Mumbai, June 20 (IANS) The Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) Mumbai Zonal Office is probing allegations of money laundering related to the issuance of Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) by Care Health Insurance Ltd (CHIL), allegedly in violation of regulatory directions. According to the ED, CHIL issued ESOPs on May 1, 2022, at a significantly reduced price, despite the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) having rejected the proposal.”As part of the investigation, a summons was issued to Pratap Venugopal, an Independent Director of CHIL, to understand the circumstances under which the company has issued the ESOPs despite its rejection by the IRDAI and subsequent discussions in the Board of CHIL in this regard,” the ED said in a press statement.”It is also pertinent to note that the IRDAI on July 23, 2024, has directed the CHIL to revoke or cancel any ESOPs that have yet to be allotted and has also imposed a penalty of Rs 1 crore on CHIL for non-compliance with regulatory directions”, it said.The matter was reportedly discussed in subsequent board meetings of CHIL. As part of the investigation, the ED issued a summons to senior advocate Venugopal, who serves as an Independent Director on CHIL’s board, to ascertain the circumstances under which the company proceeded with the ESOP allotments.Subsequently, acknowledging Venugopal’s stature as a senior advocate in the Supreme Court, the ED has now withdrawn the summons.The agency clarified that any required documents related to his role as an Independent Director would be sought via email.”Further, the ED has also issued a Circular for the guidance of the field formations that no summons shall be issued to any advocate in violation of Section 132 of the Bhartiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023,” the ED said in a statement.”Further, if any summons needs to be issued under the exceptions carved out in the proviso to section 132 of the BSA, 2023, the same shall be issued only with the prior approval of the Director, ED,” it added.–IANSsas/vd

New Delhi, June 20 (IANS) Several countries across the globe organised Yoga sessions on Friday, marking the one-day countdown to the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY).The Embassy of India in Nepal, in association with Lumbini Development Trust, organised a large-scale Yoga demonstration at Lumbini – the revered birthplace of Lord Buddha and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Ambassador of India to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, highlighted that Yoga, an ancient practice with its origins in India, has grown into a global movement, particularly following the United Nations’ declaration of June 21 as the International Day of Yoga in 2014.He remarked that Lumbini, widely regarded as a symbol of peace and harmony, provides a truly fitting setting to celebrate the timeless values of Yoga.The occasion was a part of a series of events being conducted by the Embassy of India to celebrate the 11th International Day of Yoga across various cities in Nepal.In Thailand, students of St. Andrews International School engaged in a yoga session highlighting the spirit of Yoga for ‘One Earth, One Health’.“Reflecting the spirit of Yoga for One Earth One Health, students of St. Andrews International School, Thailand, participated in an energizing yoga session organised by Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, Embassy of India, Bangkok,” Indian Embassy in Bangkok posted on X.In Austria, the celebration of IDY by the Indian Embassy in Vienna in partnership with Stadt Wien was featured prominently by ORF, Austria’s national broadcasting service in its morning show ‘Guten Morgen Österreich’.In Saudi Arabia, students from International Indian Schools in Taif and Jubail cities participated in a Yoga session embodying harmony, wellness, and togetherness.“In celebration of International Day of Yoga, students from International Indian Schools in Taif and Jubail cities organised an energising Yoga session. Their vibrant spirit embodied the harmony, wellness, and togetherness that Yoga brings to our lives,” the Indian Embassy in Riyadh posted on X.On the sidelines of the Mobile World Congress in Shanghai, the Consulate General of India in Shanghai organised a well-attended IDY workshop and symposium for participants.In Japan, the 11th IDY countdown was celebrated at the Osaka Expo 2025.“Ambassador of India to Japan Sibi George and Vice Governor of Osaka Prefecture Shigeki Watanabe inaugurated the celebrations and joined the collective yoga session alongside thousands of yoga enthusiasts,” the Indian Embassy in Tokyo posted on X.Marking one day countdown to IDY, the High Commission of India in Kenya organised a special yoga session at Ulinzi Sports Complex, Nairobi, for the Foreign Affairs officials in Kenya, as part of their Annual Staff Wellness Day. Focusing on the holistic health benefits of yoga, the session received an enthusiastic response and saw participation from over 300 officials.In his ‘Mann ki Baat’ address on March 30, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had emphasised the importance of fitness in daily life and praised initiatives like the International Yoga Day.While sharing India’s vision for a healthier world population, PM Modi mentioned the theme of IDY 2025 as ‘Yoga for One Earth One Health’, which ensures holistic health for the whole world.The 2025 theme highlights Yoga’s role in promoting physical, mental, and environmental well-being, aligning with global calls for sustainability and unity.It builds on a decade of success since the United Nations recognised June 21 as International Day of Yoga, following India’s proposal in 2014.–IANSint/scor/as

New Delhi, June 20 (IANS) The stage is set for the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) to be celebrated with grandeur on 21st June 2025, with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the national event from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, performing the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) alongside over three lakh participants at the main venue.

