The Calcutta High Court has sought a report from the police on the action taken over allegations of vandalism at the Trinamool Congress’ (Kalighat faction) Martyrs’ Day rally venue on the eve of its July 21 programme in Kolkata on Tuesday.

The matter was mentioned before Justice Sougata Bhattacharya by counsel Arka Nag, appearing for the Kalighat TMC, who informed the court that a complaint had been emailed to Chief Justice Tapobrata Chakraborty on Monday night after the alleged attack on the stage.

Referring to its earlier order directing the police to maintain law and order in view of multiple political rallies in the city on July 21, the court questioned why such an incident had occurred despite prior instructions.

Justice Bhattacharya said any breach of peace after the court’s directions was unacceptable and asked the police to submit a detailed report on the steps taken by the police.

The Joint Commissioner of Police was also instructed to ensure adequate security at the rally venue to prevent any untoward incident.

The Kalighat TMC alleged that a group of miscreants vandalised its stage near Birla Planetarium on Monday night, tearing banners and posters, damaging the sound system and cutting electrical and microphone cables.

The faction also claimed that workers engaged in setting up the venue were assaulted and later threatened while dismantling equipment after the programme.

Former chief minister Mamata Banerjee visited the venue shortly after midnight following reports of the alleged vandalism.

“We had to guard the rally area the whole night. I am thankful to all the supporters and colleagues who stayed with me the whole night so that we can conduct the meeting in the morning,” Mamata Banerjee said.

She accused the BJP of attempting to disrupt the Martyrs’ Day observance and alleged that supporters were being prevented from attending the rally.

She also claimed that families of those commemorated on the occasion were being intimidated by the police.

Addressing the gathering on Tuesday, Banerjee thanked the Calcutta High Court for directing the police to ensure security around the rally venue. “They were stopping us from doing our programme. I want to thank the Calcutta High Court for allowing us to conduct the rally,” she said.

Former West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday paid homage to the martyrs of the July 21, 1993 firing on Monday.

In a post on X, Banerjee urged members of the “Maa-Mati-Manush” family to remain committed to the fight for democracy, justice and people’s rights.

“I pay my heartfelt tributes to the martyrs who tragically lost their lives in 1993. May this day strengthen the resolve of every member of the Maa-Mati-Manush family to uphold democracy, justice, and the rights of the people. Their sacrifice continues to inspire us, and their legacy will forever remain at the heart of our movement,” the TMC president wrote.

On #ShahidDibas, I pay my heartfelt tributes to the martyrs who tragically lost their lives in 1993.

May this day strengthen the resolve of every member of the Maa-Mati-Manush family to uphold democracy, justice, and the rights of the people.

Their sacrifice continues to…

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) July 21, 2026

Her message came as the Trinamool observed one of its most politically significant dates under dramatically altered circumstances following its loss of power in West Bengal.

For the first time in decades, the traditional July 21 Martyrs’ Day programme was split into two parallel gatherings in Kolkata amid the party’s internal divide.

While Banerjee’s supporters organised a rally on Cathedral Road near Birla Planetarium, the rebel faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee held a separate programme on Mayo Road.

Tension prevailed at the Cathedral Road venue on Monday night after Banerjee’s camp alleged that BJP workers attacked the meeting site, tore down banners and assaulted party supporters.

Following the allegations, Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee visited the venue shortly before midnight, accompanied by senior party leaders, and remained there through the night before returning home on Tuesday morning.

Opposition leaders on Tuesday stepped up pressure on the Centre over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and the police action during the Cockroach Janata Party’s march towards Parliament, demanding a debate in both Houses and information about protesters allegedly detained after Monday’s violence.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal and other Opposition leaders visited injured protesters at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, while MPs raised the issue inside and outside Parliament.

The Delhi Police have said more than 118 personnel were injured after protesters allegedly breached barricades, pelted stones and damaged vehicles and public property. Around 60 protesters were also reported injured.

Rahul Gandhi seeks Parliament debate

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said students had been “beaten for asking legitimate questions about their own future” and demanded a detailed discussion on the examination crisis and the police action.

Gandhi said Opposition MPs met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and sought dedicated time to discuss the issue during the Monsoon Session.

“If Parliament cannot discuss the future of India’s youth, what is it for?” he said in a post on X.

Speaking later at Parliament, Gandhi alleged that the country’s examination system had been “hollowed out by termites” and accused the government of avoiding accountability.

He claimed competitive examinations were among the few remaining avenues available to young people seeking opportunities and said repeated irregularities had damaged their faith in the system.

Gandhi also demanded the resignations of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He later visited RML Hospital along with Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to meet protesters injured during Monday’s clashes.

