- China’s mega dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet sits above an active fault line, with government-backed geologists warning of landslides and earthquake risks.
- The Assam government has proposed dismissing government employees found guilty of practising polygamy under new Budget proposals.
- The UK has designated Microsoft, Google, Amazon and Oracle as “critical third parties”, tightening oversight of their cloud services.
- Court denies Rajpal Yadav relief in the Rs 9 crore debt case, leaving his three-month jail sentence in force.
- Kerala student Sawariya Basanth’s death in Uzbekistan sparks probe calls after family alleges a forced conversion angle.
Here are the top 5 stories of the day
China’s Brahmaputra mega dam faces fresh fault line scare
China’s ambitious mega dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River faces fresh scrutiny after government-backed geologists warned it sits above an active fault line that could trigger earthquakes, landslides and structural instability. The findings by the South China Morning Post have renewed concerns over the project’s safety and its implications for downstream countries, including India, where the river flows as the Brahmaputra. The warning comes amid growing geopolitical tensions over Beijing’s upstream activities. Read full story.
Assam cracks down on polygamy with jobs, welfare ban proposal
The Assam government has proposed dismissing government employees found guilty of practising polygamy and denying welfare benefits to those following the practice. Announcing the measures in the state Budget, finance minister Jayanta Malla Baruah said the move aims to promote women’s empowerment and gender justice. The government also plans to bar people convicted under criminal laws from accessing notified welfare schemes. Read full story.
UK puts Big Tech giants under financial watch over cloud risks
The UK government has designated Microsoft, Google, Amazon and Oracle as “critical third parties”, bringing their cloud operations under direct regulatory oversight from July 13. The move aims to protect the financial system as banks, insurers and market firms increasingly depend on cloud services. Authorities warned that disruptions at major providers could affect multiple institutions simultaneously, potentially impacting services used by customers across the country. Read full story.
Rajpal Yadav gets no relief in Rs 9 crore cheque bounce case
Actor Rajpal Yadav has been sentenced to three months’ imprisonment in seven cheque bounce cases linked to a Rs 9 crore debt dispute. The Delhi High Court rejected his plea for a stay and ordered immediate custody. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma directed Yadav to pay Rs 1.05 crore to the complainant in each case, along with an additional penalty to the state. Read full story.
Kerala student killed in Uzbekistan; family alleges forced conversion angle
A 21-year-old Kerala medical student, Sawariya Basanth, was allegedly murdered in Uzbekistan by a fellow student, with her family alleging repeated attempts to force her religious conversion. Uzbek authorities have arrested the accused. After her body was brought back to India, a second post-mortem was conducted in Kerala following the family’s request. Police have registered a murder case based on a complaint filed by her father. Read full story.