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Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asserted her authority over the party's symbol and candidates while challenging rebels to formally join the BJP. By Pranjal Gupta New Delhi, July 10: "You cannot align with the BJP while claiming to be from Trinamool," said West Bengal's former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is now struggling to keep the party from splitting. After the 2026 state Assembly elections, many of her loyalists exited, went to Delhi, and expressed full support for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Meanwhile, back at home, those who remained with Mamata were confronted with violence and thrown into lock-ups on baseless accusations, said the TMC supremo in a self-recorded video. "You betrayed the party that was like a mother to you. You are openly aligning with the BJP now," said Mamata, adding, "I will know that you have defected to the BJP. But being with the BJP and trying to break the party, do you think I am dead?" Mamata's detailed statement comes after former TMC leaders Sushmita Dev, Sukhendu Sekhar Ray and Prakash Chik Baraik, who resigned last month, joined the BJP on Thursday. Hours later, the BJP fielded them for the Rajya Sabha bypolls. Mamata Banerjee addresses party rebels through a self-recorded video, accusing defectors of betraying Trinamool Congress and supporting the BJP. (Image Source: X) Account Frozen, Rebel Leaders Claim Ownership Prior to that on Wednesday, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) froze three bank accounts of TMC, holding deposits worth Rs 440 crore, under the anti-money laundering law following searches in an alleged funds misappropriation case. The Trinamool Congress is facing a crisis identical to Maharashtra's Shiv Sena split. A rebel section of the TMC led by Ritabrata Banerjee in the Assembly, which is still in the party, is claiming to be the original TMC because a majority of MLAs are with them. 'It Was I' The TMC itself was born out of Mamata's rebellion against the Congress. While addressing the matter in the video, Mamata said, "Our next election is scheduled for October 2027, not now." She added: "It was I, as the Chairperson of the All India Trinamool Congress, who allocated the 'Twin Flowers' symbol. I was the one who named the party and signed the relevant documents. Your names, too, were decided by my office and forwarded with my signature. It was only after the EPIC forms were submitted and accepted by the Election Commission that you could become the party's candidates." Meanwhile, 20 of 28 Lok Sabha MPs, led by Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, broke away from the main party and joined a smaller, registered unrecognised political party called the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI). All of them extended their full support to the BJP. "Let me tell those who are being treacherous and disloyal, acting in lockstep with the BJP and following their diktats, or serving as BJP-sponsored agents, if you have the guts, go join the BJP." "To silence me, you would have to kill me. Yes, you didn't spare any effort on that either," said Mamata.

China's new Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress has come into force with a controversial provision extending its legal reach beyond the country's borders. While Beijing says the law is aimed at safeguarding national unity and combating separatism, critics argue it could be used to target activists, journalists, academics and diaspora communities overseas. This article examines the law's extraterritorial scope, its implications for minority rights and freedom of expression, and the broader international law questions it raises. By Mahima Katal New Delhi, July 10: China's new ethnic unity law has sparked international concern not only for its impact on ethnic minorities within the country but also for an unprecedented provision that extends its legal reach beyond China's borders. While Beijing insists the legislation is aimed at safeguarding national unity and combating separatism, rights groups, legal experts and Taiwan have warned that the law could provide a legal basis to pursue activists, academics, journalists and members of the diaspora abroad accused of undermining China's ethnic policies. The Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress, which came into force on July 1, seeks to foster what Beijing describes as a "shared consciousness of the Chinese nation" among the country's 56 officially recognised ethnic groups. While much of the international attention has focused on its implications for Uyghurs, Tibetans, Mongolians and other minority communities, one provision has emerged as particularly significant from an international law perspective: the law's extraterritorial application. What does the overseas provision say? The legislation states that individuals and organisations outside the territory of the People's Republic of China may be held legally accountable if they are found to have undermined "ethnic unity and progress" or incited "ethnic separatism". Unlike previous domestic legislation aimed at national security, the ethnic unity law expressly signals China's intention to extend legal accountability beyond its borders in matters relating to ethnic affairs. The provision has prompted concern among governments and human rights organisations, which fear it could be used against overseas critics of Beijing's policies in Xinjiang, Tibet and other regions. Why has it raised alarm? The broad language used in the law has become the central point of concern. Terms such as "undermining ethnic unity" and "inciting separatism" are not narrowly defined, leaving considerable discretion to Chinese authorities over what conduct may attract liability. Legal experts argue that this ambiguity creates uncertainty for a wide range of individuals outside China, including: Tibetan and Uyghur activists living in exile; Members of overseas Chinese minority communities; Academics researching China's ethnic policies; Journalists reporting on alleged human rights abuses; and Civil society organisations advocating minority rights. Taiwan has