Category: Blog

The dead have been identified as Shobhit Rastogi (48), his wife Suchita Rastogi (44) and daughter Khyati Rastogi (16).

Riddled with debt, a businessman here allegedly committed suicide by consuming poison along with his wife and minor daughter, a police official said on Monday.

According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Vishwajeet Srivastava, the incident happened at his ancestral residence at Ashrafabad area in Lucknow.

The dead have been identified as Shobhit Rastogi (48), his wife Suchita Rastogi (44) and daughter Khyati Rastogi (16).

DCP Srivastava told PTI that on Monday morning, the police received information that a cloth businessman in Talkatora area has consumed poison along with his family. The minor daughter informed her uncle about the incident, but by the time he reached there, their condition had deteriorated.

Mr Srivastava said the trio were taken to the Trauma Centre of King George Medical University, where doctors declared them dead.

A bottle of sulphas was recovered from the residence, he said, adding that the victim was troubled by a bank loan.

During hot summer days, you are likely to see several roadside vendors selling fresh coconut water to beat the heat. Coconut water is a summer essential. It is light, cool, and incredibly refreshing. That is exactly why so many people prefer to keep it stocked. But once you open that bottle or tetra pack, how long does coconut water remain safe to drink? It may look harmless, but it can change in taste and texture quite quickly once opened. So, how fast is too fast? And what causes it to spoil sooner? If you are someone who always has coconut water in your fridge, this guide is for you. Here is how long coconut water lasts after opening – and everything else worth knowing about this naturally hydrating drink.

Once opened, coconut water should ideally be consumed within 1 to 2 days, and it must be refrigerated immediately. Exposure to air accelerates nutrient loss and fermentation. If you leave an open bottle in warm weather, the fermentation process can begin in just 2 to 4 hours.

You might notice a slight fizziness or a sour taste. These are tell-tale signs that it is time to throw it out. To extend its shelf life, seal the bottle tightly, store it in the fridge, and consider dividing it into smaller containers to avoid repeatedly exposing the full bottle to air. That way, every sip stays fresh and enjoyable.

Australia’s talismanic batter Steve Smith has come out in defence of batting coach Michael Di Venuto following backlash from former Test wicketkeeper Ian Healy, who claimed the Baggy Greens top-order has “regressed” in recent years during his “friend’s” reign. Smith linked up with the Australian team ahead of the second Test against the West Indies in Grenada after missing out on the series opener due to a compound dislocation to his small finger he sustained in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s.

In the opening Test, Kensington Oval’s strip, which played all sorts of tricks on the batters, Australia missed Smith’s presence in the middle order. The WTC 2025 finalists were dwindling at 22/3 in the first innings and 65/4 in the second.

“Australian cricket’s batting head coach and every state batting coach [should be under pressure] because there’s not enough runs being scored around the nation,” Healy said on SEN Radio, as quoted from the Sydney Morning Herald.

“Michael Di Venuto – a friend of mine who is a good coach and a good man – has held the job since mid-2021. In this time, our national team batting has regressed in performance at Test level. That’s all that’s important to me, the performance. I don’t care how you do it or what will make it easier for you – just get it done,” he added.

Smith refuted Healy’s remark about Di Venuto and feels the batting coach has done a “wonderful” job since taking over the position in 2021. For Smith it isn’t Di Venuto who goes out on the field to bat, it is up to the players to deliver on the pitch.

“Any criticism of ‘Diva’, [I am] completely against it. He works as hard as anyone. He knows batting inside out. He’s seen cricket all around the world. He’s done a wonderful job for a long time now, and the boys are really enjoying working with him,” Smith said, as quoted from the Sydney Morning Herald.

“He’s not the one out there actually doing the batting. Guys have to be able to figure it out themselves in the middle, and sometimes you can’t have someone holding your hand out there,” he added.

After cruising to an emphatic 159-run triumph with consummate ease in the opening Test to go 1-0 ahead, Australia will look to take an unassailable lead in the three-match series with the second contest set to kick off on Thursday.

A motorcycle fell into a ditch formed after a road caved in Chandigarh on Monday, prompting the fire department to launch operations to salvage it.

The road caved in at the intersection point of Sector 47 and 48, due to which a biker fell into the ditch along with his bike.

While the fire department pulled out the bike, the biker underwent treatment for minor injuries.

A similar incident occurred in Noida last week, when a road collapse and formed a five-foot-deep and 10-foot-wide pothole at a busy intersection.

The cave-in was reported near Noida’s Sector 50 at a location close to a sewage treatment plant. At the time the road collapsed, a passer-by was saved from falling into the pothole by those around.

Imagine driving on a wide, newly built road with zero potholes and trees lined up on both sides. As you speed through the smooth road, the fresh breeze and landscape make for a scenic and pleasant driving experience. But what if these trees shift to the middle of the road? It turns into a real-life biking game where you either evade hurdles or lose a lifeline. And, this has come true in Bihar’s Jehanabad, 50km away from the capital Patna, where a Rs 100 crore road widening project went terribly wrong.

