Month: July 2025

A culvert on a state highway connecting Narsinghpur to Narmadapuram collapsed following the heavy rainfall over the past 2-3 days in Madhya Pradesh’s Narsinghpur district, officials said on Saturday.

The culvert was built over Sukhchain river near Bandesur village in Gadarwara subdivision of Narsinghpur district.

Sub-Divisional Officer of Police (SDOP, Gadarwara) Ratnesh Mishra told ANI that the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and the Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation (MPRDC) have been informed about the incident.

“Due to heavy rain for 2-3 days, this culvert has been damaged, and it has collapsed into the ground. As soon as the information was received, the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police (SP, Narsinghpur) gave the information to NHAI and the Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation for the repair work,” Mishra said.

He added that the administration had taken immediate steps to divert traffic and ensure public safety.

“We have diverted all the vehicles. Heavy vehicles arriving from the Gadarwara side have been diverted from Paloha Tiraha towards Tendukheda. Additionally, the Kareli police have also placed diversion points to prevent vehicle movement in this area. Alternatively, banners are also being put up, stoppers are being placed, and we will also deploy the staff,” the officer said.

He further added that they also informed everyone that if there is a situation of waterlogging or a chance of another bridge collapse, they should alert the administration. (ANI)

A 26-year-old UPSC aspirant died of asphyxiation after being trapped in a lift during a major fire at a retail store in Delhi’s Karol Bagh on Friday evening. The victim, identified as Dhirendra Pratap Singh, was found dead inside the elevator nearly eight hours after the fire broke out.

Just before his death, Dhirendra sent a desperate message to his brother on WhatsApp, saying, “Bhaiya, I’m stuck in the lift…I can’t breathe… please save me.” He also made calls pleading for help, but was not rescued in time.

His body was recovered from the lift at around 2:30 am by rescue teams.

Dhirendra, a native of Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh, had been living in a PG accommodation in Karol Bagh and was preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination.

He had recently cleared the Prelims and was preparing for the Mains exam. He held a Political Science degree and was pursuing his Master’s.

Speaking to ANI, Vikram said, “My brother had gone to Vishal Mega Mart to shop in the evening. At 6:51 PM, I received a WhatsApp message from him saying he had been trapped inside the lift and was struggling to breathe. He called me too and said, ‘Mujhe bacha lo, main lift mein phas gaya hoon, saans phool rahi hai’.”

“He was the most disciplined and hard-working person. He wanted to serve the country as a civil servant. Instead, due to someone else’s carelessness, he died a painful death,” said his brother Vikram Singh, holding back tears.

He alleged that the store staff did not respond and that they switched off the power and fled. “No one tried to rescue him. Even the police did not respond initially. We kept pleading for help till late at night. It was only at 2:30 AM that the store acknowledged someone was trapped inside,” he added.

Dhirendra’s sister, Dr Swati, said, “My brother is gone, but their mall will reopen. People use lifts with trolley bags every day in malls. Why did no one check if anyone was inside? They turned off the power and left. Their store will be repaired, but my brother won’t come back,” she said.

According to Delhi Fire Service officer Ravi Nath, a fire call was received at 6:44 PM on Friday from Vishal Mega Mart. “It’s a ground plus three-floor structure. One male body was recovered from the lift around 2 AM. The cause of the fire, availability of fire safety equipment, and status of fire NOC are under investigation,” he said. (ANI)

The cumulative death toll in Himachal Pradesh’s ongoing monsoon season has climbed to 75, combining 45 rain-related fatalities and 30 accidental deaths, including those from road mishaps, electrocution, and a gas explosion, according to official data released by the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC).

The State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) released data covering the period from June 20 to July 4, 2025, which showed large-scale destruction across the hill state.

The seasonal damage report, covering the period from June 20 to July 4, 2025, paints a grim picture of destruction across the hill state. A total of 288 people have been injured, and extensive damage to public infrastructure and private property has pushed the estimated losses to Rs 541.09 crore.

