India

Supreme Court Approves UP's Rs 1,500-Crore Kukrail Night Safari Project

The Supreme Court of India has given the green light to Uttar Pradesh's Kukrail Night Safari project, set to be developed in the Kukrail Reserve Forest. The ambitious project, estimated to cost around Rs 1,500 crore, will be built across the 5,000-hectare forest area. It is poised to become India's first urban night safari, marking a significant milestone in wildlife tourism. The project will be executed in two phases, though specific timelines for each phase have not been detailed.

Paresh Rawal apologizes for calling critic Anupama Chopra 'Miss Irrelevant'

Veteran actor Paresh Rawal has expressed regret over his social media attack on film critic Anupama Chopra, who had reviewed his film Dhurandhar unfavorably. Rawal admitted that his reaction was inappropriate, even though he maintains a different view on her critique. The actor also condemned the abusive messages that followers directed at Chopra in the wake of his remarks. Rawal stressed the importance of constructive criticism and respectful dialogue in public discourse.

India raises export duty on diesel to Rs 15.5/litre, ATF to Rs 14.5/litre

The Indian government has hiked the export duty on diesel to Rs 15.5 per litre and on aviation turbine fuel (ATF) to Rs 14.5 per litre. These revised levies are part of the windfall tax framework applied to fuel exports. The move is aimed at discouraging private refiners from exporting fuel at the expense of domestic supply. No additional details on the effective date or further rationale were available from the provided text.

India-UK Trade Deal Cuts British Car Prices; Scotch Discounts Await State Clearance

The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) has begun implementation, bringing immediate reductions in the price of British imported cars. Manufacturers such as Jaguar Land Rover and McLaren have already announced notable price cuts on their vehicles as a result of the deal. Reductions on Scotch whisky and Indian whiskies, however, are on hold pending state-level excise clearances. High existing alcohol taxes are expected to limit the scale of savings passed on to consumers even after approvals come through. Ultimately, companies will retain discretion over whether to transfer duty benefits to end buyers.

Venezuela Twin Earthquakes Kill 4,829 and Displace Over 20,000

Two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude struck Venezuela on June 24, hitting within a minute of each other. The quakes devastated La Guaira, a coastal state situated north of the capital Caracas. The death toll has climbed to 4,829, making it a significant humanitarian disaster. More than 20,000 people have been displaced as a result of the destruction caused by the twin tremors.

Argentina risk FIFA ban over Falklands banner displayed after England semi-final win

Argentina's football team could face FIFA disciplinary action after players displayed a banner asserting sovereignty over the Falkland Islands during their World Cup semi-final victory celebrations against England. The political display is considered a violation of FIFA regulations, which prohibit such messaging during official competitions. This is not the first time Argentina has faced consequences for a similar act, as the country was previously fined for a comparable incident. Argentina's vice-president publicly backed the players' decision to display the banner on social media. The team now turns its attention to the World Cup final, where they are set to face Spain.

Iran Frees Detained US Citizen in Goodwill Gesture Amid Nuclear Tensions

US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that Iran has released an American citizen who had been detained since December 2024. Trump described the move as a goodwill gesture by the Iranian government. The detained individual, a woman, was allowed to leave Iranian territory following her release. The development comes amid ongoing tensions and conflict in the broader region involving US-Iran relations.

Kane reveals Tuchel told England to keep attacking before Argentina collapse

Harry Kane has disclosed that manager Thomas Tuchel urged England to continue attacking after taking the lead against Argentina in their World Cup semi-final. However, the team shifted to a defensive approach, which ultimately backfired as Argentina scored twice late in the match. England lost the tie in what Kane described as a gutting defeat. The result marked yet another painful early exit from a major tournament for the England national side.

CBI: Rs 5 Lakh Paid to NEET Paper-Setter, 111 Questions Matched in Leak Case

The Central Bureau of Investigation has uncovered key evidence in the NEET paper leak case, implicating an NTA paper-setter who allegedly received Rs 5 lakh. Investigators recovered a phone belonging to the accused, identified as Motegaonkar, which contained 36 images with 132 handwritten chemistry questions. Of these, 111 questions were found to match those in the actual NEET examination paper. The discovery points to a deliberate and organized effort to leak the high-stakes medical entrance exam. The CBI continues to investigate the full extent of the alleged conspiracy surrounding the compromised examination.

IDF Disciplines Soldier Over Livestream With Controversial Influencer Braden Peters

The Israel Defense Forces removed soldier Shira Braun from its international communications unit following her appearance in a livestream with influencer Braden 'Clavicular' Peters. Braun also received a suspended jail sentence as a result of the incident. The IDF clarified that the disciplinary action was based on her personal conduct rather than any misuse of official military systems. Peters, who has known associations with polarizing internet personalities, was visiting Israel when the controversy emerged. The episode has triggered wider debate about military conduct standards, the role of influencer culture, and institutional accountability.

BJP organises cleanliness drives ahead of PM Modi's state visits

The BJP has begun conducting organised cleanliness campaigns in states before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visits. What were once routine VVIP-related clean-ups are now being expanded into public drives involving both citizens and officials. Haryana recently launched a statewide initiative ahead of Modi's scheduled visit to Jind, with similar campaigns previously held in Odisha and West Bengal. The drives are being framed as civic engagement efforts rather than mere protocol preparations. However, observers note that the real measure of success will be whether cleanliness is maintained long after the PM's visits end.

Congress likely to retain Warring as Punjab chief despite internal dissent

The Indian National Congress is expected to keep Amarinder Raja Warring as its Punjab unit president, resisting calls from some party functionaries for his removal. Senior party leaders are cautious about reversing recent appointments, which had already triggered internal friction. With assembly polls on the horizon, growing dissidence within the Punjab unit poses a significant challenge for the party. Congress leadership is considering placating disgruntled members through assurances and promises of future opportunities rather than making structural changes.

India adds nearly 10,000 MBBS seats, total capacity hits record 1.37 lakh

India's undergraduate medical education capacity has reached a record 1,36,939 MBBS seats for the 2026-27 academic session. The National Medical Commission approved 9,911 additional seats distributed across both new and existing medical colleges nationwide. This expansion was facilitated by revised regulations that allowed institutions to apply for seat increases earlier than before. Private medical colleges played a major role in driving this significant surge in available seats.

CAG finds Chhattisgarh’s mining welfare fund strayed from its core purpose

3 Police Killed, 34 Injured in Twin Terrorist Attacks in Pakistan

Two separate terrorist attacks struck Pakistan on Wednesday, resulting in three police deaths and 34 injuries. In the first incident, militants targeted a police convoy in Lower Dir district using hand grenades and automatic weapons. The assault killed three police personnel and left 19 others wounded. The attacks highlight the continued security threat posed by terrorist groups operating in the region.

Shashi Tharoor appeals to Sonam Wangchuk to break fast, urges government to engage in talks

Mahadev app case: Bhupesh Baghel claims arrested Ebix chief was ‘getting protection from BJP’

Under proposed Bihar law, UG colleges will no longer report to Governor

India-UK trade deal kicks in: PM Narendra Modi says boost for farmers & MSMEs

Govt proposes magistrate approval for late birth and death registrations

The Indian government has proposed a rule requiring judicial magistrate orders for birth and death registrations delayed by more than two years. The amendment aims to tighten the existing registration process and encourage near real-time recording of vital events. Officials believe the change will help prevent potential misuse of delayed registration provisions. The proposed amendment has been placed before the Cabinet for review and approval.