India

Namesakes of Lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar Lose Deposits in Bankipur Bypoll

In the Bankipur assembly bypoll in Bihar, two candidates sharing names with prominent politicians — Lalu Prasad Yadav and Nitish Kumar — performed poorly and lost their election deposits. The independent candidate named Lalu Prasad Yadav managed to secure only 81 votes, amounting to a mere 0.06 per cent vote share. The results drew attention partly because Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor made a notable impact by garnering 64,151 votes in what has traditionally been a BJP stronghold. The bypoll highlighted the stark contrast between high-profile political challengers and fringe candidates who share names with established leaders.

Netaji's Grand-Nephew Chandra Kumar Bose Resigns from Trinamool Congress

Chandra Kumar Bose, the grand-nephew of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, has resigned from the Trinamool Congress, citing personal reasons. He had joined the party on April 12, only weeks before the Bengal assembly elections. Trinamool Congress subsequently suffered a loss in those state polls. Bose's short tenure with the party lasted just a matter of weeks before his departure.

Government Plans 6.5% LIC Stake Sale to Raise Over Rs 30,000 Crore

The Indian government is planning to divest a 6.5% stake in Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC). The sale involves over 82.22 crore shares being offloaded to the public. At the set floor price, full subscription of the offer would generate approximately Rs 31,000 crore for the government. The proceeds will go toward the country's disinvestment fund.

Amazon Hits $3 Trillion Market Value as AI Cloud and Chip Units Surge

Amazon's market capitalization crossed $3 trillion for the first time after its shares rose approximately 5%. The milestone was driven by the company posting quarterly profits exceeding $62 billion. Two AI-related business segments — its cloud computing unit and chip division — were the primary contributors to the earnings surge. The strong performance reflects growing demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure and services.

Bankipur bypoll: BJP chief vows introspection after Kishor ends party's 30-yr hold

80% of Mattress Materials Are Recyclable, Yet Most End Up in US Landfills

Approximately 50,000 mattresses are discarded every day across the United States, creating a significant waste challenge. Despite over 80 percent of mattress components being recyclable, the vast majority are sent to landfills rather than recycling facilities. Their bulk and composition make them problematic for waste-handling equipment, adding to the disposal problem. Research has also raised concerns about the chemical content found in mattresses. A handful of US states have begun implementing dedicated mattress recycling programmes as a potential solution to the growing issue.

Karnataka Cabinet Expansion Marred by Last-Minute Drops, Protests and Dissent

Karnataka's cabinet expansion was overshadowed by confusion and internal dissent as last-minute changes disrupted the process. Mankal Vaidya was initially included in the first list but was subsequently dropped before the swearing-in ceremony. Gayathri Shanthegowda, who was set to be the sole woman minister, was also left out of the final oath-taking. The abrupt exclusions triggered protests from disappointed party leaders who publicly questioned the cabinet selection decisions. The episode has exposed visible cracks within the ruling party over the distribution of ministerial berths.

Punjab Assembly Passes Censure Motion Against Centre Over NEET Paper Leak

The Punjab Legislative Assembly passed a censure motion against the central government over the NEET paper leak controversy. The ruling Aam Aadmi Party led the charge, accusing the Union government of failing to safeguard the futures of hundreds of thousands of students. The issue dominated proceedings during the assembly session, with AAP targeting the BJP-led Centre over its handling of the matter. The motion reflects growing political pressure on the central government as the NEET exam irregularities continue to draw widespread criticism across the country.

LeBron James funds $41M scholarship program for 1,100 Akron students

NBA star LeBron James has launched a scholarship program aimed at helping around 1,100 students from Akron, Ohio, access college education. The initiative is valued at $41 million and reflects James's personal commitment to expanding educational opportunities. His motivation stems from his own difficult childhood marked by financial hardship. James himself never attended college, having entered the NBA straight out of high school. The program is designed to give Akron students a tangible pathway to higher education.

