Good morning! Here’s your quick catch-up on the biggest stories making headlines.
Ahead of the 2027 UP polls, the BJP government is considering a ₹50,000 financial assistance scheme for women. The move follows similar initiatives in Bihar, MP and Maharashtra and could help the BJP counter the SP’s PDA strategy after its 2024 Lok Sabha setback.
Meanwhile, the UN has officially attributed the November 2025 Red Fort blast to Al-Qaida, adding a new dimension to the terror investigation.
Also in today’s Bhaskar Smart Brief, don’t miss our coverage of Parliament’s Monsoon Session, which ended amid a government-Opposition standoff, and our analysis of Gen Z’s spending habits, challenging the stereotype of a generation driven by lifestyle over financial responsibility.
Along with these, we’ve rounded up the other top stories you need to start your day.
Today’s Top Headlines
Women in UP to get ₹50,000 each; ₹20,000 before polls
The stakes in Uttar Pradesh are shifting towards women voters, with the government weighing a financial support scheme that could reach more than 50 lakh women. The proposed ₹50,000 assistance marks a clear electoral push, with ₹20,000 potentially reaching beneficiaries before the Assembly polls.
The plan is still under discussion, and its political payoff would depend on what follows the election. Three further ₹10,000 instalments are being considered if the BJP returns to power, making the scheme worth watching closely. READ MORE
UN links 2025 Red Fort blast to Al-Qaida
The Red Fort blast has now acquired a wider regional dimension, with the UN formally linking the November 2025 attack that killed 11 people to Al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS). The finding adds international weight to the investigation and puts the group’s expanding network under sharper scrutiny.
The UN report says AQIS has built decentralised cells and financial networks while seeking space in Bangladesh. Its warning points to a broader security challenge that could extend beyond India’s borders. READ MORE
Parliament adjourned sine die, LS sits just 1 minute
Parliament’s Monsoon Session has ended with the political divide no closer to easing. The government offered a debate on the Jantar Mantar protest, but repeated disruptions and Opposition demands kept the focus on alleged police action against students. Both Houses were eventually adjourned sine die on Thursday.
Now, Amit Shah’s proposed response faces a fresh hurdle. Rahul Gandhi wants accountability first, while the government says the Opposition is avoiding discussion, setting the stage for the next political showdown. READ MORE
Gen Z’s spending myth busted: 70% goes to essentials
Gen Z’s money habits look very different from the stereotype. Far from putting lifestyle ahead of financial responsibilities, India’s youngest working generation spends most of its income on essentials, bills and financial commitments, according to a new study of more than 5.2 lakh salaried UPI users.
Travel, often seen as a defining Gen Z priority, takes just 5% of monthly spending. The data suggests survival and savings are shaping this generation’s wallets more than social-media stereotypes suggest. READ MORE
‘Voters no longer choose govts’: CJP’s Dipke in Bhaskar Interview
After months of being in the spotlight during Jantar Mantar protests, the Cockroach Janata Party is trying to answer a bigger question: what comes next? Founder Abhijeet Dipke says CJP will not become a political party yet, arguing that the organisation is still too small and new. Instead, its next phase will focus on expanding its reach and understanding public concerns.
From September, CJP plans to take ‘Kya Bolti Public’ across the country. Dipke has also responded to comparisons with Arvind Kejriwal, EVM concerns and questions over his core team—issues that could shape the movement’s future. READ MORE
The Day Ahead
1. Mahindra Scorpio-N Pickup to debut on Aug 14 with 2.2-litre mHawk diesel engine, Level-2 ADAS & 4-wheel-drive system
2. GATE 2027 registration begins today; DigiLocker mandatory for Indian candidates
3. Pakistan turns 80 today; it had no national anthem, currency or borders on its 1st anniversary in 1947
4. ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ global advance ticket sales begin today; 4 months ahead of film’s theatrical release on Dec 18, 2026
5. HAL proposes 200% final dividend, sets Aug 14 record date; the defence Maharatna paid final dividend of ₹15/share in 2025
Visual Of The Day
Tiranga on the lake: ‘Nauka Tiranga Yatra’ at Bhopal’s iconic Boat Club on Bada Talab ahead of India’s 80th Independence Day. (PHOTO: ANI)
Today in History
Statement of the Day
News With A Twist
Thief dances inside bike showroom: Elephant walks runway wearing ₹62 lakh jewellery
A thief who entered a sports bike showroom in Varanasi to steal reportedly broke into a dance instead. In Jaipur, an elephant made headlines by walking a ramp while wearing jewellery worth Rs 62 lakh.
Meanwhile, in the US, a 30-foot-tall cupboard has been built that visitors can climb inside to enjoy a city view.
In another unusual twist, two childhood friends discovered after 30 years that they were actually biological sisters.
Also in the US, a man bought two lottery tickets carrying the same number and won Rs 44 lakh on each ticket.
These are five unusual and interesting stories making headlines. READ MORE
News in Headlines
1. Pilot found high on marijuana, Air India orders daily dope test READ MORE
2. Sukhbir Singh Badal attacked at Nanded Gurdwara, hospitalised READ MORE
3. Rahul Gandhi moves SC against ED-CBI probe order in Assets case READ MORE
4. N Chandrasekaran’s successor? Tata Steel’s Narendran leads the race READ MORE
5. Iran had Trump’s floor info during Turkiye stay READ MORE