also expressed concern that the law could be invoked against individuals whom Beijing regards as supporters of Taiwanese independence. The Central Tibetan Administration, the Tibetan government-in-exile based in India, has described the legislation as another step towards institutionalising policies of forced assimilation. The broader legal context China is not the only country whose laws have extraterritorial elements. Many states exercise jurisdiction beyond their borders in limited circumstances involving terrorism, piracy, war crimes, corruption, child exploitation or offences committed by their nationals abroad. However, international legal practice generally requires a recognised jurisdictional basis under customary international law, such as territoriality, nationality, protective principles or universal jurisdiction. What distinguishes China's ethnic unity law is that its overseas application relates to broadly framed concepts involving national identity, ethnic affairs and alleged separatism rather than universally recognised international crimes. This has led legal scholars to question how such provisions might be enforced internationally and whether foreign governments would recognise or cooperate with actions initiated under the law. Implications for freedom of expression Human rights organisations argue that the overseas provision could have a chilling effect on freedom of expression among diaspora communities. Individuals who campaign for Tibetan cultural preservation, advocate for Uyghur rights or document alleged abuses may fear that their activities could expose them to legal risks should they travel through jurisdictions maintaining close law enforcement cooperation with China. Even if enforcement outside China proves difficult in practice, experts note that the existence of the provision itself may discourage criticism by creating uncertainty about potential legal consequences. China's response Chinese authorities have rejected allegations that the law is designed to silence critics abroad. Vice Justice Minister Hu Weilie has stated that some Western media outlets have "distorted and misinterpreted" the overseas provision. According to Beijing, the clause merely reflects China's sovereign right to combat separatism and protect national unity, consistent with principles recognised by international law. Officials maintain that the provision targets unlawful conduct rather than legitimate academic exchanges, business cooperation or people-to-people contacts. China has further argued that every sovereign state possesses the authority to enact legislation protecting its territorial integrity and national security. Minority rights remain at the centre of the debate Beyond its overseas reach, the law has also attracted criticism for its impact on ethnic minorities within China. It mandates the promotion of Mandarin Chinese throughout compulsory education and requires government bodies, educational institutions and organisations to cultivate a unified national identity. Critics contend that these measures could further reduce space for minority languages, religious practices and cultural traditions, particularly among Uyghurs, Tibetans and Mongolians. Beijing, however, maintains that the legislation promotes equality among ethnic groups, strengthens social cohesion and supports long-term national development. A growing legal trend The ethnic unity law forms part of a broader expansion of China's legal framework concerning national security, counter-espionage, data governance and foreign relations. Together, these laws indicate Beijing's increasing willingness to use domestic legislation to pursue interests extending beyond its territory. Whether the overseas provisions of the ethnic unity law will be actively enforced remains uncertain. Yet their inclusion marks a significant development in China's legal approach to questions of national identity and sovereignty. For governments, legal scholars and international organisations, the debate is no longer confined to minority rights within China's borders. It increasingly concerns the extent to which domestic legislation can seek to regulate conduct occurring beyond a state's territory—and how such claims intersect with international law, sovereignty and fundamental freedoms.

Maharashtra has ordered a statewide audit of church-owned land after an alleged Rs 300 crore Nashik fraud. Here's what prompted it. By Pranjal Gupta New Delhi, July 9: Across Maharashtra, the state government will run an audit of land owned by churches and Christian missionary organisations, examining its ownership and dealings post Independence. It comes following an alleged Rs 300 crore land fraud in Nashik, where investigators claim church-owned land was leased to government departments and sold to private parties over several decades using forged ownership documents. While the alleged fraud originated in Nashik, the government has now expanded the exercise into a comprehensive review of church-owned land across Maharashtra. Here is a closer look at what the audit involves, why it has been ordered, and what is known about church land ownership in Maharashtra. How much land do churches own in Maharashtra? There is no official figure for the total amount of land owned by Christian institutions in Maharashtra or elsewhere in India. Unlike some religious organisations that hold property under a central governing body, churches in India own land through hundreds of separate legal entities. The Maharashtra government has ordered a statewide audit of church and missionary-owned land following an alleged Rs 300 crore fraud in Nashik. (AI-Generated Image) The Catholic Church, Protestant dioceses and independent Christian denominations typically hold land through individual dioceses, parishes, educational trusts, hospitals, charitable societies and other registered organisations. Each of these entities owns property in its own name under Indian law. Many of these properties have been acquired over centuries. Some were purchased, while others were donated by private individuals. Certain land parcels were granted during the Portuguese administration in coastal Konkan or under British rule. Over