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Siasat India

One arrested with 400 gram of ganja in Vikarabad

21 Jul 2026 03:13 PM 📖 2m

Siasat India

People loot garlic from lorry after accident on Telangana highway

21 Jul 2026 02:52 PM 📖 2m

Siasat India

Telangana’s Srikar Reddy tipped to be India’s Ambassador to Qatar

21 Jul 2026 02:47 PM 📖 4m

Hyderabad: Senior diplomat Dr K Srikar Reddy, currently India’s Consul General in San Francisco and the man who negotiated New Delhi’s trade pacts with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Mauritius, is likely to be appointed India’s next Ambassador to Qatar, according to a report in Telangana Today.

Reddy, a 2001-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, would take over a mission that has been without a full-time envoy since Vipul, a 1998-batch officer who had headed the Doha embassy since August 2023, was named India’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia in June this year.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has not issued a formal announcement. Appointments of this nature are notified by the ministry after the receipt of agreement from the host government.

A trade hand for a trade moment

If confirmed, Reddy’s arrival in Doha would coincide with the most commercially active phase in the India-Qatar relationship in years.

Before moving to San Francisco, Reddy served as Joint Secretary in the Department of Commerce, handling India’s commercial engagement with Africa and West Asia. He was India’s chief negotiator for the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which came into force in May 2022, and for the India-Mauritius Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA), operational since April 2021.

India and Qatar have been working towards a bilateral free trade agreement, with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal indicating earlier this year that both sides were looking at a mid-2026 signing. Separately, India and the Gulf Cooperation Council formally launched negotiations for a bloc-wide FTA in February this year, with the UAE and Oman agreements serving as the template.

Qatar is India’s single largest supplier of LNG as well as LPG, and during Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani’s visit to New Delhi in February last year, the two countries elevated ties to a strategic partnership and set a target of doubling trade to USD 28 billion by 2030. Qatar also committed to investing USD 10 billion in India.

From Kakatiya Medical College to foreign service

Reddy is a medical graduate of Kakatiya Medical College in Telangana’s Warangal and hails from Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district, according to reports, though his official profile lists Warangal district as his place of birth.

His postings have included the Indian missions in Germany and Switzerland, and the Permanent Mission of India to the World Trade Organization in Geneva, where he served as Counsellor between 2014 and 2017. He was Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from 2017 to 2020. At headquarters, he has handled India’s relations with Pakistan and with East and Southern Africa.

As Regional Passport Officer in Hyderabad between 2011 and 2014, he oversaw an overhaul of passport services in the then undivided Andhra Pradesh, and the office won the Passport Seva Puraskar in 2013, the first time it had done so.

The Doha assignment would be his first in the Gulf.

Second envoy from Telangana

Should the appointment go through, Reddy would be the second person from Telangana to head the mission in Doha. Prof S Bashiruddin, former head of the Department of Journalism at Osmania University, served as India’s Ambassador to Qatar from October 1983 to April 1986.

Qatar is home to an estimated eight lakh Indians, the country’s largest expatriate community, a sizeable number of them from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

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Siasat India

YouTuber Saddam faces case over ‘defamatory’ social media video

21 Jul 2026 02:19 PM 📖 2m

Siasat India

No Aadhaar needed for enumeration forms, says Telangana CEO

21 Jul 2026 02:12 PM 📖 3m

Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) C Sudharsan Reddy on Tuesday, July 21, directed all District Election Officers (DEO) to ensure their districts cross 90 per cent completion of the enumeration process under the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls by the end of this week.

Reddy chaired a video conference with the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) Commissioner and the DEOs from across the state, as part of the SIR 2026 exercise.

Reddy reviewed district-wise progress on the percentage of unmapped electors, polling stations with less than 50 per cent progress and uncollected enumeration forms, and asked officials to thoroughly verify all “no mapping” electors and take appropriate action wherever necessary.

No Aadhaar, physical forms needed if submitted online

Among the directions issued, Reddy said Booth Level Officers (BLO) should not insist on physical enumeration forms from electors who have already submitted them online, and should also not insist on Aadhaar cards for the submission of these forms. He asked officials to facilitate electors in submitting the forms and to promptly address their grievances.

The CEO also directed officials to expedite the digitisation of enumeration forms, ensure close supervision by Electoral Registration Officers, Assistant EROs, BLO supervisors and BLOs, and pay special attention to urban pockets and Assembly constituencies showing comparatively lower progress.

He asked officials to maintain transparency and proper documentation of meetings held with political parties, and to ensure that VVIP and VIP electors are included in the electoral rolls.

Reddy further directed that Absent, Shifted and Dead (ASD) cases be verified carefully with accurate records maintained, and that the rationalisation of polling stations be completed within the stipulated timeline. He asked all officials to strengthen field-level monitoring and work in a coordinated manner to ensure the smooth and timely completion of SIR-2026.

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Siasat India

Hyderabad braces for moderate rains at night; commuters warned

21 Jul 2026 01:54 PM 📖 2m

Siasat India

JNTUH Mahabubabad students protest over lack toilets, water

21 Jul 2026 01:49 PM 📖 2m

Siasat India

Three members of Hyderabad family of five killed in California

21 Jul 2026 01:41 PM 📖 2m

Siasat India

26 students detained during Chalo Lok Bhavan protest, force used

21 Jul 2026 01:22 PM 📖 2m

Siasat India

23 km and growing: Israel’s new earthen wall cutting Gaza in half

21 Jul 2026 01:14 PM 📖 8m

Cairo: The Israeli military is quietly but quickly building a giant earthen barrier separating the over 50 per cent of the Gaza Strip it controls from the rest of the territory, according to satellite imagery, further entrenching the division of the tiny Palestinian enclave.

More than 23 kilometres have been constructed in recent months, running through Palestinian communities demolished by the military. That is equivalent to more than half the length of the coastal strip, which is some 40 kilometres long and 11 kilometres wide, and home to over 2 million Palestinians.

When presented with the satellite images, Israel’s military confirmed to The Associated Press it has built a physical barrier in the area of the so-called yellow line, the boundary to which Israeli troops withdrew under the October ceasefire deal with Hamas. The line was envisioned in the US-backed agreement as a temporary division of the territory pending a fuller Israeli withdrawal.

But as the truce stagnates, it appears Israel is digging in, heightening Palestinian fears that the line is morphing into a border. Neither US Central Command, which is tasked with monitoring the ceasefire, nor the Board of Peace, the body led by US President Donald Trump meant to eventually oversee Gaza, would comment on the barrier.

Along with the barrier, the military told AP it has developed a “security zone” around the line, equipped with intelligence and technological assets. It declined to give details on the route of the barrier when asked how far it would be extended. It said the barrier aimed to prevent infiltration and protect Israeli troops and Israeli communities near Gaza.

A satellite image from Planet Labs PBC shows a section of an earthen barrier being built by the Israeli military in the central Gaza Strip, on July 7. The Bureij refugee camp is visible on the left, with the Wadi Gaza stream interrupting the barrier. An Israeli military base is on the other side. Construction of the barrier is proceeding rapidly

Since the ceasefire deal took hold, Palestinians in Gaza have feared Israel would not return the area of Gaza it controls. But few appear to be aware of the berms now being built around them — because of the danger of even approaching that area.

A portion of the berm network in southern Gaza was extended by more than 2 kilometres in two weeks this month, according to the satellite images provided by Planet Labs PBC.

