'The trigger for the flood was definitely natural, but the damage that it caused was human-made.'
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced plans to enact a stringent law against religious conversion and implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state. He linked these measures to strengthening national security and preserving Bengal's cultural identity, citing concerns over infiltration and demographic changes. Adhikari also highlighted efforts in border security, distinguished between illegal immigrants and CAA refugees, and paid tribute to Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
Former Indian cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara shared memorable anecdotes from his IPL career, including a 'fanboy moment' meeting Kolkata Knight Riders co-owner Shah Rukh Khan and Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood's humorous refusal to bowl to him in the Chennai Super Kings nets.
A 16-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped by a bus driver and conductor in Greater Noida after she mistakenly boarded their vehicle, and was later abandoned over 40 km away in Kashmere Gate, Delhi. The two accused have been arrested, and the incident has drawn comparisons to the 2012 Nirbhaya case.
An international research team has discovered a new species of subterranean earthworm eel, named Gangaichthys indonepalicus, in the Indo-Gangetic Plain of Bihar. This small, colourless fish, adapted to life in dark underground aquifers, is the first stygobitic fish recorded from the Gangetic Basin. The discovery followed a TikTok video and involved challenging manual pumping of borewell water to secure samples for scientific analysis.
Following devastating flash floods in Nepal, experts are calling for systematic scientific assessments of glaciers to understand and mitigate hazards, alongside the development of a robust land use policy for the Himalayan region. The floods, which killed over 460 people and left thousands missing, are believed to be linked to climate change impacts on glaciers and permafrost.
NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL) and Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) have successfully integrated the Maldives' instant payment system 'Favara' with India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI). This enables real-time fund transfers from Maldives to UPI-enabled Indian bank accounts, marking a significant step in cross-border digital financial connectivity and bilateral economic cooperation.
The Centre has announced the awarding of 1057 Gallantry and Service Medals to personnel from Police, Fire Service, Home Guard & Civil Defence, and Correctional Services on Independence Day, recognising their exceptional bravery and distinguished service.
Punjab Police have dismantled a cross-border drug smuggling operation, arresting four individuals in Ferozepur and seizing a significant quantity of heroin and cash.
JSW Group and China's SAIC Motor are in discussions for the next round of capital support for JSW MG Motor India, aiming to expand manufacturing capacity beyond 220,000 units annually to an ambitious one million vehicles and broaden its new-energy vehicle (NEV) portfolio.
While tensions have eased at several friction points and mechanisms for managing the boundary have been reactivated, underlying differences persist. Disputes over naming practices in Arunachal Pradesh, continued infrastructure development on both sides, and unresolved questions regarding patrolling rights indicate that the structural gap remains, notes Dr Kumar.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the government's plan to establish a high-powered committee to examine reforms for the banking sector, aligning it with the vision of a 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India) and India's next phase of growth.
Who is running the show in Dhaka? This kind of flip-flop, culminating in a last-minute decision to skip a maiden visit, can happen only when the remote is in the hands of one of the competing lobbies within the BNP -- one that appears determined to play a game of chess with India.
A senior adviser to Bangladesh's Prime Minister has expressed a desire for friendly relations with India, while also voicing concern over the recent killings of Bangladeshi nationals along the border.
Japan is deepening its defence relationship with India while simultaneously expanding its economic, infrastructure and security engagement with countries around India -- particularly Bangladesh. The result is an emerging Japanese conception of South Asia in which India remains the strategic anchor, but the geography surrounding India is becoming increasingly important, points out Varun Arya.
A US appeals court has upheld a $562.5 million arbitral award, which has grown to over $2 billion with interest, in favour of Devas Multimedia against Antrix Corporation, the commercial arm of ISRO, ruling that US courts have jurisdiction despite Antrix being government-owned.
'After announcing that she will return to Bangladesh, if she does not, her credibility will suffer.'
Who says everyday dressing has to be predictable? Dr Akanksha Mantri proves that style can be elegant, experimental and full of personality no matter the occasion.
Indian athlete Basant Kumar Meghwal clinched a silver medal in the men's high jump event at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, USA. Achieving a personal best of 2.21m, Meghwal contributed to India's growing medal tally, which also includes a silver from Ashish Yadav in javelin throw.
