The debate over Vande Mataram has returned during the song’s 150th anniversary celebrations. Congress has reaffirmed its 1937 decision to sing only the first two stanzas, citing concerns over religious references in later verses. The BJP-led Centre, however, has moved to give the full six-stanza song greater official protection. Parliament amended the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act in July, making obstruction or disruption of its singing punishable by up to three years in jail. The Centre has also issued protocols for singing the complete song at official functions, reviving a decades-old political and cultural debate. (PC: NDTV)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his remarks about girls using abusive language during the Jantar Mantar protest. At his *Chhatron Ki Goonj* programme, Gandhi said boys face no such scrutiny while girls’ behaviour is seen as a “cultural shock”. Calling it a patriarchal and “Manusmriti mindset”, he said women should not be controlled or defined only by family relationships. Gandhi urged girl students to “smash the patriarchy”, be loud and fight for their space in society. He also raised concerns about violence, discrimination and unequal opportunities faced by women. (PC: India Today)

Chinese humanoid robots made headlines at the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing by surpassing established human athletic records. One robot completed the 100-metre sprint in 9.39 seconds, beating Usain Bolt’s 9.58-second world record set in 2009. Another humanoid achieved a standing high jump of 2.88 metres, exceeding the human record of 2.45 metres. The five-day event features more than 2,000 robots competing across 51 events, including running, football and table tennis. The competition highlights China’s rapid advances in humanoid robotics, although experts note that the technology still faces significant challenges in real-world applications. (PC: Reuters)

A Panama-flagged cargo vessel, MV Ocean-Winner, sank around 240 nautical miles off Odisha’s coast in the Bay of Bengal on Saturday. The ship had departed Paradip Port on August 20, carrying around 1,700 tonnes of iron ore to Singapore. It had 24 crew members aboard, including 20 Chinese, three Myanmar nationals and one Bangladeshi. Communication with the vessel was lost on August 22, prompting an emergency search-and-rescue operation. The Indian Coast Guard and Navy deployed multiple ships, including Varad, Anmol and Vijit. Two crew members have been rescued from liferafts, while efforts continue to locate other survivors. (PC: X)

Indian Air Force officers advised the makers of Netflix’s Operation Safed Sagar to portray fighter pilots realistically rather than as cinematic heroes. During research, pilots reportedly asked creators to avoid stereotypical slow-motion scenes of officers stepping out of fighter jets. They explained that pilots are often exhausted and drenched in sweat after demanding sorties, sometimes losing significant weight during missions. The show’s creators said they consulted serving IAF personnel extensively to preserve authenticity and focus on the human experiences behind the Kargil War. The series depicts the IAF’s Golden Arrows squadron and its challenging missions during Operation Safed Sagar. (PC: HT)

Delhi has issued a public health advisory following a sharp rise in H1N1, commonly known as swine flu, and other influenza cases. The capital has recorded more than 1,777 H1N1 cases this year, including 114 new infections in a single day, while overall Influenza-A cases have crossed 2,300. Authorities have intensified surveillance and hospital preparedness to manage the seasonal surge. Residents have been advised to maintain respiratory hygiene, wear masks in crowded places, avoid close contact with symptomatic people and seek medical attention promptly if flu-like symptoms develop. Vulnerable groups are urged to exercise extra caution.

Assam has achieved a major milestone in indigenous cattle breeding with the birth of the world’s first female calf produced through in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) from the state’s Lakhimi breed. The calf, named Sabhyata, Sanskriti and Srijan, marks a significant advancement in reproductive biotechnology and conservation of indigenous cattle genetics. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma hailed the development as a historic achievement, highlighting its potential to strengthen scientific livestock breeding and preserve native cattle breeds. The breakthrough is expected to support improved productivity, genetic conservation and sustainable dairy development while demonstrating Assam’s growing capabilities in advanced animal reproductive technologies. (PC: X)

India will end the mandatory stamping of boarding passes for international passengers at immigration counters from September 1, 2026. The Bureau of Immigration has directed airports nationwide to stop requiring physical boarding passes for immigration clearance. Travellers will be able to present e-boarding passes on their smartphones instead. Physical boarding passes will still be accepted, but immigration officials will no longer stamp them. The move follows passenger complaints about inconvenience and poorly stamped documents becoming difficult to read. Authorities are also planning a pilot project to eliminate immigration entry and exit stamps for Indian passport holders, potentially extending the digital process further. (PC: Shutterstock)

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has claimed that the world has accepted Iran’s victory in its war with the United States, arguing that continued conflict is unnecessary. Iranian state media reported that Pezeshkian said global opinion had recognised Tehran’s success and criticised the US. His remarks come as President Donald Trump’s administration prepares an unprecedented economic campaign against Iran, seeking to increase isolation and pressure Tehran over its nuclear programme and the Strait of Hormuz. The US is also demanding that Iran reopen the strategic waterway to international oil and gas shipments, keeping tensions high despite claims of victory from Tehran. (PC: X)

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced a new welfare policy for retired police dogs, ensuring they remain with their handlers after completing their service. Under the policy, retired canine personnel will no longer be offered for adoption to third parties. Instead, they will continue living with the handlers who have cared for them during their years of duty. The Maharashtra government will bear their lifetime living and medical expenses, recognising their contribution to policing and law enforcement. The move aims to provide retired police dogs with a familiar, secure environment and reflects greater attention to the welfare of service animals. (PC: X)