India

India formally names 27 places in Arunachal, honours 1962 war heroes

The Indian government has officially assigned names to 27 locations across Arunachal Pradesh. Among the named sites are two memorials dedicated to soldiers who displayed exceptional bravery in past conflicts, including Havildar Shere Thapa and Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat. Several strategically significant mountain passes and a logistics hub are also part of the formally identified locations. The move is seen as a tribute to soldiers who laid down their lives protecting India's borders.

IAF Wing Commander charged for leaking defence secrets via Pakistan honey trap

An Indian Air Force Wing Commander is facing serious charges of leaking sensitive defence information to Pakistani intelligence operatives. He is alleged to have been lured through a honey trap conducted via social media platforms. The officer is also accused of covertly installing data-stealing software on a colleague's device. Before his arrest, the Wing Commander had been under close surveillance by the IAF. Delhi Police subsequently took him into custody following the investigation.

India's First Eco-Educational Hub Launched at CSIR-NBRI in Lucknow

Union Science Minister Jitendra Singh inaugurated the CSIR-NBRI eco-educational hub in Lucknow, marking the first facility of its kind in India. The hub is dedicated to environmental education and the conservation of biodiversity. Among its key features are a heritage trail celebrating India's botanical history and a Bamboosteum highlighting the diverse uses of bamboo. The launch event also saw the unveiling of a new herbal formulation aimed at supporting male reproductive health.

Greater Noida 'Smart Village' Still Lacks Roads and Drainage 11 Years On

Sadullapur village in Greater Noida was designated a smart village in 2015 but continues to lack basic infrastructure over a decade later. Residents struggle with unpaved roads and broken drainage systems that disrupt everyday life. Out of frustration, some villagers have proposed renaming the village to Bharatpur, believing it may attract development. However, many others argue that fixing roads and drainage should take priority over a name change. Authorities have cited ongoing monsoon conditions and religious processions as reasons for the current delays in development work.

Human Rights Forum Demands Restoration of J&K Statehood, Sixth Schedule for Ladakh

A human rights advocacy group has called for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood and the repeal of the 2019 Reorganisation Act. The forum argued that granting statehood should not be made conditional on the security conditions prevailing in the region. It also demanded statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which provides protections for tribal areas. The group's report flagged shortcomings in police compliance with court directives related to detentions. It also drew attention to the hardships faced by Kashmiri civilians in the aftermath of terrorist incidents.

Raja Raghuvanshi's brothers booked for unlicensed liquor serving at Indore dhaba

Rau police in Indore have filed a case against brothers of Raja Raghuvanshi after their dhaba on CAT Road was found allegedly serving liquor without a valid licence. The premises were inspected during a routine police checking drive. Manager Sachin Raghuvanshi and others have been charged under the Madhya Pradesh Excise Act. Dhaba operator Vipin Raghuvanshi faces an additional charge for failing to submit employee details to the police. Authorities have indicated that inspections of local establishments for licensing and regulatory violations will continue.

Why Bhagwant Mann Reversed Stance on CM Murder Convict Jagtar Singh Hawara's Parole

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has reversed his earlier position regarding parole for Jagtar Singh Hawara, who was convicted in the assassination of a former Chief Minister. The U-turn is seen as a politically motivated move by the Aam Aadmi Party to appeal to Sikh voters in the state. Hawara's case carries strong emotional significance among sections of the Sikh community, making it a sensitive political issue. By supporting Hawara's parole, AAP appears to be signaling its willingness to engage with causes that resonate deeply within that community.

Tamil Nadu parties clash over Vijay's all-party delimitation meeting

Political tensions have surfaced in Tamil Nadu over an all-party meeting on delimitation convened by actor-turned-politician Vijay. The DMK, represented by Kanimozhi, dismissed the gathering as political theatre designed to distract the public from core issues. The AIADMK also expressed skepticism, questioning the chief minister's sudden urgency on the matter. Several parties are pushing for constitutional safeguards rather than mere verbal assurances on the delimitation issue. The central concern across parties remains protecting Tamil Nadu's existing Lok Sabha seat count in any future delimitation exercise.

Counter Intelligence Kashmir raids 5 sites across 4 districts in anti-national case

Counter Intelligence Kashmir conducted raids at five locations across Baramulla, Bandipora, Anantnag, and Shopian districts on Saturday. The operations were part of an ongoing investigation into the spread of anti-national narratives in the region. Authorities seized multiple electronic and digital storage devices during the searches. No arrests have been made in connection with the case so far.

