India and Canada will hold their first Finance Ministers’ Economic and Financial Dialogue in Toronto on August 26 and 27, marking a step towards stronger economic ties. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will meet Canadian Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne during her first visit to Canada in this role. The ministers will discuss investment, trade, sustainable growth and global economic developments. Talks are also expected to focus on energy, agriculture, critical minerals, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing. Canada’s total direct and indirect investment in India exceeded CA$110 billion in 2024. The meetings could also help strengthen the broader India-Canada relationship. (PC: HT)

The NIA will send a court summons to Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed, named as an accused in the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack case. The summons will be routed through the Ministry of External Affairs, asking him to appear before a special NIA court in Jammu. The court has also issued a non-bailable warrant against Saeed. The NIA has accused him of helping plan the attack that killed 25 tourists and a local resident. If Saeed fails to appear after legal procedures are completed, the court may proceed with the trial in his absence under Section 356 of the BNSS. (PC: India Today)

A seven-storey under-construction building collapsed in Anjaiah Nagar, Madhapur, Hyderabad, on Saturday, killing two people and injuring several others. Rescue teams, police and emergency personnel rushed to the site and began clearing the debris to locate anyone trapped underneath. The collapse has raised concerns about construction safety and regulatory compliance. Congress MLA Arekapudi Gandhi alleged that the building lacked proper clearances and claimed officials had previously stopped construction at the site. He further alleged that construction had resumed illegally and that work extending the cellar toward an adjacent building may have contributed to the collapse. Rescue operations remain underway.

Several Sikh leaders and families affected by the 1984 anti-Sikh riots protested outside Rahul Gandhi’s residence in New Delhi on August 22, demanding an apology from Congress. The demonstration followed remarks by some Congress leaders allegedly describing former party leader Sajjan Kumar as a “hero” and “role model.” Kumar, who recently died, had been convicted in a case related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Protesters, led by Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee leaders, said the comments had reopened painful memories for victims’ families. They demanded clarification from Rahul Gandhi and Congress, while heavy police barricading was deployed around his residence. (PC: The Hindu)

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced that the AIAPGET exam for 49 candidates at a Jaipur examination centre will be rescheduled after a power failure disrupted the test. The affected candidates were unable to complete their examination because of the technical interruption. NTA confirmed that a re-examination will be conducted in September, with September 1 indicated for the rescheduled test. The agency’s decision aims to ensure that affected candidates receive a fair opportunity to complete the examination. Further details regarding the re-examination arrangements and other instructions are expected to be communicated by NTA. (PC: HT)

An examination conducted across 34 colleges affiliated with Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (IGKV), Chhattisgarh, was cancelled on August 20 following allegations of a question-paper leak. A paper circulated on WhatsApp before the examination reportedly contained questions that matched around 70% of the actual paper. The issue prompted concerns among students and led to demands for an investigation. The university cancelled the examination after receiving information about the alleged leak. Students and student organisations have sought accountability and action against those responsible. The incident has renewed concerns over examination security and the integrity of university assessments. 

A 31-year-old Adobe software engineer, Vinay Gupta, was allegedly beaten and strangled to death at his Delhi home following a dispute with his wife, Rekha. According to his family, the argument began over giving medicine to one of their twin children. Rekha allegedly left the house and returned with relatives, who then assaulted Vinay. His family claimed he was beaten repeatedly and strangled, while CCTV cameras were allegedly switched off. Vinay was taken to hospital but was declared dead. Police have arrested his wife, her two brothers and another accused. A case under Sections 103(1) and 3(5) of the BNS has been registered, and the investigation is ongoing. (PC: India Today)

The wife of Indian merchant navy captain Ajay Pant has called him a “scapegoat” after British authorities arrested him over alleged violations of sanctions involving Russian oil. Pant, 38, was captaining the tanker Smyrtos when British commandos intercepted it in the English Channel in June. Prosecutors allege he knew about the vessel’s approximately 98,000-tonne oil cargo, while his defence says he was following the owner’s instructions. Pant faces charges carrying a maximum 10-year prison sentence, with his trial scheduled for December 15. He is the only crew member charged; India is providing consular assistance. (PC: AFP)

One person has died after an 18-year-old man allegedly attacked people with a sword at Brinell High School in Fagersta, Sweden. The incident occurred on Friday while around 400–500 students were attending classes. Two boys, reportedly aged between 12 and 17, suffered serious injuries. Police responded shortly after 2pm, and the suspect was shot, arrested and taken into custody. Several schools and public buildings in Fagersta were temporarily placed under lockdown. Authorities later said there was no continuing threat to the public. The suspect was reportedly a former student, while police investigations into the attack and its motive are ongoing. 

Iran has granted permission for several Iraqi oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, responding to a key request from Baghdad, Reuters reported. The decision followed diplomatic discussions during Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf’s visit to Iraq. Iraqi President Nizar Amedi confirmed that tanker passage was being facilitated, while talks on maintaining oil exports through the strategic waterway continue. Shipping through Hormuz has fallen sharply amid the Iran conflict and security threats, disrupting regional energy trade. Iraq, which produces around four million barrels of oil daily, is also exploring alternative export routes through Turkey, Syria and Jordan to reduce dependence on the strait. (PC: Reuters)