India

JP Nadda Visits Flood-Hit Assam as Death Toll Nears 90, Over 1.22 Lakh Affected

Union Minister JP Nadda travelled to flood-affected regions of Assam to assess the extent of damage caused by the ongoing floods. The disaster has claimed nearly 90 lives across the state. More than 1.22 lakh people continue to be impacted by the flooding. The crisis has spread across five districts in Assam. Nadda's visit signals the central government's attention to the scale of the humanitarian emergency.

CJP Founder Dipke Rejects Political Party Plan, Calls for National People's Movement

Abhijeet Dipke, founder of CJP, has ruled out transforming his organization into a political party. He expressed concern that public confidence in key democratic institutions, including the judiciary and Election Commission, has sharply declined. Dipke stressed the need for a mass nationwide movement driven by public pressure to restore accountability and neutrality in these institutions. The CJP will instead continue operating as a pressure group addressing a range of national issues.

Centre Plans 3-Day Special Parliament Session for Delimitation Push

The Indian government is planning to convene a special three-day Parliamentary session on the 16th, 17th, and 18th, according to sources. The Centre has informed the Congress party about its intention to hold this session. The session is reportedly linked to the government's push on the delimitation exercise. Delimitation refers to the redrawing of electoral constituency boundaries, a politically significant process in India.

How Maine's eel elevator restored fish and attracted humpback whales

India Introduces Closing Auction System, Triggering Trader Concerns

Indian stock markets have experienced a decline following the introduction of a new closing auction mechanism. The system is designed to make the price-discovery process more robust and transparent. Authorities believe the change will align India's market structure more closely with global standards. However, traders have reacted with unease, contributing to market volatility during the transition period.

Seafarers’ union urges PM Modi to deploy Navy after Indian vessel sinks

Tamil Nadu SSLC Supplementary Results 2026 Declared on DGE Website

The Directorate of Government Examinations (DGE) Tamil Nadu has released the SSLC supplementary examination results for 2026. Students who appeared in these exams, held for those needing to clear additional subjects, can now download their provisional marks memos from the official DGE Tamil Nadu website. For those seeking further review, applications to obtain scanned copies of answer scripts will be accepted on August 10 and 11. Each scanned answer script copy carries a fee of Rs 275 per subject.

Fish Stored in Museum Since 2006 Finally Recognized as New Species

A deep-reef fish specimen collected in 2006 has been officially identified as a new species nearly two decades after it was first catalogued. The fish spent years in a museum vault after being misidentified at the time of its collection. A detailed re-examination of the specimen revealed distinct physical characteristics that set it apart from known species. The discovery underscores the critical role museum collections play in preserving biodiversity for future scientific study. Researchers say the find highlights the untapped discovery potential hidden within existing scientific archives.

Nauru Offers Citizenship for $90,000 to Fund Climate Adaptation Efforts

The Pacific island nation of Nauru, now officially called Naoero, has launched a citizenship-by-investment program priced at $90,000. The initiative is designed to raise funds for climate adaptation measures, including relocating infrastructure and residents away from vulnerable coastlines. Rising sea levels and coastal flooding pose an existential threat to the low-lying island, making such funding critical. Successful applicants who pass a rigorous vetting process are granted a Naoero passport. The program reflects a broader global trend of nations offering second citizenships while addressing urgent environmental challenges.

India Considers Land Swap With Myanmar to Resolve Border Demarcation Dispute

India is reportedly weighing a land swap proposal with Myanmar to resolve a long-pending border demarcation issue. The sensitive areas in question include Manipur's Chandel district, where the boundary has remained undefined for years. A land exchange arrangement could potentially break the deadlock in finalizing the international border in these regions. Indian authorities have responded to queries about the proposal, signaling active consideration of the matter.

Andhra Pradesh High Court Dismisses Petition Seeking Teacher Recruitment Probe

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has rejected a plea that sought an investigation into the 2025 teacher recruitment process in the state. The petition raised concerns related to alleged irregularities in the sports quota during the recruitment. The court questioned why candidates who claimed to be affected by the sports quota had not filed petitions themselves. The bench noted that the absence of aggrieved candidates approaching the court directly weakened the credibility of the plea.

