Politics / The Times of India
The BJP is set to appoint several new state unit chiefs, paving the way for the election of a new national president to succeed JP Nadda, who has been serving on an extension since January 2020. With the party constitution requiring a certain number of state unit elections, these appointments are crucial for initiating the national presidential election process.
A devastating explosion at a firecracker factory near Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu, has resulted in the tragic loss of at least four lives. Five individuals sustained injuries in the incident and are currently receiving medical care at a government hospital in Virudhunagar. Authorities are investigating the cause of the explosion at the factory in Chinnakamanpatti.
Early morning in New Delhi, a Hyundai Creta was stolen in a mere 60 seconds. CCTV footage shows a group arriving in a car, breaking into the vehicle, and hacking its security system.
External Affairs Minister Jaishankar affirmed India's firm stance against nuclear coercion. He highlighted that terrorists and their state sponsors will face consequences. Jaishankar cited the Pahalgam attack as economic warfare. He mentioned India's retaliatory actions, including Operation Sindoor. He also clarified that trade talks with the US remain unaffected by past India-Pakistan tensions. India maintains a bilateral approach with Pakistan.
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar voiced his apprehension regarding the current political climate in India, deeming it unfavorable for democracy. He emphasized that political rivals should not be treated as enemies and urged for improved decorum among lawmakers.
Concerns have emerged regarding the CUET-UG 2025 exam due to reported biometric verification gaps and shift-wise disparities. The absence of complete Aadhaar-based biometric authentication and uneven candidate distribution across shifts raise questions about fairness and comparability. Deviations from the syllabus in certain subjects further contribute to doubts about the exam's integrity.
India faces challenges in verifying doctors' credentials due to the lack of an updated medical registry. The National Medical Commission has struggled to verify a significant number of doctors, leading to concerns about unqualified individuals practicing medicine. Hospitals find it difficult to conduct background checks, and specialists are alarmed by the number of doctors practicing without proper specialization.
The incineration of 337 metric tons of toxic waste from the Bhopal Gas Disaster has been completed at the Treatment Storage Disposal Facility in Pithampur, marking the end of a long chapter. Hazardous waste was transported from the Union Carbide factory in Bhopal to Pithampur for incineration.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, part of the Ax-4 crew, is actively involved in groundbreaking research aboard the ISS, focusing on microalgae's potential for long-duration space missions and studying the impact of spaceflight on cognitive functions. Commander Peggy Whitson is leading cancer research in low-Earth orbit, potentially revealing insights for tackling aggressive cancers.
Group Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, affectionately known as Papa, supports Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's historic ISS mission as his backup. Their rigorous training, collaborating with international partners, has strengthened their bond and prepared them for future Indian spaceflights. Papa emphasizes the importance of teamwork and acknowledges the collective effort behind their journey, eagerly anticipating India's Gaganyaan mission.
A devastating explosion ripped through a chemical plant in Telangana's Medak district, resulting in at least 15 fatalities and numerous injuries. The incident occurred at the Sigachi Industries facility, with initial investigations pointing to a dryer malfunction as the cause. Rescue operations are ongoing as authorities search for those still trapped, while families anxiously await news of their loved ones.
Amritpal Singh, a 23-year-old farmer from Punjab's Ferozepur, has been confirmed to be in Pakistan custody after going missing nine days ago. He is suspected to have crossed the Zero Line at the India-Pakistan border near Rana Panjgrain village. BSF authorities have contacted Pakistan Rangers and are working towards his return, according to his father.
Shortly after takeoff from Delhi on June 14, an Air India Boeing 777 bound for Vienna experienced a stall warning and ground proximity warning, leading to a significant altitude loss. Pilots successfully recovered the aircraft, and the flight continued safely to its destination.
The upcoming BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro is set to strongly condemn the Pahalgam terror attack, aligning with India's call for a firm global stance against terrorism. The declaration, to be unveiled during the summit, will denounce the attack and advocate for coordinated international action. India, poised to assume the BRICS chairmanship next year, has played a key role in shaping the agenda.
LJP (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan's recent remarks about contesting the Bihar assembly polls with a Bihar First, Bihari First agenda have stirred political waters. Despite being an NDA ally, his statements seem to target Nitish Kumar's leadership. Paswan aims to win considerable seats so that he can have a greater say in deciding NDA's leadership in Bihar post assembly elections.
