Dy CM Pawan Kalyan has directed officials to accelerate the ₹1,290 crore Prakasam Mega Water Grid project. The scheme will supply drinking water to 593 habitations across 7 Assembly constituencies. Intake well construction has crossed 40% completion. Works on a 119-MLD Water Treatment Plant are steadily advancing.

PM Narendra Modi announced fast-track courts to ensure speedy trials for those involved in NEET-UG 2026 paper leak cases. Student protests continue at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, with demands for accountability and NTA abolition. Telangana saw a statewide shutdown of educational institutions led by student organisations and BRS. Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin called for abolishing NEET, saying it has failed on all three of its original promises.

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu met PM Narendra Modi in New Delhi to invite him for the inauguration of Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram on August 1, 2026. The airport is named after the revolutionary freedom fighter and is a strategic growth engine for North Coastal Andhra. Naidu also met Union Ministers to discuss the Polavaram project, Jal Jeevan Mission, and urban infrastructure. Vizianagaram MP Kalisetti Appalanaidu was also introduced to the PM.

The US military carried out a 12th consecutive night of strikes on Iranian military targets including missile storage, drone facilities, and coastal surveillance sites. President Trump threatened 'major military punishment' on Iran and its Houthi allies after two Saudi oil tankers were struck in the Red Sea. Brent crude surged above $100 a barrel for the first time since May. The US House voted to require congressional approval for further military action against Iran.

YSRCP leaders staged 'Pogaku Rythu Deeksha' at the Ongole Collectorate demanding ₹1,000 crore allocation through MARKFED to support tobacco farmers. Farmers in Prakasam, Nellore, and Godavari districts have been getting only ₹15,900–₹16,000 per quintal, while Karnataka farmers receive ₹31,000–₹36,000. For 90 days, farmers have faced 'no bidding' situations at auction platforms. YSRCP demanded direct government procurement as done previously.

Heavy monsoon rains in the upper catchment areas have caused the Gundlakamma river to swell, raising flood alerts across Markapur and surrounding mandals. District officials have deployed teams to monitor water levels at key points. Farmers in low-lying agricultural areas have been warned to move crops and livestock to safer locations. Revenue officials are conducting door-to-door surveys in vulnerable villages.

Fishermen in Chirala and surrounding coastal villages are demanding compensation for losses suffered during the recent cyclonic storm that damaged boats and fishing equipment. Over 500 fishing families have submitted applications to the district fisheries department. The district collector has assured that a survey will be completed within a week and compensation disbursed promptly. Fishermen's associations have warned of protests if relief is delayed.

Leopard sightings have been reported in villages bordering the Nallamala forest range near Giddalur, causing panic among residents. Forest department officials have set up camera traps and are monitoring movement patterns. Villagers have been advised not to venture into forest areas after dark. The forest department has also deployed rapid response teams to prevent human-wildlife conflict.

The AP government has directed the Water Resources department to pump Godavari water to the Krishna delta through the Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Project to support Kharif cultivation. Poor monsoon inflows due to El Niño have left Nagarjunasagar and Pulichintala reservoirs at critically low levels. Around 8 TMC feet of water has been diverted so far, benefiting 13.08 lakh acres across NTR, Krishna, and Palnadu districts. Officials are monitoring river levels round the clock.

The AP government has decided to prioritise Tungabhadra and HNSS reservoir water for drinking purposes amid El Niño-induced rainfall deficit. Tungabhadra Dam has been allocated only 20 TMC feet by the Tungabhadra Board due to poor catchment rainfall. Kurnool city depends on KC Canal for drinking water, supplemented by annual Tungabhadra High Level Canal allocations. Officials are monitoring water levels daily to prevent a crisis.

Preparations for the August 1 inauguration of Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram are in full swing, with a high-level review meeting held at the Secretariat. Ministers and officials from Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Alluri Sitarama Raju, and Parvathipuram Manyam districts are coordinating arrangements. The airport is expected to boost tourism, trade, and connectivity for North Coastal Andhra. PM Modi has been invited to inaugurate the facility.

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and MNS president Raj Thackeray announced a joint protest march in Mumbai on July 26 in support of students agitating over the NEET paper leak. The march will begin at Shivaji Park and conclude at Siddhivinayak Temple, with no political flags allowed. Uddhav alleged the government was acting ruthlessly against students, while Raj warned of action against anyone disrupting the peaceful protest. Congress and Sharad Pawar's NCP have also been invited to join.

