The Times of India

Strikes in Yemen and Iran have heightened regional tensions and caused casualties. Mamata Banerjee accused the Election Commission of favoring a rival Trinamool Congress faction. India is seeking better terms in US trade talks, though the government denies stalled negotiations. A Kerala man convicted in a double murder case showed no remorse in court. China's reported chipmaking breakthrough could reshape the global semiconductor race.

Mamata Banerjee asked the Election Commission to stop granting more time to the Ritabrata Banerjee faction. She alleged the poll body's silence gave the rebel group additional leeway. The rival faction claimed to be the real Trinamool Congress party. Mamata's camp argued its organizational committees remain valid until 2027. The Election Commission had previously set deadlines for both groups.

The Ram Temple Trust is actively seeking a chief executive officer to oversee temple management. Interested candidates must submit their applications by July 18 for this key leadership position. This recruitment initiative unfolds under the Supreme Courts investigation into alleged misappropriation of donations. The appointed CEO will be responsible for daily operations and will be based in Ayodhya, with the selection process anticipated to wrap up in the coming month.

The Act empowers the BJP government with sweeping powers including preventive detention, property confiscation and the removal of suspected troublemakers from specific areas. The government says the law is aimed at tackling organised crime and anti-social activities, while the Opposition has criticised it as draconian and vulnerable to misuse. The government says the legislation is designed to strengthen public safety.

A vacation bench comprising Justice GR Swaminathan and Justice V Lakshminarayanan passed the order while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking to prevent the slaughter of cows in places other than designated slaughterhouses. The question that calls for consideration in this PIL is whether cows and calves can be sacrificed in places not designated as slaughterhouses on the occasion of Bakrid? the bench observed.

The Supreme Court has overturned the Gauhati High Court's rulings on foreigner status, with Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta calling for a re-examination of cases by tribunals. They highlighted that citizenship matters hold significant constitutional weight and must be approached with procedural fairness, stressing the state's duty to safeguard against misuse of citizenship assertions.

The action comes a day after the Uttarakhand government directed the chief executive officer of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) to initiate action against officials and employees found responsible for alleged financial irregularities, following an inquiry into payments made for the accommodation, food and other expenses of VIP guests at the Kedarnath establishment.

Integrated science lab coverage in secondary schools fell to 54.6% in 2025-26. The number of schools with these labs increased by 10,000 over three years. However, the total number of secondary schools expanded at a faster rate. Government schools saw a slight increase, while aided and private schools experienced declines. State-level data reveals significant disparities in lab availability across India.

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case concerning alleged encroachment of three historic water bodies. Petitioners accuse the Bihar government of threatening these lakes through a beautification project. Locals argue the government's plan constitutes encroachment disguised as development. The case highlights a broader decline in Bihar's water bodies over decades. Experts emphasize the need for ecosystem preservation and community involvement.

A Bengaluru food vlogger reported a frightening incident involving a delivery agent. The agent allegedly forced his way into her washroom and exposed himself. Police arrested the 22-year-old delivery agent, Vijay Mallikarjun Kamat, following the complaint. Kamat claimed he only needed to use the washroom and denied exposing himself. Flipkart confirmed the termination of the delivery partner's engagement after the incident.

Three alleged liquor smugglers died in Samastipur district over four days. One incident involved the murder of Prabhat Choudhary and his associate Sunny Kumar. Another victim, Ishant Kumar, was kidnapped and murdered, his body later found buried. Police suspect financial disputes and prior working relationships led to these killings. Authorities are intensifying their crackdown on liquor smuggling networks in the region.

A SIT probe found nine critical lapses in donation handling procedures. These security and procedural failures allowed for alleged large-scale embezzlement of funds. Counting personnel were not frisked and pocketless uniforms were not enforced. Cash from various boxes was mixed, and no denomination inventory was prepared. Biometric attendance was also not effectively implemented, undermining accountability.

Eyewitnesses blamed crew negligence and delayed medical care for the Vietnam boat disaster. Rough seas and gusty winds caused the speedboat to overturn within seconds. Many tourists drowned while trapped beneath the capsized vessel despite wearing life jackets. Rescue boats arrived nearly three hours later, and emergency treatment was delayed. Authorities have not yet responded to the allegations made by survivors.

Official crop enumeration inspections were completed on time in less than half of the country's villages. Many village maps used for land tracing are over twenty years old and outdated. Crop-cutting experiments are being conducted by untrained personnel in several key states. These data collection issues affect national food security interventions and advance estimates. Policymakers face challenges due to these significant gaps in agricultural statistics.

An Iranian attack on a ship with Indian crew has heightened concerns. This incident raises worries about fuel and fertilizer supply disruptions. Indian authorities are closely monitoring the situation and seafarer advisories. The flare-up delays any plans for new ship movements from India. India has sufficient crude oil stocks and is monitoring global prices.

Smaller urban centers are leading India's rooftop solar adoption, surpassing major metropolitan areas. The Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana promotes rooftop solar installations for households. This government scheme has seen rapid progress and aims to benefit many households. Over 36 lakh rooftop solar systems have already been installed across the country. Efforts are now focused on expanding urban reach and assisting low-income households.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed frustration over the delayed restoration of statehood. He questioned the central government's stance on protests and assembly discussions regarding this issue. Abdullah announced a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 20. He reminded Prime Minister Narendra Modi of his past assurance on the matter. The National Conference will continue its democratic campaign until statehood is reinstated.

