Nasheman

India's largest selling Urdu weekly, now also in English

You are here: Home / 2025 / Archives for July 2025

Archives for July 2025

Bangladesh school jet crash death toll rises to 27

by

Bangladesh school jet crash death toll rises to 27

Dhaka: The death toll from the crash of the Bangladesh Air Force training fighter jet into a school building in Dhaka rose to 27 as more people succumbed to their injuries, authorities said on Tuesday.

The F-7 BGI aircraft, a training fighter jet manufactured in China, experienced a “mechanical fault” moments after takeoff and crashed into the two-storey building of Milestone School and College at Diabari in Dhaka’s Uttara area on Monday.

“The toll is now 27, and 25 of them are children,” Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus’s special adviser, Saidur Rahman, told reporters.

About 170 were injured, with several of them said to be critical.

Wails of despair and pain reverberate at hospitals where patients were treated with burn injuries.

Twenty deaths were reported initially, and seven died of their injuries overnight.

The pilot, Flight Lieutenant Mohammad Towkir Islam, was among those killed in the crash.

The government has declared a state day of mourning for Tuesday in memory of those affected by the crash.

A statement from the Chief Advisor’s Office on Monday announced that the national flag will be flown at half-mast at all government, semi-government, autonomous institutions and educational institutions across the country.

Special prayers will be organised at all places of religious worship in the country for the injured and the dead.

A high-level investigation committee has been formed by the Bangladesh Air Force to determine the cause of the accident.

Election for new Vice President to be held ‘as soon as possible’ following Dhankhar’s resignation

by

Election for new Vice President to be held 'as soon as possible' following Dhankhar's resignation

New Delhi: With Jagdeep Dhankhar quitting as the vice president, the election to appoint his successor will have to be held “as soon as possible”.

According to Clause 2 of Article 68 of the Constitution, an election to fill a vacancy in the office of the vice president occurring due to his death, resignation or removal, or otherwise will be held “as soon as possible” after it becomes vacant.

The person elected to fill the vacancy will be entitled to hold office “for the full term of five years from the date on which he enters upon his office”.

The Constitution is silent on who performs the duties of the vice president in case of his death or resignation before the expiry of his term, or when the vice president acts as the President of India.

The vice president is the second highest constitutional office in the country. He serves for a five-year term, but can continue to be in office, irrespective of the expiry of the term, until the successor assumes office.

The only provision in the Constitution is with regard to the vice president’s function as the chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, which is performed, during the period of such vacancy, by the deputy chairperson or any other member of the Rajya Sabha authorised by the President of India.

The vice president may vacate his office by submitting his resignation to the President. The resignation becomes effective from the day it is accepted.

The vice president is the ex-officio chairperson (holding the office of the Rajya Sabha chairperson by virtue of being the vice president) of the Rajya Sabha and does not hold any other office of profit.

During any period when the vice president acts as, or discharges the functions of the President, he does not perform the duties of the office of the chairperson of the Rajya Sabha and is not entitled to any salary or allowances payable to the chairperson of the Upper House.

According to Article 66 of the Constitution, the vice president is elected by the members of the Electoral College consisting of the members of both Houses of Parliament in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote.

A person cannot be elected as vice president unless he is a citizen of India, has completed the age of 35, and is qualified for election as a member of the Rajya Sabha.

A person is not eligible if he holds any office of profit under the Government of India, a state government, or any subordinate local authority.

Non-cognisable case against Pune techie who lodged false rape complaint

by

Pune: Police have registered a non-cognisable case against a 22-year-old IT professional who falsely claimed that she was raped by a man posing as a ‘delivery agent’ at her apartment in Pune, officials said on Tuesday.

The woman approached the police on July 3 with a complaint alleging a ‘delivery agent’ entered her flat the previous evening and sprayed some chemical rendering her unconscious before committing the rape.

She had also claimed 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 the ‘delivery agent’ was the friend of the woman who visited the flat with her consent.

The police had ruled out forced entry and the use of spray, and said her rape complaint was false and misleading.

A non-cognisable case was registered against the woman on Monday under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 212, 217 (dealing with furnishing false information to a public servant) and 228 (fabricating false evidence) a senior police official said.

“We have registered a non-cognisable offence against the woman for giving false information and evidence during the probe and trying to mislead the police,” the official said.

Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar had earlier said based on various pieces of evidence, including phone chats, the sequence of events, mobile communication, and the conduct of both the woman, it was evident that this was not a case of rape and there was an attempt to mislead the police.

