India

Yash Thakur Takes 2 Wickets in Each of His First Two T20Is for India

Yash Thakur made his India debut during the T20I series against Zimbabwe, delivering a promising start to his international career. In his debut match, he bowled hard and back-of-a-length deliveries to claim figures of 2 for 30 in four overs. His consistent performance earned him a place in the third and final T20I of the series. He again picked up 2 wickets in that game, conceding 45 runs in four overs. The outings have positioned Thakur as a notable emerging pace option for the Indian team.

Jay Clayton Confirmed as US Director of National Intelligence

Jay Clayton has been confirmed as the new Director of National Intelligence in the United States. He was nominated by President Donald Trump to fill the position. The role had been vacant since June 2025, when Tulsi Gabbard stepped down from the post. Gabbard's tenure was marked by frequent clashes with congressional Democrats, who accused her of serving Trump's political interests and promoting disproven election fraud claims. Clayton's confirmation marks a new chapter for the nation's top intelligence oversight role.

WhatsApp Rolls Out Voice and Video Calling Feature for Web Browser Users

WhatsApp has launched a new feature enabling users to make and receive voice and video calls directly through a web browser. The development was highlighted when CRED founder Kunal Shah tested the feature with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. This marks a significant expansion of WhatsApp's calling capabilities beyond its mobile app. The feature allows users to access calls without needing the desktop application, adding convenience for those working on browsers.

German tourist visa appointments down to 2 days for most of year: Envoy

Rakhi Sawant hits back at Kangana Ranaut over student protest comments

Bollywood actress Rakhi Sawant has publicly criticised Kangana Ranaut for her remarks about recent student protests. Ranaut had earlier condemned the use of obscene language during the demonstrations and alleged that Prime Minister Modi and his late mother were targeted by protesters. Sawant questioned and pushed back against Ranaut's characterisation of the agitations. The public spat reflects a broader divide in opinion over the nature and conduct of the student-led protests.

Harjinder Kaur wins CWG silver in weightlifting, upgrades her 2022 bronze medal

Indian weightlifter Harjinder Kaur claimed a silver medal in the women's 69kg event at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. The 29-year-old upgraded her bronze medal performance from the Birmingham 2022 edition, marking a step forward in her CWG career. After the win, Harjinder's first call was to her mother, who expressed mild disappointment over her daughter's prolonged absence due to competition commitments. Despite her mother's emotional reaction, Harjinder said she was proud of her consistency and the improvement she has shown on the Commonwealth stage.

Rupee rises for fourth session straight, hits 83.77 against dollar

The Indian rupee strengthened for the fourth consecutive session on Wednesday, gaining five paise against the US dollar. The currency was supported by a weakening American dollar and crude oil prices holding below the $90 mark. Positive momentum in domestic equity markets further aided the rupee's upward movement. Foreign institutional investors also contributed to the gains through continued buying activity. Market participants remained watchful of movements in the dollar index and global crude oil prices.

Kerala HC grants bail in NDPS case after police fail to notify accused's kin

The Kerala High Court granted bail to an accused in a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, citing procedural violations by the police. Authorities had failed to properly notify a relative or friend of the arrested person as required by law. The court ruled that informing only the live-in partner's father did not fulfil the legal notification requirement. The judgment underlined the importance of procedural safeguards for arrested individuals as mandated under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

India Smartphone Exports Hit Record $9.84 Billion, Led by iPhone Sales

India's smartphone exports reached a record $9.84 billion, driven primarily by Apple iPhone shipments. The United States remained the dominant destination for these exports during the April-June quarter. The milestone highlights India's growing role as a major global hub for smartphone manufacturing. The surge reflects Apple's continued expansion of its production base in India as part of broader supply chain diversification efforts.

Ancient Subglacial Lake Vostok Hides 4 km Beneath Antarctic Ice

Lake Vostok, a vast subglacial lake comparable in size to Lake Ontario, lies buried roughly four kilometers beneath the Antarctic ice sheet. The lake remains in liquid form despite its extreme depth, kept from freezing by a combination of insulating ice pressure and geothermal heat from below. It has been completely sealed off from Earth's atmosphere for millions of years, making it one of the most isolated environments on the planet. Scientists are actively studying Lake Vostok to understand its unique conditions and whether life could exist within it. Its discovery has significantly expanded scientific understanding of the limits under which living organisms can survive.

