Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday held a telephonic conversation with the President of Finland, Alexander Stubb, with both leaders exchanging views on the recent meeting in Washington involving European, US, and Ukrainian leaders aimed at resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Amit Shah praised the success of Operation Sindoor and Operation Mahadev. These operations avenged the Pahalgam terror attack. Security forces eliminated terrorists responsible for killing 26 Indians. The operations sent a strong message to Pakistan-based terror groups. Shah felicitated the bravehearts involved in Operation Mahadev. He highlighted the improved security situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

Following Nikki Bhati's death from alleged immolation, conflicting claims emerge. Nikki's sister-in-law defends the husband and in-laws, accusing Nikki's family of dowry demands and abuse. Nikki's father vehemently denies these counter-allegations. Investigators are revisiting the case, re-examining Nikki's sister's statement to clarify the events leading to her death.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat emphasised self-reliance and using indigenous products, advocating for international engagement by choice, not pressure, aligning with the true spirit of swadeshi. He cautioned against excessive imports that harm local vendors and highlighted the growing fanaticism and the crisis of wokeism in the world, urging a return to Dharma for balance and acceptance of diversity.

Kavitha Rao is a London-based journalist and a nationwide bestselling author. In this conversation, Rao discusses her latest book, ‘Spies, Lies and Allies: The Extraordinary Lives of Chatto and Roy’. The book explores the untold stories of Indian revolutionaries and their international exploits in the fight for independence.

Uttar Pradesh is set to launch a 'No Helmet, No Fuel' campaign from September 1-30, enforcing helmet use for two-wheeler riders. District magistrates will lead the initiative, denying fuel to those without helmets, aiming to promote road safety. The government emphasizes cooperation and awareness, viewing the campaign as a pledge for safety, not a punishment, to reduce road accidents.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann surveyed flood-stricken regions in Gurdaspur, directing officials to utilize the state helicopter for aid delivery. Many villages are submerged due to overflowing rivers and continuous rainfall. Mann assured residents of complete support, offering the government's resources for essential supplies. Rescue operations are ongoing, involving NDRF, the Army, and state agencies.

In Virar East, a section of Ramabai Apartment collapsed overnight, potentially trapping 15-20 people. Rescue teams, including police, fire brigade, and NDRF, are on-site, having already rescued five individuals. The collapse occurred during a birthday party on the fourth floor, and authorities have evacuated the remaining wing as rescue and assessment efforts continue.

Air Chief Marshal A. P. Singh cautioned against hastily implementing theatre commands, advocating for an India-specific model. He proposed establishing a joint planning and coordination center in Delhi under the Chiefs of Staff Committee to prepare for future conflicts. Singh emphasized learning from Operation Sindoor's success, highlighting inter-service coordination.

Awami Ittehad Party organized a demonstration at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, marking six years of Lok Sabha MP Engineer Rashid's imprisonment. AIP workers and civil society activists protested, deeming his continued detention an assault on democracy. Demonstrators demanded Rashid's immediate release, emphasizing that his incarceration undermines the mandate of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Bihar government unveiled the 'Bihar Industrial Investment Promotion Package 2025' to boost industrial growth and create jobs. The policy offers free land allocation and interest subvention up to Rs 40 crore for investors. Units investing over Rs 100 crore or Fortune 500 companies can get free land.

The proposed Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025, intended to automatically remove arrested leaders, faces opposition accusations of being a tool to destabilize non-BJP governments. Kapil Sibal criticized the government's «constitutional morality» pitch citing instances of alleged misuse of investigative agencies like the ED against opposition leaders.