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Doctors, disability groups seek ban on pellet guns after CJP march

Doctors, disability groups seek ban on pellet guns after CJP march

25 Jul 2026 · Health · The Hindu

Doctors' groups and disability rights organisations have demanded a ban on pellet guns, electric-shock batons and other weapons capable of causing permanent disability by all police and paramilitary forces. The Progressive Medicos and Scientific Forum and NPRD-affiliated groups condemned their apparent use against Cockroach Janta Party protesters during the July 20 'Chalo Sansad' march in Delhi and sought an independent judicial inquiry.

Shabana Azmi diagnosed with swine flu, advised five days' isolation

Shabana Azmi diagnosed with swine flu, advised five days' isolation

25 Jul 2026 · Entertainment · Hindustan Times

Veteran actor Shabana Azmi has been diagnosed with swine flu and advised five days of isolation and complete bed rest, missing a planned appearance at the ongoing student protest over the alleged NEET paper leak. She is recuperating under medical supervision, according to Hindustan Times. Swine flu, caused by the H1N1 virus, typically brings fever, cough and body aches.

Anahat Singh becomes first Indian in World Junior Squash final

Anahat Singh becomes first Indian in World Junior Squash final

25 Jul 2026 · Sports · News18

Eighteen-year-old Anahat Singh became the first Indian to reach the World Junior Squash Championships women's singles final, beating Egypt's Barb Sameh 3-1 in the semifinal in Ontario, Canada. She faces another Egyptian, Ruqayya Salem, in Friday's title clash, one win from becoming India's first world junior champion. Anahat, who won bronze in 2025, reached the semis in consecutive editions.

SpaceX Starship completes 13th test flight with Indian Ocean splashdown

SpaceX Starship completes 13th test flight with Indian Ocean splashdown

25 Jul 2026 · Science · News18

SpaceX launched its Starship on the vehicle's 13th test flight from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, on Saturday, ending with a soft splashdown in the Indian Ocean. The suborbital mission carried 20 next-generation Starlink V3 satellites and tested payload deployment and engine relight in space. A prior attempt had been scrubbed over an engine startup issue. Elon Musk celebrated the milestone.

AISA calls Bihar bandh over police action on anti-NEET-leak protesters

AISA calls Bihar bandh over police action on anti-NEET-leak protesters

25 Jul 2026 · India · The Hindu

The student group AISA has called a Bihar bandh to protest police action against students agitating over the alleged NEET paper leak. Marches and sit-ins swept districts including Vaishali, Muzaffarpur and Darbhanga, demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation; effigies of Modi and Pradhan were burnt. In Jehanabad, police fired 20 to 30 rounds after protesters stoned the magistrate's residence.

Cabinet clears bill with up to 10 years' jail, ₹10 crore fine for paper leaks

Cabinet clears bill with up to 10 years' jail, ₹10 crore fine for paper leaks

25 Jul 2026 · India · Hindustan Times

India's Union Cabinet on Friday approved a draft bill toughening penalties for exam paper leaks, proposing up to 10 years' jail and fines of up to ₹10 crore, with a five-year minimum for individuals. Amending the 2024 anti-cheating law, it will be tabled in the Lok Sabha on Monday. The government also plans statutory fast-track courts to rule within three months.

Saudi-led coalition strikes Houthi sites in Yemen's Hodeida after ship attacks

Saudi-led coalition strikes Houthi sites in Yemen's Hodeida after ship attacks

25 Jul 2026 · World · News18

A Saudi-led coalition struck Houthi military sites in Yemen's Hodeida province on Friday, calling it a response to attacks on Red Sea shipping. Spokesman Turki al-Maliki said the 'decisive' operation had ended. Al Arabiya said Hodeida port was spared; Houthi media reported explosions and hit telecom sites. The strikes followed a Houthi blockade and an attack on the Saudi vessel NCC MASA.

Bombay HC backs symbolic immersion plan for large PoP Ganesh idols

Bombay HC backs symbolic immersion plan for large PoP Ganesh idols

25 Jul 2026 · India · News18

The Bombay High Court has asked Maharashtra to assess a proposal for the symbolic immersion of large Plaster of Paris Ganesh idols. Under the plan, floated by PoP artisans, the feet of giant idols would be touched to natural water before civic bodies take them for recycling or eco-friendly storage. Smaller idols under six feet would continue going to artificial tanks.

Pakistan's new Strategic Command centralises nuclear control under Asim Munir

Pakistan's new Strategic Command centralises nuclear control under Asim Munir

25 Jul 2026 · World · News18

Pakistan has created a National Strategic Command that takes operational control of its nuclear arsenal and strategic assets, News18 reported, centralising authority and sidelining the civilian-led National Command Authority. The overhaul is driven by Field Marshal Asim Munir, who holds dual roles as army and defence chief. Lieutenant General Syed Aamer Raza, promoted to four-star general, will command the new body.

India gets 10% US forced-labour tariff, dodging steeper 12.5% rate

India gets 10% US forced-labour tariff, dodging steeper 12.5% rate

25 Jul 2026 · Business · Hindustan Times

India will pay a 10% US tariff on most exports from Friday under Section 301, avoiding the steeper 12.5% rate proposed in June. India qualified for the lower bracket after a July 13 ban on imports made with forced labour. Sixteen other economies, including Bangladesh, Pakistan and the UK, join the 10% tier, while China and Vietnam face 12.5%, levied atop existing duties.

