The Economic Times

Madhya Pradesh High Court has designated four special fast-track courts for examination paper leak cases. These courts will aim to dispose of all cases within three months of charge sheet filing. This decision follows the central government's assurance to establish similar courts for exam malpractices.

Jhandu Kumar secured India's first medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. He won a bronze in Men's Heavyweight Para Powerlifting in Glasgow. Kumar, son of a vegetable vendor, overcame significant financial and physical challenges. He trained rigorously after long workdays to achieve his sporting dream. This bronze medal marks a life-changing achievement for the determined athlete.

A Spanish region is using rescued donkeys to prevent devastating wildfires because these animals graze on dry vegetation, creating natural firebreaks across forests. The Tivissa Donkeys Firefighters initiative rescued abandoned animals, and this sustainable approach combines animal welfare with environmental conservation efforts. Canada is also exploring similar grazing methods to reduce wildfire risks.

Ahmedabad-Viramgam Highway closed due to excessive water flow from heavy rainfall. Authorities are maintaining extra vigilance in Dholka and Viramgam areas. Rescue operations have relocated hundreds of people as a precautionary measure. South Gujarat, especially Valsad, received extremely heavy rainfall causing widespread flooding.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has been diagnosed with typhoid but vowed protests will continue. Nationwide demonstrations demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation will persist. Activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his hunger strike after receiving government assurances. The CJP seeks a written commitment and a neutral venue for discussions. They maintain that Pradhan's resignation is the only acceptable outcome.

The Trump administration admitted cancelling grants based on state political identity. This action targeted sixteen states which had voted for Democrat Kamala Harris. Officials previously claimed cancellations were due to project viability and national energy needs. Democrats criticized the move as weaponizing government and punishing families for political views.

Vozinha, Cape Verde's FIFA World Cup 2026 hero, has agreed to join Chilean giants Colo Colo after emerging as one of the tournament's biggest breakout stars. The 40-year-old goalkeeper, previously linked with Lionel Messi's Inter Miami, completed a remarkable journey from free agent to FIFA Dream Team selection following his stunning World Cup performances.

Scorching temperatures across Europe also raise concerns over potential crop losses. This situation could lift costs for staples like bread and cooking oil.

The Kerala High Court denied parole to a man convicted of rape. He sought leave to attend his wife's post-funeral ceremony. The court cited the grave nature of the offences committed. Granting parole would send a wrong message to society, it stated. Maximum leniency was already shown by allowing funeral attendance.

Howard University unenrolled over five hundred incoming students this week. These students did not meet financial and enrollment obligations by deadlines. Many affected students shared their distress on social media platforms. The university stated it will review each case for potential reinstatement. This situation has caused significant anxiety for aspiring scholars.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari condemned the attack on police and journalists. He visited injured journalists at SSKM Hospital and ensured their treatment. Opposition leader Ritabrata Banerjee also met the injured and demanded swift action. Protests erupted in Kolkata regarding the NEET paper leak issue. Police managed the crowd and ensured the demonstration remained peaceful.

Two workers died in a firecracker factory explosion in Saharanpur's Kunda Basi village. Local authorities immediately rushed to the site and began a thorough investigation. Earlier this week, fourteen women workers were hospitalized after an ammonia gas leak. This incident occurred at a meat processing plant in Saharanpur's Gagalheri area. Work at the plant was temporarily halted as officials launched a formal probe.

Bijendra Kumar Gupta, the main accused in the Maharashtra TET paper leak case, was apprehended. Bhiwandi Police arrested Gupta from Bihar on Saturday, officials confirmed. Gupta has now been brought to Pune Airport for further legal proceedings. He will subsequently be taken to Pune for continued investigation. Police identified Gupta as the prime accused in the paper leak.

Commonwealth Games Schedule July 25: India secured a bronze medal in para powerlifting on Day 2 of the Games. Swimmers and boxers also advanced, showing strong performances. Day 3 features gymnastics, boxing, and swimming events for India. Sachin Siwach begins his boxing campaign in the men's 60kg category. Medal prospects on Day 3 depend on qualification for finals.

CA Paaras Gangwal shared the story of Saurabh, a 40-year-old pharma employee earning Rs 1.8 lakh a month who had saved around Rs 54 lakh and lent Rs 22 lakh to friends, family and colleagues. After his sudden death, his wife discovered she had no details about his investments, loans or financial documents, leaving much of the money inaccessible. Gangwal urged people to always share financial information with their spouse.

