Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met South Africa’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau to discuss ways to expand economic cooperation between the two countries. The meeting, held on the sidelines of the BRICS Trade Ministers’ Meeting, focused on strengthening bilateral trade ties and exploring new opportunities in key sectors, including manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and critical minerals.
Sharing details of the discussion on social media platform X, Goyal said both sides reviewed progress on the proposed India-Southern African Customs Union (SACU) Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA). The ministers also discussed finalising the Terms of Reference (ToRs) and working towards an early conclusion of negotiations.
The talks come as India hosts the BRICS Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Jaipur under its BRICS India 2026 Presidency. The gathering brings together member countries to promote greater trade cooperation, develop stronger supply chains, encourage innovation and support sustainable industrial growth.
India and South Africa share a long-standing strategic partnership that covers areas such as trade, investment, defence, science and technology, education and cooperation in international platforms like BRICS and IBSA. The SACU Secretariat in Namibia has already shared the draft Terms of Reference for discussions with India’s Department of Commerce, marking another step in the ongoing efforts to advance the proposed trade agreement.
The latest meeting highlights both countries’ focus on expanding economic engagement beyond traditional trade areas. Cooperation in critical minerals, pharmaceuticals and manufacturing has gained importance as nations look to secure reliable supply chains and strengthen industrial capabilities. The discussions also reflect India’s broader effort to deepen economic partnerships with BRICS nations during its presidency, with trade ministers focusing on building resilient value chains, encouraging innovation and supporting sustainable economic development.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from X/@PiyushGoyal.
Members of the British Kashmiri community held a protest in Bradford on August 5, expressing support for residents of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) and backing the demands raised by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC). The protesters gathered in the city centre with banners and posters, highlighting concerns over civil rights, personal freedoms and the protection of human dignity. Organisers said the demonstration was intended to bring global attention to what they described as a worsening human rights situation in PoJK.
Addressing the gathering, speakers alleged that security operations conducted in the region over the last two months had led to civilian deaths, growing uncertainty and restrictions on everyday life. They claimed that vulnerable groups, including women, children and elderly people, had also been affected by the developments.
The demonstrators demanded independent and transparent investigations into allegations of excessive force, searches of residential areas and other reported rights violations. They called for accountability, legal safeguards and respect for the rule of law. The protesters also appealed to international organisations, rights groups and the UK government to closely follow the situation in PoJK and encourage measures aimed at protecting fundamental freedoms and finding a peaceful solution to the concerns raised by local communities.
According to protest organisers, residents in PoJK have faced continued security actions by Pakistani forces, with several people allegedly killed or injured during clashes and firing incidents involving protesters in recent months. They further claimed that recent elections in the region saw limited public participation and allegations of irregularities.
The demonstrators said many people in PoJK are seeking greater political rights and an end to what they described as Pakistan’s control over the territory. They urged the international community to take a more active role in promoting peace, accountability and the protection of residents’ rights.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has taken action against nine digital platforms, including quick-commerce company Zepto and online ticket booking platform BookMyShow, for allegedly using misleading online practices that could influence consumer choices during transactions. The regulatory action comes amid increasing concerns over “dark patterns” — design techniques used on websites and mobile applications that may push users towards decisions they might not have intended to make. These practices include hidden charges, automatically selected options and confusing payment processes.
The government informed Parliament that the CCPA has penalised multiple companies for violating the Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023, which were introduced to protect consumers from deceptive digital practices. Zepto was among the platforms that faced action over concerns related to additional charges appearing during the checkout process. The regulator classified the addition of handling fees after displaying an initial price as a case of drip pricing, where customers discover extra costs only at a later stage of the purchase journey. The company was also flagged for automatically adding membership-related options, which the CCPA considered an example of basket sneaking.
Following regulatory intervention, Zepto reportedly discontinued the practices highlighted by the consumer authority. BookMyShow was also pulled up over a pre-selected donation option during the ticket booking process. The CCPA objected to the practice of automatically selecting a contribution amount, as customers who did not wish to pay had to manually remove the option. According to consumer protection officials, such designs can influence users into making payments without actively choosing them.
Airline major IndiGo was another company that faced regulatory scrutiny. The CCPA raised concerns over the wording used when passengers declined certain additional services, stating that the language could create pressure on customers to accept optional offers. The airline later modified the message to make the choice clearer for users.
Education technology platform Physics Wallah was also penalised after the regulator found that a donation option was automatically selected during payments. The company later removed the practice following the action. Apart from these firms, other platforms that faced penalties included FirstCry, PharmEasy, McAfee, SpiceJet and Anuj Jindal’s coaching platform. The government said the penalties were imposed after examining complaints and identifying practices that could potentially mislead consumers.
Dark patterns have become a major concern as millions of Indians now depend on digital platforms for shopping, travel bookings, entertainment and education services. While these techniques may appear minor, even small additional charges or pre-selected options can have a significant impact when applied across a large user base.
