Centre

• Financial markets are shifting focus toward the current earnings season, though investor sentiment remains vulnerable to crude price volatility and geopolitical tensions. • Economic stability is heavily dependent on the quality and distribution of seasonal rains, which directly impact food inflation, rural demand, and consumer spending. • Inflation has recently surged above the central bank’s 4% target for the first time in nearly 18 months, signaling potential economic pressure.

• The Monsoon Session of Parliament commenced today, with a schedule consisting of 19 sittings running through August 13. • The government's legislative agenda for the session includes key priorities such as the Vande Mataram Bill and amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA). • These proceedings are critical as the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha address significant legal updates and national policy changes.

• The Parliament's Monsoon Session opened with a clash between the Centre and Opposition parties over the government's recognition of the NCPI. • The NCPI is a newly formed party consisting of 20 rebel MPs from the Trinamool Congress (TMC), a move that strengthens the NDA's position in the Lok Sabha. • This political shift is significant as it pushes the NDA closer to achieving a two-thirds majority mark in the lower house.

• The Indian government has convened an all-party meeting this Sunday at 11 am in the Parliament House annexe to coordinate before the upcoming Monsoon Session. • The meeting aims to secure cooperation from opposition parties to ensure the smooth functioning of both Houses of Parliament. • Key agenda items for discussion include the NEET controversy, Sonam Wangchuk's protests, and the ongoing Ram Mandir row.

• Former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa joined protests at Freedom Park in central Bengaluru on Friday to oppose the Bidadi Township Project. • The event marks a significant political shift, as Yediyurappa has not publicly participated in an agitation of this scale since retiring from electoral politics in 2022. • The growing opposition highlights intensifying local resistance against the project's implementation and land use.

• Laala Bechetoula and Prof. Michel Chossudovsky held a video debate on July 15, 2026, focusing on the ongoing genocide in Palestine. • The discussion highlighted devastating casualty figures, reporting over 73,000 deaths and 173,000 wounded over a period of a thousand days. • The debate emphasizes the scale of the humanitarian crisis, noting that approximately 9,500 individuals remain trapped under concrete rubble.

Beira’s Place in Edinburgh, founded by the author, says claim was ‘deeply offensive’ as it considers legal actionAmnesty International UK has referred itself to the charity regulator over a report it published that described a sexual violence support centre founded by JK Rowling as “anti-rights”.The UK branch of the global human rights charity listed Beira’s Place in Edinburgh among more than 100 organisations it said were part of an anti-rights movement. Continue reading...