Evening news wrap: Son recounts mother's brutal murder over dowry; Russia accuses West of obstructing peace talks & more

A six-year-old boy’s testimony has exposed how his mother was set on fire by her in-laws over alleged dowry demands. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge accused the BJP of trying to topple opposition governments through new bills that he called “satta chori.”

Here are top 5 stories that made headlines today:

Greater Noida dowry death : Son’s testimony on Nikki Bhati ’s final moments

A six-year-old boy has said he saw his father and grandparents pour liquid on his mother, slap her, and then set her on fire inside their Greater Noida home. Videos on social media show the woman, Nikki, being beaten and dragged by her husband and mother-in-law, and another clip captures her limping down a staircase after the flames engulfed her. Read full story

Accused shows ‘no remorse,’ says Nikki died on her own

Vipin Bhati , the main accused in the Greater Noida dowry murder case , was shot in the leg during a police encounter while trying to escape. From hospital, he denied killing his wife Nikki and said he felt “no remorse,” claiming she died on her own. Nikki’s family alleged she was tortured for dowry and set on fire by her husband and in-laws. Read full story

‘Running a bulldozer on democracy’ Congress leader Kharge slams BJP over new bills

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday accused the Centre of trying to stage a “satta chori” (power theft) after “vote chori,” claiming the BJP has brought new bills aimed at toppling opposition governments within 30 days. He further alleged manipulation of voter lists and praised Rahul Gandhi’s “Voter Adhikar Yatra” in Bihar. Read full story

Tejashwi Yadav advises 'elder brother' Chirag Paswan to 'Get married'

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav took a dig at Chirag Paswan, saying some are Hanuman of "special person, but we are Hanuman of the public". Responding to Paswan’s remark that he is a “hanger-on” of Rahul Gandhi, Tejashwi joked that Paswan, his “elder brother,” should get married soon. Rahul Gandhi also joined in, saying that the same applies to him. Read full story

Russia accuses West of ‘trying to block Ukraine peace talks’

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has accused Western nations of blocking peace talks on Ukraine, even as diplomatic efforts falter. He said Kyiv is setting conditions for talks with Moscow and trying to disrupt the process discussed between Putin and Trump. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, however, accused Russia of avoiding direct talks. Read full story