what the White House described as a historic and decisive mandate in West Bengal Several international publications portrayed the result as a breakthrough moment for PM Modi in a state that had remained politically resistant to the BJP for yearsThe obvious question is why did a state election command such extraordinary global attention Victories in Haryana Rajasthan or Chhattisgarh do not evoke reactions of this scale abroad West Bengal however occupies a different place in Indias political imagination Geography and demography make it uniquely sensitive Sharing a long and porous border with Bangladesh the state has for years remained central to debates around illegal infiltration border security and demographic changeFor years the BJP has argued that the Mamata Banerjee government looked the other way while infiltration from Bangladesh continued unchecked The allegations are not newIronically Mamata Banerjee herself once raised similar concerns In 2005 as a Lok Sabha member she had dramatically protested in Parliament over infiltration from Bangladesh calling it a disaster for the country On the streets of West Bengal too she repeatedly accused the then Left Front government of using illegal immigrants as a political vote bankBut politics often reshapes positions faster than circumstances change After coming to power in 2011 Mamata Banerjees stand appeared to undergo a sharp reversal The issue that once formed the centrepiece of her political attacks gradually disappeared from her rhetoric Instead she became one of the fiercest critics of attempts to identify or deport illegal immigrantsThe sharpest example came during the Assam NRC exercise in 2018 While the Supreme Courtmonitored process sought to identify illegal immigrants in Assam Mamata Banerjee openly attacked the exercise warning of civil war and bloodbath if the Centre continued with the policy This opposition was aimed at protecting a political support base shaped over years of unchecked migrationThe BJP repeatedly built its Bengal campaign around this accusation Union Home Minister Amit Shah while speaking in Parliament during the debate on the Immigration and Foreigners Bill in March 2025 directly accused the Trinamool Congress government of enabling illegal immigration by facilitating the issuance of Aadhaar cards and voter IDs He claimed that many Bangladeshis caught in different parts of the country possessed documents originating from West Bengals border districts including the 24 ParganasInfiltration has remained a contentious issue in Bengal for decades Border districts have witnessed demographic shifts significant enough to alter political calculations Security agencies have repeatedly flagged concerns about illegal crossborder networks The issue is no longer viewed merely through the lens of economics or welfare distribution it is increasingly tied to questions of national security and internal stabilityThe reactions emerging from Bangladesh after the election have only added to these anxieties While sections of Bangladeshs political establishment reportedly sent congratulatory messages to the BJP leadership some Islamist voices reacted sharply against the Bengal verdictOne JamaateIslami leader reportedly made inflammatory remarks calling for resistance against Delhi and spoke irresponsibly about Bengals separation from India Such statements may represent fringe rhetoric but they underline why political developments in West Bengal are being watched so closely beyond Indias borders In Pakistan discussions were held on the development with many describing Mamata Banerjees defeat as a setback for the Indian oppositionThe intensity of these reactions reveals something important Beyond Bengal Mamata Banerjee had increasingly come to be viewed by many political and ideological groups as one of the strongest leaders capable of taking on Prime Minister Narendra Modi nationally Her politics often seen as centred around Muslim outreach had earned her support among sections that viewed the BJPs rise with concernThat is why her defeat generated unusually sharp reactions outside India as well While vested interests and ideological groups in neighbouring countries may interpret the result through their own political lens the verdict delivered by Bengals voters is clear and strongNow with the BJP forming the government in Bengal with a commanding mandate expectations will be enormous The party has promised a tougher stance on infiltration stronger border management expanded fencing and stricter enforcement against illegal residency networks Bengal has suffered enough through decades of political violence fear religious polarisation and uneven development This election was not merely a rejection of Mamata Banerjees 15year rule it was also an expression of exhaustion and aspirationThe people of Bengal have voted for security over violence and uncertainty development over appeasement and governance over perpetual conflict They want jobs for the youth better roads and infrastructure dignity in everyday life and the freedom to liveDeepika Bhan can be contacted at deepikabiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/fairpoint-why-mamata-banerjees-defeat-resonated-beyond-india--673218.html Sun, 10 May 2026 16:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-l-g-ts-sandhu-flags-road-indiscipline-causing-accidents-asks-citizens-to-follow-rules-673222.html New Delhi May 10 Delhi Lieutenant Governor TS Sandhu on Sunday urged city residents and visitors to the National Capital to follow traffic rules to prevent accidents jams and reduce pollution In a message on social media Sandhu said collective efforts can help build a jamfree and safe city His impassioned appeal to maintain order on roads came in the backdrop of a fatal accident on Saturday night in which a speeding car killed two men on a motorcycle in east Delhiâs Karawal NagarâMy earnest appeal to all Delhi residents and those visiting here is that you cooperate with dtptraffic in making the national capital a city with safe smooth and wellmanaged trafficâ said the Lieutenant Governor in a post on XâFollowing traffic rules not only helps prevent traffic jams and accidents on the roads but also aids in reducing air pollution Doing so is in the interest of Delhi and its residents and it is our fundamental responsibilityâ he saidSandhu stressed the link between traffic rules and safety âI appeal to all citizens that you refrain from driving in the wrong direction jumping red lights and crossing roads in ways that endanger lives Proper parking of vehicles as well as the use of helmets and seat belts is essential not only for smooth traffic but also for the safety of our loved onesâ he saidHe also encouraged citizens to report traffic violations on the latest app of the traffic police âI have directed the Delhi Traffic Police to further expand the campaign for strict enforcement in the national capital Your participation is crucial in strengthening this road safety campaign All of you can report violations of traffic rules through the âTraffic Prahariâ app and earn rewards for your vigilanceâ he saidâIf we collectively resolve to follow traffic rules it is possible to build a jamfree and safe Delhi In the creation of a beautiful and wellmanaged capital I expect the combined efforts and support of all of youâ Sandhu added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-l-g-ts-sandhu-flags-road-indiscipline-causing-accidents-asks-citizens-to-follow-rules-673222.html Sun, 10 May 2026 18:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/chinas-supply-chain-dominance-likely-to-be-hit-by-tech-leap-in-west-673223.html New Delhi May 10 China is currently leveraging its driven by its dominance in critical minerals inputs required for the production in sectors such as New Energy Vehicles NEV to gain a geopolitical advantage through its capability to disrupt global supply chains However according to an article in The Diplomat this advantage is likely to be overturned in the near future with the leap in new technology that is taking place in Western countries with companies such as US tech giant Tesla forging ahead with new battery technology and driverless vehiclesThe article states that the only major manufacturing sector in which China has a genuine prospect of leading and maintaining global competitiveness is the NEV industry Other sectors such as semiconductors or robotics hold significant prestige and offer some hope of achievement but Chinaâs offerings remain far behind the international standardHowever while Chinaâs NEV sector rises Western technological advancements are bringing in new upgrades that threaten to render existing NEV supply chains obsolete as per the articleIt highlights that new battery technologies will determine who commands the postupgrade future marketThere is also the competition over integrated manufacturing costs While Chinese manufacturing had previously secured a relative advantage this edge is constantly at risk of being blunted by electric carmaker Tesla which is using highdensity production lines to reduce costs which can potentially outcompete Chinese NEV manufacturing Besides Tesla has a big lead in driverless vehicle technology which will represent a revolutionary leap forward it saidThese three technological advancements are seen as having the potential to render Chinaâs current supply chain strategy ineffectiveBased on average industrial cycles we estimate a window of three to five years In other words Chinaâs current advantages within specific segments of the supply chain are likely to erode within that timeframe Unless China can consistently achieve meaningful breakthroughs in technological advancement the window of opportunity remains remarkably narrow the article observed IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/chinas-supply-chain-dominance-likely-to-be-hit-by-tech-leap-in-west-673223.html Sun, 10 May 2026 18:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/minors-assaulted-in-chhattisgarh-mp-accused-absconding-673040.html BhopalRaipur May 9 Two gruesome and shameful incidents of sexual assault on children have recently come to light