India

Laxman urges Sooryavanshi to prioritise fitness after strong Zimbabwe showing

Teen batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi impressed selectors and fans with his batting displays against Zimbabwe. Stand-in coach VVS Laxman acknowledged the youngster's talent and commitment but pointed to fitness as a key area needing improvement. Laxman noted that enhancing his physical conditioning will be critical for Sooryavanshi's long-term development at the international level. The young cricketer had previously made a mark at the Under-19 World Cup and during the IPL season.

"Can't Lathicharge Just Because There Is Agitation": Supreme Court's Big Remark

Parliamentary panel slams defence ministry over $4.5 bn unpaid offset dues

A parliamentary committee has sharply criticized India's defence ministry over roughly Rs 42,500 crore ($4.5 billion) in unfulfilled offset obligations owed by foreign defence suppliers. The panel highlighted serious deficiencies in the ministry's planning and contract management practices. Artillery modernisation programmes were flagged as having suffered significant delays spanning nearly two decades. The committee also raised concerns about stalled helicopter upgradation efforts affecting operational readiness. The findings point to deep systemic issues within India's defence procurement and oversight framework.

Delhi-Haridwar Highway Closed to All Vehicles for Kanwar Yatra Aug 4–12

A complete vehicle ban will be enforced on the Delhi-Haridwar National Highway and Ganga Canal road routes from August 4 to August 12. The restriction has been imposed to facilitate the annual Kanwar Yatra pilgrimage. Both key routes connecting Delhi to Haridwar will remain off-limits to regular traffic during this period. Commuters and travellers are advised to plan alternate routes ahead of the nine-day closure.

Mumbai Student Who Blocked Police Van During Protest Speaks to NDTV

Rhiya Ahir, a student protester in Mumbai, gained widespread attention after a video of her blocking a police van went viral on July 22. She was attempting to prevent the detention of fellow students who were protesting against Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The demonstrators were demanding Pradhan's resignation over alleged irregularities in national examinations. Ahir spoke to NDTV about the incident, describing herself as still overwhelmed by the public response to the moment.

Gen Z emotional, doesn’t think with ‘calm mind’: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat

Gold Recovers Amid Easing Geopolitical Tensions, Fed Decision Caps Gains

Gold prices have bounced back as geopolitical tensions show signs of cooling down. However, analysts expect the upward momentum to remain limited in the near term. The upcoming US Federal Reserve policy decision this week is seen as a key factor restraining further gains. Market analyst Manav Modi noted that while the recovery is underway, investors are likely to stay cautious ahead of the Fed's announcement.

Top Tech CEOs Back Open-Weight AI Models to Strengthen US Innovation

Leading technology executives, including Satya Nadella and Sundar Pichai, have expressed full support for open-weight AI models in a joint letter. The CEOs argue that open models expand access to AI and foster competition across multiple industries. Organizations benefit from greater control over their data and AI capabilities through this approach. Proponents also highlight that transparency in open-weight models improves security by enabling broader identification of vulnerabilities. The letter positions the adoption of open weights as essential for the United States' future economic growth and global technological leadership.

Anti-Paper Leak Bill Tabled in Parliament, Young MPs to Lead Debate

The Indian government has introduced an anti-paper leak bill in Parliament for discussion. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has urged opposition parties to participate constructively in the debate. Rijiju specifically called on lawmakers to avoid disruptions and engage meaningfully with the legislation. Young members of Parliament are expected to take a leading role in presenting and arguing the bill.

Vihari questions selectors over Abhishek Sharma's retention despite poor T20I form

Former Indian cricketer Hanuma Vihari has publicly criticised the selectors for continuing to back Abhishek Sharma despite a prolonged poor run in T20 internationals. Vihari pointed out that wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson was dropped after significantly fewer failures, raising concerns about inconsistent selection standards. He highlighted Samson's key contributions during India's T20 World Cup campaign as evidence of the player's proven credentials. Vihari urged the selection committee to apply uniform criteria when evaluating both players, calling the current approach a case of 'different rules'.

