Monday, July 14, 2025

Fauja Singh, Legendary Marathon Runner, Dies At 114 In Road Accident

Fauja Singh, the iconic runner who earned the tag of world's oldest marathoner, died at the age of 114 in a road accident on Minday. He was born on April 1, 1911 in Beyas village, Jalandhar. According to a report in BBC Punjabi, a car hit him on Jalandhar-Pathankot highway on Monday afternoon. He suffered serious head injury. He was immediately rushed to a hospital, however, he succumbed to the injuries at 7:30 pm IST on Monday.   

At present Fauja Singh's body has been kept in the mortuary till the arrival of his children who are living abroad. His last rites will be performed only after their arrival.

"Deeply saddened by the passing of Sardar Fauja Singh Ji, the legendary marathon runner and an enduring symbol of resilience and hope. Even at the age of 114, he continued to inspire generations with his strength and commitment. I had the honour of walking alongside him during the two-day ‘Nasha Mukt – Rangla Punjab' march from his village Beas, district Jalandhar in December 2024. Even then, his presence infused the movement with unparalleled energy and spirit," Gulab Chand Kataria, Punjab governor, wrote in a post on his official Facebook. .

"It is heartbreaking to learn that he lost his life today in a tragic road accident in his village. His legacy, however, will forever live on in the hearts of those fighting for a healthier, and drug-free Punjab. My heartfelt condolences to his family and admirers across the globe. May his soul attain eternal peace."

Age was never a barrier for Fauja Singh. The death of his son Kuldip and his wife forced him to search for a worthwhile alternative in life. At 89 years of age, he took to running seriously. Fauja Singh ran his first race, the London Marathon, in 2000. He was well-known in his village for running "from one place to another", old-timers in his village recount.

Fauja Singh competed in nine 26-mile (42-kilometre) marathons in London, Toronto and New York. His best time was in Toronto, where he clocked five hours, 40 minutes and four seconds.

He was a torchbearer for the 2004 Athens games and 2012 London Olympics, and appeared in advertisement for a major sports brand several years ago alongside the likes of David Beckham and Muhammad Ali.



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Five Reasons Why India Lost To England In The Third Test At Lord's

Ravindra Jadeja raised India's hopes at Lord's in the third Test on Monday after the team went eight down. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj gave him brave support but England had the last laugh. Ben Stokes' men trumped India after five days of gripping and absorbing Test cricket. England were put on course for a memorable win on Day 5 when Stokes and Archer picked three wickets, including of Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul, in the first hour, before Woakes took out Nitish Kumar Reddy at the stroke of lunch.

Then Jadeja launched a gritty fight back. But, England survived the onslaught to seal a stunning 22-run win over India at Lord's and take a 2-1 lead in the five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series.

Here are five reasond where the match was lost by India:

1.    Approach towards chasing 193

India had to chase 193 in the final innings, on the final day, but they came out with a defensive approach. Their shot selection had the English bowlers dominate. Archer and Stokes picked up three wickets each in the second innings. While Jadeja gave India a push for a win at the other end, and KL Rahul displayed intent by scoring 39, none of the other batters survived against the relentlessness of the English pace battery. 

2.    Pant Rahul mix up
Vice Captain Rishabh Pant has had a great series. He scored 74 in the first innings. But a moment of madness saw him involved in a totally unnecessary run out. KL Rahul had admitted that momentum had shifted at that moment when Pant was gone, India 248/4. 

3.    India's top order & Nightwatchman fail to impress

India's opener and No.3 failed to give India a good start. Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 13 and 0, while Karun Nair got starts but failed to convert them into big scores. Nair is yet to impress in the series. India's strategy of sending Akash Deep as the nightwatchman backfired.   

4.    Jamie Smith's drop in 1st innings

When Jamie Smith was dropped by KL Rahul in the first innings, Md Siraj was stunned. The English wicket-keeper added 51 runs from 56 balls as England went from 265/5 to 355/7 

5.    Extras Conceded:
The Indian bowlers conceded 31 extras in the first innings and 32 in the second. A total of 63 extras were gifted, that hurt India in the end 
 



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Sunday, July 13, 2025

Amaal Mallik Reveals Anu Malik Sabotaged Father Daboo's Career

Music composer Amaal Mallik has opened up for the first time about the long-rumoured rift between his father, Daboo Malik, and uncle, Anu Malik. In a recent interview, Amaal shed light on the complex relationship between the two sons of legendary music director Sardar Malik.

