On July 9, 2025, fans were caught off guard by heartwarming news from Italy. A young NFL quarterback, known for his calm game presence, made headlines but this time, off the field. A photo surfaced showing him in a romantic setting, kneeling with a ring. The background was peaceful, the moment was personal, and the questions began. Who was the player? Who was the person beside him? And what made this trip so special? The answers came quickly and they made people smile everywhere. Here’s what really happened.

Rookie quarterback Riley Leonard, who was picked by the Indianapolis Colts in April, surprised fans this week. On Wednesday, he got engaged to his high school sweetheart, Molly Walding, in beautiful Lake Como, Italy. Riley Leonard and Molly Walding have been dating since their high school days in Fairhope, Alabama, starting in 2017.They first met at Fairhope High School and stayed together through college. Riley Leonard played at Duke and Notre Dame, while Molly Walding studied public relations at Auburn University. On a sunny afternoon in Italy, Riley Leonard got down on one knee and asked Molly to marry him. He shared the moment on Instagram, writing: “Diamonds make pressure.” Molly Walding showing off her new ring, replied, “Best day of my life!!!!! I love you!!!”.They posed in matching white outfits, holding each other by the lake. Photos show Molly Walding smiling wide and Riley Leonard looking proud and happy.

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Molly Walding was more than just a cheerleader in high school, she was Riley Leonard’s biggest fan since they were both 14 years old. They made the long-distance relationship work even when Riley Leonard moved to Duke in North Carolina and then Notre Dame in Indiana, and Molly stayed at Auburn in Alabama. Friends and followers often saw them sharing sweet posts, like Molly Walding saying “Newest @colts fan!!!!!!!” after Riley Leonard’s NFL draft.This engagement in Italy is now the biggest step in their shared journey. It comes just two weeks before Riley Walding starts training camp with the Indianapolis Colts on July 22, 2025. Fans are excited to see Riley Leonard balance a new NFL season with a new chapter in his life.

NEW DELHI: While Aadhaar was conceived as an identity proof, and not as proof of citizenship, allowing onboarding without real scrutiny, recent moves have meant that only verified adults can enrol for the unique ID. Besides, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is going to tap the online database for passport, ration cards, and birth and matriculation certificates in the future for enrolment of adults and also for updates to ensure that Aadhaar remains foolproof.While Section 9 of the Aadhaar Act states that it is not evidence of citizenship or domicile, the new tools are seeking to ensure only citizens get the unique number.Over the last 15 years, over 140 crore Aadhaars have been generated, including for those who have died, and there is near adult saturation. With infants also now getting Aadhaar soon after birth, govt has decided to tighten the norms for new adult registrations.To thwart attempts by illegal immigrants to get the unique ID based on forged or fake documents, for the last couple of years, the onus has been on states to verify credentials and that Aadhaar is only issued after rigorous checks through a state portal.In the past, there were concerns over illegal immigrants getting Aadhaar and then using it for other purposes, including other IDs. “It is going to be difficult for any illegal immigrant to now get Aadhaar,” argued an official, indicating a shift from the relaxed, if existent at all, rules of enrolment.Sources said that even if illegal immigrants use Aadhaar to clear the SIR of electoral rolls, there is little possibility of new ones being able to use that as the launchpad for acquiring documents, and most crucially, citizenship.A new tool developed by UIDAI is also going to put a second layer of check for updates as well as enrolments by tapping into documents available online, such as driving licenses, PAN, MNREGS details, and going forward, things like electricity bill. These documents are also in line with the prescriptions for centralized KYC, and ensure a homogenous identity.

New Delhi, July 10, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls for greater transparency and due process in how Indian authorities handle social media restrictions, following reports of the temporary block of multiple international news organizations’ X accounts over the weekend. X accused the Indian government of censoring the press. 

“This incident once again underscores the serious lack of transparency and accountability in how the Indian government issues and enforces orders for the removal of social media content and the blocking of accounts,” said Kunāl Majumder, CPJ’s India representative. “Any action affecting journalists or news organizations must be based on clear legal grounds, be subject to independent judicial oversight, and not infringe on press freedom. India still lacks a credible mechanism to review or challenge these opaque and arbitrary orders.”

On July 5, two of Reuters’ handles, @Reuters and @ReutersWorld, were blocked, with X saying the accounts were obstructed “due to legal demands.” Several reports also suggest that accounts of Turkish broadcaster TRT World and the Chinese state media outlet Global Times were censored. The accounts were restored the next day. A government official speaking on condition of anonymity told CPJ that the authorities had not issued any orders to block the accounts and that they were engaging with X to get them restored. 

