India

Amit Shah Pledges Central Support for Flood-Affected Assam and Arunachal Pradesh

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has assured central government assistance to Assam and Arunachal Pradesh following devastating floods in the region. In Assam, the Dhemaji district has been among the worst-hit areas, with floodwaters affecting approximately 16,000 people. The impact has spread across 69 villages within four revenue circles in Dhemaji, according to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority. The assurance from Shah signals the federal government's intent to support state-level relief and recovery efforts.

MP Women's Alcohol Consumption Rises Above National Average as Beer Tops State Sales

Madhya Pradesh is witnessing a mixed trend in alcohol consumption, with the share of women drinkers rising slightly and now exceeding the national average. Men's consumption in the state, however, remains marginally below the national figure. Chilled beer has emerged as the most preferred alcoholic beverage in MP, overtaking traditional liquors in popularity. Growing concerns around illegal alcohol trade and its social consequences are intensifying political debate in the state. Meanwhile, overall alcohol sales and government revenue from the sector continue to climb.

Stalin Warns of TN Crisis, Urges DMK Workers to Prepare for Early Polls

Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has warned that the state has fallen into a 'deep mess' within a month of a change in government. He cited industrial reluctance, rising crime, and farmer distress as key concerns plaguing the state. Stalin urged DMK party cadres to remain election-ready, suggesting polls could be called at any time. His son Udhayanidhi Stalin also criticised the current administration, referring to it as a 'sofa-model' government and pointing to failures in electricity supply and law and order.

Gen Z Indians invest actively but largely skip personal insurance coverage

A recent report highlights a sharp contrast in financial behaviour among India's Gen Z, who are active investors through SIPs and mutual funds but remain significantly underinsured. Many young Indians continue to depend on their parents' insurance policies rather than securing their own coverage. Despite having easy digital access to financial information, a notable gap persists between researching insurance and actually purchasing it. Experts suggest the barrier is not a lack of knowledge but rather a lack of urgency and low confidence in making insurance decisions. The report warns that nearly two-thirds of young investors could face financial instability in the event of a health emergency.

AIADMK continues to bleed MLAs, sixth legislator set to join Vijay’s party

Kharge, BJP's Tarun Chugh Among Eight New Rajya Sabha Members Sworn In

Eight new members were sworn in as Rajya Sabha MPs in a recent oath-taking ceremony at Parliament. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge took his oath separately in the chamber of Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman CP Radhakrishnan. The remaining seven newly elected members were administered the oath inside the Rajya Sabha chamber itself. The swearing-in marked the formal induction of these legislators into the upper house of Parliament. BJP's Tarun Chugh was among the prominent members who took the oath alongside others.

Heatwaves, Floods, Drought: How Climate Change Is Reshaping Childhood

When rescuers had to be rescued as rain havoc continues in Arunachal Pradesh

India Sends Delegation to Iran for Supreme Leader Khamenei's Funeral

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has passed away, prompting an official funeral ceremony in the country. India is set to send a delegation to attend the funeral in Iran. Iranian President had personally extended an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be present at the event. While Modi was invited, India will be represented by a designated delegation rather than the Prime Minister himself.

Delhi bans new petrol and CNG two-wheelers from 2028 under new EV policy

The Delhi government has unveiled a new Electric Vehicle Policy, effective July 1, aimed at accelerating the shift to clean mobility. Under the policy, registration of new petrol and CNG two-wheelers will be prohibited from April 2028, while only electric auto-rickshaws will be registered from January 2027. To encourage early adoption, the government is offering substantial subsidies to buyers of electric two- and three-wheelers during the policy's first year. The initiative is primarily driven by the need to reduce air pollution, to which vehicular emissions are a major contributor in the capital.

Pakistan Suspends Geo News for 15 Days Over Muharram Broadcast Violation

Pakistan's media regulator has suspended Geo News for 15 days over a broadcast deemed religiously offensive. The channel aired what authorities described as inappropriate 'religious visualisations' during a programme on June 26. Regulators determined the content had the potential to offend religious sentiments and undermine communal harmony. The suspension was also justified on grounds that the broadcast could disturb public order.

