Union Minister Kiren Rijiju reaffirmed India’s strong support for the Dalai Lama’s authority to decide his own successor, emphasizing that only the Tibetan spiritual leader and the traditional religious conventions he follows can determine the process of reincarnation. His remarks come amid China's increasing claims that it should play a role in appointing the next Dalai Lama. Rijiju, speaking in Ladakh, rejected any external interference, stating that the issue is spiritual, not political. The statement aligns with the Dalai Lama’s recent declaration entrusting his succession solely to the Gaden Phodrang Trust. (PC: ANI)

A British F-35B stealth fighter jet remains grounded in Kerala 19 days after making an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram airport due to bad weather and low fuel during a UK-India naval exercise. The aircraft, unable to return to HMS Prince of Wales, later developed an "engineering issue." Despite efforts by a UK engineering team, repairs have failed. The UK is now planning to airlift the jet using a C-17 Globemaster, a rare operation for the fighter class. The Indian Air Force has extended logistical support, and the jet remains under 24/7 guard. No timeline for recovery has been shared. (PC: NDTV)

During his speech in Ghana’s Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India has over 2,500 political parties. His remark surprised many MPs, drawing laughter and smiles. “I repeat, 2,500,” PM Modi said with a chuckle. He spoke about India as the “mother of democracy” and said, “For us, democracy is not just a system, it is a value.” Modi highlighted India’s diversity, with many parties, languages, and dialects. Ghana’s Speaker later repeated the number, causing more laughter. PM Modi is on a five-nation tour, and this visit marks the first by an Indian PM to Ghana in 30 years. (PC: X/ @BJP4India)

US President Donald Trump’s major tax bill, called the “Big, Beautiful Bill,” is waiting for a final vote in the House. The bill has sparked debate over cuts to welfare and rising national debt. A key update brings good news for Indians in the US. The tax on sending money abroad, including to India, has been reduced to 1%, down from 5%. This change helps NRIs, H-1B workers, and students. The tax applies to remittances sent through cash or money orders. Transfers from US bank accounts or using debit and credit cards will be exempt under the new draft. (PC: NDTV)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has begun his five-nation tour, starting with Ghana. He held talks with President John Dramani Mahama and was given Ghana’s top national honour, the ‘Order of the Star of Ghana’. In his speech to Ghana’s Parliament, PM Modi said, “I bring the goodwill of 1.4 billion Indians.” He praised Ghana as a symbol of hope for Africa and called it a land of gold and strong hearts. India and Ghana signed several new agreements to boost ties. PM Modi will next visit Trinidad and Tobago, followed by Argentina, Brazil for the BRICS summit, and then Chile. (PC: @MEAIndia/X)

A British Royal Navy F-35 fighter jet that made an emergency landing in Kerala on June 14 is still grounded. Despite many repair tries, the jet has a serious hydraulic issue and can’t take off. No full engineering team from the UK has arrived yet. Now, officials may take the jet apart and fly it home in a cargo plane. The jet landed safely with help from the Indian Air Force after facing bad weather and low fuel. It’s now parked at Thiruvananthapuram airport under CISF watch and has finally been moved into a hangar to protect it from rain. (PC: NDTV)

Microsoft has laid off nearly 9,000 employees in its second major round of job cuts this year, affecting global teams including sales and Xbox. The layoffs represent about 4% of the company’s workforce, following a 6,000-person cut in May as Microsoft invests heavily in artificial intelligence. Additional layoffs in June included 300 workers in Redmond and nearly 2,000 in the Puget Sound region. The company stated the restructuring aims to better position teams in a “dynamic marketplace.” Microsoft had 228,000 full-time employees as of June 2024 and has now conducted at least three rounds of layoffs in 2025 alone. (PC: The Hindu)

India has rejected China’s claim that it must approve the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation, insisting only the Tibetan spiritual leader has the authority to decide. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, in Dharamshala for the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday, said, “The right to decide on his successor rests solely with the Dalai Lama himself.” The Dalai Lama’s office reiterated that the Gaden Phodrang Trust will oversee the process. China’s foreign ministry insists the succession must comply with its laws. The Dalai Lama has lived in exile since 1959 and is widely seen as a symbol of Tibetan identity and peaceful resistance to Beijing’s rule. (PC: India Today)

India is set to receive the first batch of six U.S.-made AH‑64E Apache attack helicopters within two weeks, following over a year-long delay due to technical and supply chain issues . Under a $600 million 2020 deal, three helicopters will arrive initially, with the remaining three later this year . The Indian Army plans to deploy them along the western border to bolster combat readiness. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has urged expedited deliveries of both Apaches and GE jet engines during recent talks with the U.S. Defence Secretary. (PC: PTI)

Several Pakistani social media accounts, including Instagram profiles of celebrities like Hania Aamir, Mahira Khan, Shahid Afridi, Mawra Hocane, Saba Qamar, and YouTube channels such as Hum TV and ARY Digital, became briefly accessible in India on July 2 following a technical glitch . By July 3 morning, over 18,000 accounts were reblocked after an emergency governmental review . No official statement was released, but sources cited a legal directive under the IT Rules prompting swift compliance . The ban, enforced post‑Pahalgam terror attacks, reflects India’s ongoing digital restrictions on Pakistani content. (PC: India Today)