National Capital Territory and megacity of India
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.
Wildfire smoke from Canadian fires has blanketed the northeastern United States, affecting air quality ahead of the Spain-Argentina final in East Rutherford. Rain and thunderstorms are forecast to improve conditions, but health warnings remain in place for players, fans and residents.
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.
Thousands of supporters of the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party have gathered at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi and have attempted to march on Parliament, protesting alleged examination paper leaks and demanding the education minister's resignation. Police have erected heavy barricades, used batons and tear gas during clashes, and have detained or hospitalised hunger-striking activist Sonam Wangchuk.
Protests across major Indian cities have intensified as activists demand the education minister’s resignation and systemic reforms after a paper-leak crisis that affected millions of students. Sonam Wangchuk has ended his hunger strike but the movement continues with calls for accountability and compensation for families.
Protesters are gathering in New Delhi as police prohibit larger assemblies ahead of Parliament’s opening. Sonam Wangchuk, a hunger-striking activist, has been moved to hospital after medical conditions deteriorated; supporters vow to press ahead with a march to Parliament while authorities maintain security and restrict gatherings.
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 New Delhi have intensified as thousands demand education reforms and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Police have clashed with demonstrators, injuring dozens, while opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi have been detained during a sit-in outside the prime minister’s residence. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has mobilised a large online following and vows to continue the campaign.
A growing student-led movement in India, sparked by alleged exam leaks, is expanding beyond the initial grievance to challenge unemployment, economic prospects, and government responsiveness. Police crackdowns persist as thousands occupy streets in Delhi and other cities.
Protests across India are intensifying as youth-led groups press for the education minister’s resignation over a leaked entrance exam paper affecting millions. Sonam Wangchuk has ended a 26-day hunger strike, urging talks as authorities pledge reforms.
Protests across New Delhi and other cities have intensified after a string of exam paper leaks. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned following mass youth-led demonstrations led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). The government pledges fast-track courts to punish leaks as protesters demand systemic reforms and compensation for victims’ families.
Protesters marching toward India’s Parliament have faced teargas, batons, and pellet gun injuries. Police deny pellet use, while eyewitnesses describe injuries; a broader youth-led movement seeks education reform. The government has not yet released a final report on the incident.
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.
Gen Z-led protests over medical exam leaks have compelled India’s education minister to resign. The Cockroach Janta Party has galvanized a nationwide movement pressing for accountability and reforms. The government has conceded some demands, while protests continue to shape political dynamics.
Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 line remains the flagship, with the Ultra model offering higher-end cameras and battery life. Other foldables from rival brands enter markets with new shapes, improved screens, and pricing shifts. Preorders and deals signal growing consumer interest, while reviews highlight both value and trade-offs.
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.
Bangladesh's former prime minister Hasina and ally figures face extradition pressures as her return to the country becomes a focal point. Shakib Al Hasan remains abroad amid investigations and tensions, while attacks on his ancestral home complicate diplomacy and public safety concerns.
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.
The final phase of the regional elections in Pakistan-administered Kashmir proceeds as protests flare and violence rises. Amnesty International reports dozens of civilian deaths and several security force casualties; two British nationals are detained amid ongoing clashes. The UK has updated travel advisories and ministers have engaged with Pakistani authorities.
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.
Chandrasekaran has stepped down from Tata Sons, citing unresolved board approval for a five-year extension. The move comes as Tata Trusts press for disciplined capital allocation amid losses in Air India, Tata Digital and Tata Electronics, and as investors respond to leadership uncertainty across the Tata Group.
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 Film Festival winners have spotlighted gender disparity in cinema. May el-Toukhy’s Woman Unknown has won Golden Lion; Lee Chang-dong’s Possible Love takes Silver Lion; Ilya Khrzhanovsky’s DAU wins best director. Gaza documentary NAZA earns a special jury prize. The festival continues to face questions about female representation in major competitions.
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.
President Trump has reiterated a memory of Ground Zero, prompting questions about the timing of his presence at 9/11 events. Multiple outlets are challenging the timeline while he defends the account at ceremonies and on Truth Social.
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 and newly admitted members have arrived in New Delhi for a two-day summit beginning Sept. 12. Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin and Iran’s Masoud Pezeshkian have travelled to India; Narendra Modi has held bilateral talks with several visitors. Delegates are confronting the US‑Israel war on Iran, the Ukraine conflict, trade tensions and energy security.
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.
NPCI has announced a 0.4% merchant fee on UPI transactions above ₹2,000 to merchants, with caps and exemptions for P2P payments and smaller merchants. The move aims to fund infrastructure and security but sparks debate over the impact on adoption and costs for businesses.
The BRICS bloc has expanded to include new members and partners, and its leaders are pursuing deeper practical cooperation across politics, economy, and security. Xi and Modi are signaling a push for a multipolar world, with open-source AI, special zones, and service-trade forums on the agenda. The summit in New Delhi is framed as a step toward a broader Global South alliance.
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.