Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday condemned the use of force against protesting students in Jharkhand, calling for dialogue to resolve their grievances. His remarks came as thousands of JPSC-JSSC aspirants marched towards the Jharkhand Assembly in Ranchi over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations. Police used water cannons, tear gas and lathi-charge after protesters breached barricades, with several protesters claiming injuries. Gandhi said students have a right to peaceful protest and urged the Jharkhand government to continue hearing them out and resolve their issues immediately. The students’ agitation has continued for weeks, with protesters demanding action over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations.

The United States has expanded an existing immigration fee that will increase employment-related visa costs for some H-1B and L-1 petitions, affecting many Indian professionals working there. The Department of Homeland Security has extended the 9-11 Response and Biometric Entry-Exit Fee to certain extension-of-stay petitions, including cases where workers continue with the same employer. The charge is $4,000 for H-1B petitions and $4,500 for L-1 petitions and is imposed on the petitioning employer, not directly on the employee. The rule applies only to employers that meet specified criteria under existing immigration law, meaning not every company or visa holder will be affected by the expanded fee. (PC: India Today)

India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Dhaka, with the talks described as “positive” amid tensions over former PM Sheikh Hasina’s stay in India. According to Bangladesh’s PMO, Hasina’s extradition and the return of murder suspect Osman Hadi were among the issues discussed. Bangladesh urged India to expedite Hasina’s extradition. Trivedi said both countries have issues but share a common interest in good relations, adding that no issue is beyond dialogue. He conveyed New Delhi’s intent to work with Dhaka in a “positive, constructive, and forward-looking” manner. Trivedi is returning to Delhi to brief the PMO and foreign ministry and also met Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed. (PC: NDTV)

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for dialogue to address grievances raised by protesters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), while warning that attempts to create chaos or anarchy will not be tolerated. Sharif said the government remains open to talks with the Awami Action Committee (JAAC) and stressed that issues should be resolved through discussion. He expressed hope that dialogue would continue under the new government. At the same time, Sharif said those seeking peaceful discussions would be given an opportunity to present their concerns with patience and tolerance, while those attempting to disturb peace would face a different approach. His remarks come amid continuing concerns and demands raised by protesters in PoK. (PC: Reuters)

Jharkhand CID on Monday arrested former JPSC chairperson L Khiangte over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations, amid an ongoing student protest in Ranchi. Khiangte, who resigned on July 22, had been summoned for questioning on August 5. The arrest came a day after the state government accepted most student demands, including a judicial inquiry headed by a retired judge. The government said the Enforcement Directorate would probe if financial irregularities were found, but students continued demanding a CBI investigation. Meanwhile, the ED has begun a money-laundering probe into alleged irregularities, including the JSSC-CGL examination, based on an FIR filed by the CID. Thousands protesting outside the Assembly faced police lathicharge and tear gas. (PC: The Statesman)

The pilot of an Air India Phuket-Delhi flight reported multiple technical failures after the aircraft suddenly lost around 300 feet during severe turbulence on August 4. Sources said all three hydraulic systems and flight controls disconnected at the same time. The autopilot also switched off, while warnings showed a risk of altitude loss. The pilot took manual control and stabilised the aircraft without automated assistance. The flight faced four to five minutes of strong turbulence. At least 17 people, including four crew members, were injured. Some suffered neck and spinal injuries. Air India has reportedly contacted Airbus over the technical problems.

Russian cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station sent Independence Day wishes to India while holding the Indian tricolour. They wished Indians peace and prosperity and highlighted the long friendship between India and Russia in space exploration. The cosmonauts recalled the launch of Aryabhata, India’s first satellite, by the Soviet Union in 1975. They also mentioned Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian to travel to space in 1984. The message highlighted new cooperation through India’s Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme. Indian astronauts have trained in Russia for the mission. The cosmonauts ended their message by wishing continued success for India.

A powerful earthquake struck Colombia on Monday, with the US Geological Survey initially measuring it at magnitude 7.4. The quake occurred at 12:34 UTC, around 7:34 am local time, about 5 km east of San Jose del Palmar in Choco department, at a depth of roughly 107 km. The US Tsunami Warning System measured the earthquake at magnitude 7.1 and said there was no tsunami warning. Tremors were felt across several parts of Colombia, including areas far from the epicentre, with early reports indicating shaking also reached areas toward the Venezuela border. Choco Governor Nubia Carolina Cordoba-Curi said the earthquake caused injuries and significant damage to buildings. Evacuations were reported in Medellin, Bogota and Cali.

Bangladesh has urged India to speed up the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The request came during Indian envoy Dinesh Trivedi’s meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Dhaka on Monday. Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman said Dhaka hopes India will respond positively. Hasina has been living in India since fleeing Bangladesh in August 2024. Bangladesh also asked India to hand over two nationals arrested in West Bengal over the killing of politician Sharif Osman Hadi. Trivedi said India and Bangladesh can resolve all issues through talks. He said both countries want good relations and should focus on the future.

Delhi has brought in “monkey whisperers” and new anti-bird measures ahead of the BWF World Championships at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium. A four-member team will keep monkeys away by copying langur warning calls. Organisers are also working to stop pigeons from entering the stadium. Vents and other entry points have been sealed. A non-toxic gel used by the Railways has been applied to stop birds from nesting. Ten machines that produce predator bird sounds have also been installed. The stadium has also upgraded 80 toilets and refurbished locker rooms. The tournament will begin on January 17.