Month: April 2025

Congress President Malikarjun Kharge on Monday, while addressing the ‘Samvidhan Bachao’ rally in Jaipur, hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not attending the all-party meeting called after the Pahalgam attack and stated that everyone should unite for the country.

“On behalf of Congress, Rahul Gandhi visited Jammu and Kashmir and talked to the people who were injured in the Pahalgam attack. However, Modi neither attended the all-party meeting nor visited Kashmir. I want to tell them that the country comes first and everyone should unite for the country,” he said.

Hitting out at the BJP, the Congress President said that a small tea seller could become the PM only because of BR Ambedkar’s Constitution.

“It is because of BR Ambedkar’s Constitution today that a small tea seller could become the PM…. Whenever Congress grows, they take some action. They may or may not take God’s name, but they will take our name….” Kharge said, addressing the rally.

Kharge also took a jibe at the Bharatiya Janata Party and said that the party insulted Congress whenever they took any action, further stating that BJP members could forget to take God’s name but wouldn’t forget to insult Congress.

Kharge further stated that Congress could not be weakened by filing false cases against them.

“Congress is not going to get scared….You cannot weaken Congress by filing false cases against us.”

Kharge also mocked the BJP, stating that the party’s 56-inch chest was yielding nothing but unemployment to the people, and further claimed that it was nowhere near the level of work done by Congress.

Kharge also exuded confidence that if Congress remained strong, it would form the government.

“Fertiliser security, NREGA, education, we gave everything. The 56-inch chest is giving unemployment. BJP is so far away from Congress. If we remain strong, we will form the government…” Kharge further added. (ANI)

India and France on Monday signed a Rs 63000 crore defence deal for the acquisition of 26 Rafale Marine combat aircraft.

The deal was inked at the Defence Ministry headquarters at South Block in the national capital, the Indian Navy said.

The Cabinet Committee on Security had cleared the deal earlier this month.

The French Ambassador to India represented his country, while Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh represented the Indian side, among other officials. The Defence Ministers of both countries also attended the signing remotely.

Earlier, the French Defence Minister was scheduled to attend the signing in person but had to cancel his visit due to personal reasons.

The country’s carriers urgently require new combat fighter jets for deployment, as the existing fleet of MiG-29 K fighters has reportedly underperformed due to maintenance-related issues. The Rafale combat aircraft is expected to be deployed on board INS Vikrant, which is currently in service.

The government-to-government contract includes 22 single-seater and four twin-seater Rafale M jets, customised for Indian requirements and carrier integration.

These carrier-borne fighters are being acquired as a stopgap solution until the development of India’s own carrier-borne fighter jet is completed.

The contract also encompasses a comprehensive package for maintenance, logistics, training, and indigenous component manufacturing.

The Rafale M jets will operate from INS Vikrant and support the existing MiG-29K fleet.

The Indian Air Force already operates a fleet of 36 Rafale aircraft acquired under a separate deal signed in 2016. These aircraft are based at Ambala and Hasimara.

The new deal will raise the total number of Rafale jets in India to 62, significantly boosting the country’s fleet of 4.5-generation fighter aircraft. (ANI)

26/11 terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana, who was recently extradited from the United States (US), was produced before a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court on Monday.

He is being produced before judge Chander Jit Singh, according to NIA. The legal team of the central investigative agency, led by senior advocate Dayan Krishnan, was present in the courtroom.

This comes after Mumbai Police Crime Branch officials questioned 26/11 attack mastermind Tahawwur Hussain Rana at the NIA office in Delhi, officials said on Saturday.

According to Mumbai Police officials, Rana was questioned for eight hours on Wednesday, during which he gave evasive answers and did not cooperate.

Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian accused of terrorism, is a former military doctor with an alleged history of involvement in terror-related activities. He was recently extradited from the United States to India.

Earlier, the Patiala House Court of Delhi dismissed a plea filed by Tahawwur Rana, seeking permission to speak with his family over the phone

.Special NIA Judge Chander Jit Singh on Thursday decided to dismiss his petition.

Rana’s legal counsel, Piyush Sachdeva, had argued that as a foreign national, he has the fundamental right to communicate with his family, who are anxious about his treatment while in custody.

However, the NIA opposed the request, citing the ongoing investigation and expressing concerns that Rana might divulge sensitive information.

Rana faces multiple charges under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), including conspiracy, terrorism, forgery, and waging war. The court noted that under extradition laws, he can only be prosecuted for offences explicitly sanctioned in the extradition agreement.

Furthermore, since Sections 16 and 18 of the UAPA apply, extended police custody beyond standard Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) limitations may be permitted due to the terrorism-related nature of the case. (ANI)

In the wake of the horrific terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, actor Atul Kulkarni decided to visit Kashmir to show his support for the region and its people.

