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BJP accuses K'taka govt of delaying 'Free Insulin Scheme' for Type-1 diabetic children

Aarav Mehta — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 12:13:51 +0530

Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly R. Ashoka on Thursday accused the Congress government of failing to implement its budget promise of providing free insulin to children suffering from Type-1 diabetes, alleging that the delay has put the lives of thousands of kids at risk.

In a strongly worded statement, Ashoka said that although the government announced a free insulin scheme for children below the age of 18 suffering from Type-1 diabetes several months ago, it has yet to implement the programme.

Addressing Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, he alleged that the government had made the announcement merely for publicity and failed to translate it into action. He claimed that while the government was spending heavily on self-promotion, poor and middle-class families were struggling to afford insulin, which costs between Rs 2,000 and Rs 5,000 per month.

Ashoka blamed the delay on the alleged negligence of officials of the Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation Limited (KSMSCL) and delays in the tender process. He questioned whether the Chief Minister had control over his ministers, officials and the administration, stating that the government's failure had stalled the implementation of the scheme.

The BJP leader claimed that more than 7,000 children with Type-1 diabetes across Karnataka were awaiting free insulin. He alleged that many economically weaker families were being forced to reduce insulin doses for their children because they could not afford the treatment, putting their lives at serious risk.

Ashoka further alleged that government-run hospitals, including the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health and KIDS Hospital in Bengaluru, had not received insulin supplies despite treating thousands of registered children. He claimed that some hospitals were forced to rely on non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to meet the demand.

Questioning the government's commitment to its own budget announcement, Ashoka alleged that administrative inefficiency, delays in the tender process and lack of coordination had prevented the scheme from taking off. He urged the Chief Minister to immediately complete the tender process and begin distributing free insulin to eligible children, warning that any further delay would adversely affect thousands of vulnerable families.

The Leader of Opposition further criticised the Karnataka government over the alleged delay in supplying rice for the mid-day meal programme to students of Classes 9 and 10, claiming that the shortage has persisted even after one-and-a-half months into the new academic year.

Ashoka alleged that the Congress government had failed to supply rice meant for high school students under the mid-day meal scheme, forcing schools to use rice allocated for primary school students (Classes 1 to 8) to prepare meals for students of Classes 9 and 10.

Addressing Chief Minister Shivakumar, Ashoka questioned the government's ability to ensure food for children studying in government schools. He alleged that the government's failure to provide adequate supplies had affected poor and middle-class students who depend on the midday meal scheme.

The BJP leader further alleged that despite the Finance Department granting approval and the Principal Secretary of the School Education Department writing to the authorities on June 15, the Commissioner of the Education Department had not taken effective steps to ensure timely procurement and distribution of rice.

Ashoka also claimed that the state government had failed to plan in advance, despite knowing that procuring and transporting rice would take at least 15 days. He alleged that officials themselves had expressed doubts over whether fresh stocks of rice would reach high schools before the end of July.

He further claimed that the rice stock meant for primary school students was being diverted to feed senior students, raising concerns that supplies for younger children could also be exhausted if the situation continued.

Recalling last year's controversy over the alleged supply of poor-quality tur dal under the mid-day meal programme, Ashoka accused the government of once again failing to ensure adequate food supplies for schoolchildren. He urged the Chief Minister to immediately take steps to supply rice to high schools and ensure that the mid-day meal programme functions without disruption.

Iran launches retaliatory strikes on US bases in Bahrain, Kuwait after fresh American airstrikes

Aarav Mehta — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 12:13:26 +0530

Iran launched retaliatory missile and drone strikes targeting US military bases in Bahrain and Kuwait on Thursday, hours after the United States carried out a fresh wave of airstrikes on military targets in Tehran and other parts of Iran. The latest exchange marks a sharp escalation in the conflict, raising fears of a wider regional war.