in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh once again raising serious concerns about the safety of innocent minors â Both cases have shaken the communities involved and in each instance the accused remain at large intensifying public outrage and fearâIn Surajpur district of Chhattisgarh an eightyearold thirdgrade student was subjected to a horrific assault while she had gone to gather mangoes near her home âA middleaged man from the same village allegedly took advantage of the situation assaulted the child and fled said police sources âThe girlâs condition worsened upon returning home and her family immediately informed the police A case was registered under stringent penal provisions and the victim was taken for medical examination âThe administration has assured strict action though the accused is still at largeâIn another disturbing case reported from Madhya Pradesh an eightyearold girl admitted to Bundelkhand Medical College for treatment was sexually assaulted inside a hospital bathroom âThe accused himself a patient allegedly followed the child into the bathroom and committed the act before escaping âThe terrified child narrated the ordeal to her mother leading to chaos in the hospital premises Police registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences POCSO Act and began examining CCTV footage to trace the accused âAuthorities have identified him during preliminary investigation and efforts are underway to arrest himâBoth incidents have sparked widespread anger and anxiety among parents and residents highlighting the vulnerability of children even in places presumed to be safe âOfficials have promised swift and strict action but the fact that the perpetrators remain at large has left communities unsettled and demanding stronger measures to ensure justice and child safetyâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/minors-assaulted-in-chhattisgarh-mp-accused-absconding-673040.html Sat, 09 May 2026 09:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/with-support-of-118-mlas-vijay-stakes-claim-to-form-tn-govt-guv-remains-unconvinced-673041.html Chennai May 8 Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK president C Joseph Vijay remained embroiled in a tense numbers battle on Friday after Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar once again declined to invite him to form the government citing the absence of a clear majority in the 234member Assemblyâ Bringing days of political suspense to a critical juncture Vijay met the Governor at Lok Bhavan in Chennai on Friday evening and formally staked a claim to form the next government in the stateâThe actorturnedpolitician submitted letters of support from the Congress the Communist Party of India and the Communist Party of India Marxist bringing his effective strength to 116 MLAsâHowever the figure still fell short of the crucial majority mark of 118 in the Assembly leaving the political situation hanging in uncertaintyâThe Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and the Indian Union Muslim League both considered key potential allies had not yet submitted written letters of support to the GovernorâSources close to Governor Arlekar said Vijay was informed that he could not be invited to form the government without demonstrable majority support on paperââJoseph Vijay has not been able to show that he has majority support Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam currently has the backing of 116 MLAs There was no formal letter of support from Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi Indian Union Muslim League or any other party Hence he has not been invited to take oath on Saturday or Sundayâ Raj Bhavan sources told reporters after the meetingâThe development has prolonged the uncertainty over government formation in Tamil Nadu nearly four days after the Assembly election results threw up a fractured mandateâTamilaga Vettri Kazhagam emerged as the singlelargest party by winning 108 seats in the April 23 elections but remained short of a majority on its ownâMeanwhile Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam intensified backchannel efforts to secure the support of the remaining parties required to cross the halfway mark and avoid the possibility of alternative political alignmentsâVijay arrived at Lok Bhavan accompanied by senior Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam leaders N Anand and KA SengottaiyanâAlso present was KVN Productions founder and âJana Nayaganâ film producer Venkat K NarayanaâUnlike his earlier meeting with the Governor on May 6 which reportedly took place amid visible tension Fridayâs interaction appeared more cordial with Vijay greeting Arlekar with a customary âVanakkamâ and presenting him with a bouquet and shawl before discussions beganâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/with-support-of-118-mlas-vijay-stakes-claim-to-form-tn-govt-guv-remains-unconvinced-673041.html Sat, 09 May 2026 09:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/tn-no-oath-for-vijay-tomorrow-as-guv-remains-unconvinced-673042.html Chennai May 8 Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK president C Joseph Vijay remained embroiled in a tense numbers battle on Friday after Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar once again declined to invite him to form the government citing the absence of a clear majority in the 234member Assemblyâ Bringing days of political suspense to a critical juncture Vijay met the Governor at Lok Bhavan in Chennai on Friday evening and formally staked a claim to form the next government in the stateâThe actorturnedpolitician submitted letters of support from the Congress the Communist Party of India and the Communist Party of India Marxist bringing his effective strength to 118 MLAsâThe Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and the Indian Union Muslim League both considered key potential allies had not yet submitted written letters of support to the GovernorâSources close to Governor Arlekar said Vijay was informed that he could not be invited to form the government without demonstrable majority support on paperââJoseph Vijay has not been able to show that he has majority support Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam currently has the backing of 116 MLAs There was no formal letter of support from Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi Indian Union Muslim League or any other party Hence he has not been invited to take oath on Saturday or Sundayâ Raj Bhavan sources told reporters after the meetingâThe development has prolonged the uncertainty over government formation in Tamil Nadu nearly four days after the Assembly election results threw up a fractured mandateâTamilaga Vettri Kazhagam emerged as the singlelargest party by winning 108 seats in the April 23 elections but remained short of a majority on its ownâMeanwhile Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam intensified backchannel efforts to secure the support of the remaining parties required to cross the halfway mark and avoid the possibility of alternative political alignmentsâVijay arrived at Lok Bhavan accompanied by senior Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam leaders N Anand and KA SengottaiyanâAlso present was KVN Productions founder and âJana Nayaganâ film producer Venkat K NarayanaâUnlike his earlier meeting with the Governor on May 6 which reportedly took place amid visible tension Fridayâs interaction appeared more cordial with Vijay greeting Arlekar with a customary âVanakkamâ and presenting him with a bouquet and shawl before discussions beganâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/tn-no-oath-for-vijay-tomorrow-as-guv-remains-unconvinced-673042.html Sat, 09 May 2026 09:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ammk-alleges-horse-trading-after-lone-mla-goes-missing-amid-tn-govt-formation-deadlock-673043.html Chennai May 8 The political uncertainty over government formation in Tamil Nadu deepened on Friday after Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam AMMK General Secretary TTV Dhinakaran met Acting Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and alleged that one of his party MLAs had gone missing amid attempts to cobble together a majority in the fractured state Assembly Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK President C Joseph Vijay whose party emerged as the single largest formation with 108 seats in the 234member Assembly has been seeking support from other parties after falling short of the majority mark of 118Vijay had secured letters of support from the Congress CPI and CPIM with the two Left parties extending outside supportArmed with these letters Vijay met Governor Arlekar for the third time on Friday and reiterated his claim to form the governmentHowever the Governor once again refrained from inviting him to take oath citing the lack of a clear majorityAmid the continuing stalemate Dhinakaran held a latenight meeting with the Governor and submitted a letter claiming that the AIADMK had the right to form the governmentSpeaking to reporters after the meeting the AMMK Chief alleged that his party MLA Kamaraj had gone missing under suspicious circumstances and hinted at possible horsetrading by rival political forcesOur MLA is missing We suspect this could be a case of horsetrading We have not been able to contact him even over the phone I informed the Governor that the matter must be investigated immediately Dhinakaran saidAccording to the AMMK Chief Kamaraj had been staying in Puducherry along with AIADMK legislators before his disappearanceDhinakaran claimed that the MLA Kamaraj had met him at his residence on Thursday morning and informed him that he was travelling to Puducherry to meet AIADMK MLAsMy assistant had gone to collect Kamarajs signature and he spoke normally at that time Only after that did he disappear he saidDhinakaran also accused TVK of attempting to engineer defections despite projecting itself as a party committed to clean politicsPeople have given Vijay support in 108 Assembly constituencies But that alone is not enough to form the government Is it right to indulge in horsetrading