India

Kathiwada Raaj Mahal Blends 600 Years of Royal Heritage With Sustainable Tourism

The 131-year-old Kathiwada Raaj Mahal, nestled in the Vindhya hills, preserves six centuries of history while adapting to modern times. Ranasaheb Digvijaysinh Kathiwada leads efforts to maintain the estate's historical significance and contemporary relevance. A hunting lodge dating to 1895 has been restored to combine modern comforts with its original architectural elegance. Beyond tourism, the royal estate actively supports education, healthcare, and rural development in the surrounding region. The property is committed to sustainable tourism practices and improving infrastructure across the area.

Jannat Zubair dismisses romance rumours with Elvish Yadav, urges fans to draw a line

Actor and content creator Jannat Zubair has publicly addressed speculation about a romantic relationship with YouTuber Elvish Yadav. She acknowledged fan-made edits and tribute pages but stressed the importance of separating professional interactions from personal life. Zubair described the link-up rumours as going 'a little too much,' signalling her discomfort with the speculation. With Yadav preparing for his Bollywood debut, she expressed a preference for their on-screen chemistry to remain strictly professional.

Iran war depletes US missile stocks, raises concerns over readiness for China

Delhi SIR dates extended: BLO visits till August 17, final rolls on October 27

SEBI Introduces Closing Auction Session, Shifting Market Close to 3:15 PM

India's market regulator SEBI has introduced a new Closing Auction Session for eligible stocks listed on Indian exchanges. Under the revised framework, continuous trading will now stop at 3:15 PM instead of the earlier 3:30 PM cutoff. This change affects how the final closing prices of several stocks are calculated. The new session alters the methodology used to determine end-of-day prices, which could influence benchmark indices like Nifty and Sensex differently depending on their constituent stocks.

US Army built 1,500-mile Alaska Highway in just eight months

IMD Issues Red Alert for Meghalaya, Arunachal; Heavy Rain Expected in Assam

The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh amid forecasts of intense rainfall. Heavy rain is also predicted for Assam as part of the same weather system. An active monsoon system over the Northeast is being identified as the primary driver of the severe weather conditions. Residents and authorities in the affected states have been urged to remain on high alert.

When Jeff Bezos helped Amazon rainforest charity after Google Ads dispute

Rahul Gandhi alleges RSS influence in Sainik Schools, panel chief demands proof

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi raised concerns about alleged growing RSS involvement in Sainik Schools during a parliamentary committee meeting. He cited a media report as the basis for his claims. The committee chairperson asked Gandhi to submit supporting documents to substantiate his allegations. BJP members present at the meeting also challenged the factual basis of his statements. Gandhi has a history of accusing the RSS of exerting undue influence over public institutions.

Supreme Court Orders Bar Councils to Co-Opt Women Members to End Male Dominance

The Supreme Court of India has criticized Bar Councils for functioning like exclusive male clubs, highlighting a stark lack of female representation. The court directed that women members be co-opted into these bodies to address the gender imbalance. The two women to be co-opted must be nominated from among former female High Court judges or senior women members of the Bar. The ruling marks a significant judicial push toward greater gender inclusivity within India's legal governance structures.

Air India Flight Passengers Injured After Severe Turbulence, Taken to Hospital

An Air India flight experienced severe turbulence, leaving several passengers injured and shaken. At least one passenger recalled fearing for their life during the frightening mid-air ordeal. The aircraft landed at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi following the incident. Upon arrival, injured passengers were seen being carried off the plane on stretchers and transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.

As Jharkhand protest enters Day 11, Hemant Soren finally reacts: ‘Govt stands with youth’

Six Arrested After Delhi Man Loses Rs 4.29 Lakh in Crypto Investment Fraud

A Delhi resident was defrauded of Rs 4.29 lakh in an elaborate cryptocurrency investment scam. The fraudsters initially contacted the victim by adding him to a group, where they posed as representatives of a digital marketing company. Using this false identity, they gained his trust and lured him into making fake crypto investments. Police investigated the case and successfully arrested six individuals in connection with the fraud.

Punjab Assembly passes resolution against Centre's E20 ethanol fuel policy

The Punjab Legislative Assembly passed a resolution opposing the central government's E20 fuel policy, which mandates a higher ethanol blend in petrol. Lawmakers raised concerns that the increased ethanol content could cause damage to existing vehicles on the road. The state questioned the rapid pace of the policy rollout and alleged that external pressure, including from the United States, may have influenced the Centre's decision. The Aam Aadmi Party has taken its opposition to the policy beyond Punjab, launching a nationwide campaign against it. The party is demanding that consumers be given a choice between blended and unblended fuel, along with lower prices for the ethanol-blended variant.

Diesel Tanker Hits Electric Pole, Catches Fire in UP; 3 Killed

A diesel tanker caught fire in Uttar Pradesh after colliding with an electric pole, resulting in three fatalities. The incident prompted an immediate emergency response from local authorities. Police, fire brigade personnel, and administrative officials were dispatched to the scene upon receiving news of the accident. The cause of the collision is currently under investigation.

Udhayanidhi Stalin arrested over remarks linked to actor Trisha, granted station bail

DMK leader and Tamil Nadu minister Udhayanidhi Stalin was arrested in connection with alleged controversial remarks linked to actress Trisha. The Madras High Court intervened and ordered his release on station bail following police questioning. The arrest triggered widespread protests by DMK workers across Tamil Nadu. A political war of words erupted between the ruling TVK government and the opposition over the incident. Udhayanidhi denied the allegations, claiming his remarks had been misrepresented and taken out of context.

India May Reintroduce Merchant Fees on UPI Transactions

India is considering reinstating the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions, a fee that merchants pay to banks and payment service providers for processing digital payments. MDR was previously waived on UPI to encourage adoption of digital payments across the country. Credit card transactions in India currently attract an MDR of around 1.5%. The potential reintroduction of MDR on UPI could have significant implications for merchants, payment service providers, and the broader digital payments ecosystem.

20 Heatstroke Deaths Reported Across India Since March, Maharashtra Worst Hit

At least 20 people have died from heatstroke across India since March, according to data released by the central government. Maharashtra recorded the highest number of confirmed fatalities at 11, making it the worst-affected state. Andhra Pradesh followed with four deaths, while Telangana and Odisha each reported two fatalities. Tamil Nadu accounted for one death in the same period. Telangana was noted for logging the most heatstroke cases overall, even as Maharashtra led in confirmed deaths.

Parliament Passes Bill Tightening Birth and Death Registration Rules

The Rajya Sabha has passed the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, following its earlier clearance by the Lok Sabha. The bill proposes amendments to the Registration of Births and Deaths Act of 1969 to strengthen existing registration norms. Under the new provisions, any birth or death registration attempted more than two years after the event will require a court order from a first-class judicial magistrate. The legislation aims to bring greater accountability and legal oversight to delayed registration cases.

Kerala HC Acquits Woman in Newborn Death Case, Cites Gaps in Prosecution

The Kerala High Court has acquitted a woman who was previously convicted of killing her newborn child. A bench comprising Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K V Jayakumar delivered the verdict, overturning the lower court's ruling. The court found that the prosecution had failed to establish the charge of murder beyond a reasonable doubt. The judges noted several missing links in the evidence presented by the prosecution's case.