Bihar Bandh news: A Bihar bandh has been called today by AISA and student groups over education reforms and the resignation of the Union Education Minister. Heavy security is in place across the state, including capital Patna, with some student leaders detained. Commuters should expect potential disruptions and traffic diversions in various areas.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will visit the United States next week. He is scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump on Tuesday. This meeting follows President Trump's remarks at a White House dinner. Netanyahu will also attend Senator Lindsey Graham's funeral during his visit. The U.S.-Israeli war on Iran will be a key topic.

Japanese proverb of the day, Hana wa sakuragi, hito wa bushi, offers timeless wisdom that still shapes modern thinking. Meaning Among flowers, the cherry blossom; among people, the warrior, this traditional Japanese proverb values honor above success and character above comfort. The cherry blossom blooms briefly yet leaves a lasting impression. The warrior earns respect through courage and integrity, not longevity.

Activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his hunger strike after receiving written assurances from the Centre. He feared a crackdown and wanted to prevent violence against protesters and students. Wangchuk emphasized his primary goal was protecting students from legal consequences and violence. Union ministers met him and agreed to consider compensation and parliamentary discussion. He expressed confidence that the movement would continue pressing for the minister's resignation.

The United States will restart importing Mexican cattle after a year-long ban. This halt had previously driven American beef prices to record highs. The ban was initially imposed to prevent the screwworm pest from entering the country. However, the pest was later detected in Texas and New Mexico farms. Imports will resume in Douglas, Arizona, in thirty days with phased reopenings.

Prime Minister Modi raised Indian maritime worker safety with President Trump. He also highlighted this issue at the G7 Summit Outreach Session. The ongoing West Asia conflict disrupted global maritime trade and caused seafarer losses. Both leaders reaffirmed commitment to strengthening the India-US partnership. They also welcomed progress in defense, technology, energy, and trade.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated Tehran will not yield to American pressure or intimidation. He asserted that the United States relies on coercion, which is the main barrier to dialogue. Araghchi emphasized protecting Iranian interests and people as a core principle for the nation. He urged SCO members to counter Washington's unilateralist agenda and dominance. Iran's armed forces and diplomats are executing complementary roles for the nation.

Does switching from gas stove to electric reduce gas pollution and help asthma patients? A study has shared some information.

President Donald Trump attended a rescheduled White House Correspondents' Dinner. The event occurred with enhanced security measures and a smaller attendance. Journalists received awards for their reporting on the administration. The dinner aimed to reaffirm the importance of a free press. Tensions between the media and the president remain high.

President Donald Trump has implemented new tariffs on sixty trading partners. These duties were imposed using previously utilized legal authorities. Additional tariffs target Canadian goods under an untested justification. Analysts suggest these actions could prove more durable to legal challenges. This move generates significant trade uncertainty for global economies.

Ankur Warikoo reflected on how he went from earning Rs 14,746 a month at 24 to Rs 33 LPA by 29. After dropping out of a PhD in the US, he landed his first job, pursued an MBA at ISB despite taking a major loan, and overcame interview setbacks to secure a consulting role. Warikoo credited his success to people believing in him, adding that when others bet on you, you should bet on yourself.

Devshayani Ekadashi 2026: Devshayani Ekadashi in 2026 falls on Saturday, July 25, beginning Chaturmas. This sacred period signifies Lord Vishnu's divine sleep for four months. Devotees observe fasts and prayers for spiritual growth and blessings. The Ekadashi Tithi begins on July 24 and ends on July 25. Fasting concludes on July 26 after sunrise, marking the end of this observance.

The Trump administration faces two new lawsuits challenging its latest global tariffs of 10%-12.5%, imposed under Section 301 of the Trade Act. Small businesses argue the tariffs unlawfully revive measures previously struck down by the US Supreme Court and fail to justify country-specific actions. The cases add to ongoing legal disputes over billions of dollars in refunds from earlier invalidated tariffs.

Thousands fled homes as massive forest fires raged out of control. French and Spanish firefighters battled intense blazes fueled by high temperatures. Evacuations impacted areas near Bordeaux and Madrid, with some fleeing by boat. European nations sent reinforcements to aid firefighting efforts in both countries. Spain has experienced its worst fires on record this year.

