India news: Telegram is 'like Frankenstein,' government says

Skip next section Indian government blasts 'Frankenstein' Telegram, defends temporary ban June 18, 2026

Indian government blasts 'Frankenstein' Telegram, defends temporary ban

India's central government on Thursday defended its recent decision to temporarily block access to the messaging platform Telegram in the country until June 22 over accusations that it had been used to leak a copy of this year's National Medical School Entrance Exam, or NEET.

The government told the Delhi High Court that Telegram, which sued over the temporary ban , had grown into a monster — allowing criminals to use it much like the dark net to pursue criminal activities.

"This platform, because of its architecture," said Attorney General R. Venkataramani, "is a Frankenstein."

"If a country like ours cannot take preventative measures, then where do we go?" Venkataramani asked the court, noting that nations must be allowed to act before damage occurs.

Telegram argued that its treatment by the government was unfair and disproportionate, saying that all Telegram users in the country were being disadvantaged due to the actions of a few.

The government said due process had been followed in making the decision and that the Cabinet secretary had led discussions on the matter.

Authorities say that they were able to collect substantial material evidence indicting abuse regarding the exam leak and that it is important to keep the best interests of the nation as a whole in mind.

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Skip next section China's foreign minister is coming to BRICS June 18, 2026

China's foreign minister is coming to BRICS

India hosted the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting on 'Reforms of Global Governance and Multilateral System' last month Image: ANI China announced Thursday that it would be sending its top diplomat to a BRICS meeting in India next week.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi will attend the 16th meeting of ‌BRICS national ‌security advisers ​and high representatives on ​national security is taking place in ⁠India from ​June ​22 ​to 23.

The overarching theme for India's rotating presidency in 2026 is "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability."

The main summit is scheduled for September.

https://p.dw.com/p/5Fdn9

Skip next section Greenpeace study finds India's heat governance is 'deeply fragmented' June 18, 2026

Greenpeace study finds India's heat governance is 'deeply fragmented'

Scientific research have found climate change is causing heatwaves to become longer, more frequent and more intense in India Image: Rajesh Kumar Singh/AP Photo/picture alliance As Indians suffer through unforgiving temperatures and prolonged heat waves , a Greenpeace study has found that the government's response to the crisis remains deeply fragmented, largely reactive and overall inadequate.

"Of the Rs 8.57 lakh crore (Rs 8.57 trillion or $91 billion) tracked across 130 schemes in 2026-27, only about 10% goes to schemes that have the potential to directly address heat-related risks and impacts," the recently published report said.

"Even this spending carries no earmarked heat-related allocation, as currently there is no scheme exclusively addressing the heat wave crisis in India," it added.

According to the report, the gaps are seen across the board, including the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Health or the Ministry of Labor.

"Key ministries like Science and Technology have seen their heat-relevant budget allocations drop to zero from 2025-26 onwards. Meanwhile, the only scheme (DAY-NULM) that had the potential to directly support urban informal workers has been effectively discontinued," it said.

The report's authors suggest India recognize heat waves as a standalone disaster under the Disaster Management Act and use earmarked funds for nationwide relief.

Among several recommendations, it also urged inter-ministerial coordination to establish roles, financing arrangements and accountability.

How a 'super El Nino' could change global weather

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Skip next section WATCH — India's gene-edited rice revolution June 18, 2026

WATCH — India's gene-edited rice revolution

India is the first country to approve gene-edited rice to boost food security. Can this homegrown innovation help farmers weather climate change?

India's gene-edited rice revolution

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Skip next section Ram Mandir donations must be disclosed, as temple trust gets legal notice June 18, 2026

Ram Mandir donations must be disclosed, as temple trust gets legal notice

Thousands of devotees visit the temple everyday with donations of cash, grains, even gold and silver Image: ANI The trust overseeing the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya was served a legal notice on Thursday see…