The Economic Times

A magisterial inquiry report on the Palam fire incident has been submitted to the Home Department. The report identified serious lapses by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the Delhi Fire Services. An electrical short circuit near the MCB box was the most probable cause of the fire. Combustible cosmetic products stored inside the building accelerated the fire's rapid spread.

The Delhi Consumer Commission ordered Indian Railways to pay Rs 25,000 to a passenger. This passenger received only one blanket while sharing a berth on an RAC ticket. The commission cited a Railway Board circular which mandates adequate bedding for such passengers. Railways were held liable for deficiency in service and mental harassment caused. The national transporter must pay the compensation within sixty days of the order.

At a bustling factory in western India, technicians work around the clock to turn glass into hair-thin fibre-optic strands destined for data centres powering the global artificial intelligence boom. India hosts nearly a fifth of the world's data, but accounts for less than five percent of global data-centre capacity -- leaving much room for growth.

Coco Chanel, born Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel, revolutionized women's fashion with practical and comfortable designs. She introduced the little black dress and popularized jersey fabric for luxurious clothing. Chanel also launched Chanel No. 5, a perfume that became a global bestseller. Her career faced controversy, yet her impact on style remains undeniable. Chanel's vision continues to inspire independence and authenticity in fashion.

Nikita Sehrawat won a silver medal in the 57kg division after a tough final bout. Kamna Babal secured a bronze medal in the 49kg category with a close victory. Garima also claimed a bronze medal in the 73kg division with a dominant performance. The Indian contingent achieved strong podium finishes in Baku. These results highlight the wrestlers' competitive spirit and success.

A parliamentary panel suggests India appoint a polar ambassador. This position will enhance India's foreign policy and polar diplomacy efforts. The committee noted the strategic importance of polar regions for India. India currently operates two research stations in Antarctica. Expediting a new Maitri station is also recommended by the panel.

Spanish armed forces are being sent to Ceuta after thousands of migrants entered the territory. Local authorities stated the situation had spiralled out of control, overwhelming border police. The deployment follows a request for additional personnel to manage the crisis. This mass crossing occurred after days of smaller arrivals and at least three deaths at sea. Spain and Morocco agreed to work on returning unauthorized migrants as soon as possible.

Rahul Gandhi criticized Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Shah for their actions against student protesters. He alleged that the government is now filing FIRs and removing social media accounts of young individuals. Prime Minister Modi stated that comprehensive reforms are needed to address paper leaks in education. Parliament recently passed a bill with stricter punishments for paper leak offenses.

Ajinkya Rahane announced his retirement from international cricket on Thursday. Rohit Sharma shared a heartfelt tribute to his teammate's career. Sharma acknowledged Rahane's immense effort and professionalism over many years. Rahane's career included significant contributions and an undefeated Test captaincy record. He achieved historic victories for India during his distinguished playing tenure.

NBCUniversal has recently named Christopher Halpin as its new chief finance officer as the company gears up for its split from Comcast. Halpin comes with extensive experience from his time at People Incorporated and the NFL. Meanwhile, Randy Culbertson, the current CFO, will move to a different role in the company. Post-separation, Mike Cavanagh will take on the role of chief executive for NBCUniversal.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport on August 1. This new airport is expected to boost industrial growth and employment in North Andhra. The facility is designed to handle six million passengers annually in its first phase. It will also feature a cargo terminal with cold chain facilities for exports. The airport's development aims to position Visakhapatnam as a globally developed city.

Delhi Minister Ashish Sood clarified no action against peaceful student protesters. This exemption does not apply to those facing criminal charges or involved in violence. The government agreed to demands after a 37-day protest and a 26-day hunger strike. The Supreme Court directed the release of arrested students under eighteen without criminal records. Investigations will continue while no coercive action will be taken against students.

India and Bhutan reviewed development projects during high-level talks. A concessional line of credit worth Rs 4,000 crore was signed. Cooperation in health education and research was also expanded between institutions. Forty-five electric vehicles were handed over to support green mobility initiatives. Both nations reaffirmed their strong development partnership and cooperation.

RRB Group D Admit Card 2026 Kab Aayega: RRB Group D admit cards for CEN 09/2025 are likely to be released in phases today. Candidates with an August 3 exam date can download their hall tickets today. The Computer-Based Test will commence on August 3 and conclude on August 25. Applicants should download their admit card approximately four days before their scheduled exam date.

Parliament's Monsoon Session continues Friday with key bills in both houses. The Lok Sabha will consider birth registration and Supreme Court judge number amendments. Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha will discuss micro, small, and medium enterprises development. Earlier, both houses passed the Public Examinations Prevention Bill. The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Bill also received approval.

