Supreme Court to Set Nationwide Guidelines Against Using Demolition as Punishment
The Supreme Court of India announced on Monday its plans to establish nationwide guidelines to prevent the use of house demolitions as a punitive measure against individuals accused of crimes. This decision follows multiple petitions challenging the legality of such actions, which have been increasingly employed by authorities in various states as a form of punishment.
A bench comprising Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan stated that demolishing an individual’s home cannot be justified, even if the person is later found guilty. The Court stressed that while it does not intend to protect illegal structures that impede public roads, demolishing homes based solely on accusations or convictions is unacceptable without proper legal procedures.
RSS Calls for Caste Census to Be Used for Data, Not Elections
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological guide for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has weighed in on the caste census debate, advocating for its use strictly for welfare and data purposes, rather than electoral gains. “The government should conduct the caste census for data collection,” said Sunil Ambekar, RSS Prachar Pramukh, at a press conference following a three-day conclave in Palakkad, Kerala. He added, “Caste dynamics are a sensitive issue in our society and are vital for national unity. However, the caste census should not be manipulated for election campaigns.”
Indian Air Force to Receive 240 New Aero-Engines for SU-30 MKI as Modi Cabinet approves Rs 26,000 crore fund
The Cabinet Committee on Security, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a defense deal to acquire 240 AL-31FP aero-engines for the Indian Air Force’s SU-30 MKI fighter jets, a transaction valued at over Rs 26,000 crore. The engines will be supplied by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), a cornerstone of India’s defense manufacturing sector. This procurement is part of a broader initiative to upgrade the SU-30 MKI fleet, a project worth Rs 60,000 crore, aimed at enhancing the aircraft with advanced electronic warfare systems, modern radars, new weapons, and mission control systems, extending their combat viability for another 20-30 years.
West Bengal Proposes Death Penalty for Certain Rape Convicts
The West Bengal government, under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has put forth a draft bill proposing the death penalty for certain rape convicts. The legislation, titled ‘Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) Bill 2024,’ aims to introduce capital punishment for rape cases resulting in death or leaving the victim in a vegetative state. It also suggests life imprisonment without parole for rape and gang rape cases. This proposed law seeks to amend existing statutes, including the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita 2023 and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012, to provide stronger protections for women and children in the state.
Telangana Floods: 16 Dead, CM Urges National Disaster Declaration
Heavy rains continue to wreak havoc across Telangana, claiming at least 16 lives. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh for the families of the deceased and has called for urgent assistance from the Central government, pegging preliminary damages at Rs 5,000 crore. The Chief Minister has also requested the Centre to declare the floods a national disaster, highlighting the severe impact on the state and the need for substantial federal support.
Kabul Suicide Bombing Claims Six Lives, Injures 13
A suicide bomber detonated an explosive device in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Monday, killing six civilians and injuring 13 others. The attack took place in the Qala-e-Bakhtiar area of southern Kabul, as confirmed by Khalid Zadran, a spokesperson for the Kabul police.
Zadran, sharing the news on the social media platform X, stated, “This afternoon, a person wearing explosives on his body detonated. Unfortunately, six civilians, including a woman, were killed and 13 others were injured.” The police have launched an investigation into the incident, though no group has yet claimed responsibility for the bombing.
Biden Criticizes Netanyahu Over Lack of Progress on Gaza Hostage Deal
President Joe Biden has expressed dissatisfaction with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of not doing enough to negotiate a hostage deal and ceasefire with Hamas. This criticism follows reports that a final proposal for a ceasefire is about to be presented to Netanyahu. Tensions have heightened after six hostages were killed in Gaza over the weekend, leading to widespread protests across Israel.
In a BBC interview, Biden was asked if Netanyahu was taking sufficient action, to which he bluntly replied, “No.” He reiterated the U.S. commitment to securing a resolution, stating, “We will push as hard as we can” for a deal. According to the Washington Post, the latest proposal is being described by U.S. officials as a “take it or leave it” offer.
UN Expert Warns of Potential Spread of Israel’s ‘Genocidal Violence’
A UN expert has issued a stark warning that Israel’s “genocidal violence” in Gaza could extend to other parts of the occupied Palestinian territory amid an expanded military operation in the West Bank.
Francesca Albanese, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in the Palestinian territories, warned in a statement that Israel’s escalated military actions in the West Bank, which is geographically separated from Gaza by Israeli territory, represents “a dangerous escalation.”
Tropical Storm Yagi Triggers Deadly Floods and Landslides in the Philippines
Tropical Storm Yagi unleashed torrential rains and landslides in northern Philippine regions, resulting in at least 14 deaths and prompting officials to suspend school classes and government operations in the densely populated capital region.
The storm, locally known as Enteng, struck Casiguran in Aurora province on Monday, strengthening with winds reaching 85 km/h (53 mph) and gusts of up to 105 km/h (65 mph), according to the national weather bureau.
Putin Asserts Russian Military Gains in Ukraine Despite Border Incursion
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Monday that the Russian military is making rapid advances in eastern Ukraine, dismissing Kyiv’s cross-border incursion into the Kursk region as ineffective.
His remarks came just hours after Moscow launched a wave of missile and drone strikes against Ukraine overnight, wounding at least three people in Kyiv and damaging a mosque just before the new school year began.