time, additional properties were acquired for churches, schools, hospitals, orphanages and other welfare institutions. According to the 2011 Census, Maharashtra has around 10.8 lakh Christians, accounting for 0.96 per cent of the state's population, stated a report by The Indian Express. The community is concentrated mainly in Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Pune, Ahmednagar and parts of the Konkan region. What prompted the government to order the audit? The immediate trigger was an alleged land scam involving approximately six acres of land in Nashik, which police say legally belongs to the Nashik Diocesan Trust Association (NDTA). According to the First Information Report (FIR), another organisation, the Nashik Diocesan Council (NDC), allegedly presented itself as the lawful owner of the land by relying on forged ownership documents. Investigators claim that the organisation subsequently leased parts of the property to government departments and sold portions to private parties over several decades. Police estimate the value of the alleged fraud at around Rs 300 crore. The issue reached the Maharashtra Assembly after BJP MLA Devyani Pharande urged the government to investigate whether similar disputes involving church land existed elsewhere in the state. Responding to the discussion, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced a statewide audit. He said the government would examine land records dating back to the British era, including transfers made after Independence and subsequent transactions. The entire exercise has been given a deadline of three months. Why is the Nashik case considered unusual? One reason the case has attracted particular attention is that the Maharashtra Police themselves are among the alleged victims. According to investigators, the Nashik Police Commissionerate had occupied part of the disputed land under lease agreements since 1990. Although the Commissioner's office shifted to a different location in 2014, some police offices continue to function from parts of the property, added the report. The FIR alleges that the government paid rent under lease agreements signed by individuals who did not have the legal authority to lease the land. This, police say, brought the alleged fraud directly to the attention of investigators and ultimately led to the registration of the criminal case.

The US has launched a major investigation into alleged H-1B and PERM visa fraud, issuing dozens of subpoenas and naming Indian IT firm Cognizant among companies under scrutiny. Authorities allege fraudulent visa applications, worker exploitation, and wage abuse as part of a wider crackdown on visa misuse. By Mahima Katal New Delhi, July 9: The United States has launched a major investigation into alleged fraud involving the H-1B and PERM work visa programmes, with federal authorities naming Indian IT services company Cognizant among the firms under scrutiny. The investigation is being led by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) under the US Department of Labor as part of the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud headed by US Vice President JD Vance. Authorities say they have already issued dozens of subpoenas and are pursuing multiple leads into suspected visa fraud schemes involving employers and labour brokers. Speaking to Fox Business on Wednesday, Labor Department Inspector General Anthony D'Esposito said whistleblowers had raised concerns involving "some of the biggest companies," including Cognizant. "We've already started to issue dozens of subpoenas. We are going to make sure that we track down every lead. We have whistleblowers talking about some of the biggest companies like Cognizant, who have been in the chatter of issues with PERM and H-1B visas," D'Esposito said. Allegations of Visa Abuse According to the Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General, investigators have uncovered widespread schemes in which employers and labour brokers allegedly: Submitted fraudulent H-1B and PERM applications. Forced foreign workers into wage-kickback arrangements. Used the visa system to underpay workers. Undercut American employees by flooding the labour market with below-market wages. The department also alleged that some cases may involve forced labour networks and human trafficking. Officials said such practices undermine programmes that are intended to address genuine labour shortages rather than provide financial benefits to employers through abuse of immigration rules. JD Vance Warns 'Foreign Fraudsters' Announcing the crackdown during a visit to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Vice President JD Vance said the administration was committed to ensuring that American jobs benefit American workers. "American jobs ought to go to American workers and not foreign fraudsters," Vance said, adding that companies exploiting the H-1B programme to reduce wages would face increased scrutiny. He also criticised previous administrations for allegedly failing to address fraud within government programmes, while claiming the current administration had already saved billions of dollars by tightening oversight. Cognizant Among Companies Under Scrutiny While no formal charges have been announced against Cognizant, the company was specifically mentioned by Inspector General D'Esposito as investigators follow information provided by whistleblowers. The Department of Labor has not disclosed the full list of companies under investigation, and the inquiry remains at an early stage. Why the H-1B Visa Matters The H-1B visa programme allows US employers to hire foreign professionals in specialised occupations, particularly in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Indian nationals account for nearly 70 per cent of H-1B visa approvals in recent years, making India the largest beneficiary of the programme. Several Indian IT companies rely on H-1B visas to deploy skilled professionals to client locations across the United States. The latest investigation comes amid renewed efforts by the Trump administration to tighten oversight of employment-based visa programmes and crack down on alleged misuse of the immigration system.

