The death toll from severe flooding in India’s northeastern state of Assam has risen to 82, with nearly 200,000 people still affected, officials said on August 1. Flood impacts persist in at least five districts, although the overall situation has improved somewhat compared with Thursday. Authorities reported that two additional deaths occurred recently in Sivasagar and Charaideo districts.

Sivasagar, Golaghat, Jorhat, Nagaon and Charaideo have suffered the greatest damage. Of 192,799 people affected statewide, Charaideo has reported 77,456 affected residents, followed by Sivasagar with 63,492 and Jorhat with 34,067. Water in the Dikhow and Dhansiri rivers remains above danger levels in Golaghat, Sivasagar and Numaligarh, and residents have been advised to avoid high-risk areas.

The state government announced a special relief package for the hardest-hit districts. About 13,000 people are staying in 54 relief camps, while 5,384 others are receiving services through 26 relief distribution centres. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the state cabinet will meet insurance companies and non-banking financial companies on August 5 to discuss faster claims and temporary loan-instalment relief for affected residents.

Tom Holland and Zendaya-starrer Spider-Man: Brand New Day set a new opening-day box office record for a Hollywood film in India, according to the report. Released in India on July 30, the film earned Rs 60.60 crore net on its first day. The report said the result established the highest first-day collection for a Hollywood release in the country.

Box office analysts said the film surpassed the opening-day earnings of Avengers: Endgame, which collected Rs 53.60 crore net, and Avatar: The Way of Water, which earned Rs 40.30 crore net. The analysis also said it exceeded the Rs 67 crore gross opening collection record of Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Pathaan.

The film was released in India one day before its wide release in the United States. The report said it achieved the result without block bookings or preview shows, practices sometimes used to raise opening-day collections. Analysts expect its four-day weekend earnings to reach between Rs 150 crore and Rs 200 crore due to a lack of major competition. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, the film is the 38th Marvel Cinematic Universe release.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for restraint and forgiveness after alleged offensive slogans targeting him and his late mother were raised during a student protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. In a video message on Friday, Modi said abuse could never solve any problem and urged society to guide young people he described as misled back onto the right path.

The demonstration, led by the “Kakroach Janata Party,” was held on July 23 over allegations of question-paper leaks. Modi said the incident had been seen across India and the world, and that some confused youths used language unacceptable in a civilized society. He said he did not support anger or retaliation and argued that young people should be given an opportunity to learn from mistakes.

A zero FIR was registered against a 25-year-old woman at Noida’s Expressway police station under provisions related to provoking a breach of peace, provocative public remarks and defamation. The investigation was later transferred to Delhi’s Parliament Street police station. Party spokesperson Saurabh Das condemned the language used but criticized applying state criminal laws and police action against protesters over speech.

Writer Taslima Nasrin arrived in Kolkata after nearly two decades, drawing dissatisfaction in several quarters, according to the report. She reached Kolkata airport at about 12:50 p.m. on Friday and was welcomed with conch sounds, ululation and chants of “Jai Shri Ram” from some people. Disorder reportedly developed upon her arrival, and she quickly left the area in a vehicle described as belonging to the BJP government.

The report says some BJP supporters celebrated her arrival, with some calling her the “new mother of Modi devotees.” It also reports strong irritation and criticism among ordinary social-media users. The article characterizes much of the reaction as focused more on Nasrin’s personal life and publicity than on her literary work, while presenting extensive critical commentary about her views and private life.

Nasrin is expected to attend an event organized by Secular Mission and HRBFF at Rabindra Sadan on Saturday. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari may also attend, the report says. It adds that she had to leave Kolkata in 2007 amid controversy over her novel “Dwikhandito” during Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee’s tenure, and says no steps were taken for her return during Mamata Banerjee’s 15 years in power.

A report published from Kolkata on August 1, 2026 says India’s mainstream media and television news outlets face an unprecedented crisis of public trust alongside widespread journalist layoffs. It attributes the decline in credibility to allegations of biased coverage, political loyalty and failure to address people’s real concerns. The report says some members of the public have begun calling such outlets “godi media,” while television audiences and ratings are falling.

It says viewers are increasingly turning to YouTube channels and social media for news, where independent journalists are described as comparatively more impartial and courageous. Citing veteran journalist Shubho Maitra, the report says 24-hour news channels are in severe distress and that India’s media ranking has fallen to 157 in a global index. Writer-journalist Gautam Basumallik is cited describing reporters learning abruptly that they had lost their jobs.

