Here are the latest news and big news stories to follow - The Hindu

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited Japanese companies to participate in India's ambitious plan to develop a 7,000-kilometre national high-speed rail network. • Japan has reaffirmed its support for the 2027 timeline for the completion of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project.

• Japanese Press Secretary Toshihiro Kitamura emphasized the need for India and Japan to collaborate closely to address regional instability and ensure energy security. • Kitamura highlighted that recent developments in Iran and tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz have significant implications for Asian economies, including Japan.

• Japanese Press Secretary Toshihiro Kitamura has called for strengthened cooperation between India and Japan to enhance regional energy and economic security. • The initiative, referred to as 'POWERR Asia,' aims to build resilience against supply chain disruptions, specifically citing threats to the Strait of Hormuz amid tensions between the U.S. and Iran.

• Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has accused the BJP of misappropriating funds donated to the Ayodhya Ram Temple. • Thackeray alleges that these stolen funds are being used to "purchase" MPs and MLAs to weaken political opponents.

• Pakistan's electronic media regulator has suspended Geo News' transmission for 15 days following a ruling that its documentary, Safar-e-Ishq, violated broadcasting regulations regarding religious visualizations. • In Indonesia, the Legal Aid Institute for the Press is criticizing a proposed Copyright Law revision, warning that it could expose journalists to lawsuits and create legal uncertainty.

• RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale expressed deep anger and pain on Friday regarding the alleged embezzlement of donations intended for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. • The organization has called upon the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to take strict legal action against all individuals found guilty of financial misconduct.

• The Election Commission announced on July 2, 2026, that byelections for three Assembly constituencies across Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat are scheduled for July 30. • In New Delhi today, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj is hosting a National Workshop for State Panchayati Raj Ministers to discuss recommendations from the Sixteenth Finance Commission.

• A group of Democratic governors has formally requested that the U.S. Postal Service withdraw a proposed rule designed to implement an executive order from President Donald Trump. • The contested rule seeks to establish a federal list of eligible voters, which could potentially restrict the number of individuals permitted to receive mail-in ballots.

• In a 6-3 decision on Tuesday, the Supreme Court struck down limits on campaign expenditures made by political parties in coordination with candidates. • This ruling expands the legal precedent set by Citizens United v. FEC, further removing restrictions on how money flows into political campaigns.

• A news quiz highlights a mystery involving the misappropriation of $14 million in taxpayer funds. • The investigation focuses on the deterioration of the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool, which is cracking and peeling despite being coated in polyurea waterproofing.

• The United States is celebrating its 250th anniversary this weekend, with various government entities and media outlets adopting specific terminology for the milestone. • The Supreme Court struck down an executive order from President Trump that sought to limit birthright citizenship, affirming that the right is protected by the Constitution.