Category: India

The congratulatory message came two months after the CEO of the electric carmaker Tesla and microblogging platform X in April postponed his proposed visit to India due to ‘very heavy Tesla obligations’.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/world/look-forward-to-doing-exciting-work-musk-congratulates-modi-on-election-win-3057823

Notably, Modi had received an invitation from his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni to attend the G7 Summit Outreach Session in Italy in June.

Here, the PM-designate will is also likely to meet US President Joe Biden and UK counterpart Rishi Sunak ahead of elections in both countries.

Later, Modi wished Meloni and the people of Italy on the 79th anniversary of Liberation Day in a post on X and said, “Thanked her for the invite to the G7 Summit in June. Discussed taking forward #G20India outcomes at the G7. Reaffirmed commitment to deepening our Strategic Partnership.”

The Summit is scheduled to be held on June 13-15.

On Friday, Narendra Modi, leader of the NDA Parliamentary Party, addressed the media outside Rashtrapati Bhawan after staking claim to form the next government

Narendra Modi staked his claim to form the next government at the Centre after meeting with President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday. “NDA will form a strong, stable and growth-oriented government,” Narendra Modi said, while speaking outside Rashtrapati Bhavan afterwards.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/india/on-giorgia-melonis-invite-narendra-modi-to-visit-italy-in-first-foreign-visit-after-swearing-in-article-110805134

The nine bodies were flown from Dehradun to Delhi on Thursday and further to Bengaluru via three different flights.

Bengaluru: The bodies of nine trekkers who died in the Uttarakhand trek tragedy were flown into Bengaluru on Friday.

Although the state government was planning to get back the bodies on Thursday, delays in paperwork and logistical problems delayed the process.

The nine bodies were flown from Dehradun to Delhi on Thursday and further to Bengaluru via three different flights.

Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda personally handed over the bodies to the families and expressed his condolences for their loss.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru/bodies-of-nine-trekkers-arrive-in-city-3057885

Indian-origin Canadian MP on Saturday urged its government to take immediate action after Khalistani supporters in the country put up a disparaging float of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, depicting her assassination.

Hindu-Canadian lawmaker Chandra Arya condemned the derogatory portrayal of Gandhi during a protest outside the Indian consulate in Vancouver. The float, which was part of demonstrations marking the 40th anniversary of Operation Bluestar, depicted India’s late PM’s death who was shot dead by her Sikh bodyguards on October 31, 1984.

“Khalistan supporters in Vancouver with posters, of Hindu Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi’s body with bullet holes with her bodyguards turned assassins holding their guns, are again attempting to instil fear of violence in Hindu-Canadians,” MP Chandra Arya said in a post on X.

‘THREATS TO HINDU-CANADIANS’

Arya said that the latest incident is a continuation of threats to Hindu Canadians, with a similar float in Brampton a couple of years back. He again “called on law enforcement agencies in Canada to take immediate action.” “With picture of guns readily being used to convey the message may lead to something real if this is left to continue unchallenged. The prominence of bindi on the forehead of Indira Gandhi is to make doubly sure the intended targets are Hindus in Canada,” he added.

Source: https://www.news18.com/world/khalistan-separatists-display-disparaging-effigies-of-ex-pm-indira-gandhi-outside-indian-consulate-in-vancouver-8924450.html

At least three people died and six others were injured in a fire that broke out in a food processing unit in Delhi. The fire resulted in a blast at the factory in the city’s Narela Industrial Area in the early hours of Saturday.

According to Delhi police, a distress call was received at 3.35 am about the fire in the Shayam Kripa Foods Private Ltd that processes dry moong dal.

Source: https://www.news18.com/india/delhi-death-toll-injured-in-fire-at-narela-food-processing-unit-blast-8925327.html

CJI Chandrachud was speaking at an event organised at the UK Supreme Court in London.

The time has come for countries like India to promote a culture of commercial arbitration, observed Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud on Thursday while speaking at London.

In a speech delivered at the United Kingdom Supreme Court, CJI Chandrachud added that the institutionalization of arbitration will help develop such a culture.

“I firmly believe that now is the time for countries such as India to step up to the occasion to create and promote a culture of commercial arbitration. The robust institutionalization of arbitration will further the culture of arbitration in the Global South,” the CJI said.

CJI Chandrachud delivered his speech in the presence of the President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, Lord Reed; Deputy President, Lord Hodge and other judges of the UK Supreme Court.

Senior Advocate Gourab Banerji was also present, and gave the concluding remarks at the event.

CJI Chandrachud’s speech focused on the theme, Law and Practice of commercial arbitration: Shared understandings and developments in the UK and India.

In India, efforts to institutionalize arbitration are now in progress with the emergence of arbitration centres such as the India International Arbitration Centre. But the mere creation of institutions is not sufficient. It must be ensured that these new institutions are not controlled by a “self-perpetrating clique”, CJI Chandrachud stressed.

“These institutions must be based on the foundation of robust professionalism and the ability to generate consistent arbitral processes. Transparency and accountability, values by which the work of conventional courts is assessed and critiqued, cannot be alien to the world of arbitration … The substitution of courts should not result in the creation of opaque structures,” he added.

He called for more diversity in the world of arbitration, whether in terms of gender or in terms of having more representatives from the Global South, to make it a broad-based process.

Future of arbitration already here: CJI Chandrachud

CJI Chandrachud went on to comment on the rise of arbitration as the preferred method of dispute resolution.

“Arbitration is no longer an ‘alternative.’ It is in fact the preferred method of seeking commercial justice … The future of arbitration is already here. It is now our responsibility to live up to the emerging challenges,” he said

He added that efforts should be made to promote the autonomy of parties in arbitration and minimise the scope of interference by courts.

Among other concerns, the CJI also called for streamlining jurisprudence on who are necessary parties to arbitration proceedings. This is critical for the future of arbitration, he said.

On this aspect, Justice Chandrachud observed that there was some divergence in global opinion on whether to follow the “group of companies” doctrine in deciding whether non-signatories to an arbitration agreement could also be made parties to arbitration based on facts and circumstances.

English courts have rejected the application of this doctrine, which was evolved by courts and tribunals in France, he noted.

Source: https://www.barandbench.com/news/time-for-india-to-promote-a-culture-of-commercial-arbitration-cji-dy-chandrachud

PM Modi will take oath, as too will members of his new cabinet, tomorrow evening. He will be the first three-term Prime Minister since Congress stalwart Jawaharlal Nehru.

New Delhi: Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s swearing-in for a third consecutive term, the newly elected MPs of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will meet today to finalise the list of cabinet ministers.
PM Modi will take oath, as too will members of his new cabinet, tomorrow evening at a grand ceremony. He will be the first three-term Prime Minister since Congress stalwart Jawaharlal Nehru.

The BJP won 240 seats in the Lok Sabha elections, but fell 32 short of the majority mark. The four allies whose support is critical for the BJP to reach the majority are N Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP, which has won 16 seats, Nitish Kumar’s JDU (12), Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena (7) and Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas (5).

TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu and JDU’s Nitish Kumar – who have emerged as kingmakers at this crucial juncture – yesterday publicly accepted the proposal to elect Mr Modi as the alliance’s prime ministerial candidate. It is learnt that they have also given written support to PM Modi amid speculations that the Opposition leaders could approach them in a bid to stake claim.

The spotlight is now on negotiations between the BJP and its two key allies – TDP and JD(U) – each of which is batting for plum posts at the Centre. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction and the LJP of Chirag Paswan are also seeking key portfolios in the new cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/modi-3-0-narendra-modi-cabinet-bjp-nda-jdu-nitish-kumar-congress-chandrababu-naidu-lok-sabha-elections-who-gets-which-ministry-in-modi-3-0-cabinet-key-5843184

Sources said Amit Shah asked the Maharashtra deputy chief minister to continue his work in the state government.

ding firm on his decision to resign, taking responsibility for the NDA’s poor performance in the state, Home Minister Amit Shah has spoken to him and asked him to continue his work in the government.
Mr Fadnavis, a former chief minister, is part of the Maharashtra government with the Eknath Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena and the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The undivided Shiv Sena and the BJP had won 41 of the state’s 48 between them in 2019, but the new coalition – called the Mahayuti in Maharashtra – managed to get only 17 this time.

The Maha Vikas Aghadi, consisting of the Congress, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar), has achieved victory in 30 constituencies.

Mr Fadnavis had offered to resign on Wednesday, a day after the counting of votes, and several BJP leaders have spoken to him since. After the NDA meeting earlier on Friday, the BJP leader sat down with fellow Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to discuss the coalition’s performance in the state. Sources said the subject of Mr Fadnavis’ resignation also came up.

The deputy chief minister then met Mr Shah at his residence where, sources said, the home minister asked him to continue working for the Maharashtra government and also prepare a plan for revitalising the BJP in the state. Assembly elections in Maharashtra are likely to be held around October this year.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/lok-sabha-resuls-2024-as-devendra-fadnavis-decides-to-resign-an-amit-shah-intervention-5840017

The United States beat Pakistan in a Super Over in Dallas on Thursday to achieve one of the biggest upsets in Twenty20 World Cup history and secure their second win of the tournament.
Pakistan, the 2009 champions, recovered from a poor start to score 159-7 but the U.S. plundered 14 runs from their final over to finish on 159-3 and send the match to a Super Over.
The tournament co-hosts made 18-1, helped by two wides from Pakistan, before restricting their opponents to 13-1 to seal a famous victory.

“It’s a big achievement beating Pakistan and playing for the first time,” U.S. captain and player of the match Monank Patel said.
“The way we played today I’m really proud of the boys and it was a complete team effort from ball one to the last ball.”
Pakistan captain Babar Azam bemoaned his side’s batting performance.
“We didn’t capitalise with the bat and they took a lot of momentum. Credit to USA, they performed so well today. They were better than us in all aspects of the game,” Babar said.

BLUE SKIES

The state government has taken this decision under sections of the Karnataka Cinemas (Regulation) Act, 1964.

The Congress government in the state has taken this decision under sections of the Karnataka Cinemas (Regulation) Act, 1964, after considering the request of several minority organisations and delegations after watching the trailer of the film starring Annu Kapoor, Manoj Joshi, Paritosh Tripathi and Parth Samthaan.

Earlier, the Bombay high court lifted the injunction on the release of the much-anticipated film after it imposed a stay on its release just two days before. The court has instructed the respondents to form a committee comprising three members, including at least one Muslim member, to watch the movie and provide their report. It has emphasised the need for the committee to focus solely on the theme of the movie and the claims made in the petition.

‘Hamare Baarah’ has been a topic of widespread discussion due to its bold narrative on overpopulation, a theme rarely explored in Indian cinema. The movie’s bold narrative and thought-provoking themes have captured the public’s imagination.

Earlier titled ‘Hum Do Humare Baraah’, the film was retitled as Humare Baarah” as per a directive by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). “The film, which was initially titled ‘Hum Do Humare Baraah’, has been retitled as per the directive of the Censor Board and will now be known as ‘Humare Baarah’. The movie is set to release on the big screen on June 7th,” the makers had said in a statement.

Actor Manoj Joshi, reacted to the controversy surrounding the film saying that movie was not made to target any religion.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/karnataka-bans-release-of-hamare-baarah-film-citing-potential-communal-tension-101717728674489.html

Bengaluru: Karnataka Government with support from the Uttarakhand government has successfully rescued 13 of the 22 trekkers from Bengaluru who were stranded while on a trek through the Sahastra Tal- Mayali stretch in the Garhwal mountain ranges of the Himalayas.

Nine of the trekkers were dead before the rescue team could reach them.

The extreme weather conditions had made it impossible for the trekkers to reach the base camp and the rescue team was soon summoned.

However, Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda confirmed to DH that nine trekkers were dead before the rescue team could reach them. “All of the surviving trekkers have been rescued and are stable. I have personally met many of them. However, so far, we have only been able to retrieve the bodies of the five deceased,” Gowda told DH.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru/13-trekkers-from-bengaluru-rescued-in-garhwal-mountains-nine-dead-3054451

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday received a congratulatory call from US President Joe Biden, for the BJP-led NDA’s historic third term. The two leaders discussed national security adviser Jake Sullivan’s upcoming visit to New Delhi.

Sullivan is travelling to India to engage with the new government — likely to be formed under Modi — on shared US-India priorities, including trusted and strategic technology partnership.

On Wednesday (June 5), Biden congratulated Modi in a post on X and said he will work with him to further strengthen India-US relations. “Congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the National Democratic Alliance on their victory, and the nearly 650 million voters in this historic election. The friendship between our nations is only growing as we unlock a shared future of unlimited potential,” Biden said in a tweet.

Members of the Biden administration also congratulated Modi and the NDA with Secretary of State Antony Blinken saying the US will look to advance its partnership with India. “Congratulations to Narendra Modi and the National Democratic Alliance on their victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha general elections. The US looks forward to advancing our partnership with the Indian government and commends the estimated 650 million voters who exercised their right to vote,” Blinken said in a post on X.

The US State Department also released a statement congratulating Narendra Modi and the NDA. “The United States congratulates Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the National Democratic Alliance on their victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha general elections. With approximately 650 million voters casting their ballots over the past six weeks, these elections represent the largest exercise in democracy in human history. We commend Indian voters, poll workers, civil society, and journalists for their commitment and vital contributions to India’s democratic processes and institutions,” the statement said.

Source: https://www.news18.com/world/us-president-joe-biden-congratulates-pm-modi-nda-alliance-8922602.html

Special Judge (PC Act) Kaveri Baweja of the Rouse Avenue Courts pronounced the order.

A Delhi court on Wednesday rejected the plea filed by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal seeking interim bail for 7 days in connection with the Delhi excise policy case.

Special Judge (PC Act) Kaveri Baweja of the Rouse Avenue Courts pronounced the order.

The Court further said that it has passed certain directions for medical tests of Kejriwal.

After the order was pronounced, Kejriwal’s lawyer Vivek Jain told the Court that there are concerns regarding the CM’s health.

On June 2, when he surrendered, three different weighing scales were used in Tihar jail to measure his weight and they showed three different readings, Jain submitted.

However, the Court said that if there are any concerns, Kejriwal can move an application and the same will be considered.

Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21 on allegations that he was part of a conspiracy to intentionally leave loopholes in the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy for 2021-22, to benefit certain liquor sellers.

ED has alleged that kickbacks received from liquor sellers were used to fund the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) electoral campaign in Goa and Kejriwal being the National Convenor of the party is both personally and vicariously liable for the offence of money laundering.

Other AAP leaders arrested in the same case include former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia and Member of Parliament Sanjay Singh (out on bail).

Kejriwal remained in jail till May 10, when the Supreme Court allowed his release on interim bail to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections.

Kejriwal returned to jail on June 2 after the interim bail period allowed by the top court came to an end.

His regular plea will be heard by the trial court on June 7.

He then moved the present interim bail plea on medical grounds arguing that he needs to undergo some tests for his fluctuating sugar levels and high ketone in blood.

It was argued that Kejriwal has lost weight and his tests will take some days.

The ED opposed the plea and said that he was lying to get interim bail. It was contended that the trial court does not have the power to extend the interim bail granted by the Supreme Court.

Source: https://www.barandbench.com/news/delhi-court-denies-interim-bail-arvind-kejriwal-excise-policy-case

While the law will keep them from attending the proceedings of the new House, they do have the constitutional right to take oath as Members of Parliament.

Two candidates currently lodged in prison on terror charges emerged winners in the just-concluded parliamentary election, giving rise to an unusual situation for the 18th Lok Sabha to be formed in the coming days.
While the law will keep them from attending the proceedings of the new House, they do have the constitutional right to take oath as Members of Parliament.

The Election Commission declared the results of the Lok Sabha polls on Tuesday. While radical Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh won Punjab’s Khadoor Sahib seat, terror financing accused Sheikh Abdul Rashid, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, won from Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla seat.