According to Iranian state media, the strikes targeted the headquarters of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet in Bahrain and an American military base in Kuwait. Iranian outlets claimed a fire broke out at the Fifth Fleet headquarters and circulated footage they said showed the attack on the US base in Kuwait, referring to it as a base of "American terrorists." These claims have not been independently verified.

Explosions were heard in Bahrain's capital, Manama, shortly after air raid sirens sounded across the city. Bahrain's Interior Ministry urged residents to remain calm and move to the nearest safe place.

In Kuwait, the military said its air defence systems intercepted "hostile missile and drone attacks."

"The General Staff of the Army notes that any explosions heard are a result of air defence systems intercepting hostile attacks," the Kuwait military said in a post on X, without specifying the origin of the projectiles.

The retaliation came after Iran's Revolutionary Guards vowed to deliver a "devastating response" to fresh US strikes.

Earlier on Thursday, the United States launched airstrikes on around 90 Iranian military targets, including missile sites, air defence systems and naval infrastructure. Washington said the operation was aimed at protecting freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz following Tuesday's attacks on three commercial vessels transiting the strategic waterway.

US President Donald Trump warned Tehran against further escalation, saying Washington was prepared to respond with even stronger military action if necessary. Iran, meanwhile, accused the US of violating previous understandings and vowed to continue defending its sovereignty.

The renewed hostilities have intensified concerns over regional stability, disrupted maritime traffic through the Gulf and pushed global oil prices higher amid fears of a prolonged conflict in the Middle East.

Apple unveils $30 billion broadcom pact to boost US chip production

Aarav Mehta — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 12:07:11 +0530

Apple has significantly expanded its partnership with Broadcom through a new multi-year agreement worth more than $30 billion, marking the company's largest manufacturing commitment in the United States and reinforcing its broader strategy to strengthen domestic semiconductor production.

The agreement, which extends through 2031, is expected to support the production of more than 15 billion chips in the US.

As part of the deal, Broadcom will invest $1.5 billion to expand its manufacturing facility in Fort Collins, Colorado, although neither company disclosed when the additional production capacity would become operational.

The expanded partnership builds on Broadcom's long-standing role as a supplier of wireless connectivity components for Apple.

Under the new agreement, Broadcom will manufacture custom silicon in the United States, including wireless connectivity components that power Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity across multiple generations of Apple devices.

Earlier this week, Broadcom disclosed in a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission that it had signed new long-term agreements with Apple to develop and supply custom application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) silicon products through 2031.

These custom chips will support future generations of Apple products and are expected to play an increasingly important role as ASICs become more widely used for artificial intelligence workloads.

Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook described the agreement as the company's largest commitment under its American Manufacturing Program (AMP), highlighting its significance in expanding domestic manufacturing capabilities.

The announcement also represents the largest component of Apple's $600 billion, four-year US investment plan unveiled in 2025, which aims to strengthen the country's end-to-end silicon supply chain.

In a statement, Apple said it has been working with the US administration and businesses across the country to help build a comprehensive domestic silicon ecosystem, adding that the latest agreement advances those efforts.

Cook also praised President Donald Trump and his administration for supporting American manufacturing initiatives, saying the components to be produced at Broadcom's Fort Collins facility are essential to delivering the performance and connectivity that Apple customers expect across its devices.

UGC-NET Sociology paper leaked: Students allege 90 questions matched leaked PDF

Zayan Mirza — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 11:53:45 +0530

Fresh controversy has erupted over the University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) after several candidates alleged that the Sociology question paper was leaked before the examination. Students claim that a 100-page handwritten PDF, allegedly prepared by National Testing Agency (NTA) subject experts, was circulated ahead of the exam, with nearly 90 questions and answer options matching the actual paper.

Candidates have also flagged multiple spelling and grammatical errors, poor Hindi translations and questions they say were outside the prescribed syllabus. Several aspirants have taken to social media, demanding a thorough investigation into the alleged irregularities and greater transparency from the NTA.