Over the years, speculation around a professional rivalry between Anu and Daboo Malik has often made headlines. While the brothers have always appeared close in public, Amaal revealed that tensions have existed beneath the surface, some of which, he claims, led to his father's depression.

Speaking to TV and radio host Siddharth Kannan, Amaal said, “When Daboo Malik and Anu Malik meet, you can't separate them. They are like mad brothers. But in the professional dynamics and jealousy, Anu Malik can get a little fiery. They have had issues with each other on the professional front.”

The Catch Me If U Can singer added, “Anu Malik was overly competitive with my father. He wanted to prove that he is the best composer from his family and often tried to sabotage my dad's career. Every time my dad got a movie, he would go and snatch his work from the producers by offering to work for little money or even free.”

Amaal disclosed how Anu's professional rivalry had a profound impact on Daboo, leaving him to deal with depression since his early 30s. The doting son mentioned, “My dad dealt with depression from the age of 32 to 45,” adding that he even started having emotional struggles right from his teenage years. “I noted all down in my soul. I was a kid. Things got imprinted. I started to work at 16, and my only motivation was to take revenge with my music. The industry couldn't understand his talent and niceness. They didn't support him.” But the wrongdoings led the 35-year-old singer to prove himself.

“He (Daboo) saw a lot of lows in his life. He has worked on at least 70 films, but nobody ever invited him. He was often addressed as Anu Malik's brother… He's struggling. I just wanted to rip off the struggling tag from him. I just want to do something that people don't address us as Anu Malik's nephews, but introduce him as uncle of Armaan and Amaal,” the Gulabi 2.0 actor noted.

According to him, it was not only his uncle who betrayed his father, but also named a few others from the industry who have sabotaged Daboo's career. Amaal mentioned, “Not just Anu Malik, even Sajid-Wajid sabotaged my dad's career. They would play games. My dad was betrayed by his own family and friends from the music industry. My dad was too naive to fight back.” He further pointed towards an instance from his father's professional front when he was set to seal a deal with acclaimed director Mahesh Bhatt. According to Amaal, it was then that Anu slyly stole the project, pushing Daboo into depression. 

Amaal then mentioned how his uncle has been using the same tactics on him. “Not just my father's work, but Anu Malik is behind my work as well. A lot of times when I make announcements, he jumps into that as well. He competes with me, too. But, at least he respects me and tells me I have done some tremendous work,” he said, adding, “Armaan and I decided to never become professional rivals.”

In the same conversation, the O Khuda singer mentioned that he is “respectful” towards his uncle in public, but doesn't support him in any of his wrongdoings. Amaal even talked about the sexual harassment accusations against Anu during the MeToo movement, and declared that he was quite embarrassed. “It was not my concern because I don't consider him my family. I was very embarrassed when he was accused of these things,” he clarified.

Watch the full conversation here:

Amaal Mallik debuted as a composer in 2014 by composing three songs in the Salman Khan starrer movie Jai Ho.



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Saturday, July 12, 2025

Cracks In Rs 500-Crore Project? Madhya Pradesh Airport Wall Crumbles In Rain

A section of the boundary wall of the newly-constructed Rewa Airport in Madhya Pradesh, built at a cost of Rs 500 crore, has collapsed barely months after completion, raising serious questions about construction quality and flood preparedness of one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in the state.

According to locals, the ground beneath the wall gave way due to heavy rainfall, causing a portion of the airport's outer boundary to crumble during the night. This is not the first time the boundary wall has failed - a similar breach was reported during the rains last year, even before the airport became operational.

Rewa Airport was envisioned as a game-changer for the Vindhya region. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating the project virtually from Varanasi, the airport was completed in a record 18 months on 323 acres of land acquired from five villages.

The facility boasts a 2,300-meter-long runway and is currently operating two flights connecting Rewa to Bhopal via Khajuraho and Jabalpur. While it now handles only 19-seater aircraft, the plan is to scale up to 72-seaters in the coming months. The airport has been licensed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and was designed to serve the region for the next 50 years.

But even before it could take off in full swing, its foundation had begun to sink, literally.

In the past 24 hours, Rewa has received 8 inches of relentless rainfall. The Bichhiya and Bihar rivers, lifelines of the district, have overflowed, submerging large parts of the city. At least four localities along the riverbanks are now inundated, with three to four feet of water inside homes and shops.

Shockingly, even the house of Gudh MLA Nagendra Singh was not spared. Speaking to reporters, Mr Singh said, "Rewa city has been turned into a pond. Unless the river is deepened and the floodplain is managed, this problem will continue year after year."



