GROUND SITUATION

Overconfidence or ignorance? BJP's disregard for ground reality could be the real reason behind below-par performance

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) approached the 2024 Lok Sabha elections with high hopes. The slogan "Ab ki baar 400 paar" reflected the party's belief in not only securing a majority but achieving a substantial win once again. They did secure the majority, but it didn't quite meet their lofty expectations. This election turned out to be a surprising outcome with the BJP-led NDA winning 292 seats and the Opposition INDIA bloc securing 232 seats out of the total 543.

Gold prices hold steady on Fed rate outlook

Gold prices were steady on Wednesday and hovered above key $2,400 level touched earlier this week, supported by safe-haven buying and the prospect of interest rate cuts from the U.S. Federal Reserve later this year.

Off-roading mania sweeps India: Thrill-seekers conquer challenging terrain

Off-road driving is taking off in India as men and women, young and old, enjoy the thrill of extreme terrain—from snowy trails and sand dunes to slushy paths and rocky landscapes. Off-roading is best experienced on a 4x4 SUV—a four-wheeler in which the engine drives all four wheels, providing better traction and grip.

What is 'Garden Leave' & does the 60-day H-1B visa grace period apply to such situations?

The termination of H-1B workers can be complex, especially when garden leave is involved. The ambiguity arises from the period between formal notice and payment cessation. While USCIS guidelines lean towards the formal notice date for termination, discretion is allowed based on individual circumstances.

Russia claims gains in ground offensive in Ukraine's Kharkiv region

Russia captures villages in Ukraine's Kharkiv region, prompting mass evacuations. Zelensky urges military aid amid ongoing conflict. Evacuees flee border areas as fighting intensifies. International support crucial for Ukraine's defense.

Israel orders people in more areas of Gaza's Rafah to evacuate

Israel pushes for Rafah evacuations to Al-Mawasi for aid, hinting at a ground assault. Orders given for various areas to seek Gaza City shelters. Tensions rise as ceasefire talks stall, causing more civilian casualties and humanitarian concerns in Gaza.

DHFL case: Delhi HC issues notice to CBI on Dheeraj Wadhawan's bail plea

Dheeraj Wadhawan approached the High Court after Rouse Avenue court's Special judge A K Sarpal on Friday dismissed his bail application on the ground of maintainability. The court had also directed the CBI to arrest him after May 11 and to produce him before the CBI court as per the direction of the Supreme Court passed on January 24.

Bihar: The villages trapped between horrors of past and broken promises of future

Laxmanpur-Bathe village, where the soil still whispers the anguish of the 1997 massacre in which 58 Dalits were killed, lies trapped between horrors of its past and broken promises of its future. “No one comes to see us once elections are over.

Russia says it will target French troops if they are sent to Ukraine

Russia issued a stark warning to France, stating that if President Macron were to send troops to Ukraine, they would be considered legitimate targets by the Russian military. This comes after Macron's remarks in February, where he didn't rule out the deployment of ground troops in Ukraine. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova emphasized that any French presence in the conflict zone would make them targets. Russia's announcement of practicing the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons follows perceived threats from France, Britain, and the United States.

Timely intervention by govt improved Manipur's situation, says PM Modi

There has been a marked improvement in the situation in trouble-torn Manipur due to the timely intervention of the Centre and state government, the Prime Minister said in an interview to The Assam Tribune newspaper.

Blinken heads to Mideast as Israel-Hamas war threatens famine

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's mission to secure a truce in the Israel-Hamas war amid rising concern over Gaza's famine threat and Palestinian casualties. Efforts focus on halting the conflict and releasing hostages.

Himachal Congress chief decides not to contest Lok Sabha polls, says ground condition not favourable

Himachal Pradesh's Congress chief, Pratibha Singh, opts out of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, citing unfavorable ground conditions. Singh expresses concerns over inactive party workers and acknowledges the difficulty in achieving success under such circumstances. Her decision adds uncertainty to the party's prospects in the state. Meanwhile, the BJP awaits potential defections from disqualified Congress MLAs, which could shift political dynamics in Himachal Pradesh.

