India and Philippines Conduct Joint Naval Drill in South China Sea, Angering Beijing
The Indian and Philippine navies conducted their first-ever joint maritime exercise in the South China Sea, a move that drew a sharp rebuke from China, which accused the Philippines of interfering in the disputed waters. The drill coincided with the arrival of Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in New Delhi for a state visit to deepen strategic and defence cooperation with India. The joint manoeuvres underscore a growing alignment between the two nations to counter China's increasing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.
Trump Aide Accuses India of Financing Ukraine War Through Russian Oil Purchases
A top aide to Donald Trump, Stephen Miller, has stated it is "not acceptable for India to continue financing" the Ukraine war by purchasing Russian oil. In a Fox News interview, Miller highlighted that India is nearly tied with China as a top buyer of Russian oil, while also criticizing India's high tariffs and alleging "cheating on immigration policies." The comments escalate recent rhetoric from Trump, signaling potential diplomatic and trade friction between the US and India.
Supreme Court Stays Defamation Case Against Rahul Gandhi Over Army Remarks
The Supreme Court has stayed criminal defamation proceedings against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi for alleged derogatory remarks about the Indian Army made during his Bharat Jodo Yatra. The case was filed in a Lucknow court by a retired officer. While granting the stay, the bench issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh government and the complainant. The Allahabad High Court had previously dismissed Gandhi's plea to quash the proceedings, leading to his appeal to the top court.
Shibu Soren, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha Founder and Former CM, Dies at 81
Shibu Soren, a veteran tribal leader, former three-time Chief Minister of Jharkhand, and founder of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), has died at 81. He passed away in a New Delhi hospital following a prolonged illness. Revered as 'Dishom Guru', Soren was a pivotal figure in the movement for a separate Jharkhand state and served multiple terms as a Member of Parliament. The state government has declared a three-day period of mourning in his honour.
Bengaluru Set for Major Metro Expansion with New Yellow and Orange Lines
Bengaluru's public transport is set for a significant upgrade with the inauguration of the Namma Metro's 19.15 km Yellow Line, scheduled for August 10. The new line will connect R.V. Road to Bommasandra, easing congestion in key areas like Silk Board and Electronics City. On the same day, the foundation stone will be laid for the 44.65 km Phase 3 (Orange Line). Together, these projects represent a major infrastructure investment aimed at benefiting nearly 25 lakh commuters.
Bihar Announces Domicile Policy for Teacher Recruitment Ahead of Polls
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced a new domicile policy that will give preference to state residents in the recruitment of government school teachers. The policy, a long-standing demand of local job aspirants, will be implemented from the next recruitment cycle (TRE-4). The announcement comes just months before the state assembly elections. The move is expected to have significant political and social ramifications, reserving a major source of public employment for locals and limiting opportunities for candidates from other states.
Man Arrested at Mumbai Airport for Smuggling Marijuana in Fake 'Diplomatic Pouch'
Mumbai Customs officials have arrested a passenger at the city's international airport for attempting to smuggle nearly 15 kg of hydroponic weed, valued at approximately ₹14.73 crore. The man, arriving from Bangkok, had concealed the contraband in envelopes marked as a 'Diplomatic Pouch of Ministry of External Affairs' and sealed with fake official tape. The audacious smuggling attempt, which also included fake 'top secret mission' documents, was foiled during a routine baggage check, leading to a case under the NDPS Act.
India Becomes World's 5th Largest Aviation Market, Reports IATA
India has surpassed Japan to become the world's fifth-largest aviation market, handling 241 million passengers in 2024, according to the latest World Air Transport Statistics from IATA. The country's air traffic grew by 11.1% year-on-year. The report also identified the Mumbai-Delhi route as the 7th busiest airport pair globally, with 5.9 million passengers. This milestone highlights the rapid expansion of India's aviation sector and its growing importance as a key hub in the global travel network.
Congress MP Robbed in Delhi's High-Security Diplomatic Enclave
Congress MP R. Sudha from Tamil Nadu was robbed of her gold chain while on a morning walk in New Delhi’s Chanakyapuri, a high-security zone that houses numerous embassies. The bike-borne assailant snatched the chain near the Polish Embassy. In a letter to the Union Home Minister, the MP expressed shock over the incident, questioning how a public representative could be attacked in such a protected area and raising serious concerns about the safety of women in the national capital.
Danish Zoo Asks Public to Donate Pets as Food for Predators
Aalborg Zoo in Denmark has made an unusual public appeal, asking people to donate their unwanted small pets, such as guinea pigs and rabbits, to be used as food for its predators. The zoo argues the practice mimics the natural food chain and enhances the welfare of its carnivores by providing varied and natural nutrition. It assured donors that the pets would be euthanised humanely. The unconventional request has sparked debate and gained significant media attention worldwide for its ethical implications.
Army Officer Booked for Assaulting Four Airline Staffers at Srinagar Airport
An FIR has been filed against a senior Army officer for allegedly assaulting four SpiceJet employees at Srinagar airport following a dispute over excess baggage. The airline reported that the attack was unprovoked and severe, leaving one staffer with a spinal fracture and others with serious injuries. SpiceJet has initiated the process to place the officer on the no-fly list and has reported the incident to the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The Army has stated it is cooperating with the police investigation.
Six Migrant Workers from Odisha Killed in Andhra Pradesh Quarry Accident
Six migrant workers were killed and three others were injured after a massive granite rock collapsed on them at a quarry in Bapatla district, Andhra Pradesh. The victims were all from Odisha. The incident occurred Sunday morning while the workers were engaged in mining activities. Authorities suspect that water seepage may have caused the rock to give way. The state's Chief Minister has expressed grief and ordered a thorough investigation into the cause of the fatal accident.
5.1 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Pakistan, Second Tremor in 24 Hours
A moderate earthquake of 5.1 magnitude struck several regions of Pakistan, including the capital Islamabad, early Sunday morning. The tremor, with its epicentre near Rawat at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres, caused panic among residents but no major damage or casualties have been reported. This was the second seismic event to affect the country in 24 hours, following a 5.4 magnitude quake on Saturday that originated in Afghanistan's Hindukush region.
Ancient Hindu Idols from Karkoota Dynasty Era Found in Kashmir
Ancient Hindu idols, including several Shivlings and a sculpture, have been recovered during excavation work at a spring in Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir. The artifacts were discovered at the Karkoot Nag site, which is associated with the Karkoota dynasty that ruled Kashmir from the 7th to 9th centuries CE. Officials from the Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums have visited the site, and the idols will be sent to Srinagar for detailed study to determine their precise age and origin.
Dalai Lama Lays Foundation for Historic Monastery's Reconstruction in Ladakh
The Dalai Lama laid the foundation stone for the reconstruction of the historic Chowkhang Vihara monastery in Leh, Ladakh. The original temple, built in 1957, required rebuilding due to structural damage. During the ceremony, the Tibetan spiritual leader encouraged the community to develop the site into a center for deep study and philosophical debate, not just a place for rituals. The event, part of his month-long tour of the region, was attended by numerous religious and community leaders.