Times of India

Pune police are investigating the suicide of a 15-year-old boy, allegedly driven by sexual assault and harassment by a 26-year-old sales executive. The accused reportedly threatened to release compromising photos and videos of the victim. Police have filed charges, including abetment to suicide, under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita and Pocso Act.

A 25-year-old Air India pilot, Srishti Tuli, was found dead in her Mumbai apartment on Monday. Police have arrested her partner, Aditya Pandit, for alleged abetment of suicide following accusations of ill-treatment by Tuli's family. Pandit had briefly stayed with Tuli before leaving for Delhi and returning after a distress call from her.

Following a significant loss in the Maharashtra elections, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance appears to be fracturing. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve indicated that many party members favor contesting future elections independently. Congress leaders offered mixed reactions, with some echoing the sentiment for independent campaigns while others emphasized the need for post-election analysis before any decisions.

Maharashtra's caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde signaled a potential change in leadership, stating his willingness to accept the decision of Prime Minister Modi and Amit Shah regarding the next CM. Shinde emphasized his achievements during his short tenure but acknowledged the BJP's stronger position within the ruling coalition.

Violence erupted at Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal during a court-ordered survey. Five people died, and several were injured, including police. Police released photos of about 100 people for identification. Arrests were made, and investigations are ongoing. Internet services were suspended. The Shahi Imam urged people to pray at home on Friday.

Cheetah Neerva gave birth to four cubs at Kuno National Park. Sadly, two cubs have died. This leaves 16 cheetahs in the park. The Cheetah Reintroduction Project continues. Twelve other cubs born earlier are thriving. The project aims to restore cheetahs to India.

Hardik Pandya's explosive 69 off 30 balls, featuring seven sixes, propelled Baroda to a thrilling win over Tamil Nadu in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Chasing a challenging 222, Hardik's heroics at number six brought Baroda close before his unfortunate run-out in the final over. However, Baroda won the game off the final ball of the contest.

An Air India pilot died by suicide in her Mumbai flat. Police arrested her boyfriend. He allegedly harassed and humiliated her. He also forced her to change her eating habits. The pilot's uncle filed a complaint. The boyfriend is in custody.

A war of words erupted in the West Bengal Assembly. TMC minister Firhad Hakim suggested BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul switch parties. Paul refused and criticized the TMC. She accused the TMC of having a domineering attitude. This exchange followed the TMC's by-election sweep. The TMC won six out of six seats.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw assured Lok Sabha that train blankets are washed monthly and bedroll kits now include an extra sheet as a quilt cover. He highlighted initiatives like new linen with better specifications, automated laundries, and quality checks to ensure passenger comfort and hygiene.

Recently evicted Bigg Boss 18 contestant Alice Kaushik clarified her controversial "I want to kill Karan" comment in an interview, explaining it was born out of anger at Karan Veer Mehra's personal attacks during a task.

Urvil Patel recently went unsold in the IPL 2025 auction but on Wednesday smashed a 28-ball T20 century -- the second-fastest ever and fastest by an Indian in T20s. Inspired by Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya, the 26-year-old Gujarat batter remains focused on his game despite the IPL setback.

Australian cricketer Glenn Maxwell lauded Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah as potentially the best fast bowler ever. Maxwell emphasized Bumrah's unique action, pace variations, and ability to swing the ball both ways, making him incredibly challenging to face. Bumrah's eight-wicket haul against Australia in the opening Test at Perth, including a five-wicket haul in the first innings, further solidified Maxwell's praise.

The entertainment world is abuzz with news! Aditi Rao Hydari and Siddharth remarried in Rajasthan, while a biopic on Mohd Rafi is announced. Anil Kapoor shared romantic photos with Sunita Kapoor, and Sobhita Dhulipala's traditional wedding attire for her marriage with Naga Chaitanya is revealed. AR Rahman made his first public appearance after announcing his divorce.

TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee initially declared a resolution regarding the Waqf Bill amendments after a Joint Parliamentary Committee meeting, but opposition members, including Banerjee, later staged a walkout. They protested the rushed timeline for the draft report, demanding further stakeholder consultations. The JPC chairperson subsequently assured an extension to address these concerns.

Born in 1968 in Kolkata, India, Bhattacharya immigrated to the United States as a child and quickly distinguished himself academically. He earned his undergraduate, medical, and doctoral degrees from Stanford University, where he remains a tenured professor. His Ph.D. in economics and MD from the Stanford School of Medicine have allowed him to examine healthcare through a multidisciplinary lens, combining clinical insight with economic analysis. Bhattacharya’s upbringing in a multicultural environment, along with his academic training, has shaped his understanding of global health challenges and the need for policies that balance medical science with social and economic realities.