PIL filed in Uttarakhand High Court seeking independent probe into Haldwani ‘purification’ incident
The petition, which has been filed by Dehradun-based lawyer Baijnath Chauhan, is scheduled for hearing before a Division Bench of the High Court on September 7.
ISRO successfully launches GSLV-F17 rocket carrying imaging satellite EOS-05 from Sriharikota
GSLV-F17 carrying ISRO earth observation satellite EOS-05 launched successfully at 2:55 am from Sriharikota Satish Dhawan Space Centre. EOS-05 was placed in a sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit, the heaviest satellite carried by GSLV.
‘Govt committed to ensuring that fugitives are brought back to India to face law’: MEA
Answering queries on the extradition of Mehul Choksi, a key accused in the Punjab National Bank loan fraud case, MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George said the fugitive was arrested by the Belgian authorities in April last year and has been in a Belgian jail since then.
GSLV-F17 Launch: PM Modi lauds ISRO, says mission ‘reflects excellence and growing capabilities’
The GSLV-F17 vehicle successfully and precisely injected EOS-05, also known as the geo-imaging star satellite, into its intended orbit, marking another milestone for India’s space programme, ISRO chief V Narayanan announced on Thursday.
1 in 5 Texans experience food insecurity as food banks struggle to keep up with demand
More Texans have become food insecure due to a rise in natural disasters and less qualifying for SNAP benefits. Rural food banks in particular face additional pressures.
ICE officer in Texas-Minnesota fight turns himself in to face shooting charges, AP reports
Christian Castro, who is accused of lying about the incident, was released from a Texas jail last week after Gov. Greg Abbott declined to sign extradition papers from Minnesota.
Comptroller requests doubling Texas school voucher program to $2 billion
This is the first year for education savings accounts, which allow Texas families to use taxpayer dollars for private or home schooling.
Tesla launches steering-wheel-free Cybercabs in Austin
It is unclear how soon Elon Musk intends to roll out service of the futuristic-looking, gold-colored taxis that passengers have no way of controlling in an emergency.
Missouri high court blocks GOP-backed congressional maps ahead of midterms; Trump blasts ‘ridiculous’ ruling
The Missouri Supreme Court on Thursday unanimously blocked newly enacted Republican-backed congressional districts from being used in November’s midterm elections, ruling that voters must first approve the map in a statewide referendum. The ruling marks a rare setback for Republicans in a national redistricting battle. The GOP had aimed to use Missouri’s new congressional map to help them win an additional seat and hold onto its slim House majority. The court ruled that the referendum petition, filed in December after opponents submitted more than 300,000 signatures, prevented the new districts from taking effect unless approved by voters. DEMS DERIDED TRUMP’S MIDTERM GAMBLE — UNTIL HE ENDED UP WINNING BIG Republican Secretary of State Denny Hoskins waited until primary Election Day last month to reject the petition, arguing that the referendum process cannot be used for congressional redistricting. A lower court sided with Hoskins, but the state Supreme Court overturned his decision. “The referendum petition was legal, sufficient, and timely, and the secretary incorrectly concluded otherwise,” the court said in its ruling. The measure with the new districts “did not go into effect and will not go into effect unless and until approved by the voters.” Now, the congressional map adopted after the 2020 census “remains in full force and effect for the November 2026 general election,” the court said. Once considered a swing state, Missouri has dramatically shifted to the right over the past two decades. Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway, a Republican, plans to immediately appeal the case to the U.S. Supreme Court. “Never before in American history has a court overturned a congressional map after a primary and before a general election. This unprecedented decision clearly violates federal law and has thrust our state into a full‑fledged constitutional crisis,” Hanaway said in a statement. “We are confident that the federal courts will not allow every Missouri voter to be disenfranchised, which is what today’s decision does.” President Donald Trump called Thursday’s ruling “ridiculous” and argued it was unconstitutional, saying there will not be enough time to change the map before November’s elections. “The Missouri Supreme Court just ridiculously ruled in favor of changing the maps back to what they were a long time ago,” he wrote on Truth Social. “It’s called, Ancient History! The problem is, according to Legal Scholars, that not only was the ruling horrible, ridiculous, and unConstitutional, but there won’t be enough time to change the map back with the Election coming up in a very short period of time. “The Election Process, as usual, is being disturbed in America! Missouri must be able to use the map that was in effect just a couple of