A light sport aircraft crashed into Beijing's Citic Tower, the city's tallest skyscraper, causing an immediate evacuation and scattering debris. The incident, which occurred in the prominent business district, has raised concerns, with authorities yet to comment and the origin and circumstances of the crash remaining unknown. The aircraft was identified as a Sunward SA60L Aurora, and the crash highlights recent stringent regulations on recreational flying in Beijing's airspace.
The 2026 World Cup has been marred by widespread controversy surrounding the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, with coaches, players, and fans criticising its application, consistency, and impact on match outcomes, leading to a significant increase in interventions and red cards.
The Supreme Court highlighted the critical need to protect forests across India, specifically mentioning states like Jharkhand for their natural ecosystems. The court declined to interfere with a Jharkhand High Court order concerning regulations for stone mining and crushers near forest boundaries, asserting the High Court's constitutional authority in the matter.
Mamata Banerjee, Trinamool Congress supremo, has launched a strong counterattack against rebel party members, accusing them of conspiring with the BJP to split the party. She dared them to formally join the BJP and defended her leadership amidst the worst organisational crisis for TMC, while also announcing leadership changes and criticising the rebels' past actions and attempts to seize party assets.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is implementing a new central contract system based on cricket formats, aiming to create separate teams for Tests, ODIs, and T20 Internationals. This initiative seeks to specialise players and ensure fair compensation for Test specialists, with different salary tiers and qualification criteria for each category.
The Maharashtra government is considering invoking the stringent MCOCA law against those accused in the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) question paper leak case. School Education Minister Dada Bhuse informed the assembly that three arrests have been made, and a Special Investigation Team is probing the matter. The government also plans to form a committee to explore online modes for conducting state-level examinations to prevent future leaks.
'Why not aspire for 8 or 9 or even 10 per cent?'
The Indian government is accelerating its sale of minority stakes in state-owned companies, including a significant offer for sale (OFS) in Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) expected "very soon," to meet its 80,000 crore mobilisation target and reduce its holdings to 75 per cent in most listed PSUs by year-end.
As India marks a decade of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the focus is shifting towards enhancing efficiency through artificial intelligence, data sharing, and process simplification. The reform, which unified India's indirect tax system, has significantly broadened the tax base and boosted revenues, with future plans including a streamlined two-tier rate structure and continued technological integration to reduce compliance costs and combat evasion.
The Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) 2026 in Maharashtra has been postponed following a raid in Bhiwandi, Thane, where individuals were found with questions matching the actual exam paper. The Maharashtra State Council of Examination (MSCE) confirmed the breach and initiated a thorough investigation, registering a criminal case. The postponement aims to ensure transparency and allow law enforcement to probe the malpractice racket.
'Propaganda films that the BJP makes, whether it's The Kerala Story or others, are shown wherever elections occur as part of their propaganda. But real-time human rights violations... If such things don't come on a public platform, how will correction occur?'
A row has erupted over former Union minister Maneka Gandhi's appeal to the Jain community to stop using 'picchis' (sacred broom) made of peacock feathers, claiming that their demand fuels illegal wildlife trade.
An Mi-17 helicopter of the Pakistan Army Aviation crashed near Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, killing all personnel on board. The military attributed the accident to a technical fault during take-off, and a board of inquiry has been ordered. Top Pakistani leaders expressed condolences.
IT services giant Wipro's board has given the green light to a massive Rs 15,000 crore share repurchase programme, aiming to buy back over 5 per cent of its equity, or up to 60 crore shares, from shareholders at Rs 250 per share, reflecting an 18 per cent premium.
'The final electoral roll will be published on October 7, 2026.' 'If someone who is otherwise eligible does not find his/her name in that electoral roll, they can fill Form 6 along with other necessary documents to enrol his/her name in the electoral roll after the final publication of the electoral roll also.'
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has introduced a new "Strategic Dialogue" phase in its host selection process for the 2036 Olympic Games, aiming for greater transparency and cost control. This new phase will impact India's bid, with the final host decision expected in mid-2029.
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams has acquired a 10 acre plot in Assam, paving the way for construction of the first Sri Venkateswara temple in North East India.
Mariamma Oommen, wife of the late former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, has alleged a conspiracy behind the Kerala government's decision to form a medical board to investigate her husband's illness in 2023.
The Indian Air Force defeated the Indian Army (Southern Command) 2-0 in the inaugural match of the 7th Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh Memorial Hockey Tournament. Agniveer Vinayak Santosh Hande was named Man of the Match, receiving a Rs 25,000 cheque. The tournament, organised by the Air Force Sports Control Board, features 16 teams and was declared open by Air Marshal S Sivakumar.