Kejriwal visits injured protesters

Former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal also visited RML Hospital and accused the Centre of carrying out a “barbaric attack” on unarmed students.

Kejriwal said he was informed that all but one of the injured protesters admitted to the hospital had been discharged. He met the family of the remaining student and said he prayed for her recovery.

The AAP leader later went to the Parliament Street police complex along with party colleagues, including Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh and Delhi Assembly Leader of Opposition Atishi.

Kejriwal demanded that the police release the complete list of FIRs registered in connection with the protest and disclose the names and locations of students allegedly detained without an FIR.

He assured the families of protesters that the Opposition would seek information about their whereabouts.

AAP MPs protest outside Parliament

AAP MPs staged a demonstration outside Makar Dwar in Parliament, raising slogans demanding a discussion on the alleged paper leak and answers over the police action.

Sanjay Singh accused the authorities of carrying out a “brutal lathi charge” against young protesters and alleged that some of those involved in the action were not wearing nameplates.

“In a democracy, dialogue works, not the rule of the baton,” Singh said.

He compared the violence to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and questioned why the government had not held talks with climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who remains under treatment at Safdarjung Hospital after a prolonged hunger strike.

Singh also questioned the investigation into the 2024 NEET controversy and accused the government of failing to act against those responsible.

Kharge alleges Opposition was silenced

Congress president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that he was not allowed to raise the issue in the Upper House.

Kharge said his microphone was switched off soon after he began speaking and questioned whether the Opposition would be permitted to discuss the concerns of students in Parliament.

“We want a discussion on this issue. Following the discussion, the Home Minister should make a statement,” he said.

Kharge, who turned 84 on Tuesday, said he had decided not to celebrate his birthday in protest against the use of force on students.

He alleged that lathis and tear gas were used against protesters seeking answers over examination irregularities.

Venugopal moves adjournment notice

Congress general secretary KC Venugopal accused the Centre of being “anti-student” and held the Prime Minister responsible for Monday’s police action.

Venugopal submitted an adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha seeking suspension of the day’s business to discuss alleged leaks in competitive examinations and the crackdown on protesters.

He said the Opposition would also demand an explanation from Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on the floor of the House.

The Congress leader said students had gathered to raise concerns about the NEET and CBSE examination systems and questioned why a peaceful protest had been met with force.

Sanjay Raut calls July 20 a ‘Black Day’

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut described Monday as a “Black Day” for Indian democracy and said July 20 should be observed as “Coward’s Day”.

Raut accused the police of using excessive force, tear gas and batons against young protesters.

He said he remained in touch with protest leaders through the night and planned to visit the agitation site.

Police cite stone-pelting and vandalism

The Delhi Police have said Monday’s march turned violent after protesters attempted to cross barricades and move towards Parliament despite restrictions.

According to police, stones and other objects were thrown at personnel, while police and government vehicles were vandalised.

FIRs have been registered against unidentified persons at Parliament Street and Connaught Place police stations over alleged rioting, stone-pelting, obstruction of public servants and damage to public property.

The police have also released footage that they said showed protesters throwing stones near Connaught Place.

CJP presses three demands

The Cockroach Janata Party has demanded Pradhan’s resignation, compensation of Rs 1 crore each for the families of NEET aspirants whom it says died amid the examination crisis, and the immediate release of Sonam Wangchuk.

A CJP delegation met Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Monday to present its demands.

Nadda, who is also Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha, said the government remained open to dialogue and appealed to protesters to end their sit-in.

CJP leaders, however, have vowed to continue the protest until Pradhan resigns.

Wangchuk remains under treatment

Sonam Wangchuk remains admitted to Safdarjung Hospital under the supervision of a multidisciplinary medical team.

According to the latest hospital bulletin cited in the source material, his vital parameters were stable, though his blood sugar remained low and his serum potassium level was recorded at 3.2 mEq/L.

The hospital said he was receiving oral rehydration therapy and potassium supplements but continued to decline intravenous fluids and glucose despite medical advice.

Wangchuk was taken to the hospital by Delhi Police on July 18 after continuing his hunger strike at Jantar Mantar.

Argentina’s FIFA World Cup runners-up received an emotional welcome on their return home on Monday, with a red carpet reception, a military band and thousands of supporters turning out to honour Lionel Scaloni’s side despite their heartbreaking defeat in the final.

Argentina’s hopes of retaining the World Cup ended on Sunday after Ferran Torres scored an extra-time winner to seal a 1-0 victory for Spain at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Grand homecoming in Ezeiza

The squad landed at Ministro Pistarini International Airport in Ezeiza, where members of the Grenadier Regiment welcomed the players on a red carpet while performing the iconic anthem Muchachos. The team’s aircraft was directed to the private FBO terminal to facilitate the delegation’s arrival.

