On the 30th day of the indefinite general strike, the Andhra Pradesh government on Wednesday engaged the Telangana Employees' Joint Action Committee in talks for the first time but no breakthrough appeared in sight.
The International Olympic Committee has provisionally lifted its ban on the Russian Olympic Committee, which was imposed in 2023. This decision opens the door for Russian athletes to return to international competitions, including the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, though the use of national symbols remains undecided.
Employees of Mumbai's BEST undertaking have launched an indefinite strike, severely impacting public transport and electricity services. The strike, called by a joint action committee, demands budget merger with BMC, settlement of dues, and implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission, among other issues. Despite court orders and MESMA invocation, the strike continues, causing widespread inconvenience to millions of commuters and electricity consumers.
'The anger among the PoK public is unlikely to subside against Pakistani State in the near future.'
Thousands of British Kashmiris protested in London against alleged crackdowns and human rights abuses by Pakistani forces in Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), demanding justice and supporting the Joint Awami Action Committee.
BEST employees continued their strike in Mumbai for a second day, causing significant disruption to public transport despite appeals from the Maharashtra Transport Minister and the invocation of MESMA. Commuters were forced to rely on alternative, overcrowded transport options, while the striking unions maintained their demands for budget merger, improved pay, and absorption of contractual workers.
Terming protesters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as "enemies" like India, Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said there will be no dialogue with them, even as the death toll due to clashes between demonstrators and security personnel rose to 20 on Wednesday.
Shops and markets in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir remained closed following a protest call by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), amidst reports of over 20 deaths in recent police action. The JAAC, now outlawed, is demanding subsidised flour and electricity, and the abolition of "refugee seats." Authorities have offered a reward for the arrest of JAAC leaders, while the PoK "Prime Minister" has called for negotiations.
The Indian Embassy in the US strongly refuted a New York Times headline referring to "Pakistani Kashmir," asserting that there is only Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and that Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh are integral parts of India. The embassy highlighted Pakistan's illegal occupation and exploitation of these territories, linking it to ongoing protests in PoK.
The Lok Sabha secretariat has requested a response from Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi regarding two privilege complaints filed by BJP MPs Anurag Thakur and Sanjay Jaiswal. The complaints stem from Gandhi's remarks against Home Minister Amit Shah during a debate on the anti-paper leak bill, which the BJP MPs deemed "unparliamentary" and a breach of privilege. Gandhi has until August 28 to submit his explanation to the Privileges Committee.
A brutal crackdown by Pakistani security forces on protesters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) over the last two days has reportedly left more than 30 civilians dead and over 33 injured, government sources said on Wednesday.
The defence ministryh has "initiated efforts" to join the sixth-generation fighter aircraft development programme, Future Combat Air System (FCAS), spearheaded by the French government, and sought from it the roadmap to acquire such aircraft, a parliamentary panel has said.
The Bareilly administration has initiated comprehensive measures to enhance flight safety around its Air Force station. These steps include stricter monitoring of drones, addressing bird activity, regulating unauthorised construction, improving waste management, and controlling stray animal populations, all identified as potential threats to aircraft operations.
A six-year-old UKG student tragically died at a private school in Visakhapatnam after allegedly being slapped by a teacher inside the classroom, an incident captured on CCTV footage.
Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma met Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. Shah assured that the bill would not be retrospective. Various church and minority organisations have expressed concerns about the bill's impact on NGOs, schools, and healthcare units, urging its withdrawal or referral to a joint parliamentary committee.
More than half of the bills introduced in the 18th Lok Sabha have been passed by both Houses in the same session, a significant acceleration compared to previous terms, raising concerns about the time available for legislative scrutiny and stakeholder consultations.
A tragic incident in Rishikesh saw a mother and her two-year-old daughter electrocuted in a waterlogged area due to a snapped power line. The mother, Suman Jethudi, managed to save her 12-year-old son before her death. Following public outcry and a complaint, a Junior Engineer of Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) has been suspended, and a high-level inquiry committee has been formed. UPCL has also launched a statewide safety inspection drive.
Tensions are escalating in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) following violent clashes between Pakistani security forces and protestors, resulting in civilian deaths and a communications blackout. The situation has drawn international condemnation, with over 50 British Parliament members expressing concern and a former Indian police chief criticising Pakistan's actions.
The Lok Sabha's monsoon session concluded on Thursday, marked by relentless opposition protests over critical issues like the NEET paper leak and police action on students, yet saw the passage of several key bills without extensive debate. Home Minister Amit Shah expressed readiness to debate the student protest issue, urging the speaker to allocate time.
