Opposition Criticizes Prime Minister for Not Denying US Claims on Ceasefire Role in Military Talks
The opposition party accused the Prime Minister of refusing to clearly deny the US President's repeated claims that he played a role in brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, suggesting the Prime Minister is concealing weaknesses. The US President reiterated his claim of mediating the ceasefire, while India maintains the cessation of hostilities resulted from direct military talks initiated by Pakistan. The Prime Minister stated no foreign leader requested India to halt its military operation, emphasizing India's rejection of external mediation. The ceasefire followed a military operation targeting terror infrastructure and subsequent cross-border hostilities. The opposition challenged the Prime Minister in Parliament to categorically reject the US President's assertions, which the Prime Minister did not do explicitly, leading to political criticism.

International Institution Revises Country Growth Forecast to 6.4% for 2025-26, Highlights Key Reform Priorities
An international financial institution projects a country's economic growth at 6.4% for fiscal years 2025 and 2026, revising upward previous forecasts due to a more favorable external environment. The stable growth is attributed to ongoing reforms fostering robust consumption and increased public investment. Key priorities for sustaining growth include job creation, labor market flexibility, infrastructure investment, education, land reform, social safety nets, and reducing regulatory barriers. The institution also forecasts growth rates for emerging markets, advanced economies, and globally, noting adjustments based on tariff changes, financial conditions, and fiscal policies.

International Flights Resume After Fatal Crash, New Routes Boost Tourism Growth by 2025
An international airline suspended flights between a coastal Indian state and a UK airport following a fatal crash that resulted in 260 deaths. The regional government announced the resumption of these direct flights by the end of September 2025. Additionally, a Russian airline will commence thrice-weekly services from a Russian city to the same Indian airport starting October 5, 2025, expected to significantly boost tourist arrivals. The state has also established new air routes with several countries, contributing to a steady increase in international tourism. Official data presented to the legislative assembly showed a substantial rise in both domestic and international tourist numbers compared to pre-pandemic levels, with high hotel occupancy rates and growing tourism demand. The government emphasized its strategic focus on sustainable tourism development and refuted claims of declining tourism in the region.

US warns of 20-25% tariffs on Indian goods amid stalled trade deal talks before August deadline
The US President stated that a trade deal with India has not been finalized, highlighting India's high tariff rates compared to other countries. He acknowledged ongoing negotiations and indicated the possibility of increased US tariffs on Indian goods ranging from 20 to 25 percent. A US delegation is scheduled to visit India for further talks aimed at reaching an interim agreement before the expiration of the tariff suspension on August 1. The suspension was initially set for 90 days following the announcement of reciprocal high tariffs earlier in the year. Both countries have completed multiple negotiation rounds but have yet to resolve key differences. The US administration emphasized the importance of fair trade terms and maintaining strong bilateral relations during the process.

Thailand and Cambodia Agree to Ceasefire Amid U.S. Economic Pressure and ASEAN-Brokered Talks
Thailand and Cambodia agreed to an unconditional ceasefire to end deadly border clashes following economic pressure from the U.S., with the truce brokered in Malaysia under ASEAN auspices. Despite the ceasefire taking effect, sporadic skirmishes and accusations of violations occurred, with both sides reporting conflicting accounts of attacks. Military commanders agreed to halt troop movements and establish coordination before a joint border meeting. The U.S. expressed support for the ceasefire and pledged to assist in monitoring compliance. The ceasefire coincides with impending U.S. trade tariff decisions affecting both countries, which have been cited as leverage to encourage peace. Displaced residents began returning home cautiously amid ongoing uncertainty about the durability of the truce. Analysts noted the ceasefire remains fragile, contingent on political developments and trade negotiations.

