Kerala’s KSRTC has declared “Dies Non” for Wednesday, instructing all employees to report for duty despite a nationwide Bharat Bandh. Any staff absent without a valid medical certificate forfeits a day’s salary, deducted from July’s payroll. Canteens must remain open until July 9 or face license cancellation and blacklisting. Officers cannot leave office premises, and attendance records must reach the Executive Director (Vigilance) by 3 PM on strike day. Transport Minister KB Ganesh Kumar affirmed full bus operations, which drew criticism from LDF convenor TP Ramakrishnan. Trade unions, including CPM-affiliated CITU, have served strike notices to KSRTC, accusing the government of pushing anti-worker, anti-farmer, pro-corporate policies. (PC: Times of India & Moneycontrol)

Over 25 crore public‑sector workers including those in banking, postal, mining, transport and construction will strike across India on July 9, backed by a united front of 10 central trade unions plus farmer and rural‑labour groups. They protest “anti‑worker, anti‑farmer, pro‑corporate” policies: new labour codes that weaken rights, rising unemployment, inflation, cuts in healthcare and education, stalled labour conference, outsourcing and privatisation. Their 17‑point charter demands job creation, restored strike and bargaining rights, expanded MGNREGA, and filling government vacancies. While schools and private offices will largely stay open, expect disruptions in banks, transport, postal services, coal mining, public utilities, and possible railway delays. (PC: India Today & The Times of India)

X (Elon Musk’s platform) claimed that on July 3, 2025, the Indian government ordered it to block 2,355 accounts including @Reuters and @ReutersWorld under Section 69A of the IT Act, warning of criminal liability and demanding compliance within one hour. The Reuters accounts were briefly withheld in India, restored by July 6 after public backlash. India’s IT ministry and Press Information Bureau denied issuing any fresh blocks on July 3 and said they promptly asked X to unblock the accounts. They accused X of “exploiting technicalities” and delaying by 21 hours. X criticised this as “press censorship” and is exploring legal options.(PC: Wikipedia)

The FATF’s "Comprehensive Update on Terrorist Financing Risks" highlights how terror groups increasingly exploit digital platforms like social media, e‑commerce, VPNs, online payments for financing. It cites two major Indian attacks: the February 2019 Pulwama suicide bombing, where Jaish‑e‑Mohammed procured aluminium powder via Amazon, and the April 2022 Gorakhnath Temple assault, where the perpetrator transferred ₹6.7 lakh via PayPal and used VPNs to evade detection. The report warns of state-sponsored terrorist financing, trade‑based ransom schemes (like oil‑for‑gold), and decentralised funding models through regional hubs or self‑financed local cells. It also notes illicit cryptocurrency‑style methods like gold/jewellery hoarding and sanctions‑avoidance via smuggling. (PC: The Times Of India & Deccan Herald)

The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has officially ruled that Akash Deep’s delivery to dismiss Joe Root in the second Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test was legal. Despite initial claims of a no-ball, MCC clarified that the bowler’s back foot was within the return crease at the point of first contact, which is what the law considers. The third umpire did not call a no-ball, and the MCC supported the decision. Akash Deep went on to claim 10 wickets in the match, helping India defeat England by 336 runs and level the series 1-1. He is now only the second Indian to achieve this feat in England. (PC: News18)

Over 25 crore workers from sectors like banking, insurance, construction, coal mining, and postal services will join a Bharat Bandh on July 9, called by 10 central trade unions. The strike protests the central government’s “anti-worker, anti-farmer, pro-corporate” policies. Farmers and rural workers are also expected to participate. The unions demand action on rising unemployment, falling wages, inflation, and inadequate social spending. They also oppose the imposition of four labour codes and the delay in holding the annual labour conference. The strike could severely impact public services nationwide. The forum has urged all workers to ensure the bandh is a success. (PC: HT)

Tensions flared in Maharashtra’s Thane district on Tuesday after Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers, led by Raj Thackeray, were detained during a protest rally. The rally, held in Mira Bhayander, was in response to a traders’ protest over the assault of a food stall owner who allegedly didn’t speak Marathi. Police had denied permission for the MNS rally, but workers still gathered with plans to march to Mumbai. MNS’s Thane and Palghar chief Avinash Jadhav and others were detained early morning, disrupting the movement. Heavy police deployment caused traffic snarls, bringing parts of Thane to a standstill. (PC: India Today)

Nail artist Rajshree More said MNS leader’s son Rahil Sheikh crashed into her car in Mumbai while drunk and half-naked. She told NDTV, “He forgot he was half-naked but remembered who his father is.” More said he abused and threatened her, claiming his father would “buy the police.” She’s scared to leave home and asked Raj Thackeray to stop targeting non-Marathi people. More said she deleted an earlier video after threats but didn’t apologise. “If anything happens to me, the party will be responsible,” she said. The crash came days after she supported migrant workers in a viral video. (PC: NDTV)

The Delhi High Court on Monday dismissed Turkish firm Celebi Aviation’s plea challenging the revocation of its security clearance at Indian airports. The Centre cited national security concerns, following public calls to ban Turkish entities after Turkey’s support to Pakistan post-Operation Sindoor. Celebi, handling 70% of Mumbai airport's ground operations, called the decision “arbitrary” and warned of job losses and service disruption. The government maintained it acted in national interest. Minister Murlidhar Mohol stated the clearance was revoked following “serious concerns.” Celebi is partly owned by Turkish President Erdogan’s daughter, whose husband produces drones used by Pakistan. (PC: News18)

Security has been heightened along Maharashtra’s Raigad coast after a “suspicious” boat, possibly a Pakistani fishing vessel, was detected by Indian Navy radar near Revdanda’s Korlai coast late Sunday night. The boat was seen two nautical miles offshore. A major search operation involving the Navy, Coast Guard, Raigad Police, QRT, and Bomb Squad is underway. Raigad SP Anchal Dalal attempted to reach the vessel but was hindered by rough weather. Officials await interception to confirm the boat’s identity. The operation comes amid increased coastal vigilance, recalling previous security incidents along India’s western seaboard. (PC: X)