The Supreme Court has intervened to allow international water sports coach Bilquis Mir to join the Indian National Kayaking and Canoeing Team for the Asian Games in Japan. Overruling a Jammu and Kashmir administration order that denied her permission due to pending inquiries, the apex court emphasised the time-sensitive nature of sports administration and directed the issuance of a No Objection Certificate by September 15, 2026.
West Bengal's Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister Agnimitra Pal announced that fines for spitting, littering, open defecation, and using single-use plastic bags will be enforced from Tuesday, with penalties ranging from Rs 100 to Rs 200, aiming to change public behaviour rather than generate revenue.
The UP Scholarship, officially known as the Uttar Pradesh Scholarship and Fee Reimbursement Scheme, provides financial assistance to students from Classes 9 to 12 as well as those pursuing graduation, post-graduation, diploma and other post-matric courses.
Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are on high alert following devastating flash floods in Nepal's Gandak river system, prompting emergency measures including evacuations and continuous monitoring by central and state authorities.
Government departments requested social media platforms to remove 2.44 lakh pieces of content between March and July, with states initiating 82% of these requests. The IT Intermediaries Rules 2021 were amended to reduce takedown time to three hours. The PIB Fact Check unit clarified its role in content moderation, refuting claims of automated blocking by Meta and emphasising the need to address lawlessness in cyberspace.
Following a tragic building collapse in Satya Niketan that claimed five lives, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi has ordered the immediate sealing of all illegal constructions with more than four floors and vowed strict action against negligent officials.
The Congress party has criticised the government's new 0.4% charge on UPI transactions above Rs 2,000 for merchants, terming it a "Modi tax". Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, allege that this move will ultimately burden consumers through price hikes and accuse the government of succumbing to American pressure to dilute India's zero-MDR policy. The government states the charge will support banks and fintechs.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has criticised Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's decision to grant a one-year extension to autorickshaw and taxi drivers to learn Marathi, alleging it was due to 'pressure from Delhi' and a message to BJP's ally Shiv Sena.
The Karnataka government has suspended the food licences of Amazon, Swiggy Instamart, and Bigbasket due to the online sale of toxic Dhatura fruits/seeds. Citing public health and food safety concerns, authorities have also ordered the suspension of licences for suppliers to these platforms and mandated the removal of all Dhatura-related listings.
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) stated that the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) "is distributed only amongst the UPI ecosystem, to further invest into infrastructure resilience, innovation, cybersecurity (protecting the UPI infrastructure with banks and non-banks) and customer service."
As younger generations grow up without personal memories of 9/11, the 25th anniversary serves as a powerful reminder of loss, resilience, bravery and America's enduring promise to never forget.
A 30-year-old nurse was found dead in a Kolkata hospital washroom, with preliminary investigations suggesting a possible overdose of an anaesthetic drug. Police are probing all angles, including mental stress, while an internal health department committee has been formed.
An American Boeing C-17A Globemaster III military transport aircraft reportedly landed in Moscow on Monday morning, according to online air traffic monitoring systems, Russian news agency TASS reported.
The Maharashtra government has constituted a high-level committee to address road repairs, traffic congestion and management issues in the rapidly expanding Chakan industrial belt in Pune district, and set up a mechanism for time-bound redressal of industrial grievances.
A man was killed by a gaur in Kozhikode, Kerala, followed by the death of his relative from a heart attack. Villagers are refusing to cremate the bodies until the government assures action against wild gaurs, demanding compensation and elimination of the animals from residential areas.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed officials to strengthen regular monitoring and safety measures for 13 identified 'sensitive' glacial lakes in the state, citing potential risks in hilly regions.
Court said state machinery prevented woman from challenging Foreigners Tribunal order; directs authorities to try to locate her in Bangladesh and bring her back to India.
The Haldwani forest division has launched India's first AI-based forest acoustic surveillance system. This innovative technology uses AI, acoustic sensors, and long-range wireless communication to detect illegal logging, poaching, and other suspicious activities in real-time, even in remote areas. Powered by solar energy, the system provides continuous monitoring, significantly enhancing forest protection, wildlife conservation, and biodiversity monitoring efforts.
Maharashtra's transport department has initiated a statewide drive to assess taxi and autorickshaw drivers' working knowledge of Marathi, issuing notices to 1,268 drivers on the first day. Those who fail the initial 16-question test will receive a one-month notice to learn Marathi, with subsequent failure leading to a three-month badge suspension.
The United States launched military action against two Iranian launch systems on Larak Island, prompting Iran to claim retaliation with ballistic missile launches targeting two US air bases in Jordan.
A new study published in The Journal of Neuroscience reveals a precise connection between individual breath patterns and neural activity in the brain. Researchers found that subtle variations in each breath, such as longer inhales or slower exhales, are directly reflected in corresponding brain activity patterns. This goes beyond traditional measures of breathing rate, offering a richer understanding of how respiration influences cognition, emotion, and memory, and could have implications for conditions like SUDEP and SIDS.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay issued a stern warning against personal attacks, double-meaning insults, and derogatory language targeting women, particularly in political discourse. Speaking in the Assembly, he recalled past humiliations faced by late CM J Jayalalithaa and condemned recent incidents involving women personalities, stressing that such behaviour would face immediate legal consequences. He also outlined his administration's vision for public security and zero-tolerance against crime.