from the very first day after claiming moral politics We suspect TVK is behind this he allegedHe added that the AMMK leadership would hold consultations with alliance partners before deciding on the next course of action IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ammk-alleges-horse-trading-after-lone-mla-goes-missing-amid-tn-govt-formation-deadlock-673043.html Sat, 09 May 2026 09:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/massive-blaze-guts-ac-service-centre-in-ghaziabad-elderly-man-killed-673052.html Ghaziabad May 9 A massive fire erupted at an air conditioner service centre in Ghaziabad during the early hours of Saturday claiming the life of an elderly man and causing widespread destruction to property and vehicles in the area The incident occurred in the densely populated Patel Nagar locality where repeated explosions from AC gas cylinders and compressors triggered panic among nearby residentsHuge flames and thick plumes of black smoke were seen billowing from the building as fire department teams rushed to the scene to contain the blazeAccording to fire department officials information regarding the fire at plot number F87 in Patel Nagar was received at around 305 AM Following the alert teams from the Kotwali fire station immediately reached the spot along with multiple fire tendersBy the time firefighters arrived the threestorey structure housing the AC service centre had already been completely engulfed in flamesOfficials said several gas cylinders and AC compressors stored inside the premises were exploding continuously severely hampering rescue and firefighting effortsThe narrow lanes and densely packed residential buildings in the locality further heightened fears that the fire could spread rapidly to neighbouring structuresThe fire department subsequently launched a largescale operation to bring the blaze under control Firefighters deployed multiple water lines to prevent the flames from spreading furtherAs the fire intensified additional fire tenders were called from Vaishali Sahibabad and Modinagar fire stations In total nearly eight fire engines were pressed into service during the operationAfter several hours of sustained efforts officials finally succeeded in controlling the fireDuring a search operation conducted after the flames were extinguished firefighters recovered the body of an elderly man from the ground floor of the building He was later identified as 80yearold Triloki NathThe blaze also caused substantial damage to nearby property and vehicles Two cars and around ten motorcycles parked near the building were completely destroyed in the fireAuthorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the incidentFurther details are awaited IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/massive-blaze-guts-ac-service-centre-in-ghaziabad-elderly-man-killed-673052.html Sat, 09 May 2026 09:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-doubles-down-on-building-climate-resilient-farming-boosting-soil-health-673065.html New Delhi May 9 IANS The government launched the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture NMSA in 201415 and since then Rs 211984 crore has been released under Rainfed Area Development RAD covering 850 lakh hectares and benefiting 1435 lakh farmers through Integrated Farming System an official factsheet said on SaturdaynbspImplemented since 201516 about 109 lakh hectares have been covered under the Per Drop More Crop PDMC scheme with Rs 26325 crore released as central assistanceUnder the Soil Health Management 9753 lakh soil samples were collected and 9287 lakh tested in 202526 while 2579 crore Soil Health Card have been generated since 2015 to guide balanced nutrient managementLaunched in 2015 the Soil Health Card SHC Scheme serves as the principal farmer advisory instrument under the NMSA These cards provide cropspecific nutrient recommendations enabling farmers to rationalise fertiliser use and enhance soil healthAn evaluation conducted by NITI Aayog in 2025 indicates that the scheme has contributed to correcting nutrient imbalances particularly by reducing excessive urea use and has led to improvements in agricultural productivitynbspIt has also supported the broader objectives of Integrated Nutrient Management INM Notably 685 per cent of surveyed farmers reported a significant improvement in soil health following the adoption of recommended practices while 257 per cent observed marginal improvementsBetween 2014 and 2025 2996 climateresilient crop varieties were released under the National Agricultural Research System the factsheet informedThe NMSA was envisaged as a strategic intervention to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate variability on agriculture while ensuring longterm food and livelihood securitySubsequently from 201819 NMSA was operationalized as a submission within the Umbrella Scheme of the Green RevolutionKrishonnati YojananbspFurther institutional restructuring from 202223 resulted in its inclusion under the umbrella of Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana PMRKVY reflecting a consolidated approach to sustainable climateresilient agricultural development informed the official statementIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-doubles-down-on-building-climate-resilient-farming-boosting-soil-health-673065.html Sat, 09 May 2026 12:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-hugs-suvendu-adhikari-yogi-adityanath-wraps-saffron-scarf-around-his-neck-673068.html Kolkata May 9 IANS After Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in as the ninth Chief Minister of West Bengal and the first Chief Minister of the first BJPruled government in the state on Saturday he was greeted with loud applause from the lakhs of party supporters present at Brigade Parade Ground in central Kolkata as well as the dignitaries present at the dais of the oath ceremonyA visibly elated Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave Adhikari an affectionate hug Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath wrapped a saffron scarf around the neck of Adhikari while congratulating him for being the Chief MinisterAdhikari participated in the oath ceremony sporting a dhoti worn in the traditional Bengali style and a saffroncoloured KurtaBesides Adhikari five other members of the new states council of ministers namely the former national vicepresident and former state president of the BJP in West Bengal Dilip Ghosh fashiondesignerturned politician and the twotime BJP legislator Agnimitra Paul former BJP Lok Sabha member and the former Union Minister of state for Home Nisith Pramanik Ashok Kirtania and Khudiram Tudu were sworn in on Saturday afternoonWhile Adhikari Ghosh Paul Kirtania and Pramanik read out the oath speech in Bengali Tudu who hails from a tribal background read out the same statement in his mother language of Santali whose official and indigenous alphabetic speech is termed as Ol ChikiTudu participated in the oath ceremony sporting a traditional Santali ceremonial attireHowever the departmental portfolios of the other five ministers are yet to be announced The announcement is also pending on the names of other members of the state cabinetThe oath ceremony was administered by West Bengal Governor R N Ravi in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Union Home Minister Amit Shah Chief Ministers from other BJPruled states some members of the Union Cabinet and several top Central BJP leadersIt is learnt that after the oath ceremony Adhikari and his cabinet colleagues will first go to the Writers Buildings in central Kolkata and from there they will leave for the state Assembly nearbyAs per the schedule fixed so far the first meeting of the new cabinet will be conducted within the state Assembly premises IANSIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-hugs-suvendu-adhikari-yogi-adityanath-wraps-saffron-scarf-around-his-neck-673068.html Sat, 09 May 2026 13:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/phdcci-hails-governments-rs-5-000-crore-emergency-credit-support-for-airlines-673069.html New Delhi May 9 IANS PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry PHDCCI on Saturday welcomed the governments decision to approve a Rs 5000 crore emergency credit support scheme for airlines under ECLGS 50 to address the financial and operational stress arising from the ongoing West Asia crisisnbspRajeev Juneja President PHDCCI said The Governments swift intervention through the Rs 5000 crore emergency credit scheme demonstrates strong policy responsiveness towards one of the most critical pillars of Indias services economyAviation is the backbone of tourism trade and business mobility and supporting airline stability at this juncture will have a cascading positive impact across the broader economy including hospitality travel services and employment generation said JunejaThe announcement aligns with key recommendations made in the recently released PHDCCI Tourism and Hospitality Resilience Report titled Impact of the West Asia Conflict on Indias Tourism Aviation ampamp Hospitality Sectors which highlighted the urgent need for targeted financial and policy support measures to stabilise Indias aviation and tourism ecosystem amid geopolitical disruptionsThe report observed that higher operating costs and limited seat availability could impact inbound tourism demand from longhaul markets such as Europe and North America where travellers are increasingly sensitive to airfare levels and travel durationThe recommendations outlined in the PHDCCI report specifically emphasised the importance of financial resilience mechanisms and liquidity support for aviation and tourism stakeholders during periods of geopolitical uncertainty said Anil Parashar ChairTourism and Hospitality Committee PHDCCIPHDCCI said that continued policy support in areas such as ATF cost rationalisation reduction in VAT on aviation fuel strengthening travel facilitation mechanisms including eVisas and improving liquidity support for tourism MSMEs will remain important for sustaining Indias longterm tourism competitivenessThe current geopolitical situation has highlighted the