The Karnataka government is set to review its Gruha Jyothi Yojane, a free electricity scheme launched in July 2023. The initiative provides eligible households with up to 200 units of free power each month. Authorities will conduct door-to-door verification covering all current beneficiaries of the scheme. The review aims to ensure that free electricity is reaching only genuine and eligible recipients.
The BJP government in West Bengal has announced the removal of 77 Muslim communities from the Other Backward Classes (OBC) list. These communities had been granted OBC status during the previous Trinamool Congress administration. Alongside this delisting, the state's OBC reservation quota will be reduced from 10 percent to 7 percent. The decision follows the BJP's return to power in West Bengal in May, fulfilling a stated electoral commitment to reverse the earlier OBC classifications.
The Delhi Cabinet on Monday gave its approval to two new schemes aimed at transforming the maintenance of the city's heritage sites. A total of 75 monuments, including notable landmarks such as Ghalib Haveli and Malcha Mahal, have been listed under the initiative. The schemes are designed to allow external parties to adopt and help preserve these historically significant structures. The move is seen as a step toward improving the upkeep of Delhi's cultural and architectural heritage.
A tourist from Haryana was caught on camera violently attacking a couple in the hill town of Mussoorie. The attacker used a hard plastic crate to strike a woman on her head during the assault. Her husband was also targeted in the attack. The incident has drawn attention to tourist misbehavior in the popular Uttarakhand destination. Authorities are expected to investigate the matter following the circulation of the footage.
Vijaya Mehta, a celebrated theatre director, actor, and producer, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 91. She died at her residence, leaving behind a significant legacy in Indian performing arts. Mehta was widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in modern Marathi theatre. Her contributions are credited with transforming the broader landscape of Indian theatre over several decades.
Delhi is on the verge of monsoon arrival, with the India Meteorological Department forecasting its onset within the next two to three days. The city has been enduring an intense heatwave, with the heat index or 'feels-like' temperature reaching as high as 53.5 degrees Celsius. Authorities have issued a yellow alert for rain and thunderstorms across the capital. Maximum temperatures are expected to gradually decline over the coming week as the monsoon approaches.
The Indian government has announced a revision in windfall taxes on fuel exports, effective from the following day. The export duty on petrol has been increased, while taxes on diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF) have been reduced. The windfall tax was originally introduced to boost domestic fuel availability during heightened global supply concerns. The adjustments come amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has continued to impact international energy markets.
Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda publicly challenged city officials over the poor outcomes of the Animal Birth Control programme. Despite an expenditure of Rs 100 crore, the minister noted only a marginal decline in the stray dog population across the city. He also pressed officials to account for more than 11 lakh saplings planted over two decades that cannot be traced. Officials were unable to offer satisfactory responses during the review meeting. The minister directed authorities to scale up sterilisation efforts and establish transparent systems to monitor tree plantation survival rates.
French health authorities announced on Tuesday that approximately 300 more deaths than normal were recorded during a recent heatwave in France. The extreme heat event lasted five days and marked the country's first heatwave of 2024. Officials described the death toll as exceeding what would typically be expected during the same period under normal conditions. The announcement highlights growing concerns about the health impact of recurring heatwaves in France.
US Ambassador Gor made remarks about India's geopolitical situation at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum Leadership Summit held in Washington. He acknowledged that India is situated in a particularly difficult part of the world, surrounded by unpredictable neighbours. Gor's comments highlighted the complex regional dynamics that India must navigate as part of its strategic positioning. The remarks were made in the context of ongoing US-India strategic engagement and partnership discussions.
A young boy named Vihan Shrivastav lost his life in Mumbai's Chembur area after a tree collapsed onto his school bus. The tragic incident has left his family devastated, with his mother seen clutching his cricket bat in grief. The falling tree struck the bus while Vihan was travelling, likely to or from school. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about the safety of aging or unstable trees in urban Mumbai, particularly near roads used by schoolchildren.
Twitch has banned popular streamer ExtraEmily following a June 28 IRL livestream in which she nearly caused a crash while reading chat messages during a drive. The incident raised fresh concerns about distracted driving among content creators who broadcast in real-world settings. This is not the first time ExtraEmily has faced platform action, as she previously received a driving-related suspension and was involved in a viewbotting dispute. The latest ban has reignited debate about whether Twitch enforces adequate safety standards for streamers broadcasting in public. Critics and supporters alike are questioning the responsibility creators bear when livestreaming activities that could endanger themselves or others.
President Trump had reportedly advised officials to stop using the encrypted messaging app Signal for government communications. However, members of his inner circle chose to ignore this guidance and continued using the platform. The State Department released chat records last week that were recovered from the phones of Secretary of State Marco Rubio and another official, Needham. The documents were obtained following a legal challenge filed by the advocacy group Democracy Forward under freedom of information laws.
US President Donald Trump has urged Congress to act immediately to eliminate birthright citizenship, calling it 'expensive and unfair'. Trump made the remarks in a post on X following a Supreme Court ruling related to the issue. He suggested that legislation could be brought in to address the matter. The statement signals Trump's continued push to restrict automatic citizenship granted to those born on US soil.
Transplant services at Jaipur's largest hospital were halted following the retirement of a key doctor, leaving patients without critical care. The disruption drew significant media attention, highlighting administrative apathy within the institution. Under public pressure, the state government responded by appointing a new doctor to take charge of the department. The Nephrology ward's room 518, which had remained closed during the gap, has since been reopened. The episode raises concerns about succession planning in critical medical departments at major public hospitals.
A woman in Maharashtra's Beed district has been accused of murdering her husband by strangling him with a wire. She allegedly attempted to conceal the crime by staging his death as a heart attack. Police uncovered the deception and revealed the true cause of death. The case has been reported by local law enforcement in Beed district, Maharashtra.
The Supreme Court of India has directed that the status quo be maintained regarding ethanol supply allocation. The order comes after Attorney General R Venkataramani informed the court that ethanol supply contracts for the 2025-26 cycle had already been finalised in October 2025. The case concerns the allocation of ethanol supplies, which are a key component of India's fuel blending programme. The court's directive effectively freezes any changes to the existing allocation arrangements until further hearing.
At least 14 children between the ages of seven and thirteen were killed when the roof of a private tuition centre collapsed in Lahore, Pakistan. The centre was operating out of a building that was still under construction at the time of the incident. Twenty other individuals, including a teacher, sustained injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment. Local authorities have arrested the contractor believed to be responsible for the unsafe structure. Rescue operations are ongoing, and officials fear the death toll could increase further.
