Probe into irregularities in KPSC’s hiring of veterinary officers transferred to CID

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has taken over the probe into irregularities in the Karnataka Public Service Commission's recruitment of 400 veterinary officers, following three FIRs registered by the city police. Allegations include candidates being charged up to ₹80 lakh for appointments. The state government emphasizes the need for a transparent investigation amid ongoing protests for accountability.

RS MP Seechewal gives up security, cites cop shortage in Punjab

Aam Aadmi Party’s Rajya Sabha member, Balbir Singh Seechewal, surrendered his security cover, highlighting the poor law and order in Kapurthala and Jalandhar. Requesting the withdrawal of his six police personnel for community safety, he emphasized local security concerns over personal security, citing recent crimes. This is Seechewal's second plea regarding law enforcement inadequacies.

Cauvery panel orders release of water to TN

The Cauvery Water Regulation Committee ordered Karnataka to release 4 tmcft of water to Tamil Nadu over 15 days, despite Karnataka’s claim of insufficient reservoir levels for drinking needs. Given a significant rainfall deficit, Karnataka is expected to challenge this order. The directive follows severe monsoon shortfalls affecting water storage in the region.

Punjab-origin cabbie charged with sexual assault in Canada

A 25-year-old Uber driver, Mandeep Singh from Etobicoke, has been charged with two counts of sexual assault after an incident on June 16 in Burlington, Ontario. Investigators urge potential additional victims to come forward, emphasizing that there’s no time limit for reporting such crimes. The HRPS’s Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Unit is leading the investigation.

SAD (Punar Surjit) seeks early decision on Rajoana’s mercy plea

A Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjit) delegation, led by Prem Singh Chandumajra, met Governor Gulab Chand Kataria to seek parole for Jagtar Singh Hawara and an expedited decision on Balwant Singh Rajoana’s mercy petition, highlighting humanitarian grounds. They also urged immediate SGPC elections and the reopening of the Kartarpur Corridor to facilitate Sikh pilgrimages, among other demands.

From waste dumping site to wonder park, Jammu readies a new landmark

Jammu's ₹11 crore waste-to-wonder park, developed on a reclaimed dumping site, aims to boost tourism and environmental awareness. Featuring 14 detailed replicas of iconic landmarks, the park is part of the Jammu Smart City Project and will be managed by a private vendor for a decade. A botanical garden and compost plant are also planned, promoting the Swacch Bharat Mission.

Punjab government’s ‘silence’ on sacrilege law shows arrogance, says jathedar

Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj criticized the Punjab government for neglecting to amend controversial sections of the anti-sacrilege law by the expired one-month deadline, reflecting government arrogance towards Sikh sentiments. He called for swift action to ensure legal protections for devotees and emphasized the need for communication with Akal Takht, signaling ongoing community concerns over the law's provisions.

BJP launches outreach drive to woo SC voters

Ahead of the 2027 Punjab assembly elections, the BJP has launched the ‘Samrasta Sankalp Abhiyan’ to engage the Scheduled Caste community, particularly the Ravidassia. Running from July 29 to February 2027, the campaign emphasizes Guru Ravidas’ teachings. Observers see this as an electoral strategy, as Dalits account for 32% of Punjab's population, impacting election outcomes.

Vijay writes to PM on Mekedatu, to visit Bengaluru for talks next month

Tamil Nadu CM C Joseph Vijay expressed disappointment to PM Modi over Union minister Raj Bhushan Choudhary’s claim that Karnataka need not seek consent for the Mekedatu reservoir, urging withdrawal of the statement. He emphasized compliance with legal rulings and called for protection of lower riparian states' rights. Vijay will visit Bengaluru next month for discussions on the contentious project.

YSRCP protests across Andhra, seeks Lokesh’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the 2025 teacher recruitment

The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) protested across Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday, demanding the resignation of state education minister Nara Lokesh over alleged irregularities in the 2025 teacher recruitment process, including question paper leaks and unfair appointments. Protests, led by prominent leaders, occurred in multiple districts, while the party called for a Central Bureau of Investigation probe. The situation intensified in Narasannapeta where police clashed with protesters.

