VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Georgia Tech researchers infected endangered Caribbean corals in a Florida laboratory; predatory bacteria halted disease progression in more than half the treated animals Researchers examined every body vertebra in 13 Australian snakes and found five distinct regions, including a short neck just 7 to 12 vertebrae long All major political parties in Kashmir held protests and demonstrations, carrying banners and raising slogans describing Aug 5, 2019, as a ‘black day’ SRINAGAR/JAMMU: Striking a poetic note on the seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of the state of Jammu & Kashmir into two Union Territories, chief minister Omar Abdullah invoked celebrated American poet Robert Lee Frost as he said the wounds caused by the move had still not healed, and vowed that “the injustices done to us will be corrected”.“7 years, we haven’t forgotten & we haven’t reconciled far less accepted our current circumstances. My party & I remain committed to reversing all that was done to J&K that took away our rights & threatens our identity. ‘The woods are lovely, dark & deep. But I have promises to keep. And miles to go before I sleep’…” Omar said in a post on X, quoting from the poem ‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening’ by Frost, before he left for an inspection of flood-hit areas in Jammu’s Poonch district.Speaking to reporters in Poonch, the CM said, “The wounds of the abrogation are still there. We had hoped that at least some balm would be applied to those wounds and the promise of restoring statehood would be fulfilled…Seven years have passed, but the promise remains unfulfilled.”Barring BJP, which celebrated the abrogation of Article 370, all major political parties in Kashmir held protests and demonstrations, carrying banners and raising slogans describing Aug 5, 2019, as a ‘black day’. However, security forces foiled attempts by various parties to take out marches in Srinagar.Senior functionaries of governing NC and Congress remained absent from the protests held by their parties, which focused on seeking restoration of statehood. The PDP march was led by Iltija Mufti, who accused cops of manhandling her during Tuesday’s attempted protest.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines“It’s on this day we were caged like animals while a govt drunk on power stripped our state of its special status, flag, residuary powers and constitution. Our peaceful fight for it will continue till the day we get every bit of it back,” Iltija said.Lt governor Manoj Sinha, on the other hand, hailed the decision, saying it had “dismantled the terror ecosystem to a large extent, strengthened law and order, restored equal rights and created opportunities that allow families to rebuild their lives with confidence”. “The transformation we witness today in J&K is due to the historic changes of Aug 5, 2019. That day marked a constitutional correction and a new beginning for the UT,” he said.JAMMU: A row erupted after PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti was seen holding the Tricolour upside down during a candlelight protest over Article 370 on Tuesday evening. CM Omar Abdullah, however, played it down, saying he believed it was an inadvertent mistake rather than a deliberate act.“I cannot believe that a person who served as a CM would deliberately display the flag of the country upside down. It must be a mistake,” he said.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’It’s My Moral Call To Be Here’: Author Nilotpal Mrinal Joins Ranchi Student ProtestMeta CEO Mark Zuckerberg Apologises Over PM Modi Video Row, Admits Paid Content BoostingJharkhand Students Display Mark Sheets, Allege Irregularities In JPSC-JSSC Evaluation’Merit Can’t Beat Money’: Jharkhand Aspirant On Hunger Strike Demand Strong JPSC-JSSC Reforms’I’m A Farmer’s Son, I Can’t Buy Papers’: In JPSC-JSSC Exam Leak, Students Demand CBI Probe’56% Indian Vehicles Uninsured’: Supreme Court Calls For ‘Challans’, Urgent Enforcement Action’We Feel Cheated’: Jharkhand Student Protesters Voice Anger Over JPSC-JSSC Exam Row’If You Won’t Listen, Then Who Will?’: Jharkhand Student’s Msg To Hemant Soren Over JPSC-JSSC RowIndia Responds After Pakistan Deploys Chinese SH-15 Howitzers Along BorderJharkhand Mob Lynching: Rape Accused Beaten To Death, Police Probe POCSO Case And Mob Violence123Photostories5 must-have sneakers every wardrobe needs in 20265 timeless lessons from your grandparents that modern life forgot10 baby names inspired by dawn, sunset, and the skyBrain teaser optical illusion: You are among the top 1% if you stop all 25 animals hidden in the man’s face within 2 minutesWant Korean glass skin? These 5 daily habits make all the differenceThe Barack Obama blueprint: Healthy habits that help the former US President stay energetic and resilient at 658 ordinary moments that leave a lifelong impact on your childMalaika Arora’s 5 morning yoga poses every woman should try for better flexibility and joint healthKriti Sanon’s 3,000-crystal ivory Gaurav Gupta lehenga looks like fashion imagined beyond EarthWhat happens when you mix baking soda, detergent, and toothpaste? 