India

Supreme Court Permits Abhishek Banerjee to Travel Abroad for Eye Treatment

The Supreme Court of India has granted permission to Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee to travel abroad for medical treatment related to an eye condition. Banerjee is currently facing a police case in connection with allegedly intimidatory statements he made during the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election campaign. Despite the pending legal proceedings, the court allowed the travel on medical grounds. The ruling reflects the court's consideration of humanitarian factors alongside ongoing criminal matters.

Rahul Gandhi Holds Centre Responsible for Police Action Against Protesters

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has sharply criticised the central government over police action taken against protesters. He argued that the government was either aware of and authorised the crackdown, or was completely uninformed about it. In either scenario, Gandhi maintained that the government cannot escape accountability. He framed the situation as a choice between deliberate wrongdoing and administrative incompetence, both of which he said warrant responsibility.

Total Solar Eclipse on August 12, 2026 Will Not Be Visible From India

A total solar eclipse is scheduled to occur on August 12, 2026, beginning at 9:04 PM and extending into the following day. The astronomical event has generated significant interest among astrophysics enthusiasts worldwide. However, the eclipse will not be visible from India, meaning it will have no observational impact for viewers in the country. As a result, the traditional Hindu Sutak period, observed during eclipses, will not be recognized in India for this event.

Surat Resident Doctor Found Dead in Hostel, 4 Senior Doctors Suspended

A resident doctor named Harsh Pandya was found dead in his hostel room in Surat. He had been working in the Microbiology Department at New Civil Hospital for the past six months while pursuing postgraduate studies. Following his death, four senior doctors have been suspended in connection with allegations of harassment. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.

HP Consumer Commission Orders Amazon to Refund Rs 8,819 and Pay Rs 10,000 Compensation

The Himachal Pradesh consumer commission has directed Amazon to refund Rs 8,819 to a customer whose mattress order was cancelled without a refund being issued. The customer had placed an order for a mattress, which was cancelled and returned to the seller by the courier. Despite the cancellation, Amazon did not process the refund, prompting the consumer to approach the commission. Amazon did not appear before the commission and was proceeded against ex-parte. The commission ordered the e-commerce company to pay an additional Rs 10,000 towards compensation and legal costs.

PM Modi meets CWG boxing medalists, hears tales of triumph and rivalry

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with India's Commonwealth Games boxing medalists to hear their experiences from the Glasgow Games. Boxer Narender Berwal shared a humorous story about a Pakistani opponent's reaction that left the PM laughing. Jadumani Singh recounted his notable win that coincided with Kargil Vijay Diwas, dedicating the victory to Indian Army soldiers. Modi praised Singh's gesture of honoring the armed forces through his achievement. India recorded its best-ever performance in boxing at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Suspicious Suitcase in Australia Contained Sex Doll, Not Human Remains

Australian police launched an investigation after a suitcase was discovered containing what appeared to be a bruised human body. Authorities treated the case seriously and sent the contents for forensic examination. Testing confirmed the remains were not human, revealing the suitcase held a lifelike sex doll. Police officially closed the potential foul-play inquiry following the lab results.

Australia U19 all-rounder Neel Patel gears up for India tour amid spin challenge

Australian Under-19 all-rounder Neel Patel, who is of Indian descent, is looking forward to touring India with the national youth side. Patel, who plays as a batting all-rounder with a love for off-spin bowling, spoke about his cricketing journey that began with backyard games alongside his grandfather. He acknowledged that conditions in India will differ significantly from what he is used to in Australia, particularly in terms of heat, spin-friendly pitches, and overall playing environment. Patel expressed confidence in his ability to adapt his batting and bowling to suit the demanding Indian conditions.

India and US Navies Hold 5-Day Explosive Ordnance Disposal Exercise in Kochi

The Indian and US navies are jointly conducting a five-day specialized exercise in Kochi focused on explosive ordnance disposal and mine-clearing operations. The training is designed to improve interoperability between the diving and EOD teams of both nations. Activities include expert exchanges, cross-training sessions, and scenario-based drills simulating real-world threats. The exercise also addresses securing ports and coastal infrastructure from asymmetric threats. The collaboration aims to strengthen maritime security and build deeper operational synergy between India and the United States.

