Activist Sonam Wangchuk has refused to end his indefinite hunger strike, saying, "Don't ask me to end my fast. Join the July 20 Parliament march instead." On the 18th day of his fast, Wangchuk urged supporters to participate in the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) "Chalo Sansad" march, saying it would send a stronger message to the government. He said medical tests, including an ECG, showed no immediate health risk despite weakness and muscle loss. Calling the march a "real lesson in democracy and political science," Wangchuk also invited students and educational institutions to take part. (PC: India Today)

Argentina's FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final against England has taken on a political tone after Vice-President Victoria Villarruel called England "the usurping pirates" ahead of the match. In a post on X, she said the game was about more than football, linking it to Argentina's long-standing claim over the Falkland Islands, known as Las Malvinas in Argentina. She also referenced football legends Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi, calling the clash symbolic for the nation. Argentina and England will meet in Atlanta, with the winner advancing to face Spain in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final in New York. (PC: NDTV)

Senior Trinamool Congress leader and Kamarhati MLA Madan Mitra has left the Mamata Banerjee-led faction and joined the rebel Trinamool camp headed by Ritabrata Banerjee, marking a major political setback for the party. Mitra resigned from all organisational posts, citing dissatisfaction with the leadership and alleging that Abhishek Banerjee refused to step aside despite internal differences. However, he said he had “only changed rooms, not the house,” insisting he still believes in the Trinamool ideology. His move is expected to deepen divisions within the party and reshape West Bengal's political landscape. (PC: The Hindu)

Veteran Trinamool Congress leader and former West Bengal minister Madan Mitra resigned from all party posts on Wednesday and joined the rebel camp, dealing another political setback to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Mitra was among Banerjee's earliest and closest associates, standing by her when she founded the Trinamool Congress after breaking away from the Congress. The development comes a day after the Enforcement Directorate summoned Mitra's wife and two sons for questioning in a money laundering case linked to the alleged municipal recruitment scam. However, no official connection has been established between the ED probe and his decision. (PC: India Today)

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has moved closer to securing a majority in the Rajya Sabha after strengthening its position with recent gains in West Bengal. According to the latest numbers, the party is now just 6 seats short of the 123-member majority mark in the 245-seat Upper House. The improved tally is expected to make it easier for the BJP-led NDA to push key legislation, though support from allies and nominated members will still remain important. The development marks another significant milestone in the party's parliamentary expansion ahead of future elections. (PC: News18)

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari defended the proposed relocation of the century-old Bankra Mosque near Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, saying national security must take priority. He said the airport's strategic location and security requirements make unrestricted public access unacceptable. Adhikari also argued that the mosque's location has delayed runway expansion and the installation of advanced landing systems. Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress opposed the move, calling for any decision to be taken only after consultation with the local Muslim community. Airport authorities have suspended public access to the mosque, citing security concerns. (PC: India Today)

The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the Madras High Court's order imposing a blanket ban on cow slaughter in Tamil Nadu, providing interim relief to the state government led by Chief Minister Vijay. The apex court issued notices to the Centre and other parties while agreeing to examine the legality of the High Court's directive. Tamil Nadu argued that the order went beyond the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Animal Preservation Act, 1958, which already regulates cattle slaughter under specific conditions. The case will now be heard in detail by the Supreme Court. (PC: HT)

The Election Commission has made it mandatory for new voters to provide details of their parents' status in the previous Special Intensive Revision (SIR) while applying for inclusion in the electoral rolls through Form 6. The new declaration has been added to the online registration process to help map family records and reduce the number of supporting documents required from first-time applicants. Officials said the move was first introduced during the Bihar SIR exercise and has now been extended to all new voter registrations. The Commission clarified that Form 6 itself has not been amended; the requirement has been added through official instructions. (PC: India Today)

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has dismissed allegations that he personally benefited from the Centre's ethanol-blending programme, calling the claims baseless and politically motivated. In an interview with India Today TV, Gadkari said his family's sugar business existed long before the ethanol policy and that his share in ethanol production is only 0.07%. He defended the E20 fuel programme, saying it helps reduce crude oil imports, supports farmers and promotes cleaner energy. Gadkari also challenged critics to provide evidence that ethanol-blended petrol has damaged vehicles, promising investigations into any genuine complaints. (PC: India Today)

UEFA vice-president Laura McAllister has warned that FIFA's decision to suspend Folarin Balogun's one-match ban after intervention from US President Donald Trump could set a dangerous precedent for football. McAllister said allowing political leaders to influence disciplinary decisions risks turning the sport into an "absolute cesspit" of political interference. Balogun was cleared to play in the United States' Round of 16 match against Belgium despite being sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina. UEFA criticised FIFA's move as crossing a "red line", while former FIFA president Sepp Blatter said football must never become a playground for political power.