Thousands of supporters had gathered outside the Argentine Football Association (AFA) headquarters near the airport, waving flags, beating drums and chanting in appreciation of a team that reached a second consecutive World Cup final.

Messi absent from travelling squad

Many fans arrived wearing Lionel Messi’s iconic No. 10 jersey, hoping to catch a glimpse of the captain. However, the 39-year-old was not part of the travelling delegation after the AFA announced that several players would return separately.

Messi, who described the defeat as causing “immense pain” in a social media post, is widely expected to have played his final FIFA World Cup match, although he has not announced his retirement from international football.

Fans salute the runners-up

Among the players who returned to Argentina were Emiliano Martinez, Nicolas Otamendi, Lisandro Martinez, Alexis Mac Allister, Leandro Paredes, Giovani Lo Celso, Gonzalo Montiel, Nicolas Tagliafico, Exequiel Palacios, Thiago Almada and Juan Musso, among others.

The players and coaching staff then boarded an open-top bus and travelled under heavy security to the Lionel Andres Messi Training Centre, acknowledging supporters who had lined the route for hours.

Families, children and fans waving Argentina flags cheered the squad throughout the journey before the delegation was welcomed by AFA officials at the national team’s training complex, bringing the homecoming to a close.

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday, July 21, declined to urgently list a petition concerning the use of “excessive force” by police officials against students who took part in the ‘Chalo Sansad’ march of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on July 20.

“Don’t drag the court into all this,” Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya said in response to a petitioner’s request to list a plea alleging excessive use of force by Delhi Police against the protesting students on Monday.

The bench stated that the matter will be listed for hearing on Wednesday.

The petitioner had earlier mentioned the plea before the bench for an urgent hearing. It was claimed that Delhi Police personnel used “excessive force” on the protesters.

On Monday, thousands of students from various cities took part in the ‘Chalo Sansad’ march of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities.

The CJP later accused Delhi Police of using excessive force against protesters to prevent them from reaching the Parliament. They further claimed that several students were injured and activist Sonam Wangchuk’s wife Gitanjali J Angmo was pushed around.

Patanjali co-founder Acharya Balkrishna posted a home remedy on Facebook for a blocked or sitting throat. He suggested taking half a cup of lukewarm water and adding half a teaspoon each of ginger juice and lemon juice, along with a pinch of salt. According to his post, drinking this mixture opens up a blocked throat and makes the voice more pleasant.

What each ingredient is known for

Ginger has long been used in traditional remedies for throat and respiratory issues. Research points to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which are commonly cited as reasons it may ease throat irritation and reduce swelling in the throat lining.

Also Read: Acharya Balkrishna says don’t throw away rice water, here’s what you’re losing every time you drain it

Lemon is often added to warm water remedies for its vitamin C content, which is linked to general immune support. Salt water gargles are one of the more studied home remedies for throat discomfort. A study covering nearly 400 healthy participants found that gargling salt water at least three times a day helped ease symptoms of laryngitis and upper respiratory infections.

What science says about voice recovery

While these ingredients are widely used for a sore or irritated throat, the picture is different when it comes to actually improving voice quality. Speech pathology researchers point out that the vocal folds sit behind the epiglottis, which closes over them during swallowing. This means liquids, including ginger, lemon, or honey drinks, do not make direct contact with the vocal cords themselves.

Because of this, experts say home remedies like warm lemon and ginger water may soothe a sore throat temporarily but do not directly reduce hoarseness or restore vocal clarity. Some studies estimate that close to 30 percent of people experience some form of voice disorder during their lifetime, and much of the popular advice circulating for it lacks strong scientific backing.

A word of caution on lemon

Nutrition experts also flag that lemon is acidic. In people prone to acid reflux, frequent consumption of acidic drinks can trigger reflux that travels back up the food pipe, which may irritate the throat further instead of helping it.

Practical takeaway

Doctors generally recommend simple measures for voice or throat issues, such as resting the voice, staying hydrated, and using a humidifier in dry environments. Warm salt water gargles remain one of the more evidence backed home options for throat discomfort specifically, separate from voice hoarseness.

Nearly two years after battling severe burnout in the aftermath of the Paris Olympics, veteran Indian swimmer Sajan Prakash believes learning when to stop has been just as important as learning how to push harder.

Now back in competition and with the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya on the horizon, the 32-year-old says he still has one major goal left to achieve, standing on the podium at a multi-sport event.

Prakash has qualified for both the Commonwealth Games, which begin in Glasgow on Thursday, and the Asian Games in September after meeting the Swimming Federation of India qualifying standard in the men’s 200m butterfly. He recently arrived in Scotland following training camps in Edinburgh and Sierra Nevada, Spain.

