Local Round-up: From Bihar's Voter List Revision to Himachal Pradesh's Landslides, here's the local news for you!

From space missions and heritage accolades to natural disasters and civic controversies, this week’s stories span a wide spectrum of human resilience, environmental urgency and cultural pride. Here’s your curated roundup of key developments in local news—each one impactful, some heartbreaking, others quietly revolutionary—in science, society, governance and public life across India's local news and stories.

Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to Return from ISS Tuesday Aboard Crew Dragon "Grace"

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is scheduled to undock from the International Space Station at 4:35 pm IST and splash down off California by 3 pm IST on July 15. As part of Axiom’s Ax‑4 mission, he completed seven ISRO experiments. Post-splashdown, he’ll undergo rehabilitation to readjust to Earth's gravity after nearly three weeks in microgravity.

Repeated Cloudbursts Trigger Devastating Landslides in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh

Monsoon cloudbursts since June 30 have unleashed multiple flash floods and landslides across Mandi district. At least 78 deaths reported, with dozens missing and extensive damage to roads, homes and bridges. Rescue operations are ongoing amid weather warnings. The destruction highlights the Himalayas’ growing vulnerability to extreme precipitation events.

Diesel Tanker Fire Disrupts Chennai–Arakkonam Rail Services Near Thiruvallur

A spark from overhead wires ignited diesel leaking from a derailed freight tanker near Thiruvallur early Sunday, engulfing four wagons in flames. No casualties were reported, but 17 fire vehicles and 70 personnel responded. The blaze disrupted Chennai–Arakkonam and EMU local services, halting several express trains and stranding commuters.

Illegal Foreign Nationals Found in Bihar Voter List During Revision Drive

In Bihar’s Special Intensive Revision, the Election Commission identified names from Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar among voters. These entries are set to be removed ahead of the August verification period. The drive marks a major electoral cleanup effort across India, targeting cross-border identity fraud in poll rolls.

Tennis Player Radhika Yadav Murdered by Father in Gurugram Tragedy

Twenty‑five‑year‑old tennis athlete Radhika Yadav was shot dead by her father, Deepak Yadav, at their Gurugram home. Police confirm four point‑blank shots. Her father claims motive linked to perceived possessiveness. The accused is now in judicial custody. The incident has revived concerns on domestic violence and mental health.

Maratha Military Landscapes of India Inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Site

India’s bid for the “Maratha Military Landscapes” – 12 forts across Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu – was approved by UNESCO during the 47th World Heritage Committee. It marks the nation’s 44th UNESCO site. The recognition celebrates Maratha-era military architecture and strategic planning from the 17th to 19th centuries.

BBMP Launches ₹2.9 Crore Scheme to Feed Stray Dogs with Chicken Rice

Bengaluru’s BBMP unveils a ₹2.9 crore programme to feed 4–5 000 stray dogs daily a diet of chicken, rice and vegetables. Designed to reduce aggression, encourage sterilisation, and aid rabies control, meals comply with Animal Birth Control rules. The move has drawn mixed public reactions.

Shantanu Naidu Honoured as Google’s Social Impact Leader of 2025

Shantanu Naidu, a key associate of Ratan Tata and GM at Tata Motors, has been named “Social Impact Leader of the Year 2025” at Google’s Viksit Bharat 2047 Summit in India. The award recognised his innovation in educational outreach and community upliftment initiatives.

PM Modi Receives Namibia’s Highest Civilian Honour in Windhoek

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with Namibia’s highest civilian award, Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis, becoming the first Indian leader to be given this award, during his diplomatic visit to Windhoek. The honour underscores deepening Indo-African ties, especially in strategic areas like energy, education, and conservation. It also marks a symbolic moment in South-South solidarity and India’s global outreach in the post-colonial world.

Actor Mahesh Babu Named in ₹34.8 Lakh Fraud Complaint

Telugu actor Mahesh Babu has received a consumer panel notice after being named in a ₹34.8 lakh fraud case involving a real estate endorsement. The complainant alleges misleading promotions in a land deal. The incident brings renewed focus on celebrity accountability in advertising and the growing legal scrutiny of influencer-brand ties.