Good morning! Here’s your quick catch-up on the biggest stories making headlines.
Meta has apologised to the Indian government over the removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Facebook post, while admitting lapses in tackling child sexual abuse material (CSAM), deepfakes and content moderation, putting renewed focus on Big Tech’s accountability.
Meanwhile, in New Delhi, former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has announced plans to return home in December despite legal cases and security threats, a move that could reshape Bangladesh’s political landscape.
Also in today’s Bhaskar Smart Brief, don’t miss our coverage of why the Cockroach Janta Party has ruled out electoral politics and chosen to remain a citizens’ pressure group.
Along with these, we’ve rounded up the other top stories you need to start your day.
📰Today’s Top Headlines
Dipke rules out CJP’s political debut; to stay a pressure group
Not every movement wants to become a political party. After grabbing national attention during the NEET-UG paper leak protests, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has decided to stay outside electoral politics, choosing instead to build itself as a citizens’ pressure group.
Founder Abhijeet Dipke says India needs a stronger public movement than another political outfit. As CJP plans its next phase, it is also pushing for the withdrawal of cases against student protesters and preparing to expand its nationwide network. READ MORE
Meta founder Zuckerberg apologises to Indian govt
Meta Platforms founder Mark Zuckerberg
The row over how global tech platforms moderate content has now reached the highest level. After facing sharp questions from the Indian government, Meta has apologised over the removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Facebook post and admitted lapses in tackling CSAM, deepfake content and content moderation.
The apology followed a government summons, with senior Meta executives meeting Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and IT Secretary S. Krishnan. The episode has renewed scrutiny of how social media platforms balance content moderation with accountability, and whether stricter oversight could follow. READ MORE
Terrorist claims India killed 30+ Lashkar men in Pakistan
A rare public admission from a Lashkar-e-Taiba operative has revived questions about a series of mysterious killings inside Pakistan. In a viral video, Rizwan Hanif claims that more than 30 LeT members have been killed since 2020, thrusting the so-called ‘unknown gunman’ model back into the spotlight.
The claim is significant because militant groups seldom acknowledge such losses publicly. Security experts say the message could reflect growing anxiety within the organisation, though it has also fuelled fresh debate over who is behind the killings and why the issue has resurfaced now. READ MORE
SC says listen to youth, show restraint to prevent protest violence
Listening, not force, may be the best way to prevent protests from turning violent. Hearing petitions linked to the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) demonstrations, the Supreme Court said the police should exercise restraint and described listening to young protesters as the “most powerful tool” for defusing tense situations.
The court’s remarks came while examining petitions over the July 20 ‘Parliament March’. The observations are likely to shape the wider debate on how authorities respond to student-led protests and public demonstrations. READ MORE
‘They may kill me’: Hasina vows Bangladesh return, praises India
Exile has not ended Sheikh Hasina’s political ambitions. The former Bangladesh prime minister says she will return home in December despite the threat of arrest or even death, making her boldest public declaration since leaving the country.
This footage shows Sheikh Hasina moments before boarding a helicopter as she left Bangladesh on 5 August 2024
Hasina used her first public virtual address from Delhi to reject the cases against her as politically motivated and reaffirm her support for Bangladesh. Her announcement comes despite Dhaka’s objections, while India insists it has no role in her online appearance. READ MORE
The Day Ahead
- CJP core committee meeting Day 2: Party to announce its future strategy
- RSS chief Bhagwat to engage Gen Z, Gen Alpha in Mumbai; over 2,000 high school students from across India to attend
- NEET 2026 paper leak row: Centre to explain paper’s journey from press to exam hall as SC monitors reforms
- Asaram’s bail plea back in SC in minor rape case; AIIMS recommends 24×7 care, not hospitalisation
- Redmi Note 17 5G India launch: 8,000mAh battery, Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 processor and 120Hz OLED display likely to be on offer
Visual of the day
Faith on the move: A devotee carries an idol of Lord Shiva during the Kanwar Yatra in Meerut (PHOTO: ANI)
Today in History
Statement of the day
News With a Twist
Milk from male goat? Uttarakhand’s Bora stuns netizens
Reality often outdoes fiction. One moment, you’re following global politics; the next, you’re wondering why a government is recommending dog meat soup to beat the heat or how a male goat has become an unlikely local celebrity. Sometimes, the most unbelievable headlines turn out to be true.
Today’s collection takes you from North Korea’s unusual heatwave remedy to a milk-giving male goat in Uttarakhand, a feral cat in New Zealand that evaded wildlife officers for three years, and an Italian woman who threw away a lottery ticket she believed was worthless, only to discover it was worth ₹11 crore. Here are five quirky stories that grabbed attention across the world. READ MORE
News in Headlines
- SC says no petrol & diesel if there is no vehicle insurance READ MORE
- 6 oil giants earn $81 bn during Iran war; profits match India’s Defence Budget READ MORE
- SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket ‘believed to have hit’ Moon READ MORE
- Jantar Mantar-like protest in Ranchi, 7 students on hunger strike READ MORE
- Ishan Kishan attends office as RBI Assistant Manager READ MORE
- RBI keeps repo rate unchanged at 5.25% READ MORE