Engineer Rashid has been lodged in Tihar jail since August 9, 2019, on terror funding charges. Amritpal Singh was arrested in April 2023 under the National Security Act and sent to Assam’s Dibrugarh prison.

The question now arises if these jailed newly-elected MPs will be allowed to take the oath, and if yes, how.

Explaining the legalities involved, Constitution expert and former Lok Sabha secretary general PDT Achari stressed the importance of following the constitutional provisions in such cases.

Being sworn in as a Member of Parliament is a constitutional right, he said.

But because they are currently in prison, Engineer Rashid and Mr Singh must seek permission from authorities to be escorted to Parliament for the oath ceremony.

Once they have taken the oath, they will have to return to prison.

To further explain the legalities, Mr Achari cited Article 101(4) of the Constitution which deals with the absence of members from both Houses of Parliament without prior sanction of the Chair.

He said that after they have taken the oath, they will write to the Speaker, informing about their inability to attend the House. The Speaker will then refer their requests to the House Committee on Absence of Members.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/2-candidates-win-polls-from-prison-what-rules-say-on-jailed-mps-5823426

Air Canada flight AC43, scheduled to depart for Toronto, received a bomb threat via email just before leaving Delhi on Tuesday night, according to media reports, amid a string of similar incidents reported in the past few weeks.

An email was received at 10:50 pm by the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) office at IGI Airport regarding the threat of a bomb inside an Air Canada flight. After standard security protocols, a thorough inspection was conducted and nothing suspicious was found.

This incident comes days after a Mumbai-bound Vistara flight with 306 persons onboard from Paris received a bomb threat after which a full emergency was declared at the city airport in the financial capital of India.

Source: https://www.news18.com/india/air-canada-delhi-toronto-plane-gets-bomb-threat-amid-string-of-similar-flight-scares-8921507.html

According to the website of the Election Commission of India, the BJP has secured 240 seats, the Congress party has won 99 seats, the Samajwadi Party has gained 37 seats, and Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress has emerged victorious on 29 seats.

The counting of votes in the Lok Sabha elections has concluded, with the Bhartiya Janata Party emerging as the single largest party, securing victory in 240 seats.

It seems that PM Modi is poised to take oath for a third term as Prime Minister. Meanwhile, Italian President Giorgia Meloni congratulated PM Modi after the results were almost announced.

It seems like PM Modi is poised take oath for third term as Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, Italian President Giorgia Meloni congratulated PM Modi after results were almost announced.

Taking to X, Meloni wrote, “Congratulations to Narendra Modi on the new electoral victory and my warmest wishes for good work. Certain that we will continue to work together to strengthen the friendship that unites Italy and India and consolidate cooperation on the various issues that bind us, for the well-being of our Nations and our peoples.”

Meloni is one of the few world leaders who congratulated PM Modi after NDA secured a slim majority.

America’s Response on Indian General Elections

US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller during a media briefing said, “The election results have not been finalised. So we will wait for the finalisation of those election results before we offer any definitive comment. I’m also not going to comment on winners and losers in elections as in our case around the world, what is important for us and what we have seen over the past six weeks is the largest exercise of democracy in history as the Indian people came to the polls. On behalf of the United States, we want to commend the Government of India and the voters there for successfully completing and participating in such a massive electoral undertaking. We look forward to seeing the final results…”

Among all the political parties in the country, Samajwadi Party took the biggest leap with a seven-fold increase from its five-seat Uttar Pradesh tally in 2019

After a string of poll reverses since 2017, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav has finally delivered with his party putting in its best-ever performance in the Lok Sabha elections to win 37 of the 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh and emerging as the single-largest party in the country’s most populous state where it reduced the ruling BJP to 33 seats from 62 in 2019. The SP emerged as the third largest party in the country after the BJP and the Congress.

Yadav and his party, leading the INDIA bloc in Uttar Pradesh, dealt the biggest blow to the ruling BJP nationally as the INDIA bloc overtook the NDA with the SP-Congress alliance winning 43 seats. The NDA secured 36 seats in the state.

The SP’s previous best Lok Sabha poll performance was in 2004 when it had won 35 seats in Uttar Pradesh.

In 2024, the SP’s strike rate was the highest among the big parties as it won 37 of the 62 seats it contested while the BJP could win only 33 of the 76 it contested in Uttar Pradesh.

Among all the political parties in the country, the SP took the biggest leap with a seven-fold increase from its five-seat tally in 2019.

In 2004, when the SP won 35 seats, its founder Mulayam Singh Yadav headed the government in Uttar Pradesh. Now, the party’s success has come despite remaining out of power in the state for seven years.

Poll percentage-wise, the SP attained a 33.59% vote share in 2024 against 18.11% in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh.

In the 2022 Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, the SP’s vote share was 32.1% and the tally of seats went up to 111 from 47 in 2017, laying the foundation of the 2024 performance.

In the 2022 polls, the SP began expanding beyond its MY (Muslim-Yadav) vote bank to stitch together a caste coalition of non-Yadav OBCs+Yadavs+Dalits+Muslims.

Retaining this formula for the 2024 elections, Akhilesh named it PDA — Pichada (backwards including Yadavs and non-Yadavs), Dalits and Alpsahkhyaks (minorities,largely Muslims).

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/lucknow-news/akhilesh-yadav-man-of-the-moment-samajwadi-party-single-largest-party-in-uttar-pradesh-third-in-country-101717526486894.html

The rate Earth is warming hit an all-time high in 2023 with 92% of last year’s surprising record-shattering heat caused by humans, top scientists calculated.

The group of 57 scientists from around the world used United Nations-approved methods to examine what’s behind last year’s deadly burst of heat. They said even with a faster warming rate they don’t see evidence of significant acceleration in human-caused climate change beyond increased fossil fuel burning.

Last year’s record temperatures were so unusual that scientists have been debating what’s behind the big jump and whether climate change is accelerating or if other factors are in play.

“If you look at this world accelerating or going through a big tipping point, things aren’t doing that,” study lead author Piers Forster, a Leeds University climate scientist, said. “Things are increasing in temperature and getting worse in sort of exactly the way we predicted.”

It’s pretty much explained by the buildup of carbon dioxide from rising fossil fuel use, he and a co-author said.

Last year the rate of warming hit 0.26 degrees Celsius (0.47 degrees Fahrenheit) per decade — up from 0.25 degrees Celsius (0.45 degrees Fahrenheit) the year before. That’s not a significant difference, though it does make this year’s rate the highest ever, Forster said.

Still, outside scientists said this report highlights an ever more alarming situation.

“Choosing to act on climate has become a political talking point but this report should be a reminder to people that in fact it is fundamentally a choice to save human lives,” said University of Wisconsin climate scientist Andrea Dutton, who wasn’t part of the international study team. “To me, that is something worth fighting for.”

The team of authors — formed to provide annual scientific updates between the every seven- to eight-year major U.N. scientific assessments — determined last year was 1.43 degrees Celsius warmer than the 1850 to 1900 average with 1.31 degrees of that coming from human activity. The other 8% of the warming is due mostly to El Nino, the natural and temporary warming of the central Pacific that changes weather worldwide and also a freak warming along the Atlantic and just other weather randomness.

On a larger 10-year time frame, which scientists prefer to single years, the world has warmed about 1.19 degrees Celsius (2.14 degrees Fahrenheit) since pre-industrial times, the report in the journal Earth System Science Data found.

The report also said that as the world keeps using coal, oil and natural gas, Earth is likely to reach the point in 4.5 years that it can no longer avoid crossing the internationally accepted threshold for warming: 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit ).

That fits with earlier studies projecting Earth being committed or stuck to at least 1.5 degrees by early 2029 if emission trajectories don’t change. The actual hitting of 1.5 degrees could be years later, but it would be inevitable if all that carbon is used, Forster said.

It’s not the end of the world or humanity if temperatures blow past the 1.5 limit, but it will be quite bad, scientists said. Past U.N. studies show massive changes to Earth’s ecosystem are more likely to kick in between 1.5 and 2 degrees Celsius of warming, including eventual loss of the planet’s coral reefs, Arctic sea ice, species of plants and animals — along with nastier extreme weather events that kill people.

Last year’s temperature rise was more than just a little jump. It was especially unusual in September, said study co-author Sonia Seneviratne, head of land-climate dynamics at ETH Zurich, a Swiss university.

The year was within the range of what was predicted, albeit it was at the upper edge of the range, Seneviratne said.

“Acceleration if it were to happen would be even worse, like hitting a global tipping point, it would be probably the worst scenario,” Seneviratne said. “But what is happening is already extremely bad and it is having major impacts already now. We are in the middle of a crisis.”

Source: https://apnews.com/article/climate-change-accelerating-record-hot-deadly-434881547b4585a32fa906cf5495d3f0

New Delhi: The BJP-led NDA is ahead in Karnataka, but INDIA is fighting hard for the 28 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka. About two hours after counting began, the NDA is heading in 17 out of 28 seats and the INDIA Opposition bloc in 11. These are, however, early trends and may change anytime.
In the run-up to the election, BJP and its ally, HD Devegowda’s JDS, faced a scathing attack from the Opposition over the sex tapes row surrounding Mr Devegowda’s grandson and sitting MP Prajwal Revanna.

While the BJP is contesting 25 out of 28 seats in Karnataka, the JDS is fighting on three, including Hassan, on which Prajwal Revanna is the candidate. The Congress, which is in power in the state, is fighting alone.

In the 2019 election, the BJP won 25 out of the state’s 28 seats, the Congress and the JDS — then allies — one each. This time, JDS has switched sides to NDA and the Congress is going it alone.

Winning Karnataka is critical for the Congress because it is a test of its organisational strength in a state it rules. Even within the INDIA bloc, the Congress will have greater bargaining power only if it maximises its tally in states where it is contesting alone.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/lok-sabha-election-2024-results-live-nda-dominates-india-struggles-in-karnataka-despite-sex-tapes-row-leads-5811808

Amritpal Singh, who is lodged in Assam’s Dibrugarh jail under the National Security Act (NSA), is fighting from Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha seat

Jailed Khalistani separatist Amritpal Singh is leading by more than 21,000 votes from the Punjab’s Khadoor Sahib seat in the Lok Sabha elections 2024, the Election Commission of India website showed. The counting of votes for the Lok Sabha elections is underway.

Amritpal Singh, detained under the National Security Act and lodged in Dibrugarh jail, is contesting the Lok Sabha elections from the Khadoor Sahib segment as an Independent.Radical Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh, who is lodged in Assam’s Dibrugarh jail under the National Security Act (NSA), is fighting from Khadoor Sahib. Amritpal Singh is leading with 45,180 votes.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) had accepted nomination papers of the Waris Punjab De (WPD) chief, ending all apprehensions of his supporters that his papers may get rejected. The Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), which had pledged support to the Waris Punjab De chief, also fielded its candidate “as a back-up in case Amritpal’s candidature gets rejected”.

Amritpal Singh was arrested in 2023 after he and hundreds of his supporters stormed a police station with swords and firearms, demanding the release of one of his aides.

A win for him in an election to parliament could give Amritpal Singh some legitimacy and spark concerns of a revival of a militancy that killed tens of thousands of people in the 1970s and 1980s.

However, Amritpal Sikh separatism has made global headlines in the last year as Canada and the United States have accused India of being involved in assassination plots against Sikhs in those countries, charges New Delhi has denied.

Singh said in a 2023 interview that he was seeking a separate homeland for Sikhs and the people of Punjab, where the religion was founded more than 500 years ago.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/khadoor-sahib-lok-sabha-seat-jailed-khalistani-separatist-amritpal-singh-leading-india-general-elections-2024-101717473060609.html

This ban against Israelis comes as a sign of protest against the country’s ongoing war in Gaza.

The Maldives has banned the entry of visitors with Israeli passports amid growing public anger over its ongoing war in Gaza.
“President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, following a recommendation from the Cabinet, has resolved to impose a ban on Israeli passports,” read a statement from his office. However, no official details were provided.

On Sunday, the president’s office further said that the Cabinet decided to amend necessary laws to prevent Israeli passport holders from entering the country and further establish a subcommittee to oversee these efforts.

Muizzu has also announced a national fundraising campaign in support of Palestinians and to conduct a nationwide rally — “Maldivians in Solidarity with Palestine”.

Why the Maldives banned Israeli citizens

The decision — a sign of protest against Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza — to ban Israeli passport holders comes amid growing pressure on President Muizzu from Opposition parties as well as his allies in the government.

The ban came days after Mr Muizzu condemned the Israeli airstrike that triggered a fire that killed 45 people in a tent camp in Rafah over a week ago. This region was earlier deemed a “safe zone” for civilians.

“Strongly condemn the deadly attack by Israeli forces on the tent camp in Rafah, where displaced Palestinians were taking shelter. Israel must abide by the ICJ rulings. No country is exempt from international law. Together with the Government and people of Maldives, I call for an immediate ceasefire, an end to violence and unhindered humanitarian access,” he wrote on social media site X.

Israel’s advisory

Soon after the ban, the Israeli foreign ministry recommended its citizens avoid travelling to Maldives. The recommendation also included Israelis holding dual citizenship.

The Supreme Court has barred Ramakrishna Reddy from entering the vote-counting booth in his constituency; in fact, the YSRCP leader was told not to be in the vicinity.

The Supreme Court has reacted sharply to grant of interim protection for an Andhra Pradesh MLA who was caught on camera this month destroying an EVM at a polling station in Palnadu district.
In videos widely circulated online, the ruling YSR Congress’ P Ramakrishna Reddy – backed by a few equally unruly supporters – was shown barging into a voting booth, grabbing the EVM (electronic voting machine) and VVPAT (voter verified paper trail) off the table, and throwing it to the ground.

That was on May 13. Within days, however, Mr Reddy had received protection in that and associated cases, with High Court Justice Venkata Jyothirmayi’s interim orders directing police not to act against the lawmaker till 10 am on Wednesday, a day after the Lok Sabha election results are declared.

Today, though, Supreme Court Justices Arvind Kumar and Sandeep Mehta asked serious questions of the High Court’s decision, which they called “complete mockery of the system”. The top court also said it was minded to cancel the interim protection, which would have left Mr Reddy open to arrest.

“(How can the court give) interim protection in such cases… if we do not stay this order, it will amount to mockery of the system…” Justice Kumar said after a video of the incident was played.

“Are we being made fun of? This is a sheer joke. How can so many enter a polling booth?”

“It was a live web telecast… the complainant said both EVM and VVPAT were snatched and destroyed… eight people (were) inside the polling booth. Where is the question of bail?” the court raged, adding it was inclined, prima facie, to accept allegations made against the YSRCP leader.

“This is not a doctored video… on the face of it…” Justice Mehta commented.

The court also criticised the MLA for remaining hidden till the interim protection order, and also the cops for their response to the shocking incident. “…he is belittling the system. Sitting MLA goes to the polling station, destroys EVM and VVPAT, and complaint is filed about ‘unknown person’?”

The irate Supreme Court, however, settled for barring Mr Reddy from entering the vote counting booth in his constituency; in fact, the YSRCP leader was told he was not allowed in the vicinity.

And, as a matter of technicality, the Supreme Court ordered the High Court to hear cases registered against Mr Reddy – listed for Thursday – ‘without being influenced by the interim protection order’.

Appearing for the lawmaker, senior advocate Vikas Singh stressed his client will comply with the top court’s instructions, and urged the bench to allow the High Court to hear the plea as proposed.

The top court was hearing a plea by the opposition TDP’s Namboodiri Seshagiri Rao.

Mr Reddy – seeking a fifth consecutive term – was booked under sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Representation of the People Act, and Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.

Should he be convicted, the MLA could go to jail for a maximum of seven years.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/supreme-court-andhra-pradesh-mla-p-ramakrishan-reddy-smashed-evm-bail-this-is-a-joke-top-court-furious-over-bail-for-andhra-mla-who-smashed-evm-5806728

Bangalore Rains: According to a post shared on platform X by @Bnglrweatherman, Bengaluru has broken a 133-year-old record for the highest single-day rainfall in June. Surpassing the month’s average of 110.3mm, the city has seen an unprecedented 140.7mm of rainfall over the past two days.

