India

Rain may disrupt India's warm-up match against Sri Lanka XI in Colombo

India's preparations for the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka face a potential setback due to adverse weather. A three-day warm-up match between India and Sri Lanka XI is scheduled in Colombo, but heavy rainfall is forecast throughout the duration of the game. Wet conditions are expected from Friday morning through Sunday afternoon, which could significantly reduce available playing time. The disruption is a concern as the warm-up is meant to help India prepare ahead of the first Test in Galle.

Heat explore Duncan Robinson trade from Pistons to boost spacing around Giannis

The Miami Heat are reportedly considering a trade to bring back sharpshooter Duncan Robinson from the Detroit Pistons. Miami would offer Nikola Jovic and two second-round picks in exchange for Robinson. The deal aims to add perimeter shooting alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, filling a spacing void created by the Heat's offseason roster changes. Robinson's three-point shooting clip of 41 percent makes him an attractive fit for Miami's offensive system. The trade is considered financially viable, as Robinson's roughly $16 million salary closely matches Jovic's cap figure.

RSS Chief Bhagwat Backs Gen Z, Opposes Social Media Bans, Favours Pakistan Dialogue

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat expressed support for youth-led protests and called for higher education budgets as tools for systemic reform. He opposed banning social media and advocated for dialogue with both Pakistan and China. Bhagwat stressed the importance of preserving traditional family values while acknowledging the need to create space for same-sex relationships. He also addressed the absence of women in the RSS's top decision-making body, explaining the organisation's stance on the matter. Additionally, he attributed the intense competition for government jobs to a broader societal disregard for manual labour.

Alternative-fuel vehicles claim 40% market share, near parity with petrol cars

Alternative-fuel passenger vehicles have reached 40% of India's retail automobile market, coming within one percentage point of petrol-powered models. July recorded the highest-ever monthly automobile sales figures in the country. Electric two-wheelers are also seeing unprecedented market penetration alongside this shift. The trend reflects a broader change in consumer preferences driven by cost-effectiveness. Together, these developments signal a major structural shift in India's automotive landscape.

Maharashtra CM Fadnavis Backs Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana for Oscar Recognition

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has publicly voiced his support for director Nitesh Tiwari's upcoming film Ramayana. Fadnavis expressed confidence that the mythological epic has the potential to win an Oscar, praising its scale and production quality. The film is being produced in collaboration with Sony Pictures, which has officially confirmed the release details. The first installment of the project is scheduled to hit screens in November 2026.

US State Department to Screen Social Media of Foreign Journalists Seeking Visas

The US State Department plans to review the social media accounts of foreign journalists as part of the visa application process, according to a report published Thursday. The new vetting measure would apply to journalists from other countries seeking to work in the United States. The policy represents an expansion of social media scrutiny in the US visa approval process. No further details about the scope or implementation timeline of the measure were immediately available.

81% of Indian study-abroad aspirants plan to return home after education

A new survey has found that approximately 81% of Indian students planning to study abroad intend to return to India after completing their education. Notably, around 90% of these aspirants are the first in their families to pursue overseas education, reflecting a rise in self-driven academic decision-making. Business and management disciplines emerge as the most sought-after fields among these students. To identify suitable institutions and programs, many rely on Google searches and educational agents as primary research tools.

NMC allows MBBS admission for students with temporary disability certificates

The National Medical Commission has revised its guidelines to permit candidates with temporary disability certificates to apply for MBBS seats under the PwBD quota. Under the updated policy, admission requests from persons with disabilities will be reviewed by designated medical boards. Neither progressive nor non-progressive disabilities will automatically disqualify a candidate from securing admission. Instead, each applicant will undergo a thorough evaluation of their functional competency before a decision is made.

India begin Sri Lanka warm-up as WTC final hopes hinge on Test series

India kick off their Sri Lanka tour with a three-day warm-up match against Sri Lanka XI at the NCC in Colombo. The squad, led by Shubman Gill, has completed two training sessions ahead of the fixture. The team enters the tour relatively fresh, with the main Test series scheduled to begin on August 15. Injury concerns persist over Jasprit Bumrah, Washington Sundar, and Sai Sudharsan. A strong series result is seen as critical to keeping India's World Test Championship final qualification hopes alive.

