The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for parts of Delhi after heavy monsoon showers lashed the national capital on Thursday, triggering waterlogging, traffic snarls, and disruptions to daily life. Authorities have advised residents to remain indoors unless necessary and exercise caution as more intense rainfall is expected during the day.
Several areas of the city received heavy rainfall from the early morning hours, leading to flooded roads and slow-moving traffic during the peak office commute. Low-lying localities witnessed water accumulation, while motorists faced delays on major routes due to reduced visibility and waterlogged stretches. Civic agencies were deployed to monitor vulnerable areas and respond to weather-related complaints.
According to the IMD, the active monsoon system over north India is likely to continue influencing weather conditions across Delhi-NCR. The department has warned of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, gusty winds, and spells of heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated areas. The weather agency has urged people to avoid unnecessary travel during intense showers and stay updated through official advisories.
The fresh spell of rain has brought noticeable relief from the humid weather experienced over the past few days, with temperatures expected to remain below seasonal highs. However, officials cautioned that the prolonged rainfall could lead to localized flooding, disruption of public transport services, and delays in road traffic across several parts of the capital.
Weather experts say the current conditions are part of an active monsoon phase affecting several states in northern India. Besides Delhi, heavy rainfall warnings have also been issued for parts of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and other neighbouring regions, raising concerns over flash floods and landslides in vulnerable areas.
The IMD has advised residents to stay away from waterlogged roads, avoid sheltering under trees during thunderstorms, and keep track of the latest weather bulletins before planning travel. Emergency services and local authorities remain on alert to deal with any weather-related incidents as the rain is expected to continue over the coming days. Officials have appealed to citizens to cooperate with traffic advisories and avoid venturing into flood-prone areas. With the monsoon remaining active across north India, weather conditions are expected to remain unpredictable, making regular updates from the IMD essential for public safety.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan Times.
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday provided interim protection to PhysicsWallah founder Alakh Pandey in a personality rights lawsuit, ordering the removal of online material that appears to be obscene, defamatory, or using his identity for commercial purposes without permission. Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani also instructed digital platforms including Google, X, and Telegram to share the Basic Subscriber Information (BSI) linked to the accounts and URLs flagged by Pandey. The information will help in identifying those allegedly responsible and allow further legal action.
The court issued notices in the matter after reviewing a detailed classification of the disputed online content submitted by Pandey’s legal team. It clarified that a more detailed explanation regarding the scope of the interim protection and why it was limited to certain categories of content would be issued separately.
During the hearing, Senior Advocate J. Sai Deepak, representing Pandey, presented a chart listing the allegedly infringing links and the parties against whom action was requested. While showing the disputed material before the court, he argued that the nature of the content itself demonstrated the misuse. Deepak also highlighted alleged cases of impersonation, including a Telegram channel operating under the name “Alakh Sir Lectures”, where Pandey’s name and image were allegedly used without approval. He further claimed that fake profiles had been created in Pandey’s name on platforms such as LinkedIn and X.
After considering the submissions, the court directed that content falling under categories such as obscene material, defamatory posts, and unauthorised commercial exploitation of Pandey’s identity should be removed from the platforms. The court additionally ordered Google, X, and Telegram to provide subscriber details connected to the identified accounts and URLs so that legal proceedings could be pursued against those allegedly operating them.
Pandey, who serves as the founder and CEO of edtech company PhysicsWallah, filed the lawsuit seeking protection of his personality rights. The plea alleges that his name, photograph, voice, teaching methods, expressions, and overall public identity have been used without consent across various online platforms.
The lawsuit claims that fake social media accounts, Telegram channels, edited videos, GIFs, stickers, and other digital content have misused his identity for financial benefit. It also alleges that some of the material is offensive and defamatory, potentially misleading students and harming his reputation. Pandey’s petition argues that such unauthorised use violates his personality rights, right to publicity, and amounts to passing off, causing damage to the reputation and goodwill he has built through years of educational work.
The case comes at a time when courts are increasingly dealing with challenges involving digital impersonation, artificial intelligence-generated content, and misuse of public figures’ identities online. The Delhi High Court’s interim order aims to prevent further misuse while the broader legal dispute continues, with the matter scheduled for further hearing in November.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several senior Union Ministers paid heartfelt tributes to Dr. D.Y. Patil, the former Governor of Bihar, Tripura, and West Bengal, following his passing. Remembered as a distinguished educationist, philanthropist, and founder of the D.Y. Patil Group, Dr. Patil was widely praised for his lasting contributions to education, healthcare, and public service.
In a message shared on X, Prime Minister Modi described Dr. Patil as a visionary who dedicated his life to serving society through philanthropy and education. He noted that Dr. Patil consistently worked to uplift the lives of people, especially those from economically weaker sections, and expressed his condolences to the bereaved family and all those who admired him.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also mourned the loss, calling Dr. Patil a respected educationist whose lifelong commitment to learning and social welfare left a lasting impact. He said Dr. Patil's distinguished public service and valuable role in nation-building would always be remembered, while extending his sympathies to the family and admirers.
Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan described Dr. Patil's death as a major loss, recalling his tenure as Governor of Bihar, Tripura, and West Bengal, along with his remarkable efforts in strengthening education and governance. Chouhan said his dedication to public life and nation-building would continue to inspire future generations.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted Dr. Patil's inspiring journey from humble beginnings to holding some of the country's highest constitutional positions. He said the Padma Shri awardee's exceptional work in expanding educational and healthcare institutions had transformed countless lives across India. Goyal offered prayers for the departed soul and conveyed his deepest condolences to Dr. Patil's family, friends, and well-wishers.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from @narendramodi.
World Championships medallist Vinesh Phogat on Monday said that the women wrestlers who accused former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment will challenge a Delhi court's verdict acquitting him. A Delhi court cleared Singh and co-accused Vinod Tomar of all charges in the case filed by the women wrestlers. Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ashwini Panwar acquitted Singh, a former BJP MP, along with Tomar, who previously served as the WFI's assistant secretary.
Reacting to the judgment, Phogat announced on X that the wrestlers had instructed their legal team to move a higher court against the acquittal. "The women wrestlers have asked their lawyers to file an appeal against this decision, and it will be submitted at the earliest. We have not given up hope, and our fight for justice will continue," she wrote.
Phogat also alleged that Singh received protection from the government and claimed that his political influence was used to pressure some complainants into stepping back from the case. "We are deeply disappointed that the court did not hold Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh guilty of the allegations made by the women wrestlers. From the very beginning, we felt that the administration, the government, and the entire system were working to shield him," she said.
She added that it took significant courage for the wrestlers to stage protests and secure the registration of an FIR against a politically influential figure. "Using his influence and political power, Brij Bhushan intimidated several girls into withdrawing their names. Despite that, many women wrestlers remained steadfast and continued pursuing the case in court," Phogat said.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Business Standard.
Pellet guns have returned to the spotlight after they were reportedly used during the July 20 student protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak. A petition before the Supreme Court has sought a complete ban on their use for crowd control. Hearing the plea, a Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant observed that pellet guns cannot be prohibited outright as long as existing government guidelines permit their use in exceptional circumstances. The court also directed the Centre to preserve the Rapid Action Force's ammunition records for judicial review. Pellet guns are 12-bore pump-action shotguns that fire cartridges containing hundreds of tiny metal pellets. Though classified as "less-lethal" weapons, they can cause serious injuries, including permanent damage to the eyes and internal organs. The Centre introduced pellet guns in 2010 during unrest in Jammu and Kashmir. Following criticism over injuries, an expert committee in 2016 recommended that they be used only in the "rarest of rare" situations and only after alternatives such as PAVA shells, tear smoke, stun grenades, and rubber or plastic bullets have failed. Current Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) require security forces to use force in a graded manner, with the primary aim of minimizing harm to both civilians and personnel. The use of pellet guns remains controversial due to past incidents in which civilians suffered severe and sometimes permanent injuries.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.
Myanmar's military government has released rare images of detained leader Aung San Suu Kyi meeting a Red Cross official, marking her first known contact with the outside world since the 2021 coup. The photos were released just ahead of junta chief Min Aung Hlaing's first official visit to Thailand, prompting speculation about their political significance.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
In a conversation with political editor Tom McIlroy and chief political correspondent Dan Jervis-Bardy during the 50th Labor conference in Adelaide, South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas discussed his state’s political battle with One Nation. He said progressive groups should avoid dismissing or talking down to Pauline Hanson’s supporters, arguing that their concerns need to be understood rather than ignored. Addressing the ongoing debate over the AUKUS submarine deal, Malinauskas acknowledged concerns after the US revealed that Virginia-class submarine production rates had not improved. However, he maintained that walking away from the agreement would create greater strategic risks than the challenges surrounding the controversial defence partnership.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
On Made in SG, Melanie Oliveiro chats with Singaporean singer-songwriter Frances Tan, who recently competed in the Commonwealth Song Contest — an international music competition featuring participants from all 56 Commonwealth countries. Tan shares her experience of being chosen as a Grand Finalist, representing Singapore alongside six other finalist nations. She also discusses her original track, Just Me, which she submitted as her contest entry.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
Following the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Donald Trump and the White House administration responded strongly, accusing the media and the Democratic Party of contributing to rising political violence. Reged Ahmad and Jonathan Yerushalmy explore the origins of the deep political divide between Democrats and Republicans in the United States. At the same time, Usha Vance has started a new podcast, raising questions about her motives, while King Charles’s upcoming visit to the White House is expected to shed light on Donald Trump’s relationship with the British monarchy.
Disclaimer: This video is taken from The Guardian.
