Suspected Pak-linked terror contacts: After UP youth’s arrest in K’taka, probe reaches his native village

by Hansraj Agrawal | Jun 25, 2026 | general

A day after the arrest of Saharanpur native Mohammad Sohail from Karnataka over suspected links with Pakistan-based handlers, security agencies in Uttar Pradesh on Thursday began a parallel probe into his local contacts as police called his father for questioning and the UP ATS stepped in to gather field inputs from the family’s home district, said senior police officials here.

Police sources in Saharanpur said Sohail’s father Liyaqat was called to Gangoh police station on Thursday and questioned about his son’s recent movements. (For Representation)

Sohail, 20, a native of Lakhnauti village in Saharanpur’s Gangoh area, was picked up from Davangere district of Karnataka where he had gone for a painting work. His arrest triggered a terror probe in Karnataka after investigators found alleged suspicious material and foreign contacts on his mobile phone.

Police sources in Saharanpur said Sohail’s father Liyaqat was called to Gangoh police station on Thursday and questioned about his son’s recent movements, stay in Karnataka, phone usage and the people he had remained in touch with before leaving Uttar Pradesh. Officials said the UP ATS unit in Deoband has also started collecting information about Sohail and is expected to assist central agencies in mapping his local network and communication trail.

According to locals, Sohail had left for Karnataka only seven to eight days ago while some reports from Karnataka have said he had reached the state around two weeks earlier for working as a painter. Investigators are now trying to reconcile his travel timeline and establish whom he was in touch with before and after leaving Saharanpur.

Family members have told police that Sohail had once mentioned that a Pakistan number had been dialled “by mistake”, a claim now under scrutiny as agencies examine whether his foreign contacts were incidental or part of a sustained pattern of communication.

Officials said investigators are likely to analyse his mobile phone data, WhatsApp activity, social media accounts and internet history, apart from identifying persons who may have interacted with him through any digital platform.

Police sources said Liyaqat, who works as a labourer, had shifted with the family from Lakhnauti village to a rented accommodation in Gangoh town because of hardship. Investigators are also examining whether Sohail had travelled out of Uttar Pradesh earlier too and how he funded his movements and whether anyone in western UP helped facilitate his stay or work outside the state.

Sohail was arrested after intelligence inputs with local police there saying preliminary examination of his phone pointed to suspected contact with Pakistan-based individuals through social media and messaging platforms. Karnataka authorities have not yet publicly detailed the exact offences invoked against him, and the full extent of the allegations remains under investigation.

Officials in Uttar Pradesh said teams from the NIA and Karnataka are also expected to visit Saharanpur. For investigators here, the immediate task is to determine whether Sohail was operating in isolation, whether he had built any support network in the district and whether his digital contacts had any link to persons in Uttar Pradesh.

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Switzerland steal top spot from Canada in Group B as Bosnia join them in Round Of 32

by Hansraj Agrawal | Jun 24, 2026 | general

Switzerland finished top of Group B after beating Canada 2-1 in Vancouver, while Bosnia and Herzegovina also moved into the Round of 32 after a 3-1 win over Qatar in Seattle on a decisive night at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Switzlerand topped Group B of the FIFA World Cup 2026. (REUTERS)

The final round of Group B fixtures began with Canada in control of top spot. The co-hosts had four points from their first two matches and a superior goal difference after their 6-0 win over Qatar, meaning a draw against Switzerland would have been enough to finish first. Switzerland, however, needed a win to overtake them, while Bosnia had to beat Qatar to strengthen their third-place qualification case.

Switzerland delivered when it mattered. After a tight first half at BC Place, they struck immediately after the restart through Ruben Vargas, who gave them the breakthrough and changed the shape of the group. Johan Manzambi then doubled the lead shortly before the hour mark, continuing his impressive tournament after his earlier impact against Bosnia.

Canada did not go quietly. Substitute Promise David pulled one back in the 76th minute to revive the home crowd and set up a tense finish, but Switzerland held on to complete a 2-1 win. The result took the Swiss to seven points from three matches and sent them through as Group B winners.

Bosnia win, Canada survive as Group B sends three teams through

For Canada, the defeat was damaging but not fatal. They slipped from first to second in the group, finishing level on four points with Bosnia and Herzegovina but staying ahead because of their far superior goal difference. Canada ended the group stage with eight goals scored and a goal difference of +5, enough to seal second place and a Round of 32 spot.

