All 337 tonnes of toxic waste from the now-defunct Union Carbide factory in Bhopal have been completely incinerated at a disposal facility in Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh, an official confirmed on Monday. This marks a significant milestone nearly six months after the waste was brought to the plant and decades after the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy.

Of the total, 30 tonnes were incinerated earlier during three trial runs. The remaining 307 tonnes were burnt between May 5 and the night of June 29–30, according to a State Pollution Control Board official. This disposal was carried out in compliance with a directive from the Madhya Pradesh High Court. The Bhopal disaster occurred when the highly toxic methyl isocyanate gas leaked from the Union Carbide factory on the night of December 2–3, 1984, killing at least 5,479 people and injuring thousands more.

The burning of the 307 tonnes of waste began at 7:45 PM on May 5 and concluded around 1:00 AM on June 30. The process took place at a maximum incineration rate of 270 kg per hour, under the supervision of experts from the Central and State Pollution Control Boards. Real-time monitoring ensured that emissions remained within safe limits throughout the operation.

No adverse health effects were reported among residents living near the plant, the official added. Residual ash and other remains from the incineration are currently being securely stored in leak-proof sacks. Plans are underway to bury the residue in specially constructed landfill cells following scientific guidelines, with completion expected by November and final disposal by December.

The waste, which included contaminated soil, reactor remains, pesticide (Sevin) and naphthalene residues, was transported from Bhopal to Pithampur—about 250 km away—on January 2. Tests conducted during trial incinerations at various burn rates confirmed that emissions stayed within permissible standards. The State Pollution Control Board noted that the chemical impact of Sevin and naphthalene had significantly diminished, and there was no presence of methyl isocyanate or radioactive substances in the waste.
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Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta took part in a mock Parliament session organized by the BJP Mahila Morcha on Saturday, where the topic of the Emergency was discussed. She described the event as a “meaningful experience” and underlined the importance of remembering this dark period in India’s history. Gupta remarked that on June 25, 1975, the country was effectively turned into a prison, with thousands of people jailed and democracy suppressed. She added that the women of Delhi gained awareness of this historical chapter and stressed the importance of national unity to ensure such an incident is never repeated.

Speaking to reporters, CM Rekha Gupta stated, “It was a great experience to participate in the mock Parliament program organized by the BJP Mahila Morcha. The events of June 25, 1975, turned the country into a jail, with lakhs of people imprisoned and democracy stifled. This marked a grim period in our history. Today, the women of Delhi became informed about that time. The nation must unite to ensure such a crisis is never repeated.” Earlier, on Friday, CM Rekha Gupta inaugurated the 34th Mango Festival at Tyagraj Stadium in Delhi. The festival featured enthusiastic participation from farmers, agricultural experts, and mango growers, serving as a platform to share challenges, innovations, and opportunities.

As per an official release from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), the Chief Minister engaged with participants at the event, discussing their experiences and learning about advancements in agriculture. She described the festival as both an educational opportunity and a celebration of India’s rich agricultural heritage. Highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Vocal for Local” and “One India, Great India” initiatives, she encouraged Delhi residents to attend the two-day Mango Festival, which featured a wide range of mango varieties from across the nation.

While speaking to ANI, CM Rekha Gupta said, “Farmers from all parts of the country have come to take part in this Mango Exhibition organized by Delhi Tourism. They’ve brought unique mango varieties cultivated through special methods. It’s a vibrant exhibition for the people of Delhi. I extend my congratulations to my department and Cabinet Minister Kapil Mishra, whose hard work made it possible for Delhiites to enjoy mangoes from all over India.”
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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met with his Russian counterpart Andrey Belousov on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' Meeting in Qingdao, China. The two leaders discussed key issues including the delivery of S-400 missile systems, upgrades to the Su-30 MKI fighter jets, and the fast-tracked procurement of essential military equipment.

According to a press release from India’s Ministry of Defence, the meeting covered a wide range of topics, including current geopolitical developments, cross-border terrorism, and defence collaboration between India and Russia. Belousov reaffirmed the strength of the longstanding Indo-Russian partnership and condemned the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, expressing support for India.

