Tensions between India and the United States have escalated after three Indian mariners were killed in a US military strike on a merchant vessel near the Strait of Hormuz. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar raised the issue directly with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a phone call on Friday, reiterating India’s strong objection to attacks on commercial shipping. Jaishankar, who is currently on a Europe visit, said India had conveyed its concern over the deaths and described the use of lethal force against civilian vessels as unjustified. “Such lethal actions against commercial shipping are not justified,” Jaishankar said after the conversation. Rubio Warns Against Violating US Blockade Following the call, Rubio defended Washington’s position and said all commercial vessels operating through the Strait of Hormuz must comply immediately with orders issued by US forces. According to a statement from the US State Department, Rubio told Jaishankar that “violations of the US blockade and illicit transport of Iranian oil will not be tolerated.” Read the full report on theobserverpost.com

The Assam government has announced a major policy change regarding Aadhaar card issuance, deciding that Aadhaar cards will no longer be issued freely to individuals above the age of 18. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the move aims to prevent illegal immigrants from obtaining Indian identity documents. Speaking after a cabinet meeting on Saturday, June 13, Sarma said district officials will now require state government approval before issuing Aadhaar cards in exceptional cases for adults. “The step has been taken to ensure that no illegal Bangladeshis get Aadhaar cards,” the Chief Minister said. District Commissioners to Verify Exceptional Cases Under the new system, district commissioners will have to send proposals to the state government if an Aadhaar card is to be issued to an adult applicant. The final decision will rest with the government. Sarma said Aadhaar issuance in Assam has reached “saturation level”, adding that in some districts it has reportedly crossed 100 per cent coverage, raising questions about duplication and verification. Read the full report on theobserverpost.com

Police in Uttar Pradesh’s Shamli district have made another arrest in an ongoing investigation linked to an alleged illegal religious conversion case. Officials confirmed that the accused, identified as Taufiq alias Bhola, has been taken into custody and a “nikahnama” (marriage certificate) has been recovered from him. Superintendent of Police N.P. Singh said the arrest was made during the investigation into the alleged conversion of a man identified as Ayush Malik (also known as Mohammad Ali), who is at the centre of the case. Case Filed After Father’s Complaint The case was registered on June 6 after Ayush’s father, Devraj Malik, filed a complaint alleging that his son had been converted to Islam several years ago under the pretext of marriage. According to the complaint, Ayush was taken to Delhi, where a “nikah” ceremony was allegedly performed using forged documents. Police said the recovered nikahnama is being examined to verify its authenticity and legal validity, though officials have not disclosed further details about its contents. Read the full report on theobserverpost.com

Auto-rickshaw drivers in Delhi are tearing down posters of Donald Trump and the US flag from their vehicles after three Indian sailors were killed in a US military strike near Oman. The posters were part of the US Embassy's "Freedom 250" campaign to celebrate America's 250th anniversary, for which drivers were paid. The drivers are protesting the deaths, and India has lodged a strong diplomatic protest with the US over the attack.

The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has strongly criticised the handling of a 2019 terror and arms-smuggling case, after finding that the original First Information Report (FIR) was missing from the trial records. Observing that the submission of unreadable digital documents was “nothing but contemptuous to say the least”, Justice Rahul Bharti expressed concern over what he called serious procedural lapses that could affect the fairness of the trial. Missing FIR Raises Questions Over Criminal Trial Integrity The case came to light during the hearing of a bail plea filed by truck driver Sabeel Ahmad Baba, who has been in custody since September 2019. He is one of six accused in a case involving the alleged recovery of weapons from a truck intercepted at Lakhanpur. According to the prosecution, the search led to the recovery of four AK-56 rifles, two AK-47 rifles, and multiple loaded magazines. However, the court noted that the original FIR (No. 0061/2019) was not included in the final chargesheet, raising doubts about the completeness of the prosecution record. Read the full report on theobserverpost.com

