The Indian government has increased the special tax on crude oil from 3,250 to 6,000 rupees (71.91 dollars) per tonne with effect from July 2, according to a statement released on Monday.
A dangerous and extremely strong Hurricane Beryl hit the Caribbean island of Carriacou on Monday after forming as the first storm of its strength in the Atlantic, fueled by record-breaking warm waters. A Delhi court on Monday sentenced activist Medha Patkar to five months in jail in a defamation case filed against her by Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena in 2001. The judge said that given Patkar's age and health condition, an excessive sentence of one or two years could not be imposed.
Three new criminal laws – Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam – come into force in the country's justice system today. These laws are intended to replace the colonial-era Indian Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code and Indian Evidence Act. Verdicts must now be delivered within 45 days of the completion of the trial and charges must be filed within 60 days of the first hearing. The three new laws allow any person, regardless of jurisdiction, to file a Zero FIR at any police station and allow online registration of police complaints and digital delivery of summons.
In France, Marine Le Pen's far-right Rassemblement National (RN) party is hoping to form a government and become prime minister after winning the first round of parliamentary elections, while President Emmanuel Macron's centrist forces came in third. The far right would need to win an absolute majority of seats in the new National Assembly in the runoff vote on July 7 to be sure of taking power.
Two women died and 11 people were injured after they were buried under the debris of a water tank that collapsed in a densely populated area of Mathura district on Sunday. One of the injured, identified as Nawab (35), was taken to SN Medical College and Hospital in Agra as his condition was serious, sources said. The incident took place at around 6 pm in Krishna Vihar Colony developed by the Uttar Pradesh Awas Vikas Parishad.
