An intensified DVAC probe into a multi-crore liquor scam, allegedly involving former DMK Minister V Senthil Balaji, has led to a suggestion to privatise retail liquor sales in Tamil Nadu. The investigation targets alleged collusion in TASMAC bar licences, transport tenders, and procurement, with the Madras High Court dismissing Balaji's anticipatory bail plea. The FIR details systemic corruption, significant revenue loss, and illicit fund generation, prompting political reactions.
The Indian Embassy in the US strongly refuted a New York Times headline referring to "Pakistani Kashmir," asserting that there is only Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and that Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh are integral parts of India. The embassy highlighted Pakistan's illegal occupation and exploitation of these territories, linking it to ongoing protests in PoK.
A Mumbai consumer court has directed Flipkart and its seller to refund over Rs 1.11 lakh to a customer who received beard growth oil instead of an Apple iPhone, and to pay an additional Rs 70,000 in compensation and litigation costs, citing "unfair trade practice" and "deficiency in service."
The Delhi High Court has declined to halt the Centre's HPV immunisation campaign, noting that data on 5.5 million administered vaccines showed no 'instant harm'. However, the court emphasised that 'half-baked vaccines' should not be given to the public and raised 'serious issues' regarding past protocol violations in vaccine testing and certification.
The Indian women's hockey team has departed for Frankfurt, Germany, to complete its final preparations for the upcoming FIH World Cup. The team will play practice matches and train in Europe before heading to the Netherlands for the tournament, where they will face China, South Africa, and England in Pool D.
The Supreme Court has stated that a complete ban on pellet guns is not possible as long as existing advisories permit their use for crowd control in exceptional circumstances by security agencies. However, the court clarified that allegations of specific misuse can be examined on a case-by-case basis, particularly in light of recent protests against the NEET paper leak.
A question paper for the All Odisha Medical PG Examination was allegedly shared on social media platforms, specifically WhatsApp groups, while the exam was underway. This incident, which occurred during the General Surgery paper for the 2023-26 batch, has prompted an internal investigation by the Odisha University of Health Sciences, even as officials deny it was a "leak" as the paper emerged during the test.
A man in Maharashtra allegedly strangled his partner to death in Kolhapur over suspicion of an affair, then transported her body over 350 km to Thane in a car before being apprehended by police.
Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty saw gains in early trade, driven by a decline in crude oil prices due to easing geopolitical tensions in West Asia and strong buying interest in the IT sector.
Maharashtra Cyber Police have identified over 500 social media profiles involved in a coordinated cross-border disinformation campaign during a recent nationwide protest. The campaign used AI-generated and deepfake content to manipulate public perception and provoke unrest, with technical analysis pointing to elements operating from Pakistan and Middle Eastern countries. Legal action has been initiated, and the public is urged to verify information from credible sources.
An AIIMS study reveals that yoga can increase a user's chances of quitting tobacco by approximately 50 per cent.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has directed Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan to implement drone-based surveillance to monitor and prevent stubble burning. This initiative aims to counter late-evening burning incidents that evade satellite detection, leveraging drone technology for real-time monitoring, accurate detection, and evidence collection to ensure effective enforcement against agricultural residue burning.
Hockey legend Dhanraj Pillay has voiced his displeasure over the Indian hockey team's decision to adopt saffron as its primary jersey colour, arguing that the blue jersey has been the sport's long-standing identity for decades.
A brutal crackdown by Pakistani security forces on protesters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) over the last two days has reportedly left more than 30 civilians dead and over 33 injured, government sources said on Wednesday.
The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has dismissed recent media reports of an alleged cybersecurity incident and data breach as "incorrect and unverified." Officials clarified that investigations found no evidence of an active cyber attack or data exfiltration, stating that any leaked data is unclassified, outdated, and fabricated by threat actors for financial gain.
A man has been arrested in Bengaluru for allegedly sexually harassing a woman who was waiting for a cab. The incident came to light after the victim shared her ordeal and a video of the accused on Instagram, leading to a police investigation and subsequent arrest.
A 27-year-old circus performer tragically died of suffocation during a "live Samadhi" stunt in Haryana's Nuh district. Deepak, who had performed the act many times, was found unresponsive after being buried in a pit for three days as part of his act.
The Delhi High Court has issued an interim order for the removal of the film 'Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legal' teaser and related online posts, following objections from actor Salman Khan regarding the unauthorised use of his name, mannerisms, and reputation for commercial gain.
A 32-year-old woman in Mathura has been accused of strangling her three-year-old son to death because he was crying while she was on a phone call with her alleged lover. The incident came to light when her husband overheard her confessing, leading to a police investigation and plans to exhume the child's body for a post-mortem.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday discussed with a group of senior ministers the prevailing global security situation and how to maintain supply chain uninterrupted despite conflicts in different zones, including the Strait of Hormuz, the Black Sea, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden.