The issue gained political attention after Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi alleged that the paper had been leaked and claimed it was sold for up to ₹2.25 lakh in some states. He urged the Centre to investigate the allegations, accusing the government of failing to curb recurring examination irregularities.

The NTA has not yet issued an official response to the paper leak allegations. The controversy comes amid heightened scrutiny of the testing agency following recent complaints over errors in national-level entrance examinations

Sensex Surges 250 Points to Hit Record Intraday High; Nifty Approaches 24,000 in Morning Trade

IBT Business Desk — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 11:52:28 +0530

Indian equity benchmarks advanced in early trade on Thursday despite renewed geopolitical tensions and a rebound in crude oil prices to the $80-a-barrel mark.

Sensex surged as much as 0.32 per cent or about 250 points to hit an intraday high of 76,752 in morning trade, while Nifty climbed 0.20 per cent or 46.90 points to 23,928.95.

Sectorally, Nifty Consumer Durables led the gains, rising 1.39 per cent, followed by Nifty Mid-Small Financial Services (0.95 per cent), Nifty Cement (0.69 per cent), Nifty Private Bank (0.66 per cent), Nifty PSU Bank (0.64 per cent) and Nifty Auto (0.62 per cent).

In contrast, Nifty IT emerged as the top sectoral loser, declining more than 1 per cent.

Among Nifty constituents, Infosys, HCLTech, Tech Mahindra, TCS, Dr Reddy's Laboratories and Hindalco Industries fell between 1 and 2 per cent.

According to market experts, geopolitical tensions have once again weighed on investor sentiment, with US President Donald Trump's remarks on Iran triggering selling pressure in the market.

However, they noted that Brent crude at around $80 a barrel was not yet a major concern for India, adding that continued foreign institutional investor (FII) buying and stable oil prices could help large-cap stocks, especially financials and automobiles, remain resilient.

Moreover, the American President Trump has said that the US had carried out fresh strikes against Iran overnight in response to what he described as Iranian attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

He said, "To me, I think it's over. I don't want to deal with them anymore. They're scum...They are sick people. They're led by sick people. They are vicious, violent people and if they had a nuclear weapon, they would use it. As far as I am concerned, it's over. I'll speak to our negotiators. They want to negotiate. As far as I'm concerned, it's just a waste of time dealing with them. They're liars. We make a deal...Everyone's agreed. No nuclear weapon. We make a deal. They go outside and talk to the press. They say we never even talked about it. There's something wrong with them. They're cuckoo. As far as I'm concerned, it's over."

International benchmark Brent crude rose 1.49 per cent to around $80 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained more than 2 per cent to $75 a barrel.

Asian markets were mixed. Japan's Nikkei rose nearly 2 per cent, while South Korea's Kospi edged higher. Hong Kong's Hang Seng, however, declined about 1 per cent.

HONEYMOON SUITE: Indian Railways suspends ticket checker after newlywed couple's decorated First AC coupe goes viral

Zayan Mirza — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 22:39:54 +0530

The Indian Railways has suspended a Chief Ticket Inspector (CTI) and ordered a departmental inquiry after a video showing a decorated First AC coupe for a newlywed couple aboard the Nandigram Express went viral on social media. The incident has been termed a "serious lapse" by railway authorities.

The First AC cabin was decorated with balloons, flowers, fairy lights and a large "I Love You" sign, giving it the appearance of a honeymoon suite. The decorations were reportedly arranged for a couple travelling to Mumbai after their wedding. Videos of the decorated compartment quickly spread online, triggering mixed reactions from netizens.

Following the viral video, the South Central Railway (SCR) said an unauthorised decorator was allowed to enter the reserved First AC coach to decorate the private coupe, violating railway security and operational protocols. The concerned Chief Ticket Inspector has been suspended with immediate effect, while a departmental inquiry has been ordered to determine how the decorator gained access to the coach.

