Month: May 2025

Bengaluru experienced severe waterlogging on Sunday due to intense rainfall, prompting Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to express his deep concern over the situation.

“Deeply concerned by the havoc caused by relentless rains in Bengaluru. I’ve been in continuous touch with the concerned officers and I’m closely monitoring the situation. As always, I remain committed to Bengaluru – working round the clock to address challenges and ensure relief. I will be visiting the BBMP War Room and flood-affected areas personally to take stock on ground. Let us be clear: the issues we face today are not new. They have been ignored for years, across governments and administrations. The only difference now is – we are working to solve them. Not with temporary fixes, but with long-term, sustainable solutions. To my fellow Bengalureans – I am one among you. I understand your concerns, I share your frustration, and I assure you of my commitment to resolve them, ” he said in a post on X.

The city’s infrastructure struggles to cope with the heavy rainfall. Visuals from the Silk Board Metro Station show severe waterlogging, with several parts of the city witnessing flooding. The Silk Board area, a major traffic hub, is severely affected, causing inconvenience to commuters.

Other areas, including Shanti Nagar bus stands and Kanteerava Stadium, also face problems due to heavy rains. Waterlogging has been reported in several low-lying areas, disrupting daily life. The city’s notorious traffic congestion has worsened due to flooding, with numerous tree branches falling and vehicles breaking down.

The cities woes prompted the BJP to turn up the heat on the Congress government in the state accusing it of not being able to manage the state.

“Bengaluru has been turned into Venice after just one spell of rain. The Congress’s apathy has ruined Silicon City. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar have no vision for this global city other than using it as an ATM to fill their coffers,” said BJP leader Amit Malviya in a post om X.

Leader of R. Ashoka criticised the Deputy CM DK Shivakumar who is also the nodal minister for Bengaluru development accusing him of being more interested in politics than governance.

“What Karnataka Congress promised: Brand Bengaluru, What Karntataka Congress delivered: Beach Bengaluru. Part-time Bengaluru Development Minister DK Shivakumar, if you are done with your brother DK Suresh’s Milk Union Elections, kindly give some time to Bengaluru,” he posted on X.

Residents express frustration and helplessness, calling for immediate civic action to address the city’s infrastructure issues. Meanwhile the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for several areas across Karnataka, including Bengaluru. More rain is expected in the next two days, bracing the city for further disruption. Authorities are working to mitigate the impact of the flooding. (ANI)

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) has provided a comprehensive overview of its latest operations against Hamas. IDF Spokesperson Lt Col Nadav Shoshani listed down the major objectives of Operation Gideon’s Chariot through a video message on Monday.

In the message, Lt Col Shoshani informed that the IDF ground forces advanced their operations in Northern and Southern Gaza.

“After the October 7th massacre, our mission is clear. Bring our hostages home and dismantle Hamas’s military and governing capabilities”, he said.

Lt Col Shoshani informed that in the last week, the Israeli Air Force had struck over 670 Hamas targets, tunnels, weapon sites, anti-tank units, and terrorists. He said that Israeli troops are now operating deep in Gaza to eliminate threats, destroy terror infrastructure and take control of key areas.

He listed down four objectives of the mission. These are-

a) Give advanced warnings to uninvolved civilians to make sure they get out of harm’s way

b) Control the battlefield

c) Protect Israeli civilians

d) Dismantle Hamas’ leadership and capabilities.

Lt Col Shoshani said that dozens of terrorists had already been eliminated. “The Air Force continues to strike with precision.”

He informed, “This won’t end overnight. but we’ll fight until Hamas is no longer a threat and our hostages are released. The mission continues.”

Al Jazeera had reported that the Israeli army on Sunday confirmed the start of Operation Gideon’s Chariots, which will involve regular and reserve soldiers of the Southern Command leading the ground invasion of both northern and southern Gaza, backed by the air force.

Previously citing military, Times of Israel said, “IDF troops in the Southern Command will continue to operate to protect Israeli citizens and realize the goals of the war”.

