India

PM Modi honoured with 'Guardian of the Blue Horizon' by Seychelles

Biocon's Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw slams Bengaluru's urban decay, triggers online debate

Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw publicly criticised Bengaluru's urban development, saying the city has lost its historic 'garden city' identity. She posted a visual comparison on social media contrasting the city's current concrete-heavy infrastructure with a greener, more pedestrian-friendly model. Her remarks quickly gained traction online, with many users agreeing that the city's decline stems from poor urban planning and corruption. Residents and netizens also pointed to a lack of accountability among local administrators and politicians as key factors behind the deterioration.

Indian Consumers Overpay for K-Beauty Products Ill-Suited to Tropical Climate

Indian consumers are spending heavily on Korean beauty products despite dermatologists warning they may not be effective in India's tropical climate. The 'glass skin' trend, popularized by K-beauty culture, has gained significant traction among Indian buyers. Dermatologists describe this as an economic irony, as products formulated for Korea's temperate conditions may not deliver the same results in India's heat and humidity. Experts suggest that the high premium paid for these imported products may not be justified given the climatic mismatch.

Sonam Wangchuk joins indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar over education reforms

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has launched an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. He joined a protest organised by the Cockroach Janata Party, which is demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The demonstration centres on alleged irregularities in examinations and calls for greater transparency and accountability in India's education system. Students and farmer leaders have also lent their support to the ongoing protest. Reports suggest that some farmer leaders attempting to participate were potentially placed under house arrest.

Mann Ki Baat: Modi ‘grateful to every citizen’ for supporting austerity call

Why Delhi Feels as Hot as 51°C: The Science of Wet-Bulb Temperature

Delhi is currently experiencing extreme heat conditions that feel far more intense than the actual recorded temperature. The perceived heat index has reached around 51 degrees Celsius, even though thermometers show lower readings. This phenomenon is explained by a meteorological measure known as wet-bulb temperature, which accounts for both heat and humidity together. Unlike dry-bulb temperature, wet-bulb temperature reflects how effectively the human body can cool itself through sweating. High humidity levels reduce the body's ability to dissipate heat, making conditions feel significantly hotter than they actually are.

Stokes urges Archer to join team celebrations during third Test against New Zealand

England captain Ben Stokes was caught on camera calling out Jofra Archer during the third Test match against New Zealand. The incident occurred after spinner Shoaib Bashir took a wicket and the team gathered to celebrate. Archer had initially kept his distance from the group, reportedly due to frustration over a dropped catch earlier in the match. Stokes intervened with a firm gesture, pulling Archer back into the team celebration. The moment was widely praised by fans as an example of strong and inclusive leadership from the England captain.

'He is very clever, knows ... ': What Eknath Shinde said on Uddhav-Fadnavis flight

Sheikh Hasina Vows to Return to Bangladesh This Year

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has stated in an exclusive interview with NDTV that she intends to return to her country this year. Hasina, who has been living in exile, made the declaration with apparent confidence about her political future. During the interview, she also addressed the issue of minority communities in Bangladesh, asserting that any attack on minorities constitutes an attack on the nation's independence. Her comments come amid ongoing political uncertainty in Bangladesh following her ouster from power.

Cocktail 2 targets Rs 100 cr mark despite box office clash with Welcome to the Jungle

Homi Adajania's Cocktail 2, starring Shahid Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, and Kriti Sanon, is in its tenth day of theatrical release. The film faces stiff competition from the newly released multi-starrer Welcome to the Jungle, which dominated single-screen and prime-time multiplex slots over the weekend. Despite the clash, Cocktail 2 recorded a 6.3% growth on its second Saturday, driven largely by strong word-of-mouth. The film has also benefited from solid international earnings and consistent urban multiplex attendance. With this momentum, Cocktail 2 is now tracking toward the Rs 100 crore domestic box office milestone.

Pranab Mukherjee's Diary Praised PM Modi, Daughter Sharmistha Reveals

Former President Pranab Mukherjee recorded praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his personal diary, according to his daughter Sharmistha Mukherjee. She has shared excerpts from the diary, bringing renewed attention to her father's views on the current leadership. Sharmistha also defended Pranab Mukherjee's controversial 2018 visit to the RSS headquarters in Nagpur, stating he firmly believed in dialogue as a fundamental pillar of democracy. She rejected allegations that the visit was an endorsement or legitimisation of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. The revelations offer a rare personal insight into the late statesman's political perspectives beyond his public positions.

100 schoolgirls fall ill after ‘drinking water stored in plastic tank’; teacher, warden suspended

Europe heatwave turns deadly as France records 1,000 excess deaths

ISRO Successfully Tests Semi-Cryogenic Engine With 175-Tonne Thrust for LVM-3

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully conducted a test of a new semi-cryogenic engine, generating 175 tonnes of thrust. The test marks a significant milestone toward developing a more powerful version of the LVM-3 rocket. Advanced turbopumps used in the engine also delivered strong performance during the trial. The upgraded rocket is expected to carry heavier payloads on future missions. This advancement supports India's expanding goals in both space exploration and the commercial launch sector.

Gurugram Man Killed After Thar SUV Rams His Bike on Delhi Road

A Gurugram resident, Sarthak Mattoo, died after a Mahindra Thar collided with his motorcycle in Delhi on June 25. The incident occurred early in the morning at around 6:30 am as Mattoo was commuting to work. The collision proved fatal for the two-wheeler rider. The case has drawn attention to road safety concerns on Delhi's early-morning routes.

'Fake News': Donald Trump on book that says he leaves leftover snack, silverware on bedroom floor

Sikkim Bridge Connecting Phidang and Sankalang Swept Away by Floods

A key bridge linking Phidang and Sankalang in Sikkim was destroyed late Saturday night. Continuous heavy rainfall caused the Phee Khola river to overflow and swell significantly. The rising waters swept away the bridge, cutting connectivity between the two areas. The incident was part of broader flooding and landslide activity triggered by the heavy rain in the region.

BJP demands opposition apology for misrepresenting Rajnath Singh's Op Sindoor remarks

The BJP has sharply criticised opposition parties for allegedly distorting Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's statements about Operation Sindoor. Party leader Amit Malviya accused rivals of spreading hostile propaganda and misrepresenting the minister's words. The BJP demanded a public apology from the opposition, saying their actions undermined the sacrifices of Indian soldiers. The ruling party maintained that Operation Sindoor was a significant success, claiming it neutralised over 100 terrorists and damaged Pakistani military infrastructure.

'Officials flaunt RSS affiliation after BJP came to power': MP minister's remarks spark row

Ladakh fines 4 tourists Rs 2 lakh in first crackdown on illegal off-roading

Ladakh's administration has taken its first major enforcement action against tourists for illegal off-roading in protected wildlife zones, including near Pangong Lake. Four individuals were penalised a combined Rs 2 lakh and had their vehicles seized for breaching the Wildlife Protection Act. Among the violations, one tourist was found chasing a Tibetan gazelle inside a wildlife sanctuary. The crackdown is aimed at protecting Ladakh's fragile ecosystem and its endangered species. Authorities have warned that strict action will continue against those flouting wildlife protection laws.