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Indian racer Kush Maini joins Alpine Formula 1 team as test and reserve driver

In addition to his new F1 responsibilities, Kush will maintain his participation in Alpine’s Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) Programme and continue contesting in the 2025 FIA Formula 2 Championship with DAMS.

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Kush Maini has officially been appointed as a Reserve and Test driver for the BWT Alpine Formula One Team, making headlines as the third Indian driver to join an F1 team, following in the footsteps of Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandok. This announcement comes as part of Alpine’s strategy to expand their pool of Test and Reserve drivers, which includes talents like Franco Colapinto, Ryo Hirakawa, and Paul Aron. During the upcoming season, rookie Jack Doohan and seasoned driver Pierre Gasly will race for Alpine.

Alpine shared the news of Maini’s new role through a social media post: “Kush Maini. 2025 Test and Reserve Driver. We’re delighted to announce our Alpine Academy driver has extended his role for the 2025 season.”

In an official communication, the team expressed their excitement about Kush joining the squad’s Test and Reserve Drivers: “As Test and Reserve Driver, Kush will play a critical role in supporting the team’s car development and setup initiatives. His work will involve utilizing the driver-in-loop simulator at Enstone and participating in the TPC Programme, which is designed to enhance driving skills in modern Formula One machinery.”

At 24 years old, Kush from Karnataka joined the Alpine Academy in October 2023 and has since made a name for himself in the FIA Formula 2 Championship, clinching five podium finishes, including a victory in Hungary.

Expressing his enthusiasm about the new position, Kush stated, “I am delighted to step up to the role of Test and Reserve Driver for BWT Alpine. The entire Alpine family has welcomed me since I joined the Academy, and I am grateful for the support from Flavio and Oliver. I look forward to gaining more track experience with F1 machinery and building on what I have learned in 2024. However, my immediate focus is on my upcoming third season in Formula 2, which kicks off this weekend in Australia.”

Julian Rouse, the Alpine Academy Director, praised Kush’s progress: “We are thrilled to announce the expansion of Kush’s role to include Test and Reserve Driver duties for the team this season. His impressive performances in both TPC and Formula 2 have shown us his potential, and we expect him to continue excelling in 2025. This broadened role enhances our reservoir of talent that can provide support to the team throughout the busy race season.”

Last season, Kush finished 13th in the Formula 2 driver standings. Notably, his former teammate from Invicta Racing, Gabriel Bortoleto, secured the championship and is now set to race with the Kick Sauber-Ferrari team next season.

In addition to his new F1 responsibilities, Kush will maintain his participation in Alpine’s Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) Programme and continue contesting in the 2025 FIA Formula 2 Championship with DAMS.

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

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Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

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India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

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Rahul-Gandhi

The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

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Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

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Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

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