The historic Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, commenced its grand Kumbabishekam (consecration ceremony) after extensive renovation works. This sacred ritual, performed periodically to restore the temple's spiritual energy, involves elaborate Vedic rituals, holy water sprinkling on gopurams, and prayers by thousands of priests. Lakhs of devotees gathered to witness this auspicious event. Heavy security arrangements were made, and the state government supported the ceremony. The temple, a UNESCO-recognized heritage site dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar, last held its Kumbabishekam years ago. Chief Minister and dignitaries attended. The multi-day event featured special poojas and cultural programs.

Rajnath Singh, India's Defence Minister, praised PM Narendra Modi on completing 25 years in government, spanning his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister (2001-2014) and Prime Minister (since 2014). Singh highlighted that Modi's leadership has transformed India's global standing, boosted economic growth, strengthened national security, and empowered millions through welfare schemes. He credited Modi's vision for initiatives like Digital India, Make in India, and infrastructure development, stating that Modi's journey has given the nation a new, progressive direction and inspired confidence among citizens.

A recent study revealed that hospitals are marking up commonly used medical consumables by as much as 2,841%, drastically inflating patient bills. Items like syringes, gloves, and surgical supplies, which cost minimal amounts wholesale, are being charged at exorbitant rates. This lack of pricing transparency burdens patients, especially the uninsured. Experts urge regulatory intervention to cap markups, enforce standardized pricing, and mandate billing transparency to protect patients from exploitation and reduce healthcare costs significantly.

यमन के हूती विद्रोहियों ने बड़ा ऐलान करते हुए कहा कि वे अब अमेरिकी और इजरायली जहाजों पर हमला नहीं करेंगे। हूतियों ने स्पष्ट किया कि अब उनका एकमात्र लक्ष्य सऊदी अरब है। यह बयान गाजा युद्धविराम और अमेरिका-हूती समझौते के बाद आया है। पहले हूतियों ने लाल सागर में इजरायल से जुड़े जहाजों पर फिलिस्तीनियों के समर्थन में हमले किए थे, जिससे वैश्विक व्यापार प्रभावित हुआ। अब हूती सऊदी अरब पर निशाना साध रहे हैं, क्योंकि सऊदी गठबंधन वर्षों से यमन में सैन्य अभियान चला रहा है। इससे मध्य पूर्व की भू-राजनीति में बड़ा बदलाव संभव है।

Retail investors made a notable shift in strategy during July-August, net selling Rs 5,674 crore worth of shares in the secondary market while aggressively participating in IPOs. This trend was driven by a surge in new listings offering attractive listing gains, prompting small investors to redirect funds from existing stocks to primary market opportunities. The IPO frenzy, fueled by strong market sentiment and oversubscribed issues, led to profit-booking in secondary holdings. Analysts warn this could increase market volatility as retail participation in equities becomes more speculative.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the "No Russian Oil Profiteering Act," aiming to impose tariffs of up to 100% on goods from countries that continue purchasing Russian oil above set price caps. Nations like India, China, and Turkey, major buyers of discounted Russian crude since the Ukraine invasion, could be targeted. The bill seeks to pressure these nations to reduce Russian oil imports, cutting Moscow's revenue funding the war. It now moves to the Senate for consideration.

The Supreme Court criticized the government for denying rightful benefits to disabled soldiers who suffered injuries during military service. The bench expressed displeasure over bureaucratic delays and arbitrary rejection of disability pension claims, calling it unjust treatment of those who served the nation. The court directed the government to ensure timely disbursement of pensions and benefits as per entitlement. It emphasized that soldiers' sacrifices must be honored, not met with administrative apathy, and warned against unnecessary litigation that burdens veterans seeking their due compensation.

