Kate Kniveton, former UK MP, has publicly accused her ex-husband, Andrew Griffiths, of a decade of rape and domestic abuse. In the ITV documentary Breaking The Silence: Kate’s Story, she details assaults while asleep, verbal abuse toward their newborn, and Griffiths’ manipulation of the legal system post-separation. A 2021 family court found Griffiths guilty of rape and repeated assault. He denies the rape but accepted other findings. Once a rising Tory minister and women’s rights advocate, Griffiths was previously dismissed for sending 2,000 explicit messages to constituents. In 2024, he was barred from contacting their daughter. Kniveton waived anonymity to advocate for domestic abuse victims and expose systemic failures. (PC: The Times)

Iron ore and steel prices soared to four-month highs after China began constructing the world’s largest hydropower dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet. The $170 billion project, launched by Premier Li Qiang, is expected to boost demand for steel, cement, and glass. India raised concerns over potential downstream impacts, while Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu warned of a “ticking water bomb.” NGOs fear irreversible ecological damage. The dam aims to generate 300 billion kilowatt-hours annually and support China’s carbon neutrality goals. China’s Iron and Steel Association is also working to curb industry overcapacity and hyper-competition, further influencing market dynamics. (PC: NDTV & Telegraph India)

The Karnataka government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe allegations of mass secret burials at Dharmasthala, following a whistleblower’s claim of burying bodies of women, some allegedly sexually assaulted between 1998 and 2014. The Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Temple welcomed the SIT, urging a high-level investigation to uncover the truth. The case, filed at the Dharmasthala police station, has sparked national debate. A woman from Bengaluru also alleged her daughter went missing in 2003 after visiting the temple town, implicating a BJP MP. The SIT, led by DGP Pronab Mohanty, includes senior IPS officers and aims to ensure transparency and justice. (PC: The New Indian Express)

Sidhartha “Sammy” Mukherjee and wife Sunita, once celebrated in Plano, Texas for Bollywood-style glamour, face felony theft charges for allegedly defrauding over 100 victims of $4 million through fake real estate deals. Victims were lured with forged documents and promises of high returns. The couple also allegedly targeted elderly individuals with threatening emails and misused federal pandemic relief funds via falsified PPP loan applications. Despite filing for bankruptcy in 2024, they maintained a public presence until their arrest. Investigators suspect offshore or crypto fund transfers. Sammy reportedly has outstanding fraud warrants in Mumbai. If convicted, both face 5 to 99 years in prison. (PC: The Wall & Hindustan Times)

ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan announced India’s ambitious space plans: establishing a space station by 2035 and a human moon landing by 2040. Speaking at IIITDM Kurnool, Narayanan highlighted milestones like the Aditya mission, successful docking experiments, and the upcoming Venus orbiter. “India will be on par with any country in space technology by 2040,” he said. Narayanan praised India’s growth from launching rockets on bicycles to building 40-storey-high rockets. He added ISRO’s efforts align with the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat.’ India’s space advancements are supported by start-ups and aim to secure a leadership role globally. (PC: The Hindu)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the Monsoon Session of Parliament as a “celebration of victory” following the success of Operation Sindoor, India’s precision military strike on terror camps in Pakistan and PoK. The operation, launched after the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, achieved its target within 22 minutes, razing the homes of terrorist masterminds. Modi emphasized the world’s growing interest in India’s military capabilities and praised the armed forces for their swift execution. He also highlighted India’s economic progress, reduction in inflation, and the symbolic significance of the monsoon season for agriculture and national renewal. The session marks a moment of pride and resilience for the nation. (PC: Ani News) 

In a landmark judgment, the Bombay High Court acquitted all 12 individuals convicted in the 2006 Mumbai train blasts case, overturning the 2015 MCOCA trial court verdict. The blasts killed 189 and injured over 800. Five of the accused had been sentenced to death, while seven received life imprisonment. The High Court cited lack of credible evidence, invalid confessions allegedly obtained under torture, and unreliable witness testimonies. The prosecution failed to identify the type of explosives used or establish a clear link between the accused and the crime. The court ordered their release, marking a dramatic reversal in one of India’s most significant terror cases. (PC: NDTV & BBC)

An intense heatwave in Kashmir has devastated crops and endangered lives, with temperatures hitting 37.4°C — the highest in 70 years. Farmers like Zaina Begum fear losing livelihoods as paddy fields dry up and apple orchards wither. “We have nothing left,” Begum said. Hospitals report rising cases of heat-related illnesses. Experts blame climate change and warn of long-term threats to water, agriculture, and biodiversity. “These trends are not seasonal anomalies,” said glaciologist Mohammad Farooq Azam. Environmentalists say rapid urbanisation worsens the crisis. Despite claims of action, locals urge urgent steps to prevent further damage. (PC: BBC)

Shahid Afridi criticised India after the World Championship of Legends (WCL) cancelled the India vs Pakistan match, citing Indian players' withdrawals following the Pahalgam terror attack. Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, and Yusuf Pathan reportedly pulled out. Shikhar Dhawan confirmed his exit, citing "geopolitical" reasons. Afridi urged keeping politics separate from sport, saying, “One bad egg spoils everything.” WCL organisers awarded Pakistan Champions the points. Afridi dismissed suggestions his presence caused the issue, adding cricket must come first. WCL confirmed future matches remain as scheduled, with decisions on potential knockouts to be made later. (PC: HT)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is recovering at home after suffering dehydration caused by spoiled food, his office confirmed. Doctors diagnosed him with intestinal inflammation, and he is receiving IV fluids. Netanyahu, 75, will rest at home for three days while continuing state duties. His recent health issues include prostate surgery, a colonoscopy, hernia surgery, and a pacemaker implant. Despite protocols, Netanyahu has not released an official health report since 2016. His condition is now stable. In previous instances, Justice Minister Yariv Levin has acted as PM during Netanyahu’s medical treatments. His office said he is in good health overall. (PC: NDTV)