India

Rahul Gandhi Raises Alarm Over 727 Voter Deletions in Delhi Rolls

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has raised concerns over the alleged exclusion of 727 voters from Delhi's electoral rolls, posting his objections on social media platform X. He directed criticism at Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, warning that the broader system enabling such actions would also be held accountable. Gandhi's remarks suggest he views the deletions as part of a systemic issue rather than an isolated incident. The Election Commission of India has responded to the allegations, though its detailed explanation remains under scrutiny. The controversy adds to ongoing tensions between opposition parties and the poll body over electoral roll integrity.

SEBI Clears Adani Group Companies of Minimum Public Shareholding Violations

India's markets regulator SEBI has cleared several Adani Group companies of charges related to minimum public shareholding violations. The clearance applies to Adani Enterprises Ltd, Adani Power Ltd, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd, and Adani Transmission Ltd, now rebranded as Adani Energy Solutions Ltd. The directors of these companies have also been absolved in the ruling. The decision marks a significant regulatory relief for the conglomerate, which had faced scrutiny over its shareholding structure.

Fire at Russian Fireworks Factory in Yaroslavl Kills 14

A fire at a fireworks factory in Russia's Yaroslavl region has killed 14 people and left one person injured. Russia's emergency ministry confirmed the death toll, which was reported by the state-run TASS news agency. The incident occurred at a facility involved in fireworks manufacturing, making it particularly dangerous due to the flammable materials on site. Authorities have not yet publicly disclosed the cause of the blaze or whether any investigation has been launched.

14 killed as fire tears through Russian fireworks factory

How a Former Maine Governor Built a 209,000-Acre Wilderness Park Over 30 Years

Percival P. Baxter, a former governor of Maine, spent more than three decades personally acquiring and donating land to create Baxter State Park. Beginning with a 6,000-acre purchase in 1930, his efforts eventually grew the park to over 201,000 acres by 1962. His core mission was to preserve the land's natural character, keeping out industrial development while supporting sustainable forestry. Baxter passed away in 1969, but his legacy has continued to grow through subsequent land trades and acquisitions. Today, Baxter State Park spans over 209,000 acres, making it one of the largest state parks in North America.

Trump Denies Making Arms Sale Offer to China's Xi Jinping

US President Donald Trump on Monday publicly denied offering to sell American weapons to Chinese President Xi Jinping. The denial came after the US ambassador to Beijing stated that Trump had made such an offer to his Chinese counterpart. The conflicting accounts have drawn attention to a potential diplomatic inconsistency at the highest levels of US-China relations. No further clarification has been issued by the White House regarding the ambassador's original statement.

Calcutta HC Questions Election Commission Over Symbol Allocation to Trinamool

The Calcutta High Court has come under scrutiny of the Election Commission's process of allocating poll symbols amid a political dispute in West Bengal. Justice Krishna Rao raised concerns about possible coordination between the Commission and the Democratic Trinamool Congress over a symbol assignment. The Indian Secular Front filed a legal challenge contesting the Commission's decision to allocate the 'envelope' symbol. ISF's legal counsel argued that the allocation was both unreasonable and unlawful. The court has reserved its verdict in the matter.

Historic 1914 Massachusetts Gilded Age Mansion Lists for $3.5 Million

A century-old estate called The Crossways in Hopedale, Massachusetts, has been listed on the real estate market for $3.5 million. Built in 1914, the property is historically tied to the town's prominent Draper family. The mansion retains much of its original Gilded Age craftsmanship while also featuring modern upgrades such as central air conditioning and hydro-air heating. Set on 2.36 acres, the grounds include Italian gardens and an outdoor pool. The property is considered a reflection of Hopedale's broader industrial heritage.

Wish Town Buyers Demand Probe as Possession Delayed Despite OCs Being Issued

Homebuyers in Wish Town have raised concerns over delayed possession of their flats even though occupancy certificates have already been issued. The residents allege that basic amenities remain incomplete, making the units unfit for habitation despite official clearances. Buyers are now seeking an investigation into the implementation of the resolution plan that was approved by the National Company Law Tribunal. The discrepancy between official certification and on-ground conditions has fueled frustration among hundreds of waiting homeowners.