Indian Army replaces INSAS rifle with AK-203 for greater reliability and firepower

The Indian Army is phasing out its long-serving INSAS rifle in favour of the AK-203 assault rifle. Soldiers had repeatedly flagged reliability problems with the INSAS, including frequent jamming and insufficient stopping power against enemies equipped with heavier-calibre weapons. The AK-203, originally designed by Russia but manufactured in India, fires a more powerful 7.62mm round compared to its predecessor. The new rifle is also expected to offer improved durability and easier maintenance in field conditions. The transition marks a significant upgrade in combat effectiveness for Indian armed forces.

Arunachal Pradesh hit by floods and landslides across 12 districts

Heavy monsoon rains have triggered widespread floods and landslides across at least 12 districts in Arunachal Pradesh. Infrastructure including roads, bridges, and homes has sustained significant damage, cutting off connectivity in affected areas. Fatalities have been reported, though one biker narrowly survived being swept away by a landslide, an incident captured on video. Rescue teams are actively working to reach people stranded by the disaster. Authorities have issued warnings about continued risks posed by overflowing rivers in the region.

India Denies Official Involvement in Reported Track 2 Talks with Pakistan

India has distanced itself from recent reports of Track 2 dialogue with Pakistan, clarifying that no government backing is involved. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated that these meetings are purely private initiatives without any official Indian participation. He noted that such informal interactions occur frequently across the world and carry no formal weight in New Delhi's view. Misri urged the public not to interpret these unofficial engagements as representing the Indian government's position.

Yasin Malik Named Mastermind in 1990 Murder of Kashmiri Pandit Nurse Sarla Bhat

A chargesheet has named Jailed separatist leader Yasin Malik as the mastermind behind the 1990 killing of Kashmiri Pandit nurse Sarla Bhat. The murder, carried out 36 years ago, is attributed to militants of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF). Malik, who is currently serving a life sentence in another case, has now been formally linked to this decades-old crime. The chargesheet marks a significant development in efforts to seek justice for victims of violence during the early years of the Kashmir insurgency.

Pune Court Sentences 65-Year-Old Man to Death for Rape-Murder of 3-Year-Old

A court in Pune, Maharashtra, has awarded the death penalty to 65-year-old Bhimrao Kamble for the rape and murder of a three-year-old girl. The crime occurred on May 1 in Nasrapur village, Pune district. Investigators found that Kamble lured the child away by offering her snacks and showing her a newborn calf. The court showed no leniency given the heinous nature of the crime against such a young victim.

K Kavitha Flags Alleged Duplicate Votes in CM Revanth Reddy's Kodangal Constituency

BRS leader K Kavitha has targeted Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's Kodangal constituency amid the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive in Telangana. She claimed that approximately 33,000 duplicate and inter-state votes were found in the constituency. According to Kavitha, this figure closely matches Revanth Reddy's winning margin in the 2023 Telangana Assembly election. The allegation raises questions about the validity of voter rolls in the Chief Minister's home seat.

India Completes First Commercial Jet Landing Using Satellite-Based System

India achieved a milestone in aviation on June 27 with its first commercial jet landing guided by a Satellite-Based Landing System (SLS). The flight marked a departure from the conventional Instrument Landing System (ILS) that has traditionally been used for aircraft landings. The SLS approach relies on satellite navigation to guide aircraft during landing, offering a modern alternative to ground-based infrastructure. This development signals a significant step forward in India's adoption of advanced aviation technology.

Assam's 20,000-Woman Hargila Army Turns Reviled Stork Into Conservation Success

Wildlife conservationist Purnima Devi Barman has built a 20,000-member women's collective in Assam called the Hargila Army, dedicated to protecting the greater adjutant stork. The large wading bird was historically viewed as a bad omen by local communities, making conservation efforts particularly challenging. Through sustained grassroots work, the group has managed to reverse public perception, transforming the stork into a regional symbol of pride. Beyond wildlife protection, the initiative has also created income-generating opportunities for its women members, linking conservation with economic empowerment.

India Dismisses Track-II India-Pakistan Meet as Unofficial, Cites Terrorism Stance

A Track-II diplomatic interaction between Indian and Pakistani officials recently took place at a hotel in Sri Lanka. The meeting involved generals and envoys but was not sanctioned as an official dialogue by the Indian government. New Delhi has clarified that the interaction holds no formal value and does not represent any shift in its policy toward Pakistan. India reiterated its long-standing position that terrorism and talks cannot proceed simultaneously.