Railway officials said allowing unauthorised persons inside reserved coaches is a serious breach of rules and passenger safety. The inquiry will also examine whether any other railway staff were involved or failed to prevent the lapse.

The incident sparked a debate on social media, with many users questioning how a private train compartment could be transformed into a decorated honeymoon suite inside a running train. While some appreciated the romantic gesture for the newlyweds, others raised concerns over security and the misuse of railway premises.

Dombivli Hospital Assault Case: Shiv Sena Corporator Ramesh Mhatre Arrested After Massive Outrage

Rohan Kapoor — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 22:38:32 +0530

Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre and three others have been arrested after CCTV footage purportedly showed him and several of his supporters assaulting doctors and hospital staff inside a municipal hospital in Maharashtra's Kalyan.

Speaking to reporters, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Suhas Hemade said: "In this assault case, there are four accused, including one woman. They include local corporator Ramesh Mhatre, Akshay Karande, Rajesh Pawar, and Pramod Nikam."

Describing the alleged assault incident, he said: "A female patient had come to Shastri Nagar Hospital. An argument broke out over an issue regarding her treatment. Following this, the relatives of the patient came along with the accused and assaulted the on-duty doctor, Dr Vaibhav Salunkhe, a female doctor, and a nurse."

"They misbehaved with them, beat them up, hurled abuses, and threatened them. Following this incident, Dr Vaibhav Salunkhe lodged a complaint yesterday, and a case has been registered," the police official said.

"Legal procedures will be followed, and action will be taken accordingly," he added.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Social Justice Minister Sanjay Shirsat condemned the incident, saying, "Whether it is a male or female (doctor), assaulting someone is not an act of courage."

"Just because the person belongs to our party, we won't defend his actions," he asserted.

However, he urged doctors to carry out the treatment of patients properly.

"In some cases, even the doctors' behaviour is not good, but still we won't support what the corporator has done," he stated.

The footage of the incident quickly went viral, triggering outrage among medical professionals and the public. Several healthcare organisations demanded strict action against those involved, stressing that violence against healthcare workers cannot be justified under any circumstances.

Despite the public backlash, Mhatre denied allegations that he had assaulted the woman doctor. Speaking to NDTV on Wednesday, he maintained that he had not physically attacked her, claiming instead that he merely slapped her mobile phone as she was not responding to their concerns.

He argued that he was attempting to draw the doctor's attention after repeated phone calls went unanswered. Mhatre also defended his actions by claiming that he was acting in the interest of the patient and the newborn.

Mhatre further stated that he would not apologise for the incident and asserted that his actions had helped save the lives of the woman and her child. However, he added that he would express regret if the doctors apologised for their behaviour.

Rivers swell, heavy inflows in dams, flood threats loom as monsoon intensifies across Karnataka

Rohan Kapoor — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 22:38:09 +0530

The Southwest Monsoon has intensified across Karnataka, bringing widespread rainfall to several districts, swelling rivers, filling reservoirs and lakes, and triggering flood-like situations in parts of the state's northern area.

While the rains have brought much-needed relief from drought conditions, several low-lying areas and agricultural lands have been inundated as rivers continue to rise.

Belagavi district has been among the worst affected, with incessant rainfall causing the Doodhganga, Markandeya, and Ghataprabha rivers to overflow. Vast stretches of agricultural land along the riverbanks - and extending nearly half a kilometre away - with sugarcane, maize, and chilli have been submerged.

Farmers, who had been struggling with drought and severe water scarcity until recently, are now facing losses due to flooding. Residents said the Ghataprabha River, which had barely any water just four days ago, is now overflowing following heavy rainfall in Maharashtra and the Western Ghats.

Local farmers have urged the government to provide compensation, stating that delayed monsoon rains had already damaged crops before floodwaters entered their fields. At the same time, many expressed relief that rivers, lakes and reservoirs have finally begun filling after months of acute water shortage.

Belagavi Deputy Commissioner Mohammed Roshan said Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar is scheduled to visit the district on Thursday and he will review the flood situation.