Consumer rights experts believe that online platforms need to adopt clearer pricing systems and simpler interfaces that allow users to make independent decisions. They argue that companies should focus on building trust rather than relying on designs that encourage accidental purchases or unwanted payments. The CCPA’s latest action sends a strong message to digital businesses that transparency will remain a key requirement in India’s growing online economy. As consumers increasingly shift towards app-based services, regulators are expected to continue monitoring platforms to ensure fair and ethical digital practices.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan Times.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for parts of Delhi after heavy monsoon showers lashed the national capital on Thursday, triggering waterlogging, traffic snarls, and disruptions to daily life. Authorities have advised residents to remain indoors unless necessary and exercise caution as more intense rainfall is expected during the day.
Several areas of the city received heavy rainfall from the early morning hours, leading to flooded roads and slow-moving traffic during the peak office commute. Low-lying localities witnessed water accumulation, while motorists faced delays on major routes due to reduced visibility and waterlogged stretches. Civic agencies were deployed to monitor vulnerable areas and respond to weather-related complaints.
According to the IMD, the active monsoon system over north India is likely to continue influencing weather conditions across Delhi-NCR. The department has warned of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, gusty winds, and spells of heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated areas. The weather agency has urged people to avoid unnecessary travel during intense showers and stay updated through official advisories.
The fresh spell of rain has brought noticeable relief from the humid weather experienced over the past few days, with temperatures expected to remain below seasonal highs. However, officials cautioned that the prolonged rainfall could lead to localized flooding, disruption of public transport services, and delays in road traffic across several parts of the capital.
Weather experts say the current conditions are part of an active monsoon phase affecting several states in northern India. Besides Delhi, heavy rainfall warnings have also been issued for parts of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and other neighbouring regions, raising concerns over flash floods and landslides in vulnerable areas.
The IMD has advised residents to stay away from waterlogged roads, avoid sheltering under trees during thunderstorms, and keep track of the latest weather bulletins before planning travel. Emergency services and local authorities remain on alert to deal with any weather-related incidents as the rain is expected to continue over the coming days. Officials have appealed to citizens to cooperate with traffic advisories and avoid venturing into flood-prone areas. With the monsoon remaining active across north India, weather conditions are expected to remain unpredictable, making regular updates from the IMD essential for public safety.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan Times.
Ukraine launched fresh overnight strikes on oil facilities deep inside Russia, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Thursday, as Kyiv continued efforts to weaken Moscow's wartime economy. According to Zelenskyy, Ukrainian forces targeted oil refineries in Bashkortostan, over 1,300 kilometres from the front line, and in the Yaroslavl region, about 700 kilometres from Ukraine's border. He also claimed that Ukrainian forces hit two Russian military patrol boats in the Black Sea and vessels linked to Russia's "shadow fleet," though no details on the damage were provided. Russia's Defence Ministry said its air defences intercepted 605 Ukrainian drones overnight across several regions, including Crimea and areas over the Black and Azov seas. Russian missile and drone attacks across Ukraine killed at least three civilians and injured 22 others. Ukraine's Air Force said Russia launched four missiles and 101 long-range drones, with 66 drones intercepted or electronically jammed. Zelenskyy urged Western allies to accelerate the supply of Patriot interceptor missiles, saying Ukraine urgently needs stronger air defences to protect civilians and critical infrastructure from intensified Russian aerial attacks.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
Every Wednesday and Friday throughout August, we’re revisiting some of the standout audio long reads from 2026, giving listeners another chance to experience stories they may have missed. Each feature is accompanied by a note from our editorial team explaining why it earned a place among this year’s highlights. This edition revisits a story first published in February, chronicling one writer’s decades-long search for answers to a mysterious illness before finally receiving a diagnosis. The piece also explores whether techniques aimed at retraining the brain could offer a path toward recovery.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
Myanmar's military government has released rare images of detained leader Aung San Suu Kyi meeting a Red Cross official, marking her first known contact with the outside world since the 2021 coup. The photos were released just ahead of junta chief Min Aung Hlaing's first official visit to Thailand, prompting speculation about their political significance.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
Two years after taking office as Australia's Governor-General and representative of King Charles, Sam Mostyn has expressed concern over what she describes as a widespread lack of understanding among adults about the foundations of the country's democracy, particularly its Constitution. In an interview with Guardian Australia political editor Tom McIlroy at Admiralty House in Sydney, Mostyn said improving civic education has become one of her key priorities. She argued that strengthening public knowledge of Australia's democratic institutions is essential to tackling what she called a "growing catastrophe" that threatens informed civic participation and the health of the nation's democracy.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
In this edition of Made in SG, Melanie Oliveiro spotlights W Optics, a Singapore-based vision care specialist and optical retail chain. W Optics CEO Jonathan Wong shares the company's journey, explaining how his father, Francis Wong, founded the business and eventually entrusted him with leading its next phase of growth. Joining the discussion is senior optometrist and manager Oh Shwu Ji, who offers insights into common eye health concerns while highlighting the latest trends in eyewear design and prescription glasses.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
