Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has completed 16 days of a hunger strike at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. He joined a protest demanding education reforms and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan after a medical entrance exam paper leak. Doctors said Wangchuk has lost 8.2 kg and his blood sugar and blood pressure have dropped. Supporters are worried and have asked him to end the fast. However, Wangchuk says he will continue until the government takes action. Protesters also plan to march to Parliament on July 20 to demand accountability and reforms in India's education system. (PC: Hindustan Times via Getty Images, Geeta Pandey/BBC)

The Supreme Court has fined comedian Samay Raina and four other comedians Rs 3 lakh each in the disability jokes case. The court said Raina failed to keep promises made during earlier hearings and had “taken the court for a ride.” The comedians must pay the fine within two weeks, issue a public apology, and submit compliance reports. They were also ordered to hold two comedy shows every month to raise money for children with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). The court warned that the fine could increase if they fail to follow its directions.

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk's health has deteriorated as his indefinite hunger strike entered its 17th day, prompting growing appeals for him to end the fast. Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke said Wangchuk has started losing muscle mass and is in severe pain. Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, writer Arundhati Roy, actors Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah, along with several other public figures, urged him to call off the strike while continuing the campaign for education reforms and accountability. Wangchuk, however, said the government should engage in dialogue instead of asking him to end his protest.  

The Union Territory of Ladakh will get one Autonomous Hill Development Council for each of its seven districts. A new UT-level body is also planned under a proposed Article 371 framework. Officials said the move will strengthen local governance and support balanced development. Ladakh recently added five new districts, increasing the total to seven. The new body will have legislative, executive, financial and administrative powers. The proposal follows long-standing demands for greater constitutional safeguards in Ladakh. Officials said the plan is unique and aims to improve local representation while protecting the region's identity and administrative interests.

More than half of NDA supporters are reluctant to use E20 petrol, according to a C-Voter survey, underscoring persistent concerns over the Centre’s ethanol blending policy. The survey found 52.5% of NDA voters would not prefer E20 fuel, while 18.1% supported its use and 29.5% remained undecided. Around 50% of respondents feared E20 could damage vehicle engines, while many also expressed concerns about reduced mileage. The findings suggest apprehensions over vehicle performance continue to outweigh policy support, even among the ruling alliance’s voter base. Most respondents also said E20 petrol should be priced lower than regular fuel if it is to gain wider consumer acceptance across the country. (PC: Drivespark)

At the first-ever conference of police chiefs from 119 border districts, States raised concerns over illegal migrants allegedly appearing on electoral rolls despite Assam’s special voter list revision, misuse of the Nepal border by radical elements to reach Punjab, and the growing use of encrypted apps such as WhatsApp, Skred and Zangi for arms and narcotics smuggling across the Pakistan border. Officials also highlighted increased drone activity along the Pakistan border for transporting weapons and drugs. The meeting discussed the migration of residents from border villages due to inadequate infrastructure and employment opportunities, stressing the need to strengthen border communities through initiatives such as the Vibrant Villages Programme. (PC: PTI)

India's retail inflation rose to 4.38% in June, its highest level in 16 months, driven by a steady increase in food prices, according to data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). Food inflation climbed to 5.32% from 4.78% in May, pushing overall consumer price inflation above the Reserve Bank of India's 4% target. Inflation has increased every month in 2026 under the new Consumer Price Index (CPI) series, which uses 2024 as the base year. Despite the rise, average CPI inflation for April-June stood at 3.9%, below the RBI's 4.2% forecast. (PC: The Indian Express)

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has urged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to visit Delhi's Jantar Mantar and support climate activist Sonam Wangchuk's ongoing hunger strike. Backing the Cockroach Janta Party's protest over alleged examination irregularities, Thackeray said the movement was about protecting the future of the country's youth rather than politics. He appealed to political parties across India to organise similar demonstrations in their states and announced that Shiv Sena (UBT) would also hold solidarity protests in Maharashtra. Thackeray said he may personally visit the protest site in Delhi on July 20. (PC: HT)

The escalating conflict between Iran and the United States is putting global energy markets under pressure, but India's diversified crude oil import strategy has helped reduce immediate risks. Over the past few years, India has increased oil purchases from countries including Russia, the United States and Brazil, lowering its dependence on Middle Eastern supplies. However, any prolonged disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could still affect shipping, insurance costs and global crude prices. Industry experts say India's diversified sourcing and strategic planning have strengthened its energy security, though continued regional instability remains a concern for the country's fuel imports and economy.

Kolkata has emerged as India's fastest-growing housing market, recording stronger demand growth than Bengaluru and Hyderabad, according to a new real estate report. The city bucked the national slowdown in residential sales, supported by steady home prices, improved affordability and rising buyer confidence. Industry experts said Kolkata's balanced pricing and increasing interest from end-users have helped drive demand, while several other major cities witnessed slower growth. The report suggests homebuyers are increasingly looking at value-driven markets, making Kolkata one of the country's strongest-performing residential real estate destinations despite a broader moderation in housing sales. (PC: X)