deep interdependence between aviation connectivity and tourism growth Timely financial support measures such as this will help airlines maintain operational continuity preserve consumer confidence and minimise disruptions across the travel ecosystem said Dr Ranjeet Mehta CEO and Secretary General PHDCCIIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/phdcci-hails-governments-rs-5-000-crore-emergency-credit-support-for-airlines-673069.html Sat, 09 May 2026 14:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/conducted-searches-at-17-locations-in-mumbai-in-anil-ambani-led-reliance-group-cases-cbi-673070.html Mumbai May 9 IANS The Central Bureau of Investigation CBI on Saturday said it has conducted searches at 17 premises in Mumbai in connection with three cases registered against Anil Ambaniled Reliance ADA Group companies Reliance Telecom Ltd Reliance Commercial Finance Ltd Reliance Home Finance Ltd and their DirectorsnbspAccording to a CBI statement these searches are being conducted at the residential premises of Directors of the abovementioned companies as well as at the office premises of intermediary companies whose accounts were used for diversion of bank fundsThe statement further stated that searches are conducted on the strength of Search Warrants dated May 8 issued by the Special Judge for CBI cases Mumbai and have resulted in the seizure of incriminating documentsSearches have also revealed that multiple intermediary companies were operating from the same address The investigation is continuing according to the CBIIt may be recalled that the CBI during the last few months has registered seven cases against the Anil Ambaniled Reliance Group based on the complaints lodged by various Public Sector Banks and LIC in connection with alleged frauds involving thousands of crores of rupeesThe total quantum of alleged loss in these cases is Rs 27337 croreThe CBI earlier conducted searches at 14 locations in the last few months immediately after registration of these casesTwo senior executives of RCom D Vishwanath Joint President of Reliance Communications who was overall incharge of banking operations of the Group and Anil Kalya Vice President who had actively supported Vishwanath in managing banking operations and paymentsutilisation of funds were arrested on April 20Both the accused persons are presently in judicial custody The investigation into the cases relating to the Anil Ambaniled Reliance Group is being monitored by the Supreme Court the CBI statement addedIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/conducted-searches-at-17-locations-in-mumbai-in-anil-ambani-led-reliance-group-cases-cbi-673070.html Sat, 09 May 2026 15:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ed-arrests-punjab-industry-minister-sanjeev-arora-after-raids-673071.html Chandigarh May 9 IANS The Enforcement Directorate ED on Saturday arrested Sanjeev Arora one of the powerful Cabinet ministers in the Bhagwant Mannled Punjab government from his official residence in Sector 2 here The action came after the ED carried out extensive search operations on Sanjeev Aroras residences and offices under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act PMLA of 2002 However there is no official statement from the ED on his arrestnbspShiromani Akali Dal SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia claimed that Arora has been arrested for alleged GST fraudSince Saturday morning the ED has been conducting searches at four premises linked to Arora and this is the third raid in a yearIn April the ED had raided Aroras locations for the second time According to officials the searches were carried out in Chandigarh and the DelhiNCR region The premises being searched include the official residence allotted to Arora as the Cabinet minister in ChandigarhResponding to the raid Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann accused the BJP of misusing central agencies In a post on X CM Mann wrote Today once again the BJPs ED has come to Sanjeev Aroras house In one year this is the third time the BJPs ED has come to his house And in the last one month the second time Yet they havent found anythingHe further wrote I want to tell Modi ji that Punjab is the land of the Gurus which even Aurangzeb could not subdue This is the land of Bhagat Singh who never bowed before the British so Punjab will never bow before Modis tactics The end of this unethical alliance of EDBJP will begin from Punjab itselfIn 2024 Arora the legislator from Ludhiana West had faced the EDs raids in a money laundering case related to the alleged conversion of industrial land for residential projects At that time he was a Rajya Sabha MPAAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal said Since the Modi government has come to power in the country we have seen the CBI and the ED work not to stop corruption and money laundering respectively but work to break other parties and to threaten other political leaders and make them join the BJP Raid by ED is an action in the same directionSAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia said the ED raids have been linked to Hampton Sky Realty Ltd The ED is probing an alleged Rs 100 crore fake GST mobile phone purchase and export racket linked to money laundering and round tripping of funds from Dubai to India Majithia wrote on XIn another tweet he said minister Arora has been arrested The ED arrest of Sanjeev Arora has exposed the seriousness of the alleged fraud and financial irregularities network operating in PunjabI demand immediate lookout circulars against OSD CM Rajbir Singh Nitin Gohal Birdevinder Singh and Pritpal Singh Dhindsa Every individual linked to alleged GST fraud illegal Dubai money transfers and suspicious land dealings must face strict investigation Farmers deserve answers on allegations that land was bought cheap and sold at massive profits through a powerful nexus Majithia saidHe alleged that Punjab cannot be turned into a hub of corruption middlemen and political protection If state Vigilance can act against Opposition leaders the same law must apply equally to ruling party leaders and their associates the Akali leader addedIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ed-arrests-punjab-industry-minister-sanjeev-arora-after-raids-673071.html Sat, 09 May 2026 17:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/all-communities-equal-under-constitution-union-minister-kiren-rijiju-673073.html Mumbai May 9 Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Saturday asserted that all citizens in India are equal under the Constitution regardless of their population size or religious affiliation The Union Minister dismissed fake narratives suggesting that minorities are unsafe in the countryHe was speaking at the event which was organised by the National Commission for Minorities NCM in collaboration with knowledge partners TISS and the Parzor FoundationThe seminar focused on the Parsi Zoroastrian community discussing their immense contributions to Indias socioeconomic fabric despite their small demographic footprintAddressing the media on the sidelines of the seminar titled Parsis in Modern India Navigating Cultural and SocioEconomic Pathways Union Minister Rijiju emphasised that Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas Together with all Development for all ensures that no community is viewed through the lens of religion or casteThere are some political parties in India that repeatedly try to scare Muslims and Christians by saying that they are in danger in this country In India everyone is equal The Constitution has given everyone equal status he saidWhether a population is small or large we do not look at them based on caste or religion Some political elements repeatedly try to frighten Muslims and Christians by claiming they are at risk but this is far from the truth Union Minister Rijiju notedThe Union Minister also touched upon Indias changing demographics noting that the Muslim population in India is expected to be among the largest globallyHe noted that while the 2021 Census was delayed due to the Covid19 pandemic the next official count will provide a clearer pictureUnion Minister Rijiju remarked that with the upcoming census Indias Muslim population might likely equal or even surpass that of Indonesia which currently holds the worlds largest Muslim populationHe said that now after about 1516 years when the census is conducted the population figures will be much higherHe also directed sharp criticism toward the West Bengal government regarding the implementation of Central schemesHe revealed that the One Nation One Application EVidhan scheme which digitises Legislative Assemblies had not been implemented in West BengalThe Union Minister said that he has instructed officials to ensure that once a new Assembly Speaker is elected and the government is in place in West Bengal a memorandum of understanding will be signed within a month to bring the State Assembly into the national digital foldEarlier Union Minister Rijiju congratulated Suvendu Adhikari after taking oath as the West Bengal Chief MinisterIn a post on social media platform X Kiren Rijiju said Congratulations to SuvenduWB ji on taking oath as the Chief Minister of West Bengal Wishing him a successful tenure devoted to the welfare and progress of the people Under the guidance of PM narendramodi ji the Double Engine Sarkar will continue to drive development empower citizens and create new opportunities across West Bengal IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/all-communities-equal-under-constitution-union-minister-kiren-rijiju-673073.html Sat, 09 May 2026 19:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/mp-turbulent-weather-persists-13-districts-to-experience-gusty-winds-thunderstorms-673075.html Bhopal May 9 The weather in Madhya Pradesh has taken a dramatic turn under the influence of two troughs and an active cyclonic circulation On Saturday the Bhopal centre of the Meteorological Department issued an alert for thunderstorms and rain in 13 districts while on Friday strong winds and light showers were reported in more than 20 districts including BhopalThe shifting