Maharashtra CM Announces Rs 1 Crore to Olympic Bronze Medalist Swapnil Kusale

During his speech, Biden took Elizabeth Whelan’s hand and said she’d practically been living at the White House as they tried to free Paul.

He then motioned for Alsu Kurmasheva’s daughter Miriam to come closer, and took her hand, telling the room it was her 13th birthday before asking everyone to sing “Happy Birthday” with him. The teen was emotional as Biden hugged her across the shoulders with one arm and wiped away a tear after she walked away.

“Now she gets to celebrate with her mom,” Biden said. “That’s what this is all about — families able to be together again. Like they should have been all along.”

The family of a former Marine is thanking everyone from top U.S. officials to GoFundMe donors and fellow military vets for his release from Russian detention after 2,043 days.

Paul Whelan’s family issued the statement Thursday after confirming the former Marine was among those coming home.

The family used the opportunity to thank President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. But they also expressed gratitude to Washington insiders, ordinary letter writers and journalists who all helped keep up pressure for Whelan’s release.

In the statement, the family notes that Whelan lost his home and his job while wrongfully held by Russia.

“We are unsure how someone overcomes these losses and rejoins society after being a hostage,” his family wrote.

Biden credited U.S. allies for the prisoner swap, saying it’s “a powerful example of why it’s vital to have friends in this world.”

“For anyone who questions whether allies matter, they do,” Biden said. “They matter.”

But he also acknowledged that such prisoner swaps “come with tough calls.”

The president said that he has a great sense of gratitude to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The deal, he said, “required me to get some serious concessions from Germany.”

Biden says prisoner swap deals ‘come with tough calls’ but that nothing matters more than protecting Americans

'Their brutal ordeal is over': Biden says deal was ' feat of diplomacy and friendship'

“And let me be clear: I will not stop working until every American wrongfully detained or held hostage around the world is reunited with their family. My Administration has now brought home over 70 such Americans, many of whom were in captivity since before I took office. Still, too many families are suffering and separated from their loved ones, and I have no higher priority as President than bringing those Americans home,” said US President Joe Biden. 

Celebrating exchange President Biden vowed to keep working to release wrongfully detained stating, “Feat of diplomacy.” 

'Feat of diplomacy': Biden celebrates exchange, vows to keep working to release wrongfully detained

'History in your hands': Joe Biden says 'time for younger voices' as he urges Americans to unite to save US democracy

President Biden speaks after American freed 

Biden announces prisoner swap freeing Americans Evan Gershovich and Paul Whelan

Old Rajinder Nagar Coaching Centre incident: Rau IAS' Advocate Mohit Saraf says, "What we are offering is an Rs. 50 lakh compensation to each one of the students who has lost his life. Rs. 25 lakhs right away and Rs. 25 lakhs once Abhishek, CEO of the organisation, comes out and we can meet the financial requirement to pay the rest Rs. 25 lakhs. I also have committed that the next part will be paid within six months... Different people have different expectations, I am a messenger."

The Enforcement Directorate arrested Bharat Bhushan Ashu, a former Punjab minister and Congress leader, in Jalandhar, Punjab. The arrest follows allegations of Ashu's involvement in a money-laundering case linked to a tender scam. The arrest came after a day-long questioning session by the ED.

In Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, District Commissioner Torul S Raveesh reported that the NDRF has successfully rescued 29 people trapped in the Malana Power Project Powerhouse. 

A rescue operation is ongoing to free four individuals trapped inside a tunnel. 

In the district, seven people were reported missing from Bagipul and three from Samej. So far, two bodies have been recovered, with one identified. 

The search operation continues for the remaining missing persons.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde congratulated Swapnil Kusale for his bronze medal win in the Men's 50m Rifle event at the Paris Olympics. During a call with Kusale's family in Kolhapur, CM Shinde expressed pride in Kusale's achievement and assured full support from the Maharashtra government. To honor Kusale's success, Shinde announced a financial reward of Rs 1 crore. The CM emphasized that Kusale is a source of pride for the state and that the government will assist him in his future endeavors.

On the visit of Vietnam Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to India, Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary (East) says, "Vietnam Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh is on a state visit to India...Vietnam is one of our closest partners and a pillar of our Act East policy...Vietnam today is a rapidly growing economy...Our bilateral trade is about 15 billion dollars and this can be significantly increased...We signed several agreements, 9 in total...Defence collaboration is an important pillar of India, Vietnam ties."

PM Modi today called shooter Swapnil Kusale and congratulated him on his bronze medal win in the Men's 50m Rifle 3P event at Paris Olympics.
 

On Delhi's Old Rajinder Nagar coaching centre incident, the Founder of Super 30 educational programme, Anand Kumar says "There should be control on the coaching fees as well. The Govt should make a Coaching Act. There are some old coaching acts which should be revised. In this incident, immediate action should be taken and the strictest possible punishment should be given to the person responsible. There should be inspections in coaching centres every month...I want to advise the coaching institutes to accept their mistakes and make arrangements to improve the condition of the institutes."

Old Rajinder Nagar coaching centre incident | Shima Kathuria- wife of one of the accused Manuj Kathuria, says "We are very happy and excited to bring him (Manuj Kathuria) home. Thank you for all the support. We have full faith in the judicial system... Hopefully, fingers crossed (he will be out of jail today)."

Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu distributes 'NTR Bharosa' pensions under the NTR Bharosa Pension Scheme to the beneficiaries at their homes. 

After meeting Wayanad landslide survivors, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra saids, "We have spent a whole day meeting people who have suffered. It's an immense tragedy. We can only imagine the kind of pain the people are suffering. We are here to give as much comfort and support. There has been a big tragedy in Himachal Pradesh as well. Tomorrow, we plan to sit and chalk out how we can help especially the children who are left on their own now." 

