NEWS8 Breaking Time

🔴 Rajnath Flags Off Shaurya Vijay Yatra To Kargil

👉 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday flagged off the 'Shaurya Vijay Yatra', a 1,900-km motorcycle expedition from the National War Memorial in New Delhi to the Kargil War Memorial in Dras, Ladakh.

👉 Organised under the motto "One Ride, One Nation, One Salute", the 13-day journey features 28 riders travelling across the country to honour the courage and sacrifice of India's armed forces.

👉 A key highlight of the expedition is an urn carrying sacred soil from the National War Memorial, which will be ceremonially offered at the Kargil War Memorial in memory of the soldiers who laid down their lives in the 1999 Kargil War.

👉 The yatra symbolises national unity, remembrance and gratitude towards the nation's fallen heroes.

🔴 Delhi Unveils Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships Mascot

👉 Delhi Chief Minister unveiled the official mascot of the Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships during a special ceremony held in the national capital on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.

👉 The event marked an important milestone in the build-up to the prestigious international tournament and was attended by sports officials, dignitaries and members of the table tennis fraternity.

👉 The official mascot has been designed to represent the core values of sportsmanship, unity and excellence, reflecting the spirit of the championship.

👉 The unveiling highlights the city's preparations to host the event and reinforces its commitment to promoting international sporting competitions and encouraging greater public engagement with table tennis.

🔴 Assam Police Bust Alleged Illegal Abortion Racket In Dhubri

👉 Assam Police have uncovered an alleged illegal abortion racket operating from a private residence in Dhubri district and arrested a husband-wife duo in connection with the case.

👉 According to police, Habiba Yasmin, a nurse employed at Dhubri Medical College and Hospital, and her husband, Mofizur Rahman, a government school tutor, allegedly converted a room in their residence into an unauthorised operation facility where abortion procedures were reportedly carried out for money.

👉 Acting on a complaint, a police team led by Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime) Dr Anup Jyoti Bora conducted a raid at Barguripara in Rowa Second Part under Dhubri Sadar Police Station.

👉 During the search, police recovered medical equipment, gloves, medicines and other materials believed to have been used in the alleged operations.

👉 Both accused have been arrested, and the investigation is continuing.

🔴 Navy, Coast Guard Rescue Two Fishermen Near Andaman

👉 Two fishermen were successfully rescued after the Andaman and Nicobar Command responded to a distress call involving a fishing boat in adverse weather conditions.

👉 Air and naval assets were swiftly deployed to locate the vessel.

👉 After spotting the distressed boat, the aircraft maintained continuous visual contact and guided an Indian Coast Guard ship to its precise location.

👉 The coordinated operation enabled rescue personnel to safely evacuate both fishermen.

👉 Both fishermen were administered first aid and were found to be in stable condition.

👉 The operation highlighted close coordination between the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard in responding to maritime emergencies and protecting fishing communities operating around the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

🔴 Lindsey Graham's Sister Named Interim US Senator

👉 South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster has appointed Darline Graham Nordone, the sister of late US Senator Lindsey Graham, as the state's interim senator following Graham's death from an aortic dissection at the age of 71.

👉 Introducing her as Graham's "darling little sister", McMaster said she would complete the remainder of his Senate term, which ends in 2027.

👉 Nordone said it was an honour to serve and described the appointment as a way to fulfil what her brother would have wanted.

👉 Graham, who was seeking re-election and had secured the Republican nomination, never married and had no children. He had legally adopted his younger sister after the death of their parents, and the two remained closely connected throughout their lives.

🔴 10 Nations Announce Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition

👉 Ukraine and nine European countries have announced the formation of a new coalition to strengthen Europe's anti-ballistic missile defence capabilities amid growing security concerns.

👉 The joint initiative brings together Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Ukraine to develop an integrated missile defence architecture capable of countering increasingly sophisticated ballistic missile threats.

👉 In a joint declaration issued during a meeting of Ukraine's allies in Paris, the leaders described the project as a purely defensive effort aimed at protecting Europe through closer defence-industrial cooperation, research and operational coordination.

👉 The declaration also highlighted Ukraine's experience in countering repeated ballistic missile attacks during the ongoing war with Russia as a valuable contribution to the initiative.

🔴 Vijay Kumar Gupta, Guwahati Central MLA, made the remarks while responding to widespread waterlogging in Guwahati following heavy rainfall and urging better waste management.

🔴 Assam To Launch Dedicated OTT Platform For Regional Content

👉 Assam is set to enter the digital streaming space with a dedicated over-the-top (OTT) platform aimed at promoting Assamese cinema, folk music, documentaries, literature and other regional content.

👉 Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the initiative on X as part of the state's vision outlined in the Assam Budget 2026.

👉 In his post, Sarma wrote, "Dear OTT platforms, make some room, Assam's joining the list," adding that the proposed platform will offer audiences "a new place to binge stories closer to home."

👉 The initiative is expected to provide greater visibility to Assam's creative industries, preserve regional culture, and create new opportunities for filmmakers, musicians, writers and digital content creators.

👉 The platform also aims to expand the global reach of Assamese storytelling and regional content.

🔴 Three UP Tourists Arrested In Meghalaya Homestay Vandalism Case

👉 Three tourists from Uttar Pradesh have been arrested in connection with the alleged vandalism of a homestay in Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills district.

👉 According to police, the incident took place at Oakwood Homestay in Risa Colony, where the guests allegedly threatened staff, damaged property and left without paying their bill.

👉 Following an FIR lodged on July 11, East Khasi Hills Police registered two cases and launched an investigation with assistance from police in Assam's Kokrajhar district, West Bengal's Alipurduar district and Sapatgram Police.

👉 The three arrested adults have been identified as Vikas Singh, Avinash Singh and Akand Pratap Singh.

👉 Three 17-year-old boys were also detained and produced before the Juvenile Justice Board.

👉 Police said further investigation into the case is underway.

🔴 Nagaland IED Blast Kills Assam Rifles Jawan

👉 An Assam Rifles jawan was killed and four others were injured after an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded near Khopanala in Nagaland's Chümoukedima district.

👉 Director General of Police Rupin Sharma said preliminary findings indicate the explosive may have been planted inside a parked auto-rickshaw along the roadside and detonated as an Assam Rifles convoy passed.

👉 The deceased has been identified as Havaldar Mohd Iqbal of 28 Assam Rifles.

👉 Security forces have launched an extensive search operation to identify those responsible for the attack.

👉 Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio condemned the blast as a cowardly act and said the perpetrators would be brought to justice.

👉 The incident is the second deadly attack on Assam Rifles personnel in the Northeast within a week, following the July 6 ambush in Manipur's Ukhrul district.