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"Grow Some B****...": Gill's Expletive Laden Attack On Crawley, India Mock Eng

Day 3 of the third Test between India and England ended in a dramatic manner, amid a heated few moments between India captain Shubman Gill and England openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett. With five minutes left in the day when England came out to bat, Crawley and Duckett appeared to waste some time so that more than one over couldn't be bowled, irking the Indian camp. Shubman Gill himself led the show of frustration, and made a hand gesture towards the openers.

After bowling India out for 387 in the first innings - exactly the same total that England had made - England were seemingly not in the mood to play more than one over.

With Jasprit Bumrah bowling, Crawley came down the pitch a number of times, delaying the over.

Shubman Gill showed his frustration, walking over to Crawley and made a hand gesture to express his anger.

"Grow some f****** b****," Gill appeared to tell Crawley as it took a long time to get things going despite just two balls being bowled in the over.

Watch: Shubman Gill's hand gesture to Zak Crawley

A few balls later, the drama continued, as Crawley once again walked down the pitch to have a chat with Duckett. This time, they were met with what seemed to be sarcastic clapping from Jasprit Bumrah and co.

Gill once again had a war of words with Crawley, ending in a stare-off between the two.

England reached two for no loss at stumps after bowling out India for 387 in the visitors' first innings on a seesawing day three of the third Test at Lord's on Saturday.

At the close of play, Zak Crawley was batting on 2, while Ben Duckett was yet to open his account.

Earlier, opener KL Rahul's fluent century and useful fifties by Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja helped India match England's first-innings total.

Rahul top-scored for the visitors with 100 off 177 balls to become only the second India batter to score more than one century at the hallowed venue, after Dilip Vengsarkar.

Pant contributed 74 off 112 balls before getting run out by Ben Stokes while going for an unnecessary single, ending a fourth-wicket partnership of 141 runs with Rahul at the stroke of lunch, while Jadeja chipped in with a 131-ball 72.

With PTI inputs



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Friday, July 11, 2025

Teen Dragged Out Of Police Station, Lynched For Sexually Assaulting Girls

A teenager was dragged out of a police station and lynched by a mob for allegedly sexually assaulting several minor girls in Arunachal Pradesh, sources said.

The teenager - a migrant from Assam whose exact age is unclear - used to work in the Roing town of Lower Dibang Valley. Sources said he used to take advantage of lax security to enter a school hostel in his area and sexually assault girls between six and eight years old. 

Parents of some of the students came to know about the assault when they took their daughters to the hospital after they complained of abdominal pain and other issues, the sources said. A complaint was filed by the parents of one of the girls and the teenager was arrested on Thursday. 

On Friday, people in town became aware that the teen had sexually assaulted several other girls and a mob gathered at the Roing police station, where he was jailed, in the afternoon.

Witnesses said the angry mob stormed the police station, dragged the accused out and beat him severely. 

The mob outnumbered the personnel at the police station. By the time additional police and paramilitary forces personnel arrived to control the situation, the teenager had died, the sources said.


 



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Amazon Prime Day 2025 Sale Goes Live: Best Offers on Smartphones, Electronics

Amazon Prime Day 2025 sale is now live. The three-day shopping event includes hundreds of great deals on top smartphones, laptops, TVs, and other electronics. We’ve handpicked the best deals on gadgets you can grab on the first day of the sale.

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Pregnant Women Demand Road, BJP MP Says "Will Be Done Before Delivery"

In a striking example of grassroots protest and political indifference, eight pregnant women from a village in Madhya Pradesh's Sidhi district, led by an online influencer, have taken to social media to demand a basic necessity: a paved road to access hospitals.

Khaddi Khurd village has no paved roads, and women in late stages of pregnancy often have to be carried through muddy, uneven terrain to reach health centres.

But what followed their protest was not swift action - it was dismissal, deflection, and derision from elected officials.

Leela Sahu, who has over a lakh followers across platforms, had uploaded a video in 2023 tagging Prime Minister Modi and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, saying: "You made all 29 MPs win from Madhya Pradesh. Can we now get a road?"

After the video went viral, the Sidhi collector and MP had promised swift action. But a year later, the only thing that has moved is Leela Sahu's due date - the road remains where it was: unconstructed, unsafe, and unseen by development.

"Every delivery has a date. We will get it done a week before that ( Har delivery ki expected date hoti hai. Uske ek hafte pehle hi uthwa lenge)," said BJP MP Rajesh Mishra. Mr Mishra added, "If she wishes, she should come to us. We'll provide all facilities - food, water, care. Talking about these things publicly isn't ideal."

