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India Issues Travel Warning for Iran Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions

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India Issues Travel Warning for Iran Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions 2

Amid rising regional instability, the Indian Embassy in Iran has issued a strong advisory urging Indian nationals to avoid non-essential travel to the country. Citing the rapidly evolving security situation, the embassy has asked citizens to stay updated with the latest developments and follow advisories from Indian authorities.

“In view of the security-related developments over the past several weeks, Indian nationals are advised to carefully consider the evolving situation before undertaking non-essential travel to Iran,” the embassy said in a statement posted on X.

The advisory further stated that Indians currently in Iran who wish to leave should utilize available commercial flight and ferry options.

This caution follows heightened tensions in the region, sparked by Israel’s launch of “Operation Rising Lion” last month against Iran. In retaliation, Iran launched airstrikes targeting Israel and a U.S. military base in Qatar. The U.S. responded by striking three locations in Iran, aligning itself with Israel’s mission to dismantle Iran’s alleged nuclear ambitions—a claim Tehran has consistently denied.

The 12-day conflict saw intense hostilities before a unilateral ceasefire was declared by U.S. President Donald Trump, temporarily halting the clashes.

Nitish Kumar’s Shock Therapy: 125 Units of Free Electricity Before Bihar Polls

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Nitish Kumar’s Shock Therapy: 125 Units of Free Electricity Before Bihar Polls 4

In a high-voltage move ahead of the upcoming Bihar assembly elections, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday announced 125 units of free electricity for all domestic consumers in the state. The decision is expected to benefit nearly 1.67 crore households and is being seen as a major pre-poll populist push.

Making the announcement via social media, Kumar said the scheme will come into effect from August 1, but consumers will see the benefit reflected in their July electricity bills itself. “No charges will be levied for 125 units in the bills for July,” he stated, adding that the government has already been providing affordable power to all citizens.

With the state heading into polls, the move is being viewed as a strategic effort to consolidate support across the electorate by easing financial burdens in a time of rising living costs.

“You Still Have Time to Switch Sides”: Fadnavis Teases Uddhav with Invite to Join BJP

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"You Still Have Time to Switch Sides": Fadnavis Teases Uddhav with Invite to Join BJP 6

In a sharp political jibe with undertones of invitation, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday extended an open door to his estranged former ally Uddhav Thackeray, suggesting that while the BJP won’t be joining the opposition, Thackeray is welcome to return to the ruling side.

Speaking at a farewell function in the legislative council for Leader of Opposition Ambadas Danve, Fadnavis remarked with a smirk, “Uddhav ji, there is no scope for a change in government till 2029. We don’t have any chance to go to your side, but you have the scope to come here. We can definitely think about it.”

The comment, made in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde—who famously led a 2022 rebellion that split the Shiv Sena and toppled Uddhav’s government—comes amid murmurs of growing tension between Fadnavis and Shinde. After the Mahayuti’s sweeping win in the 2024 assembly elections, it was widely speculated that Shinde was upset about losing the chief minister’s post to Fadnavis.

Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena had parted ways with the BJP after the 2019 elections over the CM post dispute. Since then, the political landscape in Maharashtra has been defined by shifting alliances, courtroom drama, and public spats—this remark from Fadnavis only adds more heat to the fire ahead of the 2025 local body polls.

Bombay HC Halts BMC’s Kabutar Khana Demolition Drive, Slams Lack of Legal Basis

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Bombay HC Halts BMC's Kabutar Khana Demolition Drive, Slams Lack of Legal Basis 8

In a significant move, the Bombay High Court on Tuesday stayed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) demolition drive against kabutar khanas (pigeon feeding zones) across Mumbai, offering temporary relief to animal lovers. The court also issued notices to the BMC and the Animal Welfare Board of India, seeking their responses, and directed that the Dean of KEM Hospital be included as a party in the ongoing litigation.

The bench of Justices Girish Kulkarni and Arif Doctor was hearing a petition filed by three Mumbai-based citizens—Pallavi Patil, Sneha Visaria, and Savita Mahajan—who alleged that the BMC’s sudden demolition campaign, which began on July 3, had no legal backing and was resulting in mass starvation and the extermination of pigeons. The petition cited violations of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.

Filed through advocates Harish Pandya and Dhruv Jain, the plea argued that kabutar khanas, some of which are over a hundred years old, are part of Mumbai’s ecological and cultural heritage. The petitioners said the BMC, accompanied by police, not only demolished pigeon feeding spots but also fined citizens up to ₹10,000 for feeding birds—without showing any legal notification authorising the crackdown.

“It is our moral and constitutional duty to care for these birds. With human encroachment destroying natural habitats, the remaining designated feeding areas are vital for their survival,” the petition stated. It also invoked constitutional rights under Articles 14, 21, and 51A(g), asserting that the civic body’s actions infringed upon the right to life, equality, and the duty to protect the environment.

The petitioners requested permission to feed the pigeons twice daily. However, the court declined interim relief at this stage, stating, “In view of the policy now sought to be implemented by the Municipal Corporation considering human health to be paramount, we are not inclined to grant any ad-interim order.”

