Times of India

Friendship Day 2026 falls on Sunday, August 2, celebrating connections. The article offers fifty wishes and quotes for expressing appreciation. These messages cater to heartfelt, funny, and short sentiments for friends. It also includes specific wishes for childhood and long-distance friendships. Famous quotes about friendship are provided for sharing with loved ones.

India's para athletes achieved their finest-ever performance at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. They secured seven medals, matching all previous editions combined in a single campaign. Para athletics led the success, contributing six medals including three gold and two silvers. Indian athletes achieved multiple one-two finishes in several track and field events. This historic showing marks a significant leap forward for Indian para sports.

A significant fire erupted at the Judicial Magistrate First Class office on Saturday morning. The blaze destroyed numerous important case files and legal records before court proceedings began. Firefighting teams battled for hours to bring the flames under control after the incident. Officials are now assessing the extensive damage and investigating the fire's cause. Hearings scheduled for Saturday have been postponed due to the fire.

The DMK has petitioned the Supreme Court for immediate Cauvery water release from Karnataka. Karnataka's government faces a directive to release 3,500 cusecs daily for fifteen days. The plea also seeks to clear an accumulated water release shortfall of 9.46 TMC. Karnataka's Chief Minister urged protesters to withdraw their agitation against water releases. The state government will protect farmers' interests while respecting judicial orders.

Foreign investors are showing renewed interest in Indian equities after significant outflows. Geopolitical uncertainties and elevated oil prices continue to pose risks to the outlook. India's domestic economy demonstrates robust performance with healthy sales and credit growth. The Reserve Bank of India is expected to align its monetary policy with the US Federal Reserve. Delays in bond index inclusion reflect global market dynamics, not India's debt concerns.

West Bengal's Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari pledged to resolve all pending CAA applications soon. He stated the law grants citizenship and is not meant to revoke it. Nearly twenty-four thousand citizenship certificates have already been issued to eligible refugees. The government will delegate powers to district magistrates for faster application processing. This initiative aims to provide citizenship to persecuted minorities from neighboring countries.

Russia launched a fresh wave of missile and drone strikes across Ukraine. These attacks killed at least nine people and injured more than thirty others. Kyiv and surrounding regions were targeted in the second major aerial assault in two days. Ukrainian authorities reported 27 ballistic missiles were fired, with only one intercepted. President Zelensky renewed urgent calls for more Western air defence systems.

A 17-year-old girl from Delhi has accused her friend of multiple rapes in a Gurugram hotel. The alleged incidents occurred between January and March 2026, police stated. A case was registered after the teenager became pregnant and was medically examined. The FIR was filed under POCSO and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections. Police are investigating and conducting raids to apprehend the accused.

Jadumani Singh Mandengbam secured a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games. He credited veteran boxer Sarita Devi for her significant support and guidance. Sarita Devi's daily advice and encouragement were crucial to his journey. The young boxer aims to improve and perform well in future competitions. This silver medal will motivate him to work even harder.

Taking a jibe at PM Modi's critics, Shehzad Poonawalla expressed "disappointment" with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership style. He sarcastically suggested Modi learn dictatorship from past Congress leaders. Poonawalla cited Indira Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru as examples of strong rule. He also mentioned past Congress governments' actions during protests. The former spokesperson concluded Modi had not met Left-liberal expectations.

An alleged Jaish-e-Mohammed operative was arrested by West Bengal STF. Hamim Mondal planned to target Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and disrupt a Delhi protest. He intended to disguise himself in a police uniform for sabotage activities. Mondal was in contact with Pakistan-based handlers through encrypted messaging applications. The investigation is ongoing to uncover the full extent of the terror network.

However, Vinoth told TOI that the document in his possession was only the “budget preface and not the complete budget document.”

Bernard Arnault sarcastically addressed a Le Monde investigation into his family and business empire. He dismissed claims of family succession rifts and political influence. The billionaire questioned the newspaper's extensive resources dedicated to the six-part series. Arnault also defended his family's interactions and LVMH's business-first strategy.

US President Trump is receiving conflicting advice from two key regional allies on how to handle Iran. Saudi Arabia is urging restraint and de-escalation to prevent a wider regional conflict, while Israel is pressing for a tougher stance against Tehran. Meanwhile, tensions continue to rise, with attacks on commercial shipping and drone strikes in Kuwait adding to regional instability. Trump has expressed frustration over stalled diplomatic efforts and Iran's refusal to meet US demands.

Iran's foreign minister warned Britain that allowing US strikes from its bases is aggression. He stated this action grants Iran the right to self-defense under international law. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham approved continued US military base access for operations. Burnham also reaffirmed UK commitment to maritime security efforts in the Strait of Hormuz. London maintains it is not part of any war with Iran and supports diplomacy.

The Karnataka government is set to reclaim plots that have not seen any construction within five years. Beneficiaries will be reimbursed their payments along with accrued interest. This initiative seeks to tackle the issue of abandoned sites turning into dumping grounds. The government encourages property owners to develop their plots, particularly those allotted by BDA, CITB, and cooperative societies.