A 19-year-old woman was allegedly stabbed to death by her father inside a police station in Uttar Pradesh’s Banda district after she refused to leave her husband, whom she had married against her family’s wishes. The incident, suspected to be an honour killing, took place during a counselling session at the Badousa police station. According to police, the woman had married a man of her choice from a different caste despite opposition from her family. The couple had reportedly been in a relationship for nearly four years and got married on May 18 before registering their marriage legally. After the woman left home, her family filed a complaint, prompting police to trace the couple to Madhya Pradesh’s Satna district. The couple was later brought back to Banda, where both families were called to the police station for counselling and discussions aimed at resolving the dispute. Woman Refused to Leave Husband During Counselling Police said tensions escalated during the counselling session when the young woman firmly told her family and officials that she wanted to continue living with her husband and would not end the marriage. According to investigators, her father had repeatedly objected to the relationship, claiming that marrying outside the caste had brought “social disgrace” to the family. Read the full report on theobserverpost.com

In Uttar Pradesh’s Siddharthnagar district, a young man was reportedly stripped and brutally assaulted in public after being stopped on the road by a group of men. A video of the incident has gone viral on social media, sparking outrage in the area. The incident took place under Dumariyaganj police station limits, where the victim, identified as Abdul Mateen, a resident of Khargaula village, has accused several men of attacking him late at night on June 3. ‘Stopped, Asked Identity, Then Attacked’: Victim’s Account According to Abdul Mateen, he had gone to Sekiua village to attend a wedding-related feast at his fiancée’s house. While returning around 11 pm, he was allegedly stopped near the village by a group of men who first questioned his identity and then launched a violent attack. “They first asked my name and address, and then started beating me mercilessly,” the victim alleged. He further claimed that the attackers, identified as Siraj, Rafiq, Sonu, Abrar and others, surrounded him, stripped him, and assaulted him severely. Read the full report on theobserverpost.com

A shocking murder from Bihar’s Darbhanga district has raised serious concerns about workplace safety after a Yamaha showroom manager was allegedly beaten to death inside his office. The victim, identified as Mohammad Faiz Ahmed, was killed inside the showroom located in the Ashok Paper Mill (APM) police station area on Friday evening. Police said the case was solved within hours, and the main accused, a former employee of the showroom, has been arrested. CCTV Footage Captures Brutal Attack Inside Office According to police, the incident came to light after disturbing CCTV footage from inside the showroom surfaced, showing the manager being attacked with a heavy motorbike shock absorber and other objects. Senior police officials said the accused, identified as Sonu Paswan, entered the showroom about an hour before the attack and waited for an opportunity. “He was previously employed at the same showroom and had been removed from service. The attack appears to be driven by personal enmity,” SDPO Rajiv Kumar said during a press briefing. Read the full report on theobserverpost.com

A video from Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri district showing an elderly Muslim hawker allegedly being forced to chant religious slogans by a youth has triggered outrage on social media, with members of the Muslim community demanding action against the accused. The incident reportedly took place in the Mohammadi area of Lakhimpur Kheri, where a young man allegedly pressured the elderly vendor to raise slogans associated with Hindu religious beliefs while recording a video. The clip, which has since gone viral, shows the youth repeatedly asking the elderly man to say, “Jai Shri Ram” and other religious slogans. The elderly hawker, appearing visibly uncomfortable, can allegedly be seen complying at one point after repeated insistence. Elderly Man Appeared Uncomfortable in Video According to social media users and local residents who reacted to the clip, the elderly vendor appeared nervous during the interaction and repeatedly tried to avoid the situation. In the video, the elderly man is allegedly heard saying, “You switch off the phone, I will say it,” suggesting discomfort with being recorded. Despite this, the youth reportedly continued filming and insisting that he repeat the slogans on camera. Read the full report on theobserverpost.com

This was supposed to be the most spectacular FIFA men’s World Cup in history. There are more national teams (48), more host countries (three) and more matches (104) than ever before. For 39 glorious days, billions of people around the world will be glued to their screens watching. FIFA has estimated it could result in as much as US$30.5 billion (A$43 billion) in tourist revenue for the United States, Canada and Mexico – the three host countries. Yet much of the pre-tournament gloss has been eroded by events that have taken place far from the playing fields. FIFA, the US and human rights This is the first World Cup where FIFA embedded human rights requirements into the bidding and hosting process. The problem is, 78 of the tournament’s 104 matches are due to be played in the US, where – according to many critics, including Amnesty International – xenophobia and performative cruelty have been guiding immigration policy since Donald Trump returned to the White House. Human Rights Watch reported that from January 2025 to March 2026, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 167,000 people around the 11 US cities that will be hosting matches. Read the full report on theobserverpost.com

