Times of India

A woman was forced to lick sputum by a village panchayat in Begusarai. She had alleged rape by a co-villager on multiple occasions. The local council instead accused her of an illicit relationship. An FIR was lodged after a video of the incident went viral. Police are investigating the video and searching for the rape accused.

Social media is increasingly shaping crime motives and escalating conflicts. Young offenders are particularly vulnerable to the addictive pursuit of online validation. Violent incidents are often sparked by virtual disputes and online comments. Experts note social media amplifies existing conflicts and rewards sensational behavior. Law enforcement agencies are actively tracking and cracking down on social media-related crimes.

Abhijeet Dipke stated his US education was funded by a scholarship and loan. He also mentioned the Cockroach Janta Party will use crowdfunding for transparency. RTI activist Amit Tiwari questioned Dipke's father's financial capacity for US education. Tiwari filed complaints with the Election Commission and tax authorities regarding the organization. He also requested an inquiry into the financial assets of Dipke's father.

Students in Jharkhand continue protests over alleged recruitment exam irregularities. They demand a CBI probe into JPSC and JSSC examination discrepancies. Protesters have lost faith in the current CID investigation into the matter. They seek reforms in the recruitment process and action against responsible officials. The students warn of further escalation if their concerns are not addressed.

Five women died and four were injured by lightning strikes in Jharkhand's Ramgarh and Godda districts. Three women were killed in Ramgarh while sowing paddy, and two died in Godda. The India Meteorological Department forecast heavy rainfall and thunderstorms for the next four days. A yellow alert has been issued for isolated thunderstorms and heavy rain across several districts.

President Trump announced a halt to a threatened military strike against Iran for now. He cited requests from Iran and other nations for deal finalization. Diplomatic efforts are reportedly underway with mediators facilitating discussions between Washington and Tehran. Meanwhile, domestic political challenges and internal party criticism are growing for the President. Markets and allies closely watch these developments and policy shifts.

India is funding half the cost of deepwater oil and gas exploration wells. This new scheme aims to reduce reliance on imported energy supplies. The government will support sixty exploration wells over the next five years. This initiative encourages companies to explore previously avoided offshore areas. Shared infrastructure will also lower development costs for new discoveries.

Gold and silver prices are expected to trade within a narrow range this week. Investors await key US economic data, especially non-farm payrolls, for Fed policy direction. Purchasing managers' index data from major economies will also be closely monitored. Developments concerning the US-Iran conflict and crude oil supplies will influence sentiment. Analysts anticipate gold to trade between Rs 1.40-1.44 lakh per 10 grams.

The Shri Ramlila Mahasangh requested a special preview screening of the upcoming Ramayana film. This demand aims to prevent any scenes that might offend Hindu sentiments. The organization warned of protests if their preview request is not accepted. The film's trailer features Ranbir Kapoor as Rama and Yash as Ravana. Ramayana: Part 1 is scheduled for a Diwali 2026 release.

India's expanding higher education system produces millions of graduates annually. However, quality job creation has not kept pace with this educational growth. Many educated youth struggle to find stable, well-paying employment opportunities. This mismatch fuels widespread frustration and youth-led protests across the nation. The situation highlights a critical challenge for India's demographic dividend.

Shehzad Poonawalla criticised Rahul Gandhi's recent social media post. He interpreted Gandhi's gesture as counting corruption and bribes daily. Poonawalla accused the Gandhi family of extensive involvement in corruption. Rahul Gandhi had shared a Korean finger heart gesture on Friendship Day. This outreach aimed to connect with younger audiences on social media.

A 55-year-old man died and another person was injured after a car crashed into multiple vehicles. The accident occurred on Sunday morning under Madhuranagar Police Station limits in Hyderabad. A 17-year-old boy was allegedly driving the car which first hit a two-wheeler. Seven other vehicles were also damaged in the collision which was captured on CCTV. The minor driver has been taken into custody by the police.