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West Bengal plans to finalise a new industrial policy focusing on sectors with strong demand for ancillary industries, including textiles, steel, automotive, heavy electrical equipment, IT and electronics. The policy aims to attract investments, boost employment and promote MSME-linked support businesses

The Trinamool Congress plans statewide protest rallies after former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee faced protests and alleged stone and shoe attacks during a visit to Bijpur. The party will organise block-level demonstrations, while political leaders traded accusations over the incident

Indian Navy Chief Admiral Krishna Swaminathan began a four-day Mauritius visit to strengthen maritime cooperation and defence ties. Discussions will cover maritime security, capacity building and military collaboration, while the two nations seek to deepen strategic partnership and regional cooperation

A leopard was captured in the Belrayan forest range of Uttar Pradesh’s Dudhwa buffer zone following recent big cat attacks on villagers. Forest officials said it was trapped in a cage near Murtiha village, marking the fourth leopard captured since August 2

Assam’s flood death toll reached 100 after two more fatalities were reported, while nearly 1.4 lakh people remained affected across seven districts. Hundreds of villages and thousands of hectares of farmland were inundated, with several rivers flowing above danger levels

India donated five peacocks, including a rare white-feathered male, to the UN Office at Geneva, reviving a decades-old tradition. The birds symbolise India’s biodiversity and commitment to environmental conservation, while also strengthening its longstanding partnership with the United Nations

The US Homeland Security Department will expand existing $4,000 H-1B and $4,500 L-1 fees to qualifying visa extension petitions from September 9. The move could raise immigration costs for employers, indirectly affecting Indian technology professionals and other foreign workers

Indian equity markets traded mildly higher on Monday, supported by resilient domestic demand, strong corporate earnings and continued foreign investor buying. Sensex and Nifty gained around 0.2 per cent, while healthcare and IT stocks advanced as crude oil prices rose

WhatsApp users across several countries reported disruptions affecting photos, videos, stickers, GIFs and other media, while text messaging largely continued. Outage reports emerged in India, Britain, France and other countries, with users reporting failed uploads despite troubleshooting attempts

A US Embassy assessment said Indian social media users praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s February 2025 Washington visit for strengthening ties with Donald Trump, advancing defence and trade cooperation, and promoting India’s interests through personal diplomacy and strategic engagements

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay is set to move a special Assembly resolution making Tamil Thai Vazhthu mandatory as the first song at government functions. The move follows controversy over Vande Mataram’s rendition before the state invocation at official events

India defended its proposed FCRA Amendment Bill 2026, rejecting concerns that it would restrict lawful civil society or target religious groups. Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra said the legislation would improve transparency, oversight and governance while allowing eligible organisations to receive foreign funding

A retired Army man was killed and two others seriously injured after a speeding Mahindra SUV allegedly rammed into them at Hydershah Kote in Hyderabad. The occupants reportedly fled the scene, while Narsingi Police registered a case and launched an investigation

Iran’s parliament security committee approved a strategic action plan aimed at ensuring security and sustainable progress in the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf. Tehran said US violations must end before negotiations resume, while Iran and Oman continue discussions on safe maritime routes

At least three people were killed and 10 injured in multiple shootings across Chicago over the weekend, while a separate North Carolina shooting left three family members dead. Authorities reported no arrests in Chicago as gun violence continues across the United States

Actress Tejasswi Prakash praised television producer Ektaa Kapoor for adapting to changing audience preferences and expanding into reality shows. Speaking during Playground promotions, Tejasswi called her a business mastermind who evolves with trends, while highlighting the success of Lock Upp and her filmmaking ventures

The pilot of an Air India Phuket-Delhi flight that encountered severe turbulence could face licence cancellation and other penalties if a reported positive dope test is officially confirmed. The pilots’ body urged caution, noting that Air India has not formally released the test results

Gujarat’s Forest Department has begun creating a 100-hectare enclosure at Ambardi Safari Park in Amreli to house lions involved in human attacks. The initiative aims to reduce human-wildlife conflict while providing affected Asiatic lions a secure, natural habitat within the Gir landscape

Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and BRS working president K T Rama Rao greeted indigenous communities on World Indigenous Peoples’ Day. They highlighted tribal culture, traditions, environmental stewardship, rights and welfare, while recalling initiatives for Scheduled Tribe development

A banner in Kolkata’s Salt Lake warned political leaders joining the BJP against engaging in extortion or corruption, threatening them with “egg therapy.” Former BJP mandal president Sanjoy Poira said the party should maintain zero tolerance for illegal activities amid opposition leader defections

Nayanthara, known for avoiding film promotions, made an exception for Yash-starrer Toxic, attending its trailer launch in Bengaluru. She said Yash’s personal request convinced her to participate, while praising his larger-than-life personality. The Geetu Mohandas-directed film releases worldwide on August 26

Four of India’s top 10 most valued companies gained nearly Rs 1.43 lakh crore in market capitalisation last week, led by SBI, while six firms lost around Rs 1.23 lakh crore. Sensex and Nifty ended higher despite market volatility and uncertainties

Priyanka Chopra wished her Varanasi co-star Mahesh Babu on his birthday, sharing a behind-the-scenes photo from the film’s Africa schedule. The makers also unveiled Mahesh’s first look as Rudhra, while SS Rajamouli praised his character and announced the film’s 2027 release

The BJP launched Tiranga Yatra rallies across several states ahead of India’s 80th Independence Day, honouring freedom fighters and promoting patriotism. Leaders including Mohan Yadav, Yogi Adityanath, Brajesh Pathak and Sanjay Seth urged citizens to uphold the Tricolour and support Har Ghar Tiranga