The berm was about 500 metres long on July 1. By July 15, it was about 2.4 kilometres, splicing the Israel-controlled ruins of the city of Rafah from Muwasi, site of some of the largest Palestinian tent camps.

If construction continues in its current direction, it will join up with the longest stretch of the barrier, which runs nearly unbroken for around 17 kilometres from the southern city of Khan Younis to near Gaza City, in the north.

This satellite image from Planet Labs PBC shows a section of an earthen barrier being built by the Israeli military in the northern Gaza Strip, on July 8, 2026. To the left is the demolished town of Beit Lahia, and at right a defunct sewage treatment plant.

Construction began on that stretch in February, and it appears work to extend it further south is continuing, according to the satellite images. More than a kilometre was added between June 21 and July 7, running close to an Israeli military base built on the ruins of the town of Bani Suheila, near Khan Younis.

In the far north of Gaza, several unconnected stretches of berms run just outside the largely leveled town of Beit Lahia.

The height of the berms in each place remains unclear. In some places, the barriers appear to run outside the yellow line.

Israel has destroyed, depopulated half of Gaza it controls

Gaza’s population has been crowded into the coastal area west of the yellow line, most living in squalid tent camps and dependent on aid.

On the other side of the line, satellite imagery shows that Israeli forces have levelled the vast majority of buildings using bulldozers and explosives, virtually erasing several towns and Rafah, once home to more than a quarter million people.

They have carved new road networks and erected new bases on the ruins of Palestinian towns. Agricultural land has also been destroyed. The Israeli military says it is demolishing infrastructure used by Hamas.

The yellow line was never precisely defined, whether in the ceasefire deal or by Israeli or US officials, and it has been inconsistently marked on the ground. The military told AP it is working to clearly mark the route of the yellow line to “reduce friction and prevent harm to uninvolved individuals.”

Israeli forces have killed Palestinians who came close to the line or crossed it. The Israeli military says it fires on those believed to be militants threatening its troops. But those killed have included children and other civilians seemingly unaware of the line. Some soldiers have said they don’t always know who they are firing on and have orders to kill anyone crossing the boundary.

Residents inspect the site of an Israeli airstrike in Gaza city. Israeli strikes have killed hundreds of Palestinians since ceasefire

Israeli forces have killed more than 1,100 Palestinians since the ceasefire began, most in airstrikes and drone strikes around Gaza. Militant attacks have killed five Israeli soldiers in the same period.

Early on Tuesday, July 21, an Israeli strike in Gaza City killed Firas al-Masri, his wife and their four children, ages six to 13, according to Shifa Hospital. Israel’s military only said that they conducted a strike on Hamas militants in the area at that time.

Firas’ brother, Ahmad al-Masri, lives nearby and said he heard the children’s voices at the moment of the blast.

“They were calling out to me, Uncle! Uncle!’” he said. “But the fire was raging, and we couldn’t do anything.”

Under the ceasefire deal, Israel is eventually supposed to withdraw its troops further to the very edges of Gaza, to be replaced by an international security force. But implementation of the deal has been stalled for months.

A former UN diplomat now in charge of coordinating the ceasefire has blamed Hamas’ failure to disarm. Sporadic talks to reach a formula for decommissioning its weapons appear to have made little progress, and Hamas accuses Israel in turn of violating the ceasefire.

Residents inspect the site of an Israeli airstrike in Gaza city.

The war began after Hamas-led militants attacked Israeli communities on October 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 others hostage. Israel responded with a punishing military offensive that has killed more than 73,000 people, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

The ministry, which was part of the recently dissolved Hamas-run government, maintains detailed records viewed as generally reliable by UN agencies and international organisations. It does not distinguish between civilians and militants but says women and children make up around half of all fatalities.

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Siasat India

Congress, not El Nino, caused drought in Telangana: Harish Rao

21 Jul 2026 12:33 PM 📖 5m

Hyderabad: Former irrigation minister and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Deputy Floor Leader T Harish Rao on Tuesday, July 21, accused the Congress government of deliberately denying water to farmers and alleged that administrative negligence had pushed large parts of the erstwhile Warangal district into an avoidable drought.

Addressing a press conference at Telangana Bhavan, Harish Rao alleged the present crisis was not a drought caused by El Niño, but created by the Congress government.

He said that after his press conference on July 12, ministers Uttam Kumar Reddy, Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy visited the Devadula Lift Irrigation Project and assured farmers that 38 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) of water would be lifted to fill 22 reservoirs under the project.

However, the government then forgot these assurances, forcing farmers to stage protests across Shayampet, Bhimadevarapally, Elkathurthy and several other parts of Warangal, he said.

Harish Rao said that the Sammakka Barrage, constructed during the BRS government, currently has sufficient water storage and receives substantial inflows from the Godavari River, but despite this, the government is not operating all the pumps under the Devadula project.

“On July 13, the ministers announced that all 10 pumps would operate. Even till yesterday, only five pumps were functioning. Whenever ministers visit, seven pumps are switched on for display, but once they leave, only three pumps remain operational,” Harish Rao alleged.

He questioned the government for failing to utilise the Devadula system even when there was no technical impediment.

“There is no National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) issue here. Water is available, pumps are available and power is available. Then why is the government refusing to lift water?” he asked.

Congress letting Godavari water flow towards Andhra: Harish Rao

He alleged that while neighbouring Andhra Pradesh was making every effort to utilise available Godavari waters, the Telangana government was allowing precious water to flow downstream.

According to him, 105 TMC of Godavari water had already flowed past the Sammakka Barrage towards Andhra Pradesh, with Telangana lifting only 1.9 TMC, despite having the capacity to lift nearly 12 TMC.

“The entire world is conserving every drop of water, but this government is allowing Telangana’s water to flow away. If even a fraction of the available water had been lifted, all 22 reservoirs under Devadula could have been filled within the last 50 days,” he said.

Govt misleading farmers with contradictory statements: Harish Rao

He said the government was misleading farmers by making contradictory statements. “On one hand, ministers are assuring that water would be supplied to nearly three lakh acre, while district authorities are advising farmers not to undertake cultivation due to a lack of water… Who should farmers believe, the ministers or the District Collector?” he said.

He demanded the government to apologise to farmers for misleading them and provide subsidies to those whose crops had suffered due to the delay in releasing irrigation water.

He also alleged that the government had delayed operating the Devadula pumps last year by nearly 50 days after failing to clear electricity dues, resulting in crop losses worth hundreds of crores of rupees. “The same negligence is repeating this year despite warnings of El Niño conditions,” he said.

Govt should focus on its own promises rather than attacking Kaleshwaram: Harish Rao

Harish Rao criticised the Congress for repeatedly attacking the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project and said it should instead focus on executing its own promises, including the proposed Tummidihetti project.

“For the last 30 months, they have only spoken about Tummidihetti. Not even a handful of soil has been moved. Instead of blaming Kaleshwaram every day, the government should focus on supplying water to Telangana’s farmers,” he said.

He warned that if the government continued to neglect farmers, the BRS would launch a large-scale public agitation along with farmers from Warangal, Nalgonda and Karimnagar districts.

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Siasat India

Telangana govt plans eco-tourism push near tiger reserves

21 Jul 2026 12:27 PM 📖 2m

Siasat India

5 most fascinating food museums across the world in 2026

21 Jul 2026 12:27 PM 📖 4m

Museums are no longer only about paintings and history. Around the world, food museums are inviting travellers to discover culture through flavours, traditions and interactive experiences.

