Breaking News Highlights Updates: Earthquake of magnitude 5.8 strikes Halmahera, Indonesia

• Puducherry govt notifies allocation of portfolios to CM, five ministers
• ED attaches Rs 1,000 crore assets in PACL scam
• Ted Sarandos meets PM Modi, backs India storytelling
• Gujarat bans analogue paneer, cheese, butter
• Heavy rains lash Kerala, relief camps fill
• 50% CAPF quota for Agniveers: Govt
• US service sector maintains strong growth pace in July
• Meta apologises to govt over PM Modi post error
• Bangladesh is a failed tate, no law and order: Sajeeb Wazed Joy
• 43 lakh voters dropped in Jharkhand draft rolls
• Air India appoints Tewolde Gebremariam as new CEO
• MEA slams Pakistan's 'Youm-e-Istehsal', says J&K is integral to India

• Political killings have been legalised in Bangladesh since August 2024, alleges Sheikh Hasina's son Sajeeb Wazed Joy
• Bangladesh today is a failed state, there is no law and order in the country today, alleges Sheikh Hasina's son Sajeeb Wazed Joy
• What should concern New Delhi most is that Bangladesh has become another Pak on India's eastern border: Sheikh Hasina's son Sajeeb Wazed Joy
• I was forced away from my country but I am never separated from my people: Ex-Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina in virtual news conference

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said Tehran will support any measure or decision taken by Palestinian leaders in the negotiation process, Iranian state media reported.

Pezeshkian made the remarks during a phone call with the head of Hamas' political bureau, according to the report.

He said Iran would support decisions taken by Palestinian leaders as they engage in negotiations.

El Nino conditions are likely to persist until February 2027, with the probability of the weather phenomenon continuing estimated at 70-90%, the government informed Parliament.

The government said the evolving El Niño conditions could influence atmospheric circulation and increase the likelihood of marine heatwaves.

The development assumes significance for India as El Niño can affect weather patterns, including the southwest monsoon, with potential implications for agriculture and the wider economy.

INDIA bloc parties staged a walkout from the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday during a debate on a bill seeking to increase the sanctioned strength of judges in the Supreme Court, PTI reported.

The Opposition parties walked out as the Upper House took up discussion on the proposed legislation to raise the number of judges in the apex court.

DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin on Wednesday said the Tamil Nadu Budget had skipped the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam's (TVK) poll promise of providing Rs 2,500 monthly assistance to women.

Udhayanidhi criticised the opposition party over the promise while reacting to the Tamil Nadu government's Budget announcements.

The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed a bill seeking to recognise digital records maintained by banks as admissible evidence in courts, amid protests by the Opposition.

The legislation aims to provide legal recognition to electronic bank records, potentially making it easier for such records to be produced and relied upon as evidence in legal proceedings.

The bill was passed amid disruptions in the House, with Opposition members raising various issues and protests continuing during the proceedings.

JMM MP Mahua Maji on Wednesday defended the Jharkhand government's response to the ongoing students' protest in Ranchi over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations, saying action was taken as soon as the issue came to light.

Maji said the government ensured the resignation of the chairman responsible for the matter and immediately ordered a CID investigation.

"Raids are being conducted regularly. Several individuals have been arrested and interrogated, and steps are being taken to ensure that those found guilty receive the strictest possible punishment," Maji said.

She said the Jharkhand government was committed to ensuring that students do not face similar problems in the future.

Maji also said Chief Minister Hemant Soren was "personally saddened and concerned" by the issue and believed in taking action rather than making "empty promises".

"His aim is to introduce measures that will ensure students do not face such hardships in the future," she said.

The remarks come amid a students' protest in Ranchi over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations. Protesters have been demanding action against those responsible and reforms in the examination process.

The Bombay High Court has directed the removal of social media content, including AI-generated material, allegedly defaming Union Minister Nitin Gadkari in connection with ethanol-blended petrol.

The court's direction covers content posted on social media platforms that allegedly makes defamatory claims against Gadkari over the issue of ethanol-blended petrol.

The matter relates to the circulation of online content targeting the Union minister and his position on ethanol blending in petrol.

The court's order comes amid growing concerns over the spread of AI-generated and manipulated content on social media platforms.

China on Wednesday announced "countermeasures" in response to trade sanctions imposed by the United States, escalating tensions between the world's two largest economies.

The move comes amid heightened trade frictions between Beijing and Washington, with both sides taking measures affecting bilateral commerce and economic ties.

Activist Sonam Wangchuk on Wednesday spoke to Devendra Nath Mahto, who is on a hunger strike in Jharkhand over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations, and urged him to at least drink water.

Heeding Wangchuk's request, Mahto drank water on the fourth day of his fast, even as the protest intensified ahead of the Monsoon Session of the Jharkhand Assembly.

Five people under the JPSC, JSSC Reforms Manch banner began an indefinite hunger strike on Tuesday night, taking the total number of people fasting at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium to six.

Mahto, a member of the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha, has been on hunger strike at the same venue for the past four days.

The protesters are demanding action over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).

India's foreign exchange reserves rose by nearly $10.5 billion to $692.9 billion as of July 31, their highest level in nearly three months, according to data from the Reserve Bank of India released on Wednesday.

The reserves recorded their biggest weekly increase since the week ended January 30, providing the central bank with greater capacity to cushion the rupee against external shocks.

The rupee has faced pressure from oil price volatility triggered by the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, adding to uncertainty around India's macroeconomic outlook.

Traders attributed the sharp increase in reserves to dollar inflows from a foreign-currency deposit drive launched by the RBI in June to strengthen the country's balance of payments.

The RBI has received $36.7 billion through Foreign Currency Non-Resident deposits raised by banks as of July 31, the traders said.