conditions have created a mix of stormy weather and persistent heat across the state leaving residents unsettled According to forecasts districts such as Narmadapuram Betul Chhindwara Pandhurna Seoni Balaghat Mandla Dindori Anuppur Umaria Shahdol Sidhi and Singrauli are likely to experience thunderstorms accompanied by strong winds There is also a possibility of lightning strikes in some areasOn Friday weather disturbances were already evident in several parts of the state with strong winds sweeping through some regions and light rainfall recorded in others Bhopal Seoni Chhindwara Raisen Sagar Damoh Dewas Khargone Vidisha Rajgarh Tikamgarh Ashoknagar Shivpuri Betul Narsinghpur Mandla and Dindori were among the districts affectedDespite the stormy conditions heat continues to grip many cities Ratlam was the hottest location with the mercury climbing to 435 degrees Celsius Shajapur recorded 426 degrees while Ujjain stood at 424 degrees Bhopal and Indore registered 412 degrees Jabalpur 388 degrees and Gwalior 375 degrees CelsiusMeteorologists point out that the state has been witnessing unusual weather since the beginning of May Typically early May is marked by intense heat but this year storms rainfall and even hailstorms have disrupted the usual patternWestern Disturbances trough lines and cyclonic systems are being cited as the primary causes behind this anomalyThe Meteorological Department has predicted that stormy and rainy conditions will persist until Saturday after which temperatures are expected to rise sharplyFrom Sunday onward daytime temperatures in most cities could increase by three to four degrees CelsiusAuthorities have advised people to remain cautious during adverse weather urging them to avoid open spaces trees and utility poles during storms and lightning activityFarmers have also been warned of potential damage to crops due to unseasonal rain and hailstorms adding to concerns across the state IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/mp-turbulent-weather-persists-13-districts-to-experience-gusty-winds-thunderstorms-673075.html Sat, 09 May 2026 19:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/jampk-l-g-calls-for-whole-society-approach-to-tackle-drug-addiction-673078.html Srinagar May 9 JampK LG Manoj Sinha said on Saturday that the challenge of drug addiction can only be met through the âwhole society approachââ The JampK LG joined a padyatra in Anantnag as part of the âDrugFree JampK CampaignââAddressing a public gathering Manoj Sinha appealed to the people to break the silence to win this war against drugs and said all sections of society must speak in one voice about the dangers of drug addictionââThe challenge of drug addiction can be met only through a âwhole of society approachâ From now on every corner of JampK whether schools colleges families sports grounds wards villages or theatre stages should give a voice to the cause with firm resolveâ the JampK LG saidâThe JampK LG said that in this war against drugs the administration and society must understand the link between drugs and terrorism and everyone should join hands to defeat itââOur neighbouring country is smuggling drugs into Jammu amp Kashmir by design The drug money has been used to build narcopalaces by drug smugglers and a large portion of the drug money is being used for terrorism and radicalisationââWhile drugs are ruining the future of Jammu amp Kashmirs youth on one hand on the other terror outfits are using that money to buy weapons that are shedding the blood of our brothers and sisters in JampK This narcoterror network has inflicted suffering on generations of Jammu amp Kashmir for decadesââThat is why I always say drug addiction and terrorism are not separate challenges but two faces of the same problem And I promise all of you that we will not rest until we defeat itâ the JampK LG saidâHe called upon the police and civil administration to cover every panchayat in Anantnag and especially reach out to vulnerable areas of the district in the next 71 days of the campaignâHe said a decisive blow is being dealt to the drug smugglersâ network in Anantnag districtâSince April 11 the highest number of 108 Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act cases have been registered in Anantnag Narcopalaces worth Rs 35 crore built with black money from drugs have been reduced to dustâTwentytwo vehicles have been seized eight driving licences and vehicle registrations have been cancelled and 13 drug stores have been sealed for violating the lawââI assure the people of Anantnag that not a single smuggler will be left untouched and the entire machinery involved in drug smuggling will be uprooted from its rootsâ the JampK LG saidâHe stated that women and youth are the greatest strength in this war on drugsâHe said if a family member or a neighbourâs youth is going astray women and youth club members should bring them back onto the path of correction and seek the administrationâs help if neededââI appeal to sportspersons teachers and all religious leaders to dedicate the next 71 days with wholehearted commitment to the awareness and rehabilitation campaign and to pledge to make Jammu amp Kashmir drugfreeââReligious leaders are regarded as the peopleâs leaders and guides I want them to provide spiritual and moral guidance to the youth and to warn them about the dangers of drugsââI want to reiterate that this battle is not just the administrationâs It is a collective battle of societyââLet us make a collective promise that we will not allow drug peddlers to thrive in our villages and neighbourhoods We will rehabilitate the youth who are victims of drugsââI firmly believe that when the people stand up for a purpose their power increases a thousandfoldâ the JampK LG saidâThe JampK LG also reiterated his commitment to ensure justice to every terror victims familyâOn the occasion the JampK LG laid the foundation stone for various sports infrastructure development projects worth Rs 2060 crore in the districtâThese include Khel Gaon Modern Sports Infrastructure and residential facility Khel Bhawan StageI at Jablipora expansion of sports facilities at ChakiKamal Monghal reconstruction of the sports complex at Nillandrusu and development of a stadium at Harmohalla RanbirporaâThe JampK LG said that these sports facilities will channel the youths energy in the right direction and strengthen the spirit of discipline and sportsmanshipâHe also felicitated youth icons and distributed sports kits to the youthâArtists through traditional Nukad Natak Baand Pather and a mime play centred on the Nasha Mukt Jammu amp Kashmir Abhiyaan raised awareness about the dangers of drug abuse encouraging young people to stay healthy and contribute to a drugfree societyâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/jampk-l-g-calls-for-whole-society-approach-to-tackle-drug-addiction-673078.html Sat, 09 May 2026 19:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ed-secures-custody-for-questioning-of-3-accused-in-rs-284-crore-bank-loan-fraud-673079.html New Delhi May 9 A Special PMLA court remanded three accused to ED custody till May 12 in connection with a Rs 284 crore money laundering and bank loan fraud by Sravanthi Group promoter DV Rao and his associates an official said on Saturdayâ The Court accepted the EDâs plea to question the accused and observed that given the gravity of the allegations and the accuseds role in money laundering custodial interrogation is necessary the official said in a statementâThe EDs money laundering probe against Rao and his associates has uncovered largescale laundering of approximately Rs 284 crore the statement saidâTwo directors DV Rao and D Shanthi Kiran along with Raos brother D Avanindra Kumar were arrested following searches at companies associated with the Group the ED saidâEarlier during search operations conducted in the case the ED had seized gold and diamond jewellery valued at approximately Rs 5 crore as well as multiple luxury vehicles belonging to Rao and his family membersâThereafter the ED issued a Provisional Attachment Order under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act PMLA 2002 of Sravanthi Energy Pvt Ltd SEPL and others said a statementâFive residential premises were attached on March 3 2026 as part of EDâs seizure of immovable and movable properties worth Rs 24 crore in the case the ED saidâThe attached assets include house properties 25060 sq ft industrialagricultural land measuring approximately 292 acres and 37 gunthas spread across Andhra Pradesh Telangana and Karnataka owned by Rao and his family members the ED saidâThe investigation originated from a scheduled offence registered as FIR No 03602025 at Police Station Sector40 Gurugram wherein it was alleged that Ms DJW Electric Power Projects Private Ltd controlled by Rao had fraudulently availed loans from various entitiesThe ED investigation conducted till now reveals that the total loan amount involved in the fraud was Rs 58 croreâIn a sophisticated modus operandi while the accounting records of DJW showed that loans were being repaid to the original lenders the ED investigation revealed that the banking RTGS system was misusedâThe RTGS mandate fraudulently mentioned the names of actual lenders but provided bank details of Kolkatabased shell entities the ED saidâConsequently loan repayment funds were siphoned off to shell companiesincluding Nexus International Bhavtarini Sales Pvt Ltd and Gabel Trading Co rather than being returned to legitimate lenders the ED saidâFurther investigation under the PMLA 2002 led to registration of another scheduled offence FIR No 3362025 and a parallel money laundering investigation involving Sravanthi Energy Private Limited SEPL also controlled by RaoâIt was found that SEPL had been fraudulently paying approximately Rs 75 Lakh per month as consultancy fees to a shell entity Ms Verset Technologies Pvt Ltd which had no office or employees and was registered in the name of DV Raos fatherinlaw Through this sham arrangement Rs 8936 Crore was illicitly divertedâSimultaneously SEPL booked bogus purchases of over Rs 139 Crore through fake invoices issued by more than 100 shell entities