3 reasons to use this combination in your kitchen123Hot PicksRBI MeetingGold Rate TodayStock Market TodayICMAI June 2026 toppers listTamil Nadu Budget SessionTN supplementary resultSpaceXUPI transactionsD Y PatilTop TrendingRBI MPC MeetingVande Matram StanzaUdhayanidhi StalinBritish ReturnsPM ModiTamil Nadu Budget Session 2026Air India FlightD Y Patil DeathTamil Nadu BudgetShradha Singh Preity Zinta says her kids are half-Indian and half-American, but culturally one hundred percent Indian: ‘Grateful that I have a cool husband who’s okay with me going off for two months for work’ Viral video allegedly shows people inside Vande Bharat loco pilot’s cabin; Railway Seva seeks details Commercial plane takes off as Trump’s helicopter nears airport; FAA investigates An 11-year-old autistic boy wanted to trick-or-treat in summer; 83 neighbors opened their doors and turned his birthday into Halloween Bihar minister Deepak Prakash (File photo) NEW DELHI: Bihar minister Deepak Prakash was on Tuesday nominated to the state Legislative Council, days after the Supreme Court questioned his continuance in the cabinet without being a legislator.According to a gazette notification, governor Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (retd.) nominated Prakash to the vacant seat left by BJP MLC Devesh Kumar’s resignation.Prakash was first inducted into the then Nitish Kumar-led Bihar cabinet in November last year and was recently re-inducted into the BJP-led government headed by Samrat Choudhary. On both occasions, he was not a member of either House of the state legislature.His father, Upendra Kushwaha, whose Rashtriya Lok Morcha is a constituent of the BJP-led ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), thanked the BJP leadership but insisted the nomination was unrelated to the court proceedings.“I express my gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah and BJP national president Nitin Nabin. We shall work to take Bihar forward,” Kushwaha told reporters, according to PTI.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines”People file petitions for all sorts of things. When Deepak Prakash had first become a minister, the NDA had in principle decided that he would be sent to the Legislative Council in due course,” he added.BJP sources, however, admitted Kumar had “sacrificed” his seat to accommodate Prakash. Kumar, whose tenure had less than a year left, resigned on July 31, saying it was a “voluntary decision”.Last week, while hearing a petition challenging Prakash’s continuance as minister, the Supreme Court raised the “legal question” of “how long can you have an unelected minister”.Under constitutional rules, a person appointed as a minister must become a member of either House of the legislature within six months.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’It’s My Moral Call To Be Here’: Author Nilotpal Mrinal Joins Ranchi Student ProtestMeta CEO Mark Zuckerberg Apologises Over PM Modi Video Row, Admits Paid Content BoostingJharkhand Students Display Mark Sheets, Allege Irregularities In JPSC-JSSC Evaluation’Merit Can’t Beat Money’: Jharkhand Aspirant On Hunger Strike Demand Strong JPSC-JSSC Reforms’I’m A Farmer’s Son, I Can’t Buy Papers’: In JPSC-JSSC Exam Leak, Students Demand CBI Probe’56% Indian Vehicles Uninsured’: Supreme Court Calls For ‘Challans’, Urgent Enforcement Action’We Feel Cheated’: Jharkhand Student Protesters Voice Anger Over JPSC-JSSC Exam Row’If You Won’t Listen, Then Who Will?’: Jharkhand Student’s Msg To Hemant Soren Over JPSC-JSSC RowIndia Responds After Pakistan Deploys Chinese SH-15 Howitzers Along BorderJharkhand Mob Lynching: Rape Accused Beaten To Death, Police Probe POCSO Case And Mob Violence123Photostories5 must-have sneakers every wardrobe needs in 20265 timeless lessons from your grandparents that modern life forgot10 baby names inspired by dawn, sunset, and the skyBrain teaser optical illusion: You are among the top 1% if you stop all 25 animals hidden in the man’s face within 2 minutesWant Korean glass skin? These 5 daily habits make all the differenceThe Barack Obama blueprint: Healthy habits that help the former US President stay energetic and resilient at 658 ordinary moments that leave a lifelong impact on your childMalaika Arora’s 5 morning yoga poses every woman should try for better flexibility and joint healthKriti Sanon’s 3,000-crystal ivory Gaurav Gupta lehenga looks like fashion imagined beyond EarthWhat happens when you mix baking soda, detergent, and toothpaste? 