The recent killing of prominent businessman Gopal Khemka in Patna has ignited a political storm in Bihar, drawing rare public criticism from Union Minister Chirag Paswan against the state’s ruling leadership, including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Paswan, whose Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) is a key National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partner, condemned the deteriorating law and order situation and questioned the effectiveness of governance in Bihar.

In an unexpected development, the X (formerly Twitter) accounts of Reuters and Reuters World were rendered inaccessible to users in India over the weekend, with the platform citing a "legal demand" for the block. However, India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) promptly denied issuing any such order, attributing the move to a possible technical anomaly.

Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region (NCR) are expected to experience light to moderate rainfall, accompanied by lightning and thunderstorms, over the next several hours. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for the capital, forecasting a maximum temperature of around 34°C and a minimum near 29°C. Areas including Pitampura, Lajpat Nagar, and Model Town are likely to see showers, while the broader NCR—spanning Ghaziabad, Noida, Faridabad, and Gurugram—has also been placed on weather watch.

An £85-million British F-35B stealth combat jet remains grounded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport following an emergency landing on June 14 due to low fuel and subsequent hydraulic failure. A specialized UK engineering team has now arrived in Kerala with advanced equipment to assess and restore the fifth-generation fighter.

The entertainment world was left in mourning after the sudden passing of actress and dancer Shefali Jariwala on June 27. Best known for her breakout appearance in the early-2000s remix hit Kaanta Laga, Jariwala's untimely death stunned fans and colleagues alike. In a deeply emotional tribute, her husband, actor Parag Tyagi, shared memories of their life together, celebrating her vibrant spirit, resilience, and boundless love. More than a pop culture icon, Shefali was remembered as a devoted partner, nurturing family member, and unwavering friend.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was warmly received in Rio de Janeiro by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as he arrived to participate in the 17th BRICS Leaders Summit. As the world navigates mounting geopolitical tensions, technological disruption, and climate urgency, India’s active presence at this pivotal gathering reflects its deepening role in shaping the Global South’s voice. The Summit is centered around inclusive and sustainable governance, with discussions ranging from global governance reform to artificial intelligence, health, climate, and financial stability.

In a significant policy pivot, OPEC+ announced a faster-than-expected rollback of its 2023 voluntary production cuts, with eight core members led by Saudi Arabia committing to increase oil output by 548,000 barrels per day (bpd) starting August 2025. This surpasses prior expectations and signals a shift from price preservation to market share expansion as global refiners ramp up processing ahead of peak summer demand. However, the alliance’s unity is showing cracks, with Kazakhstan exceeding its production quota by a wide margin.

Mahindra & Mahindra is doubling down on its ambition to redefine itself as a leading manufacturer of premium utility vehicles. With a renewed focus on design, performance, and technology, the company is preparing to roll out a slate of new internal combustion engine (ICE) and battery electric vehicle (BEV) models by 2030. Notably, three major SUV launches are set for 2025: a refreshed Mahindra Thar, an updated XUV700, and a brand-new electric SUV — the XEV 7e.

India’s foreign exchange reserves have climbed sharply by $4.84 billion, reaching $702.78 billion in the week ending June 27, according to data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This brings the reserves within touching distance of their record high of $704.89 billion, last seen in September 2024. The increase was driven predominantly by a substantial rise in foreign currency assets, while gold reserves registered a decline. Despite this headline increase, a steep fall in the RBI’s forward dollar book suggests caution ahead.

In a session marked by volatility, the Nifty 50 staged a late recovery on Friday, closing 56 points higher at 25,461 despite dipping to an intraday low of 25,331. Though the benchmark index posted a 0.69% weekly decline, the day’s rebound from critical support levels sparked cautious optimism. Gains were led by stocks like Bajaj Finance, Dr. Reddy’s, and Infosys, offsetting weakness in names such as Tata Steel and Eicher Motors. Sectorally, Oil & Gas, Realty, Pharma, and IT stood out.