India

PhonePe launches UPI 123Pay for 200 million feature phone users without internet

PhonePe has introduced UPI 123Pay, a service that brings digital payment capabilities to feature phone users who lack internet access. The platform covers over 200 million such users across India, enabling peer-to-peer and peer-to-merchant transactions as well as balance checks. An AI-powered multilingual helpline has been included to assist first-time users in navigating the service. PhonePe plans to expand the offering in future updates to include utility bill payments and mobile recharges.

Faf du Plessis says Cricket Australia overreacted in Sandpaper Gate punishments

Former South African captain Faf du Plessis has revisited the 2018 ball-tampering scandal, publicly criticising how Cricket Australia handled the fallout. Du Plessis expressed sympathy for Cameron Bancroft, arguing that the media coverage of the batsman was disproportionately harsh. He suggested that financial penalties alone would have been a sufficient response to Bancroft's involvement in the incident. Du Plessis further contended that the bans handed down were excessive relative to the role Bancroft actually played in the controversy.

NLSIU Student Council Backs Bengaluru Students in Convocation Dispute

The student council of a top law college has expressed solidarity with students in Bengaluru who are embroiled in a convocation controversy. The council condemned the decision that affected the ceremony, calling it deeply unfair to those involved. Students had reportedly made prior arrangements to attend the event along with their families, making the situation particularly distressing. The council described the removal of this milestone occasion as a 'cruel' act against the affected students.

Railways clarifies unreserved ticket rule, says screenshots cannot be used for travel

Delhi reclaims 100 acres by clearing legacy waste from landfills

Delhi has reclaimed 100 acres of land through an innovative waste management initiative that cleared legacy waste from landfills. The effort marks a significant step in the city's environmental management strategy. While the achievement addresses longstanding waste accumulation, authorities stress that daily waste management must continue to prevent new garbage mountains from forming. The initiative is being seen as a model for other Indian cities grappling with similar landfill challenges.

Cockroach Janata Party's school campaign reshapes political focus on education

Student-led protests demanding better school conditions have spread from urban centres to rural areas across India. The Cockroach Janata Party played a key role by exposing inadequate infrastructure in government schools across multiple states. In response, several state governments have introduced new regulations and fast-tracked development initiatives. Major political parties are now prioritising youth outreach and education-related issues in their agendas. The movement underscores the growing influence of young voters as a significant force in electoral politics.

Centre urges Supreme Court to quash FIRs filed against NEET protesters

The Central government has approached the Supreme Court seeking to quash FIRs registered against individuals who protested over the NEET examination controversy. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta presented the plea before the Chief Justice on the government's behalf. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the matter on September 1. Separately, a political party announced plans for a protest march in Delhi on September 5, citing unfulfilled assurances related to the issue.

OBC Support for BJP in Uttar Pradesh Shows Signs of Fracturing

The BJP has long relied on strong backing from Other Backward Classes (OBCs) to dominate Uttar Pradesh politics. However, recent trends suggest that this crucial support base is beginning to show signs of strain. Shifting political alignments and growing discontent among OBC communities could pose a significant challenge to the party's electoral prospects in the state. Opposition parties are reportedly working to consolidate OBC votes, sensing an opportunity to erode BJP's traditional advantage. If the OBC fault line deepens, it could meaningfully alter the political landscape of India's most populous and electorally decisive state.

Poor, fatherless boy becomes Burger King mogul and gives $2M to charity

Paul Quinn College Transforms Football Field Into Organic Farm to Fight Food Scarcity

Paul Quinn College in the United States converted its football field into a working organic farm to address a local food desert crisis. The farm operates as part of a social entrepreneurship program in which students actively participate and grow fresh produce. The college supplies this produce to nearby businesses, creating meaningful community partnerships. The initiative has also contributed significantly to restoring the college's academic accreditation. The project highlights how sustainable practices can simultaneously solve social, financial, and educational challenges.

Ex-Army Soldier Killed by Banned Chinese Manjha in Jammu and Kashmir

A former Indian Army soldier has died after banned Chinese synthetic thread, known as manjha, sliced his throat in Jammu and Kashmir. The incident highlights the deadly danger posed by the sharp, nylon-based kite string that has been linked to several fatal accidents across India. Jammu district authorities have enforced a comprehensive ban on the thread, prohibiting its manufacture, sale, purchase, storage, transport, and use. Despite the prohibition, the banned material appears to still be in circulation in the region. The tragedy has renewed calls for stricter enforcement of the existing ban on Chinese manjha.

'No compelling circumstance': SC refuses to stop CJP's September 5 Delhi march

Manipur Faces 24-Hour Shutdown as Group Demands NRC Update Before Census

The Joint Democratic Front (JDF) has called for a 24-hour shutdown in Manipur amid its demand to halt all census-related activities in the state. The group insists that the National Register of Citizens (NRC) must be updated before any census work proceeds. The shutdown has prompted the Chief Minister to travel to Delhi, likely to discuss the situation with central authorities. The JDF's demand reflects ongoing tensions in Manipur over citizenship documentation and demographic concerns.

Chief Justice Surya Kant Highlights Massive Scale of Global Illicit Wealth

Chief Justice Surya Kant made a striking observation about the enormous scale of illicit wealth accumulated globally. He stated that the illicit wealth generated in a single year would be sufficient to purchase laptops for every person on Earth. The Chief Justice also noted that economic crime and illicit wealth operate beyond conventional boundaries, disregarding national sovereignty that typically protects legal structures from foreign interference. His remarks underlined the transnational and destabilizing nature of financial crime in the modern world.

Andhra Pradesh's Krishna Water Project Sparks Naidu-Opposition Clash

A major water infrastructure project in Andhra Pradesh has ignited a political dispute between Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and the opposition. The project's first phase is designed to release approximately 10.70 TMC of Krishna river water. It is expected to bring irrigation benefits to around 1.19 lakh acres of agricultural land. Additionally, the initiative aims to supply drinking water to nearly four lakh residents in the region.

Karnataka Man Stabbed to Death by Friend Over Chicken at Party

A man in Karnataka was fatally stabbed by a friend following a dispute that broke out at a party. The argument reportedly stemmed from the victim consuming more chicken pieces than others present. The altercation escalated to deadly violence, resulting in the man's death. Police are investigating the incident and the accused friend is believed to be involved in the killing.

China tightens property rules: What it means for buyers, developers

Chitrakoot on fresh flood alert as Mandakini River rises again in MP

Heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of eastern Madhya Pradesh has caused the Mandakini River to rise sharply once again. The surge has triggered a new flood alert for the town of Chitrakoot over the weekend. This latest development follows record flooding that had already struck the region. Authorities are on alert as rising water levels pose renewed risks to residents in the area.

Road to Sikkim's Lachen Reopens After Four-Month Closure

A key road leading to Lachen in Sikkim has reopened after being closed for approximately four months. Restoration efforts on the route began on April 18 and continued through the monsoon season. Workers faced significant obstacles including rockslides, difficult terrain, and challenging geological conditions throughout the repair period. The reopening restores an important connectivity link to the Lachen region, which had remained cut off during the prolonged closure.

FBI Agents Flagged Moussaoui as Terror Threat Weeks Before 9/11

FBI field agents identified Zacarias Moussaoui as a potential terrorist threat in the weeks leading up to the September 11, 2001 attacks. The agents suspected he could be planning a terrorist attack and sought authorization to search his belongings. However, FBI leadership reportedly downplayed the concerns raised by the agents in the field. Moussaoui was later convicted in connection with the 9/11 attacks, making the early warning a significant point of scrutiny in post-attack investigations.