West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday announced the formation of a five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a detailed investigation into the deadly fire at a hotel on Mirza Ghalib Street in central Kolkata. Adhikari said the administration's immediate priority was rescue and relief work, ensuring proper medical treatment for those injured and determining the circumstances that led to the devastating blaze.

In a post on X, the Chief Minister expressed grief over the incident and alleged that the tragedy highlighted what he described as a “legacy of negligence” from the previous administration. He claimed that unchecked construction and the operation of commercial establishments without adequate compliance with mandatory fire-safety requirements had contributed to unsafe conditions in parts of the city and state.

Adhikari further alleged that previous authorities had failed to conduct proper compliance checks and enforce basic safety regulations. He said the present administration was working to address those shortcomings and strengthen enforcement of fire-safety standards. The Chief Minister also assured victims and their families that the government would extend all possible assistance. He directed officials to ensure that those injured receive the best available medical care and support.

To establish the facts and determine accountability, Adhikari said the five-member SIT had been constituted immediately. The team will examine the circumstances surrounding the fire and determine whether the hotel complied with mandatory fire and safety regulations. The blaze reportedly broke out at around 2 am on Wednesday, leaving at least nine people dead, including a child, while several others were injured. Officials said around 60 people were rescued from the building.

Some of the victims were reportedly Bangladeshi nationals who had travelled to Kolkata for medical treatment. The Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata said its officials visited the site after being informed about the incident and coordinated with local authorities regarding the victims. According to the Deputy High Commission, five Bangladeshi nationals were among those confirmed dead, while four of them were members of the same family. Officials were still working to establish the identities of the remaining victims.

The diplomatic mission also said that six injured Bangladeshi nationals had been discharged after receiving initial medical treatment. The newly formed SIT will now examine the sequence of events, fire-safety arrangements at the hotel and whether required safety standards and regulations were properly followed. The investigation is expected to determine whether any lapses or negligence contributed to the loss of life.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Union Health and Family Welfare Minister JP Nadda underwent angioplasty at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, on Monday, August 17, 2026. The hospital said his condition is stable and he remains under observation in the Department of Cardiology. According to an AIIMS statement, Nadda underwent the procedure after being evaluated for uneasiness. The hospital confirmed that he is currently stable and receiving medical care.

Several political leaders have wished the Union minister a speedy recovery. Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi expressed his concern and prayed for Nadda’s good health. “Wishing a speedy recovery and good health to Union Minister Shri JP Nadda Ji,” Sanghavi said in a post on X. Gujarat Energy and Petrochemicals Minister Rushikesh Patel also extended his wishes to Nadda, hoping for his swift recovery and continued good health.

Nadda had been admitted to the cardiology department at AIIMS on August 14 for observation after experiencing uneasiness. The hospital had earlier said that he was evaluated on the evening of August 13 and underwent several tests, including a coronary angiography. AIIMS stated that Nadda was stable and had been admitted for further observation under the Department of Cardiology.

The latest update indicates that Nadda remains stable following the angioplasty. Further details about his health and discharge are expected from the hospital as his medical team continues to monitor his recovery. The Union minister, who also plays a prominent role in the BJP's organisational and political affairs, is expected to resume his regular responsibilities after doctors give him clearance.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

When Ancy Alexander lost her husband, Aneesh Ananth, suddenly at the age of 44, her counsellor encouraged her to become physically active as a way of coping with grief. Although Ancy had never played a sport before, she decided to try football because it reminded her of her husband, who had loved cricket, tennis and football. She hoped that playing the game would be a meaningful way to honour his memory.

Her search for opportunities to play women’s football led her to Sisters in Sweat (SIS), an organisation founded by former national hockey player Swetha Subbiah and national-level footballer Tanvie Hans. SIS began in 2017 when a group of women came together simply to play football, exercise and have fun. The first session attracted 17 women and was so successful that they wanted to continue meeting every weekend.

Since then, SIS has grown from a WhatsApp group into a larger community offering activities such as basketball, pickleball, swimming, tennis, running, yoga and Pilates. It now operates in seven cities and has more than 12,000 women and girls between the ages of 16 and 60. One of the major challenges it addresses is access. Many sports facilities are dominated by men, which can make women, particularly beginners, feel uncomfortable or intimidated.

For many participants, sport provides more than exercise. It offers confidence, independence and a sense of identity. In a society where women’s lives can often be heavily shaped by expectations and limited choices, sport gives them a space where they can make decisions, compete, have fun and simply be themselves. The rise of women’s recreational sport is taking place alongside significant progress in competitive sport. Indian women athletes such as Manu Bhaker, P. V. Sindhu, Lovlina Borgohain and members of the national cricket team have become role models for younger generations. Their achievements demonstrate that women can succeed at the highest levels of sport and inspire others to participate.

