Bilibili global push is taking China’s major long-form video platform into new international markets with easier sign-ups, creator recruitment and localization. But India is notably absent from its early expansion map, highlighting how the country’s restrictions on Chinese apps continue to shape global platform strategies. Bilibili global push expands beyo

The Meta youth addiction trial now underway in Oakland could reshape Instagram and Facebook far beyond financial penalties. Twenty-nine states allege Meta harmed young users and violated child privacy laws, while four states are leading consumer-protection claims seeking major platform changes. Meta youth trial targets platform design Openi

India Poland ties are gaining momentum as Warsaw backs New Delhi’s fight against terrorism while acknowledging India’s historic relationship with Russia. Defence cooperation, technology, trade and the India-EU FTA are emerging as key areas in the expanding strategic partnership. Poland terror support strengthens India ties Poland has vo

PV Sindhu vs Wang Zhi Yi will be one of the biggest women’s singles contests in the BWF World Championships 2026 round of 16. Sindhu reached the stage with a straight-game win over Wen Yu Zhang and says consistency, recovery and long-rally discipline will be crucial against the Chinese world No. 3. Sindhu round 16 challenge PV Sindhu advanced to the pre-quarterfinals in New Delhi after defeat

The AI chip cloud loophole has become a major challenge for US export policy after officials accused Moonshot AI of accessing restricted Nvidia GB300 systems outside China. Kimi K3’s strong performance has intensified debate over remote chip access, export controls and the Remote Access Security Act. AI chip cloud loophole US semiconductor restrictions were largely built around controlling ex

Trump’s India voter ID remarks have renewed debate over the SAVE America Act as India conducts its SIR 2026 exercise. While Trump praised India’s voter identification system, voter roll exclusions in Maharashtra, Delhi and West Bengal have raised concerns over electoral access and voting rights. Trump India voter ID e

The Kharge Vande Mataram row intensified on Tuesday, August 18, as Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge defended the version of the national song followed by his party and rejected BJP allegations of disrespect. The dispute has also fuelled a wider Congress-BJP clash as Kharge focuses on strengthening the party in Goa ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. Vande Mataram Row Intensifies Kharge t

Nearly 18 years after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, Indian authorities have initiated the 26/11 in absentia trial process against six Pakistan-based accused linked to the conspiracy. Mumbai Police has moved to invoke the new legal mechanism under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, while the court must still determine whether all statutory requirements have been fulfilled. The accused are Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed, Zaki-ur

Delhi Police has defended its handling of the July 20 Sansad Chalo protest in a counter-affidavit filed before the Supreme Court on August 18, 2026. Police rejected allegations of excessive force, saying officers adopted a graded response after parts of the crowd breached barricades and attempted to move towards Parliament. The affidavit comes amid judicial scrutiny of policing during the student-led demonstration at Jantar Mantar. Delhi P

India strengthened their position in the opening Test against Sri Lanka on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, after setting the hosts a challenging target of 372 runs. The visitors were bowled out for 193 in their second innings, but their strong first-innings advantage ensured that Sri Lanka were left facing a difficult fourth-innings chase. Earlier in the match, India had posted an imposing 462 in their first innings, putting significant pressure on the Sri Lankan batting lineup. The hosts

Former Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and former trustee Anil Mishra have received a clean chit from the Special Investigation Team probing alleged theft and irregularities involving donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple. According to an official statement cited on August 18, the Uttar Pradesh Home Department submitted the SIT's final report and forwarded it to the temple trust for further consideration.

More than 2.07 crore Maharashtra SIR voter forms remained uncollected at the end of the enumeration exercise, bringing voter verification into focus before the state publishes its draft electoral roll. The scale is significant because Maharashtra has nearly 9.8 crore registered voters, while Mumbai SIR, Thane SIR and Pune SIR account for a large share of the pending forms. The Special Intensive Revision, conducted under the Election Commis

The Taliban seeks deeper India ties as Afghanistan looks to strengthen political trust, trade and regional connectivity with New Delhi. Taliban chargé d’affaires Noor Ahmed Noor highlighted India ties and their shared history while outlining Kabul’s interest in broader diplomatic and economic engagement. India ties gain focus at New Delhi event Noor made the remarks during a New Delhi even

US President Donald Trump has renewed his push for the SAVE America Act, citing India’s voter ID system while arguing for stricter eligibility rules in American federal elections. His latest remarks put India’s massive election process at the center of a renewed debate over voter identification, citizenship checks and mail voting in the United States. SAVE

Pakistan has issued an Umrah warning for citizens travelling to Saudi Arabia, urging pilgrims and workers to strictly follow local laws and avoid begging. The advisory highlights Saudi begging laws and reminds Pakistani nationals that violating visa conditions or local regulations can bring serious consequences. Pakistan Umrah warning targets begging violatio

Shristi Selvan won the USTA Girls’ 16s national title in San Diego, defeating Aarini Bhattacharya in three sets after a comeback in the final. The victory gave Selvan her third national singles Gold Ball of 2026 and a main-draw wild card into the US Open Junior Championships. Shristi Selvan rallies for USTA Girls’ 16s title SAN DIEGO — Fifteen-year-old Indian-American tennis player Shrist

The U.S. visa interview for minors in India generally requires children to appear in person, including newborns and teenagers. The U.S. Embassy in India reiterated the rule as State Department interview-waiver standards remain narrower than in earlier years. The U.S. Embassy in India has reminded parents that minor applicants generally must appear in person for a U.S. visa interview, including newborns and teenagers approaching age 18. Sending only a parent or guar

SEBI digital KYC for NRIs could let eligible NRIs, OCIs and foreign nationals complete securities-market onboarding from abroad. The proposal adds video, location and anti-spoofing checks, makes PROI KYC records portable and seeks comments by September 4, 2026. SEBI digital KYC proposal expands overseas access The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has proposed allowing eligible Non-

Iran's foreign influence bill has moved forward in parliament, potentially expanding criminal penalties for contacts with foreign media, universities, embassies and organisations. The proposal comes amid heightened security concerns in Tehran and could significantly affect journalists, academics and civil society. Foreign media law could expand criminal penal

America's US open-weight AI push is accelerating as Meta and Nvidia introduce new models within days of each other. The releases arrive as Chinese developers, led by Moonshot AI and its massive Kimi K3 model, have gained significant momentum in downloadable and customizable AI. Meta AI model puts open weights back at center Meta launched M