Human Interest

The government has imposed a minimum import price of ₹67,220 per tonne on virgin multi-layer paperboard imports till March 31, 2026, to curb dumping from countries like Indonesia. The move follows an anti-dumping probe initiated after complaints from domestic manufacturers

The Supreme Court on Monday appointed an amicus curiae in its suo motu case on Himachal Pradesh’s ecological imbalance. Expressing alarm over hydropower projects, deforestation, and unchecked tourism, the bench stressed urgent action by the state and Centre to prevent further environmental degradation

India has alerted Pakistan about potential flooding in the Tawi River, marking rare contact since the Pahalgam terror attack and suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. Pakistan’s NDMA has issued flood warnings amid ongoing monsoon rains that have already caused heavy casualties

While the earlier order would have been unworkable and inhumane, the Supreme Court in its revised order has placed the burden of handling the issue of street dogs squarely back on municipal governance

Archaeological research at Walufeni Cave on Papua New Guinea’s Great Papuan Plateau reveals evidence of 3,200-year-old long-distance trade, including marine shells transported 200 km inland. Findings highlight dynamic cultural networks across New Guinea, Torres Strait, and northern Australia, challenging outdated Eurocentric views

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the Gaganyaan mission as a milestone in Atmanirbhar Bharat, felicitating astronauts Shubhanshu Shukla, Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Ajit Krishnan, and Angad Pratap. The 2027 mission aims to send a three-member crew into low-Earth orbit for three days

From snow leopards in Ladakh to mangrove in Sundarbans, India’s wildlife photographers are frontline storytellers of conservation

A new dinosaur species, *Istiorachis macarthurae*, with a dramatic sail-like spine has been identified from Isle of Wight fossils. Discovered by Jeremy Lockwood, it likely evolved its striking features for sexual selection, broadening understanding of Early Cretaceous iguanodontians

The Supreme Court modified its August 11 order on stray dogs, allowing sterilised and vaccinated canines to be released back in the same area, excluding rabid or aggressive ones. Feeding will only be allowed in designated civic spaces, not streets

Two student suicides were reported in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. A PUC student at RGUKT, Kadapa, allegedly hanged himself, possibly due to mobile addiction and his father’s death. In Bhainsa, a 15-year-old ended his life after being denied a mobile phone

The Central Consumer Protection Authority fined Rapido ₹10 lakh for misleading advertisements like “Auto in 5 min or get Rs 50.” The regulator found unfair trade practices, unclear disclaimers, and compensation via restrictive “Rapido coins,” directing the company to refund consumers

Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar revealed his health routine, stressing the importance of finishing dinner by 6.30 PM to aid digestion and reduce diseases. He also shared that he observes a complete Monday fast. Kumar’s next film 'Welcome To The Jungle' releases on December 20

New research reveals Antarctica is experiencing abrupt, accelerating changes: shrinking sea ice, melting ice shelves, weakening ocean currents, and destabilizing ice sheets. These shifts threaten wildlife, ecosystems, and global coastlines, with rising sea levels and climate disruption inevitable without urgent emission cuts

The Delhi High Court criticised civic authorities over clogged sewer lines in Tihar Jail, saying judges were “reduced to municipal commissioners.” The bench pressed PWD officials on delays, ordering urgent cleaning by August 25 and full sewer connection within four weeks

Haryana notified a new definition of “forest,” requiring 40% canopy density and minimum 2–5 hectares. Experts warn this excludes much of the Aravallis’ scrub and open forests from Forest Conservation Act protection, risking further exploitation under mining and development projects

Rajasthan Police detained 25-year-old Jeevan Khan in Jaisalmer’s Sankra area for alleged links with multiple Pakistani phone numbers 

Five members of a family, including two boys, were electrocuted after touching a live wire set up around farmland in Jalgaon’s Varkhedi village to deter wild animals. A toddler survived, while police registered a case and launched investigations

The Union government introduced the Online Gaming Bill 2025 in Lok Sabha, banning real-money gaming platforms and ads, empowering warrantless searches and arrests. It promotes e-sports, imposes strict penalties, and restricts financial transactions, despite potential Rs 20,000 crore tax revenue loss

A bomb threat email sent to Jaipur’s Palace School triggered a major security operation involving police, ATS, bomb squad, and cyber cell. The threat claimed IEDs were planted in classrooms and toilets, prompting extensive searches despite earlier false alarms

NDA candidate C P Radhakrishnan filed his vice-presidential nomination in Parliament, accompanied by PM Modi, Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah and senior NDA leaders. With broad alliance support, his election is almost certain. He earlier paid tributes at Prerna Sthal

A CPI(M) branch committee in Eloor, Kochi, mistakenly hoisted the Congress party’s flag instead of the national flag during Independence Day celebrations. The mix-up by an elderly leader lasted about 10 minutes before being corrected, but images went viral online

ISRO chief V Narayanan announced plans for a 40-storey rocket capable of launching 75,000 kg into low Earth orbit. Upcoming missions include NAVIC, N1 rocket, GSAT-7R for the Navy, and US satellite launch, alongside tripling India’s satellite fleet by 2029

Assam Rifles signed an MoU with IIIT Manipur to advance drone technology for defence and security. The collaboration launched an Advanced Drone Training and Refresher Course, focusing on flight operations, maintenance, and DGCA-certified training, emphasizing defence-academia cooperation and indigenisation of drone systems

Opposition leaders, led by Mallikarjun Kharge, staged a protest in Parliament against the Election Commission over Bihar’s voter roll revision, alleging “Silent Invisible Rigging.” Carrying banners with commissioners’ photos, they accused the EC of disenfranchising voters ahead of state elections