Cricketer Rinku Singh has been removed as the state icon of Uttar Pradesh’s SVEEP program due to concerns over political neutrality. The Election Commission of India made the decision after Singh’s engagement to Samajwadi Party MP Priya Saroj. Authorities are removing all promotional materials featuring Singh to maintain impartiality in voter awareness campaigns.
Lieutenant General Pushpendra Singh, a veteran with 35 years of service, has assumed the role of Vice Chief of the Army Staff. He was commissioned into the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) in 1987 and has participated in key operations, including ‘Operation Pawan’ in Sri Lanka, where he demonstrated exceptional leadership.
Telangana’s Chief Minister, A Revanth Reddy, is facing backlash after criticizing young journalists for lacking respect and etiquette at an event. His remarks sparked outrage, with press associations demanding clarification. Simultaneously, Reddy criticized political parties for owning media outlets and addressed concerns about social media misinformation.
Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda has strongly condemned US President Donald Trump’s recent remarks describing India’s economy as “dead,” calling them baseless and ill-tempered. Gowda praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for standing firm against US pressure and prioritizing India’s national interests. He defended India’s economic performance and criticized opposition leaders echoing Trump’s sentiments.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has strongly refuted Rahul Gandhi’s allegations of electoral misconduct, labeling them as “wild” and unsubstantiated. The ECI stated that Gandhi has not engaged with the commission despite repeated attempts at communication. Gandhi accused the ECI of complicity in “vote theft” and working for the BJP, threatening to expose their alleged actions.
The Election Commission refuted Rahul Gandhi’s claims of electoral manipulation in Karnataka, asserting neutrality. Prajwal Revanna was convicted of raping a domestic help. India is reassessing trade and defense strategies after the US imposed tariffs, potentially impacting the F-35 jet deal. Bihar released draft electoral rolls, allowing claims until September 1.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has dismissed suggestions of strained India-Russia relations following criticism from US President Donald Trump regarding their economic and strategic ties. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized that India’s bilateral relationships are independent and based on national interests, highlighting the time-tested partnership with Russia and defense cooperation guided by security needs.
In 2025, Kerala grappled with three Nipah virus infections across Malappuram and Palakkad, prompting the tracing of 677 contacts, according to Minister Jadhav. Control measures were swiftly initiated to contain the outbreaks. The infection, a zoonotic disease primarily affecting pigs and humans, sees transmission from fruit bats.