Russia has proposed exploring a railway route that could eventually connect the country with India and the Indian Ocean. Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin said Russia should consider alternative land routes to reduce dependence on key sea routes. One possible route could pass through Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan before reaching India. Khusnullin said Russia would consider any route that provides access to India. The proposal is still at an early stage. There is no confirmed train service, ticket price or launch date. If developed, the route could improve trade and transport links between Russia, India and other countries in the region.  

The US Senate has overwhelmingly approved a Russia sanctions bill that could allow tariffs of up to 100% on countries purchasing Russian oil, gas and other exports. The measure, passed 86–11, names India, China, Slovakia, Hungary and Azerbaijan among potential targets. The legislation, known as the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, aims to increase economic pressure on Moscow over the Ukraine war. However, the tariffs are not automatic; the bill gives the US president authority to impose them, with the actual rate determined through the US trade process. The legislation now faces consideration in the House. (PC: Reuters)

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)

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)

Toronto police have arrested Abdul Ghafoori, 32, seven months after his Indian-origin partner, Himanshi Khurana, 30, was found dead in a Toronto residence. Khurana was reported missing on December 19, 2025, and officers found her deceased the following morning. Police classified her death as a homicide and had identified Ghafoori as a suspect wanted on a first-degree murder charge. Investigators described the case as an act of intimate partner violence. Ghafoori was located and arrested at Toronto airport on August 7, 2026, following coordination between Canadian and international law-enforcement agencies. He is scheduled to face court proceedings in Toronto. (PC: NDTV)

US Vice President JD Vance spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday to discuss strengthening the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. The leaders reviewed progress in bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and global developments. According to the Indian government, they reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in trade, defence, critical and emerging technologies, energy security and critical minerals. Modi also congratulated Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance on the birth of their son, Alec Neel Vance, born on July 19. The conversation reflected continued high-level engagement and efforts to strengthen strategic cooperation between India and the United States. (AP)

Canada deported 3,323 Indian nationals in the first 6 months of 2026, reflecting a major increase in immigration enforcement. The removals come as Ottawa tightens rules on asylum claims, temporary visas, international students and foreign workers. Indian migrants affected by the crackdown include people whose asylum applications were rejected, visas expired or cases involved alleged document fraud, criminality or violations of immigration conditions. The policy shift has caused concern among Indian families who spent large amounts of money to send students to Canada. Experts say removals could rise further as Canadian authorities work through a large backlog of removal orders.

The US is considering ending the 60-day grace period that allows certain foreign workers to remain in the country after losing their jobs, according to a proposed immigration change under review by the White House. The plan has not yet become a rule, and full details have not been made public. If approved, affected workers and dependants could have to leave the US much sooner after employment ends. The current provision covers H-1B and several other visa categories, giving workers time to find new jobs or explore immigration options. The change could significantly affect Indian professionals, who make up the largest share of H-1B beneficiaries. (PC: X)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with US Vice President JD Vance by phone on Saturday, August 8, to discuss ways to strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. The leaders reviewed progress in bilateral cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to expanding ties in trade, defence, critical and emerging technologies, energy security and critical minerals, according to the government. They also exchanged views on regional and global developments of mutual interest. During the call, Modi congratulated Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, on the birth of their son and conveyed his best wishes to the family. The US has not released details of the conversation. (PC: HT)