India will take on five-time FIFA World Cup champions Brazil in a historic international friendly at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium on October 3, 2026. The high-profile fixture is expected to be a major milestone for Indian football and a special occasion for football fans across the country.

Congress president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday criticised the Narendra Modi government over declining sugar stocks and rising prices ahead of the festive season. He questioned the Centre's sugar management and ethanol-blending policy, asking why sugar was being imported while sugarcane and grains were being diverted for ethanol production.

Odisha has climbed from 13th to seventh position nationally under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, emerging as one of India's fastest-growing rooftop solar markets. The state has recorded 1.74 lakh installations against more than 3.12 lakh applications, with the conversion rate rising from 37.1 per cent to 53.4 per cent.

Air India has doubled average cargo volumes on the Chennai-Delhi-Frankfurt corridor following the implementation of the Government of India's new cargo transshipment policy. Cargo volumes increased from 2.2 MT to 4.5 MT per day, while average connection time at Delhi Airport fell from around 48 hours to eight hours.

Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri visited Mauritius from August 20-21 and witnessed the exchange of a Government-to-Government MoU on oil and gas cooperation. Under a five-year agreement, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) will supply Mauritius’ entire import requirement of Motor Spirit, High Speed Diesel and Aviation Turbine Fuel. The agreement is aimed at strengthening Mauritius’ energy security and deepening India’s strategic footprint in the Indian Ocean region.

Veteran BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was sworn in as Bangladesh’s 23rd president at Bangabhaban on Friday. He was elected by lawmakers in an indirect presidential election, defeating opposition candidate Col (retd) Oli Ahmad. Indian President Droupadi Murmu congratulated Fakhrul, highlighting the shared history, cultural ties and friendship between India and Bangladesh.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said the war with the United States should eventually end while Iran remains “strong and honoured.” Speaking in Tehran, he highlighted growing economic difficulties caused by sanctions and a naval blockade, while acknowledging public dissatisfaction. Pezeshkian also warned that costly fuel subsidies could strain government finances and affect essential welfare programmes.

Ektaa R Kapoor and Amar Butala’s upcoming horror-comedy film ‘Hero Ki Horrorine’, directed by Sajid Khan, is set to release in theatres on January 7, 2027. The film is presented by Balaji Telefilms and produced by Shobha Kapoor, Ektaa R Kapoor and Amar Butala.

Yami Gautam-starrer Nayi Naveli is set to release in theatres on October 16, coinciding with Dussehra. Directed by Balaji Mohan and produced by Aanand L. Rai and Himanshu Sharma, the film is set in Meerut and follows a dysfunctional family whose lives change after the arrival of a seemingly perfect bride. Her brother-in-law suspects she may be a witch, setting the stage for fantasy, comedy and family chaos.

Taapsee Pannu-starrer Gandhari is set to premiere on Netflix on September 3. Directed by Devashish Makhija and produced by Kanika Dhillon, the film also features Ishwak Singh, Chhaya Kadam, Swastika Mukherjee, Mita Vashisht and Jatin Sarna. Set in the fictional town of Joypurra, the film follows Bani, a mother whose devotion is tested as she confronts a series of challenges.

President Droupadi Murmu will confer the National Teachers Awards on 48 school teachers at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, on September 5, 2026. The awardees have been selected through a three-stage process from 27 States, seven Union Territories and six Central Government organisations.

India and Brazil signed an MoU in Pune to deepen bilateral cooperation in telecommunications and ICT. The agreement covers emerging technologies, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, connectivity, capacity building and exchange of best practices.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi interacted with the CEOs and founders of 20 leading Indian space startups at Seva Teerth, highlighting the growing strength of India’s private space ecosystem. The startup leaders showcased advancements in rockets, satellites, propulsion systems, space intelligence, debris removal, AI-powered weather solutions and other cutting-edge technologies. The Prime Minister encouraged greater innovation, cross-sector collaboration and the development of space technologies that can improve people’s lives. He also called for stronger engagement with Atal Tinkering Labs to inspire young minds and build a robust talent pipeline, envisioning India as a global destination for space technology, investment and innovation.

Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati praised CSIR-IMMT for developing an indigenous pilot plant to process bituminous coal fly ash and recover multiple value-added products. He also reviewed the institute’s research initiatives in mineral processing, sustainable recycling and metal recovery.

Paradip Port is set for a major infrastructure expansion involving projects worth over ₹2,000 crore. The investments include three mechanisation projects worth ₹1,580.36 crore and seven infrastructure projects valued at ₹427.80 crore, aimed at improving cargo handling, connectivity, navigation and logistics efficiency.

More than 13.44 lakh people have been affected by floods across seven Odisha districts, with 4.87 lakh people evacuated to 880 relief shelters. Rescue, relief, medical and restoration operations continue across the affected areas.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has announced that Gurujang village in Angul district, the birthplace of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, will be developed as a Heritage Village. The Gurujang Panchayat will also be developed as a Model Panchayat, while ₹13 crore has been sanctioned for the development and preservation of heritage sites associated with Swamiji.

Ganjam has emerged as Odisha’s top district in rooftop solar adoption, recording 16,418 installations. The achievement highlights growing consumer confidence in clean energy and the expanding reach of the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. Across TPSODL’s eight districts, 25,277 rooftop solar installations have been recorded, supported by awareness campaigns, grassroots outreach and the Utility-Led Aggregation (ULA) Model.

A fresh low-pressure area has formed over the Bay of Bengal, prompting the IMD to issue a red warning for extremely heavy rainfall in parts of Odisha. Around one lakh people have already been evacuated from flood-hit areas.

The state government has unveiled landmark projects across transport, energy, urban development, and healthcare to accelerate regional growth.

Robust manufacturing and services output powered national GDP past expectations, solidifying position as fastest growing major economy.

The first phase stretching from Biju Patnaik International Airport to Trisulia square is set to commence construction next month.

Odisha introduces lucrative capital subsidies, power tariffs, and single-window clearances for green industries.

Golden Beach in Puri maintains high international ecological standards with zero discharge and solar amenities.