A 20-year-old Indian national, Varun Batchigari, was arrested in Berlin, Germany, on August 9 over the alleged murder of his 19-year-old girlfriend, University of Arizona student Julissa Rubi Salazar, in Tucson. Salazar was found unresponsive with signs of trauma in her apartment on August 6 after her family requested a welfare check. Police identified Varun as the main suspect and allege he strangled Salazar, took her phone and credit cards, and impersonated her in messages to her mother before fleeing the US. He travelled from Tucson to Houston and then Berlin, reportedly possibly intending to return to India. US authorities issued an arrest warrant and expect his extradition to Arizona, where he faces a first-degree murder charge. (PC: India Today)

Senior IAS officer Deepti Gaur Mukerjee has been appointed as the new Secretary of the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education, as part of a top-level bureaucratic reshuffle approved by the Centre. A 1993-batch IAS officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre, Mukerjee was serving as Corporate Affairs Secretary before the appointment. She succeeds Vineet Joshi, who was appointed Secretary of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj last month. The appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) through a modification of its earlier order. Mukerjee’s appointment comes amid heightened scrutiny of the higher education system following the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) paper leak controversy. (PC: NDTV Profit)

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the state will approach the Centre within two months to seek a reduction in Kaziranga National Park’s Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) from the default 10-km limit to 1 km. Sarma said the 10-km buffer automatically came into effect because Kaziranga has not received its final notification, restricting infrastructure and urban development in areas including Bokakhat. He said a scientifically based 1-km ESZ would ease restrictions on projects such as a proposed modern stadium and town infrastructure upgrades. Sarma argued the move would balance conservation with development and reduce difficulties faced by residents. The proposal comes amid an ongoing debate over Assam’s conservation policies and ecological connectivity. (PC: Bout India)

A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia early Monday, killing at least 111 people and injuring 87 others, President Abelardo De La Espriella said. More than 61 buildings collapsed, with several people still trapped under the rubble. The Colombian government declared a national state of emergency following the disaster, which caused widespread damage across the country. The US Geological Survey said the earthquake struck at 12:34 UTC, around 7:34 am local time, approximately 5 km east of San Jose del Palmar in Colombia’s Choco department. The quake occurred at a depth of about 107 km. Choco Governor Nubia Carolina Cordoba-Curi reported injuries and significant damage to buildings.

The US will expand visa fees for certain H-1B and L-1 extensions from September 9. Employers will pay $4,000 for each qualifying H-1B petition and $4,500 for an L-1 petition. The rule could affect major Indian IT companies that employ thousands of Indian professionals in the US. It applies to firms with at least 50 US employees, where over half the workforce holds H-1B or L-1 visas. Routine extensions were earlier generally exempt from this fee. The higher costs could make companies reconsider long-term assignments for Indian workers. Employers, not visa holders, will pay the additional fee.

Gujarat Police seized a large consignment of explosives from a Bolero on the Rajkot-Gondal Highway, days before Independence Day. The Rajkot Crime Branch recovered 12,000 gelatin sticks weighing 1,500 kg, 4,000 detonators and 30 bundles of blasting wire. The material was being transported without the required licence or documents, police said. The vehicle’s driver, identified as Dola Mir, was arrested. During questioning, he allegedly named a supplier and a person who was supposed to receive the explosives. Both are currently absconding. Police said the explosives were allegedly meant for mining work. The Crime Branch is investigating their source and intended use.

The world’s oceans recorded their hottest July temperatures ever, according to the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. Average sea surface temperatures reached 20.96°C outside polar regions. This was higher than the previous July record of 20.89°C set in 2023. Scientists said developing El Niño conditions in the Pacific are helping push temperatures higher. Western Europe also faced record heat, drought and severe wildfires. Warmer oceans can raise sea levels and fuel stronger marine heatwaves. They can also increase moisture in the air and worsen storms and heavy rain. Scientists warned that human-caused global warming is making extreme heat more frequent and severe. (PC: Getty Images)

A record 230 migrants crossed the English Channel in a single small boat and reached the UK early Monday, Sky News reported. It is the largest number recorded on one boat. The previous record was 165 people, set last month. So far this year, 15,049 people have crossed the Channel in 224 small boats. However, arrivals are down 42% compared with the same period in 2025. The UK Home Office said criminal gangs were putting lives at risk by overcrowding unsafe boats. The government said it is working with France to increase patrols and prevent crossings along French beaches. (PC: SNSM Berck sur Mer)

Union Minister JP Nadda on Monday denied claims that police opened fire at protesting students at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. He accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of misleading people and disrupting Parliament. Nadda said the firing claim was false and called for a proper discussion on the issue. He said Home Minister Amit Shah was ready to answer questions from the Opposition. Nadda also alleged that Congress was avoiding discussions on issues such as electoral roll revision and inflation. He accused Rahul Gandhi of changing his demands and creating confrontation. Nadda also questioned Congress’ response to student protests in Jharkhand and alleged double standards. (PC: PTI)

US President Donald Trump has rejected Iran’s demand for $300 billion in compensation for damage caused by US and Israeli strikes. Trump said Iran should instead pay for people killed or injured in attacks linked to Tehran. He said the issue would be raised in future talks. Iran has also demanded the release of up to $100 billion in frozen assets and an end to sanctions. Tehran has linked these demands to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said the waterway would remain closed until Washington accepts its conditions. The dispute continues to affect shipping and global markets. (PC: AFP)