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First Post
18 hours ago
- First Post
Jharkhand: 18 dead, many injured as bus carrying pilgrims collide with truck transporting LPG cylinders
At least 18 Kanwariyas lost their lives and several others were injured after a bus carrying pilgrims collided with a truck early Tuesday morning near Jamunia More in Jharkhand's Deoghar district. read more At least 18 Kanwariyas were killed and several others injured in a tragic road accident early Tuesday morning(July 29) on the Godda-Deoghar road in Jharkhand's Deoghar district. The incident took place around 5:30 am near Jamunia More in the Mohanpur police station area, when a bus carrying pilgrims collided with a truck. VIDEO | Jharkhand: At least five Kanwariyas were killed and several injured in a road accident in Deoghar on Tuesday, a police officer said. The incident took place when a bus carrying Kanwariyas collided with a vehicle transporting gas cylinders near Jamuniya forest under… — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 29, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The bus was reportedly en route to a religious site where the pilgrims were to offer holy water. After being alerted by locals, Mohanpur SHO Priyaranjan Kumar and his team reached the spot and rushed the injured to a nearby hospital. The bodies of the deceased have been sent for post-mortem. This is a developing story.
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First Post
a day ago
- Business
- First Post
Is Trump hiding the big cost of renovating 'free' Air Force One from Qatar?
The announcement that Qatar would be giving Donald Trump a 'free' Air Force One was already the subject of much controversy. Many had questions about the ethics of such a transaction, while others expressed concerns about security and the potential cost needed to upgrade such a plane to meet the needs of the US president. Now, a new report is shedding light on the possible expenditure read more A Boeing 747 belonging to Qatar sits on the tarmac of Palm Beach International Airport after President Donald Trump toured the aircraft on Feb. 15. (Photo: AFP) Is Donald Trump trying to hide the cost of renovating the 'free' Air Force One? The announcement that Qatar would be giving the US president a free Boeing 747 worth $400 million was already the subject of much controversy. Many had questions about the ethics of such a transaction. Others expressed concerns about security and the potential cost needed to upgrade such a plane to meet the needs of the US president. Now, It seems the latter is set to explode in Trump's face. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The development comes even as Trump spars with Federal Reserve chief Jerome Powell over the costs of renovating the central bank's Washington headquarters. But what happened? What do we know? Let's take a closer look: What happened? The cost of renovating the Qatar plane remains unknown. The aircraft is currently parked in San Antonio. 'Officially, and conveniently, the price tag has been classified. But even by Washington standards, where 'black budgets' are often used as an excuse to avoid revealing the cost of outdated spy satellites and lavish end-of-year parties, the reasoning behind hiding the cost is inventive', The New York Times noted. However, a $934 million transfer of funds in the Pentagon budget has come under the scanner. It refers to an unnamed, classified project. The piece noted that no one wants to discuss the figure. 'Congressional budget sleuths have come to think that amount, slipped into an obscure Pentagon document sent to Capitol Hill as a 'transfer' to an unnamed classified project, almost certainly includes the renovation' of the jet that has been described as a 'palace in the sky',' the newspaper noted. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The funds were shifted from a budget carved out for upgrading the US' ground-based nuclear missiles. Air Force officials have said some of the funds for renovating the plane will be pulled from this budget. Ironically, the plane will not be ready for Trump's use anytime soon. The plane's communication systems, engines need to be improved. The Boeing plane also needs to be fitted with antimissile systems. US agencies will also have to check for any spy equipment Qatar may have put in the plane. US President Donald Trump talks with Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Reuters The plane will also need to be redecorated to match Trump's golden tastes. In all, the 'renovations' could take another year or two – by which time Trump will be getting ready to leave office. Trump has claimed that the plane will be transferred to his presidential library in 2029. Trump as president is barred from accepting gifts from outside entities, including foreign governments and even members of Congress. Article I of the Constitution states that no president shall accept a gift or emolument from a 'King, Prince, or foreign State,' without Congress' permission. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'They knew about it because they buy Boeings, they buy a lot of Boeings, and they knew about it, and they said, we would like to do something,' Trump said. 'And if we can get a 747 as a contribution to our Defense Department to use during a couple of years while they're building the other ones, I think that was a very nice gesture'. Qatar's offer Qatar's offer came after Trump repeatedly complained of delays and cost overruns in aerospace giant Boeing's contract to provide two new Air Force One jets to replace the current aging models. The development came after Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and his Qatari counterpart Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani earlier in July signed an agreement lying out the terms of the 'unconditional donation'. 'This donation is made in good faith and in the spirit of cooperation and mutual support between the parties,' the document states. 