without any goods or services being supplied These payments were returned to Rao and his family in cashâThe ED investigation has further revealed that Rao had earlier defaulted on large sums to banks leading SEPL to become a NonPerforming Asset NPA â IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ed-secures-custody-for-questioning-of-3-accused-in-rs-284-crore-bank-loan-fraud-673079.html Sat, 09 May 2026 19:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kalaburagi-rotti-exported-to-foreign-countries-says-karnataka-minister-priyank-kharge-673082.html Kalaburagi Karnataka May 9 Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister and Kalaburagi district incharge Minister Priyank Kharge on Saturday said it was a matter of pride that the local dish âKalaburagi rottiâ prepared locally by women from selfhelp groups is now being exported to foreign countries Speaking at a programme held at the Arivina Mane auditorium in Kalaburagi city Kharge flagged off consignments of packaged rotis prepared for export to Australia the United States and Canada The packages were handed over to postal department officials for overseas dispatch through India PostKharge said that nearly oneandahalf years ago the âKalaburagi Rottiâ brand was launched under which around 1000 women from 100 selfhelp groups are engaged in preparing the traditional jowar rotisHe said arrangements had now been made to export the rotis to the United States Canada and Australia through a Punebased export company calling it a proud achievement for KalaburagiThe Minister also flagged off specially prepared export packs that will be shipped abroad through India PostAccording to officials arrangements have been made to export 10000 Kalaburagi jowar rotis every month each to the United States and Australia while 5000 rotis will be sent to Canada The export numbers are expected to increase further in the coming daysOfficials said âKalaburagi Rottiâ is currently being sold through Amazon the Kalaburagi Rotti website franchise outlets and local markets across the countryMore than 100 selfhelp groups and over 1000 women are benefiting from the Kalaburagi Rotti brand initiative Women engaged in rotti production are reportedly earning between Rs 15000 and Rs 20000 per month with additional income generated during weddings and other eventsThe district administration has held discussions with Punebased Ashtam Traders to facilitate exports to Australia Canada and the United States In the first phase one lakh rotis are proposed to be exported annually to Australia and the US with monthly exports expected to range between 10000 and 25000 rotisOfficials said an agreement has already been prepared between the district administration and the exporterThe initiative is expected to significantly increase the income of women producers While a rotti currently sells in the domestic market for around Rs 10 to Rs 12 export sales are expected to fetch Rs 25 to Rs 30 per rotti abroad potentially increasing earnings by 80 to 100 per centTo support exports HDFC Bank has provided Rs 55 lakh under its CSR initiative for the purchase of vacuum packing machinery Basic infrastructure for the unit is being developed at the District Agricultural Training Centre at KotnoorD in Kalaburagi under the DMF scheme at a cost of Rs 32 lakhKharge said the new packaging unit would improve both export prospects and the quality of Kalaburagi Rotti The packaging machinery facility is expected to be inaugurated in the coming daysSpeaking on the occasion Sharanamma Patil a member of the rotti makersâ association thanked the district administration for supporting the women involved in the initiativeKharge also announced that a newly constructed mini zoo and childrenâs park spread across 633 acres near Mudbul village in Chittapur taluk would soon be opened to the publicHe said approval for establishing the zoo had been obtained from the Central Zoo Authority under Section 381 of the Wildlife Protection Act IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kalaburagi-rotti-exported-to-foreign-countries-says-karnataka-minister-priyank-kharge-673082.html Sat, 09 May 2026 21:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/anand-kumar-launches-super-infinity-a-new-digital-learning-movement-for-students-673085.html Patna May 9 Anand Kumar the renowned educator behind the iconic Super 30 initiative has officially launched his ambitious digital education platform âSuper Infinityâ The platform went live at 530 pm on Friday accompanied by a cinematic animated video that quickly gained traction across social media drawing strong reactions from students parents and educatorsâSuper Infinityâ is designed to go far beyond conventional online classes It aims to make mathematics engaging through storytelling visually rich using animation and memorable with music and reallife connectionsInstead of rote learning the platform focuses on helping students experience mathematicsâlinking it to nature music and everyday lifeDuring the launch Anand Kumar explained the deeper motivation behind the initiativeâEvery year only 30 students can be selected for âSuper 30â But what about the millions of other dreams âSuper Infinityâ is the answerâ he saidHe described the platform not just as a product but as a movement to democratise quality education especially for students who lack access to resourcesâA key highlight of Super Infinity is its global ambition Content will gradually be available in multiple international languages It aims to reach students beyond India and targets learners from diverse backgrounds and economic conditionsâ he saidâThe platform is also expected to benefit teachers seeking innovative teaching methods parents supporting childrenâs education and math enthusiasts exploring the subject creativelyâ he saidFor nearly three decades Anand Kumar has been a transformative figure in Indian education His âSuper 30â programme has helped hundreds of underprivileged students secure admission into prestigious institutions like the IITsHis journey also inspired the Bollywood film âSuper 30â which brought his story to a global audienceIn recognition of his contributions he was awarded the Padma Shri in 2023With âSuper Infinityâ Anand Kumar is attempting to scale his mission from dozens of students to potentially millions worldwideBy combining technology with creativity and purpose the initiative seeks to redefine how mathematicsâand perhaps education as a wholeâis experienced IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/anand-kumar-launches-super-infinity-a-new-digital-learning-movement-for-students-673085.html Sat, 09 May 2026 21:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/final-year-mbbs-student-found-dead-in-sms-medical-college-hostel-in-jaipur-673087.html Jaipur May 9 A finalyear MBBS student was found dead under suspicious circumstances at the New RD Hostel of Sawai Man Singh SMS Medical College in Jaipur on Saturday the police said The student was found hanging in the stairwell area on the eighth floor of the hostel The exact reason behind the incident is yet to be ascertainedThe deceased was identified as Nitin Yadav 22 a native of Rajasthanâs Alwar district He was scheduled to appear for a Forensic Medicine examination on SaturdayFamily members have raised questions over how an undergraduate UG student managed to enter a postgraduate PG hostel late at nightAccording to police Nitin was staying with four friends in a rented flat near the â20 Dukaanâ area close to Naila House in JaipurSMS Police Station SHO Rajesh Sharma said Nitin had gone to the SK Menon Hostel a UG hostel to study with friendsAt around 2 am he reportedly told his friends that he was returning to his flat However CCTV footage later showed him entering the New RD Hostel at approximately 245 amPolice said he was seen in CCTV footage on the seventh floor till 251 am and remained visible in different parts of the hostel till around 315 amNotably no CCTV cameras were installed on the eighth floor where the incident took placeA woman security guard discovered him hanging at around 530 am and informed the authoritiesPolice reached the spot at around 630 am along with a Forensic Science Laboratory FSL team following which the body was brought downNo suicide note was recovered from the spot Police seized the studentâs mobile phone and laptop for investigationHostel staff reportedly informed investigators that the rope used in the incident had been brought inside the hostel in his laptop bagThe second third and fourth floors of the hostel are occupied by male students while female students stay on the fifth sixth and seventh floors The eighth floor opens towards the terrace areaNitins father Arjun Singh serves as a commando in the Border Security Force BSFNitin was the younger of two brothers and had been pursuing his MBBS studies in Jaipur for the past three yearsHis maternal uncle Amrit said âNitin was a bright and sensible student He had not spoken to family members for the past two days because he wanted to focus on his studiesâQuestioning the circumstances surrounding the death he added âHe was not someone who would take such an extreme stepâPolice said further investigation into the case is underway IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/final-year-mbbs-student-found-dead-in-sms-medical-college-hostel-in-jaipur-673087.html Sat, 09 May 2026 21:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/fire-breaks-out-in-dipr-office-at-rajasthan-secretariat-no-casualties-673089.html Jaipur May 9 Panic briefly gripped the Rajasthan Secretariat on Saturday after a fire broke out in the News Section of the Department of Information and Public Relations DIPR officials said According to preliminary reports the blaze was triggered by a short circuit in an electrical switchboard causing smoke to rapidly spread across the section and creating chaos among employees and officialsAs soon as the incident was reported the Secretariat security personnel rushed to the spot and alerted the Fire Department Fire brigade teams arrived promptly and launched firefighting operations Owing to their swift response and vigilance the fire was brought