Three-time Grammy-winning composer Ricky Kej has criticized Air India for downgrading him from business class without a refund on a Mumbai to Bengaluru flight. Sharing his experience on X (formerly Twitter), Kej revealed this was the third time in a year he faced such an issue. He described the airline staff as "rude, clueless, and high-handed." Air India responded to Kej's complaints, offering to resolve the matter privately, but Kej demanded a clear refund and explanation, threatening legal action if not resolved. The incident has sparked significant attention on social media.

In a dramatic rescue operation, Kerala forest officials saved a tribal family, including four young children, stranded in a cave atop a hill in Wayanad. The daring 8-hour mission, led by Kalpetta range forest officer K. Hashis, involved navigating treacherous terrain and heavy rainfall. The family, from the Paniya community, had been trapped following recent landslides that devastated the region. The rescue team, overcoming severe conditions, managed to evacuate the family, highlighting Kerala's resilience in the face of natural disasters. The landslides have claimed 308 lives, marking one of the state's worst calamities.

The Delhi Police have heightened security at the Israeli Embassy and Chabad House after intelligence alerts following the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31. Senior officers met to plan a robust security arrangement around the two Israeli sites in the capital. A senior officer stated that a multi-layered security system, including numerous CCTV cameras, is already in place. Additional personnel may be deployed if necessary to ensure safety amid heightened tensions.

A cloudburst in Himachal Pradesh's Samej village has caused widespread destruction, with entire village washed away. According to survivors, the disaster occurred on Wednesday night, catching residents off guard. Anita Devi, a resident, reported that only her house remained standing, while Bakhshi Ram, an elderly villager, lost 14-15 family members in the flood. The villagers are now homeless and searching for loved ones. The authorities have yet to assess the full extent of the damage, but initial reports indicate significant loss of life and property. Relief efforts are underway to support the affected villagers.

The Kerala government has intensified rescue efforts in Wayanad, where landslides have claimed 344 lives. To aid in the search for survivors, deep search radars have been deployed, including one Xaver radar and four Reeco radars airlifted from Delhi. Over 200 people remain missing, and the Indian Army, Kerala Police, and emergency services are leading the rescue operations, assisted by private companies and volunteers. The search, now in its fifth day, is a massive effort to locate those trapped under debris and in collapsed houses, with hopes of finding survivors fading by the hour.

Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Zone, V.K. Birdi chaired a review meeting with senior officers to discuss recent developments and challenges. He directed officers to enhance security plans, increase surveillance of anti-national elements, and boost area dominations. Birdi also emphasized the need to secure vulnerable targets and monitor social media to prevent misinformation. The meeting aimed to ensure peaceful conduct of upcoming events in the region. The officers were instructed to take necessary measures to prevent any untoward incidents and maintain law and order in the Kashmir Zone.

The death toll from cloudbursts in Himachal Pradesh has reached 8, with three more bodies found during ongoing rescue operations. Flash floods triggered by these incidents have severely impacted Kullu, Mandi, and Shimla districts. Efforts to locate 45 missing individuals are ongoing, with drones and NDRF teams deployed. In Uttarakhand, rescue operations have been bolstered with military helicopters evacuating stranded pilgrims from Kedarnath. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is actively managing the relief efforts, while officials in Uttarakhand continue to assist those affected by the heavy rains.

In Wayanad, Kerala, a forest officer team led by K Hashis undertook a perilous trek to rescue a tribal family stranded in a cave following a landslide. The family, including four toddlers, was trapped atop a hill without food. The four-member team navigated dangerous, slippery terrain for over four hours to reach them. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan praised the officers' bravery, highlighting their critical role in saving the family. The children were provided with food and clothing upon their return to safety.

Three people were killed and four injured when a portion of a two-storey building collapsed in Jahangirpuri, northwest Delhi. The building, housing three factories, was old and dilapidated. Rescue efforts by the National Disaster Response Force, fire department, and police lasted until evening. The deceased have been identified as Mukesh Kumar, Phoolwati, and Vinod, all factory workers. The injured, working on the terrace, are receiving treatment. A case has been registered and an investigation is ongoing.

In response to the Wayanad landslide tragedy, the Centre has proposed a draft notification to declare around 57,000 sq km of the Western Ghats as an ‘ecologically-sensitive area.’ Issued on July 31, the draft includes 13 villages in Wayanad and about 10,000 sq km in Kerala. This designation aims to curb commercial activities that contribute to environmental degradation. Citizens have 60 days to provide feedback before the final notification is published. The protected area spans six states, including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Goa, and Gujarat, with restrictions on mining, new thermal plants, and large construction projects.