India

'Promoting enmity, provoking riot' among 9 charges against Udhayanidhi

Govt summons Meta's global team on August 5-6 over PM Modi Facebook post row

Neeraj Chopra to face Rumesh Pathirage again at Lausanne Diamond League

Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra and Sri Lankan rival Rumesh Pathirage are set to renew their competition at the upcoming Lausanne Diamond League meet. The two athletes previously faced off at the Commonwealth Games, sparking a notable rivalry in the javelin throw event. Several other Commonwealth Games finalists are also expected to compete at the Lausanne meet. Chopra, returning from an injury, will be looking to demonstrate his form at the prestigious athletics event.

Wisconsin Brewery Loses Liquor Licence Over Illegal Beer Transport Allegations

The Minocqua Brewing Company in Wisconsin has had its operating permits revoked by state authorities. The action stems from allegations that the brewery illegally transported beer from Illinois without the necessary permits and without paying applicable taxes. Owner Kirk Bangstad has condemned the revocation as an excessive overreach and announced plans to appeal the decision. The brewery had previously attracted national attention for promising free beer if Donald Trump died.

Karnataka Cabinet Expanded to Full Strength as 20 New Ministers Sworn In

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar oversaw the swearing-in of 20 new MLAs as ministers on Monday. The expansion brings the state Cabinet to its full sanctioned strength. This development comes approximately two months after Shivakumar assumed charge of his current role. Amid signs of dissent within the party ranks, Shivakumar stated he would accept resignations from disgruntled members without hesitation.

Hyderabad Raid Uncovers Adulterated Spices; 25,000 Kg Seized, Three Arrested

Authorities in Hyderabad conducted a crackdown on food adulteration, seizing 25,000 kilograms of spices and arresting three individuals. Investigators discovered that the spices had been processed using harmful substances including synthetic food colours in orange, red, and green shades. Permanent industrial dyes and cloth dyes were also allegedly found mixed into the products. Additionally, talcum powder, shining powder, and rice-bran oil were reportedly used during spice processing. The raid highlights growing concerns over the use of hazardous, non-food-grade materials in spice manufacturing.

US officers seize $20M cocaine stash hidden under truck floor at California border

Federal officers at California's Calexico border crossing uncovered over 1,000 pounds of cocaine concealed beneath the floorboards of a commercial truck. The vehicle was transporting 269 bundles of rebar as apparent cover for the smuggled narcotics. Officers discovered 366 packages of cocaine during the inspection, with a total estimated street value exceeding $20 million. The truck's driver was arrested following the seizure.

WhatsApp Places Many Accounts Under 24-Hour Review Over Policy Violations

Meta-owned WhatsApp has initiated a 24-hour review process affecting a large number of user accounts. Affected users are greeted with an in-app message informing them that their account activity is under scrutiny. During this period, users lose access to all app features, including their chat history. WhatsApp has stated that accounts found violating its terms of service are subject to such bans. Users who believe the restriction was applied in error have the option to submit a formal appeal for review.

Acid Attack Survivor Resham Fatma Wins Chevening Scholarship to Study at LSE

Resham Fatma, an Indian acid attack survivor, has become the first such survivor from India to win the prestigious Chevening Scholarship. She was attacked with acid at the age of 17 but went on to demonstrate remarkable resilience and courage. Her bravery was previously recognised when she received a National Bravery Award. The Chevening Scholarship will enable her to pursue studies at the London School of Economics. Her achievement has been widely celebrated as an inspiring milestone for acid attack survivors across the country.

Shiv Sena MP Uses Gen Z Slang to Slam Opposition Over Student Protest Response

Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde criticized the Opposition in Parliament for its delayed reaction to a recent student agitation. He claimed the Opposition was absent for the first 37 days of the unrest before eventually staging a protest. Shinde used popular Gen Z internet terms, saying the Opposition went 'MIA' (Missing In Action) and then acted out of 'FOMO' (Fear Of Missing Out). His use of youth slang in a parliamentary setting drew attention and sparked discussion about politicians adopting informal language to make political points.

