Naren Dhar, an Assistant Protocol Officer at the Indian mission in Chattogram, was found dead inside the mission premises early Tuesday morning, according to local police. Dhar, reportedly from Chandigarh, Punjab, was discovered near a bathroom door on the second floor of the old visa centre building. Police initially suspect cardiac arrest, though officials stated that a post-mortem examination would determine the exact cause of death. Authorities have launched an unnatural death case and sent the body for autopsy at Chattogram Medical College Hospital. The Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian High Commission in Dhaka had not officially commented on the incident at the time of reporting. (PC: X)

Twisha Sharma died by suicide and was not murdered, according to Sanjay Kumar, who cited post-mortem findings and collected evidence. Twisha was found hanging at her in-laws’ home in Bhopal on May 12, while her family alleged dowry-related harassment and filed criminal charges against her husband Samarth Singh and mother-in-law Giribala Singh. Police stated that no signs of drug use were found despite allegations made by the mother-in-law. Authorities also admitted procedural lapses involving the belt allegedly used in the hanging but maintained it would not impact the investigation. Twisha’s family continues demanding a second post-mortem examination. (PC: NDTV)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin are likely to attend the BRICS summit scheduled in New Delhi on September 12-13, according to sources. Xi’s participation would mark his first visit to India since the 2019 Mamallapuram summit, held months before the India-China border standoff along the Line of Actual Control. Russian officials have reportedly confirmed Putin’s attendance. The summit comes amid gradual stabilisation in India-China relations, including resumed visas, direct flights and Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage arrangements, although troop deployments along the LAC remain high. India is also reportedly seeking broader consensus among BRICS nations regarding ongoing geopolitical divisions over the West Asia conflict. (PC: Getty Images)

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing on Tuesday night for his 25th official visit to China, where he was welcomed by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and a military honour guard. During the two-day state visit, Putin is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, sign cooperation documents and issue a joint statement on strengthening strategic ties. Putin will also meet Premier Li Qiang, attend exhibitions and hold informal discussions with Xi. The Kremlin said discussions would include “important and sensitive issues”. The visit comes shortly after US President Donald Trump’s diplomatic trip to China.

Lawmakers in Iran are preparing to vote on a bill that would offer a "$58 million bounty" for the killing of Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu and Admiral Brad Cooper. Iranian officials say the proposal is a response to recent attacks on the country. The debate comes as indirect talks between Iran and the United States continue through Pakistan. The proposal has raised fears of further escalation in the Middle East. (PC: Reuters)

India and the Nordic countries launched a Green Technology and Innovation Strategic Partnership at the India-Nordic Summit 2026 in Oslo. Prime Minister Narendra Modi met leaders of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. The countries agreed to work together on 6G, climate action, digital technology and Arctic research. They also decided to allow up to 100% foreign direct investment by Nordic defence companies in India’s defence corridors. (PC: Reuters)

Officials in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates said they were unaware of a planned United States attack on Iran. This came after Donald Trump said Gulf leaders had asked him to delay military action. Trump later warned that the US could still strike Iran within days if nuclear talks fail. Iran has sent a new proposal through Pakistan. The growing tensions have raised concerns about a wider conflict in the Middle East.

A cartoon in Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten has sparked controversy during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Norway. The illustration showed Modi as a "snake charmer" with a fuel hose shaped like a snake. Many social media users called the image racist and said it repeated an old stereotype about India. The cartoon surfaced after a separate debate over press freedom, triggered by journalist Helle Lyng asking Modi why he does not take questions from the media.

The Election Commission of India has released booth-wise data for the 2026 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election, showing that Mamata Banerjee trailed in 207 of 267 booths in Bhabanipur. In 28 booths, she received 50 votes or fewer, including just 12 votes in Booth 227. Suvendu Adhikari led in most booths and won the constituency by 15,105 votes. Mamata secured 58,812 votes, while Suvendu polled 73,917, according to the Commission’s figures. (PC: Anandabazar)

Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng became the focus of international attention after questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi over press freedom during a joint appearance in Norway. Lyng later attended a tense MEA briefing where Secretary (West) Sibi George defended India’s democratic record, media scale and global contributions. The confrontation triggered intense online reactions, with critics accusing Lyng of being a “spy” or “Chinese proxy” due to her earlier articles praising China and criticising Donald Trump and Elon Musk. Lyng denied the allegations, stating her work was purely journalism. The controversy later spilled into Indian politics, drawing reactions from Rahul Gandhi and BJP leaders.