A deadly explosion at a Sigachi Pharma factory in Telangana's Sangareddy district resulted in 12 fatalities and 35 injuries, with concerns remaining about individuals trapped under debris. The blast, suspected to be linked to microcrystalline cellulose processing, prompted extensive rescue operations and DNA testing for unidentified victims.
Bengaluru mourns the loss of Dr. Bhimasenacharya Vasudevacharya Joshi, a distinguished 82-year-old veterinary scientist. Dr. Joshi, originally from Yelaburgi, Koppal district, was celebrated for his significant contributions to veterinary medicine. His research papers and theses, presented at international universities including those in the United States, garnered him worldwide acclaim. He leaves behind a son, three daughters, and a large family.
India is bracing for above-normal rainfall in July, with the IMD warning of potential floods in Uttarakhand and Haryana. Central and northern regions are expected to receive heavy showers, while the northeast and parts of the southern peninsula may experience below-normal rainfall. Landslides and infrastructure damage have already been reported in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu & Kashmir, prompting authorities to issue alerts and suspend activities.
A devastating explosion at a pharmaceutical factory in Telangana's Sangareddy district resulted in 12 fatalities and 34 injuries, prompting immediate response from NDRF and local authorities. Preliminary investigations suggest a pressure build-up in the drying unit as the cause.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is set to boost sports development by launching a sports university in Haldwani and 23 sports academies across eight cities. This initiative, marking Dhami's fifth year, aims to capitalize on the positive sports environment created after hosting the 38th National Games, where Uttarakhand secured seventh position with a century of medals.
A tragic factory explosion in Telangana claimed 12 lives after a building collapse. In Kolkata, police confirmed a law college rape case was premeditated. Manipur saw more violence as gunmen killed four, including an elderly woman. Karnataka's political scene is buzzing with leadership change rumors. Economically, GST collections soared to a record high of Rs 22.
Under Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami's leadership, Uttarakhand is launching 'Jalsakhi' to empower rural women through water supply management. Following the success of the 'Lakhpati Didi' scheme, women SHGs will handle billing, connections, and maintenance, earning incentives and revenue shares. This initiative aims to boost women's financial independence and improve water service delivery in rural areas.
Telangana BJP MLA T Raja Singh has resigned from the party, expressing his disappointment over reports suggesting Ramchander Rao's likely appointment as the state unit president. Singh stated the decision shocked him and countless party workers who have supported the BJP. He fears the leadership change will undermine grassroots efforts and jeopardize the party's chances in Telangana.
YouTuber Kanika Devrani reported being drugged and robbed on the Brahmaputra Mail while traveling alone from Delhi to Assam. She alleged an unauthorized man entered her 2AC coach, used a sedative, and stole her and another passenger's phones.
The BJP has criticized Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's reference to the high command amid speculation about a leadership change in Karnataka. Tejasvi Surya likened the high command to a ghost, questioning who it is if not Kharge himself.
A harrowing incident unfolded at Languriya hill waterfall in Gaya, Bihar, where six women were swept away by a sudden surge of water. Villagers heroically rescued the women, who were in imminent danger of being swept over a steep drop. One woman is hospitalized due to injuries sustained from colliding with a rock.
A shocking video circulating online shows a police officer in Kota, Rajasthan, allegedly slapping a shopkeeper unconscious after an argument over a parked bike. The NGO NCMIndia Council For Men Affairs shared the video, sparking outrage and accusations of police brutality. Social media users are demanding action against the officer, identified as SHO Pushpendra Bansiwal.
SatSure and Dhruva Space have partnered to provide fully-managed Earth Observation-as-a-Service (EOaaS) solutions, integrating satellite design, launch, data analysis, and sector-specific insights. This collaboration combines KaleidEO's data analytics with Dhruva's satellite platform expertise, aiming to deliver cost-effective and timely EO solutions for various applications. The partnership seeks to enhance access to high-quality Earth observation data.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge hinted at a possible leadership change in Karnataka, stating the party high command has the power to act. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah dismissed rumors of discord with Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, affirming their government will remain stable for five years.
Indian Institute of Science scientists have developed a glowing paper sensor for early liver cancer detection using terbium, a rare earth metal. The sensor detects -glucuronidase, an enzyme linked to liver cancer and other conditions. This cost-effective sensor, readable with a UV lamp and free software, shows promise for low-resource settings and broader applications.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami listened to the 123rd edition of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Mann Ki Baat' program at the Chief Minister's residence on Sunday. After the program the Chief Minister said that the Prime Minister has inspired the countrymen with important topics like yoga, social unity, service spirit and women empowerment.