Politics — Page 17
Elections, government, public policy, diplomacy and geopolitical action
High Court won’t halt Bengal Speaker’s Ritabrata LoP appointment
The Calcutta High Court refused to block the West Bengal Speaker’s decision to appoint Ritabrata Banerjee as Leader of Opposition, with the case to be heard further by a division bench within two months. The development follows a sequence of petitions, expulsions, and party splits within the Trinamo
High Court Allows Pleas Against Reconsideration of Prosecution Sanction in Cashew Scam
The Kerala High Court, in a Division Bench ruling, allowed petitions by KSCDC former chairperson R. Chandrasekharan and former MD K.A. Ratheesh challenging a court order to reconsider sanction for their prosecution in the cashew import scam. The court noted prior proceedings had not given them an op
BRICS condemns EU carbon tax and push for more adaptation funding
BRICS environment ministers condemned the EU's CBAM as unilateral and protectionist, urging richer nations to boost adaptation funding for developing countries, ahead of COP31 in Turkey.
RSS meet to discuss demographic shift and youth drug abuse
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) will hold a three-day All India Coordination Meeting in Visakhapatnam from Aug 19–21, 2026, focusing on demographic changes, youth drug abuse, and better coordination among affiliated groups.
Dubai missile alert passes as UAE says threat ended
UAE's defence ministry reported a missile threat detected toward the country, prompting an emergency alert in Dubai. The ministry later said the threat had passed and residents could resume normal activities, amid broader West Asia tensions.
CID arrests Abhay Tiwari’s wife and brother in Jharkhand exam irregularities
CID actions in Jharkhand expand the probe into recruitment exam irregularities as arrests extend to Abhay Tiwari’s wife and brother. Authorities say investigations include rate charts and multiple examinations.
Jaleel warns Basheer over dual role as minister and college manager
Former minister K.T. Jaleel cautions P.K. Basheer about continuing as manager of EMEA College and EMEA Higher Secondary School amid corruption allegations, suggesting resignation and transfer of control to a non-family successor. He links allegations to IUML complaints and warns Basheer could threat
Maoist leader acquitted in VHP leader murder case in Odisha
An Odisha special court acquitted Maoist leader D Kesaba Rao alias Azad of involvement in the 2008 killing of VHP leader Laxmanananda Saraswati and four others, citing lack of reliable evidence. He was released from jail the same day; the court emphasized that suspicion cannot substitute proof.
Peddapalli MP seeks resolution of Singareni workers’ name discrepancy issue
Peddapalli MP Gaddam Vamsi Krishna has urged the Centre and Telangana to resolve a long-pending alias-name discrepancy affecting Singareni Collieries workers, saying both governments must protect the workforce's interests. He has previously written to Union ministries and notified the Deputy Chief M
Dipke urges mandatory government-school enrollment for education officials’ children
Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party, calls for compulsory government-school enrollment for education department officials' children and for ministers to test village schools. He cites transport gaps for rural students and cites a suspended headmaster as part of broader school-improv
Tobacco Board Boosts Interest-Free Loans Under Growers’ Welfare Scheme
The Tobacco Board has expanded its Growers’ Welfare Scheme, increasing loan amounts and death grants through a July 22, 2026 circular to regional managers in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. The changes cover barns repair, education, marriages, and major illness, with revised repayment schedules and a
Press Club of India condemns Gujarat police seizures of journalist Ravi Nair
The Press Club of India expressed shock after Gujarat police seized five devices from independent journalist Ravi Nair and associates. The club criticized the seizure without hash values and highlighted an FIR linked to a Washington Post story co-authored by Nair.
Ex-Space official says US curbs forced secrecy in Antrix-Devas deal
A former secretary-level official from India's Department of Space told the CBI that secrecy around the Antrix-Devas agreement was driven by US technology controls. He described ongoing charges and past negotiations tied to attempts to access hybrid digital communication tech via a US service provid
Siwan SP shifted after AK-47 protest incident amid Bihar IPS reshuffle
Bihar reshuffled 17 senior IPS officers, moving Siwan SP Pooran Kumar Jha after an AK-47 was allegedly used during a student protest. Bhojpur SP Raj also moved; new postings announced for Nalanda and Bhojpur.
Manipur Assembly adopts NRC plan and population commission
Manipur's legislature approved resolutions to establish a State Population Commission and to implement the National Register of Citizens, following petitions from tribal groups alarmed by demographic changes. The move comes amid debates on population growth and indigenous rights in hill and valley d
Take Gyanesh Kumar to America, keep him there: Khera mocks Trump on save act
Pawan Khera mocked Donald Trump after the US president urged passage of the SAVE Act, suggesting taking Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and India's EVMs to America. The exchanges followed Trump's emphasis on India's voter-ID requirements and a claim about India's 646 million voters.
Biren Singh briefs Shah on Manipur NRC demand before census
Manipur’s former chief minister met with Home Minister Shah, conveying public demand for NRC prior to any census. The talks touched on blockades, price spikes, and a prior 2023 NRC push, with indications of a potential receptive response.
Manipur two-day strike over NRC demand disrupts valley life
A two-day strike called by the Campaign for Just and Free Delimitation disrupted life in Manipur's valley districts, with markets, schools and public transport shut while protesters urged NRC implementation before the census.
Karnataka HC overturns suspension of KPSC chairperson Sahukar
The Karnataka High Court set aside the governor’s suspension of KPSC chairperson Shivashankarappa S. Sahukar, reinstating him subject to a non-participation directive on related decisions. The court held the suspension illegal for lacking Cabinet advice and noted prior jurisprudence on similar refer
Railway Board approves MRTS merger with Chennai Metro Rail
India's Railway Board has approved merging MRTS with Chennai Metro Rail Limited, with a draft MoU outlining asset transfer and takeover. The move follows a long-running process dating back to 2011 and includes a two-year transition period for operations to shift to CMRL.
SC orders nationwide survey on obstacles to elephant corridors
India’s top court directed a nationwide survey to check for obstacles in elephant corridors, as a Congress leader accused mining and other projects of destroying habitats. The bench warned states against blocking wildlife paths and demanded a six-week Centre report.
Keralam CM flags off Vizhinjam port EXIM ops, opens gateway to world
Kerala Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan flagged off full-scale EXIM operations at Vizhinjam on August 18, 2026, signaling a transition toward a major commercial gateway. The ceremony included a first export container and the launch of Mission Samudra to boost port-led development.
Shivakumar: Karnataka CM vows not to weaponize office, to work across parties
Karnataka Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar said he will attend the Southern States Chief Ministers’ Conference in Chennai on August 19-20, 2026, and stressed he will not use his office to hurt or antagonize others, pledging cooperation with leaders from all parties. He also announced a cabinet meetin
Supreme Court orders welfare-focused guidelines for captive elephants
India's Supreme Court directed mandatory welfare guidelines for captive elephants, emphasizing well-being and health over ownership. It ordered DNA profiling updates, a field manual, and the establishment of elephant clinics, while noting it would not rule on religious rights.