Eight killed as extremely heavy rain batters KeralaEight people died in rain-related incidents in Kerala as a spell of intense rain battered the State from Friday (July 31, 2026) night into Saturday (August 1, 2026), triggering landslips, flash floods, and widespread destruction, particularly in hilly regions. This comes barely a month after a deadly debris slip triggered by extreme rainfall claimed eight lives at a tunnel construction site in Wayanad.Varanasi police book MPs Rahul Gandhi, Pappu Yadav and Awadesh Prasad for ‘insulting Sanatan Dharma’The Varanasi police on Saturday registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Members of Parliament Pappu Yadav and Awadhesh Prasad over a play they staged on the Parliament premises in Delhi on the alleged donation theft at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.Stricter punishment, speedy probe as President Murmu assents to tweaked anti-paper leak BillAn amended law that empowers states to set up fast-track courts for speedy trials of accused and enhance punishment in public examination question paper leak cases has received the assent of President Droupadi Murmu. In a gazette notification issued on Friday (July 31, 2026), the law ministry said President Murmu has given her assent to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, after it was cleared by both Houses of Parliament earlier this week.Arrested terror suspect had planned to infiltrate CJP protest, says West Bengal Special Task ForceThe West Bengal Special Task Force (STF) on Saturday (August 1, 2026) said a terror suspect arrested on Friday (July 31, 2026), identified as Hamim Mondal, had plans for subversive action during protests by the Cockroach Janta Party in Delhi. The police have also picked up his associate, Arpita Sarkar, from Sahebganj in Jharkhand and transferred her to Kolkata.Protest for Amit Shah’s resignation over July 20 action will continue: AISA chief NehaDemanding Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s resignation over the July 20 crackdown on anti-paper leak protesters in Delhi, AISA president Neha said the movement has evolved into a wider campaign seeking accountability from the Centre over the alleged police action.Veteran Nepalese mountaineer Purja dies in avalanche on Broad Peak in PoKVeteran Nepalese mountaineer Nirmal Purja died in an avalanche on Broad Peak, located in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir’s Gilgit Baltistan, his expedition company said on Saturday (August 1, 2026). Purja, 43, was among 10 climbers swept away by the avalanche that struck Broad Peak, located in the Karakoram range near K2, at an altitude of around 7,000 metres on Thursday (July 30).Commonwealth Games: Magnificent seven as the Indian pugilists put on a showIndia capped its finest-ever boxing campaign at the Games, with seven gold medals and three silver. Sachin Siwach rallied to down Tryagain Morning Ndevelo of Namibia in a thrilling men’s 60kg gold medal bout. Earlier, Preeti Pawar opened the floodgates for India. It was then Jaismine Lamboria’s turn to showcase her technical brilliance against Northern Ireland’s Michaela Walsh in the women’s 57kg final.Gulveer wins bronze in 5000m, first Indian to win two athletic medals in CWGGulveer Singh etched his name in Commonwealth Games history, once again, at the 2026 edition in Glasgow after he became the first Indian, man or woman, to win a medal in the 5000m event on Saturday (August 1, 2026). Moreover, the 27-year-old broke fresh ground by becoming the first Indian track and field athlete to win multiple medals in a single Games.3 people killed, at least 21 wounded in Moscow restaurant bombing, Russian officials sayA bomb detonated at ​a ​restaurant on Saturday (August 1, 2026) in ‌central ⁠Moscow killing at least three people, including the bomber, Russian state media ​said, ​citing ​local officials. At least 21 people were also injured when the explosive device detonated at the restaurant on Kudrinskaya Square in Moscow, the National Anti-Terrorism Committee said, quoted by Russian state news agency RIA Novosti.NEET-UG counselling to begin on August 4, academic session from September 8The first round of counselling for admission to MBBS and other undergraduate medical courses under the All India Quota (AIQ) will begin on August 4 and the academic session for the 2026-27 batch will commence on September 8, according to the Medical Counselling Committee.With 7 medals, Indian para team delivers best-ever CWG show, equals medals from all past editionsIndian para sports athletes scripted history in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games as they equaled the haul of all the previous editions put together, winning seven medals, including one gold and silver on Saturday (August 1, 2026). The 28-member Indian para sports contingent ended their campaign with seven medals — 3 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze. On Sunday (August 2), Indians will feature in track cycling and para track cycling events.One inmate killed, six wounded in Sri Lanka prison riot, says policeAt least one inmate was killed, and another six were taken to hospital after a riot at a prison outside Sri Lanka’s capital on Saturday (August 1, 2026), police said. The violence at the Mahara Prison outside Colombo came about a month after clashes at another overcrowded jail killed 10 guards and 21 inmates in Sri Lanka’s worst prison riot in years.