Trinamool Congress (TMC) national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee was reportedly attacked during a visit to Sonarpur in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas on Saturday. He had gone to meet families affected by post-poll violence when a group of locals began protesting. The situation escalated quickly as eggs and stones were hurled at his convoy while some people shouted “chor chor” (thief) slogans. Security personnel surrounded and escorted him from the spot, with visuals showing heightened tension and crowd unrest. Banerjee alleged a political conspiracy behind the attack and claimed he was targeted deliberately. The incident reflects rising political tension in the region. (PC: India Today)

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Washington is prepared to restart military strikes on Iran if ongoing negotiations fail to produce a deal preventing Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore, Hegseth stated that the US military has sufficient resources and munitions to resume operations if necessary. The warning comes as the administration of Donald Trump continues diplomatic efforts to secure a broader agreement involving Iran’s nuclear programme and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Talks remain ongoing amid high regional tensions and fears of renewed conflict. 

Rescue teams in Laos successfully freed four more miners trapped for 10 days inside a flooded cave, bringing the total number of rescued survivors to five. The men had entered the cave in search of gold ore before heavy rains triggered flash floods, blocking their escape routes. International rescue teams, including experienced cave divers from several countries, navigated narrow, mud-filled tunnels with almost no visibility to reach them. Two people remain missing as search operations continue deeper into the flooded cave system. Rescuers described the mission as extremely dangerous due to unstable walls, strong currents, and confined underwater passages.

A massive sandstorm engulfed several parts of Rajasthan, dramatically reducing visibility and disrupting normal life across affected districts. Videos and images shared online showed towering walls of dust moving across cities and highways, prompting weather authorities to issue advisories. According to meteorological officials, the storm is associated with a strong weather system and is likely to impact Delhi-NCR within the next few hours. Residents have been advised to stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, and take precautions against dust-related health issues. The approaching storm may also bring thunderstorms, gusty winds, and sudden changes in weather conditions across northern India.

Several parts of Delhi-NCR witnessed moderate to heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds, providing significant relief from the intense summer heat. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert, warning residents of possible waterlogging, traffic disruptions, and reduced visibility in some areas. Rainfall was reported across Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, and nearby regions, leading to cooler temperatures and improved air quality. Authorities advised commuters to exercise caution during peak travel hours. The IMD has forecast continued chances of light to moderate rain and thunderstorms across the region over the next few days.

Senior Congress leader and current Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar was formally elected as the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader in Karnataka, clearing the way for his swearing-in as the state’s next Chief Minister. The leadership transition follows Siddaramaiah’s resignation after months of political speculation within the party. Congress leaders described the change as part of a planned power-sharing arrangement aimed at maintaining stability in the state government. Shivakumar is expected to take oath in Bengaluru in the coming days, while discussions on cabinet formation and key ministerial positions continue within the party leadership. (PC: PTI)

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi sharply criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Centre after technical glitches disrupted the CUET-UG 2026 examination at several centres across India. Gandhi alleged that major exams, including NEET, CBSE, SSC, and now CUET, have repeatedly faced irregularities, claiming the government has failed to conduct “even a single exam honestly.” He said recurring disruptions reflect a deeper crisis in India’s education system and questioned the government’s accountability. The remarks come amid growing concerns among students and parents over examination management, transparency, and the impact of repeated technical and administrative failures on academic futures. (PC: The Hindu)

Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat's bid to qualify for the 2026 Asian Games ended after a 6-4 loss to Meenakshi Goyat in the women's 53kg semi-final at the selection trials in New Delhi. The closely fought match saw Meenakshi hold her lead in the final moments to secure victory and a place in the final. Earlier, Vinesh defeated Jyoti and Nishu to reach the semi-finals. Her quarter-final win over Nishu was marked by review controversies and heated exchanges. After the defeat, Vinesh left the arena with a message of determination, saying, "Main phir aaungi." (PC: PTI)

14-year-old Indian-American student Shrey Parikh has won the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee in the United States. The California teenager claimed the title after three days of competition in Washington, DC. In the final spell-off round, he correctly spelled 32 words in 90 seconds, defeating 12-year-old Ishaan Gupta. This was Shrey's third appearance at the national contest. He said years of hard work and regular practice helped him achieve his goal. Shrey's parents praised his dedication and discipline. He encouraged other students to focus on effort, preparation and doing their best rather than worrying about results. (PC: Reuters)

China is building a large network of military facilities near its nuclear missile bases in the Xinjiang region, according to satellite images reviewed by Reuters. The project includes launch pads, bunkers, communication centres, airfields and rail links. Experts say more than 80 sites could support mobile missile launchers and air-defence systems. Two large octagon-shaped complexes have been developed over the past six years. Analysts believe the facilities may help protect and strengthen China's nuclear forces. China maintains a "no first use" nuclear policy, but concerns remain over rising tensions involving Taiwan and China's growing military capabilities.