In the other Group B match, Bosnia and Herzegovina did their part with a 3-1 win over Qatar. Kerim Alajbegovic opened the scoring in the 29th minute with a superb long-range strike before Qatar’s Sultan Albrake turned the ball into his own net five minutes later. Qatar briefly gave themselves hope when captain Hassan Al Haydos reduced the deficit before half-time, but Bosnia remained in control after the break.

Ermin Mahmic settled the match in the 80th minute, making it 3-1 and ensuring Bosnia finished the group stage on four points. The victory was not enough to overtake Canada for second place, but it was enough to send Bosnia through as one of the best third-placed teams in the expanded 48-team format.

Qatar, meanwhile, finished bottom of Group B with one point from three matches. Their campaign ended with two defeats, ten goals conceded and a goal difference of -8.

Also Reead: Declan Rice, Reece James injury scare leaves England sweating before crucial World Cup clash against Panama

The final Group B table saw Switzerland finish first with seven points, followed by Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina on four points each. Canada took second place, while Bosnia advanced through the third-place route. Qatar were eliminated.

Switzerland will now enter the Round of 32 as Group B winners, while Canada progress as runners-up. Bosnia’s qualification gives Group B three teams in the knockouts, underlining how important the new third-place route has become in the expanded World Cup format.

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Using toothpaste for sensitivity? Cardiologist warns why heart and kidney patients need to be careful

by Hansraj Agrawal | Jun 24, 2026 | general

When you eat something cold, hot or sweet, tooth sensitivity can cause a sharp jolt of pain or discomfort. While it may last only a few seconds, the moment can be quite distressing. To manage this, many people turn to senstive toothpastes that claim to provide relief.

Certain toothpastes carry compounds which may detrimental for your health. (Picture credit: Unsplash)

These toothpastes ease sensitivity, but there is one lesser-known concern that exists because of the ingredients.

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Sanjat Chiwane, director of cardiology at Fortis Hospital Gurugram, shared that some senstive toothpastes contain ingredients such as potassium nitrate, which may require caution in certain people like those who are taking heart medicines.

ALSO READ: Mixing alcohol with energy drinks at parties? Cardiologist warns why this is dangerous for your health

Let’s find out who may be more vulnerable. This also shows that even unassuming products, such as oral care products in this case, need to be used with careful awareness, especially by people already affected by certain health conditions.

Decoding the ingredients in sensitive toothpaste

“Potassium nitrate works by calming nerve activity within exposed areas of the tooth, thereby reducing pain associated with sensitivity,” the cardiologist explained, breaking down how this ingredient works.

To put it simply, it helps to calm the nerves inside the tooth. He also assured that potassium nitrate is generally considered safe and effective for ‘most people.’

Dr Chiwane brought to attention the importance of potassium in the body, reminding the critical role it plays in maintaining normal heart rhythm and muscle function.

But if potassium is essential for the body, why does its presence in senstive toothpaste become a challenge for some heart patients?

To which the cardiologist opined, “In cardiology practice, elevated potassium levels, known as hyperkalaemia, are an important clinical concern. Potassium helps regulate the electrical impulses that allow the heart to beat in a coordinated manner. When potassium levels become excessively high, the heart’s electrical system can be affected, potentially leading to irregular heart rhythms. In severe cases, untreated hyperkalaemia may result in serious cardiac complications.”

Who should be careful?

Potassium nitrate in senstive toothpaste is unlikely to be a major health threat for most people. However, those with existing heart or kidney conditions, or those taking certain prescribed medicines, may need to be more careful. This is why the problem does not lie in the toothpaste alone, but depends on the patient’s overall health profile.

The cardiologist listed certain categories of patients who are more vulnerable to developing elevated potassium levels by using the sensitive toothpastes:

Individuals taking ACE inhibitors for hypertension or heart failure
Patients prescribed angiotensin receptor blockers
Those receiving potassium-sparing diuretics
People living with chronic kidney disease
Patients with advanced heart failure

Apart from people with heart diseases, patients with kidney-related conditions also need to be careful when using senstive toothpaste. The cardiologist stated that kidney function is closely linked to potassium balance in the body. When kidney function declines, excess potassium gets accumulated more easily. This also impacts the heart.

