From resignation of Champai Soren to ongoing tussle on Agniveer: Today's top 10 morning news headlines

1. Rs 98 Lakh paid to Agniveer's family: Indian Army sets record straight amid Rahul Gandhi's allegations

In response to recent statements made by Rahul Gandhi, the Indian Army has clarified the compensation provided to the family of Agniveer Ajay Kumar, who lost his life in service. Earlier, Rahul Gandhi questioned the government's stance on compensation during a parliamentary session, alleging discrepancies in the information provided by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

*CLARIFICATION ON EMOLUMENTS TO AGNIVEER AJAY KUMAR*

Certain posts on Social Media have brought out that compensation hasn't been paid to the Next of Kin of Agniveer Ajay Kumar who lost his life in the line of duty.

It is emphasised that the Indian Army salutes the supreme… pic.twitter.com/yMl9QhIbGM

— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) July 3, 2024

2. Jharkhand CM Champai Soren resigns, triggers political turmoil

In a major development, coming from the state of Jharkhand on Wednesday, sitting CM Champai Soren is set to resign from his post. This comes shortly after Ex-CM Hemant Soren came out on bail. legislators in the party-led alliance in Jharkhand are expected to agree that JMM executive president Hemant Soren should serve as the state's chief minister for a third time. 

#WATCH हमारे गठबंधन ने नेतृत्व परिवर्तन का निर्णय लिया और हेमंत सोरेन को हमने गठबंधन का नेता चुना है...: झारखंड के मुख्यमंत्री चंपई सोरेन https://t.co/6EOvW6no8G pic.twitter.com/6CXHtzgPCf

— ANI_HindiNews (@AHindinews) July 3, 2024

3. Modi govt structures cabinet committees with boosted BJP ally representation

The Narendra Modi-led central government has recently formed various cabinet committees, providing important representation to the BJP's National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies, marking the highest level of ally involvement since 2014. Check who all are in the committees. 

Central Government cabinet committees formed. pic.twitter.com/A3u7lz9gdm

— ANI (@ANI) July 3, 2024

4. Major breakthrough: CBI arrests key conspirator in NEET-UG case from Jharkhand’s Dhanbad

Aman Singh, a resident of Dhanbad, Jharkhand, who is believed to be a major conspirator in the NEET-UG paper leak case, was taken into custody by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday. About the NEET-UG probe, this is the probe agency's seventh arrest. The proprietor of a private school in Gujarat's Godhra district was apprehended by the CBI on Sunday, marking the sixth arrest in the case. 

CBI has arrested Aman Singh from Hazaribagh, Jharkhand for his alleged role in a matter related to alleged irregularities in NEET UG. He was a kingpin in the case: CBI Sources pic.twitter.com/pZ3PUpEo0O

— ANI (@ANI) July 3, 2024

5. Breaking! Bhole Baba breaks silence on Hathras stampede; Here's what he said

Regarding the Hathras event, the self-styled saint Saakar Vishwa Hari Bhole Baba has released his first comment. Baba has sent his sympathies to the families of those who passed away at the event. In addition, he has made it clear that he departed the event well in advance of the rush.

6. Sevadars who were managing crowd fleed FIRST: CM Yogi Adityanath on Hathras stampede

In a recent press conference, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath focused on the state's priority on rescue operations following the tragic stampede in Hathras. The incident has claimed the lives of 121 devotees, with victims hailing from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan. 

जनपद हाथरस में पत्रकार बंधुओं से वार्ता... https://t.co/aegJal8lyf

— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) July 3, 2024

7. Sensex jumps all time high, cross 80,000 in record opening

On Wednesday, benchmark indices Nifty and Sensex reached new all-time highs; Sensex, led by banking and FMCG firms, crossed 80,000 for the first time. According to the sources, at the opening, it was 80,013.77, up 572.32 points, or 0.72 percent. Nifty began trading at 24,291.75, up 0.70 percent, or 168 points.

BSE Sensex touches the 80,000 mark for the first time, trading at all-time high pic.twitter.com/d1rCFgfwNh

— ANI (@ANI) July 3, 2024

8. Israel takes down senior Hezbollah commander amid war in Lebanon

Israel has reportedly killed a senior Hezbollah commander Abu Ali Nasser in Lebanon amid an all-out war. A targeted operation in the coastal city of Tyre on Wednesday resulted in the death of a key commander within the Hezbollah terror group. He was recognized as Abu Ali Nasser, the head of Hezbollah's Aziz division, which covers the eastern regions of South Lebanon.

One of Hezbuallah unit leaders were eliminated by Israel in Lebanon.pic.twitter.com/DFb5B4S7s6

— Azat Alsalem (@AzzatAlsaalem) July 3, 2024

9. Hathras tragedy: Diverse theories emerge about stampede causes

A devastating stampede at a "satsang" in Hathras district on Tuesday afternoon has resulted in 121 fatalities. Multiple theories have emerged regarding the cause of the tragic event, which has left the community in shock. One eyewitness suggested that the rush among Bhole Baba’s followers to collect “raj” (dust) from the ground where the preacher’s vehicle had passed led to the stampede. Read the full story here.

10. Is Modi govt purposely disallowing flights to four airports in Nepal? Is there Adani connection?

The controversy surrounding the operation of Nepal's airports has escalated with New Delhi's recent decisions, sparking concerns. The issue revolves around the future of three international airports in Nepal and the proposed Nijgarh International Airport, all poised to be managed under a public-private partnership model.

Evident arm-twisting: New Delhi will disallow flights to Pokhara & Bhairahawa airports with various excuses until Gautam Adani gets to run all 3 airports (Pokhara, Lumbini, Tribhuvan) plus one proposed at Nijgadh.
- Report by Bhadra Rukum in @Himal_Khabarhttps://t.co/GpFhMJW6Ex pic.twitter.com/5QE4UwBbUX

— Kanak Mani Dixit (@KanakManiDixit) July 3, 2024