In response to rising concerns over a potential H1N1 outbreak, the Kerala health department has mandated the use of masks in public places across Wayanad. Previously, masks were only required in hospitals and care centers, but the new directive extends this precautionary measure to all public spaces. 

Health department officials and volunteers are enforcing strict adherence to the guidelines.

This heightened vigilance is reminiscent of the measures taken during the coronavirus pandemic. 

The health department has also issued warnings about the severity of the H1N1 situation, urging residents to take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the virus.

Three people were killed and about 50 went missing following several incidents of cloudburst in Himachal Pradesh where rains washed away many houses, bridges and roads, officials said on Thursday.

India and Vietnam on Thursday firmed up a new action plan to expand their strategic ties, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserting that both sides will work towards a free and rules-based Indo-Pacific and that New Delhi supports development and not "expansionism". After his wide-ranging talks with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Modi said the agreed USD 300 million credit line for Vietnam will strengthen the Southeast Asian nation's maritime security.

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and former Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi along with party leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra at the landslide site in Chooralmala, Wayanad.

Swapnil Kusale secured the bronze medal with 451.4. This is the 3rd medal in shooting for India.

Three people were electrocuted after coming into contact with electric wires under a tree near IFFCO Chowk Metro Station here, police said on Thursday.

PM Narendra Modi has been closely monitoring the situation in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh in the wake of heavy rains and a cloudburst. He has asked top officials to ensure all possible assistance is provided to the affected. Relief operations are underway in full swing.

MoUs being signed between India and Vietnam in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vietnam PM Pham Minh Chinh, at Hyderabad House.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday forecast heavy rain likely in Odisha on August 1 and 2. The IMD has issued yellow warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall (7 to 20 cm) for one or two places in Angul, Dhenkanal, Cuttack, Boudh, Sonepur, and Sambalpur districts.

A 62-year-old man died in a building collapse in north Delhi's Sabji Mandi area, taking the death toll in rain-related incidents in the national capital to three, with as many injured in separate incidents across the city, officials said on Thursday.

Heavy rainfall unleashed chaos in Delhi on Wednesday evening, inundating large parts of the city, while key stretches were choked with unending traffic and people left stranded.

India is predicted to record above-normal rainfall in August and September, with a good chance of favourable La Nina conditions developing by the end of August, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Thursday.

Rivers are in spate and waterlogging in various locations in Jammu & Kashmir's Rajouri due to heavy rainfall in the city.

Lt Gen Sadhna Saxena Nair on Thursday took charge as the Director General Medical Services (Army), becoming the first woman officer to be appointed to the post.

Five people were killed after being struck by lightning in two Bihar districts in the last 24 hours. According to a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) Jehanabad district reported three deaths and Rohtas district two deaths.

Three people including a child trapped inside basements after water entered two houses at Dhwajnagar in Jaipur; rescue and search operations underway.

Seven people, including three of a family, were killed and as many injured in Uttarakhand as heavy rains triggered many incidents of house collapse, flooding of areas and rise in water levels in several rivers of the state.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday spoke to Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and took stock of the situation arising due to the cloudburst in the state, and assured him of all help from the Centre.

Rain lashes several parts of Srinagar; visuals from Dal Lake, Srinagar.

 A wall of a private school in Daryaganj collapsed due to heavy rainfall last night, damaging vehicles parked in the vicinity.

The water level in Beas River has increased due to heavy rains in the region; latest aerial visuals from the region.

Heavy rain lashes parts of Himachal Pradesh's Dharamshala.

IndiGo posted on X that the flights are likely to remain affected in Delhi due to heavy rains.

More rains are expected in Delhi on Thursday, the meteorological department has forecast, a day after heavy showers inundated large parts of the city, choking key stretches with unending traffic and leaving people stranded as roads resembled rivers.

Vietnam PM Pham Minh Chinh and PM Narendra Modi meet ministers and delegates from each other's countries at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, Delhi.

Congress leader & Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to arrive at Kannur airport. Congress workers gather here to receive them. 

Students have been protesting since July 27 over the death of 3 UPSC aspirants due to waterlogging in the basement of a coaching institute.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.

The Kerala police have launched an investigation into an alleged social media campaign against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's Facebook post requesting help for the people affected by the landslides in Wayanad district.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will introduce a bill to amend the Disaster Management Act, 2005, in both Houses of Parliament on Thursday.

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma says, "We've started Amrit Brikshya Andolan in the state, and under this, 3 crore saplings will be planted from August 1 to August 20."

A Pakistani intruder has been shot dead by Border Security Force (BSF) personnel along the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba district. The infiltrator was spotted moving into Indian territory near the Khora post late Wednesday.

An all-party meeting, chaired by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, will be held in the hill district on Thursday as search and rescue operations by various agencies and armed forces continue in the landslides-hit areas here.

A couple was injured after the plaster of the ceiling of their flat in Maharashtra's Thane city fell on them in the wee hours of Thursday. The incident occurred around 4 am in the ground floor flat of a two-storey building in Bedekar Nagar area of Diwa.

Five Kanwar Yatra pilgrims were electrocuted to death in Jharkhand's Latehar district on Thursday morning when their vehicle came into contact with a high-tension overhead wire. Three others were injured.

A 22-year-old woman and her child died after drowning in a waterlogged drain in the Ghazipur area. Further legal action is being taken by Police Station Ghazipur East Delhi.

Amid heightened security, another batch of pilgrims to leave for Baltal & Pahalgam for Amarnath Yatra from Pantha Chowk base camp.