India

Money, gold and silver coins pocketed from Badrinath temple donation, 1 arrested

India Reviews WhatsApp and Telegram Responses on Username-Based Messaging Rules

India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) had previously issued notices to WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal over concerns related to username-based messaging. The government has now reviewed the responses submitted by these platforms following those notices. Authorities are examining whether uniform regulations should be applied across all such messaging services. The move signals India's intent to bring greater consistency and oversight to how anonymous or pseudonymous messaging features operate on these platforms.

Kerala double murder convict expresses no remorse, says he would kill more people

A Kerala court found Chenthamara guilty in a high-profile double murder case in Palakkad. He was convicted of killing Sudhakaran and his elderly mother, a crime believed to be motivated by revenge over a prior dispute. Following the verdict, the convict openly stated he had no regrets and would not oppose a death sentence. He further shocked the court by declaring he would kill more people if given the chance. The court is scheduled to pronounce the sentence on Wednesday.

Victoria Gowramma: The Indian Princess Who Grew Up in Buckingham Palace

Victoria Gowramma was the daughter of the last Raja of Kodagu, an Indian princely state. She was brought to London, where Queen Victoria became her godmother and gave her the name Victoria Gowramma upon her baptism. She later married Colonel John Campbell and had a daughter, but faced social prejudice related to her appearance. Despite her extraordinary life at the heart of the British royal establishment, her story largely faded from public memory. She died of tuberculosis, leaving behind a remarkable yet little-known chapter of Indo-British history.

Spain's Submer to invest $2bn in MP semiconductor sector, targeting 5,000 jobs

Spanish firm Submer Group has announced a $2 billion investment in Madhya Pradesh's semiconductor industry. The investment is projected to create around 5,000 direct jobs in the region. Submer plans to set up a manufacturing unit focused on advanced liquid cooling technologies. The company intends to make India a key manufacturing and service hub for the Asian market. The initiative will also include skill development programmes aimed at building expertise for next-generation data centres.

National Award-Winning Farmer Loses Rs 83,000 After Phone Goes Missing

A National Award-winning farmer suffered a financial loss of Rs 83,000 after his phone went missing. The incident prompted him to seek help from multiple authorities, including the local police station, the Cyber Crime Department, and his bank. Despite his persistent efforts over more than three and a half months, none of the agencies have been able to recover the stolen funds. The farmer has yet to receive any satisfactory resolution to his case.

18 ancient Egyptian tombs unearthed near Marina el-Alamein with gold tongue artifacts

Archaeologists have discovered eighteen ancient Egyptian tombs near Marina el-Alamein in a significant recent find. Among the recovered artifacts were sealed stone slabs and a large granite coffin. Dozens of gold tongues were found placed inside the mouths of mummies, a practice believed to help the deceased communicate in the afterlife. Excavators also uncovered an offering altar and a statue of Aphrodite, providing further insight into ancient Egyptian burial customs.

Wasim Jaffer says Sooryavanshi was rushed into debut amid public hype

Former India batter Wasim Jaffer has stated that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's international debut came too soon. He believes the widespread public excitement around the teenager unduly influenced the selection decision. Jaffer argued that Sooryavanshi would have benefited from more time acclimatising within the national team environment before being fielded. The veteran also expressed surprise at Sanju Samson's exclusion from the subsequent Zimbabwe tour. Meanwhile, Yuvraj Singh struck a contrasting tone, voicing strong faith in Sooryavanshi's long-term potential.

TCS to hire up to 8,900 AI engineers, eyes acquisitions in AI and data security

Tata Consultancy Services is building a large team of forward-deployed engineers to strengthen its artificial intelligence business. The Indian IT giant plans to hire as many as 8,900 such engineers who will work directly with clients on AI-related needs. TCS is also looking at potential acquisitions in the AI and data security sectors as part of its broader growth strategy. These moves are aimed at positioning TCS as a direct competitor to leading AI firms such as OpenAI and Anthropic. The company believes the rise of AI will drive greater demand for its integration and managed services offerings.

