Odisha Partially Shut Down by Protest Over Student's Death
A 12-hour bandh called by the opposition Congress and other parties partially paralyzed life across Odisha on Thursday. The shutdown was a protest against the government's handling of a case involving a Balasore college student who died by self-immolation after allegedly being denied justice in a sexual harassment case. Protestors blocked roads and railways, while markets and schools remained closed. The strike aimed to highlight concerns over women's safety and demand accountability from the newly formed state government.
Bombay High Court Upholds Constitutional Validity of UAPA Anti-Terror Law
The Bombay High Court has dismissed petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the sedition law (Section 124A of IPC). A division bench held that the UAPA, a stringent anti-terror law, is constitutionally sound. The challenge was brought by a Mumbai resident who argued that the law gives the executive blanket power to designate individuals or organizations as terrorists without adequate safeguards or clear definitions, rendering it unconstitutional. The court found no merit in these arguments.
Bangladesh Halts Demolition of Satyajit Ray's Ancestral Home After Indian Plea
The government of Bangladesh has suspended the demolition of filmmaker Satyajit Ray's ancestral home in Mymensingh following interventions from India. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the Indian central government had expressed deep regret over the razing of the dilapidated property, a symbol of shared Bengali cultural heritage. In response, Bangladeshi authorities have halted the work and formed a committee to explore options for reconstructing the historic house, with India offering its cooperation for the project.
Indore Named India's Cleanest City for Eighth Consecutive Year
Indore has been declared India's cleanest city for the eighth consecutive time in the central government's annual 'Swachh Survekshan' cleanliness survey. Surat and Navi Mumbai secured the second and third positions, respectively. The awards were presented by President Droupadi Murmu at a ceremony in New Delhi. In the category for cities with a population between 3 and 10 lakh, Noida was ranked the cleanest. Indore's consistent performance continues to set a national benchmark for urban sanitation and waste management.
State Bus Service Reaches Remote Maoist-Hit Maharashtra Village for First Time
For the first time since independence, a state-run bus service has reached Markanar, a remote village in Maharashtra's once Maoist-hit Gadchiroli district. The new service, a result of efforts by the Gadchiroli police, connects the village at the foothills of the Abujhmad forest to the town of Aheri. Local residents, including students, welcomed the inaugural bus with cheers and the national flag. The initiative marks a significant step in improving connectivity and bringing development to the region, benefiting over 1,200 people.
US-India Trade Deal in the Works, Says Donald Trump
US President Donald Trump has indicated that India is negotiating a trade deal along the lines of a new agreement with Indonesia, which would grant the US greater market access. The Indonesian deal reportedly involves a 19% tariff on its US-bound imports, with zero tariffs on US exports to Indonesia. This announcement heightens pressure on Indian and US negotiators, who are working to finalize an agreement before Trump's August 1 deadline to avert the threat of significant punitive tariffs.
Israel Strikes Damascus Amid Clashes in Southern Syria
Israel has launched rare airstrikes in Damascus, including near the Syrian Defence Ministry, escalating its intervention in southern Syria. The strikes follow days of deadly clashes between Syrian government forces and armed groups from the Druze minority in Sweida province. Israel stated its actions are intended to protect the Druze community and push Islamic militants from its border. The conflict threatens the stability of Syria's new post-war government, with a ceasefire announced Wednesday after a previous one quickly collapsed.
Government to Introduce Eight New Bills in Parliament's Monsoon Session
The Indian government plans to introduce eight new bills during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament, which begins July 21. Key legislation includes the National Sports Governance Bill, which aims to make sports administrators more accountable, and the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill. Other significant proposals are the Geo-heritage Sites and Geo-relics (Preservation and Maintenance) Bill and the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, aimed at improving the ease of doing business.
India Advises Citizens Against Non-Essential Travel to Iran Amid Hostilities
The Indian government has issued a travel advisory urging citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Iran due to escalating security concerns in the region. The warning follows a spike in hostilities involving Israel, Iran, and the United States. The Indian Embassy in Tehran stated that commercial flight and ferry options are available for nationals currently in Iran who wish to depart. The advisory asks all Indians to closely monitor regional developments and follow official updates from Indian authorities.
Nvidia to Resume Sales of Advanced AI Chips to China After US Approval
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang announced that the Trump administration has approved licenses for the company to sell its advanced H20 AI chips to China, reversing a significant export control policy. The decision follows a recent meeting between Huang and President Trump. Nvidia, a leader in AI technology, had lobbied against the restrictions, arguing they hindered US competitiveness in the vast Chinese market. The policy shift is expected to have major implications for the global technology and AI landscape.
US Supreme Court Allows Trump Administration to Dismantle Education Department
The US Supreme Court has lifted a lower court's order, clearing the way for President Donald Trump's administration to proceed with dismantling the Department of Education. The move, part of a plan to reduce the federal government's role and give states more control, involves mass layoffs and transferring key functions like the $1.6 trillion student loan portfolio to other agencies. Critics warn this could cripple the department's ability to perform core duties and enforce civil rights in schools.
Teenager in Pune Porsche Crash to Be Tried as a Minor, Not Adult
Pune's Juvenile Justice Board has rejected a police plea to try the 17-year-old involved in the fatal Porsche crash as an adult. The May 2024 incident, where the inebriated teen's car killed two IT professionals, sparked nationwide outrage over initial leniency. The board's decision is a major legal development in the high-profile case. The defense argued the crime did not meet the legal definition of "heinous" required for an adult trial under Supreme Court guidelines.
Jaishankar Meets Xi Jinping in First High-Level Visit Since 2020 Border Clashes
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, the first such high-level engagement since the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes. The meeting occurred alongside the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers' meeting. Jaishankar also held detailed talks with his counterpart Wang Yi, emphasizing the need for de-escalation along the border, normalizing exchanges, and avoiding restrictive trade measures. Both sides acknowledged recent progress in stabilizing ties and discussed a "far-seeing approach" to the relationship.
Air India to Restore Flights as Crash Renews Calls for Cockpit Video Recorders
Air India will begin partially restoring international flights on August 1, following a "safety pause" and enhanced checks on its Boeing 787 fleet after the deadly AI-171 crash in June. The crash, which killed 260 people, has also reignited a global debate over mandating cockpit video recorders to supplement existing logs. Aviation safety experts argue video could be invaluable for investigations, while pilots' unions have raised concerns about privacy and potential misuse of such footage.
Odisha College Student Dies After Self-Immolation Over Harassment Complaint
A 20-year-old college student in Balasore, Odisha, has died after setting herself on fire over alleged inaction on her sexual harassment complaint against a professor. The student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College sustained 95% burns and succumbed to her injuries at AIIMS Bhubaneswar. The incident has sparked outrage, leading to the arrest of the accused professor and the college principal. The state government has announced ₹20 lakh in aid for the victim's family and promised a thorough investigation.