India has withdrawn most emergency natural gas supply restrictions imposed during the West Asia conflict after LNG shipments through the Strait of Hormuz resumed following a ceasefire. The Petroleum Ministry amended the March 9 Natural Gas (Supply Regulation) Order, ending government-controlled priority allocation of domestic gas and imported LNG. The emergency measures had been introduced after disruptions triggered force majeure declarations and threatened supplies. Earlier restrictions on LPG production and diesel sales had already been lifted. During the crisis, the government prioritised gas for PNG households, CNG, fertiliser plants and essential sectors while curbing supplies to petrochemical units and power plants. Officials said improved regional conditions and resumed maritime traffic made the emergency measures unnecessary. (PC: The Tribune )

A major controversy has erupted in Pakistan after Muhammad Raza Dar, a close relative of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, was named among suspects accused of abducting and gang-raping two foreign women in Lahore. The victims, from the Netherlands and Venezuela, allegedly met Raza Dar in Singapore through a cryptocurrency business connection before travelling to Pakistan, where they were reportedly abducted on June 29. Police rescued the women after one victim’s father alerted authorities from Spain. Four suspects, including Raza Dar, have been arrested and remanded to five days’ police custody. Investigators said the high-profile case is being examined from every possible angle. (PC: Times Now)

Iran has confirmed it will introduce service fees for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz after the current 60-day free-passage arrangement expires, while offering “special” treatment to countries that supported Tehran during its recent conflict. Speaking at the World Peace Forum in Beijing, Iran’s ambassador to China, Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, said the fees would cover safe passage, vessel monitoring and environmental protection, stressing they should not be viewed as a toll. Iran is coordinating the new system with Oman despite US opposition to the proposal. The Strait of Hormuz, which carries nearly one-fifth of global crude oil and LNG exports, reopened after the Iran-US ceasefire, with permanent negotiations still underway. (PC: News18)

Security forces have intensified a major counter-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian district after surveillance cameras captured two Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists hiding in an orchard. A joint team of the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and the CRPF has sealed all escape routes while clearing four of seven villages under a tight cordon. The trapped terrorists, identified as Latif and Zakir from Kulgam district, reportedly opened fire, triggering a fierce gunbattle. Zakir is believed to have joined Lashkar in 2024 and Latif in 2025. Officials said eliminating local operatives remains crucial to dismantling terror logistics and recruitment networks, especially in Shopian’s dense summer terrain that offers natural cover. (PC: X)

Lionel Messi praised Cape Verde after Argentina survived a dramatic 3-2 extra-time victory in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32, saying the African debutants had already proven their quality by avoiding defeat against Spain and Uruguay. Messi, who scored his record-extending 20th World Cup goal and provided the decisive contribution, admitted Argentina struggled after taking the lead, losing possession and allowing Cape Verde to exploit their strengths. He stressed that knockout football offers no easy matches and warned against underestimating teams based on reputation. Argentina eventually advanced after a Diney Borges own goal and will now face Egypt in the Round of 16.

A protest movement in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) has called for worldwide demonstrations on July 5 to highlight what organisers describe as an escalating crackdown by Pakistani security forces. Led by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), the campaign seeks international attention while asserting that its movement remains peaceful and focused on fundamental rights. Addressing a gathering in Rawalakot, Advocate Mehrah Khawja criticised Pakistan’s military, stating there was “no law” permitting the army to kill civilians, and urged overseas Kashmiris, particularly in the United Kingdom, to organise protests from Birmingham to London. He also criticised Pakistan’s leadership, saying it lacked the ability to engage in meaningful dialogue. (PC: WION)

The Ministry of Home Affairs has designated 23 Pakistan-based operatives linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and other terror outfits as terrorists under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, taking the total number of designated individuals to 80. The list includes 17 Pakistani nationals and six Indians, all currently operating from Pakistan or Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Among them is Bengaluru engineer Mohammed Shaheed Faisal, accused of recruiting youths, raising terror funds and handling multiple Karnataka-based terror modules, including the 2024 Rameshwaram Cafe blast. The list also features close aides of Hafiz Saeed and senior Jaish operatives allegedly involved in infiltration, drone-based arms supply, recruitment and major terror attacks targeting India. (PC: X)

US President Donald Trump said Washington could eliminate Iran’s remaining leadership “with one shot” if it chose to, referring to senior Iranian officials gathered for the state funeral of late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in US-Israeli airstrikes on February 28. Trump, however, said the United States deliberately avoided such action to preserve ongoing nuclear negotiations with Tehran. “They are all there. One shot, but we are not going to do that because then we would have nobody to negotiate with,” he told Axios. Trump had earlier said he had given Iran a “week off” to observe Khamenei’s funeral before diplomatic efforts resumed. (PC: MSN)

Paraguay goalkeeper Carlos Coronel has explained the heated post-match incident with Kylian Mbappé after France's 1-0 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 victory. Coronel admitted he threw the ball toward Mbappé after feeling ignored when the French captain declined his handshake following the final whistle. He insisted the act was born out of frustration rather than hostility, saying emotions ran high after Paraguay's narrow elimination. The incident briefly sparked tension on the pitch before teammates intervened. France advanced to the quarterfinals, while Paraguay exited the tournament after a spirited defensive performance against the former world champions.

Security forces have launched an intensive search operation in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district following intelligence reports about the presence of militants linked to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The joint operation, involving the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and paramilitary forces, has led to cordon-and-search efforts across suspected locations. Authorities are conducting thorough searches while maintaining heightened security to prevent militant movement or attacks. No exchange of fire or casualties had been reported at the time of the operation. Officials said the search would continue until the area is fully cleared and secured. (PC: The Hindu)