The Supreme Court on Friday declined to entertain Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra's plea challenging a Calcutta High Court order directing her to appear before police in a hate speech case. During the hearing, the bench questioned Moitra's concerns that eggs could be thrown at her if she appeared before investigators, remarking that freedom fighters had faced bullets. The court refused to grant relief, following which Moitra's counsel withdrew the petition. The case comes amid claims that several Trinamool leaders, including Moitra and Abhishek Banerjee, have faced egg attacks after the BJP formed the government in West Bengal following the Assembly elections earlier this year. (PC: PTI)

Iran has criticised the newly signed defence agreement between Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan, warning that the trilateral pact will not guarantee Riyadh's security. Iranian MP Ebrahim Rezaei said Saudi Arabia should not expect a "paper agreement" to provide protection, arguing that years of close security ties with the United States also failed to ensure its safety. His remarks came after the three countries formalised a defence partnership aimed at strengthening military cooperation amid regional security concerns. The pact has drawn attention across the region, with Iran emerging as one of its first vocal critics. Tehran's response highlights growing geopolitical tensions surrounding the agreement and its potential implications for regional security dynamics.

Heavy rain brought Delhi-NCR to a standstill on Friday, triggering widespread waterlogging, severe traffic snarls and commuter distress as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert till 8 pm. Many office-goers reported being unable to book cabs for hours. Congestion hit key routes including Mehrauli-Badarpur Road, ITO, Wazirabad Road, Patel Road, Rohtak Road, Shankar Road, Kirti Nagar, Delhi-Jaipur Highway, Peeragarhi and Shaheen Bagh. Waterlogging was reported in Chhatarpur, Mehram Nagar near Terminal 1, Shakarpur and Mandawali, while traffic crawled on NH-48 and the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway. IMD attributed the disruption to multiple active weather systems, warning of continued heavy rain, flooding and traffic disruption.

Punjab's AAP government removed Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar and appointed DIG Border Range Harmanbir Singh as his successor, directing Bhullar to report to the DGP's office until further orders. The transfer came days after police announced the arrest of nine people, including four minors, in an alleged Pakistan-backed terror module linked to ISI handlers. Bhullar had said some accused conducted reconnaissance at Delhi's Jantar Mantar and allegedly planned attacks on security personnel with petrol bombs. The Punjab government later clarified that Bhullar had not linked protesters to the terror module, blaming selective editing for confusion. The BJP questioned the timing, alleging political motives behind the transfer. (PC: News18)

A 14-year-old student allegedly killed five teachers and injured more than 30 people during a shooting at Debsirin School in Nonthaburi, near Bangkok, before taking his own life. Police said the teenager had earlier fatally shot his grandparents using a 9mm handgun believed to belong to his grandfather. Students described fleeing classrooms and climbing fences to escape as the gunman moved through the school. Authorities have not established a motive, though investigators are examining possible academic stress. The attack, Thailand's deadliest mass shooting in years and the country's second school shooting this year, has renewed calls for stricter gun control and stronger safeguards against illegal firearms. (PC: Reuters)

FIFA's leadership crisis deepened as football bodies split over President Gianni Infantino's future following the collapse of his proposed $4.2 billion commercial rights sell-off. Norway called for Infantino's resignation, saying he had lost the football community's trust, while UEFA maintained its boycott threat. CONCACAF and the AFC also criticised FIFA's handling of the proposal, though several Asian members backed Infantino. Mexico, Argentina, Paraguay and the Confederation of African Football reaffirmed support for the FIFA chief, urging institutional continuity ahead of the 2027 Congress. FIFA apologised for mistakes in the proposal's rollout, insisting governance rules were followed despite widespread criticism over communication and decision-making. (PC: The Telegraph)

India on Friday said it is "closely following the development" after Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan signed a trilateral defence agreement aimed at strengthening collective security. According to Pakistan's foreign ministry, the pact treats an armed attack on any one member as an attack on all three and expands defence cooperation through joint military exercises, training, technology transfers and intelligence sharing. The agreement was signed during a meeting of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The MEA noted it was monitoring the development, while Saudi Arabia continues diversifying defence partnerships amid regional security challenges and tensions with Iran.  

A 14-year-old student killed seven people in Thailand on August 7 after first shooting his two grandparents at home with his grandfather's legally owned firearm. He then went to Debsirin Nonthaburi School near Bangkok, where he fatally shot five teachers and staff members and injured 23 others before taking his own life. Authorities said the teenager had reportedly been under academic pressure, though the motive remains under investigation. The attack has shocked Thailand and reignited debate over gun ownership, school safety, and the need for stronger mental health support for young people. (PC: X)

AISA National President Neha Bora was attacked with ink during a student protest in Ranchi over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand recruitment examinations. The march, which began at Birsa Chowk, was joined by AISA, SFI, AISF, Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha, women activists and several Adivasi organisations supporting the student-led movement. Addressing a press conference after the incident, Bora alleged the unidentified attacker invoked religion to justify the assault, claiming he raised slogans such as "Jai Shri Ram" and accused "RSS-BJP goons" of being behind the attack. Authorities have not publicly confirmed the identity or affiliation of the accused, and the incident has intensified political tensions around the ongoing protests.

Global crude oil prices rose above $83 per barrel on August 7, marking a second straight day of gains as tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz intensified. Iran's proposed restrictions on vessels it considers hostile have heightened fears of supply disruptions through one of the world's busiest oil transit routes. The uncertainty has increased market volatility, with analysts warning that prolonged disruptions could drive oil prices significantly higher. While additional supply from other producers may eventually stabilize markets, geopolitical risks continue to dominate investor sentiment, raising concerns over inflation, fuel costs, and the broader global economic outlook.