Potassium nitrate in senstive toothpaste is unlikely to pose a major health concern for most people, as the doctor told. However, those with existing heart or kidney conditions, or those taking certain prescribed medicines, may need to exercise caution. This is why the worry is not about the toothpaste alone, but it actually hinges on the patient’s overall health profile.

Is it safe or not?

The cardiologist clarified that senstive toothpaste is generally used while brushing is spat out after use. Since it is not meant to be swallowed, the amount of potassium that may enter the body through normal use is extremely small. This suggests that it is unlikely to be a major problem for most people.

However, those with impaired kidney function, advanced heart failure, multiple heart medicines or already high potassium levels should be more careful. Since their potassium levels may already be monitored by doctors, they need to mention the oral care products they use, including sensitive toothpaste. The aim is not to panic, but to use toothpaste correctly, avoid swallowing it and inform your doctor about the oral care products you use if you fall into a vulnerable group.

Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.

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Delhi extends slum rehabilitation eligibility cut-off to Jan 1, 2025; 20 lakh to benefit

by Hansraj Agrawal | Jun 23, 2026 | general

New Delhi, Jun 23 (PTI) The Delhi government on Tuesday approved rehabilitation benefits for all eligible families living in settlements established till January 1, 2025, in a decision expected to benefit nearly 20 lakh people and facilitate permanent housing for an estimated 4-5 lakh families.

Delhi real estate: The state government on Tuesday approved rehabilitation benefits for all eligible families living in settlements established till January 1, 2025, in a decision expected to benefit nearly 20 lakh people. (Picture for representational purposes only) (Ravi Choudhary/HT Photo)

The decision was taken at the 36th board meeting of the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB), chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta at the Delhi Secretariat, according to a statement released here. Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood, Chief Secretary Rajiv Verma and senior officials attended the meeting.

The move removes a key hurdle that had prevented many families from qualifying for rehabilitation benefits under earlier eligibility norms and expands the scope of the recently approved Delhi Slum and JJ Cluster Rehabilitation and Relocation Policy, 2026, the statement said.

“Nearly 20 lakh people living in Delhi’s JJ clusters stand to benefit after the city government decided to extend rehabilitation benefits to all eligible slum-dwelling families settled till January 1, 2025, paving the way for permanent housing for an estimated 4-5 lakh families,” Gupta said.

Also Read: Slums cover 24% of Mumbai’s land, house over half its population: Slum Rehabilitation Authority findings explained

She said the decision would provide a pathway to permanent and dignified housing for lakhs of families living in JJ clusters across the national capital and strengthen the government’s commitment to “Jahan Jhuggi, Wahan Makaan”.

Gupta further said the revised cut-off date would enable a much larger number of eligible families to avail rehabilitation benefits and secure permanent housing.

According to the chief minister, eligible beneficiaries would be provided multi-storey flats equipped with essential civic amenities. As far as possible, rehabilitation would be undertaken within or near existing settlements to minimise disruption to livelihoods and social networks, she added.

Gupta said the initiative was aimed not only at providing houses but also at improving the overall quality of life of residents through planned rehabilitation colonies with adequate social infrastructure.

The proposed colonies will include facilities such as schools, anganwadi centres, health centres, children’s playgrounds and other basic public amenities required for community living, she said.

Also Read: Reliance Industries-led consortium bags 101-acre Mumbai Slum Redevelopment Project: Here’s all you need to know

The decision is in line with the outcomes of a recent high-level review meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and provisions of the Delhi Slum and JJ Cluster Rehabilitation and Relocation Policy, 2026, the statement said.

The chief minister also said the government is considering provisions to address family expansion in slum clusters. In cases where members of the same family are living in separate units on different floors of a structure, they may be brought within the ambit of rehabilitation, subject to prescribed conditions and payment of additional charges.

It wasn’t immediately clear, however, what special provision would be made in such cases.

The rehabilitation programme would be implemented in mission mode through coordinated efforts of the Centre and the Delhi government, according to Gupta.

She added that projects would be taken up through the public-private partnership (PPP) model to expedite rehabilitation and ensure that every eligible family receives safe and improved housing.

The statement also said the decision is expected to bring a large number of slum residents into the formal housing network and provide them with access to better living conditions and civic services.

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