Vadodara, July 6 (IANS) A 22-year-old engineering student in Vadodara allegedly committed suicide after jumping from the 8th floor of a residential building in Gujarat.

The deceased, a second-year mechanical engineering student at M.S. University, jumped from the Maple Vista building near Akshar Chowk.Emergency services, including the police, 108 ambulances, and the fire brigade, rushed to the spot after receiving an alert about a person attempting to take their life.However, by the time officials arrived, the student had already jumped. Efforts were made by the 108 ambulance team to revive him through CPR, but he was declared dead at the scene.The body has been sent for post-mortem, and the JP Road Police has initiated further investigation into the case. So far, no suicide note has been recovered, and the motive behind the extreme step remains unclear.In 2025, Gujarat continues to grapple with a concerning rise in suicide cases, particularly in its urban centres.According to recent reports, Ahmedabad alone recorded over 100 suicide deaths within the first 45 days of the year, pointing to a sharp increase in mental health distress. The state’s major cities – Ahmedabad, Surat, and Rajkot – have emerged as suicide hotspots, collectively accounting for thousands of deaths annually.In the three years leading up to 2025, Gujarat registered over 25,500 suicides, with 8,557 cases reported in 2022–23 alone. This reflects not just a persistent mental health crisis but also the compounded impact of socio-economic pressures, exam-related anxiety among students, unemployment, and unresolved family issues.Student suicides, in particular, have shown a disturbing trend. From 2020 to 2023, nearly 500 student suicides were reported, with the highest number occurring in Ahmedabad. The latest data suggests that stress related to academics, peer pressure, and a lack of adequate mental health support have been significant contributing factors.Between 2022 and 2025, the number of attempted suicides has also increased, indicating a broader, unresolved emotional and psychological strain within the population.Commonly cited reasons for suicide across Gujarat include family disputes, financial distress, chronic illnesses, relationship breakdowns, and rising unemployment, especially among youth.In some cases, entire families have taken their own lives due to debt and social pressures, such as the mass suicide of a Mehsana family that shocked the state earlier this year.While the government has initiated helplines like Jeevan Aastha (1800 233 3330), Abhayam (181), and Jindagi (1096) and rolled out awareness campaigns in schools and colleges, the effectiveness of these programs remains limited by stigma, lack of access in rural areas, and an overall shortage of mental health professionals.–IANSjanvi/dan

Amaravati, July 6 (IANS) Andhra Pradesh’s Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department is launching a focused “smart mosquito control” programme using deep technology to check vector-borne diseases.The Artificial Intelligence-powered Smart Mosquito Surveillance System (SMoSS) will be launched on a pilot basis at 66 locations in six major municipal corporations in the state, the department announced on Sunday.SMoSS will primarily safeguard public health by curbing the dreaded mosquito menace, and it will also reduce operational burden on civic staff and cut costs of Urban Local Bodies, it said.The programme will be closely and effectively monitored with the help of Internet-of-Things like drones, sensors, heat maps and traps.The pilot will soon be launched at 16 locations in the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation, four in Kakinada, five in Rajamahendravaram, 28 in Vijayawada, seven in Nellore, and six in Kurnool.MAUD’s Principal Secretary, S. Suresh Kumar, and Director of Municipal Administration, P. Sampath Kumar, recently studied the AI-powered SMoSS, developed by a private agency, to assess its efficacy.AI-powered smart mosquito sensors will be installed in key mosquito-prone zones in the selected urban local bodies as part of the pilot project.These smart sensors will detect the mosquito species, their gender, density, temperature and humidity. SMoSS will trigger automatic alerts when mosquito density crosses a threshold level in any particular area. Data thus generated will be continuously streamed to a central server and visualised on a real-time dashboard.”This will enable close monitoring and ensure prompt fumigation in the affected areas in a data-driven approach for effective control of mosquitoes instead of the present ‘blind spraying’ process that has little impact. The IoT sensors will monitor mosquito density and guide the targeted activity,” an official said.Use of drones for spraying the larvicide would result in an efficient application by covering large areas with less chemical use, time, and cost.Evidence-based spraying, prevention of chemical overuse and promotion of public health safety are the key elements in the whole operation.”We will be outsourcing the operations completely to specialised agencies, and payment will be result-oriented by fixing operational accountability. Complaints, if any, from the citizens and field-level functionaries will be tracked via mobile applications (Vector Control and Puramitra),” they said.A system is also being put in place for reporting daily on cases like malaria, dengue and chikungunya from hospitals. Based on the data, mosquito hotspots will be identified for focused action.Special action plans are being drawn for scheduled fogging and larval treatment in hotspots, the officials added.–IANSms/vd