The actor, deeply moved by the attack that claimed the lives of 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, as well as the widespread fear it triggered among tourists, decided to travel to the region in person.

Speaking with ANI, Kulkarni expressed his profound sadness over the incident. “What happened on the 22nd was a very tragic incident; this should not have happened. The entire country is deeply saddened,” Kulkarni said.

He added that, like many others, his initial reaction was to voice his concerns online, but he soon realised that real action was needed.

“Every time something like this happens, what do we do? We post on social media, we talk to friends, we write something. But then I thought, what can I actually do in real action?” he said.

Kulkarni’s decision to visit Kashmir was largely spurred by the news that 90 per cent of tourist bookings in the region had been cancelled following the attack.

“So. I thought that this is the message that the terrorists want to send, what message do they want to convey to us is that ‘Don’t you come to our Kashmir’. But, this will not happen, this is our Kashmir, this is our country, we will come, we will not listen to you. I felt that I could not convey this message sitting in Mumbai. I should come here and tell people that, brother, I have come; you should come too,” he said, emphasising that he couldn’t send this message while being far away in Mumbai.

The actor also shared about his visit to Pahalgam on his Instagram handle. He posted a series of images documenting his journey from Mumbai to Srinagar.

The actor’s photos highlighted empty flight seats, a solitary boarding pass, and an inspiring note from the flight crew.

In one post, he wrote, “Mumbai to Srinagar. The crew says they were running full. We need to fill them up again. Chaliye ji, Kashmir chalein,” inviting people to return to Kashmir and support its recovery.

Upon arriving in Kashmir, Kulkarni shared a poignant image from Pahalgam, a region usually bustling with tourists, now eerily quiet.

The actor also captured the region’s natural beauty, from the clear skies to peaceful streams, emphasising that the region’s allure and tranquillity were still very much intact despite the attack.

He posted photos of local Kashmiris holding placards that read, “We condemn this attack,” and others proudly waving the Indian flag.

His Instagram post included a Hindi poem and a set of hashtags, #ChaloKashmir, #Feet_in_Kashmir, #Kashmiriyat, #Love_Compassion, and #DefeatTerror, encouraging others to show solidarity and stand up to terrorism.

The April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam took place at the Baisaran meadow, one of Kashmir’s popular tourist spots.

The incident, which also left several others injured, is considered one of the deadliest attacks in the region since the 2019 Pulwama strike in which 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans were killed. (ANI)

India delivered a historic performance at the 2nd Asian Yogasana Sport Championship, sweeping the medal tally with a record 83 gold medals at the prestigious event held at the KD Jadhav Arena, Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in the national capital.

The championship saw participation from over 21 countries, including Japan, Mongolia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan and others. While India dominated with an unprecedented 83 Gold Medals, Japan followed with 3 Gold, 3 Silver, and 4 Bronze medals, while Mongolia, Oman, and Nepal rounded out the top five standings.

Countries such as Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Kazakhstan, and Bhutan also showcased strong performances, highlighting the growing footprint of yogasana as a competitive sport across Asia, according to a release from Sai Media.

The championship concluded with a grand closing ceremony attended by Harsh Malhotra, Minister of State for Corporate Affairs, Government of India, and Ajay Chaudhary, Additional Commissioner of Police, Delhi, along with senior officials from the Asian and World Yogasana federations, the release said.

Umang Dawn, Secretary General of Asian Yogasana, opened the ceremony with a warm welcome, followed by an overview of the championship presented by Sanjay Malpani, President of Asian Yogasana. Jaideep Arya, Secretary General of World Yogasana, shared insights on the growing global stature of Yogasana. A colourful cultural showcase added vibrancy to the celebrations, the release said.

Sanjay Malpani, President of Asian Yogasana, emphasised, “Yogasana not only strengthens the body but also nurtures mental resilience and focus qualities essential for holistic well-being and societal progress. Events like these spread this important message far and wide.”

Udit Sheth, President of Yogasana Bharat, said, “I’m proud of our Indian National Team for their spellbinding yogasana competitiveness. Spectacular medal tally. Just amazing!! As the sport is growing rapidly, we have a lot of competition coming up, and we need to sustain our excellence. Well done, team India.”

Final Medal Tally Highlights:

• India — 83 Gold, 3 Silver, 1 Bronze (Rank 1)
• Japan — 3 Gold, 3 Silver, 4 Bronze (Rank 2)
• Mongolia — 1 Gold, 11 Silver, 6 Bronze (Rank 3)
• Oman — 1 Gold, 3 Silver, 7 Bronze (Rank 4)
• Nepal — 0 Gold, 27 Silver, 12 Bronze (Rank 5)

The event concluded with a medal ceremony honouring the athletes and a formal farewell to the dignitaries, marking the end of a highly successful championship. (ANI)

The five time champions, Mumbai Indians (MI) registered their 150th victory in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL) as they defeated the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the ongoing 18th edition of the cash-rich league on Sunday at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

A brilliant four-wicket haul by right-arm seamer Jasprit Bumrah and three wickets by Trent Boult powered the Mumbai side to a commanding win in the ongoing Indian Premier League by 55 runs against the Super Giants.

