Mira Bhayandar, March 26: The Kashimira locality in Mira-Bhayandar was gripped by fear on Tuesday night following the brutal murder of a 40-year-old female housekeeper. The victim, identified as Suman Nawachi, was repeatedly stabbed with a sharp-edged weapon inside a flat within a prominent residential complex.

Suman Nawachi worked as a housekeeper for several families in the Chandesh Accord residential complex. The attack took place in a flat located in Building Number 27.

According to police reports, the assailant launched a violent attack, stabbing Suman twice in the abdomen, once in the chest, and once across the neck.

Despite being rushed immediately to Gurukrupa Hospital, doctors declared her dead on arrival due to the severity of her injuries.

Upon receiving the alert, Kashimira Police arrived at the scene along with a forensic team to secure the area and collect evidence. Police have seized the weapon used in the crime from the spot.

Investigating officers are currently scanning footage from all CCTV cameras in and around the complex to identify the suspect. Police are recording statements from neighbours and residents to determine if anyone witnessed the entry or exit of the attacker.

The cold-blooded nature of the crime has sent shockwaves through the Kashimira neighbourhood. Local authorities have increased patrolling in the area to reassure panicked residents.

“We are conducting the investigation with the utmost seriousness. Our primary goal is to uncover the motive behind this heinous act and apprehend the perpetrator at the earliest,” stated a senior police official.

While the motive remains unclear, forensic experts are analysing every aspect of the crime scene to provide leads.

Washington, March 25: Top American lawmakers and experts have warned that the country’s heavy reliance on foreign critical minerals, especially those from China, poses a direct threat to national security, and called for urgent steps to build resilient domestic supply chains.

At a House subcommittee hearing on Wednesday, Congressman Paul Gosar said the “very security of our nation relies heavily on a steady input” of minerals essential for defence systems, electronics and advanced technologies. He pointed to copper, rare earths and lithium as key inputs for fighter jets, missiles and batteries.

Gosar warned that the US remains heavily reliant on imports. “We import half of our supply of 20 of the 60 minerals… and we are entirely reliant on the importation of 13,” he said, adding that China dominates global processing and refining capacity.

Lawmakers from both parties agreed that the supply chain vulnerability has strategic implications. Representative Jared Huffman said the issue was not just about resources but governance, alleging that billions in federal investments lacked transparency and oversight.

Expert witnesses told the panel that China has effectively “weaponised” mineral supply chains. Gracelin Baskaran said the key question was no longer whether China controls critical minerals, but how quickly the US can build alternative supply chains.

“The question is what the United States does about it,” she said, calling for coordinated industrial policy and stronger alliances to secure supply.

Geologist Simon Jowitt said the US has “huge unrealised mineral potential” but remains underexplored due to limited geoscientific data and slow permitting. He stressed that exploration is the foundation of any supply chain and can deliver significant economic returns.

Jowitt also underscored the need for a full domestic ecosystem. “There’s no point in just having mineral deposits without having an entirety of a supply chain,” he said, arguing that processing and refining must accompany mining to ensure security.

National security expert Abigail Hunter highlighted structural challenges, noting that supply chains take years to build while disruptions can occur “overnight”. She said China’s control over processing creates a “choke point” that allows it to influence global markets rapidly.

“Capacity must be built in advance,” Hunter said, warning that relying on imports during crises could leave US defence systems vulnerable.

At the same time, watchdog groups raised concerns about government investment strategies. Faith Williams said federal equity stakes in mining firms could create conflicts of interest and reduce transparency.

“Corruption or the appearance thereof is bad for business,” she said, cautioning that unclear rules could distort markets and increase costs for taxpayers.

Despite political divisions, there was broad agreement that critical minerals underpin both economic growth and military capability. Lawmakers cited their role in everything from semiconductors and smartphones to advanced weapons systems.

The hearing also highlighted the economic stakes. Mining contributes billions to the US GDP and supports nearly two million jobs, with wages significantly above the national average.

Experts said solutions would require a combination of domestic production, allied cooperation and demand-side policies. Baskaran urged creating a “market of 2.6 billion consumers” among US allies to counterbalance China’s dominance.

The issue has gained urgency amid rising geopolitical tensions and growing demand for minerals driven by clean energy, defence modernisation and digital infrastructure, placing supply chain resilience at the centre of US strategic planning.

Mumbai: Tension erupted in the Malad area of ​​Mumbai last night when some miscreants created a ruckus near the Jama Masjid, after which the situation deteriorated. The police brought the situation under control. Slogans were raised from both sides. On one side, slogans of Takbir Allah Akbar were raised, while on the other, slogans of Jai Shri Ram were raised. Last night, Isha prayers were being offered at the Jama Masjid. Meanwhile, noise was heard while the idol of Lord Ram was being carried. The worshippers objected. After that, the situation deteriorated. The police brought the parties under control and now the situation is peaceful here, but tension persists. The police have tightened security in all sensitive areas including the Jama Masjid. Since the Ram Navami procession is taken out in the evening and to ensure that no trouble occurs during the Ram Navami procession and Shobhayatra, forces have been deployed everywhere. Mumbai Police Commissioner Devin Bharti has issued strict instructions to the police in this matter, while the police have registered a case against those who created the dispute and the investigation is underway. Violence broke out on Ram Navami three years ago in the Malad area of ​​Mumbai, and after that, miscreants are again trying to spoil the atmosphere here. Last night too, an attempt was made to spoil the atmosphere here, but the police foiled it. Now the situation is peaceful. The police have also warned of action against those spreading rumors and those sharing controversial videos on social media. Along with this, the police are investigating the matter to see if the atmosphere was spoiled. After the communal conflict, the police had identified sensitive areas and also held meetings of the Mohalla Committees and Peace Committees. Along with the installation of CCTV footage in Malad, the procession was monitored by drones. The police have also claimed that the procession ended peacefully due to the presence of forces at Chappa Chappa.