The two-time Olympian admitted that taking a break after Paris helped him realise the importance of recovery, something athletes often overlook while chasing success.

“Athletes train really hard and put their heart and soul into performing, but they become very tolerant to pain and don’t always understand recovery,” Prakash said during a virtual interaction organised by the Sports Authority of India (SAI), while responding to a question from IANS.

“Recovery and rest are part of training. It’s not always about pushing hard. When I took the break, I realised my body was in a big shock and needed that recovery.”

He believes that understanding his body’s changing needs has been crucial to extending his career.

“As you age and evolve, rest becomes a crucial part of training. That helped me come back because all I think about is swimming. I find my inner strength in competing.”

‘There is unfinished business’: Sajan Prakash

Despite competing at the highest level for more than two decades, Prakash feels there is still plenty left to accomplish.

“There is so much unfinished business. I’ve always wanted to stand on the podium at the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games. I just want to give my best effort, irrespective of the result. If I do that, I’ll fulfil my dream.”

Having spent more than 26 years in the pool, Prakash says his training has evolved significantly from his early twenties.

“What I did 10 years ago is very different from what I do now. The endurance base is already there. Now it’s about understanding my weaknesses and becoming more specific to the 200m butterfly.”

He knows the margins at the Commonwealth Games will be razor-thin.

“At the Commonwealth Games, it will be only fractions of a second that decide whether I’ll be on the podium. Those are the challenges we’re working towards.”

Prakash’s comeback has also seen him reunite with former teammate and Asian Games medallist Sandeep Sejwal, who is now coaching him.

The veteran swimmer said Sejwal’s experience has been invaluable in designing a programme tailored exclusively to the 200m butterfly.

“He’s been in Indian sport for many years and understands the challenges we face. My training is completely different now. It’s focused only on the 200m butterfly and is much more technical.”

Asked whether the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games could be his final major competitions, Prakash chose not to look too far ahead.

“I had a tough time with fatigue and burnout, but I’m in a much better place now, both physically and mentally.”

“I don’t want to think beyond these competitions. I want to take one step at a time, see how the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games go, and then decide. Whenever I make my final push, I want to give it everything.”

Acharya Balkrishna, who co-founded Patanjali Ayurved, posted a health tip on Facebook recently that’s got people talking about how they cook rice. His point: that cloudy, starchy water left over after boiling rice — called “maand” in Hindi — isn’t waste. It’s actually packed with protein, vitamins and minerals, and pouring it down the drain means pouring out nutrition along with it. His advice is simple. Just let the rice cook in that water instead of draining it away.

Turns out, he’s not wrong on the science.

Rice does contain starch, some plant protein, and a handful of vitamins and minerals — B vitamins, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, that sort of thing. A good chunk of these are water-soluble, meaning when you boil rice, they don’t stay locked inside the grain. They leach out into the water around it. So if you strain that water off before eating, you’re taking a fair bit of the nutritional value with it.

There’s more than just vitamins at stake too. Rice contains antioxidant compounds like ferulic acid and oryzanol, plus trace amino acids, and these also make their way into the cooking water. Same story — drain the water, lose the goods.

Why this actually matters in the kitchen

Think about how rice gets cooked in most Indian homes: you boil it in more water than it needs, then tip the extra starchy liquid out before serving. It’s an old habit, mostly done for texture — nobody wants mushy or overly sticky rice. But researchers who study food and nutrition point out that this method quietly costs you something nutritionally, compared to cooking rice so it just soaks up all the water it’s given.

That second method — sometimes called the absorption technique — is what most nutrition experts actually recommend. You measure the water carefully so the rice drinks it all in by the time it’s done, and there’s little or nothing left to pour away. The starch, the protein, the micronutrients — it all stays right there in the pot.

A bit about Balkrishna himself

Balkrishna isn’t just a businessman — he’s also vice chancellor of Patanjali University in Haridwar, and he regularly shares Ayurvedic and traditional dietary advice with his sizeable social media following. This isn’t out of character for him; wellness tips rooted in older Indian food practices are pretty much his bread and butter online.

The bigger picture

Rice is eaten daily in most Indian households — it’s about as staple as staples get. And that’s exactly why a small shift like this matters more than it might seem. When something is consumed at that scale, even a minor tweak in how it’s prepared — like keeping the starch water instead of tossing it — can add up to a real difference in how much nutrition people are actually getting from their meals.

Criticising the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over the July 20’s ‘Chalo Sansad’ march in the national capital, actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut on Tuesday said that all the parliamentarians were inside the Parliament during that time and were “scared, thinking that the mob might attack us.”

