Bengaluru Schools Targeted by Bomb Threat Emails
Panic swept through Bengaluru on Friday morning when around 40 schools received chilling bomb threat emails. Sent from “roadkill333@atomicmail.io,” the messages, signed by someone calling themselves “Roadkill,” claimed explosives were hidden in classrooms, threatening to “erase” everyone. The sender expressed anger at psychiatrists and hinted at suicide. Schools in Central, East, West, and South Bengaluru evacuated students swiftly. Bomb squads and police rushed to the scene, finding no explosives by afternoon. While police suspect a hoax, they’re awaiting full checks before confirming. St Germain Academy’s principal assured parents exams continued as planned after police cleared the school. Authorities are collecting complaints and pursuing legal action, urging calm. The emails’ menacing tone, demanding media attention, left parents shaken but relieved as no threats materialised. Safety remains the priority as investigations continue.
US Tags The Resistance Front as Terror Group
The Resistance Front (TRF), linked to the deadly Pahalgam attack that killed 26 tourists, was labelled a terrorist organisation by the US on Friday. A shadow of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), TRF emerged in 2019 after India revoked Article 370. Claiming to be an “indigenous” group, it operates in Jammu and Kashmir, targeting civilians and security forces. With a strong social media presence, TRF avoids Islamic imagery to gain local support. It’s tied to other terror groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed and operates under the United Jihad Council. Active in districts like Srinagar, TRF uses AK-series rifles, grenades, and sticky bombs. India banned TRF in 2023, and the US move strengthens global counter-terrorism efforts. Pakistan denies supporting TRF, despite evidence of LeT links. Tracking TRF’s discreet members remains a challenge for security forces.
Indian Astronaut’s Space Station Mission Boosts Gaganyaan
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla returned from a two-week mission to the International Space Station on July 15, a key step for ISRO’s Gaganyaan mission, set for 2027. Partnering with NASA and Axiom Space, ISRO paid over ₹500 crore for Shukla’s training, which covered spacecraft systems, emergency protocols, and microgravity operations. Shukla, the mission pilot, practised docking, reentry, and anomaly management, working in Japanese and European station modules. ISRO’s chairman said the mission cost less than training in-house. While the NASA-Axiom-ISRO tie-up is a win, ISRO’s limited communication about the mission has raised eyebrows. Shukla’s journey could inspire millions, yet details remain sparse. With Gaganyaan’s ₹20,000 crore price tag, clearer updates would boost public excitement. This mission strengthens India’s space ambitions, proving its astronauts are ready for the challenges ahead.
India Rejects Claims in Air India Crash Probe
A media storm erupted over Air India Flight 171’s crash near Ahmedabad, which killed 260 people. Reports from The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg, citing US sources, claimed cockpit recordings showed Captain Sumeet Sabharwal switched off the plane’s fuel, sparking panic from First Officer Clive Kunder. India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) slammed the reports as “irresponsible,” urging caution until the final report. The preliminary findings confirmed the fuel switches were turned off briefly but didn’t assign blame. The AAIB stressed respecting the victims’ families and avoiding speculation. Aviation experts demand more transparency, suggesting public release of cockpit tapes to curb rumours. The crash, the first fatal Boeing 787 incident, raises questions about switch design or human error. Investigations now include psychology and flight recorder experts to uncover the cause, with no timeline for the final report.
Perplexity Tops India’s App Store with Airtel Offer
Perplexity, an AI-powered app, has surged to the top of India’s Apple App Store, overtaking ChatGPT, thanks to Airtel’s free one-year Perplexity Pro subscription offer. Valued at ₹17,000, the deal, available via the Airtel Thanks app, gives users access to advanced AI models like Claude and Grok 4, plus image generation and deep research tools. Perplexity’s CEO, Aravind Srinivas, celebrated the milestone on X, noting it outranked apps like Meesho and Google Gemini. Airtel’s offer, open to its mobile, broadband, and DTH customers, has driven massive downloads. The app’s ability to analyse files and deliver precise answers has won over users. This news roundup highlight shows how strategic partnerships can skyrocket an app’s popularity, making Perplexity a household name in India’s competitive AI market.
Gujarat’s Kodarvi Tribe Returns Home After 11 Years
After fleeing their village in 2014, 300 members of Gujarat’s Kodarvi tribe have returned to Mota Pipodara in Banaskantha. They left fearing collective punishment under Chadotara, a tribal conflict resolution system, after a murder was pinned on their community. The Kodarvis lost homes and 8.5 hectares of farmland, living as labourers in makeshift shelters for over a decade. Reconciliation began when police officer Suman Nala, tipped off by her house help, worked with village elders and NGOs to ensure their safe return. Farmlands were restored, and two homes rebuilt, with 27 more planned under government schemes. Free electricity, water, and gas connections are promised. Gujarat’s home minister called it a step toward healing. This homecoming, backed by ₹70 lakh in funding, offers the Kodarvis a fresh start and hope for harmony.
UK Lowers Voting Age to 16 in Electoral Overhaul
The UK government announced plans to lower the voting age for general elections from 18 to 16, a bold move to boost democratic engagement. Prime Minister Keir Starmer argued that 16-year-olds, who can work and pay taxes, deserve a say in how their money is spent. The change aligns with Scotland and Wales, where teens already vote in regional elections. Other reforms include automated voter registration and accepting bank cards as ID at polling stations, countering the previous photo ID rule that may have blocked 750,000 voters. Experts call it the biggest electoral shake-up since 1969, potentially adding 9.5 million voters. Critics warn it could favour Labour, as younger voters lean left. With the government’s majority, the bill is likely to pass, joining countries like Austria and Brazil in empowering younger citizens.
Saiyaara’s Record-Breaking Advance Bookings
Bollywood’s romantic drama Saiyaara, starring newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, is making waves with record-shattering advance bookings. Directed by Mohit Suri and backed by Yash Raj Films, the movie raked in ₹9.39 crore in pre-sales, selling 3.8 lakh tickets before its July 18 release. This beats the opening day collections of films like Dhadak and outpaces big-budget releases like Akshay Kumar’s Sky Force (₹3.78 crore) and Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par (₹3.32 crore). Only Salman Khan’s Sikandar edged ahead with ₹10 crore, though Saiyaara sold more tickets in multiplexes. The buzz around this mid-budget film with debutants signals a potential box office hit. In this news roundup, Saiyaara proves fresh faces can challenge Bollywood’s veterans, setting high expectations for its opening day.
Indian Chess Prodigy Praggnanandhaa Stuns Carlsen
Indian chess star R Praggnanandhaa delivered a stunning upset by defeating world number one Magnus Carlsen in the Freestyle Grand Slam Tour in Las Vegas. In round four, Carlsen’s aggressive play backfired, allowing Praggnanandhaa to capitalise on mistakes and secure a decisive win. The loss rattled Carlsen, who then fell to Wesley So and was eliminated by Levon Aronian in tie-breaks, capping his best finish at third. Praggnanandhaa, alongside compatriot Arjun Erigaisi, advanced to the quarterfinals, joined by players like Hikaru Nakamura and Fabiano Caruana. Both Indians shone in the round-robin stage, with Praggnanandhaa scoring 4.5/7. The quarterfinals kicked off on July 18, showcasing India’s rising chess talent. Praggnanandhaa’s bold performance against Carlsen highlights his growing prowess, putting Indian chess in the global spotlight.
