India

Six Girls Bitten by Snake at Maharashtra Hostel; Three Dead, One Critical

A snake attacked six female students while they slept at a residential school hostel in Japtalai village, Gadchiroli district, Maharashtra, in the early hours of Monday. Three of the girls died as a result of the bites, while one remains in critical condition. The incident took place at a primary-secondary residential school. Authorities are investigating the circumstances that allowed the snake to enter the sleeping area.

Rahul Gandhi demands Amit Shah statement, PM apology over NEET protests

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has renewed his demand for Union Home Minister Amit Shah to address Parliament on police action taken against students protesting the NEET paper leak. Gandhi also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to personally apologise over the controversy. The Congress leader further raised the issue of alleged donation theft at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, demanding accountability. Gandhi dismissed any informal engagement with Amit Shah, stating the opposition was not interested in what he termed 'fantasy conversations'. His remarks came amid an ongoing standoff between the treasury benches and the opposition in Parliament.

Air India Mid-Air Plunge Probe Deepens as Ministry Omits 'Turbulence' from Note

Indian authorities are widening their investigation into an Air India flight that suddenly lost around 300 feet of altitude while flying over Odisha. The Civil Aviation Ministry issued a note on the incident, notably without using the word 'turbulence' to describe the cause. The omission has raised questions about whether the sudden drop was caused by something other than rough weather. Investigators are now examining all possible explanations for the unexpected altitude loss. The case has drawn significant attention given the potential safety implications for passengers on board.

Police Officer's Daughter Among Dead After Truck Rams SUV in Andhra Pradesh

A young woman named Asifa, daughter of a police officer, was killed in a road accident in Andhra Pradesh. She was travelling with four friends in an SUV from Vijayawada toward Suryalanka when a truck collided with their vehicle. Officials confirmed the crash resulted in Asifa's death. The incident highlights ongoing road safety concerns on highways in the state.

Man Who Raised 4 Children Alone Dies in Old-Age Home; Family Skips Funeral

Ghanshyam, a single father who raised four children, passed away on August 4, 2026, at an old-age home in Bhopal. Staff at the facility contacted his family multiple times following his death to inform them and urge them to come. Despite repeated appeals, none of his four children made the journey to Bhopal. The family offered only excuses in response to each request. The incident has drawn attention to the growing issue of elderly abandonment in India.

European cricket boards slam ICC for last-minute ODI World Cup format changes

Two European Associate Member cricket boards have publicly criticised the International Cricket Council over changes to the ODI World Cup format. The boards expressed disappointment, describing the alterations as 'significant structural changes' to the tournament structure. Their frustration stems from the timing of the announcement, which came less than 18 months before the scheduled event. The associates argued that such late changes disrupt their ability to plan and prepare effectively for the competition.

Cult.fit Faces Family Dispute Over Brand Ownership Ahead of Rs 950-Crore IPO

A legal dispute involving Cult.fit traces its origins to 2016, when CultFit Healthcare Private Limited, a subsidiary of the company, acquired assets and intellectual property from Cult Fitness. The acquisition included the brand name 'Cult - The Workout Station.' The controversy involves allegations of a forged signature and has escalated into a family feud. The dispute has come under scrutiny as Cult.fit prepares for a Rs 950-crore IPO.

Putin Reportedly Planning 500,000-Troop Mobilisation After Russian Elections

Ukrainian President Zelensky has claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin is planning a large-scale military mobilisation of around 500,000 fighters. The information, according to Zelensky, comes from Ukrainian intelligence sources. The mobilisation is reportedly set to take place following Russia's parliamentary elections, scheduled for late September. The move is seen as a significant escalation in Russia's ongoing military efforts.

Drone Strikes by Russia and Ukraine Escalate, Civilians Bear the Brunt

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has seen a sharp rise in drone warfare, with both sides deploying unmanned aerial vehicles in increasing numbers. Strikes are now reaching deep into civilian areas, bringing the violence directly into residential homes on both sides of the border. Each country has been exploiting weaknesses in the other's air defence systems to carry out more frequent and damaging attacks. Critical infrastructure is being targeted with growing regularity, compounding the humanitarian toll. The escalating strikes are resulting in a rising number of civilian casualties on a weekly basis.

