Friday, 31 July 2026 #1  ·  Times City  ·  Breaking news with analytical depth No Further Action On Protesters: Govt / 'But Those With Criminal Past Won't Be Spared' By Abhinav Rajput, Sugandha Jha   ·   The Times of India, New Delhi  ·  Page 8 Delhi government announced it will not pursue further action against participants in the Cockroach Janta Party-led NEET protest, instructing police to treat the matter as closed, but carved out exceptions for those with criminal antecedents as mandated by a recent Supreme Court order. A separate companion report by Abhinav Garg and Koushiki Saha interrogates the legal ambiguity around what constitutes 'criminal antecedents,' with senior advocates and former jail officials explaining how even a pending FIR from years ago could disqualify a protester from amnesty. The reporting also tracks the Supreme Court's evolving directions on pellet-gun use, dat

  BJP MP and actor Kangana Ranaut and India Today managing editor Preeti Choudhry are engaged in a public exchange after Ranaut made remarks describing a section of young women protesting the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak in terms including "Generation Gutter," "ugly" and "characterless." The remarks were posted by Ranaut across a series of Instagram Stories and a later video, according to reports in Tribune India and India Today. The protests, organised under the "Cockroach Jantar Party" (CJP) banner, drew large crowds to Jantar Mantar in Delhi over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. According to India Today, Ranaut alleged that some protesters displayed "indecent" conduct and had used vulgar language, and framed her remarks as a defence of public "discipline" rather than an attack on the protests themselves. Choudhry addressed the remarks in a segment on her show, arguing that individual instances of inappropriate con

Glenn A. Baker, one of Australia's most influential music journalists, broadcasters and rock historians, has died aged 74 following an illness. According to media reports, his death was announced on Friday by fellow music journalist Stuart Coupe on Facebook: “This is a post that I was hoping I wouldn’t be making for a considerable period of time, but after an illness Glenn A Baker passed away earlier this morning. I’m beyond sad".  Over a career spanning more than five decades, Baker became one of the country's most recognisable voices on Australian music. He helped establish radio station 2JJ, which later became Triple J, before building a broadcasting career that included Triple J and Triple M.  He also served as Australian editor of Billboard for more than 20 years, co-founded Raven Records in 1979, contributed to more than 200 magazines, authored more than 20 books on music and travel, and served on the ARIA Hall of Fame advisory comm

AUKUS confusion sparks US alarm over HMAS Stirling timeline Fresh uncertainty has erupted over the planned US/UK submarine rotations in Perth after Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy described the arrangement as a five-year program that would lapse from 2032 unless extended. The comments triggered urgent diplomatic reassurance efforts and renewed scrutiny of Australia’s leverage and obligations under AUKUS, with opponents warning the government is sending mixed signals on a cornerstone security pact. Covered by: The West Australian, The Australian, The Australian. Albanese under pressure over Luke Gosling assault charge Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is facing calls to strip Labor MP Luke Gosling of envoy roles after Gosling was charged with assault offences involving the Northern Territory Administrator, allegations he denies. The case has become a test of political standards and accountability, with the government’s response likely to shape perceptions of integrity and disc

Journalists from the India Today Group's Guwahati bureau were denied entry to the ongoing Assam Assembly session despite carrying valid media passes, raising fresh concerns over press freedom in the state. Reporter Hrijoy Das Kanungo alleged he was physically assaulted by a member of the Assembly press committee after objecting to the denial of access.  He further claimed his phone was seized and a video of the incident was deleted, while other staffers allegedly threatened and abused him.   A formal complaint has been lodged with the Assam Legislative Assembly authorities and Dispur Police. The Assembly authorities are yet to explain why the journalists were denied entry despite holding valid passes.  

The India Today Group has partnered with PVR INOX to release its documentary Eyewitness to a Nation in theatres on August 7, marking the media organisation's Golden Jubilee. The film traces five decades of India's history through rare archival footage, first-hand reporting and key national events covered by India Today journalists.  The documentary will be screened across 10 cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata.   India Today said the film is a tribute to both India's journey over the past 50 years and the journalists who documented its defining moments. PVR INOX said the collaboration aims to bring meaningful, history-driven storytelling to cinema audiences across the country.   

  Two journalists were allegedly assaulted by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) MLA Kapil in Sholinghur, Ranipet district, according to the Chennai Press Club, in an incident that has renewed scrutiny of press safety under the TVK-led state government. Dinamalar reporter Kalyanasundaram, 70, and Dinakaran reporter Aranganathan, 50, said they were attacked while covering an altercation between the MLA and a YouTuber who had posted a review of the film Jananayagan. "We went there after learning that MLA Kapil was assaulting a YouTuber who had posted a review video of the film Jananayagan. The MLA was abusing the YouTuber for recording and publishing the video. When we questioned him and I began filming the incident on my mobile phone, his associates grabbed my hand within seconds, dragged me into a room, and assaulted me twice," Kalyanasundaram alleged. Kalyanasundaram, who had previously undergone hand surgery, alleged the assault aggravated his injury. "They pull