West Bengal has launched Ayushman Bharat–PM-JAY from August 16, 2026, aiming to provide health coverage to around 1.5 crore families, covering nearly 6 crore people. About 1,930 hospitals—627 government and 1,303 private—are reportedly empanelled. Eligible beneficiaries can receive cashless hospitalisation cover of up to ₹5 lakh annually. The rollout strengthens access to affordable healthcare and advances the goal of Universal Health Coverage.

In one of its largest aerial attacks on Russia, Ukraine launched a massive drone and missile barrage targeting multiple Russian regions, killing at least six people and injuring several others. The strikes hit energy infrastructure, residential areas, and military sites across regions including Moscow, Saratov, and others. Russia reported intercepting numerous drones, but several evaded defenses causing significant damage. The attack marked a major escalation in Ukraine's cross-border strategy amid the ongoing war.

Former J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah made a controversial claim that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) would have eventually rejoined Jammu & Kashmir had Article 370 not been abrogated in August 2019. He argued that Article 370 provided a constitutional framework that could have facilitated PoK's reunification with India. The BJP sharply criticized his remarks, calling them anti-national and pro-Pakistan. Abdullah defended his stance, saying the special status was a bridge for integration, not separation.

A recent survey reveals that Indians and Pakistanis perceive each other as the greatest security threat, reflecting decades of geopolitical tension between the nuclear-armed neighbors. Historical conflicts over Kashmir, cross-border terrorism, and military standoffs fuel mutual distrust. The survey highlights deep-rooted hostility among citizens of both nations, despite occasional diplomatic efforts. Experts warn that such perceptions hinder peace prospects and regional stability, urging dialogue and people-to-people engagement to bridge divides.

**RRB JE Recruitment 2026:** The Railway Recruitment Boards have released the official notification for 3,993 Junior Engineer (JE) posts on rrb.indianrailways.gov.in. The recruitment covers various departments including Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics. Eligible engineering graduates can apply online through the official RRB website. Candidates must check eligibility criteria, age limits, and educational qualifications before applying. The selection process includes CBT Stage-I, CBT Stage-II, and document verification. Aspirants should visit the official portal for detailed vacancy breakdowns, application fees, exam patterns, and important dates to ensure timely submission.

India Day Parade 2025 in New York City saw a historic moment as Zohran Mamdani attended as the first Indian American mayor of New York City. Mamdani, of Ugandan-Indian descent, recently won the NYC mayoral race, marking a milestone for the South Asian community. The annual parade on Madison Avenue celebrates Indian Independence Day and Indian culture. His presence highlighted growing Indian American political representation in the U.S. Thousands attended the vibrant event showcasing India's rich heritage and diversity.

India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, striking nine terrorist targets across Pakistan and PoK in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 tourists. India used Rafale jets, drones, and precision missiles, destroying terror camps linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. Pakistan's military suffered significant losses. After India declared major objectives achieved, Pakistan sought a ceasefire. International pressure, especially from the US, led both nations to agree on a ceasefire. India maintained it acted purely against terrorism, not Pakistani civilians.

India aims to become a $20 trillion economy by 2036, requiring bold reforms across multiple sectors. Key strategies include simplifying and rationalizing GST to boost compliance and revenue, while leveraging Global Capability Centres (GCCs), which are rapidly expanding in India, driving innovation, employment, and tech exports. Experts emphasize infrastructure development, manufacturing growth under Make in India, digital transformation, and skilling initiatives as critical enablers. Attracting foreign investment, reducing bureaucratic hurdles, and ensuring policy stability are essential. With over 1,700 GCCs already operational, India's talent pool and cost advantages position it as a global hub, potentially adding trillions to GDP if reforms accelerate consistently.

Russia has appointed former Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, as its arbitrator in the ongoing international arbitration case involving Ukraine's state-owned Oschadbank. The bank is seeking over $1 billion in compensation from Russia for losses suffered due to the 2014 annexation of Crimea. The case is being heard under a bilateral investment treaty between Ukraine and Russia. Chandrachud, who retired as CJI in November 2024, is recognized globally for his legal expertise, making him a notable choice for this high-profile dispute.

In one of its largest aerial assaults, Ukraine launched a massive drone and missile attack on multiple Russian regions, killing at least six people and injuring several others. The strikes targeted energy infrastructure, military sites, and residential areas across Russia, including Moscow and border regions. Russian air defenses intercepted several drones, but significant damage was reported. The attack marked a major escalation in Ukraine's cross-border offensive strategy, signaling its growing capability to strike deep into Russian territory amid the ongoing war.

India's Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh, Ladakh, became the first airport in the country to make passenger announcements in Sanskrit, alongside Hindi and English. This initiative was introduced to promote and preserve the ancient Indian language. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) implemented this unique step as part of efforts to revive Sanskrit in everyday life. The move was widely appreciated by Sanskrit enthusiasts and cultural organizations, highlighting India's rich linguistic heritage and commitment to keeping traditional languages alive in modern public spaces.

India's 78th Independence Day celebrations in the New York Tri-State area concluded grandly with a Guinness World Record achievement. The Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) organized the annual India Day Parade on Madison Avenue, one of the largest outside India. During the festivities, participants set a Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people waving Indian flags simultaneously. The event showcased Indian culture, dance, music, and unity, drawing thousands of Indian Americans and diaspora members celebrating India's freedom and heritage.

The UAE's state oil company, ADNOC, reported that a vessel was attacked in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil supply passes. The incident heightened tensions in the Persian Gulf region, already strained by geopolitical rivalries involving Iran, the US, and Gulf states. Such attacks raise concerns over maritime security, global energy supply disruptions, and oil price volatility. Investigations were launched to determine responsibility and prevent escalation.

In a recently surfaced report, the U.S. military reportedly lost 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones during confrontations linked to Iran and its proxy forces in the Middle East. The MQ-9 Reaper, a key surveillance and strike drone, was targeted by Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen and other groups in the region. These losses highlight vulnerabilities of unmanned aircraft against evolving air defense systems. The incidents raised concerns over U.S. drone reliance in contested environments and the growing threat posed by Iran-aligned militias.

**बेंगलुरु से एक युवक को आतंकी कनेक्शन के आरोप में गिरफ्तार किया गया है। यह युवक अफगानिस्तान स्थित तहरीक-ए-तालिबान पाकिस्तान (TTP) के संपर्क में था। जांच में पता चला कि वह भारत और पाकिस्तान दोनों देशों में आतंकी हमलों की साजिश रच रहा था। सुरक्षा एजेंसियों ने खुफिया जानकारी के आधार पर कार्रवाई करते हुए उसे पकड़ा। उसके फोन और डिवाइस से आतंकी संगठनों से संपर्क के सबूत मिले हैं। मामले की गहन जांच जारी है और अन्य संदिग्धों की तलाश की जा रही है।**