'Deep links with AAP': BJP calls CJP protest Kejriwal's 'pet project'

Anthropic makes auto mode default for Claude Code, enabling autonomous coding

Anthropic has updated its Claude Code platform to set auto mode as the default setting for all users. This change allows the AI to independently handle programming tasks without requiring prior approval from developers. Internal tests indicate that auto mode outperforms human reviewers in identifying and flagging potentially harmful actions. The feature is designed to work smoothly with existing services and can interact with a user's screen when necessary.

12 killed as Ukrainian drones strike civilian sites, oil refinery in Russia

Gujarat's canal-top solar plant generates power and saves 2.38M gallons of water

A solar power plant built over an irrigation canal in Gujarat, India, is generating electricity while conserving water resources. The structure reduces water evaporation and limits algae growth in the canal below. The project makes use of existing infrastructure rather than acquiring additional land, addressing Gujarat's land scarcity challenges. With Gujarat's extensive canal network, the model presents a scalable approach to combining renewable energy generation with improved water management.

Big Dig excavation soil transformed Boston Harbor's toxic dump into green park

Boston's Big Dig infrastructure project generated over 16 million cubic yards of excavated soil, with nearly a quarter redirected to Spectacle Island in Boston Harbor. The island had previously served as a city landfill, where decomposing waste produced methane gas that triggered underground fires. The massive volume of soil was used to cap the old landfill and reshape the island's terrain. This formed the foundation of a long-term ecological restoration effort that successfully reintroduced trees, plants, birds, and other wildlife to the island.

Man axed 17 times by wife's alleged lover; both accused charged with murder

A man named Talib was attacked with an axe seventeen times by Aasim, who is alleged to be the lover of Talib's wife. Police engaged Aasim in a shootout before successfully apprehending him. During questioning, Aasim confessed to carrying out the brutal assault. Authorities have since charged both Aasim and Talib's wife with murder and criminal conspiracy. The axe used in the attack has been recovered and secured as evidence.

BJP Challenges Rahul Gandhi to Hold 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' Event in Telangana

BJP leader N Ramchander Rao has challenged Rahul Gandhi to hold his student outreach programme 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' in Telangana. The challenge comes amid allegations that educational institutions in the state have withheld original certificates from thousands of students over unpaid fees. This practice has reportedly hampered students' prospects in higher education and employment. The BJP appears to be using the student certificate issue to highlight grievances against the Telangana government.

Palantir CEO Accuses AI Firms Like Anthropic of Fostering Dependency

Palantir CEO Alex Karp has sharply criticized leading AI companies, including Anthropic, comparing their business practices to creating addiction. Karp argues that frontier AI firms design their models in ways that strip enterprises of meaningful control over their data and intellectual property. He also raised concerns about how these companies structure AI spending, leaving businesses with limited autonomy. This is not the first time Karp has voiced such criticism, as he has repeatedly targeted the business models of major AI developers.

Japan's Ancient Ama Free-Diving Tradition Fights for Survival Amid Aging Workforce

The Ama are a group of elite Japanese free divers who have harvested seafood from the ocean without oxygen tanks for centuries. This centuries-old tradition now faces an uncertain future as the community of practitioners continues to age and ocean ecosystems undergo significant changes. The declining number of active divers threatens the long-term continuity of this unique cultural practice. In response, local communities have begun mobilizing efforts to preserve and promote the Ama heritage. These collective initiatives aim to keep the tradition alive despite the mounting challenges it faces.

4.2 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Uttarkashi District in Uttarakhand

A 4.2 magnitude earthquake struck Uttarkashi district in Uttarakhand in the early hours of the morning. The tremor was recorded at 1:21 am, according to the District Emergency Operation Centre in Uttarkashi. The centre issued an official report confirming the seismic activity in the region. Uttarkashi is a seismically active zone in the Himalayas, making such tremors a recurring concern for local authorities.

R Madhavan stands by patriotic themes in Dhurandhar and Rocketry

Actor R Madhavan has defended his portrayal of Indian pride and achievements in his films, including Dhurandhar and Rocketry. He pushed back against critics who label such content as propaganda, arguing that celebrating national accomplishments is not inherently wrong. Madhavan credited his upbringing as the foundation of his perspective on positive representation of India in cinema. He also clarified that his personal beliefs do not limit his choice of roles as an actor. The actor added that online criticism has not diminished his appreciation for India's achievements.