He will be joined by Union Minister of State (IC) Ayush and Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, in a massive demonstration of India’s global wellness vision.The Prime Minister will perform the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) with over three lakh participants at the Visakhapatnam venue, synchronised with over 10 lakh locations across the country under the ‘Yoga Sangam’ initiative.The mass demonstration will be held from 6:30 AM to 7:45 AM, and is expected to witness unprecedented participation from all corners of the country.In an unprecedented mobilisation, more than two crore people are expected to participate in Yoga sessions at over one lakh locations across the state.The Andhra Pradesh government is also coordinating a Guinness World Record attempt to mark the occasion. Additionally, over 50 lakh yoga certificates will be awarded to registered participants by the Andhra government, making this decadal edition of IDY a truly historic moment in India’s health and wellness journey.As part of the celebrations in Visakhapatnam, a remarkable Surya Namaskar programme was organised at Andhra University on Friday, where around 25,000 tribal children performed 108 Surya Namaskars in 108 minutes.This unique initiative highlighted the enthusiastic participation of tribal communities and reflected the deepening reach of yoga at the grassroots level.Delhi, too, is all set to actively participate in the national celebration. On June 21st, yoga events will be held at 109 locations across the capital, including a grand program at the historic Red Fort.Organised by Brahma Kumaris in collaboration with the Ministry of Ayush, and supported by the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga and the Archaeological Survey of India, the Red Fort event will highlight the theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health.”This year’s IDY 2025, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” reflects the integrated vision of well-being. It emphasises the interconnectedness of human and planetary health, drawing from the Indian ethos of “Sarve Santu Niramaya” (May all be free from disease).To ensure the inclusive reach of yoga’s benefits, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has addressed a letter to all Gram Pradhans, noting, “It is a matter of pride that yoga has positively transformed lives not only in India but across the world.”As in previous editions of IDY, the Prime Minister’s message has infused Gram Panchayats with renewed enthusiasm, resulting in a significant rise in yoga-related activities at the grassroots level, particularly in Panchayats, Anganwadis, and Community Health Centres.The Introduction of 10 signature events to garner public participation for IDY 2025 has resulted in unprecedented response from across the country and abroad.Against the target of one lakh registrations for the 21st June event in the country, more than 11 lakh organisations and groups have registered for the Yoga Sangam event at their respective places through the Yoga portal of the Ministry of Ayush.Rajasthan topped the list by registering 2.25 lakh plus registrations, followed by three more states crossing the 1 lakh registration mark.Around 10 signature events marked the decade of the IDY movement, and to honour this milestone year, the Ministry of Ayush has conceptualised 10 signature events, rolled out over a span of 100 days. These events cater to different sections of society and showcase the evolving landscape of yoga in India and abroad. They include:Yoga Sangam: Mass yoga demonstrations across 1,00,000+ locations alongside the national event.Yoga Bandhan: International collaborations and exchange of yoga delegations.Harit Yoga: Integration of yoga with environmental actions like tree plantations and cleanliness drives.Yoga Park: Upgrading of public parks into dedicated yoga spaces.Yoga Samavesh: Inclusive yoga outreach with customised protocols for marginalised groups.Yoga Prabhava: A comprehensive 10-year impact report on IDY and its societal outcomes.Yoga Connect: A global online yoga summit held on 14th June, featuring global experts and policymakers.Yoga Unplugged: Youth-centric campaigns combining tech, trends, and traditional yoga.Yoga Maha Kumbh: A series of large-scale events celebrating yoga’s cultural and spiritual dimensions.Samyoga: Showcasing integration of yoga evidence with modern healthcare practices.The decadal celebration is being coordinated through a whole-of-government approach, involving ministries, departments, state governments, urban local bodies, and Indian Missions abroad.Preparatory activities have been ongoing for weeks, with special drives, yoga camps, and competitions organised by various government bodies.Globally, Indian Embassies and cultural centres are actively conducting yoga demonstrations and awareness campaigns, further strengthening India’s cultural diplomacy and leadership in wellness.With its strong foundation over the past ten years and enthusiastic participation from across sectors, IDY 2025 is poised to be a landmark moment in India’s wellness journey. The message is clear—Yoga is not only a gift of India to the world, but also a pathway for a healthier, harmonious, and more sustainable future for all.–IANSdan/