Ladakh draws 330,000 tourists in 7 months as Kashmir road route gains over Manali

Ladakh received 330,332 tourists between January and July, marking a significant surge in visitor numbers to the union territory. Air travel remains the most preferred mode of transport for reaching Ladakh. Among those travelling by road, the Kashmir route has grown more popular than the traditionally favoured Manali highway. Improved infrastructure and well-organised local events have been key drivers behind this tourism boom. The rise in visitors has also spurred growth in homestays, creating new livelihood opportunities for residents.

Kerala School Quiz Question on Savarkar Triggers Political Controversy, Inquiry Ordered

A political dispute has broken out in Kerala after a school quiz described Hindutva ideologue V D Savarkar as a freedom fighter who received the harshest punishment from British colonial rulers. The question's framing drew sharp criticism from various political quarters in the state. General Education Minister N Samsudheen responded by ordering a formal inquiry into the matter. The controversy centers on how Savarkar, a historically contested figure, was characterized in an educational setting meant for school students.

Dharmendra Pradhan Breaks Silence on Resignation as Education Minister

Former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has spoken publicly for the first time since stepping down from his cabinet post. He clarified that his resignation was not driven by any personal grievances or conflicts. Pradhan stated that certain individuals had attempted to mislead the younger generation, referring to Gen Z as 'our children.' His remarks suggest the decision was rooted in broader concerns about the influence on youth rather than internal political disputes.

JD Vance Calls PM Modi Days After Turkey-Saudi-Pakistan Defence Pact

US Vice President JD Vance called Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a diplomatic conversation. During the call, Modi congratulated Vance and his wife Usha Vance on the birth of their son. The call came shortly after Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan signed a mutual defence pact. The trilateral agreement has been widely interpreted as a sign of a new regional alignment amid the ongoing West Asia conflict.

Delhi Police and NSG Hold Joint Counter-Terror Drill Before Independence Day

Delhi Police and the National Security Guard (NSG) conducted a joint counter-terrorism exercise across the national capital ahead of Independence Day. The drill also involved multiple central and state agencies working in coordination. The exercise was aimed at evaluating the preparedness of security forces against potential terror threats. Such drills are part of routine security assessments carried out before major national events.

17 Cow Vigilantes Booked for Assaulting Men Transporting Auction-Bought Bovines in J&K

Seventeen individuals face legal action in Ramban, Jammu & Kashmir, after allegedly assaulting four men who were transporting bovines legally purchased at a police auction. The attack took place on August 4, leaving one of the victims with life-threatening injuries. Authorities have registered a case covering charges of wrongful restraint and assault, with investigations currently ongoing. The incident is the latest in a series of cow vigilante-linked violence in the region, following a fatal attack reported in April.

Man Arrested for Serial Sexual Abuse of Minors and Men, 600 Videos Seized

A man has been arrested for sexually abusing multiple victims, including minors and men, over a period of several years. Authorities recovered approximately 600 videos from his mobile phone as evidence. The accused carried out his crimes between 2022 and August 6, 2026. He allegedly blackmailed and exploited survivors by threatening to circulate their videos on social media platforms.

Spain replaces its India ambassador after row over use of funds for cultural events

UP Woman Kills Husband With Stone; Daughter and Boyfriend Arrested as Accomplices

A woman named Naina allegedly killed her husband Manoj with a stone in Uttar Pradesh, with her daughter and the daughter's boyfriend assisting in the act. Manoj was reported missing on April 18 before the crime came to light. Naina had filed a missing person complaint on April 21 but withdrew it the following day without giving any reason. Police grew suspicious of the unexplained withdrawal of the complaint, which aided in unraveling the case. All three accused have since been taken into custody in connection with the murder.

Amarnath Yatra Suspended Early Due to Low Turnout and Bad Weather

The Amarnath Yatra has been suspended ahead of its scheduled conclusion in Kashmir. Authorities cited a significant drop in pilgrim footfall as a primary reason for the early halt. An adverse weather advisory further prompted officials to take the decision. The annual pilgrimage, which draws thousands of devotees each year, was still weeks away from its planned end date.

Jharkhand Govt Schedules Fresh Round of Talks With Students Over Exam Irregularities

The Jharkhand government is set to hold a new round of talks with student protesters over alleged exam irregularities, scheduled for around 12 pm. A panel member confirmed the development after a four-hour meeting with Chief Minister Hemant Soren. During the meeting, the panel briefed the Chief Minister on the progress made across five previous rounds of dialogue with the demonstrating students. The fresh talks signal the government's continued efforts to resolve the standoff through negotiation.