India

President Droupadi Murmu approved 127 Gallantry Awards, 40 Distinguished Service Awards, and 290 Mentions-in-Despatches on India’s 79th Independence Day. Awards honour exceptional courage, gallantry in operations including Operation Sindoor, and meritorious service across military and paramilitary forces

BJP MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal faces legal action after a case was filed against him at the Roza police station in Kalaburagi for allegedly making provocative remarks that could incite communal tension. The complainant accuses Yatnal of offering a cash reward to Hindu men marrying Muslim women.

Visitors can access designated areas from 4 pm to 7:30 pm for 79th Independence Day, with ID required and prohibited items barred

The Supreme Court directed the Election Commission to upload district-wise details of about 65 lakh voters omitted from Bihar’s draft electoral rolls after the SIR. The list must include reasons and be searchable via EPIC numbers before August 19

BJP MLA Pooja Pal praised UP CM Yogi Adityanath for his “zero-tolerance” approach against crime, citing justice in her husband’s murder case. The Samajwadi Party expelled her for anti-party activities, sparking political debate over law, order, and party discipline

Pooja Pal praised UP CM Yogi Adityanath’s zero-tolerance approach on crime, citing justice in her husband’s murder case. Samajwadi Party expelled her for anti-party activities, sparking political debate over law, order, and accountability in Uttar Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh faced multiple cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides across several districts, causing damage to bridges, roads, vehicles, and houses. The Indian Army conducted night rescues in Kinnaur, while restoration and damage assessments continue in affected areas

The government has passed four key amendments to the Income Tax Act, effective FY26. These cover sovereign fund exemptions, block assessment reforms, correction of a standard deduction error, and tax parity for the Unified Pension Scheme with the National Pension System

Cognizant will give salary hikes to about 80 per cent of eligible employees from November 1, with high single-digit increases for top performers in India. The move follows similar pay revisions by TCS, despite slowing bookings in early 2025

BSNL has launched nationwide network-level protection against spam and smishing SMS for all mobile users. Malicious links are blocked in real time without affecting legitimate messages, using AI-powered filtering in partnership with Tanla, with protection enabled by default

The Supreme Court cancelled bail for Kannada actor Darshan, Pavithra Gowda and others in the Renukaswamy murder case, ordering their immediate custody. Police detained Gowda after the verdict, while Darshan remains untraceable. The victim, a fan, was allegedly murdered over obscene messages

The Reserve Bank of India could consider further repo rate cuts if GDP growth underperforms and the US Federal Reserve adopts aggressive easing. HSBC Mutual Fund says liquidity will stay ample, with corporate bonds offering attractive spreads

SBI has launched a personal loan scheme for Agniveers under the Agnipath programme, offering up to Rs 4 lakh without collateral and zero processing fee, plus a special 10.50 per cent interest rate for defence personnel till September 30, 2025

India achieved a milestone with its first manned deep-sea expedition, as two aquanauts dived over 4,000 and 5,000 metres in the French submersible *Nautile*. Part of the Deep Ocean Mission, the feat parallels India’s recent space achievements and advances blue economy ambitions

President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the Summer Annuals of Amrit Udyan at Rashtrapati Bhavan, open from August 16 to September 14. Highlights include a new Babbling Brook, floral clock, disabled-friendly features, reflexology trails, and immersive themed gardens. Entry is free

A PRF report says India can play a pivotal role in reshaping Southeast Asia’s semiconductor and rare earth supply chains amid US-China tensions. Ongoing ASEAN trade renegotiations and bilateral pacts could help counter Chinese dominance and strengthen regional partnerships

Once strongholds of Naxal influence, these areas now celebrate freedom as security forces restore peace and confidence

Cheaper food and fuel prices drive down wholesale and retail inflation; RBI projects CPI at 3.1 per cent for 2025–26

The TDP clinched the Pulivendula ZPTC bypoll in Kadapa, defeating the ruling YSRCP amid clashes between party workers. TDP’s M Latha Reddy secured 6,716 votes over YSRCP’s Hemanth Reddy. The result is significant as Pulivendula is YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s constituency

Warning that the BJP could keep winning elections “in a wrong way,” he also denied wrongdoing in the Haryana land deal case

The Supreme Court has adjourned for eight weeks a plea to rescue Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya from execution in Yemen, as negotiations with the victim’s family continue. Priya, convicted of murder, faces the death penalty unless blood money secures pardon

Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Coolie delivers a gripping mix of action, mystery, and sentiment, powered by Rajinikanth’s commanding performance and Nagarjuna’s menacing turn. With stylish set pieces, emotional beats, and a rousing climax, this mass entertainer is a theatrical treat.

The All India Football Federation mourned Dr Vece Paes, former India hockey Olympian and noted sports medicine expert, who passed away at 80. Father of tennis star Leander Paes, he contributed significantly to AIFF’s medical programmes and Indian sports development

The Election Commission rebutted Rahul Gandhi’s “vote chori” allegations, urging him to submit proof with an affidavit instead of creating a “false narrative.” The EC said “one person, one vote” law exists since 1951 and defended Indian electors’ integrity