India has announced a phased ban on imports of 405 defence items as part of its push for greater self-reliance in military production. The Defence Ministry’s sixth Positive Indigenisation List covers components, sub-systems, spares and other equipment used in platforms including helicopters, fighter aircraft, tanks and warships. These items will progressively be sourced from Indian manufacturers, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers. The initiative is expected to create business opportunities worth around ₹3,070 crore for domestic defence industries. The move aligns with the government’s broader Aatmanirbhar Bharat strategy to strengthen India’s defence industrial base, manufacturing capabilities and supply-chain resilience. (PC: AFP)

A massive fire broke out at a hotel on Mirza Ghalib Street in central Kolkata around 2 a.m. on August 19, killing at least nine people and injuring six others. According to fire department officials, all nine deceased were Bangladeshi nationals who had travelled to Kolkata for medical treatment. Five fire tenders were deployed, while police and disaster-management teams conducted rescue operations. Dense smoke reportedly made it difficult for firefighters to reach the upper floors. The injured were taken to a nearby hospital. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, with authorities continuing rescue and cooling operations.

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 55 kg of methamphetamine worth around ₹300 crore from a maize consignment at a Container Freight Station near Mumbai’s Nhava Sheva port. Officials said the shipment was allegedly linked to a Pakistan-based narco-trafficking syndicate led by Mohammad Hussain Dad, which reportedly smuggles narcotics through cargo containers. Syndicate handlers allegedly contacted Mumbai-based import-export firms before approaching a Uttar Pradesh trading firm for a 22-tonne maize export. Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officers searched the container and found suspected narcotics mixed with maize. An FSL team confirmed the substance as methamphetamine. Two people were detained, while further investigation into the seizure is underway. (PC: PIB)

Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has warned Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff of a possible fine of up to ₹10 lakh over their Vimal Elaichi advertisements. The FDA issued show-cause notices to the actors, alleging the campaign could amount to surrogate promotion of prohibited tobacco or pan masala products. The actors have 15 days from receiving the notices to submit written explanations. Mundhe said further action could be taken under provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act if their responses are unsatisfactory. None of the 3 actors has publicly responded to the notices so far. (PC: HT)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has criticised Union Minister Kiren Rijiju over his remarks on the July student protests in Delhi. Gandhi alleged that police used nail-studded lathis and pellet guns against protesters, leaving some seriously injured. He said he had personally met injured students and accused the government of denying what happened. Rijiju, however, said no protester died or suffered a serious injury and praised the Delhi Police for handling the demonstration. He also alleged that people from several political groups joined the protest and provoked violence. Gandhi said thousands of videos showed what happened, adding that students “have eyes and memories too.” (PC: NDTV)

#   Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Monday announced that the Cabinet has cancelled the JSSC-CGL examination and all exams conducted by TSR Data Processing Private Limited (TDPL). The government will cancel results and appointments linked to TDPL-conducted exams and launch a comprehensive inquiry into alleged irregularities in government examinations since 2014. The decision follows 24 days of student protests demanding action over recruitment exam concerns. Around 6.4 lakh candidates had applied for the JSSC-CGL 2023 recruitment, while about 1,975 candidates had already been appointed. Protesters welcomed the cancellation but said they would continue demanding a CBI probe into the matter. (PC: X)  

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale has invited Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke to join his Republican Party of India (A), which is part of the BJP-led NDA. Athawale said Dipke, whom he described as a young Ambedkarite, could help strengthen the party and work towards Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s vision. Dipke has not responded to the offer. He has previously ruled out entering electoral politics, arguing that people have lost faith in political parties and the election system. Dipke has instead called for a public movement. He recently launched the “School Thik Karo” campaign focusing on government schools and education facilities. (PC: HT)

The Bihar government has told the Supreme Court that a police constable fired 4 rounds from an AK-47 into the air after getting “trapped” in a crowd during protests over the NEET-UG paper leak. In an affidavit, the state denied that police used excessive force against protesting students and said nobody was injured by the bullets. The government said the firing was intended to help the officer escape the situation. The constable involved has since been suspended. The affidavit comes as the Supreme Court examines the circumstances surrounding the protests and allegations of police action against students. (PC: India Today)

Three men have been arrested in Patna for allegedly renting their bank accounts to cyber scammers, enabling money linked to multiple fraud cases to be routed through them, police said. The accused named Prabhakar, Amit and Deepak allegedly received between Rs 3,000 and Rs 5,000 for each transaction conducted through their accounts. Police said transactions totalling around Rs 25 crore had passed through the accounts. Cybercrime-related complaints against the three accused have been lodged on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) by complainants from several states, according to DSP Sangita Kumari, in-charge of Patna’s Cyber Police Station. Two accused were arrested in Patna, while the third was arrested from Bihar’s Buxar district. (PC: India Today)

US President Donald Trump has cited India’s election system while renewing his push for the SAVE America Act, which seeks stricter voter identification and citizenship requirements in US elections. In a Truth Social post, Trump said India’s Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar had previously asked his administration how elections could be conducted in the US without a valid photo ID. Trump used the comparison to reinforce his argument for stronger voter-identification rules in America. The remarks come as Trump continues advocating the SAVE America Act, which aims to tighten election requirements. The Indian election system’s use of voter identification was highlighted by Trump as an example while making his case for changes to US election procedures.