Hundreds throng to pay homage to former Kerela C.M Achuthanandan

by

Hundreds throng to pay homage to Achuthanandan

Thiruvananthapuram: Hundreds of people waited outside the historic Darbar Hall here to pay homage to former Chief Minister and veteran CPI(M) leader V S Achuthanandan on Tuesday, a day after he breathed his last at the age of 101.

The mortal remains of the veteran were taken in a procession from his son’s residence in the morning to the Hall inside the Secretariat for official public homage.

A large number of party workers accompanied the ambulance. Several others followed in their vehicles.

Thousands of people, including women, the elderly, and students, paid their last respects to Achuthanandan when his body was kept at the old AKG Centre on Monday night. By around 11.45 pm, the body was shifted to his son’s residence in the city and kept there till the morning.

Even at midnight, a large number of people gathered in front of the house to catch a glimpse of their beloved leader.

There was no public homage at the house, party sources said.

By Tuesday afternoon, Achuthanandan’s body would be taken in a procession to Alappuzha, his hometown.

His cremation will take place at the public crematorium in Alappuzha Valiya Chudukadu by Wednesday noon, party sources added.

The government has declared a public holiday on Tuesday and a three-day mourning period as a mark of respect for the former chief minister.

The veteran leader died at 3:20 pm on Monday while undergoing treatment in the critical care unit of Pattom SUT Hospital.

Achuthanandan had been receiving treatment since June 23, following a cardiac arrest.

A founding member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Achuthanandan was a lifelong champion of workers’ rights, land reforms, and social justice.

He served as Kerala’s Chief Minister from 2006 to 2011 and was elected to the state assembly seven times, serving three terms as Leader of the Opposition.

Nimisha Priya to be released: KA Paul claims cancellation of death sentence in Yemen

by

Nimisha Priya to be released: KA Paul claims cancellation of death sentence in Yemen
Nimisha Priya

New Delhi/Sanaa: Indian nurse Nimisha Priya, who was sentenced to death in Yemen for the murder of a Yemeni national, is reportedly set to be released following sustained interventions by Indian and Yemeni interlocutors. However, there has been no official confirmation yet from the Government of India, her family, or the Yemeni authorities.

Evangelist and Global Peace Initiative founder Dr. K.A. Paul, speaking from Sanaa on Tuesday night (local time), claimed that Priya’s execution has been cancelled and that preparations are underway for her repatriation. In a video message, Dr. Paul thanked Yemeni leaders and expressed appreciation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his support in the diplomatic efforts. “By God’s grace, she will be released and returned to India. I want to thank Prime Minister Modi ji for preparing to send your diplomats and for arranging her safe return,” he said.

He further added that logistical arrangements are being discussed to bring Priya back to India via Oman, Jeddah, Egypt, Iran, or Turkiye.

Priya, a 37-year-old nurse from Kerala, was convicted in a Yemeni court for the murder of her former employer. Her death sentence was upheld by Yemen’s Supreme Judicial Council in November 2023, with the execution scheduled for July 16, 2025.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had previously confirmed its involvement in the case. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had noted that legal assistance was provided to Priya’s family, including the appointment of a lawyer to pursue clemency under Yemen’s Sharia law. Regular consular access was also ensured, with the Indian government maintaining communication with local authorities regarding her welfare.

Religious leaders played a key role in influencing the outcome. The Grand Mufti of India, Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad Kanthapuram, stated that he appealed to Yemeni Islamic scholars to accept Diya (blood money) as permitted under Islamic law. “I did not see her religion but her humanity. I requested they accept Diya, and after my appeal, the execution was postponed,” he told ANI.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had earlier welcomed the deferral of the execution and acknowledged the efforts of the Grand Mufti, the Action Council, and civil society members in supporting Priya’s case.

With her return now reportedly being coordinated, official sources indicate that diplomatic formalities are still ongoing. Further updates from the Ministry of External Affairs are awaited.\

Will Shashi Tharoor be India’s next Vice-President? Social media buzzes amid political shifts

by

Will Shashi Tharoor be India’s next Vice-President? Social media buzzes amid political shifts
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor

New Delhi: Speculation is rife in India’s political and media circles over the possibility of Congress MP Shashi Tharoor being named the next Vice-President of India, following the surprise resignation of incumbent VP Jagdeep Dhankhar.

According to Gulf News’ Business Editor Manoj Nair, the growing chatter about Tharoor’s potential elevation has been intensified by Dhankhar’s unexpected announcement late on July 21 that he is stepping down from office due to health concerns. As per protocol, a new Vice-President must be elected within 60 days.

This latest round of speculation is further fueled by murmurs of a possible rift between Tharoor and the Indian National Congress. The Kerala MP, who retained his Thiruvananthapuram seat by a slim margin in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, has increasingly distanced himself from the party line, especially in the wake of India’s international outreach on the ‘Operation Sindoor’ front.

