Suspended officer retracts allegations against senior official over Lucknow fire

A day after accusing senior fire department officials of negligence in connection with the Lucknow fire incident that claimed 15 lives, suspended Fire Station Second Officer (FSSO) Kamlesh Kumar Singh withdrew the allegations on Wednesday, adding that his emotional turmoil influenced his actions. Also Read: Lucknow building fire: FIR cites illegal commercial use, single entry/exit in building that claimed 15 lives“I was misled into making the video.

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ePlane unveils India’s first full scale eVTOL prototype

Chennai-headquartered The ePlane Company has completed assembly of its full-scale electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, the e200X, integrating the aircraft’s core subsystems into a single structure. The completed prototype, designated PT-01, moves the e200X from design and simulation into the physical testing phase that precedes flight.

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270 grams of suspected brown sugar seized from Assam youths in Kochi

The Kochi City police made multiple seizures of narcotic substances and arrested four persons in separate raids as part of Operation Toofan – the Narco Hunt, a Statewide anti-drug drive.In the first operation, 270.51 grams of suspected brown sugar was seized from two youths near SRM Road. The arrested are Monor Hussain, 31, and Ramjan Ali, 21, both from Nagaon, Assam.According to the police, the duo are suspected to be key operatives involved in trafficking large quantities of brown sugar from Assam.In another operation, 4.74 grams of suspected MDMA was seized from Amarjeeth, 29, of Edavanakkad, from Ponevazhi, Elamakkara.In a separate case, 3.6 grams of suspected MDMA was recovered from Mohammed Yousuf, 43, of Elamakkara from near Darussalam Road, Pachalam.The operations were carried out by the District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force.

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Suspected Bangladeshi national held for illegal stay

The Kuruppampady police arrested a suspected Bangladeshi national who was allegedly staying at Asamannur, Kothamangalam.The arrested is Mohammad Rathon Islam, 33, a native of Rajashahi district, Bangladesh. He had been working at a plywood factory at Asamannur.According to the police, he entered India illegally by crossing the international border without any valid documents.

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17 kg of suspected hybrid ganja seized in Ernakulam; one held

The anti-narcotic wing of the Ernakulam Rural police on Wednesday seized around 17 kg of suspected hybrid ganja from a 39-year-old man in one of the largest seizures of the drug variety in the State.Ayush, a native of Arukad in Vypeen, was arrested with the contraband estimated to be worth several crores of rupees, from Marampilly near Perumbavoor. He was apprehended during a check conducted by the District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force squad of the Ernakulam Rural police.The police initially recovered 1.25 kg of suspected hybrid ganja from a scooter he was riding.

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FIFA World Cup 2026: Soufiane Rahimi and Gessime Yassine help Morocco rally to beat Haiti 4-2

Soufiane Rahimi and Gessime Yassine came off the bench to help Morocco rally for a 4-2 victory over Haiti on Wednesday (June 24, 2026) and erase the Caribbean nation's hopes of a first ever point at the World Cup.Morocco twice came from behind against a team playing at soccer's biggest tournament for the first time in 52 years.Rahimi’s deflected shot in the 78th minute put Morocco ahead 3-2 and Yassine killed off any chance of an upset with a goal in the 89th.Morocco advanced to the round of 32 in second place behind Brazil in Group C. The five-time champion Brazilians beat Scotland 3-0 in the other group match.

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FIFA World Cup 2026: Vinícius Júnior scores 2 goals as Brazil beats Scotland 3-0 to reach knockout stage

Brazil sambaed their way into the World Cup knockout ​stages with a commanding 3-0 win over Scotland on Wednesday (June 24, 2026), as Vinicius Jr netted twice and Neymar made his first appearance ‌in a Brazil shirt in nearly three years.Vinicius’s double at a packed Miami Stadium ​helped Carlo Ancelotti’s side top Group C with seven points, while 64,478 fans witnessed ⁠the emotional return of Brazil’s prodigal son Neymar, who had not donned the famous yellow jersey since October 2023. FIFA World Cup 2026 | At 41, Ronaldo shows he still has it in him to deliverVinicius has scored in every game so far and the 25-year-old has four goals in the tournament to find himself in elite ‌company, going level with Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland while he sits one goal behind Lionel Messi.“We played well, it was much like the match against Haiti (a 3-0 win).