However, in a July 8 post, X countered the Indian claim and said that on July 3, the Indian authorities had ordered the platform to block 2,355 accounts. X also expressed concerns about “ongoing press censorship in India due to these blocking orders.” X has already sued the Indian government over a new official portal that it says grants “countless” government officials expanded powers to issue takedown orders.

The Indian government denied issuing any recent blocking order against Reuters and others and said the accounts were unintentionally restricted due to a previously issued directive that was part of broader digital enforcement measuresimplemented in the wake of heightened national security concerns. 

Authorities said they’d asked X to restore access immediately and blamed a 21-hour delay on the platform for the continued impediment.

In May 2025, X expressed concern about the Indian government’s demand to block over 8,000 accounts, and asked for such executive orders to made public.

X and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology did not reply to CPJ’s emails seeking comment. 

NEW DELHI: The ministry of external affairs (MEA) on Thursday condemned remarks made by Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent five-nation tour, calling them “irresponsible and regrettable.” Without directly naming Mann, the MEA disassociated the central government from the statements, which it said undermined India’s ties with friendly nations from the Global South.“We have seen some comments made by a high state authority about India’s relations with friendly countries from the Global South. These remarks are irresponsible and regrettable and do not behove the state authority,” said MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. “Government of India disassociates itself from such unwarranted comments that undermine India’s ties with friendly countries,” he added.The response came shortly after Mann made a series of sarcastic remarks to the media, questioning the relevance of the Prime Minister’s visit to countries such as Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil and Namibia. Taking a swipe at the destinations, Mann joked that Modi may as well have been visiting places called “Magnesia,” “Galveaisa,” or “Tarvesia.”Also read: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann’s odd jibe at PM Modi’s foreign trips; says PM doesn’t stay in India, visits small countries“PM has gone somewhere. I think it is Ghana. He is going to be back and he is welcome. God knows which countries he keeps visiting — ‘Magnesia’, ‘Galveaisa’, ‘Tarvesia’,” Mann said. “He does not stay in a country with 140 crore people. He is visiting countries where the population is 10,000 and he is getting the ‘highest awards’ there. Here, 10,000 people gather to watch a JCB… What has he gotten himself into!…,” he added.Mann’s comments coincided with PM Modi’s return from a landmark tour spanning two continents, where he focused on building stronger partnerships with key nations in the Global South. In Ghana, Modi was conferred the “Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana,” while in Trinidad and Tobago — the first visit by an Indian PM in over two decades — he addressed Parliament and was honoured with the “Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.”PM Modi’s visit to Argentina was the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 57 years. Talks centred on critical minerals, energy, and digital platforms. Argentina expressed interest in adopting India’s UPI system. In Brazil, Modi attended the BRICS Summit and received the “Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross.” Namibia became the first country to adopt India’s UPI platform and awarded PM Modi the “Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis.”

The tabling of the Bill to amend the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) in the upcoming monsoon session of Parliament now looks uncertain, given that “there has been no consultations with stakeholders till date on the draft Bill,” according to an official source. The ministry of corporate affairs has not yet prepared the final Bill, the source added.

Sources had earlier indicated that the Bill would be pushed for consideration and passage in the monsoon session.  

The key aspect of the amendments includes changes in the crucial section 31(4) of the IBC that mandates the approval of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) before the committee of creditors approves a resolution plan involving “combinations”. This amendment follows a Supreme Court ruling in January 2025 that rejected AGI Greenpac Ltd’s bid to acquire the insolvent Hindustan National Glass (HNG) owing to its failure to secure a prior approval from the CCI.

The long-pending amendments also plan to introduce three new provisions such as group insolvency that will allow joint insolvency resolution of multiple entities of a single corporate group and cross-border insolvency that will provide a structured mechanism in dealing with bankruptcy cases across countries. Creditor-led resolution process (CLRP) that will allow creditor-driven, out-of-court settlements. Some other likely changes to the IBC include modification in the 14-day timeline for admission of applications and equitable treatment for operational creditors with financial creditors.

Experts said that these amendments are aimed at bringing clarity to the existing provisions, introduce new regulations to deal with the practical challenges, and to speed up the resolution process.

The effectiveness of IBC in speedy resolution of the bankruptcy cases is frequently challenged. For instance, the average time for approval of resolution plans increased to 850 days in FY25 from 611 days in FY23. In a recent report, ratings agency ICRA said that the prolonged period for resolution of cases has been a key factor in the muted recovery seen under the IBC as the delays erode the value of the assets. “While there has been some improvement in recovery in FY25, the haircuts faced by lenders continue to be high at 67% on an overall basis,” the report said.

Though some timely interventions by the government have helped in improving the IBC’s track record. According to the RBI report on Trend and Progress of Banking in India (December 2024), the IBC has emerged as the dominant recovery route, accounting for 48% of all recoveries made by banks, followed by the SARFAESI Act (32%), Debt Recovery Tribunals (17%), and Lok Adalats (3%) in FY24. So far, the government has made six amendments to the IBC in addition to a host of other changes in the regulations, since the enactment of IBC in 2016.

