Morning news wrap: Puri stampede claims three lives near Gundicha Temple; Char Dham Yatra halted for 24 hours amid heavy rain alert; and more
Morning news wrap
A tragic stampede during Puri's Rath Yatra left three dead and several injured, raising serious questions about crowd control measures during large religious gatherings.
Meanwhile, ministry of external affairs firmly rejected Pakistan's claims of Indian involvement in the recent suicide bombing in North Waziristan, calling the accusation 'deserving of contempt.
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In the US, Senate Republicans advanced President Trump's controversial economic package, which now moves into full debate amid intra-party tensions and opposition.
Here are the top 5 news stories for the morning:
Puri stampede claims three lives near Gundicha Temple; probe ordered
At least three people died and several were injured in a stampede near the Gundicha Temple in Puri early Sunday. The incident occurred around 4–5 am when a massive crowd gathered to witness the deities on chariots during the Rath Yatra festivities.
Eyewitnesses blamed poor crowd management and obstructive truck movement. Odisha law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan has announced a high-level inquiry into the tragedy.
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Kolakata law college rape accused had history of abuse, say students and alumni
Monojit Mishra, the accused in the recent law college rape case in Kolkata, had a long history of alleged harassment, molestation, and violent behaviour, according to multiple students and insiders.
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Known by the nickname 'Mango', Mishra reportedly filmed private moments, circulated morphed images, and body-shamed women in college WhatsApp groups he controlled.
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Char Dham Yatra halted for 24 hours amid heavy rain alert
Authorities have suspended the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand for 24 hours following a red alert for heavy rainfall issued by the Meteorological Department. The pilgrimage, which covers Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri, has drawn large crowds this season, prompting urgent safety measures across rain-hit districts.
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MEA rejects Pakistan Army's accusation over Waziristan attack
The ministry of external affairs has dismissed the Pakistan Army's accusation of linking India to a deadly suicide bombing in North Waziristan as "deserving of contempt". The MEA stated it rejected the 'baseless' claims after 16 Pakistani soldiers were killed when a bomber rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into a military convoy on June 28.
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Trump's economic bill clears first Senate hurdle amid GOP divide
Senate Republicans narrowly passed a procedural vote (51-49) allowing debate on US President Donald Trump's sweeping economic package, which includes tax cuts, spending trims, and increased deportation funds. Despite GOP majority support, internal dissent persists over proposed cuts to welfare programs. Debate continues this weekend before a possible House vote. Meanwhile, Elon Musk slammed the bill as 'destructive'.
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"Unjust, Irrational": AAP MP Amid Row Over Diljit Dosanjh's Sardaar Ji 3
An Aam Aadmi Party MP has come out in support of Punjabi actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh amid the ongoing controversy over his film Sardaar Ji 3, featuring Pakistani actress Hania Aamir. Dr Vikramjit Singh Sahney, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), termed the backlash against the actor for working with Pakistani actress as "unjust, excessive, and irrational". The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has called for withdrawing Dosanjh's citizenship and banning his music in India. "To question Diljit Dosanjh's patriotism is grossly unfair," said Dr Sahney. "The film was shot long before the unfortunate incident in Pahalgam. Even an Indo-Pak cricket match was held during that period. We should not confuse timelines or motives when making a judgment on someone's actions." Dr Sahney appreciated Diljit's mature and compassionate move not to release the film in Indian cinemas, being sensitive to public opinion. "He has been gracious in deciding not to release the film here. That says a lot about his character and regard for national feelings," said the AAP leader. He also pointed out Diljit's lead role in showcasing Indian culture on the world stage, from Coachella to the Met Gala, stating that the artist wore his identity as a proud Indian and a proud Punjabi. "Rather than demonising him on the basis of disinformation, we should be hailing him as a cultural ambassador," added Dr Sahney. The casting of a Pakistani actress in the film has been criticised, particularly against the backdrop of government's post-attack restrictions on Pakistani artists' involvement in Indian entertainment. Diljit Dosanjh maintains that his movie, Sardaar Ji 3, was finalised much earlier than these geopolitical events. "When the film was made, the situation was fine... This film was shot in February. A lot of things happened after that which are not in our control," Diljit had said earlier. The film body, Federation of Western India Cine Employees, appealed to the government to blacklist Diljit Dosanjh and Sardaar Ji 3 makers. They also appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure that their passports are revoked, and their citizenship is cancelled.
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Hindi row: Maha govt forms committee to submit report on trilingual policy formula
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