India began their Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026 campaign with a 2-2 draw against China in their opening Pool D match. Navneet Kaur and Deepika scored for India as the team fought back to secure a valuable point. China also found the net twice, keeping the contest closely balanced until the final whistle. India showed attacking intent but struggled to convert opportunities consistently. The result gives both teams a point at the start of their World Cup campaign. Captain Salima Tete and her teammates will now look to improve their performance and secure stronger results in their remaining pool matches. (PC: X)

Ukraine launched one of its largest drone attacks on Russia, with Moscow claiming hundreds of drones were intercepted overnight. Russian authorities said at least six people were killed, including an 83-year-old man, while several others were injured. A major Wildberries warehouse in Podolsk, near Moscow, caught fire during the assault. Russia claimed 822 Ukrainian drones were shot down, including around 600 targeting Moscow, though these figures could not be independently verified. The attack comes as Ukraine expands long-range strikes against Russian infrastructure. Russia simultaneously launched missile and drone attacks on Ukraine, causing further civilian casualties and damage. (PC: AFP)

Bangladesh has linked Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s proposed visit to India with its demand for the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Dhaka said a “propitious environment” must be created before Rahman’s bilateral visit can proceed. Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry said officials from both countries have been discussing the visit for several weeks, but Hasina’s August 5 public interaction in New Delhi affected the process. Dhaka has urged India to expedite Hasina’s extradition, along with other fugitives, and is awaiting New Delhi’s response. The development highlights continuing diplomatic tensions and the sensitive nature of India-Bangladesh relations. (PC: AP)

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has demanded the immediate arrest of those allegedly responsible for the death of Janab Mafik, father of CJP volunteer Shaik Abdul Hafeez, in Bankura, West Bengal. Hafeez, 25, reportedly inspected a government school in Karisunda on August 13 as part of the “School Thik Karo” campaign highlighting poor infrastructure. CJP alleges that armed men, identified as local BJP workers, later attacked Hafeez and his family after demanding an apology video. Hafeez suffered injuries, while his father sustained severe head trauma and died on August 15. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke vowed to pursue justice. (PC: ANI)

Bihar-born chef Nand Kishor Yadav has been invited to King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s Royal Garden Party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. The invitation recognises his culinary career, Indian heritage and community work in the UK. Chef Nand, who has spent 25 years working across India, the US and UK, called the occasion a proud and humbling moment. Born in Motihari, Bihar, he began his career in 1999 and later worked with international chefs before moving to Britain in 2007. He has also worked under celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and now runs The White Hart near London. (PC: X)

Vishal Garg, the Indian-origin founder and former CEO of Better.com, is seeking to return as the company’s chief executive after being fired by its board on August 3. Garg has hired high-profile lawyer Alex Spiro and sent a letter demanding reinstatement. He accused new CEO Daniel Lewis of gaining the board’s trust before helping remove him. Garg became widely known in 2021 after firing around 900 employees during a controversial Zoom call. The layoffs affected about 9% of Better.com’s workforce and included the company’s entire diversity, equity and inclusion team. Garg now says Better still has a bright future. (PC: NDTV)

A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Indonesia’s Flores island early Saturday, killing at least 51 people and displacing thousands. The shallow quake damaged more than 900 homes and hundreds of other buildings, while 341 aftershocks were recorded, officials said. Manggarai was among the worst-hit areas, with 24 deaths reported, followed by 17 in East Manggarai. More than 5,000 people have been evacuated across affected areas. Rescue teams are searching damaged buildings for survivors, while landslides have blocked access to some villages. A tsunami warning was issued after the quake but was lifted about 3 hours later after no significant sea-level rise. (PC: BBC)

Jharkhand’s JPSC and JSSC aspirants have announced plans to gherao Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s residence in Ranchi on August 20, intensifying their weeks-long protest over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations. The students are demanding action against those responsible and greater transparency in the recruitment process. The protest entered its 23rd day on August 16. On August 15, students held a Tiranga Yatra in Ranchi and announced the planned gherao. Protest leaders have also demanded Soren’s resignation and urged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to withdraw support from the JMM-led government if their concerns are not addressed. (PC: X)

Ukraine reportedly launched one of its largest aerial attacks on Russia on August 16, with hundreds of drones targeting several regions, including Moscow. Russia’s Defence Ministry said it destroyed 822 Ukrainian drones overnight, while Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said around 600 were detected heading toward the capital. A Ukrainian drone strike sparked a major fire at a Wildberries warehouse in Podolsk, sending huge columns of black smoke into the sky. Fires were also reported at warehouses and industrial sites. At least 6 people were killed in the attacks, including 5 in Rostov and an 83-year-old man in the Moscow region. (PC: HT)

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari said on Independence Day that the country “tolerates” its Hindu population, which he claimed is 3–4%. He also said Hindus are free in Pakistan and referred to India’s belief in “Akhand Bharat”. However, Pakistan’s 2023 census records about 5.2 million Hindus, or 2.17% of the population. Zardari’s remarks have drawn attention to Pakistan’s treatment of religious minorities. Rights groups have documented cases involving forced conversions, abductions, discrimination and violence against minorities. Pakistan’s Constitution formally guarantees religious freedom, but critics say its record raises questions about whether minorities receive equal rights and protection. (PC: Indian Today)