Watch: Congress v Tharoor, Modi's Bengal rally, courts block Trump's retaliatory tariffs & more
Here are the top headlines of the day.
Congress vs. Tharoor battle erupts over MP's comments on surgical strikes; he slams 'zealots'
There is a war of words brewing between the Congress and its Lok Sabha MP Shashi Tharoor after the latter's comments about India's surgical strikes to target Pakistani terror camps in 2016.
Tharoor, who is leading a team of parliamentarians to five countries, described his critics as 'zealots' and 'trolls' while trying to explain the context of his statement on the surgical strikes.
Hitting back, Pawan Khera, who heads Congress's media and publicity wing, posted a portion from Tharoor's 2018 book in which he had accused the Modi government of 'shameless exploitation of the 2016 surgical strikes' on X .
The controversy erupted after Tharoor, addressing a public event at Panama to explain India's stance on the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, claimed that India had crossed the LoC to target Pakistani terror launch pads for the first time in 2016 to avenge the Uri terror attacks.
This prompted Unorganised Workers and Employees' Congress chief Udit Raj to dub Tharoor as a 'super spokesperson of the BJP' in a social media post on Wednesday. Raj's X post was reposted by Congress communication chief Jairam Ramesh and Khera as a sign of endorsement.
Responding to such criticism, Tharoor said 'critics and trolls are welcome to distort my views and words as they see fit. I genuinely have better things to do.'
Manipur govt will ensure Gwaltabi incident does not occur in future: Chief Secretary
Manipur Chief Secretary Prashant Kumar Singh has clarified that the State government had no involvement in the Gwaltabi incident, where security personnel allegedly covered the word 'Manipur' on a state-run bus — an act that triggered widespread protests across the state. He denied that the government issued instructions to cover the name of the State, and noted that strict action would be taken.
On May 20, 2025, a Manipur State Road Transport Bus ferrying journalists to the Shirui festival at Ukhrul was stopped and the name of the State written in the windshield was reportedly covered with a white paper. Several protests over the incident have rocked the Meitei-inhabited Imphal Valley over the last week.
PM Modi tears into Trinamool Congress over Murshidabad violence, teacher scam in West Bengal
PM Modi launched a blistering attack on the TMC government in West Bengal, saying that the State is 'plagued' by violence, corruption, and lawlessness, and asserted that people are now yearning for change from the 'Nirmam sarkar' (cruel government).
He said incidents of communal violence in Murshidabad and Malda are grim reminders of the TMC regime's 'cruelty and indifference' to the sufferings of ordinary citizens. He also said that 'pervasive corruption' is eroding public trust in the system.
Turning his guns on the West Bengal teacher recruitment scam, he accused the TMC of 'ruining the future of thousands of teachers and their families' through rampant corruption and irregularities.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-day trip to four States to launch numerous development projects, as he keeps up a busy itinerary touring different regions in the run-up to the first anniversary of his third term in office.
IMD issuing a red alert for eight districts of Kerala
The heavy monsoon rains and accompanying strong winds damaged homes, power lines and crops in many parts of Kerala, with the IMD issuing a red alert for eight districts of the State.
The heavy rains and winds caused uprooting of trees, waterlogging, and flooding of low-lying areas. In many hilly regions like Wayanad people were relocated to relief camps.
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority said water levels in various rivers were rising due to the heavy rains. It advised those living on the banks of these rivers to be vigilant.
Federal court blocks Trump from imposing sweeping tariffs under emergency powers law
A federal court has blocked U.S. President Donald Trump from imposing sweeping tariffs on imports under an emergency-powers law, swiftly throwing into doubt Trump's retaliatory tariffs that have rattled global financial markets, frustrated trade partners and raised broader fears about inflation intensifying and the economy slumping.
The ruling from a three-judge panel at the New York-based U.S. Court of International Trade came after several lawsuits arguing Trump has exceeded his authority and left the country's trade policy dependent on his whims.
Trump has repeatedly said the tariffs would force manufacturers to bring back factory jobs to the U.S. and generate enough revenue to reduce federal budget deficits. He used the tariffs as a tool to negotiate trade deals to serve the U.S.' interest with other nations.
We don't know if the White House will respond to the ruling by pausing all of its emergency power tariffs.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
22 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
UP CM attacks Cong, other oppn parties on Malegaon case, Op Sindoor
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday attacked Congress and other opposition parties stating that as soon as the truth in the Malegaon case came to light, Congress's conspiracies were exposed. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath and other BJP leaders at a party meeting in Lucknow on August 3. (HT photo) He was speaking at the BJP's organisational meeting held at the Indira Gandhi Pratishthan to discuss the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign and other organisational matters. Addressing the gathering, the CM said those who branded the saffron as a symbol of terror, thereby tarnishing the country's faith, now stand exposed before the public. He was referring to the special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court's acquittal of all seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case. On the occasion, Yogi also targeted Congress and opposition accusing them of spreading misinformation about 'Operation Sindoor'. 'The opposition is acting as a shield for anti-national forces,' he said. The CM also described the voter revision campaign as the foundation of democracy, emphasising that the task is not just an administrative process but also a political responsibility. He urged every BJP worker to ensure that no eligible voter is left out from their booths' voter list, saying adding young voters who have turned 18 is a sign of organisational maturity. On the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign from August 13 to 15, CM Yogi asserted that the campaign and the mantra of 'Swadeshi Products in Every Hand' are crucial steps towards realising the vision of a self-reliant India. He called upon the workers to join the campaign by hoisting the Triranga at their homes, taking selfies, engaging people and promoting local crafts by adopting swadeshi products like ODOP. This, he said, is the most powerful way to economically strengthen India and give a strong response to those who try to blackmail the nation. The CM was referring to the trade tariff sanctions imposed by US President Donald Trump on India. BJP state chief Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary said the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has become a powerful expression of national patriotism. 'This campaign aims to awaken every citizen's sense of pride, faith, and responsibility towards the nation,' he said. Chaudhary criticised the opposition for spreading lies and negativity while the BJP government worked tirelessly for public welfare. He urged BJP workers to engage wholeheartedly in the voter revision campaign, keeping in mind the upcoming elections. Also speaking on the occasion, deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya described the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign as a national revolution of patriotism. He said the campaign has become a powerful medium to connect every individual with reverence, faith, and self-pride towards the Triranga. Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak said the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign is a national festival marking the spirit of patriotism. It's not just about hoisting flags but a medium to spread India's identity, unity and self-respect to every home, Pathak added. He emphasised that a BJP worker is not just a representative of the organisation but a carrier of the consciousness of nation-building. 'By taking the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign to every village and city, workers must ensure that the Tiranga, a symbol of India's honour and glory, is established in every citizen's heart and home,' Pathak said. The meeting was attended by senior BJP leaders, including state general secretary (organisation) Dharmpal Singh, national co-convenor of the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign Rituraj Sinha and national convenor of the election contact campaign Om Pathak. Party's state general secretary Govind Narayan Shukla conducted the meeting.