Chennai, July 6 (IANS) With an eye on the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, the state unit of the BJP, in alliance with the AIADMK, has launched an extensive grassroots-level campaign to strengthen its booth-level organisational machinery.

The party is set to hold a series of zonal conferences across Tamil Nadu, starting with the first one scheduled in Tirunelveli on August 17.The initiative is aimed at energising booth committee members and sharpening the alliance’s electoral preparedness. The decision follows a high-level strategy laid out by Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his recent visit to the state.On Sunday, BJP Tamil Nadu State President Nainar Nagenthran inaugurated a key training session for booth committee office-bearers at a private college near Chennai. Addressing the gathering, Nagenthran asserted that the DMK government would be unseated in the 2026 polls.“The roadmap to victory is clear. Our cadres must work closely with AIADMK counterparts to ensure a decisive win,” he said, urging booth-level workers to intensify door-to-door campaigns and local outreach.Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, L. Murugan, also addressed the cadre and called on party workers to highlight the achievements of the BJP-led Central government over the past 11 years.He particularly emphasised pro-farmer initiatives, youth-centric policies, infrastructure development, and welfare schemes implemented under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.Senior BJP leaders, including former Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, National BJP in-charge for Tamil Nadu Arvind Menon, and Co-in-charge P. Sudhakar Reddy, were also present and participated in strategy discussions.According to party insiders, similar zonal conferences will be conducted in key regions including Tiruvallur, Coimbatore, Tiruvannamalai, Salem, Madurai, and Thanjavur over the coming months. These events will focus on booth committee mobilisation, alliance coordination with the AIADMK, and targeted voter outreach.The BJP-AIADMK front aims to consolidate its base by leveraging organisational strength, ideological clarity, and coordinated campaigning in the run-up to the crucial 2026 Assembly elections.–IANSaal/dan

London, July 6 (IANS) Taylor Fritz advanced to his third Wimbledon quarter-final on Sunday after Jordan Thompson was forced to retire due to injury during their fourth-round clash on No. 1 Court. The American, seeded fifth, was leading 6-1, 3-0 when the Australian brought the match to an abrupt end.Fritz, who arrived in London riding the momentum of a record fourth Eastbourne title, had endured a physically demanding path to the last 16. He survived a five-set battle against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the first round and another marathon against Gabriel Diallo in round two, before defeating Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in four sets. Having already logged nine hours and 43 minutes on court, the 26-year-old spent just 40 minutes in his fourth-round encounter.Thompson, ranked World No. 44, entered the match with his right leg heavily strapped and visibly struggled with a back issue. The 31-year-old had come through two five-setters and a four-set win over Luciano Darderi to reach the fourth round at Wimbledon for the first time in his career.“It is not the way I want to go through. Jordan has been battling out here. He played a long doubles match yesterday. I have a lot of respect for him for even coming out to play,” said Fritz.Fritz, currently 12th in the ATP Live Race To Turin, will next face Karen Khachanov as he pushes to break into the Top 10 and secure a return to the Nitto ATP Finals. Khachanov, a Wimbledon quarter-finalist in 2021, eased past Kamil Majchrzak 6-4, 6-2, 6-3, striking 44 winners in a dominant display.With his grass-court form peaking, Fritz will aim to take another step toward a deep run at SW19—and perhaps another shot at season-ending glory in Turin.–IANSaaa/ab

Shimla, July 6 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu has urged the Central government to explore the feasibility of opening Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via the Shipki-La route in the state.

