The couple were among the 12 foreign nationals who lost their lives in the fire that broke out at Flourish Stay B&B in Hauz Rani on Wednesday.

New Delhi: An African couple undergoing IVF treatment in Delhi was found dead in each other’s arms after a massive fire broke out at a hotel in south Delhi’s Malviya Nagar area, killing 21 people.According to news agency PTI, the couple were among the 12 foreign nationals who lost their lives in the fire that broke out at the Flourish Stay B&B in Hauz Rani on Wednesday.He was discovered inside a bathroom on the ground floor, where he apparently took refuge as smoke and flames spread rapidly through the building.Hospital staff and local residents said the couple were staying at the hospital while receiving fertility treatment at a nearby hospital.Wasim Raja, on duty at Max Smart Hospital and one of the first responders at the scene, said the scene he saw was unforgettable, according to news agency PTI.Raja said, “We somehow managed to open the bathroom door and saw something that is beyond words to describe. I have seen many dead bodies during my career, but nothing compared to what I saw there.”According to Raja, the woman, who had recently undergone a medical procedure and had a surgery scar on her head, was sitting on the toilet seat, while her husband was sitting on a chair next to her.“They were holding each other. Their arms were wrapped around each other and her head was resting on his shoulder,” he said.Rescue workers immediately checked for signs of life and attempted to revive him.“We checked his pulse and vitals and tried CPR and every possible life-saving measure, but there was no response. He probably died due to smoke inhalation,” he said.He said it appears the couple has chosen to stay together after the tragedy unfolded.King said, “When death was approaching, they decided to face it together in each other’s arms. It was a scene that will stay with me forever.”Iqrar, a local cab operator who lives near the hotel, said that many drivers in the area knew the couple as they frequently visited the hospital.“They were undergoing IVF treatment. Drivers in our area often brought them to the hospital and back. They came here with the hope of starting a family,” he said.The fire broke out on Wednesday morning and engulfed the five-storey hotel in no time. Twenty-one people were killed and many others were injured.Investigators probing the incident found that the roof exit was reportedly blocked. Officials also alleged that cooking heaters were being used in several guest rooms and that the establishment was operating far beyond its permitted capacity. While permission was reportedly given for only six rooms, around 25 rooms were reportedly being run from the premises.The exact cause of the fire is being investigated.Delhi Police has started searching for the absconding hotel manager and has issued a look out circular against the building owner and his wife. The owner of the hotel building, Lavkesh Bajaj, was arrested on Wednesday, hours after the incident.Those killed also included foreign nationals from African and Central Asian countries who had come to Delhi for treatment, employment or business opportunities.

New Delhi: Are fitness bands popularly used for measuring and monitoring physical activities and vital parameters a communication device? Supreme Court Agreed to investigate this question, but noted that its Bluetooth connectivity capability may be the reason for its classification as a communications device.Petitioner GOQii Technologies imported activity trackers/fitness bands, and the consignment was classified as communication devices by the Customs Department, asking the company to execute provisional duty bonds worth Rs 3.64 crore. The goods were released after the company gave a bank guarantee of Rs 1 crore.Petitioner’s counsel Kumar Sambhav told a bench of Justices PS Narasimha, Arvind Kumar and Shri Chandrashekhar that fitness bands measuring/counting devices should have been classified as ‘pedometers and similar/others’, but the Customs department mistakenly treated the goods as devices for ‘transmission or reception of data’ and imposed additional duty.The bench agreed to examine the questions raised by the petitioner, issued notice to the Commissioner of Customs (Import) and posted the matter for further hearing on September 11. “Till the next date of hearing, the bank guarantee shall not be enforced,” the bench ordered.“The main and principal function of the goods, as found on record, is measurement and monitoring of physical activity and vital parameters, and the data-connectivity (Bluetooth) feature is admittedly helpful,” the petitioner said.Justice Kumar said that when it can be connected to communication devices like mobile phones and other satellite-based communication systems through Bluetooth and serve as a communication device, it ceases to be a purely measuring device.The petitioner submitted before the Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) that he had sought expert opinion from Bombay IIT that it was not a communication device but a measuring instrument, but the tribunal upheld the Customs Department’s stand.CESTAT had rejected the company’s petition to classify fitness bands as ‘pedometers’, saying, “The essential function of all pedometers is to measure the distance traveled by a person as he takes each step, a mechanism such as swinging a pendulum to one side and then back again or touching a metal contact to a swinging hammer to complete an electrical circuit for measuring each such step.”Maintaining the determination that these fitness bands were communication devices, CESTAT had said, “Once the activity tracker/fitness band or smart watch is synced with the GOQii application, regular activity data and sleep data, automatically and manually tracked, will be visible to coaches, who will provide daily support, resources, motivation, and interpretation of the tracking data to help the individual wearer stay on track to reach personal fitness goals.“