US Partners with Israel to Expand Food Aid Centers in Gaza Amid Humanitarian Crisis
The US administration announced a partnership with Israel to operate additional food distribution centers in Gaza amid a worsening humanitarian crisis, but provided minimal details on the plan's structure or how it would differ from existing efforts. The initiative follows criticism of an Israeli-backed American contractor's prior food distribution program, which has faced allegations of restricting aid access and causing casualties. The UN and some US lawmakers have condemned the model for violating humanitarian principles and called for established aid organizations to manage food distribution. The US president publicly acknowledged the starvation of children in Gaza, signaling a departure from previous stances and Israeli leadership. The announcement occurs amid domestic and international pressure for increased US involvement in ceasefire negotiations and humanitarian relief in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

Union Minister Honored with Chintamanrao Deshmukh Award for Bipartisan Public Service and Infrastructure Development
A Union Minister was awarded the Chintamanrao Deshmukh National Award for public service by a Pune-based NGO. The award was presented by a senior political leader who commended the minister's effective development of the national highway network and bipartisan support among parliamentarians. The minister's ability to implement challenging infrastructure projects without political discrimination was highlighted as a key factor in his popularity. The award honors the legacy of a former finance minister and Reserve Bank governor known for his principled resignation over state reorganization issues and contributions to higher education administration. The first recipient of this award was a former diplomat.

New Maharashtra Security Bill 2024 Targets Extremism but Raises Misuse Concerns Under Section 5
A recently enacted Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024, aimed at combating unlawful activities linked to Left-wing extremist groups and urban Naxalism, has raised concerns from opposition leaders about potential misuse. A senior opposition figure expressed fears that the legislation's provisions could be exploited to target political opponents, activists, journalists, and farmers critical of the government. The ruling coalition maintains the bill includes sufficient safeguards against abuse. The opposition leader also highlighted alleged misuse of central investigative agencies and referenced judicial criticism of the Enforcement Directorate's interpretation of anti-money laundering laws. In response, the opposition party plans a public awareness campaign to promote its leader's past efforts supporting socially disadvantaged communities.

Illegal Chinese toys, fake cosmetics, and unbranded shoes worth Rs 6.5 crore seized for violating import and quality rules
Authorities seized 160 metric tonnes of illegally imported Chinese toys, counterfeit cosmetics, and unbranded shoes valued at over Rs 6.5 crore from multiple ports. The goods were concealed in containers and falsely declared as innocuous items to evade detection. The toys lacked mandatory BIS certification, violating the Foreign Trade Policy and Toys (Quality Control) Order, 2020. Counterfeit cosmetics were imported without proper licensing and breached Intellectual Property Rights enforcement rules. The shoes also failed to meet BIS certification requirements under the Footwear Quality Control Order, 2024. Such non-compliant goods are subject to destruction or return at the importer's expense.

Private Traders Must Get Government License Before Buying Farm Produce Under New Rules
The state government of Maharashtra has mandated that private traders must obtain government permission before purchasing agricultural produce directly from farmers. Traders are required to secure a license from the marketing committee or the marketing department director to legally buy such products. The marketing director is authorized to issue a Single Unified Licence enabling traders to operate nationwide. Additionally, the government approved creating a cadre of marketing committee secretaries under the marketing director's authority. The cabinet also emphasized the implementation of the National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) scheme across 133 Agriculture Marketing Produce Committees in the state to ensure farmers receive fair prices. The e-NAM platform integrates existing APMC mandis to facilitate a unified electronic trading market for agricultural commodities.

China-US extend tariff pause, keep current rates while discussing trade, investment, and export controls under ongoing talks
China and the United States agreed to extend their current tariff pauses following two days of trade talks in Stockholm, maintaining US tariffs on Chinese goods at 30% and Chinese tariffs on US products at 10%. The discussions were described as constructive and candid, covering microeconomic issues and ongoing communication on trade and economic matters. The extension follows a previous 90-day tariff pause set to expire in August. Additional topics included market access, Chinese investment in the US, fentanyl components, Chinese purchases of Russian and Iranian oil, and US export controls on technology. While no final deal was confirmed, the talks aim to stabilize trade relations and potentially pave the way for a summit between senior leaders. Both sides acknowledged ongoing tensions but emphasized the importance of continued dialogue to address trade disputes and seek longer-term economic balance.

