National Capital Territory and megacity; seat of India’s federal functions
ZDNet has reported that most people no longer need flagship levels of phone storage or RAM. For storage, 128GB or 256GB will suit most users who stream and use cloud backups; 64GB is now the bare minimum. For RAM, 8GB–12GB will cover most use cases while high-tier RAM is driving device price increases in 2026.
The Hungarian Parliament confirms Andr?s Baka as transitional president, as the ruling party pursues a sweeping constitutional overhaul that tightens control over media and judiciary. The move comes after Tisza-led reforms dismantle Orbán-era institutions and set the stage for a new constitutional order.
Albanese has faced renewed calls for apology over comments about crown melons gifted by Japan’s Sanae Takaichi. The remarks have prompted international commentary, with Tokyo weighing in on cultural significance and a Japanese envoy urging focus on joint security work. The controversy has resurfaced as both nations push defense and economic collaboration.
Japan’s leaders face renewed regional scrutiny as Koizumi’s Yasukuni Shrine visit on the 81st anniversary sparks protests from China and South Korea, while Tokyo stresses a peaceful, postwar path.
On Mon, 17 Aug 2026, a stampede at Ashok Dham Temple in Lakhisarai district followed reports of an electric pole collapse and a potential live wire, triggering panic among thousands of devotees during Shravan. Women were among those affected as barricades buckled and panic spread. Authorities say investigations are underway.
Venice has faced criticism for including few female directors in its main competition. May el-Toukhys Woman Unknown was the lone woman-led feature in the initial lineup; festival organisers have since added the documentary NAZA. Jury president Maggie Gyllenhaal and programmers at London Film Festival have said structural barriers, especially financing, are limiting womens progression to larger films.
A five‑storey hostel near Delhi University has collapsed, trapping and killing several residents. Rescue teams are clearing rubble as authorities investigate structural faults and safety lapses. Officials promise accountability as new safety audits loom for student housing and other public buildings.
Climate patterns have intensified this year, driving heatwaves, droughts and floods across multiple regions. Governments are mobilising finance, strengthening resilience, and adjusting policies as temperatures and rainfall shift. Aid budgets face pressure while activists warn of rising humanitarian needs.
The president has repeated a personal story that he was at the World Trade Center site after the 2001 attacks, saying firefighters lifted him from the U.S. Steel Building as it "creaked." First responders who were on the scene have said they never saw him there. He has continued to insert himself into anniversary remembrances while praising the country's strength.
A Manipuri guitarist, Vikram Singh, has died after a late-night assault in Delhi. Seven adults and a minor have been arrested. The incident has reignited concerns about discrimination against people from India's northeast. Police say the motive is under investigation.
Leaders from BRICS are meeting in New Delhi for a summit that will test ties between India, China and Russia while India balances relations with Western partners. Japan's Okinawa has held a governor race that is reflecting economic concerns. Several Asian policy and business events this week include a Philippine AI infrastructure plan, a Huawei trial in New York and Hong Kong's BIOHK2026 conference.
Delhi is hosting a BRICS summit this weekend as security forces tighten controls across the city. Authorities have declared a public holiday, closed offices and schools, and diverted traffic to manage the security operation while residents face longer commutes and higher taxi fares.
BRICS leaders have convened in New Delhi amid efforts to shape a new multipolar order. While a joint declaration has been reached, divisions on Middle East war, trade imbalances, and regional alignments remain. Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi are steering the bloc toward strategic autonomy, with tensions over balancing Western influence and internal disagreements evident.
BRICS leaders gather in New Delhi as Xi, Putin, Pezeshkian and others meet India for a pivotal summit. The talks focus on expanding trade in national currencies, energy cooperation, and reforms to global institutions, with tensions over the Ukraine war, Middle East conflicts, and US-dominated financial systems at the forefront.
In a five-over first official, India has defeated Japan by two runs after a controversial wide was overturned by umpires in the final over. Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel have led India with key contributions, while Japan's chase ends at 30-3.
Two naval vessels from India and Pakistan have collided in international waters in the Arabian Sea. Both sides have summoned diplomats and framed the incident as a breach of existing agreements. The event marks renewed direct military tension between the nuclear-armed rivals since last year’s escalation.
The National Payments Corporation of India has announced a 0.4% merchant fee on UPI payments over ₹2,000 for merchants, with caps and exemptions for smaller transactions. The move funds digital-infrastructure and security while sparking debate on adoption costs for businesses.
Xi has approached China-India relations with a strategic, long-term view, urging high-quality cooperation and expanded people-to-people and business ties. Modi thanks Xi for hosting the summit as BRICS eyes broader collaboration. Both leaders reaffirm a peaceful boundary settlement, while trade, supply chains and market access remain on the agenda.
Three cases from Independent and BBC Business highlight road-rage in Gurugram, India and a fatal shooting in Sacramento, California. A Gurugram driver is charged with attempt-to-murder after colliding with bikers; a 38-year-old woman is shot dead in Sacramento amid stalking concerns; and a separate Gurugram incident sees authorities detain the driver with competing accounts.