According to Israeli officials referred to by the Times of Israel, the Gideon’s Chariots offensive would see the IDF “conquering” Gaza and retaining the territory; moving the Palestinian civilian population toward the south of the Strip; attacking Hamas; and preventing the terror group from taking control of humanitarian aid supplies. (ANI)

Former US President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an “aggressive form” of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, as per a statement from his office released on Sunday (local time).

According to the statement, the diagnosis followed the discovery of a prostate nodule after he reported worsening urinary symptoms, with tests confirming a high-grade cancer with a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5), indicating metastasis to the bone.

“Last week, President Joe Biden was seen for a new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms. On Friday, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterised by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone,” the statement read.

Despite the severity, the cancer is reportedly hormone-sensitive, which may allow for effective treatment.

“While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management,” the statement further read.

The 82-year-old Biden and his family are currently consulting with doctors to determine the best course of action.

“The President and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians,” it added.

Meanwhile, according to a new book by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios’ Alex Thompson, titled “Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again ” — set to be released May 20– internal concerns within Biden’s team were revealed on the 46th President’s physical decline during the latter part of his presidency.

Based on over 200 interviews, mostly with Democratic insiders after the 2024 election, the book claims Biden’s aides discussed the potential need for a wheelchair in a second term, though they avoided it during his reelection campaign due to political optics, as reported by CNN.

As per CNN, citing the book, Biden’s doctor, Kevin O’Connor, warned that a fall could lead to a difficult recovery and possibly require wheelchair use and to minimise risks, staff made efforts to accommodate his mobility issues discreetly — such as shortening his walking routes, adding handrails, and using smaller staircases for Air Force One.

These measures intensified as Biden’s physical limitations became more visible, culminating in his poor performance during the June 2024 debate against US President Donald Trump, which ultimately led him to withdraw from the race weeks later. (ANI)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that acting on the recommendations from the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), his cabinet has agreed to allow a “basic quantity” of food after a nearly three-month blockade in Gaza that has brought Palestinians to the edge of famine, Euronews reported on Monday.

According to Euronews, this move is aimed at facilitating Israel’s expansion of intense military operations in Gaza.

The announcement came as Israel launched a new and extensive ground offensive in Gaza on Saturday, dubbed “Gideon’s Chariots”.

On Sunday alone, over 100 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes, Euronews reported, citing Gaza’s Health Ministry. These strikes also forced the closure of the Indonesian Hospital, the key medical facility in northern Gaza.

Netanyahu acknowledged the urgency of avoiding a famine, which the military warns could jeopardise its broader campaign against Hamas.

According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, nearly half a million Palestinians are already experiencing “catastrophic” hunger, with one million more barely meeting their nutritional needs, Euronews reported.

Food security experts have cautioned that without an end to the blockade and military action, famine in Gaza is imminent. Details about the timing and method of delivering humanitarian aid remain unclear. Netanyahu stressed that aid distribution must avoid empowering Hamas, pledging that Israel will prevent the group from accessing any supplies, as reported by Euronews.

The current military campaign, the largest since the March ceasefire was broken, seeks to seize control of territory and displace large numbers of Palestinians. At the same time, ceasefire negotiations are ongoing.

Israel is pushing for a temporary truce focused on freeing hostages but not necessarily ending the conflict. Hamas, however, demands a complete Israeli withdrawal and a clear path to ending the war as part of any agreement.

As per Euronews, citing Gaza’s Health Ministry, since the collapse of the last ceasefire, nearly 3,000 more Palestinians have been killed.

The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostages. Hamas is currently believed to be holding 57 hostages, 22 of whom are presumed alive.

Israel’s subsequent military response has resulted in more than 50,000 deaths in Gaza, according to figures from Hamas-run authorities. The Israeli military reports that 856 of its soldiers have been killed since the fighting began. (ANI)

In clear acts of bravery and valour, the armed forces safeguarded many cities in the border states of India during the recent conflict with Pakistan, which witnessed drone attacks and other form of air assault that was intercepted and destroyed before it could cause destruction in civil establishments.