Weather-triggered events directly caused forty-five deaths. Twenty-seven additional deaths occurred in road accidents, with the highest tolls from Chamba (6) and Kullu (3).

With these, the total accidental death count rises to 30, bringing the overall death toll for the monsoon season to 75.

Furthermore, thousands of hectares of horticultural and agricultural land have been damaged, although a full assessment is still underway.

10,168 animals and birds perished, including 10,000 poultry birds and 168 cattle, causing further distress in rural areas.

Meanwhile, the government announced ex-gratia payments for the deceased, while the state government continues relief efforts in affected districts.

Emergency services remain on high alert amid forecasts of continued heavy rainfall.

Authorities have urged residents in landslide-prone and low-lying areas to remain vigilant and follow advisories issued by district administrations.

Earlier in the day, the death toll in Mandi district had risen to 14 amid widespread destruction and loss of lives caused by cloudbursts and flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall. The most affected areas are Thunag subdivision, Karsog Gohar subdivision and Dharampur subdivision, DC Mandi, Apoorv Devgan said.

Thirty-one people are reported missing following a devastating cloudburst on the intervening night of June 30 and July 1. The disaster triggered widespread destruction, leaving several remote villages cut off and several families displaced.

“Entire households were swept away, cattle perished, and roads, water supply lines, communication networks, and electricity infrastructure were badly damaged. Locals reported immense hardship, with many struggling to find food and shelter after losing everything in the sudden deluge,” DC Mandi Apoorv Devgan said.

“People were left with nothing–no homes, no food, no electricity. Entire markets and houses were reduced to rubble. Survival became the priority,” he said. (ANI)

Nehal Modi, the brother of fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi, has been arrested in the United States on the basis of an extradition request made by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), officials confirmed on Friday.

The arrest marks a significant development in India’s efforts to bring to justice individuals involved in the Rs 13,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case.

The United States Department of Justice has informed Indian authorities that Nehal Modi, brother of fugitive economic offender Nirav Modi, was arrested by U.S. authorities on July 4, 2025, the officials privy to the development told ANI.

“The arrest has been made pursuant to an extradition request jointly submitted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI),” said the officials.

As per the complaint filed by the U.S. prosecution, extradition proceedings are being pursued on two counts: one count of money laundering under Section 3 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, and one count of criminal conspiracy under Sections 120-B and 201 of the Indian Penal Code.

Nehal Modi is wanted in India in connection with the multi-billion-dollar Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, one of the largest banking scams in the country’s history.

Investigations by the ED and CBI have revealed that Nehal Modi played a key role in laundering proceeds of crime on behalf of Nirav Modi, who is also facing extradition from the UK. He is alleged to have assisted in concealing and transferring large sums of illicit funds through a web of shell companies and overseas transactions, in violation of Indian laws.

The next date of hearing in the extradition proceedings is scheduled for July 17, 2025, when a status conference will be held. Officials further said that Nehal Modi may apply for bail during this hearing, which the U.S. prosecution has stated it will oppose. (ANI)

Actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas has revealed one of her favourite traditions that keeps her grounded amidst her busy schedule.

In a candid conversation with People magazine, Priyanka shared that every Sunday morning, she and her family make time for a ritual that she describes as “mandatory.”

“Sunday morning snuggles in bed,” the ‘Heads of State’ actress told People magazine, adding, “They have to happen. It’s mandatory.”

Despite her demanding work commitments, the actress ensures that this intimate family time is never missed.

“Seven am, but we got ’em in,” she said, speaking about the cherished moments she spends with her husband, Nick Jonas, and their 3-year-old daughter, Malti Marie.

When asked about what brings her the most peace, Priyanka said, “Being home with my family…. The biggest luxury in our lives is being able to waste time together or spend time together and just be languid in it and not worry about having to go somewhere.”

She went on to describe her love for quiet moments, including her “guilty pleasure” of unwinding during those rare periods of stillness.