India has strongly criticised Pakistan for its alleged brutality and human rights abuses in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), following reports of police violence against protesters. New Delhi has called on the international community to hold Pakistan accountable, while Pakistan's own human rights body has also expressed alarm over the situation.
Home Minister Amit Shah has offered to hold a comprehensive debate in Parliament on student protests and other pressing issues, but Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has swiftly rejected the proposal, demanding accountability for actions against students.
A fresh clash erupted between protesters from Assam and Arunachal Pradesh in Dhemaji district, leading to police firing in the air, as an indefinite economic blockade against Arunachal Pradesh entered its second day over land encroachment issues and an earlier firing incident.
Lieutenant General Syed Aamir Raza's loyalty to Field Marshal Asim Munir during the turbulent times appears to have stood him in good stead, points out Rana Banerji, who headed the Pakistan desk at R&AW.
Several teachers in Kota have been booked for allegedly holding an unauthorised demonstration against Rajasthan's Education Minister, including burning his effigy and raising slogans.
Clashes erupted during the first phase of legislative assembly elections in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), with the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) claiming 14 deaths, a figure disputed by law enforcement. India condemned the elections as an attempt by Pakistan to legitimise its illegal occupation and human rights abuses in the region, while ongoing JAAC protests highlight deep-seated grievances.
A suspended employee of the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee has been booked for alleged irregularities in handling donations at the Badrinath temple. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami condemned the act, calling it a "sin akin to cow slaughter," while a high-level government inquiry committee has been formed to investigate the matter. The Congress party has also demanded a judicial probe.
An employee of the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) has been suspended following a preliminary inquiry into alleged irregularities in the management of donations at Badrinath Dham. Both the BKTC and the Uttarakhand government have launched separate investigations into the matter, which gained attention after social media allegations and a formal complaint. The government committee is expected to submit its report within 15 days.
Major bills, including those on women's reservation, delimitation, and the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), face an uncertain future in the ongoing Monsoon session of Parliament due to persistent opposition protests and a lack of consensus.
A US federal judge has permanently dismissed the criminal securities-fraud case against Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar, closing nearly two years of prosecution without a trial. Gautam Adani stated, "Truth has prevailed," in response to the ruling.
The police have registered a case against a Nagpur madrasa teacher's male friend for allegedly attempting to sexually assault a minor boy, and rescued 10 children from the facility, officials said on Tuesday.
The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has alleged a rise in targeted attacks on Hindus in Delhi, demanding a high-level review and the formation of a special task force to counter radical networks.
Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) officials met with the Kanpur Commissioner of Police to seek action in a case of alleged medical negligence at a private hospital. The case involves the amputation of an ITBP jawan's mother's hand. The police have formed a joint investigation committee to probe the matter.
Ebrahim Azizi, Head of the Iranian Parliament's National Security Committee, warned the US against interfering with the Strait of Hormuz, asserting Iran's sovereignty after former President Donald Trump threatened to 'take over' the strategic waterway. Despite the heated rhetoric, Iran and the US have established a direct communication line to prevent incidents during a 60-day negotiation period.
The Mamata Banerjee-led faction of the Trinamool Congress has filed fresh police complaints against dissident leader Ritabrata Banerjee and his associates. The complaints accuse the rebels of illegally using the party's name, symbol, and designations to mislead workers, marking a significant escalation in the month-long internal struggle following the assembly poll defeat.
'If there are different laws governing the same subject, it can increase the compliance burden on platforms. The process would be easier and more transparent if there were a singular national-level law.'
Facing a massive rebellion of MLAs and MPs after its defeat in the West Bengal assembly polls, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has begun an organisational reset, with sources saying the focus is on top leaders increasing direct engagement with workers and reducing dependence on political-consultancy firm I-PAC.
The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has condemned the killing of Tarun Khatik during a Holi clash in Delhi and demanded strict action against the culprits, invoking the 'Yogi model' of justice.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Pyongyang for his first official visit in seven years, meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to reaffirm their long-standing friendship and pledge further development of bilateral relations amidst Pyongyang's deepening military ties with Moscow and China's assertions against Japan's 'new militarism'.
The Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights is recommending that the state government mandate the inclusion of the bride and groom's date of birth on wedding invitations to combat child marriages.
CPI(M) General Secretary M A Baby and other Left leaders were detained by Delhi Police during a protest against ED searches at former Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan's residence. The CPI(M) alleges excessive force was used, while police state around 50 protesters were detained and released.
