New Delhi, July 25: Gold prices extended losses for the second straight day, by declining Rs 500 to Rs 99,120 per 10 grams in the national capital on Friday, amid easing global trade tensions and dampening the safe-haven demand.

According to the All India Sarafa Association, the precious metal of 99.9 per cent purity had finished at Rs 99,620 per 10 grams on Thursday.

At the local markets, gold of 99.5 per cent purity also decreased Rs 500 to Rs 98,750 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes) on Friday as against the previous closing level of Rs 99,250 per 10 grams.

“Gold edged lower on Friday impacted by easing tariff-related concerns, a rebound in the US dollar, and waning expectations for multiple interest rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve due to a strong job market,” Saumil Gandhi, Senior Analyst – Commodities at HDFC Securities.

However, silver prices traded flat at Rs 1,15,000 per kilogram (inclusive of all taxes) on Friday, as per the association.

Gandhi further highlighted that the US has already secured a trade deal with Japan, and there is optimism surrounding the US-EU trade agreement. Additionally, the US is expected to have trade pacts with India, Mexico, and Brazil, which may further increase selling pressure in bullion.

Spot gold fell by USD 20.72 or 0.62 per cent to USD 3,347.94 per ounce in the international markets.

“Gold traded weak at USD 3,345 per ounce, as expectations of tariff deals between the US and trade partners like Japan and the EU reduced safe-haven appeal.

“These developments may keep gold volatile, especially at elevated levels. Focus now shifts to the upcoming Fed’s interest rate decision next week, which will be crucial for the direction of bullion prices,” Jateen Trivedi, VP Research Analyst – Commodity and Currency, LKP Securities, said.

On the global front, spot silver slipped by 0.35 per cent to trade at USD 38.92 per ounce.

New Delhi, July 25: The Supreme Court on Friday extended its order staying the summons issued to Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi in a criminal defamation case related to his alleged derogatory remarks about freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.

In November 2022, during his Bharat Jodo Yatra, Rahul Gandhi made defamatory remarks against Savarkar at a rally in Maharashtra’s Akola.

A Bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and AG Masih deferred the scheduled hearing for four weeks after a letter seeking adjournment was submitted in the matter.

In the meantime, the Justice Datta-led Bench ordered extension of the interim relief originally granted to Rahul Gandhi on April 25.

Further, it asked the complainant, advocate Nripendra Pandey, to file his reply within two weeks and granted liberty to Rahul Gandhi to file a rejoinder affidavit, if any, within two weeks thereafter.

In an earlier hearing, the apex court had cautioned Rahul Gandhi against making “irresponsible statements”, specifically asking him not to speak anything against freedom fighters.

The Supreme Court had warned that if the Congress leader made any such comments in the future, it would initiate “suo motu” action against him.

“Let’s be clear, any further statement and we will take suo moto! We will not allow you to speak anything about our freedom fighters. They have given us freedom, and this is how we treat them?” said the Justice Datta-led bench as it dealt with Rahul Gandhi’s petition to quash a 2022 defamation case filed against him.

After senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Rahul Gandhi, gave an oral undertaking that the Congress leader would refrain from making such comments in future, the apex court had passed an interim order staying the order of the lower court summoning him to face trial for the offences under Sections 153-A and 505 of the now-repealed Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Before this, the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court had declined to exercise its inherent powers in favour of Rahul Gandhi, who had sought the quashing of the entire legal proceedings.

A single-judge Bench of Justice Subhash Vidyarthi, in its order passed on April 4, said that Rahul Gandhi had the statutory remedy of filing a revision against the order of the trial court.

Under the IPC, 1860, Section 153-A addressed the offence of “promoting enmity between different groups based on religion, race, caste, etc.,” and Section 505 dealt with “statements conducing to public mischief”.

Srinagar, July 25: In a major step to curb the spread of illegal online content, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB), Government of India, has directed Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block public access to 25 websites within the country. These platforms were identified as hosting material that violates Indian laws.

The directive falls under the framework of the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics).

The Ministry identified ALTT, ULLU, Big Shots App, Desiflix, Boomex,Navarasa Lite, Gulab App, Kangan App, Bull App, Jalva App, Wow Entertainment, Look Entertainment, Hitprime, Feneo, ShowX, Sol Talkies, Adda TV, HotX VIP, Hulchul App, MoodX, NeonX VIP, Fugi, Mojflix, Triflicks being in violation of various laws, including Section 67 and Section 67A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Section 4 of The Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.

Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act states that intermediaries are not exempt from liability if they fail to remove or disable access to unlawful material after being notified by the government. Additionally, Rule 3(1)(d) of the IT Rules mandates that intermediaries must not host or publish content that affects India’s sovereignty, security, public order, decency, morality, or foreign relations, among other sensitive concerns.

The MIB also invoked Rule 7, which clarifies that intermediaries not complying with these provisions will lose their safe harbour under Section 79(1) and may face penalties under applicable laws.

Furthermore, Part III of the IT Rules, overseen by the MIB, applies to digital news publishers and OTT platforms, requiring them to follow a Code of Ethics. This code prohibits the publication or transmission of any unlawful content, reinforcing the government’s push for digital accountability.