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Category: NATIONAL

  • Indian-Origin Driver Involved in US Crash That Killed 3 Was Not Under Influence, Say Officials

    Indian-Origin Driver Involved in US Crash That Killed 3 Was Not Under Influence, Say Officials

    California, November 4, 2025: Authorities in California confirmed on Tuesday that the Indian-origin driver involved in a tragic car crash that claimed three lives was sober at the time of the incident. Initial investigations and toxicology reports found no traces of alcohol or drugs in his system. The fatal accident, which occurred on a busy highway, led to speculation about impaired driving, but officials have now ruled it out, shifting the focus to other possible causes such as speeding or mechanical failure.

    Police stated that the driver is cooperating fully with the investigation and has expressed deep remorse over the incident. The authorities are now examining CCTV footage, vehicle condition, and witness statements to establish the exact sequence of events leading to the crash. The families of the victims have demanded a thorough probe and strict action if negligence is established. The case continues to draw attention due to the severity of the accident and the loss of innocent lives.

  • Anushka Sharma Responds to Viral Reel Claiming She Supported Virat Kohli During His “Downfall”

    Anushka Sharma Responds to Viral Reel Claiming She Supported Virat Kohli During His “Downfall”

    Mumbai, November 4, 2025: Actor Anushka Sharma reacted to a viral social media reel that claimed Virat Kohli experienced a career “downfall” and credited her for supporting him during that phase. Anushka expressed displeasure over the use of the term “downfall,” stating that an athlete’s journey includes highs and lows, and it is unfair to label a challenging phase as failure. She emphasized that Virat’s resilience, dedication, and self-belief were the real driving forces behind his comeback.

    Anushka further highlighted that partners support each other through life’s challenges, but the narrative should not reduce an athlete’s hard work to emotional dependency. Fans appreciated her dignified response and praised her for shutting down negativity while celebrating Virat’s journey with grace. The incident has once again sparked discussions about online trolling and the undue scrutiny faced by public figures.

  • Mandira Bedi Donates Entire Brand Endorsement Fee to Support Indian Women’s Cricket Team

    Mandira Bedi Donates Entire Brand Endorsement Fee to Support Indian Women’s Cricket Team

    Mumbai, November 4, 2025: Actor and former cricket presenter Mandira Bedi earned widespread appreciation after she decided to donate her entire brand endorsement fee to the Indian women’s cricket team. The gesture came as a mark of encouragement for the players’ growing achievements on the international stage and to support better facilities and recognition for women in the sport. Her decision was seen as a strong message towards bridging the gap between men’s and women’s cricket in India.

    Mandira stated that the Indian women’s team continues to inspire the nation with their determination and performance despite limited resources and sponsorship opportunities. She expressed hope that her contribution would motivate more brands and individuals to invest in women’s cricket. Fans and former players praised her for using her platform to promote sportswomen and contribute to the development of women’s cricket in the country.

  • PM Modi Slams RJD–Congress, Says NDA Symbolises Development While Opposition Stands for “Destruction”

    PM Modi Slams RJD–Congress, Says NDA Symbolises Development While Opposition Stands for “Destruction”

    Patna, November 4, 2025: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a strong attack on the RJD–Congress alliance during a public rally in Patna on Tuesday, asserting that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) stands for development, progress, and stability. He alleged that the opposition parties were responsible for pushing Bihar backwards through corruption, misgovernance, and vote-bank politics. PM Modi stated that the NDA’s policies have brought transformational changes in infrastructure, welfare schemes, and youth development across the state.

    Reiterating his commitment to Bihar’s growth, the Prime Minister urged citizens to support the NDA for a future rooted in progress and opportunities. He accused the RJD–Congress alliance of prioritising personal gain over public welfare and claimed that their return to power would lead to instability and “destruction of the state’s hard-earned progress.” PM Modi added that the NDA’s vision focuses on empowering the poor, youth, and farmers, ensuring long-term development for Bihar.

  • CRDA to Raise ₹32,500 Crore for Amaravati Capital Construction Boost

    CRDA to Raise ₹32,500 Crore for Amaravati Capital Construction Boost

    Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh), November 4, 2025 — The Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) is set to raise another ₹32,500 crore in loans for the construction of the Amaravati capital city. The funds will be sourced under the Infrastructure Development Assistance scheme from a consortium that includes the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the AP Power Finance Corporation (APPFC), the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID), and NABARD. An agreement for ₹1,500 crore has already been finalized with APPFC, and discussions with other institutions have concluded successfully. The World Bank and ADB have expressed strong support, agreeing to provide around ₹14,000 crore, while NaBFID will extend ₹10,000 crore and NABARD ₹7,000 crore. CRDA had earlier availed ₹26,000 crore in loans from the World Bank, ADB, and HUDCO combined.

    The World Bank, which has been supportive of Amaravati’s development from the beginning, had initially planned to finance the project jointly with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) before the previous government halted the capital works in 2019. Following the new government’s proactive efforts, the World Bank and ADB have come forward with a fresh ₹15,000 crore package, including a ₹1,500 crore matching grant from the Central Government. A proposal seeking approval for an additional ₹14,000 crore loan (around $1.6 billion) will soon be sent to the Union Finance Ministry for clearance. Meanwhile, domestic financial institutions such as HUDCO, NaBFID, and NABARD have also shown keen interest, with HUDCO already releasing ₹2,750 crore out of its sanctioned ₹11,000 crore loan. With the upcoming funding, CRDA expects to accelerate work on 112 projects worth ₹91,639 crore, giving a major boost to Amaravati’s capital construction.