West Central Railway will introduce a token system for Tatkal train tickets starting August first. Passengers will collect tokens within a specific time window before booking hours begin. This new arrangement aims to streamline the booking process and manage crowds effectively. Tokens will be distributed for AC and non-AC bookings during designated morning hours. The system will initially limit tokens per counter, with walk-ins accepted if seats remain available.

Elon Musk has dismissed reports suggesting Tesla might sell its China operations. These reports indicated a potential merger between Tesla and SpaceX was being considered. Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory is a crucial production and export hub for the company. China remains Tesla's second-largest market globally, facing local competition. Regulatory hurdles and geopolitical concerns could complicate any potential merger plans.

App-based transport companies in Maharashtra must register by September 1. Failure to comply will result in legal action against non-registered operators. This new policy ensures passenger safety and vehicle legality across the state. All vehicles must possess valid permits and commercial registration for passenger transport. Aggregators must also ensure adequate insurance and in-journey safety measures.

Commonwealth Games 2026 Day 9: Neeraj Chopra leads India's javelin throw final on July 31 at the Commonwealth Games. Indian boxers aim for finals, guaranteeing a record medal haul in the sport. Tejaswin Shankar continues his decathlon campaign after ending day one in second place. Judo and cycling events also feature prominently on India's busy schedule. Bowls competitions will see Navneet Singh and Dinesh Kumar compete in sectional play.

Why are people fleeing Morocco to Spain? Thousands of migrants entered Spain's Ceuta enclave after border rules changed. People swam ashore and broke through barriers in a chaotic event. This surge followed a court ruling impacting migrant deportations. Underlying poverty and instability drive people from Morocco and Africa. Spain reinforced its border while facing political and regional debate.

Russia has designated Telegram founder Pavel Durov as a terrorist. This action follows his refusal to comply with state demands for censorship. The Federal Security Service has initiated procedures to place Durov on an international wanted list. Russian authorities accuse Telegram of facilitating terrorist activities and causing significant damage. Durov has previously faced charges for other alleged crimes on the platform.

Quess Corp anticipates professional and overseas staffing to drive future growth. Higher-margin businesses will account for sixty percent of profits. General staffing, currently over sixty percent, may eventually contribute forty percent. The company has significantly increased its GCC contribution over five years. Quess Corp plans further expansion into Germany and Northern Europe.

Telangana Cyber Crime Police have filed two cases against social media account operators and Meta India's head. These cases stem from complaints alleging morphed and objectionable content targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. BJP supporters reported manipulated videos and images circulated on Facebook and Instagram platforms. Police have invoked relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and IT Act. Investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend the individuals operating these ac

Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra will compete in the Commonwealth Games 2026 javelin final. He qualified for the medal round with a throw of 79.61 metres. Chopra faces strong competition including Arshad Nadeem and Keshorn Walcott. The final is scheduled for August 1, 2026, at Scotstoun Stadium. Viewers can watch the event live on Sony Sports channels and SonyLIV.

Lovepreet Singh secured a silver medal in weightlifting, setting a new Games record. Seema Kaliramna earned a bronze medal in the discus throw event. Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra and two compatriots advanced to the javelin throw final. Tejaswin Shankar ended the decathlon's opening day in second place. India's weightlifting campaign concluded with eight medals overall.

President Trump signed an order to block old electronic waste exports. This aims to boost domestic recycling and critical mineral recovery efforts. The move seeks to counter China's dominance in vital material supply chains. Recapturing minerals already in the US offers a faster solution. This action supports national security and defense industry needs.

India's quest for a Commonwealth Games shot put medal remained unfulfilled. Tajinderpal Singh Toor and Samardeep Singh Gill finished fifth and seventh respectively. Chukwuebuka Enekwechi of Nigeria secured the gold medal with a strong throw. Tom Walsh of New Zealand took the silver medal. Scott Lincoln of England claimed the bronze medal in the event.

Lovepreet Singh secured a silver medal in the heavyweight weightlifting category. Animesh Kujur's sprint campaign concluded after missing the men's 200m final. Shot putters Tajinderpal Singh Toor and Samardeep Singh Gill narrowly missed podium places. Toor finished fifth with a throw of 20.27 metres. Gill placed seventh after registering a season-best effort of 20.03 metres.