'Nothing in this MoU is, or shall be interpreted or construed as, an offer, promise, or acceptance of any form of bribery, undue influence, or corrupt practice'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It states that the donation is 'not connected or otherwise related to any governmental decision and, as such, is not made, offered, promised or accepted because of any past, present or future official act or decision and is not intended to obtain or retain any improper advantage or to influence any official decision'. US President Donald Trump boards Air Force One. Boeing has spent years stripping down and rebuilding two 747s to replace the versions that have carried presidents for more than three decades. The project is slated to cost more than $5.3 billion and may not be finished before Trump leaves office. A 2021 report made public through the Freedom of Information Act outlines the unclassified requirements for the replacement 747s under construction. At the top of the list — survivability and communications. The government decided more than a decade ago that the new planes had to have four engines so they could remain airborne if one or two fail, said Deborah Lee James, who was Air Force secretary at the time. That creates a challenge because 747s are no longer manufactured, which could make spare parts harder to come by. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Air Force One also has to have the highest level of classified communications, anti-jamming capabilities and external protections against foreign surveillance, so the president can securely command military forces and nuclear weapons during a national emergency. It's an extremely sensitive and complex system, including video, voice and data transmissions. Trump previously said it would be 'stupid' not to accept the gift from Qatar. 'It's a great gesture,' the 78-year-old billionaire told reporters at the White House when asked if the oil-rich Gulf state would expect anything in exchange. 'I would never be one to turn down that kind of an offer. I mean, I could be a stupid person (and) say 'no we don't want a free, very expensive airplane.'' Ironically, the developments come as Trump is at odds with Powell, the chief of the Fed he has long wanted to fire. Powell, who is operates independently, has refused to tow the president's line when it comes to interest rates. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He has also slammed the president's tariff policies, which has infuriated Trump. Trump, who has repeatedly mused about firing Powell, may use the renovations of the Federal Reserve building in Washington as an excuse to fire the Fed chief. However, firing Powell could lead to the stock market melting down and investors fleeing for the hills. With inputs from agencies
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First Post
2 days ago
- Business
- First Post
‘Easy as I settled India-Pak': Trump claims ended Thailand-Cambodia clash using trade pressure
Trump has once again claimed credit for helping end hostilities between India and Pakistan, this time while discussing rising tensions between Thailand and Cambodia. Drawing a comparison, Trump said he used trade pressure to de-escalate both situations read more US President Donald Trump on Sunday once again reiterated his claim of helping broker a ceasefire between India and Pakistan by using trade pressure—this time while drawing a parallel with the ongoing tensions between Thailand and Cambodia. Speaking about Southeast Asia, Trump said the United States maintains strong trade ties with both Thailand and Cambodia. He claimed he personally called the prime ministers of both countries and warned them that no trade deal would move forward unless they de-escalated their conflict. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'We do a lot of trade with Thailand and Cambodia. Yet I'm reading that they're killing each other,' Trump said. 'I say this should be an easy one for me because I settled India and Pakistan. I called the Prime Ministers of each (Thailand and Cambodia) and I said, 'We're not going to make a trade deal unless you settle the war.' By the time I got off the phone, I think they want to settle now.' #WATCH | US President Donald Trump says, "We do a lot of trade with Thailand and Cambodia. Yet I'm reading that they're killing each other... I say this should be an easy one for me because I settled India and Pakistan... I called the Prime Ministers of each (Thailand and… — ANI (@ANI) July 27, 2025 He went on to reference the India-Pakistan standoff, saying 'India and Pakistan were really getting ready to go at it. So getting those things settled—and if I can use trade to do that—then it's my honour.' Trump's constant claims of de-escalating the conflict Trump has made similar claims before, crediting himself for de-escalating the India-Pakistan conflict by instructing his administration to cancel all trade deals with both nations. He believes that pressure forced both sides to back down. 'We did some great work—India and Pakistan. That was close to being nuclear. We handled it. We did a lot,' Trump had told reporters earlier at the White House. 'I don't know if any president has done more.' Earlier, Trump also cited a similar approach in other global flashpoints. 'Serbia and Kosovo were going to go at it. I said, 'You go at it, there's no trade with the United States.' That's what happened with India and Pakistan. I told (Treasury Secretary) Scott (Bessent) and (Commerce Secretary) Howard (Lutnick), 'Cancel all deals with India and Pakistan. They're not trading with us while they're at war.'' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, India has consistently rejected Trump's assertions. According to Indian officials, the ceasefire agreement reached on May 10—after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes—was the result of direct military-to-military communication between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both nations. Officials also clarified that the dialogue was initiated at Pakistan's request. In a recent phone conversation with Trump, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated India's long-standing position that all matters with Pakistan are strictly bilateral and that New Delhi does not and will never accept third-party mediation.
