India

Parliament Monsoon Session Enters 13th Day of Deadlock Amid Opposition Protests

The Indian Parliament's monsoon session has remained gridlocked for a 13th consecutive day as opposition protests over delimitation and FCRA issues persist. Despite the standoff, the government managed to pass key legislation, including the Bankers' Books Evidence Bill and a bill related to Supreme Court judges. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju held talks with opposition leaders in an attempt to break the impasse. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with BJP MPs to discuss strategies for moving forward. The prolonged deadlock has raised concerns over the session's ability to conduct further legislative business.

Kanpur family demands martyr status for merchant navy officer killed in Black Sea attack

Sagar Gupta, a Merchant Navy chief officer from Kanpur, was killed in an attack in the Black Sea. His remains have since been returned to his hometown. His family has refused to perform his last rites until their demands are met by the authorities. The family is seeking official martyr recognition for Gupta, along with financial compensation for their loss. They have also demanded that employment be provided to his widow as part of their conditions.

RBI Governor: UPI costs already passed to consumers, merchant fees premature

RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra has stated that the costs associated with UPI transactions are already being absorbed indirectly by consumers, even if they are not explicitly aware of it. He cautioned that introducing direct charges on merchants for UPI transactions would be premature at this stage. Malhotra stressed that the current focus should remain on strengthening payment infrastructure and expanding its usage. He added that any decision to implement fees must carefully weigh the potential impact on user adoption and continued investment in the payments ecosystem.

Bhopal Extortion Gang Busted for Posing as Crime Branch Officials

Police in Bhopal have dismantled an extortion gang that impersonated Crime Branch officers to defraud victims. The gang was led by a woman and used knowledge of legal procedures to appear credible and authoritative. By mimicking law enforcement, members convinced victims they had genuine police connections, discouraging them from resisting or reporting the crimes. Investigators believe the legal facade was a deliberate tactic to exploit victims' fear of authority. The bust was carried out after authorities uncovered the group's methods and identity.

America edges towards first Muslim Senator as Michigan backs progressive rebel

Air India Phuket-Delhi Flight Turbulence Injures 17, Including Crew Members

An Air India flight travelling from Phuket to Delhi encountered severe turbulence that lasted approximately five minutes, injuring 17 people on board. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu disclosed the details on Wednesday, noting that crew members sustained spinal injuries during the incident. Investigators have recovered the aircraft's flight recorders and are currently analysing the data to determine the cause of the turbulence. The incident has prompted an official inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the in-flight emergency.

High Court set to rule on Tarun Tejpal acquittal; former Tehelka editor ordered to be present in court

Kashmir Marks 7 Years Since Article 370 Abrogation Amid Uneven Celebrations

Jammu and Kashmir observed the seventh anniversary of the revocation of Article 370 on August 5. The special constitutional status of the region was scrapped in 2019, when the state was also bifurcated into two Union Territories. This year, the Bharatiya Janata Party was the only political party permitted to hold processions marking the occasion. Other parties were notably absent from public celebrations, highlighting the politically sensitive nature of the anniversary in the region.

Sulphur Dioxide Leak at Karnataka Factory Kills 3 Workers, Injures 2

A suspected sulphur dioxide gas leak at a factory in Yadgir district, Karnataka, killed three workers and injured two others early Wednesday. The leaked chemical caused suffocation among employees present at the site. The three deceased were migrant workers who had come from Telangana and Madhya Pradesh. The two survivors are currently receiving medical treatment at a nearby hospital. Authorities are investigating the cause of the industrial accident.

'Black widows': Russian women accused of marrying soldiers to claim war death payouts

UP Police Arrests Bhojpuri Film Producer in Rs 78 Lakh Investment Fraud

The producer of Bhojpuri film 'Wanted', featuring superstar Pawan Singh, has been arrested by Uttar Pradesh Police. The arrest was made in Mumbai in connection with an alleged investment fraud case. The accused is alleged to have defrauded victims of approximately Rs 78 lakh. UP Police traveled to Mumbai to apprehend the suspect in relation to the financial crime.

Rupee closes at one-month high at 95.12 against dollar, aided by falling oil prices

The Indian rupee reached its strongest closing level since July 7, settling at 95.1175 against the US dollar. The currency opened sharply higher at 94.92, marking its best intraday level since July 1, before paring some gains through the session. Declining global oil prices provided support to the rupee, easing pressure on India's import bill. This appreciation came despite the Reserve Bank of India maintaining a pause on its monetary policy stance.

Sambhal Violence Was Planned Conspiracy, Judicial Commission Tells UP Assembly

A judicial commission probing the Sambhal violence has concluded that the unrest was a planned conspiracy. The commission's report was tabled in the Uttar Pradesh state assembly. The findings specifically highlighted the alleged roles of key individuals in orchestrating the violence. Among those named are Samajwadi Party MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq and Suhel Iqbal, son of MLA Iqbal Mahmood. The report signals potential legal and political consequences for those identified as having played a role in the incident.

Shreya Kalra wins Lock Upp 2 by 7 votes, takes home Rs 1 crore prize

Shreya Kalra has been crowned the winner of Lock Upp Season 2, claiming a cash prize of Rs 1 crore. The finale was an extremely close contest, with just seven votes separating Kalra from the runner-up. Actress Shivangi Joshi finished in second place after a competitive run throughout the season. Following the result, fans took to social media to celebrate Kalra's win while also acknowledging Joshi's impressive performance in the show.

Why Japan's latest missile test has China on edge

Army Soldier, Friend Killed as SUV Hits Tree in Rajasthan's Chirawa

An Army soldier and one other person were killed in a road accident in Rajasthan's Chirawa area. The victims were part of a group of four friends travelling together late at night. The group was on their way to drop the soldier, identified as Nitin, near Chirawa when the incident took place. The speeding SUV they were travelling in lost control and crashed into a tree, resulting in the two fatalities.

Two Killed as Speeding Tempo Hits Ambulance Head-On on Yamuna Expressway

A speeding loader tempo collided head-on with an ambulance on the Yamuna Expressway, resulting in two fatalities. Police confirmed that both occupants of the loader tempo sustained critical injuries in the crash. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about speeding on the busy expressway. Authorities are investigating the circumstances that led to the fatal collision.

Complaint seeks POCSO action against CJP leaders for involving minor in NEET protest

Advocate Rinki Chatterjee Singh has filed a Zero FIR complaint against leaders of the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) over a recent protest against the NEET paper leak. The complaint questions why a 12-year-old child was present at the demonstration, alleging that organizers involved the minor in the event. Singh has sought action under the POCSO Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against the accused leaders. The advocate also raised questions about the sources of funding behind the CJP-organized protests.

Wisconsin pilot lands helicopter at Cabela’s for a shopping trip

India's Clean Energy Focus Shifts from Generation to Grid Integration

India has successfully scaled up its renewable energy generation capacity and must now focus on effectively integrating that power into the national grid. Experts identify transmission infrastructure and energy storage as the two most critical barriers to widespread clean energy adoption. The country will need substantial energy storage capacity in place by 2030 to ensure grid stability. Policymakers and industry stakeholders are now prioritizing the implementation and adoption of clean energy technologies over new capacity additions. Achieving a smooth energy transition will require better alignment between policy frameworks, financing mechanisms, and available technologies.