London, July 1 (IANS) Five-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek of Poland started her campaign…

Patna, July 1 (IANS) Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) National President and Bihar Minor Water Resources Minister Santosh Suman has alleged that the RJD-Congress alliance is preparing to embrace AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi to polarise minority votes in Seemanchal ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections 2025.

“The purpose of Tejashwi Yadav’s rant in Patna against the Waqf Amendment Act was not the protection of Waqf properties but appeasement politics. Congress-RJD can go to any level to polarise votes through communalism,” claimed Suman.Suman highlighted the Muslim voter demographics in Seemanchal with Kishanganj having 67 per cent Muslim voters, 38 per cent in Katihar, 32 per cent in Araria and 30 per cent in Purnea.He alleged: “Through communal polarisation, Congress-RJD are trying to get these votes while scaring the majority community.”Suman further said that Congress contests elections in Kerala in alliance with the Muslim League, while its ally RJD now wants to disturb Seemanchal and throw it into the fire of hatred.“They want Owaisi’s support, who gives radical and provocative speeches, to fuel communal tension. The people of Bihar must remain cautious,” he claimed.Earlier, AIMIM leader and MLA Akhtarul Iman hinted at joining the INDIA Bloc ahead of the Bihar polls.Tejashwi Yadav participated in the Waqf Bachao-Samvidhan Bachao rally in Patna’s Gandhi Maidan, where he declared he would “throw the Waqf Act into the dustbin” if voted to power.NDA leaders, including Giriraj Singh and Vijay Sinha, have criticised Tejashwi Yadav on the Waqf issue, calling it vote bank politics.–IANSajk/dan

New Delhi, July 1 (IANS) The government on Tuesday released a report on zero-emission trucking (ZET), which projects a transition to Battery Electric Trucks to significantly reduce pollution and fuel consumption in the country by mid-century.The report, released by the office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the governmen and titled “ZET Adoption in India and its Impact on Emission and Energy”, focuses on the medium and heavy-duty truck sector and emphasises the importance of supportive policies to accelerate zero-emission trucking (ZET) adoption and achieving India’s net-zero goals.India’s freight sector – driven primarily by medium and heavy-duty trucks – accounts for nearly 70 per cent of the nation’s logistics operations, playing a critical role in economic growth and industrial development. However, this sector is also a significant contributor to fuel consumption (approximately 40 per cent) and the nation’s emissions.As freight demand continues to rise, initiatives to transition toward sustainable transport solutions have commenced. Given the current trends in green hydrogen (H2) production costs and limited infrastructure availability, this report assumes that BETs will be the primary zero-emission technology (ZET) for M&HDTs for some time.Against this background, this detailed study provides projections on BET adoption, emission savings, savings in fuel and electricity demand under scenarios that are as accurate as possible.The analysis is based on in-depth input from experts in the truck industry who have a comprehensive understanding of the market, its use cases, and the relevant technologies.Historical data from sources such as the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the Vahan portal, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoPNG), and Ministry of Power (MoP) combined with interviews of stakeholders from across the value chain in various regions of the country underpin the projections. Interviews conducted with representatives from major OEMs, operators of different use cases, experts from end-use industries, and other related sectors helped in the curation of the report.”The adoption of ZETs is a crucial step in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality, and enhancing energy security. As a nation committed to achieving Net Zero by 2070, the electrification of freight transport will play a transformative role in shaping a cleaner and more efficient logistics ecosystem. Wider adoption of ZET will create pathways for cleaner transportation in India,” Principal Scientific Adviser Ajay Kumar Sood said.The report is the outcome of a year-long exercise and scenario evaluation in consultation with leading industries, subject matter experts and stakeholders. The report underscores the importance of targeted early-stage interventions—such as enhanced fiscal incentives, specialised product offerings, and robust charging solutions—to accelerate market confidence in BETs.The report aims to assist policymakers, industry stakeholders and investors in making informed decisions that will foster a sustainable and economically viable transition to electric trucking in India.–IANSsps/vd

Bengaluru, July 1 (IANS) The Karnataka government has formulated the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for crowd management at events and mass gatherings against the backdrop of the June 4 stampede tragedy, which claimed 11 lives during the victory celebration of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru team.The office of the Director General M. A. Saleem issued the new SOP guidelines on Tuesday, specifying pre-event planning and preparation, coordination, on-ground deployment and access control, emergency preparedness, arrest procedures and crowd dispersal orders, use of force, and other matters.The SOP is intended as a guideline for police officers and event planners. Each situation demands context-specific judgment. Unit officers are expected to adapt the SOP to local needs while upholding its core principles of public safety, legal compliance and human dignity, the order stated.The SOP is issued to provide a standardised framework for managing crowds efficiently while ensuring public safety, protecting individual rights, and maintaining law and order, the order states.Police responses must prioritise life safety, protection of rights, prevention of property damage, and de-escalation of potential conflicts, the order states.Modern gatherings are often spontaneous and influenced by social media, necessitating adaptive strategies, it states, stressing the likely problems involved.Under venue safety audit, the guidelines include ensuring venue compliance with safety standards, including capacity limits, entry/exit routes, an emergency evacuation plan, and communication infrastructure.The venues failing safety audits must not be approved for high-footfall events. The police officers are also asked to liaise with organisers to gather critical details. There are also specific guidelines for barricade management to control the rush of people.–IANSmka/vd