"We have deputed a team of officials to the Koyna Reservoir in Maharashtra to monitor water releases. All necessary preparations have been made to effectively manage any flood situation," he said.

In Shivamogga district, the Tunga River is flowing in spate following continuous rainfall in the Malnad region.

Several lakes in Hubballi have also filled up after receiving heavy rainfall over the past few days.

In Dharwad district, lakes that had dried up during the summer have reached full capacity following sustained rains. Residents of Kalaghatagi taluk, who had been facing severe drinking water shortages for both people and livestock, have welcomed the rainfall.

The Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) Dam in Mandya has also witnessed a sharp rise in inflow following heavy rainfall across the Cauvery catchment area and Madikeri district. The reservoir is currently receiving 7,531 cusecs of water, compared to 5,734 cusecs recorded on the previous day.

The KRS reservoir presently has a water level of 81.55 feet against its maximum capacity of 124.80 feet. Of its total storage capacity of 49.452 TMC, the reservoir currently stores 12.485 TMC of water. Officials expect inflows to increase further if rainfall continues in the Cauvery basin.

Heavy rains have also continued across Hassan district in south Karnataka, with Sakleshpur, Alur, Belur, and Arkalgud receiving incessant rainfall accompanied by strong winds. The heavy showers in neighbouring Mudigere of Chikkamagaluru district have significantly increased inflows into the Hemavati Dam.

The Hemavati Dam at Gorur is currently receiving an inflow of 16,593 cusecs, while 300 cusecs of water is being released. Against its total storage capacity of 37.103 TMC, the reservoir currently holds 18.782 TMC of water. The water level stands at 2,898.40 feet against its maximum level of 2,922 feet.

As a precautionary measure, Belur Tahsildar Sridhar Kankanawadi declared a holiday on Wednesday for all Anganwadi centres, primary schools and high schools in Arehalli, Bikkodu and Chikkanahalli hoblis, along with Kasaba A and Kasaba B zones of Belur taluk, in view of the heavy rain and strong winds.

Meanwhile, picturesque waterfalls have sprung up along National Highway-75 passing through the Shiradi Ghat in Dakshina Kannada district due to the heavy monsoon showers. The dense forest stretch has turned into a major attraction, with thousands of devotees and tourists travelling along the highway during the temple pilgrimage season.

With the India Meteorological Department forecasting continued rainfall across several parts of Karnataka over the coming days, authorities are closely monitoring river levels and reservoir inflows, particularly in flood-prone districts of north Karnataka, while urging people living along riverbanks and in low-lying areas to remain alert.

CM Shivakumar holds strategic meet with over 150 GCC leaders to boost Karnataka's innovation ecosystem

Tanmay Sen — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 22:37:28 +0530

Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Wednesday chaired a strategic consultation with leaders of more than 150 Global Capability Centres (GCCs), reaffirming the state government's commitment to strengthening the state's position as India's leading destination for multinational innovation and technology hubs.

The consultation, titled "KATALYST CONNECT: The Chief Minister's Meet with Global Capability Centre Leaders", was organised by the Department of Electronics, Information Technology and Biotechnology in partnership with the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) under the state government's KATALYST initiative, aimed at improving ease of doing business for GCCs.

Prior to the meeting, the Chief Minister visited the Bengaluru campus of Target in India, the Global Capability Centre of US retail giant Target Corporation.

During the visit, CM Shivakumar interacted with the company's leadership and reviewed its work in artificial intelligence, technology, finance, digital operations, supply chain, merchandising and store design.

The visit highlighted Karnataka's growing role in enabling multinational companies to drive global innovation from the state.

The strategic consultation brought together senior executives from leading multinational companies, government officials and industry stakeholders to discuss the future of Karnataka's GCC ecosystem.

Deliberations focused on artificial intelligence, engineering, research and development, product innovation, talent development, digital infrastructure, ease of doing business, industry-academia collaboration and expanding GCC investments beyond Bengaluru.