Telangana witnessed a statewide shutdown of educational institutions as left student organisations, BRS, and unemployed youth groups called for protests over the NEET-UG paper leak. BRS working president KT Rama Rao participated in a protest at Indira Park, Hyderabad, in solidarity with students cracked down upon in Delhi. Unemployed youth also staged a statewide bandh demanding the Congress government fulfil its promise of filling 2 lakh vacancies. The protests disrupted normal life across Hyderabad and other major cities.

The Karnataka State Western Ghats Conservation Taskforce submitted a Master Policy Blueprint to state and central governments, marking the first concrete step after the Kasturirangan and Gadgil reports were rejected by six states. The policy uses 100-square-meter cadastral GIS mapping for micro-precision conservation and introduces Payment for Ecosystem Services. It resolves past flashpoints including the Athirappilly and Gundia hydel disputes. Karnataka also recorded the sharpest FDI surge among major states as CM Shivakumar pushes an AI-driven investment agenda.

Student protests over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak have intensified at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, with the CJP announcing nationwide protests and demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. PM Modi announced fast-track courts for paper leak cases and promised 'more strict actions.' Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition MPs were detained during a protest outside the PM's residence. The protests have spread to over 200 cities across India.

Twelve districts in Rajasthan are facing severe drought conditions due to below-normal monsoon rainfall, with the state receiving only 58% of its average rainfall so far. The state government has declared drought in Barmer, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, and nine other districts. Farmers are demanding immediate crop loss compensation and waiver of agricultural loans. The central government has been requested to release funds under the National Disaster Response Fund.

Israeli forces conducted raids across the occupied West Bank, with settlers torching Palestinian farmland in Jalud village near Nablus. Israeli forces also sealed off the Bab az-Zawiya commercial district in Hebron. UK Defence Chief stated Israel has 'fallen short' of military standards in the Gaza war. The UK secretly considered suspending Israel's preferential trade deal during the Gaza famine but ultimately kept it in place without informing Parliament.

New UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham confirmed that the US was notified of the decision to extend the agreement allowing US forces to use UK bases for operations against Iran. The IRGC warned the UK that any base used to attack Iran is a 'legitimate target.' The UK government responded that its armed forces are ready to keep the UK safe from any attacks. The UK also secretly considered suspending Israel's trade deal during the Gaza famine but ultimately kept it in place.

China's economy grew 5.1% in the first half of 2026, beating the government's annual target of 5%, driven by strong exports and domestic consumption. The manufacturing sector expanded for the fifth consecutive month, with the PMI at 51.3. However, the property sector remains under stress, with major developers still restructuring debt. The People's Bank of China cut interest rates by 25 basis points to stimulate domestic demand.

The US House of Representatives passed a resolution requiring congressional approval for further military action against Iran, reflecting growing bipartisan concern over the escalating conflict. The US Senate voted down a War Powers Resolution to end US involvement in the Iran war. A new poll found that even MAGA Republicans are increasingly opposed to the war, with support dropping from 72% to 54%. President Trump has threatened a 'massive attack' on Iran if Houthi strikes on Saudi tankers continue.

Indian stock markets fell sharply with the Sensex dropping 440 points and Nifty declining 191 points amid global uncertainty over the US-Iran conflict and rising oil prices. Brent crude surging above $100 a barrel has raised concerns about India's import bill and inflation. The rupee weakened to ₹84.20 against the US dollar. Analysts advise caution and suggest investors focus on defensive sectors like FMCG and pharma.

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the construction progress of the Amaravati Secretariat complex, which is now 70% complete. The complex, spread over 120 acres, will house all state government departments under one roof. CM Naidu set a deadline of March 2027 for the completion of the main secretariat building. The High Court building and residential quarters for government employees are also progressing simultaneously.

Kharif sowing in Andhra Pradesh has reached 85% of the seasonal target despite below-normal rainfall in several districts due to El Niño. Paddy sowing is on track in the Krishna and Godavari deltas, supported by Pattiseema water diversion. Cotton and groundnut sowing has been delayed in Rayalaseema and Prakasam due to moisture stress. The agriculture department has advised farmers to opt for short-duration varieties and conserve soil moisture.

