Divya Bharti

BRICS leaders agreed on the New Delhi Declaration following overnight negotiations lasting until 4 AM. Led by India, the consensus addresses the Gaza crisis, strongly condemns the 2025 Jammu and Kashmir terror attack, and prioritises local-currency trade, global institutional reforms, and AI governance.

The AI-powered Meta smart glasses face growing criticism after reports revealed Kenyan contractors reviewed intimate footage for AI training. Meanwhile, rising incidents of covert street recordings highlight systemic risks to bystander consent and public privacy.

Yogesh Sonkesariya, a professor at Bharti Agriculture College in Durg, received the question paper in a sealed envelope on 17th August. Instead of opening the envelope, Sonkesariya made a very small hole at the bottom of it. He then inserted an endoscopic camera through the opening and used it to capture images of the question paper inside.

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has advised over 11,000 food outlets to stream live kitchen CCTV footage to customers following widespread hygiene violations. The crackdown aligns with interstate food safety raids and a fatal food poisoning incident in Gujarat.

Following a 24-day agitation, the Jharkhand government cancelled the JSSC-CGL exam and ordered a CID probe into recruitment irregularities since 2014. However, protesting students have refused to call off their demonstration, demanding an independent investigation by the CBI.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has urged Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren to meet students protesting over JPSC and JSSC recruitment exam irregularities. The intervention follows heavy police deployment, action against journalists, and the deteriorating health of hunger-striking leader Devendra Nath Mahato.

While drawing a comparison with the ancient reference to ‘Sapta Sindhu’, or the seven rivers, Modi said India now needs a new set of streams of strength to take the country forward.

Pro-Kannada groups called a 12-hour bandh in Karnataka on 13th August against releasing Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. Police detained several protesters near the border, while essential services, schools, and public transport ensured life remained largely normal in Bengaluru.

The Himachal Pradesh government has imposed a 60 paise per litre ‘Widow and Orphan Cess’ on petrol and diesel to fund welfare schemes. Charged at the first point of sale, the new levy highlights the cash-strapped state's growing reliance on additional public taxes.

The RBI is launching trials for polymer ₹10 and ₹20 notes to improve durability and security. While more expensive initially, these plastic banknotes last longer, reduce replacement costs, and will circulate alongside existing paper currency.