Instead of acknowledging the year-long demand for a drivable road, the MP deflected: "Has such an incident (of delivery issue due to road) ever happened till date? If needed, we have helicopters and aeroplanes. We have ASHA workers. We have ambulances. What's the worry?"

The MP said construction work has been delayed due to Forest Department objections, but failed to give a timeline for the start or completion of the project.

Two days ago, Public Works Department Minister Rakesh Singh said "If someone puts a post on social media, will we reach with a dumper or a cement concrete plant? This is not possible."

Mr Singh further argued that budgets are limited and not every demand posted online can be addressed, adding: "There are constitutional processes... if it's a rural road, it depends on which agency is responsible. We can't act on every post."



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Thursday, July 10, 2025

CBI Probes Pharmacy Council Corruption, Chief Raided For Multi-Crore Scam

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has tightened its grip after complaints of widespread corruption and rigging in the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), the sole authority responsible for giving recognition to pharma colleges across the country.

Last week, the CBI raided the bungalow of PCI president Montu Patel in Gandhinagar, amid accusations that he and his associates embezzled over Rs 5,400 crore by granting approvals for colleges in exchange for bribes. He is now on the run.

Patel allegedly renewed the validity of diploma colleges for Rs 8 lakh for a year, and Rs 15 lakh for B Pharma institutions. Using proceeds of the crime, his driver, and Jashu Chaudhary, a Congress leader and his business partner, had allegedly acquired several acres of land in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh, sources say.

There are over 12,000 pharmacy colleges across the country run by the PCI. The CBI is now probing how 870 of them were given approval in just 13 days during 2023-24, with Patel at the centre of this investigation. He is also accused of using money power to win the PCI's internal elections.

Who is Montu Patel?

Montu Kumar Patel, 35, comes from a humble background. After completing graduation and post-graduation from a local college in his village, he entered the Pharmacy Council politics. His first stint was in the Gujarat Pharmacy Council, after which he moved to the Pharmacy Council of India, winning elections unopposed from the ABVP panel.

Contacts across party lines had helped him rise through the ranks. He has been the PCI chief for the last three years. Reports suggest that he used all sorts of tricks to ensure he bagged the top post, sidelining his close acquaintances and rigging the elections.

Charges Against Patel

Patel is being probed for hasty recognitions given to colleges, allegedly due to huge sums being paid as bribes. The probe has found that Patel and his aides granted affiliation to such colleges that lacked adequate infrastructure, qualified staff, and students.

He is also being investigated for not leaving his post after losing the Gujarat Pharmacy Council elections and nominating himself from a Union territory. He allegedly silenced those who had helped him retain his position.

The CBI is conducting a separate probe into allegations that he had booked rooms worth Rs 2.75 lakh at a Delhi hotel to host his voters ahead of the PCI elections. After winning, he had strengthened his hold by appointing his associates to key roles in the Council and by giving extensive approval rights to selected individuals.

Patel was also involved in the IELTS scam. His wife, Khushboo Vora, was accused of appearing in the IELTS exams for other candidates. She had taken Rs 30 lakh from one such candidate. They had allegedly gathered a fortune worth Rs 300 crore this way.



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Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra Now Available in a New Colour Variant in India

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra in Titanium Blue features a 1.5-inch Super AMOLED display, a 47mm titanium case, and durability ratings of IP6X, 10ATM, and MIL-STD 810H. It supports dual-band GPS and an SOS siren. Health features include ECG, blood pressure, fall detection, Energy Score, and Antioxidant Index. Backed by a 590mAh battery, it is said to offer up to 48 hours in Exercise Power Saving Mode and up to 100 hours in complete Power Saving Mode.

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Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Aamir On His Relationship With Gauri Spratt: "In My Heart, I Am Already Married"

On his 60th birthday earlier this year, Aamir Khan introduced his girlfriend Gauri Spratt to the world. Gauri Spratt owns a salon in Mumbai. She is also associated with Aamir Khan's production house. 

The actor recently revealed his thoughts on getting married to Gauri Spratt.