Digital brands that have been acquired have quickly become the most rapidly expanding segments within major consumer companies. For FY26, these brands achieved a collective revenue of over 2,000 crore. Notably, Marico's digital division surpassed an impressive annual revenue run rate of 1,500 crore.

The cabinet approved a bill proposing stricter punishments for paper leaks. Union ministers met with CJP leaders to discuss the NEET examination paper leak. Both sides agreed to meet again on Saturday for further discussions. The government is considering compensation and withdrawal of FIRs against students. This follows recent steps like fast-track courts and a secretary replacement.

Private equity firm Bain Capital has agreed to acquire UK-based nutraceutical company Vitabiotics, expanding its presence in the global wellness and supplements market. The deal covers Vitabiotics UK business, Indias Meyer Organics and operations in Africa. The transaction value was not disclosed, but sources said the company was valued between $850 million and $900 million.

Johnny Depp, Hollywood superstar, recently talked about the sheer necessity of having a purpose in life, without which, even a seemingly perfect life can appear meaningless.

African proverb of the day highlights the saying, Anxiety will not let you die of hunger. The proverb explains how worry can encourage people to take action and meet their basic needs. It also reminds people that while concern can support survival, too much anxiety can affect peace of mind, appetite and health. The saying continues to remain relevant because it reflects human behaviour, survival instinct and emotional balance.

Psychology says people who ask others to move a bit and let them sit even if there is not much space in public transport aren't always trying to inconvenience others. Psychology explains that this behavior can reflect social communication, awareness of shared spaces, and the need for fairness. Different psychological theories suggest that politely requesting space often comes from practical thinking, confidence, and cooperation rather than selfish intentions.

Appearing on behalf of the petitioner, senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan submitted that a petition had been filed. There is urgency. Police excess is going against students. Something has to be done... the court is standing in between, the senior lawyer submitted. Speaking for the bench, CJI Kant said that the bench will take up the plea on Monday.

In a significant response to the NEET-UG paper leak scandal, the National Testing Agency has dismissed forty-seven officials. To tackle examination fraud, Delhi Police has inaugurated a Special Task Force, tasked with investigating leaks in central government recruitment exams.

Quote of the day by Mark Wahlberg reminds people that women often do important work without receiving equal recognition. The statement highlights respect, hard work, strength, self-worth, internal validation, and resilience. It also explains why appreciation matters in families, workplaces, and society. The message encourages people to value contributions based on impact instead of public praise and to understand the importance of recognizing women's efforts.

The rally in Indian government bonds is expected to lose momentum as hopes of inclusion in Bloomberg's Global Aggregate Index fade and the yield gap with developed markets narrows, with traders expecting yields to remain range-bound amid higher borrowing, interest rate uncertainty and crude oil price volatility.

ICICI Bank's $1 billion dollar bond sale via GIFT City, which drew strong global investor demand and secured lower borrowing costs, is expected to spur more Indian lenders to tap overseas debt markets under the RBI's subsidised hedging facility.

Japanese mindset of the day: Today's choices shape tomorrow's experiences and future lessons learned. Past decisions and events offer valuable information for present actions. Mistakes teach us what needs changing, while successes build confidence. Understanding this connection helps us make more thoughtful decisions now.

Today's Quote of the Day by Colin Farrell shares a powerful lesson about childhood innocence, emotional maturity, and understanding people. His words remind us that growing older should bring awareness, not bitterness. This inspiring life quote explores kindness, trust, human nature, and the importance of keeping an open heart while becoming wiser through life experiences.

Assam's chief minister reported forty-seven flood-related deaths and eight missing persons. Exceptionally heavy rainfall in Nagaland and Charaideo districts triggered the severe flooding. Water from Nagaland flowed downstream while Charaideo experienced extreme rainfall simultaneously. The India Meteorological Department ruled out a cloudburst, citing excessive rainfall instead. An inter-ministerial team will visit Assam on July 25 to assess flood damage.

Lok Sabha proceedings were disrupted for the fifth consecutive day as Opposition MPs continued demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over the paper leak issue. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju urged Rahul Gandhi to support a discussion in the House. Gandhi rejected the appeal, reiterated the resignation demand and raised allegations of pellet gun use during student protests.