Chinese Foreign Minister Arrives in India for Border Talks with NSA Doval
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in New Delhi for a two-day visit focused on boundary negotiations with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. The visit, part of ongoing efforts to stabilize relations after the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes, precedes Prime Minister Modi's expected trip to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. The talks are expected to cover new confidence-building measures to maintain peace and tranquillity along the contested border, marking a crucial step in bilateral diplomacy.
Government Launches ₹1 Lakh Crore Scheme to Boost Job Creation
The government has launched the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PMVBRY), a central scheme with a ₹1 lakh crore outlay aimed at creating over 3.5 crore jobs. The program offers incentives to both employers and first-time employees to stimulate formal sector employment. Under the scheme, which runs from August 2025 to July 2027, first-time employees will receive a one-time cash incentive, while employers will be rewarded for generating additional employment, with a special focus on the manufacturing sector.
PM Chairs High-Level Meeting on 'Next-Generation' Economic Reforms
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting with top Union ministers, secretaries, and economists to finalize a roadmap for 'next-generation reforms'. The initiative, announced during his Independence Day address, aims to accelerate reforms across all sectors. The deliberations focused on boosting the ease of living and the ease of doing business to foster prosperity. The formation of a dedicated task force signals the government's intent to pursue a significant policy agenda in its new term.
Centre Proposes Two-Tier GST Structure to Rationalise Tax Rates
The central government has proposed a major overhaul of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) system, suggesting a shift from the current four-slab structure to a two-tier model. The proposal, submitted to the Group of Ministers on rate rationalisation, suggests rates of 5% and 18% for most goods and services, while eliminating the 12% and 28% slabs. A special 40% rate would apply to a few luxury or 'sin' goods, aiming to simplify the tax regime and potentially boost consumption.
India's Unemployment Rate Falls to 5.2% in July, Government Survey Shows
India's unemployment rate declined to 5.2% in July from 5.6% in June, according to the latest Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) data. The rate of joblessness was slightly higher among men (5.3%) than women (5.1%). Rural unemployment saw a notable drop to 4.4%, while urban unemployment edged up to 7.2%. The overall Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) also improved, rising to 41.4% in July, indicating more people are either working or actively seeking employment.
Bomb Threats Trigger Evacuations and Panic at Three Delhi Schools
Three prominent schools in Delhi's Dwarka area were evacuated after receiving bomb threats via email. The threats prompted a large-scale response from Delhi Police and bomb disposal squads, who conducted thorough search operations at Delhi Public School, Modern Convent School, and Shree Ram World School. While no explosives were found, the incidents caused significant panic among students and parents, continuing a worrying trend of hoax threats targeting educational institutions in the national capital.
Illicit Mephedrone Lab Busted in Bhopal; Drugs Worth ₹92 Crore Seized
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has dismantled a clandestine drug manufacturing facility in Bhopal, seizing 61.20 kg of the synthetic stimulant Mephedrone valued at ₹92 crore. The multi-state operation, codenamed ‘Operation Crystal Break’, led to the arrest of seven individuals, including the chemist and key cartel members in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat. This is the sixth such illicit factory busted by the DRI in the past year, highlighting a major crackdown on narcotics networks.
Naxal-Planted IED Kills Police Jawan, Injures Three in Chhattisgarh
A District Reserve Guard (DRG) jawan was killed and three others were injured in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast triggered by Naxalites in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district. The incident occurred in the Indravati National Park area while the police team was conducting an anti-Naxal operation. The blast highlights the continued threat posed by Maoist insurgents in the region and the dangers faced by security forces. The injured personnel were evacuated from the forest for medical treatment.
Blast at Russian Factory Kills at Least 20, Injures Over 130
An explosion at a factory in Russia's Ryazan region, southeast of Moscow, has killed at least 20 people and injured another 134. Emergency services reported that the incident was triggered by a fire inside a workshop. While official sources have not specified the factory's output, some media reports suggest it was an explosives plant. Video footage showed parts of the facility completely destroyed, as rescue teams with sniffer dogs worked through the rubble to locate survivors.
Reports Reveal Putin's Bodyguards Use 'Poop Suitcase' on Foreign Trips
During recent foreign trips, including a summit in Alaska, Russian President Vladimir Putin's bodyguards reportedly carried a special briefcase to collect his excrement. This unusual security measure, reported by investigative journalists, is designed to prevent foreign intelligence from obtaining his DNA. By securing his waste, Russia aims to thwart any attempts to analyze his health or genetic information, revealing the extraordinary lengths taken to guard against biological espionage and protect the leader's personal data.
India's Second Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Honoured After ISS Mission
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the second Indian citizen to travel to space and the first to visit the International Space Station (ISS), met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi after his return to India. Shukla was part of the commercial Axiom-4 mission, during which he spent 18 days in orbit and conducted over 60 scientific experiments. His successful mission is a significant milestone for India's space program, providing valuable insights for future endeavors like the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission.
NDA Nominates Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan for Vice President
The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has named Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan as its candidate for the upcoming vice-presidential election. The announcement was made by BJP President J.P. Nadda following a parliamentary board meeting. Radhakrishnan, a veteran politician from Tamil Nadu with long-standing ties to the RSS and BJP, has previously served as a two-time Lok Sabha MP. The election, scheduled for September 9, was necessitated by the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar.
China Delivers Third Advanced Submarine to Pakistan, Bolstering Naval Power
China has delivered the third of eight Hangor-class submarines to Pakistan, a move that significantly enhances Islamabad's naval capabilities in the Indian Ocean. The launch ceremony for the advanced diesel-electric submarine was held in Wuhan. This delivery is part of a broader military-technical cooperation that has seen China become Pakistan's primary defense supplier, providing over 81% of its military hardware, including modern frigates and fighter jets. The development raises strategic concerns for India regarding regional power dynamics and maritime security.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Visit India for High-Stakes Border Talks
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is set to begin a two-day visit to India for talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. The discussions are expected to focus on the protracted border standoff in eastern Ladakh, confidence-building measures, and groundwork for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. The visit is a significant diplomatic step in the ongoing efforts to normalize strained bilateral relations.
Supreme Court Takes Up Plight of Cadets Disabled During Military Training
The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the difficulties faced by military cadets who are medically discharged due to disabilities sustained during training. A bench will hear the matter, prompted by reports that these cadets are not granted ex-servicemen status, depriving them of essential medical benefits and pensions available to commissioned soldiers. This judicial intervention could lead to significant policy reforms for the welfare of hundreds of such cadets discharged from institutions like the NDA and IMA.