India

Russia launches Yasen-M nuclear submarine Ulyanovsk at Sevmash shipyard

Russia's Sevmash shipyard has launched a new nuclear-powered submarine named Ulyanovsk, belonging to the advanced Yasen-M class. The vessel will go through extensive sea trials before being formally commissioned into service. The Yasen-M class represents a significant upgrade in Russian naval capability, combining anti-submarine warfare and land-attack functions with modern weaponry. The Russian Navy expects to officially receive the Ulyanovsk by December 2027.

NSE, BSE Introduce Closing Auction Session to Improve End-of-Day Price Discovery

Indian stock exchanges NSE and BSE have introduced a new Closing Auction Session, altering the market's end-of-day trading schedule. The session is designed to concentrate liquidity during the final minutes of the trading day. This change aims to enable smoother execution of large orders that could otherwise distort prices. The new mechanism is also intended to generate a closing price that more accurately reflects overall market demand and supply.

Wales FA withdraws support for Infantino's FIFA re-election over investment row

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) has announced it will no longer support Gianni Infantino's bid for re-election as FIFA president for the 2027–2031 term. The decision follows concerns raised by the FAW over a failed investment plan linked to World Cup broadcasting rights. Wales had previously been among the national associations backing Infantino's continued leadership. The withdrawal marks a notable shift in support ahead of the upcoming FIFA presidential election.

Kalgoorlie's 1970s reforestation effort continues to protect city from dust storms

Kalgoorlie-Boulder, an Australian mining city, once faced severe dust storms caused by nearby mining operations. In the 1970s, authorities launched a large-scale greening initiative to address the environmental problem. Thousands of hectares of forest were planted around the city to act as a windbreak against dust. Over the following two decades, the project significantly reduced dust levels in the area. Today, the city benefits from cleaner air and a more attractive landscape as a result of this long-term effort.

Flavoured rum, whisky? FSSAI tightens rules for alcohol labels

US warns EB-1 Green Card category may soon close for Indian applicants

The US State Department has cautioned that the EB-1 Green Card category could become unavailable for Indian nationals in the near future. Exceptionally high demand is expected to push India to its pro-rated EB-1 visa limit, which would temporarily suspend further allocations for Indian applicants. The warning comes alongside the August visa bulletin, which already lists the EB-2 category as unavailable for India. Authorities have stated they will continue to monitor demand and make adjustments as needed.

'Will emperor show his degree?' Dipke says ready to share scholarship, loan records

Lok Sabha passes bill to raise Supreme Court judge strength without debate

The Lok Sabha has passed the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, which aims to increase the sanctioned number of judges in the apex court. The bill was cleared without any debate taking place on the floor of the house. It will now be forwarded to the Rajya Sabha for further consideration and approval. The government contends that expanding the bench will enhance judicial efficiency and help clear cases faster. This marks the first revision to the sanctioned judicial strength since 2019.

CapuchinAI system tests wild monkeys' cognition using facial recognition and touchscreens

Scientists have developed an AI-powered system called CapuchinAI to study the cognitive abilities of wild capuchin monkeys. The system combines facial recognition technology with touchscreen interactions to conduct automated cognitive assessments. It is designed to track individual learning and memory patterns among the monkeys. Initial trials were carried out in a forest reserve in Costa Rica, yielding promising results. The approach offers a scalable method for examining primate cognition in natural, real-world environments.

Telangana consumer panel orders studio to pay Rs 8,000 for AI-generated birthday photos

A Telangana consumer commission ruled against a photography studio for failing to deliver all promised birthday photographs to a client. Instead of original images, the studio provided AI-generated photos, causing mental distress and embarrassment to the complainant's family. The commission found the studio guilty of deficiency in service and ordered it to pay Rs 8,000 as compensation and litigation costs. The studio did not appear before the commission to contest the allegations.

Tamil Nadu Moves Supreme Court Over Cauvery Water Allocation Dispute With Karnataka

Tamil Nadu has approached the Supreme Court over a water-sharing dispute with neighbouring Karnataka concerning the Cauvery river. The state has contested an order issued by the Cauvery Water Management Authority regarding water allocation. Tamil Nadu argues that the allocated quantity of 4.536 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) is insufficient to meet its needs. The state is seeking judicial intervention to address what it considers an inadequate water share under the existing arrangement.

SC: No protection for cops using excess force or hardened criminals in NEET protests

The Supreme Court made clear that neither police officers who use excessive force nor protesters with serious criminal backgrounds will receive legal protection. The court noted that states may withdraw FIRs against students involved in the NEET-UG protests, provided it is done in accordance with the law. Justices indicated that the term 'criminal antecedents' would apply only to grave and heinous offences, excluding minor infractions. The bench also signalled it may issue guidelines regulating the use of pellet guns during protests. The case has been scheduled for further hearing on August 18.

Avalanche on Broad Peak Kills Renowned Mountaineer Nirmal Purja and 9 Others

A deadly avalanche struck Broad Peak, located in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, killing celebrated mountaineer Nirmal Purja along with nine other members of an international expedition. Video footage of the disaster has surfaced, capturing the moment the avalanche swept away the climbing team. Purja was widely known for his record-breaking mountaineering achievements. The incident marks a significant loss for the global mountaineering community.

Congress workers detained while protesting E20 fuel outside Gadkari's residence: Watch

Bangladesh High Court Grants Bail to Hindu Monk Chinmoy Krishna Das in Two Cases

Bangladesh's High Court has granted bail to Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das in two separate cases. Das, a prominent Hindu religious figure, had been held in custody in Bangladesh. The court's decision marks a significant legal development in his ongoing cases. His detention had previously drawn attention from religious and human rights communities concerned about the treatment of minorities in Bangladesh.

Cash Flow Crunch Forces Indian Sugar Mills to Shut Despite Record Output

Indian sugar mills are shutting down operations even as the country records historically high sugar production. The closures stem from a cash flow problem: mills are legally obligated to pay sugarcane farmers within a fixed timeframe. However, mills typically receive payments from sugar and ethanol sales on a delayed basis, creating a financial gap. This mismatch between outgoing farmer payments and incoming revenue leaves mills unable to sustain operations despite strong production figures.

BJP's Bidhuri Claims Non-Students Dominated Jantar Mantar Protest Against Modi

BJP leader Ramesh Bidhuri alleged that tradespeople such as locksmiths and puncture repairers outnumbered actual students at a recent protest held at Jantar Mantar. He accused opposition leaders of misleading youth into participating in the demonstration. Bidhuri also condemned the abusive language directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his family during the event. PM Modi himself expressed grief over the derogatory remarks made against his late mother. The Prime Minister urged that the misguided youth be forgiven and steered in the right direction rather than punished.

Kerala drops SilverLine; 873 km of railway projects to boost North-South connectivity

Over 100 Killed in Two Months as PoK Protests Turn Deadly

More than 100 people have been killed in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir over the past two months amid violent clashes between security forces and civilian protesters. The demonstrations have been led by the Joint Awami Action Committee, a civil society group mobilizing residents across the region. The unrest highlights growing tensions between local populations and Pakistani security officials in PoK. Reports indicate that the violence has affected individuals as young as 15 years old among the casualties.

India Plans 17-km Rail Line to Strengthen Connectivity Near Tri-Junction

India is developing a 17-kilometer strategic railway line in the North Bengal region. The project is designed to enhance connectivity in the Dooars area, which lies near the India-China-Bhutan tri-junction. Beyond its strategic importance, the rail link is also expected to give a significant boost to tourism in the region. The initiative reflects India's broader effort to improve infrastructure in sensitive border areas.