3 reasons to use this combination in your kitchen123Hot PicksRBI MeetingGold Rate TodayStock Market TodayICMAI June 2026 toppers listTamil Nadu Budget SessionTN supplementary resultSpaceXUPI transactionsD Y PatilTop TrendingRBI MPC MeetingVande Matram StanzaUdhayanidhi StalinBritish ReturnsPM ModiTamil Nadu Budget Session 2026Air India FlightD Y Patil DeathTamil Nadu BudgetShradha Singh Aug 05, 2026, 23:11 IST Marilyn Monroe’s house: All about the quiet California residence where she took her last breath in 1962 ‘Tried to set it on fire’: Shakib Al Hasan’s house attacked after he attends Hasina’s presser In 2023, America’s first live yellow-legged hornet, a bee-killing predator, was found in Georgia; by 2026, officials had trapped 866 and destroyed 44 nests LoP in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi led march demanding Union home minister Amit Shah’s statement on alleged police excesses. NEW DELHI: Parliament remained paralysed for the 13th consecutive day on Wednesday as relentless protests by Opposition parties forced repeated adjournments in both Houses, even as the government pushed through key legislative business.Amid the deadlock, efforts to break the impasse gathered pace with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju holding meetings with Lok Sabha leader of the opposition Rahul Gandhi and Union home minister Amit Shah, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi separately met BJP MPs over breakfast.Opposition marches to ParliamentOpposition MPs led by Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra marched from Prerna Sthal to Makar Dwar, demanding accountability from Amit Shah over the alleged police action against CJP protesters on July 20.They also raised the alleged Ram Temple donation embezzlement issue and other matters. Priyanka Gandhi said those responsible for ordering the alleged use of pellet guns, tear gas and lathi charges against students must be held accountable, asserting that “This is a democracy, not a dictatorship; it is not someone’s royal court.”No special sessionRijiju dismissed speculation that the Monsoon Session could be extended or that a special session might be convened later this month. He said there was no proposal before the government to either prolong the current session or hold a separate sitting in mid-August.His clarification came amid continued disruptions that have prevented the Lok Sabha from completing Question Hour since the session began on July 20.Despite the logjam, the Lok Sabha passed the Bankers’ Books Evidence Bill, 2026, by voice vote without discussion after Opposition members refused to end their protest.Rijiju accused Opposition parties of deliberately stalling the House despite time being allotted for debate. He also criticised the Congress, CPI and Samajwadi Party over their protests relating to the alleged Ram Temple donation theft, alleging they had disrespected Lord Ram through demonstrations inside the Parliament complex.Rahul-Rijiju meetIn a significant political development, Rijiju met Rahul Gandhi in his Parliament office for nearly 50 minutes in what sources described as a confidence-building exercise aimed at ending the parliamentary deadlock. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was present throughout the meeting, while Gaurav Gogoi and K C Venugopal joined later.According to sources, discussions covered the proposed Delimitation Bill, the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) Bill and other contentious issues that have fuelled the ongoing standoff. It was Rijiju’s second meeting with Rahul Gandhi in the past 10 days, signalling continued backchannel engagement between the government and the Opposition despite the public confrontation inside Parliament.Amit Shah likley to speak on FCRASoon after meeting Rahul Gandhi, Rijiju met Amit Shah at Parliament House. Sources said the government is preparing to engage the Opposition on the proposed FCRA Bill and Shah is expected to address the issue in Parliament.Rijiju is also expected to reach out to leaders of other Opposition parties, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, in an effort to build consensus and restore normal functioning of the House. The proposed FCRA amendments have emerged as one of the key flashpoints of the session alongside the protests over NEET, police action against students and the Ram Temple donation controversy.Derek blames govt disruptionTrinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien accused the government of being responsible for the continued disruption in Parliament, alleging that Amit Shah’s prolonged absence from the House had worsened the situation. O’Brien maintained that Opposition MPs continued to perform their parliamentary duties despite the protests by raising public issues through Zero Hour notices and starred questions.He highlighted