Based on a social media update, the report says 28 news workers were recently laid off at News18 Bangla. It says affected staff included reporters, desk workers, cameramen, graphic designers and digital employees, while the channel also hired two new anchors and changed its editorial position.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has said Bangladesh’s fugitive former prime minister Sheikh Hasina cannot conduct political activities from Indian soil. The position was reported by The Indian Express on Friday after Hasina said she intended to return to Bangladesh by the end of this year. In a statement to the Lok Sabha’s parliamentary standing committee on external affairs, the ministry said Dhaka’s request for her return was being examined under Indian laws and rules.

The committee, led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, said Hasina had been allowed to remain in India under the country’s long humanitarian tradition of sheltering people facing serious danger or threats to life. It said India nevertheless follows a strict principle that its territory cannot be used for political activity against another country. Citing Bangladesh Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman, the report said Hasina could be arrested immediately upon returning from India to Bangladesh.

In its report on the future of India-Bangladesh relations, the committee recommended maintaining this principled and humanitarian position while handling the matter sensitively. It also urged a quicker normalization of visas for Bangladeshi citizens, prompt talks on renewing the Ganges water-sharing treaty due to expire in 2026, and continued diplomatic focus on protecting minority communities in Bangladesh.

Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijit Dipke criticised the Modi government over alleged police harassment during student protests linked to claims of a NEET examination paper leak. Speaking to journalists at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar airport in Maharashtra after a month-long protest in Delhi, Dipke said a broader mass movement would emerge if repression of protesters continued. He said India’s youth could ultimately change the government.

Dipke alleged that police used pellet guns to disperse the July 20 Sansad Abhiyan programme at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, injuring several students. He condemned such action against unarmed students and called for an impartial investigation and legal action against those responsible for ordering force. He also alleged police raids on the homes of student leaders and activists, threats of arrest, and harassment of family members.

The report says Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned amid the movement, though Dipke said student anger had not subsided. The Supreme Court instructed the Centre that pellet guns must not be used except in special circumstances. Opposition parties alleged excessive force, while the Centre denied it and the BJP described police action as maintaining law and order. CJP said it would pursue wider peaceful protests unless FIRs against students were withdrawn.

India’s Lok Sabha passed an amendment bill on July 30, 2026, amid heated debate, granting “Vande Mataram” equal status with the national anthem “Jana Gana Mana.” The bill makes insult to the song a punishable offence. According to the report, it was the first bill passed in the Lok Sabha during the ongoing monsoon session.

The measure passed by voice vote after only two lawmakers spoke, while opposition amendments were rejected. DMK member K. Kanizha opposed it, calling it a “Hindutva agenda” behind nationalism. He said making all six verses mandatory and treating refusal to sing them as a criminal offence would polarize the country and run against secular principles.

BJP’s Sambit Patra said Congress had failed to give “Vande Mataram” appropriate respect during 76 years of rule. Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said the Modi government was giving the national song its due honour. Existing law provides up to three years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both for intentionally preventing or disrupting the singing of “Jana Gana Mana”; the amendment extends those provisions to “Vande Mataram.”

Abhijit Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janata Party, or CJP, demanded the resignation of Indian Home Minister Amit Shah on July 30, alleging that police action against students during a July 20 march over examination irregularities was ordered by Shah. Dipke said the attack on students and bloodshed among protesters could not have occurred without the home minister’s instructions.

A day earlier, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi made a similar allegation during debate on an anti-question-paper-leak bill and also sought Shah’s resignation. The report said police used batons, tear gas and pellets during the march. Dipke further alleged that Delhi Police deliberately created a stone-throwing incident to justify action against protesters, claiming stones and a damaged vehicle were brought to Jantar Mantar and that BJP members threw stones while students were blamed.

Dipke rejected allegations that CJP received foreign funding for its Jantar Mantar protest, saying failure to stop such funding would itself reflect a Home Ministry failure. The report said Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan left office on July 25 following the movement. Dipke also alleged harassment of activists after protests were withdrawn and said the movement could expand if necessary.

Amnesty International said India sent at least 2,596 shipments of weapons, ammunition and military equipment to Israel between October 7, 2023 and November 30, 2025, during Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The findings were published Thursday in a report titled “Made in India: The Supply of Weapons and Ammunition to Israel.” Amnesty said companies from both India’s public and private sectors were involved in the shipments.

The report cited machine-gun parts, high-explosive 155mm artillery shells supplied to Elbit Systems, explosive warheads for SkyStriker “kamikaze” drones, and vehicle parts for key Israeli military suppliers. It counted 564,970 explosive ordnance components, including drone warheads and artillery-shell casings; 390,516 small parts for military-grade firearms; and 298 military vehicle components.