The bench added that all parties must be heard before further directions are issued. The BMC and other respondents have been asked to file their replies before the next hearing, scheduled for July 23.

SC Grants Divorce After 15-Year Legal Battle, Slams ‘Futile Matrimonial Bond’

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SC Grants Divorce After 15-Year Legal Battle, Slams 'Futile Matrimonial Bond' 10

The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted divorce to an estranged couple, invoking the principle of irretrievable breakdown of marriage and observing that forcing a failed relationship to continue serves no constructive purpose.

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta ruled in favour of the man who had filed the appeal, stressing that it was in the “best interest” of both parties and their minor child to lead independent and peaceful lives, free from the burden of a 15-year-long legal tussle.

Quoting constitutional powers under Article 142, the apex court said, “The marriage between the parties stands dissolved and a decree of divorce is granted.” The court further added that marriage is based on dignity, mutual respect, and companionship, and when these values are irreparably lost, keeping the couple legally tied down only fosters more animosity and litigation.

The man had sought divorce under Section 13(1)(a) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, on grounds of cruelty. His plea was rejected first by the family court and later by the high court, prompting him to approach the Supreme Court. It was alleged that the woman physically assaulted and harassed the man’s ailing mother in a bid to claim property, though the woman denied the allegations.

The court noted that the woman had earlier filed a cruelty case against the man and his family, but all were acquitted. It stated the husband could not be expected to continue the marital bond with someone who had pursued a “false case” against him.

Emphasising the need for closure, the bench remarked, “The continuance of marriage shall only fuel animosity and litigation between the parties, which runs contrary to the ethos of matrimonial harmony envisioned by law.”

The court directed the man to pay a monthly maintenance of ₹15,000 to the woman and their child.

Mamata’s Battle Cry: TMC Hits Streets Over Harassment of Bengalis in BJP States

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Mamata's Battle Cry: TMC Hits Streets Over Harassment of Bengalis in BJP States 12

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will lead a protest march in Kolkata on Wednesday to oppose what her party calls the systematic harassment of Bengali-speaking citizens in BJP-ruled states. The rally, which is being positioned as a defence of Bengal’s cultural identity, will begin at College Square at 1 PM and conclude at Dharmatala.

Top Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders, including national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, will join the march. With less than a year to go for the West Bengal assembly elections, the TMC is intensifying its rhetoric, accusing the BJP of linguistic profiling, arbitrary detentions, and painting Bengalis as “illegal immigrants.”

“This is not a routine political event,” said state minister Chandrima Bhattacharya. “This is a battle to defend Bengal’s honour, language, and identity. If someone calls a Bengali a Bangladeshi, we will not take it lying down.”

Although TMC typically avoids large events ahead of its annual Shahid Dibas rally on July 21, recent incidents — including the detention of Bengali migrant workers in Odisha, eviction drives in Delhi, and a “foreigner” notice issued to a farmer in Assam’s Cooch Behar — have prompted the party to act.

The protest signals a strategic pivot in the TMC’s 2026 election campaign, blending emotional appeals with aggressive grassroots mobilisation. The party aims to energise its base by tapping into regional pride and resistance against perceived cultural marginalisation.

“Bengal will not bow its head,” Bhattacharya declared. “This fight is not just about migrant workers — it’s about the right of Bengalis to exist with dignity in their own country.”

Fauja Singh Killed at 114 in Hit-and-Run, 26-Year-Old SUV Driver Arrested

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Fauja Singh Killed at 114 in Hit-and-Run, 26-Year-Old SUV Driver Arrested 14

In a tragic turn of events, 114-year-old Fauja Singh, globally celebrated as the world’s oldest marathon runner, was killed in a hit-and-run incident in Punjab’s Jalandhar district. Police sources confirmed on Wednesday that the SUV driver, identified as 26-year-old Amritpal Singh Dhillon of Dasupur in Kartarpur, has been arrested. His vehicle has also been seized.

The fatal incident occurred on Monday as Dhillon was traveling from Bhogpur to Kishahgarh and struck Singh near his native Bias village. Eyewitnesses reported that the impact of the collision was so severe that Singh was thrown 5 to 7 feet into the air.

Singh succumbed to his injuries later that evening, sending shockwaves across the sporting and Punjabi communities that revered him for his unparalleled spirit and endurance.

An FIR has been registered against Dhillon under sections 281 (rash driving on a public way) and 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Police continue to investigate the circumstances of the collision.

Fauja Singh, known for his marathon feats well past the age of 100, had become a global symbol of perseverance and vitality. His death marks not just the loss of an athlete, but of an inspiration.

Tesla Rolls Into India: First Mumbai Showroom Launched, Model Y Priced at ₹60 Lakh

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Tesla Rolls Into India: First Mumbai Showroom Launched, Model Y Priced at ₹60 Lakh 16

Tesla has officially entered the Indian market with the launch of its first Experience Centre at Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) in Mumbai, showcasing the brand’s flagship Model Y electric SUV priced at ₹59.89 lakh onwards. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who inaugurated the showroom on Tuesday, extended an open invitation to the American EV giant to consider the state for establishing its research and development and manufacturing operations.