The United States has implemented a 10 per cent tariff on goods imported from India and 16 other countries, citing efforts to combat forced labour in production.
Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa has strongly criticised FIFA's plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors, calling the lack of consultation "totally unacceptable". He stated that FIFA's unilateral actions undermine continental football and urged member federations to await further discussions before approving the $20 billion proposal.
The Bangalore Hotels Association (BHA) on Wednesday warned that hotels affiliated to it and other hospitality bodies in the city would suspend business with online food delivery platform Swiggy from August 15 if the company failed to resolve longstanding issues relating to payment transparency, unauthorised deductions and advertising charges.
A student who hacked the websites of IIT-Kanpur and IIT Madras after being denied admission to IIT-K's cybersecurity programme may be given another chance. IIT-K is considering assessing his technical skills instead of pursuing legal action, acknowledging his claim that he only wanted to demonstrate his capabilities.
An easy, cheesy recipe you must try this monsoon.
Gulveer Singh has become the first Indian to win a medal in the men's 10,000m event at the Commonwealth Games, securing a silver medal at the 2026 edition and marking a significant achievement for Indian athletics.
The Supreme Court has issued a directive to the Bihar government, ordering the removal of all unauthorised structures and encroachments along the Ganga river banks between Nauzar Ghat and Nurpur Ghat in Patna within six weeks. The court expressed concern over illegal constructions and noted the lack of action despite previous orders, warning of strict views on any laxity. The directive came during the hearing of a plea against a National Green Tribunal order regarding encroachments on eco-fragile floodplains.
An Indian Parliamentary panel has summoned major social media platforms like Meta, Google, X, and Snapchat, along with MeitY and Home Affairs officials, to discuss the regulation of digital platforms. The meeting, scheduled for August 3, will focus on user privacy, public order, and the platforms' role in recent protests.
The American military's air-defence missile inventories, including Patriot and THAAD interceptors, are significantly depleted due to the ongoing five-month confrontation with Iran. A CSIS assessment reveals a steep drop in reserve stocks, raising concerns about the US's capacity to maintain Middle East operations and address other global security challenges. This depletion could force the US and its allies to take higher operational risks.
Indian badminton players, including seasoned shuttler HS Prannoy and rising star Unnati Hooda, have made a strong start at the Taipei Open Super 300, advancing to the second round of their respective singles events. Several other Indian men's and women's singles players also secured victories, setting up exciting clashes in the next stage of the tournament.
The Supreme Court dismissed the Odisha government's plea to modify an order allowing the release of the animated film "Mahaprabhu Jagannath". The court emphasised that creativity, art, and culture should not be curtailed due to sensitivities regarding deity depictions, especially for children's animation.
A 70-year-old man, Balaiah, was washed away after allegedly falling into an open manhole in Hyderabad following heavy rainfall. Rescue operations are underway to trace him. This incident follows another recent drowning tragedy in Telangana where four youths drowned in the Sri Ram Sagar Project.
India's women's pairs team, comprising Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinki, secured a hard-fought victory against Malta in a tie-break during their opening match at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, marking a winning start to their campaign.
Indore police seized 566 bundles of fake Rs 500 notes from abandoned bags. Only 84 notes were genuine, with the rest being plain paper designed to resemble currency. An investigation is underway to determine the source and intended use of the fake notes.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) asserted full control over the Strait of Hormuz, claiming two oil tankers turned back after a fire, and warned countries supporting the US against interference in the strategic waterway.
West Indies Test captain Roston Chase dedicated his team's 90-run victory over Pakistan in the first Test to the late legendary all-rounder Sir Garfield Sobers, noting the coincidence between his age and the margin of victory.
Meta wrote to the government on Wednesday outlining the specifics of enhanced and rigorous safeguards it has now implemented for content posted by the Prime Minister and other prominent accounts, according to sources.
Indian long jumper Murali Sreeshankar secured his second consecutive Commonwealth Games silver medal in Glasgow with a leap of 8.09 metres. This achievement marks an emotional comeback for the athlete, who battled a career-threatening knee injury in 2024, forcing him to miss the Paris Olympics. Despite his disappointment at not winning gold, Sreeshankar views this medal as a crucial stepping stone for the upcoming Asian Games.
A female referee, Mathilde Demoncay, suffered a concussion after being knocked to the ground while attempting to break up a melee between players during a friendly football match between French club Metz and Dutch club Fortuna Sittard. The incident occurred in Forbach, eastern France, leading to her withdrawal from the match at halftime.
India's passenger vehicle industry is poised for a record-breaking year in 2026, propelled by robust dispatches in the first half of the calendar year and strong demand for utility vehicles, despite facing several economic challenges.
