Peace in border areas of ‘utmost importance’, says MEA after reports of Chinese incursions

The maintenance of peace and tranquillity in border areas is of “utmost importance,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday (August 11, 2026), adding that India has always emphasised in bilateral talks that Chinese troops crossing into Indian territories constitute some of the “most serious” issues. Speaking at the bi-weekly press conference, Randhir Jaiswal, official spokesperson of the MEA, said the condition of the border areas will “reflect” on the larger India-China relations.

Amid backlash, Centre set to refer FCRA Bill to JPC

Faced with demands to scrap the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, from different corners of the country on Tuesday — including a unanimous resolution passed in the Tamil Nadu Assembly and mass protests in the streets of Mizoram’s capital — the Union government informed its allies and other parties that it would move a resolution in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday to refer the Bill to a Joint Parliamentary Committee, sources said.

Inquiry committee report on Justice Varma to be tabled in Lok Sabha on August 12

Report of an inquiry committee which invested allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma — against whom removal proceedings were initiated over the alleged discovery of unaccounted for cash from his official residence — will be placed before the Lok Sabha on Wednesday (August 12, 2026). According to the list of business of the Lok Sabha for Wednesday (August 12, 2026), the secretary general will “lay” the two volumes of the report along with oral evidence in the House.

Kerala name change, co-operative sector bills cleared without debate as Lok Sabha deadlock continues

Even as the deadlock between the Opposition and the government continued, the Lok Sabha on Tuesday (August 11, 2026) passed two Bills, one on renaming Kerala to ‘Keralam’, without discussion. While the List of Business mentioned that Home Minister Amit Shah would move for the passage of the Bills, the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 and the National Co-operative Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026 were moved by Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai and Minister of State for Cooperation Murlidhar Mohol respectively.

Jharkhand students’ protests updates: Over 100 ABVP workers detained during march to Assembly over police action on students

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) held a protest march from the Old Vidhan Sabha to the New Vidhan Sabha in Ranchi on Tuesday (August 11, 2026), amid ongoing student protests in Jharkhand. Several ABVP workers were detained during their march to the Jharkhand Assembly here to protest against police action on students agitating over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations in the state, a senior officer said. The detention was made as members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) started their procession from the old Vidhan Sabha area here, he said. Meanwhile, clashes broke out between ABVP workers and police as protesters refused to allow the bus carrying the detained workers to move.

CWMA endorses CWRC’s direction to Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs of water a day for 15 days to Tamil Nadu

The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA), which met in Delhi on Tuesday (August 11, 2026), affirmed and endorsed the decision by the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) to direct Karnataka to ensure the release of Cauvery water at the rate of 12,000 cusecs a day from Wednesday for the next 15 days to neighbouring Tamil Nadu. This means that Karnataka would have to provide about 15.55 thousand million cubic feet (tmc ft), considering that the flow of 11,574 cusecs in 24 hours equals one tmc ft.

Delhi Police issue advisory on road closures tomorrow; security beefed up

Several key roads will remain closed to traffic near Red Fort from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Thursday for the Independence Day full-dress rehearsal. Delhi Traffic Police has advised commuters to use alternative routes as the rehearsal is expected to affect traffic movement across central and north Delhi. Only authorised vehicles will be allowed near locations such as India Gate and stretches of Ring Road and Outer Ring Road between Nizamuddin Khatta and ISBT Kashmere Gate.

CM Vijay likely to move resolution in Assembly seeking freeze on Lok Sabha seats at 543

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay is expected to move a resolution in the Assembly on Wednesday (August 11, 2026) regarding the proposed delimitation exercise, urging the Union government to permanently maintain the existing strength of the Lok Sabha at 543 and retain the current inter-State distribution of seats. Mr. Vijay had, on August 8, 2026, convened a meeting with Members of Parliament from Tamil Nadu at Kalaivanar Arangam in Chennai. Of the total 57 MPs — 39 in the Lok Sabha and 18 in the Rajya Sabha — from Tamil Nadu, only 19 MPs participated. At the meeting, it was decided to adopt a resolution in the Assembly to protect the rights of Tamil Nadu and the southern States.

Panel seeks enhanced relief, counselling for SC/ST victims

An internal government task force has recommended several amendments to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Rules, including raising the relief and rehabilitation amounts that governments are mandated to pay victims of atrocities under the law to adjust for inflation. Among other recommendations made by this task force are measures to introduce counselling for the accused and the victims and their dependents.

Centre relaxes construction hurdles in Ganga flood plain

The Union government eased restrictions governing construction along the Ganga flood plain this week, paving the way for building projects in areas which are only subject to moderate or rare flooding. This has been done by revising the definition of a ‘flood plain’ and deleting a clause in the legislation that expressly prohibited construction, according to an August 10 gazette order from the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), affiliated to the Jal Shakti Ministry.

Colombia earthquake death toll tops 200 as rescuers race to find survivors

Rescue crews dug through mountains of shattered concrete in western Colombia on Tuesday (August 11, 2026), racing to find survivors after a powerful earthquake killed more than 200 people, according to estimates from local authorities. Families waited beside the rubble for signs of life. The 7.4-magnitude earthquake, the most powerful to strike the South American country in decades, tore through Colombia’s coffee-growing heartland early on Monday, leaving apartment blocks, homes, schools and health centers cracked, leaning or flattened.

Ukraine says Russia fired North Korean missiles in deadly attack

Russian attacks across Ukraine killed at least 10 people overnight and wounded dozens, Kyiv said Tuesday (August 11, 2026), accusing Moscow of launching North Korean missiles in the raid. The allegation comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned — without providing evidence — that Moscow was receiving more ballistic projectiles and troops from its ally Pyongyang.

Government approves introduction of one billion polymer banknotes of ₹10 and ₹20

The government has approved the introduction of one billion polymer banknotes of ₹10 and ₹20 for field trials, Parliament was informed on Tuesday (August 11, 2026). The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), with the recommendation of its central board, had sent a proposal to the government in terms of Section 25 of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, for introduction of one billion pieces each of ₹10 and ₹20 polymer banknotes for field trials and for regular issuance of polymer banknotes in these two denominations after successful completion of field trials, Finance Minister said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

Afghanistan seal 2027 World Cup berth, West Indies to go through qualifiers again

Afghanistan secured automatic qualification for the 2027 World Cup with a win over Ireland on Monday, leaving twice champions West Indies to go through qualifiers for the third successive edition of the 50-overs tournament. The top eight teams in the one-day rankings on September 30, excluding co-hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe, qualify directly for the event.

Published - August 12, 2026 07:41 am IST