Motorists staged the first public protest against India's E20 fuel mandate at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar, alleging the ethanol-blending policy has caused engine problems, reduced mileage and expensive repairs. Participants claimed E20 petrol led to stalled engines, choked fuel systems and declining vehicle performance, echoing concerns previously raised on social media. Entrepreneur Tehseen Poonawalla and his advocacy group, Team Bharat, led the demonstration, arguing that the nationwide rollout was implemented too quickly without adequately addressing consumer concerns. Protesters urged the government to review the policy and investigate the alleged impact on vehicles, saying they possessed evidence linking E20 fuel to mechanical issues experienced by motorists. (PC: India Today)

    The Indian government has directed Meta Platforms to immediately remove Instagram advertisements found promoting or linking to child sexual abuse content. The action followed an investigation that uncovered disturbing ads appearing on the platform, raising serious concerns about online child safety and content moderation. Authorities have sought an explanation from Meta on how such advertisements were approved and displayed despite existing safeguards. The government stressed that digital platforms must comply with Indian laws and strengthen monitoring systems to prevent the spread of illegal and exploitative content, warning that strict action could follow if violations continue. (PC: PTI)

The alleged theft of donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple is expected to be a key issue at the RSS's three-day annual Akhil Bharatiya Prant Pracharak Baithak beginning July 10 in Belagavi, Karnataka. According to senior RSS functionaries, the controversy has become a major concern because it is affecting the organisation's public image. While the meeting will also discuss national issues such as the Census, leaders believe the temple donation case will dominate discussions. The RSS may also review the role and future of functionaries linked to temple operations as investigations into the alleged financial irregularities continue. (PC: The Indian Express)

A 63-year-old man was killed after a tree collapsed on a shop in Mumbai's Kurla area as relentless monsoon rain continued to batter the city. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert, warning of more extremely heavy rainfall. Widespread waterlogging, traffic congestion, tree falls and infrastructure damage have disrupted normal life across Mumbai. Authorities have urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel and stay away from waterlogged and coastal areas. Heavy rain alerts have also been issued for several states, including West Bengal, Odisha, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Delhi, as the southwest monsoon intensifies. (PC: HT)

Security forces launched a major anti-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district after receiving intelligence about the presence of militants. Officials said two suspected terrorists, including top Lashkar-e-Taiba operative Zakir Ahmad Ganie, were trapped during the encounter in Chanpora village. The joint operation involved the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police's Special Operations Group. Ganie, a resident of Kulgam, is wanted in several terror cases and has been linked by investigators to the Pahalgam terror attack probe. The operation was continuing at the time of reporting, with security forces maintaining a tight cordon around the area. (PC: India Today)

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)

A Delhi court rejected the fresh bail pleas of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the alleged larger conspiracy case linked to the 2020 North East Delhi riots. The trial court ruled that it was bound by the Supreme Court of India's January 5, 2026 order, which permitted fresh bail applications only after protected witnesses were examined or one year had elapsed, whichever occurred first. The defence cited a subsequent Supreme Court ruling in the Syed Iftikhar Andrabi v. NIA case, arguing that prolonged incarceration could justify bail. However, the trial court held it had no option but to follow the earlier binding directive. (PC: Emmanual Yogini)

Scientists have identified a banyan tree in Bihar’s Munger district as the oldest accurately dated banyan tree known so far, estimating its age at around 700 years through scientific analysis. The discovery represents a significant breakthrough in dating tropical trees, a long-standing challenge because of their complex growth patterns and the absence of clear annual growth rings. Researchers believe the finding could reshape methods for studying ancient tropical trees while strengthening conservation efforts for ecologically and culturally significant heritage sites across South Asia and beyond. The landmark study provides a reliable scientific benchmark for understanding the longevity of banyan trees and highlights the importance of preserving centuries-old natural landmarks for future generations. (PC: X)

A purported Snapchat conversation involving murder accused Siya Goyal has surfaced during the investigation into the death of her fiancé, Ketan Agarwal, adding a new twist to the case. According to police, Siya allegedly asked a friend for an Aadhaar card copy to book flight tickets for a “wedding that would never happen,” raising suspicions that the booking was intended to make the wedding preparations appear genuine. Investigators are examining whether the chat was part of a planned cover-up. A court has sent Siya Goyal and co-accused Chetan Chaudhary to 14 days of judicial custody. (PC: NDTV)

The Gauhati High Court upheld a tribunal's decision declaring a man a foreigner despite his submission of 15 documents, including a PAN card, voter ID and Aadhaar. The court ruled that these documents establish identity or residence but do not conclusively prove Indian citizenship. It observed that citizenship must be established through legally admissible evidence under the relevant laws. The judgment reinforces that identity documents alone are insufficient to determine nationality in disputed citizenship cases and upholds the Foreigners Tribunal's findings. (PC: X)