NEW DELHI: Union home minister Amit Shah on Thursday said that the Centre has approved Rs 1,066.80 crore as relief for states affected by floods and landslides this year. He confirmed that the funding would be disbursed under the central share of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and cover six states: Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Kerala, and Uttarakhand.In a post on X, Shah wrote, “Modi govt stands resolutely beside the states in all situations. Today the central government has approved Rs 1066.80 crore for flood- and landslide-affected states of Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Kerala, and Uttarakhand as part of the Central share under SDRF.”

He added that over Rs 8,000 crore from SDRF/NDRF funds has been released to 19 states this year, and said that “providing all logistic assistance, including deployment of requisite NDRF, Army, and Air Force, has been our priority.”The announcement comes as several states continue to struggle with the aftermath of intense monsoon rainfall and landslides. The Indian Army has ramped up humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations under *Operation Jal Rahat-2*, particularly across the northeastern states. In total, 40 relief columns have been deployed, rescuing 3,820 people so far, supplying more than 15,000 water bottles and 1,361 food packets, and offering medical care to over 2,000 people.In Himachal Pradesh, the army has mobilised its columns in the flood-hit Mandi district. A brigade commander is currently stationed there to oversee operations, with relief supplies already reaching cut-off villages like Degi, Rushad, and Chapad. Himachal Pradesh has suffered damages exceeding Rs 740 crore since June 20 due to excessive rain, with multiple cloudbursts and landslides claiming lives and destroying property.Despite some areas seeing water levels recede, the army remains on alert in Assam, Nagaland and Manipur, where rivers like Dhansiri and Nambol breached danger levels earlier this week.

NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Thursday engaged in a war of words over Bengal and illegal Bangladeshis. The political storm erupted after TMC alleged BJP of “witch hunting” Bengalis in Delhi after branding them as “Bangladeshis.” The political slugfest between BJP and TMC begin over allegations that around 1,200 Bengali-speaking resident’s in Delhi’s Vasant-Kunj, reportedly from West Bengal’s Cooch Behar, have been cut off from basic amenities and are being falsely branded as “Bangladeshis.” Taking to X, TMC launched a scathing attack on BJP, saying that its desperate pursuit of Bengal will always end in failure as PM Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah pretend to care about Bengal, but their party “harbours deep-rooted contempt for our people.”“This witch-hunt is being spearheaded by BJP’s lumpen land mafia, backed by DDA and enabled by CM Rekh and protected by Delhi Police,” TMC said further.

The party further took a cultural jab, saying, “That, right there, is why golgappa will never become phuchka. And BJP will NEVER win Bengal.” BJP calls it fake news BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya defended the action in Vasant Kunj, asserting that the action is being taken after a court order, claiming it a “fake news.” He further said that the “settlement in question is illegal, and the law is simply being enforced.” He further mentioned a recent crackdown in the area where 26 illegal Bangladeshis were apprehended. “It is no coincidence that just days ago, 26 illegal Bangladeshis were apprehended from this very area,” he said. Taking a jibe at Mamata Banerjee, he said that Bengal CM “equates genuine residents of West Bengal with illegal infiltrators.” “Bangladeshis who have flooded into India using fraudulent Aadhaar and ration cards, mostly issued in 24 North Parganas,” he added. “Stop insulting Bengal. Stop protecting illegality,” he said.

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday asked petitioners to refrain from terming the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls by the Election Commission in poll-bound Bihar as “artificial” or “imaginary.” However, the top court questioned the timing of the exercise.A partial working day (PWD) bench comprising Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Joymalya Bagchi said that “there is logic” behind the exercise carried out by the poll body.Also read: ‘Should have acted early if …’: What SC said on Bihar voter revision rowHowever, the apex court raised concerns over the exclusion of Aadhaar in the 11 listed documents required to proof citizenship in the state. It questioned EC focus citizenship, noting that such matters fall under the jurisdiction of the home ministry.“Why are you getting into the citizenship issue in the special revision of electoral rolls in Bihar? It is the domain of the MHA,” the bench asked the poll body.“If you are to check citizenship under the SIR of electoral rolls in Bihar, then you should have acted early; it is a bit late,” it added.Election Commission told the Supreme Court that citizenship is required to be verified to qualify as a voter in India under Article 326 of the Constitution.The bench further questioned why the SIR of electoral rolls in Bihar was undertaken so close to the upcoming assembly elections at the end of the year.The court observed that there is nothing wrong with the SIR exercise itself but emphasized that it should have been conducted independently of the ensuing election.The announcement of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar by the Election Commission has stirred a fresh political bickering match in the state, which is scheduled to go into a high-stakes assembly election at the end of the year.The poll body has taken up the task of weeding out illegal foreign migrants from the voting lists of six states — starting with Bihar.According to the poll body, it is part of a crackdown on illegal immigrants from countries like Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.“The Constitution of India is supreme. All citizens, political parties, and the Election Commission of India follow the Constitution,” the EC said in a statement.The EC said the special revision has already started successfully in Bihar for verifying the eligibility of each elector with the “full participation” of all political parties.The poll panel said it already has nearly 78,000 Booth-Level Officers (BLOs) and is appointing over 20,000 more for new polling stations.