Supreme Court: Settling Few Cases Will Not Halt CBI Probe Against Defaulting Realtors

The Supreme Court has made clear that CBI investigations into defaulting real estate developers will continue unimpeded. Builders cannot avoid scrutiny by settling disputes with only a select number of homebuyers. Investigations have revealed that several bank officials colluded with these developers, adding a financial misconduct dimension to the cases. The CBI has so far completed probes in 18 of the 50 registered cases. The court has directed banks to grant prosecution sanctions against accused officials within two weeks.

Michael Jackson Biopic Sequel Eyes Late 2026 Shoot and 2027 Release

Production on a sequel to the Michael Jackson biopic is scheduled to begin shooting by the end of 2026. The filmmakers are targeting a potential 2027 release date for the follow-up. The sequel comes on the back of the first film's considerable global box office success. Content that was left out of the original installment may be incorporated into the new movie. The production company also reported strong overall financial performance driven by its recent slate of films.

New Mexico Court Orders Meta to Pay $567M Over Youth Mental Health Harms

A New Mexico court has ordered Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, to pay $567 million to address harms caused to young people by its social media platforms. The ruling comes in the second phase of a landmark trial that Meta had already lost in March. The case centers on the negative mental health impacts that Meta's platforms have had on children and teenagers. The substantial financial penalty marks a significant legal setback for the tech giant in ongoing litigation over youth safety concerns.

Rahul Gandhi backs Jharkhand student protesters, calls education system deeply flawed

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi used Instagram to express solidarity with students protesting in Jharkhand over NEET-related grievances. Gandhi described the education system as deeply flawed and in urgent need of reform. His statement came after he met with student demonstrators who shared accounts of alleged police brutality during the protests. The students also spoke about discrimination they faced while advocating for their rights.

Jana Nayagan Crosses Rs 308 Crore Worldwide in 15 Days at Box Office

Thalapathy Vijay's Jana Nayagan has crossed the Rs 300 crore mark in worldwide gross collections by its fifteenth day. The film's India net collection stood at Rs 185.15 crore at the same point. While daily earnings have begun to decline, the film continues to draw audiences across markets. Tamil Nadu has been the strongest-performing region throughout the run. The collection milestone underscores Vijay's consistent drawing power at the box office.

UP Congress MPs push leadership to pursue SP alliance before state polls

Uttar Pradesh Congress MPs are pressing their party leadership to initiate formal alliance talks with the Samajwadi Party ahead of the upcoming state elections. The MPs broadly agree that a partnership with SP is essential to mount a credible challenge against the BJP in Uttar Pradesh. Party leaders are currently evaluating potential constituencies and compiling relevant data to support the negotiation process. The push reflects Congress's recognition of BJP's strong hold over the state and the need for a united opposition front.

Trump Calls for Prosecution of Dr. Fauci After Senate Covid Hearing

US President Donald Trump suggested on Thursday that former infectious disease chief Dr. Anthony Fauci should face prosecution. The remarks came shortly after Republican Senator Rand Paul announced he would formally request the Justice Department to pursue charges against Fauci. Both Trump and Paul's statements appear to be linked to recent congressional hearings related to Covid-19. The calls mark an escalation in political pressure against Fauci, who led the US response to the pandemic under multiple administrations.

BJP Urges Congress to End Disruptions, Says Amit Shah Ready to Address Parliament

The BJP has accused Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge of spreading misinformation regarding Home Minister Amit Shah's parliamentary presence. According to the BJP, Shah is present at Parliament House daily but has been unable to participate due to ongoing opposition protests. The party stated that continued disruptions by the opposition are hindering legislative work in the House. BJP confirmed that Shah remains in his office and is ready to address the opposition's concerns once parliamentary proceedings resume.

Experts relied on chits, memory to leak NEET questions: CBI probe

South Africa recalls envoy after he is spotted at Jacob Zuma-Ajay Gupta meeting

Rajya Sabha passes Appropriation Bill amid opposition uproar over Amit Shah

The Rajya Sabha passed the Appropriation Bill, 2026, which authorises withdrawal of funds for excess government expenditure. Opposition members repeatedly disrupted proceedings, demanding Home Minister Amit Shah appear in the House. Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge called on Shah to make a statement regarding alleged police action against students. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju was urged to relay the opposition's concerns to the Home Minister. The opposition also demanded a formal apology from the Prime Minister over the reported police excesses.