Times of India

In a significant move, the Supreme Court has granted interim bail for one week to Sumit Roy, who serves as the personal assistant to TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. Roy is implicated in the Salboni land-grabbing case, which followed the arrest of former TMC MLA Sujoy Hazra. Notably, the court has stayed Roy's arrest until it reconvenes for the next hearing.

The Lok Sabha has taken a vital step by passing a bill aimed at simplifying tax rules to enhance investment attractiveness. The new legislation abolishes a limitation on specific electronic payment options, allowing banks and providers to charge merchants on transactions. Additionally, the government is empowered to revise the zero-MDR scheme for UPI and RuPay. This initiative is poised to drive advancements in the financial sector’s infrastructure and innovative capabilities.

The finance ministry has sanctioned more posts for CERT-In, yet the hiring remains underway. With rising cyber threats dominating discussions, a parliamentary committee is pressing for expedited recruitment. The IndiaAI Mission's fellowship program initially struggled to attract candidates. In response, MeitY is implementing outreach sessions and promotional campaigns to encourage more applicants. Additionally, final touches are being made to recruitment guidelines for several scientific roles ahead of future job advertisements.

Geopolitical conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea have endangered Indian seafarers. Fifteen Indian seafarers have died and two remain missing in recent months. Drone and missile attacks have become rampant in the Black Sea region. Piracy off Somalia and Houthi threats have also resurfaced significantly. India's maritime regulator is enhancing safety measures and tracking seafarers' well-being.

Sonam Wangchuk voiced disappointment with political leaders after his hunger strike concluded. His wife Gitanjali sought Rahul Gandhi's involvement but received no positive response. Union ministers also reportedly broke a promise regarding the release of photos. Wangchuk felt leaders showed a narrow approach and arrived late to his protest. He praised the apolitical CJP organization for its fair and just advocacy.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas has announced her next Hollywood venture, a sci-fi action thriller. She will star opposite Russell Crowe in the film titled 'Bluefly'. The movie's plot involves a deep Congo mission to recover a mysterious downed aircraft. This project marks another significant international role for the acclaimed Indian actress. 'Bluefly' is scheduled for production and release in the future.

A trio of dissenting Trinamool MPs is set to engage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi following their earlier discussions with Union Minister Amit Shah related to pressing concerns. Notably, these lawmakers have distanced themselves from two NDA meetings. Additionally, other NCPI representatives and Shiv Sena MPs are expected to join them for a breakfast meeting with the Prime Minister on Friday morning.

In an effort to resolve a high-profile family dispute, members are actively engaging in mediation under the supervision of ex-CJI DY Chandrachud, following a Supreme Court directive. So far, six sessions have taken place, where the parties have agreed to continue discussions. They are pursuing a comprehensive settlement related to trust claims, with mediation scheduled to run until November 2.

In India, over 570,000 individuals were fined for smoking in public spaces, accumulating penalties exceeding Rs 51 million under the COTPA legislation. Karnataka led the charge, issuing the most fines. Interestingly, several states recorded no violations or fines throughout the year. Enforcement primarily lies with state governments, highlighting the varying levels of adherence to the public smoking ban.

Expressing confidence, US President Trump suggested that the Iran conflict is nearing its end, arguing that Tehran cannot bear its continuation. He remains hopeful about negotiations related to the Strait of Hormuz. The US is resolute in preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, Iran's defence minister asserts that their military is on standby for any potential threats, and the parliament speaker claims that the US.

The Supreme Court clarified that compulsory retirement is not a punishment for diminished performance, but rather a necessary step to uphold the standards of efficiency and discipline required. The court dismissed a plea from a CISF officer who disputed his removal after his performance had notably dropped from 'Good' to 'Average'. It emphasized the importance of consistent high performance among personnel in disciplined forces.

The government is against extending the creamy layer to SC and ST reservation benefits, emphasizing that the challenges these communities face are rooted in more than economic issues. Reservation serves to right historical wrongs and ensure equitable access. The Supreme Court has permitted states to categorize castes within SC groups, but only Parliament holds the power to amend the lists of SC and ST populations eligible for these allocations.

In a significant phone discussion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu evaluated the progress made in their strategic partnership and bilateral engagements. They also addressed current developments in West Asia, amidst Israel's increasing international scrutiny due to its military actions. This exchange highlights their continued efforts to bolster cooperation and deepen ties between India and Israel.

Despite the tightening of regulations, foreign contributions to NGOs have surged. Recently, however, there has been a notable decline in the number of registered NGOs, now totaling merely 14,500 compared to several lakh in the past. The government emphasizes that the amendments focus on specific foreign-funded channels, aiming to enhance oversight without hindering the broader civil society framework.

Rahul Gandhi briefed opposition parties on discussions regarding the delimitation bill. The opposition maintains its stand on women's reservation within the current Lok Sabha strength. Discussions also covered the FCRA bill, with concerns raised about its impact on minorities. Some members noted potential government removal of retrospective effect clauses. Parliamentary functioning remains contingent on government statements regarding protests and donations.

Chief minister Lalduhoma from Mizoram held a pivotal meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday, where Shah confirmed that amendments to the FCRA will not have a retroactive effect. Church representatives were also part of the discussion, emphasizing the need for suggestions to safeguard the FCRA. A vital debate on the proposed bill is set for August 12, promising to clarify future legislative actions.

The Supreme Court has officially closed the chapter on the Bofors payoff case by dismissing an appeal that challenged the Delhi High Court's 2005 ruling, which had previously annulled criminal proceedings against the Hinduja brothers. Advocate Ajay K Agrawal filed the appeal, but the court decided against allowing more time for arguments, finalizing the legal dispute once and for all.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised the Territorial Army's significant contributions to Viksit Bharat. The force embodies the citizen-soldier concept, safeguarding borders and maintaining internal security. Territorial Army personnel provide surge capacity and act as a bridge to society. They are also first responders during natural calamities and aid environmental conservation efforts. Ecological task forces have planted ten crore saplings, supporting national climate goals.

India's Gaganyaan mission has achieved significant milestones in developing critical human-rating systems. Propulsion stages and structures for the launch vehicle have been fully developed and tested. Crew safety systems, including the escape system, have also been successfully developed and qualified. The first uncrewed experimental mission is targeted for late 2026. This will be followed by two more uncrewed flights before the maiden human orbital mission.

Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth became the first Indian woman to complete the elite Fighter Combat Leader course. Captain Shivani Sehrawat is now the first woman officer appointed Aide-de-Camp to the Army chief. Kanth previously qualified for daytime combat missions on a MiG-21 Bison aircraft. She later transitioned to piloting the advanced Sukhoi Su-30 MKI frontline fighter jet. These achievements highlight growing gender inclusion within India's defense forces.