What's Happening

  • Ever since Aamir Khan introduced his girlfriend Gauri Spratt to the media, they have been clicked at several events.
  • Gauri Spratt was also seen arriving hand-in-hand with Aamir Khan at Sitaare Zameen Par's premiere.
  • Now, Aamir Khan has further shared his thoughts on marrying Gauri Spratt and the status of their relationship.
  • He told Screen, "Well, Gauri and I are really serious about each other, and we are in a committed space. And we are, you know, we are partners. We are together. Marriage in something, I mean, in my heart, I'm already married to her. So, whether we formalise it or not is something I will decide as we go along."

Aamir Khan Meeting Gauri Spratt For The First Time

Earlier in a conversation with podcaster Raj Shamani, Aamir Khan had spoken about meeting Gauri Spratt for the first time.

He had said, "Gauri and I met by mistake and we connected and we became friends, and love happened. I thought I had my mother, kids, siblings - I have so many close relationships that I don't need a partner."

Work

On the work front, Aamir Khan was last seen in Sitaare Zameen Par, which released in theatres on June 20, 2025. It is a spiritual sequel to the 2007 hit film Taare Zameen Par.

In A Nutshell

Aamir Khan revealed his thoughts about getting married to his girlfriend Gauri Spratt, in the future. The actor talked about the decision to formalise the relationship, which will be taken along the way.



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Simple Treatment Could Prevent 75% of Stomach Cancer Cases, Doctors Reveal

A new study published in Nature Medicine highlights a rising global trend of stomach cancer among people under 50, with most future cases linked to the preventable infection Helicobacter pylori (H pylori). Chronic H pylori infection is the strongest known risk factor for gastric cancer and can be treated using antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors.

Researchers from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the WHO, projected that 15.6 million new cases of stomach cancer will occur globally among people born between 2008 and 2017 if current prevention strategies remain unchanged.

Crucially, accordign to the study that published in the journal Nature Medicine, 76% of these cases-about three-quarters-are attributable to H pylori and are potentially preventable. Asia is expected to bear the highest burden with 10.6 million cases, followed by the Americas and Africa. The researchers used large-scale simulations incorporating data from GLOBOCAN 2022 and UN mortality projections to estimate lifetime cancer risk based on age, death likelihood, and demographic trends.

A 100% effective screening and treatment program for H pylori could reduce stomach cancer cases by up to 75%. Even programs with 80-90% effectiveness would still prevent 60-68% of cases. These interventions are cost-effective and feasible even in low-income settings, comparable to HPV or hepatitis B vaccination campaigns.

The study urges investment in population-level screen-and-treat programs and emphasizes the importance of developing an H. pylori vaccine. Despite limitations in data from low-income countries and assumptions about static infection rates, the findings strongly advocate for proactive, global public health measures to prevent a significant portion of future gastric cancers.



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Monday, July 7, 2025

'Take Steps To Stop Sand Mining Along Yamuna': Delhi Chief Minister To Yogi Adityanath

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has written to her Uttar Pradesh counterpart Yogi Adityanath, urging immediate action to curb illegal sand mining along the Yamuna River near the Delhi-UP border.

In the letter, Ms Gupta said mining activities are weakening river embankments and increasing the risk of flooding in the national capital.

The illegal extraction of sand is not only posing a flood risk but also causing long-term ecological damage, she said, and cited repeated observations made by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which has expressed concern over unregulated mining along the river.

"The NGT has consistently flagged illegal sand mining as a serious environmental issue," the letter said, adding urgent regulatory intervention is needed to prevent further damage.

The Delhi chief minister also raised concerns about the impact on local communities living near the river, many of whom are directly affected by changes in the river flow and degradation of the riverbed. These activities, she wrote, alter the natural course of the river and contribute to erosion and ecological imbalance.

Ms Gupta described the matter as an inter-state issue requiring joint enforcement. She proposed coordinated action between the Delhi and UP governments, including a joint demarcation of jurisdiction along the river to avoid confusion in enforcement responsibilities.

"The absence of clear boundaries has complicated monitoring and action," she said, suggesting that ambiguity has allowed illegal operations to continue unchecked.

The Delhi government is seeking a collaborative approach, with Ms Gupta requesting that UP start administrative coordination to address the issue.

The letter follows several reports of continued sand mining along the Yamuna River despite restrictions and earlier warnings by environmental authorities.



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Google Offers Free Battery Replacements For Pixel Phones. Check Eligibility

Google is offering a free battery replacement or a compensation of $100 (Rs 8,500) for Pixel 6a users, including in India, experiencing battery drain and overheating issues. The company will also implement a mandatory Android 16 update to all Pixel 6a devices to improve battery efficiency and reduce overheating risks, with rollout starting July 8, 2025.