**पीएम मोदी का 76वां जन्मदिन:**

प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी के 76वें जन्मदिन पर उनकी पर्सनल जिंदगी के दिलचस्प किस्से सामने आए। मोदी तीन चीजों से कभी समझौता नहीं करते - अनुशासन, समय की पाबंदी और देशहित। वे अपना दुख किसी से साझा नहीं करते, लेकिन करीबी लोगों के अनुसार वे अपनी मां से हर बात कहते थे। मोदी सुबह जल्दी उठते हैं, योग करते हैं और अत्यंत अनुशासित जीवन जीते हैं। वे शाकाहारी हैं और सादा जीवन पसंद करते हैं। राजनीतिक व्यस्तताओं के बावजूद वे पढ़ने-लिखने का शौक रखते हैं।

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticized the government over proposed UPI charges on transactions, calling it a burden on common people. In response, a government functionary countered his claims, revealing that Congress MPs who were part of the parliamentary standing committee had approved the recommendation to levy UPI charges. This rebuttal aimed to expose the contradiction in Rahul's stance, as his own party members reportedly endorsed the policy. The exchange sparked a political debate over digital payment fees and their impact on users.

Bollywood actress Mandakini, who rose to fame with "Ram Teri Ganga Maili" (1985), recently disclosed that she wasn't paid for 16-17 films during her career. She explained that during the 1980s, contracts in the Hindi film industry were very informal, with no written agreements or legal documentation. Producers often made verbal promises that went unfulfilled. Despite being a popular actress, Mandakini faced financial exploitation due to the lack of professional structures, highlighting the industry's exploitative practices of that era.

जम्मू-कश्मिर के ऊधमपुर जिले के पहाड़ी क्षेत्र में सुरक्षा बलों और आतंकवादियों के बीच मुठभेड़ हुई। स्थानीय लोगों और सुरक्षा एजेंसियों को इलाके में संदिग्ध आतंकियों की मौजूदगी की सूचना मिली, जिसके बाद सेना और पुलिस ने संयुक्त सर्च ऑपरेशन शुरू किया। घने जंगलों और दुर्गम पहाड़ी इलाके में तलाशी अभियान जारी है। सुरक्षा बलों ने पूरे क्षेत्र को घेरकर नाकाबंदी कर दी है ताकि आतंकी भाग न सकें। इलाके में अतिरिक्त बल तैनात किए गए हैं और नागरिकों को सतर्क रहने की सलाह दी गई है।

The Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the first time in over three years to combat surging inflation. Former President Donald Trump criticized the move, expressing frustration and asserting that the U.S. is "the best credit." He argued that rate hikes could harm the economy and burden American consumers. The Fed's decision reflected concerns over rising prices driven by supply chain issues and strong demand. Trump's comments reignited debate over central bank independence and political influence on monetary policy, as markets reacted with volatility.

Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti advised a Ladakhi delegation not to trust the Centre's verbal assurances and insisted on getting any commitments in writing. The delegation had met her to discuss concerns regarding developmental issues, constitutional safeguards, and the future of Ladakh region. Mufti emphasized that written agreements hold legal validity and protect regional interests. Her remarks reflected underlying tensions between state leadership and the central government over promises made to the people of Ladakh regarding autonomy and development.

Jammu & Kashmir MLAs from the Kashmir valley have strongly criticized the disproportionate representation of Kashmiri officers in the Union Territory's administrative cadre, alleging only 18% posts were allocated to the valley. They argue this undermines regional balance and violates principles of equitable representation. The MLAs demanded corrective measures, urging the government to ensure fair distribution of administrative positions between Jammu and Kashmir regions to maintain parity and address long-standing grievances of underrepresentation.

Heavy rainfall battered eastern Spain, causing severe flooding and widespread disruption. A woman went missing after being swept away by floodwaters, prompting emergency services to launch an urgent search operation. Rivers overflowed, roads were submerged, and homes were evacuated as torrential downpours overwhelmed drainage systems. Authorities issued red weather alerts across several regions, urging residents to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel. Schools and businesses were forced to close. Emergency crews worked tirelessly to rescue stranded individuals and restore normalcy amid the devastating conditions.