his own notices seeking national recognition of the 75th anniversary of Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity and raising concerns over the proposed FCRA Bill. TMC sources said the party had submitted more than 100 questions during the session on issues ranging from MGNREGA dues and manual scavenging to air pollution, bank frauds, the UDAN scheme and the Nirbhaya Fund.PM meets BJP MPsPrime Minister Narendra Modi hosted a breakfast meeting with 37 BJP MPs at his official residence as part of his regular outreach during Parliament sessions. The gathering included MPs associated with the NDA as well as former AAP leaders who later joined the BJP. Senior BJP leaders Tarun Chugh, Vinod Tawde and party chief Nitin Nabin also attended.Sources told news agency PTI said the Prime Minister shared personal experiences and discussed governance, parliamentary strategy and constituency feedback with the MPs. The interaction forms part of Modi’s practice of meeting smaller groups of BJP parliamentarians during every session to strengthen coordination and receive direct feedback from lawmakers.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesBill on Supreme Court judges passedDespite the disruptions, the Rajya Sabha passed the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, completing Parliament’s approval of the legislation. The Bill raises the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court from 34 to 38 judges, including the Chief Justice of India.Replying to the debate, law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said the increase was a “demand of the time” given the growing workload, rising pendency and the need for more Constitution Benches. He said the expansion would improve disposal rates and help ensure quicker access to justice. Meghwal also highlighted the government’s ongoing investment in expanding Supreme Court infrastructure and reiterated its commitment to judicial reforms and the independence of the judiciary.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorRajeev SinghRajeev Singh is a Digital Content Producer with The Times of India. He covers politics, policies, defence, and conflicts for readers curious to know their implications. He loves digging into legal maxims and political trivia. On off days, when not turning pages or learning русский, he lives in the reverie of “what ifs” and “how abouts.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosMeta CEO Mark Zuckerberg Apologises Over PM Modi Video Row, Admits Paid Content BoostingJharkhand Students Display Mark Sheets, Allege Irregularities In JPSC-JSSC Evaluation’Merit Can’t Beat Money’: Jharkhand Aspirant On Hunger Strike Demand Strong JPSC-JSSC Reforms’I’m A Farmer’s Son, I Can’t Buy Papers’: In JPSC-JSSC Exam Leak, Students Demand CBI Probe’56% Indian Vehicles Uninsured’: Supreme Court Calls For ‘Challans’, Urgent Enforcement Action’We Feel Cheated’: Jharkhand Student Protesters Voice Anger Over JPSC-JSSC Exam Row’If You Won’t Listen, Then Who Will?’: Jharkhand Student’s Msg To Hemant Soren Over JPSC-JSSC RowIndia Responds After Pakistan Deploys Chinese SH-15 Howitzers Along BorderJharkhand Mob Lynching: Rape Accused Beaten To Death, Police Probe POCSO Case And Mob ViolenceGovt May Allow Merchant Charges On UPI Payments Above Rs 2,000123Photostories5 timeless lessons from your grandparents that modern life forgot10 baby names inspired by dawn, sunset, and the skyBrain teaser optical illusion: You are among the top 1% if you stop all 25 animals hidden in the man’s face within 2 minutesWant Korean glass skin? These 5 daily habits make all the differenceThe Barack Obama blueprint: Healthy habits that help the former US President stay energetic and resilient at 658 ordinary moments that leave a lifelong impact on your childMalaika Arora’s 5 morning yoga poses every woman should try for better flexibility and joint healthKriti Sanon’s 3,000-crystal ivory Gaurav Gupta lehenga looks like fashion imagined beyond EarthWhat happens when you mix baking soda, detergent, and toothpaste? 3 reasons to use this combination in your kitchen‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ star Tom Holland’s box office report card: Top-earning movies of your friendly-neighbourhood spider123Hot PicksRBI MeetingGold Rate TodayStock Market TodayICMAI June 2026 toppers listTamil Nadu Budget SessionTN supplementary resultSpaceXUPI transactionsD Y PatilTop TrendingRBI MPC MeetingVande Matram StanzaUdhayanidhi StalinBritish ReturnsPM ModiTamil Nadu Budget Session 2026Air India FlightD Y Patil DeathTamil Nadu BudgetShradha Singh Yash says the biggest challenge for playing Raavan in ‘Ramayana’ was to find his own interpretation when people already know about him and have seen it on-screen many times: ‘It’s an extra pressure’ Flea Malibu Home: Inside bassist Flea’s $8M Malibu