The Defence Ministry described the dialogue as one of the most significant recent meetings between India and Russia, especially in light of Operation Sindoor. The operation has underscored the urgent need to ramp up defence production, particularly in areas like air defence systems, air-to-air missile capabilities, and modernization of aerial platforms. "The supply of S-400 systems, Su-30 MKI upgrades, and quick acquisition of critical defence hardware were key highlights of the discussion," the Ministry noted.

Rajnath Singh shared his thoughts on social media, saying, “Happy to have met the Defence Minister of Russia, Andrey Belousov on the sidelines of the SCO Defence Ministers' Meeting in Qingdao. We had insightful deliberations on boosting India-Russia defence ties.” Singh arrived in Qingdao on Thursday for the SCO meeting, where he was received by Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun. Before the main meeting, Singh, Admiral Dong Jun, and other delegates posed for a group photograph.

However, India chose not to sign the joint declaration at the SCO meeting. Sources indicate that the decision was due to the document’s failure to mention the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, while it did refer to incidents in Pakistan. Dissatisfied with the language used in the statement, India declined to endorse the declaration, and no joint communique was issued.
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An encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in the Basantgarh area of Udhampur district, Jammu and Kashmir, on Thursday morning, as confirmed by security officials. The joint counter-terrorism operation, named "Operation Bihali," was launched following specific intelligence inputs. It involves coordinated efforts between the Indian Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police.

According to a statement from the Indian Army’s White Knight Corps, contact was established with the terrorists in the Bihali region, leading to a gunfight that began shortly thereafter. The operation is ongoing, with security forces maintaining a strong presence in the area. Inspector General of Police (IGP) Jammu Zone, Bhim Sen Tuti, stated that the encounter began early in the day and that the situation remains active as the forces continue to engage the militants.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, a joint mock drill was conducted by various security and emergency agencies at the Baltal base camp in Ganderbal district. The exercise was held as part of preparations for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, scheduled to begin on July 3. The drill was carried out under the supervision of the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Ganderbal.

The coordinated exercise saw participation from the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the CRPF’s 49 Battalion, the Indian Army, the Health Department, and Fire and Emergency Services, all aiming to ensure preparedness for the safe and smooth conduct of the pilgrimage.
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In Destination Anywhere, show producer Vaisali Prabhakaran chats with travel storyteller Divyakshi Gupta, the creator behind Quirky Wanderer, about her experiences exploring Himachal Pradesh. While the state is often associated with snow and Shimla, Divyakshi ventures off the beaten path to discover sacred mountain temples, centuries-old wooden architecture, and challenging high-altitude treks. She also delves into the tradition of Himachali Dham, a festive local feast, and recounts her journey along the dramatic Hindustan–Tibet Road.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

More people in their 50s and beyond are redefining retirement by pursuing purpose-driven second careers rather than stepping away from the workforce. According to Lim Kai Ning, co-founder of The Courage Chapter, a Singapore-based initiative that helps mature professionals find new meaning in their work, many are now choosing paths that align with their personal values, such as teaching, consulting, social entrepreneurship, or advocacy. These encore careers are driven not by financial necessity alone, but by a desire for impact and fulfillment after decades in corporate roles. With aging populations and shifting attitudes toward lifelong learning, there's a growing recognition of the unique value older adults bring—such as wisdom, emotional intelligence, and mentorship. Despite persistent ageism in some sectors, more organizations are embracing intergenerational teams and the benefits of experience. As Lim puts it, "Your most meaningful contribution might still be ahead of you," encouraging a shift from retirement as an end to work as a continued journey of purpose.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

Forest City, once promoted as a paradise to live in, is now widely known as Malaysia’s ghost town. However, there are ongoing efforts to revive the development in Johor, and recent progress may help turn things around. But is it enough? Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman discuss the situation with Samuel Tan, CEO of Olive Tree Property Consultants, to learn more.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

On the Morning Report, Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman cover the latest updates from the second round of direct ceasefire talks between Russian and Ukrainian officials in Istanbul, Turkey. They discuss the situation as US President Donald Trump warns he may withdraw if both sides remain unwilling to agree on a peace deal. They also speak with Dr. Sonia Mycak, Research Fellow at the Centre for European Studies, Australian National University.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.