“All parliamentarians were inside the Parliament. We all were scared, thinking that the mob might attack us. I appreciate Delhi Police for playing the role of a shield, not letting people get harmed,” ANI quoted Kangana Ranaut as saying.

#WATCH | Delhi | On the CJP protest outside Parliament yesterday, BJP MP Kangana Ranaut says, “All parliamentarians were inside the Parliament. We all were scared, thinking that the mob might attack us. I appreciate Delhi Police for playing the role of a shield, not letting… pic.twitter.com/Oop3B29PKw

— ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2026

Clashes erupted in the national capital on Monday after thousands of supporters of the CJP and students marched from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over recurring examination irregularities, including the NEET-UG paper leaks.

As of now, Delhi Police have registered five FIRs in connection with the violent clashes, officials said.

The FIRs were lodged at Connaught Place and Parliament Street police stations, as well as other stations in the area. Police officials said more FIRs could be registered in the areas where violence took place.

At present, police is making efforts to identify the accused using video footage. Investigators are examining over 250 videos, including mobile phone recordings, CCTV footage, drone camera visuals and footage captured through police body-worn cameras, to trace the individuals allegedly responsible for the violence, IANS reported.

During the Monday’s protests, over 118 police personnel from the Delhi Police and Central Police Forces sustained injuries. Among the injured officers included senior ranks such as Special Commissioner, Joint Commissioner, Additional Commissioner, and Deputy Commissioner.

“During today’s violent protests, more than 118 police personnel from Delhi Police and Central Police Forces, including Special Commissioner, Joint Commissioner, Additional Commissioner, and Deputy Commissioner rank officers deployed on duty, sustained injuries,” read a statement from police.

The situation turned violent after several of the protesting students were seen attempting to break through the barricades.

Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar visited the hospital where the injured officers are being treated. In a statement, he said, “Every injury on the uniform bears witness to dedication to duty.”

Patanjali University and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology signed a memorandum of understanding on the sidelines of the 19th convocation ceremony in Meerut. Acharya Balkrishna, vice chancellor of Patanjali University, shared the update on Facebook. He said the agreement covers research, innovation, and joint work aimed at the growth of farmers in agriculture.

Balkrishna said the tie-up is expected to widen the reach of services Patanjali already offers to farmers.

About the host university

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology is located in Modipuram, near Meerut, along the Delhi-Dehradun highway. The university was set up in 2000 by the Uttar Pradesh government and is recognised as the first agriculture university of the 21st century in the country. It runs undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes in agriculture, veterinary sciences, biotechnology and related fields, and is affiliated with ICAR and UGC.

Dignitaries at the ceremony

The convocation was attended by Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel. Suryapratap Shahi, the state’s cabinet minister for agriculture, agriculture education and agriculture research, was also present. Gujarat Assembly Speaker Shankar Bhai Chaudhary and Minister of State Baldev Singh Aulakh attended as well.

University vice chancellor Triveni Datt and secretary general K P Singh were part of the event, along with vice chancellors from other universities, professors, elected representatives and additional dignitaries.

About Patanjali University

Patanjali University, also known as University of Patanjali, is based in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. It was established in 2006 under an act passed by the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly. The university was founded by Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna, with Ramdev serving as president and Balkrishna as vice chancellor. Its campus is spread over 35 acres and it holds recognition from UGC and AICTE.

Patanjali runs a large network of farmer outreach and agricultural initiatives alongside its academic and ayurveda-related work, which Balkrishna referred to in his post as the base the new partnership will build on.

Focus on agricultural collaboration

The MOU signed at the convocation is aimed at combining research capabilities of both institutions to support farmers. Balkrishna’s post did not specify a timeline for the collaboration or the exact scope of projects planned under it. Details of the programmes to follow from the agreement are expected to be worked out between the two universities in the coming period.

The event marked the 19th convocation of the Meerut-based agricultural university since its founding in 2000.

India on Tuesday summoned Russia’s Charge d’Affaires Vladimir Ladanov and lodged a strong protest over an attack on the commercial vessel MV Golden Leo near Ukraine’s Odesa port that killed four Indian crew members.

The Ministry of External Affairs conveyed India’s “grave concerns and unequivocal condemnation” of the July 19 attack, saying strikes on civilian commercial vessels threatened the safety and stability of international maritime trade.

“The targeting of commercial shipping and the resulting loss of innocent civilian lives are unacceptable and must be avoided,” the MEA told the Russian diplomat, asking him to convey New Delhi’s concerns to Moscow.

One Indian crew member critically injured

The MV Golden Leo was attacked on Sunday evening while departing the Ukrainian port of Odesa.

There were 17 crew members aboard the vessel, including five Indian nationals, according to the MEA.

