India

Harsimrat Takes Charge of Akali Dal as Sukhbir Badal Recovers from Attack

Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked at a gurdwara in Nanded, Maharashtra, leaving him incapacitated and unable to lead his party. In his absence, his wife and senior SAD leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal has stepped up to lead the Shiromani Akali Dal's political activities. Harsimrat is now the face of the party's ongoing efforts and public engagements during this period. Her increased role marks a significant moment for the party as it navigates a challenging phase in its leadership.

Colombian Woman Who Survived 37 Hours Trapped in Quake Rubble Dies After Rescue

Daniela Largo, a 32-year-old Colombian woman, was rescued from earthquake debris in the city of Pereira on Tuesday after being trapped for approximately 37 hours. Her extraction was met with cheers and applause from onlookers, making her a symbol of hope following the disaster. The earthquake had struck Colombia on Monday, leaving the nation in shock. Largo subsequently died after being pulled from the rubble, despite the initial relief surrounding her rescue.

CAG Audit Finds E. Coli Contamination in Drinking Water at Multiple Railway Stations

India's Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has flagged the presence of E. Coli bacteria in drinking water at several railway stations across the country. The audit examined bacteriological water quality tests and found unsatisfactory results beyond Total coliform parameters. During 2022-23, eight stations spread across four railway zones failed these tests, while the number rose to 11 stations across five zones in 2023-24. The findings indicate a worsening trend in drinking water safety standards at Indian railway stations over the two-year period.

Himanta Sarma Urges Assam Settlers to Declare Assamese as Mother Tongue in Census

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has appealed to settlers in the state to register Assamese as their mother tongue in the upcoming census. The appeal appears aimed at boosting the demographic representation of the Assamese language across the state. However, Sarma clarified that residents of Barak Valley, a region with a predominantly Bengali-speaking population, are free to choose their own mother tongue. Similarly, tribal communities across the state have been granted the same discretion in identifying their linguistic identity. The statement has drawn attention given Assam's longstanding sensitivities around language, identity, and demographic composition.

Trump to Fund Republican Candidates From PAC Ahead of Midterm Elections

President Donald Trump has reportedly approved significant financial support from his political action committee for Republican candidates ahead of the midterm elections. He is also increasing his personal campaign appearances to mobilize his voter base. The move is part of a broader strategy to help Republicans retain control of Congress. The push comes amid growing concerns within the party over issues such as the Iran conflict and rising gas prices.

Zimbabwe Ferry Disaster Death Toll Climbs to 68 After More Bodies Recovered

A ferry accident in Zimbabwe has claimed at least 68 lives after 22 additional bodies were recovered. The vessel was officially authorized to carry 90 passengers but was overloaded with 114 adults, five crew members, and an undisclosed number of children at the time of the incident. The overcrowding is believed to be a key factor in the tragedy. Authorities continue search and recovery operations as the death toll may rise further.

Anthropic CEO's Wife Sought Epstein Investment for Adult Content Venture

Cami Clark, wife of Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, reportedly approached Jeffrey Epstein seeking investment in her adult content company. Clark does not hold an official position at Anthropic but is described as an influential behind-the-scenes adviser to the AI firm. She has been observed accompanying Amodei at high-profile public events, including the World Economic Forum in Davos. The revelation connects a senior AI industry figure's family to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Venezuela and Colombia Earthquakes Reveal Stark Gap in Disaster Response Capacity

Two major earthquakes struck Venezuela and Colombia within weeks of each other, causing significant devastation in both nations. Eyewitnesses, aid workers, and a security firm observed notable differences in how the two governments handled rescue and relief operations. The contrasting responses have highlighted the varying levels of institutional capacity and resources available to each country in managing natural disasters. Analysts suggest the disparity reflects broader differences in governance and emergency preparedness between the two neighboring nations.

Jharkhand Protesters Plan Gherao of CM Soren's Residence on August 20

Protesters in Jharkhand have announced a gherao of Chief Minister Hemant Soren's residence on August 20. The demonstrators also plan to burn effigies of Soren and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi across all 24 districts of the state on Sunday. The protesters have accused the ruling JMM-Congress alliance of failing to act on their demands. The planned demonstrations reflect growing frustration with the state government over its inaction on key issues raised by the agitating groups.

