Asif Qureshi, cousin of Bollywood actor Huma Qureshi, was fatally stabbed outside his Delhi home on Thursday night following a parking dispute. The incident occurred around 10 pm in Nizamuddin’s Bhogal Bazaar Lane when Asif asked two local youths to move their scooter blocking his entrance. After a heated exchange, the accused Ujjwal (19) and Gautam (18) returned with a sharp weapon and attacked him. Asif was rushed to the hospital but declared dead on arrival. His wife, Shaheen, alleged prior threats and a history of tension. Police arrested both suspects and seized the murder weapon. A case under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 103(1) and 3(5) has been registered. Investigation is ongoing. (PC: The Indian Express)

A major controversy erupted after the Delhi Police referred to Bengali (Bangla) as the “Bangladeshi national language” in a letter seeking translation help for a document. The remark sparked widespread backlash from the Trinamool Congress (TMC), with leaders like Mamata Banerjee and Mahua Moitra slamming it as an insult to Indian Bengalis and their linguistic identity. TMC demanded an apology from the Home Ministry, calling the language mislabeling “anti-national” and “unconstitutional.” The backlash drew support from political parties like Congress, DMK, CPI-ML, and prominent Bengali artists defending Bangla as India’s rich cultural treasure.

Three CRPF jawans were killed and 16 others injured after a bunker vehicle carrying 23 personnel overturned and plunged into a gorge near Kandva in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district. The mishap occurred around 10:30 am while the troops of the 187 Battalion were returning from an operation in Basantgarh. Rescue efforts were swiftly launched by police and locals. Union Minister Jitendra Singh called the incident “disturbing,” assuring ongoing support. J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed grief and extended condolences to the families. One jawan died en route to hospital, while two died on the spot. (PC: India Today)

India’s premier medical institutes, AIIMS, are battling their worst faculty crisis in four years with over 2,500 teaching posts lying vacant across 21 campuses in 2025-26. AIIMS Delhi alone has 462 vacancies, while newer institutes like Awantipora have filled none of their sanctioned posts. The total vacancy rate stands at 40.2%, unchanged from last year but the highest in absolute numbers since 2022. Experts blame poor pay and better private sector opportunities for the crisis. The government claims recruitment is ongoing, with measures like contract-based appointments and visiting faculty schemes being introduced to address the shortfall. (PC: The Telegraph)

The Jammu and Kashmir government has banned 25 books, including Arundhati Roy’s Azadi and AG Noorani’s The Kashmir Dispute 1947–2012, citing concerns over promoting “victimhood, grievance, and terrorist heroism.” The Home Department’s August 5 notification claims these works distort historical facts and radicalize youth. Books by political scientist Sumantra Bose and top academic publishers like Oxford and Stanford have also been forfeited under Section 98 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023. The move coincides with the anniversary of Article 370's abrogation and ahead of a Supreme Court hearing on J&K's statehood restoration. (PC: HT)

In a major breakthrough, geologists have confirmed significant gold deposits beneath Mahangwa Kewalri in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, covering 100 hectares. The discovery, validated through chemical analysis, also includes copper and other valuable metals. Officials from the Department of Geology hailed it as one of Central India’s biggest mineral finds in recent years. With existing mining infrastructure in place, the region could soon see industrial investment and economic uplift. This development strengthens earlier signs from neighbouring Katni and could boost employment, state revenue, and India’s mineral reserves, marking a new chapter in India’s resource-rich heartland. (PC: News18)

A flash flood in Uttarakhand’s Dharali has buried the historic Kalp Kedar temple, believed to be built by the Pandavas. The temple, dedicated to Shiva, was partially submerged for decades, with only its dome—featuring Kalabhairava's face—visible. Now, even that has vanished under debris, leaving locals devastated. Once a stop on Indo-Tibetan trade routes, Dharali was also a spiritual centre, its temple revered as part of the Panch Kedar lore. “It wasn’t just a flood. It took the heart of the village,” said a local. Apple orchards, footbridges, and homes were also swept away in the destruction. (PC: X)

A deadly cloudburst in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district has left 5 dead and 11 Army jawans missing, with over 100 people still stranded. Triggered by heavy rain, the flash floods and mudslides struck Dharali and Sukhi Top, damaging roads and homes. Around 150 people have been rescued by ITBP, Army, NDRF, and SDRF teams, while 413 pilgrims from the Kinnaur Kailash Yatra were also evacuated. A 28-member Kerala tourist group remains missing. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami conducted an aerial survey and assured all help. MI-17 and Chinook helicopters are on standby, awaiting clear weather to continue the rescue operation. (PC: X)

Air India CEO Campbell Wilson announced on Wednesday that the airline has begun a phased restoration of international operations from August 1, aiming for full resumption by October 1, 2025. The move follows a 15% cut in widebody international flights after the June 18 AI171 crash in Ahmedabad. Wilson assured passengers of safety and operational stability, noting the importance of a “measured approach.” Key routes like Delhi–Tokyo and Delhi–London have already resumed or expanded services. Affected passengers earlier received rebooking options or full refunds. Air India plans to fully restore its global network, including daily operations on several major routes. (PC: HT)

After months of specialized care at Reliance’s Vantara rescue center in Gujarat, elephant Mahadevi has safely returned to Karnataka. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis shared the update, highlighting the animal’s improved health following treatment for injuries and malnourishment. Originally rescued from illegal captivity in Karnataka, Mahadevi was moved to Vantara in April 2024 for medical attention. The facility provided her with round-the-clock veterinary care, nutrition, and rehabilitation. Her return was coordinated with Karnataka authorities, ensuring proper monitoring and continued care in her natural habitat. The case underscores the importance of wildlife rescue and rehabilitation efforts. (PC: HT Photo)