India

Bihar Police arrest STF jawan in Bharat Tiwari 'encounter' probe — What was the case

Methane blast at Balochistan coal mine kills 34, leaves 10 miners trapped

A methane gas explosion at a coal mine in Pakistan's Balochistan province has killed at least 34 miners. Ten workers remained trapped underground following the blast, with rescue teams racing to reach them. Authorities announced compensation packages for the families of those who lost their lives. The disaster has renewed attention on persistent safety failures in Pakistan's coal mining sector.

Influencer apologises for viral video mocking RAF personnel at Delhi protest

A social media influencer faced widespread backlash after a video of her went viral online. In the clip, she recreated an advertisement while standing in front of Rapid Action Force personnel during a protest in Delhi. The video drew heavy criticism, prompting her to delete it and issue a public apology for her behaviour. Following the video's circulation, the influencer also reported receiving threats from online users.

Delhi consumer panel fines Mercedes-Benz, dealer Rs 10L for hiding car's prior billing

A Delhi consumer commission has ordered Mercedes-Benz India and dealer T&T Motors to pay a combined compensation of Rs 10 lakh to a buyer. The commission found that both parties concealed the vehicle's earlier purchase and registration history at the time of sale. The buyer discovered the discrepancy only when servicing records revealed an earlier registration date than expected. The commission ruled that withholding such information constituted an unfair trade practice. Mercedes-Benz India and T&T Motors were each directed to pay Rs 5 lakh as compensation.

The Southern Ocean may be Earth's safest place to remove carbon, scientists find

Dehradun teacher dies amid dowry harassment claims, FIR filed against husband's family

A school teacher in Dehradun allegedly died as a result of sustained dowry-related harassment by her husband and his family. Before her death, she recorded a video expressing her distress over the situation. Her family subsequently filed a formal complaint with the police, detailing allegations of both physical and mental abuse linked to dowry demands. Authorities have registered an FIR for dowry death against the husband and his relatives. The case has drawn attention to the ongoing issue of dowry-based violence in the region.

Indian Railways Develops Homegrown Signal System for High-Speed Rail Corridors

Indian Railways is working on a domestically developed signalling protocol tailored for high-speed rail operations. The system, named the Bharat Train Control System (BTCS), is being purpose-built to suit Indian operating conditions. This initiative follows efforts to develop a made-in-India bullet train, reflecting a broader push for indigenous railway technology. The BTCS is intended to support the country's expanding high-speed rail corridor network.

Costa Rican man born in 1907 may be world's oldest living person at 119

José Flores, reportedly born in 1907, may be the oldest living person in the world at 119 years of age. He resides with his family at their rural home in Costa Rica, where they provide his care. Researchers attribute his remarkable longevity to his dietary habits and overall lifestyle choices. Efforts are currently underway to verify his age officially so he can receive global recognition. His case is drawing attention to broader questions about the factors behind extreme long life.

Tim Cook exits Apple CEO role after record $109.4B quarter with weak outlook

Apple reported record Q3 2026 revenue of $109.4 billion, a 16% year-on-year rise, in what became Tim Cook's final earnings call as CEO. iPhone revenue surged 22% to $54.25 billion, while Mac sales jumped 29% driven by strong demand for the MacBook Neo. Despite the strong results, Apple shares dropped as much as 8% following weaker-than-expected guidance for the September quarter. Cook attributed part of the pressure to surging memory costs, describing the situation as a once-in-a-century pricing event. Hardware chief John Ternus is set to succeed Cook as CEO on September 1.

Zepto fires delivery agent after Bengaluru woman reports harassment at home

A Bengaluru woman posted a video alleging that a Zepto delivery partner repeatedly attempted to enter her home during a delivery. She declined his requests for water and entry, but he allegedly continued by ringing the doorbell and banging on the gate. The woman said she felt frightened by his persistent behaviour. She called on Zepto to investigate and also criticised the app's complaint mechanism as inadequate. Zepto responded by terminating the delivery partner's account following the incident.

FDA asks Maharashtra schools to stop selling junk food children love

17-year-old cricketer Aditi Chaukhande dies by suicide over selection failure

Aditi Chaukhande, a 17-year-old aspiring cricketer from India, died by suicide on Wednesday night, reportedly distressed over not being selected for a cricket team. She had been training alongside her elder brother Prabal, also an upcoming cricketer. After having dinner with her mother that evening, Aditi went to her room where the incident occurred. Her brother was away from home at the time. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding her death.

BJP Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla Removes Party Tag from X Bio, Raises Exit Questions

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla has removed all mention of the party from his X (formerly Twitter) biography, triggering speculation about his possible departure. His Instagram profile, however, continues to identify him as a BJP spokesperson. Poonawalla has been associated with the BJP since joining the party in December 2017 and has been an active public voice for it. Neither Poonawalla nor the BJP has issued any official statement clarifying his current status with the party.

UP RERA signals sustained realty boom, registers 143 new projects in first half of 2026

Hyderabad Needs Citywide Green Building Push to Beat Urban Heat

Hyderabad is grappling with rising urban temperatures, with green-certified buildings present in its hottest neighborhoods but heavily outnumbered by conventional structures. Experts emphasize that cooling benefits require neighborhood-wide planning rather than isolated green buildings. Currently, only around ten percent of the city's building stock meets green standards. Analysts argue that broader adoption of green construction practices, supported by policy incentives, is essential to counter the urban heat island effect.

ITR Deadline: July 31 Stands, But You Can Still File Until Dec 2026

The deadline to file income tax returns for the current assessment year remains July 31, 2025, with no official extension announced so far. However, taxpayers who miss this date are not without options, as Indian tax law permits the filing of belated returns. A belated return can be submitted up to nine months after the close of the relevant financial year. For the 2025-26 tax year, this means taxpayers have until December 31, 2026, to file a late return, albeit potentially with applicable penalties or interest.

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.