The stories of athletes from disadvantaged backgrounds make this progress even more powerful. Asmita Dey, for example, grew up in a small village in Tripura as the daughter of a cycle mechanic. Financial difficulties did not prevent her from pursuing sport, even though her family had to take loans to support her participation in overseas training camps. Similarly, para-athlete Sharmila Dhanker began competing in shot put at the age of 34 after overcoming childhood polio, an early marriage and an abusive relationship. Her journey shows that it is never necessarily too late to begin a sporting career.

Despite these successes, many girls continue to leave sport as they grow older. Research has linked participation in sport with improved confidence, academic performance and career opportunities, yet girls drop out at higher rates than boys. Fear of judgment, lack of confidence, inadequate facilities and social expectations all contribute to this decline. In India, access to sport often becomes particularly limited after girls leave college, while basic requirements such as safe playing spaces and clean toilets remain inadequate.

Organisations such as Sisters in Sweat and Ready Set Girl are trying to change this situation by creating communities where women and girls can participate in sport without feeling that they have to become professional athletes. Their message is that sport does not always have to be about medals, representing a state or playing for the country. It can simply be about enjoyment, friendship, competition and having a space to move freely. The greatest benefit of women’s participation in sport may not be a medal. Sport can give women the confidence and freedom to occupy public spaces, make decisions, travel, develop their abilities and express themselves. For women who play simply because they enjoy it, the act of playing itself is a victory.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan Times.

Rescue teams continued their efforts on Friday to reach three workers who remain trapped inside an under-construction tunnel in Chamoli district after a sudden inflow of water and debris disrupted work at the site. The incident took place in the Pipalkoti area, where construction work was underway as part of the Vishnugad-Pipalkoti hydroelectric project. A sudden surge of water and debris entered the tunnel while workers were inside, leaving several people trapped underground and prompting an immediate rescue response.

Rescue agencies have managed to bring a number of workers out of the affected section, while seven workers have reportedly died in the incident. Several rescued workers were also taken for medical treatment. The search for the three workers still inside the tunnel remains the main priority for authorities. Personnel from the National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police and other emergency agencies have been deployed at the site. Heavy machinery is being used to remove mud, rocks and other debris blocking access to the affected section. Rescue teams are also working to control the water accumulating inside the tunnel.

The operation has proved difficult because of unstable ground conditions and the large amount of debris inside the structure. Rescuers are having to carefully clear the passage while ensuring that further movement of rocks or water does not put their own teams at risk. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited the area and reviewed the ongoing rescue operation. Officials briefed him on the conditions inside the tunnel and the efforts being made to reach the trapped workers. The administration has directed rescue agencies to use all available resources to locate and evacuate them safely.

The accident has once again highlighted the challenges involved in carrying out major infrastructure projects in Uttarakhand's mountainous terrain. The region is vulnerable to landslides, sudden water movement and other geological hazards, making safety and emergency preparedness particularly important at underground construction sites. For now, rescue teams remain focused on reaching the three workers still trapped inside the tunnel. Operations are continuing as authorities work to clear the obstruction, manage the water and create a safe route for their evacuation.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan Times.

Myanmar's military government has released rare images of detained leader Aung San Suu Kyi meeting a Red Cross official, marking her first known contact with the outside world since the 2021 coup. The photos were released just ahead of junta chief Min Aung Hlaing's first official visit to Thailand, prompting speculation about their political significance.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

In a conversation with political editor Tom McIlroy and chief political correspondent Dan Jervis-Bardy during the 50th Labor conference in Adelaide, South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas discussed his state’s political battle with One Nation. He said progressive groups should avoid dismissing or talking down to Pauline Hanson’s supporters, arguing that their concerns need to be understood rather than ignored. Addressing the ongoing debate over the AUKUS submarine deal, Malinauskas acknowledged concerns after the US revealed that Virginia-class submarine production rates had not improved. However, he maintained that walking away from the agreement would create greater strategic risks than the challenges surrounding the controversial defence partnership.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

On Made in SG, Melanie Oliveiro chats with Singaporean singer-songwriter Frances Tan, who recently competed in the Commonwealth Song Contest — an international music competition featuring participants from all 56 Commonwealth countries. Tan shares her experience of being chosen as a Grand Finalist, representing Singapore alongside six other finalist nations. She also discusses her original track, Just Me, which she submitted as her contest entry.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

Following the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Donald Trump and the White House administration responded strongly, accusing the media and the Democratic Party of contributing to rising political violence. Reged Ahmad and Jonathan Yerushalmy explore the origins of the deep political divide between Democrats and Republicans in the United States. At the same time, Usha Vance has started a new podcast, raising questions about her motives, while King Charles’s upcoming visit to the White House is expected to shed light on Donald Trump’s relationship with the British monarchy.

Disclaimer: This video is taken from The Guardian.