The Trinamool Congress (TMC) plunged deeper into crisis on Wednesday after expelled MLA Ritabrata Banerjee arrived at the West Bengal Assembly claiming support from 59 party legislators. Sources said the rebel camp is seeking backing from more than two-thirds of TMC's 80 MLAs, a move that could help it avoid anti-defection provisions.   The development comes less than a month after TMC's defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections. Banerjee and fellow expelled MLA Sandipan Saha were removed from the party after alleging that signatures of several MLAs were forged on documents related to the selection of the Leader of the Opposition. TMC leaders have accused the rebel faction of attempting a "Maharashtra-style" split, while the dissidents deny any plan to break the party. (PC: X)

A group of masked men allegedly vandalised educator Khan Sir's coaching centre in Patna on Tuesday night, damaging property and injuring a security guard. CCTV footage reportedly shows around a dozen attackers throwing bricks, tearing down posters and flex banners, and vandalising the institute premises.   Khan Sir said he rushed to the centre after being informed of the attack. He claimed the institute had recently received threats following a felicitation programme for students selected in the Bihar Police recruitment exam. Police have launched an investigation and are examining CCTV footage. Patna SSP Kartikeya Sharma said preliminary findings suggest some students may have been involved in the incident. 

At least 16 people were killed and 37 others rescued after a major fire broke out at a hotel operating above the Lemon Green restaurant in South Delhi's Malviya Nagar on Wednesday morning. Delhi Fire Services received the emergency call at 9:45 am and launched a large-scale rescue operation.   Officials said those rescued from the basement were shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment. Authorities suspect the fire may have originated in the restaurant, though the exact cause will be determined after an investigation. Several people were feared trapped when the blaze erupted. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta expressed grief over the loss of lives and said all necessary assistance was being provided to affected families. (PC: The Indian Express)

The United States and Iran exchanged fresh attacks overnight, further escalating tensions in the Gulf region. The US military said it carried out self-defence strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island after what it described as Iranian attacks across the Middle East.   Iran claimed it targeted US military assets in the region using missiles and drones. Kuwait later said Iranian drones struck Kuwait International Airport, causing significant damage to buildings and injuring several people. Air traffic was temporarily suspended.   The US said it also intercepted Iranian missiles and drones aimed at regional targets and commercial shipping. The latest escalation comes as ceasefire negotiations between Washington and Tehran remain stalled, raising concerns about a wider regional conflict.

West Bengal's opposition party, the Trinamool Congress (TMC), faced a major crisis on Wednesday after expelled MLAs Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha arrived at the Assembly claiming the support of 59 party legislators. The rebel camp is expected to submit a letter to the Speaker asserting that it has the backing of more than two-thirds of TMC's 80 MLAs.   If the claim is accepted, the group could avoid disqualification under the anti-defection law and potentially retain the party's name and symbol. Sources said Ritabrata Banerjee is being projected as the new Leader of the Opposition. The rebellion follows allegations that signatures of several MLAs were forged on a party resolution related to key Assembly posts. The development has deepened the crisis for TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, whose party was recently voted out of power in West Bengal. (PC: India Today)

Nepal Prime Minister Balendra “Balen” Shah faces mounting pressure after remarks in Parliament suggesting Nepal may also have crossed into Indian territory along parts of the border. The comments triggered protests by students opposition parties and lawmakers who accused him of weakening Nepal’s position on disputed areas including Kalapani Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura Demonstrators demanded his resignation while parliamentary proceedings were disrupted India responded by reiterating that border issues are strictly bilateral and rejecting any third-party role Nepal’s Foreign Ministry later clarified Shah was referring to localised encroachments and no-man’s-land issues not territorial concessions The controversy has intensified political turbulence around the newly elected leader amid growing scrutiny over Nepal-India border relations. (PC: India Today)

Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa created history at the Norway Chess 2026 by defeating Magnus Carlsen for the second time in the same tournament and the third time overall in Norway Chess events. Playing with the black pieces in Round 8, Praggnanandhaa capitalised on Carlsen’s time trouble to force a decisive victory, becoming the first Indian to beat the world No.1 three times. The win kept him third with 12 points, behind Wesley So and Alireza Firouzja. Meanwhile, D Gukesh lost to Firouzja, while Koneru Humpy won her Armageddon tie-break and Divya Deshmukh slipped to third in the women’s standings.

Actor Idris Elba was formally knighted by King Charles III during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle, receiving one of the United Kingdom’s highest honours. The recognition was awarded for his services to young people and extensive charitable work, reflecting contributions beyond his acclaimed acting career. Elba, known globally for roles in film and television, including The Wire and Head of State, marked the occasion by sharing and reposting coverage of the ceremony on Instagram. He expressed gratitude to the Royal Family for the honour and described the moment as deeply meaningful. The knighthood further acknowledges his influence in entertainment, philanthropy, and community development efforts across multiple sectors and public life.

The Supreme Court has held that voluntary sex work by consenting adults is not unlawful under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act (ITPA) and directed police not to harass or detain adult sex workers found during raids. A bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan said the law does not authorise action against adults engaged in sex work by choice, though operating a brothel remains illegal. The court ruled that rehabilitation cannot be imposed against a sex worker’s will and must be based on consent. Hearing a plea on protecting trafficking victims’ rights, the bench criticised the ITPA’s “one-size-fits-all” approach and called for individual assessment in rehabilitation decisions. (PC: X)

Russia launched one of the largest aerial assaults of the Ukraine war, firing hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles in a massive overnight barrage targeting Kyiv and several other cities. Ukrainian authorities said the attack involved 656 drones and 73 missiles, with air defences intercepting a significant number of incoming weapons. The strikes killed civilians, injured many others and damaged critical infrastructure, leaving around 100,000 people without power. Dramatic footage showed multiple missile impacts in Kyiv within seconds. Russia described the operation as retaliation for alleged Ukrainian attacks, while Ukraine said civilian areas were heavily affected. The escalation highlights the intensifying aerial dimension of the conflict.