Union Home Minister Amit Shah said security forces dismantled the alleged Pakistan-based, ISI-backed Shahzad Bhatti Network ahead of Independence Day, foiling plans for subversive attacks. The Home Ministry said a coordinated operation on August 12 led to 253 detentions across 14 states and more than 80 FIRs. Officials linked the network to grenade, IED and petrol-bomb attacks, targeted killings and espionage. Security agencies recovered IEDs, grenades bearing Pakistan Ordnance Factory markings, pistols, ammunition and CCTV cameras. Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of detentions at 62, followed by Haryana with 52 and Delhi with 51. The Centre said the crackdown reflected its zero-tolerance policy on cross-border terrorism. (PC: HT)

US President Donald Trump has said the US will “substantially reduce” joint military exercises with South Korea, citing his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Trump also criticised Seoul for declining to join the US in efforts over Iran’s nuclear programme. South Korea said it was reviewing his comments, while its military had earlier confirmed the annual drills would proceed as scheduled. About 18,000 South Korean troops are expected to participate in the 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise, with around 28,500 US troops stationed in South Korea. Experts warned that reducing the drills could weaken alliance coordination and deterrence against North Korea. (PC: BBC)

Former Union minister Smriti Irani and RSS leader Ram Madhav have returned to key organisational roles as BJP president Nitin Nabin announced his new national team on Monday. Irani has been appointed national general secretary, while Madhav is a national vice president. Union minister Piyush Goyal has been named national treasurer. The reshuffle also gives women a prominent role, with 6 appointed national vice presidents. Several leaders, including Vasundhara Raje and Baijayant Jay Panda, retained their positions. Amit Malviya has exited as the BJP’s social media head and was replaced by Deepak Mhaskey. The new team comes ahead of major Assembly elections in 2027. (PC: India Today)

Public opinion of India is largely positive across Europe, with the United Kingdom ranking first at 71% favourable, according to a new Pew Research Center survey. Germany follows at 63%, while Italy and Sweden record 56% and 55%. France stands at 50%, the Netherlands at 49%, Spain at 37%, Poland at 37%, Greece at 39% and Hungary at 40%. The findings come from Pew’s Spring 2026 Global Attitudes Survey, which interviewed 42,092 adults across 36 countries between February 9 and May 13, 2026, with surveys designed to represent the adult population in each country. Pew said European views of India generally lean more positive than negative. Compared with 2025, favourable views rose 11 points in the UK and 6 points in Germany, while Sweden and the Netherlands also recorded increases. Since 2023, Germany’s favourable rating has climbed from 47% to 63%, while France’s rose from 39% to 50%. 

Vogue has revealed the first photographs from Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez’s private wedding. The couple married on August 11 at their home in Cascais, Portugal, exactly 10 years after they first met. Their 5 children were present, while only 4 witnesses attended the ceremony. Ronaldo wore a light-coloured suit, while Rodriguez chose a white outfit. She said they wanted a quiet celebration with their family instead of the grand wedding she once imagined. Ronaldo, 41, also told Vogue that the 2026-27 season could be his final football season, though he has not officially announced his retirement. (PC: X)

Restaurants and bars in Kolkata may be allowed to operate for longer hours during festivals if the state government accepts a proposal from the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI). The association has sought automatic permission for licensed establishments to serve customers until 2am, instead of the current midnight limit for alcohol service. It has also proposed allowing service until 4am on occasions such as New Year’s Eve, Christmas Eve and other notified celebrations. NRAI said longer hours could boost tourism, spending and government revenue. The state will examine the proposal, particularly its impact on revenue and law and order. (PC: X)

US President Donald Trump joked that White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt “likes her children more than she likes Trump” as she prepares to leave her post at the end of August. Trump praised Leavitt’s work and said she would be difficult to replace. During a Fox News interview, correspondent Alexis McAdams asked Trump about Leavitt’s replacement. Trump suggested McAdams herself could take the job, saying he had always liked her. Leavitt is leaving to spend more time with her 2 young children. Trump has supported her decision and said she could remain an outside adviser after leaving the White House. (PC: India Today)

An 18-year-old student in Belgium discovered a hidden gold hoard worth an estimated €9 million while digging a trench for a sewage system at a former brewery site. The student, identified as Kobe, found gold coins, nuggets and numbered bullion bars hidden inside a bricked-up cellar wall beneath a historic villa. The discovery was immediately reported to police, and the gold was moved to a secure facility in Brussels. Authorities are investigating its ownership and whether it could be linked to criminal activity. Under Belgian law, potential owners have at least 5 years to come forward and claim the treasure. (PC: X)

Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran has suggested making E10 petrol available for older vehicles while newer vehicles continue using E20 fuel. He said India has around 75-80 million two-wheelers designed for E10, and some may face compatibility issues with higher ethanol blends. Nageswaran said restoring E10 at fuel pumps could reduce public concerns and protect older vehicles while retrofitting or replacement continues. He also rejected claims that E20 causes a 30% energy loss, estimating the impact at around 6-7%. The ethanol industry opposed any rollback, saying E20 is important for India’s energy security and reducing crude oil imports. (PC: NDTV)

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has denied BJP involvement in an alleged attack that led to the death of the father of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) volunteer Shaik Abdul Hafeez in Bankura. Hafeez and his family were allegedly attacked on August 13 after he visited a government school under the CJP’s “School Thik Karo” campaign. His father, Janab Mafik, died on August 15 from severe head injuries. Adhikari said 3 of 5 people named in the FIR have been arrested and denied any BJP connection. The CJP, however, has alleged that local BJP workers carried out the attack. (PC: The Hindu)