home with a sauna, cold plunge, koi pond and rooftop guesthouse Indian-origin man among 5 convicted in UK child sexual exploitation, human trafficking case | World News BJD leader claimed that a nuclear power plant would pose a serious threat to the health. The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Wednesday opposed the proposed setting up of a nuclear power plant in Odisha, alleging that the BJP government was putting public safety at risk to benefit private companies. The party also warned of a statewide agitation if the project moved forward.The criticism came days after a representative of a private company met Odisha deputy chief minister KV Singh Deo, who also holds the state’s energy portfolio. According to the BJD, the company has proposed establishing a 3,000 MW nuclear power plant in Odisha.Addressing a press conference, BJD senior general secretary Lekhashree Samantsinghar claimed that a nuclear power plant would pose a serious threat to the health and safety of people living in the state.She accused the BJP’s “double-engine government” of ignoring public welfare in favour of corporate interests.”Whenever the subject of nuclear or atomic energy arises, it naturally creates fear in people’s minds. In 1945, the nuclear bombings reduced the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to ruins. In 1986, the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant suffered a catastrophic explosion, and in 2011, a similar disaster occurred at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant,” she said.Samantsinghar added that the consequences of those disasters were still being felt and argued that nuclear power carries significant risks to human life.She further claimed that nuclear energy has traditionally remained under government control in most countries because of its strategic importance. However, she alleged that the BJP government was now changing that approach by opening the sector to private companies.”However, under the BJP government, this long-standing principle is being altered by transferring nuclear energy into the hands of private companies. For its own interests, the BJP government is showing complete disregard for the lives and safety of the people of Odisha,” she alleged.The BJD leader also questioned the Centre’s decision to amend rules governing the nuclear sector. She claimed that Parliament passed legislation in December 2025 allowing greater private participation, following which private companies began exploring projects in Odisha.According to Samantsinghar, India currently has about 8.8 GW of government-owned nuclear power capacity, and increasing it to 100 GW by involving private players would be unsafe. She argued that sectors linked to national security should remain under government control.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe opposition party also alleged that the Odisha government was acting on directions from the Centre rather than taking independent decisions.”Since the formation of the BJP government in Odisha, the state government has been functioning under the directions of the Centre and is unable to take any independent decisions without instructions from Delhi. Acting on the directions of the central government, the state is determined to establish a nuclear power plant in Odisha by compromising the interests of the people,” she alleged.The BJD urged the state government to abandon the proposal, warning that it would launch a mass movement if the project went ahead.”Otherwise, the Biju Janata Dal would launch a mass agitation to safeguard the interests of the people of the State,” she told reporters. The Odisha government had not responded to the allegations at the time of filing the report.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorRajeev SinghRajeev Singh is a Digital Content Producer with The Times of India. He covers politics, policies, defence, and conflicts for readers curious to know their implications. He loves digging into legal maxims and political trivia. On off days, when not turning pages or learning русский, he lives in the reverie of “what ifs” and “how abouts.