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FIFA World Cup | Morocco beat Haiti 4-2 in Group C to reach knockouts

(This live blog is now closed)Morocco came from behind twice in a highly entertaining first half ‌before overcoming already eliminated Haiti 4-2 on Wednesday thanks ⁠to goals from substitutes Soufiane Rahimi and Yassine Gessime to advance ‌to the World Cup round of 32 as ‌Group C runners-up.Brazil topped ‌the ⁠standings on seven points, ⁠ahead of Morocco on goal difference and Haiti finished bottom without a point. Morocco, ‌who came in hoping to bag a hatful of goals in an attempt to overhaul ‌Brazil, will play the Group F winners in Houston on Monday.Haiti’s first ⁠was given as an own goal after Lenny Joseph’s backheeled ‌effort went in off Morocco keeper Yassine Bounou.

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FIFA World Cup | Brazil beat Scotland 3-0

(This live blog is now closed)Vinicius Junior scored twice as Brazil romped into the second round ‌of the World Cup as Group C winners ⁠with a 3-0 victory over Scotland on Wednesday, a result that ‌left the Scots relying on other results ‌going their way to ‌progress.The ⁠electric Real Madrid forward ⁠opened the scoring courtesy of a Scottish mix-up in the seventh minute and added ‌his second with a header in first-half stoppage time before Matheus Cunha rounded ‌out the scoring on the hour mark.The comfortable win, which featured the ⁠return after a long absence of Neymar, combined with Morocco’s ‌4-2 win over Haiti put Brazil on the road to Houston, where they will meet the Netherlands, Japan or Sweden next ‌Monday.(With inputs from agencies)Follow updates here:

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One in four graduates are worse off because they went to university, government’s own report says

One in four graduates will be financially worse off over their lifetime because they went to university, according to a major government-commissioned report that will raise fresh questions over the value of some degrees. Researchers from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) found that while most benefit economically from higher education, a quarter ultimately lose money once student loan repayments and taxes are taken into account.

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Health warning issued as more than 1 million children in UK living in overheated homes

Almost 1.6 million children in England, including more than 70,000 babies, are currently living in homes that regularly overheat, prompting campaigners to demand "urgent action" to ensure safe indoor temperatures. The National Housing Federation (NHF) has warned that with increasingly frequent warmer weather, it is becoming "impossible" for parents to maintain comfortable living conditions for their families.This alarming situation is projected to worsen, as the Climate Change Committee has previously suggested that up to 92% of existing homes could eventually overheat.

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One in five fathers who work from home would resign if forced back to the office

Almost one in five fathers currently working from home would resign if their employers mandated a full-time return to the office, new research indicates. A study by King’s College London found that while flexible working policies may exist on paper, workplace cultures, expectations around visibility, and assumptions about commitment often hinder fathers from utilising them effectively.The survey, which polled over 8,200 working fathers, revealed that approximately 17 per cent of those currently working remotely would quit their jobs rather than return to the office five days a week.

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Rare treasures from a 2000-year-old Scottish warrior burial unveiled

A remarkable collection of Iron Age treasures, unearthed alongside the remains of a young man buried nearly 2,000 years ago, is set to captivate audiences as it goes on public display for the first time.The man, believed to be between 17 and 25 years old, was discovered interred in a stone-lined cist at Marshill in Alloa. His burial, dating from approximately 10-70AD, was notably rich in grave goods.

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Man found dead in suspected murder at summer solstice event named by police

A man who died in a suspected murder at a summer solstice event at has been named by police.Isaac Clare-Watts, 26, from Nottingham, was found at the Nine Ladies Stone Circle in Stanton Lees, in the Peak District in Derbyshire, at around 1.38pm on Monday.Derbyshire Police said a 41-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the incident and remains in custodyIn a previous statement, the Peak District National Park Authority said: “We have been made aware of the tragic news and the investigation is being handled by our colleagues at the East Midlands Special Operations Unit.“Our condolences are with the young man’s family during this difficult time.”Officers have said a number of people were in the area over the weekend for the summer solstice and are urging anyone who was there between June 19 and 23, and anyone who has any video footage from the event durin…

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Four out of five Australian children still using social media despite ban, study finds amid fears over UK crackdown

Four out of five Australian young people reported still accessing social media in the months after a ban for under-16s took effect, according to new research which threatens to cast doubts on the UK’s incoming restrictions.The findings from a small study of the initial impacts of the world-first ban suggested “insufficient evidence of any substantive early effects”, the paper from the University of Newcastle, Australia, said.The UK is set to have a ban in place on certain social media for under-16s by spring 2027, after an announcement by Sir Keir Starmer earlier this month.

