The official X (formerly Twitter) account of international news agency Reuters has been blocked in India, reportedly “in response to a legal demand”, as per notice displayed by the social media platform.

However, a spokesperson for the government told PTI that there is no legal requirement made by it Centre to withhold the account, and it is working with X to resolve the issue.

Reuters’ X account is likely to be restored soon, the report added.

‘Working with X to resolve problem’

“There is no requirement from the Government of India to withhold Reuters and we are continuously working with X to resolve the problem,” the spokesperson told PTI.

An email sent to Reuters seeking comments did not elicit a response, the report added.ank

Reuters account among many others listed during Op Sindoor: source

The report cited other sources, who said that the demand for blocking of Reuters’ X account was made during Operation Sindoor in May. It was also among several hundreds other accounts listed for being blocked from access in India, but this wasn’t done then, it added.

The source added that Elon Musk-owned X seems to have now acted on that request and blocked Reuters’ X handle in India. However, since the issue is not relevant at present, the government has asked X to explain the blocking and lift the embargo.

“An order was issued on May 7 (during Operation Sindoor) but it was not enforced. X seems to have enforced that order now which is a mistake on their part. Government has reached out to X for resolving it at the earliest,” an official source said.

New Delhi: The official X (formerly Twitter) account of international news agency Reuters has been blocked in India, reportedly in response to a legal request.

Users attempting to access the handle @Reuters from India were met with a message stating: “@Reuters has been withheld in IN in response to a legal demand.”

As of now, there has been no official explanation from either the Indian government or Reuters regarding the nature of the legal request or the reason for the restriction. The page remains inaccessible within Indian territory, although it is still visible globally.

This move comes amid rising concerns over online content regulation and the blocking of global media outlets in India. In recent years, India has used legal mechanisms under its Information Technology (IT) Rules, 2021, to issue takedown notices to social media platforms and restrict access to content deemed sensitive or unlawful.

Reuters has not issued a public statement on the development at the time of writing. Media watchdogs and free speech advocates are expected to seek clarity on the legal grounds for the action.

More details are awaited as the story develops.

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The official X (formerly Twitter) handle of international news agency Reuters has been withheld in India following a “legal demand,” as indicated by a message displayed on its profile to Indian users. The reason behind the action remains unclear, as Reuters has not yet issued an official statement explaining the circumstances or nature of the legal request.

Reuters, a globally respected news agency, is part of the Thomson Reuters group and operates with a large network of over 2,600 journalists stationed in more than 200 locations worldwide. Known for its extensive coverage of global affairs, financial markets, and political developments, the agency plays a critical role in international news dissemination.

This is a developing story. More to follow…

The official X handle of the international news agency Reuters has been withheld in India. Users who were trying to access the handle @Reuters saw a message stating, “@Reuters has been withheld in IN in response to a legal demand.”

As of 11:40 pm on Saturday, the X account of Reuters World was also inaccessible. The reason behind the blocking of these two accounts remains unclear. Notably, while the main @Reuters X account is blocked in India, several affiliated handles, such as Reuters Tech News, Reuters Fact Check, Reuters Pictures, Reuters Asia, and Reuters China, are still accessible.

Reuters has yet to issue a statement regarding the blocking of its main X account in India. A response from Indian authorities is also still awaited.

The block seems to be limited to India, as the account remains accessible from other countries. It is still unclear whether this restriction is temporary or permanent, or if it is connected to a particular report or a legal directive issued against the platform.

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NEW DELHI: In a landmark agreement in defence cooperation, India and Australia have initiated a research project to enhance undersea surveillance capabilities, focusing on early detection and tracking of submarines and autonomous underwater vehicles.As per Australia’s Department of Defence, the agreement outlines a three-year joint project between Australia’s Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG’s) Information Sciences Division and India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO’s) Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory.The DSTG is a leading Australian govt agency, employing one of the largest number of scientists and engineers, who deliver advice and innovative solutions on matters of defence science and technology. The Department of Defence said the research project would explore the use of towed array target motion analysis technology to improve the reliability, efficiency and interoperability of current surveillance capabilities.DSTG senior researcher Sanjeev Arulampalam explained that a towed array consists of a long linear array of hydrophones, towed behind a submarine or surface ship on a flexible cable. “We need to harness the best minds in innovation, science and technology to build new capabilities, to innovate at greater pace, and to strengthen our strategic partnerships. The hydrophones work together to listen to the undersea environment from various directions,” the Department of Defence cited Dr Arulampalam as saying.The project is the latest milestone in increasing maritime domain awareness cooperation between Australia and India. It is significant within the Quad framework— consisting of India, Australia, US and Japan — which seeks to counter China’s growing maritime belligerence in the Indo-Pacific.The combination of target motion analysis with the towed array system is intended to manage noise corruption and explore performance improvements. The project would see novel algorithms being put to test, using the strengths and shared knowledge of the two countries. “It will involve the sharing of ideas, investigation trials, algorithm demonstrations and performance analysis,” Arulampalam said.The Department of Defence announcement comes after external affairs minister S. Jaishankar met his Australian counterpart, Penny Wong, on the sidelines of the Quad foreign ministers’ meeting in the US earlier this week.