84% of US Coastal Wetlands Sinking as Sea Levels Rise, Gulf Coast Hit Hardest

A new assessment reveals that 84% of US coastal wetlands are experiencing land loss as sea levels continue to rise. These ecosystems, which serve as critical natural habitats, are facing inundation on an unprecedented national scale. The Gulf Coast region is among the worst affected, with human activity identified as a major contributing factor to the crisis. However, researchers note that some wetlands may be able to migrate inland where sufficient space exists. Conservationists emphasize that targeted preservation efforts will be essential to protect these habitats from further decline.

Microsoft retires 8-year-old Perspectives feedback tool, simplifies performance reviews

Microsoft is shutting down Perspectives, its internal peer-feedback platform that has been in use for eight years. The company is also streamlining its performance review system by reducing the number of rating categories. These changes signal a broader cultural shift toward higher performance expectations within the tech giant. Separately, Microsoft recently offered a voluntary retirement package to more than 8,500 employees in the United States. The package covers healthcare benefits, severance pay, and partial stock vesting for those who qualify.

RBI Governor Hints at Possible Charges on UPI Transactions Amid Policy Review

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has introduced amendments to the Payment and Settlement Systems Act in Parliament, potentially paving the way for UPI transaction charges. The move could allow the reintroduction of the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI payments, which was waived in 2020. RBI Governor has acknowledged the financial reality of digital payment infrastructure, stating that the costs of running such systems must be borne by someone. The development has sparked debate over whether merchants or consumers could eventually face fees on UPI transactions.

Ukraine: North Korea Sends Fresh Missiles and Personnel to Aid Russia

Ukraine has accused North Korea of deploying approximately 90 personnel and multiple missile launchers to support Russia's war effort. Kyiv claims a North Korean ballistic missile was recently used by Russia in an attack on Ukraine. The move marks a significant deepening of military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang. This latest development follows a mutual defense treaty signed between Russia and North Korea in June 2024.

Travis Kelce funds meals, youth programs and nonprofit work in Kansas City

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has been making a significant impact off the field through community initiatives in Kansas City. He partnered with Kodiak to distribute 25,000 hot meals to local children and families. Kelce also invested in Operation Breakthrough, a Kansas City-based nonprofit organization. Through his 87 & Running Foundation, he supports youth programs focused on career exploration and practical skill-building. The foundation aims to provide students with a safe and constructive environment to grow.

Supreme Court Urges Police to Show Restraint While Handling Protesting Youth

The Supreme Court has advised law enforcement agencies to exercise restraint when dealing with young protesters. The Chief Justice acknowledged that some 'misguided elements' among the youth may resort to stone-throwing during demonstrations. However, the top court stressed that youngsters should be pacified and counselled rather than met with force. The remarks came just days after protests were held against the Chief Justice of Pakistan. The court's guidance signals a call for a more measured and humane approach by police in handling youth unrest.

AICF moves Chess Nationals to Nov-Dec 2026 after GM Abhijeet Gupta raises scheduling concerns

The All India Chess Federation has rescheduled the Senior National Chess Championship to November 29–December 9, 2026, in Varanasi. The decision came after Grandmaster Abhijeet Gupta raised objections to the originally proposed March 2027 dates. Gupta had warned that the later schedule would effectively eliminate the 2026 edition of the tournament and clashed with school board examinations. The AICF consulted stakeholders to find a workable solution while keeping Varanasi as the host city.

Microplastics Found in Every Fish Sampled from Delhi's Yamuna Stretch

A scientific study found microplastic contamination in every fish species collected from the Yamuna River. Fish caught in the Delhi stretch showed significantly higher contamination levels compared to those from upstream Haryana. Plastic particles were detected not just in digestive tracts but also in muscle tissue, raising direct food safety concerns. The findings suggest microplastics have permeated the river's broader aquatic food chain. Researchers say tackling the problem will require reducing plastic pollution from multiple sources.

Vijay's Jana Nayagan Crosses Rs 181.80 Crore Net in India After Two Weeks

Vijay-starrer Jana Nayagan has completed its second week in cinemas, accumulating a net collection of Rs 181.80 crore in India. As is typical for most releases, the film's daily earnings have tapered off on weekdays following its strong opening fortnight. Tamil Nadu has remained the top-contributing region throughout the film's theatrical run. Trade analysts expect the upcoming weekend to give the action drama a fresh box office push. The film is now eyeing the Rs 215 crore milestone as it heads into its third week.