Former Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane has expressed profound satisfaction with his decision to retire from international cricket, stating he has 'no regrets at all' after giving his '200 per cent' on the field. Rahane also revealed his openness to venturing into coaching or mentorship roles in the future, aiming to share his extensive experience globally.
Shiprocket plans to allocate a significant portion of its IPO proceeds towards artificial intelligence (AI), aiming to evolve its e-commerce enablement platform into a comprehensive operating system for merchants, enabling conversational commands and reducing manual tasks.
As India's decline continued on global indices, the government first blamed methodology and then motives. This is where we remain today as we wish each other and ourselves a happy Independence Day, points out Aakar Patel.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri held extensive discussions with China's Vice Foreign Minister Hua Chunying and other senior officials in Beijing, reviewing bilateral relations, trade, cultural exchanges, and emphasising peace and tranquillity in border areas. His visit aims to advance the vision of both nations as development partners.
Veteran Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane has announced his retirement from international cricket, concluding a career that spanned nearly two decades and included an undefeated Test captaincy record.
7 Dogs has all the money, stars and kinetic action you could want, but its vanity-project sheen cannot hide a painfully generic screenplay, observes Sreeju Sreedharan.
For the first time in Independence Day celebrations, 'Vande Mataram' will be rendered at the Red Fort complex during the 79th anniversary on August 15, followed by the recitation of the National Anthem, marking 150 years of the National Song's legacy.
Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has declared her intention to return to Bangladesh in December, despite facing a death sentence and the risk of arrest. Speaking from India, she stated her goal is to restore democracy and justice, criticising the current state of affairs in Bangladesh and alleging that her government's collapse was due to organised violence. Her son also claimed Bangladesh is a "failed state" and a concern for India.
Former Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane believes India's recent Test struggles stem from the departure of senior players, emphasising the need for a core of seven to eight experienced cricketers in the longer format.
Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj, who recently assumed charge as a Deputy Superintendent of Police in the Telangana Police, paid a courtesy call on Telangana Director General of Police CV Anand.
Ajinkya Rahane's retirement from international cricket drew tributes from the cricket fraternity, including Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Suryakumar Yadav and KL Rahul, who praised his contribution to Indian cricket and wished him success for the future.
Parliament was informed that UPI has onboarded 55.49 crore users by June 2026, with transactions reaching 24,162 crore in volume and Rs 314 lakh crore in value in FY 2025-26. The platform, operated by NPCI, is expanding internationally through NIPL, facilitating cross-border payments and assisting other nations in building similar systems. Significant efforts are also underway by the Government, RBI, and NPCI to enhance the security and transparency of UPI transactions, including risk-based limits, security frameworks, and public awareness campaigns against cyber-crime.
West Bengal police have unearthed a sophisticated Pakistan-linked honeytrap network targeting state ministers, their families, and other high-profile individuals, leading to the arrest of a third suspect, Aditya Singh, an alleged associate of Jaish-e-Mohammed operative Hamim Mondal.
The Delhi police busted two Pakistan-backed modules linked to gangster Shahzad Bhatti plotting terror attacks in the capital with the arrest of six operatives, officials said on Monday.
'Raghav and I complement each other. He talks to me a lot about form and how he approaches his characters. Our paths are different, but we both are very much aligned emotionally.'
At Border Pillar 609 at Babliyan near Jaisalmer, the one thing that dominates the landscape is something entirely different, something central to our identity -- the Tiranga -- flying boldly above the blazing desert.
'India should hold several high-level chess tournaments that would attract the world's top players so that the country will have a say in the game.'
From Lakshya to Shershaah, revisit 10 Hindi films and shows that captured the courage, sacrifice and emotional cost of the 1999 Kargil War.
Subedar Hokato Sema lost his leg in a mine blast on the Line of Control. Today he is a champion para shot-putter and among the most decorated para soldier-athletes.
For India, the guiding principle should remain clear: Engage Bangladesh as a sovereign nation and society rather than through the prism of any individual leader or political party, suggests Manoj Mohanka.
Sashastra Seema Bal arrested a man near the Indo-Nepal border in Maharajganj district with over 327 kg of marijuana worth over Rs 20 crore.