  • Air India Delhi–Bengaluru Flight Diverted to Bhopal After Mid-Air Smoke Alert Triggers Emergency

    Air India Delhi–Bengaluru Flight Diverted to Bhopal After Mid-Air Smoke Alert Triggers Emergency

    Bhopal, November 4, 2025: An Air India flight operating from New Delhi to Bengaluru made an emergency landing at Raja Bhoj Airport in Bhopal on Tuesday after a smoke alert was detected in the cargo hold. The flight crew immediately informed the Air Traffic Control and initiated emergency procedures as a precautionary measure. Emergency services, including fire and medical teams, were deployed on standby to ensure passenger safety upon landing.

    Following the safe landing, all passengers were immediately escorted out of the aircraft as safety protocols were carried out. Airport authorities confirmed that a technical inspection was underway to determine the source of the smoke alert. While there were no injuries reported, Air India arranged an alternate aircraft and assistance for passengers to continue their journey to Bengaluru. Authorities stated that passenger safety remained the top priority and further investigation into the incident is ongoing.

  • Commercial LPG Gets Cheaper: Major Price Cut Announced Across Metro Cities

    Commercial LPG Gets Cheaper: Major Price Cut Announced Across Metro Cities


    New Delhi, November 1, 2025 – Bringing relief to hotels, restaurants, and small businesses, commercial LPG cylinder prices were reduced across major metropolitan cities from November 1. The price cut has been introduced to ease operational costs for the food and hospitality sector, which relies heavily on commercial gas usage. The new pricing is expected to bring significant monthly savings for businesses, especially ahead of the busy festive and wedding season.

    City-wise revisions show a notable decline in rates in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai, with reductions ranging from moderate to substantial depending on local taxes and distribution costs. Industry experts say the revised rates may help boost consumer spending as eateries and small outlets could pass on some benefits to customers. The move is seen as a timely step to support business recovery and maintain price stability in the service sector.

  • Festive Season and GST Relief Fuel Record-Breaking Car Sales Across India

    Festive Season and GST Relief Fuel Record-Breaking Car Sales Across India


    New Delhi, November 1, 2025 – India’s automobile industry has recorded its highest-ever car sales, driven by strong festive demand and a reduction in GST rates on select vehicle categories. Dealerships across major cities reported unprecedented footfall during Navratri and Diwali, with buyers taking advantage of attractive festive discounts, lower tax slabs, and easy financing options. The GST cut has notably boosted consumer sentiment, making mid-range and compact SUVs more affordable for first-time and upgrade buyers.

    Automakers have hailed the sales surge as a sign of renewed market confidence, following a period of sluggish growth earlier in the year. Manufacturers are now ramping up production to meet the rising demand, especially for popular SUV and hybrid models. Industry experts predict that if the momentum continues into the year-end, India could close 2025 with one of its strongest auto sales performances in history.

  • Kasibugga Temple Stampede: PM Modi Announces ₹2 Lakh Ex Gratia for Victims’ Families

    Kasibugga Temple Stampede: PM Modi Announces ₹2 Lakh Ex Gratia for Victims’ Families

    Srikakulam, November 1, 2025 — Harimukund Panda, the temple administrator of the Kasibugga Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Srikakulam district, reacted to the tragic stampede incident that occurred at the temple. He stated that the temple usually witnesses around 2,000 devotees on regular days and did not anticipate such a large crowd on this occasion. “I distributed prasadam to devotees and sent them off as usual. I never imagined such an incident would occur. Since I was unaware that so many people would come, I did not inform the police,” he said. The District Collector and SP spoke with Harimukund Panda at the temple premises and later visited the hospital where the injured devotees were being treated. Police have now taken control of the temple area while Panda remains within the temple grounds.

    According to reports, Harimukund Panda had constructed the temple four years ago on his 12-acre private land at a cost of around ₹20 crore, and it was opened to devotees in May last year. Every Saturday, large numbers of devotees visit the temple, but the management failed to anticipate the massive crowd on Ekadashi day, which led to the tragic incident. Nine devotees, including eight women and one child, lost their lives, and several others were injured in the stampede that occurred when devotees tried to enter through an exit route, causing the iron railing to collapse. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, and several ministers expressed deep grief over the tragedy. The Prime Minister announced ₹2 lakh ex gratia for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured. Home Minister Anitha ordered a comprehensive inquiry, while the District Collector clarified that the temple is privately owned and not affiliated with the Endowments Department, assuring that safety measures like CCTV installations will be implemented to prevent such incidents in the future.

  • Kashi Bugga Stampede – 9 Dead, 3 in Critical Condition

    Kashi Bugga Stampede – 9 Dead, 3 in Critical Condition

    Warangal (Telangana), November 1, 2025 — Tragedy struck at Kashi Bugga in Warangal district early this morning when a massive stampede occurred during a religious gathering. According to police officials, the incident took place when thousands of devotees had assembled at the Kashi Bugga temple to offer prayers on the auspicious occasion. In the rush to enter the temple premises, panic broke out, leading to chaos and a deadly stampede.

    Rescue teams and local authorities rushed to the spot immediately, and the injured were shifted to the nearby MGM Hospital for treatment. Preliminary reports confirm that nine people lost their lives, while three others remain in critical condition. Officials have launched an inquiry into the incident, and Chief Minister Revanth Reddy expressed deep condolences to the bereaved families, directing officials to provide all necessary medical assistance to the injured.