Severe Floods and Landslides Devastate Northern Indian States
Unrelenting rains have caused widespread devastation across Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh. Swollen rivers have inundated vast areas, leading to at least 29 deaths in Punjab alone and affecting over 256,000 people. The extreme weather has crippled road and rail traffic, triggered landslides, and forced school closures. The India Meteorological Department has issued red alerts for multiple districts, and the water level of the Yamuna River in Delhi has crossed the danger mark, prompting evacuations.
Over One Billion People Lived with Mental Health Conditions in 2021, WHO Reports
The World Health Organisation has reported that over a billion people globally, or about one in seven, were living with mental health conditions in 2021. Anxiety and depressive disorders were the most prevalent. The 'World Mental Health Today' report underscores the immense human and economic toll, with productivity losses from depression and anxiety estimated at $1 trillion annually. The WHO highlighted significant gaps in care, with governments globally spending only about 2% of health budgets on mental health.
US Court Orders Google to Share Data but Rejects Browser Breakup
In a major US antitrust ruling, a federal judge ordered Google to share search data with competitors to foster competition but stopped short of forcing the tech giant to sell its Chrome browser or Android operating system. The ruling also allows Google to continue its lucrative payments to Apple for being the default search engine. The decision is seen as a mixed result, providing some relief to Google but imposing measures aimed at curbing its market dominance in online search and advertising.
Iran Increased Stockpile of Near Weapons-Grade Uranium, UN Watchdog Reports
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that Iran increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% purity—a short technical step from weapons-grade—just before an Israeli military attack in June. According to a confidential report, Iran's stockpile of this highly enriched uranium grew by over 32 kg to 440.9 kg. The UN nuclear watchdog also expressed "serious concern" that its inspectors have been unable to verify Iran's stockpile for over two and a half months following the conflict.
Centre Issues Guidelines to Co-locate 11 Lakh Anganwadis with Primary Schools
The Union government has issued new guidelines to co-locate approximately 11 lakh anganwadi centres on the premises of the nearest primary schools. The move, jointly announced by the ministries of Education and Women and Child Development, aims to ensure a smooth transition for children into formal schooling. The guidelines also push for data integration between the government's Poshan Tracker and the UDISE+ school database to better track children's educational journeys from early childhood, potentially using a single lifelong ID.
Cabinet Approves ₹1,500 Crore Scheme to Boost Critical Mineral Recycling
The Union Cabinet has approved a ₹1,500 crore incentive scheme to promote the recycling of critical minerals from sources like e-waste and battery scrap. Part of the National Critical Mineral Mission, the six-year plan aims to develop domestic recycling capacity, reducing import dependency and strengthening supply chains for minerals vital to technology and defence. The scheme will provide capital and operational subsidies to recyclers, and is expected to attract ₹8,000 crore in investment and create 70,000 jobs.
Suicide Bombing Kills 13 at Political Rally in Quetta, Pakistan
A suicide bomber has killed at least 13 people and injured 30 others at a political rally in Quetta, the capital of Pakistan's insurgency-hit Balochistan province. The attack targeted supporters of the Balochistan National Party as they were leaving a stadium. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the bombing, which occurred in a region long affected by a low-level insurgency by Baloch separatist groups. Pakistani officials condemned the attack and ordered a high-level investigation into the security breach.
Heavy Rains and Landslides Kill at Least Seven in Himachal Pradesh
Incessant heavy rainfall has triggered devastating landslides in Himachal Pradesh, leading to multiple fatalities. In Mandi district, a landslide buried two houses, killing at least seven people, including five members of one family. In Kullu, two others are feared dead after houses collapsed. The severe weather has blocked over 1,100 roads across the state, including several national highways. In response, the state government has ordered all schools and colleges to remain closed until September 7 to ensure student safety.
Yamuna Floods Delhi as River Crosses Danger Mark, Evacuations Underway
Heavy rainfall across the National Capital Region has caused the Yamuna river to breach its danger mark of 205.33 metres in Delhi, leading to flooding in low-lying areas. The water level at the Old Yamuna Bridge was recorded at 205.80 metres on Tuesday morning. Floodwaters have entered homes in several areas, including Mayur Vihar, prompting authorities to begin evacuating residents from the river's floodplains. An orange alert has been issued for Gurugram, with offices urged to allow work-from-home.
Maratha Quota Activist Manoj Jarange-Patil Ends Hunger Strike
Activist Manoj Jarange-Patil ended his five-day hunger strike in Mumbai after the Maharashtra government agreed to key demands, including issuing Kunbi caste certificates to eligible Marathas. This move will allow them to access reservation benefits under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category. The government issued a resolution to form village-level committees to verify documents and also agreed to withdraw cases against protestors and provide aid to families of those who died during the years-long agitation for quotas.
India Pitches Itself as 'Lighthouse of Stability' for Global Semiconductor Investment
At the Semicon India 2025 conference, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw invited global industry leaders to invest in India's expanding semiconductor ecosystem, calling the nation a "lighthouse of stability and growth" amid global turmoil. He highlighted that five semiconductor units are already under construction and noted India's stable policies and growing talent pool. A separate report revealed that India is already home to approximately 20% of the world's chip design engineers, cementing its crucial role in the global semiconductor value chain.
Maratha Quota Stir Intensifies in Mumbai; Police Ask Protestors to Vacate
The indefinite hunger strike led by activist Manoj Jarange for Maratha reservation entered its fifth day, causing significant disruption in Mumbai. With over 40,000 protestors gathered at Azad Maidan, far exceeding the permitted number, major traffic congestion has ensued. Following a Bombay High Court order to clear the streets and restore normalcy, Mumbai Police issued a notice to Jarange and his team, asking them to vacate the protest venue for violating agitation conditions.
Delhi High Court Denies Bail to Activists in 2020 Riots Case
The Delhi High Court has denied bail to activists Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, and eight others accused in the "larger conspiracy" case related to the 2020 Delhi riots. The accused, who have been jailed for over five years under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), had sought bail citing trial delays and seeking parity with other co-accused who were previously granted relief. The court's decision is a significant legal development in the high-profile and long-running case.
India Sends Aid to Afghanistan After Earthquake Kills Over 1,400
India has dispatched 21 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan following a devastating 6.0 magnitude earthquake that has killed over 1,400 people and injured more than 3,000 in the country's eastern region. The relief materials include tents, blankets, medical supplies, and food. This is the third major earthquake to hit the nation since the Taliban seized power in 2021, and the government has appealed for international assistance to manage the large-scale humanitarian crisis unfolding near the Pakistan border.
Massive Landslide Wipes Out Village in Sudan, Over 1,000 Feared Dead
A devastating landslide in Sudan's Darfur region has completely wiped out the village of Tarasin, killing at least 1,000 people. The disaster occurred on Sunday in the Marrah Mountains following days of heavy rainfall. According to the Sudan Liberation Movement-Army, which controls the area, only one person is believed to have survived. The group has issued an urgent appeal to the United Nations and international aid organisations for assistance in recovering the bodies from the leveled village.