Deccan Herald
22 minutes ago
- Deccan Herald
Rahul Gandhi anti-national, only supports Muslims of Bangladesh, Pakistan, alleges Assam CM Himanta
Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday alleged that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is anti-national and only supports the Muslims of Bangladesh and to reporters on the sidelines of an election campaign meeting in Bodoland Territorial Region, Sarma also claimed that the Congress does not respect icons of Assam, like the Kamakhya temple and Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva.."Rahul Gandhi is an anti-India person. He is only with Bangladeshi and Pakistani Muslims. He is not with Indian Hindus, not even with Indian Muslims. Rahul Gandhi is an anti-national personality," Sarma however, did not elaborate on the reasons for branding Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, as "anti-national"..Asked about Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi's planned visit to Assam, Sarma said he has no objection to it.."I have no objection to Priyanka Gandhi coming to Assam. However, Assam's Self Help Groups' women members are 100 times more advanced than Priyanka Gandhi. Assamese women, especially those in SHGs, will defeat Priyanka Gandhi in every probe conspiracy by Congress to frame Bhagwat, Chidamabaram should be questioned: Himanta."She won't be able to join a competition with them. Our women prepare laaru, pitha (traditional Assamese sweets), do farming in paddy fields, and send children to schools and colleges. How can Priyanka Gandhi compete with our women?" he in the day, Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi said that party MP Priyanka Gandhi has expressed willingness to visit Assam, especially Dhubri, where she had campaigned during the last Lok Sabha to it, Sarma claimed, "They consider Dhubri as Assam. There is no issue in visiting Dhubri. But first one should talk about visiting Kamakhya, Batadrava, Charaideo Moidam and Rang Ghar, and then to Dhubri also."He also alleged, "They (Congress leaders) don't have faith in Maa Kamakhya, Mahapurush Sankardeva, and do not recognise Charaideo and Rang Ghar. They recognise only a section of religious minorities living in Dhubri. They don't understand the love of any other people." Stressing that he has absolutely no problem with Gandhi visiting Dhubri, Sarma claimed that Assamese people of other areas "do not have any interest" in seeing the Congress leader.."There is no problem in going to Dhubri, but she should visit other areas. However, I feel it is not the time to visit other places. Who will come to see Priyanka Gandhi? Assamese people have no interest in seeing Priyanka Gandhi," he claimed.
The Hindu
22 minutes ago
- The Hindu
CPI(M) and Congress accuse BJP of claiming credit for the nuns' release to score political brownie points
Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] and Congress have accused Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to score brownie points with the sizeable Christian community in Kerala and the influential Church leadership in allegedly trying to rack up political credit for the release of two Kerala nuns on bail from a prison in BJP-ruled Chattissgarh on Saturday. The sisters, Preeti Mary and Vandana Francis, were remand prisoners in the Durg Central jail since their arrest on July 25 on charges of attempting to spirit out three women to Agra for conversion to Christianity. BJP State president Rajiv Chandrasekhar's comment that Congress and CPI(M) 'political theatre' in front of the Durg Central Prison had impeded the BJP-ruled Central and Chattissgarh State governments efforts to secure early bail for the sisters seemed to snuff out the geniality that politicians from Kerala briefly displayed while rubbing shoulders and distributing sweets to welcome the nuns at a convent in Chhattisgarh after their release on bail on Saturday. CPI(M) State Committee member John Brittas, MP, on Sunday stated that secular parties had championed the cause of justice for the sisters because they viewed the unjust arrest through the prism of the Constitution and not political expediency. Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan had earlier accused the BJP of shedding crocodile tears for the nuns while allowing the serious charges of human trafficking and forced conversion slapped on them to stay. Divergent views Meanwhile, schisms seemed to develop in the Church leadership over the question of whether the BJP national leadership had genuinely come to the aid of the nuns, as the party has claimed. For one, the Irinjalakuda diocese read out a pastoral letter in Churches on Sunday, claiming the Central and Chhattisgarh governments had done little for the nuns' release despite a national outcry. Irinjalakuda Diocese Bishop Mar Pauly Kannookadan dismissed the suggestion that some prelates, notably Archbishop Joseph Pamplany, praised Prime Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for intervening on the nuns' behalf. 'The Church has a clear political view. However, it is not politically partisan,' he added.
