NEW The Hindu Tue 11 Aug 2026 08:00:15 AM

Colombia earthquake: at least 111 people killed; President declares emergency

SUMMARY
A devastating earthquake struck Colombia, causing widespread destruction and claiming at least 111 lives. The President declared a state of emergency, mobilizing rescue teams and military forces to affected regions. Thousands were left displaced as buildings collapsed and infrastructure was severely damaged. Hospitals were overwhelmed with injured survivors, and rescue operations continued around the clock to locate people trapped under rubble. International aid organizations offered assistance, and neighboring countries extended support. Authorities urged citizens to remain cautious of aftershocks.
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NEW News 18 Hindi Tue 11 Aug 2026 07:55:12 AM

Attari Border Now Open For E-Visa Holders As India Expands Entry Network To 88 Ports

SUMMARY
The Attari Border has been opened for travellers holding valid Indian e-Visas, as India expands its authorised entry network to 88 ports. The move is expected to make travel and immigration procedures more accessible for eligible visitors. The expanded network reflects India’s efforts to streamline international entry while strengthening connectivity through designated land, air and sea routes.
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NEW The Hindu Tue 11 Aug 2026 07:40:17 AM

Typhoon Dolphin hits Japan's Okinawa, China shuts ports ahead of landfall

SUMMARY
Typhoon Dolphin struck Japan's Okinawa with powerful winds and heavy rainfall, causing widespread disruption, flight cancellations, and power outages. Residents were urged to evacuate low-lying areas as the storm brought dangerous storm surges and flooding risks. Meanwhile, China proactively shut down ports along its southeastern coast in preparation for the typhoon's anticipated landfall, halting shipping operations and evacuating coastal communities. Authorities in both nations issued top-level warnings, deploying emergency teams to minimize casualties and damage from the intense tropical cyclone.
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NEW Firstpost Tue 11 Aug 2026 07:15:10 AM

India turns to biogas as LNG import risks rise; Cabinet clears Rs 23,731 crore GOBARdhan scheme

SUMMARY
India's Cabinet approved the Rs 23,731 crore GOBARdhan (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan) scheme to boost domestic biogas and compressed biogas (CBG) production, reducing dependence on costly LNG imports amid global supply disruptions and geopolitical risks. The initiative aims to convert cattle dung, agricultural waste, and organic matter into clean energy, promoting rural employment and waste management. It supports India's climate goals, targets energy self-reliance, and strengthens the green energy ecosystem nationwide.
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NEW Firstpost Mon 10 Aug 2026 12:25:12 PM

RBI raises FY27 GDP growth forecast to 6.7% as domestic economy stays resilient

SUMMARY
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has revised its GDP growth forecast for FY27 upward to 6.7%, reflecting confidence in India's economic resilience amid global uncertainties. The upgrade is driven by strong domestic consumption, robust agricultural output, and improving rural demand. RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra highlighted that easing inflation, favorable monsoon prospects, and government capex support growth momentum. Despite global trade tensions and geopolitical risks, India's economy remains on a solid footing, with stable macroeconomic fundamentals positioning it as one of the fastest-growing major economies worldwide.
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NEW Firstpost Mon 10 Aug 2026 11:15:02 AM

UPI charges explained: 5 things to know after Lok Sabha clears Bill allowing digital payment fees

SUMMARY
The Lok Sabha passed the Finance Bill 2025, empowering the government to levy charges on UPI transactions. Currently, UPI transactions are free for users, but the new provision allows imposing fees on specific digital payment modes. The government clarified that no charges will apply on person-to-person (P2P) transfers. However, merchant transactions (P2M) above certain thresholds may attract fees. This move aims to sustain UPI infrastructure costs borne by banks and fintech companies. Critics fear it may discourage digital adoption, while supporters argue it ensures long-term viability of the payment ecosystem.
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NEW Firstpost Mon 10 Aug 2026 11:10:08 AM

India's weak monsoon may add to global food inflation as wars disrupt farm supplies

SUMMARY
India faces a weak monsoon season, threatening crop yields of key staples like rice, wheat, and sugar. As the world's largest rice exporter, reduced output could tighten global food supplies and drive prices higher. This compounds existing pressures from the Russia-Ukraine war and Middle East conflicts, which have disrupted grain exports, fertilizer supplies, and shipping routes. Rising food inflation hits developing nations hardest, worsening hunger crises. India may impose export restrictions, further squeezing global markets already strained by geopolitical tensions and climate challenges.
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NEW The Hindu Mon 10 Aug 2026 11:00:01 AM