Four Indians died in the attack, while the fifth was admitted to hospital in a critical condition.

India’s mission in Ukraine is monitoring the situation and extending assistance to those affected, the ministry said.

The MEA offered condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured crew member a full recovery.

India condemns attacks on commercial shipping

New Delhi said attacks that endanger civilian crew members or obstruct maritime navigation and commerce were deplorable.

“Such attacks undermine the safety, security and stability of international maritime commerce,” the ministry said.

India reiterated that civilian shipping and freedom of navigation must be protected in accordance with international norms.

Ukraine blames Russia for missile strike

The Ukrainian Navy accused Russian forces of attacking the civilian cargo vessel, which was reportedly carrying grain and sailing under the flag of Guinea-Bissau.

According to Ukrainian authorities, the ship was struck by Kh-59/Kh-69 cruise missiles as it was leaving the area.

The strike reportedly hit the starboard side of the vessel’s superstructure and triggered a fire onboard. Ukrainian naval units and maritime rescue services subsequently launched an emergency operation.

Russia’s Defence Ministry said on Sunday that its forces had conducted strikes on Ukrainian ports and vessels that it alleged were operating in the interests of the Ukrainian armed forces.

It said port infrastructure and two bulk carriers carrying military cargo near Odesa were among the targets. The Russian statement cited in the source material did not identify the MV Golden Leo by name.

The wait for ‘Hi’, starring Nayanthara and Kavin, is getting shorter. Director Vishnu Edavan’s upcoming romantic entertainer has officially received a U/A certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), clearing the way for its theatrical release.

The makers also confirmed that the film will arrive in cinemas on August 14, 2026.

Production house shares official announcement

Production banner Seven Screen Studios announced the update through its official social media handles. Along with confirming the censor certification, the studio revealed the film’s release date with a heartfelt message.

The post read, “A tale that will steal your heart now has its date locked. Censored with a UA and on the way to theatres — Aug 14, 2026! A Jen Martin Musical.”

The announcement has increased excitement among fans who have been eagerly waiting to see Nayanthara and Kavin share screen space for the first time.

Story set across three Tamil Nadu cities

According to sources close to the film’s team, the story unfolds across Chennai, Coimbatore and Pollachi. While the makers have not revealed the full plot, insiders say the film has been designed as a family entertainer with an emotional love story at its heart.

Interestingly, the sources also claim that the film does not feature a traditional villain, choosing instead to focus on relationships and emotions. This approach is expected to make the story different from many commercial entertainers.

Earlier, director Vishnu Edavan had described the project as a wholesome family film that speaks about true love, hinting at a feel-good experience for audiences of all ages.

Vishnu Edavan makes his directorial debut

‘Hi’ marks the directorial debut of Vishnu Edavan. Before stepping into the director’s chair, he worked as an associate director with filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj on several successful films, including ‘Kaithi’, ‘Master’ and ‘Vikram’.

His experience on these major productions has created curiosity about how he will present his first film as a director.

Strong cast and experienced technical team

Apart from Nayanthara and Kavin, the film features a supporting cast that includes K. Bhagyaraj, Prabhu, Radhika, Sathyan, Adithya Kathir and Kureishi, among others.

The project is jointly produced by Zee Studios South, The Rowdy Pictures and Seven Screen Studios.

The film also brings together an experienced technical crew. Jen Martin has composed the music, while Rajesh Shukla has handled the cinematography. Philomin Raj is in charge of editing, and Shekhar B serves as the art director. The dance sequences have been choreographed by Brinda, with Dinesh Kasi designing the action scenes.

Nearly two million jubilant fans lined the streets of Madrid on Monday as Spain’s FIFA World Cup-winning team returned home to celebrate its historic triumph with an open-top bus parade before a packed Plaza de Cibeles.

Spain secured its second World Cup title on Sunday after Ferran Torres struck the decisive extra-time winner in a 1-0 victory over Argentina in the final in New Jersey.

The celebrations began soon after the squad landed in Madrid at around 1 p.m. local time. The players first attended official receptions hosted by King Felipe VI and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, both of whom had travelled to New Jersey to watch the final.

Praising the team’s achievement, King Felipe VI highlighted the unity and spirit that carried Spain to world football’s biggest prize.

The squad then boarded an open-top bus from Moncloa Palace, the prime minister’s official residence, making its way through the Spanish capital as an estimated 1.8 million supporters packed the streets to celebrate the world champions, according to Xinhua.

Also Read: ‘It was written’: Pedri’s cryptic post from 2025 goes viral after Spain’s FIFA World Cup triumph

The celebrations culminated at the iconic Plaza de Cibeles, where another 120,000 fans had gathered hours in advance, enjoying live performances from Spanish pop stars before the team’s arrival.

