Ahead of crucial global plastic treaty talks in Geneva, experts highlighted Asia-Pacific's pivotal role in tackling plastic pollution. Discussions emphasized the region's unique challenges, urging for legally binding obligations to reduce plastic production. Concerns were raised about potential treaty weaknesses, including industry influence and delayed commitments.
Consumer case disposal rates have declined in 2024 and 2025 compared to previous years, despite exceeding filings in 2022 and 2023. This downturn is attributed to a significant increase in vacancies for presidents and members across state and district consumer commissions.
Former J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti urged the Centre to abandon its security-centric approach and embrace dialogue, asserting PM Modi could resolve the Kashmir issue. She criticized the revocation of Article 370 for deepening alienation, not bringing peace. Defending PDP's alliance with BJP in 2015, she emphasized the party's commitment to dialogue and a peaceful J&K integrated with India through mutual respect.
Parliament witnessed a heated debate on Operation Sindoor, India's response to the Pahalgam terror attack. The government hailed the operation as a military and diplomatic success, emphasizing its sovereign right to respond to cross-border terrorism.
Jim Corbett, celebrated for his 150th birth anniversary, transitioned from a hunter to a conservationist, gaining literary acclaim with 'Man-Eaters of Kumaon' in 1944. His work, praised by The Times of India, not only captivated readers but also supported blinded Indian soldiers through royalties.
Chief Justice of India B R Gavai, during his first visit to Srinagar post Article 370 abrogation, remarked on the region's beauty, quoting a Persian couplet. Speaking at a NALSA conference, he emphasized justice for all citizens and urged the J&K and Ladakh High Court to consider a separate bench for Ladakh UT, addressing the Ladakh Bar's request.
On Kargil Vijay Diwas, NALSA launched the Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana in Srinagar, offering free legal aid to defence personnel, veterans, and their families. Justice Surya Kant emphasized the role of ex-servicemen as legal volunteers. The initiative aims to address legal challenges faced by defence families nationwide through legal clinics, ensuring timely redress.
In Jammu & Kashmir's Samba district, police seized approximately 500 grams of heroin in Chillyari village, suspected to have been dropped by a Pakistani drone. Authorities have registered an FIR under the NDPS Act and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. This incident follows a similar attempt on December 15, where BSF troops intercepted a drone carrying narcotics in the Arnia sector.
A suspected drug peddler, Parvez Ahmed, died in an exchange of fire with police in Jammu, prompting allegations of a staged encounter from his family. Protests erupted, leading to the suspension of two District Special Branch personnel and the launch of a departmental inquiry. An SIT has been formed to investigate the incident following demands for a swift probe from political figures like Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti.
The J&K government is cracking down on Kashmiri handicraft dealers who are misrepresenting machine-made products as authentic, handmade items. Notices have been issued, threatening blacklisting for those who fail to remove the fake goods. This action follows complaints and the deregistration of a retailer for selling a machine-made carpet as a genuine, GI-certified Kashmiri handicraft, aiming to protect the region's artisan legacy.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, after being barred for two weeks, delivered the Friday sermon at Srinagar's Jamia Masjid, urging the J&K administration to respect people's religious rights. He criticized the repeated restrictions on his access to the mosque, deeming it interference. He also voiced solidarity with the people of Gaza, highlighting the humanitarian crisis and starvation they face.
The J&K and Ladakh High Court has directed Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) to reinstate permission for Ludhiana's Bhole Bhandari Charitable Trust to operate a langar at Panchtarni, a key rest stop on the Amarnath pilgrimage route. Justice Rahul Bharti noted the trust's unwarranted exclusion, despite its 28-year history of service.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his sorrow over the fatal plane crash in Russia's Far East, which resulted in the loss of all lives on board. The Soviet-made Antonov-24 aircraft, carrying nearly 50 individuals, crashed in the Amur region, prompting an investigation by Russian authorities.
A violent incident at a Kalyan paediatric clinic took a new turn after CCTV footage revealed that the receptionist had slapped a woman before being assaulted by her relative, Gokul Jha. Earlier, a viral video showed Jha kicking and dragging the receptionist. He was later arrested, and the case sparked political protests and public outrage.
Mehbooba Mufti has urged Rahul Gandhi to address the increasing marginalization of Muslims in India during the Parliament's monsoon session. She highlighted concerns over the targeting of Muslims under the pretext of identifying illegal immigrants and the alleged disenfranchisement efforts through electoral roll revisions in Bihar.
Jammu & Kashmir Police's Crime Branch has filed three cases against fraudsters, including one already jailed, for allegedly defrauding job seekers of Rs 1.5 crore with promises of government jobs. Ajay Kumar of Doda district allegedly duped six victims of Rs 1.06 crore, while suspended teacher Jameel Anjum allegedly defrauded nine victims of Rs 39 lakh.
