IIM-Calcutta Rape Case Takes Twist as Alleged Victim's Father Denies Incident
An alleged rape case at IIM-Calcutta has been thrown into confusion after the father of the woman who filed the FIR publicly claimed the incident never occurred. A student was arrested after the woman alleged she was drugged and sexually assaulted in a campus hostel. However, her father told reporters she was merely injured in an accident. The court has remanded the accused student to police custody while authorities investigate the conflicting accounts at the prestigious institution.
Odisha Moves to Copyright Jagannath Temple Rituals to Protect Tradition
The Odisha government is initiating steps to secure copyright for the unique rituals of the Puri Jagannath temple. According to Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, the move aims to legally protect the temple's traditional cultural expressions. This innovative measure seeks to prevent organizations from holding festivals like the Rath Yatra on incorrect dates or misusing the temple's identity, representing a significant effort to safeguard intangible religious and cultural heritage through modern intellectual property law.
Air India Crash Probe Points to Engine Fuel Cutoff Seconds After Takeoff
A preliminary report into the Air India crash in Ahmedabad has ruled out defects in the aircraft's fuel control switch. However, the flight recorder indicates that seconds after takeoff, the switches for both engines were moved to 'CUTOFF' and then back to 'RUN', starving them of fuel. The cockpit voice recorder captured a pilot denying they had performed this action. The investigation continues, noting a non-mandatory 2018 FAA advisory about the switch design had not been implemented by the airline.
Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to Return from ISS on July 15
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is scheduled to complete his 14-day mission and return to Earth from the International Space Station on July 15, ISRO has confirmed. As the first Indian aboard the ISS, Shukla successfully conducted a suite of seven microgravity experiments critical for India's future space missions, including Gaganyaan. He and his crewmates will undock in a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft for a splashdown off the coast of California. ISRO reports the astronaut is in good health.
US State Department Lays Off Over 1,300 Employees in Major Reorganization
The U.S. State Department has fired more than 1,300 employees, including 1,107 civil servants and 246 foreign service officers, as part of a major reorganization by the Trump administration. Critics and former diplomats argue the move will severely damage America's global influence and ability to counter international threats. The administration has defended the cuts as a necessary step to create a leaner, more efficient department, marking a significant shift in the execution of U.S. foreign policy.
IIM-Calcutta Student Arrested for Allegedly Raping Classmate on Campus
A student at the Indian Institute of Management-Calcutta has been arrested for allegedly raping a female classmate inside a campus hostel. The woman's FIR states she was drugged and then sexually assaulted after being invited to the accused's room for a purported "counselling session." The incident at one of India's premier business schools has ignited serious concerns about student safety on elite campuses. Police have detained the accused student and are conducting a full investigation.
Four-Storey Building Collapses in Delhi, Rescue Operations Underway
A four-storey residential building collapsed in the Welcome area of northeast Delhi on Saturday morning. Multiple agencies, including seven fire tenders, are conducting rescue operations. Three people have been pulled from the rubble and rushed to a hospital, but authorities fear more individuals from a family of ten residing there may still be trapped. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about structural safety and unregulated construction in densely populated urban areas of the national capital.
Government Distributes Over 51,000 Job Appointment Letters in Rozgar Mela
Over 51,000 appointment letters for various central government positions were distributed to youth across India during the 16th Rozgar Mela. The recruitment drive, held at 47 locations, is part of the government's commitment to prioritizing employment generation. The new recruits will join several ministries and departments, including Railways, Home Affairs, and Health. The initiative has now provided over 10 lakh government job letters since its inception, aiming to involve youth in national development.
Security Forces Demolish Maoist Bunkers, Seize IEDs in Jharkhand
In a targeted anti-Naxal operation in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district, security forces have demolished five Maoist bunkers. Acting on intelligence that explosives were being concealed to target security personnel, a joint team also recovered and defused two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) from the forest area. Detonators and arrow bombs were also seized from the bunkers. The operation marks another step in the ongoing efforts to counter Maoist insurgency in the region.
Father's Objection to Coaching Income Was Motive in Tennis Player's Murder, Say Police
Gurugram Police now state that the motive behind the murder of former state-level tennis player Radhika Yadav was her father's disapproval of her earning an income. The accused father, Deepak Yadav, was reportedly taunted for living off his daughter's earnings from coaching at various rented courts, despite being financially independent. Investigators have ruled out her social media presence or a music video as the cause, clarifying the main conflict was her refusal to stop coaching sessions.
Teenager Allegedly Raped and Impregnated by Schoolmate in Thane
A 14-year-old girl in Bhiwandi, Thane, was allegedly raped and impregnated by her 14-year-old male schoolmate. According to a police complaint filed by the victim, the assault took place in May when the accused reportedly called her to his house. The case came to light after the girl was discovered to be pregnant. Police have registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the POCSO Act and have launched an investigation into the matter.
Maratha Military Landscapes Earn UNESCO World Heritage Status
The 'Maratha Military Landscapes of India,' a network of 12 forts across Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This recognition honours the unique fortification and military system envisioned by Maratha rulers between the 17th and 19th centuries. The group of forts, which showcases exceptional architectural and regional identity, becomes India's 44th site on the prestigious list, marking a significant moment for the country's cultural heritage and preservation efforts.
US Imposes 35% Tariff on All Canadian Imports
The US administration has announced a blanket 35% tariff on all goods imported from Canada, scheduled to take effect on August 1. This significant protectionist move signals a severe escalation in trade hostilities between the two closely integrated economies. The decision is expected to disrupt North American supply chains, raise consumer prices, and likely provoke retaliatory measures from Canada, creating uncertainty in global markets and potentially impacting international trade relations far beyond North America.
Insurgents Execute Nine Punjabi Passengers in Balochistan
In Pakistan's restive Balochistan province, armed insurgents abducted and killed nine bus passengers identified as being from Punjab. The attack occurred late Thursday in the Zhob district when militants stopped two buses, checked identity cards, and executed the selected individuals. The Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), a banned separatist group, has claimed responsibility for the targeted killings, which have been condemned by Pakistani officials as an act of terrorism aimed at fueling ethnic strife.
US State Department Issues Urgent Warning Against Travel to Iran
The U.S. State Department has launched a new campaign warning its citizens, particularly dual Iranian-Americans, against any travel to Iran due to severe risks of kidnapping and wrongful detention. Officials stated that the Iranian regime does not recognize dual nationality and has a history of holding U.S. citizens on false charges. This heightened advisory follows recent military escalations and underscores the deep diplomatic rift, with the U.S. stressing it cannot provide adequate consular services in Iran.