The Times of India

A bench of Justices G S Kulkarni and Aarti Sathe made the observations while hearing a batch of petitions over pollution, foul odour, gas emissions and health hazards linked to the Kanjurmarg dumping ground in Mumbai. The judges said public participation was essential to keeping the city clean and urged civic authorities to enforce the rules without hesitation.

India has screened over ten thousand international travellers from Ebola-affected nations. No Ebola cases have been detected in the country so far, officials confirmed. Enhanced screening and preparedness measures were implemented across all entry points. Mumbai and Delhi airports saw the highest numbers of screened passengers. The government continues to strengthen surveillance and public awareness campaigns.

A BSF constable returning from Congo developed fever during quarantine. He was admitted to an isolation ward at RML Hospital for surveillance. His blood sample was sent for confirmatory testing to NIV Pune. Health authorities are monitoring the situation closely while awaiting test results. The case remains suspected, and Ebola infection has not been confirmed.

India's monsoon rainfall is expected to be below normal during August and September. This forecast is influenced by the continuing risk of El Nio, which often weakens the monsoon. July rainfall, however, turned out to be normal due to plentiful showers in central India. These showers helped reduce the overall monsoon rainfall deficit significantly by the end of July.

Draft voter rolls in Haryana and Andhra Pradesh reveal significant exclusions. Over sixteen percent of Haryana's electorate and over ten percent in Andhra were removed. Reasons cited include deaths, permanent shifts, and multiple registrations. However, genuine voters can still be added during the claims period. This process allows for corrections and additions to the electoral rolls.

The Lok Sabha passed the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026, without any debate. Opposition members disrupted Rajya Sabha proceedings, preventing any business from being transacted. The bill aims to make delayed registrations of births and deaths more stringent. Congress and SP MPs raised issues concerning police actions and alleged temple donation theft. The Rajya Sabha was ultimately adjourned for the entire day.

Ethanol blending saved consumers nearly thirty rupees per litre on petrol. Global crude prices reached one hundred thirty-five dollars a barrel recently. The government kept fuel prices unchanged for seventy-five days initially. E20 petrol now costs one hundred two rupees per litre in Delhi. Allegations of foodgrain diversion for ethanol were also rejected.

The Supreme Court has ordered Rajasthan to pay one lakh rupees to a government official. This payment is compensation for harassment caused by political interference in a prosecution sanction. The court criticized the joint secretary of the former chief minister for undue influence. Such interference was deemed a blatant display of political dictate by the state. The official was unnecessarily dragged to court, prompting the court's strong observations.

The Cabinet approved a revised shipping ministry policy for captive waterfronts. This aims to accelerate private investment and provide greater operational certainty. Existing captive users can develop additional facilities to meet enhanced requirements. Government entities can obtain waterfronts on a nomination basis without competitive bidding. The policy extends concession periods and strengthens infrastructure development at major ports.

Terrorists shot dead a 24-year-old labourer from Chhattisgarh in Kulgam. Another worker from the same state was critically wounded in the attack. Security forces have launched operations to trace the attackers responsible for this incident. This incident marks the first fatal attack on migrant workers since October 18. Officials condemned the attack and directed security forces to intensify operations.

India condemned Pakistan's admission of training and arming militants who have turned against the state. The Ministry of External Affairs also criticized Pakistan's harsh crackdown on protesters in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Over forty civilians were reportedly killed during the violent suppression of peaceful demonstrations. India stated that Pakistan's actions exposed its disdain for the region's innocent inhabitants.

Varanasi is launching India's first urban public transport ropeway soon. This aerial system will connect the railway station with Godowlia Chowk. It promises to significantly reduce travel times and ease traffic congestion. The project serves as a test case for aerial mobility in heritage cities. This innovative transport model could influence future urban development across India.

Guru Ravidas Temple before flagging off the Kalash Yatra. He later carried the ceremonial Kalash on his head and proceeded to the event venue at CMD Inter College.

