Amid the ongoing controversy surrounding alleged irregularities in donations and offerings made for the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, police have registered an FIR against eight people. The complaint was filed by a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust itself, just two days after a Special Investigation Team — constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government to probe the irregularities — submitted its preliminary findings to the state. The allegations centre on cash and jewellery donated by devotees going unaccounted for at the temple. The trust, formed on February 5, 2020 following the Supreme Court verdict clearing the way for temple construction, is estimated to have received around Rs 3,500 crore in cash donations alone since its inception, besides jewellery and other offerings.
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Indians applying for a new passport will have to pay significantly more from July 1, as the Centre has revised fees for the first time in years. A standard 36-page passport will now cost Rs 2,500, up from Rs 1,500, while a 60-page passport will be priced at Rs 3,500. Tatkal applicants will feel a steeper pinch — a 36-page Tatkal passport will cost Rs 5,000, up from Rs 3,500, while the 60-page Tatkal variant will go up to Rs 6,000. Fees for lost or damaged passports have also been revised upward.
Commercial LPG supply restored
The Centre has removed all sectoral restrictions on the supply of Non-Domestic Packed LPG and restored supplies to the levels prevailing prior to the West Asia crisis. Apart from that, the supply of bulk LPG, which had been suspended at the onset of the crisis, has been relaxed by 50% of the pre-crisis consumption levels, as per a press release from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. The restoration follows the recent improvement in the LPG supply situation. During the West- Asia crisis, to augment domestic LPG production, the Government had issued orders under the Essential Commodities Act requiring C3-C4 streams to be utilised exclusively for LPG production, diverting them from petrochemical and other downstream uses.
Scuffle outside Thiruvanthapuram’s Mayor office
Thiruvananthapuram Corporation office witnessed tense situation as the CPIM and BJP councillors got in a minor scuffle outside the Mayor’s office during protests over a series of recent political developments, PTI reported. The protests occured a day after the Kerala High Court invalidated the oath taken by several BJP councillors in the Corporation after they invoked names other than “God” or used expressions beyond the prescribed form of oath or solemn affirmation. Left councillors staged a protest outside the chamber of Mayor V V Rajesh on Thursday. However, when Rajesh, accompanied by BJP councillors, attempted to enter his office, CPI(M) councillors allegedly blocked his entry, triggering a brief scuffle between members of the two sides, police said.
Visas for Bangladeshi nationals resumed
India has announced the resumption of tourist visas for Bangladeshi nationals after a gap of two years. The announcement was made by newly appointed Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, during his visit to the Indian Visa Centre in Dhaka on Thursday. New Delhi had suspended issuing tourist visas to Bangladeshi nationals following the political unrest and ouster of the former government in August 2024.
Mann responds to viral video
During a press conference, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann condemned the circulation of a viral video that allegedly showed the desecration of Sikh Guru photos by him, calling them “fake and fabricated”. He claimed that certain “politically motivated individuals” were making attempts to “defame” him.
Venezuela declares state of emergency
Venezuela has declared a state of emergency after two powerful, back-to-back earthquakes struck the country, with the largest quake since 1900 collapsing buildings in the capital Caracas and several people feared dead. Videos showed buildings crumbling and residents fleeing onto the streets as the scale of destruction became clear. In an unrelated development, a third earthquake, this time of magnitude 7, hit Japan, jolting Hashikami Town in Aomori Prefecture, with its epicentre off the coast of Iwate Prefecture.
World Cup: Vinicius Shines, Neymar Returns
Vinicius showed he is Brazil’s figurehead with minimalism, speed and a string of sharp touches against Scotland, as Neymar made his much-awaited return to the tournament, while Morocco survived a scare and Messi celebrated his birthday at the World Cup.
