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Dravidian Model CM MK Stalin Who Swears By ‘Periyar’ Gets Discharged From Hospital After ‘Rahu Kalam’

By
The Commune
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Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin was discharged from Apollo Hospital in Chennai on Sunday (27 July 2025) evening, six days after being admitted following a brief episode of dizziness. The 72-year-old DMK leader had experienced the episode during his morning walk on 21 July 2025 and was admitted to Apollo Hospital in the Thousand Lights area for evaluation.

According to the medical team, initial tests indicated minor irregularities in heartbeat, prompting an angiogram to assess his cardiac health more thoroughly. A medical bulletin issued by the hospital confirmed that the Chief Minister responded well to treatment and had made a full recovery.

“Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has completed his treatment under the supervision of Dr. Senguttuvelu and a team of specialists. He is now completely healthy and will be discharged today evening,” the hospital said in its statement. It also advised a brief period of rest, following which the Chief Minister is expected to resume official duties later this week.

Stalin left the hospital at approximately 6 p.m. on Sunday, drawing relief from DMK cadres and supporters across the state who had been closely following health updates.

However, his timing sparked debate online, with several social media users pointing out that his discharge coincided with the end of Rahukalam – a period considered inauspicious in traditional Hindu astrology, which on Sundays falls between 4:30 PM and 6 PM.

Critics and netizens questioned the perceived contradiction between the Dravidian movement’s avowed rationalist ideals and the Chief Minister’s exit from the hospital immediately after Rahukalam. Some accused the DMK of symbolic adherence to astrological timing despite publicly promoting scientific temper and rationalism.

(With inputs from IANS)

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Chhattisgarh CM Vows Stricter Anti-Conversion Law After Controversial Durg Trafficking Case

By
The Commune
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chhattisgarh anti-conversion law cm christian

As Chhattisgarh grapples with rising communal anxieties, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has pledged to tighten the state’s religious conversion law, announcing legislative action in the next Assembly session. His remarks, delivered at Raipur’s “Shadani Darbar” during a Hindu Jagran programme – Chhattisgarh Rajya Stariya Hindu Rashtra Adhiveshan” (State Level Hindu Nation Convention) organised on Sunday, 27 July 2025, where over 250 religious, legal, and civic representatives called for statutory measures to curb religious conversion, cow slaughter, and illegal infiltration.

The Bill is likely to be introduced in next session of the Assembly, and it would be an overhauled version of the existing law, the chief minister said. The urgency was underscored just days earlier at Durg railway station, where two Catholic nuns and a male companion were detained for allegedly attempting to traffic three tribal girls to Agra under the pretext of employment.

Bajrang Dal activists intercepted the group, claiming the minors — residents of Narayanpur and Orchha in Bastar — were being misled with false promises of jobs and education. The situation escalated into a communal flashpoint, prompting slogans, crowd mobilisation, and intervention by the Government Railway Police (GRP), who placed all parties under custody.

The girls, “now under protective care at Bhilai Sakhi Center”, stated they were en route to Agra for work but were unclear about the specifics of the arrangement. Following preliminary statements, the GRP registered a case of “human trafficking” against the three accused under Section 143 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita and Section 4 of the Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Act.

GRP in-charge Rajkumar Borjha confirmed the seizure of documents including a diary with names of priests and photographs of other girls, Aadhaar cards, and images of minors — deepening investigative scrutiny. Bajrang Dal activists, according to police, alleged the incident was indicative of a broader pattern of religious conversion and trafficking targeting vulnerable tribal populations. They pressed their allegations that the girls’ families were unaware of their travel plans, and accused “the missionaries of withholding key information”. The FIRs were reportedly filed by the girls’ relatives at Orchha police station.

In contrast, Christian missionary representatives have denied wrongdoing, described the case as politically motivated and claimed the girls had parental consent to travel for employment. The community has indicated that legal recourse would be pursued to contest the charges.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) has condemned the arrests, labelling them fabricated and urging intervention from the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister to safeguard minority rights. Independent reports suggest the nuns belong to the Green Garden Sisters of Agra and were employed at Fatima Hospital. They were reportedly escorting the girls to begin work at the hospital, supported by written consent from at least one family member.