The Indian Army’s Air defence systems played a critical role in repelling Pakistan’s misadventures. The Army on Monday showcased a demonstration of how Indian Air Defence systems, including AKASH missile system, L-70 Air Defence Guns, saved the Golden Temple in Amritsar and cities of Punjab from Pakistani missile and drone attacks.

Major General Kartik C Seshadri, GOC (General Officer Commanding) 15 Infantry Division, said that the Indian army had anticipated Pakistan’s move to target its military installations along with civilian establishments here, including religious places such as the Golden Temple, which was the prime target according to information received from the intelligence.

“Knowing that the Pak Army does not have any legitimate targets, we anticipated that they would target Indian military installations, civilian targets, including religious places. Of these, the Golden Temple appeared to be the most prominent. We mobilised additional modern air defence assets to give a holistic air defence umbrella cover to Golden Temple,” Major General Seshadri said.

He stated that Pakistan engaged in an air assault with aerial weapons, including drones and long-range missiles, targeting the Golden Temple, which was “thwarted” by the army personnel, who remained prepared for such situations and attacks.

“On 8th May early morning, in the hours of darkness, Pakistan carried out a massive air assault with unmanned aerial weapons, primarily drones and long-range missiles. We were fully prepared since we had anticipated this, and our braveheart and alert army air defence gunners thwarted Pakistan Army’s nefarious designs and shot down all drones and missiles targeted at the Golden Temple. Thus, not allowing even a scratch to come on our holy Golden Temple,” Seshadri said.

The GOC 15 Infantry Division explained in detail the consequences of the Pahalgam terror attack, which prompted the launch of Operation Sindoor, where India attacked nine terror camps deep inside Pakistan’s territory, resulting in aggression from the Pakistani side.

“Consequent to the Pak Army-sponsored dastardly terrorist attack on innocent tourists, both domestic and international, the nation’s anger under able leadership took the form of Operation Sindoor, wherein befitting punitive strikes were carried out on exclusive terror targets. Nine targets were hit. Of the nine targets, seven were exclusively destroyed by the Indian Army,” Major General Seshadri told ANI.

The Major General said that the armed forces targeted many places with “absolute precision” during Operation Sindoor, striking areas like Muridke and Bahawalpur, which house the headquarters of terrorist organisations.

“Of these (nine) targets, Muridke, which is in proximity to Lahore, houses the Lashkar-e-Tayyaba headquarters and also the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) headquarters at Bahawalpur, which were struck with absolute precision. Soon after the strikes, we issued a statement clarifying that we intentionally did not target any Pakistani military or civilian infrastructure,” he added.

India’s Air Defence Systems proved their prowess at the height of the tensions between the two neighbours, intercepting numerous drones, missiles, micro UAVs, and loitering munitions, emerging as a globally actionable defence asset. (ANI)

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Sunday held a telephonic conversation with Ali Akbar Ahmadian, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran where he expressed India’s interest in expanding bilateral cooperation in the development of Chabahar Port and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).

The two also particularly spoke about the development of Chabahar Port and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).

In a post on X, Iran’s embassy in India stated, “Mr. Ajit Doval, National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of India, held a telephone conversation with Dr. Ali Akbar Ahmadian, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of the Islamic Republic of Iran and representative of the Supreme Leader. During the call, Mr. Doval emphasised Iran’s constructive role in the region and expressed India’s interest in expanding bilateral cooperation–particularly in the development of Chabahar Port and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). He also thanked Iran for its continued assistance and support.”

“Dr. Ahmadian affirmed that Iran and India, as two ancient civilisations, share deep-rooted ties and vast potential for political and economic collaboration. He stressed the need to swiftly implement strategic projects and reiterated that bilateral cooperation serves the broader interests of regional peace and stability,” the statement added.

Earlier on May 8, lauding bilateral ties between India and Iran, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that the cooperation between the two nations has progressed in many aspects in recent years.