Bengaluru is experiencing thundershowers as the Southwest Monsoon hits Karnataka leading to widespread rainfall across its coastal regions. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for the city, predicting a cloudy sky with a few spells of rain or thundershowers on Monday. The downpour is anticipated to persist until June 5.

Historic Rainfall

According to a post shared on platform X by @Bnglrweatherman, Bengaluru has broken a 133-year-old record for the highest single-day rainfall in June. Surpassing the month’s average of 110.3mm, the city has seen an unprecedented 140.7mm of rainfall over the past two days.

Weekly Forecast Bengaluru 

The Silicon valley of India is expected to witness generally cloudy sky with a few spells of rain or thundershowers from June 2-5. Further rainfall is also expected on June 8th and 9th, according to the weekly forecast by the weather department.

Source:https://www.timesnownews.com/bengaluru/bangalore-rains-break-133-year-record-with-highest-downpour-in-a-single-day-in-june-article-110649406

The incident was reported in Sector-20 of Indira Nagar, within the jurisdiction of the Ghazipur police station in Lucknow.

In a bizarre turn of events, a thief who broke into a doctor’s residence in Lucknow, dozed off due to extreme intoxication.
When he woke up the following morning, he was shocked to find policemen around.

The incident was reported in Sector-20 of Indira Nagar, within the jurisdiction of the Ghazipur police station.

According to reports, the targeted house belongs to Sunil Pandey, in Indira Nagar Sector-20 of Lucknow. Mr Pandey, who works at Balrampur Hospital, is currently stationed in Varanasi, leaving the house unoccupied.

Neighbours became suspicious of finding Mr Pandey’s door ajar in the morning. They peeped in to see the house ransacked, with items strewn around.

The Ghazipur police were called in and the cops found the thief, identified as Kapil, sleeping. They arrested him and booked him under IPC section 379 A for theft.

Ghazipur Station House Officer (SHO), Vikas Rai, said that further legal proceedings were underway.

According to the official, the intruder even tampered with the water pump before attempting to remove the house battery, but he succumbed to drowsiness.

“The cupboards were broken into. Everything, including cash, was taken. The thief even attempted to steal the washbasin, gas cylinder, and water pump,” said the official.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/up-thief-falls-asleep-during-robbery-arrested-next-morning-5803950

The victims were members of a marriage party that had come from Motipura village in neighbouring Rajasthan and was on its way to Kulampur here, an official said.

Rajgarh (MP): Thirteen persons, including four children, died and 15 were injured after their tractor-trolley overturned at 8pm on Sunday night in Piplodi in Madhya Pradesh’s Rajgarh district, an official said.

Of the injured, 13 have been admitted in the district hospital while two have been rushed to Bhopal for advanced care due to wounds to the head and chest, Rajgarh Collector Harsh Dikshit told PTI over phone.

‘The toll is unlikely to go up since the two severely injured persons are out of danger,’ he said.

The victims were members of a marriage party that had come from Motipura village in neighbouring Rajasthan and was on its way to Kulampur here, another official said.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/madhya-pradesh/13-killed-15-injured-as-tractor-trolley-carrying-marriage-party-overturns-in-mps-rajgarh-3048880

Pawan Kumar Chamling, who already had eight terms as an MLA, had contested in two constituencies – Namcheybung and Poklok Kamrang – this time. He, however, lost in both constituencies to the SKM’s candidates.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/elections/sikkim/doyen-of-sikkims-politics-stares-at-end-of-career-loss-of-longest-serving-cm-record-3048877

Since Friday, a total of 99 suspected sunstroke deaths were reported by different districts. After post-mortem and inquiry, 20 were confirmed as sunstroke deaths, while two deaths happened due to other causes.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/odisha/20-people-die-due-to-sunstroke-in-odisha-in-3-days-3049080

These remarks came by a special PMLA court while hearing a plea by an accused seeking relaxation of bail condition to travel abroad for professional reasons.

Fugitive businessmen Nirav Modi, Vijay Mallya and Mehul Choksi were able to escape from the country because of the failure of the investigating agencies to arrest them on time, a Mumbai Court said on May 30 [Vyomesh Shah v. ED].

The observations were made by Judge MG Deshpande, special judge under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), while hearing an application by an accused seeking relaxation of bail condition so that he can travel abroad for professional purposes.

Advocate Sunil Gonsalves, special prosecutor for Enforcement Directorate (ED), opposed the application contending that acceding to such a request would give rise to a situation like ‘Nirav Modi, Vijay Mallya and Mehul Choksi’.

To this, the judge quipped that persons like the three fugitive businessmen were able to flee India because of the failure of the agencies to arrest them.

“I thoughtfully examined this argument and felt it necessary to note that all these persons fled because of the failure of the investigating agencies concerned in not arresting them at proper time,” the judge recorded in his order.

Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallya, currently residing in UK, have been declared Fugitive Economic Offenders (FEO) by Mumbai courts in scams involving huge amounts.

Choksi is presently in Dominica and ED has filed an application seeking to declare him an FEO.

Meanwhile, the present plea before judge Deshpande concerned one Vyomesh Shah, an accused in a money laundering case of 2022.

Shah had been summoned after the court took cognizance of the chargesheet by ED. After appearing in court on June 7, 2022, Shah was released on bail subject to certain conditions which also included furnishing personal bonds and sureties.

One condition imposed on him was that he should not leave the country without the permission of the court.

Shah filed the present plea seeking modification of the same.

He argued that since his work requires him to travel to various countries in search of clients and work, it was not feasible for him to seek the permission of the court each time.

After considering the application, judge Deshpande allowed the application.

The Court emphasized that it cannot do what the ED failed to do.

Source: https://www.barandbench.com/news/nirav-modi-vijay-mallya-mehul-choksi-fled-india-not-arrested-time-mumbai-court

Justice GK Ilanthiraiyan quashed an existing TN Government Order that provided horizontal reservation to transpersons in the State who identified themselves as women, and vertical caste-based reservation for the rest.

A 23-year-old Indian student is missing in the US state of California since last week and police have sought the public’s help in finding her, the latest case in the country as the community grapples with a string of such incidents involving students.

Nitheesha Kandula, a California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) student, went missing on May 28, according to the police.

She was last seen in Los Angeles and was reported missing on May 30, John Guttierez, Chief of Police, CSUSB, said in a post on X on Sunday.

“#MissingPersonAlert: California State University, San Bernardino Police along with our partners in #LAPD, is asking anyone with information on the whereabouts of @CSUSBNews Nitheesha Kandula, to contact us at: (909) 537-5165,” the police said.

Kandhula was described as 5 feet 6 inches tall, and around 160 pounds (72.5 kgs) in weight with black hair and black eyes, police said in a written statement.

She was possibly driving a 2021 Toyota Corolla with a California license plate, the colour of which was unknown, according to the statement.

Urging people with information on her whereabouts to contact authorities, police said, “Anyone with information is urged to contact the CSUSB Police Department at (909) 538-7777, or the LAPD’s Southwest Division at (213) 485-2582.” Last month, 26-year-old Rupesh Chandra Chintakind, an Indian student was reported missing in Chicago.

Source: https://www.news18.com/india/23-year-old-indian-student-goes-missing-in-us-was-last-seen-in-la-8918751.html

Fresh visuals of Delhi residents queueing up to collect water from tankers emerged on Monday morning amid the continued water crisis in the capital. Delhi is facing a shortage due to unprecedented summer heat, with temperatures hovering around the 50 degree-Celsius mark in parts of the city.

Earlier visuals showed people across areas scrambling with empty buckets to water tankers, some were even seen jumping the queue to get to the top of tankers to fill their vessel.

Amid the shortage, the Supreme Court will on Monday hear Delhi’s government’s plea for more water supply. The AAP government had reached out to the Centre and the apex court seeking additional water supply from Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh for a month.

In its petition in Supreme Court, Delhi said that the need for water has increased in the national capital amid sweltering heat. “Delhi’s need for water has increased in the scorching heat. It is everyone’s responsibility to fulfill the needs of the country’s capital,” the petition said.

POLITICS OVER WATER CRISIS
Delhi’s ruling Aam Aadmi Party has been alleging that the neighbouring states, especially Haryana, has not been releasing enough water to the capital.

Delhi minister Atishi wrote to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and his Haryana counterpart Nayab Singh Saini requesting them to release additional water to the national capital for a month.

Atishi stressed that Delhi is grappling with an unprecedented water crisis this year, with the demand for water surging significantly compared to previous years amid a heatwave.

“With temperature touching almost 50 degrees Celsius, Delhi is stretched out to the maximum as far as its water resources are concerned. To tackle the existing crisis, we urgently need Haryana to release additional water into the Yamuna River at the earliest,” she wrote in her letter to the Haryana CM on May 31.

In her letter to the UP CM, Atishi, who has the water portfolio, stressed the severity of the heatwave and the need for assistance from all quarters.

Source:https://www.news18.com/india/delhi-water-crisis-today-news-cm-kejriwal-atishi-tankers-steps-to-stop-wastage-video-8918334.html

Following the conclusion of the meditation, the Prime Minister wrote a letter to reflect on his spiritual journey, the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and India’s future.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday concluded a 45-hour meditation at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Tamil Nadu’s Kanniyakumari. PM Modi’s meditation began on May 30 and continued till June 1, for nearly 45 hours.

Following the conclusion of the meditation, the Prime Minister wrote a letter to reflect on his spiritual journey, the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and India’s future.

Read the full text of PM Modi’s letter: 

New Sankalps from the Sadhana in Kanniyakumari

My fellow Indians,

The biggest festival of democracy, the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, are concluding today in our nation, the Mother of Democracy. After a three-day spiritual journey in Kanniyakumari, I have just boarded the plane for Delhi. Through the day, Kashi and numerous other seats have been in the midst of voting.

My mind is filled with so many experiences and emotions… I feel a boundless flow of energy within myself. The 2024 Lok Sabha elections are the first in the Amrit Kaal. I began my campaign a few months ago from Meerut, the land of the First War of Independence of 1857. Since then, I have traversed across the length and breadth of our great nation. The final rally of these elections took me to Hoshiarpur in Punjab, the land of the great Gurus and a land associated with Sant Ravidas Ji. After that, I came to Kanniyakumari, at the feet of Maa Bharti.

It is natural that the fervour of the elections was echoing in my heart and mind. The multitude of faces seen in rallies and road shows came in front of my eyes. The blessings from our Nari Shakti…the trust, the affection, all of this was a very humbling experience. My eyes were getting moist… I entered into a ‘sadhana’ (meditative state). And then, the heated political debates, the attacks and counter-attacks, the voices and words of accusations which are so characteristic of an election…they all vanished into a void. A sense of detachment came to grow within me…my mind became completely detached from the external world.

Meditation becomes challenging amidst such huge responsibilities, but the land of Kanniyakumari and the inspiration of Swami Vivekananda made it effortless. As a candidate myself, I left my campaign in the hands of my beloved people of Kashi and came here.

I am also grateful God for instilling me with these values from birth which I have cherished and tried to live up to. I was also thinking about what Swami Vivekananda must have experienced during his meditation at this very place in Kanniyakumari! A part of my meditation was spent in a similar stream of thoughts.

Amidst this detachment, amidst the peace and silence, my mind was constantly thinking about the bright future of Bharat, the goals of Bharat. The rising sun at Kanniyakumari gave new heights to my thoughts, the vastness of the ocean expanded my ideas, and the expanse of the horizon continuously made me realize the unity, the Oneness, embedded in the depths of the universe. It seemed as if the observations and experiences undertaken in the lap of the Himalayas decades ago were being revived.

Friends,

Kanniyakumari has always been very close to my heart. The Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanniyakumari was built under the leadership of Shri Eknath Ranade ji. I had the opportunity to travel extensively with Eknath ji. During the construction of this Memorial, I had the opportunity to spend some time in Kanniyakumari as well.

From Kashmir to Kanniyakumari… this is a common identity that is deeply ingrained in the heart of every citizen of the country. This is the ‘Shakti Peeth’ (seat of Shakti) where Maa Shakti incarnated as Kanya Kumari. At this Southern tip, Maa Shakti performed penance and waited for Bhagwan Shiva, who was residing in the Himalayas at the northernmost parts of Bharat.

Kanniyakumari is the land of confluences. The sacred rivers of our country flow into different seas, and here, those very seas converge. And here, we witness another great confluence-the ideological confluence of Bharat! Here, we find the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, a grand statue of Saint Thiruvalluvar, Gandhi Mandapam, and Kamarajar Mani Mandapam. These streams of thought from these stalwarts converge here to form a confluence of national thought. This gives rise to great inspirations for nation-building. This land of Kanniyakumari gives an indelible message of unity, especially to any person who doubts Bharat’s nationhood and the sense of unity.

The grand statue of Saint Thiruvalluvar in Kanniyakumari seems to be looking at the expanse of Maa Bharati from the sea. His work Thirukkural is one of the crown jewels of the beautiful Tamil language. It covers every aspect of life, inspiring us to give our best for ourselves and for the nation. It was my great fortune to pay my respects to such a great figure.

Friends,

Swami Vivekananda once said, ‘Every nation has a message to deliver, a mission to fulfil, a destiny to reach.’

For thousands of years, Bharat has been moving forward with this sense of meaningful purpose. Bharat has been a cradle of ideas for thousands of years. We have never considered what we have acquired as our personal wealth or measured it purely by economic or material parameters. Therefore, ‘Idam-na-mama’ (this is not mine) has become an inherent and natural part of the character of Bharat.

Bharat’s welfare benefits our planet’s journey to progress as well. Take the freedom movement as an example. Bharat gained independence on August 15, 1947. At that time, many countries around the world were under colonial rule. Bharat’s independence journey inspired and empowered many of those countries to achieve their own freedom. That same spirit was seen decades later when the world came face to face with the once in a century COVID-19 pandemic. When concerns were raised about the poor and developing countries, Bharat’s successful efforts provided courage and assistance to many nations.

Today, Bharat’s governance model has become an example for many countries around the world. Empowering 25 crore people to rise above poverty in just 10 years is unprecedented. Innovative practices such as Pro-People Good Governance, aspirational districts, and aspirational blocks are being discussed globally today. Our efforts, from empowering the poor to last-mile delivery, have inspired the world by prioritizing individuals standing at the last rung of society. Bharat’s Digital India campaign is now an example for the entire world, showing how we can use technology to empower the poor, bring transparency, and ensure their rights. Inexpensive data in Bharat is becoming a means of social equality by ensuring the reach of information and services to the poor. The whole world is witnessing and studying the democratization of technology, and major global institutions are advising many countries to adopt elements from our model.

Today, Bharat’s progress and rise are not just a significant opportunity for Bharat alone, but also a historic opportunity for all our partner countries around the world. Since the success of the G-20, the world has been increasingly envisioning a bigger role for Bharat. Today, Bharat is being acknowledged as a strong and important voice of the Global South. The African Union has become a part of the G-20 group at the initiative of Bharat. This is going to be a crucial turning point for the future of African countries.

Friends,

The development trajectory of Bharat fills us with pride and glory, but at the same time, it also reminds the 140 crore citizens of their responsibilities. Now, without wasting a single moment, we must step forward towards greater duties and larger goals. We need to dream new dreams, convert them into reality and begin living those dreams.

We must see Bharat’s development in a global context, and for this, it is essential that we understand Bharat’s internal capabilities. We must acknowledge Bharat’s strengths, nurture them, and utilize them for the benefit of the world. In today’s global scenario, Bharat’s strength as a youthful nation is an opportunity from which we must not look back.

The world of the 21st century is looking towards Bharat with many hopes. And we will need to make several changes to move forward in the global scenario. We also need to change our traditional thinking regarding reform. Bharat cannot limit reform to just economic reforms. We must move forward in every aspect of life towards the direction of reform. Our reforms should also align with the aspirations of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (developed India) by 2047.

