India

Gopichand flags concerns over BWF's new scoring system reshaping badminton

India's chief national badminton coach Pullela Gopichand has voiced concerns over the Badminton World Federation's newly introduced scoring system. He believes the condensed format will demand higher levels of agility, physical strength, and mental resilience from players. Gopichand noted that doubles pairs may face the most significant challenges in adapting to the changes. He also questioned the BWF's intent to reduce player workload, warning that the format could prioritise fast-paced rallies at the expense of skillful, artistic play.

Former Governor and Educationist D Y Patil Dies at 91 in Kolhapur

D Y Patil, a prominent educationist and former governor, passed away at the age of 91 at his residence in Kolhapur. He had been suffering from a prolonged illness prior to his death. During his distinguished career, Patil served as Governor of Bihar, Tripura, and West Bengal. He was also a senior Congress leader and was honoured with the Padma Shri award. His death has been described as an irreparable loss to the D Y Patil family and its associated institutions.

Udhayanidhi Stalin Faces Charges Over Remarks Made About Actor Trisha

Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin has been charged in connection with remarks he made about actress Trisha. The charges levelled against him include promoting enmity between groups, incitement to riot, and criminal intimidation. The case stems from statements that reportedly drew controversy and triggered a legal complaint. Authorities have registered the charges formally, putting the minister under legal scrutiny.

Dev Anand's son Suneil Anand cremated in London at 70 after heart attack

Suneil Anand, son of veteran Bollywood actors Dev Anand and Kalpana Kartik, passed away at the age of 70 following a second heart attack. His cremation was held on August 4 at Putney Vale Cemetery in London. His mother, Kalpana Kartik, was unable to attend the funeral due to her poor health. The last rites were carried out by Dev Anand's niece and her husband in her absence.

Anthropic CEO Amodei resists million-dollar pay race for AI talent

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has distanced his company from the escalating salary competition for top AI researchers. He expressed concern that offering outsized compensation could attract talent motivated by money rather than alignment with Anthropic's mission. The race for AI researchers has intensified, with Meta and OpenAI aggressively competing through high salaries and equity packages. However, financial incentives alone are not the sole factor driving researchers to switch companies. Retaining talent remains a broader industry challenge, with frequent departures and personal ambitions also playing a significant role.

Friendship with benefits: Why Trump is helping Japan rescue the yen

Russia reports 320 Ukrainian drones downed overnight; six dead, warehouses hit

Russia's defence ministry announced it intercepted and destroyed 320 Ukrainian drones across 19 regions in a single overnight operation. Regional governors confirmed that the attacks resulted in six fatalities and nine injuries. Infrastructure damage was reported near two major cities, with warehouses struck in areas close to Moscow and St Petersburg. The large-scale drone campaign represents one of the broader aerial assaults recorded across Russian territory.

Udhayanidhi Stalin Arrested Over Controversial Remarks About Actress Trisha

Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin was arrested in connection with a case involving remarks he allegedly made about actress Trisha Krishnan. The case originated from a complaint lodged by the women's wing of TVK at a police station in Thanjavur. Following his arrest, Udhayanidhi Stalin stated his intention to contest the matter through legal channels. The development has drawn significant political attention given his prominent role in the Tamil Nadu government.

'Not afraid of arrest': Udhayanidhi's first response after police action

UP Government to Shower Flower Petals on Kanwariyas via Helicopter on Aug 9

The Uttar Pradesh government has planned a helicopter flower-petal shower for Kanwar Yatra pilgrims on August 9. The helicopter will take off from Lucknow at 8 am on that day. Flower petals will be rained down on the kanwariyas in the Baghpat region between 10:30 am and 11:15 am. The gesture appears to be a ceremonial tribute by the state government to the pilgrims undertaking the annual Kanwar Yatra.

Iran planned strikes on Ukraine but backed down after Kyiv's 'apology'

'Resignations are part of politics': DKS on two MLAs quitting over K'taka cabinet snub

Punjab Man Dies by Suicide at Khanna Police Station After Filing Complaint

A man named Gobind Singh from Ludhiana died by suicide at a police station in Khanna city, Punjab, on Monday. He had visited the station to follow up on a complaint he had previously filed. The case reportedly involved the recovery of Rs 53,000. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death at the police premises.

Dolphin carries dead calf for six days in rare mourning behavior caught on drone

A dolphin named Fraggle was filmed carrying her deceased newborn calf for six days in the Indian Ocean. Drone footage captured the emotional scene, which also showed her pod gathering around her in an apparent show of support. The behavior is believed to reflect the deep maternal bonds and complex social structures observed in dolphins and other cetaceans. Scientists note that such mourning-like responses have been documented in more than twenty cetacean species, suggesting these animals may possess some awareness of death.

Gold Prices to Stay Range-Bound Amid US-Iran Talks and US Economic Data

Gold prices are expected to remain range-bound in the near term, according to Praveen Singh, Head of Currencies and Commodities at Mirae Asset ShareKhan. Two key factors are likely to drive price movement: ongoing US-Iran diplomatic talks and incoming macroeconomic data from the United States. The US economic data is expected to offer clearer guidance to the Federal Reserve regarding its future interest rate decisions. As rate policy and geopolitical developments evolve, analysts suggest gold traders should watch these indicators closely for directional cues.

Two Kanwariya Groups Clash in UP, Police Officer Injured in Scuffle

A clash broke out between two groups of Kanwariyas in Uttar Pradesh, resulting in a police officer sustaining injuries. Tensions escalated when individuals identified as Sonu and an associate became involved in the confrontation. Police personnel were present at the scene and attempted to intervene in the dispute. As officers were transporting Sonu and his associate in an official vehicle, a group of Kanwariyas allegedly attacked the two individuals. The incident has raised concerns about law and order during the ongoing Kanwar Yatra period.

US Moves to Strip Citizenship from 25 People, Including Indian-Origin Man

The United States government has initiated proceedings to denaturalize 25 individuals, including a person of Indian origin, over serious criminal charges. The allegations span a wide range of offences, including attempted murder, child sexual abuse, and domestic violence. Authorities have also cited cases involving marriage fraud, identity fraud, passport fraud, and bank and credit card fraud. One individual faces charges of practising medicine without a valid license. The move reflects a broader federal effort to revoke citizenship from those found to have committed significant crimes.

Viral Video of Woman Allegedly Supplying Drugs Puts Punjab Anti-Drug Drive in Spotlight

A video circulating on social media purportedly shows a woman involved in drug supply in Punjab, reigniting debate about the state government's anti-drug efforts. The footage has drawn public attention and criticism regarding the ground-level impact of the ongoing campaign. Questions are being raised about whether the administration's measures are yielding meaningful results. The incident highlights persistent challenges in tackling drug trafficking in the state despite official initiatives.

Telangana Urdu Academy Land Lease to Private Developer Triggers Political Row

A 30-year lease of land belonging to the Urdu Academy in Telangana has sparked a political controversy in the state. Under the agreement, a private developer will construct an Urdu Ghar-cum-Shadikhana along with a commercial complex entirely at their own expense. The arrangement has drawn criticism from opposition parties and stakeholders who have raised concerns about the use of public institution land. The deal has become a flashpoint in Telangana's political landscape, with multiple parties weighing in on its implications.

Justice MS Liberhan, who probed Babri Masjid demolition, dies at 87