Month: July 2025

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that the issue of Khalistani extremists and related groups is a matter of concern for India, and it has been brought to the attention of partners in the United Kingdom.

Discussions have also taken place between India and the UK regarding the extradition of fugitives to India, Misri said.

He made the remarks on Tuesday, during a special press conference held ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the UK and Maldives which begins tomorrow.

Foreign Secretary Misri said, “The issue of the presence of Khalistani extremists, bodies close to these people, is something that we have brought to the attention of our partners in the UK. We will continue to do so. This is a matter of concern not only to us but should be a matter of concern to our partners as well because this impacts social cohesion and social order in these other countries as well.”

Answering a media query on the issue of fugitives in the UK, Misri said that there is a legal process to such requests regarding fugitives related to Indian law and India is working “very closely” with the UK on this issue.

“There have been a few questions fugitives related to Indian law and Indian justice, in the UK. These have been a matter of discussion between both sides and we have continued to make the case for these fugitives to be rendered to India. There is a legal process that such requests , issues go through in the other country, and we continue to follow very closely with our partners in the UK on these matters.”

Foreign Secretary Misri, during the briefing informed that this would be PM Modi’s fourth visit to the UK. “This visit, though, a short one will give both leaders the opportunity to review the entire gamut of the bilateral relationship.”

He added, “The India UK partnership, as you’re aware, was upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2021 and since then, has seen regular high level political exchanges, and both sides remain committed to taking this partnership to even higher levels, apart from the summit level, engagements.”

The visit to the UK is at the invitation of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, while the state visit to the Maldives is at the invitation of President Mohamed Muizzu. (ANI)

In a significant boost to its operational capabilities, the Indian Army on Tuesday received the first batch of Apache helicopters into its Aviation fleet.

The Indian Army in a social media post termed the induction a “milestone moment” for the Indian Army, stating that the arrival of the state-of-the-art platforms would “bolster the operational capabilities of the Indian Army significantly.”

“Indian Army inducts #Apache Milestone moment for Indian Army as the first batch of Apache helicopters for Army Aviation arrive today in India. These state-of-the-art platforms will bolster the operational capabilities of the #IndianArmy significantly,” the post said.

This consignment of Apache helicopters arrived at Hindon Airbase.

Notably, the Indian Air Force already operates a fleet of 22 Apache helicopters, which have been deployed in Ladakh and western sectors.

The helicopter is capable of delivering variety of weapons which include air to ground Hellfire missiles, 70 mm Hydra rockets and air to air Stinger missiles. Apache also carries one 30 mm chain gun with 1200 rounds as part of area weapon sub system. To add to the lethality of the helicopter, it carries fire control radar, which has a 360° coverage and nose mounted sensor suite for target acquisition and night vision systems.

The AH-64E is the most modern configuration of the Apache and is ready for the MDO battlefield. A network-centric, fully integrated weapon system specifically built to dominate in highly contested and complex battle space, the AH-64E Version 6, or v6, Apache includes multiple enhancements to the aircraft’s sensors, software and weapons performance.

Designed for interoperability within the Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) ecosystem AH-64E v6 is a lethal, survivable and agile system providing the reach, maneuverability and performance needed by ground forces and contributes to current and future joint mission success.

By providing and integrating advanced capabilities through a layered effect of on board and off board sensors, stand-off long range weapons and the connectivity required to use all the tools the ecosystem can bring, AH-64E v6 is a fully integrated, optimized for battle attack helicopter that is truly in a class by itself. (ANI)

Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha faced major disruptions on Tuesday on the second day of the Monsoon Session amid Opposition protest over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls being undertaken by the Election Commission (EC) in Bihar ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.

Both Houses of Parliament were adjourned till July 23. The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will again meet at 11 am on Wednesday.

Earlier today, Lok Sabha was first adjourned till 12 pm, minutes after it convened. The Lower House was adjourned again till 2 pm, shortly after it reconvened amid opposition protest.

Targeting the opposition for creating ruckus in the House, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that the government is ready for discussion, but the Opposition is “wasting public money” by indulging in protest.

“They (opposition) are demanding discussion and we are ready for it. Then why are they not allowing the House to function? This double standard is wrong. If you want discussion, then do not create ruckus. The government has said that we are ready for discussion. You are wasting public money….,” Rijiju said.

Bharatiya Janata Party MP Jagdambika Pal, chairing the lower house, announced the adjournment and asked the Opposition to submit proposals and resolutions instead of raising placards in the Lok Sabha.

