New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani surprised viewers by speaking in Bengali while announcing a programme offering more than 2,000 free Broadway tickets to the city’s high school students. The tickets will be distributed through a lottery, giving students an opportunity to experience live theatre without paying for admission. The initiative has been launched in partnership with the Theater Development Fund (TDF), which is supporting the programme. Students selected through the lottery will be able to attend one of seven Broadway shows. Mamdani’s use of Bengali during the announcement drew attention, adding a cultural dimension to the initiative. The programme aims to expand access to Broadway performances for New York City high school students.

Shakira’s global hit “Hips Don’t Lie” has received an unexpected desi makeover after a Rajasthani folk group gave the popular track a traditional musical twist. The group blended the familiar melody of the international hit with Rajasthan’s distinctive folk sound, creating a striking cultural crossover. The rendition has attracted attention online, with the fusion of a globally recognised pop song and traditional Indian folk music making the performance particularly engaging. The creative adaptation showcases how popular Western music can be reimagined through regional Indian musical traditions while retaining elements of the original tune. The Rajasthani interpretation has now gone viral, drawing interest for its unusual combination of Shakira’s iconic song and Rajasthan’s vibrant folk musical style.

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.

Construction of India’s first high-speed rail corridor, the 508-km Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project, is progressing across Maharashtra and Gujarat. Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) station, the southern terminus, is being constructed nearly 30 metres underground, with excavation and foundation work nearing completion. In Gujarat, Surat station’s structural framework and roofing are complete, while interior finishing is underway. Inspired by Surat’s diamond-cutting industry, the station reflects the city’s commercial identity. The corridor will have 12 stations and trains are expected to operate at up to 320 kmph, covering the route in about two hours. The first service is expected in August 2027. Three advanced depots at Thane, Surat and Sabarmati will support maintenance and repairs. (PC: News18)  

NSG explosive detection dog Donny has received the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card on Independence Day 2026 for his technical aptitude, reliability and operational performance. Donny played a key role in post-blast RSP operations following the Red Fort blast in New Delhi in November 2025. On November 10 and 11, he was deployed to sanitise the VBIED blast site, where he conclusively confirmed the presence of explosives. On November 12, Donny was sent to Khandawali in Faridabad to sanitise a vehicle suspected of transporting explosives linked to the blast. He again detected and confirmed explosives, with the NSG highlighting his confirmations as evidence of his value in critical security missions. (PC: X)

Taliban-appointed Afghan Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Mufti Noor Ahmad Noor, speaking in New Delhi on the fifth anniversary of the Taliban’s return to power, called for deeper engagement between Afghanistan and India while portraying Afghanistan as stable and moving beyond war. Addressing an audience including MEA Joint Secretary Dr. Anand Prakash and foreign diplomats, Noor described August 15 as the start of a “new chapter” focused on stability, reconstruction, economic growth and expanding global relations based on mutual respect. He credited the Taliban government with implementing Sharia, strengthening security and independent decision-making. Noor argued that a peaceful, stable and responsible Afghanistan could create opportunities for regional connectivity, trade, investment and economic cooperation. (PC: X)

Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto ended his 16-day hunger strike at Sadar Hospital in Ranchi on Monday after the Jharkhand government cancelled the JSSC-CGL examination and all recruitment tests conducted by private firm TSR Data Processing Private Limited (TDPL). Mahto ended his fast in the presence of state ministers Dipika Pandey Singh and Irfan Ansari, following the state Cabinet decision chaired by Chief Minister Hemant Soren. The government also ordered a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) probe into alleged irregularities in Jharkhand recruitment examinations conducted since 2014. After ending his fast, Mahto thanked Soren, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, state ministers, fellow students, media and others who supported the agitation. (PC:PTI)

More than 100 Chinese nationals were detained in Pakistan during a crackdown on alleged illegal call centres, prompting Beijing to call for stronger international action against such operations. Chinese authorities have urged countries to step up cooperation against telecommunications and online fraud networks targeting victims across borders. The detentions highlight growing concerns over criminal networks operating from Pakistan and involving foreign nationals. Beijing’s response comes as authorities intensify efforts to combat scams and other forms of cross-border cyber-enabled fraud. The case has also drawn attention to the need for greater coordination between countries to identify, investigate and dismantle illegal call-centre operations and protect victims from increasingly organised international financial and telecommunications scams. (PC: WION)

The Jharkhand government has announced the cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination and all recruitment exams conducted by TDPL. The decision came after days of protests by students and job aspirants in Ranchi. Student leader Devendra Mahto ended his hunger strike at Sadar Hospital after the government accepted the key demands. Student leaders Umme Habiba and Rahul Kranti also ended their hunger strikes. State ministers Dipika Pandey Singh and Irfan Ansari met the protesters at the hospital. Students celebrated the decision at the protest site. They had demanded action over alleged irregularities in recruitment exams conducted by JPSC and JSSC.

China has called for global cooperation to fight telecom and online fraud after Pakistan detained more than 100 Chinese nationals. The suspects were reportedly held over alleged links to illegal call centres. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Chinese citizens abroad must follow local laws and avoid criminal activities. He said China is working with other countries to fight telecom fraud and plans to launch an international alliance against such crimes. Beijing has already stepped up action against Chinese fraud gangs operating overseas. China said thousands of people have been cheated by such groups in countries including Myanmar, Cambodia and Sri Lanka.