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India and Vietnam held their 7th High-Level Meeting in Chennai to strengthen maritime cooperation in security, law enforcement, search and rescue, pollution response and capacity building. Both sides reviewed ongoing engagements and reaffirmed commitments to operational coordination, interoperability, training and environmental sustainability

South Korea recorded a 15.6 per cent year-on-year rise in births in June, the highest growth since records began in 1981. Births have increased for 24 consecutive months, driven by recovering marriages and improved attitudes toward having children, though fertility remains low

Actress Richa Chadha celebrated Onam with daughter Zuneyra at Kerala’s Gurupuram Sree Maha Vishnu Temple, where she gifted a life-size mechanical elephant. She highlighted preserving traditions compassionately, promoting animal welfare and using technology to celebrate festivals while respecting cultural customs

Former CDS General Anil Chauhan said an Indian loitering munition may have struck Pakistan’s Kirana Hills during Operation Sindoor after failing to locate radars near Sargodha and running out of fuel. He stressed Kirana Hills was not deliberately targeted and revealed Skardu strike plans

At least 15 newborn babies died after a fire broke out in the nursery of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad. Officials said an air-conditioner compressor may have triggered the blaze. An enquiry committee has been formed to investigate the tragedy and hospital safety

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked India and President Droupadi Murmu for Independence Day greetings, expressing hope for peace and a dignified end to Russia’s war. He reaffirmed Ukraine’s commitment to strengthening mutually beneficial ties with India amid ongoing diplomatic engagement

A jewellery brand has withdrawn its Raksha Bandhan advertisement featuring Kriti Sanon after online criticism over her outfit. Kriti defended the campaign, saying cultural respect lies in emotions and traditions, not clothing. Kangana Ranaut also criticized the ad and questioned its festive appropriateness

Adani Energy Solutions has won a Rs 4,700 crore transmission project to evacuate 4,500 MW renewable energy from Karnataka to Maharashtra. The 36-month Satara project will add 562 circuit kilometres of lines and 9,000 MVA transformation capacity, supporting pumped storage and grid stability

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved the transfer of DRDO-developed technologies for all conventional missile systems to Indian defence firms for domestic production. The move aims to boost self-reliance, reduce imports, strengthen the defence industrial base and expand opportunities for MSMEs and technology partners

The Calcutta High Court granted interim protection from arrest and other coercive action to TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee in three additional FIRs. The protection, valid until November 30, requires him to cooperate with investigations and restricts foreign travel without court permission

The NSG Training Academy in Manesar has launched the first Mahila Commando Conversion Course for women personnel from State Police Forces and CAPFs. The 12-week programme provides specialised training in physical conditioning, weapons, marksmanship, tactical intervention and hostage rescue

A new study using James Webb Space Telescope observations suggests mysterious “little red dots” in the early universe may be evidence of young supermassive black holes. Researchers analysed 217 objects, finding faint, compact host galaxies and clues about black hole-galaxy evolution

Former Andhra Pradesh High Court judge Tallapragada Mallikarjuna Rao was sworn in as Andhra Pradesh Lokayukta by Governor S Abdul Nazeer. His five-year tenure follows an appointment under the amended Lokayukta Act, amid efforts to fill several vacant statutory posts

The civil aviation ministry is considering random year-round psychoactive substance testing for all commercial pilots. Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said DGCA is consulting stakeholders to strengthen existing drug-testing rules, following renewed scrutiny after an Air India pilot tested positive for marijuana

Five members of a family were found dead at a lodging facility in Srisailam, with police suspecting suicide amid health problems and financial difficulties. The victims, from Sri Sathya Sai district, had travelled together to Srisailam. Further investigation is underway

Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati criticised Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on the Manusmriti and Sanatan traditions, accusing him of spreading misinformation. He defended the text’s reference to protecting women, highlighted women’s revered status in Hindu traditions and opposed linking BJP with Manusmriti

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma highlighted Dehing Patkai’s rich butterfly diversity, noting 165 recorded species, including 37 endangered ones. He stressed the region’s ecological importance and the need for conservation efforts to protect its fragile habitats and biodiversity

The fast-spreading Hawk Fire near Reno, Nevada, has burned more than 15,000 acres, destroying 32 homes and damaging six others. At least seven people, including three firefighters, were injured, while evacuation warnings affected about 90,000 residents amid ongoing containment efforts

Hindu organisations called a half-day bandh in Dhar over alleged non-compliance with the Supreme Court’s directions on the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Complex. Security was tightened as protesters held rallies, while authorities said the situation remained peaceful and urged residents to avoid rumours

Actor Umar Riaz defended his brother Asim Riaz amid a controversy involving former girlfriend Himanshi Khurana and allegations of religious conversion. Umar criticised the use of religion to defame someone, while the former couple continued exchanging allegations following Himanshi’s podcast appearance

A Gwalior man was fined Rs 5,500 after his girlfriend decorated his car with 3,400 lipstick marks as a social media stunt. The viral video prompted traffic police to take action, citing vehicle modification rules, and order the owner to clean the car

The Madhya Pradesh Cabinet is likely to decide on prosecution sanction against Tribal Affairs Minister Vijay Shah over controversial remarks about Colonel Sofiya Qureshi. The decision may be sent to the Governor, ahead of the Supreme Court’s August 31 hearing

Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir held talks with Iranian leaders in Tehran on de-escalating the US-Iran conflict, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and pursuing a negotiated settlement. The visit formed part of Islamabad’s diplomatic efforts to revive stalled peace negotiations

Actor-politician Kangana Ranaut criticised Kriti Sanon’s jewellery advertisement, calling its portrayal of Raksha Bandhan “intentionally creepy” and questioning her outfit. The advertisement triggered a social media debate, with some users criticising the styling while others defended Sanon’s clothing and creative freedom