The Economic Times

A new bill to prevent unfair means in public examinations will be introduced. Opposition MPs seek thorough scrutiny of the proposed legislation's provisions. BJP members welcome the bill as a strong deterrent against paper leaks. The bill proposes stringent penalties including a ten-year prison term. This aims to curb organized gangs jeopardizing students' futures.

Economists predict the Reserve Bank of India will maintain its key interest rate at 5.25% through year-end. This decision comes as the central bank assesses war impacts and current price pressures. Inflation has risen above the target, but a rate hike is considered premature by officials. The RBI will likely avoid using interest rates to defend the weakening rupee. India's economic growth is forecast to slow to 6.

AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami and four former legislators face a disqualification hearing. The four MLAs quit AIADMK and joined the ruling TVK party after winning elections. Assembly Speaker J C D Prabhakar summoned them to explain their actions on July thirtieth. Palaniswami sought action against them under anti-defection laws for their party switch.

CJP Resignation Party Viral Video: Supreme Court lawyer Mahesh Jethmalani questioned the Cockroach Janta Party's celebrations after protests and the resignation of the Union Education minister Dharmendra Pradhan. He raised concerns about the movement's leadership celebrating with music and dancing. Jethmalani also demanded transparency regarding the funding of the month-long agitation.

Opposition leaders convened to plan their parliamentary strategy for the ongoing session. They will discuss police action against student protestors and the NEET paper leak. Leaders voiced concerns over the use of pellet guns on unarmed youth. The government plans to introduce a bill on public examinations today. Opposition members seek accountability and clarification from the government.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju urged all political parties to participate in the debate on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, which aims to strengthen the legal framework against paper leaks and examination malpractices. The Bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha amid concerns over the NEET-UG controversy and recent student protests, proposes stricter measures to curb unfair practices in public examinations. The government said the legislation refl

Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026: The Bill seeks to amend the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, amid heightened concerns over examination irregularities and paper leaks.

Indian Naval Ship Sudarshini has departed the United States for Portugal. The vessel concluded its month-long visit after attending US independence anniversary celebrations. Sudarshini participated in SAIL 250 events across several American cities. It showcased India's maritime strength and fostered international naval partnerships. The ship continues its Lokayan 26 voyage promoting goodwill and seafaring traditions.

Mattresses bearing prints resembling the TMC flag were distributed at a mass wedding. Authorities initiated an inquiry and suspended an official involved in the distribution. The supplier firm was blacklisted and an FIR was lodged against it. The District Magistrate took serious cognisance of the incident and ordered a report. The inquiry revealed that some mattress covers bore a design resembling a political party's symbol.

India's athletics campaign at the 2026 Commonwealth Games gets underway on Monday, with the spotlight firmly on the men's high jump final featuring a strong Indian contingent.

Industrialist Harsh Goenka sarcastically shared a new robot dog video online. He implied Galgotias University might claim this invention as its own. This references a past controversy where the university presented a commercial robot as its creation. The university later clarified the robot was a teaching tool for students. This incident highlights ongoing discussions about indigenous innovation versus rebranded technology.

The Amarnath Yatra resumed after a six-day suspension due to heavy rainfall and inclement weather. Pilgrims from the 20th batch successfully crossed Chanderkote on Monday en route to the Holy Cave shrine. Authorities allowed travel exclusively via the Baltal route as the Pahalgam track remains closed. The annual pilgrimage attracts thousands of devotees from across the country each year.

Quote of the day: Martin Heidegger viewed human existence as a constant movement toward death. He argued that awareness of mortality shapes every moment of life. People often avoid confronting death, living according to social expectations. Heidegger believed facing mortality leads to a more authentic and deliberate existence.

A forensic investigation has found that major Australian brands like Leggo's, Coles, and Aldi misled consumers about the origins of their tomato products. Over 221 tomato-based items were analysed, revealing that many were actually sourced from China. The involved companies have denied any wrongdoing and are conducting internal inquiries to address these accusations.

