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Delhi CM Rekha Gupta faced an attack during a Jan Sunwai at her Civil Lines office by Rajkot native Sakaria Rajeshbhai Khimjibhai, who slapped, pushed, and pulled her hair before being restrained. Delhi Police tightened her security, barring direct public access. Khimji, booked for attempted murder, is under probe for possible conspiracy.
Heavy rains in upper regions have raised the flood level of the Godavari River at Dhavaleswaram barrage in AP’s East Godavari district. Authorities have issued the first danger alert as water levels reached 11.75 feet. All 175 crest gates are being lifted, releasing nearly 1 million cusecs of water downstream to manage the surge.
External Affairs Minister Jaishankar will meet Russian FM Sergey Lavrov today in Moscow to boost the “special strategic partnership.” Talks will span trade in national currencies, energy, defence, and culture, while addressing Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Asia-Pacific security. Both nations reaffirm multipolar cooperation, mutual trust, and deeper global engagement.
Nikki Haley urged treating India as a “prized democratic partner” to counter China, warning that undoing 25 years of progress would be a “strategic disaster.” She highlighted India’s manufacturing potential, defence strength, and Middle East role, calling US-India partnership a “no-brainer” against China’s dominance and global ambitions.
5 schools in Delhi, including Prasad Nagar and Dwarka Sector 5, received bomb threats today, triggering panic. Delhi Police and Fire Department teams rushed to the sites and conducted thorough inspections. Authorities later confirmed that nothing suspicious was found, easing tensions after the alerts sparked concern among parents and students.
Chhattisgarh CM Vishnudev Sai expanded his cabinet to 14 ministers, inducting Gajendra Yadav, Guru Khuswant Saheb, and Rajesh Agarwal. Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel called it unconstitutional, questioning Centre’s approval and accusing BJP of breaking norms. BJP defended the move, citing the 15% rule with 90 MLAs, similar to Haryana’s model.
Schools in Gautam Buddh Nagar will stay closed today, August 21, on account of the Guru Dronacharya Mela at Dankaur, aimed at easing traffic and ensuring student safety. The annual event commemorates Mahabharata’s Guru Dronacharya. Schools will also remain shut on August 26 for Onam and August 27 for Ganesh Chaturthi, resuming classes afterward.
The US sanctioned four ICC judges and prosecutors, including France’s Nicolas Guillou and Canada’s Kimberly Prost, over actions against Israel. Secretary of State Marco Rubio labeled the court a “national security threat.” Sanctions block assets and bar entry, also targeting prosecutors from Fiji and Senegal for backing warrants against Israeli leaders.
A plea in the Supreme Court seeks a special investigation team led by a former judge to probe Rahul Gandhi’s vote theft allegations of electoral roll manipulation. Filed by advocate Rohit Pandey, it cites Gandhi’s August 7 claims of “criminal fraud” involving BJP and EC, and requests independent audits, transparency, and machine-readable voter rolls.
Bernie Sanders has backed President Trump’s plan to convert federal chipmaker grants into government equity stakes, marking rare support. The policy, affecting firms like Intel with $10.9 billion in grants, stems from the 2022 Chips Act. Sanders said taxpayers deserve returns, noting it mirrors an earlier amendment he and Elizabeth Warren had proposed.
Israel will call up 60,000 additional reservists, nearly doubling troop numbers in Gaza to 120,000, signaling a wider offensive despite ceasefire talks mediated by Qatar and Egypt. Netanyahu approved expanding operations into Gaza City to target Hamas strongholds, drawing criticism as the UN warns of starvation and mass Palestinian displacement.
India faces growing US pressure over Russian oil imports, but Russia’s envoy calls it “unjustified”. Despite Western sanctions, India defends its energy choices as market-driven. Russia’s oil share surged from 1.7% to 35.1%. Diplomatic tensions rise as Washington imposes steep tariffs, yet India maintains trust in its strategic ties with Moscow.
Opposition MPs slammed the BJP’s proposed bill allowing arrest of senior officials, including the PM, for 30 days without trial on serious charges, calling it “draconian” and “unconstitutional.” Citing Arvind Kejriwal’s 2024 arrest, they warned it could legalize political targeting, destabilize opposition governments, and favor ruling parties, risking a ̶...
The NIA conducted raids at 9 Tamil Nadu locations, including Dindigul, Tenkasi, and Kodaikanal, in the 2019 murder of PMK functionary Ramalingam. One arrest was made, Imthathullah, for allegedly sheltering absconding offenders linked to the case. The probe, taken over by NIA in 2019, involves PFI members. Several arrests and ongoing searches continue.
A two-day Group of Ministers meeting on GST overhaul begins in New Delhi, with FM Nirmala Sitharaman addressing the panel at 2 PM. The Centre proposes a simplified two-slab system of 5% and 18%, a 40% rate for select demerit goods, and reduced GST on health and life insurance. GoM recommendations will go to the GST […]