An Indian Army contingent, Navy warships INS Tarkash and INS Ikshak, and a naval band are participating in Seychelles' Golden Jubilee National Day celebrations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is attending as the Guest of Honour, underscoring the strong strategic partnership and defence cooperation between India and the archipelago nation.
The National Inter-State Championships saw two new national records being set. Anushka Yadav broke the hammer throw record with a 67.02m effort, while Dev Meena set a new pole vault record by clearing 5.47m.
India's VALORANT esports team has successfully qualified for the Esports Nations Cup (ENC) 2026 main event in Riyadh, emerging as one of two teams from the Asia regional qualifiers. The team, led by Sagnik Roy, overcame tough competition, including a crucial victory against Hong Kong, to secure their spot in the global tournament featuring a USD 1.5 million prize pool.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh stated that human-led artificial intelligence will be the defining force in India's journey to becoming a developed nation by 2047. Speaking at the 29th National Conference on e-Governance, he emphasised that technology must strengthen governance without replacing human accountability, advocating for responsible AI deployment with citizens at the centre. The conference concluded with the adoption of the Jaipur Declaration on e-Governance 2026, outlining a roadmap for AI-enabled, data-driven, and secure digital governance.
Paraguay's President Santiago Pena declared a national holiday to celebrate the country's stunning 4-3 penalty shootout victory over four-time world champions Germany in the World Cup round of 16.
Six military personnel, who died in the line of duty during Operation Sindoor last year, have been officially recognised and their names inscribed on a wall at the National War Memorial in New Delhi. This marks the first public release of their names since the operation in May 2025, which was conducted in response to the Pahalgam terror attack.
India continues to lead the Athletics Integrity Unit's (AIU) global list of dope offenders with 162 names, highlighting a significant problem in the country's sports. The nation has been re-categorised to 'Category A' by the AIU, indicating an "extremely high" doping risk and requiring more stringent anti-doping measures.
The National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships concluded with star long jumper Murali Sreeshankar and javelin thrower Rohit Yadav delivering top-class performances.
Gujarat's Aryan Nehra and Maharashtra's Saanvi Deshwal were named 'Best Swimmer' at the 79th Senior National Aquatic Championships, where Karnataka secured the overall championship. The event saw 22 new records and 17 Indian Best Performances, highlighting the promising future of Indian swimming.
National record holder Jyothi Yarraji made a remarkable return to competition after a year-long injury lay-off, breaching the Asian Games qualifying standard in the 100m hurdles at the National Inter-State Championships. She achieved the feat with a time of 13.14 seconds, well within the AFI's requirement.
Ninety-two remote villages in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region, once a Maoist stronghold, will hoist the national flag for the first time since Independence on August 15. This historic event signifies the end of left-wing extremism in these areas, with the state government leading an extensive campaign to foster national pride.
Star Indian high jumper Sarvesh Kushare has set a new national record by clearing 2.31m at the National Inter-State Championships in Bhubaneswar, becoming the first Indian to breach the 2.30m mark.
Indian Olympic Association President PT Usha lauded RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's address at an IIMUN event, calling it 'inspirational' and praising his thoughtful responses regarding youth protests and the need for dialogue.
A senior US official has warned against the weaponisation of digital and artificial intelligence sovereignty by political voices, urging nations to avoid costly re-invention of existing technology. The official highlighted the economic dangers of rebuilding entire tech stacks and emphasised India's crucial role as an indispensable partner in global technological leadership due to its engineering talent and innovation ecosystem.
Experts highlight India's significant market potential for assistive technologies, estimated at Rs 75,000-95,000 crore by 2030. They advocate for a National Assistive Technology Policy to address current gaps in access and service delivery, fostering inclusion, independence, and economic participation for persons with disabilities and the elderly.
Olympic medallist Gagan Narang and weightlifting great N Kunjarani Devi have been appointed to a five-member search-cum-selection committee for the National Sports Board. Chaired by Cabinet Secretary T V Somanathan, the committee will recommend names for the Board's Chairperson and Members. The National Sports Board is tasked with recognising National Sports Bodies and ensuring compliance with governance, financial, and ethical standards under the new National Sports Governance Act.
Ashish Yadav clinched a silver medal in the men's javelin throw, marking India's first medal at the World Athletics U20 Championships. Pooja Singh also advanced to the women's high jump final, while other Indian athletes competed in various events, including the men's 400m and long jump, showcasing promising talent.
Bhiwani boxer Sakshi Chaudhary expressed gratitude to Virat Kohli for sponsoring her through her Commonwealth Games gold medal-winning campaign.
Indian archer Sahil Jadhav, preparing for the Asian Games, has found valuable insights into managing pressure and staying focused from former Australian cricketer Shane Watson's self-help book, 'The Winner's Mindset'.
Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa declared a national holiday after the country's football team secured a spot in the World Cup knockout phase with a surprising 2-1 victory over Germany. This marks only the second time Ecuador has reached this stage, sparking widespread celebrations.
