Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the BJP’s newly formed team at the party headquarters in Delhi on Saturday. BJP president Nitin Nabin welcomed him. The 65-member team was announced on August 17. It includes 51 new faces and several senior leaders. Earlier, Nabin asked the new office-bearers to focus on “Yuva Samvad” and engage more with young people. The BJP also passed a resolution on the history and importance of Vande Mataram. The party opposed the Congress decision to sing only its first two stanzas at party events. The BJP plans a nationwide campaign to raise awareness about the National Song.

Rescuers are searching for survivors after Russian drones struck a busy shopping centre in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine. At least 16 people were killed and 130 were injured. Four people remain missing. Two drones hit the centre within a short time. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the attack “cynical and despicable”. He said the second drone targeted emergency workers at the scene. The fire covered about 9,000 square metres but has now been put out. Rescue teams from seven regions joined the search. Officials said the operation could continue for two more days because of the damage and ongoing threats.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been asked not to attend a youth football tournament in the Dominican Republic. The request came from CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani. In a letter, he said Infantino’s presence could take attention away from the children’s matches. The dispute is linked to reported plans to sell a 20% stake in a new World Cup venture to private investors. The proposal has caused criticism from several football bodies. CONCACAF, along with European and Asian football confederations, has questioned Infantino’s leadership. FIFA has not commented. A FIFA presidential election is due next year. (PC: Getty Images)

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has reportedly decided to let retired police dogs stay with the force and their handlers. The move has won praise online. Police dogs usually retire after 10 years of service. Earlier, many were sent for adoption after retirement. This could upset dogs due to sudden changes in their routine and surroundings. Under the new plan, retired dogs can remain in a familiar place with their handlers. The Maharashtra Home Department will reportedly cover their food and other care costs. Many social media users praised the decision. Some also suggested regular health checks and allowing retired dogs to train younger ones. (PC: Canva)

14 people were killed in military air strikes on a monastery in Myanmar’s Sagaing region on Friday. The victims were elderly people attending a meditation retreat during Buddhist Lent. A local rescue worker said the site was hit twice. Several monks were also injured. The attack took place around 9:00 local time in Myaung township, about 70km west of Mandalay. An opposition fighter said rescuers were searching for survivors when a second strike took place. The victims included 11 men and three women, aged between 50 and 70. Myanmar’s military has not commented on the attack.

India and Canada will hold their first Finance Ministers’ Economic and Financial Dialogue in Toronto on August 26 and 27, marking a step towards stronger economic ties. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will meet Canadian Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne during her first visit to Canada in this role. The ministers will discuss investment, trade, sustainable growth and global economic developments. Talks are also expected to focus on energy, agriculture, critical minerals, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing. Canada’s total direct and indirect investment in India exceeded CA$110 billion in 2024. The meetings could also help strengthen the broader India-Canada relationship. (PC: HT)

The NIA will send a court summons to Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed, named as an accused in the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack case. The summons will be routed through the Ministry of External Affairs, asking him to appear before a special NIA court in Jammu. The court has also issued a non-bailable warrant against Saeed. The NIA has accused him of helping plan the attack that killed 25 tourists and a local resident. If Saeed fails to appear after legal procedures are completed, the court may proceed with the trial in his absence under Section 356 of the BNSS. (PC: India Today)

A seven-storey under-construction building collapsed in Anjaiah Nagar, Madhapur, Hyderabad, on Saturday, killing two people and injuring several others. Rescue teams, police and emergency personnel rushed to the site and began clearing the debris to locate anyone trapped underneath. The collapse has raised concerns about construction safety and regulatory compliance. Congress MLA Arekapudi Gandhi alleged that the building lacked proper clearances and claimed officials had previously stopped construction at the site. He further alleged that construction had resumed illegally and that work extending the cellar toward an adjacent building may have contributed to the collapse. Rescue operations remain underway.

Several Sikh leaders and families affected by the 1984 anti-Sikh riots protested outside Rahul Gandhi’s residence in New Delhi on August 22, demanding an apology from Congress. The demonstration followed remarks by some Congress leaders allegedly describing former party leader Sajjan Kumar as a “hero” and “role model.” Kumar, who recently died, had been convicted in a case related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Protesters, led by Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee leaders, said the comments had reopened painful memories for victims’ families. They demanded clarification from Rahul Gandhi and Congress, while heavy police barricading was deployed around his residence. (PC: The Hindu)

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced that the AIAPGET exam for 49 candidates at a Jaipur examination centre will be rescheduled after a power failure disrupted the test. The affected candidates were unable to complete their examination because of the technical interruption. NTA confirmed that a re-examination will be conducted in September, with September 1 indicated for the rescheduled test. The agency’s decision aims to ensure that affected candidates receive a fair opportunity to complete the examination. Further details regarding the re-examination arrangements and other instructions are expected to be communicated by NTA. (PC: HT)