Good morning! Here’s your quick catch-up on the biggest stories making headlines.
Jharkhand’s student stir has intensified, with the BJP calling a statewide bandh after police action against JPSC-JSSC protesters. The row has now reached Parliament, where the NDA and Congress clashed over the crackdown and Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Jharkhand.
Also in today’s Bhaskar Smart Brief, don’t miss our explainer on Pakistan’s growing internal turmoil, from unrest in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to tensions in PoK, and whether the crisis could strengthen Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir’s grip on power.
Along with these, we’ve rounded up the other top stories you need to start your day.
Today’s Top Headlines
Jharkhand student stir flares up after ABVP-police clash
Jharkhand’s student protest has moved beyond campus grievances, becoming a broader political confrontation over how the state handles dissent. The latest escalation came on Tuesday, when the BJP and its students unit ABVP called a statewide bandh following police action against JPSC-JSSC protesters.
With BJP workers taking to the streets and ABVP members marching towards the Assembly, security forces stepped in. The standoff now raises questions over the government’s response and where the protest goes from here. READ MORE
NDA, Congress clash in Parl over Rahul’s J’khand visit, Shah’s absence
Jharkhand’s student protest has now become a flashpoint in Parliament, putting the government and Opposition on a collision course over police action. The confrontation sharpened on Tuesday as NDA and Congress MPs traded accusations over the crackdown and Rahul Gandhi’s visit to the state.
Congress MPs targeted Home Minister Amit Shah, while the NDA accused them of avoiding debate. As the Lok Sabha was repeatedly disrupted, the political standoff deepened. READ MORE
Pakistan’s 4-front crisis: Is Asim Munir eyeing power?
Pakistan may be gaining diplomatic ground abroad, but its domestic stability is under strain. From Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to PoK, unrest across multiple fronts is exposing deep cracks in the country’s political and security system.
That turmoil is now fuelling speculation over Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir’s next move. Could the worsening crisis provide a pretext for another military takeover? READ MORE
Modi-Pawar meeting fuels buzz over NCP (SP) NDA shift
A meeting between rival political camps has set Maharashtra’s political circles buzzing, with questions over whether old alignments could shift again. The speculation grew after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar and all eight of the party’s Lok Sabha MPs.
The timing has added to the intrigue, coming amid delimitation concerns and reports of an NDA move. Supriya Sule, however, says the party will decide only after the final legislation is presented. READ MORE
Air Force One decoy? Trump takes secret flight amid Iran threat
A routine-looking departure from Turkey turned into a secret security operation for US President Donald Trump.
After a “credible threat” linked to Iran, Trump was reportedly moved from the old Air Force One to a smaller C-32A military aircraft through a catering vehicle and flown to Britain.
A routine presidential departure turned into a carefully managed security operation after a threat linked to Iran forced a change of plan. US President Donald Trump was quietly moved to a smaller military aircraft, leaving journalists to follow what appeared to be the official Air Force One.
The decoy worked. Trump’s aircraft reached Britain separately, reviving questions about presidential security, past decoy tactics and the vulnerability of official aircraft. READ MORE
The Day Ahead
- Monsoon Session: HM Shah may reply over police action against student protesters at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar; FCRA Amendment Bill 2026 may also come up for discussion
- Red Fort blast case: NIA to produce Dr Shaheen, other accused in Delhi Rouse Avenue Court as custody ends; 11 killed in Nov 2025 blast
- SC to hold final hearing on 3-year practice rule for lower judiciary aspirants
- Google to launch Pixel 11 Pro Fold on Aug 12: 8-inch display, Tensor G6, Pixel Glow LED
- Modi to release ex-Prez Ram Nath Kovind’s autobiography: ‘Triumph of the Indian Republic: My Life, My Struggles’
Visual Of The Day
Tricolour spirit in Srinagar: Students join CRPF personnel in a Tiranga Yatra in Srinagar on Tuesday as part of 80th Independence Day celebrations.
Today in History
Statement of the Day
News With A Twist
A series of unusual stories made headlines recently. In Britain, a racing driver has offered ₹90 lakh a year for a helper to wash designer clothes, drive luxury cars and manage the house.
In Odisha, a man bitten by a cobra reportedly bit the snake’s hood and killed it. In China, a 41-year-old man has been running a marathon every day for 372 days after his divorce and business ended.
In Hong Kong, an IT manager stole 423 laptops and sold them for ₹55 lakh. Meanwhile, a 500-kg wedding cake was made using 33,000 flower petals for a Saudi couple. READ MORE
News in Headlines
Assam govt faces questions over Kamakhya Corridor as devotees move court READ MORE
Bashar Assad, brother sentenced to death over war crimes READ MORE
Centre to issue 100 crore ₹10, ₹20 polymer notes for trials READ MORE
IPL cricketer Abishek Porel arrested in alleged rape case READ MORE
Amritpal’s party fields Indira Gandhi assassin’s son for Punjab polls READ MORE
