Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued a strong warning to India during Pakistan’s Independence Day celebrations, declaring that every drop of Pakistan’s water is a “red line.” He said Islamabad would give a direct response if New Delhi did not change course over the suspended Indus Waters Treaty. Sharif also warned that any future threat to Pakistan’s sovereignty or security would receive a stronger response than the May 2025 conflict. He reiterated Pakistan’s support for Kashmiris’ right to self-determination and stressed that Islamabad wants peace but will not interpret peace as weakness. Sharif also highlighted Pakistan’s newly signed defence agreement with Saudi Arabia and Turkey. (PC: X)

Bangladesh has tightened electricity-saving measures as severe natural-gas shortages reduce power generation and cause prolonged outages of up to 12 hours in some areas. The government has ordered shopping malls, markets and retail shops to close by 8 PM, an hour earlier than the previous deadline. Trade fairs and cultural events must also end by 8 PM, while illuminated billboards must be switched off by 7 PM and decorative lighting has been banned. Hospitals, pharmacies and food-related businesses are exempt. The worsening crisis has also been linked to global energy-market disruptions caused by the ongoing Iran conflict, increasing pressure on Bangladesh’s LNG supplies. (PC: AP)

India’s bank deposits grew 15.4% year-on-year by the end of July 2026, marking their fastest expansion in nearly a decade. The surge was driven largely by strong inflows from non-resident Indians, who deposited around $37 billion through foreign-currency accounts after the Reserve Bank of India introduced measures to attract overseas funds. Total inflows under these schemes reached nearly $41 billion by July 31. Meanwhile, bank credit growth also accelerated, reaching 19.4%, supported by stronger corporate demand and lending to micro, small and medium enterprises. The developments indicate improving liquidity and stronger financial activity across India’s banking sector. 

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has appointed Indian-origin strategist and former BBC executive Gautam Rangarajan as Expert Adviser on Structure and Process at 10 Downing Street. Rangarajan, who spent more than three decades at the BBC, brings extensive experience in corporate strategy, organisational transformation and public-service broadcasting. His new role comes as Burnham undertakes major changes to the UK government’s structure, including establishing a new Office for the Prime Minister and Cabinet and expanding regional devolution. Rangarajan is expected to advise on improving government structures and processes, although specific responsibilities have not yet been fully disclosed. (PC: Linkedin)

Seven workers were killed and several others injured after water and debris suddenly entered an under-construction tunnel at the Tehri Hydro Development Corporation (THDC) project in Pipalkoti, Chamoli, Uttarakhand. The incident occurred on Thursday evening, trapping workers inside the tunnel. Rescue teams from the SDRF, NDRF, Army, ITBP and other agencies were deployed to locate and evacuate those trapped. Fourteen injured workers were rescued and taken to hospital, while authorities continued searching for missing workers. The sudden flooding reportedly followed heavy rainfall and landslide activity in the area. Officials are monitoring the situation as rescue operations continue under difficult conditions.

An Air India A320 flying from Phuket to Delhi on August 4 suddenly lost about 300 feet of altitude after all three hydraulic systems reportedly failed simultaneously. Preliminary Airbus analysis of the aircraft’s flight-data recorder found that key flight controls, including the elevators and ailerons, became unresponsive for around four seconds, while spoilers were also affected. The first officer’s control inputs initially produced no response before the systems recovered and the aircraft stabilised. The incident injured 24 people. India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is investigating with support from Airbus and France’s BEA. The exact cause remains undetermined. (PC: News18)

India have withdrawn from the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup to prioritise a high-profile international friendly against five-time world champions Brazil in Kolkata on October 3. AIFF deputy secretary general M Satyanarayanan confirmed that India cannot participate in both competitions because their dates overlap. The ASEAN Cup is scheduled during the September 21–October 6 international window, with India originally drawn alongside Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. The AIFF had considered sending a developmental squad but ultimately chose to withdraw and focus on the Brazil fixture. The decision gives India an opportunity to face a top-ranked opponent amid limited opportunities for high-level international matches. 

New Zealand ultrarunner Sophie Woods has set a new record for completing the 2,000km Via Alpina trail across eight European countries. The 42-year-old finished the demanding route from Italy to Monaco in 28 days, 17 hours and 59 minutes, beating the previous record of 35 days and 21 hours. Woods endured thunderstorms, heatwaves, injuries and exhausting days of running for up to 20 hours. Supported by her husband and photographer, she completed the journey on August 1. The achievement also transformed her outlook after personal struggles, giving her renewed confidence and inspiring thousands of women and girls to pursue endurance running. (PC: X)

A second-year Mechanical Engineering student at IIT Kharagpur, identified as Ankit Sharma from Rajasthan, died after reportedly falling from the fourth floor of the Nalanda building on Thursday afternoon. The incident occurred around 3 p.m., when security guards found him seriously injured and rushed him for medical treatment. Doctors declared him brought dead. Police have launched an investigation to determine how the student fell, including whether it was an accident or a deliberate act. The circumstances remain unclear. IIT Kharagpur authorities have not yet issued an official comment on the incident. (PC: NDTV)

A commuter train carrying around 150 passengers derailed near Lewes in southeast England on Thursday afternoon, leaving two people seriously injured and several others hurt. The Southern Rail service had departed from London Victoria when it veered off the tracks shortly before 4 p.m. At least three carriages overturned, prompting a major emergency response involving police, firefighters and paramedics. All passengers were safely evacuated, while injured people were assessed and some taken to hospital. The cause of the derailment remains unknown. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch is investigating the incident, while major disruption to rail services in the region is expected. (PC: AP)