“That one hour you might get when it’s quiet in the house and you get to watch Love Island’s new season with a glass of wine or maybe even a book, when I am supposed to be reading my scripts,” she added, illustrating how important downtime is to her.

But it’s not just the serene mornings that Priyanka values. She also shared a humorous yet relatable tradition from her household, midnight snacking.

“I do scavenge the fridge at night. I am that person… a big snacker,” she admitted during a conversation with People magazine.

However, she has a strategic approach to her late-night snack sessions.

“I want to make sure I get the snack scavenging in while everyone’s distracted with the movie because you can’t do it after. If you do it after, there’s too much attention on you, ‘What are you eating?’ And then everybody wants to eat and it becomes a meal and then I’m heating up food. You’ve got to sneak out during a really important part of the movie. So that’s what I do,” she said.

Priyanka, who is currently starring in the action-comedy ‘Heads of State’, balances her career and family life effortlessly.

In the film, she portrays an MI6 agent alongside John Cena, who plays the US president, and Idris Elba as the UK prime minister.

The Ilya Naishuller-directed movie, which also stars Jack Quaid, Sarah Niles, and Carla Gugino, is now available for streaming on Prime Video. (ANI)

The Bihar Police has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the murder case of businessman Gopal Khemka.

SIT has been formed on businessman Gopal Khemka murder case by Bihar police, SP City Central will lead this SIT, as per Director General of Police (DGP) Vinay kumar

Meanwhile, the forensic team arrived at the crime scene on Saturday morning following Gopal Khemka’s murder in Patna’s Gandhi Maidan.

Police have launched an investigation after a businessman was allegedly shot dead in the south area of the Gandhi Maidan in Bihar, a police officer said earlier.

The incident took place on July 4

Superintendent of Police (SP), Patna, Diksha told ANI on Saturday, “On the night of July 4, at around 11 pm, we received information that businessman Gopal Khemka has been shot dead in the south area of the Gandhi Maidan…”

“The crime scene has been secured, and further investigation is underway… One bullet and one shell have been recovered…”, the police official added.

On June 10, two youths were shot dead near a temple in the Bikram police station area of Paliganj subdivision of Patna district.

An Apache motorcycle and 12 bullet shells were recovered from the spot.

According to police, the double murder took place near Guerrilla Sthan on Manjhauli-Singhara Road. Locals informed police via Dial 112, after which a team reached the scene and took custody of the bodies.

Police said both youths were shot at close range, likely while they were at the temple, which led to instant death. The mobile phone found in one victim’s pocket helped identify him as a resident of Baghakol in Bikram block. According to the police, efforts were taken to confirm the identity of the second youth.

“The bodies of two persons were recovered on the side of Manjhauli-Singhara road under Bikram police station. Prima facie, both persons appear to have been shot dead. Forensic evidence has been collected by the police with the help of the FSL team, and the incident is being investigated with the help of the dog squad team.” (ANI)

Sara Ali Khan is extremely excited as her film ‘Metro…In Dino’ with Aditya Roy Kapur hit the theatres on Friday.

On the film’s release date, Sara took to Instagram and shared several BTS pictures with Aditya and director Anurag Basu from the sets.

She also penned a shayari-filled caption.

” Humari Metro Nikal Chuki Hai.And the next stop is the theatre right near you.

A love story for every age, every stage. Asli theatrical experience,” Sara wrote.

Sara also received a shout out from her aunt Saba Pataudi over her film’s release.

Saba dug out childhood pictures of Sara and wished her luck.

“Sara….While I dont travel in a metro 😉 I sure wish id been there on this journey with u!Babysitting you, watching you grow…Holding you in my lap to you hugging your huge teddy bear which was as tall as u too! You protecting iggy, while Iggy now protects you too! And all your brothers. And the father, who’s meant to protect you!;) Moments with my Amma, your grandmother. Our last premiere together

And wish id shared the other too! SO proud Love U Always. Keep shining,” Saba posted.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DLr6JBJCX94/?hl=en&img_index=1

‘Metro…In Dino’ I follows four different love stories of couples–young, old, and middle-aged–living in a metro and serves as the spiritual sequel to Anurag Basu’s 2007 film Life in a… Metro. It also stars Konkona Sen Sharma and Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal and Fatima Sana Shaikh, Anupam Kher and Neena Gupta. (ANI)

The coastal town of Puri is alive with devotion and cultural fervour as preparations peak for the Bahuda Yatra, the return journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra to the Jagannath Temple from Shri Gundicha Temple on Saturday.