This was the fifth consecutive win for the Hardik Pandya-led side in the ongoing edition of the cash-rich league. At the moment, they are at the second position in the IPL 2025 points table after winning six out of their 10 matches of the competition so far.

This victory also marked their 150th win after playing a total of 271 matches in the history of the IPL. No other team has achieved this landmark so far in the competition.

The second-best team in this list is the MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK), which has won 140 matches after playing 248 matches in the competition.

Coming to the match, Jasprit Bumrah’s brilliant four-wicket haul, along with Trent Boult’s three-wicket performance, helped Mumbai Indians (MI) secure their fifth win of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), defeating Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by 55 runs at Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.

MI posted a total of 215/7 in 20 overs, thanks to impactful fifties from Ryan Rickelton (58) and Suryakumar Yadav (54). While chasing, MI bowled out LSG for 161. (ANI)

The Left alliance continued its stronghold in Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) elections 2024-25 by securing three of the four top posts, even as the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) made major inroads.

Nitish Kumar (AISA) was elected President, Manisha (DSF) won the Vice-President’s post, and Munteha Fatima (DSF) secured the position of General Secretary.

The ABVP, however, broke a decade-long dry spell by winning the post of Joint Secretary, with Vaibhav Meena emerging victorious.

For most of the counting day, ABVP candidates led in all four central panel positions, reflecting a strong challenge to the traditional Left dominance at JNU.

Though it eventually fell short in the President, Vice-President, and General Secretary contests, the margins of defeat were narrow, signalling a significant shift on campus.

The elections, held on April 25 after a delay due to campus violence, witnessed an enthusiastic turnout of nearly 70 per cent.

With approximately 5,500 students casting their votes, the four-cornered contest saw AISA-DSF, ABVP, and an NSUI-Fraternity alliance vying for control.

In the councillor elections, ABVP scripted history by winning 23 out of 42 seats — its best performance since 1999. The organization swept the School of Engineering and made notable gains in the Schools of Social Sciences, International Studies, and Sanskrit and Indic Studies.

The ABVP’s resurgence has injected fresh energy into campus politics. Leaders and supporters termed the results a “turning point,” pointing to both the strong central panel showing and the expansion at the school and centre levels.

The newly elected leaders expressed their commitment to representing the interests of the students and continuing their advocacy for student rights.

Newly elected President, Nitish Kumar (AISA), assured students, stating, “We will work for the students and their welfare. The aim is to ensure that the voice of every student is heard and respected.”

Manisha (DSF), the newly elected Vice President, gave credit for the win to the university, stating, “The credit for this win goes to the university… JNU laal tha aur laal hi rahega… We always worked for the students and raised their voices, and we will continue doing this work in the future too.”

Newly elected General Secretary, Munteha Fatima (DSF), said, “We will continue to fight for the rights of the students, as we have always done.”

Vaibhav Meena (ABVP), who was elected Joint Secretary, reflected on the significance of his victory, saying, “We have won this after a decade, and ABVP will win all the four seats in the next election. This victory is a stepping stone for further successes.”

The 2024-25 elections saw a four-cornered contest, with AISA aligning with the Democratic Students’ Front (DSF), while ABVP, and an NSUI-Fraternity alliance fielded full panels.

The elections, initially scheduled for April 18, were postponed due to incidents of campus violence, with polling eventually taking place on April 25 after court and administrative intervention. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia for the kin of each of the 12 people who lost their lives in an accident in Madhya Pradesh’s Mandsaur district on Sunday.

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) posted on X that PM Modi had offered condolences to the families of the deceased and wished for the swift recovery of the injured. An ex-gratia of Rs 50,000 was also announced for those who got injured.

The post of the PMO read, ” Saddened by the loss of lives in an accident in Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000:PM”

The speeding van plunged into the well after hitting a bike in the Mandsaur district on Sunday, leaving 12 persons, including a biker and a rescuer, dead, police have said.

Earlier, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav also expressed his grief over the loss of 12 lives in the Mandsaur accident and announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each to the kin of the deceased.

In a post on X, the CM Yadav announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the deceased, Rs 1 lakh each to those seriously injured, and Rs 50,000 each to those with minor injuries, from the CM’s discretionary fund.

“Sad news has been received about the untimely death of twelve people due to a car falling into a deep well in a horrific road accident in Narayangarh police station area of Mandsaur district,” Yadav stated.

