Rediff

Dhruv Sheoran and Vishesh Sharma have taken the joint lead at the Telangana Golconda Masters, both carding course-record scores of 10-under 60. The duo holds a one-shot advantage after the first round of the Rs 1 crore tournament. Amardeep Malik is in solo third, one stroke behind.

Indian shuttlers Unnati Hooda and the men's doubles pair of Hariharan Amsakarunan and M R Arjun faced early exits at the China Masters Super 750 badminton tournament. Hooda lost in women's singles, while the doubles pair retired due to apparent fitness issues, marking a challenging start for the Indian contingent.

A devastating flash flood near the Nepal-Tibet border has left over 160 people dead and thousands missing, including nearly 300 Indian tourists and pilgrims. The disaster, caused by an avalanche blocking a river, prompted the Indian Embassy and Nepal Tourism Board to issue emergency helplines for assistance and rescue efforts.

Over 130 Indian nationals, including Kailash Manasarovar Yatra pilgrims and tourists, are missing or stranded in Nepal following devastating flash floods that have cut off central districts and disrupted communication links. Indian states and the embassy in Kathmandu have launched helplines to assist those affected.

India and China have agreed to advance discussions on an Early and Substantial Harvest of boundary delimitation and border management during the 25th round of Special Representatives talks between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing. Both sides reached an eight-point consensus, committing to the 2005 Agreement on Political Parameters and Guiding Principles for Settlement. Key outcomes include enhancing border management, improving understanding of

'This government is in the very bad habit of doing so again and again. It has done so many times.'

The rules require nuclear plant operators to maintain an insurance policy, financial security or a combination of both to cover civil liability for nuclear damage.

A 30-year-old pregnant woman in Gujarat's Banaskantha district has accused four men, including three brothers and their uncle, of repeatedly raping her and forcing her to convert to their religion. A case has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act, but no arrests have been made yet. The woman alleges a history of abuse, blackmail, and threats against her and her daughters.

A 30-year-old Assistant Section Officer in the Ministry of Defence died by suicide in Dwarka, Delhi. Her parents have subsequently alleged mental and physical harassment by her husband and in-laws, leading to an FIR being registered and an ongoing police investigation.

The Indian government has clarified that consumers will not be charged for UPI transactions, and most merchant transactions will also remain free. This comes amidst speculation following an amendment to the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007. Any future merchant discount rate (MDR) would be nominal, threshold-based, and aimed at ensuring UPI's long-term sustainability and infrastructure development.

The Bangalore Hotels Association (BHA) on Wednesday warned that hotels affiliated to it and other hospitality bodies in the city would suspend business with online food delivery platform Swiggy from August 15 if the company failed to resolve longstanding issues relating to payment transparency, unauthorised deductions and advertising charges.