The controversy has reignited concerns and debate over the treatment of religious minorities in Chhattisgarh, governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), where cases of alleged “forced conversion and communal tension” have surfaced in recent months. The case remains under investigation, with judicial custody granted until August 8. The girls are currently under the supervision of the Women Welfare Committee in Durg.

–IANS

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Assam Rifles Seize ₹40 Crore Worth Of Meth And Heroin In Mizoram

By
The Commune
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assam rifles mizoram meth heroin

The Assam Rifles have seized highly addictive methamphetamine tablets and heroin valued at around ₹40.05 crore in Mizoram, officials said on Sunday, 27 July 2025.

A Defence spokesman said that after getting intelligence inputs, the Assam Rifles troops have launched an operation at Melbuk areas in border town Zokhawthar in eastern Mizoram’s Champhai district on Saturday night. “On conducting a thorough search, the para-military personnel recovered 1.041 kg heroin and 9.381 kg methamphetamine tablets valued approximately 40.05 crores from an abandoned place,” he said. The seized contrabands have been handed over to the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB). Officials suspect that the Methamphetamine tablets, also known as Yaba or party tablets, and heroin were smuggled from Myanmar. Methamphetamine, which comes in tablet, powder, or crystalline form — commonly called ice or crystal meth — is a stimulant that suppresses the need for sleep and is often used by partygoers and young adults.

Myanmar’s Chin State has emerged as a major hub for drug trafficking, wildlife smuggling, and other illicit activities. The contraband is often routed through six districts in Mizoram — Champhai, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Hnahthial, Saitual, and Serchhip — which share unfenced borders of 510 km with Myanmar.

Meanwhile, Assam Rifles have been conducting awareness campaigns like seminars and group discussions highlighting the bad effects of the drugs and drugs trafficking are a punishable offence under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act 1985.

The Defence spokesman said that the aim of these awareness campaigns is to educate the local population, especially the youth, about the harmful effects of drug abuse and the serious legal consequences associated with drug trafficking and peddling.

The speakers in this campaign highlighted the rising threat of narcotics in society and especially in border areas of Mizoram and urged the participants to stay vigilant and not to get entrapped.

–IANS

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16-Hour Debate On Operation Sindoor To Begin In Parliament Today

By
The Commune
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operation sindoor parliament debate lok sabha rajya sabha

After a turbulent first week of the Monsoon Session marred by repeated disruptions, Parliament is set for a high-stakes debate on ‘Operation Sindoor’ and the Pahalgam terror attack on Monday, 28 July 2025. The proceedings are expected to be a defining moment of the Monsoon Session, focusing on matters of national security and foreign policy.

In the Lok Sabha, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will open the debate on Operation Sindoor, a critical military and diplomatic initiative launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. The discussion is scheduled to continue for 16 hours, reflecting the gravity of the issues at hand.

Joining him will be Home Minister Amit Shah and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who will present the government’s stand on both the Pahalgam attack and the broader implications of Operation Sindoor. Prominent BJP MPs including Anurag Thakur and Nishikant Dubey will also contribute to the debate. On the Opposition side, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge are expected to spearhead the response, along with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and several other leaders.

The Congress party has issued a whip directing all its Lok Sabha MPs to remain present for the next three days, underlining the importance it attaches to the debate. The Monsoon Session began on a stormy note, with the Opposition stalling proceedings over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar and other contentious issues.

However, earlier on 25 July 2025, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju confirmed that the Opposition had agreed to initiate discussions on national security matters starting Monday in the Lok Sabha and continuing in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

–IANS

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US Secretary Of State Rubio Confirms US Support As Thai-Cambodian Ceasefire Talks Set To Begin In Malaysia

By
The Commune
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cambodia thailand war rubio usa ceasefire peace talks

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Cambodia and Thailand are set to commence high-level talks in Malaysia, aiming to achieve an immediate ceasefire amid the escalating border clashes between the two nations.