Instead of simply tasting famous dishes, visitors can learn how they were created, understand their cultural importance and even make some themselves.

From colourful dessert attractions to centuries-old cheese markets, these destinations offer something for every foodie. If you are planning an international holiday, here are five unique food museums that are worth adding to your travel bucket list.

Best food museums in the world 2026 1. Museum of Ice Cream, Singapore and the USA

Location: Dempsey Hill, Singapore, and New York, Chicago, Austin and Miami in the USA.

The Vibe: Colourful, playful and perfect for families, couples and dessert lovers.

What to Expect: Explore themed rooms, interactive exhibits and enjoy unlimited ice cream tastings. The famous giant sprinkle pool is the biggest attraction, while the Singapore branch also serves local flavours like pandan and pulut hitam.

Tickets start at around Rs. 2,600 per person.

View this post on Instagram 2. Cup Noodles Museum, Japan

Location: Yokohama and Ikeda (Osaka), Japan.

The Vibe: Creative, educational and family friendly.

What to Expect: Dedicated to instant noodle inventor Momofuku Ando, the museum lets visitors design their own cup at the My CUPNOODLES Factory by choosing soup bases and toppings.

The Instant Noodles History Cube showcases packaging from across the world. Entry costs about Rs. 300 (500 yen).

View this post on Instagram 3. Museum Kimchikan, South Korea

Location: Insadong, Seoul.

The Vibe: Cultural, informative and interactive.

What to Expect: Named among the world’s best food museums by CNN, it explores the 1,500 year history of kimchi and the UNESCO recognised Kimjang tradition.

Visitors can learn about fermentation, taste different kimchi varieties and join workshops with advance booking. Entry costs around Rs. 310 (5,000 won).

View this post on Instagram 4. Frietmuseum, Belgium

Location: The 14th century Saaihalle building in Bruges.

The Vibe: Historic, cosy and proudly Belgian.

What to Expect: The world’s first museum dedicated to fries explains the potato’s journey from Peru to Europe and reveals the famous Belgian double frying technique.

The visit ends with freshly prepared fries served with traditional sauces. Entry costs around Rs. 1,200 per adult.

5. Dutch Cheese Museum, Netherlands

Location: The historic Waag building overlooking Alkmaar’s Cheese Market.

The Vibe: Traditional, interactive and ideal for cheese lovers.

What to Expect: Discover how Gouda and Edam cheeses are made through historic tools, films and interactive displays.

Visitors can also watch the famous Alkmaar Cheese Market when it is in session, making the visit even more memorable. Entry costs around Rs. 600 (6 euros).

These unusual museums prove that food tells stories just as beautifully as art. They celebrate local traditions, showcase culinary innovation and offer experiences that go far beyond a regular meal. Whether you enjoy sweet treats, comforting noodles, spicy kimchi, crispy fries or rich cheese, each museum offers a memorable way to experience a country’s heritage.

For travellers looking beyond the usual tourist attractions, these destinations promise learning, fun and unforgettable flavours in every visit.

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Siasat India

Hilsa Festival brings the flavours of Bengal to Gachibowli

21 Jul 2026 12:21 PM 📖 4m

For Bengalis, Hilsa or Ilish is much more than a fish. It is a symbol of home, tradition and the monsoon season. Every year, the arrival of fresh Hilsa is eagerly awaited, with families preparing treasured recipes that have been passed down through generations.

Its rich, buttery flavour and delicate texture have earned it a special place on Bengali dining tables, making Hilsa one of the most celebrated fish in Indian cuisine.

Now, Hyderabad residents can experience this beloved delicacy at the Hilsa Festival, being held at Peerless Hotel, Gachibowli, from July 25 to August 16.

The festival brings authentic Bengali flavours to the city, offering both the Bengali community and food enthusiasts a chance to savour the prized fish.

Choose your own Hilsa

One of the highlights of the festival is its interactive dining experience. Guests can personally select a whole Hilsa fish before it is prepared.

The chefs then clean, cut and cook it fresh according to the diner’s preferred recipe, ensuring every meal is made just the way they like it.

A feast of authentic Bengali flavours View this post on Instagram

The specially curated menu celebrates Hilsa in all its glory. The Shorshe Ilish, cooked in a rich mustard gravy, is a timeless Bengali classic that pairs beautifully with hot steamed rice.

The Bhapa Ilish, gently steamed with mustard paste and green chillies, is soft, aromatic and melts in the mouth with every bite.

Those looking for comforting flavours can try the creamy Doi Ilish, while the fragrant Ilish Paturi, wrapped in banana leaves before steaming, locks in the fish’s natural richness and aroma.

The crispy Ilish Bhaja offers a satisfying crunch with a tender centre, and the traditional Ilish Bharta, mashed with mustard oil and spices, is a simple yet flavour-packed dish enjoyed with rice.

Visitors can also savour the unique Ilish Biryani, where fragrant rice and the prized fish come together in a delicious Bengali twist on the classic biryani.

An à la carte menu is available throughout the festival, allowing guests to enjoy their favourite Hilsa preparations.

A complete Bengali meal

Guests ordering a whole Hilsa can also enjoy a complimentary serving of steamed rice, dal, aloo chokha and bhaja bhuji, enough for up to four people. The offer recreates the warmth of a traditional Bengali family meal, making it perfect for sharing.

Whether you are a Bengali longing for the taste of home or a Hyderabad foodie eager to explore regional Indian cuisine, this limited-time festival promises an authentic and memorable culinary experience.

Location: Peerless Hotel, Gachibowli, Hyderabad

Festival dates: July 25 to August 16

Booking: +91 73309 99591

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Siasat India

CJP removes spokesperson Vijeta Dahiya over ‘insensitive’ remarks

21 Jul 2026 12:13 PM 📖 4m

New Delhi: The Cockroach Janta Party on Tuesday, July 21, removed Vijeta Dahiya as one of the three spokespersons of the movement over his “insensitive” and “unacceptable” conduct.

“We strongly condemn the deeply insensitive actions of our spokesperson Vijeta Dahiya, whose videos surfaced while peaceful protestors and our team were facing brutal police violence,” wrote CJP on X.

According to the organisation, such conduct is “unacceptable, shows a complete lack of judgment, and is wholly inconsistent with the values and principles of our movement.”

Dahiya had faced intense backlash after claims surfaced about constant absence from the sit-ins at Jantar Mantar. Outrage grew after a video showing him eating a hamburger surfaced, with critics accusing the former spokesperson of lacking solidarity with those on a hunger strike.

In the video, he questioned why he needed to be held accountable when the public never elected him as the organisation’s spokesperson.

‘Why should I be held accountable?’

“Today’s big issue is why I have eaten a burger. Why does anyone eat a burger? (Because) They are hungry, they feel like eating a burger, that’s it!” Dahiya said in the clip.

“Tum mujhe itna accountable hold karte ho, matlab ye koi ek naukri hai kya ye protest? Tumne mujhe elect kiya hai is position ke liye? (You hold me so accountable—is this protest some kind of job? Did you elect me to this position?)” the filmmaker questioned.

It is the government that should be held accountable, he said, adding that he does not wish to be “dragged into the nonsensical thinking.” Neither does he have any intention of entering politics to “appease fools like you.”

