Two Dead, 32 Injured in Uttar Pradesh Temple Stampede
Two people were killed and 32 injured in a stampede at the Avsaaneshwar temple in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh. The tragedy occurred early Monday when panic erupted after monkeys broke a live electric wire that fell onto a tin shed, causing an electric current to spread through the structure. Devotees had gathered for 'jalabhishek' rituals during the holy month of Shravan. This incident comes just a day after a similar deadly stampede at a temple in Haridwar, raising further concerns about pilgrim safety.
Widespread Fraud Uncovered in Maharashtra's 'Ladki Bahin' Welfare Scheme
A Maharashtra government review has found that over 14,000 men improperly received payments under the 'Mukhya Mantri Majhi Ladki Bahin' scheme, designed to provide ₹1,500 monthly to women. This single discrepancy led to a loss of ₹21.44 crore. In total, the review identified 2.63 million ineligible beneficiaries, whose payments have now been suspended pending verification. The findings expose significant loopholes in the state's direct benefit transfer system and have prompted promises of strict action to recover the misallocated funds.
Arrest of Nuns in Chhattisgarh on Conversion Charges Sparks Protests
The arrest of two Keralite nuns in Chhattisgarh has ignited widespread protests and political condemnation. The nuns were detained on charges of kidnapping, human trafficking, and forced religious conversion. The incident has been heavily criticized by opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin, who described it as systematic persecution of minorities and communal vigilantism. Protests have erupted in Kerala and Delhi, with calls for the central government's immediate intervention and action against the accusers.
Thailand and Cambodia Agree to Ceasefire After Deadly Border Clashes
Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an "unconditional ceasefire" to halt five days of intense border clashes that killed dozens of people and displaced over 260,000. The fighting, which involved artillery and air strikes, was the worst in over a decade. The deal was brokered during a meeting in Malaysia, with pressure from the United States, which warned that trade deals could be at risk if hostilities continued. Military commanders from both nations are set to meet to de-escalate tensions.
Three Die at Jalandhar Hospital; Families Blame Oxygen Supply Failure
Three patients died at the Jalandhar civil hospital on Sunday, with their families alleging that a fault in the oxygen supply system at the trauma centre was to blame. The deceased, who were all on ventilators, included patients being treated for a snake bite, a drug overdose, and tuberculosis. Hospital authorities acknowledged a temporary dip in oxygen pressure but denied it caused the deaths, stating backup cylinders were used immediately. A nine-member committee has been formed to investigate the incident.
Supreme Court Quashes Forgery FIR Against Badminton Star Lakshya Sen
The Supreme Court has quashed an FIR filed against badminton player Lakshya Sen, his family, and his coach over allegations of age fraud. A bench of Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Aravind Kumar stated that the continuation of criminal proceedings was "unwarranted and amounts to abuse of the process of court." The case originated from a private complaint in Karnataka that alleged Sen's birth certificate was forged. The high court had previously allowed an investigation, but the Supreme Court's order now clears the athlete.
Teenager Divya Deshmukh Wins Women's Chess World Cup
In a historic victory for Indian sports, 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh has won the FIDE Women's Chess World Cup 2025. The Nagpur-based teenager defeated veteran compatriot Koneru Humpy in a tense tie-breaker in the final held in Batumi, Georgia. This remarkable achievement not only makes her the first Indian to win the title but also secures her the prestigious Grandmaster (GM) title, making her only the fourth Indian woman to achieve the feat. The win marks a major milestone in her promising career.
Bihar Officials Issue Residence Certificate to 'Dog Babu'
In a bizarre administrative lapse, officials in Bihar issued a residential certificate to a dog. The document, issued through the Masaurhi Sub-Divisional Office's online portal, named the beneficiary as "Dog Babu," with the father listed as "Kutta Babu." The certificate, bearing the digital signature of a revenue officer, has gone viral. An investigation revealed that the application had manipulated a Delhi-based woman's identity documents. An FIR has been filed, exposing serious flaws in the state's automated verification system.
Bihar Announces Formation of State Commission for Sanitation Workers
The Bihar government will establish a State Safai Karmachari Commission to protect the rights and welfare of sanitation workers. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced that the commission will work on social upliftment, grievance redressal, and monitoring welfare schemes for this marginalized community. The body will consist of a chairperson, a vice-chairperson, and five members, including at least one woman or transgender person, aiming to aid their integration into the social and economic mainstream ahead of state elections.
Enforcement Directorate Raids Anil Ambani Group Companies for Third Day
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) continued its searches on companies linked to Reliance Group chairman Anil Ambani for a third consecutive day in Mumbai. The raids, conducted at over 35 premises, are part of a money laundering investigation into an alleged ₹3,000 crore bank loan fraud involving Yes Bank. The probe also covers other financial irregularities, including the diversion of loans to shell companies. Investigators have seized numerous documents and computer peripherals as the probe into the decade-old transactions continues.
India Extends $565 Million Credit Line to Maldives, Resets Ties
India has extended a $565 million (₹4,850 crore) line of credit to the Maldives to bolster a strategic reset in bilateral relations. During a state visit by PM Narendra Modi, the two nations also agreed to negotiate a Free Trade Agreement and advance a bilateral investment treaty. The move signals a significant diplomatic and economic realignment after a period of strained ties under President Mohammed Muizzu's government, aiming to counter growing Chinese influence and reinforce India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy.
Government Bans 25 OTT Platforms for Obscene Content
The Indian government has directed internet service providers to block 25 Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms, including popular services like ALTT and Ullu, for streaming obscene and pornographic content. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting stated the platforms violated several Indian laws. The move follows multiple warnings and concerns raised by child rights bodies and the Supreme Court. In response, Balaji Telefilms clarified that Ekta Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor have had no association with ALTT since June 2021.
Supreme Court to Hear Judge's Plea Against Probe Amid Impeachment Move
The Supreme Court will hear a plea on Monday from Justice Yashwant Varma, who is challenging the findings of an in-house committee that indicted him in a 'cash-discovery' episode. The hearing is significant as 145 MPs have submitted an impeachment notice against him. Justice Varma alleges the internal probe was predetermined and denied him a fair opportunity to defend himself. The case scrutinises the judiciary's internal accountability mechanisms at a time when a sitting judge faces removal proceedings.
India Successfully Tests Indigenous Drone-Launched Missile
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully test-fired a new UAV-Launched Precision-Guided Missile (ULPGM) in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. The missile, launched from an indigenous UAV, can strike various targets day or night and has multiple warhead options for use against tanks and bunkers. This marks a significant step in India's 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiative and enhances its drone warfare capabilities. The government has also allocated ₹723 crore to develop an engine for the 'Ghatak' combat drone.
Delhi Government Challenges Vehicle Age Ban in Supreme Court
The Delhi Government has approached the Supreme Court to challenge the blanket ban on diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years in the National Capital Region. Arguing that a vehicle's fitness should be based on its actual emission levels rather than its age, the government is seeking a recall of the court's 2018 order. The move could have significant policy implications and affect millions of vehicle owners in and around the capital.