The Guardian, Scotsman and BBC report that Jagtar Singh Johal, a Dumbarton man linked to alleged Khalistan Liberation Force activities, has been granted bail in an Indian High Court. The ruling follows years of detention and multiple appeals; legal representatives say bail terms may be stringent while trials on other charges continue.
Jagtar Singh Johal has been released on bail after nine years in detention in India. He faces eight federal terrorism charges; prosecutors say he has knowledge of a conspiracy linked to the Khalistan Liberation Force. Supporters argue the case rests on questionable evidence and abuse allegations. The court ordered release with bail conditions, but a full trial has yet to come.
Thousands of protesters, led by opposition politicians and the youth-led Cockroach Janata Party, have marched in multiple Indian cities to demand Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation after a nationwide voter-roll revision removed about 130 million names. Authorities have detained demonstrators, closed metro stations and deployed large security forces while the Election Commission and the government deny wrongdoing.
Thousands of police have sealed central New Delhi and detained leaders and hundreds of demonstrators as the Gen‑Z "Cockroach Janta Party" and allied student and opposition groups have tried to force Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to quit over a Special Intensive Revision that removed about 130 million names from voter rolls.
Jio Platforms has launched a 302 billion-rupee IPO at a price band of 1,065–1,119 rupees per share to repay telecom debt and fund cloud, satellite and AI plans. Global funds and 212 anchor investors have backed the float, and institutional bids have far exceeded allocated shares as India’s equity market has been weak this year.
Renowned Indian actor Patekar has died at the age of 75 from a suspected cardiac arrest. His career spanned five decades across Hindi and Marathi cinema, with national awards and a Padma Shri to his name. He was active in theatre and social causes, and is mourned by Prime Minister Modi and others in the industry.
Protests linked to the Election Commission of India's voter-roll revision have prompted police and security lockdowns in Delhi. Abhijeet Dipke and several leaders were detained on arrival; demonstrations at Jantar Mantar were blocked as authorities deploy thousands of personnel and suspend transport and internet services. Opposition accuse the move of disenfranchising voters; the ECI denies impropriety.
The row between SpaceX chief Elon Musk and Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani has escalated as Musk accuses Ambani of hindering Starlink and questions India’s leadership; officials say India’s regulatory framework for satellite services remains fair and non-discriminatory as Starlink waits for clearance.
Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka have been released from Tihar jail after a special magistrate accepted sureties and ordered their discharge. The two CJP organisers were jailed for entering a restricted Delhi protest site; their detention has fuelled near-daily youth-led protests demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over a contested voter-roll revision that removed roughly 130 million names.
Opposition parties and the Cockroach Janta Party are protesting in Delhi over voter-roll revisions the Election Commission says aim to remove duplicates and fraud. Police have detained thousands, six metro stations are closed, and leaders are calling for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation as the debate over how the revisions affect minorities intensifies.
Gen Z-led protests across Indian cities have intensified, calling for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid allegations of electoral-roll irregularities. Leaders including Neha Bora and Rahul Gandhi are mobilising, with police detentions and park closures highlighting a widening crackdown as opposition forces seek broader political reform.
The Delhi Police have designated Jantar Mantar as no longer a protest site, forcing demonstrators to move to expensive venues as a Gen Z-led movement presses for electoral reforms and accountability. Police say the move responds to the Supreme Court’s guidance, but critics warn it narrows access to power.
Protests in Delhi escalate as opposition groups demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid allegations that a 20-year voter-roll update is purging millions of voters, an issue sparked by an Indian Express report. Authorities have cracked down on demonstrations while the opposition coordinates a broader push to challenge Modi’s government.
Rubio’s India visit has focused on energy and trade, highlighting coordination on refining capacity and diversifying energy portfolios. He has met India’s foreign minister in Mumbai and will visit Jamnagar’s Reliance refinery as part of efforts to steady fuel markets ahead of US midterms.
Opposition parties led by Rahul Gandhi have held a mass rally at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over a voter-roll revision that has removed more than 130 million names. Authorities have deployed thousands of security personnel and set up extensive surveillance; the Election Commission and the government deny wrongdoing.
European 1500m champion Ciara Mageean has died at 34 after a battle with stage four bowel cancer. She had announced her diagnosis in 2025 and married weeks before her death. Tributes pour in from across Ireland and sports bodies.
Mumbai’s citywide air quality index has surged to 379, in the “very poor” range, with PM2.5 levels around 277—over 18 times the WHO’s 24-hour guideline. The spike marks a reversal from October’s cleaner air, driven by a combination of weather patterns and pollutant sources.
Diwali is being celebrated across India and in diasporic communities as air-quality concerns loom in northern cities. Authorities have permitted limited green-firecrackers to curb emissions, and celebrations center on prayers, lights, and family gatherings.
Delhi faces its worst pre-Diwali air quality in years as AQI readings soar to very poor and hazardous levels. Officials urge online classes, work-from-home, and masks as residents confront prolonged smog amid weather that traps pollutants. Authorities promise restrictions and long-term plans to curb emissions.