As debate continues over activist Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike, Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) spokesperson Vijeta Dahiya is facing criticism after a viral video showed him eating a burger near Jantar Mantar following the party’s ‘Chalo Sansad’ march.

In the clip, a person… pic.twitter.com/ITJo2Lb1Sn

— The Siasat Daily (@TheSiasatDaily) July 21, 2026

“What I am doing for the country, I am doing of my own free will. I am not accountable to anyone, and I am going to eat a burger,” Dahiya said.

In response, the Cockroach Janta Party swiftly removed him as the spokesperson and relieved him of all the official duties.

Dahiya, along with investigative journalist Saurav Das and former management consultant Ashutosh Ranka, had represented CJP in its first-ever official press conference.

Hundreds of students and youth activists have been protesting in Delhi over the NEET paper leak and have demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Launched in May by Abhijeet Dipke, CJP began as an online satirical movement, with Dipke using Chief Justice of India Surya Kant’s “cockroach” remark as the name of the organisation to address youth issues.

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Siasat India

Congress in Telangana will face Delhi-like wrath of youth: KTR

21 Jul 2026 12:11 PM 📖 3m

Hyderabad: Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president KT Rama Rao (KTR) warned that the Congress government in Telangana would soon face the kind of youth-led backlash that has confronted the central government in Delhi, alleging the party had cheated the state’s unemployed youth on its job and welfare promises.

KTR, referring to recent youth protests near Parliament in Delhi, said similar anger would erupt against the Congress government in Telangana if it continued to ignore the aspirations of the youth, and predicted a fresh agitation on the scale of the Telangana statehood movement.

He said Chief Minister Revanth Reddy would not be spared by unemployed youth if found alone, alleging the government had reneged on its promise of two lakh jobs and other guarantees under its “Yuva Declaration.”

KTR alleged the Congress government had failed to fulfil 34 promises made to farmers under a separate declaration, and had not implemented its Mahalakshmi scheme promising Rs 2,500 a month to women.

KTR blames Congress for farmer deaths

The BRS leader accused the state government of creating an artificial drought by failing to procure crops on time, alleging four farmers had died at procurement centres without any government response, while BRS had paid Rs 5 lakh each to their families on former chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao’s (KCR) instructions.

KTR also criticised the Congress government over delays in repairing the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, alleging Reddy was deliberately avoiding its use to deny credit to KCR, even as Godavari waters went unused into the sea.

He asked party workers to record details of those harassing BRS leaders and cadres, warning that action would be taken against them under the law once the party returned to power, and cautioned that no one who had harassed the public would be spared.

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Siasat India

2 decades later: Bigg Boss 20 logo unveiled, here’s first look

21 Jul 2026 11:58 AM 📖 2m

Siasat India

Court convicts Shakir Hussain in forced religious conversion case

21 Jul 2026 11:57 AM 📖 2m

Siasat India

Bollywood actor who quietly owns property worth Rs 215 crore

21 Jul 2026 11:43 AM 📖 4m

Mumbai: In recent years, Bollywood stars have increasingly turned to luxury real estate as one of their biggest investments. While many celebrity property deals dominate headlines and social media, some actors have quietly built remarkable portfolios away from the limelight. John Abraham is one such star. Known for keeping his personal life and financial decisions private, the actor has silently amassed an enviable collection of premium properties over the years.

His latest purchase, an ultra-luxurious bungalow in Mumbai worth Rs 84 crore, once again shows his sharp eye for long-term investments.

John Abraham’s latest property purchase

According to multiple latest reports, John Abraham has purchased a freehold luxury bungalow in Mumbai’s prestigious Bandra West for Rs 84 crore. The transaction was officially registered on July 14.

Situated on the highly sought-after St. Martin Road, the property spans 1,017.60 square metres and includes a 193.12-square-metre bungalow along with a 31.50-square-metre outhouse. The neighbourhood is home to several Bollywood celebrities and business personalities, making it one of the city’s most exclusive residential addresses.

View this post on Instagram

While the latest acquisition has grabbed attention, what has surprised many is the sheer scale of John’s real estate empire. Unlike several celebrities whose lavish homes are constantly in the spotlight, John’s impressive portfolio has largely remained under the radar.

His other properties

With this purchase, the actor’s known property investments in India alone now stand at nearly Rs 215 crore. Apart from the newly acquired Rs 84 crore bungalow, John owns a stunning duplex penthouse in Bandra valued at around Rs 60 crore, along with another luxury bungalow that he had earlier purchased for Rs 70.83 crore, as per reports.

View this post on Instagram

His investments also extend beyond Indian shores. According to reports, John owns premium properties in Los Angeles and Central London, further reflecting his preference for investing in high-value real estate across global markets.

John Abraham has long been regarded as one of Bollywood’s most financially savvy stars. Beyond acting, he has built wealth through film production, business ventures and carefully planned investments rather than relying solely on movie earnings.

On the professional front, John has been receiving appreciation for his recent performances in The Diplomat and Tehran, both of which showcased him in intense action-political thriller roles.

Looking ahead, the actor has an exciting slate of projects. He will portray former Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria in an upcoming biopic and is also set to return as ACP Yashvardhan Singh in Force 3, the next instalment of the popular action franchise.

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Siasat India

Bengaluru: GBA team attacked during anti-encroachment drive

21 Jul 2026 11:40 AM 📖 3m

Bengaluru: A team of Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) engineers came under attack during an anti-encroachment drive in Shivajinagar on Tuesday, July 21, triggering sharp political reactions and raising concerns over the safety of government officials enforcing civic laws.

The incident occurred when GBA officials were clearing illegal encroachments from footpaths in the busy Shivajinagar area. According to officials, a group allegedly assaulted Assistant Executive Engineer Madhav Rao and Assistant Engineer Gautham with helmets, while a woman engineer, Ruchita, was sprayed with pepper spray. An attempt was also allegedly made to attack the JCB operator engaged in the demolition drive.

The injured officials later approached the Commercial Street Police Station and lodged a complaint. Police have registered a case and launched an investigation based on CCTV footage and videos that surfaced on social media.

The incident sparked a political controversy, with Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka accusing the Congress government of failing to protect officials performing their duties. He questioned the government’s silence and alleged that “vote-bank politics” had taken precedence over law enforcement. Ashoka demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible and sought enhanced security for civic officials undertaking similar operations.

Despite the attack, the Greater Bengaluru Authority resumed the anti-encroachment drive later in the day under heavy police protection. Senior police officers supervised the operation while civic authorities deployed JCB machines to clear the remaining illegal structures and restore pedestrian access on the footpaths.

Officials said the operation would continue despite attempts to disrupt it through violence. The incident has once again highlighted the challenges faced by civic authorities in removing encroachments in densely populated parts of Bengaluru and renewed calls for stronger protection for government officials carrying out enforcement duties.

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Deccan College alumni body in US picks new office-bearers

21 Jul 2026 11:32 AM 📖 2m

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Three arrested for gang raping West Bengal woman in Mysuru

21 Jul 2026 11:30 AM 📖 3m

Mysuru: Three persons have been arrested in connection with the alleged abduction and gang rape of a young woman from West Bengal in Karnataka’s Mysuru district, police said on Tuesday, July 21.

The incident, which allegedly took place two days ago, has triggered concern over the safety of women in the region.

According to the police, the woman was standing near a private bus stand in T. Narasipura town when three men allegedly forced her into a car and took her to a lodge in Santhemarahalli in neighbouring Chamarajanagar district. The victim has alleged that the accused sexually assaulted her at the lodge before leaving her behind.

