Dakshina Kannada gangster Jayesh Poojary raises pro-Pakistan slogans in court; roughed up by advocates

Mangaluru, June 15: Incessant rains continued to batter Dakshina Kannada on Sunday, triggering multiple landslides and causing widespread disruption to traffic and daily life across the district.

A significant landslide occurred adjacent to National Highway 169 at Kethikal in Thiruvail village near Vamanjoor, depositing a large volume of soil on the right side of the highway. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) promptly deployed teams to the site. Cleanup operations are currently underway, and precautionary traffic diversions have been put in place to maintain vehicular movement. Fortunately, no major damage or injuries were reported.

The Kethikal area has previously been identified as vulnerable, with similar incidents reported during last year’s monsoon. In response, the authorities had initiated soil-nailing measures and planned the construction of a gabion wall to stabilize the slope and prevent future landslides. Despite these efforts, the recurrence has raised fresh concerns about long-term solutions.

Meanwhile, another landslide affected the Jokatte–Padil section of the railway line, leading to slower train movement in the region as a precautionary measure.

In Kankanady's Naguri area, a minor landslide impacted residential zones, threatening at least 12 houses. Authorities evacuated the affected families to safer locations. Dramatic CCTV footage capturing the collapse of a massive compound wall at Suvarna Lane in Kankanady quickly went viral on social media, amplifying public concern.

Flash flooding was also reported in Pandeshwara’s Shivanagara 4th Cross, where residents struggled through knee-deep water, adding to the growing list of monsoon-related woes.

The Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) recorded alarming rainfall figures over a 24-hour period ending at 8:30 AM on Sunday:

Pudu Gram Panchayat (Mangaluru taluk): 189.5 mm

Neerumarga: 180.5 mm

Meramajalu: 174 mm

Bala Gram Panchayat: 165.5 mm

Patrame: 162.5 mm

Amtadi: 159.5 mm

Badagabelluru: 150 mm

Officials are closely monitoring vulnerable areas, and emergency teams remain on alert as forecasts predict continued rainfall in the coming days.

As the Middle East conflict between Israel and Iran entered fifth day with neither side backing down, Israeli Defence (Occupation) Minister Israel Katz issued a strong warning to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, drawing a comparison to the fate of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

“I caution the Iranian dictator against continuing to commit war crimes and launching missiles at Israeli civilians,” Katz was quoted as saying by CNN. At a meeting with senior military officials in Tel Aviv, Katz also said, “He (Khamenei) should recall the fate of a dictator from a neighboring country who chose a similar path against Israel.”

Saddam Hussein ruled Iraq from 1979 until his ouster in 2003. Following the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, Hussein was captured, tortured, and eventually executed by hanging.

Katz’s comments come amid rising tensions between Iran and Israel. They also follow reports by CNN citing a senior U.S. official, who claimed that Israel once had an opportunity to assassinate Khamenei. However, the Trump administration opposed the move and communicated its disapproval to Israel at the time.

Mangaluru, June 17: In a heartbreaking incident, a 10-month-old baby boy lost his life in Mangaluru after accidentally swallowing a used beedi (hand-rolled cigarette) allegedly discarded carelessly inside the house by his father.

The deceased infant has been identified as Anish Kumar, the only child of Lakshmidevi and her husband, who are originally from Bihar and currently residing in the city.

According to the police complaint filed by the grieving mother, the incident occurred while the baby was playing at home. The father, who works in wedding event decoration, was away at work when the child reportedly found and swallowed the leftover beedi.

Realizing something was wrong as the baby began to show signs of distress, Lakshmidevi immediately contacted her husband and rushed the child to Wenlock District Hospital in Mangaluru. Despite all efforts by the doctors, Anish could not be saved and was declared dead on Sunday.

Speaking to authorities, Lakshmidevi revealed that she had repeatedly warned her husband not to discard beedis inside the house, especially with a baby crawling around. Her pleas went unheeded — a mistake that proved fatal.

A case has been registered at the Mangaluru Rural Police Station, and investigations are underway.

The incident has sparked anguish and anger in the local community, with many calling for greater awareness about child safety and accountability within homes.