The Times of India

India lodged a protest at a Dhaka seminar after a map showed Kashmir as part of Pakistan. An Indian diplomat immediately raised objections during the presentation by a former ambassador. The diplomat stated that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. The former ambassador claimed the map was for representational purposes only. The seminar was organized by the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies.

Two Assam Rifles personnel died after suspected militants ambushed their vehicle. The attack occurred on NH-202 in Manipur's Ukhrul district on Monday afternoon. Security forces responded quickly and engaged in an exchange of fire with the assailants. Further operations are currently underway to apprehend the individuals responsible for the incident. The deceased soldiers were identified as Warrant Officer Balwant Singh and Constable CM Singh.

An ARAI report noted rubber part deterioration in E10 vehicles using E20 fuel. Metallic components showed no adverse impact, and emissions remained within legislative limits. One BS-VI turbocharged engine experienced issues after durability testing, unlike a BS-IV engine. Two-wheeler engine durability tests showed acceptable performance with E20 fuel. Fuel consumption increased by two to six percent for vehicles using E20.

The National Investigation Agency has charged Hafiz Saeed for the Pahalgam attack. This attack tragically killed twenty-five tourists and one local resident. Evidence includes digital trails and on-ground examination by the agency. Saeed, LeT chief, faces charges under new Indian penal codes. He will be tried in absentia for waging war against India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi honored Syama Prasad Mookerjee's legacy in Kolkata. He highlighted Mookerjee's efforts to keep Bengal united with India during partition. Mookerjee's industrial vision established key national institutions for economic strength. The Prime Minister noted Mookerjee's opposition to separate constitutions and flags. His government fulfilled Mookerjee's dream by removing Article 370.

Prime Minister Modi began a three-nation tour in Jakarta, Indonesia. He will meet President Prabowo Subianto for bilateral cooperation talks. Discussions will cover trade, defense, and critical minerals like nickel. The visit aims to deepen civilizational ties and people-to-people connections. Modi will then travel to Australia and New Zealand for further strategic engagements.

Parliament will table an inquiry report on former judge Yashwant Varma's removal. Justice Varma resigned in April after facing allegations of unaccounted money. Constitutional experts state impeachment proceedings are now pointless after his resignation. They emphasize a judge ceases to hold office upon resignation, not requiring acceptance. The report's tabling is seen as a political formality with no effective purpose.

A preliminary SIT report details alleged embezzlement of Ram temple donations. Senior Trust functionary Anil Mishra's oversight failure enabled suspects to pilfer funds. Nearly seventy instances of alleged pilferage were captured on CCTV footage. Subhash Srivastava, the counting room in charge, also faces serious lapses. The report names six suspects involved in theft and misappropriation offenses.

The new VB-G RAM G rural employment scheme prioritizes water security and disaster mitigation. This initiative aims to address potential El Nino-triggered rain deficiency situations. Gram panchayats can undertake projects for disaster preparedness and climate change challenges. States facing rainfall deficits must strengthen water conservation and prepare for employment generation. The scheme also focuses on core rural infrastructure and rural livelihoods.

A new study highlights Gram Sabha participation fatigue, driven by unresolved grievances and lack of visible outcomes. Livelihood and time constraints significantly hinder public engagement in these local meetings. The report suggests launching awareness missions and livelihood-sensitive scheduling for better participation. Strengthening inclusive platforms will improve representation of women and vulnerable groups. The ministry will implement recommendations to make Gram Sabhas more effective.

Former UNLF chairman Rajkumar Meghen is in Delhi seeking a coalition for peace. He urges economic integration between Kuki and Meitei communities to build trust. Meghen suggests external forces are involved in the ongoing violence in the state. He claims the government has failed to build confidence and stop the conflict. The violence has displaced thousands and claimed many lives since May 2023.

Security forces launched a search operation after a Pakistani drone was spotted near the LoC. Blinking lights were observed over Mahadev Menka and Beripattan villages late Sunday. The suspected unmanned aerial vehicle briefly entered Indian airspace before returning towards Pakistan. Forces cordoned off the area and initiated a dawn search for any dropped payloads. No suspicious items were found during the extensive search operation.

