Government sources have described India’s discussions on media arrangements surrounding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with US President Donald Trump at the G7 Summit in France in June as “normal practice”. The clarification followed US Ambassador Sergio Gor’s claim that India had specifically requested no media interaction after the bilateral meeting. According to the sources, discussions on public appearances are routine before VVIP visits, and India communicated its standard practice for such engagements. Gor said Trump initially agreed but later invited reporters’ questions, resulting in a 45-minute press conference with Modi beside him. The Modi-Trump meeting took place on June 17 in Evian-les-Bains, on the sidelines of the G7 Summit.

A 19-year-old Indian-origin student, Alli Renee Singh, died after the car she was travelling in plunged off a cliff into the ocean near Santa Cruz, California. The accident happened on April 13 near the Steamer Lane surf break. Singh was studying psychology at the University of California, Santa Cruz. A male passenger escaped with minor injuries. Rescue teams found Singh trapped inside the submerged car. Four professional divers helped bring her out. She was taken to a hospital but later died from her injuries. Her family asked for privacy. The accident also raised concerns over coastal erosion along West Cliff Drive.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s planned three-day visit to Delhi has been postponed. The visit was expected to begin on August 23. The delay comes as India-Bangladesh ties face fresh strain. Dhaka has asked China to help with the Teesta water project and has shown interest in a defence pact with Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey. Bangladesh has also sought the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from India. India has raised concerns over security and radical groups in Bangladesh. Rahman may also skip the BRICS summit, missing a chance for talks on trade, energy, transport and security.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to begin an eight-day official visit to Canada and the United States, focusing on strengthening India's economic and bilateral ties. During her visit, Sitharaman is expected to hold meetings with government officials, business leaders and international financial institutions. The discussions will focus on trade, investment and economic cooperation. In Canada, she will attend key meetings aimed at deepening engagement between the two countries. Her US visit will include engagements with global financial institutions and business representatives. The trip comes as India seeks to expand international economic partnerships and strengthen cooperation with key global partners. (PC: BBC)

Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke has announced a march in Delhi on September 5, as the group continues its campaign over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and other public issues. The proposed march is expected to head towards India Gate, though permission from Delhi Police is yet to be confirmed. CJP leaders have been organising protests and campaigns in recent weeks, drawing attention to issues including education and government accountability. The announcement comes as the organisation expands its activities beyond its earlier protests. Police and organisers are expected to coordinate on security and other arrangements ahead of the planned march. (PC: BBC)

The US Department of Homeland Security has begun reviewing proposals for new fees under the H-1B visa and F-1 Optional Practical Training programmes, potentially increasing costs for Indian students and technology professionals. The exact fee amounts have not been confirmed. Reports suggest the proposals could significantly affect the popular F-1 to OPT to H-1B pathway. Indians accounted for 71% of approved H-1B beneficiaries in fiscal 2024. While H-1B filing costs are generally paid by employers, OPT fees are typically borne by students, making any major increase a serious concern for international students. (PC: India Today)

A 56-year-old Indian shop owner from Gujarat was shot dead during an armed robbery at his newly opened store in Jackson, Tennessee, police said. The victim, Suresh Parsottamdas Patel from Mehsana, was shot multiple times after a masked gunman entered Ridgecrest Cellars on August 20 and demanded cash. Patel's 19-year-old daughter was standing beside him when he was shot, reports said. A 70-year-old employee also broke her wrist after falling during the incident. Police said the suspect fled in a white sedan and remains at large. Patel had lived in the United States for nearly 30 years. (PC: NDTV)

Heavy rain and thunderstorms disrupted flight operations at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on Monday, forcing 15 incoming flights to divert. Twelve flights were diverted to Jaipur, including three international services, while two were redirected to Chandigarh and one to Lucknow. The disruption came as several parts of Delhi witnessed heavy rainfall, leading to waterlogging and traffic congestion. A red alert for very heavy rain was issued in parts of the capital, while other areas remained under a yellow alert. The India Meteorological Department said Delhi could receive more spells of rain on Monday before conditions turn largely dry later this week. (PC: HT)

India’s request to avoid a press interaction before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with US President Donald Trump at the G7 Summit in France was standard practice, sources said. The clarification came after US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said the Indian side had conveyed its preference for no questions from reporters. Gor said he informed Trump about the request, but the US President later invited questions from journalists, effectively opening the interaction to the press. Sources said discussions over schedules and public appearances are routine ahead of VVIP meetings to ensure clarity on arrangements. (PC: NDTV)

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is scheduled to visit Beijing on Monday for the 25th round of India-China Special Representatives talks on the boundary issue, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s expected meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the BRICS summit in September. Doval will meet his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, with both serving as designated Special Representatives for the boundary talks mechanism. The mechanism, established in 2003, seeks to comprehensively address the India-China border dispute spanning 3,488 km. According to PTI, Doval and Wang are scheduled to hold the talks on Tuesday. The meeting comes days before the expected Modi-Xi engagements and focuses on the longstanding and complex India-China boundary dispute. (PC: Times Now)