OpenAI’s GPT-Live makes ChatGPT a more natural conversational AI with real-time answers, smarter interactions and better voice features. By The Slate Bureau Staff OpenAI is taking another step toward making conversations with AI more natural. With the release of GPT-Live, ChatGPT can listen and respond in real time, users can interrupt, pause or change course mid conversation just like talking to another person. The AI can respond instantly without breaking the flow of the conversation, rather than waiting for the user to finish speaking. This update is more than a voice upgrade. "We trained these new models to respond safely, using the same infrastructure we rely on for training our flagship models. They can also delegate more complex work to our other models, and when they do, the resulting work will reflect the safety training of the underlying model that is doing that work. The evaluations in this card describe how the new GPT-Live-1 models perform with delegation, matching the deployment context," said Chat-GPT in a press release. OpenAI's has announced GPT-Live a real-time voice conversation feature for the popular chatbot. It allows for natural conversations, background reasoning, and a more human-like AI experience. (AI-Generated Image) The feature is rolling out on Android, iOS and web. Go, Plus and Pro plan users will get the full GPT-Live experience, while free users will get a lighter GPT-Live Mini version. OpenAI also stated that more capabilities, including richer multimodal interactions, will be introduced in future updates. The biggest change for users is simple: AI is no longer just answering questions. It’s starting to have conversations in a way that feels faster, more responsive and more like how humans naturally talk. Whether this will become the new norm for AI assistants remains to be seen, but GPT-Live is one of the biggest steps forward by OpenAI towards human like interaction. Competing Siri, Alexa The move is also a sign that OpenAI faces growing competition from traditional voice assistants like Siri, Google Assistant and Alexa. While those assistants mostly follow commands, GPT-Live is designed to understand context, respond naturally as well as handle complex conversations without breaking the flow. Experts in the field regard this as another step toward AI assistants that are less like tools and more like digital companions.

TCS Nashik Nida Khan Bail: A local court has allowed a bail to Nida Khan, accused of brainwashing an employee to convert into Islam, as it notes that giving birth in jail is unbearable. By Pranjal Gupta New Delhi, July 9: Accused in the Nashik TCS Sexual Harassment and Conversion case, pregnant Nida Khan was let go by a local court on a bail on July 6. She was confined in jail for two months, and was carrying a child for five months. The court expressed concern over the welfare of the newborn child, and observed that the trauma of giving birth in prison is unbearable for any woman. The bench also drew a comparison with the circumstances surrounding the birth of Lord Krishna in Mathura's jail, backing the order. While passing the order, Additional Sessions Judge (Nashik Road court) K G Joshi, noted that Khan was accused of forcing a female staffer at TCS Nashik to convert her religion, saying “there are objectionable stories in the Hindu religion”. The order was passed with Khan's alleged role in consideration. “The trauma of giving birth in a prison like Lord Krishna or the related social stigma is not bearable for anyone,” the court said. “To avoid such an agonising situation and for the welcome and overall welfare of the newborn baby, it would be just and proper to exercise judicial discretion in favour of the applicant-accused,” it added. Court allowed bail to pregnant Nida Khan, accused in TCS Sexual Harassment and Religious Conversion case. (Representative Image, Source: Unsplash) The judge said that keeping the pregnant applicant detained would serve no purpose as the investigation was complete and the charge sheet had been filed. Nida Khan's Plea, Arguments, and Allegations Besides her pregnancy, Khan’s lawyer Rahul Kasliwal also claimed that she was innocent and had been falsely implicated. He submitted that Khan was highly educated and was previously employed as an “Associate” at TCS before being terminated in April 2026. Public prosecutor Vijay Gaikwad, along with lawyers Milind Kurkute and Nitin Pandit, appearing on behalf of one of the victims, opposed the bail pleas of Khan and co-accused Danish Shaikh. Their contention was that enough evidence of sexual assault and religious coercion came to the fore during the investigation of the case. The prosecution submitted that Shaikh gave an Islamic book and burqa to the woman victim with the motive for religious conversion. All these suggest that the woman was sexually exploited intentionally and efforts were made for her religious conversion, they argued. The court allowed Khan’ bail on a personal bond of Rs. 75,000 along with one solvent surety of the same amount. An SIT of the Nashik police is probing a total of nine cases registered in connection with the alleged exploitation, attempt of forceful conversion, hurting religious sentiments, molestation and mental harassment of female employees at the TCS unit. This specific case concerns the FIR registered by the Deolali Camp police station under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita provisions 69 (sexual intercourse by employing deceitful means etc), 65 (sexual harassment), 299 (outrage religious feelings). The accused have also been booked under relevant provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, as the victim is a Dalit. Khan’s specific role, according to the investigation, involved brainwashing the victim by giving her a burqa and religious literature. She is also accused of installing applications concerning Islam on the victim’s mobile phone, visiting her home to teach her how to offer namaz, and showing her how to wear a hijab. After the cases came to light, TCS clarified that it has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards harassment and coercion of any form for a long time, and the employees allegedly involved in sexual harassment at the Nashik office have been suspended. (With PTI Inputs)