New Delhi: Trinamool Congress rebels intensified their protest on Thursday Abhishek Banerjee And explained the reason for his disagreement.Expelled TMC MLA Sandipan Saha told PTI that the breaking point came during a post-poll meeting where MLAs were reportedly told that criticism of party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee would not be tolerated despite the party’s electoral setback.According to Saha, the MLAs were instructed to appreciate the leadership of Abhishek Banerjee instead of questioning the reasons for the defeat.Saha said, “The trigger point came after the party’s election defeat. No one was allowed to utter a single word of criticism about Abhishek. Instead, we were instructed that he had performed exceptionally well and everyone should stand up and congratulate him.”The comments provide perhaps the clearest insight yet into what rebels describe as growing resentment over the concentration of power around Mamata BanerjeeNephew and political heir apparent.‘Insult’ of senior leaders!Saha argued that the issue was not just electoral defeat, but what he described as shrinking space for dissent within the party.Saha claimed that experienced MLAs who have been in politics long before the rise of Abhishek Banerjee are also expected to join him.“This includes MLAs who have been serving in the Assembly since the time when Abhishek Banerjee was probably still going to school. They were also forced to stand up and applaud,” he said.For many MLAs, especially those who built the party with Mamata Banerjee during years of struggle against the Left Front, the episode became symbolic of a broader shift within the TMC – from a movement driven by grassroots leaders to one increasingly centered around a single power centre.Several rebel leaders have argued privately that although Mamata Banerjee remains the undisputed mass leader of the party, the decision-making process has increasingly become circumscribed around Abhishek Banerjee.Dissatisfaction ultimately erupted over the selection of the Leader of the Opposition (LOP) in the Assembly.The rebels allege that despite their absence from the process, signatures of some MLAs were shown in support of the candidature of senior leader Shobhandeb Chattopadhyay.Saha alleged, “Some MLA leaders were not present for the opposition selection, yet their names were written in capital letters.”He said the objections raised by the dissident camp led to a complaint before the Speaker and ultimately encouraged more MLAs to come forward.He said, “When the investigation started, evidence started emerging confirming the truth of these allegations. Other MLAs started reaching out to us.”What started as a dispute over the opposition leadership soon became a major challenge to the internal power structure of the party.“After discussing amongst ourselves, we concluded that if we have to effectively discharge our duties within the Assembly and serve our respective constituencies, we need to form a separate group,” Saha said.The faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha has staked claim to the LOP post after submitting the signatures of 58 MLAs to the Speaker, creating the biggest crisis of Mamata Banerjee’s political career.While the TMC leadership has expelled key rebel leaders, the rebels say the rebellion is ultimately about internal democracy, accountability after the defeat and protest against Abhishek Banerjee’s unquestioned promotion within the party.

Most people do not like to make holes in the walls. Noise, dust, anchors that don’t work, and then months later, patches that never match the paint. It’s annoying and repetitive, something we all accept as a part of life. Argentine inventor Marco Agustín Secchi, 29, looked at that problem and decided it was ridiculous. What if walls could hold things using only magnets? So they created IronPlaque: a magnetic cement-based material that turns ordinary walls into a surface that holds magnet-backed objects without the need for nails or screws. It sounds simple until you realize it can change the way we organize our homes, offices and workshops. It is being tested right now. But if it works on a large scale, picture hanging can ultimately prevent damage to your walls.

The problem no one thought there was a solution: why magnetic walls matter

Think about how often you move things around on your walls. A picture frame needs adjustment. You may want to hang a mirror in a different location. Your child’s artwork needs to be rearranged. A tool rack gets moved. Cabinets change. In a rental apartment, every hole is a damage that will cost you money. In your own home, it’s just a mess that you never really feel happy fixing.Despite all the talk about innovation, the construction industry hasn’t changed much in decades. Walls are still passive surfaces. You drill. You cause harm. You patch. That’s the process, and it’s basically the same for generations. Secchi’s frustration came from exactly this point. Why are we still doing this? Why hasn’t anyone solved it?IronPlak works on a simple concept. Add special mineral and iron fillers to finishes such as cement or plaster. Apply it on the walls just like you apply any traditional coating. The result looks and feels like a normal wall, but it becomes magnetic-receptive. Objects with magnets stick to it. You can move them around endlessly. no holes. no damage. Just reinstalling.