Abhijeet Dipke, convener of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), has urged the BJP to align with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's stance on Gen Z protests, particularly regarding NEET examination irregularities, and to refrain from labelling protesting youth as 'anti-national'.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke has launched an online petition urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address India's youth on critical issues like education, unemployment, and the rising cost of living during his Independence Day speech. This initiative follows CJP's successful 36-day agitation against NEET irregularities, which led to the resignation of the Union Education Minister. The CJP is now broadening its campaign with a nationwide "Kya Bolti Public" tour to gather youth views for a comprehensive Youth Reform Charter.
A top national shotgun coach, involved in India's Asian Games preparations, is under investigation by the Sports Authority of India for alleged conflict of interest related to a contract for building a shooting range in Chennai.
Pakistan's chief selector Samiullah Khan believes a draw against arch-rivals India will be crucial for the national hockey team to advance past the group stage in the upcoming World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands. Pakistan, participating after an eight-year hiatus, has announced a 20-member squad, with foreign coaches assisting the team.
Actor-politician Kangana Ranaut has made a significant U-turn, praising Gen Z as India's biggest strength and ambassadors of culture, days after controversially labelling them 'generation gutter.' Her new stance aligns with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's recent comments advocating for hearing out young protesters.
David Owori, the 28-year-old captain of Ugandan football club SC Villa and an international player, has died after being critically injured in an assault by unidentified assailants in Kampala.
Indian drag-flicker Deepika Sehrawat discusses her challenging journey back to hockey after a serious hamstring injury, her emotional struggles during rehabilitation, and her triumphant return as the joint top scorer in India's FIH Nations Cup victory.
India has distanced itself from former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina's recent media interaction in New Delhi, stating it played no role in the event nor endorsed her comments regarding the Bangladesh government. This comes after Bangladesh expressed outrage over the permitted interaction, which saw Hasina announce her determination to return to Bangladesh to restore democracy.
The Union health ministry has deployed a National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT) to Gujarat and Rajasthan to strengthen the response to the ongoing Chandipura Virus Disease (CHPV) outbreak.
The All India Tennis Association (AITA) has voted to cap the age for eligibility to its Executive Committee at 70 years, aligning its constitution with the National Sports Governance Act. This decision, approved by a narrow margin, allows elected members to complete their full four-year term even if they cross 70 during their tenure. The move is part of a broader constitutional overhaul overseen by the Delhi High Court, which also includes new tenure provisions and the election of Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit.
A think tank, GTRI, has urged India to resist US pressure regarding its UPI policies, advocating for the defence of competition, policy autonomy, and the long-term sustainability of its payments ecosystem. This comes as the Lok Sabha passed a bill allowing charges on UPI transactions, a move GTRI suggests should not be influenced by foreign trade complaints.
At Umling La in Leh, Ladakh, the world's highest motorable road witnessed the unfurling of a 390 footlong Tiranga as part of Mission Tricolour.
An Indian-flagged merchant vessel, MSV Faize Noore Oliya, with 13 Indian nationals aboard, was attacked off the coast of Yemen in the Red Sea. All 13 Indian crew members have been successfully rescued, and India has condemned the attack, calling for an end to targeting commercial shipping in the region.
Top-order batter B Sai Sudharsan has been ruled out of the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka due to a big toe injury. The injury, sustained during the India A tour last month, requires further healing time, leading to his withdrawal from the squad.
The Centre has informed the Supreme Court that foreign nationals with unverified nationality cannot be deported unless their home country confirms their identity and agrees to accept them. This submission was made in response to a plea challenging indefinite detention of declared foreigners in Assam.
Nationalist Citizens Party of India leader Abu Taher attended a breakfast meeting hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for NDA allies but asserted that his party is not part of the ruling alliance. He stated his attendance was solely to raise public issues directly with the Prime Minister.
Karnataka's G Sindhushree, an unheralded pole vaulter, achieved a new national record of 4.25m at the National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar. This performance not only secured her a gold medal but also a spot in the Asian Games. Overcoming personal hardships, Sindhushree dedicated her achievement to her late father. The event also saw other athletes like Animesh Kujur, Harshita Bhadra, Manpreet Kaur, Gowthami Jayaraman, Mohammed Afsal, and N Thowfeeq qualify for the Asian Games in various disciplines.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has urged India's youth to dedicate themselves entirely to national interest, rising above personal gains to capitalise on the current 'window of opportunity' for building a stronger nation. He emphasised that true freedom is not merely doing what one wants, but involves commitment and sacrifice for the country's progress.
At least six people, including three teachers and three students, were killed and 15 others injured in a school shooting in Thailand's Nonthaburi province. The suspected 14-year-old shooter is also dead.
AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal has claimed his social media account was restricted in India by Meta, with no clear reason provided. He questioned Meta's actions and linked it to political pressure.
