Daily Morning Brief - 1 july - Top News Updates from India, world, economy and Odisha

INDIA

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1. General Dhiraj Seth Assumes Charge as 31st Chief of Army Staff
General Dhiraj Seth has taken charge as India's 31st Chief of the Army Staff, succeeding General Upendra Dwivedi. With nearly four decades of military service, he has commanded both the South Western and Southern Commands, bringing extensive operational and leadership experience.

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2. Indus Waters Treaty: Pakistan Threatens to 'Cut Off Hands' Over Water Dispute
Pakistan warned India against disrupting its share of Indus River waters, saying it would "cut off hands" of anyone attempting to block flows. The remarks came amid escalating tensions over the Indus Waters Treaty following recent diplomatic disputes between neighbours.

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3. Centre Clarifies E20 Petrol Programme Is a National Policy, Not an Experiment
The Union Government told the Supreme Court that media reports describing the E20 petrol programme as an experiment were inaccurate. It reaffirmed ethanol blending as a national policy, highlighting early achievement of the target and significant savings in crude oil imports.

Also Read: Why Odisha Should Lead the Revival of Indian Football Like It Did Hockey

WORLD

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4. US Courts Continue to Block Trump's Bid to End Birthright Citizenship
Federal courts have continued rejecting Donald Trump's proposal to end birthright citizenship through executive action. Judges ruled that citizenship by birth is protected under the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution and cannot be altered without constitutional changes.

ECONOMY

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5. India's Unemployment Rate Falls to Lowest Level in Eight Years: NSO
National Statistical Office data shows India's unemployment rate has declined to its lowest level in eight years. The improvement reflects economic recovery, expanding manufacturing and services sectors, increased formal employment, and stronger labour market participation across the country.

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6. UPI Goes Live in Greece, Expanding India's Global Digital Payments Network
India's Unified Payments Interface has officially launched in Greece through a partnership between NPCI International and Eurobank. The service enables Indian travellers to make seamless digital payments using their existing banking apps while strengthening India's international fintech presence.

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7. WhatsApp Introduces Usernames to Strengthen User Privacy
WhatsApp is introducing a username feature that allows users to connect without sharing their mobile numbers. The privacy-focused update brings the platform closer to messaging services like Telegram and Signal while offering safer and more convenient communication.

Also Read: Organic Farming vs Modern Agriculture: Can India Feed 145 Crore People Without Chemical Fertilizers?

ODISHA

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8. Mob Violence Incident Reported in Banapur, Odisha
Reports indicate a mob violence or public unrest incident occurred in Banapur, Odisha. A youth died in Mob assult case.