A Muslim organisation in Madhya Pradesh’s Khargone district has demanded that cows be declared the national animal of India and called for a stronger nationwide law to ensure cattle protection. On Thursday afternoon, members of the Madhya Pradesh Muslim Vikas Parishad submitted a memorandum addressed to the President of India through the district administration at the Collectorate in Khargone. The delegation handed over the memorandum to Deputy Collector P.S. Agasiya, urging the government to frame strict legislation for the protection and conservation of cattle across the country. According to the organisation, a strong legal framework is necessary to ensure the safety and welfare of cows and other cattle. “Cow Is an Important Part of Indian Culture and Rural Economy” Speaking during the memorandum submission, the council’s state vice-president, Azizuddin Sheikh, said cows have historically played an important role in India’s culture, agriculture, and rural economy. Read the full report on theobserverpost.com

A Muslim organisation in Madhya Pradesh’s Khargone district has demanded that cows be declared the national animal of India and called for a stronger nationwide law to ensure cattle protection. On Thursday afternoon, members of the Madhya Pradesh Muslim Vikas Parishad submitted a memorandum addressed to the President of India through the district administration at the Collectorate in Khargone. The delegation handed over the memorandum to Deputy Collector P.S. Agasiya, urging the government to frame strict legislation for the protection and conservation of cattle across the country. According to the organisation, a strong legal framework is necessary to ensure the safety and welfare of cows and other cattle. “Cow Is an Important Part of Indian Culture and Rural Economy” Speaking during the memorandum submission, the council’s state vice-president, Azizuddin Sheikh, said cows have historically played an important role in India’s culture, agriculture, and rural economy. Read the full report on theobserverpost.com

बिहार में 26.4 करोड़ रुपये की लागत से बना बक्सर का रोड ओवर ब्रिज उद्घाटन के महज चार दिन बाद ढह गया। 12 साल के इंतजार और करोड़ों रुपये के खर्च के बावजूद पुल का इतनी जल्दी गिर जाना निर्माण की गुणवत्ता, निगरानी व्यवस्था और सरकारी जवाबदेही पर गंभीर सवाल खड़े करता है। इस वीडियो में हम समझेंगे कि आखिर इस हादसे के लिए जिम्मेदार कौन है—ठेकेदार, अधिकारी, प्रशासन या फिर पूरा भ्रष्ट तंत्र? साथ ही यह भी कि जनता के टैक्स के पैसे से बनने वाली परियोजनाएं बार-बार क्यों नाकाम हो रही हैं और जवाबदेही तय क्यों नहीं हो पाती।

A 62-year-old undertrial prisoner, Abdul Qadir, who had spent nearly 17 years in jail in connection with the 2008 Bengaluru serial bomb blasts case, died at Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Central Jail on Friday, just weeks before the court was expected to deliver its final verdict. Qadir, a resident of Karnataka’s Kodagu district, was arrested as the 31st accused in the 2008 bomb blasts case and had remained behind bars since his arrest. His death comes at a critical stage in the long-pending case, as the trial and final arguments had already been completed and the judgment was reportedly nearing completion. Supreme Court Had Set Deadline for Verdict According to Qadir’s lawyer, Advocate Rahman Irikkur, the Supreme Court had earlier directed the trial court to pronounce its verdict within four months. The deadline under the order was reportedly set for July 16. Irikkur said Qadir had hoped to finally receive justice after waiting for years in prison. “The Supreme Court had directed the lower court to deliver the judgment within a fixed time. Abdul Qadir was waiting with hope that after such a long incarceration, justice would finally come,” the lawyer said. Read the full report on theobserverpost.com

A Dalit woman from Uttar Pradesh’s Maharajganj district has accused a village head representative of assaulting her, abusing her with casteist slurs, and threatening to kill her. After allegedly receiving no help from the police, the woman approached the court, which has now ordered registration of an FIR in the case. The incident was reported from Lalkarpur village under the Bhitauli police station area. According to court documents, the complainant, Leelavati, wife of Deenanath and a resident of Lalkarpur, alleged that the incident took place on January 8, 2026, when she was travelling to her daughter’s in-laws’ house in Rajmandir. Dispute Over Money Led to Assault, Woman Claims Leelavati alleged that she met village head representative Ajay Patel, also known as Pintu, near a canal during her journey. She claimed that she had previously given ₹30,000 to the accused and had asked him to return the money. According to the woman, Patel became angry when she demanded the amount back. Read the full report on theobserverpost.com