How Ironplaque actually works: It’s not a powered system

Here’s an important difference that most people misunderstand: IronPlaque is not an active magnet system. It doesn’t stay “on” like a powered tool, constantly sucking away whatever metal is nearby. That misconception usually makes people lose interest until they understand what it actually does.The wall itself becomes paramagnetic. This does not generate any fields. Instead, when an object carrying a magnet comes in contact with the wall, it reacts. Materials have magnetic properties. Think of it like how a magnet sticks to the fridge. There is no electricity in the refrigerator. It is just steel that reacts when a magnet is applied.For wet construction, builders may apply Ironplaque as a final skim coat. Mix it with water, apply it like you would regular plaster. For dry construction systems, it works with boards and panels. This flexibility matters because it means the material can fit into existing building workflows without completely changing the way construction works.The iron components in the material give it a magnetic response. Research published in results in engineering While investigation of cementitious composites made from magnetic sand and magnetite powder shows that this underlying materials science is real, previous studies were aimed at infrastructure applications including wireless power transfer and magnetic sensing. What makes Ironplaque different is taking that proven materials science and pointing it at something like every day, the problem of hanging things on walls.

What can you really do with a magnetic wall

In demonstrations, Secchi has shown walls holding heavy objects such as tools, picture frames, knives, panels, and even shovels. Whatever you’re hanging has magnets on the back of it. You simply press the object against the wall, and it stays put. Does it need to be moved? pull it off. No hole left behind. No patch required. Organize your kitchen, rearrange your bedroom, remodel your home office, all without causing any damage.For workshops, this could be revolutionary. Equipment organization becomes flexible rather than static. Hang a wrench, use it, shake it. It’s the same with shelving systems. Teachers can use magnetic walls to organize classrooms without drilling. Rental apartments become less stressful because moving things doesn’t have to mean informing your landlord about wall damage.There is also a practical weight lifting question. How much weight can it hold for a long time? What happens if you change place again and again? Can it handle changes in humidity or fluctuations in temperature without deteriorating? These are the practical questions that decide whether a clever prototype actually becomes something people use.

Environmental angle: less waste, more adaptability

Construction generates large amounts of waste globally. According to environmental reports, buildings will account for 34% of global energy demand and 37% of energy-related carbon emissions in 2022. Construction and demolition debris alone reached 600 million tons in 2018 across the United States.A single magnetic coating won’t solve this. But more adaptable interiors could reduce unnecessary rework. If you can rearrange your space without damaging the walls, you’ll be less likely to need repairs, re-painting, or replacement materials. Multiply this across millions of homes and buildings, and waste reduction becomes real. It’s a small change in the way we think about walls, but the environmental impact could add up.

Where it stands now: Still being tested, moving towards product

Ironplaque is not on store shelves yet. Secchi said the project is in the pilot-testing phase. Photos show the material being tested in real construction settings, in both wet and dry systems. This formula is moving through the Patent Cooperation Treaty system managed by the World Intellectual Property Organization, which shows that the inventor is serious about protecting the technology internationally.That’s clever. If it works on a large scale, it’s valuable. But the path from prototype to product requires continuing to prove performance. Builders and architects won’t adopt something new unless it performs predictably, fits into standard workflows and provides clear value. Weight capacity, durability over time, price point, ease of application all these factors will determine whether it remains a clever demo or becomes part of how construction is done.The bigger picture is that the construction industry is slowly starting to change. 3D printing, modular buildings, prefabrication and new materials are all pushing the sector to do something different. Ironplaque doesn’t seem like a revolution in itself. But it represents a shift in thinking, looking at how we actually use buildings and asking why we are still accepting inconvenient, outdated solutions. For anyone who has ever punched a hole in a wall and regretted it, this change can’t come soon enough.

New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday accused Kerala’s ruling Congress of choosing “Sharia over the Constitution” in response to a youth’s announcement of opening an “Islam-friendly gym”.“BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari alleged that the Congress in Kerala was being “pressured” by its ally Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).Bhandari said in a video on his“It has been clearly proved that because of Muslim appeasement, the Congress Party is now keeping the Constitution at bay, and believing in Shariat over the Constitution…because Due to Muslim appeasement, Congress Party is becoming a threat to the security of Hindus in Kerala.”IUML, with 22 MLAs, is the second largest constituent of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) in the southern state. UDF has 102 seats in the 140-member Kerala Assembly.The controversy centers on a fitness facility in Puthunagaram in Palakkad district. It recently announced plans to transform itself into an “Islam-friendly gym” operating under “Sharia-based guidelines”.The announcement, which was later removed, was posted on the Instagram account “Nawaz Muthu T”. It said the fitness centre, which has been operating for the last 15 years, will introduce a new set of rules for its members.Under the proposed guidelines, music would be prohibited inside the facility, separate workout times would be set for men and women, and members would have to follow a dress code to ensure that their “awrah” – body parts that Islamic teachings dictate should be covered – remain hidden while exercising.The proposed changes also stipulate that men and women will not be allowed to work together, separate schedules will be arranged for each group.Female members will be required to wear attire, including hijab, that covers the body in accordance with stated religious guidelines.The announcement has sparked debate and mixed reactions from various quarters. Supporters have described the initiative as an effort to provide a fitness environment that accommodates religious preferences, while critics have questioned the implications and broader impact of operating gyms based on faith-specific guidelines.

