India

The Calcutta High Court has directed the CBI to expedite its fresh investigation into the R.G. Kar rape and murder case, expressing dissatisfaction with the probe's progress and asking the agency to show substantial results before the next hearing on August 28.

The Lok Sabha has passed a Bill amending the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, enabling the government to permit Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI and other notified digital payment modes. The amendment seeks to create a sustainable revenue model for payment service providers

AISA will launch its month-long "Gen Z Rising" campaign from Ranchi on August 7, with national president Neha Bora leading nationwide outreach on education reforms, employment and student issues following the recent Jantar Mantar protest over alleged NEET UG 2026 irregularities

A Delhi man allegedly staged his own kidnapping after concealing his year-long unemployment and mounting debt from his family. Police traced him to Ghaziabad, where he admitted leaving home voluntarily to avoid loan recovery agents and confronting his family

Ladakh will introduce India's first high-altitude wildlife safari featuring guided snow leopard and birdwatching tours. The SHAN Conservation Society will oversee community-led conservation, eco-tourism, wildlife awareness and sustainable livelihood initiatives aimed at protecting the region's fragile Himalayan ecosystem

A Batik Air passenger was arrested after allegedly attempting to open the emergency exit of a Kuala Lumpur-Kochi flight, damaging its window panel and threatening passengers and crew. Police registered a case under the BNS, Aircraft Act and Kerala Police Act

The Rajya Sabha passed the Appropriation (No.3) Bill, 2026, authorising excess expenditure incurred during FY2022-23. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the excess grants related to a Railway Ministry court order and debt repayment with no fiscal impact

The rupee depreciated 16 paise to close at 95.24 against the US dollar on Thursday, weighed down by a firmer dollar index and foreign fund outflows. Lower crude oil prices limited losses, while domestic equity markets ended higher

Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary urged ministers and legislators to adopt Artificial Intelligence and digital technology for governance, development and public outreach. He said AI was already helping implement welfare schemes and reduce project costs through smarter planning

The Tamil Nadu government has launched the 'Vetri Vaanmagal' scheme to train women farmers in agricultural drone operations. The initiative includes professional training, pilot licences and subsidised drones for selected women, aiming to boost technology-driven farming and rural employment opportunities

The Supreme Court said mediation in the family trust dispute between late industrialist Sunjay Kapur's mother Rani Kapur and wife Priya Kapur was progressing satisfactorily. The court extended mediation till November, urging both sides to avoid prolonged litigation

The Bombay High Court convicted former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal under IPC Sections 376(2)(f), 354A and 354B in the 2013 sexual assault case, overturning his acquittal and holding him guilty of rape, sexual harassment and assault with intent to disrobe

The Enforcement Directorate alleged a former Kotak Mahindra Bank executive used funds siphoned from Panchkula Municipal Corporation accounts to buy luxury vehicles and other assets. The agency said the ₹107.24-crore fraud involved fake accounts and forged authorisations

Mumbai has entered the world's top 15 data centre markets by operational capacity, while Hyderabad has emerged as one of the fastest-growing hubs, according to Knight Frank. The report highlights India's expanding digital infrastructure, driven by cloud adoption, AI and sustained investments.

Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin criticised the TVK government's maiden Agriculture Budget as "absolute nothing", accusing Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay of failing farmers, reneging on crop loan waiver promises and not convening an all-party meeting on the Cauvery dispute

Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke said unemployment would become the party's key nationwide campaign issue while advocating education reforms and affordable education. He also claimed the party's recent protests strengthened the student movement and called for restoring the media's credibility

Swiggy expects adjusted EBITDA of around ₹10,000 crore and Gross Order Value of ₹2.5 lakh crore by FY31, driven by food delivery, Instamart and Dineout. The company also reported a narrower quarterly loss and improved operating performance

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said the state will become financially stronger within two years, announcing a ₹4,000-crore steel plant in Purulia and promising land allocation to 25 industries as part of an industrial growth drive

The Lok Sabha House Committee, which oversees residential accommodation and related amenities for MPs in Delhi, is awaiting reconstitution after its one-year term ended on July 3. The Speaker appoints the committee, which typically serves for one year

The Supreme Court declined interim bail to self-styled godman Asaram, serving a life sentence in a 2013 minor rape case, but permitted him to appoint a trained caretaker for round-the-clock assistance while keeping his plea pending on health grounds

The Supreme Court dismissed Ashish Mishra's plea seeking relaxation of his bail conditions in the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence case. The court also advised victims' counsel to raise concerns over trial proceedings and witnesses before the trial court

Hundreds of ANMs and Multipurpose Health Assistants staged a protest outside the Health Commissioner's office in Hyderabad, demanding recruitment to fill vacancies, reduced workload, job security and improved working conditions, alleging excessive administrative pressure and unrealistic performance targets

An Indian fishing trawler carrying 11 crew members ran aground on a reef near Sri Lanka's Delft Island after allegedly entering Lankan waters for illegal fishing. The Sri Lanka Navy launched a rescue operation, saying all crew members were safe

The Andhra Pradesh Handicrafts Development Corporation has introduced a QR code system to provide buyers with detailed information about handicrafts and artisans. The initiative, backed by Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, aims to boost global recognition for the state's traditional crafts