THE HEADLINES :-
- Two new anti-crime laws passed by West Bengal assembly come into force in the state today.
- ISRO successfully carries out three major tests of Gaganyaan crew module systems.
- Five Indian students win gold medals at 56th International Physics Olympiad 2026; India secures World No. 1 rank jointly with other countries.
- IMD forecasts heavy rainfall over northeast India, West Bengal and Bihar during next two to three days.
- US launches fresh strikes on Iran.
- Jannik Sinner beats Alexander Zverev to retain Wimbledon Men’s Singles title.
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In West Bengal, two new anti-crime laws come into force in the state today. State Governor R. N. Ravi has given his assent to the bill related to the control of anti-social activities. In June this year, the Assembly passed the stringent anti-crime Bills – The West Bengal Public Safety and Control of Anti-social Activities Bill, 2026 and The West Bengal Maintenance of Public Order (Amendment) Bill, 2026. More from our correspondent:
“Under West Bengal Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities Act, 2026 a person involved in anti-social activities, or one who is likely to engage in such activities in the future, may be placed under preventive detention. Such a person can be detained for a maximum period of one year.
The State Government says the new law will enable quicker and stricter action against anti-social activities, riots, attacks on police personnel, and organised crime. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has earlier stated that violence or disruption of public order in the name of protests will not be tolerated. He also expressed hope that the new law will play an important role in ensuring the safety and security of women and children. Sandipon Dasgupta, akashvani news, Kolkata.”
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The Indian Space Research Organisation says, it has successfully carried out three major tests of the Gaganyaan crew module systems. More from our correspondent:
“The first test pertained to ensuring an upright position for the crew module after splashdown in the sea, considered one of the most important crew safety requirements. To do this, a stored cold-gas-based uprighting system was developed and tested. The second test involved examining the separation of the umbilical mechanism that serves as a link between the crew module, where astronauts live, and the service module, which provides power and propulsion. The third test validated the structural integrity of the crew module during the apex cover separation event. YASHASWI KIRYAL, AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI.”
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Five Indian students have won gold medals at the 56th International Physics Olympiad 2026 which was held at Bucaramanga in Colombia from 4th to 12th of this month. With the exceptional performance, India reaffirmed the growing stature in science education and excellence at the international level. We have a report:
“Delivering an extraordinary performance at the 56th International Physics Olympiad, these young physicists have brought immense pride to the nation. The gold medal winners are Kanishk Jain from Pune, Riddhesh Anant Bendale from Indore, Rishit Garg from New Delhi, Shresth Suraiya from Mumbai, and Svarit Joshi from Ahmedabad. With this achievement, India secured the first position jointly with Russia, China, Kazakhstan, South Korea, and Taiwan among 381 students from 87 countries. The achievement reflects the strength of India’s Olympiad programme, spearheaded by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education which is a National Centre of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. With Anand Kumar, Saumya Sharan for Akashvani News, Delhi.”
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Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to attend the inaugural ceremony of the 11th Interpol Digital Forensic Expert Group meeting, alongside the first International Investigators Crime Competition and Summit at the National Forensic Sciences University campus in Gandhinagar today. Our correspondent reports that the prestigious global forum will have participation from top dignitaries including Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and law enforcement delegates from 47 countries.
“During the event, Mr. Shah will unveil three pioneering Centres of Excellence focusing on AI-powered financial crime investigation, crime scene management, and India’s first Media Forensics Centre. He will also launch Asia’s first indigenous Cyber Forensic Investigation Van, a Make-in-India mobile laboratory capable of real-time on-site evidence recovery. A major highlight of the event is a high-tech exhibition featuring cutting-edge cyber security tools from over 30 global giants including Google and Cellebrite. Aparna Khunt, Akashvani News, Ahmedabad.”‘
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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highway Nitin Gadkari along with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will inaugurate the Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway today afternoon. They will inspect the expressway and, inaugurate it at kilometer 49 in Unnao. A report
“The 63-kms, 6-lane Lucknow Kanpur expressway with India’s second longest elevated corridor is also country’s first expressway built with automated and intelligent machine guided construction technology. Equipped with AI-based speed enforcement, emergency call boxes at every two kilometres and two integrated 24×7 control rooms, the expressway is designed for speeds of up to 120 km per hour and is expected to reduce travel time between Lucknow and Kanpur to just 35-45 minutes. A car journey between the two cities will cost 275 rupees and two wheelers are not allowed on it. SUSHIL CHANDRA TIWARI, AKASHVANI NEWS, LUCKNOW.”
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Efforts to accelerate investment in Madhya Pradesh is gathering pace as a major event is being held in Bhopal today. It will attract leading technology companies, investors, startups, industry bodies and educational institutions from India and abroad. Our correspondent has filed this report:
“The MP Tech Growth Conclave 3.0 will be held in Bhopal today. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav will inaugurate the event. The main focus of the conclave is to promote investment in Global Capability Centres, Data Centres and the Semiconductor sector. The Chief Minister will also share the state government’s vision for technology based industrial development. Abhinav Goel, Akashvani News, Bhopal.”
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In Bihar, Heli and air tourism services are being launched today. Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary will inaugurate it from Patna. In the first phase, the destinations included under the initiative are Valmikinagar in West Champaran district, Maa Mundeshwari in Kaimur district, and Rajgir in Nalanda district. More from our correspondent:
“The service will be operated jointly by the Department of Tourism and the Department of Civil Aviation. From today, people can make bookings online. Under the scheme,with financial support from the state government, tourists can book tickets at subsidized fares:The state government will provide a subsidy of up to 15,422 rupees per ticket. The helicopter tourism service will commence on 18 July and will operate every Saturday and Sunday. SavitaPareek, Akashvani News, Patna.”
