Source: The Hindu, Indian Express and others

Bihar SIR: Over 1.95 lakh demands for inclusion, exclusion in voter list; nearly 25,000 settled

The Election Commission on Thursday (August 28, 2025) said over 1.95 lakh demands from individuals have so far been received for inclusion and exclusion of names from Bihar’s draft voter list, out of which nearly 25,000 have been disposed of. The CPI (ML)-Liberation has filed 79 pleas and the RJD 3. The two are recognised State parties in Bihar. The poll panel did not specify how many demands were for inclusion and how many were for exclusion out of 1,95,802 pleas under “claims and objections”. An official suggested, “The claims and objections filed are negligible as compared to over 60 lakh names removed from the draft list due to various reasons.”

Three-member judicial panel submits ‘voluminous’ report on Sambhal violence to U.P. CM Adityanath

A three-member judicial commission headed by retired Allahabad High Court judge Devendra Kumar Arora on Thursday (August 28, 2025) submitted its report on the November 2024 violence in Sambhal to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The panel members, including Justice (retd.) Arora, retired IPS officer Arvind Kumar Jain, and ex-IAS officer Amit Mohan Prasad, met the Chief Minister and submitted their report on the violence that erupted near the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal on November 24 last year during an ASI-monitored survey of the mosque, claiming four lives and injuring several others.

States can’t file writ petitions in Supreme Court against actions of President, Governor in dealing with bills: Centre

The Centre on Thursday (August 28, 2025) told the Supreme Court that State Governments cannot invoke writ jurisdiction in moving the apex court against the actions of the President and the Governor in dealing with the bills passed by assemblies for violation of fundamental rights. A five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai was told by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, that the President would like to have an opinion of the apex court on whether states can file writ petitions under Article 32 of the Constitution for violation of fundamental rights. He said the President would also like to have an opinion on the scope of Article 361 of the Constitution, which says the President, or the Governor will not be answerable to any court for the exercise and performance of the powers and duties of his office or for any act done.

U.S. tariff hike to cut Indian diamond polishers’ revenue by 28-30% this fiscal: CRISIL

The imposition of 50% tariffs (25% reciprocal plus 25% penalty) by the U.S. on gem and jewellery is expected to lead to a revenue fall for India’s natural diamond polishing industry of a steep 28-30% to $12.50 billion this fiscal, compared with $16 billion last fiscal, CRISIL Ratings said in a note. The blow will follow a 40% degrowth over the past three fiscals because of a fall in both prices and sales volume of natural diamonds as demand in the U.S. and China dropped and competition from lab-grown diamonds rose, it said.

F-1 Visa students in the U.S. can’t change courses or universities in first year after new visa rules

Indian students pursuing education in the United States are set to face new restrictions as newly admitted students will no longer be able to transfer universities immediately but only after successfully completing one year of study. The rule is expected to be fully implemented within the next 30 to 60 days and will affect Indian students who generally opt for Fall admissions (in August) in the U.S. The new framework also ends the practice of obtaining multiple degrees at the same academic level, such as back-to-back master’s programmes, without leaving the U.S. and applying for a new visa.

Alert sounded in Bihar following inputs suggesting three terrorists from Pakistan have entered State

A high-security alert has been sounded across Bihar following inputs suggesting that three terrorists from Pakistan have entered the state through Nepal, an official said on Thursday (August 28, 2025). Bihar Police headquarters has issued an alert to all district police and has also issued the names and photographs of the terrorists, belonging to the banned terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed. It is suspected that all of them reached Bihar via Nepal through Araria.

‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ to conclude with a procession in Patna on Sep 1: Khera

Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera on Thursday (August 28, 2025) disclosed that Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ in Bihar will conclude on September 1 with a “huge procession” in the State capital. Mr. Khera, who heads the party’s media and publicity department, addressed a press conference at Dhaka in East Champaran district. “The Yatra has been like a religious pilgrimage in which people of all faiths are taking part. On September 1, it will conclude with a procession in which our leaders will march from Gandhi Maidan in Patna to Babasaheb Ambedkar’s statue. It will not be the end, but the beginning of a new Yatra (journey) towards protecting our democracy”, he said.

Five ISRO technologies transferred to private companies

The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has facilitated the transfer of five technologies developed by ISRO to five Indian companies. IN-SPACe, which is the single-window agency for all space sector activities of private entities, said that the transfers are aimed at driving commercialisation, strengthening self-reliance, reducing imports, and enabling wider applications of space technologies in sectors such as automotive, biomedical, and industrial manufacturing.

