Techie Couple Jumps Off 7th Floor In Bengaluru PG, 23-Yr-Old Woman Dies, Partner Injured

In the Tamil Nadu biryani murder case, key accused Manikuddin Lashkar and his wife Bhagwati Maji have been arrested from Manipur's Jiribam and brought back to Tamil Nadu. The investigation began after passengers detected a stench from a red suitcase on the Tamil Nadu Express at Agra station, leading to the discovery of chopped body parts. Further probe at the accused couple's Chennai house revealed the body of 38-year-old Hayat Nisha hanging and additional body parts stored inside a biryani vessel. CCTV footage aided police in tracing the couple to Manipur. The exact motive behind the murder remains unclear as the police investigation continues.

A major political controversy erupted in Karnataka following remarks praising Islam made at a public gathering in Koppal district. The opposition questioned the state government's stance, alleging anti-Hindu bias and appeasement politics. In response, a clarification was issued stating that the remarks were misunderstood by the media and social media. It was clarified that highlighting the great values and ideas in Islam did not imply that other religions were inferior. Despite the clarification, the debate surrounding the comments continues.

A political controversy has erupted in Karnataka following remarks made by a state minister describing Islam as a superior and scientific religion while expressing a desire to undertake the Hajj pilgrimage. The Bharatiya Janata Party has criticized the Congress-led state government, alleging that the party is practicing vote bank politics and demonstrating an anti-Hindu mindset. A spokesperson for the Bharatiya Janata Party accused the ruling party of abandoning secular principles outlined in the Constitution of India, comparing its approach to the politics of the Muslim League. In response, the Karnataka minister clarified that praising one faith does not diminish or undermine other religions, asserting that Islam possesses great qualities alongside all other faiths. Meanwhile, the opposition has demanded an official apology from the minister and questioned the silence of state leadership regarding the comments. The debate continues as both political parties exchange charges over religious equality and secular governance in the state.

The 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit has commenced in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, marking twenty-five years of the grouping. Key discussions at the summit focus on bilateral economic relations, trade tariffs, trade imbalance, energy cooperation, and delays in defence deliveries. High-level engagements explore strategic cooperation, market access, and measures to balance regional dynamics while maintaining strategic autonomy. India is advancing its priorities at the forum, emphasising counter-terrorism, radicalisation prevention, terror financing curbs, and cross-border extremism measures. Regional connectivity initiatives, including the expansion of Chabahar Port and the International North-South Transport Corridor, remain central to discussions. Discussions also address maintaining a multipolar regional order, managing foreign policy balances, and building consensus across regional platforms ahead of upcoming multilateral engagements.