India

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the Health and National Security Cess, levied only on demerit goods like pan masala, with revenues shared with states for health schemes. The move complements GST and aims to deter consumption while funding national priorities

Delhi Police busted a spurious desi ghee manufacturing unit in Alipur, seizing 1,500 kg of fake clarified butter and 55 litres of synthetic essence. The unit, operated by a long-time offender, was supplying fake ghee across Delhi and neighbouring States.

BNHS is preparing to release captive-bred Slender-billed and White-rumped vultures in Assam, working with communities to ensure safe habitats. The programme stresses eliminating harmful NSAIDs, preventing poisoning incidents, and restoring vultures’ ecological role in controlling carcass-related pollution and disease

RPF, Child Line, and Srishti Seva Sansthan rescued 22 minors from Dungarpur railway station, who were allegedly being trafficked to Gujarat for labour. Three agents were detained, and the children were placed in a care home. Authorities continue investigating the trafficking network.

India’s new labour codes significantly expand social security coverage, formalise gig and platform workers, and streamline compliance for businesses. The reforms introduce universal wages, fixed-term employment benefits, simplified registrations, and higher thresholds for retrenchment approvals, aiming to create a modern, balanced labour ecosystem

Two Jodhpur businessmen on a family vacation in Thailand died after being found in their hotel’s swimming pool under unclear circumstances. CCTV showed both men drowning. Relatives have completed legal formalities, and the bodies are expected to reach Jodhpur by Thursday evening

Bharti Airtel has partnered with Nokia to offer its network APIs to developers, enterprises, and system integrators via Nokia’s Network as Code platform. The collaboration aims to drive innovation using Airtel’s AI, 5G, and edge capabilities while enabling new monetization models

Delhi Police arrested a Haryana resident transporting 71 boxes of illicit country-made beer meant for sale only in Haryana. The suspect attempted to flee during a night patrol but was intercepted. Police said he has previous cases, and further investigation is underway

The Congress on Thursday expelled suspended Kerala MLA Rahul Mamkootathil from its primary membership after reviewing serious complaints and a sexual assault case against him. The decision came soon after a Thiruvananthapuram court dismissed his anticipatory bail plea.

The Karnataka Cabinet is set to consider a stringent new hate speech and hate crimes bill, with Home Minister G. Parameshwara insisting it is not aimed at the BJP. The proposed legislation, expected to face opposition pushback, may be introduced in the winter session

The Supreme Court directed States to ease the heavy workload on Booth Level Officers engaged in the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision exercise, following reports of deaths, FIRs and extreme stress, while allowing exemptions and replacements for employees with genuine difficulties

Air India reported three technical glitches on its Boeing 787 fleet since July, prompting enhanced safety inspections ordered by the DGCA after a June accident. The minister said all aircraft were found satisfactory and that technical snags are routinely addressed under prescribed procedures

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee affirmed TMC’s opposition to communal politics following MLA Humayun Kabir’s suspension over his mosque proposal. She urged Murshidabad residents to uphold communal harmony, citing the district’s pluralistic history and legacy of unity

More than 157 lakh passengers have benefited from 3.27 lakh UDAN flights, the government informed Parliament. Maharashtra saw two new airports and 34 new routes added, while Rs 4,352 crore in VGF has been released to strengthen regional air connectivity nationwide

Over 1,000 residents of Dhanbad’s Kenduadih Basti are being evacuated after a suspected carbon monoxide leak from underground mines. One woman died and 12 others fell ill. BCCL has begun clearing danger zones and arranging temporary shelters, officials said.

Defence PSU BEML Ltd secured a Rs 157 crore order from Loram Rail Maintenance India to manufacture switch rail grinding machines, enhancing railway track maintenance, safety, and longevity. BEML operates in defence, mining, construction, and rail sectors

An IndiGo flight from Madinah to Hyderabad was diverted to Ahmedabad following a bomb threat. The plane landed safely at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport, passengers were deboarded, and security forces conducted a thorough search, finding no suspicious items

YSRCP chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy alleged that only 19 lakh of Andhra Pradesh’s 84 lakh farmers received crop insurance during the NDA coalition’s 19-month rule, despite 17 natural calamities, accusing the government of neglecting farmers’ welfare and delaying subsidies.

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In Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur, 18 Naxalites, including commander Modiyami Vella, were killed in a 12-hour encounter with security forces, which also claimed three DRG personnel. Arms were recovered, raising the state’s Naxalite toll to 281 this year

India’s reliance on Australian metallurgical coal for 90% of its steel sector exposes it to energy security risks. IEEFA urges accelerating alternative technologies like electric arc furnaces and green hydrogen to reduce dependence, ensure supply, and meet net-zero targets

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that the government prevents visiting foreign dignitaries from meeting the Leader of the Opposition, citing “insecurity.” His remarks came ahead of Russian President Putin’s India visit, during which Modi-Putin discussions will focus on defense and trade

Kerala native Anilkumar Raveendran, detained by Houthi rebels in Yemen since July 7, has been released and reached Muscat. India thanked Oman for facilitating his release, with the Ministry of External Affairs coordinating efforts for his safe return

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that manual toll collection will be replaced by a nationwide electronic system within a year. The NETC program, using FASTag RFID technology, aims to provide seamless, automatic toll payments across 4,500 ongoing highway projects