CBI searches 89 locations across 20 States in crackdown against ‘digital arrest’ syndicates; three heldThe Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has carried out searches at 89 locations across 20 States in connection with three major “digital arrest” scam cases as part of Operation Chakra-VI, arresting three persons so far. The coordinated searches were aimed at tracing the proceeds of fraud and identifying the beneficiaries and handlers behind the syndicates, the agency said on Friday (September 4, 2026).“The operations were meticulously planned on the basis of detailed financial and technical analysis, including examination of bank accounts and online account access data,” it said. One of the cases pertains to BITS Pilani, where the victim was kept under “digital arrest” for three months, and ₹7.67 crore was extorted from him by scammers posing as police officers.Jantar Mantar assault row: CJP says Delhi Police have assured arrest of Swatantra Bharadwaj in 72 hoursThe Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Friday (September 4, 2026) said that the Delhi Police has assured that Swatantra Bharadwaj, the man accused of assaulting the father of a student activist during a protest at Jantar Mantar, will be arrested within 72 hours.Members of the CJP, including Saurav Das and Ms. Aazad, along with their supporters had been protesting at the Parliament Street police station on Friday (September 4, 2026), seeking a revisit of the FIR registered over an assault on the student’s father during the students protest that took place at Jantar Mantar in July.Sri Lanka arrests former President Rajapaksa’s son over Airbus dealSri Lanka’s main anti-graft body arrested lawmaker Namal Rajapaksa, the son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, on Friday (September 4, 2026) in connection with a corruption probe into a 2013 Airbus aircraft purchase.The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) said the 40-year-old scion of the once-powerful Rajapaksa family “was summoned for questioning over the Airbus transaction”. “The MP was arrested afterwards and will be taken before a magistrate,” a commission official said. It was not immediately clear what charges Mr. Namal faces. His lawyer, Nishantha Dayananda, confirmed the arrest over the controversial $2.3-billion deal, which was eventually cancelled by a new government in 2016.Nepal’s death toll due to floods rises to 1,295; two workers rescued alive from tunnel after nine daysThe death toll due to flash floods in Nepal rose to 1,295 on Friday (September 4, 2026) as more bodies were recovered from the affected areas, while two men were rescued alive from a tunnel at the Trishuli 3A hydropower project after being trapped for nine days.The flash floods, triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26, devastated towns and villages in northern and central Nepal, leaving a trail of destruction. So far, 1,293 bodies have been recovered from eight different districts across Nepal. These include 359 bodies recovered in Chitwan district, 221 in Nawalparasi East, 212 in Nawalparasi West and 186 in Nuwakot.Delhi rains: IMD issues red alert; waterlogging at airport terminals 2,3 forecourtsHeavy rains lashed several parts of the national capital on Friday (September 4, 2026) as dark clouds shrouded Delhi, prompting the weather office to issue a red alert warning of intense rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds later in the day. People out for Janmashtami celebrations were caught in the sudden downpour, with rain-soaked roads, umbrellas dotting the streets and people rushing for shelter as the showers intensified.The IMD, in its short-range weather forecast issued at 2.15 p.m., said a spell of light to moderate rain, thunderstorms and lightning was expected at many places between 2.15 p.m. and 4.15 p.m., with heavy rain at isolated places. It has predicted another spell of light to moderate rainfall, thunderstorms and lightning at most places between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., with heavy rain at isolated places.AAIB flags Air India pilot’s positive psychoactive substance test after Phuket flight altitude scareAircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), in its preliminary report on the August 4 Air India Delhi-Phuket flight incident, said the pilot-in-command (PIC) tested non-negative for a psychoactive substance. The AAIB flagged it as a “serious concern” and recommended that the DGCA take appropriate action on priority. On August 4, 24 passengers were injured after a momentary loss of altitude.“Detailed investigation regarding technical and other aspects are underway. In this case, it has been observed that the PIC [pilot-in-command] was found non-negative for psychoactive substances in the confirmatory test. The confirmation of use of psychoactive substance is a serious concern, and AAIB recommends appropriate actions by DGCA on priority,” the aircraft accident probing body has concluded in its interim report.National Child Rights Commission rescues over 3800 children from child labourThe National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has rescued over 3,800 children from child labour under a sustained campaign launched in June. Over 575 FIRs have also been registered in connection with these incidents.The NCPCR, a statutory body under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, launched a special “Pan-India Rescue and Rehabilitation” campaign on June 12, which continued until August 31, an official statement said here on Friday (September 4, 2026). The Child Rights Commission undertook coordinated measures with the concerned State Governments/Union Territory administrations, district magistrates, labour departments, police authorities and other stakeholders to intensify the identification, rescue and rehabilitation of children engaged in child labour and those vulnerable to trafficking and exploitation.Uttar Pradesh floods: Over 17,500 evacuated, 26 districts hitMore than 17,500 people have been evacuated to safer places from 26 flood-affected areas in Uttar Pradesh, with no loss of life or livestock reported so far, the state government said on Friday. According to the office of the Relief Commissioner, around 3.53 lakh people have been affected by the floods. As many as 17,544 people have been moved to safer locations, while 4,847 people are currently staying in relief shelters.A total of 1,312 flood shelters have been set up across the state, while 1,634 flood outposts, 1,697 boats and motorboats and 1,068 medical teams have been deployed in the affected areas, the government said in a statement issued on Friday. The relief machinery has distributed 72,897 food relief packets and 3,67,551 lunch packets among affected people. More than 5.52 lakh chlorine tablets and 1.87 lakh ORS packets have also been distributed as part of health and sanitation measures.Army kills one terrorist in forest area of J&K’s BudgamOne terrorist was killed on Friday (September 4, 2026) during a joint operation by the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police deep inside a forest area in Budgam district, officials said. The operation was launched based on information about the movement of a suspected group of terrorists from Pakherpora in Pulwama district towards Yousmarg in Budgam, the officials said.Srinagar-based Chinar Corps posted on X, “Based on specific intelligence input, a joint search operation was launched by the Indian Army, J&K Police and CRPF in Ashdar Gali, Budgam.” “Vigilant troops observed suspicious activity and upon being challenged, terrorists opened fire, prompting a fierce exchange of gunfire during which one terrorist was neutralised and one AK rifle was recovered. A search operation is in progress.” The operation is under way as the forces are still looking for another terrorists, who is believed to be holed up in the same area.Tamil Nadu Finance Minister N. Marie Wilson receives charge sheet in assault case from Puducherry courtTamil Nadu Finance Minister N. Marie Wilson on Friday (September 4, 2026) received, from the Puducherry District Court, the additional charge sheet filed against him and his father in a 2022 assault case. On the directions of the court, Mr. Wilson appeared before the Second Judicial Magistrate Chandrasekharan on Friday morning and received a copy of the charge sheet. His father Nestor, who is the second accused in the case, was also present.After the Minister received the copy of the charge sheet, the judge posted the next hearing of the case to September 9. The JM-1 court had been hearing the case pertaining to the assault in its initial stages. As the JM-I was recently transferred, the accused appeared before JM-II to receive a copy of the charge sheet.