Siddaramaiah to Remain Karnataka CM, Shivakumar Backs Him Amid Speculation
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has firmly dismissed rumours of a leadership change, asserting he will serve his full five-year term. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, he said, “Yes, I will continue as CM. Why do you have doubts?” His statement follows speculation about a power-sharing agreement with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who was seen as a contender for the top post after the Congress’s 2023 assembly election win. Shivakumar, however, backed Siddaramaiah, stating, “What option do I have? I have to stand by him.” The Congress high command sent General Secretary Randeep Surjewala to Karnataka to address internal tensions, with some MLAs, including Iqbal Hussain, vocalising support for Shivakumar. Surjewala clarified that discussions focused on party organisation, not leadership changes. The party insists on unity to strengthen its government ahead of the 2028 elections.
India Reach 98/2 at Lunch on Day 1 in Edgbaston Test
India made a solid start in the second Test against England at Edgbaston, Birmingham, reaching 98/2 at lunch on Wednesday. After losing the toss, India were put in to bat by England captain Ben Stokes. Yashasvi Jaiswal led the charge with an unbeaten 62, including his 11th Test fifty, while Karun Nair scored 31 before being dismissed by Brydon Carse. KL Rahul fell early for 2, bowled by Chris Woakes, who delivered four maidens. India made three changes, resting Jasprit Bumrah for workload management and bringing in Akash Deep, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Washington Sundar. England named an unchanged XI. The Edgbaston pitch, with 11mm grass, offered early swing and bounce. India, trailing 0-1 after a five-wicket loss at Headingley, aim to level the series in this crucial World Test Championship match.
Dalai Lama Affirms Successor Choice, Sparking Clash with China
The Dalai Lama, Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader, has confirmed his successor will be chosen by the Gaden Phodrang Trust, rejecting China’s claim to control the process. Speaking ahead of his 90th birthday on July 6, the Dalai Lama, who fled Tibet in 1959 after a failed uprising, said only traditional Tibetan Buddhist practices should determine his reincarnation. The Gaden Phodrang Trust, based in Dharamshala, India, holds sole authority to identify the next Dalai Lama, he stated. China, which views him as a separatist, insists the successor must be approved by Beijing, using a “golden urn” ritual from the Qing dynasty. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning reiterated this stance on Wednesday, claiming the reincarnation must comply with Chinese laws. The announcement has reignited tensions, with Tibetan exiles and global supporters, including U.S. lawmakers, rejecting China’s interference.
Uber, Ola Can Charge Double Fares During Peak Hours Under New Rules
Ride-hailing platforms like Uber and Ola can now charge up to twice the base fare during peak hours, as per the Motor Vehicles Aggregator Guidelines (MVAG) 2025, issued by India’s Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on July 1. Previously, the surge pricing cap was 1.5 times the base fare. During non-peak hours, fares must remain at least 50% of the base fare. The guidelines also impose a 10% penalty, up to ₹100, on drivers or passengers cancelling rides without valid reasons. Uber welcomed the move, praising the ministry’s balanced approach to fostering innovation. The rules also legalise non-transport motorcycles for passenger rides via aggregators, pending state approval, addressing regulatory uncertainties in states like Karnataka. States must adopt these guidelines within three months, potentially increasing commuting costs in urban areas.
GST Rates on Essentials May Drop, Luxury Goods to Cost More
India’s government is planning a major overhaul of Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates, potentially slashing taxes on essentials like pulses, tea, besan, ghee, soap, and snacks from 12% to 5%, sources said on Wednesday. This follows record GST collections of ₹22.08 lakh crore in 2024-25, up 9.4% from last year, with May 2025 alone hitting ₹2.01 lakh crore. The move aims to ease costs for middle- and low-income households. Conversely, GST on “sin goods” like tobacco, liquor, and luxury cars may rise, with the current 28% rate and compensation cess potentially replaced by health and green cesses. The compensation cess, set to expire in March 2026, has a projected ₹95,000 crore surplus. Discussions on simplifying GST slabs are ongoing, with states to decide on adopting these changes by October 2025.
