Chinese twin sisters Jin Yanshu and Jin Yanai, both 16, performed their Bharatanatyam Arangetram in Beijing, receiving an enthusiastic response from the audience. The traditional graduation ceremony was presided over by Indian Ambassador to China Vikram Doraiswami and his wife Sangeetha Doraiswami. Doraiswami praised the sisters’ dedication, saying their commitment to Indian classical dance reflected cultural and people-to-people exchanges between India and China. The twins have trained in Bharatanatyam since age three under Chinese dancer and teacher Jin Shan Shan, a student of renowned dancer Leela Samson. Shan runs Sangeetham Indian Arts School in Beijing, where hundreds of Chinese children have learned Bharatanatyam. The sisters previously performed before Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his 2025 Tianjin visit.

East Bengal team will host one of three groups in the 2026/27 AFC Women’s Champions League Group Stage in November after qualifying through the preliminary round in Malaysia with three consecutive wins. The IWL champions have become the first Indian club to reach the competition’s consecutive group stage and will also be the first Indian club to host the premier women’s club tournament. Twelve clubs will be divided into three groups of four for a single round-robin league, with eight teams advancing to the Knockout Stage. The group draw is scheduled for September 3 in Kuala Lumpur. Quarter-finals will be played as ties in March, with the top four clubs hosting. (PC: AFC Hub)

The Japanese Credit Rating Agency (JCRA) has upgraded India’s sovereign credit rating to A- from BBB+, citing strong economic growth, private consumption, public investment and improvements in the financial system. JCRA said India has sustained growth of around 7% and expects the economy to expand by more than 6% in FY2027. It highlighted digital public infrastructure, GST implementation and productivity-focused government policies as factors strengthening India’s economic foundations. India’s economy grew 7.7% in real terms in FY2026. The agency also noted banking-sector improvements, with gross non-performing loans falling to 1.8% by March 2026. However, it flagged higher inflation, substantial government debt and elevated interest burdens as continuing concerns. (PC: The Indian Express)

A viral video from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek shows Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif quickly approaching Russian President Vladimir Putin after the leaders’ group photograph. As Putin appeared to leave the podium, Sharif moved towards him, reached out, held his hand and spoke with him. The hurried interaction prompted online users to jokingly describe it as “Wait for me?”, although there is no indication Sharif actually said those words. The moment drew attention alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s interaction with Putin and a brief exchange with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The clip also revived memories of a viral Sharif-Putin moment at last year’s SCO gathering in Beijing.

The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) is finalising an agreement with a fertility clinic to help Spain’s women’s national-team players freeze their eggs. The initiative aims to help elite footballers balance demanding sporting careers with future plans for motherhood, as their peak playing years often overlap with their most fertile years. National-team captains, including Alexia Putellas, have reportedly raised the issue with federation officials. The scheme is expected to cover treatment costs, with details on eligibility and storage to be announced later. However, some athletes argue that greater support for pregnancy, childcare and post-partum career recovery is also necessary. (PC: Reuters)

The Bombay High Court has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate the 2020 death of Disha Salian, former manager of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. Salian died after falling from a building in Mumbai on June 8, 2020, days before Rajput’s death. Her father had sought a fresh investigation, alleging serious doubts about the circumstances of her death. The court has directed the CBI to register an FIR and conduct a comprehensive probe, while stressing that no individual should be treated as an accused without sufficient evidence. The case has remained surrounded by public and political speculation. 

A United Nations report has warned that millions of people in low-lying South Asian cities, including Kolkata and Mumbai, face an immediate risk of displacement as sea levels rise. More than 14 million people across South Asian deltas could eventually be affected by permanent inundation. The report says rising seas are already threatening coastal infrastructure, transport, energy networks, groundwater and sanitation systems. Saltwater intrusion could also contaminate freshwater supplies and agricultural land. Globally, nearly 770 million people live in coastal areas less than five metres above high tide. The UN urged urgent climate adaptation, stronger planning and reliable financing. (PC: ET)

Tensions between the United States and Iran have sharply escalated following renewed military exchanges and growing confrontation around the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The US launched strikes against Iranian targets, citing threats to American forces and attempts to deploy sea mines that could endanger commercial shipping. Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks targeting US-linked positions in the region. President Donald Trump warned Tehran that further retaliation would trigger an even stronger US response. The crisis has raised concerns over shipping disruptions, global energy supplies and oil prices, as the Strait of Hormuz remains a crucial route for international oil trade. (PC: AP)

Retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra has been appointed the first full-time Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which oversees the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Mishra, who headed the Indian Air Force’s Western Air Command and was associated with Operation Sindoor, brings extensive experience in leadership, strategic planning and administration. He was selected from a shortlist of three candidates after 5,585 applications were received for the post. The appointment is part of efforts to strengthen the temple trust’s administrative structure and professionalise its operations. The trust has also appointed three new trustees during organisational changes. (PC: The Hindu)

Ishanvi Sakharpe, a Class 6 student from Virginia Beach, has earned recognition as the 2026 Virginia State Merit Winner in the 3M Young Scientist Challenge for her project, “Dolphin Guard.” Her project focuses on using science and problem-solving to reduce potentially harmful interactions between dolphins and human activities such as boating and fishing. The initiative highlights how young students can apply classroom knowledge to real-world environmental challenges. Sakharpe studies at Old Donation School and has also achieved recognition in mathematics competitions. Her achievement demonstrates the potential of student-led innovation to contribute to wildlife conservation and inspire greater interest in science and technology.