India

Hyderabad school fires teacher who assigned Islamic prayer recitation as homework

A private school in Hyderabad has terminated a teacher following controversy over a homework assignment that required students to recite the Kalma, an Islamic prayer. The incident came to light after parents of a Hindu student raised objections to the religiously charged assignment. The school responded by issuing a termination letter and permanently barring the teacher from future employment at the institution. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla claimed credit for the teacher's removal, saying his intervention was instrumental in the decision. The school has not made any public statement beyond the issuance of the termination letter.

India Advises Ship Owners Against Deploying Seafarers Amid Escalating Gulf Tensions

India's maritime regulator, the Directorate General of Maritime Affairs (DGMA), has urged ship owners to avoid deploying Indian seafarers in the Gulf region as hostilities continue to escalate. The advisory was issued via a post on X, citing the need to protect the safety, security, and welfare of Indian crew members. The DGMA highlighted a recent surge in attacks on commercial vessels in the area, naming ships such as Mombasa B, Al Bahyah, GFS Galaxy, MT Wedyan, and Al Rekayyat as among those targeted. These incidents underscore the growing danger posed to merchant shipping and their crews transiting the region.

Hyderabad Parents Allege School Assigned Islamic Prayers as Homework to Child

A family in Hyderabad has raised concerns after their six-year-old child reportedly came home with a homework assignment involving Islamic religious recitations. The homework diary allegedly contained instructions for the child to read the 'Kalma' and 'Fateh', both Islamic prayers. The parents have objected to the assignment, claiming it was inappropriate for their child. The incident has sparked controversy over the alleged inclusion of religious content in a school's homework. The school has not yet issued an official public response to the family's claims.

Ex-RBI Governor Rajan joins US Fed task force for monetary policy review

Former Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram Rajan has been enlisted by the US Federal Reserve to assist in a major policy framework overhaul. Rajan is part of a task force specifically examining balance sheet policy alongside other external experts. Two other Indian economists have also been included in separate panels as part of this broad review initiative. The panels will collectively assess areas including data analysis, productivity, and inflation frameworks. The Federal Reserve aims to use these reviews to strengthen and refine its future monetary policy approach.

Rajasthan Teacher Suspended After False Strip-Search Allegations Over Missing Money

A teacher in Rajasthan has been suspended following complaints from villagers alleging that students were strip-searched after Rs 500 went missing from a classroom. An official investigation found the allegations to be false, determining that only student bags were checked, and by fellow students rather than the teacher. Despite the claims being unsubstantiated, the education department proceeded with the suspension. Authorities indicated the action was taken to protect the department's reputation rather than in response to any proven misconduct.

Russia Asks India for Fuel Supplies Amid Ukraine Refinery Attacks

Russia has reportedly approached India seeking gasoline supplies, marking a notable shift in the two countries' energy trade dynamics. The request comes as Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries have disrupted domestic fuel production. India is currently the largest buyer of Russian seaborne crude oil, making this appeal an unusual reversal of the typical trade flow between the two nations. Ordinarily, Russia is an energy exporter to India, not an importer, highlighting the operational pressure Moscow is facing on its refining infrastructure.

Sonam Wangchuk down 9 kg on Day 19 of fast, says ‘don’t ask me to give up’

NPCIL: Kudankulam Data Leak Affects Only Non-Nuclear Systems, No Security Risk

India's Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) has clarified that a reported data breach at the Kudankulam nuclear plant does not involve any nuclear safety or reactor core systems. The leaked files are said to pertain exclusively to conventional, non-nuclear infrastructure within the facility. The compromised documents were originally prepared by Reliance Infrastructure Ltd. in connection with common plant services. The affected data relates to units that are currently still under construction at the site. NPCIL emphasized that nuclear security remains fully intact and has not been compromised by the breach.

'Could be alarming': Doctor flag new 'risks' as Wangchuk loses over 9kgs, fast enters Day 19

Spain Outclass France to Advance at Euro 2024 Semi-Finals

Spain defeated France in a Euro 2024 semi-final, delivering a dominant and tactically polished performance. France, despite entering the match as strong contenders, struggled to impose their usual quality and appeared increasingly disorganized as the game progressed. Spain, relatively unfazed by pre-match expectations and pressure, executed their game plan with fluid precision. The result eliminated France from the tournament and sent Spain through to the final.