Pal said previously while objecting to the use of placards in the house. “Instead of showing placards, you can submit your proposals, resolutions, and the business advisory committee will consider them. Speakers will give time, and the government will respond. Why are you worried?” he said.

Similarly, in the Rajya Sabha, Opposition MPs raise slogans, demanding a discussion on the revision of the electoral roll in Bihar.

Multiple leaders, including Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, stood at the steps of Parliament at Makar Dwar and protested against the Bihar SIR, calling for the exercise to be halted.

Multiple leaders were seen carrying posters condemning the revision exercise, holding placards calling it a “stealing of Indian Rights,” “death of democracy,” and more. The issue of Bihar SIR has been a contentious one with the INDIA bloc MPs demanding a discussion on it in the Parliament.

The Opposition has also demanded discussions on the Pahalgam terrorist attack and India’s response through Operation Sindoor. (ANI)

Congress MP Manish Tewari on Tuesday sought a clarification on the circumstances that led to Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar’s resignation and said that the decision is “wrapped in a mystery”.

Speaking to ANI, Tewari claimed that the resignation of the Rajya Sabha Chairman remains somewhat of a riddle.

“First of all. I wish the Vice President of India a very healthy and long life. However, his resignation remains somewhat of a riddle, which is at the moment wrapped in a mystery and rolled in an enigma,” he said.

Demanding an explanation, Tewari said that the Vice President should shed light on the circumstances as he holds the second-highest Constitutional office.

“Because the abrupt circumstances or the abrupt manner in which he resigned without any attendant circumstances to accentuate it is intriguing for the lack of a better word and while not wanting to transgress and intrude into the health of the Vice President, if it is at all a health issue, it would be helpful that since he holds the second highest Constitutional office, if he would shed some light on the circumstances which have left led to the decision,” he said.

Earlier today, Manish Tewari shared an X post calling the Vice President’s decision “sudden and abrupt”.

The Congress MP wrote, “The resignation of @VPIndia Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar is a riddle wrapped in mystery rolled in an enigma. While wishing @VPIndia the best of health and I had the occasion of sharing a Dias with him recently where he was his usual pointed though self effacing and rather witty self it would really help if he clarifies the reasons for his sudden and abrupt decision.”

As VP Dhankar resigned citing health reasons, Tewari said that the best medical treatment is available to the Vice President of India, but it is his decision to avail it or not.

“The best Medical treatment is always available to @VPIndia. It is his prerogative of course whether he wants to avail of it while being in office or not,” the X post read.

Congress leaders have been flagging Vice President Dhankar’s resignation, questioning the reasons behind the decision.

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh also claimed that there are “far deeper reasons” behind the resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, citing the “deliberate” absence of Union Ministers JP Nadda and Kiren Rijiju from the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting chaired by the Rajya Sabha Chairman on July 21.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from his post on Monday “to prioritise health care and abide by medical advice.” Dhankar, also the Chairman of Rajya Sabha, sent his resignation letter to President Droupadi Murmu. (ANI)

British Navy’s F-35 fighter jet finally took off from Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on Tuesday after remaining grounded at the airport for over a month following a fault in the hydraulic system.

The fighter jet had made an emergency landing at the airport on June 14.

The British Navy aircraft is a part of the UK Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales.

The fighter jet was out on a routine sortie when it developed a snag and could not land on the ship. The plane reached the Thiruvananthapuram airport, which was designated as the emergency recovery airfield, and requested emergency landing permission.

The Indian Air Force provided all required support and assisted in the process, including refuelling.

A technical team from the UK Royal Air Force had arrived to repair it, and the 5th-generation stealth fighter aircraft was parked at the Bay in the airport for many days. It was later moved to the Air India hangar, where a team from the UK was brought in to repair the fighter jet.

F-35Bs are highly advanced stealth jets, built by Lockheed Martin, and are prized for their short take-off and vertical landing capability.

Images of the “lonely F-35B”, parked on the tarmac and soaked by the Kerala monsoon rains, spawned memes on social media.

The Kerala Tourism Department was the first to share an image of the aircraft on social media X with a humorous caption, “Kerala, the destination you’ll never want to leave”, and this was quickly followed by similar posts from Milma (Kerala’s dairy cooperative), the Kerala Police, the State AIDS Control Society, and several private organisations. (ANI)

Two miscreants allegedly involved in the Chandan Mishra murder case were injured in an encounter with Bihar Special Task Force (STF) and Bhojpur Police on Tuesday.

The miscreants have been identified as Balwant Kumar Singh and Ravi Ranjan Kumar Singh.

They have been arrested by Bihar Police and are currently being treated in a hospital. They have reportedly admitted to their involvement in the murder case.