"The battery replacement program provides one battery replacement at no charge for eligible Pixel 6a devices following an initial eligibility check and physical inspection of your device," said Google.

Also Read | Here's Why Labubu Dolls Are Being Linked To Mesopotamian Demon 'Pazuzu'

Who is eligible and how to check eligibility?

All eligible Pixel 6a users can get their batteries replaced for free at authorised service centres. The users can opt for a cash payout of Rs8,500 via Payoneer or $150 (Rs12,700) in Google Store credit.

Google said that the battery replacement will be available starting July 21, 2025, at walk-in repair centres in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Singapore, Japan, and India. Via mail-in repair service, it will be available for customers in the US and India.

Additional battery replacement capability is expected in Japan, France, some other parts of Europe, and Australia soon.

Also Read | From Micromanager To Favoritist: Ghazal Alagh Lists 8 Types Of Bosses That Make Top Employees Quit

Follow these three steps to check eligibility:

Step 1: Visit Google's dedicated eligibility checker page

Step 2: Enter your device's IMEI number

Step 3: Submit the email ID linked to the device

What are the conditions?

Google clarified that devices with liquid damage or significant physical damage may not qualify for the free battery service. Out-of-warranty issues like broken screens may incur a service fee.

"Before we start any repairs, we'll provide a cost estimate. You then have the option to proceed with the repair or have your device returned to you," noted Google.

"Payments will be converted to your local currency and the final amount will be calculated using the exchange rate in effect at the time you select your support option," it added.



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Sunday, July 6, 2025

"False": Police On Pune Techie's 'Rape By Delivery Agent' Complaint

The rape complaint lodged by a 22-year-old IT professional in Pune, who alleged that a 'delivery agent' had entered her flat and sprayed some chemical rendering her unconscious before committing the 'crime', was false and misleading, a top police officer said on Sunday.

She had also claimed that the man clicked a selfie using her phone and typed a message threatening to circulate her photos if she disclosed the "incident".

The case took a dramatic turn after the investigation revealed that the 'delivery agent' was the friend of the woman who visited the flat with her consent. Police ruled out forced entry and the use of spray.

"The evidence, including phone chats, the sequence of events, mobile communication, and the conduct of the woman points out that it is not a case of rape. The complaint filed by her was entirely false and misleading," Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar told reporters.

Police are yet to decide the potential action against the woman, Kumar added.

The motive of the woman is being investigated, police said.

The woman had earlier told the investigators that her unstable mental condition prompted her to make the false claim of rape.

Addressing a function after inaugurating a police beat, Mr Kumar lamented the circulation of "narratives" portraying Pune as an unsafe city for women.

Within 24 hours, police established that the case was entirely false and misleading, he added.

"A complaint of a serious crime was registered two days back which spawned narratives about the law and order situation in Pune and questioned the safety of women," he said.

Mr Kumar reiterated that Pune remains a safe city for women and urged people not to spread false information.

"Pune Police are committed to maintaining law and order, and we will continue to strengthen the safety with the support of citizens," he added.

The woman had claimed that an unidentified man who posed as a courier delivery agent entered her flat in the Kondhwa area on Wednesday evening when she was alone, and forced himself on her. She passed out, and when she regained consciousness, he was gone, she had stated in her complaint.

The woman told the police that the "accused", before leaving, clicked a selfie using her phone in which her back and a part of his face are seen, and left a message warning that he had taken her pictures and would release them on social media if she reported the incident.

The investigation, however, revealed that neither was there any sign of forced entry nor any spray that could be used on the victim, the police commissioner had said.

Moreover, the selfie in question was taken with the consent of both, and it was the victim who edited the photo and typed a threatening message on her phone after he left her place around 8.30 pm on Wednesday, the officer said.

Police obtained a clear image of the accused from CCTV cameras installed on the society premises. However, when the picture was shown to the woman, she refused to identify him.

"Despite this, our teams continued working from various angles to trace the suspect, as no one other than this individual had accessed the particular floor where the woman lives. We also showed the photo to residents of the housing society, but none of them recognised him," Kumar had said.

Police detained the man after tracking the movement of his motorcycle across localities and analysing volumes of footage sourced from five to six CCTV cameras.

During questioning, he told police that he had visited the woman's house on Wednesday night with her consent.

"She was aware that he was coming over, and he was not posing as a courier delivery agent. There was no forced entry, and no spray was used. He was known to the victim," the top police officer had said.