Rs 1.53 Crore Recovered and Returned to Victims in Major Job Fraud Case Under New Criminal Laws
Police recovered Rs 1.53 crore in a multi-crore job fraud case and distributed the amount among victims. The accused defrauded individuals by falsely promising government jobs, collecting over Rs 2.39 crore. Following a complaint, the accused was arrested, and an investigation led to the attachment of property linked to proceeds of crime under newly enacted criminal laws. A court ordered the property attachment, and a co-accused admitted to receiving Rs 1.53 crore, agreeing to refund it, which was done in installments. The recovered funds have been distributed to verified victims through a dedicated account. This marks the first successful restitution under the new criminal justice reforms in the region, emphasizing victim compensation and legal accountability in economic offenses.

Opposition leader questions ceasefire decision, urges clarity on multi-front threats and government transparency
A senior opposition leader criticized the government for agreeing to a ceasefire following a military operation against a neighboring country, questioning the rationale despite claimed successes such as damaging multiple enemy airbases. He highlighted the fusion of threats from two hostile nations and urged the government to clarify its strategy for such a multi-front conflict. The leader praised the armed forces' leadership for transparency and admission of tactical errors but faulted the government for failing to acknowledge intelligence and security lapses or to involve Parliament and opposition parties. He emphasized the complexity of terrorism involving both foreign-infiltrated and domestic actors and disputed claims that the terrorist infrastructure had been dismantled. Additionally, he condemned the government's lack of diplomatic response to foreign political statements and actions perceived as unfavorable to national interests, including deportations and trade issues.

Senior diplomats appointed as Secretary (West) and Secretary (Economic Relations) in External Affairs Ministry
A senior diplomat serving as ambassador to Japan has been appointed Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, replacing the outgoing incumbent set to retire later this year. Another experienced diplomat, previously ambassador to Bhutan, has been appointed Secretary (Economic Relations) in the same ministry, succeeding the current officeholder who is also retiring soon. Both appointees are career Indian Foreign Service officers with extensive diplomatic experience, including prior ambassadorial roles and significant postings in trade, economic policy, and regional affairs. Their appointments were approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet and formalized through Personnel Ministry orders.

Committee to Investigate Bird Hazards at Airport and Recommend Waste Management Solutions Within One Week
A joint committee was established by regional authorities to investigate bird-related hazards at a regional airport. The committee, comprising representatives from local development, municipal, military, and airport authorities, is tasked with conducting field visits and submitting a report within one week. The committee's mandate includes identifying causes of bird hazards, notably the attraction caused by garbage accumulation and waste dumping near the airport. Authorities directed local municipal and development bodies to implement effective waste disposal systems and initiate awareness campaigns to prevent garbage dumping in the vicinity, aiming to mitigate risks posed by birds to airport operations.

Airline faces 100 violations including 7 critical safety risks under aviation regulations after fatal crash audit
The aviation regulator conducted an audit of a major airline owned by a conglomerate, uncovering approximately 100 violations related to training, crew rest and duty periods, airfield qualifications, and crew complement. Seven violations were classified as critical safety risks requiring immediate corrective measures. The airline acknowledged the findings and committed to responding within the regulator's deadline, outlining corrective actions. The audit followed a recent fatal crash involving the airline's aircraft, which resulted in significant loss of life and is under investigation. Prior to the audit, the regulator issued show cause notices and removed certain officials from crew scheduling roles due to serious violations. The preliminary accident report indicated simultaneous fuel supply cutoff to both engines shortly after takeoff, leading to the crash. The airline emphasized transparency during the audit and reaffirmed its commitment to passenger and staff safety.

Court defers decision on ED chargesheet in Rs 2,000 crore money laundering case under PMLA Section 3
A Delhi court deferred its decision on taking cognisance of the Enforcement Directorate's chargesheet in a case involving alleged conspiracy and money laundering related to the takeover of properties worth Rs 2,000 crore belonging to a publishing company. The chargesheet names several political figures, associates, and private companies accused of fraudulently acquiring assets through a loan transaction. The court directed further inspection of the case files and scheduled the investigating officer's appearance for early August to continue proceedings.