Over 4,000 tonnes of coal have gone missing from Rajaju and Diengngan villages in Meghalaya. When asked by the High Court, Excise Minister Kyrmen Shylla gave an unusual explanation. "Meghalaya receives the highest rainfall. You never know... because of rain, the coal might have swept away," he told reporters. He added, "Chances are very high," but admitted there’s no solid proof if it was rain or illegal mining. The court has asked the state to act against officials in charge of the coal. Coal mining was banned in 2014, though activists say illegal mining still happens. Shylla denied clear evidence. (PC: India Today)

An Indian student, draped in the national flag, staged a silent protest during his UK graduation. As he reached the stage, he tore a blank white sheet, widely known as a "blank paper protest" to oppose the UK’s new immigration rules. The act went viral, drawing mixed reactions. It symbolised broken promises to students and a future now uncertain. The UK plans to cut Graduate Route visas from two years to 18 months. Settlement will need 10 years instead of five. The student’s quiet protest spoke loudly for many Indians fearing they’ll be forced to leave before building a life abroad.

During his visit to Scotland, US President Donald Trump called London Mayor Sadiq Khan a “nasty person” and said he’s “done a terrible job.” Despite the jibe, Khan’s office responded positively. “The mayor is delighted that President Trump wants to visit London,” his spokesperson said, adding, “He’d see how our diversity makes us stronger, not weaker; richer, not poorer.” Trump made the remark while standing next to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Khan and Trump have clashed in the past, with Trump calling him a “stone cold loser,” and Khan once calling Trump a “poster boy for racists.”

During the Operation Sindoor debate in Lok Sabha on Tuesday, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi over Donald Trump’s repeated claim of brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Quoting Trump’s 29 such assertions, Gandhi challenged the PM, saying: “If he’s lying, then let Prime Minister Modi say it clearly in his speech here: ‘You are lying.’ If he has the courage of Indira Gandhi, let him stand here and say, ‘Donald Trump, you are a liar.’” The government has denied any ceasefire mediation by the US, calling Trump’s claims inaccurate and unfounded.

From August 1, new UPI guidelines issued by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) will come into effect, impacting all banks and payment apps. A major change includes limiting account balance checks to 50 per day. Additionally, UPI AutoPay transactions—such as utility bills, EMIs, and subscriptions—will now be processed in fixed time slots instead of randomly. The move aims to reduce congestion, especially during peak hours. While most users may not notice changes, businesses relying on automatic collections must adjust accordingly. NPCI says these updates are meant to make UPI more stable and reliable for high-volume users. (PC: X)

Shane Tamura, 27, from Las Vegas, opened fire in a New York skyscraper Monday, killing 4 people and injuring another before taking his own life. Among the dead was a police officer working as a building guard and a Blackstone employee. Tamura left a note blaming the NFL for his alleged CTE-related mental illness, though he had only played high school football. Authorities say he entered the wrong office after taking the wrong lift; the NFL’s headquarters were elsewhere in the building. The shooting caused chaos in Midtown Manhattan, prompting lockdowns and a massive police response as floors were cleared. (PC: BBC)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on the Opposition in Lok Sabha, accusing them of “chhichorapan” and mocking India’s military success in Operation Sindoor. “Kya maja le rahe the?” he asked, criticizing their behavior during the debate. PM Modi said Pakistan’s airbases are “still in ICU” after India's 22-minute precision strike using Made-in-India weapons. He declared that nuclear blackmail “won’t work” and slammed Congress for failing to back the armed forces. Modi emphasized global support for India and lamented, “Only three countries stood with Pakistan at the UN.” He hailed the operation as both a military and diplomatic victory. (PC: HT)

Fans will bid farewell to rock legend Ozzy Osbourne as his cortege travels through Birmingham’s Broad Street on Wednesday at 13:00 BST. The Black Sabbath frontman died aged 76 on July 22, weeks after his farewell concert at Villa Park. Thousands have already paid tribute at the Black Sabbath Bridge and bench, with visitors arriving from the US, Mexico, Poland, and Greece. The procession, funded by Osbourne’s family, precedes a private funeral. Birmingham’s mayor called Ozzy a “son of the city.” A petition to rename Birmingham Airport in his honour has gained over 46,000 signatures, reflecting his lasting legacy. (PC: BBC)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Parliament that Pakistan's military pleaded, “Bas karo, bahut maara hai,” after India launched Operation Sindoor in response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack. "They admitted they could no longer bear the assault," PM said, adding that the 22-minute operation achieved 100% of its objectives. Modi declared, “No nuclear blackmail will work,” and said India will retaliate to terror attacks on its terms. He accused Pakistan of siding with terrorists and slammed Congress for not supporting the military. "Had Pakistan used its brain, it wouldn’t have stood with terrorists," he added, defending the forces’ free hand. (PC: India Today)

Torrential rain in northern China has killed over 30 people, forced evacuations of more than 80,000 in Beijing alone, and triggered flash floods and landslides across Hebei, Tianjin, and 10 other provinces. The worst-hit area was Beijing's Miyun district. Authorities issued a second-highest rainstorm warning, and President Xi Jinping urged all-out rescue efforts. Landslides in Hebei’s Chengde region killed 8, with 4 missing. Over 130 villages lost power, and thousands remain stranded. The government has allocated ¥550 million ($76 million) for relief. Experts cite climate change for intensifying disasters, even as China pursues carbon neutrality by 2060. PC: (NDTV )