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosMeta CEO Mark Zuckerberg Apologises Over PM Modi Video Row, Admits Paid Content BoostingJharkhand Students Display Mark Sheets, Allege Irregularities In JPSC-JSSC Evaluation’Merit Can’t Beat Money’: Jharkhand Aspirant On Hunger Strike Demand Strong JPSC-JSSC Reforms’I’m A Farmer’s Son, I Can’t Buy Papers’: In JPSC-JSSC Exam Leak, Students Demand CBI Probe’56% Indian Vehicles Uninsured’: Supreme Court Calls For ‘Challans’, Urgent Enforcement Action’We Feel Cheated’: Jharkhand Student Protesters Voice Anger Over JPSC-JSSC Exam Row’If You Won’t Listen, Then Who Will?’: Jharkhand Student’s Msg To Hemant Soren Over JPSC-JSSC RowIndia Responds After Pakistan Deploys Chinese SH-15 Howitzers Along BorderJharkhand Mob Lynching: Rape Accused Beaten To Death, Police Probe POCSO Case And Mob ViolenceGovt May Allow Merchant Charges On UPI Payments Above Rs 2,000123Photostories5 timeless lessons from your grandparents that modern life forgot10 baby names inspired by dawn, sunset, and the skyBrain teaser optical illusion: You are among the top 1% if you stop all 25 animals hidden in the man’s face within 2 minutesWant Korean glass skin? These 5 daily habits make all the differenceThe Barack Obama blueprint: Healthy habits that help the former US President stay energetic and resilient at 658 ordinary moments that leave a lifelong impact on your childMalaika Arora’s 5 morning yoga poses every woman should try for better flexibility and joint healthKriti Sanon’s 3,000-crystal ivory Gaurav Gupta lehenga looks like fashion imagined beyond EarthWhat happens when you mix baking soda, detergent, and toothpaste? 3 reasons to use this combination in your kitchen‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ star Tom Holland’s box office report card: Top-earning movies of your friendly-neighbourhood spider123Hot PicksRBI MeetingGold Rate TodayStock Market TodayICMAI June 2026 toppers listTamil Nadu Budget SessionTN supplementary resultSpaceXUPI transactionsD Y PatilTop TrendingRBI MPC MeetingVande Matram StanzaUdhayanidhi StalinBritish ReturnsPM ModiTamil Nadu Budget Session 2026Air India FlightD Y Patil DeathTamil Nadu BudgetShradha Singh Spider-Man and MJ tie the knot, Tom Holland and Zendaya get a South Indian happy ending in viral AI wedding video BWF World C’ships draw: Ayush Shetty gets blockbuster start vs top-ranked Shi Yuqi; PV Sindhu in same half as An Se Young Scientists coated a cicada wing with silver and created a sensor that amplified faint molecular signals by tens of millions NHRC intensifies scrutiny of Meta over CSAM on Instagram, Facebook, issues fresh notices NEW DELHI: The National Human Rights Commission has issued summons to the Delhi police commissioner to appear before it taking a serious view of a lack of response to its notice and later a reminder directing an investigation into allegations of paid advertisements on Instagram (owned by Meta) promoting child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The NHRC had sought an action taken report within 15 days but is still awaiting a reply.The NHRC’s bench presided over by member Priyank Kanoongo in the summons issued on Wednesday has directed the police chief Anurag Kumar to appear in person before the commission on September 7 along with the reports and explanation for non-compliance. However, summons state that if the ATR is submitted by August 31, the personal appearance will not be required.The commission in its July 8 notice had asked the Delhi Police to hold an inquiry as to whether “mandatory reporting” provisions under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act have been invoked by Meta to inform the police in time and if any FIRs have been lodged after reports of CSAM on its platforms came to light.Taking cognisance of media reports published by the BBC World Service, Kanoongo said in the notice that since the concerned office of the BBC in India is situated in Delhi, the Commission thought it to be appropriate to entrust the matter to Delhi Police for investigation.In another notice dated Aug 3 addressed to secretary of the ministry of electronics and information technology and Meta’s director responsible for south Asia, the commission has highlighted that as per the complaint received from a non-profit organisation, it is stated that the complainant foundation received an anonymous complaint alleging the availability of certain online links on Meta platforms (Instagram/Facebook) that are pornographic in nature, age-inappropriate for children and may potentially contain CSAM.Kanoongo has asked secretary MeitY and head of law enforcement of Meta Platforms to inquire into the allegations contained in the complaint and to submit ATRs within one week from the date of receipt of the notice.Kanoongo has asked secretary MeitY and head of law enforcement of Meta Platforms to inquire into the allegations contained in the complaint and to submit ATRs within one week from the date of receipt of the notice.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesMeitY has been asked to submit details of action taken for immediate removal, blocking or disabling access to the URLs; action taken against the intermediary and whether any regulatory or penal proceedings have been initiated.Meta has been asked for details of not just the action taken to remove the alleged content but steps taken to preserve all evidence including the details of the accounts responsible for uploading and transmitting CSAM.The Commission has also sought details with the date and time of reporting content with CSAM to the police in compliance with the “mandatory reporting” provision of POCSO Act.