Three family members were arrested for murdering SN Mishra at the IAF’s Bamrauli base. Saurabh Kumar, along with his parents, tried to burgle Mishra’s house to fund a legal case for Saurabh’s jailed brother. Saurabh shot Mishra to prevent him from raising an alarm. The suspects had previously worked at the IAF base.
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has urged PM Narendra Modi to cancel offshore mining tenders off the coasts of Kerala, Gujarat, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, citing threats to marine life and fisherfolk livelihoods. He pointed out the lack of rigorous environmental assessments and noted strong protests from coastal communities against the mining licenses.
The Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) urges all MPs from Kerala to back the Waqf Amendment Bill, gaining support from the BJP and finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Congress criticises the move, suggesting it reflects undue interference. The bill aims for transparent management of waqf properties.
Senior RSS leader Suresh ‘Bhaiyyaji’ Joshi stated that the issue of Aurangzeb’s tomb in Maharashtra was raised unnecessarily and highlighted the inclusiveness of Bharat by referencing Shivaji’s respect for even Afzal Khan. Meanwhile, CM Devendra Fadnavis opposed the tomb’s glorification but noted it is an ASI-protected site. Tensions continue with recent violence following VHP’s actions against the tomb.
India and the US are set to begin their major tri-service exercise ‘Tiger Triumph’ in the Bay of Bengal, focusing on military interoperability for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. The exercise includes operations at Visakhapatnam and Kakinada, with India deploying warships, aircraft, and troops, while the US contributes amphibious warships and marines.
The US Department of Energy has granted regulatory clearance for Holtec International to transfer small modular reactor technology to India, partnering with Indian firms. This approval marks significant progress in the Indo-US Civil Nuclear Agreement, potentially leading to the construction of US-designed nuclear reactors in India.
CISF has initiated the ‘Great Indian Coastal Cyclothon’ to raise awareness about coastal security by engaging with coastal communities. The event concluded with 125 cyclists, including 14 women, covering 6,553 km over 25 days and connecting with 58 communities across 11 states and UTs, reaching a 2.5 crore-strong audience.
A historic colonial-era structure, Mahafezkhana, has been demolished by the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority to facilitate the Brahmaputra riverfront expansion. The heritage building, which withstood major earthquakes in 1897 and 1950, was demolished despite public outcry and suggestions for its preservation.
Reimbursements to private hospitals under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) have surged from 24% in 2019-20 to 60% in 2023-24. A significant rise in the number of beneficiaries has driven this increase. Instances of fraudulent billing and overcharging by empanelled hospitals have raised concerns about proper oversight and cost-effectiveness in the scheme.
The Indian government has dismissed a New York Times report alleging Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s involvement in transferring sensitive British technology to Russia as inaccurate and misleading. Officials emphasize that the Indian entity adhered to all international trade obligations and laws, highlighting the need for reputable media to ensure accuracy before publication.