😠 Ladakh leaders demand swift action from government

Leh Apex Body functionaries Sonam Wangchuk and Chering Dorjay Lakrook issued a one-month ultimatum to the Union government. They demanded the withdrawal of criminal cases against around 80 protesters and compensation for families of four killed in police firing in Leh. This protest followed the unrest last year, where four unarmed civilians lost their lives on September 24th in Leh. The leaders warned that a fresh movement would launch if their core demands were not met within the specified timeframe. Ladakh is a strategically sensitive region whose concerns they feel have been overlooked by the Centre. 😠

🕵️ How NEET-UG paper allegedly got leaked

Three subject experts allegedly leaked the NEET-UG exam paper using various methods. P. V. Kulkarni, Manisha Mandhare, and Manisha Havaldar were the accused, linked to the NTA. The alleged leak involved notes on chits and marking NCERT paras between March 31, 2026, and April 2, 2026. This exploitation was possible due to NTA shortcomings, like no frisking or CCTV monitoring. The CBI is investigating how these practices went undetected during the exam process.

😔 CRPF suicides hit five-year high, mostly on duty

The CRPF recorded 59 suicides in 2025, marking the highest figure in the past five years. This surge primarily involved lower-ranking personnel and tragically occurred while they were on duty. Between 2021 and 2025, over 77% of all recorded deaths happened during active service. Officials linked these incidents to home issues combined with the rigorous demands of service. The force is currently implementing steps to support the physical and mental well-being of its troops. 😔

☀️ Total Solar Eclipse hits Europe & Greenland on Aug 12

A spectacular total solar eclipse is scheduled for August 12, with the Moon completely blocking the Sun in certain areas. The path of totality will traverse Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, the Atlantic Ocean, Spain, and Portugal. Total coverage will last under two-and-a-half minutes for most central observers, while partial phases are visible across much of Europe and North America. Viewers must use ISO 12312-2 certified glasses for safety before and after totality. NASA will livestream the event starting at 1:15 pm EDT. 🔭

🕵️ Killer fugitive Rajinder Bairagi finally caught after 28 years

Delhi Police finally captured Rajinder Bairagi, who was wanted for the 1998 murder of Haryana Police personnel Jai Bhagwan. He was found in Mungaoli, Madhya Pradesh, after evading justice for nearly three decades. The investigation started while probing two unsolved attempted murder cases from 1997 and 1998. Bairagi had created a fake life, marrying and running a clinic, while hiding his violent past. The arrest followed a detailed operation combining field work and digital forensics. 🕵️

🌧️ J&K CM checks out flood damage in Rajouri

J&K CM Omar Abdullah visited the flood-hit Rajouri district on Thursday to check the damage from last month's heavy rains. He instructed officials to speed up restoration and boost relief and rehabilitation efforts across the area. The government assured residents that relief quantum would be increased for those whose homes or land were destroyed. Affected families losing homes and farms will receive five marlas of government land for rehabilitation. Additionally, the CM ordered improvements to power lines and resilient road engineering solutions.

🏏 Gill gets hit twice in practice before Lanka warm-up

Shubman Gill was hit twice during practice sessions leading up to the warm-up game against Sri Lanka. This incident occurred while the players were training at the venue. The specific dates or numbers related to the practice sessions were not detailed in the report. The practice was part of the preparation phase for the upcoming warm-up match. Further updates on Gill's condition and team strategy are expected soon. 🏏

📢 AIUTUC demands instant minimum wage implementation

Contract workers staged a protest at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Kalaburagi demanding immediate revised minimum wages. The All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC) organized this demonstration involving workers from various sectors. The protest occurred on Thursday, following the issuance of the final minimum wage notification on May 22, 2026. Protesters argued that suspending the wages was unconstitutional and violated worker rights across Karnataka. AIUTUC demands the state government rejects any delay and enforces the wages immediately. 😠

⚽ Barcelona cancels Morocco friendly, misses out on big cash

FC Barcelona officially decided not to proceed with the friendly match in Tangier, Morocco, scheduled for August 15. The decision involved the club and the organizers due to events in Ceuta last week. The fixture cancellation means Barcelona will forgo an appearance fee valued at around €4.5 million. This move prioritizes the safety of the players and coaching staff following the situation in Ceuta. Barcelona will now assess alternatives with Hansi Flick before their La Liga opener. ⚽

🚂 One license for all: Railways overhauls container ops

Railways is rolling out a national permit-like license for container train operators across the entire network. This change affects the 22 existing CTOs operating within the Indian railways system. A uniform all-India license fee of Rs 25 crore replaces older category-based payments of Rs 10 or Rs 50 crore. The reform aims to boost cargo movement and cut road congestion since rail freight is cheaper than road transport. Operators can migrate early by paying Rs 15 crore, with new licenses valid for 20 years. 🚂

🇮🇷 JD Vance warns Iran deal will be messy

US Vice-President JD Vance stated that negotiations with Iran are unlikely to yield quick results, describing the Tehran leadership as deeply divided. Vance spoke to Fox News on Wednesday, detailing Iran's unpredictable political structure with conflicting factions. He expects the eventual outcome to be messy and time-consuming, though he remains confident in the US position. The US will continue applying military, economic, and diplomatic pressure to resolve the situation. This comes after President Donald Trump recently claimed significant progress had been made in the talks. 🇮🇷