Air India has announced a reduction in fuel surcharges across several key international routes. On North American and Australian routes, the surcharge has been lowered from $280 to $200. Passengers flying to Europe will see a steeper cut, with the surcharge dropping from $205 to $125. The move is likely to offer some relief to travelers on these long-haul international corridors.
The Rajasthan High Court has dissolved the Rajasthan Cricket Association's ad hoc committee, directing that democratic elections be held within three months. A sole administrator has been appointed to manage the association during this transitional period. The ruling is expected to resolve prolonged administrative and financial disputes that had paralysed the RCA. The development clears the path for the revival of stalled infrastructure projects, including the Chonp stadium. It also secures the prospect of Rajasthan Royals hosting their IPL home matches in Jaipur.
Prashant Sitaram, the recently appointed chairperson of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), has been given an additional charge as Additional Secretary in the Home Ministry. Sitaram is a 2001 batch IAS officer who was named CBSE chief only last month. His appointment to the CBSE top post came after his predecessor was transferred amid controversy surrounding the On-Screen Marking (OSM) system. He now holds a dual responsibility, heading CBSE while also serving in a senior capacity at the Home Ministry.
Germany is introducing stricter sick leave regulations as part of a broader reform push. Under the new rules, employees will be required to obtain a medical certificate even for a single day of absence due to illness. Previously, workers could self-certify sick leave for up to three days without visiting a doctor. The old system also allowed employees to obtain a week-long sick note over the phone without an in-person consultation. The reforms aim to tighten workplace attendance standards and reduce informal sick leave practices.
A gun and bullet were discovered in a metro passenger's bag at Delhi's Mandi House station. Security personnel detected the weapon during a routine baggage screening check. The passenger was subsequently apprehended by authorities at the station. Police are currently investigating how the accused obtained the firearm and what his intentions were in carrying it onto the metro.
Delhi's transport department has launched an investigation into a Chinese application called BAT-BMS after viral videos claimed it could remotely shut down e-rickshaws. The app is alleged to exploit security weaknesses in Bluetooth-enabled Chinese battery management systems installed in these vehicles. By targeting these unsecured systems, unauthorized users could reportedly disable an e-rickshaw by turning off its battery discharge function. Officials are currently working to verify both the app's actual capabilities and the extent of the vulnerabilities in the affected battery systems.
A family of three from Gujarat, India, was killed in a motel fire in the United States. The victims were identified as Hiteshbhai Suthar, his wife Hinaben, and their 20-year-old daughter Ishani. According to a fire official who spoke to the Associated Press, the family was trapped inside their motel room when the fire broke out. Witnesses reported hearing screams and crying from the building during the incident.
A bypoll is set to be held in Madhya Pradesh's Datia constituency following the disqualification of a sitting MLA. The election is shaping up as a high-stakes contest for the parties involved. Within the Congress party, deliberations are underway to finalize a candidate for the seat. Arjun Bharti, son of disqualified former MLA Rajendra Bharti, is reported to be the frontrunner for the Congress ticket.
India's economy expanded by 7.7 per cent in the financial year 2025-26, reinforcing its standing as the world's fastest-growing major economy. The GDP growth figure serves as a key indicator of the country's sustained economic momentum. This performance comes despite ongoing uncertainties in the global economic environment. The data signals continued resilience in India's broader macroeconomic fundamentals.
The Indian government has sent notices to messaging platforms Telegram and Signal, following a similar action against WhatsApp. The notices concern the platforms' username features, which allow users to interact without revealing their phone numbers. Authorities fear this anonymity could lead to a rise in online impersonation, fraud, and so-called digital arrests. The government is seeking accountability from these platforms over potential misuse of the privacy-focused feature.
Union Oil Minister Hardeep Puri has voiced strong support for India's biofuel blending programme, citing its growing global relevance. He pointed out that ethanol is now being used even in high-performance racing cars, underscoring its viability as a fuel. Puri made these remarks while addressing the financial pressure faced by oil marketing companies due to recent crude price swings. The volatility in global oil prices has been largely attributed to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. The minister's comments come as India continues to push for higher ethanol blending targets in petrol.
A 17-year-old boy has been detained in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on suspicion of murdering his 20-year-old wife on June 11. He allegedly confessed to strangling her following a dispute in which she repeatedly taunted him. His father is accused of helping conceal the crime by disposing of the body in Fatehpur. The victim's father raised the alarm after being unable to reach his daughter for two days, prompting a missing person report. Police have launched a search for the boy's parents in connection with the case.
The Kerala High Court has taken note of significant environmental damage reported inside a key forest reserve in the state. The damage is centered on approximately 300 acres of cardamom patta land at Goodanpara Estate. Forest officials allege that large-scale tree cutting and excavation were carried out at the site. Authorities say these activities were conducted under the pretext of developing cardamom plantations.