We must also understand that reform can never be a unidimensional process for any country. Therefore, I have laid out the vision of reform, perform, and transform for the country. The responsibility of reform lies with leadership. Based on that, our bureaucracy performs, and when the people join in with the spirit of Jan Bhagidari, we witness a transformation taking place.

We must make excellence the fundamental principle to make our country a ‘Viksit Bharat’. We need to work quickly in all four directions: Speed, Scale, Scope, and Standards. Alongside manufacturing, we must also focus on quality and adhere to the mantra of ‘zero defect-zero effect’.

Friends,

We should take pride in every moment that God has blessed us with birth in the land of Bharat. God has chosen us to serve Bharat and fulfil our role in our country’s journey towards excellence.

We must redefine our heritage in a modern way while embracing ancient values in a modern context.

As a nation, we also need to reassess outdated thinking and beliefs. We need to free our society from the pressure of professional pessimists. We must remember that freedom from negativity is the first step towards achieving success. Success blossoms in the lap of positivity.

My faith, devotion, and belief in the infinite and eternal power of Bharat are growing day by day. Over the past 10 years, I have seen this capability of Bharat grow even more and have experienced it firsthand.

As per the Supreme Court’s order of May 10, Kejriwal was ordered to be released on interim bail for election campaign till June 1 and he was directed to surrender and go back to Tihar jail on June 2.

The counting of votes for 50 assembly seats in Arunachal Pradesh began today under massive security.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu is set for a third term as the BJP is well ahead in the state according to early trends of the assembly election results. The BJP is ahead in 48 of the 60 seats in the state.
The counting of votes for 50 assembly seats in Arunachal Pradesh began today under massive security. The ruling BJP has already won 10 assembly seats unopposed.

The counting began in 24 district headquarters at 6 AM amid heavy rain across the state and the final results are expected to be out by noon, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Pawan Kumar Sain said.

Independent candidate Wanglam Sawin won the Khonsa East assembly constituency defeating his nearest rival Kamrang Tesia of the BJP by a margin of 2,216 votes, according to the Election Commission of India.

Counting of votes for 50 assembly seats in the northeastern state began at 6 am on Sunday.

Mr Sawin had won the seat in the 2019 Assembly elections on a BJP ticket. He was denied a saffron party ticket this time and contested the elections as an independent.

Assembly and Lok Sabha elections were held simultaneously in Arunachal Pradesh in the first phase of polls on April 19.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bjp-crosses-halfway-mark-in-arunachal-pradesh-ahead-in-31-of-60-seats-leads-5797922

Shivani Agarwal, mother of 17-year-old accused in Pune Porsche accident case, has been arrested. The arrest comes days after it was found that the teenager’s blood sample was replaced with that of a woman for an alcohol test at the Sasson hospital. This led to speculation that it could be of his mother, following which she went incommunicado.

Sources said that she has been apprehended for tampering of evidences, and being present at the hospital when blood samples were taken. She will be present for the interrogation around 11:30 am, a source added.

Shivani’s statement in the case was earlier recorded by the Pune crime branch at the Agarwal residence. Sources had earlier told News18 that the Pune crime branch has also summoned some nurses, who are members of the staff at the Sassoon hospital. They were questioned regarding the swapping of the blood samples, sources added.

Sassoon hospital doctors submitted their report to the probe panel on Wednesday (May 29). The Maharashtra medical education (MME) department formed the committee headed by Dr Pallavi Sapale, dean of Mumbai-based Grants Medical College, on May 27 after the police claimed that the teenager’s blood samples were discarded and replaced with another person’s samples, which showed no traces of alcohol, at Pune’s Sassoon General Hospital.

Police have arrested Dr Ajay Taware, head of the state-run hospital’s forensic medicine department, chief medical officer Dr Shrihari Halnor and staff member Atul Ghatkamble in connection with the incident.

Two IT professionals in their 20s were killed after their motorcycle was hit by a speeding Porsche, allegedly driven by a 17-year-old, in the early hours of May 19 in Pune’s Kalyani Nagar area. According to police, the teenager, son of builder Vishal Agarwal, was drunk at the time.

PARENTS OF TEEN TO BE PRESENTED BEFORE MAGISTRATE TOMORROW
The parents of the teen involved in the Pune Porsche crash, Vishal Agrawal and Shivani Agrawal will be presented before the magistrate on Sunday.

Earlier, the cops had filed a plea for Vishal Agrawal’s remand in Sassoon case, After that he was sent to judicial custody at Yerwada jail.

Source: https://www.news18.com/india/pune-porsche-accident-shivani-agarwal-teens-mother-arrested-8912696.html

Seeing an estimated 25 million visitors every year, Venice has brought in a series of measures tackling overcrowding and mass tourism. From today, loudspeakers have been banned and tour groups have been limited in the Italian city.

Venice has introduced new rules tackling mass tourism, with loudspeakers now banned and tour groups limited to just 25 people.

The Italian canal city, which welcomes an estimated 25 million people a year, announced the measures in December in a bid to tackle mass tourism.

Coming into effect from Saturday, the new rules say tour groups are limited to 25 people in Venice as well as the islands of Burano, Murano, and Torcello

Loudspeakers have also been banned as they “generate confusion and disturbances”.

Elisabetta Pesce, the official with responsibility for the city’s security, said last year the latest rules are “aimed at improving the management of groups organised in the historic centre”.

It marks the latest crackdown on mass tourism for Venice. In April, the city rolled out a €5 (£4) fee for day trips throughout the summer in a bid to thin the crowds.

Simone Venturini, Venice’s top tourism official, said at the time: “We need to find a new balance between the tourists and residents.

“We need to safeguard the spaces of the residents, of course, and we need to discourage the arrival of day-trippers on some particular days.”

However, some residents protested the measure, saying more attention needs to be paid to boosting the local population and services they need.

Venice passed a milestone last year when the number of tourist beds exceeded the number of official residents for the first time, who now number fewer than 50,000 in the historic centre.

In August, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recommended Venice be added to its list of World Heritage sites in Danger over growing concerns of overcrowding and unsustainability.

Source:https://news.sky.com/story/venice-bans-loudspeakers-and-limits-tour-groups-in-latest-mass-tourism-crackdown-13146508

At 14, Madhya Pradesh reports highest number of deaths due to heat-related illnesses, followed by Maharashtra at 11. MP also recorded most suspected heat stroke cases at 6,584.

India saw a staggering 24,849 suspected heat stroke cases and 56 confirmed fatalities due to heat-related illnesses between 1 March and 30 May — according to the data accessed by ThePrint from the National Centre of Disease Control (NCDC) under the Union health ministry.

The statistics gathered as part of the NCDC’s National Heat-Related Illness and Death Surveillance indicated that May was the deadliest month, with 46 heat-related deaths. Additionally, a high of 19,189 suspected heat stroke cases were reported in May alone.

The alarming statistics emerge as parts of India, particularly the northern, northeastern, and western regions, face severe heatwaves, with temperatures in some areas of the national capital nearing the 50 degrees Celsius mark.

According to the NCDC statistics, Madhya Pradesh reported the highest, 14, confirmed deaths due to heat-related illnesses over the last three months followed by Maharashtra with 11. Telangana, Rajasthan and Odisha each reported five confirmed deaths from heat stroke.

Madhya Pradesh recorded the most suspected heat stroke cases at 6,584, with Rajasthan reporting 4,667 cases. Uttar Pradesh, despite being the most populous state, reported 1,433 suspected cases and no deaths.

Since 2015, the NCDC’s Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme has been tracking heat-related illness and death data from vulnerable states.

A senior health ministry official told ThePrint, “These numbers are dynamic and getting updated by the NCDC daily based on the figures shared by the states. The official added that the numbers are likely to go up over the next weeks.

ThePrint reached Union health secretary Apurva Chandra via calls. This report will be updated if and when a response is received.

Keeping a vigil

At a meeting held in April to review the preparedness for heat-related morbidities in the country, top health functionaries, including Union health minister Mansukh L. Mandaviya, emphasised creating a repository of data from each state.

The authorities had also said that a granular status and analysis of overall heat stroke forecasting, pattern, climatology and vulnerable zones in India was prepared by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

This covered the trajectory of rainfall patterns, humidity and forecast of the transition from El Nino to El-Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO).

Source: https://theprint.in/health/india-saw-56-heat-related-deaths-nearly-25000-heat-stroke-cases-from-march-to-may-shows-govt-data/2111613/

At least 33 people, including election officials on duty, died of suspected heatstroke in India’s states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha on Friday, and the heatwave in the region is expected to continue until Saturday, authorities said.
India has been experiencing a blisteringly hot summer and a part of capital Delhi recorded the country’s highest ever temperature at 52.9 degrees Celsius (127.22°F) this week, though that may be revised with the weather department checking the sensors of the weather station that registered the reading.

While temperatures in northwestern and central India are expected to fall in the coming days, the prevailing heatwave over east India is likely to continue for two days, said the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which declares a heatwave when the temperature is 4.5 C to 6.4 C higher than normal.
Fourteen people died in Bihar on Thursday, officials said, including 10 people involved in organising the seven-phase national elections that are currently underway. Many election officials are usually required to stand on duty all day, many times outdoors.

Parts of Bihar are voting in the final round of polling on Saturday.
In India’s most populous state of Uttar Pradesh, at least nine election personnel, including security persons, died on Friday, government officials said.
“They had high grade fever when they were brought in. It could be because of heatstroke as well. We are currently treating at least 23 people brought in from election duty,” R B Kamal, principal of the medical college where the personnel are being treated, told reporters.The world’s largest election and its gruelling campaign have been hit by record temperatures in the summer. The last phase of voting is scheduled to be held on Saturday and votes will be counted on Tuesday.
Ten deaths were also reported in the government hospital in Odisha’s Rourkela region on Thursday, authorities told Reuters, prompting the Odisha government to advise against outdoor activities between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. local time when temperatures peak.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/india/least-15-dead-eastern-india-over-24-hours-temperatures-soar-2024-05-31/

The sexual abuse allegations against Prajwal Revanna emerged after over 2,900 videos depicting the sexual assault of several women were circulated at various places, including social media.

A Bengaluru court on Friday sent Janata Dal (Secular) Member of Parliament (MP) Prajwal Revanna to 7 days of custody with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing charges of sexual abuse against him.

Source: https://www.barandbench.com/news/litigation/bengaluru-court-sends-prajwal-revanna-to-sit-custody-till-june-6

Eye-witnesses told cops the ₹ 2.5 crore Porsche was travelling at 200 km per hour when it slammed into a two-wheeler carrying Aneesh Awadhiya and Ashwini Koshta, both 24 years old.

Two friends of the 17-year-old teen at the heart of the Pune Porsche crash have claimed the boy was drunk when he killed two people while driving his father’s ₹ 2.5 crore supercar, police sources told NDTV this morning. Witnesses had told cops the car was travelling at 200 km per hour when it slammed into a bike carrying Aneesh Awadhiya and Ashwini Koshta, both 24.
The force of the impact meant Mr Awadhiya and Ms Koshta – IT professionals from Madhya Pradesh – were flung into parked cars and into the air. She died on the spot while he died in a hospital.

Witnesses had earlier also said the boy seemed to be “heavily drunk” when detained by an angry crowd that formed after the incident. There were reports the boy was assaulted by the crowd.

In the hours and days after the horrific incident – which Mr Awadhiya family has called “murder” – CCTV footage from a city bar showed the boy and his friends draped over a table laden with bottles of alcohol. The bar owner and staff were arrested and questioned for serving liquor to a minor.

The minimum legal drinking age in Maharashtra is 25.

Questions have been asked about the boy’s blood alcohol level, particularly after confirmation of lapses of protocol by the arresting cops, two of whom have been suspended. The lapses included not taking the teen – the son of a prominent city real estate mogul – for an immediate blood test.

Further investigation has revealed two doctors and a ward boy at the state-run Sassoon Hospital – where the teen was finally taken, hours after the accident and he had been given water to drink (which could dilute the alcohol level) – may have manipulated the tests by altering the samples.

The teen’s blood sample may have been swapped for one of three others collected for the purpose, including his mother, sources told NDTV. The boy’s sample was found in a dustbin in the hospital.

Dr Ajay Tawade and Dr Hari Harnor will remain in police custody till Wednesday, as will the ward boy, who allegedly handed over the ₹ 3 lakh the teen’s family paid to the doctors to alter the tests.

Dr Harnor is the hospital’s Chief Medical Officer and Dr Tawade the head of its forensic department. The police believe Dr Tawade and the father spoke 14 times on the phone on the day of the incident, possibly to discuss bribes.

The Pune teen was arrested after the incident but released on bail within 15 hours, triggering widespread outrage, particularly over bail conditions that included writing a 300-word essay. The Juvenile Justice Board later modified its order and sent him to a remand home till Wednesday.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/pune-porsche-crash-teens-friends-say-he-was-drunk-while-driving-cops-5785402

The duo were taken into custody for allegedly confining their family driver against his will and luring him with money and gifts in order to make him take responsibility of the accident.

The father and the grandfather of the 17-year-old boy who recently killed two people while driving a Porsche car were sent to a 14 days of judicial custody by a Pune court.

Source: https://www.barandbench.com/news/litigation/pune-porsche-accident-father-grandfather-of-teen-who-killed-two-sent-to-14-day-judicial-custody

In January, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, or DGCA issued a standard operating procedure (SOP) to handle chaotic situations after several flights were delayed due to fog at Delhi airport. The DGCA urged the airlines to provide “facilities to passengers due to denied boarding, cancellation of flights and delays in flights.”

The passengers were, however, not allowed to enter the terminal as their immigration was done,” said Abhishek Sharma on X. He appealed to the airline for swift action and to let his parents and “numerous other parents stranded at the boarding area [to] go home”.

Air India responded to her post and said it “regrets” the inconvenience caused to the passengers. “Dear Ms. Punj, we truly regret to note the disruptions. Please be rest assured that our team is actively working to address the delay and appreciate your ongoing support and understanding.”

Another X user, Nidhi Arora, said most of the passengers are old parents. “Some have been sent to a hospital,” she said.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/india/air-india-ai-183-passengers-share-harrowing-experience-9-hour-delay-2-hours-inside-aircraft-with-45-degree-heat-article-110578045

The incident took place in Nongpriang village, close to the India-Bangladesh border.

Shillong: Four persons were feared dead in a remote village in Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills district following a landslide due to heavy rain, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said on Thursday.

The incident took place in Nongpriang village, close to the India-Bangladesh border.

‘Sad to hear the news of four of our citizens who are feared dead in a massive landslide at Nongpriang, Shella block. Body of one victim has been found, search operation is ongoing. Directed the administration to immediately release the ex-gratia to the next of kin,’ he said in a post on X.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/meghalaya/4-feared-dead-after-landslide-in-meghalaya-3045425

A rescue operation was promptly initiated following the incident, an official said. The wounded were sent to Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu and a nearby hospital in Akhnoor.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/jammu-and-kashmir/twenty-one-pilgrims-die-over-60-injured-as-bus-falls-into-gorge-in-jammu-3044790

The exceptionally high temperatures recorded in New Delhi over the past couple of days are remarkable but not unprecedented. In recent years, the world has seen numerous extreme weather events that highlight the escalating severity of climate change.
Delhi is now among the regions experiencing record-breaking temperatures, often exceeding 50 degrees Celsius. On Wednesday (May 29), temperature in parts of Delhi reportedly reached 52.9 degrees Celsius, marking the highest ever recorded in India.

The Pune Police told the court on Thursday that the blood sample of the woman was taken outside CCTV coverage.

The mystery surrounding the blood sample of the minor accused in the Pune Porsche accident case turned murkier on Thursday, after the police told a court that the juvenile’s sample was replaced with that of an unidentified woman.