“Cambodia and Thailand are scheduled to begin high-level talks in Malaysia shortly in hopes of achieving an immediate ceasefire. State Department officials are on the ground in Malaysia to assist these peace efforts. Both President Donald Trump and I remain engaged with our respective counterparts for each country and are monitoring the situation very closely. We want this conflict to end as soon as possible,” read a press statement issued by Rubio.

Meanwhile, Rubio on Sunday held separate telephonic conversations with Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, urging both nations to de-escalate tensions immediately and agree to a ceasefire over the ongoing border dispute between the two countries.

“Secretary Rubio reiterated President Trump’s desire for peace and the importance of an immediate ceasefire. The United States is prepared to facilitate future discussions in order to ensure peace and stability between Thailand and Cambodia,” said US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce. Thailand on Sunday responded to US President Donald Trump’s call for a ceasefire on the Thai-Cambodian border, saying that the country agrees in principle to have a ceasefire in place but would like to see a sincere intention from the Cambodian side.

In a statement released early Sunday, the Thai Foreign Ministry confirmed that “Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai had a conversation with President Trump, who requested that Thailand and Cambodia agree to a ceasefire immediately.”

Phumtham told Trump that “Thailand agrees in principle to have a ceasefire in place. However, Thailand would like to see sincere intentions from the Cambodian side,” said the statement. Phumtham asked Trump to convey to the Cambodian side that “Thailand wants to convene a bilateral dialogue as soon as possible to bring forth measures and procedures for the ceasefire and the eventual peaceful resolution of the conflict,” it added.

On the other hand, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Sunday reiterated Cambodia’s willingness for an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire” between the armed forces of Cambodia and Thailand. Clashes in the border areas between Cambodia and Thailand began on Thursday, with both sides accusing each other of violating international law.

–IANS

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Amarnath Yatra Crosses Mark Of 3.77 Lakh Pilgrims In 25 days

By
The Commune
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amarnath yatra pahalgam terror attack kashmir pilgrims

Over 3.77 lakh people performed the ongoing Amarnath Yatra since it started this year on 3 July 2025 as another batch of 1,635 devotees left Jammu for the Valley on Monday, 28 July 2025.

Officials of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) said the ‘Chhari Sthapana’ ceremony was held at the Shri Amareshwar Temple inside the Dashnami Akhara Building in Srinagar yesterday. Officials said the ‘Chhari Pujan’ will be celebrated on 29 August 2025 on ‘Nag Pachami’ at the same temple in Srinagar while the final journey of the Chhari Mubarak will start on 4 August 2025 towards the holy cave shrine.

“A fresh batch of 1,635 pilgrims left Jammu in two escorted convoys today. First convoy of 17 vehicles carrying 374 Yatris left at 3.25 A.M. for the Baltal base camp while the second convoy of 42 vehicles carrying 1,261 Yatris left at 4 A.M. for the Pahalgam base camp”, officials said.

Lord Shiva’s holy mace, the ‘Chhari Mubarak’, is traditionally housed inside the Amareshwar Temple at the Dashnami Akhara Building in the Budshah Chowk area of Srinagar city. It is the journey of the Chhari Mubarak that determines the landmarks of the Amarnath Yatra. It will start its final journey towards the cave shrine from the Amareshwar temple in Srinagar on August 4 and will reach the holy cave shrine on 9 August 2025, marking the official conclusion of the Yatra.

During its journey from its seat to the holy cave shrine, traditional Puja will be held en route at Pampore, Bijbehara, Mattan and Pahalgam before the Chhari Mubarak arrives at its final destination, the holy cave shrine. Authorities have made extensive multi-tier security arrangements for this year’s Amarnath Yatra, as this takes place after the cowardly attack of 22 April 2025 in which Pakistan-backed terrorists killed 26 civilians after segregating them based on faith in the Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam.

