Houthis Red Sea attacks: Chief Abdul Malik Al-Houthi, the real mastermind behind high-profile firing

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay launched the 'Tai Maaman Thangam Odam' scheme in Madurai, presenting one-gram 22-carat gold rings to newborns born in government hospitals. Over 2,500 police personnel were deployed in Madurai for the Chief Minister's visit, which included handing over rings to parents at Madurai Rajaji Hospital, visiting the renovated Gandhi Museum, and offering prayers at the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple. Effective retrospectively from 22 June 2026, the maternal uncle gold ring initiative prepared 1.28 lakh rings in its first phase, with an annual outlay of 756 crore rupees to benefit an estimated 4.41 lakh babies. Activist P. Saravanan approached the Election Commission objecting to the launch during by-polls in Dharapuram and Maduravani. The broadcast also outlined key welfare initiatives by the administration, including wedding assistance with eight-gram gold coins, the Annapoorna Super Six free LPG cylinders, free bus transit for women and transgenders, the Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme, the Vetri Bicycle Scheme, and free laptops for college students.

A political war of words has escalated between the BJP and opposition parties over the functioning and credibility of the Election Commission. The BJP accused Congress and Rahul Gandhi of consistently raising baseless questions against constitutional institutions after facing electoral rejection. In response, opposition parties including the Congress, Samajwadi Party, and AIMIM questioned the poll body's impartiality and handling of the special intensive revision process, specifically raising concerns regarding Form 6. Demands were also raised by the opposition seeking the resignation of Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging bias and loss of public trust in the institution.

A 28-year-old man was beaten to death with an iron pipe in broad daylight outside Paradise Hotel in Madhya Pradesh's Sagar district. CCTV footage captured the brutal attack, showing the victim struck multiple times on the head following an altercation. Bystanders attempted to intervene but failed to stop the assault. The victim succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. Police have launched an investigation using the surveillance footage to ascertain the motive behind the murder and trace the accused, who remains on the run.

A twenty-two-year-old sociology student from Guwahati University was found dead after being discovered unconscious at a homestay in Guwahati. Her boyfriend claimed she died by suicide by hanging herself from a ceiling fan, but police state his version is still being verified. Her father has alleged that she was sexually assaulted and that she had informed her mother about the assault before her death, while the boyfriend's parents have countered these claims. Family and friends staged a protest demanding justice and seeking the intervention of the Assam Chief Minister, while the Vishva Hindu Parishad has alleged murder.