Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit India on September 12-13 to attend the BRICS Summit 2026 in New Delhi, according to the Kremlin. The visit will be Putin’s second trip to India within a year after attending the India-Russia Annual Summit in December 2025. India is chairing the BRICS grouping this year and will host several related meetings across the country. The summit comes amid growing global focus on BRICS, which now includes new members such as Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. India and Russia are also expected to discuss defence, energy and regional security cooperation during the visit. (PC: X)

A tense exchange unfolded during an official media briefing in Oslo after Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng repeatedly questioned India’s record on press freedom, minority rights and human rights. Responding sharply, MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George defended India’s democratic institutions and media landscape, saying critics often rely on “selective reports” by NGOs without understanding India’s scale and diversity. George highlighted constitutional guarantees, women’s voting rights and India’s electoral democracy as examples of its commitment to equality and freedoms. The confrontation came during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Norway visit and later triggered political reactions and debate online. (PC: India Today)

The investigation into the death of model and actor Twisha Sharma has come under fresh scrutiny after an AIIMS Bhopal post-mortem report revealed that the alleged nylon belt used in her hanging was not shown to doctors during the autopsy. The report stated that doctors found two parallel ligature marks on her neck but could not scientifically match them with the alleged material. It also noted multiple simple injuries on other parts of her body. Twisha’s family has demanded a second autopsy at AIIMS Delhi and a CBI probe, alleging lapses in evidence handling and questioning the fairness of the investigation. (PC: The Indian Express)

The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday allowed authorities to kill rabid and aggressive stray dogs under legally permitted procedures, citing growing concerns over public safety. A bench led by Justice Vikram Nath said rising dog bite incidents, especially involving children and elderly people, could not be ignored. The court refused to modify its earlier order directing authorities to remove stray dogs from public spaces such as hospitals, parks and railway stations. The top court also criticised state governments for poor implementation of earlier directions and said authorities must act according to Animal Birth Control rules and other legal protocols. (PC: India Today)

Passengers onboard an IndiGo flight from Vadodara to Delhi faced a stressful delay after a technical snag caused a 30-minute power outage inside the aircraft before take-off. Flight 6E 657, carrying around 160 passengers, lost electricity and air conditioning after the ground power unit malfunctioned on Sunday night. Passengers remained seated in complete darkness as engineers worked to restore power. The flight, scheduled to depart at 8.40 pm, finally took off around 10 pm. IndiGo later said the issue was resolved quickly and apologised for the inconvenience, adding that passenger safety and comfort remained its top priority.

Days after taking power in West Bengal, the BJP government led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari launched large-scale anti-encroachment and demolition drives across Kolkata and nearby areas. Bulldozers removed illegal stalls, hawkers and unauthorised structures around Howrah and Sealdah railway stations, affecting hundreds of vendors. Authorities also demolished parts of an allegedly illegal multi-storey building in Howrah built beyond approved limits. BJP minister Dilip Ghosh said the action was only the beginning and warned similar drives would continue across Bengal. Several affected traders claimed they received little notice and demanded rehabilitation from the government. (PC: India Today)

India is likely to face harsher heatwave conditions this week, with temperatures expected to touch 45-46°C in several states, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Orange and yellow alerts have been issued across north, central and eastern India, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar.   The IMD said temperatures are already 5-6°C above normal in many regions, raising the risk of heat-related illnesses, especially among children, the elderly and people with health conditions. The weather agency also warned that a possible El Niño formation in July could weaken the upcoming monsoon despite an early onset over Kerala. (PC: X)

Deepening poverty and severe hunger in Afghanistan are forcing families into heartbreaking decisions, with some parents selling their children to survive. In Ghor province, fathers told the BBC they struggle daily to find work, while millions across the country face extreme food shortages after major international aid cuts.   One father said he was willing to sell his daughters to feed the rest of his family, while another sold his five-year-old daughter to pay for her medical treatment. Hospitals are overwhelmed with malnourished children, and doctors warn rising poverty and lack of medicines are worsening child deaths across Afghanistan. (PC: BBC)

Fresh claims have emerged in the death case of former model and actor Twisha Sharma, who was found hanging at her husband’s Bhopal home on May 12. Addressing a press conference, Twisha’s mother-in-law Giribala Singh alleged that her parents “pushed her into the glamour world” and later “disowned” her. She also claimed Twisha was undergoing psychiatric treatment and battling substance abuse issues.   Twisha’s father, however, accused her husband and in-laws of dowry-related harassment and emotional abuse after marriage. Police are investigating the case, with Twisha’s husband Samarth and mother-in-law facing allegations of murder and dowry harassment. (PC: NDTV)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Norway sparked controversy after Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng shouted, “Why don’t you take questions from the world’s freest press?” as he exited a joint media appearance in Oslo without taking questions.   The issue later escalated during a Ministry of External Affairs briefing, where MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George firmly defended India’s democratic values and media environment. “We are proud to be a democracy,” George said, adding that India guarantees constitutional rights and legal remedies for citizens. He also criticised perceptions shaped by “some godforsaken, ignorant NGOs” during the tense exchange with foreign journalists.