A 45-year-old woman in Mysuru, Nageshwari, died by suicide, leaving a note detailing severe mental harassment by her supervisor at a local supermarket. The note alleges denial of weekly offs, forced admissions of others’ errors, and abrupt dismissal after illness. Her husband found her, and police are now investigating the serious allegations of workplace abuse. This tragic incident highlights critical issues in employee welfare.

A 28-year-old woman from Nagpur faced a harrowing ordeal after a Pune-based firm promised her a high-paying job in Portugal. She was allegedly trafficked, sold to a beer shop owner, and extorted of Rs 11 lakh. After enduring severe torture, she managed to escape and return to India, prompting a police investigation into the human trafficking and fraud ring.

The Indian government has clarified that Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions will remain free for users. However, a nominal Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) could be introduced for a limited set of merchant transactions above a certain threshold in the future. This move aims to ensure UPI’s long-term sustainability and technological advancement, despite political opposition.

A tragic incident in Bengaluru sees a 24-year-old man arrested for allegedly strangling his wife, Reema Kumari, just ten months after their love marriage. Dhiraj Kumar reportedly confessed to the crime, citing domestic disputes stemming from his wife’s alleged mobile addiction and reel-making, leading to a fatal confrontation. He fled to Bihar before being apprehended.

The Narendra Modi government is reportedly planning a special Parliament session soon after the Monsoon Session to advance the Delimitation Bill and the Women’s Reservation Amendment Bill. Despite previous setbacks, the Centre is actively working to secure the two-thirds majority required for these crucial constitutional amendments, facing political complexities.

India and Myanmar are reportedly discussing a territorial exchange to settle an undemarcated section of their shared border in Manipur. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed ongoing talks, aiming to expedite demarcation for fencing. However, the proposal faces strong opposition from civil society groups in Manipur, who warn against ceding any state territory.

Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has intensified his attack on the Centre, accusing Union Home Minister Amit Shah of direct responsibility for alleged police violence against student protesters. Gandhi highlighted the case of a 15-year-old girl reportedly forced to apologize and ‘goons’ sent to homes, demanding accountability for the crackdown on youth demanding education reforms.

Arvind Kejriwal, AAP convenor, is set to lead a march to PM Modi’s residence, protesting the E20 fuel rollout. He alleges the Centre’s push for ethanol-blended petrol is due to pressure from former US President Donald Trump, citing widespread public complaints about vehicle issues. Kejriwal demands options for pure petrol and a price reduction for E20.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has issued an apology to the Indian government for operational errors, including the proliferation of Child Sexual Abuse Material and deepfake content on its platforms. The apology comes amidst intense scrutiny from New Delhi, which has challenged Meta’s ‘safe harbour’ protections and raised concerns over the temporary removal of a video featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

India faces a silent economic drain as corrosion costs the nation an estimated Rs 14 lakh crore annually, equivalent to 4.3% of its GDP. A Nomura report highlights how rust impacts critical infrastructure, from power to railways, and suggests that robust protection measures could significantly boost economic growth and public safety. This deep dive explores the hidden costs and potential solutions.