Based on her complaint, T. Narasipura police launched an investigation and arrested the three accused within 24 hours. The arrested have been identified as local residents Kiran, Kishore and Riyan. They have been produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody.

Police said the investigation is being carried out from all angles, considering the seriousness of the allegations and the need to ensure justice for the survivor.

During interrogation, however, the accused reportedly claimed that the woman had accompanied them voluntarily and denied abducting her. They further alleged that an argument broke out at the lodge over video recording, following which they dropped her back at her place. Subsequently, the woman approached the police alleging that she had been abducted and gang raped.

Investigators said they are verifying the statements made by both the survivor and the accused. They are also examining CCTV footage, lodge records, mobile phone data and other evidence to establish the sequence of events.

Police officials stated that the victim’s background and circumstances leading to the incident are also being verified as part of the investigation. They emphasised that all evidence will be thoroughly examined before drawing any conclusions.

The case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including charges related to abduction and gang rape. Police said further investigation is underway, and additional evidence will be collected to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.

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Telangana orders month-long inspection of Gurukul schools

21 Jul 2026 11:28 AM 📖 2m

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Rowdy sheeter’s brother among 3 held in Kalapather murder case

21 Jul 2026 11:20 AM 📖 2m

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Stop posting protest content: IIT-Roorkee warns students

21 Jul 2026 10:58 AM 📖 4m

New Delhi: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Roorkee has warned its students and staff against using social media to show affinity to “any political movement like the current one.”

The advisory issued on Monday, July 20, cited the institute’s rules barring students from making any statement which can “embarrass relations between the institute and government.”

While the fresh advisory created furore on social media with several users terming it a “gag order”, the institute insisted that it is in accordance with existing rules and should not be viewed out of context.

“It has been noticed on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook that some of the campus inmates have shown their affinity with political movement like the one currently in public utterance and criticism. All the students, employees, stakeholders are politely reminded herewith that IIT admitted students or appointed staff to provide for instructions, research and for advancement of learning and dissemination of knowledge in engineering, technology, science and arts,” the IIT registrar said in the July 20 advisory.

“It is engraved in the notified conduct rules that no student or employee will be allowed to join political discussions or participate in any political activity without permission from the institute or make any statement or any opinion in any media in public utterance which is capable of embarrassing the relations between the institute and Central government or any organisation,” it added.

It was an unprecedented Monday of highs and lows as thousands of young and angry people converged near Parliament on the first day of the Monsoon Session demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, only to be pushed back by lathis and teargas shells.

“Chalo Sansad”. That was the rallying cry bringing together the young who transformed the leafy, high-security streets of central Delhi into extraordinary scenes of protests.

Following the uproar on social media, IIT Roorkee clarified that the communication is an internal advisory circulated amongst students, faculty and staff at the commencement of the academic session.

“Similar advisories are routinely issued every year in accordance with the institute’s existing notified conduct rules and do not constitute any new directive or policy. The communication should not be misinterpreted or viewed out of context,” an institute spokesperson said.

The Cockroach Janata Party, the online movement that spearheaded Monday’s march, has been demanding the resignation of Pradhan and Rs 1 crore compensation each for the families of students who died by suicide following the NEET paper leak earlier in the year.

The CJP began its protest on June 20, while Ladakhi activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the agitation on June 28. He has been on hunger strike ever since.

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Santy Sharma to Nia Sharma: Bigg Boss 20 approached contestants

21 Jul 2026 10:56 AM 📖 3m

Mumbai: Bigg Boss fans across India are in for a massive treat this festive season. JioStar has officially announced Bigg Boss 20, with Salman Khan returning as the host of the Hindi edition. In a first for the franchise, all six regional editions of the reality show will premiere simultaneously across the country in September 2026.

The Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Bangla versions of Bigg Boss will launch together on the JioStar television network and JioHotstar, making it the biggest rollout in the history of the reality franchise.

With the announcement now official, excitement around the contestant line-up has also started building. While the makers are yet to confirm any names, several celebrities are reportedly being approached for Bigg Boss 20.

Bigg Boss 20 contestants (tentative)

The names doing the rounds include:

Ridhima Gupta
Ruru Thakur
Bhagirath Bhatt
Nia Sharma
Jannat Zubair
Mr Faisu
Karan Patel
Arjun Bijlani
Bhavya Singh
Arbaaz Patel

As of now, these are the prominent names linked to the upcoming season. However, with the show still weeks away from its premiere, many more celebrities are expected to join the rumour mill in the coming days.

Santy Sharma latest controversy

Independent rapper Santy Sharma’s official YouTube channel was permanently deleted following intense backlash over his controversial remarks regarding the viral “Cockroach Janata Party” (CJP) protest trend. In a video addressing Indian politics, Sharma dismissed the online movement as “just internet drama,” triggering mass-reporting from outraged netizens and the subsequent termination of his 11-year-old digital catalog. While Santy Sharma suspects a coordinated political takedown and stated that YouTube informed him the account is unrecoverable, the platform has not released an official statement confirming the exact policy violation.

View this post on Instagram

With Salman Khan back as host, six regional editions launching together, and anticipation surrounding the contestant list growing by the day, Bigg Boss 20 is already shaping up to be one of the biggest reality television events of the year.

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700 lecturers’ pay dues: Telangana HC sets 2-month deadline

21 Jul 2026 10:56 AM 📖 3m

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Monday, July 20, has directed the state government to complete certificate verification of over 700 junior lecturers working in government-run Intermediate colleges within two months, and to then take a decision on granting them the benefits due after their services were made permanent, including their pending annual pay increments.

Justice K Sharath passed the directions while disposing of a batch of petitions filed by the aggrieved lecturers, whose services had already been made permanent, or “regularised,” through government orders issued on May 1, 2023.

What the lecturers argued

The petitioners told the court that even though their services stood regularised under these government orders, authorities had failed to grant them annual increments or formally declare that they had completed their probation period.

Their counsel argued that once services are regularised, withholding increments due under service rules amounts to an unlawful action by the government.

“Not declaring probation is severely affecting pay and allowances, promotions, service seniority and other employment benefits,” the counsel told the court, citing the Telangana State and Subordinate Service Rules to contend that such benefits should follow automatically once regularisation is granted, without any further approval needed.

It was also argued that treating lecturers performing the same duties differently amounted to discrimination and went against the spirit of the Constitution.

Justice Sharath took a serious view of the delay, noting that the lecturers had already completed their probation period three years ago, and asked the government how much longer it needed to settle the matter.

Government cites verification delay

Responding to the court, government counsel said nearly 70 per cent of the lecturers had submitted certificates issued by institutions outside Telangana. “The certificates pertaining to their probation are from Sikkim, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, and officials are visiting each institution to verify the records where they were provisionally regularised,” the counsel said, adding that the verification exercise was moving quickly and seeking more time to complete it.

After considering the submissions from both sides, the court disposed of the petitions, directing the state government to finish verifying the lecturers’ certificates within two months and to then decide on regularising their service benefits, including the pending annual increments.

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Telangana braces for El Niño with crop, water, power contingency

21 Jul 2026 10:56 AM 📖 3m

Hyderabad: Telangana is drawing up a coordinated strategy to shield farmers, drinking water supplies and the power grid from the fallout of El Niño, Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka said on Tuesday, July 21, as the state pushes awareness of the phenomenon down to the village level.