Gulf backing, voluntary fees: Inside Oman's ‘proposal’ to Iran on Hormuz control

Oman has proposed a plan for managing the Strait of Hormuz, supported by Gulf states, which includes voluntary fees for ships transiting despite U.S. rejection of such fees. This initiative arises amid tensions influenced by the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, as both sides continue military actions. Background context includes past agreements and ongoing regional instability affecting oil transport.

AI to identify criminals in 90 seconds at Pune rly station

PUNE: The Railway Protection Force (RPF) has launched an AI-enabled CCTV surveillance system at Pune railway station that identifies known criminals within 90 seconds, linked to a database of over 1,000 offenders. The network features 160 cameras, facial recognition, and detects overcrowding and suspicious objects, enhancing overall security and passenger safety at this busy station.

Defamation case: Sukhbir exempted from personal appearance

A local court has exempted Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal from personal appearance in a criminal defamation case, citing urgent political commitments and an impending Supreme Court hearing. Badal’s counsel emphasized the disruption his absence would cause before upcoming Punjab assembly elections, while the defamation case originates from remarks made in January 2017.

Trump blames Canada for wildfire smoke - but global warming is loading wildfire dice

In response to Canadian wildfires, President Trump accused Canada of "wilful negligence" and threatened tariffs, yet his claims overlook the global nature of wildfire smoke and climate change's role. While wildfires are exacerbated by human actions, effective forest management can mitigate risks. Nonetheless, substantial emissions reductions are crucial to address the root causes of climate change.

After backlash, Mehbooba Mufti apologises for her remarks at CJP protest

Mehbooba Mufti, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister, apologized for her controversial “banta hai” remark at Jantar Mantar, clarifying she intended to say “bahana banta hai” regarding security forces using militancy as a pretext for violence. Her statement drew criticism and calls for a true apology from various political leaders amid ongoing tensions in Kashmir. Mufti also announced protests for Article 370 restoration.

Minor sexual assault: SC stays arrest of SAD leader

The Supreme Court has stayed the arrest of Shiromani Akali Dal leader Jaskaranjit Singh Deol, implicated in a sexual assault case involving a minor, until the next hearing on August 6. Previously arrested and declared illegally detained by a Mohali court, Deol's legal team argues his constitutional rights were violated during custody. The case has garnered significant attention.

Chorus against legal aid policy gets shriller, Bar council backs lawyers

Lawyers in the Punjab and Haryana high court initiated a three-day strike in protest against the Legal Aid Defence Counsel System (LADCS) policy, which aims to assist the indigent accused. The high court emphasized that disrupting judicial work compromises access to justice. This ongoing contention led to suspended judicial operations for nearly 27 days, sparking urgent calls for policy review.

Ex-PWD engineer gets 5-year jail in ₹1.62 crore graft case

Former PWD engineer Joginder Singh was convicted in a 15-year-old corruption case for fraudulently securing ₹1.62 crore in government funds through forged bills. He received a five-year prison sentence and was fined ₹1 lakh. The court emphasized the need for deterrence in corruption, stating his actions harmed both his life and society's integrity.

Govt has discretion to appoint HYDRAA chief, says CM Revanth Reddy

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy defended the appointment of officers, including the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) commissioner, amid a high court order for A.V. Ranganath's removal over contempt allegations. He affirmed commitment to HYDRAA's anti-encroachment efforts and criticized misinformation campaigns, asserting the agency's actions protect public properties. The court had expressed dissatisfaction with Ranganath's conduct.

‘Clock it’, ‘waste-guna-huiya’: Gen Z phrases make it to MPs' debates in LS

In a heated Parliament debate on the anti-paper leak bill, both the government and Opposition wielded popular Gen Z phrases to criticize each other. The NDA champions the bill as necessary for swift justice against examination irregularities, while the Opposition insists it's merely a superficial response to deeper issues. The discussion reflects generational divides in political discourse and student concerns.

