National News

Ayodhya's Bar Association has taken a firm stance, refusing to represent eight suspects accused of misappropriating donations intended for the Ram temple. A penalty of Rs 5 lakh will be imposed for any breach of this decision. Furthermore, an ultimatum has been set for officials Champat Rai, Anil Mishra, and Gopal Rao to depart Ayodhya within three days, with threats of a city blockade should they fail to comply.

Delhi's Anti-Corruption Branch has arrested former DGHS director Vatsala Aggarwal and ex-deputy controller Neeraj Chopra in a massive Rs 640-crore procurement scam. They are accused of manipulating tenders for medicines and equipment, causing significant losses by favouring specific suppliers for inflated-price purchases. This breakthrough follows an FIR and earlier arrest, revealing a deep-rooted conspiracy within the Central Procurement Agency.

The trend comes at a time when India remains heavily dependent on imported gold. During FY26, the country imported gold worth nearly $72.4 billion, while recycled gold contributed an estimated 125-150 tonnes in 2025.

Ireland completed a 2-0 sweep after beating India by one run in the second T20I on Sunday. It was Ireland's first-ever series win over India in any format. They had won the opening match by 34 runs a few days earlier against the reigning T20 world champions.

​India’s strive to be “atmanirbhar” in engines is not a story of 2026. In 1986, the government had tasked DRDO's Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) with building the indigenous Kaveri engine to power the then-nascent Tejas light combat aircraft. What followed was four decades of heartbreak. Despite nine prototype engines, over 3,200 hours of testing, and a budget overrun of 642 per cent, the Kaveri produced only 70.4 kilonewtons (kN) of wet thrust against a required 81 kilonewtons.

Former England pacer and Ashes winner Steve Harmison has called for England head coach Brendon McCullum to step down following Ben Stokes' retirement. Harmison criticised McCullum's "Bazball" approach, calling it "amateur" and arguing that Stokes and McCullum were a joint project. Meanwhile, Stokes said he retired due to burnout and to rediscover his love for cricket.

Madhya Pradesh sees a mixed trend in alcohol consumption, with a slight rise in women drinkers, surpassing the national average, while men's consumption remains just below. Chilled beer has become the state's top choice, overtaking traditional liquors. Concerns over illegal trade and social impacts are growing, fueling political debate as sales and government revenue surge.

Tamil Nadu faces a "deep mess" within a month of regime change, warns former CM M.K. Stalin, citing industrial reluctance, rising crime, and farmer distress. He urged DMK cadres to prepare for early elections, asserting the party's role in past growth. Udhayanidhi Stalin criticized the current government's "sofa-model" administration, highlighting issues of electricity and law and order.

India's Gen Z excels at investing via SIPs and mutual funds, yet many remain uninsured, relying on parents' policies. Despite digital access to financial info, a significant gap exists between research and purchasing insurance. A health emergency could destabilize nearly two-thirds of young investors. Experts point to a lack of urgency and a confidence crisis, not a knowledge gap, hindering personal insurance adoption.

Delhi is phasing out petrol and CNG two-wheelers by April 2028, with only electric auto-rickshaws to be registered from January 2027. The new Electric Vehicle Policy, effective July 1, offers significant subsidies for electric two and three-wheeler buyers in its first year. This initiative aims to combat air pollution, which vehicular emissions contribute to significantly, by accelerating the adoption of clean mobility solutions.

India's long-serving INSAS rifle, plagued by reliability issues and a less potent caliber, is being replaced by the AK-203. Soldiers reported frequent jams and a lack of stopping power, especially against adversaries armed with heavier rounds. The new Russian-designed, Indian-made AK-203 promises superior durability, ease of maintenance, and greater lethality with its 7. 62mm caliber, marking a significant upgrade for the armed forces.

Monsoon fury has gripped Arunachal Pradesh, with heavy rains triggering devastating floods and landslides across at least 12 districts. Roads, bridges, and homes have suffered extensive damage, severing vital connectivity. Tragically, lives have been lost, and a biker had a miraculous escape. Rescue operations are underway for stranded individuals, while authorities warn of further dangers from swollen rivers.

India has clarified its stance on recent reports of a Track 2 dialogue with Pakistan. Foreign secretary Vikram Misri stated that these meetings are private initiatives, devoid of any official Indian government participation or backing. He emphasized that such unofficial interactions are common globally and do not hold significant value or recognition from New Delhi's perspective, urging the public not to view them as official engagements.

A remarkable transformation is underway in Assam, where Purnima Devi Barman's Hargila Army, a 20,000-strong women's collective, is championing the conservation of the greater adjutant stork. Once reviled as a bad omen, this bird is now a symbol of pride, thanks to the army's grassroots efforts. Their work has not only saved the storks but also empowered women through income-generating initiatives, proving that dedicated individuals can indeed change the world.

From spending hours plotting against Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to dismantling India's star-studded batting line-up, Jai Moondra's dream debut for Ireland was years in the making. His childhood coach and mother recount the relentless work ethic that transformed an engineering student from Tonk, Rajasthan into Ireland's hero in their historic series win over India.

The Tekton is expected to share its engine options with the new Duster. A 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with 100 PS power and 160 nm torque paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox. Another engine is a 1.3-litre, 4-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine with 163 PS and 280 Nm of torque, paired with a 6-speed DCT or a 6-speed manual.

A 28-year-old garment trader in Faridabad allegedly died by suicide, posting a video accusing his wife and her family of abuse. Rahul claimed continuous physical and mental harassment, including assault and a false case. His family discovered him after seeing the video. Police have registered a case against the wife and her relatives and are investigating the allegations.

A brazen thief made off with Rs 6,000 worth of fuel from a Gurgaon petrol station on Friday. CCTV captured the young man calmly filling his black Scorpio's tank before suddenly speeding away, dragging and snapping the hose. Police are now reviewing footage to identify the vehicle and apprehend the suspect, who fled the scene without paying.