Uptick in Covid-19 cases, deaths reported
There were 564 new Covid-19 infections across India on Wednesday, raising the active case count to 4,866, according to the Health Ministry.
Seven fatalities were also recorded, including a five-month-old infant. Most of the deceased were elderly and had pre-existing conditions.
The recent surge is attributed to new variants like LF.7, JN.1, XFG, and NB.1.8.1, prompting authorities to monitor the situation closely.
81 arrested in Assam for pro-Pakistan posts
Indian police have arrested 81 individuals in Assam for allegedly expressing support for Pakistan on social media amid recent cross-border tensions.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the arrests were part of a crackdown on “anti-national” activities.
One person was detained for posting a Pakistani flag on Instagram. The arrests come weeks after a deadly terror attack in Kashmir and highlight increased surveillance on digital platforms.
Army officer goes missing during morning walk in MP
Lieutenant Colonel Pradeep Kumar Nigam of the Mahar Regiment Centre in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, went missing during a morning walk on Monday.
Police said he left around 6.30am but never returned. After initial searches by fellow personnel proved fruitless, a missing person’s report was filed.
Authorities are investigating the disappearance and have registered a first information report at the Cantonment police station.
Police file chargesheet against Chemmanur for obscene remarks
The Ernakulam Central Police on June 4 filed a chargesheet against Kerala businessman Boby Chemmanur, accusing him of making sexual remarks against actress Honey Rose on social media and during a public event.
The charges, which follow a complaint by the actress in January this year, draws from digital evidence provided by Rose, including video clips of interviews and her confidential statement.
Investigators also documented instances of Mr Chemmanur allegedly making offensive comments against several individuals on social media.
Singapore remains top source of India’s FDI for 7th year
Singapore has maintained its position as India’s top source of foreign direct investment (FDI) for the seventh consecutive year, contributing nearly US$15 billion in FY 2024-25.
Total FDI inflow reached US$81.04 billion, a 14 per cent rise from the previous year.
The surge underscores India’s appeal for global investors, with funds primarily directed towards infrastructure, manufacturing, and technology sectors, enhancing the economy and stabilising the rupee.
Ikea to increase sourcing from India to 50%
Swedish furniture giant Ikea plans to raise its sourcing from India to 50 per cent for its domestic retail business, up from 30 per cent.
Globally, India ranks among Ikea’s top 10 sourcing countries, supplying goods worth US400 million annually.
Christina Niemel Strom, head of sustainability at Inter Ikea Group, said the move would boost local employment and strengthen Ikea’s global and local supply chains.
Over 1,000 Indians deported from US since January
India’s foreign ministry confirmed that over 1,000 nationals have returned or been deported from the United States since January, amid a crackdown on illegal migration.
Around 62 per cent came via commercial flights. The move follows US President Donald Trump’s tough stance on undocumented migrants.
In February, over 100 Indians were deported on a US military flight, some allegedly in shackles, drawing concern from rights groups.
Three missing Indians rescued by police in Iran
Three Indian nationals who went missing in Iran have been rescued by Tehran police, according to the Iranian embassy in New Delhi.
The men had arrived in Iran en route to Australia after being promised jobs by a travel agent.
Kidnapped on May 1, they were found in Varamin, a southern suburb of Tehran. India’s Ministry of External Affairs had been in contact with Iranian authorities throughout the ordeal.
Adani group’s tax contributions soar to Rs75,000 crore
The Adani Group has reported a 29 per cent rise in tax contributions, paying Rs74,945 crore in FY 2024-25. This includes direct and indirect taxes and employee social security payments.
The amount is equivalent to the cost of building Mumbai’s metro network or hosting an Olympics.
The conglomerate said the increase reflects growth across its listed entities and their expanding economic footprint.
Chennai Central Metro’s book park set to open
Chennai’s Central Metro station is gearing up to unveil a 5,000 sq ft literary haven in June.
The book park will feature 70 bookshelves, cozy reading corners, a mini event hall and a cafeteria. With over 8,000 titles across genres and a 10 per cent discount on books, the space aims to foster reading among the 300,000 daily commuters.
The Tamil Nadu Textbook Corporation is behind this initiative to boost public engagement with literature.
9 killed, 2 injured as truck overturns on van
A horrific road accident in Madhya Pradesh’s Jhabua district claimed nine lives, including five children, after a cement-laden truck overturned onto a van near an under-construction rail bridge around 2.30am on Wednesday.
The victims were returning from a wedding. Two others were critically injured.
Authorities are probing how the truck lost balance on a temporary road at Sanjeli railway crossing.