Vikram Sarabhai Medal awarded to Astrophysicist Annapurni Subramaniam

Charles Dickens' Timeless Message of Kindness Remains Relevant Today

Charles Dickens, the celebrated Victorian novelist, drew deeply from his own early hardships to shape a worldview centered on empathy and social justice. His works powerfully depicted the struggles of ordinary people, shining a light on issues such as child labor and widespread poverty. Through memorable characters and compelling narratives, Dickens gave a voice to the marginalized in society. His stories continue to resonate with readers around the world, transcending the era in which they were written. The core values of kindness and compassion that ran through his writing are widely regarded as just as meaningful today.

Balaji Srinivasan's Malaysia Network School shut down, pivots to Kazakhstan

Indian-American tech entrepreneur Balaji Srinivasan launched his Network School experiment inside Forest City, a largely vacant Chinese-developed township in Malaysia's Johor state. The school attracted hundreds of residents over two years as part of Srinivasan's broader vision of building alternative societies outside traditional nation-states. Malaysian authorities ordered the institution to close due to licensing irregularities, a move that followed a separate investigation involving Israeli passports on the campus. Within hours of the shutdown order, Srinivasan announced a new agreement to relocate and reopen the school in Kazakhstan.

Lok Sabha passes Bill to increase number of Supreme Court judges; Opposition disruptions in both Houses continue

Trump Accuses Iran of Duplicity, Warns of Total Surrender if No Deal

US President Donald Trump has sharply criticized Iran, accusing it of 'duplicity' over its denial of ongoing nuclear negotiations between the two countries. Trump framed the situation as a stark choice for Tehran: reach a deal or face what he called 'total surrender.' He also pushed back against Iranian claims of control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway through which a significant portion of global oil trade passes. Trump asserted that access through the strait would be determined by the United States, not Iran. The remarks signal escalating tensions as diplomatic efforts over Iran's nuclear program remain unresolved.

Supreme Court Issues Language Guidelines for Judges in Rape Trials

India's Supreme Court has released guidelines directing judges to use sensitive and neutral language during rape trials. The court emphasized that terms like 'lost chastity' or 'helpless woman' must be avoided, as such language undermines fairness and victim dignity. Judges have been instructed to refrain from asking stereotypical or victim-blaming questions during proceedings. The court also ruled that rape survivors should not be compelled to interact with the accused at any stage of the trial.

Parliament IT Panel Chief Flags Algorithm Role in Rise of Certain Groups

The parliamentary standing committee on IT, which oversees technology and digital platforms, has raised concerns about the role of algorithms in amplifying certain groups online. The panel's chief highlighted that algorithms used by Meta and other social media platforms may be contributing to the disproportionate visibility of some groups. The committee was described as non-partisan, with all members reportedly in agreement on the issues discussed. The concerns were directed at major social media companies, including Meta, regarding their platform mechanics and content amplification practices.

Nvidia CEO: AI Data Center Boom to Create Six-Figure Jobs for Tradespeople

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has predicted a strong job market ahead for skilled tradespeople such as electricians and construction workers. The rapid global expansion of AI data centers is driving large-scale infrastructure development, fueling demand for these workers. Huang specifically highlighted electricians as being in particularly high demand for building AI facilities. Other technology leaders have echoed similar concerns, warning of potential labor shortages in manufacturing and construction sectors. The growth is expected to generate numerous six-figure salaries for qualified trade professionals.

India hikes windfall tax on petrol, diesel and aviation fuel exports from Aug 3

The Indian government has raised export duties on petrol, diesel, and aviation turbine fuel, with the revised rates taking effect from August 3. The new rates will remain in place for a fortnight, as is standard practice for windfall tax revisions. Domestic fuel duties have been left unchanged, ensuring price stability for local consumers. The move comes shortly after a reduction in commercial LPG prices earlier in August. Authorities are also monitoring the potential impact of ongoing global conflicts on India's fuel supply chains.

Amazon Joins $3 Trillion Club on Strong Cloud Growth and AI Momentum

Amazon's market capitalization crossed the $3 trillion mark following a significant surge in its stock price. Shares of the Seattle-based company climbed 15% after it reported its fastest cloud revenue growth in more than four years. The strong performance was driven by rising demand for artificial intelligence and cloud services. Amazon also raised its annual capital expenditure forecast, signaling confidence in continued infrastructure investment.

Zuckerberg must apologise for blocking PM Modi’s video, says MPs’ panel chief