The Philippines and Japan boosted their defence ties by signing a reciprocal access agreement (RAA) on Monday, saying they were seeking stability in the region, amid rising tensions with China.

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa described the pact, which eases the entry of equipment and troops for combat training and disaster response, as a “landmark achievement”.

The deal is the first of its kind to be signed by Japan in Asia and coincides with a rise in assertive actions Chinese vessels in the disputed South China Sea.

Senior IAS officer Pankaj Agarwal was appointed the chief electoral officer of Haryana on Monday. The Haryana government issued Agarwal's posting orders.

"Pankaj Agarwal (2000 batch officer) has been posted as Chief Electoral Officer, Haryana and Commissioner and Secretary to Government, Elections Department," an official statement said

The Haryana government had on July 4 transferred 12 IAS officers with immediate effect.

US wrestling superstar and actor John Cena announced retirement from in-ring competition in 2025, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) said in a post on social media platform X on July 7.

“John Cena announces retirement from in-ring competition, stating that WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas will be his last,” WWE said.

“Tonight, I am officially announcing my retirement from the WWE,” Cena said while cutting the most heartbreaking promo of his career. WWE Head of Creative Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque tweeted a small video clip of him and Cena hugging backstage with the caption 'The Greatest of All Time’.

Cena began his wrestling career in 2001 and debuted in WWE in June 2002, quickly becoming one of the most decorated superstars in the company’s history. He was the face of WWE during the ‘Ruthless Aggression’ and PG eras.

Gagan Narang, four-time Olympian and 2012 Olympic Games men’s 10m Air Rifle bronze medalist, has been chosen to replace MC Mary Kom as the Chef-de-Mission of the Indian contingent to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games beginning on July 26.

Indian Olympic Association President Dr PT Usha today said the 41-year-old Gagan Narang’s elevation from Deputy Chef-de-Mission’s position was an automatic choice in the wake of Mary Kom’s resignation. “I was looking for an Olympic medalist to lead our contingent and my young colleague is an apt replacement for Mary Kom,” she said.

Mary Kom, a bronze medalist in the 2012 Olympics announced that she would be stepping down from the role ‘owing to personal reasons’, in April 2024.

Ace shuttler PV Sindhu will be the female flag bearer for India during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics. At the same time, London Olympic bronze medallist shooter Gagan Narang replaced legendary boxer Mary Kom as India's Chef-de-Mission for the Summer Olympics on Monday.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president, PT Usha, revealed that Narang's elevation from the deputy CDM position became an automatic choice after Mary Kom's resignation. "I was looking for an Olympic medallist to lead our contingent and my young colleague is an apt replacement for Mary Kom," PT Usha said in a press release.

The Supreme Court on Monday appointed former Chief Justice of India Uday Umesh Lalit, as chairperson of the search-cum-selection committee for all the universities in West Bengal.

A bench of justices Surya Kant and KV Viswanathan said, "We hereby appoint Justice Uday Umesh Lalit, Former Chief Justice of India as Chairperson of the Search-cum-Selection Committees for all the Universities."

The top court was hearing the West Bengal Govt petition challenging the Calcutta High Court order to dismiss the state government plea against the Governor's decision to appoint around 28 interim vice-chancellors. The Mamta Banerjee-led government in West Bengal was having differences with Governor C V Ananda Bose over the supervision role on such appointments.

Chairperson of IT services firm HCLTech, Roshni Nadar Malhotra, was on Monday conferred with the "Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur" (Knight of the Legion of Honour), the highest civilian award of France.

“It is my privilege to receive this honour, and it underscores the strategic relationship between India and France. HCLTech has a longstanding presence in France, which is a strategic market for us. We are committed to scaling our operations in the country and supporting the digital transformation of French businesses through our differentiated portfolio of services,” said Roshni Nadar Malhotra, chairperson, HCLTech, in a statement.

India’s Avinash Sable bettered his own 3000m steeplechase national record at the Paris Diamond League meet on Sunday.

Sable finished with a timing of 8:09.91, improving his personal best (8:11:20) by more than a second. Abrham Sime of Ethiopia managed to ward off Kenyan Amos Serem’s attempt to overtake him and placed first clocking a personal best of 8:02.36.

His compatriot, Kishore Jena finished eighth in the men’s javelin throw event with his first attempt of 78.10m being the best. Germany Julian Weber placed first with his fifth throw of 85.91m, followed by Grenada’s Anderson Peters and Jakub Vadlejch of Czech Republic.

NDTV organized the MSMES summit in Bhopal where Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav honored renowned homeopathic practitioner Dr. Arpit Chopra with the Excellence Award.

The event took place at the Marriott Hotel in Bhopal. Alongside Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, Deputy CM Rajendra Shukla and MSMES Minister Chaitanya Kashyap from Madhya Pradesh were also present. More than 15 distinguished individuals from the state were recognized by the Chief Minister during the program.

Dr. Arpit Chopra, founder of Aarogya Homeopathic, has been working tirelessly in the field of homeopathy to cure people of complex diseases for a long time. Recognizing his contribution to society, Dr. Mohan Yadav conferred him with the Excellence Award. Anurag dwari , Head of NDTV Channel, was also present at the occasion.

In a major initiative, the Yogi Adityanath government has announced the establishment of 'Mitra Van' under Vriksharopan Jan Abhiyan-2024 along the borders of Uttar Pradesh and the neighbouring country of Nepal.

Locations have been selected by 35 forest divisions for this purpose.

On the instructions of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Forest Department is coordinating with the neighbouring country and states to enhance greenery through the plantation of 35 crore saplings.

Additionally, alongside planting saplings on UP's land at the borders, the Forest Department will also involve dignitaries from other states in this mega campaign.