(Source: Reuters)

Heineken expects inflationary pressures from the Iran war next year, the brewer's chief financial officer said during a media call.

The company also said it has lost market share in the Americas and was not satisfied with its performance in the region.

European heatwaves resulted in some higher costs, mainly related to transportation, the CFO said.

Heineken has already received 10 million euros in refunds related to US tariffs and expects around three times that amount in additional tariff refunds.

The brewer also said it had deliberately refrained from raising prices in line with inflation to improve affordability for consumers.

The Kerala Cabinet has approved a compensation package of ₹8 lakh for the families of those who died in the disaster, Chief Minister Satheesan said, PTI reported.

The compensation will be provided to the families of those who lost their lives in the disaster, as part of the state government's relief measures.

Chief Minister Satheesan announced the Cabinet's decision on Wednesday.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted interim bail to businessman Anwar Dhebar in connection with the alleged Chhattisgarh manpower commission scam case, PTI reported.

Dhebar's interim bail comes in the case related to alleged irregularities involving the Chhattisgarh manpower commission.

The Supreme Court's order provides temporary relief to Dhebar while proceedings in the case continue.

Women will be given an 8-gram gold coin and a silk saree during weddings under a Tamil Nadu government scheme, with ₹812 crore allocated for the programme, state Finance Minister Marie Wilson said.

The announcement was made during the presentation of the Tamil Nadu Budget, with the government earmarking ₹812 crore for the scheme.

Under the programme, eligible women will receive an 8-gram gold coin and one silk saree during their wedding, according to Wilson.

Students protesting alleged irregularities in Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) examinations entered the 12th day on Wednesday, with five protesters on hunger strike since Tuesday evening.

One of the protesters alleged that the government had forced them to resort to a hunger strike, saying, “It is unable to fulfil our demands.”

A constable posted in Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh district has been dismissed from service with immediate effect for participating in a political demonstration organised by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, police said.

A departmental inquiry found Constable Sher Singh guilty of “gross misconduct” and violating service rules, according to police.

Pithoragarh Superintendent of Police Akshay Prahlad Konde said disciplinary proceedings were carried out under the Uttarakhand Police Act, 2007, resulting in Singh's immediate termination.

An agreement between Iran and Oman on the Strait of Hormuz will be delayed as long as the United States continues to threaten Iran, Iranian state media reported on Wednesday, citing an informed source.

The report comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to secure safe maritime passage through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, with Washington, Tehran and regional mediators seeking to ease tensions.

US President Donald Trump said an “all-day negotiation” was held with Iran on Tuesday, as Washington and Tehran continued diplomatic efforts amid heightened tensions in West Asia.

Trump made the remarks while discussing the ongoing US-Iran engagement, without providing further details about the negotiations or whether they had resulted in an agreement.

The TVK government is set to present its maiden budget for 2026-27 in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, amid a charged political atmosphere.

State Finance Minister N Marie Wilson will present the budget at 10 am, with the government expected to announce key measures after reviewing the state's financial position.

Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay had earlier directed that the maiden budget should be exemplary. A vision plan titled “Vetri Tamilagam” (Prosperous Tamil Nadu) is also likely to be unveiled as part of the budget.

The budget session is expected to see opposition protests, with DMK MLAs reportedly considering a boycott over the arrest of Opposition Leader Udhayanidhi Stalin. The opposition is also expected to stage a walkout or boycott Wednesday's proceedings.

Udhayanidhi was arrested in Thanjavur on Tuesday and questioned in connection with an alleged double-meaning remark referring to actor Trisha and allegedly insulting her modesty. He was later released on station bail.

Washington state Senate Republican leader John Braun has advanced to the general election in the battleground US House District 3, CNN projected.

Braun's advancement sets up the next stage of the closely watched race in the district, which is considered competitive ahead of the general election.

US President Donald Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would open “very soon” and warned that Iran would be “hit very hard” if it does not, as tensions remain high amid ongoing US-Iran diplomatic efforts.

Trump's remarks came as Washington and Tehran continued discussions aimed at easing tensions and securing the reopening of the strategically important waterway.

US President Donald Trump said the United States is having “very good discussions” with Iran, signalling continued diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran amid heightened tensions in the region.

Trump made the remarks in an interview with Fox News, without providing further details on the discussions.

The Lok Sabha is scheduled to take up the Bankers' Books Evidence Bill, 2026 and the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 for consideration and passing on Wednesday, according to the Revised List of Business.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will move the Bankers' Books Evidence Bill, 2026, which seeks to provide a legal framework for evidence relating to bankers' books and align it with contemporary digital banking practices.

Sitharaman will also move the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which proposes amendments to the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, the Income-tax Act, 2025, and the Finance Act, 2026.

The House will also consider a statutory resolution moved by NK Premachandran and Sougata Ray seeking disapproval of the Income-tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026 (No. 2 of 2026), promulgated by the President on June 5.

Progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed held a narrow lead over US Representative Haley Stevens in Michigan's Democratic US Senate primary on Tuesday, with the outcome of a closely watched race that could offer clues about the future direction of the Democratic Party still uncertain.

With 42% of the estimated vote counted, El-Sayed was leading Stevens 49.8% to 46.5%, according to CNN.

The contest has emerged as a key test of the Democratic Party's direction, pitting El-Sayed's progressive campaign against Stevens, an establishment-backed moderate supported by Democratic leaders and pro-Israel groups.

Delhi woke up to cloudy skies on Wednesday following widespread rainfall across the national capital overnight, with morning visuals from the India Gate and Kartavya Path areas showing a wet and overcast cityscape.

Security was further tightened across Srinagar on Wednesday, August 5, on the seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370.

Security measures have been stepped up in the city as authorities remain vigilant on the anniversary of the Centre's decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir's special status in 2019.