A Hindu sage identified as Dulal Giri Ji Maharaj has reportedly spent years performing a standing penance, driven by his belief that the practice will one day grant him a glimpse of Lord Shiva, also known as Mahadev. According to reports, Dulal Giri left university life and embraced asceticism, taking a vow to remain standing continuously as part of his spiritual discipline. Some reports claim he has maintained this practice for nearly 12 years without sitting or sleeping on the ground, instead resting while standing with the support of a structure. Videos circulating online show volunteers applying ointments and disinfectants to his legs, which appear swollen from prolonged standing, as part of ongoing care for his condition.

Addressing a public event in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said action was taken after inappropriate remarks were allegedly made against the daughter of Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav. “A few days ago, I noticed that some people had made inappropriate comments against the daughter of Akhilesh Yadav. As soon as it came to my attention, I immediately instructed the police to register an FIR in the matter. No derogatory remark against a daughter should be tolerated,” Yogi Adityanath said. He further stated that no discrimination was made in the matter and urged Akhilesh Yadav to advise his supporters to maintain restraint in their language. The remarks came during Yogi Adityanath’s address at an event in Azamgarh.

राजस्थान के कोटा में कथित तौर पर नकली ऑक्सीटोसिन इंजेक्शन लगाए जाने के बाद पांच गर्भवती महिलाओं की मौत और कई अन्य महिलाओं की तबीयत बिगड़ने का मामला गंभीर सवाल खड़े कर रहा है। जांच में सामने आया है कि प्रसव के बाद रक्तस्राव रोकने के लिए इस्तेमाल किए गए इंजेक्शनों के नमूने गुणवत्ता परीक्षण में फेल पाए गए। इस बीच स्वास्थ्य मंत्री गजेंद्र सिंह खींवसर के बयान को लेकर भी विवाद बढ़ गया है, जिसमें उन्होंने मरीजों की पहले से खराब स्वास्थ्य स्थिति का हवाला दिया। विपक्ष और पीड़ित परिवारों का आरोप है कि जिम्मेदारी तय करने के बजाय मामले को हल्का दिखाने की कोशिश की जा रही है। नकली दवाओं की आपूर्ति, अस्पतालों की जवाबदेही और राज्य की स्वास्थ्य व्यवस्था पर अब गंभीर सवाल उठ रहे हैं।

Activists Sharjeel Imam and Umar Khalid have filed fresh bail applications before a Delhi court in the larger conspiracy case linked to the 2020 northeast Delhi riots, arguing that there has been no meaningful progress in the trial despite their prolonged incarceration. The fresh pleas were filed before a court in Karkardooma, which issued notice to the Delhi Police and sought its response. The matter is scheduled to be heard on July 4. Sharjeel Imam, who has been in custody for nearly six years, argued in his bail plea that there have been no significant developments in the case even after the Supreme Court dismissed his earlier bail application on January 5, 2026. According to Imam’s plea, arguments on framing charges are still incomplete, and the prolonged delay in trial proceedings has resulted in continued incarceration without substantial progress. “Despite the passage of more than six months since the Supreme Court judgment, there has been no meaningful progress in the trial proceedings,” the plea reportedly states. Read the full report on theobserverpost.com

Nearly four years after a mob lynching incident in Madhya Pradesh claimed the life of a Maharashtra man over allegations of cattle smuggling, a court in Narmadapuram district on Friday sentenced all 14 accused to life imprisonment. The verdict was delivered by Additional District and Sessions Judge Tabassum Khan in Seoni Malwa in connection with the August 3, 2022, killing of Nazir Ahmad, a resident of Amravati in Maharashtra. The court found 14 men guilty in the case and sentenced them to life imprisonment under charges related to murder, attempt to murder, rioting, and wrongful restraint. What Happened on August 3, 2022? According to the prosecution, the incident took place near Barakhad village in Seoni Malwa at around 1 am when a truck carrying cattle from Maharashtra was intercepted by a group of people. Police said the mob allegedly suspected illegal cattle transportation and attacked the truck driver and two other occupants. Read the full report on theobserverpost.com