This marks the culmination of the annual Rath Yatra festival, drawing lakhs of devotees to the sacred city. The streets of Puri buzz with vibrant performances as artists and devotees celebrate the occasion.

Among them is Aparna Panda, a performer who believes the festival is not just a religious occasion but a powerful platform to showcase Odisha’s cultural richness.

“Last time, I dressed up as Jagannath and my elder sister dressed up as ‘devadasi’… I was happy to bring my culture and celebrations to the world via the internet. We want to promote our culture, and this is the biggest platform for that… Nothing is possible without the blessings of Lord Jagannath,” Panda said.

A devotee, Vikas Kumar Mohapatra Swain, said, “This is Lord Jagannath’s Bahuda yatra, he will return to his abode from his aunt’s residence. His aunt will feed him with ‘poda pitha’ and give him love, after which the return journey will begin…”

Another devotee said that he comes annually “with the blessings of Jagannath Mahaprabhu.”

He said, “His blessings on his devotees are immense. He comes out of his temple every year to give darshan and bless his devotees.”

Meanwhile, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Lenin Mohanty on Monday lashed out at the “administrative lapse and callousness” of the concerned authorities, which led to the stampede during the Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra a day earlier on June 29 and demanded the resignation of State Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan.

The BJD leader said that the officials and ministers concerned with the law and order situation during the Rath Yatra were absent during the stampede.

Speaking to ANI, Mohanty said, “We are extremely sad for the incident that has happened. This is the land of Lord Jagannath, and people love to come to that place. During the annual rath yatra, a stampede took place on Sunday due to administrative lapse and callousness.”

“A team of 5 ministers was constituted. They were not there when the stampede took place, nor were the officials. When the stampede happened, these five ministers and the top-level officers were not there. An apology is not sufficient. Immediately after that, the real culprit should be punished. They just transferred the collector and DSP,” he said.

Adding further, he said, “The real culprit is the law minister (Prithviraj Harichandan). He always boasts high but has very low performance. He should take moral responsibility and he should resign…”

On June 29, three devotees lost their lives, and several others were injured during the crowd surge at the world-famous Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath in Puri. (ANI)

US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) signed ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ into law, which includes tax cuts and funding boost for the Pentagon and border security.

The bill marks a key legislative victory for Trump’s administration after months of negotiations with Republican lawmakers, The Hill reported.

Trump signed the bill during a military family picnic at the White House on US Independence Day. The administration had aimed to have the legislation finalized by July 4, The Hill reported.

“We made promises, and it’s really promises made, promises kept, and we’ve kept them,” Trump said from the balcony overlooking the South Lawn. “This is a triumph of democracy on the birthday of democracy. And I have to say, the people are happy.”

The signing ceremony was attended by First Lady Melania Trump, members of the Cabinet, and several Republican lawmakers, including Speaker Mike Johnson, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, and Rep. Jason Smith, The Hill reported.

The event also featured a flypast of two B-2 bombers, the same type of aircraft used in last month’s strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ was passed with a final vote of 218-214 in the House of Representatives on Thursday, with two Republicans, Representative Thomas Massie and Brian Fitzpatrick, voting against it, The Hill reported.

Donald Trump had expressed his elation after the passing of the bill, saying, “The Republicans in the House of Representatives have just passed the ‘ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL ACT.” Our Party is UNITED like never before, and our Country is “HOT.”

The bill was passed in the US Senate on Tuesday with a 51-50 vote, with Vice-President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote. (ANI)