India

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh welcomed Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi in New Delhi for talks aimed at strengthening bilateral defence cooperation. Discussions are expected to focus on maritime security, defence technology and equipment collaboration, and promoting a free, open and resilient Indo-Pacific

Former Meta engineering director Arturo Bejar testified that Instagram took a “don’t ask, don’t tell” approach toward users under 13, prioritising engagement over safety. He alleged Meta knew children were using the platform and lacked adequate age-detection goals and safeguards

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said border development is now a top priority under the Modi government, rejecting claims of major Chinese incursions in Arunachal Pradesh. He criticised Congress’s past border policy while citing former Defence Minister A.K. Antony’s 2013 remarks

Assam Police prevented 17 alleged Bangladeshi infiltrators from entering the state, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. He reiterated the government’s commitment to an infiltration-free Assam, while security forces maintain heightened vigilance along the India-Bangladesh border to prevent illegal entry

West Bengal BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for approving the 173-km Kharagpur-Bhadrak fourth railway line. The project is expected to improve passenger connectivity, boost freight movement, decongest highways and support industries, MSMEs and ports across eastern India 

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has allowed Shailja Pandey, whose MBBS admission was cancelled over a domicile issue in 2013, to receive her degree and marksheet. The court also directed the National Medical Commission to assess her eligibility for medical practice

Seven people have died and 25–28 others are undergoing treatment after consuming spurious liquor in Bhavnagar district, Gujarat. Police have suspended four personnel and registered an FIR against 21 accused linked to the manufacture and distribution of chemically contaminated liquor.

An Indian national, Rajiv Acharya, has died in Israel, the Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv said. Israeli authorities have arrested a suspect in connection with the incident and launched an investigation. The embassy expressed condolences and assured assistance to Acharya’s family 

Congress leaders paid tribute to former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 82nd birth anniversary, recalling his contributions to youth empowerment, technological progress, education and India’s IT transformation. Rahul Gandhi said his father’s vision of India will continue guiding him

Indian equity benchmarks Sensex and Nifty rebounded in early trade, supported by easing US Treasury yields, gains in global markets and fresh foreign fund inflows. Despite geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East, all Sensex stocks traded higher, led by technology and financial shares

Clashes erupted at Jadavpur University between rival student groups, SFI and ABVP, during a general body meeting of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology Students’ Union. Several students were injured and admitted to hospital, while political leaders visited the site.

India has cautioned that UN Security Council membership must not be misused to legitimise terrorists or blacklist entities on political grounds, urging transparency and objectivity in sanctions regimes and reforms in the Council’s working methods.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday paid homage to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his birth anniversary, recalling his contribution to Indian politics and leadership. Rajiv Gandhi’s legacy includes a transformative role in Indian politics until his tragic assassination in 1991.

Authorities in New Delhi demolished structures outside the Pakistan High Commission after finding them beyond the mission’s approved boundary. The action follows Pakistan’s recent removal of security barricades outside the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.

BJP president Nitin Nabin on Thursday accused the Congress of insulting the national song Vande Mataram by deciding to sing only its first two stanzas at party events. He likened the Congress to the "new Muslim League," alleging the move was driven by vote-bank politics.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address world leaders at the high-level United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York on September 25. His speech will be part of the afternoon session, with timings likely adjusted for Indian audiences.

The Congress Working Committee (CWC) has resolved to intensify grassroots campaigns on issues of paper leaks and alleged "chanda chori" in Ram temple donations. It also decided that only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram will be sung at party events.

IndiGo, India’s largest domestic airline, faced a technical glitch on its website Wednesday, leaving passengers unable to book tickets or check in online. The airline acknowledged intermittent issues with its reservation platform and said teams were working with a partner to resolve them on priority.

Four people have died and 18 others are hospitalised, eight critically, after consuming spurious liquor in Gujarat’s Bhavnagar district. The illicit liquor, allegedly transported from Madhya Pradesh and sold under the name of a popular IMFL brand, has triggered a statewide police crackdown.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will chair the 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting on August 20 in Mamallapuram, with chief ministers and administrators of southern states and UTs attending. The council will deliberate on inter-state disputes such as river water sharing, issues under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, and national concerns.

The Railways presents a curious paradox: while it has excelled in expanding its networks, it continues to fail passengers on the basics

As long as nature remains imagined as an endlessly giving mother, humanity may continue to mistake exploitation for affection

US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, on his maiden visit to Jammu and Kashmir, said the United States will reconsider its travel advisories for the region, affirming that J&K is an important part of India. His visit marks the first by a US envoy to J&K since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.