Climate activist Greta Thunberg expressed support for the CJP-led student movement over alleged NEET exam irregularities while addressing a solidarity rally organised by the Students' Federation of India (SFI) UK in London. Calling the protest an example of "people power", Thunberg said the students' fight for justice, democracy and liberation deserved global support. The remarks came after the 36-day agitation ended with Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation and the Centre's acceptance of key demands, including compensation for families of students who allegedly died by suicide and the withdrawal of FIRs against protesters. Supporters described the movement as inspiring. 

A massive wildfire near Bordeaux in south-west France has triggered a rare pyrocumulonimbus cloud, a fire-generated thunderstorm caused by intense heat, smoke and unstable weather conditions. The blaze, located about 15 km from Bordeaux, has not worsened overnight after lighter winds and some rainfall aided firefighters. French President Emmanuel Macron has convened an emergency meeting as crews battle the flames. Across France and Spain, more than 300,000 people have been evacuated from fire-hit areas. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is also visiting affected regions, while authorities remain on high alert as changing winds continue to threaten communities. (PC: BBC)

International endurance athlete Sabita Mahto from Bihar's Saran district has completed a 265-km ultra-run from Leh to Mig La, one of the world's highest motorable passes at around 19,400 feet, in six days. Battling thin air, freezing temperatures and rugged Himalayan terrain, she completed one of her toughest endurance challenges. Mahto, who comes from a modest family in Panapur's Diyara region, has previously completed several high-altitude expeditions, including a 1,200-km cycling journey to Umling La. She said the achievement is meant to inspire young people, especially women, to pursue their dreams despite limited resources and challenges. (PC: India Today)

A Bihar Police constable has been suspended after a viral video showed him firing an AK-47 during the July 25 'Bihar Bandh' protest over alleged NEET exam irregularities in Siwan. The suspended constable, identified as Abhishek Patel, was attached to the District Intelligence Unit. Police have launched a departmental inquiry, saying officers had clear instructions not to open fire. Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Kumar Jha has filed a Public Interest Litigation in the Supreme Court seeking action over the incident. While police denied any injuries from the firing, local reports said 3 people were hurt, including a 15-year-old boy who remains stable after surgery. (PC: India Today)

A 26-year-old Indian-origin woman, Navneet Kaur, was shot dead in Toronto in what police described as a targeted attack. Officers responded to a shooting near Humberwood Boulevard and Rexdale Boulevard around 7.23 am on Friday and found Kaur with a gunshot wound. Despite emergency medical aid, she was pronounced dead at the scene. Police arrested 37-year-old Brampton resident Sharanjit Singh, charging him with first-degree murder and failure to comply with an undertaking. An eyewitness said the suspect briefly spoke to Kaur before shooting her once and fleeing. Investigators believe there are no outstanding suspects, though the motive remains unclear. The homicide unit is continuing its investigation. (PC: NDTV)

A 19-year-old NEET aspirant from Maharashtra's Ahilyanagar allegedly died by suicide after falling 11 marks short of the reported qualifying cut-off in the re-examination, leaving behind a note expressing anguish over her unfulfilled dream of becoming a doctor. The Jalalpur village resident had appeared for the May 3 NEET exam and the June 21 re-exam, reportedly scoring 166 against the reported 177-mark cut-off after expecting over 300. Police said she died on July 25 while alone at home, and recovered a handwritten note requesting that her parents and brother not be blamed. The incident comes amid nationwide debate and protests over NEET reforms. (PC: News 18)

Mumbai-based model Rhiya Ahir has filed a police complaint alleging she has been subjected to a coordinated online hate campaign after going viral during the CJP-led NEET protest at Shivaji Park. Ahir, who drew attention for standing in front of a police van carrying detained protesters, said she has faced sustained abuse, including slut-shaming, doctored social media posts and defamatory content targeting both her and her family. In her complaint, the 27-year-old argued that the harassment extends beyond criticism of her participation in the protest and is an organised attempt to damage her reputation. Police are expected to examine the allegations and the online content cited. (PC: X)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he plans to travel to New York in September to address the United Nations General Assembly, despite recent remarks from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani that he is "not welcome" in the city. Netanyahu told Fox News he would use the UN platform to "speak the truth" about Israel and the Israeli-American alliance. He also rejected the International Criminal Court's war crimes charges against him, calling them "bogus." During the interview, Netanyahu sharply criticised Mamdani, accusing him of sympathising with Hamas and aligning with those responsible for the October 7 attacks. The exchange highlights growing political tensions surrounding the Israel-Gaza conflict and international accountability efforts. (PC: AFP)

Delhi Police has issued notices to multiple social media platforms seeking the removal of posts deemed "abusive" towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union ministers during the CJP-led NEET protest at Jantar Mantar. According to officials, the force is reviewing content shared during and after the demonstrations to identify posts that may violate the law or disturb public order. The Social Media Monitoring Team is examining material across platforms and will recommend action under relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act where necessary. Police also said they had blocked 480 Pakistan-based social media accounts allegedly involved in coordinated misinformation campaigns linked to the protests and related online activity. (PC: Times Now)

Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu won India's first gold medal at the Commonwealth Games 2026 by dominating the women's 48kg weightlifting event in Glasgow. She broke the Commonwealth Games snatch record with an 85kg lift before setting another Games record in the clean and jerk with 105kg, finishing with a record total of 190kg. Despite missing her opening attempts in both disciplines, Mirabai recovered strongly to seal a third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold after triumphs in 2018 and 2022. Her commanding performance underlined her supremacy, with her entry total nearly 30kg higher than the next closest competitor, reaffirming her status among India's greatest weightlifters. (PC: Free Press Journal)