- Madhya Pradesh minister Kailash Vijayvargiya has claimed that former education minister Dharmendra Pradhan had offered to step down on the first day of the protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
- Former Karnataka chief minister and senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah has announced that he will not contest the 2028 Karnataka assembly elections, citing his advancing age, declining health and what he described as “growing corruption in politics.
- At least four workers were killed and several others injured in a massive explosion, suspected to have been caused by a gas cylinder blast, at a rod manufacturing unit in Assam’s Cachar district.
- Typhoon Noul made landfall in southern China’s Guangdong province, causing widespread disruption, prompting mass evacuations and triggering emergency relief operations as powerful winds and torrential rains lashed several provinces.
- The selection of India’s Test squad for the two-Test tour of Sri Lanka in August has been affected by multiple injury concerns and fitness issues involving several key players.
Here are top 5 stories of the day:
Pradhan offered to quit on first day of student protest? BJP leader’s big claim
Madhya Pradesh minister Kailash Vijayvargiya said Dharmendra Pradhan had informed the BJP leadership that he was willing to resign if the party believed it was necessary. “On the first day, as soon as the student agitation began, Pradhan had told the BJP president that if he felt it was necessary, he was ready to resign as education minister,” Vijayvargiya said. Read full story here
‘I won’t contest 2028 assembly polls’: Ex-Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah cites age, health, and ‘corrupt politics’
In a post on X, Siddaramaiah, 79, said he would remain active in public life but had decided not to seek electoral office again. “Since the political field has become corrupted today, I will not contest in the 2028 assembly elections.
CJP Jantar Mantar Protest Updates
However, remaining active in politics, I will continue to stand as a voice for the people’s hardships and joys,” he wrote. Read full story here
4 killed, several injured in massive explosion at Assam rod manufacturing unit
The blast occurred at around 11.30 am at the Kade Global Infrastructure LLP in Pangram under the Udharband police station limits. The powerful explosion ripped through parts of the factory, leaving multiple workers injured, officials said. Rescue teams, along with police and local authorities, rushed to the spot and launched rescue and relief operations. Read full story here
Baby crib sent flying, 800,000 flee: Typhoon Noul hits China, 10 dead; scary visuals emerge
Chinese authorities activated disaster relief measures and relocated more than 800,000 people in Guangdong, while transport services were severely affected in Hong Kong, where hundreds of flights and train services were cancelled.High-speed rail services and flights across Guangdong were also cancelled after the typhoon made landfall. Read full story here
India Test squad hit by injury crisis ahead of Sri Lanka tour; Bumrah, Sundar face fitness race
According to sources in the BCCI, in a big blow for India considering that there are likely to be spin-friendly pitches on both the Tests, off-spinning allrounder Washington Sundar is unavailable for the first Test due to a right hamstring injury. Read full story here