“Tharoor has been one of the more vocal proponents of India’s stance on ‘Operation Sindoor’ during trips to the US and elsewhere,” writes Nair. “And that’s brought him visibly closer to the BJP government – and sharing quite the rapport with the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”

This closeness, however, has reportedly irked senior Congress leaders, especially within Kerala. Tharoor’s exclusion from an official Congress delegation to the US was interpreted by many as a public snub. The state unit has even considered distancing him from upcoming party events, further indicating a widening gulf.

While there has been no official confirmation, Gulf News reports that Tharoor’s name is being floated prominently among the potential candidates to replace Dhankhar. Importantly, if the BJP decides to back him, they and their allies possess the electoral numbers in Parliament to ensure his victory—regardless of Congress support.

Nair notes that Tharoor’s name had already been whispered in political circles as a possible “future” Vice-President even before Dhankhar’s resignation. “Now that future is likely to happen a lot sooner,” he adds.

If nominated and elected, Tharoor’s ascent to the second-highest constitutional post in India would mark a significant political turn in a career already marked by international acclaim, articulate diplomacy, and growing political contradictions.

The Congress MP’s next move remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: “The guessing game continues,” concludes Nair.

No industrialist will leave Karnataka just because Andhra minister invites them: M.B. Patil

by

Bengaluru: Karnataka’s Minister for Large and Medium Industries, M.B. Patil, has dismissed concerns over Andhra Pradesh’s minister Nara Lokesh inviting industrialists to relocate, asserting confidently that no entrepreneur will abandon Karnataka on such invitations alone.

Responding to media queries on Wednesday about Lokesh’s open invitation to industries, Patil said, “Karnataka holds 65% of the aerospace share in the country. Globally, we rank third in providing the best business environment. Merely offering land does not prompt industries to relocate; the overall working environment plays a critical role.”

He emphasised that Karnataka’s competitive edge goes beyond infrastructure. “In the proposed Devanahalli Defence and Aerospace Park, we withdrew the land acquisition process in consideration of farmers’ interests. Still, we are ready to provide land wherever required by the industries. But for aerospace industries, it’s not just land, we provide water, electricity, and a conducive ecosystem. I will not let a single industrialist leave the state,” he declared.

Patil also acknowledged Lokesh’s tweet and said he had already responded to it.

Bengaluru’s small vendors shun UPI over tax notice fears

by

Bengaluru: Once a frontrunner in digital payments, Bengaluru is reportedly witnessing a sudden shift back to cash as small vendors—spooked by recent GST notices from the Commercial Taxes Department—begin refusing UPI transactions. QR code stickers are being replaced with signs reading “No UPI, only cash,” as traders fear tax scrutiny and demand customers pay in physical currency instead.

The department recently stated that businesses with an annual turnover exceeding Rs 40 lakh for goods or Rs 20 lakh for services must register under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime and pay the applicable taxes, as reported by Deccan Herald on Wednesday.

The directive has triggered panic among small, unregistered vendors—such as bakeries, tea stalls, cigarette kiosks, and gift shops—now facing tax scrutiny. Many are reportedly hiding UPI QR codes or removing them entirely, while others are stuck in a dilemma as most customers no longer carry cash.

Authorities have obtained data from UPI service providers regarding payments received by businesses from 2021–22 to 2024–25. Businesses found to have received more than Rs 40 lakh via UPI payments during this period—without GST registration or tax payments—are now being served notices.

The impact is visible across Bengaluru’s streets and markets. From food street stalls to gift shops, vendors say the tax enforcement fails to reflect their operational realities. While many operate on high turnover, their profit margins remain razor-thin due to rent, supply costs, and wages. They argue that this policy would threaten their survival.

A juice stall cashier near Indiranagar said they were told to remove UPI scanners but were unsure how to proceed. “Most customers don’t carry cash. We’re stuck,” DH quoted the cashier as saying. In RR Nagar, a stationery shop employee echoed similar concerns: “We use both UPI and cash. But with this rule, we either lose customers or lose money.”

A bakery and tea stall owner expressed frustration over the policy’s failure to account for ground realities, noting, “My sales look high, but most of it goes into rent, supplies, and staff. If I’m taxed on this, I’ll have to remove my UPI scanner and go cash-only.”

BESCOM employee dies by suicide after falling prey to digital arrest scam

by

Bengaluru: A 48-year-old Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM) employee died by suicide after he allegedly fell prey to a “digital arrest” scam, losing Rs 11 lakh, police said on Wednesday.

Kumar K, who was employed on a contractual basis with BESCOM, hailed from Kelagere village in Channapatna taluk in Bengaluru South district, they said.

