Jaishankar urges stronger India-ASEAN ties amid global uncertainty
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said India and ASEAN must deepen cooperation as growing global instability makes collective action essential.
Speaking at the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference with India 2026 in Manila, he highlighted concerns over supply chains, maritime security, energy, food and health security, reported NDTV.
He also welcomed 2026 as the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation.
Russian envoy summoned over deadly Ukraine ship strike
The Indian government summoned Russia’s charge d’affaires Vladimir Ladanov to protest a missile strike on the cargo vessel MV Golden Leo in the Black Sea that killed four Indian nationals.
The External Affairs Ministry condemned the attack, calling it unacceptable and a threat to maritime security, reported Reuters
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov implied – without providing evidence – that the vessel had been carrying arms for Ukraine, while Ukraine said it was carrying grain.
Govt approves first dengue vaccine, Qdenga
Japanese drugmaker Takeda’s dengue vaccine, Qdenga, has become the first dengue vaccine approved in India, reported Reuters.
The company expects it to be available through private healthcare in early 2027 after market authorisation.
Takeda is partnering Biological E to expand production as dengue cases continue to rise sharply across India.
Floods and landslides kill at least 25 across northern India
At least 25 people have died after torrential monsoon rains triggered floods and landslides across northern and north-eastern India.
The worst-hit areas include Jammu and Kashmir, Nagaland and Assam, where thousands have been affected, reported Reuters.
The weather office has warned that active monsoon conditions are likely to continue over the coming week.
Court allows Sonam Wangchuk transfer to private hospital
The Delhi High Court has allowed activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is on a hunger strike, to be shifted from a government hospital to a private facility of his choice, according to LiveLaw/Bar and Bench.
The court said the move protects his fundamental rights and ordered continuous medical monitoring. Mr Sonam has been fasting for education reforms since June 28.
Tunnel collapse death toll rises to 20 in Sikkim
The death toll from the tunnel collapse at an under-construction hydropower project in Sikkim has risen to at least 20, reported AFP.
Rescue teams continue recovering bodies, but waterlogging and methane gas have hampered operations. Officials fear there are no survivors.
The accident occurred after suspected methane combustion inside the tunnel.
Aviation regulator rebuked over conflict-of-interest concerns
The Civil Aviation Ministry has criticised aviation regulator DGCA for failing to properly manage conflicts of interest involving officials whose relatives work in the aviation sector.
Government documents reviewed by Reuters show concerns over delayed disclosures and possible regulatory influence, as the watchdog faces increased scrutiny following recent aviation safety incidents.
Special Court sentences 44 Somali pirates to life imprisonment
A Special Court in Mumbai has sentenced 44 Somali nationals to life imprisonment for hijacking two vessels and holding crew members hostage in separate piracy incidents.
The pirates admitted guilt during the trial, reported AFP.
The judge described piracy and hostage-taking as grave offences after Indian naval forces rescued the ships in 2024.
Myanmar-based drug kingpin arrested in Manipur
A joint operation by the Narcotics Control Bureau and Manipur Police has arrested alleged Myanmar-based drug kingpin Nengjatuan, also known as Tuanpi, media agencies reported.
Investigators say he led a transnational trafficking network linked to drug seizures worth over Rs53 crore (S$7.1 million) across India and Bangladesh. Authorities said the arrest followed months of intelligence-led investigations.
Mass anti-terror crackdown in J&K after policeman’s killing
Security forces have detained more than 1,000 suspected workers across Jammu and Kashmir following the killing of a policeman on Amarnath Yatra duty in Anantnag, according to media agencies.
Officials said The Resistance Front claimed responsibility for the attack. Large-scale operations are underway to dismantle terror support networks across several districts in the Valley.
Life convicts marry inside Rajasthan jail
Two life convicts serving sentences in separate murder cases have married inside Jodhpur’s Mandore Open Jail after receiving permission from the Rajasthan High Court, reported NDTV.
Prison officials, police personnel and staff witnessed the ceremony as the couple exchanged garlands and completed traditional Hindu wedding rituals within the jail premises.
Singapore Breakfast Club brings authentic hawker breakfasts to Chennai
Singapore’s vibrant hawker breakfast culture has arrived in Chennai with the launch of the Singapore Breakfast Club at Zhouyu, reported The Hindu.
Created by Singapore-raised Chef Chindi Varadarajulu, the weekend menu features favourites such as Mee Siam, carrot cake, kopi and tau huay alongside contemporary creations.
The initiative celebrates Singapore’s multicultural breakfast heritage while introducing its nostalgic flavours to Indian diners.
India’s youngest municipal chairperson voted out in Kerala
India’s youngest municipal chairperson, 21-year-old Diya Binu, has been removed from office after a no-confidence motion was passed in Kerala’s Pala Municipality.
The motion, backed by the LDF and rebel Congress councillors, secured 17 votes in the 26-member council, reported India Today.
The result ends UDF rule in the civic body and highlights growing divisions within the Congress-led alliance.
Over 37,000 killed on India’s highway ‘black corridors’ in three years
More than 37,000 people died on 6,358 accident-prone National Highway stretches, known as “black corridors”, between 2023 and 2025, the government told Parliament.
Identified using AI-based tools and accident data, the corridors span over 6,400km, according to NDTV.
Tamil Nadu has the highest number of black corridors at 958, followed by Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka.