Jammu and Kashmir Congress leaders, including Tariq Hameed Karra, were detained by police during a planned "statehood march" in Jammu. The protest aimed to demand the restoration of J&K's statehood, revoked after the abrogation of Article 370. Undeterred, the party announced a 'Delhi Challo' program to protest at Parliament, supported by INDIA bloc MPs.
Assam's dairy sector receives a boost with a new government subsidy of Rs 5 per litre for dairy farmers, launched by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. This initiative aims to encourage higher milk production, improve farmer earnings, and stimulate a rural dairy revolution.
Authorities in Srinagar prevented a Congress march demanding the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir by deploying heavy security outside the party headquarters. Congress leaders criticized the action as undemocratic, alleging that workers were blocked from reaching Srinagar.
The Election Commission of India has announced that 94.7% of Bihar's 7.9 crore electors have been covered in the enumeration process. After the draft electoral roll is published on August 1, 2025, political parties and the public will have a month to seek corrections or propose inclusions.
National Conference has criticised the central government's decision. The decision involves appointing Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kavinder Gupta as Ladakh's Lieutenant Governor. NC spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq said this move contradicts BJP's claims made during the abrogation of Article 370. He added that the appointment exposes BJP's real motives. BJP welcomed the appointment and felicitated Gupta in Jammu.
Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge have urged Prime Minister Modi to restore statehood to Jammu & Kashmir via a parliamentary bill during the monsoon session. They also advocated for Sixth Schedule constitutional safeguards for Ladakh, addressing cultural, developmental, and political needs while protecting rights and identity.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge criticized Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, stating BJP formed the government by 'borrowing' a Congress member. Kharge condemned Sarma's controversial remarks and accused the Assam government of corruption, promising accountability.
Air Vice Marshal Anupam Agarwal highlights Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's mission to the ISS as crucial for validating India's astronaut training protocols. This mission tests the effectiveness of aerospace medicine processes and psychological selection methods in real microgravity conditions. IAM's role extends to collecting vital physiological data, essential for understanding microgravity's impact on Indian astronauts and refining future mission preparations.
A devastating fire in Delhi's Old Govindpura area of Jagatpuri claimed the lives of two individuals, Tanveer and Nusrat, while injuring two others, Faizal and Aasif. The blaze, which erupted in a residential building, trapped around ten people, prompting a swift response from police and fire brigade personnel who rescued six individuals.
Amid escalating regional tensions and recent military actions involving Israel, Iran, and the United States, the Indian Embassy in Iran has advised Indian nationals against non-essential travel to the country. The embassy urges those already in Iran to remain vigilant, monitor developments, and consider returning via available commercial options, echoing similar warnings from the US regarding travel safety.
BJP legislators protested in Jammu against a government order mandating Urdu for naib tehsildar recruitment exams. They deemed the order discriminatory towards Jammu's youth and other official languages. MLAs accused the National Conference of creating unrest and denying opportunities to qualified candidates from the Jammu region.
India celebrates the successful undocking of the Axiom-4 mission, marking astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's return after 18 days on the ISS. Shukla, the second Indian in space, completed seven ISRO-backed microgravity experiments, paving the way for advancements in space-biotech. The mission, a public-private partnership, signifies India's progress towards space-driven biotech leadership, with the Dragon spacecraft expected to land in California.
A political row has erupted in Jammu and Kashmir after Omar Abdullah likened the 1931 Srinagar killings to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, drawing sharp criticism from the BJP, who accused him of glorifying rioters and distorting history. J&K deputy chief minister Surinder Choudhary responded by accusing the BJP of using communal politics.
Samba district police in Jammu have dismantled an illegal arms trade network, arresting a Central University of Jammu student from Bihar. Kaif Ahmad was apprehended with a country-made pistol, revealing his involvement in smuggling firearms from Bihar to sell to criminals in J&K. Police are investigating further, vowing to continue cracking down on illegal arms dealing.
A Golden Chassis from the US National Transport Safety Board aided in retrieving 49 hours of flight data from the forward black box of the crashed Air India Boeing 787-8. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau successfully downloaded data from the forward EAFR, while the aft EAFR was too damaged for conventional retrieval.
DRDO and IAF successfully tested the ASTRA missile, featuring an indigenous RF seeker, against high-speed aerial targets off the coast of Odisha. The missile achieved a direct hit, validating its precision and lethality. This success marks a significant step towards integrating ASTRA into the LCA AF MK1A, enhancing India's air defense capabilities and showcasing the strength of indigenous defense production.
from India News | Latest India News Headlines Today and Live Updates from India - Times of India https://ift.tt/RbwO1Nu