Vikramarka was speaking at a state-level seminar titled “From Pacific Ocean Warming to Telangana Preparedness,” organised by the Planning Department at Ravindra Bharathi in Hyderabad. Congress leader Mohammed Azharuddin also attended.

The Deputy Chief Minister said the government’s approach goes beyond administrative decisions and aims to make every family and village aware of how El Niño could affect them so that they can plan accordingly. Scientific studies are underway to map how temperature shifts in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, thousands of kilometres away, could affect tanks, streams and villages across Telangana, he said, adding that the resulting data is feeding into action plans covering drinking water, irrigation, and food and water needs for livestock, birds and wildlife.

To cushion farmers against financial losses from drought-like conditions, the government is promoting alternative, less water-intensive crop patterns based on expert advice, he said. He also thanked television channels for carrying such advisories to rural households.

On the power front, Vikramarka said the government is working on efficient energy management to handle rising demand linked to El Niño. He pointed to increased daytime use of low-cost solar power to ease the financial strain on the government and consumers, alongside systematic use of thermal power for later demand, as key to maintaining grid stability.

He noted that electricity demand typically dips during the monsoon, but this year Telangana’s consumption has climbed to levels usually seen in peak summer months such as April, driven by heavier use of fans, air conditioners, lights, borewells and lift irrigation motors through the day and night. He attributed the shift to changing global seasonal patterns and said Telangana was ahead of the curve in planning for it.

Vikramarka commended the Planning Department for organising the seminar and praised coordination among the Agriculture, Energy, Irrigation and Groundwater departments. He directed officials to hold similar awareness seminars at the district level to widen public participation.

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Elgar Parishad: SC judge recuses from hearing Gadling’s bail plea

21 Jul 2026 10:30 AM 📖 4m

New Delhi: Supreme Court Justice Shree Chandrashekhar on Tuesday, July 20, recused himself from hearing the bail plea of advocate Surendra Gadling, accused in the 2018 Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case.

Gadling’s petition was listed before a bench comprising Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice Chandrashekhar.

As the matter came up for hearing, Justice Mishra said, “It will go before some other bench, my brother has some difficulty.”

Justice Chandrashekhar is the third judge who has recused himself from hearing the matter.

Earlier, Justices M M Sundresh and A S Chandurkar had recused themselves from the matter.

Last week, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Gadling, had mentioned the matter before a bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, seeking urgent listing of the plea.

Sibal had said that Gadling had been jailed for seven and a half years and sought an urgent hearing.

He told the court that a notice regarding his bail plea was first issued in 2023, but the matter has witnessed recusals and he asked the bench to list the matter urgently.

On August 8, 2025, senior advocate Anand Grover, appearing for Gadling, had urged the then CJI B R Gavai for an early hearing, citing his client’s long incarceration.

“The bail plea has been adjourned 11 times in the Supreme Court,” Grover had added.

On March 27 last year, the top court had deferred the bail hearing of Gadling and activist Jyoti Jagtap in the case.

It also deferred the petition filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) challenging the bail granted to activist Mahesh Raut. Raut was granted bail by the Bombay High Court, but the order was stayed after the NIA sought to challenge it before the apex court.

Gadling is accused of providing aid to Maoists and conspiring with various co-accused, including the ones absconding in the case.

He was booked under various provisions of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and the Indian Penal Code, with the prosecution claiming that Gadling provided secret information about government activities and maps of certain areas to underground Maoist rebels.

He allegedly asked Maoists to oppose the operation of Surjagarh mines, and instigated several locals to join the movement.

Gadling is also involved in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case relating to the alleged provocative speeches delivered at the Elgar Parishad conclave in Pune on December 31, 2017. Police claimed the speeches triggered violence the next day near the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial in Pune district.

The high court had said that activist Jagtap was an active member of the Kabir Kala Manch (KKM) group, which gave not only aggressive, but highly provocative slogans during its stage play at the Elgar Parishad conclave.

According to the NIA, the KKM is a front organisation of the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist).

The Bombay High Court had dismissed the appeal filed by Jagtap challenging a February 2022 order of a special court refusing her bail.

The 2017 Elgar Parishad conclave was held at Shaniwarwada, an 18th-century palace-fort in the heart of Pune city.

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Is Jana Nayagan really the end of Joseph Vijay’s acting career?

21 Jul 2026 10:27 AM 📖 4m

Hyderabad: For months, Jana Nayagan has been promoted as more than just another big-ticket Tamil release. It has been seen as an emotional farewell to one of Indian cinema’s biggest superstars. Ever since Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced his full-fledged entry into politics, fans believed the upcoming film would mark his final appearance on the silver screen. That sentiment only grew stronger after Vijay himself hinted at it during the film’s audio launch, making Jana Nayagan one of the most anticipated releases of the year.

However, just days before the film finally arrives in theatres, director H Vinoth has made a statement that has left fans wondering if this is truly the end of Vijay’s acting journey.

H Vinoth says Jana Nayagan may not be Vijay’s last film

In a recent conversation with Cinema Vikatan, director H Vinoth addressed the long-standing speculation surrounding Vijay’s future in cinema.

Vijay’s last film ‘Jana Nayagan’

When asked whether Jana Nayagan would indeed be the superstar’s final film, Vinoth gave an unexpected response. “Whether this is really his last film, no one can say for sure. But you could say this is CM Vijay sir’s first film.”

His remark has quickly sparked discussions among fans on social media, with many interpreting it as a hint that Vijay could someday return to acting despite stepping into politics.

Not just a commercial entertainer

Vinoth also revealed that Jana Nayagan has been crafted as more than a conventional mass entertainer. According to the filmmaker, the movie delves into serious political issues and presents themes that are expected to trigger conversations among audiences rather than simply celebrate its leading star.

Given Vijay’s transition from cinema to politics, the film’s subject matter is likely to be viewed through a different lens by both fans and critics.

When Thalapathy Vijay hinted at an emotional goodbye

The speculation around Jana Nayagan being Vijay’s swansong began months ago during the film’s audio launch, where the actor-politician emotionally acknowledged the possibility of bidding farewell to cinema.

“I don’t know whether to say it or not, but my last film is a little painful, right? What do you want me to do?” Vijay had said, leaving fans emotional.

Those remarks were widely seen as confirmation that Jana Nayagan would be his final film before devoting himself completely to his political career.

Jana Nayagan release date and cast

Directed by H Vinoth, Jana Nayagan stars Vijay alongside Pooja Hegde, Mamitha Baiju and Bobby Deol in pivotal roles. The film will release in Tamil as Jana Nayagan, in Telugu as Jana Nayakudu, and in Hindi as Jan Neta.

Originally scheduled to release on January 9, 2026, the film was postponed due to certification-related issues. It is now all set to hit theatres on July 23, with advance bookings already open across India.

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Punjab farmers march towards Delhi against India-US deal, stopped

21 Jul 2026 10:12 AM 📖 6m

Shambhu/Ambala/New Delhi: Hundreds of Punjab farmers on their way to Delhi to take part in the Kisan Mahapanchayat to protest against the proposed India-US trade deal were stopped at the Shambhu border on Tuesday, July 21, as Haryana Police erected barricades and placed cement blocks at the entry point to the neighbouring state.

So far, at least four farmers were detained by Delhi Police at the Singhu border between Haryana and the national capital, sources said.