US Job Cuts Reach 443,600 in First Half of 2026, AI Blamed for 22% of Losses

American companies eliminated 443,600 positions between January and June 2026, according to new data. The technology sector was the hardest hit, with artificial intelligence identified as the leading driver of workforce reductions. May 2026 recorded the sharpest spike in layoffs, affecting numerous tech firms across the country. AI-related cuts accounted for roughly one in five of all job losses recorded so far this year. New hiring has also remained at historically depressed levels, underscoring how automation is reshaping the broader labor market.

Ram Temple Trust seeks CEO by July 18 amid Supreme Court donation probe

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has invited applications for a Chief Executive Officer to lead temple management in Ayodhya. Candidates must apply by July 18, with the selection process expected to conclude within a month. The CEO will be responsible for overseeing day-to-day temple operations. This hiring drive comes while the Supreme Court is investigating allegations of financial misappropriation involving temple donations.

Uddhav Thackeray backs CJP protest as Wangchuk's hunger strike hits day 16

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has extended his support to the Cockroach Janta Party's ongoing protest, backing demands raised by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke. Thackeray called on political parties and citizens to stand united in the interest of the country's youth. He criticised the government for showing insensitivity toward the legitimate concerns being highlighted by the protesters. Wangchuk's hunger strike, which forms a central part of the agitation, entered its 16th day. Thackeray also announced that his party's MPs would raise the NEET issue in Parliament.

Chhattisgarh HC rules triple riding alone cannot reduce accident compensation

The Chhattisgarh High Court has ruled that carrying multiple passengers on a motorcycle does not automatically justify reducing road accident compensation. The court found that the victim's income had been incorrectly assessed at a lower figure in the original ruling. As a result, the total compensation was revised upward to nearly nineteen lakh rupees. The court also substantially increased the consortium amount awarded to the victim's family. The respondents have been directed to pay the additional compensation along with interest within three months.

55-Year-Old Woman Beaten to Death in Chhatarpur Amid Police Inaction Claims

A 55-year-old woman was fatally attacked by a group of women in Chhatarpur, reportedly due to a longstanding rivalry rooted in a romantic dispute. The assault was prolonged and brutal, with a viral video showing the attackers pausing for water breaks during the attack. A Dial-112 police response team was present at the scene, but has faced sharp criticism for allegedly failing to intervene. Local police have launched an investigation into the incident. The disturbing footage has drawn widespread public outrage over the apparent lapse in law enforcement.

CBI Finds MCD Official Negligence in 2024 Coaching Centre Deaths, Clears Senior Officers

The CBI has filed a supplementary report in the case of deaths at Rau's IAS Study Circle coaching centre in 2024, where students drowned in a flooded basement. The agency identified negligence on the part of two additional MCD officials but stopped short of filing a chargesheet against them. Senior officers have been cleared of any criminal wrongdoing in the incident. The report effectively rules out criminal negligence by higher-ranking officials involved in overseeing the premises.

Telangana Farmers Perform Frog Ceremony to Invoke Rain Amid 19% Deficit

Farmers in Telangana have resorted to a traditional 'Frog Ceremony' ritual in hopes of attracting rainfall to the region. The state has recorded a significant monsoon shortfall, with a seasonal rainfall deficit of approximately 19% between June 1 and July 10. Several districts across Telangana have been particularly hard hit, experiencing deficient rainfall during this period. The ritual reflects growing concern among farming communities who depend heavily on the monsoon season for their agricultural needs.

Exclusive: MP college, bank officials ‘colluded to pocket govt scholarships for MBA students who never applied’

Delhi Airport Customs Seizes 6.37 kg Hydroponic Weed, Three Held

Delhi Customs officials intercepted a significant drug haul at Indira Gandhi International Airport. Authorities seized 6.37 kilograms of hydroponic marijuana during the operation. Three passengers were arrested in connection with the smuggling attempt. The seizure was made as part of ongoing anti-smuggling efforts at the airport.

'We don't intend to rush': India rejects quick US trade deal, pushes for better terms

India's Pinaka rocket system tests long-range guided variant in precision leap

India's Pinaka rocket artillery system has successfully completed a flight test of its Long-Range Guided Rocket (LRGR), marking a significant milestone in its development. The system has progressively evolved from an area-saturation weapon into a more accurate, extended-range strike platform. This latest advancement reflects India's broader push toward indigenous precision firepower capabilities. The successful test is seen as a defining moment that moves Pinaka into an entirely new category of guided rocket systems.