Supreme Court Dismisses Lalit Modi's Plea for BCCI to Cover FEMA Fine
The Supreme Court has rejected a plea from former IPL chairman Lalit Modi, who sought an order for the BCCI to pay a ₹10.65 crore penalty imposed on him by the Enforcement Directorate for violating the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). The court upheld a Bombay High Court ruling that dismissed the petition as "frivolous," noting that the BCCI is not a 'state' under the Constitution and cannot be compelled by a writ to indemnify an individual for a personal penalty.
BJP 'Fact-Finding Team' Arrives in Kolkata Over Law College Gang Rape
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has sent a four-member "fact-finding team" to Kolkata to investigate the recent gang rape of a student at the South Calcutta Law College. The team, comprising MPs including Meenakshi Lekhi and Biplab Kumar Deb, stated that women are not safe in West Bengal. The group alleged that the state government denied them permission to visit the college or meet with the chief secretary, escalating the political confrontation over the state's law and order situation.
Two Firefighters Killed in Sniper Ambush While Responding to US Wildfire
Two firefighters were killed and another was wounded in a sniper ambush while responding to a wildfire near Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Authorities reported that crews came under sustained rifle fire for several hours in the rugged mountain terrain, prompting a shelter-in-place order. A tactical team later discovered the body of a man with a firearm nearby, though officials have not yet confirmed his connection to the attack. The state's governor condemned the incident as a "heinous direct assault" on first responders.
Monsoon Showers Bring Relief to Delhi-NCR as Temperatures Drop Sharply
Delhi and the National Capital Region received light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms on Monday morning, providing significant relief from the heat. The Safdarjung observatory recorded a minimum temperature of 24°C, nearly four degrees below the seasonal average. The rain also improved the city's air quality, pushing the AQI into the 'satisfactory' category. The India Meteorological Department has issued a 'yellow alert,' forecasting more showers and advising caution due to potential waterlogging in low-lying areas.
50 Supporters of MP Chandrashekhar Azad Arrested for Vandalism in Prayagraj
Police in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, have arrested approximately 50 supporters of Nagina MP Chandrashekhar Azad for vandalism. The incident occurred after Azad was prevented by police from visiting the family of a man who died from burn injuries. His angered supporters allegedly damaged two police vehicles and pelted stones. Authorities have stated that the accused will be charged under stringent sections, including potentially the National Security Act, and that the cost of the damages will be recovered from them.
Shuttler Ayush Shetty Clinches Maiden BWF World Tour Title at US Open
Rising Indian badminton star Ayush Shetty won his first BWF World Tour title, defeating Canada's Brian Yang in straight games in the US Open Super 300 men's singles final. The 20-year-old, a junior world championships bronze medalist, secured a 21-18, 21-13 victory, capping an impressive tournament run. In the women's singles, 16-year-old Tanvi Sharma finished as a commendable runner-up after a hard-fought final, concluding a strong week for Indian shuttlers at the international event.
Iran Accuses Israel of Deadly Strike on Tehran Prison, Killing 71
Iran’s judiciary reported that an alleged Israeli airstrike on Tehran’s Evin prison killed at least 71 people, including prisoners, staff, and visiting family members. The attack on the notorious prison, which holds many political activists, marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between the two nations. The incident, confirmed by Iran's official Mizan news agency, raises fears of a wider regional war and has drawn immediate international attention, further destabilizing the Middle East.
India Rejects Pakistan's Accusation of Involvement in Waziristan Attack
India has strongly rejected Pakistan's claim that it was behind a suicide bomb attack that killed at least 13 soldiers in North Waziristan. The Ministry of External Affairs dismissed the statement "with the contempt it deserves." A faction of the Pakistani Taliban, the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group, has reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack, which involved an explosive-laden car ramming a military convoy. The incident sharply increases diplomatic tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
Monsoon Covers Entire Country Nine Days Ahead of Schedule
The southwest monsoon has advanced across the entire country, reaching Delhi and covering all remaining areas nine days earlier than the normal date of July 8, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). This is the earliest nationwide coverage since 2020. The early arrival, which first made landfall in Kerala on May 24, is crucial for India's vast agricultural sector and for replenishing reservoirs, promising significant economic and social benefits across the nation.
Social Security Schemes Now Cover 95 Crore Indians, Says Government
Citing a recent International Labour Organisation (ILO) report, the Indian government announced that over 95 crore people in the country now receive benefits from at least one social security scheme. This represents more than 64% of the population, a significant increase from fewer than 25 crore beneficiaries in 2015. The expansion of social protection, covering areas from health to financial security, marks a major milestone in the country's social welfare framework and national development.
Stampede at Puri's Rath Yatra Kills Three, Injures Dozens
A stampede during the Jagannath Rath Yatra festival in Puri, Odisha, has resulted in at least three deaths and around 50 injuries. The incident occurred early Sunday morning near the Shree Gundicha Temple as a large crowd of devotees gathered. Odisha’s government has ordered a high-level inquiry into the security and crowd management lapses that led to the tragedy. The Chief Minister has apologized for the incident and promised stringent action against those found responsible for negligence.
Cloudburst in Uttarakhand Triggers Landslide, Nine Labourers Missing
A cloudburst in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district has caused a major landslide, sweeping away a labourers' campsite and leaving eight to nine people missing. The incident occurred along the Barkot-Yamunotri road, disrupting traffic and forcing a temporary suspension of the Char Dham Yatra pilgrimage. The IMD has issued a red alert for the state, warning of more extremely heavy rainfall. Rescue operations by NDRF and SDRF teams are underway amid widespread weather-related disruptions across the region.
India's Ban on Pakistan-Linked Ships Raises Freight Costs, Delays Imports
An Indian ban on ships carrying Pakistani cargo, imposed after a recent terror attack, is reportedly causing significant trade disruptions for Pakistan. Importers there claim the measure has increased shipping times by 30-50 days and raised freight charges by forcing reliance on smaller feeder vessels. While the immediate impact on Pakistan's exports is said to be minimal, the disruption to supply chains for imported raw materials could have broader economic consequences for its value-added export industries.
Sri Lankan Navy Arrests Eight Indian Fishermen Near Rameswaram
The Sri Lankan Navy arrested eight fishermen from Tamil Nadu and seized their boat near Delft Island, accusing them of crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line to fish illegally. This latest incident highlights the recurring and contentious issue faced by Indian fishermen in the Palk Strait, who cite depleted fish stocks and historic fishing rights. Fishermen’s associations have again called for immediate diplomatic intervention from New Delhi to secure the crew's release and find a permanent solution.
Seven Engineers Suspended Over Bhopal Bridge with 90-Degree Turn
The Madhya Pradesh government has suspended seven engineers and blacklisted a design firm over the construction of a new rail over-bridge in Bhopal with a hazardous 90-degree turn. The Rs 18 crore project faced widespread public ridicule and safety concerns. Following an inquiry, the Chief Minister ordered the suspensions and a probe into a retired engineer, stating the bridge will not open until safety improvements are made to rectify the widely criticized and dangerous design flaw.