Allahabad HC: Mother Cannot Seek Maintenance From Stepson After Real Son Pays

The Allahabad High Court ruled on Tuesday that a mother cannot claim maintenance from her stepson if she is already receiving it from her biological son. Justice Laxmi Kant Shukla delivered the judgement, stating that financial support from a real son removes the condition of inability to self-maintain. The court held that once a mother is no longer incapable of supporting herself, she loses legal grounds for a subsequent maintenance order. The ruling effectively bars double maintenance claims across biological and step-relations under these circumstances.

Bombay HC Warns of Oxygen Crisis as Mumbai's Green Cover Continues to Shrink

The Bombay High Court has raised serious concern over the rapid decline of green cover in Mumbai. A bench remarked that the city already has very little oxygen, warning that residents may soon need to carry oxygen cylinders for basic breathing. The court described the loss of vegetation as a significant setback for the region. The remarks came as judges highlighted the growing environmental stress facing one of India's most densely populated cities.

India Can Win AI Race Through Enterprise Products, Not Model Building

Shark Tank India investor and People Group founder Anupam Mittal argues that India does not need to compete in developing foundational AI models to benefit from the AI revolution. Instead, he believes India's strength lies in building AI-powered enterprise products and services. The country's IT sector, already a global powerhouse, could grow to one trillion dollars over the next decade by integrating AI into existing revenue streams. Indian startups are actively developing AI-driven solutions targeting large domestic and global markets. This enterprise-focused approach, Mittal suggests, positions India favorably for sustained growth in the AI era.

Indian-origin woman, 24, stabbed to death in UK; family suspects hate crime

A 24-year-old Indian mother was fatally stabbed at her home in the United Kingdom. According to her family, an attacker entered her bedroom and assaulted her with a sharp-edged weapon. The victim, identified as Kaur, died from her injuries following the attack. Her family has alleged the assault was racially motivated and is calling it a hate crime. Authorities have not yet confirmed the hate crime angle as investigations are ongoing.

Supreme Court: Skipping land acquisition hearings bars owners from claiming denial later

The Supreme Court has upheld the land acquisition process for a Jaipur Metro rail depot in Rajasthan. Landowners who failed to appear at scheduled hearings and did not pursue their objections were denied relief by the court. The bench ruled that their absence and inaction precluded them from later claiming they were denied a fair hearing under the Land Acquisition Act of 1894. The court also noted that authorities had largely adhered to the required legal procedures during the acquisition process. However, the landowners retain the right to seek higher compensation for the acquired land.

Mysterious honeycomb pattern on Mars puzzles NASA scientists

NDTV Investigation Finds Nutrition Scheme Failing Children Across Madhya Pradesh

An NDTV ground investigation has revealed serious gaps in Madhya Pradesh's nutrition delivery system despite the state spending Rs 1,200 crore on it. Reporters visited multiple districts including Bhopal, Sagar, Vidisha, and Agar-Malwa to assess the situation on the ground. The investigation found that take-home ration supplies had been disrupted for one to three months at several distribution centres. As a result, children in these areas have been left without the nutritional support the scheme is meant to provide.

Banks shut in Odisha, Uttarakhand and Manipur on July 16 for regional festivals

Bank branches in Odisha, Uttarakhand, and Manipur will remain closed on July 16 due to the Ratha Yatra and Harela festival holidays. The closures are region-specific and do not affect banking operations nationwide. Customers requiring banking services on that day can continue to use online and mobile banking platforms. Additional state-level bank holidays are expected later in July across other parts of the country. Normal branch operations will resume from the next working day following the holiday.

Supreme Court affirms Class I heirs' first right to buy inherited farmland

The Supreme Court has upheld the preferential purchase rights of Class I heirs over inherited agricultural land. The ruling clarifies that Section 22 of the Hindu Succession Act, 1956 is applicable to agricultural property. Under this provision, a Class I heir must be given the first opportunity to buy another co-heir's share before it can be sold to an outside party. The verdict reinforces protections for immediate legal heirs in matters of ancestral farm property transfers.

PM Modi to Inaugurate India's First Hydrogen-Powered Train in Haryana

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to launch India's first hydrogen-powered train from Haryana. The initiative marks a significant step in the country's push toward cleaner and greener rail transportation. With this move, India joins a small group of nations — including Germany, Japan, China, and the United States — that are actively exploring hydrogen as a fuel for railways. The development signals India's growing commitment to sustainable energy solutions in its public transport sector.