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosMeta CEO Mark Zuckerberg Apologises Over PM Modi Video Row, Admits Paid Content BoostingJharkhand Students Display Mark Sheets, Allege Irregularities In JPSC-JSSC Evaluation’Merit Can’t Beat Money’: Jharkhand Aspirant On Hunger Strike Demand Strong JPSC-JSSC Reforms’I’m A Farmer’s Son, I Can’t Buy Papers’: In JPSC-JSSC Exam Leak, Students Demand CBI Probe’56% Indian Vehicles Uninsured’: Supreme Court Calls For ‘Challans’, Urgent Enforcement Action’We Feel Cheated’: Jharkhand Student Protesters Voice Anger Over JPSC-JSSC Exam Row’If You Won’t Listen, Then Who Will?’: Jharkhand Student’s Msg To Hemant Soren Over JPSC-JSSC RowIndia Responds After Pakistan Deploys Chinese SH-15 Howitzers Along BorderJharkhand Mob Lynching: Rape Accused Beaten To Death, Police Probe POCSO Case And Mob ViolenceGovt May Allow Merchant Charges On UPI Payments Above Rs 2,000123Photostories5 timeless lessons from your grandparents that modern life forgot10 baby names inspired by dawn, sunset, and the skyBrain teaser optical illusion: You are among the top 1% if you stop all 25 animals hidden in the man’s face within 2 minutesWant Korean glass skin? These 5 daily habits make all the differenceThe Barack Obama blueprint: Healthy habits that help the former US President stay energetic and resilient at 658 ordinary moments that leave a lifelong impact on your childMalaika Arora’s 5 morning yoga poses every woman should try for better flexibility and joint healthKriti Sanon’s 3,000-crystal ivory Gaurav Gupta lehenga looks like fashion imagined beyond EarthWhat happens when you mix baking soda, detergent, and toothpaste? 3 reasons to use this combination in your kitchen‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ star Tom Holland’s box office report card: Top-earning movies of your friendly-neighbourhood spider123Hot PicksRBI MeetingGold Rate TodayStock Market TodayICMAI June 2026 toppers listTamil Nadu Budget SessionTN supplementary resultSpaceXUPI transactionsD Y PatilTop TrendingRBI MPC MeetingVande Matram StanzaUdhayanidhi StalinBritish ReturnsPM ModiTamil Nadu Budget Session 2026Air India FlightD Y Patil DeathTamil Nadu BudgetShradha Singh Liquidity surge due to NRI deposits to be limited and temporary: RBI ‘Musafir Cafe Season 2’ announced; Vikrant Massey, Vedika Pinto and Mahima Makwana to reprise roles of Chander, Sudha and Preeti Quote of the day by Democritus: “Nothing exists except atoms and empty space; everything else is…” – ancient theory that changed how we think about reality Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar loses Democratic primary in Michigan A mystery stranger woke a Las Vegas family during a predawn house fire, helped them escape and disappeared before they learned his name Consumers already bearing UPI costs through broader economy: RBI governor Inside Ravi Kishan’s Rs 20 crore Mumbai home with a terrace garden, view of the skyline, gym, temple, library, pets like Rottweiler, a Chihuahua and more India gained Independence in 1947; 79 years later, Massachusetts in the U.S has officially declared August 15 as ‘India Day’ | Scientists accidentally discovered a way to recycle plastic into valuable chemicals using only water and oxygen America edges towards first Muslim Senator as Michigan backs progressive rebel A 69-year-old Wisconsin pilot landed his helicopter in a Cabela’s parking lot for a shopping trip; deputies checked the flight and issued no citation Dhanush unveils ‘Dorothy’ teaser, celebrates Karthik Subbaraj’s milestone 10th film starring Keerthy Suresh and Ilaiyaraaja’s music ahead of TIFF premiere How much does it cost to live alone in Gurugram? 21-year-old’s Rs 43,096 monthly budget goes viral Scientists have found a way to keep strawberries fresher than a fridge ‘Black widows’: Russian women accused of marrying soldiers to claim war death payouts Usha Vance thought fourth child would disrupt family dynamic; says it’s ‘only become happier’ Rupee hits 1-month closing high despite RBI repo rate pause; sliding crude oil prices help Rajkumar Santoshi says Sunny Deol’s role in ‘Batwara 1947’ is his most courageous character yet: ‘He is better and stronger than Iron Man and Superman put together’ ‘Who brought 12-year-old to protest site?’: POCSO action sought against CJP’s Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das UK’s most wanted fugitive arrested in Spain over multiple sexual assault probe | World News Dhanush donates new academic block to alma mater, urges students to value the language: ‘It is a shame if you can’t read or write Tamil’ ‘No ambulances, no coordination’: Family alleges lapses after Air India turbulence scare After disappearing for decades, seven beavers returned to