Kolkata, July 1 (IANS) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday informed the Calcutta High Court that besides for regular recruitment for teaching and non-teaching jobs in state-run schools in West Bengal, bribes were also paid for supernumerary recruitment as work-education and physical education teachers for upper primary sections of such schools.During the hearing in the matter before the single-judge bench of Justice Biswajit Basu, the CBI counsel Dhiraj Trivedi told the court that further investigation is required to find the exact number of candidates who paid bribes to get supernumerary appointments as work-education and physical education teachers for upper primary sections.He also said that any investigation by the CBI in the matter will have to be started only after registering a separate FIR in the matter.Trivedi also informed the court that the state government has yet to permit registering the FIR. He said that in such a situation, the central agency would be able to register an investigation after registering the FIR only after getting permission from the court.He also informed the court that the different aspects of the multi-crore cash-for-school job case in West Bengal were linked to each other. “Since the CBI is already probing the other cases related to this alleged scam, it needs the court’s permission to start a separate investigation on the supernumerary recruitment irregularities,” Trivedi submitted.Justice Basu observed that a more detailed hearing in the matter was required. The next date of hearing in the matter has been scheduled on July 4.Earlier in the day, another single-judge bench of Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya made a couple of crucial observations questioning certain points in the new recruitment notification issued by the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) in May this year to fill up the post becoming vacant following the cancellation of 25,753 teaching and non-teaching staff in state-run school by the Supreme Court in April.–IANSsrc/vd

Vijayawada, July 1 (IANS) A special court in Andhra Pradesh’s Vijayawada has sentenced a former officer of the United India Insurance Company to four years’ imprisonment in a bribery case.The special court for CBI cases in Vijayawada convicted and sentenced Kola Rama Narasimham, the then Development Officer Grade-I, Micro Office, United India Insurance Co. Ltd., Kandukuru Branch, Prakasam District. It also imposed a fine of Rs 2,000 on him.The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had registered the case on July 11 against the accused. It was alleged that Narasimham, while working as In-charge Development Officer and abusing his official position as a public servant, had demanded a bribe of Rs 10,000 from the complainant to forward the insurance claim file relating to the death of his buffalo to the Divisional Office, United India Insurance Company Ltd., Guntur.The CBI laid a trap, and the accused was caught red-handed while demanding and accepting the bribe from the complainant.After the investigation, a charge sheet was filed against Narasimham on October 27, 2017.After the trial, the court found the accused guilty and sentenced him accordingly.Meanwhile, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in neighbouring Telangana has caught an official of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) for demanding and accepting bribes.Sunitha, Senior Assistant in Property Tax Wing in the office of Musapet Circle-23, GHMC, was caught by the ACB officials for demanding and accepting Rs 30,000 from the complainant for showing official favour to initiate and process the property mutation file pertaining to the complainant and to fix the property tax of the house.The ACB, Telangana, also announced on Tuesday that in the first half of the calendar year 2025, it registered a total of 126 cases. These included 80 trap cases, 8 disproportionate assets cases and 14 criminal misconduct cases.It arrested 125 public servants, seized Rs 24.57 lakh in trap cases and unearthed assets worth over Rs 26.66 crore in disproportionate assets cases.–IANSms/vd

Guwahati, July 1 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Tuesday that the state’s ‘Golden Hour’ emergency care scheme has provided cashless treatment to 2,657 road accident victims since its launch on May 30 last year.

The initiative, aimed at saving lives through immediate medical intervention, covers treatment costs of up to Rs 1.5 lakh for seven days in 46 empanelled hospitals across Assam. Under the scheme, accident victims receive cashless trauma care without financial burden, with the government directly settling hospital bills. So far, Rs 2.7 crore has been disbursed for treatments, ensuring timely medical aid across all districts. The program focuses on the critical ‘Golden Hour’- the first 60 minutes after an accident – when prompt medical attention can significantly improve survival rates. In an X post, CM Sarma emphasised the scheme’s impact, stating, “Utilising the Golden Hour to Save Lives!” He highlighted that the initiative is part of Assam’s broader efforts to strengthen emergency healthcare and reduce fatalities from road accidents, which claim thousands of lives annually. The 46 participating hospitals are equipped with advanced trauma care facilities, ensuring victims receive immediate stabilisation, surgeries, and intensive care if needed. The government has also streamlined the process to minimise bureaucratic delays, allowing hospitals to begin treatment without upfront payments. According to the Chief Minister, Rs. 1.5 lakh cashless treatment per victim for seven days is provided. There have been 46 hospitals empanelled with trauma care units. The initiative has drawn praise from healthcare professionals and road safety advocates, who say it could serve as a model for other states. However, some critics have raised concerns about long-term sustainability and the need for stricter road safety measures to prevent accidents. With Assam recording a high number of road crashes annually, the ‘Golden Hour’ scheme marks a significant step toward reducing fatalities, proving that timely intervention can indeed save lives. –IANS tdr/dan