Bahrain, Kuwait secretly struck Iran with UAE support, WSJ reports

Bahrain, Kuwait secretly struck Iran with UAE support, WSJ reports

25 Jul 2026 · World · News18

Bahrain and Kuwait secretly carried out airstrikes inside Iran earlier this month, their first known direct action against Tehran, The Wall Street Journal reported. Citing people familiar with the matter, it said the strikes hit drone and missile storage and military sites, with the UAE providing intelligence and air cover. The two acted after repeated Iranian attacks amid the escalating US-Iran conflict.

Ramayana trailer launch postponed at Comic-Con; Ranbir praises Yash's Ravana

Ramayana trailer launch postponed at Comic-Con; Ranbir praises Yash's Ravana

25 Jul 2026 · Entertainment · Hindustan Times

The global trailer launch for Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana was postponed indefinitely at San Diego Comic-Con, with producer Namit Malhotra citing a new partnership with Sony Pictures. At the panel, Ranbir Kapoor, who plays Rama, praised co-star Yash's portrayal of Ravana as moving beyond 'stereotypical depictions.' The two-part epic, also starring Sai Pallavi as Sita, releases its first part in November.

Over 166,000 evacuated as wildfires rage in France and Spain

Over 166,000 evacuated as wildfires rage in France and Spain

24 Jul 2026 · World · The Hindu

More than 166,000 people have been evacuated in France and Spain as intense wildfires spread near Madrid and Bordeaux. French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday ordered the army to help fight what officials called France's worst-ever wildfire, after appealing for European Union assistance, with a blaze advancing towards Bordeaux. Spain declared a national emergency over fires near Madrid and in Avila province.

Trump ties Saudi nuclear deal to joining Abraham Accords

Trump ties Saudi nuclear deal to joining Abraham Accords

24 Jul 2026 · World · News18

US President Donald Trump said Friday that Washington will not proceed with a civilian nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia unless Riyadh joins the Abraham Accords and normalises ties with Israel. He said the condition was always understood. Energy Secretary Chris Wright signed a nuclear cooperation pact with Saudi Arabia this week, backing its first commercial reactors, though the deal needs Congressional approval.

Farooq Abdullah urges Centre to pass J&K statehood bill this session

Farooq Abdullah urges Centre to pass J&K statehood bill this session

24 Jul 2026 · India · The Hindu

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Friday urged the Centre to introduce and pass a bill restoring Jammu and Kashmir's statehood during the ongoing monsoon session. He said the government must honour its repeated commitments, calling statehood a constitutional and democratic imperative. The appeal followed a July 20 protest he led at Delhi's Jantar Mantar with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and legislators.

ICC member states vote to remove prosecutor Karim Khan over misconduct claims

ICC member states vote to remove prosecutor Karim Khan over misconduct claims

24 Jul 2026 · World · News18

The International Criminal Court has removed chief prosecutor Karim Khan after 82 of its 125 member states voted for his dismissal at a closed-door UN meeting in New York on Friday, citing 'serious misconduct and breach of duty.' The vote followed sexual misconduct allegations by a former staffer, which Khan denies. He plans a legal challenge, having led prosecutions since 2021.

J&K leaders decry mass arrests, home demolitions after Anantnag attack

J&K leaders decry mass arrests, home demolitions after Anantnag attack

24 Jul 2026 · India · The Hindu

Jammu and Kashmir leaders including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and MPs Engineer Rashid and Aga Syed Ruhullah have criticised mass arrests and the demolition of militants' family homes after the Anantnag attack that killed a policeman two days ago. At Friday's Jama Masjid Srinagar congregation, the Mirwaiz alleged over 2,000 young men had been detained as suspected 'over-ground workers' amid widespread harassment.

Supreme Court to hear pleas on alleged police excesses at CJP march

Supreme Court to hear pleas on alleged police excesses at CJP march

24 Jul 2026 · India · The Hindu

India's Supreme Court will hear two fresh petitions on Monday alleging police excesses during the July 20 crackdown on student protesters in Delhi. Chief Justice Surya Kant said in open court on Friday that no plea had previously been filed, criticising 'reckless' reports that the court had refused to list one. The CRPF said it is verifying media reports of pellet injuries.

Trump says no decision yet on major Iran strikes as talks continue

Trump says no decision yet on major Iran strikes as talks continue

24 Jul 2026 · World · News18

US President Donald Trump said Friday he has not decided whether to launch major strikes on Iran, telling reporters that Tehran was becoming 'more serious' in talks. His remarks followed reports he was weighing a large-scale operation. Trump said Iran must choose a deal or a 'much higher level' of attacks, adding the US was 'locked and loaded' but still negotiating.

Jhandu Kumar wins para powerlifting bronze for India's first CWG 2026 medal

Jhandu Kumar wins para powerlifting bronze for India's first CWG 2026 medal

24 Jul 2026 · Sports · News18

Para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar opened India's medal account at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, claiming bronze in the men's heavyweight Group B event. He lifted 190kg on his second attempt to secure the podium finish. The medal came as India began its campaign at the scaled-down Games, which feature only 10 sports across seven venues in the Scottish city.