under control in time averting a major disaster Fortunately no casualties were reported and there were no immediate reports of major property damageFollowing the incident heightened security measures were implemented within the Secretariat premises Officials from the DIPR department also reached the site to assess the situation Computers official documents and other equipment in the News Section are currently being inspected to evaluate any possible damage Authorities have initiated a detailed investigation into the cause of the fireAlongside the probe the Secretariats electrical infrastructure and safety arrangements are also being reviewed to prevent similar incidents in the future Officials added that while a short circuit appears to be the preliminary cause the exact reason will be confirmed only after the investigation report is submitted A similar fire incident had occurred in June last year at the office of the Department of Information and Public Relations within the Rajasthan SecretariatAt the time the blaze caused panic but fire brigade personnel stationed at the Secretariat managed to control the fire after nearly half an hour of effort According to security officials the fire had remained confined to a single room and did not spread to adjoining offices thereby preventing a major mishap A short circuit was also suspected to be the cause of that fire which reportedly damaged several important government files and furniture IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/fire-breaks-out-in-dipr-office-at-rajasthan-secretariat-no-casualties-673089.html Sat, 09 May 2026 21:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/aiadmk-leaders-hold-separate-meetings-amid-tn-political-developments-673090.html Chennai May 9 Senior AIADMK leaders including former ministers SP Velumani C Vijayabaskar and Leema Rose held separate consultations with senior party leader CV Shanmugam amid ongoing political developments in Tamil Nadu Sources said the discussions are taking place as AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami is yet to take a final call on the partyâs political strategy in the evolving situationPolling for all 234 Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu was held in a single phase on April 23 The election witnessed a fierce fourcornered contest involving the DMK AIADMK Naam Tamilar Katchi NTK and actor Vijayâs Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVKWhen the votes were counted on May 4 the Vijayled TVK emerged as the single largest party by winning 108 seats falling short of the majority mark of 118 in the 234member AssemblySince then the AIADMK has been making intense efforts to secure outside support and stake a claim to form the governmentThe Communist Party of India CPI and the Communist Party of India Marxist have already announced their support for the TVK Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi VCK has also extended support to the TVKIndian Union Muslim League IUML also formally extended support to Vijay IUML legislative party leader SSB Syed Farook Basha and deputy leader AM Shahjahan submitted a signed letter to Governorincharge Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar expressing the partyâs support for the TVKled governmentAccording to the latest tally TVK has the backing of 120 MLAs including 107 from TVK five from the Congress two each from the CPI CPIM VCK and IUMLMeanwhile Vijay met the Governor for the fourth time in as many days to stake a claim to form the next government in the state IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/aiadmk-leaders-hold-separate-meetings-amid-tn-political-developments-673090.html Sat, 09 May 2026 21:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/chhattisgarh-three-friends-killed-in-balod-road-accident--673091.html RaipurBalod May 9 Three young men lost their lives in a horrific carmotorcycle collision near Khairdih village in DaundiDondi Lohara Balod districtâ The impact was so severe that two died instantly while the third succumbed to injuries during treatmentâThe accident occurred around 10 pm when a speeding car travelling from Dalli Rajhara towards Rajnandgaon collided headon with a motorcycle carrying three friends heading towards DaundiDondi Lohara from Devri police officials saidâThe collision near Khairdih village was violent enough to completely shatter both vehicles leaving the motorcycle riders fatally injuredâThe accident created scenes of chaos and panic with debris scattered across the roadâThe deceased have been identified as Tarun Yadav aged 20 a resident of Sirrabhatha Rahul Sevta aged 20 also from Sirrabhatha and Narendra Bhuwarya aged 21 from MudkhusraâAccording to police Tarun and Narendra died on the spot while Rahul was rushed to the hospital in critical condition but later succumbed to his injuriesâThe force of the collision was so intense that Rahulâs leg was severed and found metres away from the crash site the following morningâLocal police from DaundiDondi Lohara police station arrived promptly recovered the bodies and sent them for postmortem examinationâThe damaged vehicles were cleared from the road to restore traffic flowâPreliminary investigations suggest that overspeeding and reckless driving were the primary causes of the accidentAuthorities are also probing whether the car driver was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crashâThe tragedy has cast a pall of gloom over the villages of the victims with families devastated and residents expressing deep concern over road safetyâPolice have assured that a thorough investigation is underway and accountability will be fixed once the inquiry is completeâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/chhattisgarh-three-friends-killed-in-balod-road-accident--673091.html Sat, 09 May 2026 21:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/haryana-special-pmla-court-issues-notices-to-tdi-infra-officials-for-duping-homebuyers--673092.html New Delhi May 9 In a case related to cheating and defrauding of homebuyers a Special PMLA Court in Delhi has issued notices to TDI Infrastructure Ltd its Directors Ravinder Taneja Kamal Taneja and DN Taneja and related entities an ED official said on Saturdayâ The Special PMLA Judge Patiala House District Court issued the notices on April 28 to all the accused in a Prosecution Complaint filed by the Directorate of Enforcement ED Gurugram Zonal OfficeâThe ED initiated an investigation based on multiple FIRs registeredchargesheets filed by the Delhi Police As per the FIRschargesheets TDI Infrastructure and its promoters cheated and defrauded numerous homebuyers by failing to deliver the promised flats and units within the stipulated time and in some cases even after a delay of 1618 years in one of its projectsâThe ED investigation revealed that TDI Infrastructure had launched several commercial residential plots housing projects in Kundali Sonipat Haryana It had collected Rs 461943 crore as advance booking amounts from 14105 customers across 26 projects in SonipatâThe ED said that these projects were launched from 2005 to 2014 however Occupation Certificates for four projects are still pending while one of its projects Park Street remains incompleteâThe ED investigation further revealed that instead of utilising the customer funds for the completion of target residentialhousing projects its promotersdirectors diverted a substantial quantum of such funds to its subsidiarieserstwhile subsidiaries under the head advances for purchase of land parcels and other purposesâThe accused company had also diverted and used said customer funds to repay its loans and also to make investments the ED said in a statementâThis diversion of funds ultimately delayed the construction of the companys target projects thereby preventing customers from receiving timely possession of their unitsplots it saidâRecently the ED provisionally attached assetsproperties valued at Rs 30406 crore belonging to the accused company and its related entities under the PMLA the statement saidâEarlier in 2024 the ED had attached its assetsproperties valued at Rs 4549 crore thereby attaching total Proceeds of Crime to the tune of Rs 34955 crore identified and quantified in the case the official statement saidâThese Proceeds of Crime have also been prayed for confiscation under PMLA 2002 in the said Prosecution Complaint filed by the ED it saidâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/haryana-special-pmla-court-issues-notices-to-tdi-infra-officials-for-duping-homebuyers--673092.html Sat, 09 May 2026 21:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/assam-ed-attaches-properties-worth-rs-656-crore-in-bank-loan-fraud-case-673094.html Guwahati May 9 The Directorate of Enforcement Guwahati Zonal Office has provisionally attached six immovable properties worth around Rs 656 crore in connection with a money laundering case linked to alleged bank loan fraud by Ms Agnipa Energo Pvt Ltd and others officials said on Saturdayâ According to the Enforcement Directorate the attached properties include two commercial spaces in âShine Towersâ and two flats along with two penthouses in the âShine Heavenâ project all located in GuwahatiâThe agency said the properties are held in the names of Anil Jaina Runu Jaina and Ms Shine Realtors Pvt LtdâThe Enforcement Directorate initiated the investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002 based on a First Information Report registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation AntiCorruption Branch Guwahati under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act following a complaint filed by Bank of IndiaâOfficials said the Central Bureau of Investigation later filed a chargesheet in October 2024 against nine accused persons including three promoterdirectors of the borrower company three Bank of India officials and partners of the conduit entity Ms Shine Mechfab JVâThe investigation revealed that the promoterdirectors of Ms Agnipa Energo Pvt Ltd allegedly secured a Rs 1065 crore loan from Bank of India in February 2013 for a small hydropower project in Assamâs Baksa district by submitting fabricated documentsâAccording