India

Kerala BJP reacts after ‘fake’ GST bill row leads to police complaint

Rs 100 for houses, Rs 5,000 for petrol pumps: Cash-strapped Bihar now lets panchayats collect holding tax

Jude Bellingham's girlfriend speaks out against months of online harassment

Ashlyn Castro, girlfriend of footballer Jude Bellingham, posted an emotional TikTok video in March 2025 addressing prolonged online abuse and false claims about her dating history. She clarified that she had been in only three relationships over the course of eight years. Castro described the persistent harassment as overwhelming and deeply affecting. She also expressed a desire to use her public platform to promote awareness around mental health issues.

Lana Del Rey skips Taylor Swift's wedding, attends separate July 4 events

Lana Del Rey was absent from Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding on July 3, opting instead to celebrate the Fourth of July in Louisiana. She also attended YouTuber Oli Abbas' birthday celebration around the same time. Her absence reignited fan speculation about the state of her friendship with Swift. However, Del Rey has recently spoken positively about Swift's success in public, offering no indication of any falling out between the two artists.

Monsoon Session: Government likely to table 5 new Bills; ‘delimitation package’ not on agenda for now

IMD: Dry conditions to prevail in most parts until month end

Bumrah dismisses Duckett on first ball, a first in England-India Test history

Jasprit Bumrah made history by dismissing Ben Duckett on the very first ball of England's innings, a feat never previously recorded in Test matches between the two sides. India entered the second innings defending a modest total of 233, having collapsed in the middle order despite half-centuries from Virat Kohli (65) and Shreyas Iyer (66). England's pace bowlers had triggered India's batting slide, with four wickets falling in quick succession during their first innings. Bumrah's early breakthrough gave India a much-needed boost as they looked to defend a below-par score.

SpaceX Aborts Starship's 13th Test Flight Seconds Before Liftoff in Texas

SpaceX was forced to abort the 13th test flight of its Starship rocket just moments before the planned liftoff at its Texas launch site. The scrub was triggered automatically after the Raptor engines briefly ignited but shut down before the vehicle could lift off. The exact cause of the engine failure has not yet been identified. Engineers are now investigating the issue to determine when a new launch attempt can be scheduled. The abort marks a further delay for the ambitious reusable heavy-lift launch system.

Philippines Condemns China Daily Video Depicting Filipinos as Monkeys

The Philippines has officially condemned a video published by Chinese state media outlet China Daily that depicted Filipinos as monkeys. The AI-generated video was posted on July 10, deliberately timed to coincide with Philippine commemorations marking the 10th anniversary of a key arbitral ruling. That 2016 ruling by an international tribunal invalidated China's broad territorial claims in the South China Sea. Manila has called out the video as offensive and provocative, further straining already tense relations between the two countries over disputed waters.

From AAP to Congress, Samajwadi Party to National Conference, Opposition parties rally behind activist

BIMSTEC security chiefs vow to jointly combat terror, streamline maritime law enforcement

Trump to allege Chinese meddling in US elections during primetime speech: Report

Andhra Pradesh Records 12 Covid Cases and 4 Deaths in Three Weeks

Andhra Pradesh Health Commissioner G Veerapandian on Thursday reported a fresh cluster of Covid-19 activity in the state. A total of 12 people tested positive for the virus between June 26 and July 16, spanning a period of less than a month. Alongside the infections, four deaths linked to Covid-19 were also recorded during this period. The announcement signals a renewed need for health vigilance in Andhra Pradesh amid lingering concerns about the virus.

Doval Chairs BIMSTEC Security Meet, Calls for Unity Against Terror and Crime

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval chaired a BIMSTEC national security chiefs meeting held in New Delhi. The gathering focused on finding practical solutions to counter terrorism and organized crime across the region. Security chiefs at the meeting also endorsed a set of principles governing maritime law enforcement interactions at sea. Doval emphasized the need for stronger regional cooperation to address evolving security threats. BIMSTEC brings together nations representing a significant share of the global population and economic activity.

Kharge urges PM Modi to convene all-party meet on delimitation bill

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting an all-party meeting to discuss the revised Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill on delimitation. Kharge is seeking clarity on the details of the proposed legislation before it is tabled. Reports indicate the government is preparing to reintroduce the delimitation bill in the near future. The Congress party believes the ruling government does not currently have the numbers required to pass a constitutional amendment. Meanwhile, the opposition party says it is actively coordinating with other opposition parties on their collective stance regarding the bill.

Miss Universe 2025 Fátima Bosch denies rumored link to footballer Jude Bellingham

Fátima Bosch, the Miss Universe 2025 winner from Mexico, has come under global spotlight following social media rumors linking her to England footballer Jude Bellingham. Bosch has publicly denied ever meeting Bellingham, dismissing the speculation circulating online. Despite the denial, the rumors have significantly boosted public curiosity about her background and personal life. The buzz has drawn widespread attention to her journey from Mexico to winning one of the world's most prestigious beauty titles.

Trump Media Plans to Sell Premium Fast Access to Truth Social Posts

Trump Media & Technology Group announced on Thursday a plan to sell faster access to posts on Truth Social, the social media platform owned by former and current US President Donald Trump. The service would allow subscribers to receive market-moving posts from Trump more quickly than regular users. The announcement highlights the commercial potential of Trump's social media activity, which has been known to significantly influence financial markets. No pricing or launch date details were immediately disclosed.

India may introduce bill to penalise obstruction of Vande Mataram singing

The Indian government is reportedly planning to introduce a bill that would make it a punishable offence to insult or obstruct the singing of Vande Mataram. The proposed legislation signals the government's intent to legally protect the national song from being disrespected or blocked. However, the bill has not yet been formally tabled in parliament. Meanwhile, other anticipated pieces of legislation, including bills on delimitation and the women's reservation quota, are not currently on the parliamentary agenda.

Army Chief Reviews Eastern Command Readiness Near Siliguri Corridor

Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth conducted a tour to assess the operational preparedness of Eastern Command formations near the Siliguri Corridor. His visit covered three corps — IV Corps, XXXIII Corps, and III Corps — where he received briefings on prevailing security situations and capability development efforts. General Seth acknowledged the formations for their contributions to internal security operations and disaster relief missions. He urged troops to stay focused on their objectives and strengthen coordination with other agencies.

US Strikes Hit Airport, Bridges in Southern Iran Near Strait of Hormuz

The United States carried out overnight strikes targeting infrastructure in southern Iran, according to Iranian state media reports on Friday. The attacks hit an airport and two bridges in the region near the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping lane. Iranian state media confirmed the strikes on the southern part of the country. The incident marks a significant escalation involving US military action on Iranian soil.