The police have arrested Dr Ajay Taware, the head of the department of forensic medicine at Sassoon hospital, medical officer Dr Shrihari Halnor and an employee named Atul Ghatkamble for allegedly manipulating the minor’s blood sample.

The districts affected by floods are Nagaon, Hailakandi, Karbi Anglong. Karimganj, Cachar, Hojai, Golaghat and West Karbi Anglong.

Guwahati: One person died and over 40,000 people were affected as incessant rains, in the aftermath of cyclone Remal, resulted in the increase in water levels of several rivers across Assam on Wednesday leading to floods in eight districts, officials said.

A person drowned in Karimganj district, taking the toll to five since Tuesday, while two others went missing in the neighbouring Cachar district, they said.

The districts affected by floods are Nagaon, Hailakandi, Karbi Anglong. Karimganj, Cachar, Hojai, Golaghat and West Karbi Anglong.

Landslides were reported from 11 villages in Dima Hasao, three in Cachar and one in Hailakandi. Heavy erosion was also reported from Silchar and Udharbond in Cachar district.

In Karimganj, Cachar and Hailakandi, the Barak river and its tributaries Longai, Kushiara, Singla and Katakhal were flowing above the danger level at several locations.

Four embankments were also damaged in Karimganj, which was the worst hit with 26,430 people affected. A total of 8,351 people were affected in Cachar and 6,227 in Hailakandi.

Residents of vulnerable areas in these districts were moved to safety. Three relief camps were set up in Karimganj and two in Cachar district to provide shelter to the distraught people, officials said.

In the hilly Dima Hasao district, life came to a standstill due to the rains, which severely affected road connectivity.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/assam/remal-aftermath-in-assam-40000-people-affected-as-heavy-rains-wreak-havoc-5-deaths-so-far-3043907

In yet another twist in the Pune Porsche car crash investigation, it has now come to light that the blood sample of the minor was swapped with that of his mother at Sassoon General Hospital. The blood samples of two other occupants in the car were also replaced at the hospital by the samples of their brother and father, respectively.

An inquiry report by a three-member committee of the medical education department with these findings has been submitted to the government, sources in the state government told The Indian Express.

On May 19, the minor allegedly drove a Porsche car at high speed under the influence of alcohol and knocked down a bike, killing two software engineers. There were four people in the car – the minor boy, who was allegedly driving, his driver, and two friends.

The incident led to allegations of a cover-up with politicians, doctors and police officials being embroiled in the controversy.

While the minor boy’s father was arrested, the focus shifted to the involvement of two doctors and a Class IV staffer from B J Government Medical College and Sassoon General Hospital for allegedly throwing the minor’s blood sample in the dustbin and replacing it.

A special investigation team sent to Sassoon General Hospital on Tuesday questioned several officials and viewed CCTV footage.

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/pune-porsche-crash-case-mother-blood-sample-accused-minor-9361131/

Rajasthan Board Class 5th 8th Result Live Updates: The Rajasthan Board 5th 8th Result 2024 link will be made available at the official websites — rajeduboard.rajasthan.gov.in and rajshaldarpan.nic.in.

RBSE Class 5th 8th Result 2024 Live: The Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education (RBSE) today will declare the Class 5 and Class 8 final exam results. The RBSE Class 5 and Class 8 result link will be released at the official websites — rajeduboard.rajasthan.gov.in and rajshaldarpan.nic.in.

The Rajasthan board conducted RBSE Class 5 exams from April 30 to May 4, 2024. The Class 8 exams were conducted from March 28 to April 4. Last year, around 14 lakh candidates appeared for the Class 5 examination in the state and nearly 15 lakh students appeared in the Class 8 exams.

Students can get the original RBSE 2024 marksheet from their schools. They should ensure the accuracy of the details given in the RBSE marksheet. The online result will consist of name, roll number, school name, subjects and their codes, marks obtained in theory and practical, and pass or fail status.

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/education/rbse-class-5th-8th-result-2024-live-updates-rajasthan-board-class-5th-8th-result-direct-link-pass-percentage-marks-rajeduboard-rajasthan-gov-in-rajshaladarpan-nic-in-9251084/

Expect some respite from the hot weather as the IMD forecast seemed positive about favourable conditions for the onset of monsoon over Kerala today.

North India is currently grappling with an severe heatwave, with temperatures swaying between 46°C and 50°C in parts of Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and Rajasthan. This blistering heat is above normal by 3°C to 6°C, according. However, good news is on the horizon as the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said in its weather forecast on Thursday that conditions are favourable for the onset of the monsoon over Kerala today, May 30.

Heatwave forecast for today

As the mercury remains high, heatwave conditions are predicted to persist in parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and west Rajasthan today, with a gradual reduction expected thereafter. Northwest and central India are also likely to see a decrease in heatwave conditions starting from today. However, isolated pockets in Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha will still face heatwave conditions on May 31 and June 1, the IMD said. East Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha in Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Jammu division and Himachal Pradesh will also experience severe heat today, with relief expected in the coming days.

Konkan and Goa will continue to endure hot and humid weather today and tomorrow (May 31), while warm night conditions are likely to persist in isolated pockets of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh tonight.

According to a purported video of an event at the Foreign Correspondents Club this evening, Aiyar, while narrating an anecdote, said, ‘…In October 1962, the Chinese allegedly invaded India.’

New Delhi: Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar’s remarks using the word ‘alleged’ for the Chinese invasion in 1962 kicked up a political row late Tuesday with the BJP calling it a ‘brazen attempt at revisionism’.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh pointed out that Aiyar had subsequently apologised ‘unreservedly’ for using the term ‘alleged invasion’ ‘mistakenly,’ and that the party distances itself from the ‘original phraseology’.

Ramesh also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of giving a ‘clean chit’ to the Chinese for their incursions in May 2020.

Aiyar, who has stoked controversies in the past with his comments, made the remarks at the launch of the book ‘Nehru’s First Recruits’.

BJP’s IT department head Amit Malviya slammed the Congress over Aiyar’s remarks.

‘Mani Shankar Aiyar, speaking at the FCC, during the launch of a book called Nehru’s First Recruits, refers to the Chinese invasion in 1962 as ‘alleged’. This is a brazen attempt at revisionism,’ the BJP leader said on X.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/aiyar-kicks-up-row-with-chinese-allegedly-invaded-india-remark-issues-apology-for-mistake-3042414

The Bhindranwale-loving, Constitution-hating preacher’s decision to contest as an independent from the Khadoor Sahib parliamentary constituency, which goes to polls on June 1, has spiced up the contest.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/elections/india/khalistan-preacher-amritpal-makes-poll-play-from-jail-3042402

The horrifying tragedies at two places in two days — the death of nine children and 28 adults in a Rajkot gaming and recreational set-up and of six new-born children in a private hospital in Delhi — are the results of the worst kind of criminal negligence and lack of concern for safety at institutional, official and individual levels in the country. Both are man-made disasters that happened because basic safety measures were not taken by those who ran the institutions. Those who were responsible for enforcing rules and regulations also failed in their duty. The disaster was waiting to happen in both cases. The Rajkot gaming zone was operating from a building which was not suitable for it. There was no fire-safety clearance and the centre did not have any fire-fighting equipment. There was no check on the number of visitors. Every law was violated by the Delhi hospital, too. It also did not have fire-safety clearance, nor did it have fire extinguishers. It did not even have qualified doctors. Its licence had expired two months ago. It had accommodated more patients than it was allowed to even when it had a licence, and it had hazardous oxygen cylinders stored illegally on its premises.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion/editorial/criminal-flouting-of-fire-safety-rules-3042375

The notification clarified that the High Court medical officer’s recommendation would be necessary to avail of menstrual leave.

The Sikkim High Court has introduced a menstrual leave policy for women employees working in its Registry.

The notification released on May 27 clarified that the High Court medical officer’s recommendation would be necessary to avail of menstrual leave.

“Women employees in the High Court Registry may henceforth avail menstrual leave of 2-3 days in a month, provided they approach the Medical Officer attached to the High Court first and obtain the latter’s recommendation for such leave,” the notification stated.

The leave account of women employees shall not be debited on availing menstrual leave, it added.

Source: https://www.barandbench.com/news/sikkim-high-court-introduces-menstrual-leave-policy

Ram Rahim will continue to remain in jail as he also stands convicted in cases of rape and conspiracy to commit murder.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday acquitted Dera Sacha Sauda Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and four others in the murder case of former Dera manager Ranjit Singh.

A Bench of Justices Sureshwar Thakur and Lalit Batra pronounced the decision today on the appeals moved by Ram Rahim and others who had been convicted by a CBI Court in Haryana’s Panchkula in 2021.

The five accused – Ram Rahim, Avtar Singh, Jasbir Singh, Sabdil Singh and Krishan Lal – had been sentenced to life imprisonment by the trial court.

In the judgment delivered today, the Court said the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had carried out a “tainted and sketchy investigation” into the crime and the evidence collected was unworthy of credence.

It also highlighted the impact of the media glare in the case.

“The instant case is a stark portrayal of the necessity of Courts of law making an incisive and objective analyses, of the evidence as exist on record, rather than the said objective analyses becoming attempted to become stultified, through a pro active media trial becoming made of the purported incriminatory role of the accused vis-a-vis the crime event,” the Court said.

On the motive behind the murder, the Court rejected the CBI claim that Ranjit Singh had been killed as Ram Rahim was enraged because of the circulation of an anonymous complaint of sexual exploitation against him (Dera chief).

The Court also said the accusation that Ranjit Singh had been summoned to the Dera by co-accused to make him apologise to Ram Rahim for circulation of the anonymous complaint did not have any “evidentiary strength” as the statements of witnesses in this regard were full of contradictions.

“It appears that no animosity spurred inter se the deceased and accused No.1 nor thereby there was any motive etched in the mind of accused No.1, thus for his directing the other co-accused to eliminate the deceased,” the judgment written by Justice Thakur said.

The Court also trashed the CBI accusation that after Ranjit Singh had left the Dera without apologising to Ram Rahim, a conspiracy meeting to murder him had been held.

It noted that one Darshan Singh, who had been part of the meeting, had neither been cited as a witness nor was added as an accused.

“Resultantly, the non arraying of the said Darshan Singh, thus as an accused besides also with the prosecution omitting to cite him as a witness, but begets an inference that the prosecution story vis-a-vis the said meeting, wherein, accused No.1, directed the other accused(s) to kill the deceased, is but a concocted and invented story by the prosecution,” the Court said.

The Court also ruled that there were contradictions with regard to the eyewitness account regarding the place of firing and the persons who had taken the victim to the hospital.

“There is merit in the instant appeals, and, the same are allowed. The impugned verdict, as, drawn, upon/qua the convicts, by the learned trial Judge concerned, is quashed, and, set aside, and, the appellants are acquitted of the charge(s) drawn against them,” the Court ordered.

Source: https://www.barandbench.com/news/punjab-and-haryana-high-court-acquits-gurmeet-ram-rahim-singh-in-2002-murder-case

Indian Army jawans defeated Chinese troops in a friendly game of tug-of-war that organised during a UN peacekeeping mission in Sudan, Africa.

In the visuals shared by news agency ANI, the soldiers of both India and China can be seen getting involved in a fun tug-of-war competition.

INDIA & FRANCE IN COMPETITION

Earlier on Monday, the Indian and French soldiers were seen getting engaged in a friendly tug-of-war competition in Meghalaya. The soldiers of both countries joined hands under a joint military exercise named ‘SHAKTI 2024’.

Source: https://www.news18.com/india/indian-jawans-defeat-chinese-troops-in-tug-of-war-in-sudan-watch-8907883.html

Piyush Goyal told HT that while PM Narendra Modi will win Varanasi with a record margin, the BJP will bag more Lok Sabha seats in UP as compared to 2019.

Varanasi: Amidst hectic campaigning by the top BJP leadership for the last phase on June 1, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said that the NDA was well within the target to cross the 400-seat mark in the 2024 elections.

He said while Prime Minister Narendra Modi will win Varanasi with a record margin, the party will bag more LS seats in UP as compared to 2019. “The atmosphere is superbly in favour of the BJP and the NDA all over country and there is no anti-incumbency against the Modi government,” he added. Minister Goyal, who also holds the consumer affairs and textile portfolios, has been camping in the city for the past two days meeting entrepreneurs and traders.

With Poorvanchal going to polls on June 1, the party has pushed key leaders to tackle particular segments in Varanasi with Home Minister Amit Shah conducting the entire electoral exercise, Party President JP Nadda is moving in and out of Varanasi and Cabinet Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Irani coming to the Holy City today to woo the women voters in PM’s constituency.

The fact is that PM Modi is expected to win Varanasi hands down, with the current focus only on the vote margin of victory. The smooth BJP electoral machinery is evident in the city with key ministers and leaders targeting specific segments with remarkable efficiency. The public on its part is all for PM Modi for the third term as the city has improved dramatically in the past decade with excellent roads and across the board economic growth.

Talking to Hindustan Times, Minister Goyal said that the business community in the city was very happy with the GST and the rapid mitigation of their grievances by both the Center and State governments.

When asked about his own election from Mumbai North and the NDA’s performance in Maharashtra, he said he was very confident about the NDA’s doing well in his home state. He also added that the BJP will trump up its performance in West Bengal so muchthat the public will be amazed at the results.

While no BJP leader will tell you the NDA’s final performance, it is quite evident that they all are convinced that the BJP will add at least a score seats more than the last time with UP contributing some 70 seats to BJP’s kitty. Minister Goyal refused to go into numbers and was clear that the NDA will breach the 400 mark.

Talking on specific issues, he said that India will negotiate the FTA with Britain only after the new government is formed post July 4. He said the FTA with Canada is stuck till the time the Justin Trudeau government makes conducive atmosphere for talks.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/nda-set-towards-400-seat-mark-bjp-to-top-up-in-up-piyush-goyal-101716950784939.html

Cyclone ‘Remal’, which battered the coast of West Bengal and Bangladesh after making landfall on Sunday, has weakened into a well-marked low-pressure area.

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has ordered the closure of educational institutions in nine districts in the state on Wednesday, May 29, amid heavy rainfall and landslides triggered by Cyclone Remal. The districts where schools and colleges will remain closed are Nagaon, Hojai, West Karbi Anglong, Karbi Anglong, Golaghat, Dima Hasao, Cachar, Hailakandi, and Karimganj.

“In light of the Red Alert for Nagaon, Hojai, West Karbi Anglong, Karbi Anglong, Golaghat, Dima Hasao, Cachar, Hailakandi, and Karimganj, all educational institutions in these districts will remain closed on May 29, 2024. Stay safe,” Sarma posted on X on Tuesday.

Earlier, other northeastern states, including Tripura, Mizoram, Meghalaya, and Manipur, had ordered the closure of schools and offices on Tuesday in view of the heavy rainfall.

Cyclone ‘Remal’ made landfall in Northeast India on Sunday night on the coast of the Bay of Bengal, bringing heavy rainfall and gusty winds across several states. The cyclone has crossed Bangladesh and turned into a deep depression.

IMD’s ‘red’ alert for northeast
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a ‘red’ alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in the northeastern states on Wednesday, May 29.

According to the weather department, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura are likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall of around 115.5 to 204.4 mm on May 29. Assam, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh are likely to witness heavy to very heavy rainfall from May 29 to June 1.

“Squally wind speed reaching 35-45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph is likely over Arunachal Pradesh, Eastern Assam and Meghalaya and Mizoram,” it wrote in its bulletin issued on Tuesday.

In its bulletin, the IMD also advised people in vulnerable areas to move to safer places and those in affected areas to remain indoors. It also urged people to avoid areas facing waterlogging, landslides, and mudslides.