Mississippi Wildlife Center Rehabilitates 76 Orphaned Raccoons for Wild Release

A wildlife center in Pass Christian, Mississippi, is dedicated to preparing orphaned raccoon kits for life in the wild. Staff use hands-on training methods to teach the young animals critical survival skills, including foraging, swimming, and avoiding predators. The rehabilitation process spans approximately six months before the raccoons are deemed ready for release. Once trained, the animals are returned to natural forest habitats, greatly improving their odds of surviving independently.

BJP Denies Threatening Congress Candidates' Families Before Gandhinagar Civic Polls

The Bharatiya Janata Party has rejected Congress allegations that it is intimidating the opposition party's candidates' families ahead of Gandhinagar civic body elections. Congress had moved its candidates to an undisclosed location, citing concerns over threats from the ruling party. The BJP called these claims baseless and denied any involvement in such activities. The dispute highlights rising political tensions in Gandhinagar ahead of the upcoming civic polls.

FBI puts gangster Goldy Brar on Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list

Maharashtra FDA Suspends 30 Food Licenses, Seizes Stock Worth Rs 1 Crore

Maharashtra's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suspended 30 licenses and registration certificates across multiple divisions in the state. The action targeted 13 establishments in Mumbai, six in the Konkan division, eight in the Pune division, and three in the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division. Along with the license suspensions, authorities also seized food stock valued at approximately one crore rupees. The FDA announced these enforcement actions in an official statement released on Monday. The crackdown reflects ongoing regulatory efforts to ensure food safety standards are upheld across Maharashtra.

SpaceX Starship Achieves Orbit on 14th Test Flight Despite Engine Shutdown

SpaceX's Starship rocket reached orbit for the first time on Monday, lifting off from Starbase in Texas during its 14th test flight. An early engine shutdown briefly threatened the mission, but engineers gave the go-ahead for the orbital burn within minutes. The vehicle successfully deployed 26 Starlink V3 satellites into orbit during the flight. SpaceX cut the originally planned 10-hour mission short to approximately three hours. The milestone keeps Starship on schedule to support NASA's upcoming Artemis lunar missions.

India's Defence Summit: Key Insights on 6th-Gen Fighters, AI, and Military Gaps

India's Defence Minister and senior military commanders gathered at the NDTV Defence Summit to discuss the country's evolving military capabilities. The summit highlighted technologies expected to shape future warfare, including sixth-generation fighter jets and artificial intelligence. Leaders addressed critical capability gaps that India needs to fill in the near term. The discussions provided a broad overview of the strategic and technological priorities guiding India's defence planning.

Iran FM Meets Qatari Mediators in New York Amid US Talks Uncertainty

Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi is scheduled to meet Qatari mediators in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. The meeting comes amid mixed signals over the prospect of further Iran-US negotiations. Earlier, Iran's state news agency IRNA reported that the Iranian delegation in New York had no plans for additional direct talks with the United States. This contradicted statements by former President Trump, who had expressed expectations of more negotiations soon. Qatar has been playing a key mediating role between Tehran and Washington.

Delhi Fruit Vendor, 51, Found Dead in Suspected Suicide

A 51-year-old fruit vendor was found hanging in Delhi, according to police. Authorities launched an inquiry following the discovery of the body. Investigators found that the man had reportedly been suffering from depression prior to his death. Police are examining the circumstances surrounding the incident as part of their ongoing inquiry.

Delhi Minister Parvesh Verma, AAP MLA Jarnail Singh Face Complaints After Slapping Incident

A complaint has been filed against Delhi Minister Parvesh Verma, while a police case has been registered against AAP MLA Jarnail Singh following a physical altercation between the two. The incident occurred on Sunday during an on-site inspection of road repair work on the Outer Ring Road stretch between Janakpuri District Centre Chowk and the Najafgarh Drain. A video purportedly showing Verma slapping Singh spread rapidly across social media platforms. The confrontation has triggered separate legal actions against both politicians involved.

Fake Liquor Racket Busted in Prohibition-Bound Gujarat

Police in Gujarat have dismantled a sophisticated black market liquor racket operating in the state, which enforces a complete prohibition on alcohol. The gang allegedly sold cheap, low-quality spirits repackaged in premium brand bottles to deceive consumers. Authorities described the operation as well-organized, suggesting it had been running for a significant period. The bust highlights the persistent challenges Gujarat faces in enforcing its decades-old prohibition laws.

UNFPA report: Low wages, poverty, debt drive migrant workers to seek better lives