Yash Thakur, a 27-year-old fast bowler from Vidarbha, has been handed his maiden India call-up for the series against Zimbabwe. The right-arm pacer worked his way up through consistent performances in domestic cricket circuits. He also impressed selectors with his outings for India A, which served as a stepping stone to the senior team. His selection marks a significant milestone in his cricketing career.
Anita Dipke, mother of student activist Abhijeet Dipke, has spoken about the emotional toll of watching her son lead a student protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. She revealed that constant worry over his safety left her unable to sleep or eat properly during this period. Despite her anxiety, Anita expressed deep pride in her son's actions and commitment to the cause. Abhijeet Dipke has been at the forefront of the ongoing student demonstration at the iconic protest site in the capital.
Tech platforms are increasingly under scrutiny for allowing AI-generated misinformation to spread rapidly and fuel public outrage. Critics argue that platforms which algorithmically amplify such content cannot credibly claim to be neutral intermediaries. The low cost of creating AI fakes combined with free algorithmic distribution makes the first viral hour particularly damaging. By the time corrections or takedowns occur, the harmful content has already shaped public opinion at scale. This raises urgent questions about platform accountability and the need for stronger content moderation policies.
Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned as India's Education Minister following a sustained month-long protest by students demanding his removal. He confirmed submitting his resignation directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Activist Gitanjali Angmo responded to the development, praising Generation Z for demonstrating courage through peaceful, non-violent means. The resignation marks a significant outcome of student-led civic pressure on a senior government official.
Police used loudspeakers to ask student protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi to vacate the premises. The announcement came after Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan submitted his resignation, which had been a central demand of the demonstrators. Officers indicated that since the protesters' key demand had been fulfilled, there was no further reason to continue the demonstration. The development marks a significant response by the government to the ongoing student agitation.
A 330-megawatt AI data centre in Colorado, described as the largest of its kind in the state, had initially committed to not drawing water from the Colorado River. The developer behind the project has now filed a lawsuit seeking access to approximately 260 million gallons of water from the river. The Colorado River is already a heavily contested water source that serves around 40 million people across the western United States. The move has drawn attention given the facility's earlier pledge and the river's status as a critically stressed freshwater resource. The case adds to a long history of disputes over water rights and usage in the American West.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The move comes after weeks of student protests over the NEET exam controversy that gripped the country. Students gathered at Jantar Mantar to celebrate the minister's departure. Several Bollywood celebrities also responded positively to the news on social media. Pradhan said he accepted responsibility for the situation and acknowledged the aspirations of the youth.
Himachal Pradesh Governor Kavinder Gupta has raised concerns over the ongoing protest by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) related to a paper leak issue. He alleged that the agitation has shifted from its original grievances and is now being driven by a broader political agenda. The Governor suggested that people are being instigated to participate in the protest for purposes beyond the initial cause. His remarks indicate growing tension between the state administration and the protesting group.
A report by Acadia Center found that distributed solar projects played a major role in powering New England during a heatwave that lasted from June 28 to July 4, 2026. Solar installations collectively contributed more than six gigawatts of electricity throughout the event, saving ratepayers an estimated $130 to $149 million. On July 2 alone, solar arrays generated savings of between $39 million and $54 million for consumers. That same afternoon, solar energy outpaced the output of the region's entire nuclear fleet in terms of grid contribution. The findings highlight the growing financial and energy value of distributed solar during periods of peak demand.
Abhijeet Dipke, a prominent figure in the Chhatra Jan Parishad (CJP), made a lighthearted social media post shortly after Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from his position. The CJP had been at the forefront of student protests that erupted following allegations of exam paper leaks. The movement, largely organized through social media, drew widespread attention to irregularities in India's examination system. The student body has been demanding systemic reforms to ensure greater transparency and accountability in education. Dipke's casual post came as a notable reaction amid the significant political development of the minister's exit.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi congratulated student protesters following the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Gandhi described the minister's exit as a significant moment for India's education system. He praised the youth for standing up for democracy and constitutional values. Gandhi also demanded that the government take action against those who allegedly assaulted protesting students. Additionally, he called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to issue an apology to the demonstrators.
A team of advocates from the Bombay High Court has been voluntarily providing free legal assistance to student protesters detained in Mumbai. The legal support has been ongoing since July 20. The students were detained in connection with protests held across various parts of the city. The lawyers stepped in to ensure the detained protesters had proper legal representation during the proceedings.
Actor Prakash Raj publicly congratulated protesters following the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Pradhan announced his decision to step down through a public letter posted on X, reflecting on his work for students and education reforms. Raj praised the demonstrators for pressuring the government, crediting their persistence for the outcome. Celebrations broke out at Delhi's Jantar Mantar in response to the minister's departure.
India captain Shreyas Iyer's impressive run of eight consecutive toss wins came to an end during the T20I match in Harare on Saturday. Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza called the toss correctly and elected to field first. Iyer acknowledged that he would have preferred to bat given the improved pitch conditions. India made one change to their lineup, with Yash Thakur earning his debut in place of Ashok Sharma. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, named an unchanged side from their first match of the series.
Protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi broke into celebrations upon hearing news of Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. The crowd responded with cheering, dancing, and singing as the news spread through the demonstration site. Protesters were seen waving Indian flags under yellow canopies set up at the venue. The jubilant scenes reflected the significance of the resignation to those who had been demonstrating at the site.
BJP state chief Nitin Nabin has expressed the party's full support for Dharmendra Pradhan's decision to resign. Nabin praised Pradhan as a leader who played a key role in transforming India's education sector. He specifically credited Pradhan with successfully implementing the National Education Policy 2020. The party chief's statement signals unified backing within the BJP for Pradhan's move.
Protesters at Jantar Mantar erupted in emotion upon learning of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. The protest site, which has been the focal point of the ongoing demonstration, witnessed a charged atmosphere as the news spread. Abhijeet Dipke, a key figure at the protest, was visibly moved when he received the call confirming the development. The agitation had originally begun at Jantar Mantar on June 20, making the location symbolically significant to the movement.