Travis Kelce Tipped for Amazon Prime Video Analyst Role After NFL Retirement

Travis Kelce may have a significant broadcasting career ahead of him once he retires from the NFL. An analyst has suggested that a coveted analyst seat on Amazon Prime Video could be reserved for the Kansas City Chiefs star. Kelce already has media experience through his popular New Heights podcast, which he co-hosts with his brother Jason. Jason Kelce's successful move to ESPN as a broadcaster has been cited as a potential blueprint for Travis's own transition into media. His strong personality, deep football knowledge, and mainstream popularity make him an appealing candidate for a future broadcasting role.

Tokyo's oldest geisha, 86, uses AI and holograms to preserve dying art form

Ikuko, Japan's oldest geisha at 86, is turning to modern technology to keep the centuries-old geisha tradition alive. She has adopted hologram technology to perform as a younger version of herself, addressing the physical limitations of age. The move comes amid a significant decline in the number of active geishas in Tokyo. Ikuko is also leveraging social media to attract new recruits and encouraging collaborative performances among practitioners. She is additionally seeking government support to help revive and sustain this endangered cultural heritage.

Polls in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir put off amid security concerns; UN takes note

Pakistan-Saudi-Turkey Defense Pact Poses Challenge for India, Signals Warning to China

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey have signed a new trilateral defense pact, which analysts view as a setback for India's regional strategic interests. The agreement is expected to give China greater commercial opportunities through increased access to weapon systems in the region. However, the pact may also prompt a reduction in US military engagement in West Asia. This potential shift in American focus could redirect Washington's attention toward countering China's expanding regional influence, making the deal a double-edged development for Beijing.

Producer Archana Kalpathi Appointed to Tamil Nadu Temple Trustee Committee

Film producer Archana Kalpathi Aghoram has been appointed to a Tamil Nadu government committee responsible for selecting non-hereditary temple trustees. The seven-member panel is chaired by Thavathiru Sivagnana Balaya Swamikal, with K Ramanathan serving as deputy chair. Appointments to trustee positions made by this committee will be valid for a two-year term. Archana is widely recognised for her film productions featuring actor Vijay. Her inclusion on the panel comes after Vijay nominated a producer as a government representative.

Student Protester Injured in Police Lathicharge During Jharkhand Demonstrations

A student protester was injured in a police lathicharge during ongoing demonstrations in Jharkhand. The injured student was seen bleeding from the head following the incident. The protests have been persistent enough to prompt the government to engage in multiple rounds of negotiations with demonstrators. However, repeated talks between authorities and protesters have so far failed to resolve the standoff.

Pakistan's Kashmir Narrative Unravels as PoK Unrest Exposes Internal Contradictions

Pakistan has long pursued a strategy of internationalising the Kashmir issue, portraying itself as a champion of Kashmiri self-determination on the global stage. However, growing unrest within Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) is now undermining that carefully constructed narrative. The uprising in PoK has drawn attention to the conditions under Pakistani administration, contradicting Islamabad's long-standing claims. Analysts argue that the situation exposes the fundamental contradictions in Pakistan's position on Kashmir. The domestic turmoil in PoK is increasingly being seen as a blow to Pakistan's diplomatic and political credibility on the issue.

Osama Bin Laden's Chosen 9/11 Hijacker Almost Removed From Attack Plot

One of the 19 hijackers involved in the September 11 attacks was personally selected by Osama Bin Laden for the mission. He was among the earliest operatives to enter the United States, arriving in January 2000. However, his time on American soil did not proceed according to plan, raising doubts about his continued involvement in the plot. His troubled stay in the US nearly led to him being dropped from the operation before the attacks took place.

Man travels 1,700 miles and makes 52 calls to keep remote UK phone box open

William Arnold undertook a 1,700-mile journey to a remote island in the UK with the sole purpose of saving a local phone box from being decommissioned. To meet Ofcom's usage requirements, he made 52 calls from the kiosk, which was enough to secure its operation for at least another year. Ofcom uses call frequency as a key criterion to determine whether a public phone box should remain in service. Arnold's effort highlights the critical importance of public payphones in isolated communities where alternative communication options may be limited.

After Rahul's 'fifth row' seat last year, govt says LoP to sit after ministers on I-Day

Indian Soldier Kills 7-Month-Pregnant Wife, Stages Death as Accidental Fall

An Indian soldier allegedly strangled his seven-month-pregnant wife, Deepali, at their home last Thursday. The accused contacted the victim's family around 3 PM and falsely claimed she had slipped and fallen. The victim's brother has raised allegations against the soldier, contradicting the accidental fall narrative. The case has come to light following the family's suspicion over the circumstances of Deepali's death. Authorities are investigating the incident, with the suspected motive being a dispute over an alleged extramarital affair.