Bangladesh Prime Minister Tariqe Rahman is likely to visit New Delhi for a bilateral trip, while he is “almost certain” to skip the upcoming BRICS summit, according to Bangladeshi government sources. The proposed visit comes amid efforts to stabilise strained India-Bangladesh ties following tensions over former PM Sheikh Hasina’s political activities from India. A meeting between India’s High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi and Rahman was viewed as reassuring, with discussions covering Hasina’s extradition, alleged killers linked to Osman Hadi’s assassination, illegal immigration and border security. The bilateral agenda is also expected to include renewal of the 1996 Ganga Waters Treaty, expiring December 31, 2026, and stalled cooperation projects. India said extradition matters remain under established procedures. (PC: Times Now)

Reports have emerged alleging that China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is blocking Indian forces from accessing key patrolling points along the Line of Actual Control in Arunachal Pradesh’s Taksing sector. A fact-finding committee of the People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA) claimed the PLA is steadily expanding control over traditional Indian grazing and hunting grounds. However, government sources rejected the allegations on Wednesday. China, meanwhile, said the border situation was “stable.” The PPA, a regional political party founded in Arunachal Pradesh in 1977, currently has two MLAs in the state’s 30-member Legislative Assembly. The claims have raised fresh concerns over Chinese activity along the sensitive India-China border despite official assurances. (PC: PTI)

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday said the long-running dispute over Vijay Mallya’s unpaid dues should “be brought to an end” after his lawyer argued that a 2020 petition had become redundant. Mallya’s petition challenged a Prevention of Money Laundering Act court order allowing a State Bank of India-led lender consortium to use Enforcement Directorate-confiscated assets to recover his dues. Senior advocate Amit Desai said the petition was filed while settlement talks were underway and sought protection for certain assets, but most had since been attached and dealt with. The bench appeared to agree, with Justice Jadhav saying, “The idea is to move on,” warning that prolonged disputes could affect relations and India’s economy. (PC: AP)

Cristiano Ronaldo sent a heartfelt message to Lionel Messi following the death of Messi’s father, Jorge, on August 8 after an illness. Messi, 39, shared his first public reaction on Wednesday, posting an emotional tribute to his father on Instagram and recalling their bond. Ronaldo, Messi’s longtime football rival, responded directly to the post with condolences for the Argentine star and his family. “Huge hug to you and your loved ones in this difficult moment, Leo. Stay strong,” Ronaldo wrote. Jorge, who had been battling illness for several months, did not travel to the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Ronaldo’s gesture offered a rare moment of solidarity between two iconic football rivals. (PC: NDTV Sports)

Haridwar is grappling with a waste crisis after nearly five crore pilgrims visited during the Kanwar Yatra. Authorities said at least 7,000 tonnes of garbage was transported to dumping grounds, with discarded clothes, plastics and Kanwar structures littering ghats and roads. At Har ki Pauri, videos showed cleaners without gloves or masks removing water bottles filled with urine from changing rooms using shovels, triggering outrage among locals. Municipal Commissioner Nandan Kumar said teams worked overnight after Shivratri to clean ghats, parking areas and roads. In Gangotri, which received an estimated 57,000 pilgrims, 57 sacks of waste were collected despite the area being designated plastic-free, raising concerns over the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.

Lionel Messi paid an emotional tribute to his late father and longtime agent, Jorge Messi, who died last week after a prolonged illness. Sharing their photograph on Instagram, Messi wrote “Te amo, pa” and admitted he still struggles to accept the loss. He recalled Jorge urging him to play at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and hoping to see Argentina reach the final. Messi said he wanted to win the trophy for his father but could not overcome his physical limitations. Argentina lost 0-1 to Spain in the July 19 final at New York New Jersey Stadium. Messi played all eight matches, scoring eight goals and providing four assists, while describing his father’s absence as deeply painful.

US President Donald Trump claimed Washington has “total control” over the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions with Iran amid a prolonged standoff over the strategic waterway. Trump said the US naval blockade was being called a “Wall of Steel” and claimed Iran’s military capabilities had been severely weakened. The Strait carries roughly a fifth of global oil trade, making disruptions a major threat to energy markets, shipping insurance and economic stability. The latest escalation follows weeks of military confrontation involving Iran, Israel and US forces, alongside Tehran’s warnings over maritime traffic. Meanwhile, Washington and Tehran continue indirect talks on easing the crisis. Major disagreements remain over sanctions, security guarantees, compensation for wartime damage and the sequencing of de-escalation measures.

Two Palestinian families in the occupied West Bank village of Qusra have been surrounded by Israeli settlers since Sunday, with residents saying their water and electricity were cut off and food supplies were running low. The families said settlers blocked access to their homes and prevented others from reaching them. Israeli forces later confronted the settlers, using tear gas and stun grenades, while authorities said the new settler outpost was illegal. A Palestinian ambulance was eventually allowed to deliver food and take a child for medical treatment. UN officials have warned that settler violence in the West Bank has reached unprecedented levels. (PC: BBC)

The Air India pilot-in-command of a Phuket-Delhi flight that lost 300 feet of altitude on August 4 had reportedly been taking medication for sleep difficulty, sources told Hindustan Times. The pilot disclosed the issue during questioning by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), saying personal circumstances had affected his sleep. The development came a day after a confirmatory drug test found marijuana in his system following the flight. It remains unclear when the marijuana was consumed. Both pilots have been taken off duty pending the investigation. The AAIB is probing the incident, while the DGCA will decide regulatory action based on the findings. (PC: HT)

A US federal judge has permanently dismissed the criminal fraud and bribery case against Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani. The decision ends the criminal proceedings that had been pending in the US for nearly 2 years. Judge Nicholas Garaufis granted the US Justice Department’s request to dismiss the charges but raised concerns about how the decision was made. The case had accused the Adanis and others of involvement in an alleged bribery and fraud scheme. Adani welcomed the ruling, saying his faith in truth and the rule of law remained strong. (PC: The Indian Express)