US Central Command chief advised stopping strikes near Strait of Hormuz due to limited effectiveness. President Trump halted American military strikes against Iran after receiving this advice. Military and civilian advisors acknowledged limits to air power campaigns and their accomplishments. Iran halted retaliatory attacks after Washington paused its strikes for two nights. The US and UK are discussing an international conference to protect the Strait of Hormuz.

Jadumani Singh advanced to the Commonwealth Games boxing quarterfinals with a dominant win. He dedicated his victory to the Kargil War heroes, reiterating his ambition. The boxer transitioned from football to boxing, overcoming initial family resistance. He successfully moved up a weight class, proving doubters wrong. This move supports his long-term goal of winning an Olympic medal.

Assam's flood death toll has reached sixty-eight as waters recede. Relief and rehabilitation operations are now the state government's primary focus. Ministers will coordinate efforts in the worst-affected districts like Sivasagar. Power restoration is underway after precautionary suspensions during the floods. The central government is also actively assisting with relief and rescue efforts.

A major coconut oil mill in Kozhikode was completely destroyed by a massive fire. Firefighters battled the blaze for over eight hours to bring it under control. Preliminary findings suggest the fire originated in the copra storage area near the dryers. The mill owners estimated the total loss of property to be over seven crore rupees. Cooling operations continued on Monday to prevent any reignition of the fire.

A terror attack near Berlin's Pride festival left one person dead and many wounded. Authorities identified the suspect as Abdul Ballout, a 21-year-old German citizen. The incident occurred after celebrations for diversity and equality had concluded. Many attendees expressed shock and sorrow over the violent event. Community members gathered to mourn and show solidarity after the attack.

Guru Purnima 2026 Mein Kab Ki Hai: Guru Purnima in 2026 will be observed on Wednesday, July 29, marking the full moon. The Purnima Tithi begins on July 28 and concludes on July 29, with moonrise at 7:21 PM. School closures for Guru Purnima are not centrally mandated and depend on state and local decisions. Many states traditionally observe this day as a holiday, while others may have local observances.

The Lok Sabha will consider a bill to prevent unfair means in public examinations. Another bill aims to increase the number of Supreme Court judges for consideration. Reports on medicine prices and fertilizer PSU disinvestment will be tabled. The Rajya Sabha will discuss a bill to amend national honor insult laws. Various ministers will also lay official papers and statements before the houses.

Shots were fired at Seattle Center, injuring multiple people on Sunday. Police are investigating the incident and have asked people to avoid the area. The shooting occurred during the annual Bite of Seattle food festival. Witnesses reported hearing several shots and seeing people running everywhere. The Seattle Center Monorail announced its closure for the remainder of the day.

A 19-year-old medical aspirant died by suicide after receiving her NEET re-examination score. She was disheartened by her score of 166 marks in the recent exam. Her father stated she prepared well but faced stress due to exam irregularities. Parents of another deceased aspirant demanded justice and compensation from the government. Union Minister JP Nadda announced compensation for families of NEET aspirants who died.

Indonesia's central bank governor Perry Warjiyo resigned unexpectedly on Monday. Destry Damayanti, a senior deputy governor, will now serve as interim governor. This surprise move could unsettle investors concerned about central bank independence. The rupiah weakened and the stock index initially fell after the announcement. Analysts await the government's decision on a permanent successor for stability.

India completed a 3-0 T20I series sweep over Zimbabwe with a 35-run win in the third and final match, as 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi starred with 81 off 49 balls and was named Player of the Series. India posted 192/5 before restricting Zimbabwe to 157/7, with Mayank Yadav taking three wickets.

God of War Laufey will launch for PlayStation 5 on February 16, 2027. This new installment focuses on Faye after her death in a mysterious realm. The game expands the universe and sets up future narrative developments. Santa Monica Studio confirmed the next Kratos-led game will directly follow these events. More God of War projects, including a Greek Trilogy Remake, are also in development.

Police shot and killed the suspect in Berlin's deadly Pride attack. The suspect had previously sought to join the Islamic State group. He was convicted of preparing a serious act of violence endangering the state. Authorities believe this was an Islamic extremist terror attack. Security measures at future events will be reviewed and boosted.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with Viksit Vibrant Village Program participants on Sunday. He highlighted the significant nationwide participation of young citizens in various national initiatives. The Prime Minister praised the youth network for their commendable work across the country. He stressed the importance of connecting with border villages for national progress. Modi urged youth to share their experiences and promote border tourism.