months ago, in the Primary. This is a Dark Day for ‘Justice’ in Missouri!” Missouri’s new districts were used in the primaries last month, but the state Supreme Court said they cannot be used again unless voters first uphold the new districts passed by the GOP-controlled legislature and signed by Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe last September. Kehoe said he is “extremely disappointed in today’s decision by unelected judges and their lack of respect for the legislative process.” “Holding a primary election under one congressional map and a general election under another is unprecedented and creates uncertainty for Missouri voters,” he said on X. “Today’s ruling does not change our belief in the Missouri First Map or the principles behind it, and we will continue to stand behind it as the legal process moves forward.” Five of the seven current justices on the Missouri Supreme Court, including the chief justice, were appointed by Republican governors. The new map targeted longtime Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver’s Kansas City-area district by shifting it eastward to include rural right-leaning voters. The map was intended to make Cleaver’s district more favorable to Republicans, who hoped it would produce a 7-1 advantage in the state’s congressional delegation. SUPREME COURT ALLOWS ALABAMA GOP-BACKED CONGRESSIONAL MAP FOR MIDTERMS Cleaver responded to the ruling by saying, “The people fought back and won.” “More than 305,000 Missourians demanded a say in who will represent them in the halls of Congress,” he wrote on X. “Despite the cynical and deeply shameful attempt to silence many of our neighbors, the people fought back and won. This reaffirms that the people should choose their politicians, not the other way around. Democracy prevails.” Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin also called it a “big win for democracy and the people of Missouri.” “Democrats will continue fighting to end the Republican gerrymandering sham and ensure all voters can make their voices heard,” he wrote on X. Fox News’ Paul Steinhauser and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Excavation set to begin on Trump administration’s 250-foot triumphal arch amid legal battle
Excavation work will begin over the next two weeks on a site where the Trump administration plans to build a tall memorial arch in Washington, D.C., a project that faces a lawsuit from opponents who argue the project will disrupt nearby historic sight lines. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced Thursday that work would start on the Great Triumphal Arch and Military Observation Deck, which will be located on Columbia Island, standing between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. “This will be one of the Great Pieces of American Architecture, honoring the history and significance of Arlington Cemetery and befitting the most powerful Capital in the World,” Burgum wrote on X, along with mock-ups of the towering 250-foot arch. LEAVITT SHOWS OFF US TRIUMPHAL ARCH, WITH PLANS TO BE RELEASED THURSDAY The images showed a white arch with gold detail, with “ONE NATION UNDER GOD” written on top. A gold Lady Liberty-like figure with wings and a torch stands above, as well as gold eagles with their wings spread outward. The project faces opposition from three veterans and an architectural historian who argued that “congressional authorization is necessary and lacking for this project,” said Nicolas Sansone, an attorney with the Public Citizen Litigation Group representing the plaintiffs. WHITE HOUSE TOUTS TRUMP’S ‘BOLD VISION’ FOR TOWERING INDEPENDENCE ARCH FOR AMERICA 250 “We believe that construction cannot and should not proceed apace, and we are prepared to inform the court that it needs to, at this juncture, step in,” Sansone told The Associated Press. A 24-page report released last month by the National Park Service backs the idea for the arch. However, the report noted that the project would have “direct and indirect adverse effects on the sight lines of historic properties.” TRUMP’S PLAN FOR TRIUMPHAL ARCH MOVES STEP CLOSER TO REALITY In a series of posts on X, Burgum defended the project, saying the idea for a monument goes back decades. He cited attempts by past Congresses and old reports about discussions of the construction of a memorial. The secretary noted that more than 70 cities, including Athens, London, Madrid, New Delhi, Paris and Rome showcase arches. “Interestingly, Washington, DC, is the only major Western capital without an arch,” Burgum wrote. “Now after 125 years of waiting, the most powerful capital in the world will be the home of the most spectacular and beautiful arch of them all!” TRUMP’S DC BEAUTIFICATION PUSH WINS RARE DEM PRAISE AS PRESIDENT SNAPS LANDMARKS BACK TO LIFE Fox News Digital has reached out to the Interior Department and the Public Citizen Litigation Group. The arch is one of several projects undertaken by the Trump administration, including the renaming of the Kennedy Center, a new White House ballroom and the refurbishing of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The Associated Press contributed to this report.