Police seized two pistols and one magazine.

Earlier on Sunday, all four of the accused were arrested in Kolkata in connection with the murder of Chandan Mishra in a Patna hospital, said Patna SSP Kartikey K Sharma, adding that the other four are still absconding.

Unidentified assailants shot a prisoner, Chandan Mishra, who was admitted to a hospital in Patna for treatment on July 17.

“On 17th July, Chandan Mishra was shot dead in the hospital. The shooters fled to different places after committing the crime. While starting the investigation, raids were conducted by the Patna Police at various places, and many people were questioned. The main shooter, Tausif, was arrested in Kolkata. Kolkata Police and Kolkata STF gave us very commendable support, and due to that support, Tausif was arrested in Kolkata. Along with Tausif, 3 other people were also found there who had a role in this conspiracy…He has been booked in NDPS, Arms Act and attempt to murder cases in the past. Nishu Khan has also been booked in extortion and Arms Act cases in the past, with him his Harsh and Bheem arrested…All 4 of the accused have been arrested in Kolkata…,” SSP Kartikey K Sharma said.

He further said, “The other four are still absconding and will be arrested soon. The investigation is underway.”

The prisoner, Chandan Mishra, was out on parole on the grounds of required medical attention and was admitted to Paras Hospital for treatment, when unidentified assailants barged into the hospital and shot him.

Chandan Mishra was a known criminal with dozens of murder cases registered against him. The Police believe that the rival gang has carried out the shooting. (ANI)

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP), Kangana Ranaut, speaking on the Monsoon Parliament Session, said that the opposition does not want the proceedings to take place on Monday.

“The decorum of the House is being violated. Every session is disrupted. Today too, time has been allocated for each issue, but they (the opposition) do not want the proceedings to take place,” said Ranaut.

Several MPs on Tuesday submitted notices to move adjournment motions in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to discuss the issue of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.

In Lok Sabha, Congress MP Manickam Tagore gave a notice to move an adjournment motion to discuss the SIR of electoral rolls in Bihar and its “threat to democratic rights “.

In Rajya Sabha, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh gave a notice of motion to discuss the “constitutional and electoral implications” of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.

The notice reads, “I would like to draw the attention of this House to a very serious and sensitive issue relating to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process currently being conducted by the Election Commission of India in the State of Bihar. While regular and transparent revision of Electoral Rolls is the cornerstone of a democratic system, the nature of this process being adopted in Bihar appears to be worrisome and inequality-promoting at many levels, especially when we see it in the backdrop of the upcoming Assembly elections in the year 2025.”

“Therefore, I humbly request you to adjourn all proceedings of the House under Rule 267 and discuss this very important issue so that the right to vote of citizens can be protected,” it further reads.

Congress’ Rajya Sabha MP Akhilesh Prasad Singh has also given Suspension of Business Notice under rule 267 to discuss the concerns arising out of the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar ahead of elections. (ANI)

At least 20 people were died and 171 more have been injured after a Bangladesh Air Force training jet crashed into an educational institute on Monday in Dhaka’s Diabari area, the Daily Star reported.

According to the report, the Bangladesh Air Force F-7 fighter jet crashed into the Milestone School and College campus in Dhaka earlier in the afternoon. The jet was being piloted by Bangladeshi Air Force Flight Lieutenant Mohammad Towkir Islam Sagar, who had also died in the crash.

Chief Adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, also expressed his profound grief over the incident.

In his condolence message on X, Yunus described the incident as an “irreparable” loss for the Bangladesh Air Force, as well as others affected.

“I express my deep grief and sorrow over the tragic incident of casualties caused by the crash of a Bangladesh Air Force F-7 BJI training aircraft at the Milestone School and College campus in the Diabari area of the capital today. The loss suffered by the Air Force, the students, parents, teachers, and staff of Milestone School and College, as well as others affected by this accident, is irreparable. This is a moment of profound pain for the nation,” Yunus stated in the post.

The Chief Adviser further prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the crash.

“I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured and direct all concerned authorities, including hospitals, to address the situation with the utmost priority. The government will take necessary measures to investigate the cause of the accident and ensure all forms of assistance,” the post added.

Emergency response teams were at the site for search and rescue operations.

A one-day state mourning day has been proclaimed by the Bangladeshi government after the deadly crash. All government, semi-government, autonomous, and educational institutions nationwide will fly the national flag of the country at half-mast.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his deep shock and sorrow over the loss of lives in the training jet crash in Dhaka.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister conveyed his condolences, stating that India stands in solidarity with the people of Bangladesh and is ready to extend its support and assistance for the rescue operation following the incident. (ANI)

Scores of CPI(M) leader paid their tributes to former Kerala Chief Minister and veteran CPI(M) leader VS Achuthanandan, who passed away at the age of 101 on Monday. He was undergoing treatment in a private hospital after a cardiac arrest

Brinda Karat, senior CPI(M) leader, expressed her sorrow and remembered Achuthanandan as a fighter.