Washington wildfires: Man suspected of starting devastating blaze arrested

Justice MS Liberhan, Who Led Babri Masjid Inquiry Commission, Dies at 87

Justice MS Liberhan, who headed the commission of inquiry into the demolition of the Babri Masjid, passed away at the age of 87 on Sunday. His death was confirmed by Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association President Rohit Sud. Justice Liberhan was a prominent judicial figure best known for leading the long-running Liberhan Commission, which investigated the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition. His last rites are scheduled to be conducted on Monday.

Punjab BJP Chief Promises DA Dues Clearance If Party Wins Power

Punjab BJP chief has promised to clear pending Dearness Allowance dues to state government employees if the party is voted to power. The announcement was made as part of the party's outreach to the state's employee community. He accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of running an anti-employee government, using the Punjabi term 'Mulazam Virodhi' to describe the AAP administration. The BJP leader's remarks suggest the party is targeting dissatisfied government workers ahead of future elections. The promise highlights growing political competition over employee welfare issues in Punjab.

India Has Only 6 Robots Per 10,000 Workers, Far Below Global Average

India installed 9,100 new industrial robots in 2024, yet its robot density remains at just 6 units per 10,000 workers. This figure places India significantly behind global manufacturing peers, highlighting a major automation gap. Experts point to low robotics adoption as a critical obstacle in India's ambition to become a $5 trillion economy. However, each new robot deployed generates downstream demand for component manufacturers, system integrators, and research institutions. Closing this gap is increasingly seen as essential for India to scale its industrial output competitively.

Gopichand flags concerns over BWF's new scoring system reshaping badminton

India's chief national badminton coach Pullela Gopichand has voiced concerns over the Badminton World Federation's newly introduced scoring system. He believes the condensed format will demand higher levels of agility, physical strength, and mental resilience from players. Gopichand noted that doubles pairs may face the most significant challenges in adapting to the changes. He also questioned the BWF's intent to reduce player workload, warning that the format could prioritise fast-paced rallies at the expense of skillful, artistic play.

Former Governor and Educationist D Y Patil Dies at 91 in Kolhapur

D Y Patil, a prominent educationist and former governor, passed away at the age of 91 at his residence in Kolhapur. He had been suffering from a prolonged illness prior to his death. During his distinguished career, Patil served as Governor of Bihar, Tripura, and West Bengal. He was also a senior Congress leader and was honoured with the Padma Shri award. His death has been described as an irreparable loss to the D Y Patil family and its associated institutions.

Udhayanidhi Stalin Faces Charges Over Remarks Made About Actor Trisha

Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin has been charged in connection with remarks he made about actress Trisha. The charges levelled against him include promoting enmity between groups, incitement to riot, and criminal intimidation. The case stems from statements that reportedly drew controversy and triggered a legal complaint. Authorities have registered the charges formally, putting the minister under legal scrutiny.

Dev Anand's son Suneil Anand cremated in London at 70 after heart attack

Suneil Anand, son of veteran Bollywood actors Dev Anand and Kalpana Kartik, passed away at the age of 70 following a second heart attack. His cremation was held on August 4 at Putney Vale Cemetery in London. His mother, Kalpana Kartik, was unable to attend the funeral due to her poor health. The last rites were carried out by Dev Anand's niece and her husband in her absence.

Anthropic CEO Amodei resists million-dollar pay race for AI talent

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has distanced his company from the escalating salary competition for top AI researchers. He expressed concern that offering outsized compensation could attract talent motivated by money rather than alignment with Anthropic's mission. The race for AI researchers has intensified, with Meta and OpenAI aggressively competing through high salaries and equity packages. However, financial incentives alone are not the sole factor driving researchers to switch companies. Retaining talent remains a broader industry challenge, with frequent departures and personal ambitions also playing a significant role.

Friendship with benefits: Why Trump is helping Japan rescue the yen