Police served a notice to the man and allowed him to go on Friday evening. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)



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Saturday, July 5, 2025

Reuters' X Account In India Withheld "In Response To Legal Demand"

The official X handle of the international news agency Reuters has been withheld in India due to a "legal demand".

Reuters has not given a statement yet on what led to the blocking of its main account on X in India.

Reuters is the news and media division of Thomson Reuters. The company says it employs 2,600 journalists in over 200 locations.



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Astronomers Discover "Water-Rich Super-Earth" Twice As Big As Our Planet

Scientists have discovered a new "super-Earth" that is located about 154 light-years away and is nearly twice as big and four times as massive as our planet. According to a paper published on the arXiv preprint server, the team of astronomers, led by Abderahmane Soubkiou of the Oukaimeden Observatory in Morocco, discovered the exoplanet using NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). They stated the newly discovered alien world, designated TOI-1846 b, is likely a water-rich super-Earth and is estimated to be 7.2 billion years old. 

"We have validated TOI-1846 b using TESS and multicolour ground-based photometric data, high-resolution imaging, and spectroscopic observations," the researchers wrote in the paper, as per phys.org

According to the study, the exoplanet has a radius of about 1.792 Earth radii and is about 4.4 times more massive than our planet. It orbits its host every 3.93 days, and the equilibrium temperature of the planet is estimated to be 568.1 K. 

Based on their research, scientists concluded that the new "super-Earth" is likely water-rich. But they noted that radial velocity (RV) observations of TOI-1846 b should be conducted in order to unveil its composition. "These findings make TOI-1846 b well-suited for mass determination via RV observations. This could be possible with the MAROON-X instrument. (...) We find a TSM [transmission spectroscopy metric] of 47 for TOI-1846 b, which is below the 90 benchmark for small sub-Neptunes," the authors of the paper wrote, according to the outlet. 

Also Read | World's Largest Mars Rock Ever Found Could Sell For $4 Million At Sotheby's

When it comes to the parent star TOI-1846, the researchers said that the exoplanet is about 0.4 times the size of the Sun, and its mass is approximately 0.42 solar masses. The star has an effective temperature of 3,568 K and is estimated to be 7.2 billion years old, study authors said. 

Meanwhile, earlier this year, researchers discovered another "super-Earth" located outside our solar system. The exoplanet, designated HD 20794 d, is six times the mass of Earth and could harbour liquid water on its surface. Located 20 light-years away, it orbits within the habitable zone of a star similar to our sun, according to findings from the University of Oxford. 

However, unlike Earth's circular orbit, HD 20794 d follows an elliptical path, making it uncertain whether the planet could support life, researchers said. 



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Friday, July 4, 2025

Russia Launches Progress 92 Cargo Freighter with 3 Tons of Supplies to the ISS Successfully

Russia’s Progress 92 cargo ship launched on July 3 atop a Soyuz rocket from Baikonur, carrying nearly 3 tons of supplies to the International Space Station. The uncrewed freighter is set to dock on July 5, replacing Progress 90. NASA will livestream the event, as Progress 92 continues supporting ISS operations alongside Cygnus and SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft.

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Thursday, July 3, 2025

Reformed OTT Release Date: When and Where to Watch Popular French Drama Online?

Reformed brings a fresh air, compared to the overdone dramas in the past. It is the story of a woman who is a rabbi, and she ain't perfect or polished. She is struggling to balance her own life with her atheist father, at the same time trying to help people with grief, love, and other emotions. The dramedy created a buzz in Europe, and it is all set to release in India on Jio Hotstar on July 9, 2025.

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Wednesday, July 2, 2025

BCCI Shoots Off Stern Letter To RCB Over Bengaluru Stampede

IPL champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru have landed in further trouble after BCCI Ombudsman-cum-Ethics Officer Justice (Retd) Arun Mishra directed the franchise, along with the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), to file written submissions over gross negligence during the team's victory celebrations in Bengaluru, which led to the death of 11 people. The Ombudsman has granted RCB and KSCA four weeks to respond, following an official complaint filed by IPS officer Vikas Kumar. PTI is in possession of a copy of the Ombudsman's directive.

The complainant has also urged the Ombudsman to bar the current owners from selling the franchise until the investigation into the tragedy is complete.

"Looking at the gravity of the incident, it is considered appropriate that the Karnataka (State) Cricket Association, as well as the concerned franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore be asked to submit their written replied to the complaint," Justice Mishra wrote in his directive.

