India

NC to hold Jantar Mantar protest on July 20 demanding J&K statehood restoration

The National Conference has announced a protest at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar on July 20 to demand the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood. Deputy CM Surinder Choudhary confirmed the plan, which will be preceded by public rallies in both Srinagar and Jammu. The party argues that the promised restoration of statehood has not been fulfilled following the conclusion of the state Assembly elections. NC leaders contend that the absence of full statehood is hampering employment generation and limiting access to development funding in the region.

Toddler Dies as Heavy Rain Batters Odisha, Baitarani River Flood Risk Rises

A two-year-old girl has died in Odisha amid intense rainfall triggered by a weather depression, officials confirmed on Monday. Several other residents were also affected by the downpour across the state. Authorities have raised flood concerns over the Baitarani River as water levels continue to rise. The situation remains closely monitored by officials as the region braces for potential flooding.

Horoscope Today: Daily astrological predictions for July 7, 2026

Horoscope Today: Read daily horoscope predictions for July 7, 2026. Know all about the astrological events and influences that will be affecting each of the 12 zodiac signs. Our astrologer has analyzed the movements of the planets and the alignment of the stars to bring you the most accurate and up-to-date horoscope predictions for the day ahead. Get ready to discover what the stars have in store for you today.

Netanyahu Urges US to Block F-35 Sales to Turkey Citing Regional Power Concerns

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked the United States not to sell F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, citing concerns over regional power balance. The request comes as US President Donald Trump is set to travel to Ankara on Monday for a NATO summit. Turkey sees Trump's visit as a potential opportunity to secure jet engine purchases and possible readmission to the F-35 program, from which it was previously removed. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between Israel and Turkey over advanced military hardware transfers. Netanyahu's appeal reflects Israel's broader concern about the shifting balance of military power in the region.

Trump Rings NYSE Opening Bell, Links Presidential Success to Market Performance

President Donald Trump rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange in a symbolic gesture. The act underscored his tendency to closely associate his presidency with the performance of financial markets. Trump has repeatedly pointed to stock market gains as a measure of his administration's success. The bell-ringing visit highlighted his continued focus on Wall Street as a barometer of his leadership.

Heavy Rains Paralyse Mumbai for Third Day; Schools Shut, Transport Disrupted

Mumbai and surrounding districts have been battered by heavy rainfall and strong winds for three consecutive days. Palghar district emerged as the worst-affected area among the regions hit by the torrential showers. Authorities shut schools and colleges across Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, and Raigad in response to ongoing weather warnings. Transport networks faced major disruptions, with train services cancelled and highways closed due to landslides and waterlogging. The widespread impact has effectively cut off normal movement across large parts of the Mumbai metropolitan region.

Viral post highlights stark medicine price gap between India and the US

A post shared by X user Adhir Sinha has gone viral after recounting an Indian senior citizen's experience with the US healthcare system. The post claimed that medicines available for around Rs 2,500 in India cost the equivalent of Rs 42,000 in the United States. The striking price difference sparked widespread debate on social media about healthcare affordability in both countries. The viral account also drew comparisons around everyday conveniences between India and the US.

148 newborns die in 3 months in Assam's Barak Valley amid healthcare gaps

Barak Valley in Assam recorded 148 newborn deaths over a three-month period, raising serious concerns about regional healthcare. Cachar district reported the highest number of fatalities, followed by Sribhumi and Hailakandi. The primary causes of death were identified as birth asphyxia and low birth weight. Weak rural healthcare infrastructure and delays in referring critical cases were found to have worsened outcomes. Experts are now calling for urgent investment in maternal and child healthcare services in rural areas.

Bengaluru Daycare: Whistleblower Nanny Arrested for Allegedly Abusing Children Too

A nanny named Sujatha, who had recorded footage of alleged toddler mistreatment at a Bengaluru daycare, has herself been arrested in connection with the same case. Police allege that her motive for recording the incidents was to implicate other staff members rather than to expose wrongdoing. Authorities claim she also abused children, including locking a child in a bathroom, mirroring the conduct of another nanny in the case. The arrest has raised questions about the reliability of whistleblower protections in such sensitive workplace settings.

Congress to Challenge Meenakshi Natarajan's Rajya Sabha Nomination Rejection in High Court

The Indian National Congress plans to move the High Court over the rejection of Meenakshi Natarajan's Rajya Sabha nomination. Natarajan has alleged that a deliberate narrative was constructed to deflect responsibility away from the Election Commission. She claimed this narrative falsely suggested the rejection was due to negligence on the part of the Congress party. The move signals the party's intent to legally contest what it views as an unjust disqualification of its candidate.