India Meteorological Department forecasts heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in several regions. Chhattisgarh and Odisha are expected to receive isolated extremely heavy showers. Heavy to very heavy rain will also impact Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Maharashtra. The weather office warns of thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds across many states. Squally conditions are predicted over the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.

Gadi Eisenkot is challenging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel's upcoming general election. Eisenkot's new party, Yashar, is currently polling ahead of Netanyahu's Likud party. His campaign focuses on restoring Israel's security and democratic institutions. Eisenkot advocates for universal national service, including ultra-Orthodox and Arab citizens. He is seen as a strong alternative for voters seeking change.

A severe shortage of ventilators has left Islamabad's leading public hospitals operating at full intensive care capacity, forcing critically ill patients onto waiting lists and straining Pakistan's healthcare system. Hospital officials cited chronic funding and staffing shortages, rising patient volumes and delayed equipment maintenance as key challenges, while doctors warned that adding more ventilators alone would not solve the crisis without trained personnel. The issue has also reignited cal

US President Donald Trump has dismissed concerns that the United States is running low on critical missile interceptors amid its conflict with Iran, insisting the country has far more munitions than anyone in the world, and far more than we need. His remarks came after reports by The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal said senior military officials had warned that expanding operations against Iran could strain Patriot and other air defence interceptor stockpiles. While the White House an

Kolkata Police have registered a case against Bengali actor Sreelekha Mitra over allegations that she displayed offensive, defamatory and derogatory caricatures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a public rally in the city on July 24. The case was filed at Anandapur Police Station following a complaint by Keya Ghosh, and police said an investigation has been initiated under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Rohingya children in Malaysia are now afraid to attend school after receiving threats. At least nine refugee schools have shut nationwide due to safety concerns. Online hate speech and misinformation have fueled increased scrutiny of the Rohingya community. Authorities have closed some Rohingya businesses and schools operating without proper permits. This situation creates lasting trauma and worsens social problems for the refugee children.

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister criticized Israel and the United States. This followed remarks by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the ICC. Netanyahu welcomed the removal of ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan. He stated the US pledged to act against the court pursuing him. Khan was removed after allegations of sexual harassment surfaced.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa seeks a security agreement with Israel for peace. Israel seized strategic territories after Bashar Al Assad fell to rebels. Israeli forces shelled Syrian areas and destroyed an electrical transformer recently. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged respect for Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Sharaa's government is rebuilding international ties after years of conflict and isolation.

Ship traffic through Bab el-Mandeb declined significantly on Sunday. This occurred after Yemeni Houthis attacked Saudi oil installations along the Red Sea coast. Meanwhile, transit through the Strait of Hormuz stayed low over the weekend. Seven commodity vessels passed through Bab el-Mandeb, the lowest level in months. Red Sea traffic has been disrupted by the Houthis since last week.

Russia launched overnight ballistic missile and drone attacks on Kyiv and several Ukrainian regions, killing at least six people, including a nine-year-old child, and injuring dozens, Ukrainian officials said. The barrage came after President Volodymyr Zelenskiy warned of intensified attacks, while Moscow said Ukrainian drone strikes also killed four civilians in the Russian-occupied city of Horlivka. The renewed exchanges underscored the continued escalation of the more than four-year-old war,

The United States and Iran refrained from launching attacks for a second consecutive day as mediators worked to revive an interim ceasefire agreement after nearly two weeks of escalating hostilities. The pause has raised cautious hopes for de-escalation, with Oman-led diplomacy focusing on restoring confidence and addressing disputes over navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. However, major sticking points, including Iran's nuclear programme, remain unresolved, while shipping traffic through

Bain Capital is nearing a deal to buy a significant stake in IndusInd General Insurance. This acquisition could value the insurer at over sixteen thousand crore rupees. The private equity firm expects to invest between four thousand and five thousand crore rupees. Discussions are currently focused on valuation and final commercial terms. The deal is anticipated to be finalized by late August or early September.