India

Can CBSE skip parliamentary panel queries? Ministry, Opposition spar over accountability

Harry Kane's brace sends England through, joins Ronaldo in record books

England faced an early setback as Brian Cipenka gave DR Congo the lead in the seventh minute of their match. Congo dominated much of the game, keeping England under pressure for long spells. However, Harry Kane turned the tide with two crucial goals in the 75th and 86th minutes to secure victory. The late brace sealed England's progression to the next round of the tournament. With this performance, Kane became only the second player after Cristiano Ronaldo to achieve a notable scoring milestone.

Ram Temple Donation Theft: Gang Exploited CCTV Gaps, Smuggled Cash Over Months

Arrested accused Avinash Shukla has disclosed a calculated scheme to steal donations from the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The gang identified CCTV blind spots and used human shields during the cash-counting process to avoid detection. Cash was removed in small batches over an extended period, allowing the theft to go unnoticed for months. Investigators also found that a counting room key was held by a person with no official authority, pointing to serious security lapses. Authorities have so far recovered over Rs 79 lakh in cash and valuables in connection with the case.

Skyroot Aerospace Targets August 4 for Vikram-1 Private Orbital Rocket Launch

Skyroot Aerospace, an Indian space startup valued at over $1.1 billion, has assembled and unveiled its Vikram-1 rocket at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The launch is scheduled no later than August 4, marking a significant milestone for India's private space sector. Vikram-1 is set to become the country's first privately developed orbital rocket to attempt a launch. The unveiling of the fully stacked vehicle signals that the mission is in its final preparatory stages.

Unprecedented security in place as first batch of Amarnath pilgrims arrive in Kashmir

‘A new chapter’: India, Japan unveil roadmap on energy, tech, defence ties

ISRO Headquarters in Bengaluru Receives Bomb Threat Email Targeting Chairman

A bomb threat was emailed to the Indian Space Research Organisation's headquarters in Bengaluru. The threatening message was specifically addressed to ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan. Police have been informed and are aware of the threat. Authorities are currently investigating the matter.

Unesco warns Pakistan over 'reconstructions' at Taxila, the Vedic-era city

Southwest Monsoon Covers All of J&K, Ladakh, Himachal and Uttarakhand

India's southwest monsoon has advanced to cover the entire regions of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, the India Meteorological Department announced on Wednesday. Notably, the monsoon reached Jammu and Kashmir a day ahead of its arrival in Delhi, an unusual progression in its northward advance. IMD officials offered an explanation for this atypical pattern, which drew attention given that Delhi typically receives the monsoon before the Himalayan union territory. The early coverage of these northern and hill regions signals a robust and active monsoon system pushing across the subcontinent.

Beijing pilot who crashed into city's tallest tower had written about ending his life

A 66-year-old pilot identified as Liu deliberately flew an aircraft into the CITIC Group headquarters, the tallest building in Beijing. Investigators found that Liu had been struggling with anxiety and suicidal ideation prior to the incident. The plane deviated from its planned route before striking the skyscraper, leaving 13 people injured. The crash has prompted urgent debate around aviation safety and mental health screening protocols in China's capital.

Karthik backs Samson over Sooryavanshi, cites T20 World Cup record

Former India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik has voiced his support for Sanju Samson amid the ongoing debate over whether young talent Vaibhav Sooryavanshi should take his place. Karthik acknowledged Sooryavanshi's potential but argued that Samson's experience, particularly his T20 World Cup performances, justifies continued selection. He also weighed in on India's decision to bat first against England, describing it as an 'Ireland hangover' influencing team thinking. Karthik praised captain Shreyas Iyer's half-century, noting it played a key role in easing pressure on the side.

Beijing Plane Crash Pilot Had Documented Suicidal Thoughts, Authorities Reveal

A pilot surnamed Liu deliberately crashed a plane into a Beijing building, according to local authorities. The Chaoyang district government confirmed that Liu lived alone in the capital following a divorce. He had long struggled with insomnia and anxiety, and his diary contained multiple references to ending his life. Investigators believe the crash was an intentional act linked to the pilot's mental health struggles.

Iraqi 'Godfather of traffickers' found in UK seeking asylum under changed identity

Apple Hide My Email Bug Exposes Real Addresses of Millions of iCloud Users

A security flaw in Apple's Hide My Email feature allows attackers to reveal the real email address behind any alias, according to researcher Tyler Murphy. Murphy first reported the vulnerability to Apple in June 2025, but the company's attempted fixes have failed to resolve the issue. The bug can reportedly crack any tested alias within minutes, putting user anonymity at serious risk. With over a billion paid Apple subscriptions and two-thirds of iPhone owners using iCloud storage, the number of potentially affected users is in the millions.

Shraddha Kapoor charges Rs 15 crore for Vithabai Narayangaonkar biopic 'Eetha'

Shraddha Kapoor has reportedly tripled her acting fee to Rs 15 crore for her upcoming biographical film 'Eetha', directed by Laxman Utekar. The film is based on the life of Vithabai Narayangaonkar, a celebrated Marathi Tamasha performer. The salary hike follows the massive box-office success of Stree 2, which significantly boosted Kapoor's market value. Produced by Dinesh Vijan, the film is set for a theatrical release on August 28, 2026. However, the project faces a title dispute involving the Nationalist Congress Party and members of Vithabai's surviving family.

Solar firm ordered to pay Rs 25,265 for overcharging and underperforming rooftop system

A consumer commission has directed a solar installation company to refund over Rs 25,000 to a homeowner after finding it guilty of deficient service. The firm had overcharged the customer for net-metering and failed to deliver the electricity generation levels it had promised. The commission held the company vicariously liable for the misconduct of its agent in the transaction. Compensation was awarded to cover both the shortfall in power output and the mental distress caused to the consumer.

Zelenskyy Seeks US Approval to Manufacture Patriot Missiles in Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has requested US permission to produce Patriot air defense missiles within Ukraine. The appeal follows a major Russian airstrike that killed 13 people and left more than 90 others injured. Kyiv is looking to strengthen its air defense capabilities in response to continued Russian attacks. Local production of Patriot missiles would help Ukraine maintain a consistent supply without relying heavily on foreign assistance.

Ex-Hurricanes cricketer Aaron Summers pleads guilty to 2018 child sex abuse charges

Former Australian cricketer Aaron Summers has pleaded guilty to child sexual abuse and grooming offences that took place in 2018 during his time with the Hobart Hurricanes. A Tasmanian court has remanded him in custody after ruling out the possibility of a suspended sentence. Summers had previously served prison time for unrelated child exploitation offences. He is scheduled to be sentenced in August.

Kane strikes late as England, Belgium and USA advance at World Cup

On Day 22 of the FIFA World Cup, England narrowly avoided an upset as Harry Kane scored a decisive goal to secure victory against Congo. Belgium relied on a penalty to claim a late win, extending their Golden Generation's tournament run. The United States also progressed after a hard-fought match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, with VAR playing a controversial role in the outcome. All three nations advanced to the next round despite facing significant resistance from their opponents.

China Enforces New Ethnic Unity Law Despite International Rights Criticism

China's new ethnic unity law has officially come into force, drawing significant pushback from the international community. The United Nations, the United States, and Taiwan have all voiced criticism over the legislation's implications for minority rights. A particularly contentious provision involves an overseas enforcement clause, raising concerns about China's reach beyond its borders. Critics argue the law could further restrict the freedoms of ethnic minorities within China and abroad.