Sonam Wangchuk loses over 9 kg, weakens significantly on 19th day of hunger strike: CJPActivist Sonam Wangchuk has lost over 9 kg weight on the nineteenth day of his fast, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) said in a statement, adding that he has weakened significantly on Thursday (July 16, 2026) morning.Third language must stop, not start, in Class 9: Justice NagarathnaSupreme Court judge, Justice B.V. Nagarathna, made an oral appeal in open court to the government to not introduce a third language (R3) in Class 9 as part of the Three-Language Scheme, saying it would be too stressful for children with Board exams just a year away.ED searches 13 locations in alleged terror-funding and illegal infiltration caseThe Enforcement Directorate on Thursday (July 16, 2026) conducted searches at 13 locations across five States in connection with an alleged terror-funding and illegal infiltration network.Trinamool MP Samirul Islam calls on family who was pushed into BangladeshTrinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Samirul Islam called on the family of Sweety Bibi, who recently returned to their native place in Birbhum after a year-long legal battle to return from Bangladesh.Supreme Court to hear appeal against ban on animated film Mahaprabhu Jagannath for not being true to ‘Skanda Purana’The Supreme Court agreed to urgently hear on Friday (July 17, 2026) an appeal against an Orissa High Court ban on the release of an animated film ‘Mahaprabhu Jagannath’ for not strictly adhering to the religious text of Skanda Purana.Delhi HC directs daily medical monitoring of Sonam Wangchuk amid indefinite hunger strikeThe Delhi High Court on Wednesday (July 16, 2026) directed the Centre and the Delhi government to ensure that climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s medical condition is “clinically and otherwise” monitored on a daily basis and that any medical intervention required to address his deteriorating health is promptly provided.ISRO issues memo to curb exodus of scientists and engineers from Gaganyaan and other key missionsWith about 100 Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) personnel quitting the space agency in various centres across the country, the Department of Space (DoS) has issued a memorandum to curb the exodus of scientists and engineers who are working in critical missions of national importance, like the Gaganyaan.Centre floats another draft of CAFE-III, gives special recognition to ethanol and biofuel carsThe Centre has released the draft Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE)-III norms for stakeholder consultation, proposing tighter fuel efficiency and carbon emission standards for passenger vehicles from April 1, 2027. TMC MP Koel Mallick resigns from Rajya SabhaTrinamool Congress MP Rukmini ‘Koel’ Mallick on Thursday (July 16, 2026) resigned from the Rajya Sabha, the fourth TMC MP to do so ever since the Mamata Banerjee-led party was ousted from power in West Bengal.PM Modi to flag off India’s first hydrogen-powered train in HaryanaIn a push towards sustainable transport, modern healthcare, and advanced connectivity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Haryana, Chandigarh, and Punjab on Friday (July 17, 2026) on a day-long tour in which he will unveil initiatives valued at over ₹25,000 crore. Kharge writes to PM Modi, seeks all-party meeting on delimitationCongress president Mallikarjun Kharge requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to convene an all-party meeting to discuss the government’s proposals on delimitation.Cabinet expansion: D.K. Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah, B.K. Hariprasad in Delhi to hold talks with high commandWith several ruling Congress MLAs camping in New Delhi to lobby for ministerial berths, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar left for the national capital on Wednesday to hold discussions with the party high command on the much-awaited expansion of the Cabinet.Government hikes windfall tax on diesel, ATF; cuts levy on petrol exportsThe government has increased the windfall gains tax on exports of diesel and ATF, while lowering the levy on petrol for the fortnight beginning Thursday (July 16, 2026).U.S. airstrikes hit northern Iran as it disables ship trying to run blockadeThe United States intensified its strikes targeting Iran early on Thursday (July 16, 2026), hitting targets further north as American forces also fired into a ship it accused of trying to break its naval blockade on the Islamic Republic. England vs Argentina, FIFA World Cup: Reigning champion rallies to beat tough English side, enters final againArgentina’s Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez struck late goals to snatch a 2-1 ​win over England in the World Cup semifinal on Wednesday (July 15, 2026) to send Lionel Messi’s reigning champions into the weekend showpiece match against Spain.