Fresh Iran-US strikes intensify the conflict as both sides claim military success, targeting bases, strategic assets and key infrastructure. By Pranjal Gupta New Delhi, July 9: Iran and the United States exchanged intense missile strikes after accusing each other of violating the interim deal first. Following a warning issued by US President Donald J. Trump late on Wednesday, American forces claimed to have targeted 90 Iranian military sites, including air defence systems and coastal surveillance assets, marking the second consecutive night of strikes. While Tehran acknowledged the attacks, it launched retaliatory strikes on American military bases in Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain on Thursday morning. Both sides warned of severe consequences if the other failed to halt its attacks. The latest round of hostilities began after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targeted three American commercial vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz. According to the IRGC, the vessels had violated Iran's new strategic maritime doctrine, a claim that the United States has rejected from the outset. The three Gulf countries where Iran claimed to have targeted American military bases condemned the attacks on the vessels. Bahrain accused Tehran of targeting civilians and said it had successfully intercepted Iranian missiles and drones. Iran-US War: Missile strikes and retaliatory attacks escalate tensions as Iran and the United States exchange fire across multiple strategic locations. (Image Shared by U.S. Central Command, claiming to be from the latest round of attacks on Iran) 14 Dead in Iran, US Keeps Mum on New Attacks While the United States has not confirmed any attacks on its military bases, Iran's Health Ministry said at least 14 people had been killed and 78 others wounded over the past two days, according to the Associated Press. Iranian state media reported explosions in several locations, including Bushehr, home to Iran's nuclear power plant complex, as well as the southern port cities of Chabahar, Konarak, Bandar Abbas and Sirik. In Iranshahr, authorities said a strike had killed a firefighter at the city's airport. For the first time since April, the United States also appeared to have targeted Iranian bridges. State media reported a strike on a railway bridge in Iran's north-eastern Golestan province, while the Revolutionary Guard said two bridges on the route to Mashhad had been hit. Officials are expected to bury the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Mashhad on Thursday. However, it remains unclear whether the bridge in Golestan was one of the two mentioned by the Revolutionary Guard. ""U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces completed an additional round of strikes against Iran, July 8. US forces struck approximately 90 Iranian military targets, including air defence systems, coastal surveillance assets, missile and drone storage sites, naval capabilities, and military logistics infrastructure along Iran's coastline. The latest strikes follow the successful execution of offensive operations in Iran the previous night," US Central Command said. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said "The United States has still not learned that bullying and breach of commitments no longer come without a cost". (With Agency Inputs)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Australian businesses to invest in India's fast-growing economy and called for the early conclusion of the India-Australia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), saying it would strengthen bilateral trade and investment. He highlighted opportunities across sectors such as critical minerals, AI, clean energy, semiconductors and manufacturing during his Australia visit. By Mahima Katal New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called for the early conclusion of the proposed India-Australia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), saying the pact would elevate bilateral economic ties and unlock new opportunities for businesses in both countries. Addressing the Australia-India CEOs Forum and the Economic Roadmap Business event in Melbourne, Modi highlighted India's rapid economic growth, policy reforms, digital transformation and expanding innovation ecosystem, describing the country as an attractive destination for long-term investment. Inviting Australian businesses to expand their presence in India, the Prime Minister said the country offers "unmatched opportunities" across key sectors, including aviation, financial services, critical minerals, manufacturing, infrastructure, clean energy, technology, logistics, food processing and the digital economy. Modi welcomed AustralianSuper's announcement to invest AUD 500 million in India, calling it a strong endorsement of global confidence in India's economic growth and reform agenda. AustralianSuper, Australia's largest superannuation fund, manages more than USD 410 billion in retirement savings for over 3.6 million members. Referring to the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) signed in 2022, Modi said trade and investment ties between the two countries had grown significantly and stressed that finalising the CECA would take the partnership to the next level. Highlighting the complementary strengths of the two economies, he said India's scale combined with Australia's expertise presents a mutually beneficial opportunity. He encouraged Australian investors to participate in India's long-term growth story. The Prime Minister also welcomed the growing presence of Australian universities in India and said greater collaboration in higher education, research, innovation and skill development would prepare talent in both countries for emerging global opportunities. Speaking at the Economic Roadmap Business event, attended by more than 200 CEOs and business leaders, Modi said the India-Australia partnership is anchored in shared democratic values, a common vision for the Indo-Pacific, strong political trust and deep people-to-people ties. He urged businesses from both countries to build global supply chains and collaborate in strategic sectors such as rare earths, lithium, batteries, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, electronics, electric vehicles and defence manufacturing. Modi also proposed stronger economic engagement between Indian states and Australian provinces, saying partnerships based on regional strengths could further accelerate bilateral trade and investment. The Prime Minister is on a three-day visit to Australia aimed at strengthening cooperation in trade, defence, energy and strategic sectors.