In a letter written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister said that the Shipki-La region has served as a vital Indo-Tibetan trade route, predating modern borders. He said that it has also been a cultural corridor for Tibetan Buddhism and ancient pilgrimage paths reflecting India’s enduring civilizational ties to Kailash and Mansarovar. He said that the Kinnaur region of Himachal Pradesh, being semi-arid and situated in a rain shadow zone like Spiti, is less prone to monsoon disruptions, which keeps the route accessible for most of the year. He said that the path from Shipki-La via Gartok towards Darchen and Mansarovar is comparatively shorter on the Tibetan side. He said that Shipki-La also offered a more stable and unambiguous corridor, making it well-suited as a long-term, dependable corridor for pilgrimage and cross-border connectivity. The Chief Minister said that Himachal Pradesh already has road connectivity up to Shipki-La via Rampur and Pooh. He said that with the focused development of base camps and supporting infrastructure, this route can be seamlessly integrated into the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra framework. He emphasised that the opening of this route would significantly contribute to the socio-economic upliftment of the tribal people of Kinnaur, aligning with the government’s vision for border development and tourism promotion under the Vibrant Village Programme. The Chief Minister said that the state government would extend all logistical and administrative coordination to the Central government if the Shipki-La route is opened for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. –IANS vg/dan

Seoul, July 6 (IANS) The South Korean government’s plan to purchase 36 additional AH-64 Apache attack helicopters will likely be scrapped after a massive budget cut, a lawmaker noted Sunday.

According to Rep. Yoo Yong-won of the main opposition People Power Party and the defence ministry, the budget for the project was cut from an initial 10 billion won (US$7.3 million) to just 300 million won in the supplementary budget passed by the National Assembly on Friday.The remaining funds will reportedly be used for another project.The move follows a May decision by the Joint Chiefs of Staff to formally review the procurement and explore alternative options, including manned-unmanned systems, according to Yoo.Calling the decision a “positive development,” Yoo noted the U.S. Army is also moving away from the aged, high-maintenance Apaches in favour of advanced drone assets like the Grey Eagle to modernise its forces, reported Yonhap news agency.From the AH-64A in 1984 to today’s AH-64E, one thing about the Apache hasn’t changed: its reputation as the world’s most advanced and proven attack helicopter.With more than 1,280 aircraft in operation, accumulating over five million flight hours, 1.3 million of which have been in combat, the AH-64 Apache represents the backbone of the U.S. Army’s attack helicopter fleet and a growing number of international defence forces.With the AH-64E in production until at least 2028, the Apache will serve the US Army and its partner nations as the world’s primary attack helicopter into the 2060s.As Boeing and the US Army continue to invest in next-generation technologies, the Apache brings affordable Modular Open Systems Architecture capability to serve as a centrepiece in the Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) battlefield for decades to come.–IANSint/bpd/dan

Thiruvananthapuram, July 6 (IANS) The Kerala government has come under heavy fire after it was revealed that Jyoti Malhotra, a social media influencer recently arrested on espionage charges, had visited the state as part of a government-sponsored tourism promotion campaign.

Malhotra, a Haryana-based vlogger, is now accused of leaking sensitive information to Pakistan.Shockingly, her entire trip across Kerala was facilitated and funded by the state’s Tourism Department under an official influencer outreach initiative.Documents obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) Act confirm that her travel, accommodation, food, and even filming arrangements were handled by a private agency contracted by the department. She was among 41 influencers selected to promote Kerala as a global tourist destination.During her multi-city visit, Malhotra toured Kochi, Kannur, Kozhikode, Alappuzha, Munnar, and Thiruvananthapuram. She arrived in Kerala via Kannur airport after travelling from Delhi to Bengaluru.Her vlogs included visuals of Theyyam performances and scenic locations, all of which were shared on her YouTube channel Travel with Jo and other social media platforms. She eventually returned to Delhi by train.At the time of her visit, no suspicions had been raised regarding her activities. However, her arrest in May 2025 under the Official Secrets Act has now cast a shadow over the episode.Central intelligence agencies are probing whether her video content may have served as a cover for intelligence-gathering. Investigators are also examining whether she accessed strategically sensitive locations or communicated with Pakistani handlers during her stay.Adding to the growing alarm, Haryana Police have confirmed that Malhotra had visited Pakistan shortly before the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir – raising serious questions about her potential ties to ISI operatives.Amid the controversy, Kerala’s Tourism Minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas defended the decision to bring Malhotra to the state. He insisted that the program was launched with good intentions and followed the precedents set by previous governments.“This was part of a larger influencer campaign aimed at promoting Kerala. Everything was done transparently and in good faith,” Riyas said.“This is not a government that facilitates espionage. The media must understand how government systems work. No one could have foreseen this.”However, opposition parties were quick to respond. Both the Congress and the BJP criticised the state’s failure to conduct adequate background checks on the influencers invited under official programs. They demanded accountability for what they termed a “serious lapse in judgment” that could have had national security implications.The ongoing investigation has triggered a wider debate on the intersection of tourism promotion and national security. Many are now calling for more rigorous vetting procedures for individuals participating in government-sponsored initiatives, especially those involving sensitive travel routes or infrastructure.With Malhotra still in custody and the probe expanding, the Kerala government finds itself on the defensive, scrambling to contain the fallout from what is now being called one of the most embarrassing intelligence lapses linked to a state-sponsored tourism effort.–IANSaal/dan