When the district administration undertook a Rs 100 crore road widening project, they approached the forest department, seeking permission to remove trees. But their demand was rejected. In return, the forest department demanded compensation for 14 hectares of forest land. However, the district administration could not fulfil the request, and they made a bizarre move – they created a road around the trees.

The trees aren’t planted in a straight line, which a driver could avoid. One must criss-cross their way through them. It appears to be an Rs 100 crore invitation to death.

Many accidents have already happened due to trees being in the middle of the road, a passerby said. The district administration, however, does not seem to be taking any concrete initiative to remove the trees.

BSF recovered 4 DJI Mavic 3 Classic drones (2 damaged), and 2 heroin packets (1.017 kg) during multiple operations across Amritsar and Tarn Taran.

In a series of coordinated operations on Sunday, the Border Security Force (BSF), in collaboration with Punjab Police, conducted multiple raids across Amritsar and Tarn Taran districts, officials said.

During the operation, security forces recovered 4 DJI Mavic 3 Classic drones (2 damaged), and 2 heroin packets (1.017 kg), the BSF said in a post on X.

The recoveries were made from Ratankhurd and Dhanoe Khurd villages in the Amritsar district and Khemkaran and Dal villages in Tarn Taran.

The operation was based on intelligence and local inputs, the BSF added.

Earlier in the day, the Amritsar Commissionerate Police dismantled a terror and extortion module associated with Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) operative Jeevan Fauji. Two key associates, Karajpreet Singh from Verowal, Tarn Taran, and Gurlal Singh alias Harman from Goindwal Sahib, Tarn Taran, have been arrested.

According to police, preliminary investigations reveal that Jeevan Fauji, a prominent BKI member, was running an extortion racket targeting individuals in Punjab’s border areas. He allegedly supplied a .30 bore pistol to the arrested duo and instructed them to carry out a shooting at a furniture shop in Amritsar as part of an extortion bid. The ransom demand was directed at a relative of the shop owner residing in Canada.

Following Gurlal Singh’s disclosures, a police team accompanied him to recover the weapon used in the crime. During the operation, Gurlal attempted to open fire on the police, leading to retaliatory firing in self-defence. Gurlal sustained a bullet injury to his left leg and was promptly shifted to the Civil Hospital, Amritsar, for medical treatment.

Meanwhile, an FIR has been registered, and further investigation is underway to dismantle this terror network completely.

The army top brass now leads the Special Investment Facilitation Council, which gives it more control over the economic policy.

India has expressed deep concerns over the potential misuse of the $800 million ADB aid package to Pakistan as the country is increasing its defence expenditure, despite the poor fiscal position, with the army exercising de facto control over the government in Islamabad.

The army top brass now leads the Special Investment Facilitation Council, which gives it more control over the economic policy. India has warned that this entrenched military role poses serious risks of policy reversal and poor reform implementation, according to reliable sources.

Pakistan’s tax-GDP ratio has been declining, with the country going through an economic crisis. The foreign exchange reserves have hit rock bottom, and inflation has soared to double-digit figures. However, despite the dire economic situation, the military-driven government has gone for increasing expenditure on defence.

India has also pointed out that Pakistan has a very poor track record in implementing the economic reforms that are mandatory with these aid packages from multilateral institutions.

India’s concern is that these funds can be diverted for defence expenditure. The fighter jets purchased from China and the large number of drones used by Pakistan in the wake of Operation Sindoor reflect the increased spending on military hardware, an official said.

It pointed out that Pakistan recently approached the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the 24th bailout, indicating policy ineffectiveness. This further shows that the previous ADB and IMF-supported programmes have failed to create sustainable macroeconomic stability.

India has also highlighted that Pakistan’s policy of promoting cross-border terrorism has led to a worsening of the security situation in the region.

It has further pointed out that Islamabad’s track record on implementation of the FATF action points related to terrorist financing investigations and prosecution of leaders of UN-designated terrorist groups and freezing and confiscation of criminal assets is also highly unsatisfactory.

During patrolling in the Pongchau circle on Thursday, security forces observed the movement of some armed men and challenged them, he said.

A gunfight broke out between security personnel and suspected militants along the India-Myanmar border in Arunachal Pradesh’s Longding district, a defence official said on Friday.

During patrolling in the Pongchau circle on Thursday, security forces observed the movement of some armed men and challenged them, he said.

The suspected militants started indiscriminate firing after noticing the patrol party, and the security personnel retaliated, the defence spokesperson said.

During the firing, the intruders fled towards the Myanmar side, he said.

The patrolling was launched following specific information about the movement of some individuals in Ponghcau circle along the India-Myanmar border, the defence official said.

The area was thoroughly searched by the security forces, but the intruders managed to cross the border, taking advantage of the dense forest, he added.

The suspected militants started indiscriminate firing after noticing the patrol party, and the security personnel retaliated, the defence spokesperson said.

During the firing, the intruders fled towards the Myanmar side, he said.