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First Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- First Post
'I was not going to risk any..': Ben Stokes reveals reasoning behind early handshake offer to Jadeja and Sundar
England captain Ben Stokes explained why he offered an early draw to Team India in the final session of the Manchester Test, which ended in a draw. read more England captain Ben Stokes offered an early draw to Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar but the batsmen did accept his request. (Screengrab from Sony Liv) A Test match between India and England where drama doesn't unfold is unimaginable. While the Manchester Test did not contribute much to the drama quotient as compared to its predecessors in the series, a controversial episode still sparked right at the end on Day 5. With 15 overs left in the game, England captain Ben Stokes gave up on a potential victory and offered an early handshake to Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, who were both batting in their 80s at that time. Considering they were close to getting to the triple figure mark, the batters did not comply with Stokes' request and kept playing. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, Jadeja and Sundar did England and Stokes a favour by quickly attaining the remaining runs. As a result, Sundar taking a single off Harry Brook to complete his maiden Test ton was the final action of the day. Stokes' eagerness to end the match when the Indian batters were close to achieving their milestone did not sit well with Indian cricket fans, and hence, many did not refrain from criticising the England skipper on social media. The entire drama of Ben Stokes himself asking for a draw out of frustration. All that crying when he himself could have declared early yesterday than he did.#ENGvsIND — Prateek (@prateek_295) July 27, 2025 Ben Stokes comes out clean about the handshake incident Following the culmination of the match, Ben Stokes addressed the episode and stated that he did not want to risk an injury to his bowlers as a draw was inevitable at that moment. 'As soon as they got to a point where the draw was inevitable - I was not going to risk any of our bowlers, Just wanted to get through the period without risking proper bowling options.' Gill on Stokes offering a draw in the final session India captain Shubman Gill also made his thoughts known on the handshake incident. According to Gill, Jadeja and Sundar batted brilliantly in the final two sessions of the match and hence deserved a century. 'We thought they (Jadeja and Sundar) batted brilliantly, they were in their 90s, we thought they deserved a century there (about the decision to not shake hands). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
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First Post
3 days ago
- First Post
Babbar Khalsa terrorist arrested in Delhi for RPG attack on Punjab police station
Delhi Police have arrested a 41-year-old man linked to the banned terror group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) for his involvement in a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) attack on a police station in Punjab in April. The accused, Karanvir Singh, was wanted under multiple terror charges and was earlier believed to be hiding in Pakistan. read more Police personnel stand guard at the Red Fort, amid tight security in the wake of tension between India and Pakistan, in New Delhi, Friday, May 9, 2025. PTI A 41-year-old man linked to the banned terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) has been arrested in Delhi for his involvement in a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) attack on a police station in Punjab earlier this year. The accused, Karanvir Singh from Kapurthala, was wanted in connection with the April 7 attack on the Qila Lal Singh Wala police station in Batala district. He had been suspected of fleeing to Pakistan after the incident. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In 2023, Interpol issued a Red Corner Notice against Karanvir at India's request. He faces several serious charges, including murder, criminal conspiracy, fundraising for terror activities, and violations of the Arms and Explosive Substances Acts. More from World Trump drops meme bomb on Obama again, depicts him in OJ Simpson white Ford Bronco police chase His arrest follows the recent capture of another BKI operative, Akashdeep Singh alias Baaz, by Delhi Police's Special Cell. Akashdeep, a resident of Amritsar, was picked up from Indore on July 22 under the Arms Act. He allegedly provided shelter and logistical support to the attackers, though he had no prior criminal record. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Amit Kaushik confirmed both arrests, adding that BKI had claimed responsibility for the Batala attack and had issued threats of a similar strike in Delhi. The case has now been transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for further probe.
