Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi received a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan today, marking the start of her three-day official visit to India. She will attend the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This visit is poised to strengthen their Special Strategic and Global Partnership, focusing on areas like economic security, technology, and defense cooperation.

Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra alleged a mob attack by BJP workers at a party office in West Bengal's Nadia district. She identified 16 individuals, claiming police remained silent spectators for four hours as protesters hurled eggs and mud. Moitra was later escorted out by police. The BJP denied involvement, suggesting internal TMC conflict, while other opposition leaders condemned the incident and police inaction.

NEET UG results are expected by July 20, according to a senior National Testing Agency official. Despite a recent re-examination due to a paper leak, the agency is working diligently to ensure the academic year for MBBS students begins on time, typically in August or September. Over 10,000 challenges were received for the provisional answer key, which was released on June 25.

Delhi finally welcomed the southwest monsoon on Thursday, five days past its usual arrival, bringing much-needed relief from heat. The monsoon is now widespread across northwest India, with heavy rains expected in Maharashtra, Goa, and Gujarat. This marks the first July onset for Delhi since 2021, as the monsoon rapidly advances, nearing full country coverage ahead of schedule.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is in New Delhi for a three-day visit, focusing on the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit. Discussions will center on deepening cooperation in economic security, resilient supply chains, emerging technologies, and defence. Both nations aim to bolster their Special Strategic and Global Partnership, with a strong emphasis on investment, innovation, and industrial collaboration amidst evolving global dynamics.

WhatsApp is clarifying its upcoming username feature amidst government concerns about potential fraud and impersonation. The company assures users usernames are optional and will not be publicly searchable. Existing popular names are reserved for legitimate owners. However, the Indian government has asked Meta to halt the rollout until consultations are complete, citing risks of scams and identity spoofing.

The mother of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape and murder victim, BJP MLA Ratna Debnath, has declared she knows the identities of those responsible for her daughter's death and the alleged cover-up. She vowed that all culprits, including those who concealed evidence, will face justice. This statement follows a Calcutta High Court order for a new Special Investigation Team, citing dissatisfaction with the previous probe.

Speaking at a media roundtable on «Bridging Innovation and Affordability in Cancer Care», organised by the Indian Cancer Society (ICS), the experts said that although cancer treatment has advanced significantly, access remains limited due to high costs, inadequate insurance coverage, limited diagnostic facilities and unequal healthcare infrastructure.

India and Malaysia have reviewed their military cooperation, noting steady progress in defense engagements. Discussions covered exchanges, exercises, training, and emerging domains. Both nations agreed to boost collaboration in defense industry, cybersecurity, and disaster relief. They also reaffirmed commitment to regional security and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific, strengthening their strategic partnership.

Following the NEET-UG controversy, the Prime Minister's Office is now overseeing significant exam reforms. The Education Ministry is fast-tracking changes for board exams and entrance tests like NEET and JEE, aiming to reduce the pressure of single-attempt exams. Proposals include incorporating board marks, aligning entrance tests with school syllabi, and exploring multiple attempts and computer-based testing to enhance integrity and minimize risks.

The government has issued an eviction notice to the Delhi Gymkhana Club, citing its «unauthorised occupation of public premises» after the land lease expired on May 22. The Land and Development Office is seeking an explanation for why eviction proceedings shouldn't commence, invoking the Public Premises Act. The 27.3-acre land is deemed critically needed for defence, public security, and other public-interest projects.

Commercial LPG and aviation fuel prices have seen a significant drop, with state-run companies cutting prices by Rs 183.5 and Rs 5 respectively. This easing follows a decline in global crude prices and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. However, domestic LPG and petrol/diesel prices remain unchanged, as oil companies continue to absorb losses from earlier elevated crude bookings. Airfare relief is also unlikely due to ongoing airspace issues.

A high-level committee, formed just a month ago, has swiftly developed a comprehensive questionnaire to investigate demographic shifts across India, including those influenced by illegal immigration. Led by Justice (Retd) Prakash Prabhakar Navlekar, the panel informed Home Minister Amit Shah about its plans to visit states and UTs for on-the-ground insights. The committee will also consult various ministries and aims to submit its recommendations promptly.

Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has mandated a 12% PF contribution on wages up to Rs 15,000 monthly for its eight crore members. Contributions beyond this statutory limit are now voluntary. Employees can choose to contribute more for retirement savings, with employers having the option, but not the obligation, to match these additional amounts. These voluntary contributions can be adjusted or stopped anytime.

The Congress party has finalized its Punjab leadership for the upcoming assembly elections, retaining Amarinder Raja Warring as state president. Dalit leader Charanjit Channi will head the campaign committee, a move aimed at appealing to the community. Partap Singh Bajwa remains the leader of the opposition. These appointments signal a focus on organizational unity and community outreach as the party prepares for the polls.

The Supreme Court has ruled that an accused cannot claim default bail simply because copies of the chargesheet weren't provided within the statutory timeline. Justices Sanjay Karol and N K Singh clarified that the right to default bail arises only if the chargesheet itself isn't filed within the stipulated 60 or 90 days.

A parliamentary panel is set to finalize its report on an anti-corruption bill that proposes automatic removal of top leaders after 30 days in detention for serious criminal charges. While the government aims to pass the bill, opposition parties are strongly against it, fearing political misuse. The committee is considering amendments to address concerns about arbitrary power and safeguards against destabilizing elected governments.

Over 100 prominent Indian and Pakistani citizens have penned an open letter to Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Shehbaz Sharif, urging them to restore peace and dialogue. The signatories propose confidence-building measures like reinstating full diplomatic ties and resuming normal visa services. They emphasize that continued hostility hinders the prosperity and secure future of millions of young people in both nations, stressing the need for cooperation over confrontation.

The Supreme Court has mandated distinct methods for calculating road accident compensation, acknowledging the income disparity between salaried individuals and the self-employed. For salaried persons, the previous year's income tax return will be the benchmark. Self-employed individuals' compensation will be based on the average of their last three years' income tax returns, accounting for income fluctuations. This ruling aims to standardize compensation assessments across high courts.

India and the European Union have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in sustainable ship recycling, with both sides expressing confidence over the progress made in facilitating the inclusion of Indian ship recycling facilities under the European Union Ship Recycling Regulation (EUSRR).

Sociology students are voicing their discontent with the latest UGC-NET exam, pointing out critical spelling mistakes, incorrect names of well-known theorists, and awkward translations in Hindi. Errors like confusing 'Ritzer' with 'Putzer' and translating 'social' as 'oval' have raised red flags. Many candidates suspect that certain questions seemed AI-generated, straying from the established syllabus and hindering their understanding during the exam.

Flash floods in Doda's Bhalessa area have disrupted road connectivity to several villages, with restoration efforts underway. Meanwhile, heavy rains have forced the suspension of annual pilgrimages to Machhail Mata and Mindhal Mata shrines in Kishtwar for pilgrim safety. Authorities are urging residents to avoid vulnerable areas and media to verify information to prevent panic.

Former J&K CMs Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, alongside nearly 60 Indian signatories, have urged India and Pakistan to resume dialogue for regional peace. Their letter highlights the lost opportunities for millions of young people due to ongoing hostility. Kashmir's chief cleric also supported the call, emphasizing that engagement is the only way to resolve differences and build a prosperous South Asia.

Tehran had also invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend Khamenei's funeral. However, New Delhi chose Bihar governor Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd) and minister of state for external affairs Pabitra Margherita to represent India at the multi-day funeral, which is set to begin on July 4.

Disturbing videos have led to an FIR against five caregivers in Bengaluru for alleged toddler abuse at a corporate daycare. Meanwhile, Russia is importing Indian gasoline amid Ukrainian strikes impacting its fuel supply. A climate row has ignited between France and the US over air conditioning use. In Tamil Nadu politics, the TVK and DMK are trading MLA poaching allegations.

Among the signatories are former RAW chief A S Dulat, Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha, moderate Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, former Union minister Mani Shankar Aiyar, former Pakistan foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, former diplomat Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, along with retired diplomats and members of civil society from both countries.

According to the notice, the Club's continued occupation of the land after the government resumed possession for a public purpose amounts to «unauthorized occupation» under Section 2(g) of the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act, 1971. The government has maintained that the President of India exercised powers under Clause 4 of the perpetual lease deed, which allows the lessor to resume the property if it is required for a public purpose.