US Aid Cuts Halt Promising HIV Vaccine Research in South Africa
The US administration's decision to cut foreign aid has abruptly halted a $46 million HIV vaccine research project in South Africa, a global hub for such trials. The move dismantled the 'BRILLIANT' program just a week before clinical trials were set to begin, leaving the project's future uncertain. The funding withdrawal threatens the jobs of around 100 researchers and jeopardizes decades of progress, with significant global implications for developing a vaccine against one of history's deadliest pandemics.
Election Commission Finds Foreign Nationals on Bihar's Voter Lists
The Election Commission of India (EC) has discovered a large number of individuals from Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar on voter lists during a special house-to-house verification drive in Bihar. The discovery was made as part of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls ahead of state elections. The EC has asserted that these individuals will be investigated and will not be included in the final electoral roll, raising significant concerns about electoral integrity, illegal immigration, and national security.
North Korea Pledges 'Unconditional' Support for Russia's War in Ukraine
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has reaffirmed his country's "unconditional support" for Russia's actions in its war against Ukraine. The pledge was made during a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Wonsan. This statement reinforces the comprehensive strategic partnership treaty the two nations signed in June, solidifying their political and military alignment and deepening concerns in the West about their growing cooperation on the international stage.
Ex-Diplomat, 26/11 Prosecutor Among Four Nominated to Rajya Sabha
The President of India has nominated four new members to the Rajya Sabha. The appointees are former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, renowned lawyer Ujjwal Nikam who was the special public prosecutor in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case, historian Meenakshi Jain, and Kerala BJP leader C. Sadanandan Master. These nominations fill vacancies in the upper house of Parliament with prominent figures from diplomacy, law, academia, and politics, reflecting the government's choices for the Council of States.
Electronics and Pharma Sectors Receive 70% of PLI Scheme Payouts
Government data for FY25 reveals that the electronics and pharmaceutical sectors have cornered approximately 70% of the total fiscal incentives disbursed under the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes. Of the total Rs 10,114 crore disbursed, large-scale electronics manufacturing received Rs 5,732 crore and pharma received Rs 2,328 crore. The figures underscore the strategic focus and success of the government's flagship policy in boosting domestic manufacturing and exports in these key areas.
Fuel-Carrying Goods Train Catches Fire in Tamil Nadu, Disrupting Rail Services
A freight train carrying diesel fuel caught fire near Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu, causing major disruptions to the rail network. The fire, which started in one wagon and spread to others, led to the suspension of overhead power supply as a precaution. While no casualties were reported, Southern Railway was forced to cancel at least eight express trains, divert five others, and short-terminate several more, significantly impacting passenger travel in the region.
Veteran Telugu Actor and Former MLA Kota Srinivasa Rao Dies at 83
Renowned actor Kota Srinivasa Rao, a veteran of over 750 films, has passed away in Hyderabad after a prolonged illness. A cultural icon in South Indian cinema, he was celebrated for his versatile performances, particularly as a villain and character artist. Rao was a recipient of the Padma Shri for his contributions to cinema and also served one term as a BJP MLA from Vijayawada East between 1999 and 2004. His death is being mourned across the film and political fraternities.
Major Drug Bust in Uttarakhand Recovers MDMA Worth ₹10 Crore
Uttarakhand Police have arrested a woman near the India-Nepal border in Champawat district, seizing 5.688 kg of MDMA drugs valued at over ₹10.23 crore on the international market. The seizure is one of the largest in the state's history. The accused claimed she was transporting the drugs for her husband and his associate, both of whom are now being sought by police. The operation highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat large-scale drug trafficking in the border region.
IIM-Calcutta Rape Case Takes Twist as Alleged Victim's Father Denies Incident
An alleged rape case at IIM-Calcutta has been thrown into confusion after the father of the woman who filed the FIR publicly claimed the incident never occurred. A student was arrested after the woman alleged she was drugged and sexually assaulted in a campus hostel. However, her father told reporters she was merely injured in an accident. The court has remanded the accused student to police custody while authorities investigate the conflicting accounts at the prestigious institution.
Odisha Moves to Copyright Jagannath Temple Rituals to Protect Tradition
The Odisha government is initiating steps to secure copyright for the unique rituals of the Puri Jagannath temple. According to Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, the move aims to legally protect the temple's traditional cultural expressions. This innovative measure seeks to prevent organizations from holding festivals like the Rath Yatra on incorrect dates or misusing the temple's identity, representing a significant effort to safeguard intangible religious and cultural heritage through modern intellectual property law.
Air India Crash Probe Points to Engine Fuel Cutoff Seconds After Takeoff
A preliminary report into the Air India crash in Ahmedabad has ruled out defects in the aircraft's fuel control switch. However, the flight recorder indicates that seconds after takeoff, the switches for both engines were moved to 'CUTOFF' and then back to 'RUN', starving them of fuel. The cockpit voice recorder captured a pilot denying they had performed this action. The investigation continues, noting a non-mandatory 2018 FAA advisory about the switch design had not been implemented by the airline.
Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to Return from ISS on July 15
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is scheduled to complete his 14-day mission and return to Earth from the International Space Station on July 15, ISRO has confirmed. As the first Indian aboard the ISS, Shukla successfully conducted a suite of seven microgravity experiments critical for India's future space missions, including Gaganyaan. He and his crewmates will undock in a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft for a splashdown off the coast of California. ISRO reports the astronaut is in good health.
US State Department Lays Off Over 1,300 Employees in Major Reorganization
The U.S. State Department has fired more than 1,300 employees, including 1,107 civil servants and 246 foreign service officers, as part of a major reorganization by the Trump administration. Critics and former diplomats argue the move will severely damage America's global influence and ability to counter international threats. The administration has defended the cuts as a necessary step to create a leaner, more efficient department, marking a significant shift in the execution of U.S. foreign policy.
IIM-Calcutta Student Arrested for Allegedly Raping Classmate on Campus
A student at the Indian Institute of Management-Calcutta has been arrested for allegedly raping a female classmate inside a campus hostel. The woman's FIR states she was drugged and then sexually assaulted after being invited to the accused's room for a purported "counselling session." The incident at one of India's premier business schools has ignited serious concerns about student safety on elite campuses. Police have detained the accused student and are conducting a full investigation.
Four-Storey Building Collapses in Delhi, Rescue Operations Underway
A four-storey residential building collapsed in the Welcome area of northeast Delhi on Saturday morning. Multiple agencies, including seven fire tenders, are conducting rescue operations. Three people have been pulled from the rubble and rushed to a hospital, but authorities fear more individuals from a family of ten residing there may still be trapped. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about structural safety and unregulated construction in densely populated urban areas of the national capital.