Karnataka High Court Seeks Centre's Reply on Challenge to New Online Gaming Act
The Karnataka High Court has asked the Union government to respond to a petition challenging the new Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025. Petitioners argue the law was enacted without consultation and threatens the livelihoods of over two lakh employees in the sector. They contend that a blanket ban on skill-based games involving stakes is unconstitutional and violates the fundamental right to trade. The court will hear arguments for an interim stay on the Act's implementation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin to Visit India in December
The Kremlin has confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin will make an official visit to India in December for the annual bilateral summit. The announcement signals deepening ties between the two nations, particularly amid ongoing trade frictions between India and the United States. Preparations for the high-level visit will be discussed during a meeting between Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in China.
PM Modi Discusses Ukraine Conflict with President Zelenskyy Ahead of Putin Meeting
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy by phone, reaffirming India's support for all efforts toward a peaceful settlement of the conflict. The conversation took place ahead of Modi's scheduled meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the SCO summit. In a social media post, Zelenskyy said he and Modi coordinated positions and that he was told "India is ready to make the necessary efforts and to deliver the appropriate signal to Russia" during the summit.
Landslide and Cloudburst Kill 10 in Jammu and Kashmir
At least ten people were killed and three remain missing after a landslide and a cloudburst struck Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi and Ramban districts. The disasters were triggered by intense overnight rainfall. In Reasi, a landslide flattened a house, killing a couple and their five children, while a separate cloudburst in Ramban killed three others. Rescue operations are ongoing as heavy rains continue to cause widespread damage across several districts in the Jammu region.
Marriage Not Invalidated by Lack of Registration, Allahabad High Court Rules
The Allahabad High Court has ruled that a marriage solemnised under the Hindu Marriage Act is not invalid simply because it was not registered. Justice Manish Nigam observed that while state governments can make rules for compulsory registration, its purpose is merely to provide convenient evidence of the marriage. The court clarified that the validity of the marriage itself is not affected by the failure to make an entry in a register, setting aside a family court order that demanded a registration certificate.
Maratha Quota Activist Begins Indefinite Hunger Strike in Mumbai
Activist Manoj Jarange-Patil has launched an indefinite hunger strike at Mumbai's Azad Maidan, demanding reservation for the Maratha community under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category. Accompanied by thousands of supporters who marched from Jalna district, Jarange-Patil accused the Maharashtra government of non-cooperation and vowed not to end his protest until the demand is met. The stir has caused significant traffic disruptions in the city and has reignited the contentious reservation debate in the state.
RCB Announces ₹2.75 Crore Financial Aid for Stampede Victims' Families
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) cricket franchise has announced financial aid of ₹25 lakh each for the families of the 11 people who died in a stampede outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. The tragedy occurred on June 4 during the team's IPL 2025 victory celebrations. The compensation is part of a new 'RCB CARES' initiative, which the franchise described as a long-term commitment to its fan community, launched following public criticism over its prolonged silence on the matter.
Trailer for 'Do You Wanna Partner' Explores Female Entrepreneurship
Amazon Prime Video has released the trailer for its upcoming comedy-drama series, 'Do You Wanna Partner'. Produced by Karan Johar's Dharmatic Entertainment, the show stars Tamannaah Bhatia and Diana Penty as two best friends who navigate the challenges of launching their own craft beer startup in India. The series, which also features Nakuul Mehta and Jaaved Jaaferi, celebrates female friendship and the spirit of entrepreneurship in a male-dominated world. It is scheduled for release on September 12.
Cloudbursts Trigger Flash Floods in Uttarakhand; Many Feared Trapped
Cloudbursts in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag and Chamoli districts have triggered flash floods and debris flows, trapping several families. The incidents occurred in the Bareth Dungar Tok area of Rudraprayag and the Deval area of Chamoli. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami confirmed that relief and rescue operations are underway on a war footing. Incessant rainfall has raised river levels to dangerous heights and caused widespread disruption, prompting authorities to close schools and urge residents near riverbanks to move to safer locations.
Former RBI Governor Urjit Patel Appointed as IMF Executive Director
The government has appointed former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Urjit Patel as India's Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a three-year term. Patel, who served as RBI Governor from 2016 to 2018, will represent a constituency of countries including India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan on the IMF's executive board. This marks Patel's second stint at the IMF, where he previously worked from 1990 to 1995.
Vaishno Devi Board Denies Negligence in Wake of Deadly Landslide
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has refuted allegations that it disregarded weather advisories before a massive landslide on August 26 killed 34 pilgrims. The board called the claims "false and baseless," stating that the yatra had been suspended hours before the disaster, which was triggered by an "unforeseen" and "unpredictable" cloudburst. It maintained that the incident occurred in a location historically not prone to landslides and that all standard operating procedures for pilgrim safety were followed.
US-India Trade Tensions Escalate as Trump Aide Blames India for Ukraine War
Relations between the US and India have soured following Washington's imposition of 50% tariffs on certain Indian goods. White House trade adviser Peter Navarro intensified the friction by labelling the Ukraine conflict "Modi's war," linking it to India's purchase of discounted Russian oil. While Indian officials hope to resume trade talks, they maintain that energy imports are a matter of national interest. The tariffs are projected to significantly impact India's exports and GDP growth.
US Imposes 50% Tariffs on Indian Goods, Sparking Economic and Diplomatic Fallout
The US has imposed a 50% tariff on Indian goods, escalating a trade dispute linked to India's continued purchase of Russian oil. The move impacts over half of Indian exports to its largest market, hitting sectors like textiles and jewellery. In response, India has extended duty-free cotton imports until December 31 to aid its textile industry, which faces losses estimated at ₹3,000 crore in Tamil Nadu alone. While government sources state diplomatic channels are open, officials are also strategizing export diversification to 40 new markets.
India and Canada Appoint Envoys, Signaling Thaw in Relations
India and Canada have taken a significant step toward normalizing diplomatic relations by appointing new high commissioners to each other's capitals. Senior diplomat Dinesh K. Patnaik will be India's envoy to Ottawa, while Canada has named Christopher Cooter for New Delhi. This move aims to repair ties that were severely strained following Canadian allegations in 2023 of Indian involvement in the killing of a Sikh separatist, which India had strongly denied, leading to a diplomatic freeze.
Death Toll from Vaishno Devi Landslide Rises to 34 Amid Ongoing Rescue Efforts
The death toll from a massive landslide on the pilgrimage route to the Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir has risen to 34, with at least 23 others injured. The disaster, triggered by record-breaking rainfall, occurred near Ardhkuwari. Rescue operations involving the Army, CRPF, and local police are continuing as more pilgrims are feared trapped under the debris. The pilgrimage has been suspended, and rail services to Katra have been disrupted due to widespread flooding and soil erosion in the region.