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Burnham eyes up ‘No 10 in the North’ as path to a coronation becomes clearer

Andy Burnham is set to create a ‘No 10 in the North’ by moving some of his Downing Street operation to Manchester if he enters Downing Street as expected, reports suggest.He edged closer to a coronation on Wednesday after one of his leadership rivals, Darren Jones, a key ally of Sir Keir Starmer, ruled himself out of the race.Dubbed Labour’s ‘King of the North’, the former mayor of Greater Manchester is expected to set out his plans in a speech on the devolution of power on Monday. open image in galleryAndy Burnham is seen as the most likely successor to Sir Keir Starmer (PA Wire)He has long criticised what he sees as Westminster-centric politics, which he argues is holding back the UK economy.Mr Burnham returned to Westminster last week after he won a by-election to become the new MP for Makerfield, in Greater Manchester.

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Andy Burnham responds to Kemi Badenoch’s ‘t-shirt and a pair of eyelashes’ PMQs jab

Independent TVShowing now | News00:10Bookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popoverAndy Burnham responds to Kemi Badenoch’s ‘t-shirt and a pair of eyelashes’ PMQs jabAndy Burnham has responded to Kemi Badenoch after she described him as a “pair of eyelashes and a black T-shirt”.During a fiery Prime Minister's Questions, the Conservative leader took several swipes at the outgoing Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and his party.“They have abandoned him and what for? A pair of eyelashes and a black T-shirt,” said Badenoch on Wednesday.In a video response posted hours later, the MP for Makerfield donned a T-shirt as he batted his eyelashes at the camera and clarified “it’s dark blue, actually”.Up next02:01What are Scientology ‘speed runs’?

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Andy Burnham issued warning over tax rises should he become prime minister

Andy Burnham is facing warnings from political opponents against placing new business taxes or a leftward lurch if he becomes prime minister. These cautions will be voiced at a gathering of business chiefs, where opposition leaders plan to outline their economic response to a Sir Keir Starmer’s potential successor.Chancellor Rachel Reeves is also expected to speak at the event, stressing the Government’s commitment to economic stability as a foundation for growth, even as Cabinet changes loom.

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Nigel Farage referred to financial regulator over donations from crypto-billionaire

Nigel Farage has been referred to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) over claims his cryptocurrency advocacy has benefited his billionaire backer, Christopher Harbone.The Reform UK leader has previously insisted the millions donated by the Thailand-based crypto investor was gifted to him and the party with the expectation of “absolutely nothing in return at all”.But the Chair of the Labour Party has now written to the financial regulator calling for an investigation into whether Mr Farage’s efforts to promote cryptocurrencies and stablecoins may have benefited Mr Harborne.“Mr Farage’s public advocacy for stablecoins and cryptoassets raises issues within the FCA’s remit,” the letter reads.open image in galleryThe letter, written by Chair of the Labour Party Anna Turley, refers to reports Mr Farage used a private meeting with the Governor of the Bank of England, Andrew Bailey, to argue…

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UK heatwave breaks 50-year temperature record for June

Britain has recorded its hottest June day on record, shattering a previous high which has stood since 1976.Provisional temperatures soared to 35.8C in Wiggonholt, West Sussex, and 35.7C in Charlwood, Surrey. This unprecedented heat surpasses the previous record of 35.6C, which had stood since 1976 and 1957, according to the Met Office.The record-breaking temperatures arrive as much of England and Wales endures exceptionally hot and humid conditions, prompting a rare red warning for extreme heat from the Met Office.

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Tube temperatures near 40C as commuters brave heatwave: ‘It’s hotter than South Africa’

Temperatures on the London Underground rail network reached almost 40C on Wednesday as the day was officially declared the hottest in June on record.A provisional outdoor high of 36.1C was recorded at Gosport in Hampshire, beating the previous top temperature of 35.6C set in 1976, the Met Office said as the record was broken four times in a day.The forecaster issued several health warnings for extreme heat, including a rare red warning that covers much of southern England until Thursday.Many schools and offices across the country remain closed amid the hot and humid conditions.Despite the record temperatures, commuters could still be seen in droves in central London, braving the notoriously high Tube heat.Readings taken by The Independent on London Underground carriages showed highs of 39.4C, recorded on the Central line – one of the capital’s busiest lines.open image in galleryReadings…

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