Tragic Collision Claims Lives of Ten Devotees on Maha Kumbh Pilgrimage

Authorities have arrested four individuals, including a woman, linked to the distressing case of a 15-year-old girl in Dombivali, Maharashtra, who was held captive for two months, repeatedly raped, and forcefully directed into prostitution. The girl was rescued by Tilak Nagar police following a tip-off from local workers who discovered her situation, as reported by the Press Trust of India on May 25, 2025. Investigators revealed that the girl had initially fled her home after a disagreement with her mother, who sells food. She then encountered the main suspect, who sells spices and was familiar with her family. He allegedly manipulated her into coming with him, subsequently confining her and subjecting her to sexual abuse and forced abortion. As the victim's family searched for her, the perpetrator misled them regarding her whereabouts. A case has been filed under multiple legal provisions, including the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and the Immoral Traffic Act. Police are actively pursuing the main accused, who remains at large, while efforts to investigate the crime continue, according to Assistant Commissioner of Police Suhas Hemade.

India has officially become the fourth largest economy in the world, surpassing Japan, according to NITI Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam. During a briefing after the 10th Governing Council meeting of Niti Aayog, he confirmed India is now a USD 4 trillion economy, trailing only the United States, China, and Germany in size. Mr. Subrahmanyam cited International Monetary Fund (IMF) data for this assessment and expressed confidence in India's economic prospects, stating that with continued progress, India could become the third largest economy within the next 2.5 to 3 years. Beyond this milestone, he addressed concerns regarding U.S. manufacturing expectations, specifically in response to President Donald Trump's remarks about the production of Apple iPhones, assuring that India remains a competitive option for manufacturing due to advantageous economic dynamics. Additionally, he announced plans for a second round of asset monetization, which is expected to be unveiled in August.

India criticized Pakistan for disinformation regarding the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, a key water-sharing agreement, during a recent United Nations session. Following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 people last month, India announced it would halt participation in the 1960 treaty until Pakistan ceases its alleged support for terrorism. India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, stated that over 20,000 Indians have died in terrorist attacks sponsored by Pakistan in the last forty years. Harish noted that Pakistan's history of aggression through terror attacks and refusal to engage in treaty modifications has created a hostile environment, stating that the situation necessitated a reevaluation of the treaty's terms. Following the Pahalgam attack, India launched "Operation Sindoor" to target terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Tensions have escalated amid retaliatory strikes and military engagements, with a ceasefire being established after heightened hostilities.