White House trade adviser Peter Navarro said US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have a “very good working relationship” and will resolve differences over potential tariffs linked to Russian oil purchases. His remarks came as the Lindsey Graham Russia Sanctions Bill threatens tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian crude and natural gas, including India and China. The bill passed the US Senate 86-11 but still needs approval from the House of Representatives. Navarro also criticised India’s response to his earlier comments on Russian oil, saying he faced strong online backlash from Indians. (PC: X)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of using North Korean ballistic missiles in recent strikes on Ukraine, saying Moscow increasingly depends on Pyongyang for military support. Zelensky did not provide evidence for the claim. Ukrainian officials said Russian strikes on Zaporizhzhia killed 7 people and injured at least 24, while attacks also hit Kyiv, Sumy, Kherson and Kharkiv. Russia also faced Ukrainian drone strikes, including an attack on Wildberries facilities in Voronezh. The latest escalation comes after deadly Ukrainian strikes on Russia’s Tatarstan region. Both sides continue to launch overnight drone and missile attacks as the war continues. (PC: BBC)

A 26-year-old software engineer from Andhra Pradesh, Dileep Kumar Bungatavula, died in Ohio, US, after a pickup truck crossed the centre median and crashed into his sedan. The accident occurred on Interstate 480 in Macedonia on August 7, police said. Bungatavula, a native of Kadapa district, had moved to the US for higher education and completed his master’s degree from Kent State University in 2025. He was pronounced dead at the scene, while 3 others were injured. The Indian Consulate in New York offered assistance to his family. His relatives are arranging to bring his remains to India. (PC: NDTV)

Candidates shortlisted for the CEO of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust were reportedly asked questions about religious practices, food habits, families and work experience. The 18 shortlisted candidates were selected from 5,200 applicants. A 34-point Google form reportedly asked whether candidates were staunch Hindus, wore a shikha or janeu, ate non-vegetarian food or consumed alcohol. Eight candidates faced interviews in Ayodhya on Tuesday, including four former IAS officers. The CEO will oversee administrative, financial and security matters at the Ram Temple, which attracts devotees. (PC: HT)

US President Donald Trump’s secret departure from Turkey has revived memories of a similar security deception used by Bill Clinton during his 2000 Pakistan visit. Trump was reportedly moved from a presidential Boeing 747 to a smaller C-32A military aircraft using an airport catering truck, following an alleged Iranian assassination threat. The larger aircraft remained as a decoy while reporters aboard apparently believed Trump was still travelling with them. Clinton’s 2000 operation also involved a decoy Air Force One, but a White House reporter had been briefed about the plan beforehand. The key difference was how the press pool was informed. (PC: India Today)

India is examining the national security and regional implications of the new defence pact between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi was closely monitoring developments in West Asia and would take necessary steps to protect its interests. The pact, signed in Mecca on August 7, states that an armed attack on any 1 of the 3 countries would be treated as aggression against all. Saudi Arabia has said the agreement is not a military alliance or religious bloc. Turkey said it aims to strengthen defence cooperation and collective deterrence. (PC: Mint)

Lebanon’s parliament has voted to abolish the death penalty, a move that could make the country the first in the Middle East to formally end capital punishment. A majority of lawmakers in the 128-seat parliament supported the legislation, while Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc opposed it. The bill will now go to the cabinet before being sent to President Joseph Aoun for approval. Lebanon has not carried out an execution since 2004, although courts have continued to issue death sentences. Under the proposed law, capital punishment would be replaced with life imprisonment with hard labour. Rights groups welcomed the move after decades of campaigning. (PC: BBC)

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has introduced new packaging rules for pan masala, banning plastic-based materials, aluminium foil and metallised layers. Under the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Amendment Regulations, 2026, manufacturers can use plastic-free paper, paperboard, cellulose and other naturally derived materials. Tin and glass containers are also permitted. The rules specifically prohibit polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, PVC and other synthetic polymers, copolymers and laminates in packaging. The amendment, notified in the Gazette of India on August 10, does not ban pan masala itself but regulates how the product can be packaged. (PC: India Today)

Prashant Kishor has promised to arrange jobs for at least 10,000 youths in Bihar’s Bankipur within 3 months. During his “gratitude tour”, the Jan Suraaj leader asked educated families to submit their children’s CVs to his office. Kishor said he had contacted people across the country to create employment opportunities for Bihar’s youth. He also promised major improvements in government schools within a year, saying Bankipur children would be supported with private-school fees if needed. Kishor further pledged action on ration cards, full 5 kg foodgrain entitlements and ₹1,100 pensions for eligible senior citizens within 3 months. (PC: NDTV)

A Zepto warehouse in Bengaluru’s Hoskote was sealed on Tuesday following a special inspection by Karnataka’s Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA). Officials said they found unhygienic food handling and storage conditions, non-compliant labelling, misbranding and other violations of food safety regulations. The department issued a notice to the warehouse and recommended legal proceedings before the adjudicating officer. Zepto said it fully cooperated with authorities and was taking steps to address the observations. The action is part of a wider food safety drive across Bengaluru targeting storage and distribution facilities. Officials have also seized expired or unfit food items during recent inspections. (PC: HT)