A government audit has found that all ₹3,300 crore received for the construction of the Ram Mandir has been fully accounted for, rejecting allegations of a financial scam. According to government sources, the controversy arose from errors during manual cash sorting rather than any diversion or misuse of funds. The audit reportedly verified donations, expenditure records, and financial transactions, concluding that no money was missing. Officials said the findings reinforce the transparency of the temple trust's financial management. The government has urged the public to avoid misinformation and rely on verified audit reports regarding the Ram Mandir donations. (PC: X)

Ahead of Independence Day, youth activist and Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to dedicate a portion of his August 15 address to India's youth. In a post on X, Dipke called on the Prime Minister to explain the government's plans and initiatives for young people, writing, "We request the Prime Minister to address the youth this Independence Day and tell them what steps are being taken for them." His appeal comes as anticipation builds around the Prime Minister's annual Red Fort speech, which traditionally outlines the government's priorities. The post has sparked broader discussion on employment, education, skills, opportunities and the aspirations of young Indians nationwide.

The Central Government has intensified scrutiny of Meta after Facebook briefly removed a video featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling the explanation inadequate. During meetings with Meta's global team, officials also raised concerns over the platform's handling of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), deepfakes, bots, and algorithmic accountability. The government warned that failure to comply with Indian laws could jeopardise Meta's safe harbour protection, which shields intermediaries from liability for user-generated content. Meta acknowledged operational shortcomings, apologised for the video removal, and pledged to strengthen content moderation and legal compliance in India. (PC: India Today)

Indian students recorded the sharpest decline in US student visa approvals during the 2025 admissions cycle, with F-1 visas dropping 62% year-on-year, nearly double the decline among Chinese applicants. According to the Centre for Immigration Studies (CIS), US consulates issued 22,149 F-1 visas to Indians between May and August 2025, compared with 58,694 during the same period in 2024. Chinese student visas fell 34%, from 61,075 to 40,034. The report links the decline to tighter Trump-era immigration rules that have created uncertainty around admissions and post-study work opportunities. The May-August period is the busiest season for F-1 visa processing ahead of the US academic year. (PC: India Today)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged young Indians to celebrate National Handloom Day on August 7 by creating “Get Ready With Me” (GRWM) videos featuring handloom outfits. In an Instagram Reel, he linked the day to the Swadeshi Movement launched on August 7, 1905, and called on people to recognise and support India’s weaving community. Modi said showcasing handloom products through a popular social media trend could help promote artisans’ craftsmanship globally while strengthening their livelihoods. He encouraged citizens to buy at least one handloom product, share videos online and inspire others to do the same, saying the initiative would contribute to building an Aatmanirbhar Bharat by economically empowering weaving families across India.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has reduced the deadline for social media intermediaries to remove "unlawful information" from 36 hours to three hours after receiving a valid notice from the government or a court. The revised IT Rules, amended in February, also require platforms to clearly label AI-generated content and attach traceable metadata, enabling users to identify synthetic material and reduce deception or misuse. The rules strengthen platform due diligence and user accountability by mandating awareness of legal consequences for unlawful AI-generated content. Intermediaries must also take prompt action against child sexual exploitation material, non-consensual intimate imagery, impersonation and other harmful AI-generated content. (PC: Pexel)

Indian-origin UCSB doctoral student Vikram Mubayi was found dead after going missing during a solo hiking trip in California's Big Pine Lakes area. Mubayi, a PhD student in the Department of Chemical Engineering, had travelled to the eastern Sierra Nevada over the weekend. Authorities launched a search after he failed to return as planned and stopped communicating with his family. According to the Daily Nexus, search teams later recovered his body. Officials said the case remains under investigation, but there are currently no signs of foul play. Mubayi's death has shocked the university community, with the incident drawing attention to the risks associated with solo hiking in remote mountainous terrain. (PC: r/SierraNevada)

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reportedly met Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei in a dark, tinted-window vehicle at a secret Tehran location, where he allegedly could not see him and later questioned whether the voice he heard was Khamenei's, according to Iran International. The report said the brief meeting, secured after repeated requests and resignation threats, ended without a handshake before Pezeshkian was asked to leave. However, Pezeshkian had earlier described a separate May meeting as cordial and lasting two-and-a-half hours. The report also highlighted his difficulty communicating with Khamenei, alleged policy rifts, denied follow-up meeting requests, and Khamenei's continued absence from public view for five months. (PC: NDTV)

Rail services across large parts of the UK were thrown into chaos on Wednesday after an electrical failure at a railway communications centre disrupted operations. National Rail said the outage affected routes across Greater Manchester, the Midlands and north-west England, forcing widespread cancellations, delays of up to 60 minutes, and train rescheduling. The disruption is expected to continue until the end of the day as engineers work to restore normal operations. Passengers have been advised to check the latest travel information before starting their journeys and allow extra time. The incident adds to ongoing concerns over the resilience of Britain's rail infrastructure during peak travel periods. (PC: iStock)

Panic erupted aboard a Batik Air flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kochi after a passenger allegedly smashed an emergency exit window panel and tried to open the emergency exit door mid-air. The incident occurred between 9.30 pm and 11 pm on flight OD 231. The accused, 36-year-old Jamsheer Athanikkal from Kerala's Palakkad district, reportedly threatened passengers and cabin crew before being restrained by fellow travellers. Police said there was no apparent provocation, and he later told investigators he acted because he "felt like it." After the aircraft landed safely at Kochi airport, Batik Air's security team lodged a complaint, leading to Jamsheer's arrest. (PC: The Indian Express)