Delhi Chief Minister Attacked During Public Meeting
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta was attacked during a 'Jan Sunwai' (public hearing) at her official residence. A man reportedly approached her with papers before grabbing her hand and attempting to pull her. The assailant was immediately overpowered and detained by Delhi Police. The incident, which caused a scuffle but no serious injury, has been widely condemned across party lines and has prompted a review of the security arrangements for the Chief Minister during public interactions.
Uttarakhand Assembly Passes Controversial UCC, Anti-Conversion Bills
The Uttarakhand Assembly passed several significant and controversial bills, including amendments to its Uniform Civil Code that stiffen penalties for illegal live-in relationships. Lawmakers also approved a stricter anti-conversion bill, introducing punishments up to life imprisonment. A new minority education bill was also passed, extending minority status benefits to Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Christian, and Parsi institutions and reforming the recognition process for madrasas, which must now seek affiliation with the state education board.
Onus on Pakistan to Dismantle Terror Infrastructure for Normal Ties, Says Tharoor
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor articulated that the responsibility for normalizing relations now rests with Pakistan, stating India is no longer willing to take the first step. Speaking at a book launch, Tharoor emphasized that after a history of betrayals, Islamabad must first demonstrate sincerity by dismantling terrorist networks on its soil. His comments reflect a broad political consensus in India that tangible action against terror is a prerequisite for any meaningful dialogue.
Himachal Pradesh Jolted by Minor Quakes Amid Continuing Monsoon Devastation
Himachal Pradesh continues to be battered by natural disasters, with two minor earthquakes of magnitude 3.3 and 4.0 jolting the Chamba district. While the quakes caused no immediate damage, they occurred in a region already devastated by this year's monsoon. The cumulative death toll from rain-related incidents since June has reached 276, with over 1,100 homes fully destroyed and widespread damage to infrastructure and agriculture across the disaster-hit state.
Apple to Manufacture Entire iPhone 17 Lineup in India
In a major boost for India's manufacturing sector, Apple will reportedly produce its entire iPhone 17 lineup, including high-end Pro models, in the country. This marks the first time the company will manufacture a full new series in India, signalling a significant strategic shift to diversify its supply chain away from China. The expansion involves partners like the Tata Group, and is expected to dramatically increase India's electronics exports and solidify its role as a key global production hub for Apple.
Haryana Government Orders CBI Probe into Teacher's Death Following Protests
Following sustained public protests, the Haryana government has agreed to hand over the investigation into the death of Bhiwani schoolteacher Manisha to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced the decision, acceding to demands from the victim's family and local villagers who had refused to perform her last rites until their call for an impartial probe was met. Manisha's body was found in a field on August 13 after she went missing.
NIA Raids Nine Locations in Tamil Nadu in Connection with 2019 Murder Case
The National Investigation Agency (NIA), India's primary counter-terrorist task force, conducted raids at nine locations across Tamil Nadu. The searches are connected to the ongoing investigation into the 2019 murder of Ramalingam, a local activist. The NIA took over the case due to suspected terror links and the involvement of organised extremist groups. This action is part of the agency's efforts to uncover the wider conspiracy and track down remaining suspects in the five-year-old case.
All 582 Passengers Rescued Safely from Stranded Mumbai Monorail
Emergency services in Mumbai conducted a successful, complex rescue after a monorail train stalled between elevated stations due to a power failure. The Mumbai Fire Brigade safely evacuated all 582 stranded passengers over three and a half hours, using snorkel vehicles to reach the carriages. While some passengers were treated for suffocation after the air conditioning failed, the well-coordinated effort ensured no serious injuries, turning a potential disaster into a story of effective emergency response.
US and Russia Engage in High-Stakes Diplomacy Over Ukraine War
Global diplomatic efforts to end the Ukraine war intensified on two fronts. In Washington, US President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and key European leaders to discuss a path to peace. This followed Trump's summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. In a related development, Putin telephoned Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to brief him on the talks. India reiterated its support for a peaceful resolution through diplomacy and dialogue, highlighting its strategic position amid the negotiations.
EC Releases List of 65 Lakh Deleted Voters in Bihar; Opposition Threatens CEC Impeachment
Following a Supreme Court directive, the Election Commission released a list of 65 lakh voters removed from Bihar's draft electoral rolls. The EC cited reasons such as death, permanent relocation, or duplicate entries for the deletions. The move has sparked a major political firestorm, with the opposition INDIA bloc accusing the EC of failing to ensure a fair electoral system. The alliance is reportedly considering all options, including an impeachment motion against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, whom they accuse of bias.
Chinese Foreign Minister Arrives in India for Border Talks with NSA Doval
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in New Delhi for a two-day visit focused on boundary negotiations with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. The visit, part of ongoing efforts to stabilize relations after the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes, precedes Prime Minister Modi's expected trip to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. The talks are expected to cover new confidence-building measures to maintain peace and tranquillity along the contested border, marking a crucial step in bilateral diplomacy.
Government Launches ₹1 Lakh Crore Scheme to Boost Job Creation
The government has launched the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PMVBRY), a central scheme with a ₹1 lakh crore outlay aimed at creating over 3.5 crore jobs. The program offers incentives to both employers and first-time employees to stimulate formal sector employment. Under the scheme, which runs from August 2025 to July 2027, first-time employees will receive a one-time cash incentive, while employers will be rewarded for generating additional employment, with a special focus on the manufacturing sector.
PM Chairs High-Level Meeting on 'Next-Generation' Economic Reforms
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting with top Union ministers, secretaries, and economists to finalize a roadmap for 'next-generation reforms'. The initiative, announced during his Independence Day address, aims to accelerate reforms across all sectors. The deliberations focused on boosting the ease of living and the ease of doing business to foster prosperity. The formation of a dedicated task force signals the government's intent to pursue a significant policy agenda in its new term.
Centre Proposes Two-Tier GST Structure to Rationalise Tax Rates
The central government has proposed a major overhaul of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) system, suggesting a shift from the current four-slab structure to a two-tier model. The proposal, submitted to the Group of Ministers on rate rationalisation, suggests rates of 5% and 18% for most goods and services, while eliminating the 12% and 28% slabs. A special 40% rate would apply to a few luxury or 'sin' goods, aiming to simplify the tax regime and potentially boost consumption.
India's Unemployment Rate Falls to 5.2% in July, Government Survey Shows
India's unemployment rate declined to 5.2% in July from 5.6% in June, according to the latest Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) data. The rate of joblessness was slightly higher among men (5.3%) than women (5.1%). Rural unemployment saw a notable drop to 4.4%, while urban unemployment edged up to 7.2%. The overall Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) also improved, rising to 41.4% in July, indicating more people are either working or actively seeking employment.