Industry leaders also discussed strengthening partnerships between startups and GCCs while positioning Karnataka as a global hub for high-value innovation and enterprise capabilities.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Shivakumar said Karnataka's partnership with GCCs had helped create one of the world's most dynamic innovation ecosystems.

"Our (Congress-led Karnataka) government remains committed to creating an environment where businesses can innovate with confidence, access world-class talent and scale globally. Together, we will ensure that the next generation of global technologies and enterprise capabilities continues to be imagined, engineered and scaled from Karnataka," the Chief Minister added.

Karnataka Minister for Home, Information Technology, Biotechnology and e-Governance, Priyank Kharge, said that the state would continue to provide the policy support, talent and innovation ecosystem required for GCCs to take on larger global mandates.

The state government reiterated its target of attracting 500 new GCCs by 2029, generating 3.5 lakh high-quality jobs and creating an estimated economic output of $50 billion.

The meeting concluded with a commitment from both the government and industry to translate the recommendations into actionable measures for accelerating Karnataka's next phase of innovation-led growth.

Shailesh Lodha's daughter's wedding: Vicky Kaushal welcomes baraatis; fans ask why Dilip Joshi, TMKOC team were missing

Ruchita — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 22:37:09 +0530

Taarak Mehta fame actor Shailesh Lodha's daughter, Swara Lodha, got married at the iconic Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur. While the ceremony was attended by several prominent names from Bollywood, politics, and the comedy industry, one detail caught the attention of fans.

It was Vicky Kaushal whose presence lit up the wedding. In viral videos, Vicky is seen arriving at the venue dressed in a white sherwani jacket paired with black trousers. Shailesh warmly welcomed the actor before introducing him to the guests.

Vicky was also seen welcoming the baraatis and dancing at the celebrations.

Despite Shailesh being one of the most popular faces of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, none of his former co-stars from the sitcom were spotted at the wedding. Dilip Joshi (Jethalal), Munmun Dutta (Babita Ji), Sonalika Joshi (Madhavi), Amit Bhatt (Champaklal 'Bapuji'), Mandar Chandwadkar (Bhide), along with other cast members and the show's makers, were noticeably absent from the celebrations. Their absence left many fans wondering if it had anything to do with Shailesh's much-publicised fallout with producer Asit Kumarr Modi.

Upon seeing the lavish wedding, fans said, 'Didn't know Taarak Mehta is that rich'

Reacting to the same, a user wrote on X, "People noticed that almost none of the TMKOC actors were present at the wedding. Even Dilip Joshi (Jethalal), who is considered close to him, was not seen. If the dispute was only with Asit Modi, then why didn't the rest of the actors attend the wedding?"

Shailesh Lodha and Vicky Kaushal share a close bond.

Recently, the Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah actor shared a picture with Vicky on Instagram and penned a heartfelt note for him.

He wrote in Hindi, "Immense popularity, unparalleled success, and fame spreading in every direction—Vicky Kaushal achieved it all through sheer, tireless hard work. Yet, his humility has only grown, and he remains as grounded as he was on day one. This is precisely what sets him apart from the rest. Sending lots of love, @vickykaushal09."

About Swara Lodha

Swara Lodha prefers to stay away from the limelight. She is a writer by profession and has co-authored the book 54 Reasons Why Parents Suck with her mother, author and motivational speaker Dr. Swati Lodha. Despite being the daughter of a popular television actor and poet, Swara has largely maintained a private life, making only occasional public appearances alongside her family.

About Shailesh Lodha

Apart from Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, Shailesh has worked in shows such as Comedy Circus, Waah Waah, and Kya Baat Hai. One of the most popular and most-watched comedy shows on Indian television, Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah has been airing on SAB TV since 2008. After Shailesh quit the show in April 2022, he was replaced by Sachin Shroff in the role of Taarak Mehta.