Police arrested three publishers in Jammu and Noida over controversial books. These books, which glorified separatists, were supplied to government school libraries. Officials suspended education department staff and ordered an inquiry into the matter. Sub-committees had shortlisted titles, but these two books were flagged later. The investigation aims to determine how the books reached schools despite scrutiny.

A landmark study puts a dollar figure on India's forests at national scale and the number is staggering. Yet these ecosystems remain invisible in official accounts, driving decisions that quietly destroy billions in natural wealth.

Regulator steps up 'Be the Eyes of Food Safety' campaign, urges consumers to flag unhygienic kitchens and unsafe food through its Food Safety Connect platform

K Annamalai has launched his new movement, We The Leaders, which will focus on governance and public responsibility. This organization explicitly excludes religion from its scope and aims to make Tamil Nadu a leading state. The movement is not built through membership drives but as a collective platform for people. Women and young people form a significant share of the movement's composition.

The RSS voiced grief over alleged donation irregularities at the Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya. They expressed confidence that the ongoing investigation will soon reach a decisive turn. The organization also reviewed its training programs and centenary year initiatives. Discussions included population imbalance, the upcoming census, and drug abuse. Plans were also made to strengthen shakhas and engage volunteers in social work.

Arvind Kejriwal escalated his political attack on the BJP, linking opposition to Sundarkand recitation with demonic tendencies. He performed a Sundarkand Path, vowing punishment for those who allegedly looted donations. The BJP dismissed the event as a political gimmick and theatrics by a political Hindu. Delhi BJP president Harsh Malhotra stated Kejriwal invokes religion only during election periods.

Palash Sen, frontman of Delhi-based band, Euphoria, recounts his capital life and explains why the music changed

A Punjab BJP leader stated the Congress party is not in the race for 2027. He believes the party will struggle to retain its existing eighteen seats. Congress leaders themselves allege compromises with the current state government. Party officials deny any internal factionalism and express unity for upcoming polls. Unity is crucial for the party, but compromised leaders should be avoided.

Despite increasing awareness of mental health, public comprehension still lags behind scientific advancements. Misunderstandings surrounding schizophrenia, dissociative identity disorder, and bipolar disorder lead to widespread stigma. The media often dramatizes these issues, portraying affected individuals as violent or erratic. To combat this, we need to prioritize education and foster empathy, while robust support systems must aid patients and caregivers in their journey toward recovery and r

Uttarakhand government ordered action against officials for financial irregularities. An inquiry found advance funds released without proper approval from the temple corpus. Separately, a Special Investigation Team is probing alleged donation theft at Badrinath temple. CCTV footage shows a suspended employee suspiciously collecting cash from the donation room. The investigation continues with witness statements and evidence analysis.

Arvind Kejriwal alleged a cover-up in the Ayodhya temple donation theft case. He accused the system of shielding those responsible for the alleged theft. The Aam Aadmi Party organized a Sundarkand recitation program in Delhi. Kejriwal announced a nationwide signature campaign seeking strict punishment for the accused. The BJP criticized the event as a political gimmick to improve Kejriwal's standing.

Omar Abdullah criticized the BJP for repeatedly promising Jammu and Kashmir statehood. He alleged the party exploits divisions to gain power in various Indian states. Abdullah stated restoring statehood is a commitment, not a favor to the people. He challenged any BJP candidate to deny promising statehood restoration during elections. The National Conference leader highlighted the BJP's selective memory regarding election promises.

Prime Minister Modi mourned the passing of former Qatar ruler Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. He remembered Sheikh Hamad as a visionary leader who transformed the Gulf nation. Sheikh Hamad ruled Qatar from 1995 to 2013, voluntarily abdicating power. During his rule, Qatar became a global economic and diplomatic force. His tenure also saw the launch of Al Jazeera and the 2022 World Cup bid.

Enforcement Directorate agents are examining Dharmesh Sangani's recovered mobile phone. This businessman faces probes in the UK and US for alleged gold smuggling. The device was retrieved after Sangani threw it from his apartment as agents approached. Authorities suspect a larger gold smuggling and money laundering operation involving influential people. The ED is investigating violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act against Sangani's company.

A parliamentary panel noted concerns about the anti-corruption bill's arrest clause. Stakeholders found removing officials after thirty days constitutionally problematic. The draft report suggests a sunset clause for automatic reversal of barring. It also proposes using suspension instead of emoval to avoid stigma. The committee's recommendations will be tabled in Lok Sabha soon.

Swiggy Instamart received nine FSSAI notices for delivering unsafe and expired food products. Consumers complained about receiving rotten eggs and spoiled parathas from the platform. Expired whey protein and packaged snacks were also among the flagged items by customers. The food regulator seeks a detailed explanation and compliance report from the company. Failure to respond satisfactorily could invite action under the Food Safety and Standards Act.

A sponsored Vietnam trip became a tragedy for several Indian families. A boat carrying thirty-two Indian tourists capsized off Phu Quoc Island. Several individuals from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala lost their lives. Families are awaiting the repatriation of bodies from Vietnam. The vacation was organized by a private medical company.