Trump rejects munitions shortage claims, says US has 'far more than we need'

Joint Home Ownership: Key Legal and Financial Facts Buyers Must Know

Joint homeownership enables multiple individuals to share the costs and financial responsibilities of purchasing a property. Combining incomes can improve eligibility for mortgage approval and reduce the burden on individual buyers. It is important for co-owners to clearly define their respective property shares in the sale deed to prevent future legal disputes. Eligible co-owners may also qualify for tax deductions under applicable regulations. Experts stress that careful planning and thorough documentation are critical to ensuring smooth joint ownership arrangements.

US Appeals Court Again Blocks $100,000 Fee on New H-1B Work Visas

A federal appeals court has rejected the US government's attempt to impose a $100,000 fee on new H-1B work visas. The court ruled that the government failed to demonstrate its legal authority to introduce such a charge. This decision upholds an earlier lower court ruling that had already blocked the fee, which was first proposed in 2025. The proposed fee would have substantially raised costs for employers seeking to hire skilled foreign workers. With the appeal unsuccessful, the lower court's order blocking the fee continues to remain in force.

NDA Politicians' Daughters Back NEET Protesters, Families Clarify Personal Views

Daughters of two NDA-affiliated politicians publicly expressed support for student protests against the NEET paper leak controversy. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stepped in to defend the stance of his cabinet colleague Keshab Mahanta amid the controversy. The office of Odisha BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi acknowledged her daughter's right to voice her personal opinions. Both daughters criticized the central government's handling of the NEET issue, aligning themselves with the protesting students. Party representatives clarified that the views expressed were personal and should not be interpreted as signs of dissent within the alliance.

'Get down, get down': Seattle food festival shooting caught on livestream; 2 killed, 5 injured

Two House Owners: Key Tax Rules to Know Before Filing ITR

Taxpayers who own more than one residential property must follow specific rules when filing their income tax returns. The tax treatment of a property depends on whether it is self-occupied or rented out, which affects how income from it is calculated. Under Indian tax law, only one property can be declared as self-occupied, while the other is deemed to be let out, even if it is vacant. This distinction directly determines the deductions a taxpayer can claim on home loan interest and other related expenses.

Rupee rises 28 paise vs dollar as crude falls and Middle East tensions ease

The Indian Rupee strengthened by 28 paise against the US dollar when markets opened on Monday. The gains were driven by a drop in crude oil prices to around $92 per barrel and a broadly weaker dollar. Reduced tensions between the US and Iran in the Middle East helped improve global investor sentiment. Rising domestic equity markets provided additional support to the rupee. However, foreign institutional investors had remained net sellers of Indian equities in the previous trading session on Friday.

India News Live Updates, 27 July 2026: Sonam Wangchuk will go to Rajghat today around 11 am

Israel Secretly Upgraded India's Mirage 2000 Jets Before 1999 Kargil War

In November 1996, Israeli defense firm Rafael signed an agreement with India to equip its Mirage 2000 fighter jets with the Litening targeting pod. The advanced system significantly enhanced the ability of Indian pilots to identify and strike targets with greater precision. This quiet defense cooperation played a notable role in India's aerial capabilities during the 1999 Kargil conflict with Pakistan. The arrangement, kept largely out of public view at the time, has now come to light through an NDTV exclusive report.

India-Bangladesh September Cricket Tour Planned, Pending Government Approval

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) are jointly planning a bilateral cricket tour for September. The BCB has already kept venues on standby from the start of September in anticipation of the series. However, the tour requires clearance from the Indian government before it can be confirmed. If the India-Bangladesh series proceeds as planned, India's scheduled T20I series against Afghanistan may need to be postponed. The two boards are reportedly motivated by a desire to strengthen cricketing ties following a period of uncertainty in their relationship.