“This is a statement that Tesla has chosen the right city and state. Maharashtra is not just a financial hub but also a center for innovation and sustainability,” said Fadnavis, calling Mumbai an entrepreneurial capital aligned with Tesla’s vision.

Recalling his first ride in a Tesla during a 2015 visit to the U.S., the CM expressed happiness that India will finally witness the EV revolution led by Tesla. “It took nearly a decade, but we’re glad Tesla is finally here. India, and especially Maharashtra, is ready,” he said.

Fadnavis added that the state offers robust infrastructure, policies for EV promotion, incentives for manufacturing, and a thriving market for electric vehicles.

The Tesla Model Y is the company’s debut vehicle for India and will be available in two variants — rear-wheel drive (RWD) priced at ₹59.89 lakh and the long-range RWD at ₹67.89 lakh. On-road prices are estimated at ₹61.07 lakh and ₹69.15 lakh respectively, which include an administrative and service fee of ₹50,000.

Customers can also opt for additional features, including Full-Self Driving (FSD), which comes at an extra cost of ₹6 lakh.

Tesla has already shipped its initial batch of Model Y vehicles — reportedly from its China-based plant — and recently leased a 24,565 sq. ft. warehouse in Lodha Logistics Park, Mumbai for five years.

However, despite the grand showroom launch, there is still uncertainty over Tesla’s manufacturing ambitions in India. Union Heavy Industries Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy had earlier stated that Tesla is currently more interested in setting up showrooms than producing cars locally.

Still, the symbolic entry marks a major milestone for India’s electric mobility sector, with Maharashtra now hoping to become Tesla’s home base for deeper integration in the country.

“Samosa to Pizza”: Govt Orders Display of Sugar, Oil Content to Curb Obesity

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"Samosa to Pizza": Govt Orders Display of Sugar, Oil Content to Curb Obesity 18

In a sweeping move to combat rising obesity and lifestyle diseases, the Union Health Ministry has directed all central ministries and departments to display sugar and oil content in commonly consumed snacks like samosa, kachori, pizza, burger, French fries, gulab jamun, and soft drinks at workplace cafeterias and public spaces.

The advisory urges installation of “Oil and Sugar Boards” that visually highlight the high fat and sugar content in these popular items as part of a broader effort to promote healthy lifestyles. The boards are intended to act as nudges in schools, offices, and government buildings.

The ministry also called for the inclusion of health-related messages on all official stationery — such as letterheads, folders, and notepads — to reinforce the message of daily awareness against obesity.

The move comes amid alarming statistics. According to NFHS-5 (2019–21), over 20% of urban adults in India are overweight or obese. A Lancet study predicts that the number of obese and overweight adults in India may surge from 18 crore in 2021 to 44.9 crore by 2050, making it the second-highest globally.

Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava, in a letter dated June 21, referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s push for healthier living during the 38th National Games in Dehradun earlier this year. Modi had invoked the Fit India campaign and urged citizens to cut oil consumption by 10%.

Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora, who heads the Parliamentary Committee on Subordinate Legislation, has also backed the initiative, stressing that global fast food like pizzas and doughnuts should be regulated just like local street food such as samosas and jalebis.

Srivastava highlighted that excessive sugar and oil intake significantly contributes to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. She urged ministries to lead by example, promoting low-fat and fruit-rich diets in offices, encouraging physical activity, and providing healthier food options.

The circular also included prototype boards that departments can adapt as per requirement, aiming to convert the PM’s Swastha Bharat vision into a mass movement starting with government offices.

Odisha Student Dies After Self-Immolation Over Sexual Harassment; CM Vows Harshest Punishment

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Odisha Student Dies After Self-Immolation Over Sexual Harassment; CM Vows Harshest Punishment 20

A second-year Integrated B.Ed student from Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College in Odisha’s Balasore district died late Monday night after setting herself on fire over alleged inaction on a sexual harassment complaint against a professor. The 20-year-old, who sustained 95% burns, had been undergoing treatment at AIIMS Bhubaneswar.

She reportedly attempted suicide on Saturday, frustrated by the lack of response from college authorities regarding her complaint. Despite efforts by doctors, including intensive care and renal replacement therapy, she was declared clinically dead at 11:46 PM on July 14.

Expressing deep sorrow, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said the culprits would face the “strictest punishment under the law.” “I have personally instructed the authorities to take swift action,” Majhi posted on X, adding that the government stands with the victim’s family during this tragic time.

President Droupadi Murmu, who was in AIIMS Bhubaneswar for its convocation, made an unscheduled visit to the burn ward to enquire about the student’s condition prior to her death.

Meanwhile, Odisha Police arrested Education Department Head Samira Kumar Sahu and college principal Dilip Ghose in connection with the incident. The case has sparked public outrage and renewed calls for urgent reforms in handling sexual harassment complaints in educational institutions.

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