While speaking to ANI, Brinda said, “We are all deeply sad. There is no science to prevent death, but I can say that for us, the people of Kerala and the poor of the country, he was a warrior. A warrior against injustice, against exploitation, and he always fought for a better future. As a warrior, as a fighter, as a legislator representing his constituency, as the CM of Kerala, there were many achievements for him…”

He was one of the founding members of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and a prominent figure in the Indian Left movement.

Another senior leader of CPI(M), Nilotpal Basu, highlighted Achuthanandan’s decades-long commitment to the party and movement. “It is a moment of profound grief for us in the party and the Left movement as well. He was 101 years old, and he is the longest-surviving member of the National Council of CPI who walked out and formed the CPI(M) along with others. He joined the movement at the age of 17, so he had a very long public life…” he told ANI

Vijoo Krishnan, CPI(M) leader, recalled Achuthanandan’s progressive leadership, saying, “It’s a sad day for all of us. Former Kerala CM VS Achuthanandan passed away at the age of 101. Having been born in extremely poor conditions and facing a lot of oppression, he fought against oppression and fought for the rights of the oppressed people, the workers. Throughout his long career in politics, he has been a member of the Politburo of the CPI(M)…” he added.

“As the chief minister, many progressive legislation were passed. Firstly, to stop the farmers’ suicides, the debt relief commission was brought in. The better prices for farmers’ produce were instituted during his time. It is a revolutionary leader that we have lost today, and he will surely inspire generations to come…” he further said.

Another prominent leader from the Left, Hannan Mollah, called Achuthanandan one of the greatest leaders of the movement. “One of the great leaders of CPI(M) passed away… He was a very great leader of the Communist movement… He was a very popular leader in the State. He came from a very small background, but he emerged as the biggest political leader of the state…”

The Kerala Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, paid tributes to Achuthanandan.

Meanwhile, the Kerala government has declared a three-day mourning period beginning from July 22 as a mark of respect to V S Achuthanandan

During this time, the National Flag will be flown at half-mast on all government buildings across Kerala.

Velikkakathu Sankaran Achuthanandan was the Chief Minister of Kerala from 2006 to 2011. He was also the longest-serving opposition leader in the Kerala Assembly, holding the position for 15 years.

Achuthanandan was a founding member of the CPM. He served as the Secretary of the CPM Kerala State Committee from 1980 to 1992. He was the LDF convener between 1996 and 2000, and Leader of the Opposition in three separate terms–1992 to 1996, 2001 to 2006, and 2011 to 2016. (ANI)

Anne Hathaway has unveiled her first look from the much-awaited ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ sequel, leaving fans excited. The Oscar winner took to her Instagram handle on Monday and teased her return as the beloved Andy Sachs.

The post shows Hathaway in a candid pose, dressed elegantly in a dark green suit and black shoes.

“Andy Sachs 2025 #dwp2,” the actress wrote in the caption. Elated fans flooded the comment section with joyful reactions, expressing their anticipation.

The picture came weeks after the film went into production. 20th Century Studios announced the same on social media, aligning with the stepping down of Anna Wintour as the editor-in-chief at Vogue after nearly four decades.

Wintour is said to be the inspiration for the titular editor in the film, famously played by Meryl Streep.

The first film was based on Lauren Weisberger’s 2003 bestselling novel of the same name. It tells the story of a young New Yorker Andy (Anne Hathaway), who lands a job at a top fashion magazine under the ruthless editor-in-chief Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep).

The sequel will see Streep and Hathaway along with Stanley Tucci and Emily Blunt.

The film has gone into production almost two decades after the original film arrived in theatres. Besides the returning actors, new cast members include Kenneth Branagh, Lucy Liu, Justin Theroux, BJ Novak, and Pauline Chalamet, as reported by Variety. Not much is known about their roles.

The outlet added that the sequel will pitch Hathaway’s Andy against her former boss, the Runway editor-in-chief, who will struggle with the decline of traditional magazine publishing.

Plot details for ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ have been currently kept under wraps. Going by the end of the first film where Andy quits Runway and joins a major New York newspaper, it is now to be seen what Hathaway’s character has been upto.

The Devil Wears Prada 2 will release on May 1, 2026. (ANI)