The Times of India

Ajay Rai, the Congress chief in Uttar Pradesh, has accused the BJP government of placing him under house arrest to stop a party delegation from reaching the revered Ram Temple in Ayodhya. He suggested that the government is anxious about a potential backlash from devotees regarding a donation embezzlement scandal. Rai's wife voiced her concerns, stating that the BJP would be accountable for any harm that might come to him.

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor expressed enthusiasm for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's potential return visit to the United States, highlighting President Trump's continued engagement with India. Gor is optimistic about finalizing an interim trade agreement soon, noting the complex negotiations involving thousands of items. He also indicated a likely visit by President Trump to India next year, following PM Modi's attendance at the G20 Summit in Miami.

Congress alleged its Uttar Pradesh chief Ajay Rai was placed under house arrest to prevent a party delegation from visiting Ayodhya's Ram Temple. The party claims this is a 'cowardly action' by the BJP government amid controversy over temple fund embezzlement. Congress leaders were reportedly detained, with the party deeming such actions unconstitutional and demanding their immediate release to proceed with their visit.

The ministry of external affairs on Monday strongly condemned Pakistan's air strikes and military operations on Afghan territory, describing them as a latant act of aggression, after the attacks reportedly killed dozens of civilians, including women and children. Pakistan claims the operations targeted militants, while Afghanistan decried the strikes as cowardly and rutal.

A Nagpur consumer commission has ruled that collecting toll without maintaining roads is a 'deficiency in service'. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) was ordered to compensate a motorist whose car was damaged by a pothole. The commission emphasized that providing safe roads is a toll collector's responsibility, and vehicle damage due to poor road conditions warrants compensation for repair costs, distress, and legal expenses.

The committee is scheduled to meet on July 1, during which NTA Director General Abhishek Singh will brief members on the outcome of the NEET-UG re-examination conducted on June 21 and the key takeaways from the exercise. Higher education secretary Vineet Joshi has also been asked to attend the meeting.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday urged teachers and parents to work together to ensure every child attends school regularly as the state prepares to launch the second phase of its 'Chalo School Campaign' from July 1.

Calling the arrest of eight people in the case only a glimpse, Congress leader Pawan Khera targeted those protecting the people behind the alleged fund embezzlement. Khera tweaked the RSS-BJP's popular Ram Mandir movement slogan in a piercing attack, saying, Ayodhya ki loot jhanki hai, Kashi-Mathura abhi baaki hai (the alleged loot in Ayodhya was only a glimpse, Kashi and Mathura were yet to come).

Indian Army Havildars Ujjwal Kumar Singh and Lakshay have etched their names in history, securing India's maiden gold medal at a World Rowing Cup. The duo triumphed in the Lightweight Men's Double Sculls at Lucerne, Switzerland, with a remarkable time of 6 minutes and 26.09 seconds. This historic victory, achieved with a composed 36 strokes per minute, underscores the Indian military's significant contribution to the sport.

Health officials in Jammu and Kashmir have urgently called for clarification from a Block Medical Officer in Rajouri regarding an unauthorized pamphlet promoting 'Polio Free Pakistan.' This misleading publication, which resembles official polio vaccination materials, poses a risk to public confidence. Authorities are conducting an investigation to track down the individuals responsible for its production and distribution, and have issued firm directives to prevent similar unauthorized content fr

CM Adhikari announced that a draft UCC Bill will be placed before the state cabinet on July 2. The bill will be tabled in the assembly later, he said. The proposed legislation seeks to establish a common civil framework governing marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption irrespective of religion. Ahead of the introduction of the Bill, state BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya asserted that constitutionally protected tribal communities would remain outside its ambit.

India has clarified its stance on recent reports of a Track 2 dialogue with Pakistan. Foreign secretary Vikram Misri stated that these meetings are private initiatives, devoid of any official Indian government participation or backing. He emphasized that such unofficial interactions are common globally and do not hold significant value or recognition from New Delhi's perspective, urging the public not to view them as official engagements.

Prime Minister Modi concluded a significant three-day state visit to Seychelles, marked by the signing of nine agreements, including an extradition treaty and the launch of India's UPI. A Rs 1,250 crore line of credit for development projects was also announced. Modi, the Guest of Honour at Seychelles' Golden Jubilee celebrations, emphasized India's commitment as a trusted partner, fostering stronger ties and people-to-people connections.

Haryana and Rajasthan have inked a crucial Memorandum of Understanding in New Delhi to operationalize the 1994 Upper Yamuna River Board Agreement. Presided over by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the pact aims to streamline the sharing and management of Yamuna river waters between the two states. This significant step brings a decades-old water-sharing pact closer to full implementation.

The row over Kolkatas Suhrawardy Avenue opens a wider story of memory, guilt and legacy. Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy remains tied to Bengal famine, Direct Action Day and Partition. Yet his familys afterlives stretch across scholarship, diplomacy, human rights, Pakistans politics, Bangladeshs public life and Jordans royalty over two turbulent centuries.

DMK leaders MK Stalin and Udhayanidhi Stalin have launched a sharp critique against the ruling TVK government, citing administrative failures, a decline in law and order, and the Tamil Nadu Assembly's transformation into a film shooting spot. They allege the government is struggling to address power cuts, water shortages, and rising crime, while accusing the Chief Minister of prioritizing optics over governance.

Jammu and Kashmir Police apprehended a 31-year-old Pakistani national, Rayees Khan, on Sunday after he allegedly crossed the Line of Control into Indian territory in the Balakote sector. No incriminating material was found. This marks the third such apprehension this month, following the capture of another Pakistani national, Mohd Sajad, on Friday near the LoC in Poonch. Both individuals are currently being questioned to determine their motives and backgrounds.