The Supreme Court has formed a High-Powered Committee to investigate allegations of police excesses and violence during last month's NEET protests at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. Headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice R Subhash Reddy, the panel will also examine allegations of targeted violence, harassment and molestation of women protesters. It will assess whether police used force lawfully and proportionately, including allegations involving lathi charges, tear gas, pellet guns and electric batons. The committee will conduct periodic reviews and submit interim findings to the Supreme Court for further action. (PC: India Today)

Indian authorities demolished temporary structures and barricades outside the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi on Wednesday, days after Pakistan removed similar installations outside the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. Sources said the structures were used for managing queues, visitors and parking near the visa section. India had reportedly requested Pakistan not to remove the installations in Islamabad, but the demolition went ahead. Authorities in Delhi later carried out a similar exercise using heavy machinery. The developments come as ties between India and Pakistan remain strained following last year's military confrontation under Operation Sindoor. (PC: The Indian Express)

Indian caregiver Rajeev Acharya was allegedly stabbed to death at his employers' residence in Jerusalem, Israel, on July 23. Israeli authorities have charged Avior Zaken, the grandson of the elderly couple Acharya worked for, with premeditated murder. According to the Indian Embassy, Acharya suffered multiple injuries and died due to severe blood loss. The accused remains in custody as legal proceedings continue. The Indian Embassy is in contact with Israeli authorities and is monitoring the case. Indian community members have also called for justice, support for Acharya's family and stronger safety measures for foreign workers. (PC: NDTV)

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are planning to move back to the UK from the US later this month with their children, according to reports. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said their security arrangements were a “private matter” and wished the couple well. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to live in a private, non-royal residence outside London. Their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, are set to begin school in Britain in September. However, there are no plans for Harry and Meghan to return as working members of the royal family. (PC: BBC)

Vinay Maheshwari, an Indian man from Indore, was laid off from his job in the US while working on an H-1B visa. With only 60 days to find another employer, he applied for hundreds of jobs but failed to secure one. As his savings quickly ran out, Maheshwari took up a cleaning job at a hostel in North Carolina in exchange for room and board. He later returned to India and wrote a book, Rerouted, inspired by his experience. Maheshwari said his story highlights the uncertainty faced by workers dependent on H-1B visas. (PC: HT)

The Supreme Court has formed a five-member High-Powered Expert Committee to investigate allegations of excessive force during protests over the NEET paper leak at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and other states. The panel will examine claims of harassment and molestation, particularly involving female protesters, and serious injuries caused during police action. The court ordered authorities to preserve CCTV, drone and body-camera footage, along with PCR call records. It also reiterated the release of detained minors, except those accused of serious crimes, and directed police to protect protesters’ personal information. (PC: NDTV)

At least 15 people were killed after Russia launched a major overnight missile and drone attack on Kyiv, Ukrainian officials said. Apartment blocks, warehouses, a children’s hospital and a school were damaged, while thousands lost power. President Volodymyr Zelensky blamed the deaths on Ukraine’s shortage of air defence missiles and urged Western allies to supply more Patriot interceptors. Mayor Vitali Klitschko also appealed for additional ammunition and anti-missile systems. Ukraine said Russia launched 168 drones and 44 missiles, with air defences shooting down most drones and cruise missiles but reportedly no ballistic missiles. (PC: BBC)

Veteran lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar criticised Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari over his remarks about the country’s Hindu minority. Zardari said Pakistan “tolerates” its 3-4% Hindu population and claimed Hindus were free in the country. Reacting on X, Akhtar objected to the use of the word “tolerate” and took a dig at Zardari’s old “Mr 10 per cent” nickname, which became associated with past corruption allegations that Zardari has denied. Akhtar said Zardari had been “insensitive” to everything “less than 10 per cent”, drawing attention to the president’s controversial past nickname. (PC: India Today)

Israel’s military has admitted that its troops fired at a car carrying five-year-old Hind Rajab and six of her family members in Gaza in January 2024. Hind, who pleaded for help during a phone call with the Palestinian Red Crescent, and her relatives were killed. The Israeli military had previously denied that its forces were present near the scene. It also acknowledged that troops fired on an ambulance sent to rescue Hind, killing two paramedics. The IDF has now ordered a criminal investigation, citing alleged failures in coordinating the ambulance’s movement. (PC: The Guardian)

Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired the 31st meeting of the Southern Zonal Council in Tamil Nadu on Thursday, bringing together key leaders from southern states. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu were among those present. The meeting was held at Taj Fisherman’s Cove in Kovalam, Chengalpet district. The council includes Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana, along with Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep. The council serves as a platform for the Centre, states and Union Territories to discuss regional issues. (PC: HT)