Nakamura apologises after blaming chess.com for EWC technical chaos caused by organisers

Hikaru Nakamura finished third at the 2026 Esports World Cup after his match against Alireza Firouzja was marred by repeated disconnections and technical problems. Firouzja ultimately forfeited the match due to the disruptions. Nakamura initially blamed chess.com for the issues but later discovered the problems originated with the EWC organisers themselves. He publicly apologised for his hasty remarks and acknowledged he had jumped to conclusions. Despite the chaos, Nakamura walked away with $145,000 in prize money and key Club Championship points for his team, Falcons Esports.

Indonesia rocked by 3 major quakes and over 230 aftershocks in 24 hours

'How was leak overlooked?' Cong targets U'khand govt over tunnel tragedy, seeks probe

India to host BWF World Championships in 2026, 17 Years After Hyderabad Edition

New Delhi is set to host the 2026 BWF World Championships, marking India's return to hosting the prestigious event after 17 years. The last time India hosted was in 2009 in Hyderabad. That edition was dominated by China, with Lin Dan delivering a standout championship victory. The upcoming event reflects the significant changes the international badminton landscape has undergone since then.

Manjrekar backs Padikkal for No. 3 after unbeaten 131 on Galle debut

Devdutt Padikkal scored an unbeaten 131 runs on the first day of play in Galle against Sri Lanka. His composed and attacking batting, particularly his back-foot play against spin, drew widespread appreciation. Former cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar praised Padikkal's technique, describing him as a formidable option. The knock has intensified the debate over who should occupy India's number three batting position, with Padikkal now a strong contender.

Govt Defends E20 Petrol, Says Mileage Depends on Driving and Maintenance

The Indian government has pushed back against claims that E20 petrol reduces vehicle mileage, stating that fuel efficiency is primarily determined by driving habits and vehicle upkeep. Officials clarified that E20 fuel does not negatively impact engine performance or compatibility. Comprehensive testing confirmed that the ethanol-blended fuel meets durability standards for use in vehicles. Oil companies also found no significant contamination in E20 petrol samples, further supporting its reliability.

Eight Workers Dead After Uttarakhand Tunnel Floods Amid Ignored Safety Warnings

Eight workers lost their lives after a tunnel in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, was inundated with water. Workers had reportedly flagged concerns about leaks and debris in the tunnel prior to the tragedy. These warnings allegedly went unheeded by the authorities or contractors in charge. The incident has raised serious questions about safety protocols and emergency response at the construction site.

JNU Professor Zoya Hasan Delivers Pluralism Talk Online After School Event Cancelled

JNU professor Zoya Hasan addressed students and parents in a virtual session on pluralism after her scheduled Independence Day appearance at Sardar Patel Vidyalaya was called off. The school cancelled her in-person talk following protests held outside its premises. Parents of the school's students later apologised to Hasan, expressing disapproval of the external pressure that led to her removal. Hasan used the online platform to assert that nationalism represents the greatest threat to pluralism in India today.

Blue and Fin Whales Slowly Recovering Decades After Commercial Whaling Decimated Populations

Commercial whaling during the 20th century killed an estimated 350,000 blue whales, pushing the species to the brink of extinction. Following the implementation of whaling protections, whale populations have begun reclaiming their historic habitats. Sightings of both blue and fin whales have shown notable increases since 2012, signaling a gradual recovery. However, the animals continue to face serious threats from modern human activities and ocean pollution. Conservationists stress that sustained monitoring and protection efforts remain essential to securing the long-term survival of these species.

Teen turns Lego reselling hobby into £400,000-a-year business

Jamie Bell, an 18-year-old entrepreneur, has built a thriving business called JTB Collectables by reselling Lego sets and rare minifigures. The venture now generates over £400,000 annually, catering primarily to fellow Lego collectors. Bell specialises in bulk Lego lots and highly sought-after minifigures to attract buyers. As he prepares to enter university, he plans to continue expanding the business while building his savings for the future.

Ayodhya Ram Temple Priests Assigned Yellow Silk Dhoti as Official Dress Code

Priests at the Ayodhya Ram Temple have been given a new official dress code consisting of yellow silk dhotis. The attire has been prescribed in line with the Ramanandi tradition, a religious practice associated with the temple. Mithilesh Nandini Sharan, a member of the temple trust's religious committee, confirmed the decision. The move reflects the trust's effort to align priestly dress with the temple's specific religious customs and traditions.