Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has assured protesting students that the government will investigate alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations and take strict action against those found guilty. The students’ agitation in Ranchi entered its 16th day on Sunday. Soren urged the protesters to hold talks and warned political groups against influencing the movement. Meanwhile, the health of student leader Devendra Nath Mahto deteriorated during his hunger strike after his blood glucose level fell to 53. Six protesters are on hunger strike. Students have demanded action over alleged exam irregularities, including cancellation of the 14th JPSC Civil Services Examination and independent probes into recruitment exams. (PC: X)

India’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) has faced scrutiny after several players suffered injuries, but Head of Cricket VVS Laxman said the facility’s role goes beyond rehabilitation. After meeting BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, Laxman said there was no disconnect between the CoE, team management, medical staff and selectors. He explained that players such as Jasprit Bumrah and Sai Sudharsan were selected subject to fitness clearance, with regular updates shared with selectors and coaches. Laxman also revealed that the CoE has struggled to appoint a Head of Sports Science and Medicine since Nitin Patel left. He added that the Bronco Test is being used to monitor players’ fitness during series. (PC: HT)

Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s convoy was attacked by protesters in Halishahar on Saturday while she was travelling to meet the family of TMC worker Birju Keot, who died after falling ill in police custody. Protesters surrounded her vehicle, smeared it with mud and allegedly threw stones, water bottles and footwear at the convoy. Banerjee alleged that large stones were hurled at her car in front of police personnel and claimed the attack could have caused serious injuries. The BJP condemned the incident and denied involvement. The protest followed allegations of custodial torture by Keot’s family, while police said he died of a heart attack. (PC: India Today)

US Vice President JD Vance spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday to discuss ways to further strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. During the call, Modi congratulated Vance and his wife, Second Lady Usha Vance, on the birth of their son and conveyed his best wishes to the family. The conversation came amid growing tensions in West Asia and days after Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a mutual defence pact. The US side has not shared details of the call. It is also unclear whether the proposed India-US trade deal was discussed during the conversation. (PC: NDTV)

Indian national Varun Batchigari, 20, has been arrested in Germany over the alleged first-degree murder of his 19-year-old girlfriend, Julissa Rubi Salazar, in Arizona. Salazar was found dead in her Tucson apartment on August 6 after her family requested a welfare check. Police allege Batchigari fled the US after the killing, travelling from Tucson to Houston and then to Berlin. He was detained at a German airport following an arrest warrant. Reports say Salazar had planned to end their relationship after an alleged earlier assault. Batchigari, who studied business analytics at the University of Arizona, is expected to be extradited to Arizona. (PC: HT)

A 40-year-old West Bengal woman, Shaheda Fakir, has allegedly been pushed into Bangladesh after being detained in Navi Mumbai as a suspected illegal infiltrator. Shaheda’s family says she is an Indian citizen and presented her birth certificate, school records, land documents and other identity papers to authorities. She was reportedly taken to Assam before being pushed across the border and later reached Satkhira, where a local family gave her shelter. Her family plans to approach the Calcutta High Court seeking her return. A migrant workers’ forum has urged the Ministry of External Affairs to verify her documents and intervene diplomatically. (PC: The Indian Express)

Pranav Ilango, a 17-year-old from Erode, Tamil Nadu, has secured admission to Brown University in the US with a full scholarship worth ₹3.55 crore. The scholarship covers his tuition and living expenses for the entire 4-year undergraduate programme. Pranav will study Public Health and Applied Mathematics, combining his interests in mathematics, technology and data. A student of CS Academy, Erode, he was recognised among Outstanding Cambridge Learners and earned a World Topper distinction in IGCSE Mathematics. He hopes to use technology and data to address public health challenges, particularly in underserved communities, and create practical solutions for India. (PC: India Today)

Israel is facing accusations of using archaeology to expand its control over land and ancient sites in the occupied West Bank. At Sebastia, Israeli authorities plan to take control of about 450 acres to create and develop a national park, a move Palestinian landowners oppose. UNESCO has placed Sebastia on its World Heritage List and List of World Heritage in Danger, citing concerns over planned land expropriation. Israel says it wants to protect and develop important archaeological sites and preserve Jewish historical links. Similar land expropriation has begun near Herodium, raising further concerns among Palestinian residents and Israeli rights groups. (PC: BBC)

A Malaysia Airlines flight carrying 159 passengers was forced to circle briefly while approaching Kolkata airport after a laser beam reportedly flashed into the cockpit. Flight MH-184, travelling from Kuala Lumpur, was around 8 nautical miles from the runway when the pilot noticed the bright beam from the Madhyamgram-Barasat side. The laser reportedly affected the pilot’s vision and temporarily disoriented him, delaying the landing. The aircraft eventually landed safely at around 11:25 pm, with all passengers and crew safe. Kolkata airport authorities lodged a complaint with the NSCBI Airport Police Station. Police are investigating the incident, officials said. (PC: HT)

A section of graduating students at a leading law university in Hyderabad has opposed Chief Justice of India Surya Kant being invited as the chief guest for its 2026 convocation. In a letter to university authorities, the students raised concerns over recent judicial developments and remarks attributed to the CJI, including his alleged reference to Indian youth as “cockroaches”. They said his invitation conflicted with their concerns about constitutional accountability and academic freedom. The students urged the university administration to reconsider the decision. Their objection comes weeks after the Tata Institute of Social Sciences postponed its convocation amid concerns over possible protests linked to the CJI. (PC: India Today)