In his opening remarks at the 20th India-Iran Joint Commission Meeting in Delhi, Jaishankar recalled the meeting held between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in 2024.

Jaishankar said, “It’s a great pleasure to welcome you and your delegation to India and to co-chair along with you, the 20th India-Iran Joint Commission meeting today. In recent years, our cooperation has progressed in many aspects. There are also situations that we need to address. Prime Minister Modi and President Pezeshkian have met in Kazan in October 2024 and given us guidance on how to develop our ties further. (ANI)

A travel vlogger and youtuber who was arrested by the Haryana Police on suspicion of spying for Pakistan, was sent to five days of police remand by a local court, officials said.

According to police, “suspicious things” were found after the police recovered her laptop and mobile. Additionally, The Deputy Superintendent of Hisar, Kamaljeet said that the vlogger was in “continuous contact” with a Pakistani citizen.

“Yesterday, based on inputs that we had, we arrested Jyoti, daughter of Haris Kumar, under the Official Secret Act and BNS 152. We have received some suspicious things after we recovered her mobile and laptop. We have taken her on a five-day remand, and further investigation is on. She was in continuous contact with a Pakistani citizen,” DSP Kamaljeet said in a self-made video on Saturday.

Apart from Official Secrets Act, Jyoti is being held under Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) Section 152, which is regarding acts endangering sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India.

Earlier, Jyoti was interrogated for allegedly sharing sensitive information to Pakistan. According to police, she also allegedly met with a Pakistani officer Ahsan-ur-Rahim in Delhi, and travelled to Pakistan twice.

During the preliminary investigation, the police said that the woman told that she went to the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi in 2023 to apply for a visa and met a man named Ahsan-ur-Rahim, alias Danish. She had allegedly told the police that Rahim had arranged for her stay and travel, while also arranging meetings with Pakistani security and intelligence agencies.

However, the father of Jyoti has said that she had travelled to Pakistan multiple times after acquiring the necessary permission.

“She made YouTube videos. She used to visit Pakistan and other places,” the father told ANI.

When asked about how many times she had visited Pakistan, Malhotra said he did not know.

He said police first came to their house on Thursday and took their bank documents, phone, laptop, and passport.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, Haryana’s Director General of Police (DGP) Shatrujeet Kapoor addressed the arrest of multiple suspected spies in districts of Panipat, Kaithal, and Hisar. He credited the police’s “increased vigilance” for such arrests.

In a statement to the media, Kapoor underlined that the suspected spies had been active for some time, but their activities were exposed due to the intensified monitoring and improved intelligence-sharing mechanisms.

“After the Operation Sindoor and the major incident in Pahalgam, the situation that developed led to the exposure of such individuals. It’s not that they weren’t active before; they were working earlier as well, but now these people have been caught. This is also a result of the increased vigilance, and the heightened surveillance has led to better information reaching our intelligence agencies,” Kapoor said.

He further added that the atmosphere, resembling that of a war, has led to an uptick in such activities. However, the state police and intelligence agencies have been quick to respond. (ANI)

To provide relief from the rising temperatures, the Delhi government is preparing to deploy water ambassadors at bus stops across the city under Delhi Jaldoot scheme.

There are approximately 1,525 bus stops in the state that will from now have the facility of water Ambassadors under the Jaldoot scheme. The government plans to make this water-service available at the bus stops in the national capital so that people can get respite from the heat.

Each Water Ambassador will carry a large container to store water and distribute drinking water to passersby. The aim is to provide people with clean drinking water in rising mercury. This step comes as part of government’s summer action plan.

In addition to the Water Ambassador scheme, there is also a plan to install water coolers. As a pilot project, e-tenders are being issued to install water coolers at 25 selected locations.

Moreover, water arrangements will also be made at 25 bus depots.

To fight the scorching heat, the Delhi government in the month of April launched its Heat Action Plan 2025. The focus of the plan is not just on emergency responses but also on relief measures like installing water coolers, cooling shelters, shading structures, dedicated hospital wards, etc. (ANI)