Last Updated:July 10, 2025, 11:34 IST

Industry experts say the actual implementation of the 200% pharmaceutical duties may take effect only by mid-to-late 2026, giving India time to negotiate or seek phased rollouts

The Indian pharmaceutical industry has reacted sharply to US President Donald Trump’s proposal to impose a 200 per cent tariff on drug imports from India “very soon”, calling it “absurd and self-defeating”.

During a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Trump said: “They’re going to be tariffs at a very high rate, like 200%. We give people about a year, year-and-a-half. We’ll give them a certain period of time to get their act together.”

While the August 1 deadline is firm for formal notification of tariffs, industry experts point out that the actual implementation of the 200 per cent pharmaceutical duties may take effect only by mid-to-late 2026, giving India time to negotiate or seek phased rollouts.

Industry officials told News18 that while they are actively monitoring the situation, Trump’s threats are no longer being taken very seriously.

“He is inconsistent and unpredictable. We don’t know what he will announce tomorrow,” said Ravi Udaya Bhaskar, former Director-General of the commerce ministry’s Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil).

“This would hurt American interests far more than Indian pharmaceutical manufacturers. We surrendered to Trump from the day he assumed office. Not even once did we leverage our strength as a global hub for cost-effective generic medicines, despite the US’s dependence on us,” said Bhaskar, who is now director general, All India Drugs Control Officers’ Training Academy (AIDCOC).

Data shows Indian generics saved $1.3 trillion between 2013 to 2022 for the US economy, making it very clear who benefitted more. According to the data by IQVIA, in 2022, savings from Indian generics amounted to a staggering $219 billion. During the same year, as per the data from the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCI), India’s exports to the US stood at around $7.1 billion

Industry stakeholders also criticised Trump for what they described as a pattern of “weaponising tariffs”—noting that he has also threatened BRICS countries with an additional 10 per cent tariff, targeting India, China, Brazil, Russia, and South Africa.

Concerned, But Not Panicking: Industry officials

Dara Patel, executive director of the Indian Drug Manufacturers’ Association (IDMA), a lobby of domestic drug makers, urged restraint but acknowledged the potential hit.

“It’s not causing grave anxiety. We were aware of potential duties, but not of something this harsh. A 200 per cent tariff is not absorbable—we will pass it back to their consumer only,” Patel said. “We have got time—a year or so—and we will negotiate, explore other markets, and strategise. No threat just yet.”

Dinesh Dua, former chairman of Pharmexcil, warned of deeper structural impacts on the Indian pharma sector, which exported $9.8 billion worth of products to the US in FY25—40 per cent of its total exports.

He flagged three major concerns—reduced competitiveness, impact on the US consumers and pressure on small exporters. “A 200 per cent tariff will price Indian generics out of the US market. But Indian generics help maintain affordability for 90 per cent of prescriptions in the US. There’s also the looming possibility that larger Indian pharma companies will have to consider manufacturing inside the US—a costly and time-intensive move,” Dua added.

Too Early to React: Experts

Sujay Shetty, Partner at PwC India, offered a balanced view. “It is still a year away, and a lot can happen by then. So, it is too early to comment just now.”

Meanwhile, Indian pharma exporters are already working to reduce overdependence on the US market, with fresh interest in Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Africa.

According to Vishal Manchanda, a pharma analyst at financial services firm, Systematix, “the 12 to 15 month timeline that Trump has provided essentially indicates he is allowing pharma companies enough time to transfer their products to manufacturing sites in the US”.

However, he believes the intention is to shift the production of patented products, not generics. “The US currently lacks the infrastructure to support the scale and volume required for manufacturing generic medicines.”

Himani Chandna

Himani Chandna, Associate Editor at CNN News18, specialises in healthcare and pharmaceuticals. With firsthand insights into India’s COVID-19 battle, she brings a seasoned perspective.
She is particularly pass…Read More

Himani Chandna, Associate Editor at CNN News18, specialises in healthcare and pharmaceuticals. With firsthand insights into India’s COVID-19 battle, she brings a seasoned perspective.
She is particularly pass… Read More

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