Russia is exploring a possible railway route to India through Central Asia, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan as it seeks alternative trade corridors amid risks to key shipping routes. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin said a rail connection toward the Indian Ocean could help reduce dependence on routes affected by disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz and the Bosphorus. The proposal could provide Russia with another route for reaching markets in South Asia. The plan remains at the exploration stage, with several countries potentially involved. The proposed corridor could also strengthen economic and transport ties between Russia and India. (PC: X)

BJP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday and described the meeting as “a morning to cherish”. Chadha called the interaction detailed and enriching but did not disclose what was discussed. The meeting comes months before the Punjab Assembly elections and has sparked political interest in the state. Chadha joined the BJP earlier this year after leaving the Aam Aadmi Party along with 6 other MPs. He is expected to play an active role in Punjab, where the BJP is looking to expand its support. The meeting came a day after SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal met Modi. (PC: India Today)

Manipur’s Ariha Pangambam created history by becoming the first Indian to win the senior women’s individual gold medal at the Asian Aerobic Gymnastics Championships. The 22-year-old gymnast from Manipur scored 19.100 in the final in Tagaytay City, Philippines, securing India’s maiden continental title in the event. Ariha impressed the judges with her artistry, execution and difficulty, scoring 8.650, 7.600 and 2.850 respectively. Her victory came after she finished fourth at the 2022 and 2024 Asian Championships. A multiple-time national champion, Ariha has also represented India at the World Championships and Suzuki World Cup. Her historic gold marks a major milestone for Indian gymnastics.

Russian drones are increasingly targeting medical workers and ambulances in Ukraine, according to the BBC. Paramedic Inna Lytvynenko said a drone chased her for around 10 minutes while she tried to help a wounded woman in Kherson. Her ambulance was hit, and two more vehicles sent to rescue the woman were also attacked. The WHO has recorded 3,118 attacks on healthcare facilities and workers since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. MSF said the attacks appear to be a sustained part of the war. Growing drone attacks have forced medical teams to move farther from front-line areas, leaving some civilians without regular healthcare. (PC: Inna Lytvynenko)

An Indian Air Force Wing Commander was arrested after allegedly sharing sensitive defence information with a woman he met on social media, police sources said. The officer reportedly communicated with her through chats and video calls. She allegedly gained his trust and asked for details about military movements, troop deployments, photos and documents. Investigators also found that he allegedly installed a suspicious app on a fellow officer’s phone. Police said the app could steal data, track locations or intercept communications. The woman was allegedly working for Pakistan-based handlers. A charge sheet was filed in July, and the case is currently before the court.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged IIT Delhi graduates to stay curious and keep learning at the institute’s 57th Convocation. He asked students to question accepted ideas and have the courage to find solutions. Modi said technology, industries and global power are changing quickly, making lifelong learning important. He also encouraged young people to explore research and contribute to India’s startup growth. He highlighted government schemes supporting research and innovation. Modi said students should not fear big challenges but break them into smaller problems. He urged graduates to think about how their work can help India achieve the goal of ‘Viksit Bharat’.

70-year-old woman was killed in a road accident in Delhi’s Narela area on Saturday morning. The crash happened around 8 am near Himalayas Apartment in Mamurpur. A Mercedes and a WagonR collided head-on. The impact pushed the WagonR backwards into a parked three-wheeler loading van. The woman, identified as Urmila, was caught between the vehicles and died at the spot. The WagonR driver suffered minor injuries and received medical treatment. Police reached the scene and started an investigation. Officers are examining CCTV footage and witness statements to find out how the crash happened. The woman’s body was sent for post-mortem.

The Jharkhand government has launched an email ID to collect feedback from students protesting over alleged irregularities in JPSC-JSSC exams. The move came after a delegation of students met government representatives in Ranchi on Saturday. The protesters are demanding the cancellation of the 14th JPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination held on July 2. They are also seeking wider education reforms. Minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu said students and other stakeholders can send suggestions to JPSSC.feedback@gmail.com. The government plans to use the feedback to prepare a reform policy. However, student leader Devendra Nath Mahato said the protest will continue until their demands are met. (PC: PTI)

UEFA has confirmed a six-figure payment to a woman who was reportedly in a relationship with FIFA president Gianni Infantino during his time at UEFA. According to The Telegraph, she received a pay rise and earned around £147,000. UEFA also paid fees for her MBA after she left the organisation. UEFA said the payments followed rules in place at the time. The rules were later tightened. Reports said Infantino was challenged over the alleged relationship by then-UEFA president Michel Platini. Infantino has strongly denied the allegations. A FIFA spokesperson called the claims “categorically untrue” and said no employee had complained about his conduct. (PC: AP)

At least three people, including a child, were killed in overnight Russian missile strikes near Kyiv, Ukrainian officials said. The attacks hit areas east of the capital early Saturday. Three others were injured. Falling debris damaged apartment buildings and cars. Fires also broke out at a building and a fuel tank. Emergency teams worked to control the fires and assess the damage. The strikes came days after Russian attacks across Ukraine killed 21 people. President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Ukraine faces shortages of missile interceptors. He said delays in receiving air defence systems have led to more deaths and destruction. (PC: Ukraine state emergency service DSNS)