The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested an Enforcement Officer of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) District Office in Patiala in a bribery case.

According to CBI sources, a trap was laid on 22 July following a complaint alleging that the accused had demanded a bribe of four lakh rupees for not submitting an adverse report recommending a heavy assessment or penalty against the complainant.

The CBI caught the accused red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 2.5 lakh from the complainant.

The accused was arrested the same day and produced before the competent court in Chandigarh yesterday, which remanded him to 14 days of judicial custody.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his best wishes to the Indian contingent participating in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

In a social media post, PM Modi expressed confidence that the Indian athletes would compete with passion, determination and a spirit of excellence. The Prime Minister said the skill and dedication of the country’s athletes continue to inspire countless Indians.

BJP MP Shashank Mani has welcomed activist Sonam Wangchuk’s decision to end his hunger strike. Speaking exclusively to Akashvani News, Mr Mani said the government treats paper leak incidents, including the NEET-UG examination row, with the utmost seriousness and considers them organised crimes. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s video message, he said the Prime Minister has assured the nation of stringent measures against paper leaks, including bringing a comprehensive Bill on the issue.

BJP Rajya Sabha MP Rahul Sinha said the Prime Minister will fulfil his assurance of taking action in the NEET paper leak case under all circumstances. Speaking to Akashvani News on the Parliament premises, Mr Sinha said no one involved in the matter will be spared. He also criticised the Opposition, including the Congress, for disrupting Parliament proceedings and said the government is ready to hold a discussion on the issue.

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal has welcomed the decision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to set up specially designated fast-track courts for the hearing of pending paper leak cases.

Talking to the media, Mr Meghwal said the fast-track courts will hear these cases on a day-to-day basis and ensure speedy trials so that students get timely justice.

The government has debunked a video circulating on social media claiming that Union Minister Piyush Goyal made threatening remarks about students protesting in Delhi. The Fact Check Unit of the Press Information Bureau (PIB) has clarified that the video is fake and AI-generated. The unit said Mr Goyal has made no such statement regarding the protests. It added that the video is being circulated by Pakistani propaganda networks to spread misinformation. The PIB has urged people to report any misleading or manipulated content on +91 87997 11259 or through email at factcheck@pib.gov.in.

सोने और चांदी की शुरुआत शुक्रवार को लगातार दूसरे दिन गिरावट के साथ हुई। इस दौरान दोनों कीमती धातुओं का दाम करीब 0.6 प्रतिशत तक कम हो गया।  

मल्टी कमोडिटी एक्सचेंज (एमसीएक्स) पर सोने का 5 अगस्त, 2026 का कॉन्ट्रैक्ट 1,42,821 रुपए प्रति 10 ग्राम के मुकाबले 1,42,392 रुपए प्रति 10 ग्राम पर खुला। 

सुबह 11 बजे यह 870 रुपए या 0.61 प्रतिशत की कमजोरी के साथ 1,41,951 रुपए प्रति 10 ग्राम पर था। अब तक के कारोबार में सोने ने 1,41,742 रुपए प्रति 10 ग्राम का न्यूनतम स्तर और 1,42,393 रुपए प्रति 10 ग्राम का उच्चतम स्तर छुआ है।

सोने के साथ चांदी की कीमतों में भी कमजोरी देखी गई। चांदी का 4 सितंबर, 2026 का कॉन्ट्रैक्ट पिछली 2,19,375 रुपए प्रति किलो के मुकाबले 2,18,280 रुपए प्रति किलो पर खुला। फिलहाल यह 884 रुपए या 0.40 प्रतिशत की कमजोरी के साथ 2,18,491 रुपए प्रति किलो पर था। 

अब तक के कारोबार में चांदी ने 2,17,325 रुपए प्रति किलो का न्यूनतम स्तर और 2,18,884 रुपए प्रति किलो का उच्चतम स्तर छुआ। 

अंतरराष्ट्रीय बाजार में भी सोने और चांदी की कीमतों में गिरावट देखने को मिली। कॉमैक्स पर सोना 0.48 प्रतिशत की कमजोरी के साथ 4,030 डॉलर प्रति औंस और चांदी 0.41 प्रतिशत की गिरावट के साथ 57.80 डॉलर प्रति औंस पर था। 

अमेरिका-ईरान के बीच संघर्ष लगातार बढ़ रहा है और ईरान, मध्य पूर्व में मौजूद अमेरिकी ठिकानों को निशाना बना रहा है। वहीं, अमेरिका लगातार ईरान के सैन्य ठिकानों को निशाना बना रहा है, जिससे हॉर्मुज पर नियंत्रण करने की उसकी क्षमता कम हो जाए।

(इनपुट-आईएएनएस) 

More than 20,000 residents and tourists have been evacuated as a fast-moving wildfire swept through southwest France, burning around 3,400 hectares of forest near Bordeaux.

Around 800 firefighters, supported by aircraft and soldiers, are battling the blaze, which authorities believe may have been sparked by a brush-clearing machine in the dense pine forest near the village of Saumos. Three houses and a caravan have been destroyed, but no injuries have been reported.

The European Union has deployed three water-bombing aircraft after France requested assistance.

The wildfire comes amid repeated heatwaves across France that have created severe fire conditions. Officials said high temperatures and strong winds are hampering firefighting efforts.

India and Romania have signed three agreements for cooperation in the fields of Science and Technology, Education and Sports. The agreements were signed after delegation-level talks between President Droupadi Murmu and her Romanian counterpart, President Nicușor Dan, in Bucharest yesterday.

In her press statement, President Murmu said India and Romania have shared a close and enduring friendship for over seven decades, based on mutual trust, respect and strong people-to-people ties. She said the India-Romania partnership has continuously strengthened over time and is now entering a new phase with more ambitious goals, stronger cooperation and a shared vision for the future.

The President said she and President Dan held meaningful and productive discussions and reviewed the progress made in recent years. She said both countries agreed to further deepen cooperation across various sectors in alignment with their respective priorities.

President Murmu said India and Romania have set a target of doubling bilateral trade over the next three years. She said the India-EU Free Trade Agreement will open unprecedented opportunities for industries and skilled professionals. She added that both countries have agreed to expand cooperation in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, renewable energy, green hydrogen, agricultural production, fertilisers, science and technology, digital public infrastructure and artificial intelligence.

Meanwhile, President Droupadi Murmu, who is on a State Visit to Romania, will hold talks with Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan at the Victoria Palace in Bucharest today. She will also address the India-Romania Business Forum along with Romanian President Nicușor Dan.

Later in the day, President Murmu will visit the Romanian Parliament, where she will interact with President of the Senate Mircea Abrudean and President of the Chamber of Deputies Sorin Grindeanu. She will also pay homage at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by laying a wreath.

The President’s engagements will also include a visit to the Bucharest University of Economic Studies and the National Village Museum, highlighting India’s emphasis on strengthening educational, cultural and people-to-people ties with Romania.