A day-long “Kisan Mahapanchayat” is being organised at Kisan Ghat in Delhi under the banner of “Desh Bachao Morcha”.

The farmers’ convoy departed from Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib on Tuesday morning. They had spent Monday night at the sarai (pilgrims’ inn) of the gurdwara. From the gurdwara, they reached Madhopur, near Sirhind on the GT Road, and then proceeded towards Shambhu.

Carrying flags of their organisations, hundreds of farmers from across Punjab gathered at the Shambhu border in the morning to proceed towards the national capital in buses to take part in the protest but were denied entry to Haryana.

Heavy police deployment was made at the border point between Punjab and Haryana. Barricades, chained to each other, were erected on the bridge over Ghaggar river at the entry point to Haryana, with water cannon vehicles on standby.

Farmer leaders had earlier said that participants from several places, including from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, would take part in the Mahapanchayat.

As part of the plan, around a thousand farmers from Punjab were to travel to Delhi in buses.

Farmers stopped, Haryana Police seals Shambhu border

Haryana Police erected barricades and placed cement blocks at the Shambhu border point. Security has also been tightened across key national highway stretches as police anticipated large numbers of farmers attempting to cross into Haryana.

Scores of farmers were stopped at the Khanauri border point, Shahabad in Kurukshetra and Karnal as well, their leaders said. In Kurukshetra, farmers claimed that they were stopped near Jyotisar.

Atleast four detained at Singhu border

At least four farmers were detained by Delhi Police at the Singhu border between Haryana and the national capital, sources said.

A farmer from Haryana alleged that he and several others were detained near the Singhu border while attempting to enter Delhi to join the Mahapanchayat.

He claimed that the police did not allow them to proceed to Delhi and instead directed them to park their vehicles at the border and remain there.

Where is danger from a peaceful protest, farmers ask police

Lashing out at the Nayab Singh Saini government, Punjab farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said they wanted to proceed peacefully to Delhi, but were stopped at the Haryana border.

He questioned why they were stopped from participating in the protest and alleged that this exposed the “true face” of the Haryana chief minister, who frequently visits Punjab to seek votes and makes tall promises to people there.

He also slammed Punjab BJP chief Kewal Singh Dhillon for keeping silent.

“What danger do they have from us? Earlier you used to blame us for taking tractor trolleys along. But this time, we are only going for a four-hour-long programme,” he said.

Pandher further demanded the release of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni) chief Gurnam Singh Charuni, who was detained by police in Kurukshetra the previous day.

Bharatiya Kisan Union (Shaheed Bhagat Singh) leader Tejveer Singh said the Haryana Police has sealed the Shambhu border point without any prior notice. Spokesperson Prince Waraich claimed that the Haryana Police had been detaining a large number of the outfit’s workers to prevent their participation.

Why do farmers want India-US deal scrapped

Farmers have been strongly opposing the India-US trade deal, claiming that it would adversely impact the country’s farming sector.

They claimed that the proposed trade deal would allow cheaper agricultural imports into India, affecting domestic farm incomes and the country’s agricultural economy.

This would adversely affect farmers, agricultural labourers, livestock rearers, small traders and micro industries, they said.

The proposed agreement would not be limited to a few commodities but several, including agriculture, dairy, industry, digital trade, e-commerce, government procurement, intellectual property rights, and the services sector.

Demanding immediate intervention by the Centre, farmers urged it to abandon the proposed trade deal and safeguard the interests of farmers and the common people.

In February 2024, similar barricading was carried out when farmers had given a call to go to Delhi to press the Centre for a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price of their crops.

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3 missing girls from Domalguda traced to Secunderabad station

21 Jul 2026 10:09 AM 📖 2m

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Bahrain hit as Tehran widens war, US bombs Iran for 10th night

21 Jul 2026 10:08 AM 📖 10m

Bahrain sounded its missile alert sirens on Tuesday, July 21, as Iran fired a fresh barrage at the island kingdom, widening a war that has now entered its tenth day of United States air raids, choked off shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and sent Brent crude past USD 88 a barrel, even as Tehran’s interior minister landed in Islamabad for Pakistani-brokered talks aimed at salvaging a collapsed interim deal with Washington.

The strike on Bahrain, which hosts the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, came hours after Iranian forces attacked a tanker off Oman and forced its crew to abandon ship, and after the US Central Command said it had hit Iranian command centres, missile and drone launch sites and air defence installations across five provinces.

Iran says military pressure failed to achieve enemy’s objectives

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said military pressure against the country had failed to achieve its intended objectives, forcing its adversaries to return to diplomacy.

He said Iran had maintained national unity despite attacks on key infrastructure and claimed the country’s negotiating gains had exceeded expectations.

Pezeshkian also accused Washington of failing to honour its commitments under the memorandum of understanding, adding that all major decisions continued to be taken in coordination with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Masoud Pezeshkian Israeli minister says country prepared for any scenario

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Israel was not seeking to join the conflict directly but remained prepared for all possible scenarios.

He warned that any attack on Israel would be met with a response, adding that the country’s political leadership was weighing its next steps.

Smotrich also argued that sustained economic pressure on Iran remained the most effective way to weaken the Iranian government.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich (Photo: Reuters) Iran claims strike on Amazon-linked facility

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said its Aerospace Force targeted data infrastructure belonging to US technology company Amazon in Bahrain using several cruise missiles.

According to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency, the IRGC claimed the facility had been destroyed.

Jordan intercepts five Iranian drones

Jordan’s Armed Forces said they intercepted and destroyed five Iranian drones that entered the kingdom’s airspace, adding that there were no casualties or damage.

The military said it remained on high alert and would continue taking all necessary measures to safeguard the country’s airspace.

ASEAN calls for restraint

Foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) expressed deep concern over the escalating conflict, warning that continued hostilities could undermine diplomatic efforts and disrupt regional trade, energy supplies and food security.

The bloc urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint and pursue dialogue.

Lebanese army deploys to southern town

The Lebanese army entered Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh in southern Lebanon, where engineering units began clearing roads of unexploded ordnance and remnants of previous fighting.

Authorities advised residents to avoid returning until security operations were completed.

US issues worldwide security warning

The US State Department issued a worldwide security alert for American citizens, warning that rising tensions in the Middle East could lead to further violence, travel disruptions and threats to US interests abroad.

It urged Americans in the region to remain vigilant, follow instructions from local authorities and prepare for possible flight cancellations and airspace restrictions.

Kuwait activates air defence systems

Kuwaiti authorities said air defence systems intercepted incoming missiles and drones targeting US military facilities.

Officials said explosions heard across the country resulted from successful interceptions and urged residents to follow official safety instructions.

Qatar raises attacks at UN

Qatar submitted a complaint to the United Nations Security Council over what it described as Iranian attacks on its territory.

Doha said debris from intercepted ballistic missiles injured three people, including a child, and held Iran legally responsible for the incident.

10th nights of bombing, no let-up on Hormuz

The two countries have been trading fire for 10 days over control of the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas moves in peacetime.

The sustained American bombardment has not loosened Tehran’s grip on the waterway. Iranian state media reported explosions in Fars, Hormozgan, Ilam, Kerman, and Sistan and Baluchistan provinces.

Central Command said American forces remained prepared to hold Iran responsible for what it called unwarranted aggression against civilian mariners transiting the strait, and released fresh footage of the bombing runs.