Amnesty said it used a cautious, conservative methodology based on customs HS codes 9301-9307 and 8710, excluding items with unclear military or civilian use and anti-missile defence components. It said the actual volume of Indian-made military material could therefore be higher. Amnesty received no response before publication after writing to the Indian government and nine relevant companies. Secretary General Agnès Callamard said Indian authorities could not claim ignorance of the risk cited in International Court of Justice provisional orders.

Hundreds of people in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, are holding a sit-in demanding withdrawal of an order to demolish 38 buildings at Mohammad Ali Jauhar University. On July 15, the Rampur district administration declared 38 of the 40 buildings on the 250-acre campus illegal and instructed the university to demolish them at its own expense by August 5. It warned that government bulldozers would be used if the deadline was not met.

The state administration has issued an interim stay on the Rampur Development Authority order, but Vice-Chancellor Zahiruddin said it only extended time and did not cancel the order. Samajwadi Party legislator Javed Ali Khan described the move as political retaliation. BJP state spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi rejected that allegation, saying the action was a normal legal process against construction on illegal land and outside approved plans.

The university was founded in 2006 through the efforts of Azam Khan and has about 3,000 students. Nearly half are women, while more than one-third are from the Hindu community. Students and local residents continue their protest, and students say they will pursue legal and social efforts to protect the campus.

Abhijit Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), criticised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said he should become an influencer rather than remain prime minister. Speaking to journalists in his hometown in Maharashtra on July 30, 2026, Dipke also warned of a larger nationwide movement if FIRs filed against students are not withdrawn.

Dipke’s remarks followed several Instagram videos posted by Modi for young people. He said that if Modi is such a good influencer, he should leave the prime minister’s chair and allow someone else to do the country’s work. The report also cited Congress parliamentarian Priyanka Gandhi’s earlier parliamentary comments that changing camera angles would not win Gen Z support and that the prime minister needed to change his perspective.

The CJP founder also spoke against the recently passed anti-question-paper-leak bill in the Lok Sabha. He argued that passing laws alone would not solve the problem unless they were properly implemented. Referring to a fast-track court announced by the prime minister, Dipke alleged that its first hearing was postponed because a CBI lawyer was absent, questioning the value of announcements without effective follow-through.

Lok Sabha opposition leader Rahul Gandhi demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi remove Home Minister Amit Shah over alleged police force against student protesters in India. At a July 30 news conference in New Delhi, Gandhi also called for an independent investigation supervised by the Supreme Court into the July 20 incident. He alleged that pellet guns, baton charges and abuse were ordered against students.

Gandhi said the Delhi Police and Rapid Action Force fall under the Union Home Ministry, making the home minister responsible for their actions. He said he wrote to Shah on July 25 asking whether pellet-gun use had been authorised and whether people in plain clothes involved in attacks were police personnel, but received neither a response nor acknowledgement. His similar allegation in the Lok Sabha prompted protests from ruling members and demands for an apology.

Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh rejected the allegation, saying no shots were fired at protesters and only tear gas was used. Gandhi responded that pellet guns can be lethal and said an injured person presented at the news conference had pellet marks and a medical report documenting such injuries. He also alleged students were being identified and intimidated using facial-recognition technology.

Heavy rainfall in India’s capital Delhi caused waterlogging across several areas after sustained rain on Monday, with water entering buses operated by the Delhi Transport Corporation. Videos shared on social media showed knee-deep water on bus floors, forcing passengers to move with difficulty. In some buses, the water level was reported to have risen as high as the seats.

The footage spread widely online, prompting users to question Delhi’s transport services and the city’s management during the monsoon season. Social media users criticised the efficiency of the Delhi Transport Corporation and pointed to perceived shortcomings in urban planning for seasonal rainfall.

The report said Delhi faces waterlogging problems every year during monsoon rains. However, water entering the interiors of buses is not commonly seen, and many observers said the incident highlighted a lack of adequate preparedness by transport authorities for the rainy season.

India’s Supreme Court has cleared late former prime minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in a coal allocation case, declaring closure of proceedings against him on Wednesday. The decision, reported on July 29, 2026, came about a year and a half after Singh’s death in 2024. The case concerned alleged irregularities in the allocation of coal mines in Odisha while the UPA government was in power.

Singh held the coal ministry portfolio at the time, while allegations were also raised against the then coal secretary. The report says the CBI questioned officials in the prime minister’s secretariat but was accused of not questioning Singh, an issue that was also raised before the court. Singh had rejected the allegations from the beginning. In 2015, the CBI submitted to the court information obtained after questioning him.

The Supreme Court said the trial court had no strong basis to reject the CBI’s closure report and take cognizance of the matter. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohanan announced the decision after accepting Singh’s challenge to summons issued by the trial court in 2015. Congress welcomed the ruling and demanded that the prime minister apologize to the country.