Heavy overnight rainfall brought Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) to a standstill, flooding roads, uprooting trees and disrupting traffic as the India Meteorological Department issued a red alert. While the showers provided relief from the heat and improved air quality, they also exposed the capital's recurring monsoon vulnerabilities, with overwhelmed drainage systems and widespread urban disruption By Mahima Katal New Delhi, July 9: Delhi and the wider National Capital Region (NCR) woke to flooded roads, uprooted trees and severe traffic disruptions on Thursday after heavy overnight rainfall, offering an early test of the capital's preparedness for this year's monsoon. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Delhi, warning of continued moderate to heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning. An orange alert remained in place for adjoining NCR cities, including Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram and Meerut, where more rain was expected through the day. According to the IMD, the Safdarjung weather station recorded 72.6 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours ending at 8:30 a.m., while Lodhi Road received 80.2 mm, Ridge 77.8 mm, and Palam 63 mm. Some areas recorded significantly higher totals, with Mayur Vihar receiving 103 mm and Delhi University 90 mm. In neighbouring Ghaziabad, Kamala Nehru Nagar recorded 164 mm, while Hindon received 134 mm. The downpour inundated key roads across Delhi-NCR, causing long traffic snarls and disrupting morning commutes. Among the worst-hit stretches were Mehrauli-Badarpur (MB) Road, NH-24 near Ghazipur and Akshardham, Burari, the Delhi-Noida Expressway and parts of Gurugram's Cyber City. Traffic came to a standstill on MB Road after rainwater submerged vehicles and overwhelmed the drainage system. Waterlogging near Ghazipur also slowed movement on NH-24, prompting the Delhi Traffic Police and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to deploy teams to clear accumulated water and restore traffic. In Noida, roads in Sectors 45 and 75 were submerged, while parts of Ghaziabad, including Indirapuram and Abhay Khand, witnessed knee-deep water, forcing residents to wade through flooded streets. Heavy rain also triggered congestion on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway, while several private companies advised employees to work from home as travel conditions deteriorated. The rainfall also brought down several trees across the region. In South Delhi's East of Kailash, two large trees collapsed on Raja Dhir Singh Marg during the night, one near the ISKCON Temple and another outside the National Heart Institute. A parked vehicle was damaged, though no injuries were reported. The incidents followed another tree collapse on the same stretch just a day earlier, when two luxury cars were crushed. Residents expressed concern over recurring flooding and falling trees, blaming inadequate drainage maintenance and urban infrastructure. Officials in Gurugram said the city's drainage system had come under severe strain after recording 115 mm of rainfall within 48 hours, including 83 mm on Tuesday and 32 mm on Wednesday, leading to extensive waterlogging in several neighbourhoods. Meteorologists attributed the widespread rainfall to the seasonal monsoon trough shifting northwards from central India toward the Himalayan foothills. They said heavy rain is likely to continue until the weather system moves further north. While the showers provided relief from the recent spell of heat and humidity, they also highlighted the vulnerability of one of India's largest urban regions to seasonal flooding. Waterlogged roads, disrupted transport networks and repeated incidents of falling trees once again exposed the challenges of managing rapid urbanisation alongside increasingly intense monsoon events. The rainfall, however, brought one positive development. Delhi's air quality improved significantly, with the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) standing at 61, placing it in the 'satisfactory' category on Thursday morning.