London, June 20 (IANS) The UK House of Commons approved the assisted dying bill in a third reading vote Friday, marking a significant step toward legalizing assisted dying for terminally ill adults in England and Wales.Lawmakers voted 314 to 291 in favour of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. The margin was notably slimmer than the 55-vote majority recorded during the bill’s second reading in November.The bill, introduced by Labour lawmaker Kim Leadbeater, proposes allowing mentally competent adults diagnosed with a terminal illness and expected to die within six months to legally choose to end their lives.Safeguards are included to ensure that the decision is informed, voluntary, and free from coercion, Xinhua news agency reported. Since its introduction, the bill has undergone significant scrutiny and revisions. Although it has the backing of a substantial number of lawmakers, it is being advanced as a private member’s bill rather than through government sponsorship.The legislation now proceeds to the House of Lords, the unelected upper chamber of Parliament, for further debate and scrutiny.If passed, the law would mark one of the most profound shifts in UK social policy since the partial legalization of abortion in 1967.Advocates for the bill hailed the vote as a step toward dignity and autonomy for terminally ill individuals, while critics warned of potential risks to vulnerable populations.Having cleared its first stage in the Commons in November 2024, the bill entered a prolonged phase of scrutiny and further voting in both Houses of Parliament before becoming a law.Back then, Andrew Copson, Chief Executive of Humanists UK, had remarked that assisted dying “is already happening” in the country, with some individuals travelling to Switzerland for the procedure, while others face harrowing circumstances by resorting to suicide.Opponents, including the United Kingdom-based advocacy group Care Not Killing, argued that the focus should instead be on improving palliative and social care systems. Some critics expressed concerns that the bill could disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, including ethnic minorities, those from poorer backgrounds, or individuals with disabilities.”Our current laws protect vulnerable people and do not need changing. Instead, we need to prioritize providing the very best palliative care to those who need it,” said Gordon Macdonald, Chief Executive of Care Not Killing.–IANSint/as

Jaipur, June 20 (IANS) An agreement has been reached between the Rajasthan government and the family of Dr. Rakesh Vishnoi, the resident doctor from SN Medical College, Jodhpur, who committed suicide.

RLP workers said that under pressure from Hanuman Beniwal’s protest, the government has accepted the demands of the deceased doctor’s family.Earlier in the day, Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) MP Hanuman Beniwal, along with his supporters, staged a dharna outside the mortuary of Sawai Mansingh Hospital in Jaipur.Despite heavy rainfall, protestors continued their sit-in, demanding justice in the case. There were plans to march from the mortuary to the Chief Minister’s residence, prompting police to barricade the road connecting Tonk Road to JLN Marg to prevent escalation.Before the consensus was reached, MP Beniwal strongly criticised the administration’s handling of the case. “The Jodhpur administration’s insensitivity is evident. In his final moments, Dr. Rakesh Vishnoi was pleading for help. Our key demand is the suspension and arrest of HOD Dr. Rajkumar Rathore. An impartial investigation committee must be formed and the report submitted to the government at the earliest,” he said.He said that despite members of the Jat and Vishnoi communities protesting on the streets, not a single government official or minister has visited. Dr. Rakesh Vishnoi allegedly consumed poison on June 13 and died the next day at SMS Hospital in Jaipur. His family claims he was being harassed by his Head of Department, Dr. Rajkumar Rathore, and was under severe mental distress. They allege that Rathore threatened to obstruct the completion of his thesis, a claim Rakesh had also communicated to the police before his death.A related video has been circulating on social media for the past two days.In connection with the case, Rakesh’s brother, Kishan Vishnoi, has filed an FIR against Dr. Rajkumar Rathore at the Shastri Nagar police station in Jodhpur. However, citing inaction by the authorities, the family and their supporters have been staging protests in Jaipur for the past seven days.Also, a few days ago, a confrontation broke out between Congress leaders and police outside SMS Hospital. Following the incident, the police indicated they may register cases against the protestors.Rakesh’s other brother, Subhash Vishnoi, has reiterated the family’s allegations, stating that harassment by Dr. Rajkumar pushed Rakesh to take the extreme step –IANSarc/dan

