National News

Welcome to the Karnataka Today newsletter, your guide from The Hindu on the major news stories to follow today. Curated and written by Nalme Nachiyar.

The first leg of his visit will be to Indonesia, after which he will travel to Australia, where his main engagements will be held in Melbourne and he will conclude the tour with a visit to New Zealand

To come up at at Mynagappally, Kallumala, and Nalukodi

Bollywood star Aamir Khan is set to marry his girlfriend Gauri Spratt on July 5 in a private ceremony. The actor confirmed the intimate wedding, which will be attended by close family and friends. The couple has been actively involved in planning the event, which includes a marriage registration followed by a lunch featuring their favorite dishes. Khan expressed his desire for everyone's blessings for this special occasion.

Meta officials met with Indian IT ministry representatives following a government notice regarding WhatsApp's new username feature. New Delhi expressed concerns that the feature could facilitate cybercrime, including impersonation and fraud. WhatsApp has stated the feature is not yet live and will include safeguards like optional usage and reserved prominent usernames to prevent misuse. The government awaits a final response before allowing the rollout.

Chandrayaan-3's Pragyan rover has unveiled lunar soil that closely resembles the first confirmed Moon meteorite, ALHA 81005. This groundbreaking finding links the 'Shiv Shakti Station' with a meteorite discovered in Antarctica, suggesting a shared origin from a magnesium-rich lunar crust. Researchers propose that this material was raised to the surface during the ancient impact that created the South Pole-Aitken basin, providing valuable insights into the Moon's formative geological processes.

England has brought back Jofra Archer and handed a T20I debut to Josh Tongue for the second T20I against India in Manchester. The opening match was abandoned due to rain after India posted a strong 189/7, with Abhishek Sharma and Shreyas Iyer starring with the bat. Both teams now aim to take a crucial lead in the series.

Pakistani authorities have apprehended four individuals, including a relative of Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, in connection with the alleged gang rape of two foreign women in Lahore. The victims, from the Netherlands and Venezuela, reportedly met the main accused, Muhammad Raza Dar, during a cryptocurrency venture in Singapore. They were allegedly abducted and assaulted after arriving in Pakistan for business purposes. Investigations are ongoing.

Lauren Kyle McDavid posted an emotional goodbye to Mikayla Nurse after Darnell Nurse left the Edmonton Oilers. The message touched on years of friendship between the families and provided a glimpse into the personal side of NHL trades, showing how offseason moves impact relationships beyond the rink and locker room.

In a significant move, authorities have instructed Google and Apple to take down three Chinese battery management applications—BAT-BMS, Lossigy, and Epoch-i-ion—from their platforms. The apps have allegedly been exploited to remotely shut down battery-operated vehicles like e-rickshaws, endangering the livelihoods of drivers. This highlights a concerning trend, shifting the focus from mere data security to tangible interference with electric vehicles operating on Indian streets, prompting further investigative scrutiny.

Iran mourns its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, killed in recent Middle East conflict. His funeral, expected to draw millions and foreign dignitaries, is under heightened security due to potential attacks. Notably, his son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, was absent from initial ceremonies. Burial plans have been delayed amid security concerns, with events scheduled across Iran and Iraq.

The Winnipeg Jets’ star player Connor Hellebuyck has been dealing with rumors regarding his trade from the team after they signed Stuart Skinner, ahead of the new season. Amid all the mess, it seems the Detroit Red Wings and the Carolina Hurricanes have emerged as potential landing spots for the star player.

Indra Nooyi, a 70-year-old Indian-origin leader, attributes her ascent to CEO of PepsiCo to America's meritocratic system. From humble beginnings in Chennai, she navigated cultural and financial hurdles in the US, eventually transforming the global beverage giant. Her journey, marked by strategic brilliance and a commitment to 'Performance with a Purpose,' inspires women worldwide to pursue their ambitions.

A new development in the Ketan Agarwal murder probe sees police questioning a youth from Beed, identified as Chetan Chaudhary's friend. Investigators believe Chaudhary and Siya Goyal confided their alleged murder plan to him. The youth, who reportedly advised against the act, was contacted by both accused after the incident. Agarwal died after a fall from Lohagad Fort on June 18.

India's stance on the Indus Waters Treaty remains firm, with the agreement suspended due to Pakistan's continued support for cross-border terrorism. The MEA reiterated this position, emphasizing Pakistan's need to cease its sponsorship of terror. Meanwhile, India has communicated its views on the proposed Teesta River project to Bangladesh, assuring cooperation based on mutual understanding and consultations.

The Defence Ministry has greenlit significant acquisitions exceeding Rs 52,000 crore, bolstering national security. Key approvals include advanced anti-drone systems, indigenous anti-tank missiles, and enhanced air defence capabilities for both Army and Air Force. Naval and Air Force modernization also sees boosts with new mine systems, unmanned aerial vehicles, and high-altitude surveillance platforms, ensuring readiness against evolving threats.

California Governor Gavin Newsom's call for a nationwide billionaire tax has ignited a fierce online debate with tech titans Elon Musk and David Sacks. Newsom argues a federal approach is necessary to prevent the ultra-wealthy from relocating to avoid state taxes. Musk responded with a mocking meme, to which Newsom retorted about taxing trillionaires. Sacks criticized Newsom for not blocking a state-level "Billionaire Tax Act," suggesting a move to Texas.