Ukraine conflict is ‘Modi’s war’: Trump officials continue tirade against India

A day after the U.S. imposed 25% secondary sanctions on India for buying Russian oil in addition to 25% reciprocal tariffs, the Trump administration kept up its tirade, calling the conflict in Ukraine “Modi’s war”. However, the U.S. Opposition Democratic party criticised the move, saying “singling out India” would hurt the U.S. as well. Former U.S. officials, including former Ambassador Kenneth Juster, said he hoped the situation would be resolved at the highest levels, including in a possible meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Gaza at ‘breaking point’, says United Nations food agency chief after visit

The head of the United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) warned Thursday (August 28, 2025) that famine-hit Gaza is “at breaking point”, appealing for the urgent revival of its network of 200 food distribution points. “Enough is enough,” the WFP’s executive director Cindy McCain said after visiting the besieged Palestinian territory, where Israel is pressing operations in its offensive against Hamas. “Gaza is at a breaking point. Desperation is soaring — and I saw it firsthand,” Ms. McCain said in a statement. Ms. McCain went to Khan Younis and Deir el-Balah, where she visited a nutrition clinic keeping children alive and met with displaced mothers who struggle daily to find scraps of food.

‘Nuke India’ found scribbled on Minneapolis school shooter’s gun

A shooter who opened fire at a Minneapolis Catholic School, killing two children, had ‘Nuke India’ written on one of the guns, according to video footage of the alleged arsenal used by him. The shooter, identified as Robin Westman, 23, from Minnesota, opened fire in the Annunciation Catholic School on Wednesday (August 27, 2025), killing two children aged 8 and 10 and injuring 17 people. Westman then allegedly killed himself. Video footage circulating online allegedly showed Westman displaying his ammunition, rifles and guns. ‘Nuke India’ is written in white on one of the guns.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to attend victory celebration in China

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will visit China to attend China’s victory celebration next week marking the formal surrender of Japan during World War II, North Korea’s state media KCNA said on Thursday (August 28, 2025). Mr. Kim is visiting at the invitation of China’s President Xi Jinping, KCNA said. Beijing has been one of North Korea’s traditional allies and a major economic lifeline for the isolated state, though China joined other countries like the U.S. in applying international sanctions in 2017 on Pyongyang’s nuclear program.

Pre-test for Census 2027 to be conducted in October-November

The pre-test exercise for the Population Census, 2027 will be conducted in October and November this year, the Registrar General and Census Commissioner (RG & CCI) have informed the Directorates of Census Operations (DCOs) in the States. A pre-test is required to test the efficacy of the entire exercise that will be held in two phases — Houselisting and Housing Schedule (HLO) and Population Enumeration — between April 1, 2026 and February 28, 2027

Questions in Justice Nagarathna’s dissent remain even as Justices Aradhe, Pancholi to be sworn in as Supreme Court judges on August 29

Questions raised by Justice B.V. Nagarathna in a dissent to the elevation of Justice Vipul Manubhai Pancholi to the Supreme Court remain, even as Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai is scheduled to read the oath of office to the judge and Justice Alok Aradhe on Friday (August 29, 2025).

Governor cannot act as a ‘super CM’: Tamil Nadu to Supreme Court

The State of Tamil Nadu on Thursday (August 28, 2025) countered in the Supreme Court the version of the Centre and BJP-ruled States that gubernatorial discretion is “wide”, saying a Governor cannot act as “super Chief Minister” and there cannot be “two swords in the same scabbard”.

Israel launches attack on Houthis in Yemen’s Sanaa

The Israeli military attacked the Houthi-controlled capital of Yemen on Thursday (August 28, 2025), four days after a deadly round of bombings against the Iran-backed group, both Israel and the rebels said. Israeli forces “struck a Houthi terrorist regime military target in the area of Sanaa”, the military said in a statement.

Indian players to assemble in Dubai on September 4 ahead of Asia Cup

The 15-member Indian squad led by Suryakumar Yadav will assemble in Dubai on September 4 for the Asia Cup, which begins on September 9. In a departure from the usually laid out convention, players will reach Dubai in a staggered manner from their respective locations unlike on other occasions when the team would first assemble in Mumbai before departure.

Jammu and Kashmir High Court grants U.T. government 20 days to submit final stand on Gulmarg lease issue

The Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Thursday (August 29, 2025) granted 20 days to the Union Territory government to submit its final stand on the Gulmarg lease issue, in the wake of the Raj Bhawan and the Chief Minister’s office taking two separate positions. Dozens of hoteliers are unable to extend their lease period after the Lt.-Governor’s administration replaced the rules for lease with a new one in 2022.