He was found hanging from a tree in his village on Tuesday, police said.

In the purported suicide note recovered from the spot, he has cited his health issues and harrasment by cyber fraudster in the name of digital arrest as the reason behind him taking the extreme step.

Digital arrest is a term used in cyber frauds where victims are falsely told they are under surveillance or legal custody through digital means. They are often isolated via continuous video or call surveillance by fraudsters posing as officials, and manipulated into following instructions without alerting others – often leading to extortion or fraud.

According to the police, in the death note, Kumar stated that he received a call from a man named Vikram Goswami who claimed to be a CBI officer and threatened him of digital arrest. The fraudster claimed he had an arrest warrant against Kumar and demanded money to evade digital arrest.

Owing to alleged harassment and fear of being arrested, Kumar initially deposited Rs 1.95 lakh as per the demands of the fraudster. However, he kept demanding more money, a senior police officer said, citing the note.

In total, Kumar claimed to have transferred Rs 11 lakh into several bank accounts as instructed by the fraudsters, he said.

M K Doddi police in Channapatna are investigating the matter and are looking into the allegations levelled by Kumar, the officer said.

“Only after analysing the bank transaction details of Kumar, we will be able to ascertain the exact amount that was transferred,” he said.

Kumar is survived by his wife and an eight-year-old son, police added.

Stock markets edge up amid weak global market trends tariff-related uncertainty

by

Stock markets edge up amid weak global market trends, tariff-related uncertainty

Mumbai: Benchmark stock indices Sensex and Nifty closed marginally higher in a rangebound trade on Wednesday as investors stayed on the sidelines amid weak global market trends and tariff-related uncertainty.

Rising for the second day in a row, the 30-share BSE Sensex edged up 63.57 points or 0.08 per cent to settle at 82,634.48. During the day, it hit a high of 82,784.75 and a low of 82,342.94.

The 50-share NSE Nifty ended 16.25 points or 0.06 per cent higher at 25,212.05.

Among Sensex firms, Mahindra & Mahindra, Tech Mahindra, State Bank of India, Infosys, Adani Ports and ITC were the major gainers.

However, Eternal, Sun Pharma, Tata Steel, Tata Motors, Bajaj Finance and Bharat Electronics were among the major laggards.

“Indian equity markets closed modestly higher on Wednesday, recovering from early losses amid foreign fund inflows, easing market volatility, and renewed buying interest in IT stocks,” Gaurav Garg, Analyst, Lemonn Markets Desk, said.

Tech Mahindra rose by 1.94 per cent ahead of its financial results that were announced after market hours. The company posted a 30 per cent jump in consolidated profit after tax to Rs 1,128.8 crore in the June quarter of FY26 over the year-ago period.

Infosys rebounded by 1.5 per cent, helping the key indices close in green.

“India’s macroeconomic outlook remains strong, supported by easing inflation, lower interest rates, a healthy monsoon, and softer oil prices. A drop in inflation in eight straight months has provided a push to the market. However, investors are showing a mix of optimism and caution in the relief rally to assess the Q1 FY26 corporate earnings, as an upgrade in earnings is essential in the premium valued stock market.

“Additionally, global sentiment is mixed amid tariff concerns—highlighted by the announcement of a 50% duty on copper—and fading hopes of a near-term US Fed rate cut on account of sticky inflation, adding market uncertainty,” Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Limited, said.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) bought equities worth Rs 120.47 crore on Tuesday, according to exchange data.

“The benchmark equity indices exhibited range-bound price action and ended marginally in the green, marking the second consecutive session of gains. Market participants remained cautious amid prevailing uncertainty around global tariff developments,” according to Bajaj Broking Research.

The BSE smallcap gauge climbed 0.28 per cent and midcap index went up by 0.10 per cent.

Among BSE sectoral indices, BSE Focused IT climbed 0.67 per cent, followed by IT (0.66 per cent), services (0.55 per cent), realty (0.50 per cent) and teck (0.49 per cent).

Commodities, capital goods, metal and industrials were the laggards.

In Asian markets, South Korea’s Kospi, Japan’s Nikkei 225 index, Shanghai’s SSE Composite index and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng settled lower.

European markets were trading on a mixed note. The US markets ended mostly lower on Tuesday.

Global oil benchmark Brent crude dipped 0.26 per cent to USD 68.55 a barrel.

On Tuesday, the Sensex climbed 317.45 points or 0.39 per cent to settle at 82,570.91. The Nifty edged higher by 113.50 points or 0.45 per cent to 25,195.80.

KNOW US

GET INVOLVED

PROMOTE

Archives