Cyclone Remal impact in northeast: Over 30 people killed
The severe Cyclone ‘Remal’, which battered the West Bengal and Bangladesh coast after making landfall on Sunday night, weakened into a well-marked low-pressure area on Tuesday as it moved inwards. Strong winds and heavy rainfall lashed northeast India, causing massive damage in the northeastern states and claiming the lives of at least 37 people.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/cyclone-remal-assam-schools-shut-may-29-imd-issues-red-alert-for-these-northeastern-states-tripura-mizoram-meghalaya-101716942147215.html

Rules Changing From June 1: Let’s review the key changes taking effect from June 1.

As June 1 approaches, numerous rules are set to change. These changes will impact daily life, making it important to stay informed. June will see alterations concerning LPG cylinder usage, bank holidays, Aadhaar updates, and driving licenses.

Let’s review the key changes taking effect from June 1. 

New Driving License Rules

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways recently announced new regulations for obtaining a driving license in India. Starting June 1, 2024, individuals will be able to take driving tests at private driving training centres instead of government RTOs. These centres will be authorized to conduct tests and issue certifications for license eligibility.

India’s capital Delhi soared to unprecedented heat levels, registering a scorching maximum temperature of 49.9°C, marking an all-time high for the capital city.

Delhi on Tuesday, May 28, recorded its all-time high maximum temperature as the mercury in India’s capital, touched 49.9 degrees Celsius. Several areas, like Mungeshpur, Najafgarh and Narela, have recorded temperatures of 49.9 degrees Celsius, 49.8 degrees Celsius, and 49.9 degrees Celsius, respectively, facing severe heatwave conditions.

The maximum temperature in Pitampura and Pusa was recorded at 48.5 degrees Celsius, while Jafarpur recorded 48.6 degrees Celsius. Other areas, such as Safdarjung, Palam, CHO, Ridge and Ayanagar, also recorded maximum temperatures between 45 and 48 degrees Celsius.

The highest-ever temperature reading in Delhi over the last 100 years is 49.2 degrees Celsius, recorded on May 15–16, 2022.

The record temperature comes even as a ‘red’ alert warning has been issued for Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, western Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat, indicating a very high likelihood of heat illness and heat stroke for all age groups.

Northwest and central India are reeling under a severe heatwave, with Rajasthan’s Phalodi recording the highest temperature in India since June 1, 2019, hitting a scorching 50 degrees Celsius on Saturday.

Earlier in May, the heatwave broke temperature records across the country, with even hilly regions such as Assam, Himachal Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh recording their highest-ever temperatures.

The scorching heatwave is also putting immense strain on power grids, raising India’s power demand to 239.96 gigawatts, the highest this season, as households and businesses crank up air conditioners and coolers.

Source: https://www.cnbctv18.com/india/delhi-temperature-today-at-49-9-degrees-celsius-indias-capital-records-all-time-high-maximum-temperature-19419269.htm

The man who was convicted of assaulting then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband in 2022 was re-sentenced to 30 years in prison on Tuesday, with no change in the original sentence after the case was reopened so he could speak during his sentencing hearing, local news reported.
David DePape was originally sentenced to 30 years in prison on May 17 for forcibly entering Pelosi’s home in San Francisco early on Oct. 28, 2022 and clubbing her husband Paul in the head with a hammer in a politically motivated attack.

India has offered $1 million in immediate relief assistance to support recovery efforts after over 2,000 people were buried alive in a landslide in Papua New Guinea.

India has announced immediate relief assistance worth $1 million to Papua New Guinea in the wake of a devastating landslide on the Pacific island nation, as per a release from the Ministry of External Affairs on May 28.

This comes after a massive landslide occurred on May 24 in Enga Province, Papua New Guinea, which buried hundreds of people and caused major destruction and loss of life.

“​As a close friend and partner under the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) and as a gesture of solidarity with the friendly people of Papua New Guinea, the Government of India extends an immediate relief assistance of $1 million to support relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts,” the statement read.

“India has firmly stood by Papua New Guinea during times of difficulty and devastation caused by natural disasters, as in the wake of the earthquake in 2018 and volcanic eruptions in 2019 and 2023. India is committed to Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) and continues to be a responsible and steadfast responder,” it added.

Modi Promises Help

The statement also recalled India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans’ Initiative (IPOI), announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2019, for its Disaster Risk Reduction and Management.

In a post on the social media site X (formerly known as Twitter), Modi expressed deep condolences and conveyed India’s readiness to extend all possible support and assistance to the Pacific island country in its time of difficulty.

​The aircraft has been moved to an isolation bay for investigation, with aviation security and a bomb disposal team currently on site.

An aviation security official at the scene reported that the IndiGo crew found a note with the word “bomb” written on it in the aircraft’s lavatory before takeoff.

Visuals from the scene show a chaotic evacuation, with some passengers using evacuation slides and others jumping out of the aircraft windows. Panic ensued when the IndiGo crew alerted passengers to the emergency and instructed them to “evacuate.”

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/delhi/indigo-delhi-to-varanasi-flight-receives-bomb-threat-flyers-evacuated-video-article-110480160

The Delhi Police arrested Kumar on May 18; Maliwal has alleged that he kicked her in chest, stomach and pelvic area.

A Delhi court on Monday denied bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s aide Bibhav Kumar in the Swati Maliwal assault case.

Additional Sessions Judge Sushil Anuj Tyagi of the Tis Hazari Courts passed the order.

Kumar was arrested by the Delhi Police on May 18. He was then remanded to police custody for five days. On May 24, he was sent to judicial custody.

Maliwal is the Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). She has alleged that she was assaulted by Kumar at Kejriwal’s residence.

As per the FIR, Kumar hit Maliwal in her chest, stomach and the pelvic area with legs.

AAP has countered allegations.

Some videos have also surfaced on social media showing Maliwal having an argument with the security personnel and walking out of the Chief Minister’s residence.

Kumar’s counsel told the Court today that she came to CM’s residence with without invitation and trespassed into the property.

“Who called her? Was she invited? She barged in and tresspassed in CM’s residence,” the Court was told.

The counsel questioned why Maliwal did not file a police complaint the same day and why she was not examined at any Delhi government hospital but AIIMS.

“Everything was pre-planned to suit the story.”

Meanwhile, Delhi Police told the Court that Maliwal was hit on her chest and neck and was dragged during which she hit her head on the table.

Source: https://www.barandbench.com/news/swati-maliwal-case-delhi-court-denies-bail-arvind-kejriwal-aide-bibhav-kumar

Moti Mahal said that Daryaganj is falsely claiming that it is inventor of Butter Chicken and Dal Makhani.

Earlier, a court on Monday remanded the two doctors and an employee of the Sassoon General Hospital arrested in connection with the Porsche crash in police custody till May 30

Dr Ajay Taware of Pune’s Sassoon Hospital, who has been arrested along with Dr Shrihari Haalnor for allegedly changing the blood samples of the minor boy accused in the Pune Porsche crash case has issued a warning and said that he will expose everyone and “not sit quietly”.

Earlier, a court on Monday remanded the two doctors and an employee of the Sassoon General Hospital arrested in connection with the Porsche crash in police custody till May 30.

The police also presented the three persons in the court of Judicial Magistrate First Class (Small Causes) A A Pande and sought their custody for 10 days.

Earlier on Monday (May 27), the police arrested Dr Ajay Taware and Dr Shrihari Halnor for allegedly manipulating the blood samples and destruction of evidence in the case, an official had said. The third arrested person was identified as Atul Ghatkamble.

The police reportedly also told the court that it suspects some financial transactions had taken place to change the blood samples. Police said it needed to search the houses of the accused in connection with the case. The court then remanded the three persons in police custody till May 30.

Pune Porsche Accident Case

Two IT professionals were killed after their motorcycle was hit by a speeding Porsche car allegedly driven by a 17-year-old minor, son of real estate businessman Vishal Agarwal, in the early hours of May 19. The police has maintained that the teenager was drunk at the time of driving.

Bobby Kataria was arrested by Gurugram Police for allegedly duping people on the pretext of sending them abroad. Kataria had allegedly held over 150 Indian youths captive, seizing their passports.

Gurugram Police on Monday arrested social media influencer Bobby Kataria for allegedly running an international human trafficking network, officials told India Today TV. Kataria was arrested following a joint raid conducted by Gurugram Police and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) at his residence in Gurugram’s Sector-109.

During the raids, officials recovered several suspicious documents and a huge stash of cash, officials said.

Kataria was arrested following an FIR filed against him by the Gurugram Police which alleged that he and other human traffickers had held over 150 Indians captive, seizing their passports and other documents, and forced them into cyber fraud operations for a Chinese company.

The FIR also stated that the victims were also subjected to severe mistreatment.

Arun Kumar from Gopalganj, Uttar Pradesh, and Manish Tomar from Dhaulapur, Hapur, filed a complaint with Gurugram Police, alleging that Bobby Kataria advertised overseas job opportunities on his Instagram page.

Influenced by the advertisement, they contacted Kataria’s team and were called to his office in Sector 109, Gurugram, where they were charged a registration fee of Rs 2,000 and promised jobs in the UAE. In pursuit of their dreams, they ended up paying Rs 3.5 lakh in three installments into Kataria’s accounts.

The victims reported that they were sent to Vientiane (Laos) on tickets provided by Kataria. Upon arrival, they were met by an associate of Kataria who identified himself as Pakistani and took them to a hotel in Vientiane.

The next day, they met another individual named Abhi, who gave them train tickets to Navatuai. On reaching Navatuai, they encountered Ankit Shaukeen and Nitish Sharma, who took them to a Chinese company where their passports were confiscated, and they were held captive and assaulted.

The complainants said they were forced into illegal American cyber fraud activities. Desperate and distressed, they eventually escaped and reached the Indian embassy, where they exposed Bobby Kataria and his network.

The police and the NIA are probing the case further to nab other accused involved in the human trafficking syndicate.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/bobby-kataria-arrested-gurugram-youtuber-human-trafficking-network-for-chinese-company-2544537-2024-05-27

A 17-year-old boy was seen driving a BMW on a busy road in Mumbai with a man lying on its bonnet. Two people, including teenager’s father, have been arrested.

A man was arrested in Mumbai after a video went viral on social media which showed him lying on the bonnet of a BMW which was being driven by a 17-year-old boy, police said on Monday. The boy’s father has also been arrested.

In the viral video, the man, identified as Subham Matalia, can be seen lying on a BMW bonnet as the teenager drives the car on the busy roads of Shivaji Chowk area in Mumbai’s Kalyan.

Pedestrians and other vehicle drivers, who shot the video, were astonished upon seeing the stunt as Matalia sat on the bonnet with his legs spread out, enjoying the ride.

The BMW is registered in the name of the teenager’s father. Both Matalia (21) and the father of the teenager driving the car have been arrested by Kalyan Police.

Further investigation into the matter is underway.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/cities/mumbai/story/mumbai-teenager-driving-bmw-man-sitting-on-bonnet-kalyan-area-police-arrest-2544399-2024-05-27

Pune Porsche accident: Two doctors of Sassoon General Hospital were also arrested by Pune Police for allegedly manipulating blood samples of the teen driver.

Pune Porsche accident case updates: In a new development in the Pune Porsche car accident case, police have arrested a peon of Sassoon General Hospital who allegedly collected a bribe of ₹3 lakh meant for two senior doctors who replaced the juvenile driver’s blood samples with another person’s samples that showed no traces of alcohol. On Monday, the Pune Police’s Crime Branch recovered the ₹3 lakh cash, News18 reported.

Earlier on Monday, the two doctors, identified as Dr Ajay Taware, head of Sassoon General Hospital’s forensic medicine department, and Dr Shrihari Halnor, the chief medical officer, were arrested by the Pune Police for allegedly manipulating the blood samples of the accused teen driver. The hospital peon, Atul Ghatkamble, who works under Dr Ajay Taware, was later arrested. They were remanded in police custody until May 30.

Two young IT professionals were killed after their motorcycle was hit by a speeding Porsche allegedly driven by the minor boy in the early hours of May 19 in Kalyani Nagar area of Pune city. The police claim the 17-year-old was drunk at the time of the accident.

Pune Porsche crash: What we know so far

1. The Pune Police suspects financial transactions in the form of ‘kickbacks’ had taken place in the alleged replacement of the original blood sample of the juvenile driver involved in the Porsche car crash with another person’s sample by two doctors of state-run Sassoon Hospital arrested on Monday.
2. Pune Police commissioner Amitesh Kumar, at a press conference on Monday, said the juvenile driver’s blood samples were thrown into a dustbin and replaced with another person’s samples.
3. Dr Ajay Taware, Dr Shrihari Halnor and Atul Ghatkamble were remanded in police custody till May 30 by the court of judicial magistrate first class (small causes) AA Pande though the prosecution sought their custody for 10 days.
4. The prosecution said the juvenile’s father, Vishal Agarwal, a realtor, had called one of the doctors and asked him to change the blood samples. It added that police wanted to investigate who else had given the instructions to manipulate the samples.
5. The Pune Police have added sections 201, 120-B, 467, 213 and 214 of the Indian Penal Code to the original offence registered against the juvenile in the Porsche crash case.
6. In separate developments, a court allowed the police to take custody of Vishal Agarwal from the Yerwada Central Jail in connection with the case of kidnapping and wrongful confinement of his driver. A team of representatives from Porsche reached the Yerwada police station on Monday to conduct a technical inspection of the luxury car involved in the crash.
7. “The investigation also revealed that it was the juvenile’s father who had called Dr Ajay Taware and offered him allurements to replace the blood samples,” Amitesh Kumar said. Another police official from the crime branch told news agency PTI that the juvenile’s father made multiple calls to Dr Taware.
8. The Pune Police commissioner said the manipulation of the blood sample came to light after another sample of the juvenile taken for DNA sampling was sent to another hospital. Police are now recovering the footage of CCTV cameras and its DVR in the Sassoon General Hospital to find out who had come to meet the accused doctors.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pune-porsche-crash-accident-rs-3-lakh-given-to-change-teens-blood-sample-hospital-peon-doctors-arrested-101716853891084.html

An Indian woman living in London faced a frustrating ordeal despite gathering over a hundred documents to secure a visa and solely wishing to invest in Europe. Her Schengen visa application was denied, and now she is sharing her experience, a story that will resonate with many other Indians who have struggled to obtain a Schengen visa due to a lack of available interview slots.

A Schengen visa is a short-term visa that allows individuals to travel within the Schengen Area, which comprises 27 European countries that have abolished passport and other types of border control at their mutual borders. The visa permits travel for tourism, business, or family visits for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

Not interested in settling in Europe 

Aashima Arora, a venture capitalist and partner at LocalGlobe who grew up in Delhi, shared pictures of the hundreds of pages of documents she prepared for her visa appointment.

She expressed frustration, hoping authorities would understand that she needs the visa for work, not to settle illegally in Europe.

She posted on X, “Europe, I promise I don’t want to marry your men or leave London to illegally stay in your cities. Also promise to spend > $250 a day. Please just grant me a TOURIST visa!”

Why are Indians not getting a Schengen visa interview?

Last month, the European Union (EU) announced that Indian nationals can now apply for multiple-entry Schengen visas valid for up to 5 years.

However, the wait time for Schengen visas is particularly long for Indian travelers planning to visit popular destinations like France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.

Source : https://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/europe-i-dont-want-to-marry-your-men-indian-woman-spent-lakhs-for-schengen-visa-shares-her-ordeal-635101.html

Karnataka sex crimes case: Prajwal Revanna is the Janata Dal Secular MP from Karnataka’s Hassan Lok Sabha seat, which he has been nominated to defend in the 2024 general election.

Karnataka lawmaker Prajwal Revanna – who fled to Germany last month, shortly after horrific sex crimes allegations by women who said he forced them into sexual acts – released a statement Monday, claiming comments and “political drama” by opposition leaders, including Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, “drove me to depression and I was pushed into isolation”.

“I apologise to my parents… I was in depression. I will come (back to India) and appear before the SIT (a special investigative team set up by the state government) on May 31 (Friday),” Revanna said.