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India Meteorological Department has forecast isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall over north east India, West Bengal, and Bihar during next two to three days and isolated heavy falls over East Uttar Pradesh during four to five days. Fairly widespread to Widespread rainfall is likely over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura till 18th of July.
The weatherman said subdued rainfall activity is likely over the plains of northwest, west central and over south Peninsular India during next six to seven days. <><>
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The United States has launched a fresh round of military strikes against Iran. US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the operation is intended to further degrade Tehran’s ability to target civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. In a post on X, CENTCOM said, the strikes were carried out on the direction of the Commander in Chief to hold the Iranian forces accountable. The latest strikes come amid heightened tensions in the Gulf region. According to Iran’s Press TV, three explosions were heard in the southern Iranian cities of Jask, Bandar Abbas and Sirik following the US strikes.
US President Donald Trump asserted that Strait of Hormuz remains open to commercial traffic, dismissing Iranian claims of control. He also signalled a complete collapse of recent diplomatic efforts with Iran, revealing that a tentative agreement with Tehran has been shattered by Iranian military strike against commercial vessel.
Meanwhile, New Delhi has reiterated its call for immediate de-escalation of tensions in West Asia region, after attack on a commercial ship GFS Galaxy carrying Indian crew members off the coast of Oman yesterday. Condemning the attack, the External Affairs Ministry, said in a statement that out of 11 Indian nationals on board, 10 have been rescued so far, while one is reportedly missing. The Ministry said, the Indian Embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation and proactively coordinating with the Omani authorities in the ongoing Search and Rescue operation.
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In Thailand, at least 27 people have been killed in a fire that tore through a bar in Bangkok. The deceased include nine men and 18 women.More than 60 people are being treated in hospital. Firefighters were called to the scene just after midnight last night, and discovered patrons fleeing through the flame-enveloped front door of the venue.
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In Tennis, top seed Italy’s Jannik Sinner retained his Wimbledon Men’s Singles title, beating second seed Germany’s Alexander Zverev 6-7(7), 7-6(2), 6-3, 6-4 in the final at the All England Club, London last night. This is Sinner’s second consecutive Wimbledon men’s singles title and his fifth Grand Slam crown. Sinner became the 10th player to successfully defend the Wimbledon Men’s Singles title.
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England will resume their second innings from 130 for 6 in the historic one-off Women’s Test at Lord’s against India this afternoon.
Resuming the penultimate day with an overall lead of 269, India declared their second innings at 341 for 7 at the stroke of tea. Wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia became the first woman to score a Test century at Lord’s.
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In our bilingual live phone-in programme “Public Speak” at 09.30 tonight, we will bring you an insightful discussion on Significance of Rainwater Harvesting for Water Security and Groundwater Recharge with Archana Verma, Additional Secretary & Mission Director, National Water Mission.
During the programme, listeners can ask questions on the subject.
To participate, simply dial the telephone numbers 011-23310481 and 011-23717117 from 09:30 onwards tonight.
Alternatively, you can also send your queries via WhatsApp to the number 9289094044 or post your questions on X with the hashtag AskAir.
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AND NOW, FOR A LOOK AT TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS,
- All the dailies have reported about the re-escalation of the US-Iran crisis and an Indian seafarer missing as a ship hits in Hormuz. The Time of India writes “MEA condemns attack on tanker off Oman coast; 11 Indians rescued, 1 missing.”
- The Tribune mentions a Joint Parliamentary Committee’s recommendation for “Suspension, not removal of PM, CMs after 30 days in jail.”
- To make a presentation on the road ahead “CDS may soon present theaterisation strategy” states Hindustan Times.
- An editorial with the headline “Needed-A New Deal” in The Tribune, writes about India requiring an initiative like the ‘Manhattan Project’ where best minds are put together. It refers India’s private sector if given the proper environment, is more than capable of being globally competitive.
- “Foreign investors set to get a faster arbitration route” with country-specific-flexibility likely in new bilateral investment treaty taking shape, cites Financial Express.
- “Coach mitra App to track boarding, Raliway roadmap and counseling to improve passenger behavior” reports The Indian Express.
- “Small towns beat big cities in roof-top solar adoption” cites The Times of India.
- In a first of its kind project “Washington may soon house India’s story through immersive technology” writes The Pioneer presenting India’s contributions of its journey from Indus valley Civilisation to a nation on the rise, to the global audience.
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The mortal remains of the 15 Indian tourists who lost their lives in boat capsize incident near Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam will be repatriated from Ho Chi Minh City to India today via Vietnam Airlines flight VN979. The Indian Embassy in Vietnam, in a social media post said that the flight is scheduled to depart from Ho Chi Minh City at 6:00 PM local time and is expected to arrive at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport at 9:35 PM Indian Standard Time.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN :-
- Two new anti-crime laws passed by West Bengal assembly come into force in the state today.
- ISRO successfully carries out three major tests of Gaganyaan crew module systems.
- Five Indian students win gold medals at 56th International Physics Olympiad 2026; India secures World No. 1 rank jointly with other countries.
- IMD forecasts heavy rainfall over northeast India, West Bengal and Bihar during next two to three days.
- US launches fresh strikes on Iran.
- Jannik Sinner beats Alexander Zverev to retain Wimbledon Men’s Singles title.
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