States of Goa, Kerala and Assam are increasingly making the most of monsoon with several offerings to attract tourists in what has traditionally been known as ‘off-season’.

Goa tourism minister Rohan Khaunte recently announced promotion of alternative experiences that showcase ‘Goa beyond beaches’. The tourism department has launched monsoon campaign #GlowOnArrival as a season of rest, renewal and reconnection. From June to September, the state celebrates festivals and events like São João and Chikhal Kalo, which promote gastronomy, experiences and adventures like nature treks, plantation visits, and immersive village tourism.

Promoting Kerala as a year-round destination, the state tourism department is continuing multi-pronged efforts to encourage more family travellers, particularly from north India. The tourism department has launched a campaign ‘Hello Zindagi’ to highlight serene backwaters and wellness retreats, cultural immersions and holidays for kids and parents.

“Goa is steadily reshaping the narrative around monsoon tourism with monsoon months now emerging as a time for rich cultural experiences and meaningful travel. This evolving perception is reflected in the steady rise in tourist footfall during the rainy months,” Kedar Naik, director of tourism, Government of Goa, told FE.

Goa tourist arrival data also show a marked increase in the monsoon months. June 2023 recorded 6,35,768 visitors, while June 2024 saw 7,78,268; July 2023 welcomed 5,45,760 tourists, rising to 6,51,200 in July 2024; in August 2023, arrivals stood at 6,22,072, growing to 7,30,197 in August 2024.

PA Mohamed Riyas, minister for public works department & tourism, Government of Kerala, told FE, “This year, our focus is on responsible and experiential tourism, showcasing monsoon as a distinctive travel season. The focus is on ayurveda, nature-based experiences and sustained efforts across international trade fairs, roadshows, and digital campaigns to position Kerala as an all-season experiential destination. Kerala will be promoted as a premier destination for destination weddings and well-equipped hospitality infrastructure. We do expect higher footfalls, both domestic and international, this year especially during the monsoon season.”

Data shows around 7.38 lakh foreign tourists visited Kerala in 2024, which is significantly lower from 11.9 lakh in 2019, while domestic tourists spiked in 2024 with 2.22 crore as compared to 1.84 crore in 2019.

Kerala aims to revitalise its hospitality industry hit by last year’s landslides in Wayanad and push tourism with campaigns like ‘Revisit Wayanad’ to restore the reputation of the hill district as a premiere tourist destination. Wayanad tourism organisation is organising its 12th monsoon carnival – Splash 2025 – from July 11 to 14 this year.

“Monsoon tourism remains a complex but resilient segment of the travel industry,” said Ravi Gosain, president, Indian association of tour operators (IATO), the apex body of tour operators in India. “There is increasing interest in regions like Kerala, Goa, and the Western Ghats, which offer rich monsoon appeal coupled with robust infrastructure,” he added.

As per Rikant Pittie, CEO & co-founder, EaseMyTrip, “There’s a noticeable rise in demand for specific monsoon destinations this year compared to 2024, driven by a combination of price accessibility and experiential offerings. Cultural events like the Malabar River Festival and Alappuzha boat races in Kerala are elevating the region’s appeal, especially among experiential and cultural tourists. Coorg in Karnataka has seen steady growth with intimate nature experiences—like Dubare Elephant Camp—continuing to attract families and solo travellers. Lonavala and the Western Ghats are seeing surging interest, particularly from Mumbai and Pune, combined with the rise of boutique wellness retreats.”

Thomas Cook said there is a strong increase in demand this monsoon season compared to last year. “New-age travellers are interested in offbeat nature experiences like biking trips, hiking, rafting, waterfall rappelling/trekking. Monsoon locations in demand are Ooty, Coorg, Wayanad, Coonoor and Munnar; Western Ghats and coastal belt, Kerala, Andamans, Ladakh, Northeast India and Sri Lanka. Additionally, the reopening of key tourist locales in Kashmir is creating interest among Indians,” said Rajeev Kale – president & country head, holidays, MICE, visa, Thomas Cook (India).

The annual ‘Ambubachi Mela’ at Kamakhya temple in Guwahati, is expected to get footfalls of around 10 lakh devotees this year as compared to 7.5 lakh last year. The religious event held every year in June coincides with the monsoon season. “We are now promoting Assam as a wellness, MICE and weddings destination not just in monsoon but other seasons as well,” said Padmapani Bora, secretary, tourism department, Assam.