The local administration carried out rescue operations, and the injured were admitted to the nearest hospital, CM Yadav wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

“I pray to Baba Mahakal to grant peace to the souls. In this hour of grief, I pray that the family members find the strength to bear this immense loss. I also pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he added.

Earlier, speaking to ANI, Mandsaur Superintendent of Police (SP) Abhishek Anand said, “In an incident in the Narayangarh Police Station area, a van fell into a well, and there were a total of 14 people in the van. A person who went for rescue also lost his life. The van had first hit a motorcycle, and the rider also died.”

According to the SP, four people were successfully rescued from the well, but unfortunately, 12 people lost their lives, 11 in the well and one on the road.

“All of the bodies have been recovered and sent for post-mortem, and some of the post-mortems have already been completed. The legal proceedings regarding the case are also being ensured,” SP Anand added.

In a remarkable act of bravery, Manohar, a local villager, descended into the well to attempt a rescue. He saved six people, including two children, but tragically lost his own life in the process. His body has also been recovered, police said.

SP Anand expressed sympathy for the victims’ families, saying, “This is an extremely heart-wrenching incident, and we express our deepest sympathy to the affected families. All necessary legal actions are being carried out.” (ANI)

The Indian Army responded effectively to the Pakistan Army’s unprovoked small arms firing across the Line of Control (Loc) on the night of April 27-28 in areas opposite Kupwara and Poonch districts in Jammu and Kashmir (J-K), officials said.

According to officials, the Indian troops responded swiftly and effectively to the unprovoked small arms firing by the Pakistan Army.

More details awaited.

Earlier, the Indian Army responded effectively to the Pakistan Army firing along the LoC on the night of April 26-27 in areas opposite the Tutmari Gali and Rampur sectors, as per officials.

Tensions remain high along the LoC even as security forces intensified anti-terror operations in the Kashmir valley in the aftermath of the Phalgam terror attack that killed 26 people on April 22.

The Indian Army said its own troops responded effectively with appropriate small arms fire.

“On the night of 26-27 April 2025, Pakistan Army posts initiated unprovoked small arms fire across the Line of Control in the areas opposite Tutmari Gali and Rampur Sectors. Own troops responded effectively with appropriate small arms fire,” the Indian Army said.

Meanwhile, Kulgam Police, in a coordinated operation with the Army and CRPF, arrested two terrorist associates and recovered a cache of arms and ammunition in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district.

According to an official release, during a routine checkpoint established at Matalhama Chowk Thokerpora, Qaimoh, two individuals were intercepted and subsequently arrested. They have been identified as Bilal Ahmad Bhat, son of Abdul Salam Bhat, and Mohd Ismail Bhat, son of Ghulam Mohammad Bhat, both residents of Thokerpora, Qaimoh.

Upon their search, security forces recovered two pistols, two pistol magazines, and 25 rounds of pistol ammunition from their possession.A case under relevant sections of law has been registered at Police Station Qaimoh, and an investigation has been launched to probe further. (ANI)

The Red side of Merseyside erupted in celebration as Liverpool FC clinched their 20th English league title with a commanding 5-1 victory over North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on Sunday.

Goals from midfielders Cody Gakpo and Alexis Mac Allister, alongside strikes from forward Luis Diaz and the ever-reliable Egyptian King, Mohamed Salah, powered the Reds to their second Premier League title, marking their first since the historic triumph in 2020. Tottenham’s only consolation came from Dominic Solanke.

With four games still remaining in the season, Liverpool secured the top spot in the Premier League table, sitting comfortably with 82 points after today’s emphatic win.

This title win comes in the very first season under new manager Arne Slot, who took over the reins following the departure of Jurgen Klopp in 2024. Klopp, who spent eight legendary years at the club, leaves behind a legacy of silverware and unforgettable moments–his successor now writing the next glorious chapter in Liverpool’s storied history.

Despite dramatic exits from other competitions across England and Europe, Liverpool held on to their nerves in the league, making them arguably the best club in England following their win today.

Meanwhile, Liverpool’s talisman Salah, is also expected to grab the Premier League Golden Boot, as he has 28 goals under his belt.

He is also set to become the highest assist provider in the Premier League this season, with 18 assists to his name currently.

Earlier this month, club captain Virgil van Dijk, along with Salah, signed a new contract, extending their stay with the club.

VVD joined the club back in January 2018 from Southampton and quickly established himself as one of the world’s elite defenders. He took up the captain’s armband for the club after Englishman Jordan Henderson left the club in the summer of 2023.

While Salah has solidified himself as a Liverpool legend after being transferred to the club from AS Roma in the summer of 2017.

Earlier, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk signed a new contract, extending his stay with the club and ensuring his leadership will continue into the upcoming seasons, nearly seven and a half years after first arriving at Anfield, according to the official website of Liverpool FC.

This announcement came shortly after Mohamed Salah also agreed to fresh terms with the Reds last week. (ANI)