More than 2,000 farmers have reached the outskirts of Bhopal after marching from Narmadapuram, demanding 100% procurement of moong at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and the removal of the e-token system. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha-led protest continued after initial talks with the Madhya Pradesh government failed to produce a breakthrough. Farmers say current procurement limits force them to sell much of their crop at lower market prices, causing heavy losses. Several Gen Z supporters joined the protest, while security has been tightened around Chief Minister Mohan Yadav's residence ahead of the planned march on Wednesday. (PC: India Today)

A heated confrontation erupted in the Lok Sabha after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that Union Home Minister Amit Shah "ordered the shooting of students" during the recent NEET protest crackdown. Gandhi also questioned Shah's absence from the House and accused the government of using force against students. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju strongly rejected the allegation, demanding proof and calling for the remarks to be expunged. Gandhi also criticised the RSS's role in education, triggering further protests from Treasury benches. Speaker Om Birla termed parts of Gandhi's speech "unparliamentary" and ordered the disputed remarks to be removed from the proceedings. (PC: HT)

Three Indian men were rescued by Thai police after they were allegedly held captive and "tortured for Rs 68.4 lakh ransom" by a gang of 4 Pakistani nationals and 1 Indian in Pattaya. Police said the victims, aged between 23 and 26, were lured to Thailand with a cheap tour package before being kidnapped at a rented house. The men alleged they were beaten, tied up, starved and forced to call their families to demand ransom. Thai police traced the location after receiving information from the victims' relatives. The accused fled before officers reached the house. (PC: NDTV)

The men's javelin event at the Commonwealth Games 2026 is shaping up to be more than the much-awaited Neeraj Chopra-Arshad Nadeem rivalry. Sri Lanka's Rumesh Pathirage, who threw 92.62m earlier this season, has emerged as a serious contender for the gold medal in Glasgow. Chopra returns fully fit after injury and will aim to regain top form, while defending Commonwealth champion Nadeem remains a major threat despite limited competition this year. India also has Rohit Yadav and Yash Vir Singh in the event, giving the country strong depth ahead of the qualification round on July 30. (PC: NDTV)

Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said protesters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) are "enemies like India" while defending a security crackdown that reportedly killed at least 14 activists. The violence erupted after security forces opened fire on a protest march led by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which was demanding political reforms. The JAAC accused security personnel of "unprovoked fire", while Pakistani authorities claimed protesters were armed and attacked first. India criticised Pakistan's assembly elections in POK as a "cosmetic electoral exercise" and said the region remains an integral part of India despite Islamabad's control. (PC: India Today)

The Indian Embassy in Ukraine on Wednesday said it is giving the "highest priority" to the safety and security of 13 Indian seafarers stranded aboard cargo vessel MV AMIR1 at Chornomorsk port. In a statement on X, the embassy said it is in constant touch with all concerned authorities. The Forward Seamen's Union of India warned that the crew is trapped in a "life-threatening situation" amid repeated drone and missile attacks near the Black Sea port. The development comes days after attacks on merchant vessels in the region killed several Indian seafarers and left others missing.

Japan Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said rescue teams are in a "race against time" after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture on Tuesday, killing at least 13 people. Emergency crews are searching the collapsed Aeon Mall in Kashima, where 3 people remain missing and 3 deaths have been confirmed. Rescue operations are also continuing at the Nippon Paper factory in Yatsushiro, where several people are believed to be trapped. The powerful quake damaged homes and buildings across the region, with survivors describing terrifying moments as strong tremors shook the area and left widespread destruction. (PC: BBC)

The death toll from this year's floods in Assam rose to 75 after 7 more people died in Sivasagar district, officials said on Wednesday. According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), over 3.32 lakh people remain affected across 7 districts, although flood conditions have improved. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that compensation for families of flood victims has been increased to Rs 9 lakh, combining the existing Rs 4 lakh ex gratia with Rs 5 lakh from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. More than 32,000 displaced people are currently staying in relief camps across the state. (PC: X)

Gen Z slang echoed in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday as NDA and Opposition MPs exchanged sharp remarks during the debate on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026. BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj said, "Modi clocked it," while Tejasvi Surya described the Opposition as "delulu" over its claims of youth support. Congress MP Deepender Hooda referred to the viral phrase "waste-guna-huiya" while speaking about student protests against exam paper leaks. Supriya Sule urged lawmakers to avoid Gen Z jargon, saying Parliament should focus on the serious issue of education reforms and exam integrity. (PC: HT)

Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif sparked controversy after defending the use of force against protesters in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), reportedly describing them as "enemies like India." His remarks came amid escalating unrest and allegations that Pakistani security forces fired on demonstrators during protests demanding political and civil rights. Reports claimed multiple civilians were killed and many others injured, though casualty figures have not been independently verified. India condemned the reported violence, accusing Pakistan of oppressing civilians in PoJK. The developments have intensified international attention on the region, with protesters and activists demanding accountability, protection of fundamental rights and greater global scrutiny of the situation. (PC: Arab News)