1. Parliament Passes Bill to Rename Kerala as \u2018Keralam\u2019
\nThe Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, after the Lok Sabha had cleared it earlier. The legislation proposes changing the state\u2019s official name from Kerala to Keralam.<\/p>\n
2. FCRA Amendment Bill Referred to Joint Parliamentary Committee
\nThe government proposed sending the contentious Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, to a 31-member Joint Parliamentary Committee for detailed examination. The move came amid strong Opposition protests in Parliament.<\/p>\n
3. Centre Blocks 3,718 Mobile Apps Over Cyber Fraud Concerns
\nThe government told Lok Sabha that 3,718 mobile applications, including fraudulent loan apps, had been blocked. Authorities have also blocked more than 15.75 lakh SIM cards and 5.77 lakh IMEIs linked to suspected cybercrime.<\/p>\n
4. Six Killed in Mumbai Kurla Landslide Amid Heavy Rain
\nA landslide struck the Gaushiya Chawl area of Kurla early Wednesday morning, killing six people and leaving several others feared trapped. Rescue operations continued as heavy rain affected parts of Mumbai.<\/p>\n
5. Mumbai High-Rise Fire Claims Two Lives
\nA fire on the 11th floor of a residential building in Vile Parle claimed the lives of a 23-year-old woman and a 2.5-year-old child. Six others, including a firefighter, were injured.<\/p>\n
6. Jharkhand Student Protests Intensify Over Recruitment Exams
\nStudent protests continued in Jharkhand over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the JPSC and JSSC. Student leaders warned of a wider movement if their demands are not addressed.<\/p>\n
7. Maharashtra Makes Marathi Knowledge Mandatory for Commercial Drivers
\nThe Maharashtra government announced that practical knowledge of Marathi will be mandatory for drivers and permit holders of auto-rickshaws, taxis and app-based cabs. Non-compliance could eventually lead to licence cancellation.<\/p>\n
8. SIA Raids Nine Locations in 1990 Kashmiri Pandit Murder Case
\nThe State Investigation Agency conducted simultaneous searches at nine locations in Jammu and Kashmir as part of a renewed investigation into the 1990 abduction and killing of Kashmiri Pandit poet-scholar Sarwanand Koul Premi and his son.<\/p>\n
9. PM Modi Releases Ram Nath Kovind\u2019s Autobiography
\nPrime Minister Narendra Modi released former President Ram Nath Kovind\u2019s autobiography, Triumph of the Indian Republic: My Life, My Struggles, at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi. The book traces Kovind\u2019s journey through public service and the presidency.<\/p>\n
10. Rain Alert Continues Across Several Parts of India<\/p>\n
The IMD continued to monitor monsoon activity, with Delhi-NCR expected to receive light rain or drizzle through August 17. Mumbai, Thane, Palghar and Raigad also remained under weather alerts following heavy rainfall and landslides.<\/p>\n
1. Total Solar Eclipse Sweeps Across Northern Hemisphere
\nThe only total solar eclipse of 2026 occurred on Wednesday, with the path of totality crossing areas including Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia and Spain. The spectacular event drew large crowds of skywatchers. The eclipse was not visible from India.<\/p>\n
2. Ukraine Sends Proposals to US for Ending Russia War
\nUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv has submitted proposals to US negotiators aimed at finding a path towards ending the war with Russia. Diplomatic efforts continue amid the ongoing conflict.<\/p>\n
3. US-Iran Ceasefire Extension Talks Remain Elusive
\nA senior Iranian official said Iran and the United States were not currently discussing an extension of their interim ceasefire arrangement, adding uncertainty to diplomatic efforts between the two countries.<\/p>\n
4. Ferry Fire in Indonesia Leaves One Dead, 172 Rescued
\nOne person died and 172 others were rescued after a ferry caught fire in Indonesian waters. Authorities are examining the circumstances surrounding the incident, including concerns over the number of people aboard.<\/p>\n