Former Indian off spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has supported the test captain Shubman Gill Set to be a key figure in India’s future in the longest format, he said the batsman’s success can have a big impact on the team’s next phase.Ahead of India’s one-off Test against Afghanistan at the PCA New International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh from June 6, Ashwin praised Gill’s captaincy and batting during India’s recent tour of England, where he led the team in a Test series for the first time.“Shubman Gill played a brilliant series in England. As soon as he was made the captain, he went there and performed well both with the bat and with his leadership. He scored runs in difficult situations and handled the pressure of captaincy with maturity. This shows his class and his ability to bat for a long time,” Ashwin told Geo Hotstar.Ashwin said the work done by Gill on his technique has helped him deal with the movement on the pitch better.“He has worked hard on his technique, especially keeping his bat closer to the pad, which has helped him reduce the gap between bat and pad, making him more powerful against the moving ball,” Ashwin said.While Gill is still waiting for the big innings on home soil as Test captain, Ashwin will be hoping to make an impact in familiar conditions.He said, “Yes, he has not done wonders with the bat on home soil as a captain yet, but with this change in his batting technique, I expect him to perform strongly on home soil as well. His success in Test cricket will play a big role in redefining India’s Test team. He is a player who can lead the batting order for years to come.”Ashwin also talked about India’s spin options for the Afghanistan Test if Ravindra Jadeja is unavailable. he hopes -Kuldeep Yadav To lead the spin attack, while Washington provides handsome support.Ashwin said, “In the absence of Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav will lead the spin attack against Afghanistan. He is bowling with great rhythm and confidence. His ability to turn the ball both ways and his experience in home conditions make him a big threat.”He said, “Washington will play a beautiful supporting role. He is more defensive, a bowler who can also bat lower down the order. His accuracy and ability to bowl long spells will be useful on bad tracks. Both will be important for India’s success in this Test match.”Ashwin also said that he is keen to see whether homegrown star Harsh Dubey gets a chance to make his Test debut.He said, “However, I will have my eyes on Harsh Dubey. I am curious whether he will get a chance. We will have to wait and see whether the team goes with Manav Suthar or Harsh Dubey. But I have special interest in Dubey because he has had a good domestic season. He also had a very good IPL season. His performances work in his favour. I am looking forward to seeing him make his debut.”

TMC chief Mamata Banerjee with nephew Abhishek Banerjee

New Delhi: What started as a routine conversation in Delhi has resulted in the most serious internal crisis in the history of the Trinamool Congress, resulting in a split that has rocked the party establishment. Mamata Banerjee Almost three decades ago.On Wednesday, a group of 58 rebel MLAs led by expelled leader Ritabrata Banerjee claimed control of the TMC legislature party after seeking recognition from Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose. The dramatic developments marked nearly two weeks of heightened tension over allegations of forged signatures, resentment over Abhishek Banerjee’s growing influence and an increasingly visible succession battle within the party.The seeds of the crisis were sown after the party’s assembly election defeat on May 4. Dissatisfaction began to surface among a section of the newly elected MLAs, many of whom privately expressed concerns about the concentration of power around Abhishek Banerjee, the party’s national general secretary and Mamata Banerjee’s nephew.Those concerns became more evident during a meeting of MLAs on May 6 when Mamata Banerjee reportedly asked MLAs to appreciate Abhishek for his role in the election campaign. Although it was intended as a sign of appreciation, some members interpreted it as a sign of a family’s increasing prominence within the party structure.Early signs of disagreementThe first public signs of disagreement emerged on 19 May. During a meeting of MLAs, Ritabrata Banerjee and Entally MLA Sandipan Saha questioned why Falta MLA Jahangir Khan did not face disciplinary action despite publicly withdrawing from the re-poll campaign. Given Khan’s alleged closeness to Abhishek, the criticism was widely seen as a challenge to the party leadership.