An additional 180 companies of CAPFs have been brought in to augment the existing strength of the Army, BSF, CRPF, SSB and the local police. The Army has deployed over 8,000 special commandos to secure the passage of the pilgrims this year. The Yatra started on 3 July 2025 and will end after 38 days on 9 August 2025, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan. Yatris approach the holy cave shrine situated 3888 metres above sea level in the Kashmir Himalayas either from the traditional Pahalgam route or the shorter Baltal route. Those using the Pahalgam route pass through Chandanwari, Sheshnag and Panchtarni to reach the cave shrine, covering a distance of 46 km on foot.

This trek takes a pilgrim four days to get to the cave shrine. And those using the shorter Baltal route have to trek 14 km to reach the cave shrine and return to the base camp the same day after having darshan. No helicopter services are available to Yatris this year due to security reasons.

The cave shrine houses an ice stalagmite structure that wanes and waxes with the phases of the moon. Devotees believe that the ice stalagmite structure symbolises the mythical powers of Lord Shiva.

–IANS

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11 Injured In US Mass Stabbing At Walmart Store; Suspect In Custody

By
The Commune
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At least 11 people were injured in a stabbing at a Walmart store in Traverse City in the northern part of the US state of Michigan. Around 4:45 p.m. local time (2045 GMT) on Saturday, a 42-year-old man entered the store and used a folding knife style weapon to stab people there, the Grand Traverse County Sheriff Michael Shea told reporters.

The suspect was in custody and the attack appeared to be a random one, said the sheriff. As of Saturday evening, three people were undergoing surgery at Munson Medical Center. Five victims were in serious condition and six in critical condition, Munson Healthcare said in a statement.

People are advised to avoid the area as the investigation continues, Xinhua news agency reported. Earlier in the day, the Michigan State Police said the suspect had been taken into custody. Shea said the suspect is believed to be a Michigan resident but declined to share further details.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said: “Our thoughts are with the victims and the community reeling from this brutal act of violence.” Walmart said in a statement that it would continue to work closely with law enforcement in the investigation. “Violence like this is unacceptable. Our thoughts are with those who were injured and we’re thankful for the swift action of first responders,” the statement said. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said in a social media post that bureau officials were responding to “provide any necessary support.”

–IANS

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Bomb Threat To TN CM Stalin’s Residence Turns Out To Be Hoax

By
The Commune
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In the early hours of Sunday, an unidentified caller rang the Chennai Police Control Room claiming that a bomb had been planted at the residence of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in Alwarpet. The alarming call triggered a swift and high-level security response. Immediately after receiving the threat, the police dispatched a bomb disposal squad along with a sniffer dog unit to the Chief Minister’s official residence.

A thorough search operation was conducted across the premises, with officers combing every corner of the house and its surroundings. After a detailed inspection lasting over an hour, police confirmed that the bomb threat was false. No explosive materials or suspicious objects were found on the premises.

Officials have now launched an investigation to trace the person behind the hoax call. The call was reportedly made from a mobile phone, and efforts are underway to track the number and identify the caller. Senior police officers confirmed that the incident is being treated seriously and that appropriate legal action will be taken against the individual responsible for creating panic and attempting to disrupt public order. Cyber and technical teams have been roped in to assist in the investigation.

This is not the first time that such fake bomb threats have been reported in Tamil Nadu. Over the past year, several prominent locations — including government offices, shopping malls, schools, and railway stations — have received similar hoax threats, often leading to evacuations and security sweeps.

In April 2023, multiple schools across Chennai and Coimbatore received email threats warning of planted bombs, which also turned out to be false. In another instance in early 2024, a threat call targeted the Madras High Court premises, which led to a temporary lockdown of the area. Security experts have warned that repeated hoax calls can lead to desensitisation of emergency response systems and drain valuable public resources. Police have appealed to the public to refrain from such mischief, stressing that strict legal consequences await those found guilty.

Meanwhile, CM Stalin, who has been governing the state from a hospital bed following a recent medical procedure, was promptly informed of the development.

–IANS

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South Korea Faces Risks From US Tariff Due To Reliance On Manufacturing-Led Exports

By
The Commune
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South Korea has the second-highest share of manufacturing in its gross domestic product (GDP) among major economies, data showed on Sunday, underscoring its vulnerability to the aggressive tariff measures by the United States.