India has steadily expanded its cultural diplomacy by helping restore ancient temples and heritage sites across Asia. With the launch of a new conservation project at Indonesia's Prambanan Temple, New Delhi's heritage partnerships now span Cambodia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Laos and Bahrain—strengthening diplomatic ties through shared civilisational history. By Mahima Katal India's cultural diplomacy received another significant boost on Wednesday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto inaugurated a conservation project at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Prambanan Temple complex in Yogyakarta. The initiative marks the latest chapter in India's growing effort to preserve shared civilisational heritage across Asia, with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) leading the restoration work under a bilateral agreement signed a day earlier. The project reflects New Delhi's broader strategy of using heritage conservation as a pillar of foreign policy, combining archaeological expertise with diplomatic engagement. Heritage Conservation as Soft Power Over the past decade, India has increasingly positioned itself as a partner in restoring ancient monuments that reflect centuries of cultural, religious and historical connections across the region. Since 2014, the Indian government has extended financial assistance, technical expertise and conservation support to multiple countries, particularly those with historical links to Hindu and Buddhist civilisations. These initiatives are viewed not merely as restoration projects but as instruments of cultural diplomacy, reinforcing India's role as a custodian of shared Asian heritage. Cambodia: Preserving the Legacy of Angkor Among India's most prominent conservation efforts is its work in Cambodia's Angkor Archaeological Park. Since 2022, the ASI has undertaken restoration and conservation of important sections of the UNESCO-listed heritage complex, including Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm and Preah Vihear. The projects seek to preserve one of the world's greatest centres of Hindu architecture while strengthening India-Cambodia cultural cooperation. Indonesia: A New Chapter at Prambanan India's latest heritage partnership focuses on the Prambanan Temple complex, one of Southeast Asia's largest Hindu temple sites. Dedicated primarily to the Trimurti—Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva—the ninth-century monument stands as one of Indonesia's most significant symbols of its ancient Hindu past. The ASI will provide conservation expertise as part of the joint restoration initiative, adding Indonesia to India's expanding list of heritage partners. Sri Lanka and Vietnam India has also supported the restoration of sacred sites in Sri Lanka and Vietnam. In Sri Lanka, New Delhi provided grant assistance for the restoration of the historic Thiruketheeswaram Temple, one of the island's five ancient Pancha Ishwarams dedicated to Lord Shiva. In Vietnam, India signed an agreement to restore the UNESCO-listed My Son Sanctuary, the religious and political centre of the ancient Champa Kingdom and one of Southeast Asia's most important Shaivite temple complexes. Myanmar and Nepal Following the devastating earthquake in Myanmar, India partnered with the country's authorities to restore monuments in the UNESCO-listed Bagan Archaeological Zone. The ASI restored 12 historic pagodas and completed conservation work at the iconic Ananda Temple. In neighbouring Nepal, India funded the restoration of 28 heritage sites under its post-earthquake reconstruction programme, including temples and religious structures that hold immense historical and cultural significance. Bangladesh, Laos and Bahrain India's heritage partnerships extend beyond Southeast Asia. In Bangladesh, New Delhi financed the reconstruction of the Joy Kali Mata Temple and supported restoration of the Ramna Kali Temple, Anandomoyee Kali Mata Mandir and the Ramakrishna Temple, helping revive important centres of worship and cultural identity. In Laos, India assisted in conserving key structures of the UNESCO-listed Vat Phou Temple, an ancient Shiva temple dating back nearly a millennium. Meanwhile, in Bahrain, India supported the redevelopment of the historic Shreenathji Temple in Manama, preserving one of the Gulf region's oldest Hindu places of worship. A Civilisational Approach to Diplomacy Speaking at Prambanan, Prime Minister Modi said that cultural heritage transcends borders and connects societies across generations. India's restoration initiatives increasingly reflect this philosophy, positioning heritage conservation as a bridge between nations rather than merely an archaeological exercise. As geopolitical competition intensifies across the Indo-Pacific, New Delhi's investment in restoring temples, monuments and historic sites offers a distinct form of engagement—one rooted in shared history, cultural continuity and long-term people-to-people ties. Through these projects, India is reinforcing its image as a partner committed not only to economic and strategic cooperation but also to preserving the civilisational legacy that links much of Asia.

US Patriot Licence to Ukraine: Speaking on the sidelines of NATO summit in Turkey, US President Donald J Trump said America is planning to allow building Patriot air defense overseas so Ukraine could it against Russia. New Delhi, July 8: US President Donald J Trump on Wednesday said he is planning to grant the required licence to allow the manufacturing of American Patriot air defence systems overseas, which Ukraine could use to defend itself against Russia. The commitment is crucial for war-torn Ukraine, whose President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been seeking support from its ally to strengthen its skies against Russia. Trump made the announcement on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Turkey while meeting Zelenskyy in person. He said, "The Air Force is gone. Everything's gone. But one of the things I think we're going to be talking about today, just a little birdie told me this, is the fact that we'll give them the right to make Patriots. We'll show them how to do it. It's very complex, actually, but you'll figure out the complexity quickly." Ukraine is entering its fifth year of war with Russia, with no end to the conflict in sight. Amid allegations of widespread human rights violations and abuses, people in the affected areas continue to live in damaged homes with little or no access to food. US Patriot Licence to Ukraine: Trump said his department is panning to allow building Patriot Air-Defense overseas to help Ukraine fight against Russia. (Image Source: White House) "And we're talking about that. The company that makes them, which is building now four plants, all of our companies will be able to do this in two to three months. If you order a Patriot now, you have to wait a long time for them. Same thing with Tomahawks. We have a lot of certain equipment, but they call it the elite equipment, and you don't need elite equipment necessarily for a war," Trump said. Bypassing Supply Chains to Protect Ukraine Once the licence is issued, Ukraine will be able to manufacture Patriot systems domestically, reducing the time required for procurement and deployment. "So one of the things we're going to be talking about is we're going to give a licence to you to make Patriots. That's pretty cool, right? This way you can't complain that we're not giving them enough. Make them yourself. We haven't informed the company of that yet, but that'll work out all right. I'm sure they'll be thrilled," he added. What Is the Patriot Air Defence System? The Patriot system and its interceptor missiles are both expensive and in limited supply. On December 21, 2022, the US Department of Defense (DOD) announced that it would provide a Patriot battery to Ukraine as part of a broader USD 1.85 billion security assistance package. Since then, the United States has supplied additional Patriot systems and interceptor missiles to Ukraine. The Patriot is the US Army's most advanced air defence system. It is capable of defeating both high-performance aircraft and tactical ballistic missiles, and is the only operational US air defence system capable of intercepting incoming missiles. A Patriot battery, the basic firing unit, consists of about 90 soldiers, although only three personnel in the engagement control station are required to operate it during combat. Raytheon Technologies manufactures the Patriot radar and ground systems, while Lockheed Martin manufactures the interceptor missiles. 'Will Go to Ukraine at the Right Time' Responding to a reporter's question at the NATO summit, Trump said he would visit Ukraine when the time was right. "I would, yeah. I'd rather have the war be over. I'm not sure Secret Service would be thrilled. Putin doesn't stop war. I think the people are in trouble. And, I mean, like Kyiv, it would be nice to get it before any more damage is done, to be honest. This is such a beautiful city, right? And, yeah, I would go to Ukraine at the right time," he said.