Today at 4 p.m. ET, U.S. forces began a new round of strikes against Iran at the Commander in Chief's direction. The strikes are designed to further degrade Iranian military capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 20, 2026

Traffic through the channel has slowed to a trickle. Lloyd’s List Intelligence said just three ships made the passage on Sunday, July 19.

Tankers hit, allies targeted

The British military’s UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre said a tanker was attacked early on Tuesday in the strait off Oman, forcing the crew to abandon the vessel. Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard claimed that attack, along with two others on Monday, July 20. The UKMTO separately reported a previously unknown attack on a ship a day earlier.

UKMTO WARNING 094-26 – UPDATE 001

Click here to view the full product⤵️https://t.co/bYWX7EUf2X#MaritimeSecurity #MarSec pic.twitter.com/hbM1vG8Wbl

— UKMTO Operations Centre (@UK_MTO) July 21, 2026

The route around Oman is the one the US military has been urging shipping to use to stay clear of Iranian control.

Tehran has also struck at US allies across West Asia. Jordan’s military said on Tuesday that five drones and three missiles fired at the country were shot down.

American casualties mount

The US military identified two soldiers killed in Jordan, where a third person is missing. It separately confirmed another death in Iraq on Saturday, July 18, during what it described as the controlled detonation of a downed Iranian drone.

President Donald Trump warned on social media on Monday that Iran would pay many times over for every American soldier killed. He was scheduled to attend a ceremony at Dover Air Force Base on Tuesday evening, where the remains of at least one service member were due to arrive.

The Pentagon’s chief spokesperson, Sean Parnell, said nearly 100 service members have been injured since strikes resumed on July 7, and that 96 per cent have returned to duty. Most of the injuries were minor concussions, he said on X, rejecting a New York Times report that the Pentagon had held back information on troop casualties from Iranian strikes.

The Defence Casualty Analysis System, the military’s own clearinghouse for conflict deaths and injuries, had still not been updated with the latest attacks as of Monday night.

Iranian authorities said on Sunday that at least 50 people have been killed and 517 wounded in the current round of American strikes. Seventeen US service members have died since the war began on February 28.

Pakistan tries again

Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni arrived in Islamabad on Monday for two days of talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other officials, as Pakistan intensified efforts to revive the interim agreement signed last month. What shape a fresh deal might take remains unclear.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Sunday that Washington remains open to negotiations, but insisted any such opening would have to be real. If those in Tehran willing to do something productive gained control of the negotiations, he said, it would be a positive development, adding that this was not where matters stood.

Iran’s Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni (left), meets with his Pakistani counterpart Mohsin Naqvi upon arrival at Nur Khan airbase, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, on Monday, July 20. Civilians in the crossfire

As the fighting has intensified, both sides have struck civilian infrastructure that millions depend on.

The US State Department issued a fresh advisory warning Americans that Iran and groups aligned with it may target American interests overseas or sites associated with the United States.

The escalation has driven up energy prices in recent weeks, with Brent crude trading above USD 88 a barrel on Tuesday, squeezing American households ahead of midterm elections this autumn.

(With inputs from Associated Press)

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Evicted fan favourite contestant likely to re-enter Lock Upp 2?

21 Jul 2026 10:01 AM 📖 3m

Mumbai: One of India’s most talked-about reality shows, Lock Upp 2, is inching closer to its grand finale. After premiering on June 27, the show was originally scheduled to run for six weeks. However, following its strong viewership and impressive TRPs, the makers extended the season by another week, pushing the grand finale to August 5.

With surprise wildcard entries, dramatic eliminations, and constant twists, the show has managed to keep viewers engaged. Now, a fresh rumour about the possible return of a popular eliminated contestant has taken social media by storm.

Is Yogesh Rawat making a comeback?

Speculation began after an Instagram post claiming, “Yogesh Rawat hints at a strong comeback and some good news for fans,” went viral online. The post has led many fans to believe that the former contestant could be making a grand re-entry into Lock Upp 2.

However, it is important to note that there has been no official confirmation from the makers or Netflix regarding Yogesh’s return.

Yogesh Rawat was unexpectedly eliminated from the reality show in a recent episode, leaving both his fellow contestants and viewers shocked. His exit triggered strong reactions on social media, with several fans calling the elimination unfair and demanding that he be brought back.

View this post on Instagram Wildcard adds more drama

Adding to the excitement, digital creator Apoorva Mukhija, popularly known as The Rebel Kid, recently entered Lock Upp 2 as the second wildcard contestant after Shilpa Shinde. Her arrival is expected to further shake up the game as the competition heads into its final stretch.

With the finale just around the corner, fans are eagerly waiting to see whether the rumours surrounding Yogesh Rawat’s comeback turn out to be true or remain just another piece of social media speculation.

Would you like to see Yogesh Rawat return to Lock Upp 2? Let us know in the comments below.

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Wrong-side driving on Hyderabad ORR lands driver in trouble

21 Jul 2026 09:43 AM 📖 2m

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Hyderabad techie takes over as OpenAI’s CTO, Compute

21 Jul 2026 09:32 AM 📖 2m

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India summons Russian diplomat after 4 Indian seafarers killed

21 Jul 2026 08:55 AM 📖 3m

New Delhi: India on Tuesday summoned the Russian charge d’affaires (CDA) and lodged a strong protest over the killing of four Indian seafarers aboard a Guinea Bissau-flagged merchant vessel off the coast of Ukraine.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it conveyed to the Russian CDA India’s “grave concerns and unequivocal condemnation” of the attack on the commercial vessel MV Golden Leo on Sunday.

The MEA told Vladimir Ladanov, the CDA, that “such attacks undermine the safety, security, and stability of international maritime commerce.”

“The Russian ChargÃ© d’Affaires was requested to convey India’s strong concerns to his authorities that the targeting of commercial shipping and the resulting loss of innocent civilian lives are unacceptable and must be avoided,” it said in a statement.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Russia attacked the civilian vessel navigating Ukraine’s maritime corridor on Sunday and its crew included citizens of Syria and India.

It is first instance of the death of Indian seafarers in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The Guinea-Bissau-flagged ship was hit by Russian cruise missiles, the Ukrainian Air Force said.

The vessel — MV Golden Leo — had 17 crew members, including five Indian nationals, according to the MEA.

India condemned the attack and reiterated that targeting commercial shipping and endangering innocent civilian crew members is “deplorable and should be avoided”.

“On the evening of July 19, the vessel MV Golden Leo was attacked while departing the port of Odesa. At the time of the incident, there were 17 crew members on board, including five Indian nationals,” the MEA said on Monday night.

“As per information available, four Indian nationals have tragically lost their lives, while one is hospitalised in a critical condition,” it had said.

The MEA said the Indian mission in Ukraine is closely monitoring the situation and is making every effort to extend all possible assistance to those affected.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased Indian nationals and wish the injured Indian national a speedy and full recovery,” it said in a statement.

Without directly naming Russia, the MEA had said: “India condemns such attacks and reiterates that targeting commercial shipping and endangering innocent civilian crew members, or otherwise impeding freedom of navigation and commerce, is deplorable and should be avoided.”

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Husband attacks wife with knife inside Khammam police station

21 Jul 2026 08:40 AM 📖 2m

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Meet director Imtiaz Ali at these Hyderabad theatres today

21 Jul 2026 08:38 AM 📖 2m

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