Players took turns lifting the World Cup trophy, singing with supporters and soaking in the atmosphere despite temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius. Defender Marc Cucurella added to the festivities by entertaining the crowd on the drums as celebrations continued until nearly midnight.

The celebrations, however, were also marked by tragedy. A 13-year-old fan died in Ciudad Rodrigo after being struck by part of a fountain during the festivities.

Elsewhere, police arrested three people, and around 30 others required medical treatment after celebrations in Barcelona turned violent.

Also Read: Argentina’s Paredes shown red card after grabbing Spain’s Garcia by the throat following FIFA World Cup final

Former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday accused the BJP and the state administration of trying to sabotage her faction’s Martyrs’ Day rally in Kolkata, alleging vandalism at the venue and attempts to prevent supporters from reaching the gathering.

Her allegations came as Kolkata Police mounted extensive security arrangements for three parallel July 21 rallies being held within a short distance of one another in central Kolkata.

Banerjee’s faction of the Trinamool Congress is holding its programme outside the Birla Planetarium, while a rival Trinamool faction led by expelled legislator Ritabrata Banerjee has organised a gathering on Jawaharlal Nehru Road. The West Bengal Congress is holding a separate rally near Shahid Minar.

Mamata alleges attack on rally arrangements

Banerjee claimed that BJP activists attempted to damage the stage erected outside the Birla Planetarium on Monday night.

She said she rushed to the venue with Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee and other leaders after being informed about the alleged vandalism. Party leaders then took turns guarding the stage overnight, she claimed.

“Our supporters are being prevented from coming to the meeting. The police are threatening the families of the martyrs not to come to the meeting,” Banerjee said.

She alleged that the stage had been damaged, electricity and microphone connections disconnected, and posters and banners torn.

“Around 60 BJP-backed goons did all these,” she claimed, alleging a coordinated attempt by the BJP and the police to disrupt the programme.

Mamata threatens contempt proceedings

Banerjee said her faction was holding the rally outside the Birla Planetarium in accordance with an order of the Calcutta High Court.

She accused the police administration of violating the court’s directions and threatened legal action if the alleged interference continued.

“Do not play with the law of the land. If you continue to do that, we will file a contempt of court petition against the state government and the police administration,” she said.

Congress reports attacks on supporters

The West Bengal Congress also alleged that its supporters were being prevented from travelling to Kolkata for its parallel Martyrs’ Day rally near Shahid Minar.

State Congress president Subhankar Sarkar claimed that BJP workers vandalised a bus carrying party supporters from Durgapur in West Burdwan district.

He alleged that another attack was reported from Potashpur in East Midnapore district.

Three rallies under heavy security

Kolkata Police deployed around 1,000 personnel at each of the three rally venues, according to the agency report.

Drone surveillance is being used, while personnel from the Rapid Action Force, Heavy Radio Flying Squad and Central Armed Police Forces have also been stationed in the area.

At least five deputy commissioners, including officers heading the Central and South divisions, are overseeing the arrangements.

The simultaneous rallies are expected to draw large crowds to central Kolkata and could affect traffic movement around the Birla Planetarium, Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Esplanade and Shahid Minar.

Rival groups stake claim to July 21 legacy

The rallies commemorate the Youth Congress workers killed in police firing during a protest in Kolkata on July 21, 1993, when the Left Front government led by Jyoti Basu was in power.

Mamata Banerjee, then the state Youth Congress president and a Lok Sabha member, had led the protest.

The Congress maintains that it has the principal claim to the observance because the victims were Youth Congress workers and the firing occurred before the Trinamool Congress was formed.

A separate programme is also being held at Rajghat in New Delhi by former Trinamool Congress MPs who recently joined the Nationalist Citizens Party of India.

A day after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) carried out the ‘Chalo Sansad’ march in the national capital, Union Minister and LJP president Chirag Paswan on Tuesday said that he respects the sentiments of the students, adding that he is not in favour of suppressing their voice.

On Monday, security personnel allegedly used tear gas to disperse a large group of CJP supporters who had gathered in Delhi for a march towards Parliament. The demonstration was organised over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG medical entrance examination and included demands for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

“I respect the sentiments of the students. Obviously, there must have been outrage and worry regarding different issues that the students had to come onto the roads. At the same time, I am not in favour of suppressing the voice of the students,” ANI quoted Chirag Paswan as saying.

He added, “Dialogue is a good medium. The way their delegation met JP Nadda ji yesterday (July 20), the government has always kept its door open to dialogue. Sometimes the outrage is so much that people come onto the roads. If limits are crossed and law and order is obstructed, then some stringent actions are taken. I do not support that. I believe students and youth are the future of our country, and we should respect their sentiments, to which my government is committed.”