Police searched offices in Jammu and Noida as a probe into controversial books widened. Investigators are examining how inappropriate content reached government school libraries. Officials suspended eight education personnel after the books were withdrawn from circulation. The administration registered a case under stringent anti-terror laws. This action ignited a political row and discussions on censorship.

Heavy rainfall caused a major landslide near the Kwar hydroelectric project in Kishtwar. Flash floods and mudslides blocked the Kishtwar-Doda Highway, burying several vehicles under debris. Large volumes of mud and boulders entered the project site, damaging construction equipment and materials. Three gates of the Baglihar dam were opened as the Chenab river water level increased significantly. District administrations in Doda and Kishtwar are monitoring weather conditions and river flow.

India faces significant energy system impact from El Nino's arrival. Renewable electricity generation may decrease while cooling demand rises. This could create an electricity generation gap of nearly eighteen terawatt-hours. Increased coal-fired power generation is the most likely outcome. Expanding solar power and battery storage is critical for grid resilience.

AIADMK leader K B S Raja resigned from the party on Monday. He is a cousin of party chief Edappadi K Palaniswami. Raja claimed he worked for the party for thirty years. He was denied an Assembly election ticket on two occasions. Raja did not announce his future political plans.

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust detailed its finances and accepted key resignations. Over Rs 3,264 crore was received, with Rs 2,370 crore spent on temple construction. Devotees can verify their donations by visiting Ayodhya and inspecting records. Silver donations were melted into bars, with records available for inspection. The Trust is implementing reforms to enhance transparency and efficiency in its operations.

Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust Treasurer Govind Dev Giri defended former general secretary Champat Rai following his resignation over a donation theft case, calling him untainted and his decision voluntary. The trust accepted resignations of Rai and trustee Anil Mishra after a preliminary report. Krishna Mohan takes over as interim general secretary, and a committee will recommend a permanent replacement.

The CBI has apprehended the NHAI Project Director in Shillong, Aanand Singh Chouhan, along with two private individuals, for allegedly demanding a Rs 12 lakh bribe. The bribe was sought to clear a contractor's pending payment of Rs 13.38 crore. An initial Rs 4 lakh advance was caught red-handed during a sting operation, leading to the arrests and ongoing investigations.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge has sharply criticized the Modi government, citing India's declining passport rankings and increased passport fees. He questioned the government's claims of enhanced global respect, pointing to a drop in rankings and stagnant foreign tourist arrivals. Kharge alleged that citizens are paying more for subpar services, impacting India's international standing.

The Delhi high court has concluded wrestler Vinesh Phogat's plea challenging her initial exclusion from Asian Games trials, deeming it moot as she participated following court orders. However, the Wrestling Federation of India must now decide on a pending show-cause notice within two weeks, ensuring Phogat receives a personal hearing. This decision addresses immediate participation concerns while disciplinary proceedings continue.

Iran's Embassy in India expressed deep gratitude to New Delhi for its participation in the funeral of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. The presence of an official delegation, political leaders, and citizens was hailed as a reflection of strong historical, cultural, and human bonds. This gesture of solidarity during Iran's national mourning has been deeply appreciated and will not be forgotten by the Iranian people.

Pakistan-based terrorist Hafiz Saeed has been formally accused by the NIA in the Pahalgam terror attack. The agency filed a supplementary chargesheet, naming Saeed as the orchestrator of the cross-border conspiracy. He faces charges for waging war against India and his leadership roles in Lashkar-e-Taiba and The Resistance Front. This development follows the NIA's extensive investigation into the April 22 attack.

NDA leaders lodged a formal complaint with Karnataka's Chief Electoral Officer, alleging widespread irregularities in the ongoing electoral roll revision. They claim officials are disregarding approved processes, with Booth Level Officers reportedly not conducting mandatory door-to-door verification and instead using community halls and mosques. The opposition demands a thorough inquiry and strict action against those responsible, accusing the ruling Congress of facilitating illegal inclusions.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a significant six-day tour of Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand to bolster India's Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific vision. Key discussions will focus on defense, critical minerals, digital payments, and strengthening strategic partnerships, with a special emphasis on cultural ties and diaspora engagement across all three nations.

