- The Union cabinet has approved a tougher anti-paper leak Bill proposing up to 10 years in jail and a Rs 10 crore fine, signalling a major crackdown on exam fraud.
- At least 13 people are feared dead after a taxi was crushed by falling boulders in Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul-Spiti district, highlighting the dangers posed by monsoon-triggered landslides.
- The Centre has sought more time to decide on Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation as talks with NEET protest leaders ended without a breakthrough.
- Indian markets closed lower for a fifth straight session as rising oil prices, global uncertainty and foreign investor selling weighed on sentiment.
- Bangladesh President Mohammad Shahabuddin has resigned nearly two years before completing his term, adding fresh uncertainty to the country’s political landscape.
Here are your top stories of the day.
Cabinet clears tougher anti-paper leak Bill with stricter penalties
The Union Cabinet has approved amendments to the anti-paper leak law, proposing a maximum jail term of 10 years and fines of up to Rs 10 crore for offenders. The Bill also seeks to raise the minimum prison sentence from three years to five years and comes amid nationwide protests over alleged NEET irregularities. The government is expected to introduce the legislation in Parliament soon. Read full story
13 feared dead after taxi crushed by landslide in Himachal Pradesh
At least 13 people, including a six-month-old infant, are feared dead after a taxi was struck by falling boulders on the Sansari-Killar-Tandi road in Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul-Spiti district. The road had reopened earlier in the day after a landslide, but another collapse buried the vehicle, prompting a large-scale rescue operation. The incident comes as heavy rains continue to trigger landslides across the hill state. Read full story
Govt seeks more time on Pradhan demand after second round of CJP talks
The second round of talks between the Centre and the Cockroach Janata Party ended with the government seeking time until Saturday to respond to the demand for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. The CJP said the government had given in-principle approval to demands for compensation for affected families and withdrawal of legal cases against protesting students, but maintained that Pradhan’s resignation remains its key demand. Read full story
Sensex extends losing streak as oil prices and global concerns weigh on markets
Indian equity benchmarks ended lower for a fifth consecutive session, with the Sensex closing in the red and the Nifty50 slipping below 23,800. Investor sentiment remained under pressure due to elevated crude oil prices, Middle East tensions, foreign institutional investor selling and renewed concerns over US trade tariffs. Weakness in heavyweight stocks such as Infosys and HDFC Bank added to the decline. Read full story
Bangladesh President Shahabuddin resigns ahead of Hasina’s planned return
Bangladesh President Mohammad Shahabuddin has resigned nearly two years before the end of his term, according to local media reports cited by Reuters. His resignation follows reports of differences with the government and comes days after former prime minister Sheikh Hasina announced plans to return to Bangladesh later this year. Parliament Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad will serve as interim president until a successor is elected. Read full story