While activist Sonam Wangchuk is on a hunger strike at Delhi's iconic Jantar Mantar over the alleged paper leaks in India, fresh allegations have emerged claiming that certain question papers for the NTA-conducted UGC-NET 2026 examination had already been leaked. By Pranjal Gupta The controversy surrounding the brazen paper leak has added another chapter to its 2026 edition, strengthening demands for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to accept responsibility. Two student leaders in Haryana's Rohtak have claimed that question papers for certain subjects in the UGC-NET 2026 examination, scheduled for June 29 and 30 by the National Testing Agency (NTA), had already been accessed by scammers, who also offered them early access. In a self-recorded video, student leaders Deepak Dhankhar and Ankit Phogat displayed the contents of an alleged Sociology question paper, claiming that candidates were taught two sets of questions, one of which matched the actual examination paper. They said the material they have made public should be officially compared with the original NTA question paper and called for an independent digital forensic investigation. Deepak Dhankhar and Ankit Phogat on UGC-NET 2026 Alleged Paper Leak (Screeshot from video posted by Dhankhar) How They Tracked It Dhankhar said the scammers first approached Ankit, claiming they could provide the question papers before the examination. Curious to verify the claim, the duo said they continued communicating with the scammers to determine whether the papers were genuine. Initially, some of the papers did not match the examination. However, the suspects later returned, claiming they had changed their source and that the papers for the next examination would be accurate. The Sociology examination was held on June 30. On the night of June 29, candidates preparing for the UGC-NET examination were allegedly taught two sets of questions provided by the scammers. According to Deepak and Ankit, they later contacted candidates who appeared for the examination and found that one of the 100-question sets matched the actual paper exactly. Deepak Dhankhar and Ankit Phogat on UGC-NET 2026 Alleged Paper Leak The student leaders also claimed that the papers carried signatures that appeared authentic. Dhankhar said he did not know who the signatures belonged to, but maintained that an investigation should determine who leaked the papers. He further claimed that the papers were circulated in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi. Paper Sold at Rs 2.25 Lakh, Had Access to Other Exams According to the student leaders, the paper was sold for Rs 2.25 lakh. They alleged that the network also promised to provide question papers in advance for the HTET, ADA and other examinations conducted by CSIR Haryana after the UGC-NET. The group allegedly demanded Rs 2.25 lakh per candidate, along with additional expenses, in exchange for providing coaching based on the leaked papers. Family Questioned by CIA Deepak Dhankhar alleged that the police and the CIA questioned him and several of his associates. He said only three or four of his associates were aware of the operation, while no one in his family knew anything about it. According to him, his brother, who is a government doctor, his father-in-law and other relatives had no knowledge of the incident. Despite this, he alleged that his family was harassed by the police. Dhankhar demanded that the government and investigating agencies carry out forensic examinations of the phone records, banking transactions, payment trails, pen drives, laptops and other digital devices of those who allegedly supplied the question papers. He also urged authorities to immediately secure and examine the access logs of the relevant NTA systems to determine where the question paper was created, who accessed it, when the file was opened, and whether any external storage devices were used. Protest at Jantar Mantar Against Paper Leak At Delhi's Jantar Mantar, activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the ongoing student-led protest against alleged paper leak in India. Wangchuk announced a hunger strike, and today marks the 11th day of his fast. The protest sparked due to alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2026 (National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test). Wangchuk joined the protests alongside student groups like AISA and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), demanding immediate resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan.