The death toll in the boat capsize incident in the Yamuna river near Mathura has risen to 15 after two additional bodies were recovered on Monday, officials said. Superintendent of Police (Rural) Suresh Chandra Rawat reported that during the search operation, the body of a woman named Monika was found in the Bangali Ghat area of Mathura. Another victim was recovered near Devaraha Baba Ghat in Vrindavan and identified as 22-year-old Yash, also known as Yuvraj Bhalla.
Authorities shared that just minutes before the accident on Friday, Bhalla was seen in a video playing a dhol while devotees sang hymns. His father told police that Yash was a student who occasionally played dholak for a bhajan group linked to the Shri Banke Bihari Club in Jagraon, Ludhiana, and had joined the pilgrimage with them for the same purpose.
Rawat added that one person, Pankaj Malhotra (40), remains missing. He confirmed that all other missing individuals have been recovered so far, and search operations for Malhotra are still underway. Malhotra, a resident of Jagraon, worked as a manager at a steel company in Himachal Pradesh and was also on board the boat.
Rescue teams, including eight units of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), two teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and six PAC diving teams, are continuing the search efforts. The accident occurred on Friday afternoon when a boat carrying more than 30 tourists, mostly from Punjab, struck a floating drum of a pontoon bridge and capsized near Kesi Ghat in Vrindavan. Many of the victims were from the Jagraon and Dugri areas of Ludhiana district.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from X/@ani_digital.
The Special Task Force (STF) of Haryana on Friday secured the deportation of gangster Sahil Chauhan, also known as Sahil Rana, a notorious criminal with inter-state links who had been operating from Thailand, police said. This marks the fifth deportation carried out by STF Haryana in 2026, following the return of Ankit Shokeen, Aman Bhainswal, Sombir Motta, and Shilu Dahar.
According to STF Haryana chief Satish Balan, Sahil Rana had been absconding since 2024 and has a long criminal history. He joined the Bhupi gang at a young age and was involved in multiple serious crimes, including attempted murder and murder. He was previously convicted in a court-related firing case and served 10 years in prison. After being granted bail in 2024, he fled to Bangalore and remained on the run.
Police said Rana has been active in crime since 2016, with 16 cases registered against him. A resident of Shahzadpur in Ambala, he joined the Bhupi gang while in Class 12. After his release on bail, he escaped to Bangalore, obtained fake passport documents, and fled to Dhaka. From there, he moved across several Southeast Asian countries, including Bali in Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, and even Angola.
Officials added that Rana later attempted to travel to Portugal but failed. While returning, he was intercepted at a Thailand airport based on a Red Corner Notice (RCN) and subsequently deported to New Delhi. The STF chief stated that the investigation is ongoing, and more details will be shared once it is complete.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a 20-minute phone conversation on Friday with Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi to discuss the evolving situation in West Asia, particularly developments affecting international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Sharing details of the exchange on X, Jaishankar noted that the two leaders reviewed ongoing regional tensions and he expressed appreciation for Motegi’s message of condolence over the loss of Indian lives in the conflict.
According to a statement from Japan’s Foreign Ministry, both ministers also acknowledged the recent announcement by the United States and Iran, describing it as a positive step toward easing tensions. Motegi emphasized that de-escalation remains critical, especially in ensuring the safety and security of maritime navigation through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. He further expressed hope that ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran would lead to a timely and lasting agreement. Motegi also highlighted the importance of close coordination with the international community, including India, in addressing the situation.
Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s commitment to working closely with Japan to support de-escalation efforts and safeguard maritime routes. Both leaders agreed to maintain regular communication and coordination moving forward. They also underlined the need to strengthen multilateral cooperation to enhance energy security and ensure the resilience of global resource supply chains. The conversation comes in the wake of a recently announced two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, following weeks of heightened conflict in West Asia that disrupted regional stability and impacted several countries.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) chief Badruddin Ajmal cast his vote on Thursday at Bordongki Government LP School in Hojai, as polling continues for the Assam assembly elections. Highlighting strong public support for his party, Ajmal urged voters to back AIUDF in pursuit of justice for singer Zubeen Garg. Speaking to ANI, he stated, “People across Assam are showing enthusiasm for the lock-and-key symbol… Vote for AIUDF for justice to Zubeen Garg, education, and technology.”
As of 1 pm, Assam reported a voter turnout of 59.63%, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI) data for the 2026 assembly elections. Earlier, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the NDA candidate from Jalukbari, cast his vote at polling station number 15, accompanied by his wife Riniki Bhuyan Sharma and their children.
Over 2.5 crore voters are eligible to participate in the 126-member state assembly elections, with 722 candidates contesting. Of the 2,50,54,463 electors, 1,25,31,552 are male, 1,25,22,593 are female, 318 identify as transgender, and 63,423 are service voters. Among them, 6,42,314 are aged 18–19, 2,50,006 are above 80, and 2,05,085 are persons with disabilities.
To ensure effective monitoring, webcasting has been arranged at all 31,490 polling stations, including 31,486 main and 4 auxiliary stations. A total of 1,51,132 polling personnel have been deployed. Voting equipment includes 41,320 Ballot Units, 43,975 Control Units, and 43,997 VVPAT machines, with additional personnel and reserve equipment kept on standby.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
Two men in Bijnor were arrested for allegedly being in contact with a Pakistan-linked handler based in Saudi Arabia, who was reportedly expanding his network in India through social media. Police said the accused were linked to Aqib, a Meerut native currently in West Asia, who had earlier come under scrutiny for a viral video allegedly showing weapons. During interrogation, the suspects claimed Aqib used Instagram to spread radical content and influence youth. Authorities said the men had been in touch with him and his associates for several years, and one of them was planning to flee to Nepal. The case has now been handed over to the Anti-Terrorist Squad, and action has been taken against officials involved in the earlier investigation.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Bloomberg.
A new AI system developed by NTU can forecast the rate at which food spoils, enabling supermarkets to reduce waste, enhance safety, and manage inventory more efficiently. The technology works by predicting bacterial growth in food. Could this signal the future of food retail? Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman discuss with Natalie Ong, CNA journalist, and Professor William Chen, Executive Director of FRESH@NTU, to explore the possibilities.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
This week, as the repercussions of the US-Israel conflict with Iran continue, Australians are feeling the pinch from a worsening fuel crisis. At the same time, the Liberal Party faces a critical moment as voters increasingly shift toward One Nation. In this edition of the Guardian’s Australian Politics podcast, political editor Tom McIlroy talks with Andrew Hastie, shadow minister for industry and sovereign capability, about Australia’s approach to the global fuel shock, the need for reindustrialisation, and his perspective on how the Liberal Party should respond to the rise of One Nation.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
In spring 2003, the initial euphoria over Saddam Hussein’s fall quickly turned into deadly chaos across Iraq. Guardian reporters, whether working independently or embedded with military units, witnessed the violence and disorder firsthand, documenting the rapid shift from jubilation to conflict, looting, and unrest that marked the early days following the invasion and the collapse of Saddam’s regime.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
Our system of mental health diagnosis and labeling has provided clear benefits, helping people access treatment and understand their conditions. However, as a practicing doctor, I am concerned that overdiagnosis and excessive labeling may be causing more harm than good, potentially stigmatizing patients and oversimplifying complex mental health experiences.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