Ranchi, June 20 (IANS) Continuous monsoon rains have worsened the already precarious situation in Jharkhand’s coal mining regions, as the fear of land subsidence adds to the prevailing situation where underground fires continue unabated and evoke widespread panic due to rising gas and smoke emissions.Several areas across Dhanbad, Ranchi, Ramgarh, and Bokaro districts are witnessing intensified underground fires, with thick smoke and noxious gases emanating from fissures in the ground..Among the worst-affected locations are Jharia, Baghmara, Katras, and Sijua in Dhanbad; the Karakatta mine under the Khalari coalfield in Ranchi; Bhuchungdih village in Ramgarh’s Rajrappa coal area; and the Dhori region in Bokaro district.In the Jharia area, particularly in BCCL (Bharat Coking Coal Ltd) Area Nine and the Kanakani Colliery in Sijua, thick smoke is billowing from ground cracks. Residents are gripped by fear of land subsidence — a recurring and life-threatening hazard in these coal belts.Meanwhile, monsoon downpours have further complicated matters by flooding both opencast and underground mines across all 12 BCCL operational zones in the state.As a result, coal production has been suspended, and entry of workers into underground mines has been strictly prohibited. In many locations, heavy mining machinery has been submerged, causing substantial operational and economic losses.Although the BCCL administration had issued a high alert anticipating the risk, the mines were inundated due to ineffective drainage systems.The flooding has led to incidents of gas leaks and land sinking in residential settlements near Baghmara, Katras, and surrounding areas.Reports of structural damage are also emerging, with cracks appearing in several homes. Despite being declared unsafe years ago, many families continue to reside in these hazardous areas due to a lack of relocation or compensation options.The situation is grim in the Karakatta area of Ranchi’s Khalari coalfield, where smoke and gas are rising from more than 15 locations. Water entering the abandoned mine through ground cracks has created the smoke, making the air nearly unbreathable for nearby residents.In Rajrappa’s Bhuchungdih village, an illegal mine fire threatens to spiral out of control. The area had already witnessed a fatal accident last month, when labourer Ravindra Mahato died after falling into a cavity formed due to subsidence.Efforts by Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) and the local administration to control the fire are going on.In Bokaro, a fire broke out recently in the Dhori Khas underground mine (seams 4 and 5) under CCL’s Dhori Area. The management struggled for several days to bring the blaze under control.As the crisis deepens, residents are demanding immediate intervention, relocation, and long-term solutions to mitigate the environmental and health risks posed by coal fires, especially during the monsoon season.–IANSsnc/skp/vd

New Delhi, June 20 (IANS) Monitoring fungal spores in the outdoor air can predict surges in flu and Covid-19 infections, according to a study.Researchers from Lynn University in Florida, US, discovered that airborne concentrations of fungal spores — but not pollen — were strongly linked to increases in flu and Covid-19 cases.When airborne concentrations of fungal spores rose, the scientists often saw a jump in infections within a few days.The study models were able to predict flu and Covid-19 surges with high accuracy, particularly in the fall season. However, pollen didn’t show the same connection or prediction.“The findings from our study suggest that monitoring airborne fungal spore levels could help predict short-term outbreaks (spikes) of flu and Covid-19, giving public health systems an early warning signal,” said Felix E. Rivera-Mariani, Associate Professor of Biochemistry at Lynn.“Our findings also highlight the potential role of environmental factors — not just person-to-person spread — in contributing to the incidence of respiratory viral infections. That could open new doors for targeted public health alerts, especially in areas with high outdoor airborne fungi,” Rivera-Mariani added.In the study, the team examined daily data from 2022 to 2024, in two major health regions in Puerto Rico—San Juan and Caguas.The data included the daily incidence of people diagnosed with Covid-19 and flu, and the concentrations of airborne fungal spores and pollen recorded on the same days.The scientists then implemented statistical and machine learning models to see if high levels of these environmental exposures could predict spikes in flu and Covid-19 cases within the same week or the following week (called lag-effect).“The findings may help inform environmental risk alerts, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly or those with asthma and allergic rhinitis,” Rivera-Mariani said.The study was presented at ASM Microbe 2025 in Los Angeles, the annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology.–IANSrvt/uk

