News Headlines for CAT, CLAT and IPM aspirants
Source: The Hindu , Indian Express and others

Price of commercial LPG, 5-kg FTL and domestic ATF reduced as conflict pressures ease

Oil-marketing companies on Wednesday (July 1, 2026) reduced the prices of the commercial variant of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders by an average of ₹180 per cylinder and that of the five-kg free trade LPG (FTL) cylinders by approximately ₹13 per cylinder. In addition to this, prices of aviation turbine fuel (ATF) for domestic scheduled carriers have been slashed by ₹5 per litre to ₹110 per litre. The reduction in prices was the first sign of an easing supply situation with more than a hundred-day-long conflict in West Asia heading to a probable conclusion. Although the prices of domestic LPG remain unaltered.

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit takes charge as new Vice-Chief of the Air Staff

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, who served as the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff during Operation Sindoor, took charge as the new Vice-Chief of the Air Staff on Wednesday (July 1, 2026), officials said. He succeeded Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, who superannuated on June 30 after four decades of service in the Indian Air Force (IAF). Air Marshal Dixit was accorded a guard of honour at the Vayu Bhawan – the headquarters of the IAF – as he took charge as the new Vice-Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS). Before the ceremony, the air officer visited the National War Memorial and laid a wreath to pay homage to the fallen heroes of the armed forces. Before being appointed as VCAS, he was serving as the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC) at the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) in New Delhi.

Kerala Assembly passes resolution urging Centre to withdraw amendments to FCRA rules

The Kerala Legislative Assembly on Wednesday (July 1, 2026) passed a resolution urging the Union government to repeal the amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act and Rules, terming them “a breach of Constitutional provisions and federal principles.” Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan moved the resolution, which stated that the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, and the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Rules, 2026, would plunge voluntary organisations functioning in the country into a crisis.

Govt. issues notice to WhatsApp over username feature

WhatsApp’s new username feature — which will allow users to interact without exposing their phone numbers — is drawing skepticism from the Union government, with a senior official saying on Wednesday (July 1, 2026) that the government is worried about the potential for spam and impersonation. The government has sent a notice to WhatsApp, asking it to put the feature on hold for the time being.

World Bank scraps climate finance targets after U.S. criticism

Following disapproval from the United States administration, the World Bank Group (WBG) has indicated that it would do away with its funding target for climate-centric projects. Launched in 2020 and over a five-year period ending 2026, the CCAP mandated the WBG to allocate 35% of its total financing for projects that reduced emissions or helped communities adapt to climate change. The goal was increased to 45% in 2023.

Petrol, diesel consumption rose in June despite price hikes

Consumption of petrol and diesel increased 7% and 5.52% respectively in June this year on a year-over-year basis whilst that of aviation turbine fuel (ATF) dipped marginally by 0.6%, according to latest provisional data from the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC).

Trump says the U.S. and Iran ‘getting along very well’

U.S. President Donald ​Trump ⁠said on Wednesday (July 1, 2026) the United States ‌was getting along ‌very well ‌with Iran ⁠and that ⁠recent indirect talks in Qatar went ​well. “The ‌denuclearisation of Iran is moving along well,” ‌Trump told reporters. “They’ve ​had very good ⁠meetings, and we’ll see.” “We’re ‌getting along very well,” Mr. Trump said, adding the Iran ‌has “come a ​long way.”

Madras High Court sets aside appointment of 17 personal assistants to its judges

The Madras High Court on Wednesday (July 1, 2026) set aside the appointment of 17 persons to the post of Personal Assistant (P.A.) to its judges in 2023 after finding several “illegalities, irregularities and unnecessary relaxations” having been given to the in-service candidates thereby not letting anyone to be appointed through direct recruitment. Second Division Bench of Justices S.M. Subramaniam and N. Senthilkumar passed the orders while allowing a suo motu writ petition taken up by the court in 2024 to test the validity of the selection process of the 17 individuals. The judges held relaxation of recruitment rules made in favour of the in-service candidates was “unnecessary and unwarranted.”

Implementation of VB-G RAM-G without opposition amounts to failure in protecting Tamil Nadu’s financial well-being: Thangam Thennarasu

Implementation of the VB-G RAM-G scheme by the Tamil Nadu Government without any opposition against the Centre would amount to failure by the State Government in protecting Tamil Nadu’s financial well-being and its rights, said former State Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu on Wednesday (July 1, 2026). The Tamil Nadu Government should mount a formidable opposition to the Union Government regarding certain features of the new scheme that has replaced MGNREGA and would affect the State’s well-being.

Spain records more than 1,000 heat-related June deaths

More than 1,000 deaths in Spain were attributed to the recent heatwave that roasted Europe, as the country posted the hottest first six months ever recorded, officials said on Wednesday (July 1, 2026). At least 1,028 people died of heat-related issues during the heatwave, the public Carlos III Health Institute said. The figure was more than double the 407 deaths that were attributed to heat in June 2025, Spain’s hottest June since records started being kept, according to the national weather agency Aemet. The first six months of 2026 were the hottest in Spain since records began, with temperatures 1.6°C above normal on average, Aemet said in a post on X on Wednesday (July 1).

U.S. removes four Indian companies from Russia-related sanctions list

The U.S. has de-listed four Indian companies from its sanctions list, which were accused of supplying advanced technology and equipment for Russia’s military-industrial base. The companies have been deleted from the Office of Foreign Assets Control’s (OFAC) Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN) List. The four companies include Hyderabad-based RRG Engineering Technologies Private Limited and Lokesh Machines Limited, Ahmedabad-based Galaxy Bearings and New Delhi-based Shaurya Aeronautics Private Limited, according to details shared by the U.S. Department of the Treasury on Tuesday (July 1, 2026).

ENG vs IND 1st T20I: Rain forces abandonment; Shreyas, Abhishek shine as India scores 189/7

The first T20I between India and England was abandoned because of incessant rains here on Wednesday (July 1, 2026). ) Abhishek Sharma’s dynamic 59 and skipper Shreyas Iyer’s composed 68 helped India post a competitive 189/7, a noticeable change in their batting fortunes after churning out two underwhelming efforts against Ireland in the recent 0-2 series defeat.

FIFA World Cup 2026 | Belgium stage stunning comeback to sink Senegal in extra time

Youri Tielemans struck a 125th-minute ‌penalty as Belgium rallied from two goals down and defeated Senegal 3-2 ​after extra time in their World Cup last 32 clash in ⁠Seattle early Thursday (July 2, 2026) to keep alive their title hopes that had looked dead and buried.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Ecuador coach Sebastián Beccacece steps down after exit

Sebastián Beccacece has stepped down as coach of Ecuador following the World Cup elimination. The 45-year-old Argentine confirmed it after Tuesday night’s (July 1, 2026) 2-0 defeat to host Mexico. “My contract has to end with the end of the World Cup. For us, we are leaving now,” Beccacece said. “I believe the dressing room is full of brotherhood. I’m taking the love, respect, commitment and admiration from the boys, from this group of warriors, the Ecuadorian national team.” Beccacece was in charge for two years. He led Ecuador, which was making its fifth World Cup appearance, to the knockout round for just the second time after a memorable win over four-time champion Germany in the group stage.

Kerala Cricket Association lifts its 3-year ban on Sreesanth

The Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) on Wednesday (July 1, 2026) lifted the three-year ban it had imposed on former international cricketer S. Sreesanth last year for allegedly making defamatory remarks against the organisation. The KCA took the decision to lift the ban in its special general body meeting held during the day, a statement from the association said. The decision was taken based on the unconditional apology submitted by the cricketer, expressing regret for his remarks against the KCA, the statement said.