The Hindu Morning Digest: August 20, 2025
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to introduce three bills in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday (August 20, 2025) to provide legal framework for removal of the Prime Minister, Union Ministers, Chief Ministers and Ministers in States and union territories who are 'arrested and detained in custody on account of serious criminal charges.'
Nearly 800 rescued as two Mumbai monorails halt midway amid heavy rains, CM Fadnavis promises inquiry
Chaos prevailed on Tuesday (August 19, 2025) evening after two separate incidents of Mumbai Monorail breakdowns left 782 passengers stranded mid-air, triggering massive rescue operations by the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB), police and emergency services. Emergency response teams including MFB, Police, Monorail staff, and 108 ambulance services were mobilised at both sites.
Centre to introduce law to prohibit real money gaming firms, official says
The Union Cabinet on Tuesday (August 19, 2025) approved a Bill to effectively prohibit real money games (RMGs) online, a multi-billion dollar industry that counts fantasy sports platforms such as Dream11 and card game apps, including PokerBaazi. The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 is now headed to Parliament and is likely to be tabled on Wednesday.
'Important opportunity' faces India, China, says Foreign Minister Wang Yi
Striking a note of reconciliation, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday (August 19, 2025) that the bilateral relationship between India and China is facing an 'important opportunity'. Speaking at the 24th meeting between the Special Representatives on the India-China boundary question, Mr. Wang indirectly referred to the negative impact of the 2020 Galwan clashes and said, the 'setbacks' of the recent past did not advance the 'interest of the people' of both countries.
Presidential Reference Bench says Supreme Court stepped in to resolve an 'egregious situation' in Tamil Nadu Governor case
A Presidential Reference Bench of five judges headed by Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai observed on Tuesday (August 19, 2025) that the Supreme Court's move to grant deemed assent to 10 crucial Tamil Nadu State Bills may have been a way to resolve an 'egregious situation' created by the Tamil Nadu Governor who had been sitting over them since 2020.
After CSDS psephologist deletes X post, BJP accuses Congress of making 'baseless claims' on voter fraud
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday (August 19, 2025) accused the Congress of making 'baseless' claims about 'vote theft' and targeting the Election Commission of India in 'collusion' with a Delhi-based think tank. This came after Sanjay Kumar, a psephologist and a professor with the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), who had shared voter data from two Maharashtra Assembly seats related to last year's State election in a post on X on Sunday (August 17, 2025), subsequently deleted his post on Tuesday (August 19, 2025), apologising for posting erroneous data.
Israel demands release of all hostages after Hamas backs new truce offer
A senior Israeli official on Tuesday (August 19, 2025) said the government stood firm on its call for the release of all hostages in any future Gaza deal, after Hamas accepted a new truce proposal. Mediators are awaiting an official Israeli response to the plan, a day after Hamas signalled its readiness for a fresh round of talks aimed at ending nearly two years of war.
Cabinet panel on security clears project to procure 97 LCA Mark 1A fighter jets for IAF
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday (August 19, 2025) approved the procurement of 97 LCA Mark 1A fighter aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF). A senior defence official confirmed that the project had been cleared by the CCS, calling it a major boost to the government's Make in India initiative. The aircraft will be manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
Operation Sindoor lessons now part of NCERT syllabus
Over three months after the Pahalgam killings and subsequent military conflict between India and Pakistan, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has introduced two new modules on 'Operation Sindoor — A saga of valour' for Classes 3 to 8 and 'Operation Sindoor — A mission of honour and bravery,' for Classes 9 to 12.
Death toll from northern Pakistan monsoon floods rises to almost 400
Rescuers and residents resumed searching on Tuesday for survivors as the death toll from five days of torrential rain rose to almost 400, with authorities warning monsoon downpours would continue until the weekend. Torrential rains across Pakistan's north have caused flooding and landslides that have swept away entire villages, leaving many residents trapped in the rubble and scores missing.
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