The Supreme Court collegium recommended four judges for High Court Chief Justice positions. These appointments aim to fill vacancies in key High Courts across India. The collegium also approved transfers of two judges from Orissa High Court. Orissa High Court faces a significant shortage of judges, impacting its functioning. No representation from Orissa High Court has been appointed to the Supreme Court in eight years.
Rahul Navin received a one-year extension as ED director, which ends his fixed tenure. His service is now extended until August 2027, including post-superannuation service. Navin's tenure began in September 2023 and was appointed ED director in August 2024. He has established a roadmap for completing probes and auctioning attached properties. This roadmap aims to return assets to rightful claimants and fraud victims.
Since the inception of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna, over one crore urban houses have been built, representing a significant achievement in housing development. Since 2015, 1.25 crore houses have gained approval, with nearly one crore allocated to women. Furthermore, PMAY-Urban 2.0 introduced over 2.09 lakh houses for EWS families, while 1.4 lakh homes were sanctioned for pucca construction under the Beneficiary Led Construction scheme.
The Enforcement Directorate has formally charged Reliance Communications and Reliance Infrastructure with serious financial offenses, including money laundering involving over forty thousand crore rupees in misappropriated bank funds. The allegations indicate substantial financial misconduct by both companies and related individuals. The agency is pursuing the confiscation of properties worth more than eight thousand crore rupees, stemming from a deliberate scheme to misdirect public funds from vital infrastructure projects.
As Parliament approaches its closing week, the FCRA amendment bill is notably absent from Monday's Lok Sabha agenda, signaling a possible political strategy from the government. The legislation's contentious nature is drawing connections to the pending delimitation exercise. Opposition groups, including DMK and NCP(SP), have raised alarms over its provisions. It seems the government wishes to foster a detailed discussion to address these criticisms.
Former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan acknowledged the immense potential of Gen Z, stating that grasping their hopes and dreams is essential for national advancement. He noted that the eagerness of young people surpasses any governmental duties, a point he shared with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who subsequently reached out to the youth. Pradhan maintained that prioritizing the nation's welfare is of utmost importance.
During a turbulent flight from Phuket to Delhi, the captain of an Air India aircraft reportedly tested positive for psychoactive substances. The turbulence caused a significant scare, resulting in hospitalization for thirteen passengers and four crew members. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation is conducting a detailed investigation, and the flight crew has been suspended from flying duties as per standard procedures.
The law ministry notified thirty new judges for four high courts on Saturday. Madras High Court received fifteen appointments, while Calcutta got eight and Karnataka six. Judicial officers and advocates were elevated to the benches, with most appointed as additional judges. Over sixty lakh cases are pending across India's twenty-five high courts. The law minister cited collegium delays for the significant number of vacancies.
On Saturday, VP JD Vance engaged in a conversation with PM Narendra Modi, reiterating both nations' dedication to strengthen partnerships in vital sectors such as trade, defense, and upcoming technologies. They shared insights on international matters of shared concern, coinciding with the US Senate's approval of a bill focused on Russian oil transactions.
In a daring move, the Indian Navy successfully thwarted a pirate assault on the Golden Arsenal in the perilous Gulf of Aden. The ship’s crew effectively sought refuge within an impregnable citadel that the invaders could not penetrate. Currently, four vessels remain under the control of Somali pirates, with Indian nationals on three of them.
The rollout of EPFO's new IT system has resulted in a substantial backlog of claim issues. Field officials are grappling with an increasing number of pending auto claims, which have lingered for over twenty days and are causing significant discomfort to members. EPFO admits that this surge in pendency is a short-term effect of the system transition, although it was executed with minimal disruption to services.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with US Vice President JD Vance on Saturday. They discussed deepening the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership across key areas. PM Modi also congratulated JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance. The Prime Minister conveyed his best wishes to the growing family. This conversation focused on strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations.
Seventeen alleged cow vigilantes are facing legal action in Ramban after assaulting four men who were transporting bovines acquired from a police auction. The brutal incident, which occurred on August 4, resulted in one man suffering life-threatening injuries. This alarming event follows a fatal encounter in April, highlighting ongoing violence linked to cow protection. Investigations into wrongful restraint and assault are currently underway.
In the period from January to July, Ladakh has welcomed a remarkable 330,332 tourists. Air travel continues to be the favored mode of access to this stunning union territory. Among road travelers, the route through Kashmir is increasingly popular over the Manali path. Enhanced infrastructure and well-planned events have fueled this tourism surge, with burgeoning homestays offering fresh job opportunities for the local community.
On Saturday, Counter Intelligence Kashmir executed raids at five locations spread across the districts of Baramulla, Bandipora, Anantnag, and Shopian. During these operations, several electronic and digital storage devices were confiscated as part of an investigation into an anti-national narrative. As of now, no arrests have been reported in relation to this ongoing case.
An advocacy group for human rights calls for the restoration of statehood and the repeal of the 2019 Reorganisation Act. They argue that statehood should not be contingent upon the regional security situation. The forum additionally demands statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule. Their report highlights police inadequacies despite court mandates on detentions and brings attention to the injustices faced by Kashmiris after acts of terrorism.
The landscape of domestic help services in India is evolving as platforms aim to bolster user trust and safety. Emphasizing security, these services are implementing background checks and defining service hours. Furthermore, innovations such as AI technology and body cameras are continuously being assessed to improve safety measures. Moving forward, the success of the industry will depend on creating a trustworthy environment amidst its traditionally informal nature.
A research paper suggests Bihar should withdraw its alcohol prohibition policy. The ban has not reduced crimes against women, and illicit liquor trade has increased. Restoring liquor excise duty could boost state revenues by fifteen percent. The paper also identified education, health, and jobs as key development priorities. Bihar's development strategy should focus on these interconnected areas for progress.
Shiromani Akali Dal has expressed strong support for the prompt enactment of the women's reservation bill, emphasizing the need for fair delimitation to ensure equitable state representation. This advocacy follows a meeting between party president Sukhbir Singh Badal and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speculation is rife regarding a potential electoral partnership between SAD and BJP, particularly as both parties have faced declining influence in Punjab's political landscape.
A school quiz question in Kerala has ignited a political controversy. The question asked about the freedom fighter receiving the most severe British punishment. General education minister N Samsudheen ordered an inquiry into the unauthorized quiz. Opposition parties accused the government of promoting a Sangh Parivar agenda. Officials are investigating who prepared and conducted the quiz.
