India-UK sign landmark FTA
The India-UK free trade agreement (FTA) will significantly improve market access and boost bilateral trade by around USD 34 billion annually, the British government said on Thursday.
Billed as the UK’s most economically significant bilateral trade deal since leaving the European Union, the FTA was signed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
India calls for ceasefire in Gaza
India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, addressing an open debate in the UN Security Council on Wednesday, said a ceasefire must be put in place in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. He emphasised that ‘intermittent pauses in hostilities’ are ‘not enough’ to address the scale of challenges faced by Palestinians, and asserted that a ceasefire must be implemented.
Ajmer Dargah admin draws flak
Several Muslim organisations have criticised a notice issued by the Nazim or chief executive officer of Ajmer Dargah in Rajasthan, disowning liability for any accidents caused by ageing structures within the shrine’s premises. The July 21 notice, signed by Nazim Mohammad Belal Khan, warned pilgrims about ‘structural risks’ within the dargah but said the administration would not be responsible for accidents.
Eight militants arrested in Manipur
Security forces have arrested eight militants belonging to different proscribed outfits from Imphal West, Bishnupur, Tengnoupal and Chandel districts of Manipur, police said on Thursday. Two of them were from the banned Kangleipak Communist Party.
Meghalaya government raises minimum wages
The Meghalaya government has raised the minimum wages of unskilled labourers to Rs 541 per day, according to a notification issued by the Labour department. Semi-skilled workers will now be entitled to Rs 583 per day, skilled workers to Rs 624, and highly-skilled workers to Rs 665, it said.
India selected to host international space leaders
The Karman Project, a non-profit, has announced that its flagship event, ‘Karman Week 2025’, will take place in Bangalore, hosted by SatSure, a leading applied earth intelligence company. Karman Project and SatSure share a long-standing relationship, with SatSure’s founder and CEO, Prateep Basu, selected as a Karman Fellow in 2020.
Opposition to protest against Bihar SIR in Parliament
Opposition parties protested in Parliament for the third consecutive day on Thursday against the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) held by the Election Commission of India. Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav, along with MP Manoj Jha, have spoken about the possibility of a boycott.
Three new judges take oath in Delhi HC
Three new judges took oath of office on Thursday, taking the strength of the Delhi High Court to 43 against the sanctioned strength of 60. Justices Vinod Kumar, Shail Jain and Madhu Jain took the oath in Hindi, administered by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya. The swearing-in ceremony was held within the high court premises.
Ex-Punjab Police officer sentenced to 10 years for fake encounter
A CBI court in Mohali has sentenced a former Punjab Police officer to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment in a 1993 fake encounter case involving two police constables. The court acquitted three other accused—then inspector Dharam Singh, 77, then assistant sub-inspector Kashmir Singh, 69, and then ASI Darbara Singh,71—in the case.
UP govt suspends two officials for lax supervision
Following a protest by women constable recruits over alleged poor living conditions in their barracks and privacy concerns, two senior officials, including the Commandant of the 26th Battalion of Provincial Armed Constabulary, have been suspended by the Uttar Pradesh government.
Saksham Thakur is an intern with ThePrint
(Edited by Shashank Kishan)
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