The patrolling was launched following specific information about the movement of some individuals in Ponghcau circle along the India-Myanmar border, the defence official said.

The area was thoroughly searched by the security forces, but the intruders managed to cross the border, taking advantage of the dense forest.

Three “illegal aliens” were detained by troops in the New Mexico area near Santa Teresa on June 3, before being handed to US Border Patrol, Army spokesperson said.

Three “illegal aliens” were detained by troops in the New Mexico area near Santa Teresa.

US troops have made their first detentions inside military areas set up on the US-Mexico border as part of the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration, the US Army said.

The unprecedented military areas along 260 miles (418 km) of border in New Mexico and Texas were declared extensions of US Army bases by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, allowing troops to temporarily detain migrants and other civilian trespassers.

Three “illegal aliens” were detained by troops in the New Mexico area near Santa Teresa on June 3, before being handed to US Border Patrol, Army spokesperson Major Geoffrey Carmichael said in an email.

“This marks the first time Department of Defense personnel have recorded a temporary detainment within either National Defense Area,” Mr Carmichael said.

US presidents have long used active-duty and reservist troops on the international boundary in support roles to US Border Patrol such as surveillance and construction.

President Donald Trump took military use a step further by giving troops the right to hold trespassers they catch in the zones until civilian law enforcement assumes custody.

Federal troops can also search people and conduct crowd control measures within the areas, according to the Army.

Designation of the zones as military bases allowed troops to detain migrants without the need for Trump to invoke the Insurrection Act. The 1807 law lets a US president deploy federal troops domestically to suppress events like civil disorder.

Prosecution of dozens of migrants caught in the zones has faced setbacks in court after judges in New Mexico and Texas dismissed trespassing charges, and acquitted a Peruvian woman, ruling they did not know they were entering restricted areas.

The primary role of troops in the zones is to detect and track illegal border crossers, with around 390 such detections so far, the Army said.

News of the detentions inside military areas came as Trump deployed state-based National Guard troops to Los Angeles during protests over immigration raids.

The probe found the network exploited commercial trucking routes between the US and Canada to transport narcotics.

Nine people, including seven Indian-origin men, have been arrested in Canada’s Ontario over the alleged smuggling of cocaine and possession of arms. The police action came following a year-long probe under the project ‘Pelican’, which led to a seizure of 479 kg of cocaine bricks worth CAD $50 million (approximately Rs 299.3 crore).

According to Peel Regional Police, the nine accused were arrested while they were trying to smuggle cocaine into the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) from the US. The drug bust was the largest one in the department’s history.

 The drug trafficking network was linked to anti-India activities and had Khalistani links, according to sources.

The probe found the network exploited commercial trucking routes between the US and Canada to transport narcotics. They have ties to Mexican cartels and US-based distributors, the Peel police said.

What Probe Found

The investigation into the cocaine smuggling operation started in June 2024. By November, Peel Regional Police was working with partners, including the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the US Drug Enforcement Administration, and the US Homeland Security Investigations Border Enforcement Task Force in Detroit and identified multiple individuals, trucking companies, and storage sites linked to the operation.

Between February and May 2025, CBSA intercepted a commercial truck at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, which led to the seizure of 127 kilograms of cocaine concealed in the trailer and the arrest of the driver. Probe agencies also intercepted another truck at the Blue Water Bridge in Point Edward, which led to the seizure of 50 kilograms of cocaine hidden within the trailer and the arrest of the driver, with support from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Additional seizures were also made across the GTA in connection with commercial trucking by Peel Regional Police, some of which included individuals in possession of loaded firearms at the time of arrest.

Who Are The Accused

As of June 6, nine men were arrested and charged in connection with the investigation, totalling 35 charges related to firearm and drug offences.

The arrested individuals included 27-year-old Mississauga resident Hao Tommy Huynh, 39-year-old Hamilton resident Philip Tep, 31-year-old Toronto resident Sajgith Yogendrarajah, 44-year-old Brampton resident Manpreet Singh, 29-year-old Brampton resident Arvinder Powar, 36-year-old Caledon resident Karamjit Singh, 36-year-old Caledon resident Gurtej Singh, 27-year-old Cambridge resident Sartaj Singh, and 31-year-old Georgetown resident Shiv Onkar Sing.

The accused were held for a bail hearing at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton, police said in a statement.

Canada’s Crackdown On Drug Smuggling

The arrests came amid Canadian authorities’ crackdown on international drug trafficking networks amid US pressure. The Trump administration has imposed tariffs on Canada, China and Mexico, calling it a response to cross-border smuggling of fentanyl into the US along with illegal immigration.

Earlier this year, under Project Castillo, Toronto Police seized 835 kg of cocaine worth an estimated $83 million on the streets that was destined for Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

In November last year, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) arrested Indian-origin Gaganpreet Randhawa in what was termed the ‘largest’ drug lab bust at the time. The same month, another Indian-origin man, Gurvarun Matharu, was arrested in Surrey over charges of trafficking 50 kilograms of cocaine.