UK MP calls on FIFA to postpone England defender Quansah's red-card ban

England defender Quansah was sent off in the second half of their 2026 FIFA World Cup round-of-16 match against Mexico at the Estadio Azteca. The dismissal followed a sliding tackle on Mexico's Jesus Gallardo, with England leading 2-1 at the time. Jude Bellingham had scored both of England's first-half goals before the incident. A UK Member of Parliament has since urged FIFA to delay the automatic suspension Quansah faces, amid a broader controversy involving player Balogun.

Taj Mahal originally temple? HC seeks response of Centre, ASI on inspection plea

Siya Goyal Studied Sonam Raghuvanshi Case Online Before Staging Disappearance, Say Police

Police investigating the Siya Goyal case say the young woman researched a similar earlier case involving Sonam Raghuvanshi before carrying out her plan. Authorities believe Goyal used this research to avoid mistakes made in the Raghuvanshi case, making her better prepared. Investigators have drawn multiple parallels between the two incidents, suggesting Goyal deliberately studied the prior case as a blueprint. Police say her online research gave her an advantage in executing and concealing her actions.

BrahMos Ex-Chief Reflects on Missile System's Evolution Into Strategic Asset

A former top official of BrahMos Aerospace has traced the missile system's transformation from its original narrow mandate into a wide-ranging strategic weapon. Initially conceived as a supersonic anti-ship missile for coastal defence, BrahMos has grown significantly beyond that early role. The system, a joint venture between India and Russia, has evolved over the years into one of the world's most capable supersonic cruise missiles. The official's account highlights how the program expanded in both scope and application from its humble beginnings.

Railway Minister Launches New Train Routes Across Maharashtra, UP and Uttarakhand

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has launched new train services and extended existing routes to improve rail connectivity across Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Among the new services introduced are trains connecting Nanded to Mumbai and Tanakpur to Nanded. Several previously special services have been regularised for the benefit of regular commuters. The Railways also announced dedicated special trains to cater to passenger demand during the Onam and Rath Yatra festivals.

Army recovers 5 AK rifles, ammunition from militant hideout in J&K's Keran

The Indian Army uncovered a militant hideout in the Keran sector of Kupwara district, Jammu and Kashmir, on Sunday, July 6, 2026. Acting on specific intelligence inputs, troops recovered five AK series rifles and a hand grenade from the location. A large cache of ammunition and other war-related stores was also seized during the operation. The recovery marks a significant counter-militancy success for security forces in the sensitive border region.

BJP Youth Leader Detained Over Road Rage Assault in Guwahati

A BJP youth leader has been taken into custody by police in Guwahati, Assam, over an alleged road rage incident. The detention was confirmed by police sources, though further details about the assault remain limited. The incident took place in Assam's largest city, Guwahati. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the alleged altercation.

El Nino Could Create 18 TWh Power Gap in India, Coal Use Likely to Rise

India is expected to face one of the world's largest energy system impacts as El Nino conditions set in. The climate phenomenon is likely to reduce renewable electricity generation while simultaneously driving up cooling demand across the country. This imbalance could result in an electricity generation shortfall of nearly 18 terawatt-hours. To compensate, increased reliance on coal-fired power plants is seen as the most probable short-term response. Experts stress that scaling up solar energy capacity and battery storage will be essential to strengthen long-term grid resilience.

FIFA denies Trump pressure after Balogun cleared to play in World Cup knockout stage

FIFA has insisted it operates autonomously following questions about potential political interference in a player eligibility decision. The controversy arose after Folarin Balogun was permitted to represent the United States in their FIFA World Cup round-of-16 match against Belgium. US President Donald Trump had confirmed he personally intervened in the matter, fueling speculation about undue influence on the governing body. FIFA's clarification sought to distance the organization from any suggestion that Trump's involvement had shaped the final ruling. The decision to allow Balogun to play drew notable criticism and prompted broader debate about the independence of football's governing body.

Mumbai-Pune Missing Link Highway Blocked by Landslide Nine Weeks After Opening

A landslide has shut down the newly inaugurated Mumbai-Pune 'Missing Link' highway, just nine weeks after it opened to traffic. The infrastructure project, which cost approximately Rs 6,695 crore, was inaugurated on May 1, 2026. The disruption has drawn sharp criticism from Opposition parties, who have raised concerns about the quality of construction. The incident has put the spotlight on the durability and safety standards of the recently completed corridor.