India's government has summoned Meta's global team to discuss Prime Minister Modi's post. Officials will question the social media giant on algorithmic bias and content moderation. Meta's global representatives will also appear before a parliamentary panel for scrutiny. Hyderabad police have also registered cases against Meta India's head. This marks an escalation in the government's oversight of the company's practices.

How researchers, naturalists and accidental bat obsessives are changing how India sees an animal long associated with darkness and disease

A Delhi court sentenced Tahir Hussain and four others to life imprisonment. They were convicted for the murder of IB officer Ankit Sharma. The court rejected the death penalty, citing reformation possibilities. The prosecution argued the case was rarest of rare. The conviction occurred after the 2020 northeast Delhi riots.

The petroleum ministry defended India's ethanol blending program on Friday. It stated that blending saved consumers nearly thirty rupees per litre. Food security obligations always take precedence over ethanol production needs. Rice is only one approved feedstock, used when surplus stocks are available. Ethanol blending acts as insurance against global oil price shocks.

AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi slammed the bill criminalizing insult to Vande Mataram. He stated the bill forces minorities to worship Hindu deities and violates religious freedom. DMK MP A Raja called the legislation a fraud against India's secular fabric. Congress questioned the Home Minister's absence during the bill's passage. Opposition parties argue the government is imposing its views on citizens.

The Supreme Court ordered the MEA to appoint a nodal officer for families. This officer will coordinate with families of Indians who joined the Russian military. The court also asked for DNA matching and assistance with compensation claims. The Centre previously stated 217 Indians joined the Russian military, with 49 deaths reported. Efforts are ongoing to verify deaths and trace missing individuals.

Raghav Chadha spoke in Rajya Sabha supporting the anti-paper leak Bill. He stressed institutional solutions are needed to resolve the crisis. The Bill introduces stricter penalties for paper leaks and exam malpractices. Individuals face jail terms and significant fines for unfair means. Parliament approved the Public Examination Amendment Bill after Lok Sabha clearance.

Rahul Gandhi criticized Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Shah for actions against students. He alleged the government is silencing Generation Z through FIRs and account takedowns. Gandhi demanded a Supreme Court-monitored probe into alleged police brutality at Jantar Mantar. Opposition MPs also protested alleged police action and financial irregularities. The protests occurred before a bill on public examinations was considered.

Rajya Sabha saw a heated debate during the Public Examinations Bill discussion. Opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge cited Manusmriti, alleging its influence on BJP's curriculum. JP Nadda challenged Kharge to produce the original manuscript for authentication. Kharge quoted alleged discriminatory verses against Shudras from the ancient text. BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi countered, referencing Ambedkar's writings on the era.

Government MPs criticized opposition for politicizing the NEET-UG paper leak issue. They highlighted government dialogue with students and a proposed stronger law. Senior ministers held talks with students and activist Sonam Wangchuk. A fast-track court and task force were established to address concerns. The proposed bill aims for stringent punishment and time-bound investigations.

India's July monsoon rainfall exceeded expectations, defying earlier forecasts of below-normal precipitation. This unexpected recovery eased fears of a significant monsoon shortfall for the nation. However, rainfall distribution remained uneven across different regions of the country. Experts now emphasize that El Nino alone cannot explain India's changing rainfall behaviour. Climate change is increasingly altering monsoon patterns, making predictions more complex.

The Supreme Court questioned Parliament's decision to exclude the Chief Justice of India from the selection panel. Justices noted the CJI's inclusion in other key appointment committees. The court heard arguments challenging the 2023 Act's appointment process. The government urged the court not to question legislative wisdom. The bench clarified it was not questioning the Prime Minister's trustworthiness.

Rajya Sabha saw a political storm after Mallikarjun Kharge questioned Amit Shah's absence and silence. He clarified his remarks meant people's power for accountability, not physical force. Opposition MPs questioned the effectiveness of the new anti-paper leak bill. Several parties demanded the government scrap the NEET exam. The debate highlighted ongoing concerns about student protests and exam integrity.