India

Ranbir Kapoor to earn Rs 150 crore for dual role in Ramayana film

Details of the cast remuneration for the much-awaited Ramayana film have been made public. Ranbir Kapoor will receive Rs 150 crore for playing a dual role, while Yash is set to earn Rs 100 crore, which covers both his acting and co-production contributions. Sai Pallavi and Sunny Deol are also reportedly receiving substantial fees for their respective roles in the project. Actor Vivek Oberoi, however, has chosen to waive his fee entirely for the film.

Raj Thackeray Questions Actors Oberoi and Madhavan Over Pro-Modi Praise

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray publicly criticized Bollywood actors Vivek Oberoi and R Madhavan for their vocal support of the Narendra Modi-led central government. Thackeray questioned the credibility of their patriotic statements by pointing out that both actors are based in Dubai. He implied that residing abroad while praising India's government was contradictory, asking why they choose to live outside the country if they truly love India. The remarks were made as a sharp political jab targeting the actors' public endorsements of the Modi administration.

Tanvi Sharma wins Taipei Open, India's first BWF title there since Saina in 2007

Indian badminton player Tanvi Sharma claimed her first BWF World Tour title at the Taipei Open, defeating Vietnam's Thuy Linh Nguyen in the final. The 17-year-old wrapped up the victory in just 36 minutes. With this win, Tanvi became the youngest finalist in the history of the Taipei Open. Her triumph ends an 18-year wait for India at this tournament, the last title having been won by Saina Nehwal in 2007.

New York City's Pied-à-Terre Tax Pushes Homeowners to Prove Primary Residency

New York City has introduced a pied-à-terre tax targeting high-value properties that are not used as the owner's primary residence. Homeowners across the city have been notified about the new levy and its implications. To avoid the additional charge, property owners must provide documentation proving their home qualifies as a primary dwelling. Many residents are now consulting experts and collecting paperwork to support their exemption applications.

Burnt-out vehicles, heavy security: PoK votes in second phase amid unrest

'Bit by bit, Pak eroded India's faith': Envoy Vinay Mohan Kwatra on IWT pause

Delhi Domestic Worker Arrested for Theft, Diamond Rings and Cash Seized

Delhi Police have arrested a domestic worker in connection with a theft case. The accused allegedly stole valuables from the household where they were employed. Authorities recovered two diamond rings and an unspecified amount of cash from the suspect. The arrest was made following an investigation by the local police.

Terror Suspect Planned Jantar Mantar Attack, Exposed by Girlfriend's Social Media

Hamim Mondal, a terror suspect with alleged links to Pakistan-based handlers, had reportedly plotted an attack at Jantar Mantar. He was also tasked with monitoring the movements of a chief minister, according to the Special Task Force. Mondal's cover was blown after activity on his girlfriend's social media account drew the attention of investigators. The STF has been probing the suspect's connections to his overseas handlers who allegedly directed his operations.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day bootleg hit 5.9M views on X before Sony removed it

A high-quality pirated copy of Spider-Man: Brand New Day circulated on X for approximately seven hours on Friday, reaching 5.9 million accounts and accumulating over 143,000 likes before Sony secured its removal. The incident follows a similar full leak of Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey just eight days prior. Despite the widespread piracy exposure, the film's box office performance was not visibly harmed. Tom Holland's latest Spider-Man outing earned around $168 million on its opening day, surpassing the previous record set by Avengers: Endgame in 2019.

How Apple's ATT Feature Cost Meta Billions by Blocking Cross-App Tracking

Apple CEO Tim Cook openly addressed iPhone users about Facebook's practice of tracking them across multiple apps and websites. Apple introduced the App Tracking Transparency (ATT) feature, which requires apps to obtain explicit user permission before collecting tracking data. This policy shift set Apple apart from rivals like Google and Meta, who rely heavily on user data for targeted advertising. The change had a significant financial impact on Meta, which reported substantial revenue losses following the iOS privacy update. The move fundamentally reshaped how digital advertising operates within the Apple ecosystem.

