The chaos and cancellations surrounding the recent Staff Selection Commission (SSC) exams in India have taken a new turn with allegations of corporate interference. A formal complaint filed by the head of a major exam centre has accused Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), the former technology partner for the exams, of pressuring staff to create hurdles on the exam day. This has raised concerns about the impartiality of the new decentralised exam system, which was implemented to bring transparency and faster processing, but now faces accusations of sabotage from actors who stood to lose from the reforms. TCS has denied these allegations as false and baseless.
The tragic murder of Sanjay Verma, a businessman in Punjab who was killed by assailants in a brazen attack, has garnered attention from top political leaders. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal recently visited the family of the deceased, expressing their condolences and reiterating the government's stance on crime. The swift action of the police, leading to the elimination of two suspects, has been applauded by the politicians who have promised to prioritize safety and justice for all.
Amidst escalating tensions with Russia, former US President Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of two nuclear submarines to "appropriate regions." This move comes in response to provocative remarks made by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who is now the Deputy Chairman of Russia's Security Council and a close associate of Vladimir Putin. The feud between the two leaders was sparked by Trump's criticism of India and Russia as "dead economies" and threats of new tariffs on Indian imports. The situation further worsened when Trump gave Ukraine a drastically shortened ceasefire deadline, leading to warnings from Medvedev about the possibility of a full-scale war.
It was an emotional and heartwarming day at The Oval as Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj paid tribute to former English cricketer Graham Thorpe on what would have been his 52nd birthday. Thorpe, who passed away last year, was revered by both teams, with all the England players donning headbands featuring his name and Siraj joining in the tribute in the final session of the day. Despite England starting strong, India's bowling attack led by Siraj and Prasidh Krishna managed to dismiss them for a lead of only 23 runs. Siraj now has the most wickets in the ongoing series, making this tribute all the more meaningful.
In a telephonic interview with Fox Radio, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed concern over India's continued import of Russian oil. He referred to it as a "point of irritation" in the relationship between the two nations, as the US President announced steep tariffs for about 70 countries. Rubio also discussed other issues such as US-Pakistan relations, tensions with China, and the influence of Western media.
The Maharashtra Assembly has unanimously passed a resolution to rename Lohegaon airport in Pune as 'Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj Airport'. The resolution was proposed by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and has been sent to the Centre for approval. Once approved, the airport will bear the name of the revered saint, honoring his teachings and legacy.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh and Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge expressed strong objections to the presence of CISF personnel in the House chamber, citing potential attempts to control proceedings and impede democratic rights. Kharge wrote a letter to Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh on behalf of all Opposition parties, urging CISF personnel to refrain from entering during protests. These concerns come amidst ongoing disruptions in Parliament and a recent resignation of the Rajya Sabha Chairman, leading to further speculation and unease.
The family of Agniveer Akashdeep Singh, a soldier who died on duty but has yet to be officially recognized as a martyr, has been protesting for over two months against the government's lack of action. Despite multiple visits from local politicians, the state government has not provided any compensation or official recognition for Akashdeep's death. The family, along with members of the Bharatiya Kisan Union, held a protest march and submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner of the district. The family's pain and frustration with the government's apathy has been highlighted in their protest.
In a shocking revelation, retired inspector Mehiboob Mujawar has claimed that he was ordered to apprehend RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in connection with the 2008 Malegaon blast case which involved the controversial acquittal of seven accused persons. Mujawar stated that the intention behind this order was to establish the existence of "saffron terror", but he refused to follow the orders and was later falsely accused. He further stated that these orders were given by senior officials including former police commissioner Param Bir Singh. This claim has raised questions about the investigation conducted by the ATS and the role of higher authorities in the case.
In an effort to enhance accountability and transparency in the food industry for the benefit of consumers, the Food Safety Department has made it mandatory for all sweet shops in Prayagraj to use a customer satisfaction feedback app. This initiative is part of a larger plan to regulate the food industry and quickly address any safety or hygiene issues. Additionally, shop owners have been advised to reduce the use of food colouring in their products and display details from the Oil and Sugar Boards. This move aims to combat the health issues caused by obesity and raise awareness about the importance of regulating food quality.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached out to the citizens of India through social media, asking for their suggestions and ideas for his annual Independence Day speech. He has provided an open forum on MyGov and the NaMo app for people to share their views. In the lead-up to the celebrations, the Delhi Police has conducted an extensive security inspection, identifying and addressing flaws to ensure a safe event.