July 28, 2026

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Meta Apologises After Technical Glitch Temporarily Removes PM Modi’s Facebook Video
IIT Guwahati Student Found Dead on Campus; Police Probe Suspected Suicide
India and Nepal Begin Direct Container Rail Freight Service via Revised Transit Agreement
Assam Assembly Clears Bill to Expand Scope of Majuli University

New Delhi: Meta has apologised after a video posted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his official Facebook page was briefly taken offline due to a technical glitch, clarifying that the incident was not linked to any government directive or content moderation action.

The issue came to light on Tuesday when users reported that the Prime Minister’s video was no longer accessible on Facebook. During the brief disruption, some users were shown a notice stating that the content had been restricted in India following a “legal request”, leading to confusion on social media.

The video, which featured Prime Minister Modi’s first direct message to Generation Z amid the ongoing Congress-backed CJP student protests, had gained significant traction online. In the address, the Prime Minister spoke about the NEET paper leak controversy and outlined the government’s response to the issue.

According to government sources, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has sought an explanation from Meta over the temporary removal. Reports indicate that senior representatives of Meta and Instagram have been asked to clarify how content published on the Prime Minister’s verified account became unavailable, even for a short period.

Responding to the incident, Meta said the video’s removal resulted from an internal technical error and emphasised that it was neither intentional nor connected to any legal request or policy-based enforcement.

Before the interruption, the video had recorded more than 303 million views within 24 hours, making it one of the most-viewed posts shared by the Prime Minister on social media.

The temporary removal has drawn attention as digital platforms continue to face scrutiny over content management and regulatory compliance in India. While Meta has acknowledged the technical error and apologised, the government is expected to seek a detailed account of the circumstances that led to the incident.

Guwahati, July 28: An incident at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati has left the campus community in shock after a third-year student was found dead on Sunday afternoon in what police suspect to be a case of suicide.

The deceased has been identified as Ritesh Raj Singh, a Computer Science and Engineering student in his third year who was residing at the institute’s Brahmaputra Hostel. According to police, the incident occurred at around 2.30 pm after the student reportedly fell from the fifth floor of one of the academic buildings on the campus.

Investigators said initial evidence indicates that the student may have jumped from the building. However, the exact circumstances surrounding the incident are yet to be determined, and an investigation is underway to establish the sequence of events.

Institute sources described Ritesh as an academically accomplished student. He had recently secured an internship with Goldman Sachs, adding to an impressive academic record during his time at IIT Guwahati.

Police are continuing their inquiry, while the institute is expected to extend support to students and cooperate with the investigation as authorities work to ascertain the facts behind the tragic incident.

Guwahati, July 28: Cross-border trade between India and Nepal has entered a new phase with the successful operation of the first direct commercial container freight train linking Kolkata Port to the Biratnagar Customs Yard in Nepal under the revised India–Nepal Rail Transit Protocol.

The inaugural service transported a 40-wagon consignment of canola, demonstrating the effectiveness of the updated transit framework. Under the new system, freight can now move directly from Kolkata Port to Biratnagar by rail, eliminating the need for transshipment at the India-Nepal border.

Officials believe the direct rail connectivity will significantly improve cargo movement by reducing transit time, lowering logistics expenses and minimising cargo handling, making trade between the two neighbouring countries faster and more efficient.

The achievement follows a series of infrastructure and policy developments aimed at strengthening bilateral trade. The broad-gauge railway line connecting Jogbani in Bihar with Biratnagar became operational in June 2023, while a revised Letter of Exchange signed in November 2025 paved the way for direct commercial rail operations under the updated transit protocol.

In a statement, the Northeast Frontier Railway said the successful freight movement marks an important milestone in regional connectivity. The railway added that the new arrangement is expected to support smoother cross-border logistics, boost freight transportation and further deepen the economic and trade partnership between India and Nepal.

Guwahati, July 28: The Assam Legislative Assembly on Monday approved the Majuli University (Amendment) Bill, 2026, paving the way for a major academic transformation of the institution by broadening its mandate beyond cultural education.

With the passage of the legislation, the existing Majuli University of Culture will be restructured as Majuli University, allowing it to introduce a wider range of academic programmes across multiple disciplines. In addition to its longstanding focus on culture and heritage, the university will now be able to offer courses in Arts, Science, Commerce, Management, Technology and other fields.

The amendment is expected to strengthen higher education opportunities in the state while giving the university greater academic flexibility to evolve into a multidisciplinary institution.

Despite the expansion of its academic portfolio, the university will continue to uphold its original mission of preserving, promoting and researching the unique cultural traditions of Majuli and the rich heritage of Assam.

The move is seen as an important step towards balancing modern academic development with the conservation of one of Assam’s most significant cultural legacies.

Guwahati, July 28: A fresh crackdown at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) has led to the detention of five individuals suspected of operating an illegal blood brokerage racket, once again raising concerns over the exploitation of patients and their families within the state’s premier healthcare institution.

The action followed a series of complaints alleging that unauthorised middlemen were approaching patient attendants and promising to arrange blood in exchange for money. Acting on the inputs, the hospital’s security personnel intensified surveillance across the campus before identifying and apprehending the suspects.

Following their detention, the five individuals were handed over to Bhangagarh Police Station, where a detailed investigation has been initiated to uncover the scope of the alleged operation and determine whether additional people were involved.

Hospital officials said the accused were allegedly attempting to profit by offering blood procurement services despite the presence of an authorised blood bank within the hospital. Authorities believe the activities may have been continuing for some time, prompting security teams to closely monitor suspicious movements before carrying out the operation.

The latest incident has renewed concerns about illegal blood brokerage inside government hospitals and the risks such practices pose to patients seeking urgent medical assistance. GMCH authorities are now expected to strengthen security measures and increase vigilance across the campus to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Police are continuing their investigation, and further action is expected based on the findings.