Pakistan has issued a strict advisory to citizens travelling to Saudi Arabia for Hajj and Umrah, warning them against begging, unauthorised money collection and violations of Saudi visa rules. The Pakistani Embassy in Saudi Arabia urged pilgrims and workers to follow local laws and visa conditions, warning that violations could lead to arrest, detention and deportation. The embassy also shared an AI-generated video depicting a man being arrested by Saudi authorities. Saudi Arabia has adopted a zero-tolerance approach towards begging and unauthorised solicitation, particularly around Mecca and Medina. Pakistani visitors were advised to use only authorised services, conduct financial assistance through legal channels, avoid overstaying visas and follow permitted activities under their visa categories.

Indian shuttler Ayush Shetty produced the biggest upset of the BWF World Championships, defeating world No. 1 and defending champion Shi Yu Qi of China in his tournament debut. Shetty, making his World Championships debut, stunned the top seed in a thrilling men’s singles encounter in Delhi to advance to the second round. His coach Vimal Kumar had prepared him for the challenge by asking him to write down the motivational line, “August 17 is a bad day for Shi Yuqi,” during his preparations in Bengaluru. Shetty delivered exactly that on Monday, overcoming the reigning champion and turning his debut into a memorable victory against the world’s top-ranked player.

The Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD) Student Wing has announced a two-day general strike in Manipur from midnight on August 17, demanding implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the Census exercise begins in the state. The house-listing phase of Census 2027 is scheduled to begin with self-enumeration from August 17, while the main house-listing operation is scheduled from September 1 to September 30. The strike comes amid growing protests in Imphal and across Manipur’s valley districts against preparations for the Census. Students, market bodies and civil society organisations have opposed the exercise and threatened to boycott the process, intensifying tensions over the upcoming population-counting exercise. (PC: PTI)

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Monday announced that the state Cabinet has decided to cancel the JSSC-CGL examinations, meeting a key demand of job aspirants protesting in Ranchi for over three weeks. Soren said the government will conduct a comprehensive inquiry into all errors, whether minor or major, that have occurred since 2014. The Chief Minister also announced that all activities associated with TDPL will be scrapped. This includes examinations conducted by TDPL, published results, selected candidates, participating candidates and all other activities carried out by the organisation. The decisions come amid sustained protests by job aspirants demanding action over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations and related processes in Jharkhand.

The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has intensified its armed campaign against Pakistani security forces, claiming 22 attacks across Balochistan in eight days and alleging 26 personnel were killed. The separatist group said its struggle would continue until “independence of Balochistan.” Baloch leader Mir Yar Baloch claimed the organisation has around one lakh active members, uses guerrilla warfare and street-fighting tactics, and obtains weapons by capturing Pakistani soldiers and seizing arms. Violence has risen sharply, with the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies recording 254 terrorist attacks and 1,026 casualties in Balochistan in 2025. The BLA also claimed extensive territorial control and continued attacks in 2026, while Pakistani forces launched counter-offensives. (PC: Reuters)

American tourist Mike, an international filmmaker, praised India’s healthcare system after receiving free treatment at a rural government hospital in Odisha. On his fifth day in India, Mike fell ill after overeating local food and said he was vomiting every 15 minutes for around 12 hours. Doctors treated him with IV fluids, anti-nausea medication and injections. Mike clarified he did not believe it was food poisoning, blaming overindulgence instead. He said similar treatment in the US could cost thousands of dollars, but the Odisha hospital charged him nothing. His humorous Instagram video drew praise online, with users highlighting free healthcare, offering recovery wishes and suggesting ways to adjust to Indian food. 

US President Donald Trump threatened military action against Oman after Iran announced an agreement with Muscat on a plan for ships to transit the Strait of Hormuz. Trump told Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst that if Oman interfered with Washington’s efforts against Iran, the US would “bomb the s**t out of them.” The warning came as a 60-day memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran expired without a comprehensive agreement to end the conflict. Trump said he was not in a rush to reach a deal and reiterated that the US naval blockade was increasing economic pressure on Tehran. The threat puts Oman in a difficult position as it balances mediation efforts with Washington and talks with Tehran. (PC: Reuters)

Meta is facing a major US trial over allegations that Instagram and Facebook harmed young users and violated child privacy laws. A lawsuit by 30 states seeks potentially more than $1 trillion and demands major changes to the platforms. The states want parental verification for teenage users, limits on recommendation algorithms, fewer appearance-changing filters, an end to autoplay and infinite scroll, and restrictions on multiple accounts and disappearing posts. Meta denies the allegations and says it is committed to supporting young people. The case, before Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, could force Meta to significantly change how teenagers use its platforms. (PC: BBC)

The BJP has announced a new 64-member team of national office bearers, combining political experience with organisational strength and social diversity as the party prepares for the 2029 Lok Sabha election. The team includes 3 former chief ministers—Vasundhara Raje, Tirath Singh Rawat and Biplab Kumar Deb—and 18 sitting MPs from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Ten women leaders have also been appointed. More than 40% of the members come from deprived communities, while leaders from 23 states and Union Territories are represented. The team also includes tribal, SC and minority representatives, along with doctors, professors, lawyers, engineers and other professionals.  

India has signed a Rs 1,943-crore contract with US defence company General Atomics to lease 2 MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones for the Indian Navy for 30 months. The high-altitude, long-endurance drones can remain airborne for more than 30 hours and operate above 40,000 feet. Equipped with advanced sensors and an anti-submarine warfare kit, they will strengthen India’s maritime surveillance and intelligence capabilities across the Indian Ocean Region. The lease comes after India signed a $3-billion deal to acquire 31 MQ-9B drones for the 3 services. The Navy will receive 15 SeaGuardians, while the Army and Air Force will get 8 each. (PC: NDTV)