to officials forged records were allegedly used to falsely show an equity infusion of Rs 375 crore through Ms Urch Traders Pvt Ltd while a substituted certificate was also submitted in the name of a person who was never the companys statutory auditorâThe Enforcement Directorate alleged that out of the Rs 933 crore disbursed between 2013 and 2015 nearly Rs 867 crore was siphoned off to related entities including Ms Shine Mechfab JV Ms Shine Realtors Ms Shine Combine and Ms Shine Shelters Pvt LtdâOfficials further alleged that funds were diverted through roundtripping transactions and through undisclosed bank accounts in violation of the sanction conditions causing a wrongful loss of Rs 876 crore to Bank of IndiaâFurther investigation into the case is underway officials addedâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/assam-ed-attaches-properties-worth-rs-656-crore-in-bank-loan-fraud-case-673094.html Sat, 09 May 2026 21:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/meghalaya-ed-attaches-rs-106-crore-assets-in-global-media-app-ponzi-scam-673096.html Shillong May 9 The Directorate of Enforcement Shillong SubZonal Office has provisionally attached movable properties worth Rs 106 crore in connection with the âGlobal Media Appâ fraud case involving alleged largescale cheating of investors through an online earning and investment scheme officials said on Saturdayâ The Enforcement Directorate initiated the probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002 based on a First Information Report registered at Madanriting Police Station in Meghalayaâs East Khasi Hills district over allegations of fraud linked to the mobile application named âGlobal Media AppââAccording to investigators the accused persons operated the application as a Ponzistyle investment scheme disguised as an online advertising platform that promised users daily passive income for watching advertisement videosâOfficials said users were persuaded to purchase various VIP membership plans by paying substantial amounts in exchange for assurances of high daily returns and referral commissionsâThe Enforcement Directorate investigation found that the application was promoted extensively through a Telegram channel administered using foreign mobile numbersâFunds from investors were allegedly collected through bank transfers Unified Payments Interface transactions and cryptocurrency walletsâThe fraudulent scheme reportedly remained operational between June 3 2022 and October 12 2022 before the operators abruptly shut down the application and disappeared with the collected fundsâOfficials said the investigation has so far established that proceeds of crime amounting to nearly Rs 4533 crore were generated through the schemeâMultiple bank accounts merchant identification accounts payment gateway accounts and crypto wallets have been identified as allegedly used for the collection and layering of fundsâThe Enforcement Directorate further revealed that the fraud had significant international linksâThe Telegram channel promoting the app was allegedly administered by four individuals using mobile numbers registered in Cambodia and Malaysia while the Gmail accounts linked to the appâs backend operations were registered with Cambodia as the termsofservice countryâInvestigators also traced nearly Rs 245 crore collected from victims in the form of Tether cryptocurrency routed through the TRON blockchain network to accounts on a foreign cryptocurrency exchangeâFurther investigation is underway officials addedâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/meghalaya-ed-attaches-rs-106-crore-assets-in-global-media-app-ponzi-scam-673096.html Sat, 09 May 2026 21:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/maha-govt-to-move-sc-against-bombay-hc-land-ruling-673097.html Mumbai May 9 The Maharashtra government will challenge a Bombay High Court order granting around 25488 acres of prime government land estimated to be worth hundreds of crores in MiraBhayandar to private builders Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said on Saturday that the state will file a Special Leave Petition SLP in the Supreme Court against the ruling The Bombay High Court on April 30 ruled in favour of handing over the land to Estate Investment and Mira Real Estate DevelopersThe 25488 acres of land in the Mouje Bhayandar area of MiraBhayandar belong to the State Government Since 1948 unauthorised changes have been made in the revenue records without obtaining prior permission from the government Initially the names of âEstate Investment Companyâ and later âMira Salt Worksâ were illegally inserted In 1958 due to its use as salt pans the name of the Central Governmentâs Salt Department was added said the government statementSubsequently the matter regarding ownership reached the Supreme Court which directed that an appeal be filed before the Thane District Collector In 2002 the District Collector rejected the claim of Mira Salt Company and ordered that the entire land be vested with the State GovernmentHowever in 2019 the companies and the Central Governmentâs Salt Commissioner filed a First Appeal in the Bombay High Court On April 30 the High Court rejected the Salt Commissionerâs appeal and ruled that the land belongs to Mira Salt WorksNotably the High Court appeal was only on the issue of maintainability but the court decided the matter on the merits As a result there is now a possibility that the name of the private developer Mira Real Estate Developers will remain on the government land said the statementMinister Bawankule stated that this land belongs to the State Government âWe will firmly crush all attempts to grab government land by tampering with revenue records The Bombay High Court order effectively allows the transfer of government land to private owners The Government of Maharashtra will challenge this order in the Supreme Court to protect public property We will strongly defend the Stateâs ownership rights over this valuable landâ he addedHe also said âWe are going by the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code 1966 â Section 293c which states Occupants Class II shall consist of persons who before the commencement of MLRC have been granted rights in unalienated land under leases which entitle them to hold the land in perpetuity or for a period not less than fifty years with option to renew on fixed rent under any law relating to land revenue and in force before the commencement of this Code and all provisions of this Code relating to the rights liabilities and responsibilities of Occupants Class II shall apply to them as if they were Occupants Class II under this Codeâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/maha-govt-to-move-sc-against-bombay-hc-land-ruling-673097.html Sat, 09 May 2026 21:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/operation-sindoor-100-sarvshreshth-kavitayen-anthology-released-at-ignca-672882.html New Delhi May 8 Marking the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor a significant literary gathering took place at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts in Delhi This dignified gathering served as the backdrop for the official unveiling of a new anthology titled âOperation Sindoor 100 Sarvshreshth KavitayenâThe volume which was edited by the renowned author Dr Harish Chandra Burnwal and published by the prestigious publishing house Prabhat Prakashan was released by Ram Bahadur Rai the President of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts who also presided over the dayâs proceedingsThe event was attended by an array of distinguished guests from various professional spheres including former Army officer Colonel Pradeep Khare and Saeed Ansari the Executive Editor and Anchor at Aaj TakThey were joined by senior satirical poet Sudeep Bhola and the celebrated poet and State Information Commissioner of Uttar Pradesh Virendra VatsWhile releasing the book Chief Guest Ram Bahadur Rai lauded the unwavering creative spirit of Dr Harish Chandra Burnwal noting his consistent engagement in meaningful literary workIn a notable moment of his address Rai cited insights from an American defence expert to remark that Operation Sindoor has not truly concluded and could see a resurgence at any momentHe suggested that the poets who participated in the initial competition would likely find further opportunities to document these events through their verses in the futureThe guest speakers shared deep reflections on the cultural and historical weight of the collectionColonel Pradeep Khare described the anthology as a vivid and essential document that celebrates national valourHe spoke with pride about the gallantry of the Indian Army asserting that the swift destruction of nine terrorist and military targets in just twentyfive minutes created a historical impact that would be remembered for centuriesSimilarly Saeed Ansari highlighted Prabhat Prakashans role in fostering a spirit of nationalismHe shared a personal connection to the work mentioning that he had encountered many of the featured poems during the prepublication phaseAnsari also extended high praise to Dr Burnwal for his compassionate treatment of the literary community particularly his decision to honour poets who did not win main prizes with certificates and honorariumsDuring his introduction of the book Dr Harish Chandra Burnwal explained that the project originated from a competition organised by HB Poetry which saw enthusiastic participation from 361 poets across the countryHe noted that the collaboration between HB Poetry and Prabhat Prakashan enabled a single platform where the works of 100 distinguished and emerging poets could be preservedThe ceremony reached a stirring climax as several prominent poets recited their compositions filling the auditorium with patriotic fervourThe event concluded with the felicitation of over eighty poets from different regions of India marking a successful convergence of literature journalism and the arts IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/operation-sindoor-100-sarvshreshth-kavitayen-anthology-released-at-ignca-672882.html Fri, 08 May 2026 09:36:00 +0530