India faces a growing cancer burden, with an estimated 15.33 lakh new cases in 2024 and one in nine individuals at lifetime risk. A Rajya Sabha panel is seeking public and expert opinions on affordable screening, diagnosis, and treatment to address late diagnoses and rising costs. The committee aims to gather suggestions for improving early detection and reducing financial strain on patients, ensuring advanced cancer care reaches more people.

Justice Avneesh Jhingan issued notice to the central government on the applications seeking a stay on the operation of the eviction notice. The court also asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to ensure that the hearing before the Estate Officer, scheduled for July 7, is deferred until after the high court takes up the matter again on July 28.

The rise of AI has made it alarmingly easy for criminals to engage in digital fraud through a thriving 'Fraud-as-a-Service' network. With minimal effort, they can access advanced tools for executing complex schemes like AI-driven phishing, deepfakes, and identity theft. This alarming trend has escalated swiftly, especially in India, where rapid digitization coupled with limited digital awareness has led to massive financial losses across various sectors.

Reacting to the remarks, government sources said Asif's comments reflected ignorance and underscored the state of Pakistan's political leadership. That he could be entrusted with his current responsibility says much about today's Pakistan. Clearly, he has no day job and passes time by making silly comments on matters of which he has little knowledge. Envy is always a bad motivation, particularly so from someone steeped in hate speech, government sources told news agency ANI.

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust convenes a critical meeting in Ayodhya amidst an embezzlement probe. Discussions will center on the resignations of key members Champat Rai and Anil Mishra, potential new administrative structures, and a briefing on the ongoing investigations into donation misuse. The trust will also review financial statements and consider appointing a CEO to oversee temple management.

The Madhya Pradesh government has reorganised the 10-member Wakf Board, with chief minister Mohan Yadav appointing Sanwar Patel as its chairman. The newly constituted board includes Manoj Malpani and Animesh Bhargava as Hindu members, making it the first state-level Wakf Board in the country to include non-Muslim members under the amended Act.

Indonesia is set to integrate with India's UPI, aiming to build its own digital ecosystem inspired by India's public infrastructure. This collaboration extends beyond cross-border payments, with Indonesia looking to India's models for commerce, digital identity, and public services. The partnership, highlighted during PM Modi's visit, also encompasses food security, healthcare, and defence cooperation, fostering deeper bilateral ties.

India's fertilizer stocks are set to receive a significant boost as 15 out of 20 ships carrying vital cargo have successfully navigated the Strait of Hormuz. This, coupled with three months of exceeding domestic urea production targets, ensures ample supply for farmers during the crucial kharif season. The government's proactive approach in securing alternative routes and fostering international partnerships has strengthened the nation's fertilizer availability.

A recent National Statistics Office survey reveals that childcare and household duties sideline nearly 69% of women in India's largest cities from the workforce, underscoring a persistent gender bias in caregiving responsibilities. While women earn 23% less than men in these urban centers, the quality of their employment shows improvement compared to smaller towns. The survey also highlights variations in female labor participation across different cities.

OPEC+ has approved an additional 188,000 barrels per day production increase for August, aiming to boost global crude availability and ease price pressures, particularly for importing nations like India. This move, part of a broader unwinding of production cuts, comes as global benchmark Brent crude nears pre-conflict levels. While oil firms anticipate breaking even on petrol and diesel soon, cooking gas sales continue to incur losses.

Government has issued a stern directive to Meta, demanding the immediate removal of all paid advertisements and content on Instagram promoting child sexual abuse material. Authorities are demanding a detailed explanation within seven days regarding how such ads were permitted and what safeguards are being implemented to prevent future occurrences. This action follows reports of Instagram ads being used to direct users to illegal content.

Motorists with traffic violations will soon face mandatory driving tests for license renewal. The government also plans to empower tribunals to grant interim compensation to accident victims, speeding up relief. These proposed amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act, approved by a Group of Ministers, aim to curb errant drivers and enhance road safety. The bill is expected to be introduced in Parliament soon.