Morning Digest: Jaishankar Denies US-Pak Ceasefire Link, Yemen Revokes Nurse's Death Sentence, Divya Deshmukh Wins FIDE World Cup
Image via Sansad TV/ANI Video Grab via The Hindu
New Delhi, July 28 —India’s Parliament witnessed a strong rebuttal from External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to US President Donald Trump’s repeated claims about brokering the May ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Meanwhile, in a significant development in Yemen, Sunni cleric Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliar’s office claimed the Houthi militia had revoked the death sentence of Indian nurse Nimisha Priya. Here’s a wrap of the day’s top stories to start your morning.
Jaishankar Denies Link Between US Trade Threat and Ceasefire with Pakistan
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar told the Lok Sabha that there was no telephonic conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Donald Trump during the tense weeks following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. The minister refuted Trump’s public assertions that he forced India and Pakistan into a ceasefire by threatening to cut off trade ties.
“There was no such call. There was no such threat. The ceasefire was our sovereign decision,” Jaishankar said firmly in Parliament.
Trump had, while meeting UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Turnberry Golf Course in Scotland, reiterated his claim that it was his intervention that stopped the two nuclear-armed neighbours from continuing hostilities.
Kanthapuram’s Office Claims Nimisha Priya’s Execution Revoked in Yemen
In a surprising claim, Sunni leader Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliar’s office announced that Nimisha Priya’s death sentence in Yemen has been revoked by the Houthi militia in Sanaa. Priya, a Malayali nurse, was on death row for the alleged murder of Yemeni national Talal Abdo Mahdi.
Indian officials, however, have not confirmed the development. Priya’s case has drawn widespread attention in India, with petitions and diplomatic efforts seeking clemency and repatriation.
Opposition Grills Centre Over Security Lapses in Pahalgam Attack
In a fiery debate in Parliament, the Opposition, led by the Congress, targeted the Modi government over security failures leading to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 that killed 26 civilians. Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi demanded accountability from Home Minister Amit Shah, questioning the Centre’s silence on Trump’s ceasefire claims and the sudden declaration of Operation Sindoor's success.
Cyclone and Flood Havoc in China: 34 Dead in Beijing Region
At least 34 people have died in heavy rains and flooding in and around Beijing, Chinese state media reported. 28 deaths were confirmed in Miyun district and two in Yanqing, both on the city’s outskirts. The storm has triggered fears of more flooding across northern China in the coming days, with hundreds of evacuations underway.
Justice Varma’s Submission to Inquiry Questioned by Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of India has questioned High Court Judge Justice Yashwant Varma for submitting to an in-house inquiry, despite reportedly calling the process unconstitutional. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal said the public release of visuals of “burnt currency” from Varma’s home had “convicted him in the public eye,” despite no official charges.
Rajya Sabha Paralysed Again Over Bihar’s SIR Exercise
For the sixth consecutive day, the Rajya Sabha remained dysfunctional as Opposition MPs protested against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) electoral roll exercise being carried out in Bihar. The Opposition submitted 26 notices under Rule 267, 14 of which directly addressed the SIR issue. The disruption is adding to a growing logjam in Parliamentary proceedings.
Supreme Court Criticises Presidential Reference in Governor Verdict Case
The States of Tamil Nadu and Kerala challenged a Presidential Reference seeking judicial clarity on timelines for Governors to clear State Bills. Both States alleged the move was a ploy to make the Supreme Court review its own judgment in the Tamil Nadu Governor case, something not allowed under the Constitution.
West Bengal 2002 Electoral Roll Appears Online Amid SIR Rumours
Amid speculation of an upcoming Special Intensive Revision in West Bengal, the 2002 voters' list has appeared on the Chief Electoral Officer’s website. With Bihar using its 2003 list as a baseline for the 2025 revision, this move has sparked political reactions and renewed concerns about the criteria for voter verification.
SC Takes Suo Motu Cognisance of Rabies from Dog Bites
Reacting to a disturbing media report, the Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of the rise in rabies cases from dog bites in Delhi and nearby areas. A bench led by Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan called the situation “alarming,” particularly for children and the elderly, and asked for urgent intervention measures from civic authorities.
Divya Deshmukh Becomes First Indian Woman to Win FIDE Women’s World Cup
Divya Deshmukh, the 19-year-old chess prodigy from Nagpur, etched her name in history by becoming India’s first woman to win the FIDE Women’s World Cup. She also earned the prestigious title of Grandmaster, only the fourth Indian woman ever to achieve the feat.
In a tense final at Batumi, Georgia, Deshmukh defeated senior Indian Grandmaster Koneru Humpy in speed-chess tiebreakers after the classical matches ended in draws.
“This is the proudest moment of my life,” Deshmukh said, overwhelmed by her historic win.
What to Watch Today: Key Debates and Storm Warnings
- Parliament proceedings continue, with debates on Operation Sindoor, internal security, and electoral reforms likely.
- Weather alerts issued in parts of eastern India and southern China; authorities urge residents to prepare for flooding.
- All eyes on the Ministry of External Affairs for a potential official statement on Nimisha Priya.