The Times of India

Opposition MPs marched in solidarity with students protesting the NEET-UG paper leak. Authorities reportedly stopped the leaders from reaching India Gate and Gandhi Smriti. Rahul Gandhi assured students that the INDIA bloc stands firmly with them. Many opposition leaders met at Gandhi's residence before the planned visit. Heavy police presence was noted outside Gandhi's residence during the events.

External affairs minister S Jaishankar stressed maritime law adherence and regional cooperation at the East Asia Summit. He called for diplomatic engagement to resolve West Asia crises and ensure safe sea lane navigation. Global conflicts impact the world economy, especially affecting the Global South. India supports a substantive Code of Conduct for the South China Sea. Jaishankar also met with leaders from Oman, the UK, and the Netherlands.

Parliament remained deadlocked for a fourth straight day over the NEET paper leak controversy. Opposition MPs demanded the education minister's resignation, while the government offered immediate debate. Both Houses witnessed repeated disruptions and counter-protests outside Parliament. Meetings with the Speaker failed to break the ongoing impasse between the parties. Substantive legislative business could not be conducted as the deadlock persisted.

Protesters are sharing survival tips online for demonstrations. Social media offers advice on internet shutdowns and police encounters. Demonstrators download offline maps and use Bluetooth messaging apps. They also carry remedies for tear gas exposure and makeshift protective gear. This trend shows protesters relying on crowdsourced information for practical guidance.

Introduced to control pests, the Common myna now thrives in urban areas. This opportunistic bird competes aggressively with native species for nesting sites. Its flexible diet includes fruits and grains, posing risks to agriculture. Large communal roosts create noise and droppings, causing maintenance issues. Managing these invasive populations requires community participation and habitat restoration.

The July 21 rally showed that Mamata Banerjee remains the dominant force within a fractured Trinamool. But rebuilding a party stripped of power, organisation and many of its familiar faces will require more than one afternoon of defiance. Experts weigh in on what's the path forward for Mamata Banerjee and TMC.

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey asked protesting students to return to their studies for future success. He emphasized education over agitation for achieving career aspirations in medicine and civil services. Dubey advocated for a stringent law against examination paper leaks in Parliament. He suggested that this new law could even include the death penalty for offenders. The government is committed to ensuring the harshest punishment for those arrested.

The government is engaging opposition leaders to resolve the Parliament deadlock over the NEET paper leak. Discussions aim to end disruptions which have stalled proceedings since the Monsoon session began. The Centre is ready for debate without preconditions, including minister's resignation. A meeting of floor leaders is likely soon to build consensus for the discussion. This outreach follows repeated adjournments due to protests on examination irregularities.

Private airport operators are flagging significant delays in project implementation. Security vetting approvals from BCAS are taking an unacceptably long time. These delays impact operational efficiencies and passenger convenience at major airports. The Association of Private Airport Operators has requested faster processing timelines. They seek to ensure timely capacity enhancements and improved passenger facilitation.

Shashi Tharoor used a poetic couplet to criticize the government's paper leak response. Prime Minister Modi announced fast-track courts for swift punishment for offenders. This action plan aims to safeguard the future and welfare of the nation's youth. The Congress party has described the Centre's response as significantly delayed. Protests continue at Jantar Mantar and a hunger strike enters its twenty-sixth day.

The Delhi High Court has started a suo motu public interest litigation to monitor stray dog management. Notices were issued to the Delhi government and Municipal Corporation of Delhi. Authorities must submit a status report detailing steps taken by July thirty-first. The court expressed concern over the increasing stray dog population in the city. This action follows Supreme Court directions for all High Courts to oversee compliance.

Prime Minister Modi announced fast-track courts for NEET paper leak cases. Abhijeet Dipke of Cockroach Janta Party criticized the government's approach. He satirically highlighted the demand for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. Protesters continue demonstrations seeking Pradhan's removal and compensation for affected students. The group insists the minister's resignation remains a non-negotiable demand.

A Ford employee faced termination after an alleged cookie theft from a self-checkout kiosk. Bank records later proved the $1.95 snack had been paid for by the diabetic worker. Ford acknowledged the error and offered the employee back wages and his old job. However, the former electrician declined the offer and is now preparing to sue the automaker. This incident highlights concerns about workplace technology and employee investigation protocols.

India strongly criticized Pakistan's continued use of crossborder terrorism as a state policy. Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish stated Jammu and Kashmir is an inalienable part of India. He highlighted Pakistan's illegal occupation as the sole unresolved issue concerning the region. Crossborder terrorism has eroded the trust needed for bilateral cooperation, India noted. Pakistan should focus on its domestic challenges instead of targeting India.

Pradhan Must Go, Cong Neta

Says He Was Wrongfully Convicted

Minority affairs minister Kiren Rijiju shared waqf property data in Parliament. As of July 17, over 6.17 lakh waqf properties were validated and approved. A total of 91,253 properties were rejected during the verification process. Another 91,623 waqf properties are currently pending uploading on the portal. The UMEED Central Portal-2025 facilitates the management of waqf property lifecycles.

The government staunchly supported the amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), arguing that unregulated foreign money poses a threat to democratic integrity. They clarified that the act does not prohibit NGOs from accessing foreign funds, particularly for faith-based initiatives. The restrictions on foreign nationals in crucial positions ensure that all contributions align with verified Indian governance.

A massive boulder struck a tempo on the Jammu-Srinagar highway, killing two people and injuring four others. Meanwhile, officials narrowly escaped separate landslides on the Jammu-Poonch highway. Vehicular movement on the Jammu-Srinagar highway was suspended due to multiple landslides. Relentless rainfall battered the Jammu region, triggering further mudslides and shooting stones. All major pilgrimages have remained suspended in Jammu and Kashmir since July 19.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Manila. They discussed fair market access and trade balance, and supply chain reliability. Border peace and tranquility remain a prerequisite for normal bilateral ties between the two nations. India welcomed recent measures to normalize Sino-Indian relations and direct flights. Both sides engaged to ensure border peace since October 2024.

Drone-assisted drug trafficking across borders has risen significantly since 2021. Punjab is the most affected state, reporting 298 incidents last year. Authorities seized nearly 460 kg of narcotics, including substantial heroin amounts. Trafficking syndicates now use drones and GPS for infiltration. These groups also employ encrypted communications and local receiver networks.