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.
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.
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.
Greater Bengaluru Authority Replaces BBMP, Divides City into Five Corporations
Bengaluru's civic governance has been restructured with the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) officially replacing the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). The new model divides the city into five distinct corporations: Bengaluru West, South, North, East, and Central. The GBA, headed by the Chief Minister, will oversee the new bodies. This major administrative overhaul is intended to improve service delivery and governance in the rapidly growing metropolis, with preparations now underway for elections to the new corporations.
Nestlé Dismisses CEO Over Undisclosed Relationship with Subordinate
Global food giant Nestlé has dismissed its Chief Executive Officer, Laurent Freixe, effective immediately after an investigation found he violated the company's code of conduct. The investigation revealed an undisclosed romantic relationship with a direct subordinate. Freixe had been in the top role for just one year. The company announced that Philipp Navratil, a long-time Nestlé executive and current CEO of the Nespresso division, will take over as the new CEO, emphasizing the importance of its corporate values and governance.
US-India Trade Tensions Escalate Amid Criticism of Tariffs
US-India relations are facing strain over trade policies, with US President Donald Trump describing the relationship as "one-sided" due to India's high import duties. Prominent US political figures, including former National Security Advisor John Bolton, have criticized the administration's tariff policies, arguing they are damaging a key strategic partnership and pushing India closer to Russia and China. The dispute highlights growing friction over economic policies and geopolitical alignments between the two nations.
First 'Made in India' Semiconductor Chips Designed in Odisha Unveiled
In a significant step towards technological self-reliance, the first indigenously designed semiconductor chips from India were presented to the Prime Minister. The three chips were developed by engineering colleges in Odisha—two at NIT Rourkela and one at PMEC Berhampur. The achievement is being hailed as a landmark moment for the 'Make in India' and 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiatives, positioning the country as an emerging global hub in electronics and reducing dependency on imports for this critical technology.
Hundreds Killed as Magnitude 6.0 Earthquake Strikes Eastern Afghanistan
A powerful 6.0 magnitude earthquake has struck eastern Afghanistan near the Pakistan border, killing at least 610 people and injuring over 1,300. The shallow quake, with its epicentre near Jalalabad, destroyed numerous villages and caused extensive damage. Officials warn that the death toll is expected to rise as rescue teams work to reach the remote, mountainous region. The Taliban-controlled administration is coordinating rescue efforts, with medical teams dispatched from across the country to assist the injured in the devastated areas.
SCO Summit Declaration Condemns Pahalgam Terror Attack
At its summit in Tianjin, China, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) issued a joint declaration strongly condemning the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam. Concurring with India's stance, the 10-member bloc, which includes China, Russia, and Pakistan, stated that "double standards" in fighting terrorism are unacceptable. The Tianjin Declaration called for perpetrators to be brought to justice and stressed the need to combat the cross-border movement of terrorists, marking a significant diplomatic statement for India on a multilateral platform.
SCO Summit Issues Unanimous Condemnation of Pahalgam Terror Attack
In a significant diplomatic development for India, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) issued a united condemnation of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 people. The Tianjin Declaration, adopted at the summit attended by leaders from India, China, Russia, and Pakistan, stated that those who planned, financed, and sheltered the terrorists must be held accountable. The explicit mention marks a rare moment of consensus on a terror strike on Indian soil at a forum that includes Pakistan.
OpenAI Plans Major 1-Gigawatt Data Center in India
OpenAI is planning a significant expansion in Asia by seeking local partners to establish a massive data center in India. The project aims for at least a 1-gigawatt capacity, which would be among the country's largest. This move is part of OpenAI's 'Stargate' AI infrastructure initiative and its global 'OpenAI for Countries' effort. The facility would help the company provide customized AI services, address data sovereignty concerns, and support the Indian government's $1.2 billion IndiaAI Mission.
Supreme Court to Reconsider Exemption of Minority Schools from RTE Act
The Supreme Court has referred its 2014 judgement, which exempted minority educational institutions from the Right to Education (RTE) Act, to a larger bench for reconsideration. A two-judge bench expressed concern that the decade-old verdict may have "jeopardised the very foundation of universal elementary education." The court observed that the exemption weakens inclusivity, fragments the common schooling vision, and has created a regulatory loophole that institutions may be misusing to circumvent the RTE Act's provisions.
India's Manufacturing PMI Hits 17-Year High in August
India's manufacturing sector activity expanded at its fastest pace in 17-and-a-half years in August 2025. The HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rose to 59.3, up from 59.1 in July. The strong performance was driven by a robust increase in new orders and production volumes, with output growth reaching its quickest rate in nearly five years. The positive data suggests sustained demand and buoyant business conditions, although growth in international orders slightly moderated amid global trade uncertainties.
Top White House Aide Accuses Indian "Brahmins" of Profiteering from Russian Oil
White House trade adviser Peter Navarro has made inflammatory remarks accusing India's "Brahmins" of profiteering from the purchase of discounted Russian oil. In a TV interview, Navarro claimed India was acting as a "laundromat for the Kremlin" by refining Russian crude and selling it at a premium. The comments, made amid escalating trade tensions and US tariffs on Indian goods, have been widely reported and add a sharp, undiplomatic edge to the ongoing friction between Washington and New Delhi over trade and geopolitics.