The Times of India

Matthew Aaron VanDyke, arrested by NIA, seeks court permission to prepare his own meals. He claims jail food is too oily and spicy, causing health issues. VanDyke has reportedly lost significant weight since May 6. He requests specific cooking items and food supplies for his dietary needs. The court has issued notices to jail authorities and the NIA for their response.

The government is establishing a robust four-layer security grid to fortify India's borders. This initiative aims to create a modern border security system for the nation. Efforts are underway to combat drug trafficking and achieve victory over the menace. The government is also working to prevent illegal infiltration and demographic changes. This proactive approach strengthens national security and border region prosperity.

Three former Trinamool Congress leaders have joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. They were immediately nominated as BJP candidates for upcoming Rajya Sabha bypolls. These by-elections are for seats that fell vacant after their resignations last month. Their move follows internal turmoil and a significant defeat for the TMC. The BJP aims to strengthen its West Bengal presence with their experience.

Three former Trinamool Congress leaders formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in Kolkata. Their induction follows weeks of growing rebellion and internal turmoil within the TMC party. Sushmita Dev cited political and personal reasons for her departure from the TMC. Sukhendu Sekhar Ray and Prakash Chik Baraik also resigned from their Rajya Sabha seats. The TMC faces intensified political crisis with reports of more defections fueling speculation.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon of New Zealand has made a landmark announcement regarding tariff-free exports to India, with an impressive 57 percent of exports benefiting from zero tariffs from the outset of the trade agreement. This initiative is poised to enhance the presence of New Zealand businesses in the Indian marketplace.

Arvind Kejriwal criticized the Centre for high fuel prices. He stated petrol prices should drop from Rs 102 to Rs 82. Kejriwal noted global crude oil prices have declined significantly. He also questioned the impact of E20 ethanol-blended petrol. The AAP leader sought clarifications from automobile manufacturers on fuel concerns.

The Telangana high court granted regular bail to Bandi Bhagirath, son of Union minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar. He was arrested in May under the POCSO Act and later granted interim bail for exams. The case involves allegations of sexual harassment against a minor girl. Bhagirath denied charges and filed a counter-complaint alleging extortion. Both allegations and counter-allegations are currently under investigation.

Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy defended Mamata Banerjee after a video showed her slapping a party worker. He stated Banerjee shares a close bond and can do as she wishes. The incident occurred during a protest march over a minor's alleged rape and murder. BJP leaders criticized Banerjee's actions, calling it arrogance and a loss of mental balance. Clashes between TMC and BJP supporters also marked the protest march.

Scientists tested spraying seawater onto Arctic ice, which showed promising initial results. The treated ice became thicker and more reflective, resisting summer melting effectively. This method offers an alternative to controversial geoengineering approaches for ice preservation. While promising, researchers note significant challenges for large-scale implementation across the Arctic. Further work is essential before this technique can be considered for broader application.

Heavy monsoon rains have caused widespread waterlogging and traffic disruptions across India. Several states are under red and orange alerts for severe weather conditions. Authorities are managing rescue operations and monitoring vulnerable areas. Maharashtra and Kerala continue to battle significant rainfall impacts. The India Meteorological Department forecasts continued heavy showers in many regions.

Prime Minister Modi highlighted India-Australia ties using cricket analogies during his visit. He stated that cricket serves as a diplomatic language between the two nations. Both countries will host major sporting events in the coming years. Terrorist attacks in Pahalgam and Sydney were strongly condemned by both leaders. A landmark atomic cooperation agreement was also announced by Prime Minister Modi.

Mahadev betting app founder Sourabh Chandrakar has been detained in Oman. India is now seeking his extradition or deportation from the country. Chandrakar was previously detained in Dubai but was later released by authorities. The app operated as a large international betting syndicate facilitating illegal online bets. Authorities have attached assets worth Rs 1,700 crore linked to Chandrakar.

The Enforcement Directorate has frozen TMC bank accounts holding Rs 440 crore. These funds are linked to an alleged Rs 160 crore money laundering investigation. The money was reportedly used to purchase an aircraft and a helicopter. These assets were then rented back to the TMC for party use. The agency is probing dubious transactions and potential personal asset creation.

The National Testing Agency faces new allegations of a paper leak for the UGC-NET exam. This follows recent issues with the NEET-UG exam and errors in other NET papers. Education ministry seeks details on a circulated PDF allegedly linked to the sociology paper. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi highlighted these serious allegations on social media. The controversy adds to existing concerns about high-stakes examination integrity.

Food regulators have issued notices to several companies for misleading product labels. Kubera Foods faced scrutiny for claiming 100% Natural on buns with preservatives. Ferns N Petals was cited for marketing chocolate with vegetable fat instead of cocoa butter. Lotte India received notices for 100% Vegetarian claims and missing nutritional information. These actions aim to ensure consumers receive accurate information about food products.

Security forces neutralized Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Zakir Ganie in Shopian on Wednesday. This encounter occurred nearly ten months after the last such operation in the region. The joint operation was launched Saturday evening based on specific intelligence inputs. Arms and ammunition were recovered from the encounter site by the Army. Meanwhile, three overground workers were arrested in Anantnag using advanced surveillance technology.

An Indian delegation visited Kyrgyzstan for the inauguration of a new civilizational studies center. Trilateral cooperation agreements were signed between academic institutions from both nations. The first Hindi translation of the Kyrgyz epic Manas was also presented at the event. This initiative aims to foster scientific, educational, and cultural cooperation between India and Kyrgyzstan. The center will focus on comparative civilizational studies and intercultural dialogue.

The Enforcement Directorate froze Trinamool Congress bank deposits worth Rs 440 crore. This action is part of an ongoing money laundering investigation into financial transactions. The Trinamool Congress stated all financial transactions were fully disclosed to authorities. They called the freeze a politically motivated act by the central government. The agency is probing alleged routing of funds through various service companies.

India has expressed significant worry regarding the rising tensions in West Asia and the increasing assaults on commercial vessels. The ministry emphasized the importance of all involved parties to practice restraint and engage in dialogue. Recent actions pose risks to regional stability and disrupt global trade. In response, the United States has executed extensive military strikes against Iranian targets, while Iran retaliated with strikes aimed at Bahrain and Kuwait.

A video showed Mamata Banerjee slapping a party worker during a protest march in Kolkata. The incident occurred during a rally organized by the TMC's youth wing. Clashes erupted between BJP and TMC supporters along the protest route. Mamata Banerjee accused the police of failing to enforce court orders. The protest was held amid outrage over a minor girl's alleged rape and murder.

The Railway Ministry has mandated a new directive for all zonal railways, emphasizing the urgency of strict cleaning and pest control measures for pantry cars. This decision comes in response to ongoing complaints regarding unsanitary conditions and rodent problems. Additionally, there are serious concerns regarding the waste disposal methods employed by catering staff. Inconsistencies in enforcement have been attributed to lapses by certain railway authorities.

Railways ordered a departmental inquiry after an unauthorized decorator entered a First AC coach. The decorator was hired by passengers to decorate a private coupe for a celebration. Preliminary findings show the decorator gained access at Jalna before passengers boarded. The on-duty chief ticket inspector has been suspended pending the inquiry's outcome. The investigation will assess security breaches and prevent future unauthorized access.