Activist Sonam Wangchuk shared a video from a Gurugram hospital on the 25th day of his hunger strike. Beginning with the words, "I am still alive," he said he was ready to end his fast if the government assured that student protesters would face no police action, arrests, FIRs or harassment. Wangchuk praised students for remaining peaceful despite the police action during the 'Chalo Sansad' march. He said he had lost 11 kg but was recovering under medical observation. Wangchuk has been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 28 over exam reforms and accountability.

Tropical Storm Bertha is expected to make landfall in Louisiana late on Wednesday. The storm has maximum sustained winds of 60 mph, according to the US National Hurricane Center. Officials warned that "several inches of rain" could fall across parts of the central Gulf Coast through Thursday. The heavy rain may cause local flooding. Tropical storm warnings remain in effect from Florida's Panhandle to coastal Louisiana, including New Orleans. Residents filled sandbags and beaches were closed before the storm arrived. Chevron also shut down part of its Gulf of Mexico operations and moved nonessential workers as a precaution. (PC: NOAA/Reuters)

Union Minister JP Nadda responded to Rahul Gandhi's claim that India saw over 150 exam paper leaks in the last 10 years. He said, "The government, being a responsible government, will undoubtedly investigate and present the truth to the public." Nadda also accused Gandhi of showing "selective outrage" and listed paper leak cases in Opposition-ruled states, including Kerala, Karnataka, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. He said the government was ready to discuss the NEET paper leak issue. Nadda also confirmed that the Centre would respond to activist Sonam Wangchuk's letter regarding student protesters and his hunger strike.

The Delhi High Court has directed Delhi Police to respond to allegations of brutality during the Cockroach Janta Party's July 20 'Chalo Sansad' protest and ordered preservation of all relevant footage and records for a thorough investigation. Hearing two PILs, a Division Bench led by Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya rejected the police's argument that injured protesters should individually pursue legal remedies. The court observed the allegations were not isolated incidents and questioned whether police action complied with Supreme Court guidelines governing force against unlawful assemblies. During the hearing, petitioners also alleged excessive force, with senior advocate Sankaranarayanan naming Additional DCP Sandeep Lamba and seeking accountability over alleged misconduct during the protest. (PC: Rediff)

The Centre is prepared for an in-depth discussion in Parliament on examination paper leaks and the ongoing NEET controversy, Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha JP Nadda said on Wednesday. Addressing the media, Nadda urged Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and other political parties not to politicise the issue and instead work with the government to resolve the deadlock. His remarks came hours after Rahul Gandhi alleged that 152 examination paper leaks had occurred over the past decade without a single conviction. Nadda reiterated the government's willingness to debate the matter in Parliament, signalling openness to a detailed discussion as protests over examination irregularities continue across the country. (PC: News 18)

US President Donald Trump warned Iran that every attack on a ship in the Strait of Hormuz would trigger US strikes on an Iranian bridge or power plant, including infrastructure near Tehran. Posting on Truth Social, Trump declared that any Iranian missile, rocket, drone or other attack on commercial shipping would be met with immediate retaliation. His warning came as the United States carried out its 11th consecutive night of strikes targeting Iranian military assets, while diplomatic efforts to end the conflict remained stalled. The escalating rhetoric underscores growing tensions over maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route, amid the continuing US-Iran military confrontation and regional instability. (PC: NY Times)  

India and the United States are likely to sign their proposed trade agreement within the next three to four months, according to a senior US official, as negotiations enter the final stage. Speaking on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' meeting in Manila, the official said the deal is essentially complete, adding, “We literally have the paper.” The remaining delay stems from ongoing US trade investigations, including a Section 301 probe covering 60 countries, rather than unresolved bilateral issues. Once those investigations conclude, progress is expected. Last month, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor also said the agreement was in its final one per cent, expressing confidence in strong bilateral ties. (PC: The Economic Times)

Climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk said he will end his 25-day indefinite hunger strike only if the Centre gives an unequivocal assurance that no punitive or retaliatory legal action will be taken against students and protesters involved in the nationwide NEET-UG 2026 paper leak movement. In a letter to Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh, who met him at Medanta Hospital, Wangchuk thanked them for discussions on compensation for families of students who died by suicide and a parliamentary debate on accountability, including consideration of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. He said he wants to return to education but cannot do so unless protesting students are protected from legal consequences.

The United States and Saudi Arabia are expected to announce a deal allowing the kingdom to develop a civilian nuclear programme, according to US media reports. The agreement could let Saudi Arabia enrich uranium for fuel at a US-built facility after a joint study. The deal is expected to last 30 years and could be worth billions of dollars to US companies. Some experts and Israeli officials have raised concerns that the programme could one day help Saudi Arabia develop nuclear weapons. Reports also said the deal does not require Saudi Arabia to recognise Israel. The proposal will now go to the US Congress. (PC: Getty Images)

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has appointed Indian-origin MP Kanishka Narayan as the UK's new AI minister. The British Indian leader was included in Burnham's first Cabinet after he took office. Narayan said artificial intelligence will shape the future and promised to work with speed and ambition. He said Britain must help shape AI instead of being shaped by it. Born in Bihar, India, Narayan moved to Wales with his family as a child. He later studied at Oxford and Stanford. His appointment highlights the UK's stronger focus on AI, technology, and digital governance under the new government.