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Lok Sabha passesVande Mataram Bill amid opposition protests overNEET paper leak and alleged police action on students.- Over 200 academicians write to Priyanka Gandhi, objecting to her remarks on IIT Madras director V Kamakoti.
- Nitin Gadkari says E20 fuel may reduce mileage by up to 6%, but tests found no engine failures linked to ethanol blending
- Hockey India explains saffron World Cup jersey, citing better visibility on blue turf and national symbolism
- Iran claims it destroyed three US F-35 fighter jets in Jordan; Washington has not confirmed the claim.
Here are top five news stories:
Lok Sabha passes Vande Mataram Bill as opposition protests
Parliament remained disrupted as the Lok Sabha passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, extending legal protection to Vande Mataram.The opposition protested over the alleged police action against student protesters and demanded home minister Amit Shah’s resignation. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge criticised the government’s handling of the NEET paper leak and called for broader education reforms. Read full story
‘Mockery is no substitute for reasoned engagement’: Oer 200 academicians write to Priyanka Gandhi
More than 200 academicians have written an open letter to Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra objecting to her remarks, widely seen as targeting IIT Madras director Prof V Kamakoti during the Lok Sabha debate on the anti-paper leak Bill.The signatories said Parliament should encourage reasoned debate rather than ridicule and argued that reducing a scholar to a label undermines scientific temper. They highlighted Kamakoti’s academic achievements and contributions to research, urging public representatives to challenge ideas with evidence instead of personal remarks that discourage academic participation in public discourse. Read full story
E20 petrol may cut mileage by up to 6%, but no engine failures found: Gadkari
Union minister Nitin Gadkari informed Parliament that petrol blended with 20% ethanol (E20) can reduce vehicle fuel efficiency by 2% to 6%, depending on the vehicle and its age. However, extensive testing by ARAI, SIAM and Indian Oil found no evidence of engine failures linked to E20 fuel.Gadkari said the fuel improves acceleration, ride quality and reduces carbon emissions by around 30%. He added that India’s ethanol blending programme has been implemented gradually with scientific validation and manufacturers continue to honour warranty claims for E20-compatible vehicles. Read full story
India’s hockey teams will wear saffron instead of blue at the 2026 World Cup
Hockey India has defended its decision to replace the traditional blue jersey with saffron for the men’s and women’s teams at the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup. The federation said the move was driven by technical concerns, as blue jerseys blended with modern blue synthetic pitches, affecting player visibility.Coaches and players suggested alternative colours before saffron was selected. Hockey India also said saffron symbolises courage and national pride as one of the colours of the Indian flag. Former captain Viren Rasquinha criticised the decision, saying blue remains part of India’s hockey identity.
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Iran claims missile strike destroyed three US F-35 fighter jets in Jordan
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed it destroyed three US F-35 Lightning II fighter jets and severely damaged three more in a missile strike on Jordan’s al-Azraq Air Base. Tehran said the attack was retaliation for recent US strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island.The United States has not confirmed the claim, and there is no independent verification. The reported attack comes amid escalating military exchanges across the region, with US strikes targeting IRGC facilities and Iran launching missiles towards US-linked sites, raising concerns over a wider regional conflict. Read full story