#WATCH | Delhi | On CJP’s protest, Union Minister & LJP President Chirag Paswan says, “I respect the sentiments of the students. Obviously, there must have been outrage and worry regarding different issues that the students had to come onto the roads. At the same time, I am not… pic.twitter.com/e5LMmG4PeT

— ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2026

Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Tuesday stated that his meeting with CJP members was “fine,” as per IANS.

Notably, two representatives of the CJP met Nadda at his residence on Monday and submitted a written memorandum outlining the group’s three key demands after holding detailed discussions earlier in the day.

On being questioned about his meeting with the CJP members, Nadda said, “It went well. It (a meeting) always goes well.”

However, Nadda did not comment on the “assurances” given to the protestors.

The CJP delegation was represented by spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka.

Overall, they have demanded the release of social activist Sonam Wangchuk without any restrictions on his movement, the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan as well as ₹1 crore compensation for the families of NEET-UG aspirants who allegedly died by suicide following the alleged paper leak controversy.

Lionel Messi has broken his silence following Argentina’s heartbreaking FIFA World Cup final defeat, admitting the pain of losing to Spain is “immense” and will take time to heal.

Ferran Torres’ extra-time winner in New Jersey handed Spain a 1-0 victory on Sunday, ending Argentina’s hopes of retaining the World Cup and denying Messi the chance to lift a second world title.

At 39, the Argentine icon is unlikely to feature at the 2030 World Cup, although he has not announced any plans to retire from international football.

Reflecting on the defeat in a heartfelt social media post, Messi thanked fans for their unwavering support while acknowledging the disappointment of falling short.

“The pain is immense, and this wound will take time to heal. But I also hold onto all the good things,” Messi wrote.

“The matches we turned around by giving it our all – moments that will remain in our memories forever – and the support of an entire country which, combined with this group’s hard work and effort, brought us back among the world’s elite once again.”

Argentina eased through the group stage before producing a series of dramatic comeback victories in the knockout rounds to reach a second consecutive World Cup final.

Messi finished the tournament with eight goals and four assists and was widely regarded as one of the standout performers, despite missing out on the Golden Ball award.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner also praised his teammates for their resilience throughout the campaign.

“It is hard to fully appreciate our achievement right now, but this group reached two consecutive World Cup finals,” he said. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart for every greeting and message. Once again, we managed to unite as a country and stand together, sharing the immense pride of being Argentine. I also want to congratulate Spain on winning the championship.”

Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Tuesday described his meeting with representatives of the Cockroach Janata Party as “fine”, but did not clarify whether the government had accepted or offered any commitment on their demands.

“It went well. It always goes well,” Nadda said when asked about Monday’s talks while arriving for the NDA’s ‘Mangal Milan’ programme.

CJP national spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka and chief spokesperson Saurav Das met Nadda at his residence as protests over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak intensified in the national capital.

CJP submits three demands

The delegation sought the resignation or removal of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, compensation of Rs 1 crore each for the families of NEET aspirants who allegedly died by suicide, and the immediate release of activist Sonam Wangchuk without restrictions on his movement.

According to Nadda, discussions began at around 11.50 am on Monday. The delegation initially presented its demands verbally and later submitted a written petition at around 4 pm.

Nadda said the meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere and appealed to protesters to end their sit-in and help the administration restore normalcy near Parliament.

Conflicting accounts over assurances

There was no clear agreement between the two sides on whether any assurance had been given.

Government sources cited by IANS said Nadda made no commitment on any of the three demands.

Ranka, however, said the minister had assured the delegation that the issues would be discussed at the appropriate level, while adding that no firm commitment had been made.

“The demands have been conveyed, including the immediate resignation or sacking of Dharmendra Pradhan,” Ranka said.

“The minister assured us he will discuss this at the appropriate level. However, no commitments have been made so far,” he added.

Das said the protest would continue until Pradhan resigned.

Protest continues after clashes

CJP supporters returned to Jantar Mantar on Tuesday, a day after the ‘Sansad Chalo’ march ended in clashes between demonstrators and security personnel.

Police and Rapid Action Force personnel remained deployed at the protest site as demonstrators resumed their sit-in after the stage and tents were removed.

Delhi Police said more than 118 police and central force personnel, including several senior officers and women personnel, were injured during Monday’s violence.

Around 60 protesters were also reported injured.

Police have registered an FIR at Connaught Place police station over alleged vandalism and unrest. Investigators are examining more than 250 videos, including CCTV footage, mobile phone recordings, drone visuals and police body-camera footage, to identify those allegedly involved.