The Times of India
Elections 2026National / The Times of India
Hardeep Singh Puri dismissed social media claims about E20 petrol as misinterpretation. He stated that compatible vehicles and manufacturers report no significant issues. India has used E15 fuel for over three years and E20 since last April. Tests for E25 fuel are ongoing and will involve stakeholder consultations. The government defends the ethanol program for its economic and environmental benefits.
A deadly Wayanad landslide claimed three lives and left several missing. Siya Goyal, accused in a murder, reportedly married her alleged lover before the crime. Explosions near French President Macron's hotel in Syria wounded eighteen people. Prime Minister Modi highlighted India and Indonesia's role in the Indo-Pacific region. Iran mocked the United States after its FIFA World Cup elimination.
A devastating landslide near the Wayanad tunnel construction site has claimed lives and injured several people. Rescue operations are ongoing for those still missing after the mudslide near Meenakshi Bridge. Videos captured the terrifying moments as mud and debris rushed downhill, engulfing vehicles. The state government alleges contractors ignored repeated safety warnings regarding excavated soil. Opposition leaders are calling for a thorough investigation into potential criminal negligence.
A landslide near Wayanad's tunnel project site caused significant destruction and panic. Two people died and seven others sustained injuries in the sudden debris flow. Several individuals remain missing after the devastating incident occurred near Meenakshi Bridge. Heavy rainfall and construction debris are under scrutiny as contributing factors. Rescue operations are ongoing to locate the missing and clear the affected area.
Prime Minister Modi addressed the Indonesian Parliament, highlighting shared civilizational ties. He called for closer cooperation based on democratic values and development. Modi received Indonesia's highest civilian honor, the Bintang Adipurna. He dedicated this award to the people of India and the partnership. The Prime Minister emphasized India's developmental approach over expansionism.
Addressing a press conference, Kejriwal said he would write to Maruti Suzuki, Toyota Kirloskar and Hero MotoCorp, claiming their public statements on E20 fuel were inconsistent with the guidance provided in their vehicle owner manuals. He also questioned whether the companies would compensate customers if E20 fuel caused damage to vehicle components.
The Bintang Republik Indonesia Adipurna, commonly referred to as the Bintang Adipurna, is Indonesia's highest state honour. It is the highest class of the Star of the Republic of Indonesia (Bintang Republik Indonesia), the country's premier order of merit, and is conferred by the President of Indonesia on individuals who have rendered extraordinary service to the nation.
The two countries are also expected to deepen cooperation in critical minerals. According to sources, India will invest in the manufacturing of steel, nickel and rare earth permanent magnets in Indonesia to strengthen resilient supply chains for strategic industries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at the Istana Merdeka, the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, where the two leaders held bilateral talks after the Prime Minister signed the visitors' book.
At 83, Harrison Ford is experiencing a career resurgence, earning accolades like the SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement Award and an honorary doctorate. His acclaimed performance in 'Shrinking' showcases his enduring talent. Ford's enduring partnership with Calista Flockhart, which began when he was 60, exemplifies his belief that romantic love can flourish at any age, a sentiment he openly shared over two decades ago and continues to embody.
Chinese firm Agibot has showcased the world's first live broadcast of humanoid robots on a tablet production line. Eight Agibot G2 robots worked non-stop for six days at Longcheer Technology, successfully inspecting and sorting 17,625 tablets with a near-perfect success rate. This demonstration highlights the practical application of embodied AI in real-world industrial settings, working alongside human employees and existing machinery.
Responding to allegations that precious offerings had gone missing, the trustee categorically rejected the claims and said every gold and silver donation remained secure. Regarding the serious allegations that saddened many--specifically about the gold and silver donations--all the gold and silver is there, safely stored and accounted for. A full report of it has been provided. Ram Lalla has ensured all work is completed. The mistakes being shown were mostly narratives from the media. Ultimately
India has now fully embraced E20 petrol, featuring a mixture of 20% ethanol. The government aims to facilitate even higher ethanol concentrations, such as E22 to E30, by waiving excise duties on these blends. Many consumers have raised concerns regarding the impact on fuel economy and older engines, but automotive manufacturers emphasize that E20 has proven safe.
India lodged a protest at a Dhaka seminar after a map showed Kashmir as part of Pakistan. An Indian diplomat immediately raised objections during the presentation by a former ambassador. The diplomat stated that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. The former ambassador claimed the map was for representational purposes only. The seminar was organized by the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies.
Two Assam Rifles personnel died after suspected militants ambushed their vehicle. The attack occurred on NH-202 in Manipur's Ukhrul district on Monday afternoon. Security forces responded quickly and engaged in an exchange of fire with the assailants. Further operations are currently underway to apprehend the individuals responsible for the incident. The deceased soldiers were identified as Warrant Officer Balwant Singh and Constable CM Singh.
An ARAI report noted rubber part deterioration in E10 vehicles using E20 fuel. Metallic components showed no adverse impact, and emissions remained within legislative limits. One BS-VI turbocharged engine experienced issues after durability testing, unlike a BS-IV engine. Two-wheeler engine durability tests showed acceptable performance with E20 fuel. Fuel consumption increased by two to six percent for vehicles using E20.
The National Investigation Agency has charged Hafiz Saeed for the Pahalgam attack. This attack tragically killed twenty-five tourists and one local resident. Evidence includes digital trails and on-ground examination by the agency. Saeed, LeT chief, faces charges under new Indian penal codes. He will be tried in absentia for waging war against India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi honored Syama Prasad Mookerjee's legacy in Kolkata. He highlighted Mookerjee's efforts to keep Bengal united with India during partition. Mookerjee's industrial vision established key national institutions for economic strength. The Prime Minister noted Mookerjee's opposition to separate constitutions and flags. His government fulfilled Mookerjee's dream by removing Article 370.
