Gen Z and “Yuva Shakti” will take centre stage at India’s 80th Independence Day celebrations at Delhi’s Red Fort on August 15. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the celebrations, which will commemorate 150 years of the National Song, “Vande Mataram.” For the first time, the song will be rendered at the historic venue during the Independence Day event. The celebrations will focus on the energy, aspirations and contributions of young Indians to the country’s development journey towards Viksit Bharat@2047. A full-dress rehearsal was held at the Red Fort on August 13 ahead of the celebrations. The event is expected to combine the Independence Day ceremony with a prominent focus on youth participation and national identity. (PC: ANI)

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has called Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to the disputed Kuril Islands “absolutely unacceptable,” saying it worsened Japanese sentiment toward Russia. Putin visited Iturup, known as Etorofu in Japan, one of four southern Kuril islands claimed by both countries. Takaichi said the islands are historically and legally Japanese territory and that Putin’s visit “wounds the feelings” of the Japanese people. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi also strongly protested the trip. The territorial dispute has prevented Japan and Russia from signing a post-World War II peace treaty. Russia administers the islands, annexed by the Soviet Union after the war, and has strengthened its military presence there amid continued tensions.

Russia is increasingly using improvised anti-drone defences to protect ships and maritime infrastructure from Ukraine’s expanding Black Sea drone campaign. The sanctioned tanker Caruzo recently passed through the Bosphorus covered with anti-drone nets, metal cages and water tanks, while another tanker, Rizvel, was also seen using netting. Such barriers are intended to obstruct incoming drones and reduce blast impact. Ukraine has reportedly struck more than 218 Russian-linked vessels in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov since early July, targeting shadow-fleet ships and energy infrastructure. The attacks have raised shipping costs and insurance risks. Russia has also reinforced Novorossiysk naval facilities with nets, booms and barges. President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine recently struck ships and infrastructure there. (X/@TankerTrackers)

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has sharply rejected US President Donald Trump’s claim that Washington has “total control” over the Strait of Hormuz. Araghchi accused the US of repeated intelligence failures and said such failures had contributed to serious miscalculations in the ongoing Iran conflict. Warning against another misjudgment over the strategically vital waterway, he urged Washington to exercise caution. Araghchi argued that relying on inaccurate intelligence could prove more dangerous than misinformation, saying “fake intelligence” may be worse than fake news. His remarks underline escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington over control and security in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global energy transit route. (PC: PTI)

Bangladesh has imposed an 8 pm closing deadline for shops, markets and shopping malls as a severe natural-gas shortage worsens the country’s power crisis. Under the directive effective Thursday, commercial establishments can operate only from 11 am to 8 pm, while hospitals, pharmacies and food-related businesses are exempt. The electricity shortage has caused widespread load-shedding, with the national grid facing a shortfall of several hundred megawatts during peak hours. Bangladesh has sought additional diesel supplies from India through an existing cross-border pipeline to support gas-fired power generation. Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi discussed energy cooperation with Bangladesh’s Power and Energy Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood, who said diesel shortages had directly affected electricity production. (PC: REUTERS/Mohammad Ponir Hossain)

The UAE has reportedly released billions of dollars in Iranian assets frozen in its banks, including two tonnes of gold valued at about $283 million, amid the ongoing US-Iran war. Multiple sources in Tehran said the move was intended to persuade Iran to spare the UAE from potential future attacks as hostilities continue. The released assets were reportedly transported from Abu Dhabi to Iran aboard a UAE Royal Jet Boeing 737-7KK. The aircraft flew to Tehran’s Mehrabad and Karaj’s Payam airports on August 11 and 12, remaining for roughly an hour before returning. The same aircraft reportedly transferred $3 billion from Abu Dhabi to Tehran on June 8, according to Iranian officials cited by Reuters. (PC: X/@conflict_live)  

Former Gorkha soldiers and their supporters protested in Nepal’s Pokhara, demanding that India resume recruiting Nepali youths into the Indian Army under the Agnipath scheme. Nepali citizens have served in the Indian Army for more than two centuries, but recruitment has remained disrupted since 2020. Protesters specifically called for Agniveer opportunities, arguing that Nepali youths should receive military employment rather than being pushed towards jobs in the Gulf. The demonstration comes days before Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth’s scheduled visit to Nepal. The recruitment issue has become a significant concern for former Gorkha soldiers and aspiring recruits, amid uncertainty over whether and when India will restart enlistment from Nepal under its current military recruitment system. (PC: India Today)

Two Palestinian families in the West Bank village of Qusra have reportedly been confined to their homes since the weekend amid a siege involving Israeli settlers and soldiers. According to The Guardian, the families have faced shortages of food and water, while access to electricity and medical care was disrupted. A similar campaign reportedly preceded the displacement of another Palestinian family in nearby Jalud. An Israeli military commander visited the affected families and promised action, but settlers reportedly remained nearby after one tent was removed. The Israeli army said it was investigating and would pursue disciplinary action against soldiers allegedly assisting settlers. (PC: EPA)

The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) has announced plans to conduct a proper scientific study to examine concerns surrounding E20 petrol, after withdrawing an earlier communication on fuel contamination. SIAM said the previous data had insufficient testing and sample size to support definitive conclusions. The decision follows concerns raised by automakers over chloride and moisture contamination in fuel samples. SIAM maintains that the withdrawn communication should not be interpreted as evidence against E20 itself. Meanwhile, the government and ARAI have maintained that E20 is safe for compatible vehicles after extensive testing. The controversy has intensified consumer concerns over mileage and vehicle performance. (PC: The Hindu)

A 30-year-old nurse, Rupali Burman, was found dead inside a locked toilet at Nilratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on Wednesday night. Burman was reportedly on duty in the gynaecology department’s High Dependency Unit (HDU), having started her shift at 8 pm. She entered the restroom around 10:20 pm but did not return. Colleagues called out to her several minutes later, but received no response, prompting them to break open the door. She was found unconscious and later died before medical treatment could be provided. Police have taken over the investigation, with CCTV and forensic evidence being examined. (PC: NDTV)