India

Goa launches district-wide flexible property registration system to cut congestion

Goa has rolled out a new property registration reform called 'Anywhere Registration within the District'. The system allows buyers and sellers to register property documents at any Sub-Registrar Office within their district, rather than being tied to a specific office. This gives residents the flexibility to choose offices with earlier appointment availability. The initiative is designed to reduce overcrowding at registration offices and improve overall service efficiency through technology-based solutions.

Govt May Levy Small Fee on Large UPI Merchant Transactions, Consumers Stay Exempt

The Indian government has signaled a possible introduction of a nominal Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on select UPI transactions made by merchants. This fee would apply only above a certain transaction threshold, leaving smaller merchant payments unaffected. The Centre has clarified that consumers and person-to-person UPI transfers will continue to be completely free of charge. The move marks a potential shift in UPI's current zero-MDR policy, which has been in place to drive digital payment adoption across the country.

Dinosaur bone found in 1999 on Fukushima coast identified as 3-metre iguanodontian

Nevada firm finds 1.78M tonnes of tungsten but Nasa blocks mining

Indian Railways fast-tracks Kavach rollout on busiest routes, develops 5.0 version

Indian Railways is prioritizing the deployment of its indigenous Kavach anti-collision system on high-density routes that handle nearly 96% of the country's rail traffic. The technology is being rolled out strategically to cover the network segments most critical to passenger movement. In parallel, the next generation of the system, Kavach 5.0, is currently under development. The upgraded version is specifically designed for suburban rail operations to accommodate higher train frequencies.

South Africa Reports Over 1 Lakh Migrants Deported or Fled Since April

South Africa has seen a dramatic movement of migrants, with over 100,000 people either fleeing voluntarily or being forcibly removed from the country. Authorities confirmed that approximately 19,000 individuals have been officially deported since April. The large-scale migration shift has drawn significant attention to South Africa's immigration enforcement policies. The sudden exodus reflects mounting pressure on undocumented migrants within the country.

Jharkhand Student Leader's Health Critical After 15-Day Hunger Strike Over Exam Reforms

Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto's health has deteriorated severely after sustaining a hunger strike for 15 days in Jharkhand. He is protesting to demand key reforms in the state's recruitment examination system. Demonstrators are calling for the cancellation of certain exams and a CBI investigation into alleged irregularities. In response, the Jharkhand government has acknowledged the demands and set up a dedicated email ID to collect public suggestions on the matter.

Govt confirms UPI person-to-person transactions will remain free of charge

The Ministry of Finance has officially clarified that UPI users will not face any charges for making payments on the platform. All person-to-person (P2P) transactions will continue to be free, the government confirmed in a press release. The ministry also addressed concerns around the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR), stating it has not been introduced yet. Should MDR be implemented in the future, it would apply only to a specific and limited category of merchant transactions exceeding a defined threshold, leaving everyday users unaffected.

Jason Arday denies plagiarism claims; Cambridge reviews his appointment process

Supriya Sule Urges Centre to Withdraw FCRA Bill or Refer It to JPC

NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule has voiced strong opposition to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, in its present form. She called on the central government to either withdraw the bill or refer it to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for broader scrutiny. Sule argued that foreign funding should not be treated with blanket suspicion. She also touched on youth protests and ongoing disputes over political party symbols during her remarks. The NCP (SP) leader is additionally awaiting a hearing related to her party's legal battle over its symbol.

Poor Roads, No Ambulances, Few Doctors: Maternal Deaths Persist in Rural India

Pregnant women in rural India continue to face life-threatening delays in accessing emergency obstetric care. Poorly connected roads and a severe shortage of ambulances make timely medical response extremely difficult in remote regions. The lack of specialist doctors further compounds the risk during obstetric emergencies, often with fatal consequences. These interconnected systemic failures are claiming the lives of both mothers and newborns. Health experts stress that strengthening rural healthcare infrastructure is critical to reversing this trend.

Missing 16-Year-Old Found at Mumbai Film City After Dreaming of TV Fame

A 16-year-old boy was found wandering unattended at Film City in Goregaon, Mumbai, by local police. The teenager had reportedly left home with the ambition of acting in the popular TV show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. He was discovered approximately 900 kilometres from his hometown. Police brought him to Aarey police station after finding him without supervision at the filming location.

Mysuru Woman Poisons Herself Alleging Workplace Harassment, No Weekly Off for 4 Months

A woman named Nageshwari, working as a Tata product promoter at Reliance Mart in Hinakal, Mysuru, consumed poison allegedly due to workplace harassment. She was employed through PPMS Agency, a marketing company. Nageshwari reportedly claimed she was denied a weekly day off for four months. The incident has raised concerns about working conditions and employee treatment at the establishment.

Lionel Messi's Father and Longtime Manager Jorge Messi Passes Away

Jorge Messi, father and key figure behind football superstar Lionel Messi's career, has passed away following a prolonged illness. He played a central role in shaping his son's professional journey from the earliest stages of his footballing career. Jorge acted as Messi's representative in contract negotiations with clubs and commercial partners over the years. He was also instrumental in building the broader business infrastructure around the Argentine icon.

Food package changes colour from purple to yellow-green when meat spoils

Nick Hogan reflects on family life one year after Hulk Hogan's death

One year after the death of WWE legend Hulk Hogan, his son Nick has opened up about how the family is coping with the loss. The Hogan family has remained close-knit, honoring the wrestling icon's legacy through various tributes, including a celebration of Hulk Hogan Day. Nick has taken on a leadership role in multiple business ventures tied to his father's iconic name and brand. The family continues to maintain a strong connection with WWE, keeping Hulk Hogan's memory alive in the wrestling world. Nick says the family's driving motivation is to carry on in a way that would make his late father proud.

SpaceX Starship Flight 13 recovery in doubt after Indian Ocean splashdown

SpaceX is facing challenges recovering its Starship vehicle after it splashed down in the Indian Ocean following Flight 13. Elon Musk acknowledged that the recovery situation does not look promising. Despite the setback, engineers were able to capture images of key spacecraft components during the mission. The visual data gathered is expected to inform future improvements to Starship's design and reusability. Notably, Flight 13 was described as SpaceX's most successful Starship test flight to date.

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey Form NATO-Style Mutual Defence Pact

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey have reportedly entered into a NATO-style military alliance, binding the three nations under a mutual defence clause. The agreement stipulates that an attack on any one member country will be considered an attack on all three. All three nations are predominantly Sunni Muslim states and are existing strategic allies of the United States. The pact emerges against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The alliance is seen as a significant geopolitical development that could reshape regional security dynamics.

JPSC, E20, anti-reservation: The issues India is talking about

Yash's Gangster Film 'Toxic' Trailer Out, Set for August 26 Worldwide Release

The official trailer for Yash's upcoming film 'Toxic', directed by Geetu Mohandas, has been released. The film is a dark gangster drama centered around Goa's drug trade and mafia underworld. It features high-octane action sequences alongside a romantic subplot. 'Toxic' is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on August 26.