“I will cooperate to the best of my abilities and provide all answers. I have full faith in the legal system (and) I will come out of these false cases against me. I have the blessings of God and my family…”

On May 1, four days after he fled the country, Revanna posted a message on X. He said, “I am not in Bengaluru… I have communicated (to the police) through my lawyer. The truth will prevail soon.”

Revanna is a Janata Dal (Secular) leader and the grandson of party patriarch and ex-Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, and nephew of senior leader and ex-Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy.

He is also the sitting MP from Karnataka’s Hassan Lok Sabha seat, which he has been nominated to defend in the 2024 general election. The JDS is allied with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP.

Revanna’s message – his first public comment on charges against him – comes after a warning from Deve Gowda, who told his grandson to return home and surrender “or face your family’s anger”.

Deve Gowda said he had warned Revanna to “not test my patience” and that it took him time to recover from the “shock and pain”. The former Prime Minister – targeted by the ruling Congress, former allies turned political rivals, over claims it was he sent Revanna abroad – stressed he had called for “the harshest punishment under the law” for his grandson “if (he is) found guilty…”

The ex-Chief Minister last week also appealed to his nephew. “I have openly appealed to him… told him, ‘if you have respect for the party and Deve Gowda, come back…’ Cooperate with the probe. If you have not done anything prove it. If you have, then face the punishment,” Revanna was told.

Revanna’s return home may be complicated by the fact the Ministry of External Affairs is set to cancel his diplomatic passport. A request to this effect has been made by the state government.

The centre is in the process of cancelling the travel document, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said. Mr Jaishankar also took the chance for a jibe against Karnataka’s ruling Congress, declaring the request to cancel the passport was made only on May 21, several days after the scandal broke.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/prajwal-revanna-accused-in-sex-crimes-case-says-he-apologises-to-parents-will-appear-before-probe-team-on-friday-5756381

Regulatory failures and negligence highlighted in newborn care facilities. Police investigation ongoing in tragic incident.

The owner of the neonatal hospital in Vivek Vihar, where six newborns died in a fire, ran a string of facilities in Delhi and was pulled up several times by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) over glaring regulatory lapses, showed official documents, as investigations revealed a pattern of violations that culminated in Saturday night’s tragedy.

The health regulator in 2018 moved court against Naveen Khichi for illegally operating a paediatric hospital in Vivek Vihar Block B, metres away from the facility in Block C that erupted in flames on Saturday, showed DGHS documents.

Then, in 2019, DGHS found that he had continued to operate a hospital he owned in Paschim Puri, despite the agency scrapping its licence over rule violations. But that facility stayed open for years, flying in the face of the censure, before it was issued a licence in 2022. It then hurriedly shut its doors on Sunday night as outrage against Khichi swelled.

Meanwhile, Delhi Police interrogated Khichi (42) and Akash Singh (26), the ayurveda doctor who was inexplicably on duty at Baby Care New Born Hospital when the fire broke out, after a local court remanded the two in three days’ police custody.

Monday’s findings add to a litany of regulatory malpractices by Khichi that also underline a series of failures by the state administration. Experts said they also pointed to severe negligence in the establishment and operation of facilities for newborns, especially low-cost ones, which do brisk business due to the steep expenses associated with higher-end hospitals.

Police underscored that the hospital gutted on Saturday did not have a licence, was packed beyond its authorised capacity, stored more oxygen cylinders than it was allowed, its doctors were not qualified for neonatal care, and the building had neither emergency exits nor fire extinguishers.

Delhi health minister Saurabh Bharadwaj acknowledged the violations and said the state government has issued instructions to chief medical officers across the city to inspect hospitals in their jurisdiction and prevent a rerun of the Vivek Vihar accident.

Officers involved in the investigation said Khichi’s run-ins with regulatory trouble go back several years.

“He ran five hospitals at one point — in Vivek Vihar B and C blocks, Paschim Puri, Faridabad and Gurugram,” said a Delhi Police officer. “The facility in Vivek Vihar B Block was shut after legal trouble, and the ones in Faridabad and Gurugram were closed after they failed to recoup costs.”

HT on Monday accessed a report that showed his hospitals in Vivek Vihar B Block and Paschim Puri were embroiled in litigation.

In 2018, the DGHS’s nursing home cell conducted an inspection at the former and found it had not been issued a registration by the Delhi health department.

Khichi was then booked under the Delhi Nursing Home Registration Act. DGHS also moved the Karkardooma court against him for endangering lives, showed the documents.

“Khichi’s application for a licence in January 2018 was rejected,” said an officer, adding that the facility was packed beyond capacity and was spread over too small a space.

This facility was eventually shut down.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/owner-of-fire-site-ran-3-hospitals-without-licence-101716835188775.html

The film was a strong contender for the top award, Palme d’Or, at Cannes, which was awarded to Sean Baker’s comedy-drama Anora.

New Delhi: Filmmaker Payal Kapadia scripted history after her film ‘All We Imagine As Light’ won the prestigious Grand Prix at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. The film was a strong contender for the top award, Palme d’Or, at Cannes, which was awarded to Sean Baker’s comedy-drama Anora.
‘PM Congratulates Payal Kapadia’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Ms Kapadia for the feat and said, “India is proud of Payal Kapadia for her historic feat of winning the Grand Prix at the 77th Cannes Film Festival for her work ‘All We Imagine as Light’. An alumnus of FTII, her remarkable talent continues to shine on the global stage, giving a glimpse of the rich creativity in India.”

“This prestigious accolade not only honours her exceptional skills but also inspires a new generation of Indian filmmakers,” he posted on X.

“Many congratulations to FTII alumnus Payal Kapadia for winning the Grand Prix at the 77th Cannes Film Festival for her film All We Imagine as Light. This makes it the first Grand Prix win for the country and a nomination in the Palme d’Or after 30 years,” Union Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said.

“Bharat’s creative economy is indeed shining with 3 films winning awards this year at Cannes,” he added.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi congratulated Ms Kapadia and said, “Indian stars shining bright at the 77th Cannes Film Festival! Congratulations to Payal Kapadia and the entire team of ‘All We Imagine As Light’ for clinching the prestigious Grand Prix award.”

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/india-is-proud-of-you-pm-congratulates-payal-kapadia-for-cannes-win-5749561

The search for the missing MP began when Gopal Biswas, an acquaintance of Anar, lodged a complaint with local police on May 18, stating that Anar, who arrived in Kolkata on May 12 for medical treatment, had gone missing.

Kolkata: A Bangladesh police team, which arrived here on Sunday afternoon, said they will seek cooperation from West Bengal CID and conduct a thorough probe into the murder of MP Anwarul Azim Anar.

The team expressed its desire to interrogate the arrested suspects and visit Baranagar, where Anar resided, along with speaking to the MP’s friend and the landlord of the house where he stayed.

The search for the missing MP began when Gopal Biswas, a resident of Baranagar and an acquaintance of Anar, lodged a complaint with local police on May 18, stating that Anar, who arrived in Kolkata on May 12 for medical treatment, had gone missing.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/west-bengal/bangladesh-police-team-reaches-kolkata-to-probe-mps-murder-with-bengal-cid-3039639

‘Even the expired licence issued to the said hospital allowed for five beds only,’ Deputy Commissioner of Police (Shahdara) Surendra Choudhary said.

New Delhi: The private neonatal hospital where seven newborns died and five were injured in a blaze was operating despite the expiry of its license. It also did not have qualified doctors and had no clearance from the fire department, police said on Sunday.

“During the investigations, we got to know that the doctors are not qualified/competent to treat the newborn children in need of Neo-Natal Incentive care, as they are BAMS degree holders only,” said the DCP.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/delhi/expired-licence-no-noc-from-fire-dept-shocking-irregularities-at-delhi-hospital-where-7-newborns-died-in-blaze-3039499

Police have said the 17-year-old accused, son of a prominent Pune realtor, was heavily drunk at the time of the accident.

Pune: In the latest twist in the Pune Porsche horror, two doctors have been arrested for allegedly manipulating the blood test report of the 17-year-old, whose late night drunk drive left two 24-year-old software engineers dead, sources have said.
Dr Ajay Tawade and Dr Hari Harnor of Sasoon Hospital have been arrested by the Pune Crime Branch, which is investigating the case that has sparked nationwide outrage. Dr Tawade is head of the forensic lab at the state-run hospital in Pune. The phones of both doctors have been seized. Investigation has revealed Dr Tawade and the teen accused’s father spoke over the phone on the day of the accident, according to police sources.

Earlier, reports had claimed that the Pune teen, who is now at an observation home, had tested negative for alcohol. However, CCTV footage from one of the bars he visited that night showed him drinking with friends.

Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar earlier said, “This case is not about an accident in which a mistake happened under the influence of alcohol and people died. Our case is that he had full knowledge that his conduct… he parties in two bars, rashly drives a car without a number plate on a narrow, congested street. He was fully in his senses, and he knew that people may die because of his actions.” The city police chief also said that two samples of the teen accused’s blood were tested at different times after the accident to ensure accurate results.

According to police sources, the first blood sample had no alcohol, but the second did. This raised suspicions and a DNA test was conducted. The DNA test revealed the samples were from different people, meaning that the minor’s blood sample was switched with that of another person to ensure that his report did not mention alcohol.

The teen belongs to a prominent realtor’s family and it is alleged that his father and grandfather tried to influence the legal process to shield him. The teen’s father has been arrested under charges of the Juvenile Justice Act. His grandfather has also been arrested after the family’s driver alleged that he was confined at the family’s home, threatened and asked to take the blame for the accident. The other arrests in the case include staff of the two bars the teen visited that night. The doctors’ arrest and allegations of manipulation of blood samples further strengthens the charge that the family blatantly used money and influence to protect the teen.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/2-doctors-arrested-for-manipulating-blood-test-report-of-pune-teen-who-ran-over-2-techies-with-porsche-say-sources-5753624

The massive fire at the game zone of an amusement park in Gujarat’s Rajkot last week, which claimed 27 lives, seems to have been started by sparks from a welding machine that landed on “piles” of inflammable material stored at the facility. A massive fire ravaged ‘TRP’ — an amusement and theme park — on the evening of May 25, killing 27 persons, including children, when it was bustling with people enjoying a summer vacation outing.

A CCTV footage of the incident has emerged which shows that the fire started while welding work was underway on the gaming zone’s premises.

The video, which could not be independently verified by News18, is reported from the first floor of the facility where some construction work was underway. It shows that during the welding process, some sparks landed on a pile of plastic lying nearby, which caught fire.

Panic-stricken workers soon came into action and tried to douse the blaze but to no avail. Within no time, the fire spread to other inflammable material stored there, leading to one of the biggest man-made tragedies in recent times.

‘FACILITY DIDN’T HAVE FIRE NOC’

The game zone had fire safety equipment but action taken to control the fire was not sufficient, leading to the tragedy on Saturday, a senior police officer said.

It was also found that the facility was operated without fire NOC.

A bench of Justices Biren Vaishnav and Devan M Desai observed that prima facie, a man mad disaster had occurred, where innocent lives were lost.

The Gujarat High Court on a special hearing held on Sunday took suo motu cognisance of the fire incident at a gaming zone in Rajkot.

A bench of Justices Biren Vaishnav and Devan M Desai observed that prima facie, a man mad disaster had occurred, where innocent lives were lost.

“Prima Facie, a man made disaster has occurred where innocent lives of children have been lost and families have grieved today for the loss of lives in their respective families,” the Court said.

On Saturday evening, a fire broke out at a gaming zone in Rajkot, claiming at least 27 lives.

The Court expressed shock at news reports indicating that the gaming zone might have taken advantage of the loopholes in the Gujarat Comprehensive General Development Control Regulations (CGDCR) to pave its way for creating illegal recreational activities.

It took note that as per some Gujarati newspapers, the gaming zone had created temporary tin structures to overcome the technicalities in taking permissions.

Additionally, the Court noted that such gaming zones, apart from the city of Rajkot, have also come up in Ahmedabad and pose significant threat to public safety.

The Court concluded that prima facie, the disaster was man-made.

“Some newspapers also suggest that at the Rajkot Gaming Zone, there was stock of highly inflammable materials such as fuel and tyres, fiber glass shades etc,” it recorded.

Accordingly, the Court directed its registry to register a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) petition. It has sought responses from the Municipal Corporations of Surat, Ahmedabad, Rajkot and Baroda regarding the provisions of law under which these Corporations let these gaming zones, recreational facilities be set up or continued and be put to use.

“As newspaper reports have suggested that these zones have exploited the loopholes in the CGDCR, the State as well as the respective Corporations shall point out to us as in what manner and whether such license, including the license to use and compliance of fire safety regulations were undertaken by these gaming zones that are in the territorial jurisdiction of these Corporations,” the Court ordered.

Source: https://www.barandbench.com/news/man-made-disaster-gujarat-high-court-suo-motu-cognisance-of-rajkot-gaming-zone-fire

A devastating fire at the New Born Baby Care hospital in east Delhi’s Vivek Vihar on Saturday night resulted in the death of at least six children. Out of the 12 children rescued, one remains on a ventilator and five others are hospitalised. The Delhi Fire Services (DFS) responded swiftly, deploying nine fire trucks to extinguish the blaze, according to a report in ANI.

The fire erupted in the three-storey building, which was quickly engulfed in flames. The police reported that the children were rescued from the upper floors. DFS chief Atul Garg while speaking to the media mentioned that they received the distress call around midnight, stating, “The call was about a fire at a baby care centre. There are multiple babies inside. The firemen are working there. The fire is being doused and the children are being rescued.”

Locals Rushed To Scene For Rescue

Locals played a crucial role in the rescue efforts, as videos from the scene depicted them climbing grill bars and ladders to reach the upper floors, where they carried newborns to safety. The fire, which also spread to adjacent buildings, was eventually controlled in time to prevent further damage.

Source: https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/delhi-fire-at-least-6-children-dead-12-rescued-after-massive-blaze-engulfs-new-born-baby-care-hospital-in-vivek-vihar-devastating-visuals-surface

Residents in West Bengal, Coastal Bangladesh, and Tripura have been urged to brace for adverse weather conditions starting from May 26.

A deep depression over the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a cyclonic storm, called Remal, which is expected to make landfall between the coasts of West Bengal and Bangladesh with speeds of 110-120 kmph on Sunday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. The Kolkata Airport Authority of India on Saturday announced that it has decided to suspend flight operations from 12 noon on May 26 to 9 am on May 27 due to predicted heavy winds.

The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) met on Friday to review the preparedness for the cyclone in the Bay of Bengal, an official release said.

Cyclone Remal: Top 10 Developments

• Kolkata’s Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport announced on Saturday that it will suspend flight operations for 21 hours from 12 noon on May 26 to 9 am on May 27 due to predicted heavy winds.
• The Met department said, “It is very likely to continue to move nearly northwards and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by May 26 morning over Northwest and adjoining Northeast Bay of Bengal and cross Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal coasts between Sagar Island and Khepupara by May 26 midnight as a Severe Cyclonic Storm with a wind speed of 110-120 gusting to 135 kmph.”
• Tripura issued an advisory for cyclone ‘Remal’, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds and a cyclonic storm that will intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by May 26, with heavy rainfall expected until May 28.
• The IMD has also issued a very heavy rainfall warning for West Bengal, Odisha and the north-eastern states. “The Depression over the east-central Bay of Bengal moved north-northeastwards with a speed of 15 kmph during the past 6 hours, intensified into a Deep Depression and lay centred about 380 km south-southeast of Sagar Islands (West Bengal) and 530 km south-southeast of Canning (West Bengal) at 5:30 am,” IMD said.
• For May 26, the IMD issued an Orange Alert for thunderstorms with lightning and gusty wind speeds reaching 40-50 kmph. Further, heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected at isolated places over the South Tripura, Gomati, Dhalai, Sepahijala, and West Tripura districts. The rest of Tripura has been placed under a Yellow Alert for the same day.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/kolkata/cyclone-remal-kolkata-airport-to-suspend-flight-operations-for-21-hours-tripura-issues-advisory-10-points-article-110425856

Maldivian Minister Mohamed Saeed has said that India has initiated efforts to create a Free Trade Agreement with the island nation, and discussions on the same are ongoing.