"This complaint has been filed in relation to the unfortunate stampede at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on 04.06.2025. Complaint alleges gross negligence and violation of safety norms by the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) franchise. Complainant submits that accountability must be fixed. Prayer has been made for the suspension of the RCB franchise and for invalidating ongoing sale negotiations." Justice (Retired) Mishra in his directive also mentioned that complainant Kumar would get 10 days time to give a rejoinder to the respondents.

"Let the KSCA and RCB file their respective written replies to the complaint within four weeks, with copy to the complainant as well. Showing cause why the reliefs prayed for and specified in rules be not granted. Rejoinder if any may be filed within 10 days thereafter with copy to the respondents." One of the possible reasons for seeking a written explanation from Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) could be the growing speculation within IPL circles that the franchise is considering a sale, with the current owners allegedly attempting to distance themselves from the recent tragedy.

"Apprehension has been expressed that the franchise may be attempting to distance itself from accountability and possibly offload ownership to avoid potential consequences. In the meantime, status quo be maintained," it stated.

Recently the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) also deemed RCB responsible for the massive crowd gathering that led to the death of 11 fans including women and children.

The Tribunal had also quashed the Karnataka government's suspension order against senior IPS officer Kumar, who faced the action in the wake of a fatal stampede. Kumar had subsequently challenged the decision of the Karnataka State government.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)



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Newly Detected Seaborgium-257 Offers Critical Data on Fission and Quantum Shell Effects

The discovery of 257Sg by GSI scientists reveals new insights into nuclear stability and introduces the first seaborgium K-isomer. These findings challenge established theories of fission and may guide future efforts in synthesising superheavy elements like 256Sg and beyond.

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Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Tortured For "300 Gold Sovereigns", Newlywed Woman Dies By Suicide

A 27-year-old woman, who was married only about two and a half months ago, has died by suicide after holding her husband and in-laws responsible for her decision to end her life, police said on Monday.

Just before she ended her life by consuming pesticide, the woman, Rithanya, in an audio message to her father, alleged that her husband, Kavinkumar, tortured her physically. She alleged that her father-in-law Easwaramurthy and mother-in-law Chitradevi caused her mental torture.

The victim's father alleged that her husband and in-laws demanded dowry, and problems began just about 15 days following the wedding. He told reporters that her daughter had to endure "physical, mental and monetary torture." Her in-laws harassed her, stating that her father assured "300-500 sovereigns gold" but she had brought less to her matrimonial home.

On such allegations of dowry harassment, a police officer said the accused would be charged with that offence only if the inquiry by the RDO recommends such an action.

On June 28, the woman parked her car on the roadside at Chettipudur near Sevur, about 12 kms from Avinashi in Tiruppur, and consumed poison. Local people alerted police after finding the car parked for a long time, police said.

Further, in that message, she allegedly said that her marriage to Kavin was actually a "plan." It was hatched by her husband and his family.

"It is very much a torture daily, daily; they are assaulting me mentally. Physically, he (Kavinkumar) is torturing me," she said, weeping in her message.

She said she did not think that it was possible to continue with such a life. "You (father) and mom are my world," the young woman is heard saying in the audio, adding her parents' dreams for her did not realize.

Finally, before ending her life, she sought forgiveness from her parents.

The woman's husband and his parents were arrested subsequently, and the Revenue Divisional Officer initiatedan inquiry into the death. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Vandrevala Foundation for Mental Health 9999666555 or help@vandrevalafoundation.com
TISS iCall 022-25521111 (Monday-Saturday: 8 am to 10 pm)
(If you need support or know someone who does, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist.)


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Nothing Phone 3 Launched in India With Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 SoC, Glyph Matrix: Price, Specifications

Nothing Phone 3 has been launched in India with the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset. It packs up to 16GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage. The phone features a triple rear camera unit, including three 50-megapixel sensors and a 50-megapixel selfie camera. It gets a new Glyph Matrix interface on the rear panel that can show notifications, animations, time, and more.

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Nothing Phone 3 First Impressions

Nothing Phone 3 has been launched as a direct competition to high-end Samsung and Apple devices. At a starting price of Rs. 79,999, it appeals to premium customers and packs a good set of features. The all-new Glyph Interface is the highlight of the new device, making it truly unique. It is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 8S Gen 4 and comes in two RAM and storage variants. On the camera front, it packs a triple rear camera setup. Here are our first impressions.

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Fauja Singh, Legendary Marathon Runner, Dies At 114 In Road Accident

Fauja Singh, the iconic runner who earned the tag of world's oldest marathoner, died at the age of 114 in a road accident on Minday. He ...