The Parliament Monsoon Session has been repeatedly disrupted by Opposition protests over the NEET-UG paper leak, with both Houses adjourned multiple times. The Opposition has demanded a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the paper leak and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. PM Modi announced fast-track courts for paper leak cases and promised 'more strict actions.' The government has defended the NTA and said the re-examination was conducted fairly.

India defeated England by 6 wickets in the third T20I at Edgbaston to take a 2-1 series lead. Shubman Gill's blazing 89* off 52 balls and Jasprit Bumrah's 3/18 were the highlights. The win extended India's unbeaten T20I run to 10 matches, equalling their own record. The fourth T20I is scheduled at Lord's on July 27, with India looking to seal the series.

Global financial markets are in turmoil as Brent crude oil crossed $100 a barrel for the first time since May, driven by Houthi attacks on Saudi tankers and the US-Iran conflict. India, which imports 85% of its oil, faces a potential ₹2.5 lakh crore increase in its annual import bill. The rupee has weakened to ₹84.20 against the dollar, and the RBI is monitoring the situation closely. Analysts warn that sustained high oil prices could push India's inflation above 6% and widen the current account deficit.

NASA successfully launched the Artemis IV mission, sending four astronauts — including the first woman and first person of colour to orbit the Moon — aboard the Orion spacecraft. The mission will spend 21 days in lunar orbit, conducting experiments and scouting landing sites for future surface missions. The launch from Kennedy Space Center was watched live by over 50 million people worldwide. India's ISRO contributed a key docking module for the mission under the Artemis Accords.

Flash floods triggered by heavy monsoon rains have killed at least 180 people in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, with hundreds more missing. The floods have destroyed over 12,000 houses and damaged critical infrastructure including roads and bridges. The National Disaster Management Authority has deployed rescue teams and is coordinating relief operations. Pakistan has appealed for international humanitarian assistance to cope with the scale of the disaster.

Severe flooding along the Mahanadi river system has displaced over 2 lakh people in Odisha's Cuttack, Kendrapara, and Jagatsinghpur districts. The state government has deployed 30 ODRAF teams and 12 NDRF teams for rescue and relief operations. Chief Minister Mohan Majhi conducted an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas and announced ₹500 crore in immediate relief. The Hirakud Dam has been releasing 8 lakh cusecs, contributing to the downstream flooding.

YSRCP Tirupati Constituency Coordinator Bhumana Abhinay Reddy alleged that the coalition government demolished the compound wall of his family's nine-acre agricultural land at Tiruchanur in a politically motivated action. He said the land, purchased 24 years ago, contained only mango trees but was being portrayed as riverbed land. Despite a court direction to provide survey records, officials entered the property with hundreds of police personnel and installed a board declaring it government land. YSRCP called it an act of political vendetta.

Heavy rains have caused flooding in Addanki mandal, inundating agricultural fields and damaging standing paddy and cotton crops. Over 3,000 acres of farmland have been affected, with farmers estimating losses of ₹8 crore. The district administration has deployed boats for rescue operations in low-lying areas. Revenue officials have begun a crop loss survey to assess the extent of damage for compensation purposes.

The National Highways Authority of India has accelerated expansion work on the NH-16 stretch passing through Prakasam district, with six-laning work progressing between Ongole and Nellore. The project, estimated at ₹4,200 crore, is expected to be completed by June 2027. The expanded highway will reduce travel time between Ongole and Nellore from 2.5 hours to 1.5 hours. Land acquisition for the remaining 18 km stretch is being expedited by district officials.

Dengue fever cases have been rising in Ongole and surrounding areas, with 142 confirmed cases reported in the past month. The district health department has launched a special drive to eliminate mosquito breeding spots in all 38 mandals. Fogging operations are being conducted in urban areas, while ASHA workers are conducting door-to-door surveys in rural areas. Residents are advised to keep water containers covered and report stagnant water to local authorities.

The AP government has sanctioned a new government degree college for Podili mandal in Prakasam district, addressing the long-standing demand of students who had to travel to Ongole for higher education. The college will offer BA, B.Com, and B.Sc courses from the 2026-27 academic year. Construction of the college building is expected to begin within three months. The announcement was welcomed by local students and parents who had been demanding the facility for over a decade.

Police in Prakasam district recovered gold jewellery worth ₹16 lakh and arrested a woman in connection with a theft case. The accused had allegedly stolen the jewellery from a relative's house during a family function. The jewellery was recovered from a hidden location in the accused's house during a search operation. Police are investigating whether others were involved in the crime.