New Delhi, June 20 (IANS) US researchers have found that developing personalised vaccines can play a key role in keeping aggressive tumours from recurring.The study, led by a team from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, focused on triple-negative breast cancer and melanoma, a deadly skin cancer.Currently, the long-term prognosis for human patients with these cancers is relatively poor.It’s because the diseases tend to recur after the initial treatments to remove the tumours.However, using mouse models, the team could slow down the recurrence of tumours.Quanyin Hu, a professor in the UW–Madison School of Pharmacy, said the approach could theoretically be applied to any cancer that tends to recur, such as pancreatic cancer and glioblastoma, the most common and extremely aggressive brain tumour.The personalised vaccine approach is an extension of the team’s recent discovery of pyroptotic vesicles — tiny sacs filled with the remnants of cancer cells when they undergo programmed cell death.Crucially, the remnants in these microscopic sacs include antigens specific to the tumour, along with other molecular bits that can help direct immune cells to find and suppress cancer cells that might remain after a tumour is surgically removed.In the new study, published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology, the team engineered these sacs to carry an immune-stimulating drug.They then embedded these engineered vesicles into a hydrogel that can be implanted into the space left behind after surgical removal of a tumour.Using a melanoma mouse model and two different types of mouse models for triple negative breast cancers, including one with a human-derived tumour, the researchers compared their new approach with other cancer vaccine methods being studied.The mice that received the hydrogel laden with their engineered sacs survived significantly longer than others.”Compared to the other approaches, ours shows a much stronger immune response,” Hu said.Another advantage of this approach, the researchers said, is the localised nature of the treatment.According to Hu, applying the engineered vesicles directly to the site of the removed tumour greatly reduces the risk of systemic side effects, unlike currently available treatments.–IANSrvt/vd

New Delhi, June 20 (IANS) A hoax snake sighting in a Delhi Metro coach led to pandemonium as panic-struck passengers in the ladies-only coach climbed onto seats and looked to escape to other coaches for safety. An inspection of the coach later led to the recovery of a baby lizard, an official said on Friday.A video of the chaotic developments in the coach of a Blue Line train went viral on social media on Thursday, with some passengers seen shrieking in fright in the video before evacuation.The video also shows one of the passengers pressing the emergency stop button, bringing the train to a halt for everyone to deboard at the Akshardham Metro station.The chaos lasted a few minutes after one of the commuters raised an alarm, claiming that she had spotted a ‘snake’s tail’, said an official.Though none of the passengers could see the ‘reptile’, many women travellers were frightened and took evasive measures – like climbing the steel seats – to avoid contact with the ‘snake’.Head of Delhi Metro’s communications department, Anuj Dayal, said, “A video is in wide circulation, where although the snake is not visible in the video, it is being purportedly claimed that a ‘snake’ was spotted in a ladies-only coach. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) took immediate action upon receiving the alert from the passengers in the coach on Thursday evening.”“The train was vacated at the Akshardham Metro station and sent to the depot for thorough inspection. Despite a meticulous check of the train footage and coach at the depot by the concerned team, no snake was found. However, a baby lizard was spotted during the inspection,” he said.He also assured passengers about DMRC’s commitment to passenger safety, saying that even in this case swift action was taken to address the concerns of the travellers.“We urge passengers to remain vigilant and report any such concerns to our staff for prompt action,” he said.–IANSrch/rad

New Delhi, June 20 (IANS) Yoga is a journey towards inner peace and harmony than just physical exercise, said Saima Wazed, Regional Director for WHO South-East Asia on Friday, ahead of the International Day of Yoga (IDY).The International Day of Yoga is marked annually on June 21. The theme this year is “Yoga for One Earth, One Health”.”Yoga is more than just physical exercise. It is a journey towards inner peace and harmony, and teaches us to listen to our bodies and to live mindfully,” Wazed said.The WHO Regional Director stated that practicing yoga can help people become more aware of the surroundings, and nature.”In a world facing environmental challenges, yoga offers a path to sustainability by encouraging us to live simply, consume mindfully, and respect the natural world,” Wazed noted.”In embracing yoga, we can reduce our ecological footprint and contribute to a healthier planet,” she added.Yoga encourages to protect clean air, pure water, and fertile soil — essential for our well-being. These vital resources ensure a thriving planet for future generations.She cited several studies which showed that 77 per cent of people report feeling physically stronger after practicing yoga regularly.More than 80 per cent of patients with chronic inflammation experienced a nearly 50 per cent reduction in inflammation after just six weeks of daily yoga.Further, studies have also proved how yoga can help mental health.A study by Harvard Medical School found that 60 per cent of participants with depression experienced a significant reduction in symptoms after practicing yoga twice a week for eight weeks.”Today, on International Day of Yoga, let us remember that every breath is a gift from nature, and every moment of mindfulness is a step towards a healthier future. Let us create a world of health and harmony, of mind, body and planet,” Wazed added.–IANSrvt/na