“The rise in footfall in monsoon for the mela is a healthy sign. We are also blessed with tourism products like Kamakhya temple that gets a year-round footfall. But Guwahati is now gearing up for a luxury boom with 11 five-star hotels in the pipeline aimed to boost tourism and hospitality, an initiative spurred by the Advantage Assam 2.0 summit and Rs 500-crore investment,” Bora told FE.

In 2024-25, Assam received over 85 lakh domestic and 27,000 foreign tourist arrivals. To promote the state as a year-round tourism destination, the Assam government has joined hands with online ticketing platform BookMyShow to organise national and international musical concerts, reimagining the state as a vibrant hub for global entertainment.

BJP to appoint new National President soon as organisational process nears completion

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) may soon appoint a new national president, as the party has completed the process of appointing the required number of state presidents in accordance with its constitution.

Since the conclusion of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, internal discussions have been underway regarding several potential candidates for the top organisational post. The current BJP president, JP Nadda, officially completed his term in January 2023, but it was extended until June 2024 in view of the general elections. His term has since been extended again, allowing him to continue in the post for now.

The BJP has so far appointed state presidents for 26 states, clearing the path for the election of a new national president.

Among the names being considered for the role are several party leaders and Union Ministers, including Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Manohar Lal Khattar, Bhupender Yadav, and Dharmendra Pradhan. BJP General Secretary Sunil Bansal and Vinod Tawde are also in the mix.

According to party sources, the BJP is considering three key factors while choosing its next president: organisational experience, regional balance and caste equations.

The party may soon form a Central Election Committee to oversee the process of electing the new national president. This committee would ensure the smooth conduct of nomination, scrutiny, and voting–if required.

The party recently began its internal organisational elections, starting with the appointment of state unit presidents nationwide.

According to the BJP’s constitution, district presidents are elected after elections are held in half of the party’s mandals (blocks). State presidents are chosen after elections in half of the districts, and the national president is elected only after state presidents have been appointed in at least half of the states.

On July 2, the BJP announced new state chiefs of 7 states and 2 Union Territories as part of the second phase of their organisational revamp.

The party had earlier appointed new state presidents in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Puducherry, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

In a rare show of unity, Uddhav and Raj Thackeray shared a stage after 20 years, vowing to “stay together” and accusing the BJP-led Maharashtra government of undermining Marathi culture and shifting businesses to Gujarat. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said Islamabad may extradite terror accused like Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar if India cooperates, but India maintains it has already provided sufficient evidence post-26/11.In other news, Nehal Modi, brother of fugitive Nirav Modi, was arrested in the US in the PNB scam case, with a status hearing set for July 2025. The Calcutta high court ordered cricketer Mohammed Shami to pay Rs 4 lakh monthly alimony to his estranged wife Hasin Jahan. And PM Modi, on a five-nation tour, landed in Argentina after 57 years, focusing on lithium, energy, and defence cooperation, with a visit planned to the Boca Juniors Stadium.Thackeray cousins reunite: Uddhav and Raj vow to ‘stay together’ Raj praised the unity of Marathi people and took a swipe at CM Devendra Fadnavis, crediting him for reuniting the brothers — something even Balasaheb couldn’t achieve. Both leaders accused the BJP-led government of sidelining Marathi identity and shifting key businesses to Gujarat, calling the move an attack on Maharashtra’s backbone and culture. Read full story
‘No hurdle if India cooperates’: Bilawal open to extraditing Hafiz, AzharSpeaking to Al Jazeera, Bilawal stressed the need for a comprehensive dialogue on terrorism. He claimed India hasn’t fulfilled procedural requirements, including producing witnesses in Pakistani courts. India, however, maintains it submitted ample evidence after the 26/11 attacks, which Pakistan ignored. He warned against India’s “new abnormal” stance. Read full storyNehal Modi arrested in US: Nirav’s brother held in PNB scam caseNehal faces charges of money laundering and criminal conspiracy. Authorities allege Nehal helped launder funds, destroyed evidence, and shifted gold and cash from Dubai. The ED claims he directed dummy directors to hide his identity and moved illicit funds via shell firms. He is also accused of aiding Nirav’s illegal activities. A status hearing is set for July 17, 2025. Read full storyShami ordered to pay Rs 4 lakh monthly alimony: Calcutta HC overturns lower court relief for Hasin JahanThe case, under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, must be resolved within six months. The previous lower court award of Rs 50,000 and Rs 80,000 was overturned. Following the order, Jahan criticised Shami on Instagram, accusing him of pride and neglect. The court clarified Shami may voluntarily support his daughter’s additional expenses if he wishes. Read full storyPM Modi in Argentina after 57 years; lithium, energy, and defence on agendaPM Modi’s agenda also includes a visit to Boca Juniors Stadium. This is the third stop on his five-nation tour, after Trinidad and Tobago, where he received the country’s highest civilian honour. His next destinations include Brazil for the BRICS Summit and Namibia. Argentina, part of the Lithium Triangle, is vital for India’s clean energy goals. Read full story