A curated roundup of the day’s important news developments from across the nation, spanning politics, technology, business, and crime etc
1. Odisha Student Dies After Self-Immolation, State Erupts in Protest
Balasore, Odisha: A 20-year-old college student who set herself on fire alleging sexual harassment by a faculty member has succumbed to her injuries. The tragic incident has led to widespread outrage, with the state government announcing a ₹20 lakh ex-gratia for the family and arresting the accused professor and the college principal. Opposition parties have called for a statewide bandh, demanding justice and stricter laws for women’s safety.
2. Nation Awaits Return of Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla
Science & Technology: Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, along with the Axiom-4 crew, is on his way back to Earth after an 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The SpaceX Dragon capsule, named ‘Grace’, is scheduled for a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean this afternoon. The mission is being hailed as a landmark achievement for ISRO and India’s space exploration ambitions.
3. Tesla Officially Enters India with First Showroom in Mumbai
Business: Electric vehicle giant Tesla has officially launched its India operations by opening its first showroom in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex. The company has started by launching its popular Model Y, marking a much-anticipated entry into the Indian automotive market and signaling a major boost for the EV ecosystem in the country.
4. Pune Porsche Case: Teen Accused to be Tried as a Juvenile
Crime: In a significant development, the Juvenile Justice Board has ruled that the 17-year-old accused in the high-profile Pune Porsche crash case will be tried as a juvenile. The decision comes after a fatal accident last year where two IT professionals were killed, sparking a nationwide debate on laws concerning juvenile offenders in heinous crimes.
5. Political Tremors in Kerala as Ajit Pawar’s NCP Faction Demands Resignations
Politics: The internal conflict within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has reached Kerala, with the Ajit Pawar-led faction demanding the resignation of two LDF legislators aligned with Sharad Pawar. The move has created turmoil within the state’s ruling coalition and highlights the continuing power struggle within the party.
6. Stock Market Opens on a Positive Note Amid Global Cues
Economics & Investment: Indian equity benchmarks, Sensex and Nifty50, opened in the green today, tracking positive global market trends. Investors remain watchful of upcoming corporate earnings and developments regarding the India-US trade agreement, with markets expected to consolidate.
7. Two Businessmen Targeted in Separate Firing Incidents in Haryana
Crime: Panic has gripped Yamunanagar, Haryana, after two separate firing incidents targeted prominent businessmen within a span of 20 minutes. While no casualties were reported, the attacks have raised serious security concerns, prompting police to launch a massive manhunt and tighten security across the district.
8. Ahead of Monsoon Session, Kharge Meets VP Dhankhar
Politics: With the Monsoon session of Parliament set to begin on July 21, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge met with Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar. Kharge stated that the opposition is keen on having a productive session, setting the stage for anticipated debates on several key national issues.
9. “Operation Kalanemi”: 82 Fake Saints Arrested in Uttarakhand
Crime: Uttarakhand Police have arrested 82 individuals posing as saints during the ongoing Char Dham and Kanwar Yatras under a special drive named ‘Operation Kalanemi’. The crackdown aims to curb criminal activities and exploitation of devotees by imposters during the religious pilgrimages.
10. CPI Leader Shot Dead During Morning Walk in Hyderabad
Crime: A local leader of the Communist Party of India (CPI), Chandu Nayak, was shot dead by unidentified assailants during his morning walk in Hyderabad’s Malakpet area. Police have launched an investigation, suspecting past rivalries as a possible motive behind the murder.
