Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated India's 7.8% Q1 GDP growth, calling it proof that "Bharat has performed beyond every expectation and estimate" despite global economic challenges. Speaking at Semicon India 2025 inauguration, Modi criticized worldwide "economic selfishness" while highlighting India's broad-based growth across all sectors. He expressed confidence in achieving third-largest economy status and emphasized semiconductor sector progress, describing chips as "digital diamonds" compared to oil's "black gold." Modi outlined India's semiconductor journey from 2021 program launch to five additional projects cleared in 2025. The remarks came after his Japan-China visits, with Trump administration simultaneously proposing 200% tariffs on imported medicines, potentially affecting India's pharmaceutical exports worth billions.

An Air India flight from Delhi to Indore made an emergency landing on August 31 after a fire warning in its right engine. Pilots declared a Mayday, and Delhi airport authorities announced a full emergency. Fire and rescue teams were on standby as the A320neo returned safely after 30 minutes in the air. Over 90 passengers and crew were unharmed and later boarded another aircraft. The affected plane has been grounded for checks, and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has been informed. Air India confirmed the flight landed safely, following standard safety procedures. (PC: PTI)

The Bombay High Court on Monday directed activist Manoj Jarange Patil and his supporters to vacate Mumbai roads by Tuesday. The Maratha quota protest, now in its fourth day at Azad Maidan, has paralysed traffic across south Mumbai. Thousands of protesters blocked key routes near CSMT, Fort, Churchgate, and Mantralaya, causing massive jams and road closures. Jarange is demanding a 10 per cent quota for Marathas and has vowed not to leave the city until it is granted. The court said only 5,000 protesters can remain at the site and will review compliance with its order on Tuesday. (PC: India Today)

The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a plea challenging the Centre’s Ethanol Blending Programme that mandates E20 petrol. The petitioner argued older vehicles cannot run efficiently on E20 and sought an option for ethanol-free petrol. Senior advocate Shadan Farasat said E20 cuts fuel efficiency by six per cent. Attorney General R Venkataramani opposed the plea, saying, “Will people outside the country dictate what kind of fuel India should use?” He added the policy helps farmers and saves foreign exchange. Road minister Nitin Gadkari also denied claims of mileage loss, blaming misinformation spread by petroleum lobbies. (PC: Pixabay/Representative Image)

The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a plea challenging the rollout of E20 petrol, which has 20% ethanol mixed with petrol. A bench led by Chief Justice BR Gavai heard the petition that sought an option of ethanol-free petrol for older vehicles. The petitioner argued that E20 lowers fuel efficiency and damages cars made before 2023. However, Attorney General R Venkataramani defended the policy, saying it helps farmers and saves foreign exchange. He asked, “Will people outside the country dictate what kind of fuel India should use?” The court dismissed the case. (PC: HT)

The West Bengal Urdu Academy has cancelled its four-day literary festival after protests from Islamist groups against poet-lyricist Javed Akhtar. Akhtar, invited as chief guest for a mushaira in Kolkata, was accused of “speaking against religion and God” by Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind and Wahyahin Foundation. Both groups threatened protests if the invitation was not withdrawn. Officials cited “unavoidable circumstances” for cancellation, but sources said the government feared unrest before the 2026 Assembly elections. Activists called the decision a blow to free speech. Akhtar, who identifies as an atheist and cultural Muslim, was to headline discussions on Urdu in Indian cinema. (PC: India Today)

Mobile Premier League (MPL) will cut around 300 of its 500 India staff after the government banned paid online games. The layoffs will affect teams in marketing, finance, operations, engineering, and legal. CEO Sai Srinivas told employees, “With a heavy heart we have decided that we will be downsizing our India team significantly.” He said the company will support those impacted. MPL earned about $100 million from India last year but will now focus on free-to-play games and growth in the US. Rivals like Dream11 have also stopped fantasy cricket after the ban. (PC: HT)

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has expressed "grave concern" over inadequate women's representation in India's higher judiciary. The association highlighted that no woman judge has been appointed to the Supreme Court since 2021, leaving only one woman currently serving on the Bench. SCBA noted with "strong disappointment" that recent Supreme Court appointments excluded women from both the Bar and Bench. This development underscores ongoing gender disparity challenges in India's judicial system, where women remain significantly underrepresented at the highest levels despite constitutional commitments to equality. The Bar association's public statement reflects growing pressure on the judicial appointment system to address systemic gender imbalances and ensure diverse representation in the country's apex court. (PC: Wikipedia)

Despite a statewide ban on riverbed mining, illegal extraction continues unabated in Himachal Pradesh’s Chakki and Mand regions. Heavy machinery like JCBs is being used at night in Nurpur, Indora, and Fatehpur subdivisions, particularly around the Chakki, Beas, and Chhonchh rivers. Local MLAs, including Bhiwani Pathania and Malinder Rajan, raised the issue in the state assembly, warning of severe environmental degradation and riverbank damage. They demanded strict FIRs against violators, the declaration of Mand as a no-mining zone, and a 3.5 km no-mining stretch downstream of the Beas, urging stronger enforcement measures.  

Supreme Court Judge Justice Vikram Nath, who led the bench that recently revised India’s controversial stray dog order, humorously said he is “thankful to the stray dogs for making me known across the country and globally.” Speaking at a human–wildlife conflict conference in Thiruvananthapuram, he revealed he even received “blessings” from dog lovers. On August 22, his bench overturned an earlier directive mandating permanent sheltering of stray dogs. Instead, it ruled that sterilized and vaccinated dogs should return to their localities, with separate feeding zones, balancing public safety and animal rights. (PC: X)