Former Narsampet MLA Peddi Sudarshan Reddy passed away late Thursday night. He had suffered a heart attack and received treatment in Hyderabad. Reddy began his political career in Nallabelli mandal and joined BRS in 2001. He served as an MLA from Narsampet after winning the 2018 elections. BRS leaders gathered to pay their final respects to the departed leader.

US officials urged China to honor commitments on rare earths and agricultural products. These discussions occurred before a potential meeting between President Trump and President Xi. China's recent trade restrictions were viewed as problematic by the United States. Both sides agreed to use consultation channels to strengthen economic ties. This aims to promote a stable and positive China-U.S. economic relationship.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has urged Bulgaria to reconsider its decision regarding US military aircraft. He stated that Sofia's approval facilitates aggression against Iran and is unacceptable. Araqchi also spoke with Cyprus about preventing foreign military bases from being used against Iran. Bulgaria approved the temporary deployment of US tanker aircraft and personnel at Bezmer air base.

Heavy rainfall is expected across large parts of India on Friday. Active monsoon conditions will persist over north, central, east, and southern regions. Several states are likely to witness heavy to very heavy rainfall. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds have also been forecast. Intense monsoon activity will continue over many parts of the country.

A four-storey residential building collapsed in Bhiwandi late Thursday night. One person died and several others are feared trapped under the debris. Rescue teams are actively searching for survivors amidst the rubble. The structure had been declared dangerous and was undergoing repairs. Locals heard cracking sounds before the building caved in.

A mother and her toddler were discovered deceased west of Port MacDonnell. The mother had visited a police station the day before the tragic discovery. Authorities are investigating the incident as a murder-suicide involving the mother and her two children. A three-month-old infant remains missing after extensive land and sea searches concluded. The community has been deeply affected by this heartbreaking incident.

World-famous mountaineer Nirmal Purja is feared missing after a massive avalanche struck Broad Peak. The Alpine Club of Pakistan confirmed deeply concerning reports of the avalanche which occurred on Thursday. A team of ten climbers, including international nationals, has been out of communication since the incident. Authorities are working to mobilize immediate search and rescue operations for the missing climbers.

Vadodara Weather Today, July 31, 2026: Gujarat anticipates widespread heavy to very heavy rainfall on Friday and Saturday. A deep depression is moving westward towards the state, bringing intense weather activity. Several districts are under red alert for exceptionally heavy rainfall, with others facing an orange alert. This forecast follows recent extreme rainfall events and flood-like situations across the region. Conditions are expected to improve gradually from Sunday onwards.

Federal regulators are allowing robotaxis to operate without steering wheels and potentially brake pedals. Amazon's Zoox vehicles received approval to charge customers for rides in Las Vegas. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is updating rules for autonomous vehicle technology. Concerns about safety data and reporting standards for robotaxis remain. The robotaxi industry is rapidly expanding nationwide with companies like Waymo and Tesla.

Delhi-NCR Weather Today, July 31, 2026: Delhi-NCR anticipates mixed weather with cloudy skies and light rain on Friday. Temperatures will largely remain in the mid-30s across the region. Noida and Ghaziabad may experience partly cloudy conditions with moderate winds. Faridabad expects cloudy skies and possible thundershowers throughout the day. Stable temperatures are forecast through the weekend before a slight dip next week.

The death toll from a powerful earthquake in southwestern Japan has risen to thirty-four. Six people sustained serious injuries from the earthquake which struck late Tuesday. Buildings collapsed and roads ruptured as the earthquake caused widespread damage. Nearly half of the fatalities occurred at two major incident sites. These sites included a paper mill and a shopping mall.

The National Human Rights Commission has directed Rajasthan officials to act on maternal deaths. Substandard oxytocin injections in Kota are allegedly linked to these tragic outcomes. Survivors face severe long-term health issues and financial burdens from ongoing treatment. The commission seeks accountability for regulatory failures and timely compensation for victims. Independent probes and systemic reforms in drug regulation are also demanded.

US Iran war: IRGC reported destroying US drone hangars and a fuel facility in Kuwait. The IRGC also claimed a missile strike on Jordan's al-Azraq airbase. US Central Command denied damage to any American aircraft in these incidents. They also refuted claims about a commercial oil tanker violating a US blockade. These events occur amid heightened regional hostilities and ongoing diplomatic discussions.

Tesla executives are preparing for a potential separation of its China business operations. This move comes as discussions about a possible merger with SpaceX are underway. Advisers have explored options like a spinoff, sale, or closure for the China division. It remains unclear how quickly Tesla could complete these separation plans. Elon Musk has previously not dismissed the possibility of a Tesla and SpaceX merger.