Bhubaneswar, July 1 (IANS) The Commissionerate Police on Tuesday arrested two more persons in connection with the case related to the assault on a senior Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) Officer and Additional Commissioner of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Ratnakar Sahoo inside the BMC premises by BJP workers allegedly linked to senior leader Jagannath Pradhan here on June 30.

The accused persons arrested on Tuesday were identified as Sanjeev Mishra of Jharpada area and Sachikant Swain of Laxmisagar area in Bhubaneswar. The police had earlier arrested three persons- Aparupa Narayan Rout alias Jeevan, ⁠Rashmi Ranjan Mohapatra and ⁠Debashis Pradhan- for their involvement in the incident on Monday evening. The BJP on Tuesday suspended five of its workers from the primary membership of the party for their involvement in the case. The suspended party workers include Corporator Aparup Narayan Rout, Rashmi Ranjan Mohapatra, Debashis Pradhan, Sachikant Swain and Sanjeev Mishra. As per the complaint lodged by Sahoo, at around 11:30 am on Monday, when the public grievance redressal meeting was in progress in the presence of other officers, staff and general people at the BMC office, six to seven alleged BJP workers entered the premises unauthorisedly and assaulted Sahoo after enquiring about whether he had conversation with BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan over phone. The incident triggered massive backlash after the video of the assault on Sahoo went viral. On Monday, BJD corporators and staff members of the BMC staged a road blockade on the bustling Janpath Road of the city, demanding the immediate arrest of miscreants. On Tuesday, the BMC staff continued their protest and ceased work wearing black badges. After the assault on Sahoo, a senior OAS officer, the Odisha Administrative Service Association (OASA) came out in support of Sahoo, announcing to go on mass leave from Tuesday. However, the association deferred its protest call following discussions with Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, who assured stringent action against the culprits involved in the incident. On the other hand, the OAS and ORS (Odisha Revenue Service) officers in eight districts in the state went on mass leave for an indefinite period in protest against the assault on the BMC additional Commissioner.–IANSgyan/dan

Astana (Kazakhstan), July 1 (IANS) India’s strong start at the World Boxing Cup–Astana, Kazakhstan 2025 gained further ground with Sakshi, Lakshya Chahar, and Jaismine advancing to the quarterfinals following their preliminary victories at the Beeline Arena here on Tuesday.In the women’s 54kg category, Sakshi put on a composed display to defeat England’s Charley Davison with a unanimous 5:0 decision in her pre-quarterfinal bout.Jaismine followed with a confident showing of her own in the women’s 57kg division, overcoming Azerbaijan’s Aynur Mikayilova by the same margin to seal her place in the last eight. Lakshya Chahar delivered a gritty performance in the men’s 80kg category, moving past Bulgaria’s William Cholov 4:1 in a split verdict.Meanwhile, Manish Rathore exited the competition after a closely contested bout against Rui Yamaguchi of Japan in the men’s 55kg category.Sakshi, Lakshya, and Jaismine now join Sachin Siwach, Hitesh Gulia, Muskan, Minakshi, and Sanju in the next round, underlining India’s strong start to the tournament in Astana.Earlier on Monday, Hitesh and Sachin Siwach led India’s strong start at the World Boxing Cup with dominant, unanimous wins in their opening preliminary bouts.In women’s competition, Minakshi began her campaign with a clean 5:0 win over Australia’s Madeleine Bowen in the light-flyweight division, while Muskan edged England’s Kerry Davis in a closely contested 3:2 decision in the middleweight category.India had claimed six medals at the previous World Boxing Cup leg in Brazil. With the Finals set to take place in New Delhi this November, the Astana leg plays a key role in shaping preparations. India had won one gold, one silver, and four bronze medals in the first leg of the 2025 World Boxing Cup at Foz do Iguaçu in Brazil.Uzbekistan had topped the medal table in the first leg in Brazil with eight medals, with five gold medals. Hosts Brazil finished with nine medals but had fewer gold (three), while Kazakhstan ended third with six medals, including three gold and three bronze.–IANSbsk/

Patna, July 1 (IANS) Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in…