Situation along LAC stable but sensitive, deployment extremely robust: Gen Pande

Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande emphasizes stable but sensitive LAC situation, stressing close monitoring and balanced troop deployment. Reflecting on conflicts, he highlights the importance of self-reliance and leveraging technology for future preparedness.

SC refuses to entertain Asaram's plea for suspension of sentence in rape case on health grounds

A bench of Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Dipankar Datta asked senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi to approach the Rajasthan High Court for relief after he said Asaram was willing to accept the public prosecutor's suggestion that he could undergo treatment at Madhavbaug Heart Hospital in Maharashtra's Khopoli in police custody.

Air Mauritius flight delayed for over 5 hrs, passengers face breathing difficulty

Passengers on Air Mauritius flight MK 749 from Mumbai to Mauritius are facing a distressing situation as the flight has been grounded for over 5 hours due to an engine problem, with passengers locked inside the aircraft enduring discomfort. A 78-year-old passenger is reportedly struggling with breathing difficulties, and despite attempts to seek help, no assistance has been provided. The flight has been cancelled, and further arrangements are being made, awaiting a statement from the airline.

Ukraine outnumbered, outgunned, ground down by relentless Russia

As the Ukraine war enters its third year, the 59th Brigade faces a grim reality: dwindling soldiers and ammunition to fight the Russians. Casualties and harsh conditions have depleted their ranks, with just 60-70% of their initial strength remaining. Russian forces, using advanced drone warfare, are making gains, and Ukraine's plea for more support from the West has been slow. With critical shortages in artillery shells and equipment, Ukraine's defence is challenged, and the conflict shows no signs of abating.

'Give me my stuff': Fired Atlanta airport employee swings chair, attacks manager

In a dramatic incident at Harvest & Grounds coffee shop in Atlanta Airport, employee Shacoria Elly clashed with managers, leading to her termination. A dispute over espresso shots escalated into a physical altercation, captured on video. Elly, demanding 'give me my stuff,' attempted to throw a chair and swung a pan before leaving with her belongings. Atlanta Police responded, but Elly had already departed. The incident raises questions about workplace tensions and appropriate responses. The widely circulated video sparks discussions on employee challenges in high-stress environments.

As Israel-Hamas war reaches 100-day mark, here's the conflict by numbers

In the longest, bloodiest Israel-Hamas war, ongoing for 100 days, relentless Israeli attacks have devastated Gaza, displacing Palestinians, shutting hospitals, and causing famine. Hezbollah and Israel engage in daily skirmishes. Stats reveal staggering human toll, with 23,708 Palestinians killed, unknown civilian casualties, and massive destruction, leaving 45-56% of Gaza's buildings damaged. Over 1.8 million Palestinians displaced, 249,263 Israelis affected, and 240 Palestinian prisoners released during a weeklong pause. The conflict remains intense, with rockets launched, hostages taken, and grim humanitarian consequences.

US regulator orders inspections on some Boeing MAX 9 planes after emergency

The Federal Aviation Administration "is requiring immediate inspections of certain Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes before they can return to flight," the agency said on X, the former Twitter. The agency said around 171 aircraft worldwide would be affected, with each inspection taking four to eight hours.

Go First lenders to not release more funding to grounded airline: Sources

Go First's lenders, which include the Central Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, IDBI Bank and Deutsche Bank, had in-principally approved funding of 4.50 billion rupees ($54.09 million) in June to resume operations and restart the airline. "When the funding was approved, there was some visibility about the airline restarting operations," the banker said.

IndiGo taking range of measures to deal with aircraft on ground situation: CEO

India's top airline IndiGo's CEO has announced that the company will be undertaking a whole range of mitigating measures to deal with the situation arising out of grounded aircraft. The airline is also working hard to have a positive net worth for the company. The airline operates more than 300 planes and has nearly 1,000 aircraft on order.

BJP MLAs from other states to assess ground situation in Rajasthan and MP

These MLAs have been asked to spend a week this month in constituencies assigned to them and figure out the factors working both in favor and against the BJP, winning prospects of candidates and also look for probable candidates, sources in the party said.

'Manipur violence a national security issue': INDIA alliance MPs after submitting memorandum to Governor