Supreme Court orders states to shield Chambal forest staff from prosecution

The Supreme Court has ordered Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh to provide legal protection to forest officers in the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary, emphasizing their crucial role in combating illegal activities under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. The court stressed improved enforcement against illegal sand mining and enhanced coordination among departments, with measures including public reporting mechanisms and environmental compensation recovery. The ongoing challenge of illegal mining and poaching threatens both wildlife and public order.

21-year-old gangraped in Baramulla, two arrested

Two men, Shakir Ahmad Lone and Mohammad Ashraf Dar, have been arrested for allegedly raping a 21-year-old woman in Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir, following a complaint on July 25. The police reported that the men stalked and assaulted the woman and her male friend during an outing on July 3, subsequently restraining and raping her. The investigation revealed that both accused were school dropouts from Jalshree and Ashraf is married with children.

Over 40% academic posts vacant in Punjab’s teacher training institutes

The Union Ministry of Education has flagged a critical shortage of qualified educators in Punjab, with over 40% of academic posts unfilled in teacher education institutions like SCERT and DIETs. The ministry emphasized urgency in addressing these vacancies for fund release under the Samagra Shiksha scheme, which aims to enhance teacher training quality. Historically, the staffing issue has persisted, impacting curriculum development and overall functioning.

No paper leak in Punjab, BJP making false allegations: CM

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has asserted that there has been no examination paper leak under his administration, accusing the BJP of attempting to defame Punjabis for political gain. Despite Opposition claims regarding a pharmacy exam incident involving cheating, Mann emphasized his government's merit-based job placements. He urged the BJP to focus on political discourse rather than spreading false allegations, while the SAD has called for a high court inquiry into examination integrity issues.

Five of family among 7 killed in twin Himachal road mishaps

Seven people, including five family members, died in separate road accidents in Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday. In Chamba, a car carrying a family, returning from a child's treatment, plunged into a gorge, resulting in five deaths. In Kangra, a truck fell from a bridge, killing two. Authorities are investigating both incidents, while the Chief Minister expressed condolences.

Elections in Pak-occupied J&K effort to cover up illegal occupation: India

India has dismissed the recent elections in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir as a facade to obscure illegal occupation and human rights violations, highlighting violent protests due to economic exploitation by Islamabad. The ongoing clashes, which have claimed about 40 lives since June, demonstrate the severity of local discontent. India affirms that Jammu and Kashmir remain integral parts of its territory.

India coordinating with Ukrainian authorities to search two missing Indian seafarers

India is collaborating with Ukrainian authorities to find two Indian seafarers missing after an attack on the MV AGN Ragnar in Odesa port last week. The external affairs ministry confirmed that two crew members are safe, while it condemned attacks on civilian vessels and emphasized the need for safe maritime navigation. India advocates for a diplomatic resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, reflecting its commitment to safeguarding its significant seafarer community.

1.7mn farmers in Maha first list of beneficiaries for loan waiver

The Maharashtra government announced a loan waiver for 16.96 lakh farmers under the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Shetkari Samman Yojana, totaling ₹13,600 crore. Farmers must complete Aadhaar authentication to receive benefits, with 3.96 lakh already processed. Discrepancies in beneficiary details have been reported, prompting assurances of corrections as the scheme aims to benefit 56 lakh farmers overall.

Who is V Kamakoti? IIT-Madras head Priyanka Gandhi called a ‘gaumutra’ expert

IIT-Madras director V Kamakoti has been appointed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's exam reforms task force, facing political backlash from Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, who mocked his expertise. The task force aims to address integrity issues in competitive exams following protests over NEET paper leaks. Kamakoti, an accomplished scientist, emphasizes trust among question paper setters as crucial for reform.

Central capital goods scheme: Punjab secures just ₹4.28 cr over past 2 fiscals

Punjab has received only ₹4.28 crore under the Centre’s capital goods promotion scheme in the past two years, primarily funding a single project in Ludhiana. This minimal support contrasts sharply with the government's manufacturing ambitions and highlights the need for enhanced infrastructure funding. The scheme operates on a demand-driven basis, lacking state-specific allocations.