India's Sri Lanka warm-up match trimmed to three days before Test series

India's warm-up match against a Sri Lanka XI ahead of the upcoming Test series has been reduced from four days to three. The practice game is now scheduled to run from August 7 to August 9 at the NCC Ground in Colombo. The two-match Test series between India and Sri Lanka is set to begin on August 15. Both Tests are part of the ongoing World Test Championship cycle.

Untrained Class 10 Dropout Rescues 2,000 Flood Victims in Assam

A Class 10 dropout with no formal training or motorboat access carried out a remarkable rescue operation during the Assam floods. The individual managed to save approximately 2,000 people stranded by the floodwaters. The flood situation in Assam showed slight improvement on Saturday, with the number of affected people falling to around 1.78 lakh. The rescue effort has drawn widespread attention for its scale given the volunteer's limited resources and lack of official support.

Space junk crisis worsens as over a tonne of debris falls to Earth every week

Joe Root eager to lead England Tests again after connecting with coach Fleming

Joe Root has expressed strong enthusiasm about captaining England's Test side once more, citing new head coach Stephen Fleming as a major factor in his renewed excitement. Root revealed that Fleming's vision for the team instantly resonated with him, describing their alignment on cricketing philosophy. He also acknowledged the significant contributions made by outgoing coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes to England's recent Test success. England's upcoming home series against Pakistan in August will be the team's next major assignment under the new coaching setup.

Japan Earthquake Death Toll Hits 36 as Evacuee Dies of Heat Stroke in Car

An elderly woman died from heat stroke while sheltering in her parked car following a major earthquake in Japan, pushing the overall death toll to 36. Thousands of displaced residents remain in makeshift arrangements, with many choosing to sleep in vehicles or outdoors rather than in official shelters. Rising temperatures have prompted authorities to warn of increasing heat-related health risks for survivors still living outside their homes. The Japanese government is expediting the delivery of essential supplies to evacuation centers in an effort to improve conditions for those affected.

India's Protein Supplements Market Set to Nearly Double to Rs 13,186 Crore by 2033

India's protein supplements market was valued at approximately Rs 7,461 crore in 2024. The sector is projected to grow significantly, reaching Rs 13,186 crore by 2033. This reflects a sharp rise in consumer interest in protein-rich dietary options across the country. The growth spans multiple protein sources, including eggs, paneer, and whey-based supplements.

Two Chhattisgarh Migrant Workers Shot Dead by Terrorists in J&K's Kulgam

Two young migrant workers from Chhattisgarh were killed in a terrorist attack in the Kelam area of Kulgam district in south Kashmir on Friday evening. Both victims were in their twenties and had travelled to Jammu & Kashmir seeking employment to support their families. They were working at a brick kiln when gunmen opened fire on them. The attack highlights the ongoing threat posed by militants to civilian workers in the Kashmir Valley.

Dasgupta warns Gambhir and Gill face scrutiny as India eye WTC final berth

Former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta has cautioned that coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill will face growing scrutiny following recent Test series defeats. The ongoing tour of Sri Lanka is seen as a critical opportunity for India to demonstrate clear purpose during a transitional phase. Dasgupta emphasized that India must win seven of their nine remaining Tests to keep their World Test Championship final hopes alive. He stressed that no upcoming Test series should be underestimated, as the margin for error is now very slim.

Power, politics and India’s place in the new world order

Washington Wildfires Burn 250,000+ Acres, Spark Evacuations and Emergency Declaration

Multiple wildfires broke out across Washington state on Saturday, prompting thousands of firefighters to be deployed in response. Governor Bob Ferguson declared a statewide emergency and enforced a burn ban amid the crisis. The rapidly spreading Old Trails Fire near Spokane posed a serious threat to thousands of structures and forced residents to evacuate. Power company Avista cut electricity to numerous customers as a precautionary safety measure. Authorities confirmed that some structures had been destroyed and were continuing to assess the full extent of the damage.