National Capital Territory and megacity of India, home to New Delhi
South Africa’s Chad Le Clos has extended his Commonwealth Games medal tally to 19 with a recent bronze and gold, as he pivots toward butterfly events and a fifth Olympic bid in Los Angeles.
Smoke from more than 800 active wildfires in Canada has blanketed parts of the US Midwest and Northeast and made air quality hazardous in cities including Chicago, Detroit and New York. Officials have issued health alerts, advised people to stay indoors, and warned that smoke will linger into the weekend before forecast rain helps disperse it.
Nelson Mandela Day is marked with community service across South Africa. Volunteers highlight Ubuntu and cross-community solidarity, while anti-migrant groups push a stricter stance. The Nelson Mandela Foundation condemns xenophobia as tensions surface amid economic strain.
Protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party have forced Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to resign over exam leaks and irregularities. The movement, born online, has mobilized millions of Gen Z followers and spurred government actions, from a high-profile task force to a renewed push for exam reforms. The developments unfold as Prime Minister Modi grapples with youth frustration and political backlash.
Protests in Delhi over education reform have intensified as police face accusations of firing pellet guns and deploying teargas. Eyewitness accounts describe injuries, while authorities deny pellet gun use and say they are examining events. The demonstrations have drawn international scrutiny amid a youth-led push for policy change.
Gabriel Langton has fallen headfirst from the high bar during the Commonwealth Games team final. He has received medical treatment and is being monitored; England remains silver behind Canada as the competition resumes. Updates show Langton is conscious and in good spirits, with teammates reaffirming support.
Multiple sources report on Glasgow 2026’s impact as a bridge to the Commonwealth Games’ future, with emphasis on cost-saving measures, collaboration with hosts, and shifting regional leadership. The Games wrap with questions over global viewership and future hosts.
India's education minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, has resigned after weeks of nationwide protests led by the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). Tens of thousands of students have protested exam paper leaks and police violence at Jantar Mantar; CJP has suspended its agitation after government assurances but reports of detentions in Assam, West Bengal and Bihar continue.
Protests against alleged leaks in medical college and government-exam papers have expanded beyond grievances over exams. Prime Minister Modi has announced fast-track courts to handle leakage cases, but protesters demand deeper accountability as the Cockroach Janta Party leads ongoing demonstrations nationwide.
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 Joint Awami Action Committee has intensified protests in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, demanding electoral reform and abolition of 12 refugee seats. Authorities report clashes, casualties, and a security crackdown, while rights groups cite a broader crackdown and communications blackout complicating reporting.
Air India’s Phuket-Delhi flight has encountered turbulence during descent, with minor injuries reported and the aircraft landing safely. Investigations are underway as questions about turbulence frequency and safety persist amid ongoing discussions about climate-related weather changes.
Northern Ireland and Wales finish Glasgow 2026 with notable success across bowls, cycling and track events. NI claims multiple golds in bowls and boxing, while Wales is led by Emma Finucane’s four golds in cycling and a strong track team performance.
Scotland has delivered a scaled-back, sustainable Commonwealth Games after Victoria withdrew. The city used existing venues, emphasised legacy, and expects continued investment to sustain nationwide sport participation and facilities.
Ousted Bangladeshi premier Sheikh Hasina has said she will return to Bangladesh, insisting she must answer to her people. Speaking via videolink from New Delhi on the second anniversary of the 2024 uprising, she has pledged to confront the charges against her while Bangladesh seeks extradition and India says the request is under review. A memorial museum marks the uprising as Dhaka and New Delhi navigate a fragile reengagement.
Prashant Kishor, founder of the Jan Suraaj Party, has defeated BJP candidate Neeraj Kumar in Bankipur by over 19,000 votes, according to the Election Commission of India. This marks Kishor’s first electoral contest and tests Modi’s support among India’s youth amid recent student protests. Bankipur had voted BJP in four consecutive terms since 2010.
South African swimmer Chad le Clos says a blaze gutted his Cape Town apartment block on 30 July as he was competing in Glasgow, while he has won a Commonwealth bronze and vows to help affected neighbours through his foundation.
Several political developments surround Bangladesh’s exiled prime minister Hasina, who has said she will return to Bangladesh amid a death sentence. Attacks on Shakib Al Hasan’s ancestral home in Magura have raised security and diplomatic concerns as Dhaka and New Delhi spar over Hasina’s Delhi appearance.
The Bombay High Court's Goa bench has convicted Tarun Tejpal, the founder of Tehelka, of rape and sexual harassment, overturning a 2021 acquittal. He is sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined about Rs 1 million. Tejpal plans to appeal to the Supreme Court; surrender is set within four weeks.
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.
Protests and political turmoil in Pakistan-administered Kashmir have intensified as demonstrations over electricity costs and governance enter a new phase. The JKJAAC rejects foreign financing claims, calling the movement peaceful while authorities accuse demonstrators of violence; an internet blackout and press restrictions hinder independent reporting.
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.
Mari has entered a definitive agreement to buy ATG Entertainment from Providence, valuing around £4.5 billion per reports. ATG operates about 70 theatres globally, with West End venues and regional theatres. The deal keeps ATG operating under its brand and leadership while expanding Mari’s live-entertainment portfolio.
The Tata Group has faced leadership uncertainty as Chandrasekaran has stepped down after the Tata Sons board failed to reach a resolution on a five-year term extension. Shares in Tata group companies have reacted to the leadership rift and ongoing governance debates surrounding the dual nonprofit-commercial structure.
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 young protesters, led by the Cockroach Janta Party and student groups, have staged near-daily rallies demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resign after a Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls removed about 130 million names. Authorities have deployed tens of thousands of police in New Delhi, detained movement leaders and opposition figures, suspended mobile internet and closed rail and metro links to block access to protest sites.
Jio Platforms has opened an initial public offering to raise 302bn rupees to repay telecom debt and fund growth, offering shares at 1,065–1,119 rupees and targeting a roughly 10.3tn-rupee valuation. Global fund managers and dozens of anchor investors have backed the deal, while a separate spat between Elon Musk and Reliance over Starlink approvals remains unresolved.
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.
Two leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, have been released from Tihar jail after a magistrate ordered their release following arrests at Jantar Mantar. The youth-led CJP has driven near-daily protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over a voter-roll revision that removed about 130 million names; police have restricted central protest sites and detained dozens of activists.
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.