The manufacturing sector accounted for 27.6 percent of South Korea’s GDP in 2023, far higher than the average 15.8 percent of the member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), according to the National Assembly Budget Office (NABO). It ranked second among OECD member countries, following Ireland at 31 percent.

By comparison, Germany recorded 20.1 percent and Japan 20.7 percent, reports Yonhap news agency. “While most advanced economies are seeing an increasing share of the service sector, South Korea continues to maintain a relatively high level of manufacturing output,” the office said. “Given the size of its economy, South Korea is still regarded as a country with a relatively high dependence on manufacturing.”

The manufacturing sector remains the backbone of the Korean economy, with key industries, including semiconductors, rechargeable batteries, shipbuilding and automobiles, maintaining global competitiveness. Driven by its manufacturing-based economy, South Korea remains highly dependent on exports as a key growth engine. As of 2024, exports accounted for 44.4 percent of the nation’s GDP, compared with the OECD average of 30 percent. Among the Group of Seven (G7) nations, Germany posted the highest export-to-GDP ratio at 41.8 percent, followed by France with 33.9 percent, Italy with 32.7 percent and Canada with 32.4 percent. The U.S. recorded 10.9 percent.

South Korea’s export dependence on the U.S. stood at 18.8 percent in 2024. Given the country’s high manufacturing ratio and export reliance on the U.S., the envisioned reciprocal tariffs are feared to deliver a major economic blow. Last-minute negotiations are under way between Seoul and Washington, as the Donald Trump administration has warned that South Korea will face a 25 percent reciprocal tariff unless a deal is reached before Aug. 1. “If the proposed reciprocal tariffs take effect, the Korean economy could suffer a significant impact,” said Yang Joon-seok, an economics professor at the Catholic University of Korea. “We should leverage our strengths in key sectors, such as shipbuilding and semiconductors, during the negotiations,” he added.

—IANS

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Flood Alert Along Lower Bhavani River In TN’s Erode As Bhavanisagar Dam Nears Full Capacity

By
The Commune
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A flood alert has been issued for residents living along the banks of the Lower Bhavani River, as the water level in the Bhavanisagar Dam (Lower Bhavani Dam) in Tamil Nadu’s Erode district is rapidly rising and is likely to reach 100 feet on Sunday.

According to officials from the Water Resources Department (WRD), the dam recorded a water level of 99.06 feet at 11 a.m. on Saturday, with an inflow of 7,383 cusecs. The dam’s full capacity is 32.80 tmcft, which corresponds to a water level of 105 feet. Once the level reaches 100 feet — likely on Sunday morning — the surplus water will be released into the Bhavani River.

A senior WRD official said the inflow has surged due to persistent rainfall in the dam’s catchment areas, which are expected to continue for the next few days. “As per standard operating procedure, surplus water must be released when the water level reaches 100 ft in July. We will maintain the level at 100 ft till July 31. From August 1, it can be held up to 102 ft,” he said.

This marks the first release of surplus water from the Bhavanisagar Dam since October 2022. In the intervening period, water was discharged only for irrigation and drinking purposes. The department warned that the current water discharge of 3,000 cusecs may be increased up to 10,000 cusecs or more, depending on the inflow. “All people residing along the Bhavani River and in low-lying areas should move to safer locations. Precautionary steps must be taken to safeguard lives and property,” the WRD stated. Erode District Collector S. Kandasamy has advised the public to stay away from the river.

“People should refrain from bathing, fishing, taking photographs, or allowing livestock into the river,” he said. Meanwhile, in neighbouring Tiruppur district, water release from the Amaravathi Dam has been increased to 6,950 cusecs. The dam, which has remained at full capacity for over 45 days, recorded a level of 88.16 feet (3,880 mcft) on Saturday, just short of its maximum of 90 feet (4,047 mcft). The inflow stood at 10,961 cusecs, and the outflow at 12,450 cusecs. “With inflow likely to rise further, we plan to reduce the dam’s maintenance level to 87.5 feet soon,” a WRD official said. Authorities continue to closely monitor the situation and urge the public to follow safety instructions.

–IANS

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TheCommune
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