The Kerala Sports Department has submitted its confidential inquiry report regarding the controversy surrounding the proposed visit of football legend Lionel Messi and the Argentina team to the state during the previous government's tenure.
UIDAI Chairman Neelkanth Mishra announced the extensive deployment of Artificial Intelligence to detect and counter fraud in Aadhaar, describing it as a "cat-and-mouse game." He highlighted the dramatic increase in daily Aadhaar authentications and the launch of the Aadhaar Face Authentication SDK and Sandbox to enhance security and ease of integration for ecosystem partners.
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT,M) have developed a novel "morphing skin" concept for aircraft wings, inspired by bird flight. This adaptive external skin dynamically reshapes in real time to prevent aerodynamic stalls, enhance lift, reduce drag, and significantly improve aircraft safety and fuel efficiency. The technology holds promise for commercial aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and defence applications.
The government is introducing a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI person-to-merchant payments above Rs 2,000, effective October 15. This move ends the zero-MDR regime, aiming to fund UPI infrastructure and sustainability, as the previous government subsidy was insufficient to cover operational costs. Payments between individuals and most everyday merchant transactions will remain free.
Two Non-Resident Indian (NRI) women linked to Chhattisgarh have been reported missing following flash floods in Nepal, while two other women from the state who were earlier reported missing have established contact with their families, officials said on Friday.
India has finalised a deal with the United States to acquire Javelin anti-tank guided missile systems, significantly enhancing the Indian Army's combat capabilities. This procurement, facilitated through the US Foreign Military Sales process, underscores the deepening bilateral defence partnership and opens avenues for future collaboration and co-production between the defence industries of both nations.
New research from the Revived Genomics of Personality Consortium, published in Nature, suggests that the genetics of personality, involving over 1,200 gene variants linked to the Big Five traits, are significantly associated with various life outcomes including health, education, and career paths. While individual gene variants have small effects, their combined impact is substantial, and environmental factors also play a crucial role in shaping personality.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar has appealed to Opposition leaders to stop politicising the death of her husband, Ajit Pawar. Her comments follow accusations from NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule regarding the lack of an FIR and the ruling faction's perceived inaction. Pawar stressed the immense grief of the family and affirmed faith in ongoing investigations.
A major tragedy was averted in Assam's Hojai district on Wednesday when forest personnel alerted the Rajdhani Express after spotting a large herd of elephants crossing a railway track, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
Deepak Mhaskey, an academic and former member of the board of Engineers India Limited, has been appointed as the new head of the BJP's social media department, taking over from Amit Malviya, who led the department for 11 years. Malviya expressed confidence in the new leadership to further strengthen the party's digital communication.
Former bureaucrat Ashish Joshi has claimed that Delhi Police questioned him for nearly nine hours over social media posts concerning the Election Commission of India, and did not allow him to inform his wife about his whereabouts for several hours, alleging a "blatant violation" of Supreme Court guidelines.
The Bombay High Court has ordered the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to pay Rs 5 lakh compensation to a Pune-based sweets shop. The court criticised the FDA for suspending the shop's license despite a 98 per cent compliance report, calling its policy "strange and perverse" and stating the regulator was "going overboard."
The Maharashtra government has issued strict directives to local authorities, mandating an immediate ban on illegal dhabas, eateries, and commercial structures within national highway Right of Way. The order requires demolition of existing encroachments within 60 days, formation of highway safety task forces, and mandates prior clearance from NHAI or PWD for any new licenses in highway safety zones, aiming to enhance commuter safety and clear obstructions.
Tamil Nadu's DMK and PMK parties have called for a thorough investigation into the alleged killing of three Tamil men by Karnataka Forest Department personnel. The incident, which occurred on August 15, has sparked protests and led to an FIR being filed against forest officials, with political leaders demanding justice and compensation for the victims' families.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over a probe from Andhra Pradesh police concerning an alleged extremist network. Twelve suspects were arrested across several states for their links to banned terror organisations like AQIS and ISIS, involved in radicalisation and recruitment through online platforms.
The India Under-20 men's football team secured a 1-0 victory over Yemen in their second friendly match in Bengaluru. Gunleiba Wangkheirakpam scored the decisive goal. This win comes as the Blue Colts prepare for the upcoming AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers in Uzbekistan, scheduled from August 31 to September 6.
BCCI Vice-President Rajiv Shukla has confirmed that Indian cricketers participating in the upcoming Asian Games in Japan will stay in designated accommodation provided by the Organising Committee, which, while comfortable, will not be five-star hotels due to scarcity in Nagoya. Both BCCI and IOA have addressed the arrangements, ensuring player comfort and suitable facilities.
Researchers at BRIC-RGCB in Thiruvananthapuram have developed a novel nanopore-based sensing technology. This innovation allows for the early and highly sensitive detection of biomarkers associated with neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and ALS, addressing a critical challenge in current diagnostic methods. The technology, published in Nature Nanotechnology, uses self-assembling dual-diameter nanopore sensors to identify disease-specific biomarkers even at low concentrations.