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Senior TMC leader Kunal Ghosh had also raised similar concerns at the time, though he later distanced himself from the rebel camp.turning point A turning point came on May 22 when Ritabrata Banerjee went to Banga Bhawan in Delhi to complete the formalities related to the end of his Rajya Sabha tenure and unexpectedly met Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. After the meeting, Ritabrata publicly praised Adhikari’s decision to invite opposition MLAs and MPs to administrative review meetings, triggering intense political speculation.On May 25, the crisis deepened when allegations were made that fake signatures of several MLAs had been put on the documents submitted to the Speaker regarding the leadership of the legislative party.Two days later, Ritabrata and Sandipan lodged a formal complaint with the Speaker. The Assembly Secretariat later contacted the police, prompting a CID investigation.As the MLAs were questioned over the next few days, the controversy quickly escalated into a broader political confrontation. What started as a dispute over signatures became a rallying point for disgruntled MPs and intense lobbying began behind the scenes.brothers in mob attackTension further increased after the mob attacked Abhishek Banerjee during his visit to Sonarpur on May 30. While party leaders publicly condemned the incident, many TMC leaders privately saw the muted reaction from sections of the organization as evidence of growing rift between the leadership and some MLAs.By the next day, the extent of the challenge facing the leadership became clear. The meeting of newly elected MLAs called by Mamata Banerjee at her Kalighat residence reportedly saw lower than expected attendance, undermining efforts to display unity.The decisive crackdown came on 1 June. Soon after the official revealed that a CID probe was initiated following complaints by Ritabrata and Sandipan, the TMC expelled the two leaders.Instead of ending the crisis, the expulsion energized the dissident camp. Ritabrata and his supporters intensified their criticism of Abhishek Banerjee and accused him of centralizing power within the party. This operation became known as “Operation Crown Prince” in rebel circles.legislative revolution?The leadership’s efforts to establish control through new communications to the Speaker regarding the leadership of the legislature party continued on June 2. However, support among legislators continued to swing towards the rebels.The tension reached its peak on Wednesday when 58 MLAs submitted a letter to Ritabrata Banerjee electing him as the legislature party leader and proposing a new leadership structure. The Speaker accepted the claim and effectively recognized the rebel faction as the official legislature wing of the TMC.Soon after, many of the MLAs involved attended a government review meeting called by Adhikari in Nabanna, underscoring the scale of the political realignment.This development is the biggest break in the 28-year history of the party built around Mamata Banerjee’s leadership and political appeal.It also had an ironically personal twist. Former CPI(M) leader Ritabrata had often cited Vladimir Lenin while describing Mamata Banerjee’s ability to connect with the common people and argued that observing her political style helped him understand the Bolshevik leader’s principles of mass mobilisation.On Wednesday, he found himself leading what his supporters call a “legislative revolution” against the same leader he once compared to Lenin.TMC has been revolving around the same leader for almost three decades. The fourteen-day rebellion has now exposed the risks, tensions and unanswered questions that come with Mamata Banerjee.

England players wearing black armbands (screengrab)

England players were seen wearing black armbands on the opening day of the first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s, a special tribute to former cricketers who have passed away since the team’s last home international.Before the start of the game on Thursday, a moment of silence was observed before the national anthem, with players from both sides joining in to pay their respects. The black armband was worn in memory of several former England cricketers, including Kane Shuttleworth, John Jamieson, Barry Knight, Robin Smith, Hugh Morris, Norman Gifford, Eric Russell, Tony Piggott and MJK Smith.The emotional pre-match ceremony also included a tribute to New Zealand great Martin Crowe, marking 10 years since his death. Crowe is one of the most influential figures in New Zealand Cricket History, and the Lord’s multitudes, warmly accepted his legacy. His daughter Emma Crowe rang the traditional five-minute bell before the start of the Test, to applause around the ground.Once the commemorations were over, the focus turned to cricket as New Zealand captain Tom Latham won the toss and elected to bowl in partly cloudy conditions.The visitors fielded a strong pace attack led by Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson and Will O’Rourke. Jamieson and O’Rourke, both fast bowlers standing at least 1.97 metres, are playing together in a Test for the first time after recovering from long-term back injuries. Nathan Smith, who impressed with eight wickets against Ireland in the recent warm-up match, completed the seam-heavy attack, while Glenn Phillips was preferred over Mitchell Santner.England handed a debut to Durham opening batsman Emilio Gay, who recently represented Italy in T20 Internationals. The hosts also missed Ollie Robinson, whose last Test appearance came in 2024. Robinson joins captain Ben Stokes, Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue in the pace department.The Lord’s Test is England’s first red-ball outing since the 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia earlier this year, adding extra significance to the start of the series.