Birmingham, July 6 (IANS) Former England captain Nasser Hussain felt India skipper Shubman Gill was mostly accurate in his captaincy during the morning session of day five’s play in the second Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series at Edgbaston.Despite rain taking away 10 overs of day’s play, India inched closer to a famous victory in the first session as Akash Deep took out overnight batters Ollie Pope and Harry Brook, before Washington Sundar trapped Ben Stokes lbw on the stroke of lunch as England were left at 153/6 in 40.3 overs.With 455 runs still left for England to make, India will fancy their chances to take the remaining four wickets with 55.3 overs left in the day’s play. “England had done quite a bit of the hard work. Stokes, who hasn’t spent a lot of time in the middle, was beginning to find his rhythm and the ball was getting soft.“So it was a really good decision to notice it had just flicked the front pad (for Stokes’ lbw dismissal) and for Gill to bowl off-spinner Washington. Gill has got most things spot-on in that session and even done things most of us wouldn’t – the end Deep bowled at,” said Hussain on Sky Sports’ broadcast during lunch break.Michael Atherton, former England skipper, felt losing Stokes at the stroke of lunch was a huge blow for hosts’. “India wanted Stokes on strike and that was a hammer blow for England. Stokes played nicely but he is gone and delight for India.”Hussain further showered rich praise on Akash, who currently has figures of 4-58 and took 4-88 in first innings. “I think he is a highly-skilled bowler – and at you all the time. It’s not just the cracks in the pitch (why he has had success). He is a wonderful bowler.”–IANSnr/

Jaipur, July 6 (IANS) The Indian Bureau of Mines will host a grand event at the Rajasthan International Centre here on Monday to felicitate the performance of 7 & 5-star rated mines nationwide for the year 2023-24, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Mines on Sunday.During the event, three 7-star rated mines and 95 5-star rated mines for the year 2023-24 are scheduled to be honoured. The program evaluates mining operations nationwide within the Sustainable Development Framework, which primarily aims to drive inclusive growth while safeguarding the social, economic, and environmental welfare of present and future generations.Union Minister of Coal & Mines G. Kishan Reddy will be the Chief Guest, and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and Union Minister of State for Coal & Mines Satish Chandra Dubey will be present as distinguished guests of honour. Sanjay Lohiya, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Mines, will also be present at the occasion.The Star Rating of Mines, conceptualised in 2014-15, has garnered widespread acclaim within the mining community for fostering a positive and competitive environment among mine operators.The recognition bestowed by the Union Minister and the national-level acknowledgement of performance have greatly motivated miners to improve their functioning, bringing tangible benefits to the mining industry as well as the local communities, the statement added.Meanwhile, the Coal Ministry has launched RECLAIM – a community engagement and development framework for mine closures, with the aim of improving both landscapes and local livelihoods.The framework constitutes a key step toward ensuring a just and sustainable transition for communities that have developed alongside mining operations over decades.The framework, referred to as RECLAIM, serves as a structured guide for inclusive community engagement and development throughout the mine closure and post-closure phases. It offers a practical, step-by-step approach to institutionalising community participation in the transition process.–IANSsps/vd

Seoul, July 6 (IANS) The government and the ruling party agreed Sunday to make an…