India

Parliament Passes Anti-Paper Leak Bill With Stricter Penalties for Exam Fraud

The Indian Parliament has approved the Public Examination Amendment Bill after it cleared both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The legislation introduces tougher penalties, including jail terms and heavy fines, for individuals involved in paper leaks and exam malpractices. AAP MP Raghav Chadha voiced his support for the Bill in the Rajya Sabha, emphasizing the need for institutional solutions to address the examination integrity crisis. Chadha praised the legislation as a historic step in tackling the widespread problem of unfair means in public examinations.

Vaughan urges Fleming to begin England Test role immediately, questions captaincy depth

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has called on Stephen Fleming to take up his England Test coaching duties without delay. Fleming is reportedly set to postpone his Test coaching responsibilities until the South Africa tour. Vaughan interprets this delay as a possible sign that the role holds less appeal than expected. While acknowledging Fleming's successful tenure with Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, Vaughan raised concerns about whether England has a captain of MS Dhoni's calibre for Fleming to work with.

Gold Rate Today, July 31: Check 18, 22 and 24 carat gold prices in Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and other cities

Sanders Mocks Zuckerberg Over Billionaire Tax, But Gets the Facts Wrong

California's proposed 5% billionaire tax, intended to fund healthcare for three million low-income residents, is driving wealthy individuals out of the state. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and other tech billionaires are reportedly shifting their assets to Florida, which levies no state income tax. Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin have also reportedly severed financial ties with California. Senator Bernie Sanders publicly mocked Zuckerberg over the tax issue but was subsequently corrected on certain facts. The episode highlights growing tensions between progressive tax policy and the financial decisions of the ultra-wealthy.

El Niño to intensify in coming months, lead to extreme temperatures, rainfall world over

Families of injured Delhi Police officers recount trauma from CJP protest violence

Relatives of Delhi Police personnel injured during a CJP protest have spoken out about the ordeal their loved ones endured. The daughter of one officer described how her father narrowly escaped being lynched by the crowd. The wife of a Delhi Police ACP recounted the distress of seeing her husband return home badly hurt. Family members condemned the attacks on officers who were present to maintain law and order. They emphasized that what began as a demonstration escalated into violence that put security personnel in serious danger.

Invasive rats on tropical islands are quietly dismantling coral reef food webs

Invasive rats on tropical islands are triggering a cascade of ecological changes that extend deep into coral reef ecosystems. By preying on seabirds, the rats drastically reduce the bird populations responsible for delivering vital nutrients to surrounding reefs. The resulting nutrient imbalance has led to an uneven redistribution of marine life, with small cryptobenthic fish thriving in nutrient-rich zones and invertebrates dominating in less fertile areas. This restructuring of the reef food web underscores how a single invasive species on land can have far-reaching consequences underwater. Scientists warn the findings highlight the fragility of coral reef ecosystems and the urgent need to manage invasive species on island habitats.

‘Want outcome, not headline’: Raghav Chadha breaks silence on student protests

Neeraj Chopra qualifies for CWG javelin final with 79.61m throw

Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra secured a spot in the Commonwealth Games javelin final with a best throw of 79.61m at Scotstoun Stadium. He acknowledged that conditions were not ideal for javelin throwers during the qualifying round. Chopra will face strong competition in the 12-man final, including defending champion Arshad Nadeem, world champion Keshorn Walcott, and former world champion Anderson Peters. Fellow Indians Rohit Yadav and Yash Vir Singh also qualified for the final, giving India three contenders for a medal.

Rahul Gandhi warns Modi, Shah against targeting Gen Z protesters with crackdowns

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi publicly criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah over alleged actions against student protesters. Gandhi accused the government of attempting to silence Generation Z through police FIRs and social media account removals. He demanded a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into alleged police brutality at Jantar Mantar. Opposition MPs joined in protesting what they described as both police misconduct and financial irregularities. The demonstrations took place ahead of parliamentary consideration of a bill concerning public examinations.

Francis deSouza Named CEO of Scale AI, Succeeding Interim Chief Jason Droege

Francis deSouza has been appointed as the new chief executive officer of Scale AI. He previously held the role of chief operating officer at Google Cloud before taking on this position. DeSouza succeeds interim CEO Jason Droege, who led the company following the departure of founder Alexandr Wang. His stated goal is to steer Scale AI toward becoming a leading enterprise AI company. Founder Alexandr Wang publicly congratulated deSouza on assuming the leadership role.

The Real Cost of College Life in Delhi Beyond Tuition Fees

Students pursuing higher education in Delhi face substantial expenses beyond just tuition fees. Accommodation and daily living costs add a significant financial burden on top of academic charges. Parents often underestimate these recurring expenses during their initial financial planning. Rent and daily costs vary considerably depending on the locality and type of housing chosen. Experts emphasize that careful monthly budgeting is essential for families supporting students living away from home.

Parliament Monsoon Session 2026 Day 10 LIVE: Bill to increase Supreme Court judges likely to be discussed in Lok Sabha today

Meta India chief, Insta accounts named in Hyderabad Police case over student protest posts targeting PM Modi

Trump Administration Eyes $100,000 Fee for Foreign Graduates Seeking US Work Permits

The Trump administration is weighing a proposal to charge international students $100,000 to obtain work permits in the United States. The fee would apply to the Optional Practical Training program, which allows foreign graduates to work in the US after completing their studies. If implemented, the policy could have significant consequences for American universities and technology companies that rely on international talent. The Department of Homeland Security is currently deliberating on how such a fee would be structured and enforced. Updated rules governing the OPT program are anticipated to be released later this fall.

India news Live Updates, 31 July 2026: BJP plans protest at Karnataka dam over Cauvery order, security stepped up

Nepal communal violence: 3 killed, curfew widens; PM appeals for calm

Noida woman faces Zero FIR for alleged abusive remarks against PM Modi

A Zero FIR has been filed against Ruchika Singh, a salon worker residing in Sector 168, Noida, over alleged abusive language directed at Prime Minister Modi. The complaint was filed by a Ghaziabad resident after a video of a protest surfaced on social media. Police registered the case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including charges related to public mischief. Since the incident took place in Delhi, authorities will transfer the FIR to the Delhi Police for further investigation.

CJP Founder Dipke Mocks PM Modi Over Late-Night Video on Anti-Paper Leak Bill

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke publicly mocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over a recent late-night video message. In the video, PM Modi addressed the newly passed anti-paper leak Bill, which Parliament approved to strengthen examination integrity. The Prime Minister acknowledged that paper leak issues have plagued governments across the country for decades. The new legislation aims to build a more reliable and fair examination system for students. The government has indicated it will use technology and systemic reforms to prevent future exam malpractice.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman deleted TikTok after admitting addiction to its algorithm

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman publicly admitted he became addicted to TikTok, describing its recommendation algorithm as overwhelmingly powerful. He eventually deleted the app to break the habit. The revelation came around the same time OpenAI decided to shelve its Sora video generation project, citing high computing costs and resource constraints. TikTok's US operations are currently under a new joint venture ownership structure.