The Indian Air Force defeated the Indian Army (Southern Command) 2-0 in the inaugural match of the 7th Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh Memorial Hockey Tournament-2026. Agniveer Vinayak Santosh Hande was named Man of the Match in the tournament, which features 16 teams and was inaugurated by Air Marshal S Sivakumar.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced the formation of a Traders' Welfare Board to serve as a platform between traders and the state government.
The Adani Group-owned Navi Mumbai International Airport is slated to commence international passenger and freighter operations from July 15. This marks a significant expansion for the airport, which began domestic services last December. Air India Express and IndiGo are expected to operate international flights, with customs readiness reviews already completed. The airport anticipates a substantial increase in daily passenger footfall and air traffic movements by the year-end.
England all-rounder Ben Stokes has announced his retirement from international cricket, ending a career defined by match-winning brilliance, iconic Ashes moments, World Cup glory, and a transformative impact on English cricket across all formats.
South Korea's World Cup group-stage exit has sparked a nationwide football crisis, with coach Hong Myung-bo resigning, President Lee Jae Myung ordering an investigation, and growing calls for sweeping reforms within the Korea Football Association.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is facing a severe leadership crisis as former minister Jyoti Priya Mallick resigned from all party organisational posts citing health, and senior North Bengal leader Goutam Deb stepped down as mayor of Siliguri Municipal Corporation, amidst widespread internal rifts and electoral setbacks.
For the foreseeable future, the most likely outcome remains continuation of the status quo. Taiwan will remain self-governing without formally declaring independence, while China continues to apply sustained pressure short of war, predict Krishnan Srinivasan and Manoj Mohanka.
'...because that protects their aviation industry.' 'The Boeing 787 is one of the most widely-flown wide-body aircraft in the world, and Airbus is running neck-and-neck with Boeing.' 'Airbus is not going to let an opportunity like this pass.' 'If a software problem with the 787 is confirmed, they will use it to increase their own orders.'
The Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) in Delhi has denied bail to two minors arrested in connection with the death of a man during a clash between two families on Holi. The board cited concerns about public peace, the safety of the minors, and the integrity of the justice system.
'The system is now under the CBSE's control with cybersecurity professionals and IIT officials overseeing it.'
The Indian Women's Hockey team secured a dominant 6-0 victory over Chile in the FIH Hockey Women's Nations Cup semi-final, with Navneet Kaur and Deepika scoring two goals each. This emphatic win propels India into the final, where they will face hosts New Zealand.
Police in Muzaffarnagar have booked over 20 activists, including the youth wing president of Hindu Raksha Dal, for allegedly vandalising a non-vegetarian roadside eatery. The incident involved beating employees, damaging property, and burning a flex board, with threats related to the upcoming Kawad Yatra.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who is expected to become India's youngest-ever international cricketer when he takes the field against Ireland in Belfast on Friday, will be provided separate changing facilities throughout the subsequent T20 series in England due to safeguarding regulations governing underage athletes.
Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg said fears that private investment in the Big Bash League (BBL) could lead to the tournament ceding control to Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise owners are overblown.
Pakistan's top table tennis players are dismayed after the national federation asked them to arrange their own funds for participating in the upcoming Asian Games in Japan, citing a lack of grants from the Pakistan Sports Board.
The Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister's announcement of four 'Namo Cities' aims to decentralise development and decongest Delhi, but experts warn that the initiative may face execution challenges similar to previous urbanisation plans due to inadequate coordination among NCR states.
British armed forces, including Royal Marine Commandos, intercepted the Russian shadow fleet oil tanker SMYRTOS in the English Channel, marking the UK's first such operation. The action aims to disrupt Russia's funding for its war in Ukraine, with the UK government highlighting the shadow fleet's role in sustaining Moscow's military efforts.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar lodged a strong protest with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio over US Navy attacks in the Gulf that killed three Indian mariners. India also summoned the US Charge d'Affaires in New Delhi regarding the incident.
A 16-year-old boy has been apprehended in Lucknow for the alleged rape of a minor girl. Police registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and POCSO Act, and the accused will be produced before the Juvenile Justice Board.
'A lot of people feel there is pressure on the AAIB not to go against Boeing or GE -- both enormous American companies.' 'If the AAIB implicates Boeing or GE, it will impact their sales.' 'If their sales are impacted, jobs are lost in the United States. No government would willingly do that.'
The Delhi Parents Association (DPA) has criticised the CBSE's On-Screen Marking (OSM) system for Class 12 answer sheet evaluation, alleging it was rushed, lacked adequate preparation and training for teachers, and led to discrepancies in results. DPA president Aprajita Gautam claimed the trial run was too short and feedback from teachers was insufficient.
