The Punjab government's 'Business Class' program has achieved significant success in its first year, leading to the creation of 25,000 startups by students. Mandated for B.Com, BBA, B.Tech, and B.Voc courses in the 2025-26 session, the initiative aimed to transform students from job seekers to job creators. These ventures have generated a total revenue of 90 crore rupees. Out of 95,000 participants from various universities and colleges, over 20,000 businesses are already profitable. Students ventured into diverse fields like e-commerce, digital content, and agri-business. Encouraged by this, the government plans to expand the program to more undergraduate courses in the 2026-27 session. https://www.punjabitribuneonline.com/news/chandigarh/punjab-youth-entrepreneurship-punjabs-business-class-program-turns-students-into-entrepreneurs-25000-startups-created-in-the-first-year/

The Madhya Pradesh Cabinet has approved the draft Uniform Civil Code (UCC) bill. The bill proposes a ban on polygamy and 'Nikah Halala' while making registration of live-in relationships mandatory within one month, failing which could lead to three months of imprisonment. It ensures equal inheritance rights for biological, adopted, and surrogacy-born children. The law excludes Scheduled Tribes (ST) and aims to establish uniform marriage and divorce laws across religions. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav stated the law applies equally to all citizens. The bill will be tabled in the upcoming Assembly session. https://www.punjabitribuneonline.com/news/nation/madhya-pradesh-ucc-bill-registration-of-live-in-relationship-mandatory/

The Delhi government has announced a compensation of ₹75,000 per hectare for farmers whose crops were damaged due to heavy rains and floods. A budget of over ₹33.31 crore has been approved for this relief measure. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has directed the revenue department to initiate the fund distribution process directly into the bank accounts of registered landowners. However, corporate-owned farmhouses and panchayat lands are excluded from this scheme. https://punjabi.abplive.com/news/agriculture/farmers-relief-crop-damage-compensation-of-75000-rupees-per-hectare-will-be-given-to-farmers-check-all-details-inside-876000

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) has announced a protest on July 22, during which several toll plazas in Punjab, including Kalajhar, Bachua, and Behram, will be made toll-free for a few hours. Farmers are protesting against the proposed India-US Free Trade Agreement, Electricity Amendment Bill 2025, and Seed Bill 2025. They are demanding legal guarantees for MSP on all crops based on the C2+50% formula and proper irrigation water supply. https://www.punjabitribuneonline.com/news/sangrur/farmers-protest-toll-plazas-will-be-slip-free-on-july-22-on-the-call-of-the-united-kisan-morcha/

A major accident occurred in Sikkim's Namchi district where around 27 workers were trapped inside an under-construction tunnel after a landslide at the main gate. The trapped individuals include 21 employees from Patel Engineering and 6 from NHPC. Rescue operations by NDRF and SDRF are underway, but challenges persist due to suspected methane gas leakage and low visibility. Special gas-mask teams from West Bengal have been called in to assist. https://www.rozanaspokesman.in/news/nation/200726/27-workers-trapped-in-tunnel-after-landslide-in-sikkim-rescue-operati.html

US President Donald Trump will attend the FIFA World Cup 2026 final between Spain and Argentina at the New York-New Jersey Stadium. According to the White House, Trump will participate in the trophy presentation ceremony alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Trump is also scheduled to attend a special FIFA event at Trump Tower in New York City on Friday. This high-profile presence adds significant political and sporting weight to the historic final match. https://punjabi.newsd5.in/294414-2/

Giani Harpreet Singh, President of Shiromani Akali Dal (Reformed), addressed rallies in Moonak and Sunam, urging Punjabis to stand for the rights of the state and the Panth. He criticized CM Bhagwant Mann and PM Modi, alleging the loot of Punjab's resources by Delhi. He appointed Gobind Singh Longowal as the Sunam constituency in-charge and stated that any alliance with the BJP would require resolving long-standing issues of Punjab and the Panth first. https://www.punjabitribuneonline.com/news/punjab/people-who-stand-in-favor-of-punjab-and-the-panth-harpreet-singh/

Senior Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) leader Iqbal Singh Sandhu has resigned from the party and joined 'Akali Dal Waris Punjab De'. Sandhu, a former SS Board member and general secretary from Tarn Taran, joined the party in the presence of Bapu Tarsem Singh, father of MP Amritpal Singh, and MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali. Sandhu stated that he joined the new faction to work for the betterment of Punjab and the Panth, expressing faith in their principles. Party leaders welcomed him, highlighting that people are moving away from traditional politics toward voices that represent Punjab's youth and farmers. https://www.punjabitribuneonline.com/news/amritsar/akali-dal-badal-senior-leader-iqbal-singh-sandhu-leaves-the-party-and-joins-akali-dal-waris-punjab/

Punjab Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal launched a ₹650 crore irrigation scheme for 102 villages in the Nurpur Bedi block. The project aims to provide lift irrigation facilities and manage rainwater by constructing dams on the Swan river and Sutlej, covering 2,785 acres in the first phase. This initiative is expected to reduce groundwater dependency and protect villages from annual floods, marking a significant step for local agriculture since independence. https://zeenews.india.com/hindi/zeephh/punjab/nurpur-bedi-irrigation-project-rs-650-crore-102-villages-barinder-kumar-goyal/3271688

Clashes broke out at Panjab University (PU) Chandigarh as students protested against an RSS event featuring speakers Sadhvi Rithambara and Shanta Kumar. Despite alleged prior assurances from PU authorities to cancel the program, it proceeded, leading to a march by student groups. Chandigarh police reportedly used force and detained several leaders, including Joban and Sarah Sharma, moving them to the Sector-24 police station. The student body 'PU Against Saffronisation' has condemned the police action and called for a gathering at the Students' Centre. https://www.punjabitribuneonline.com/news/chandigarh/students-angry-over-resumption-of-cancelled-program-at-punjab-university-police-resorted-to-taunts/