Prime Minister Modi began a three-nation tour in Jakarta, Indonesia. He will meet President Prabowo Subianto for bilateral cooperation talks. Discussions will cover trade, defense, and critical minerals like nickel. The visit aims to deepen civilizational ties and people-to-people connections. Modi will then travel to Australia and New Zealand for further strategic engagements.
Parliament will table an inquiry report on former judge Yashwant Varma's removal. Justice Varma resigned in April after facing allegations of unaccounted money. Constitutional experts state impeachment proceedings are now pointless after his resignation. They emphasize a judge ceases to hold office upon resignation, not requiring acceptance. The report's tabling is seen as a political formality with no effective purpose.
A preliminary SIT report details alleged embezzlement of Ram temple donations. Senior Trust functionary Anil Mishra's oversight failure enabled suspects to pilfer funds. Nearly seventy instances of alleged pilferage were captured on CCTV footage. Subhash Srivastava, the counting room in charge, also faces serious lapses. The report names six suspects involved in theft and misappropriation offenses.
The new VB-G RAM G rural employment scheme prioritizes water security and disaster mitigation. This initiative aims to address potential El Nino-triggered rain deficiency situations. Gram panchayats can undertake projects for disaster preparedness and climate change challenges. States facing rainfall deficits must strengthen water conservation and prepare for employment generation. The scheme also focuses on core rural infrastructure and rural livelihoods.
A new study highlights Gram Sabha participation fatigue, driven by unresolved grievances and lack of visible outcomes. Livelihood and time constraints significantly hinder public engagement in these local meetings. The report suggests launching awareness missions and livelihood-sensitive scheduling for better participation. Strengthening inclusive platforms will improve representation of women and vulnerable groups. The ministry will implement recommendations to make Gram Sabhas more effective.
Former UNLF chairman Rajkumar Meghen is in Delhi seeking a coalition for peace. He urges economic integration between Kuki and Meitei communities to build trust. Meghen suggests external forces are involved in the ongoing violence in the state. He claims the government has failed to build confidence and stop the conflict. The violence has displaced thousands and claimed many lives since May 2023.
Security forces launched a search operation after a Pakistani drone was spotted near the LoC. Blinking lights were observed over Mahadev Menka and Beripattan villages late Sunday. The suspected unmanned aerial vehicle briefly entered Indian airspace before returning towards Pakistan. Forces cordoned off the area and initiated a dawn search for any dropped payloads. No suspicious items were found during the extensive search operation.
Police searched offices in Jammu and Noida as a probe into controversial books widened. Investigators are examining how inappropriate content reached government school libraries. Officials suspended eight education personnel after the books were withdrawn from circulation. The administration registered a case under stringent anti-terror laws. This action ignited a political row and discussions on censorship.
Heavy rainfall caused a major landslide near the Kwar hydroelectric project in Kishtwar. Flash floods and mudslides blocked the Kishtwar-Doda Highway, burying several vehicles under debris. Large volumes of mud and boulders entered the project site, damaging construction equipment and materials. Three gates of the Baglihar dam were opened as the Chenab river water level increased significantly. District administrations in Doda and Kishtwar are monitoring weather conditions and river flow.
India faces significant energy system impact from El Nino's arrival. Renewable electricity generation may decrease while cooling demand rises. This could create an electricity generation gap of nearly eighteen terawatt-hours. Increased coal-fired power generation is the most likely outcome. Expanding solar power and battery storage is critical for grid resilience.
AIADMK leader K B S Raja resigned from the party on Monday. He is a cousin of party chief Edappadi K Palaniswami. Raja claimed he worked for the party for thirty years. He was denied an Assembly election ticket on two occasions. Raja did not announce his future political plans.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust detailed its finances and accepted key resignations. Over Rs 3,264 crore was received, with Rs 2,370 crore spent on temple construction. Devotees can verify their donations by visiting Ayodhya and inspecting records. Silver donations were melted into bars, with records available for inspection. The Trust is implementing reforms to enhance transparency and efficiency in its operations.
Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust Treasurer Govind Dev Giri defended former general secretary Champat Rai following his resignation over a donation theft case, calling him untainted and his decision voluntary. The trust accepted resignations of Rai and trustee Anil Mishra after a preliminary report. Krishna Mohan takes over as interim general secretary, and a committee will recommend a permanent replacement.
The CBI has apprehended the NHAI Project Director in Shillong, Aanand Singh Chouhan, along with two private individuals, for allegedly demanding a Rs 12 lakh bribe. The bribe was sought to clear a contractor's pending payment of Rs 13.38 crore. An initial Rs 4 lakh advance was caught red-handed during a sting operation, leading to the arrests and ongoing investigations.
A floating solar farm in the Netherlands has unexpectedly become a haven for aquatic life. Hundreds of fish and thousands of invertebrates have colonized artificial habitats installed beneath the solar panels. This project, initially focused on renewable energy, demonstrates how such constructions can actively support biodiversity, offering shelter and nursery grounds for various species. The findings suggest a promising synergy between renewable energy infrastructure and ecological conservation
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge has sharply criticized the Modi government, citing India's declining passport rankings and increased passport fees. He questioned the government's claims of enhanced global respect, pointing to a drop in rankings and stagnant foreign tourist arrivals. Kharge alleged that citizens are paying more for subpar services, impacting India's international standing.
The Delhi high court has concluded wrestler Vinesh Phogat's plea challenging her initial exclusion from Asian Games trials, deeming it moot as she participated following court orders. However, the Wrestling Federation of India must now decide on a pending show-cause notice within two weeks, ensuring Phogat receives a personal hearing. This decision addresses immediate participation concerns while disciplinary proceedings continue.

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