India has initiated efforts to create a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Maldives, Maldivian Minister Mohamed Saeed has said. Addressing a press conference in Male, Saeed, who is the Minister of Economic Development and Trade, further stated that deliberations regarding the FTA are currently underway.

“They (India) want there to be a Free Trade Agreement with (the) Maldives, in addition to SAFTA (South Asian Free Trade Agreement),” Mohamed Saeed said, news agency PTI reported.

He said that Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has offered the opportunity for a free trade deal with the island nation to all countries, adding that the government aims to enter into agreements with as many countries as possible to enjoy ease in trade activities.

The reported effort to seek a free trade deal with the Maldives comes amid strained diplomatic ties between the two countries since November last year after several Maldivian ministers mocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Lakshadweep visit. The ordeal, an online skirmish, unfolded amid Muizzu’s pro-China inclinations and orders to Indian troops to leave the Maldives.

The last of the Indian military personnel were replaced by civilians earlier this month.

Meanwhile, the 1981 India-Maldives trade agreement facilitates the export of essential commodities. Records from the Indian High Commission showed, according to news agency PTI, that India-Maldives bilateral trade surpassed $300 million for the first time in 2021 and then further exceeded $500 million the following year.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/maldives-india-free-trade-agreement-mohamed-saeed-diplomatic-ties-president-mohamed-muizzu-2543946-2024-05-26

The law, when introduced for the first time, had sparked a massive buzz as it is the first time that the govt has disclosed that the registration of live-ins would be possible online.

The law, when introduced for the first time, had sparked a massive buzz as it is the first time that the govt has disclosed that the registration of live-ins would be possible online.

The draft, being prepared by a nine-member panel led by former chief secretary Shatrughan Singh, is likely to be completed by end of June. Officials said they’re planning to implement the Act’s provisions by late 2024.

Parents Of Live-In Couples Will Be Informed

He further said that while the government is not against live-in relationship, it would be mandatory to register and parents of those between 18-21 years will be informed.

“We are not against live-in relationships or imposing any restrictions. Registration is mandatory, and for couples aged 18 to 21, their parents will be informed.”

He pointed out that the intent is to “ensure parents are aware of their children’s relationships.”

UCC has strict regulations regarding the registration of live-in relationships. Couples must register their live-in status within one month, facing either a three-month jail term or a fine of up to Rs 10,000 if they fail to comply. If registration doesn’t happen beyond three months, the couple faces a maximum of six months in jail, a fine of Rs 25,000, or both.

What About Kids Born From Live-In Unions?

Crucially, children born from live-in unions will be legally recognised as the legitimate offspring of the couple, entitled to all rights as children born within a marriage.

Other notable provisions include a uniform marriageable age for girls (set at 18 years across all faiths), compulsory registration of marriages and divorces within 60 days, and equal inheritance rights for sons and daughters.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/india/uttarakhand-ucc-live-in-couples-must-register-online-parents-will-be-informed-article-110431650

The two-storey gaming zone of the TRP amusement and theme park in Gujarat’s Rajkot city, where a massive fire killed at least 35 people, did not have proper licences to run the place. Any record of a no-objection certificate (NOC) for fire clearance was also not found, according to official sources.

At least 35 persons, including 12 children, were killed in a massive fire that swept through a game zone teeming with people enjoying a summer vacation outing in Gujarat’s Rajkot city on Saturday evening.

The place was inundated with crowds because of a weekend scheme offering discounted tickets at Rs 99. The intensity of the fire was so fierce that smoke was seen billowing from the shopping mall from a long distance.

As per sources, the facility had only one gate, 6 to 7 feet in height, for entry and exit. It also had a stock of 1500-2000 litres of diesel to run generators and around 1000-1500 litres of petrol for go-karting, making it a fire hazard.

Rajkot mayor Nayna Pedhadiya on Saturday said that the administration will launch an investigation as to how such a big gaming zone was functioning without proper licencing.

It is suspected that the fire might have started due to a short circuit. The state government has, meanwhile, assigned the probe to a Special Investigation Team.

Quoting a fire department official, news agency IANS reported, “The reason for the fire has yet to be ascertained. The attempts to douse the fire are underway. We are facing difficulty in the firefighting operation because the temporary structure has collapsed and also due to the wind velocity.”

As per the report, the death toll has climbed to 35, including 12 children who died in the blaze.

Source: https://www.news18.com/india/rajkot-gaming-zone-fire-death-toll-trp-amusement-theme-park-had-no-fire-noc-other-licences-8904381.html

Prajapati called girl students while posing as a woman college teacher from a collage at Tikari, and asked them to meet for completing documentation so that their scholarship funds could be released, the police official said.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/madhya-pradesh/man-uses-voice-changing-app-to-pose-as-woman-college-teacher-rapes-7-tribal-girls-in-madhya-pradeshs-sidhi-3038685

Officials said that 12 newborns were rescued from the baby care centre in Delhi’s Vivek Vihar area but seven died while getting treatment at the hospital.

At least seven newborns died in a massive fire that broke out at a children’s hospital in Delhi late Saturday, officials said.
The Delhi Fire Services said it received a call about a fire at 11.32 pm at a baby care centre in the Vivek Vihar area in East Delhi, following which as many as 16 fire tenders were rushed to the site.

Officials said that 12 newborns were rescued from the first floor of the building but seven died while getting treatment at the hospital.

Five children are currently being treated at the hospital.

The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained and a case has been filed against the owner of the hospital.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that the fire at the children’s hospital was “heart-rendering”.

“The causes of the incident are being investigated and whoever is responsible for this negligence will not be spared,” he posted on X.

In a separate incident, at least three people died after a fire broke out at a residential building in Delhi’s Krishna Nagar early Sunday.

Delhi Fire Services chief Atul Garg said that they received a call about the fire at 2.35 am and that the fire was brought under control by 7.20 am.

“A total of 13 people were rescued but three were declared dead,” he said.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/6-babies-dead-several-injured-in-massive-fire-at-childrens-hospital-in-delhi-5746964

Rajkot fire: The intensity of the fire was such that smoke was visible from several kilometers away. The bodies were charred beyond recognition, officials said.

Rajkot: The massive fire at a gaming zone in Rajkot which resulted in the death of 28 people, including 9 children, has raised serious questions about the safety standards at the facility. Officials said that the amusement centre was operating without a no-objection certificate (NOC) for fire clearance and also had just one exit.
The gaming zone, called TRP, was packed with visitors due to a weekend discount offer with tickets priced at just ₹ 99. It is suspected that the fire might have started due to a short circuit, but officials said that the exact cause will be known only after a probe.

“The reason for the fire has yet to be ascertained. The attempts to douse the fire are underway. We are facing difficulty in the firefighting operation because the temporary structure has collapsed and also due to the wind velocity,” a fire department official said.

The intensity of the fire was such that smoke was visible from several kilometers away. The bodies were charred beyond recognition, officials said. The DNA samples of the bodies and the victim’s relatives have been collected for identification.

According to sources, the gaming zone did not possess the necessary licences to operate, and there was no record of a no-objection certificate (NOC) for fire clearance from the Rajkot Municipal Corporation. This lack of regulatory compliance has come under sharp scrutiny following the disaster.

Rajkot Mayor Nayna Pedhadiya, who arrived at the scene to oversee the rescue operations, confirmed the absence of a fire NOC.

“We will investigate how such a big game zone was functioning without a fire NOC and we are witnessing the consequences of it. No politics will be allowed over this issue,” Ms Pedhadiya asserted.

The facility also had just one emergency exit and there was panic after the fire broke out.

“People got trapped as a temporary structure at the facility collapsed near the entrance, making it difficult for the people to come out,” Rajkot fire officer Ilesh Kher told reporters.

The owner and manager of the TRP game zone have been detained for questioning.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/rajkot-fire-live-updates-no-fire-license-one-exit-major-safety-violations-at-rajkot-game-zone-5747655

Foreign Minister S Jaishankar expressed his confidence that the voters of Delhi would once again support the Modi government

Foreign Minister S Jaishankar voted in Delhi today for the sixth phase of Lok Sabha elections.
S Jaishankar- who happened to be the first male voter at his designated polling booth – also got a certificate for voting.

“I was the first male voter in this booth,” Mr Jaishankar said holding up his certificate.

The Foreign Minister expressed his confidence that the voters of Delhi would once again support the Modi government

“We want people to come out and cast their votes as this is a decisive moment for the country. I’m confident that the BJP will come back to power in the polls,” he said.

Mr Jaishankar later also posted his photograph with the certificate on X – earlier known as Twitter.

Voting is taking place today in eight seats each in Bihar and Bengal, seven in Delhi, 10 in Haryana, four in Jharkhand, 14 in Uttar Pradesh, and the final seat in Jammu & Kashmir — Anantnag-Rajouri, where poling was moved from the third to the sixth phase.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/lok-sabha-elections-2024-lok-sabha-polls-phase-6-first-male-voter-in-my-booth-s-jaishankar-holds-up-his-certificate-after-casting-vote-5740372

A Bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Sanjay Karol sought the response of the State government to the plea filed by the Uttarakhand High Court Bar Association challenging the move.

The Supreme Court of India on Monday stayed an order passed by the Uttarakhand High Court on May 8 directing the State to find a suitable site for relocation of the High Court out of Nainital where it is currently located [High Court Bar Association vs State of Uttarakhand and ors].

A Bench of Justice PS Narasimha and Justice Sanjay Karol sought the response of the State government to the plea filed by the Uttarakhand High Court Bar Association challenging the move.

Appearing for the State, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta stated that,

“New benches are in Parliament’s domain, but the High Court decision is like a referendum.”

The High Court in its May 8 order had ordered the Chief Secretary of the Government of Uttarakhand to locate the best suitable land for establishment of High Court and for residential accommodation of judges, judicial officers, staff, court rooms, conference hall, chambers for at least 7,000 lawyers, canteen and parking space.

This entire exercise should completed by the Chief Secretary within a month and he should submit his report by June 7, the High Court had ordered.

The High Court had even ordered formation of a committee comprising Registrar General of Uttarakhand High Court, Principal Secretary, Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs of State of Uttarakhand and Principal Secretary, Home of State of Uttarakhand, two Senior Advocates, one member from Uttarakhand State Bar Council nominated by its chairman and another from Bar Council of India nominated by its chairman.

This committee too was asked to go through various opinions on suitable land and submit its report by June 7.

The High Court had even created a portal to facilitate online public voting on the issue.

The High Court Bar Association then moved the Supreme Court against this order.

Senior Advocate PB Suresh, appearing for the Uttarakhand High Court Bar Association, submitted that the High Court could not have directed voting on a presidential order which had established the principal bench of the Uttarakhand High Court at Nainital. It was only the parliament or the Central government which could decide on the establishment of a principal bench and not the High Court, he said.

The Court after hearing the parties decided to stay the order.

Senior Advocate PB Suresh and advocates Vipin Nair, Vinod Khanna, Karthik Jayshankar, Ayush Negi, Kartikeya Hari Gupta, Dinesh Rawat and BD Pande appeared for the Uttarakhand High Court Bar Association.

Source : https://www.barandbench.com/news/supreme-court-stays-uttarakhand-high-court-order-shifting-hc-out-nainital

Saxena had sued Patkar for making allegedly derogatory statements against him in connection with the Narmada Bachao Andolan.

A Delhi court on Friday convicted activist Medha Patkar in a defamation case filed by Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena against her in 2001 [VK Saxena v Medha Patkar].

Source : https://www.barandbench.com/news/delhi-court-convicts-medha-patkar-20-year-old-defamation-case-delhi-lg-vk-saxena

The boy, a friend of the victim’s brother, allegedly stole Rs 2,000 from her purse on May 13 to pay for a friend’s broken spectacles.

Bengaluru: In a sensational twist in the recent murder of a 20-year-old college girl in Bengaluru, the police have announced the arrest of a 14-year-old boy.

The boy, a friend of the victim’s brother, allegedly stole Rs 2,000 from her purse on May 13 to pay for a friend’s broken spectacles.

BBA student R Prabuddha, the victim, discovered the theft and confronted him at her house in Brindavan Layout, Padmanabhanagar, on May 15, the police said. She demanded that he return the money or she would tell his parents.

The boy fell at her feet and pleaded for mercy. According to the police, things took a dramatic turn when Prabuddha accidentally tripped and fell, suffering a grievous head injury and losing consciousness, leaving a trail of blood in the living room.

Fearing she might regain consciousness and expose him, the boy dragged her into the bathroom, grabbed a knife from the kitchen, and slashed her wrist and neck, the police added. Prabuddha died soon after.

The boy then washed the knife and cleaned the blood in the living room, but left the blood in the bathroom largely untouched.

He sneaked out of the back door, climbed onto the compound of an adjacent building and reached the terrace.

He then jumped across several more terraces to avoid being caught on CCTV cameras and reached his home a few blocks away.

Initially, the police treated the incident as a suicide because there was no sign of forced entry and CCTV cameras did not show anyone entering the house through the main door. They also found three handwritten apology notes. A breakthrough came when CCTV footage showed the boy running down the stairs of a building near his house. Suspecting something amiss, police questioned him and discovered the truth.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru/quizzed-over-missing-rs-2k-minor-panicked-killed-bba-student-3037994

In 2024, Ishat Jain launched SUNROOOF, an innovative interior startup based in Delhi. The startup transforms every ceiling into the sky using technology, innovation, and design.

While every parent strives hard to ensure that their children excel in school academics, Ishat Jain dropped out of formal education after 8th grade. It was because his parents had a different plan than formal education.

They wanted to expose Ishat to various books beyond academics and introduce him to extraordinary personalities in the entrepreneurship ecosystem. For Ishat’s parents, this was a better way of raising their kids.

“None of us in my family, particularly my father, believed in the modern education provided by schools these days. As a result, I didn’t receive formal schooling beyond the eighth grade,” the Delhi-based young entrepreneur explained in an interview with Startup Pedia.

Ishat’s parents run a luxury modular kitchen interior business based in Delhi called Magppie. Celebrities like Ranbir Kapoor, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Sunil Bharti Mittal and others are on the list of Magppie clientele.

Even Ishat’s elder sister decided to leave formal education during her 11th grade to pursue her passion for health. She is now India’s leading health educator, with over eight million subscribers on YouTube and a substantial following on Instagram. Her platform, the Satvic Movement, focuses on natural methods for healing without relying on medication.

Ishat Jain was homeschooled and gained knowledge through research, reading up on entrepreneurship, and meeting industry leaders. His primary education was in marketing and brand positioning.

The Birth Of SUNROOOF

While researching, Ishat stumbled upon a crisis the world was facing due to the lack of exposure to sunlight. A study examining daytime sunlight exposure and mood in UK adults found that an additional hour spent outdoors during the day was associated with a lower lifetime risk of depression.

He realized that the issue demanded solutions, and coming from a family with a background in design and innovation, Ishat thought of coming up with a disruptive lightning product idea where people could be exposed to sunlight while being indoors.

Ishat further added, “I figured that sunlight is not accessible to everybody in the world because of two reasons – the location of the country we belong to and lifestyles that do not allow us to interact with sunlight. I wanted to start by providing solutions in Scandinavian countries.”

He spent another three years on research and came up with the idea of SUNROOOF, the world’s first lighting technological system that brings the psychological benefits of sunlight to places with no access to natural sunlight.

Even though Ishat Jain’s plan to kickstart with Scandinavian countries did not come through because of compliance issues, in 2021, his father exhibited his luxury modular kitchen business in India Design (ID), one of the largest exhibitions for architecture and design.

Source : https://startuppedia.in/sunrooof-an-innovative-delhi-based-interior-startup-story/?utm_campaign=fullarticle&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=inshorts