Turkiye’s Parliament passes Bill aimed at peace with Kurdish rebels

SUMMARY
Turkey's Parliament approved a landmark bill granting the government authority to pursue peace negotiations with Kurdish militants, primarily the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). The legislation aimed to end a decades-long conflict that claimed over 40,000 lives since 1984. The bill provided legal framework for ongoing talks initiated between the government and imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan. It authorized measures including disarmament, reintegration of fighters, and political reforms for Kurdish rights, marking a historic step toward lasting peace in the region.
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NEW The Hindu Mon 10 Aug 2026 10:50:11 AM

Zelenskyy visits Russian ally Serbia as Moscow pounds Kyiv

SUMMARY
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a historic visit to Serbia, a traditional Russian ally, marking a significant diplomatic move. The visit aimed to strengthen ties and discuss peace efforts amid the ongoing war. Serbia, while seeking EU membership, has maintained close relations with Moscow and refused to impose sanctions on Russia. Meanwhile, Russia intensified aerial attacks on Kyiv, striking civilian infrastructure. Zelenskyy's visit signaled efforts to weaken Russia's influence in the Balkans and broaden Ukraine's diplomatic support base.
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NEW Hindustan Times Mon 10 Aug 2026 10:40:01 AM

Bengal Guv asks universities to observe Aug 14 as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day

SUMMARY
West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose has directed all state universities to observe August 14 as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day, aligning with the Centre's initiative introduced by PM Modi in 2021. The day commemorates the suffering, sacrifices, and displacement of millions during India's partition in 1947. Bose, serving as Chancellor of state universities, urged institutions to hold programs highlighting partition's impact. This move comes amid ongoing tensions between Raj Bhavan and the Mamata Banerjee-led state government.
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NEW The Hindu Mon 10 Aug 2026 10:10:07 AM

China slams India’s move of formally naming 27 places in Arunachal Pradesh

SUMMARY
India officially renamed 27 places in Arunachal Pradesh, including mountains, rivers, and settlements, asserting its sovereignty over the region. China condemned the move, calling it "illegal and void," as Beijing claims Arunachal Pradesh as "South Tibet." India rejected China's objections, reaffirming that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India. This renaming is seen as India's counter to China's earlier attempts to rename places in the region using Chinese characters and Mandarin names, escalating the ongoing territorial dispute between the two nations.
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NEW Firstpost Mon 10 Aug 2026 09:30:07 AM

Uzbekistan FM begins India visit; talks with Jaishankar to focus on trade, connectivity & regional security

SUMMARY
Uzbekistan's Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov has arrived in India for an official visit, holding key talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Discussions focus on strengthening bilateral trade, enhancing connectivity through transport corridors, and addressing regional security concerns, including Afghanistan's stability. Both nations aim to deepen strategic partnership under the India-Central Asia framework. Energy cooperation, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people ties are also on the agenda, reflecting growing diplomatic engagement between the two countries.
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NEW The Hindu Mon 10 Aug 2026 08:40:15 AM

U.S. expects deal soon on Strait of Hormuz; Sunni powers unite in defence pact

SUMMARY
The U.S. anticipates reaching a diplomatic agreement soon to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway through which a significant portion of global oil supplies transit. Tensions have escalated due to Iranian threats to block the strait. Meanwhile, several Sunni-majority nations have formed a joint defence pact aimed at countering regional threats, particularly from Iran. This coalition signals growing Sunni solidarity and strategic cooperation to safeguard mutual security and energy interests in the Middle East.
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NEW The Hindu Mon 10 Aug 2026 08:35:15 AM

Typhoon Dolphin hits Japan's Okinawa, China shuts ports ahead of landfall

SUMMARY
Typhoon Dolphin struck Japan's Okinawa with powerful winds and heavy rainfall, causing widespread disruption, flight cancellations, and power outages. Authorities urged residents to seek shelter as the storm brought dangerous conditions. Meanwhile, China preemptively shut down ports along its southeastern coast in anticipation of the typhoon's projected landfall, halting shipping operations and evacuating coastal areas. Emergency services were mobilized in both nations. The typhoon threatened flooding and landslides, prompting heightened disaster preparedness across the region.
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NEW Firstpost Mon 10 Aug 2026 07:50:14 AM

Centre to introduce Public Examinations Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha amid exam reform push

SUMMARY
The Centre plans to introduce the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha, strengthening measures against exam malpractices. This follows widespread outrage over paper leaks in NEET-UG and UGC-NET exams. The original Act, passed in 2024, criminalized cheating, paper leaks, and impersonation with up to 10 years imprisonment and hefty fines. The amendment aims to tighten enforcement, enhance accountability of exam-conducting bodies, and restore public trust in competitive examinations nationwide.
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