FCC bans Chinese humanoid robots over national security concerns

The US Federal Communications Commission has prohibited Chinese humanoid robots from operating in the United States, citing national security risks. Authorities determined that these advanced robotic devices pose unacceptable threats to American security and its citizens. A key concern is that the robots are equipped with sensors capable of gathering sensitive environmental data. China has been identified as a major competitor in the rapidly expanding global humanoid robot market. The decision is part of a broader US effort to tighten restrictions on Chinese technology across multiple sectors.

Netanyahu Slams NYC Mayoral Candidate Mamdani Over Divisive Rhetoric

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly attacked New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, accusing him of stoking division among New Yorkers. Netanyahu invoked the 1930s in his criticism, suggesting the rhetoric was reminiscent of a dangerous historical period. He described Mamdani as 'hate-spewing,' signaling deep concern over the candidate's public statements. The remarks highlight growing international attention on the New York City mayoral race and its broader political implications.

Court gives CBI 3 days to file NEET chargesheet annexures, next hearing Aug 3

A special court is set to review the CBI's chargesheet related to the NEET-UG paper leak case. The agency has filed charges against thirteen individuals, including National Testing Agency officials and coaching centre associates. Investigators reportedly uncovered the full conspiracy, tracing how the paper was leaked and identifying beneficiary candidates. The CBI also followed the financial trail linked to the case and froze several associated bank accounts. The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for August 3.

Kerala Police book right-wing commentator over inflammatory remarks on Delhi protest

Kerala Police's cyber wing has registered a case against TG Mohandas, a right-wing commentator, over remarks he allegedly made about the Delhi students' protest in a YouTube video. The complaint accused his videos of being intended to disturb public peace and spread fear among the public. The case has been filed under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act. Authorities are currently investigating the videos that were uploaded and circulated online.

Nvidia's $500B AI Deals Raise Fears of Circular Ecosystem Among Investors

Nvidia recently announced deals worth $500 billion, but the news has triggered concern rather than confidence among investors. Analysts worry that the AI investment ecosystem is becoming overly self-referential, with money cycling within a closed loop rather than generating broader value. Market unease was reflected in a drop in Nvidia's share price and a spike in credit-default swap prices. Major cloud players such as Microsoft and Amazon are due to report their earnings this week. Investors will be closely monitoring the capital expenditure guidance from these hyperscalers for signals about the health of AI spending.

US Senate Passes Bill Enabling 100% Tariffs on Nations Buying Russian Energy

The US Senate has passed a sanctions bill targeting countries that continue to purchase Russian oil and gas. The legislation would grant President Trump the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on goods from such nations. China and India, identified as major buyers of Russian energy, are among the primary countries in scope. The move is framed as a measure to increase economic pressure on Russia amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Delhi Police files FIR over abusive posts against PM Modi, seeks details from X

Pakistan drop to WTC bottom after eighth straight away Test loss to West Indies

Pakistan fell to last place in the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 standings following a 90-run defeat against the West Indies. The loss marked their eighth consecutive away Test defeat, underscoring a prolonged struggle in overseas conditions. West Indies bowler Jayden Seales and batter Justin Greaves were standout performers in the victory. Babar Azam's unbeaten 58 for Pakistan could not prevent the collapse. India currently sit fifth in the standings, with Australia leading the table and South Africa in second place.

RBI Plans Pilot Issue of 2 Billion Polymer Notes in Rs 10 and Rs 20 Denominations

The Reserve Bank of India is set to introduce polymer-based banknotes in Rs 10 and Rs 20 denominations as part of a large-scale trial. The pilot will involve issuing 100 crore notes of each denomination, bringing the total to 200 crore polymer banknotes. The combined face value of these notes amounts to approximately Rs 3,000 crore. Existing paper currency in these denominations will continue to remain legal tender alongside the new polymer notes.

From Delhi Streets to Dressing Room: Masseur Rajeev Kumar's Cricket Journey

Rajeev Kumar, a former masseur for the Indian men's cricket team, rose from humble beginnings on the streets of Delhi to become one of the sport's most trusted support staff members. His village has collectively produced around 50 masseurs who have served Indian cricket over the years. Kumar's path was marked by significant hardship, including a period when he navigated Delhi without even a phone to his name. Along the way, several key individuals helped shape his career and professional growth. His story spans two generations of Indian cricket, during which he witnessed numerous memorable moments from inside the dressing room.