1. NIA arrests man with IS links: With Independence day round the corner, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested Mohsin Ahmad, a native of Patna, at Batla House in Delhi with links to the Islamic State (IS). NIA has found that the man was collecting funds from IS sympathizers in India and abroad, and as cryptocurrencies, he was sending them to IS in Syria and other locations.
2. China’s retort to India’s objection over its spy ship: China has termed India’s opposition to docking its Yuan Wang 5 vessel at Hambantota port of Sri Lanka as “senseless.” It also urged India not to disturb “normal exchanges between the two countries.” Earlier, following India’s concerns over the Chinese space and satellite tracking ship, Sri Lanka had requested China to defer its visit to its port.
3. Punjab CM on new electricity amendment bill: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann has termed the center’s introduction of the new electricity amendment bill 2022 arbitrary. He has also called it another attempt by the central government to undermine the authority vested with the states.
4. Kapil Sibal says he has no hopes in the institution (SC): Speaking at a People’s Tribunal, Senior congress leader and Advocate Kapil Sibal said, as he is completing 50 years of practice in the Supreme Court, he has no hopes in the institution. He also added that though some of the SC’s judgments seem progressive, there is a huge difference in what happens on the ground.
5. Alliance partners BJP and JD(U) at loggerheads in Bihar: Amid speculation of a rift between BJP and JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar, senior BJP leaders met at the residence of the state’s Deputy Chief Minister. Meanwhile, CM Nitish Kumar has called a meeting with MLAs and legislators of the party.
6. IIT(M) sees a record number of placements: The country’s premier educational institution, the Indian Institute of Technology (Madras), has received the highest number of placements this academic year (2021-22).
7. China’s drills near Taiwan continue: China is continuing its military drills in Taiwan Straight after its scheduled completion date. The country said it will now conduct joint exercises focusing on anti-submarine and sea assault operations.
8. Kejriwal slams PM’s comments on Freebie politics: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has slammed PM Modi’s comments on freebie culture, calling freebies welfare schemes provided to ordinary citizens.
9. Zelensky calls proposed Russian referendum in Donbas pseudo: Ukrainian President Zelensky has said that if Russia goes ahead with referendums in the Donbas and other regions it is occupying, there could be no talks with the country in the future.
10. Report says 600 black children were strip-searched by London cops in two years: According to a report, London police have strip-searched around 600 children, mostly black boys, in the last two years. UK’s commissioner for children has said she was deeply disturbed by the report.