QUICKREADS

Rural school kids in Satara learn Japanese, will take official exams
A school in India's drought-prone Satara district is pioneering a scheme to teach Japanese to its pupils. Balaji Jadhav, the school's only teacher, has taught 40 students from classes 1 to 4 to read, write and communicate in the language. In the next academic year, the students will sit official Japanese examinations. Jadhav believes that learning a foreign language at a young age is important and has written to the Japanese consulate in India about his school's initiative.

Zerodha's Nikhil Kamath gets Bengaluru's top cops talking and laughing in latest WTF episode. Watch
Zerodha's Nikhil Kamath interviews Bengaluru's top cops in a humorous podcast, exploring their lives beyond uniforms, discussing traffic, films, and policing, offering an unprecedented, candid glimpse into law enforcement's human side.

Pakistan not only harbours terrorism but is directly involved in it: Yogi Adityanath
Yogi Adityanath accuses Pakistan of direct terrorism involvement, citing recent terror incidents. He claims India will triumph and that Pakistan is struggling for existence, emphasizing the nation's commitment to combating terrorist threats through military and diplomatic means.

Op Sindoor: Uneasy calm in Punjab after anxious night amid blackout
Punjab experiences uneasy calm after Pakistan's drone and missile attack, with border districts under blackout. Authorities advised residents to stay indoors. No fresh attacks reported, but tension remains high as ministers prepare to review essential services.

Karnataka calls for special prayers in mosques for armed forces involved in Operation Sindoor: Report
Karnataka government directs mosques to offer special prayers for armed forces during Operation Sindoor, following similar temple rituals. Minority Welfare Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan emphasizes prayers as a tribute to soldiers, with a Bengaluru flag march planned to show national support.

Bengaluru civic body to hold 'Tiranga Yatre' in support of Operation Sindoor: Report
Bengaluru will host a 'Tiranga Yatre' flag march supporting Operation Sindoor, organized by BBMP. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar will join, symbolizing solidarity with Indian Armed Forces after the Pahalgam terror attack.

Rights panel head writes to Chandigarh administrator on Group Home issue
The Human Rights Commission critiqued Chandigarh's Group Home for persons with intellectual disabilities, highlighting excessive financial requirements, lack of professional staff, and barriers to admission that potentially violate applicants' rights, calling for a more inclusive approach.

Vicky Middukhera murder case: Mohali court reserves bail plea orders of accused
Mohali court reserved bail orders for Vicky Middukhera murder case. Three gangsters convicted, some acquitted. Murder occurred in August 2021 when masked men shot Akali youth leader near property dealer's office. Family seeks justice, court directs further investigation.

Panchkula Golf Course likely to be spared in NHAI’s ring road plan
NHAI plans to construct a 6-lane ring road near Panchkula Golf Club, likely sparing the course by using an elevated section. The ₹1,878 crore project aims to reduce traffic congestion while preserving the golf course's layout and ecosystem.

Mohali: Two killed in different road mishaps in Lalru
Two fatal road accidents in Mohali's Lalru killed a 21-year-old biker and a 37-year-old pedestrian. Both incidents involved unidentified car drivers, with police registering cases and searching for the accused after handing over the bodies to families.

Chandigarh: PU puts a ban on Holi celebrations at Student Centre
Panjab University bans Holi celebrations at Student Centre due to recent murder and rowdy behavior. New SOPs restrict DJ systems, star nights, and outsider entry. Vice-chancellor approved measures aim to enhance campus safety and event management.

Chandigarh mayor seeks report on dysfunctional mist machines at Dadumajra
Chandigarh mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla inspected Dadumajra dumping ground, seeking reports on non-functional mist machines and waste management. She urged officials to improve the site's environmental quality and aesthetic appeal through strategic landscaping and waste processing.

Chandigarh Police’s plan to shift drug peddlers to Assam jail put on hold
Chandigarh Police's plan to relocate two habitual drug offenders to Dibrugarh Central Jail in Assam is temporarily halted due to space constraints. The transfer aims to disrupt their local drug networks, and they will remain in Burail jail until alternative arrangements are made.

Panchkula: Man acquitted in excise case over ‘flawed sampling’, Himachal HC case cited
A man was acquitted of selling illicit liquor after court found flawed sampling methods and procedural inconsistencies in the police investigation, citing a Himachal HC ruling that challenged the validity of chemical evidence from a single bottle.

Chandigarh: Fourth round of e-auction: 10 liquor vends remain unsold
Chandigarh's e-auction of liquor vends saw 11 out of 21 locations sold, generating ₹60.76 crore. Ten vends remain unsold after the fourth round, with the highest bid at ₹11.11 crore for a Sector 38-D market location.

Chandigarh: PGIMER asks people to come forward for voluntary blood donation
PGIMER launches campaign for Emergency Blood Reserve, urging voluntary donation as a response to terrorism. Director emphasizes unity, preparedness, and saving lives, particularly seeking O group donors to strengthen medical readiness.