Good morning! Here’s your quick catch-up on the biggest stories making headlines.
Punjab’s political landscape could be heading for another shake-up after a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal revived speculation over an Akali-BJP reunion ahead of the Assembly elections.
Meanwhile, the NEET-UG paper leak investigation has widened, with the CBI alleging NTA insiders leaked exam questions months before the test through an organised network.
Also in today’s Bhaskar Smart Brief, don’t miss our coverage on the growing political row over E20 petrol, as Rahul Gandhi’s criticism clashes with the Centre’s defence of its biofuel policy.
Along with these, we’ve rounded up the other top stories you need to start your day.
Today’s Top Headlines
Akali-BJP reunion back in focus after Modi meets Badal
Punjab’s political equations may be shifting again, with fresh signs that old allies could be preparing for a comeback ahead of the Assembly elections.
Speculation intensified after Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal held a 40-minute meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. The meeting has reignited talk of reviving the long-defunct Akali Dal-BJP alliance, drawing sharp reactions from rivals.
While Arvind Kejriwal mocked the possibility, both the Akalis and Congress suggested the political realignment could shape the election battle ahead. READ MORE
CBI says NTA experts memorised NEET questions, shared online
The NEET-UG paper leak case has taken a more serious turn, with investigators alleging the exam was compromised long before candidates entered the hall. A CBI charge sheet claims three NTA experts memorised questions during paper-setting and leaked them through coaching networks months before the 2026 examination.
The agency says the questions were shared through intermediaries and later circulated on digital platforms, while handwritten notes were used to avoid leaving electronic evidence. If proven, the allegations could deepen scrutiny of India’s biggest medical entrance examination and the safeguards meant to protect it. READ MORE
Rahul targets E20 fuel policy, says ‘whole system is corrupt’
Questions over E20 petrol are moving beyond garages and into the political arena, putting India’s biofuel push under fresh scrutiny. The debate intensified after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the fuel of damaging vehicles, reducing mileage and increasing costs for motorists in a video on X.
The Centre dismissed the allegations, with Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri defending the programme and insisting E20 delivers positive results. As motorists continue to raise concerns, the row is likely to keep the government’s flagship fuel policy under close watch. READ MORE
Bofors case ends after 40 years
Some cases outlive the governments they once shook. Nearly four decades after the Bofors scandal changed India’s political landscape, the Supreme Court has closed the final legal chapter by dismissing the last pending petition in the case.
The ruling leaves the 2005 acquittals untouched, ending one of India’s longest-running corruption cases. While the legal battle is over, the controversy remains a defining moment that reshaped the 1989 general election, as Congress suffered a major setback and Rajiv Gandhi’s government lost power. It also transformed the country’s political discourse for decades. READ MORE
India may swap land with Myanmar; why is New Delhi discussing it?
A small patch of land has sparked a much bigger debate about India’s borders. Reports that New Delhi is examining a territorial exchange with Myanmar to resolve a long-pending dispute in Manipur have left many asking why any country would consider giving up territory.
The proposal has shifted attention from the border itself to how international boundaries are actually settled. The issue goes beyond maps and diplomacy, touching on history, security and local communities. Understanding that process is key to making sense of the debate. READ MORE
The Day Ahead
- Rahul Gandhi to visit Prayagraj for ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ event; paper leaks, recruitment issues on agenda
- IMD issues 24-hour rain alert; Odisha braces for extremely heavy rainfall; residents, local authorities advised to remain alert
- TN CM Vijay convenes all Tamil Nadu MPs’ meet over delimitation; Bill seeks to raise Lok Sabha seats to 850 from 543
- No Rapido, Swiggy or Blinkit? Telangana gig workers threaten indefinite strike from Aug 8
- DU PG Admission 2026: Deadline for CSAS Round 1 students to confirm seats ends today
Visual Of The Day
Where Sport Meets the Skyline: Denmark’s Annika Bornebusch in action during round 1 of Women’s 20m Platform as the Eiffel Tower is seen in the background (Photo: Reuters)
Today In History
Statement Of The Day
News With A Twist
Biohacker freezes girlfriend’s menstrual blood!
Some stories refuse to fit neatly into the day’s headlines, reminding us that real life often takes stranger turns than fiction. From unusual health experiments to unexpected natural phenomena, today’s collection proves the world’s oddest moments can be as fascinating as the biggest news.
A millionaire biohacker is freezing menstrual blood in the name of science, a teenager lost his hearing after hours surrounded by crickets, and a village gathered around a well that suddenly behaved like the sea. Thousands of rubber ducks racing down a Chicago river and a growing craze for hot sand therapy in China, and you have a day unlike any other. Here are five quirky stories that grabbed attention across the world. READ MORE
News in Headlines
- Jharkhand PSC row: Govt says talks only with students READ MORE
- Maggi row ends: Delhi HC drops cases against shopkeepers READ MORE
- Delhi HC lifts FSSAI’s ban on sale of Dabur products READ MORE
- US bans ‘birth tourism’, ends birthright citizenship for foreign nationals’ children READ MORE
- Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye sign key defence pact READ MORE
- Thailand school massacre: 14-yr-old kills grandparents, 6 others READ MORE
- Houthis launch missile, drone attacks on Yemen, Saudi; 58 killed READ MORE