California’s Tule River and began restoring the landscape | World News Union minister Kiren Rijiju announces special session of Parliament NEW DELHI: The government on Wednesday announced that Parliament will convene for a three-day special session from August 16 to 18 to consider the Women’s Reservation and Delimitation Bills.Making the announcement, Union minister Kiren Rijiju also clarified that the special sitting will be separate from the ongoing Monsoon Session, which commenced on July 20 and is scheduled to conclude on August 13.”No proposal to extend any dates of Parliament session. Special session from August 16 to 18 on Women’s Reservation and Delimitation Bills,” Rijiju, the Union parliamentary affairs minister, told ANI.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe minister’s announcement came on a day when he reportedly held a one-on-one meeting with Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi in an effort to break the ongoing Parliament deadlock.During the meeting, which lasted around 50 minutes, Rijiju is said to have discussed the possible reintroduction of the Delimitation and Women’s Reservation Bills. However, Rahul Gandhi is not believed to have given any commitment on the proposals.Opposition parties in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha have been demanding a statement from Union home minister Amit Shah over the Delhi Police’s alleged use of force against student protesters during their march to Parliament on July 20, the opening day of the Monsoon Session. As Delhi is a Union territory, the Delhi Police functions under the Union home ministry.While Shah is yet to respond, leading to the current logjam, he s expected to speak in Parliament when the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, is introduced in for discussion and passage.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorKaran ManralKaran Manral is a journalist at the Times of India. He covers politics, social issues, and international affairs, exploring stories that affect people’s everyday lives. He also writes explainers to make these stories easier for readers to follow.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosJharkhand Students Display Mark Sheets, Allege Irregularities In JPSC-JSSC Evaluation’Merit Can’t Beat Money’: Jharkhand Aspirant On Hunger Strike Demand Strong JPSC-JSSC Reforms’I’m A Farmer’s Son, I Can’t Buy Papers’: In JPSC-JSSC Exam Leak, Students Demand CBI Probe’56% Indian Vehicles Uninsured’: Supreme Court Calls For ‘Challans’, Urgent Enforcement Action’We Feel Cheated’: Jharkhand Student Protesters Voice Anger Over JPSC-JSSC Exam Row’If You Won’t Listen, Then Who Will?’: Jharkhand Student’s Msg To Hemant Soren Over JPSC-JSSC RowIndia Responds After Pakistan Deploys Chinese SH-15 Howitzers Along BorderJharkhand Mob Lynching: Rape Accused Beaten To Death, Police Probe POCSO Case And Mob ViolenceGovt May Allow Merchant Charges On UPI Payments Above Rs 2,000SC Proposes Fuel Ban For Uninsured Vehicles, Calls For Automatic E-Challans123Photostories5 timeless lessons from your grandparents that modern life forgot10 baby names inspired by dawn, sunset, and the skyBrain teaser optical illusion: You are among the top 1% if you stop all 25 animals hidden in the man’s face within 2 minutesWant Korean glass skin? These 5 daily habits make all the differenceThe Barack Obama blueprint: Healthy habits that help the former US President stay energetic and resilient at 658 ordinary moments that leave a lifelong impact on your childMalaika Arora’s 5 morning yoga poses every woman should try for better flexibility and joint healthKriti Sanon’s 3,000-crystal ivory Gaurav Gupta lehenga looks like fashion imagined beyond EarthWhat happens when you mix baking soda, detergent, and toothpaste? 3 reasons to use this combination in your kitchen‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ star Tom Holland’s box office report card: Top-earning movies of your friendly-neighbourhood spider123Hot PicksRBI MeetingGold Rate TodayStock Market TodayICMAI June 2026 toppers listTamil Nadu Budget SessionTN supplementary resultSpaceXUPI transactionsD Y PatilTop TrendingRBI MPC MeetingVande Matram StanzaUdhayanidhi StalinBritish ReturnsPM ModiTamil Nadu Budget Session 2026Air India FlightD Y Patil DeathTamil Nadu BudgetShradha Singh Aug 05, 2026, 19:44 IST R Madhavan says he has to call ‘friend’ Vijay as ‘CM Vijay’, confirms he has no political ambitions: ‘I don’t want to become Chief Minister; politics is a double-edged sword’ Used tea bags can freshen shoes, clean mirrors and reduce waste: 8 easy ways to reuse them | Betsey Johnson built her career on bold colour, but her $7.5 million Hidden Hills estate offers quiet interiors, mountain views and a four-stall barn Peace talks abroad, protests at home: The many contradictions shaping Pakistan today