The Indian Cabinet has approved a Rs 84,084-crore scheme focused on offshore oil and gas exploration. The plan aims to boost activity across the full exploration and production value chain. Authorities expect the initiative to attract significant long-term investments into the energy sector. The scheme is also anticipated to drive innovation and create fresh economic opportunities for industry stakeholders.
Superstar Rajinikanth has stepped in to help veteran actor Mohan Sharma by donating Rs 1 lakh after Sharma publicly appealed for financial support. Sharma, a respected figure in the film industry, has been facing severe hardship following the sale of his house and personal family difficulties. He expressed gratitude for Rajinikanth's contribution, which has provided some relief during his difficult period. Sharma continues to seek broader support from the film fraternity to address his ongoing financial and medical needs. It has also been suggested that securing the satellite rights for his acclaimed film Namma Gramam could help fund his medical expenses.
General Vishwa Nath Sharma, a former Chief of Army Staff, passed away at the age of 96. He holds the distinction of being the first officer commissioned after India's Independence to rise to the top post of the Indian Army. General Sharma played a significant role during the 1987 military standoff with China, a particularly tense period in India's defence history. His tenure as Army Chief was marked by several internal and external security challenges facing the nation. He was widely regarded as a soldier-scholar who led the armed forces at a critical time.
A Delhi court has sentenced former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain and four others to life imprisonment for the murder of Intelligence Bureau officer Ankit Sharma. The killing took place during the northeast Delhi riots in February 2020. While prosecutors argued the case met the 'rarest of rare' threshold warranting the death penalty, the court disagreed. The judge cited the possibility of reformation as the key reason for rejecting capital punishment. The verdict marks a significant conclusion to one of the most high-profile cases to emerge from the 2020 Delhi riots.
India has strongly criticised Pakistan over its crackdown on civilian protesters in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal made the remarks during a press briefing, highlighting what he called Pakistan's disregard for its own people. Jaiswal pointed out that Pakistan's defence minister had labelled the protesting civilians as 'enemies', which India condemned as deeply troubling. The statement underscores growing tensions over the treatment of civilians in the region under Pakistani administration.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has publicly opposed FIFA's proposal to bring private investors into its commercial rights structure. The AFC declared solidarity with UEFA and CONCACAF, both of which had already rejected the plan put forward by FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Beyond opposing the commercial proposal, the AFC also called for an urgent review of FIFA's overall governance framework. FIFA has defended its position, claiming that media coverage misrepresented the true intent of the proposal. The growing opposition from major continental bodies marks a significant escalation of resistance against Infantino's commercial ambitions.
The Indian Cabinet has approved a major sports funding package worth Rs 36,441 crore under the Khelo India and National Sports Federations (NSF) schemes. The decision marks a significant boost to the country's sports infrastructure and athlete development programs. The existing budgetary allocation for Assistance to National Sports Federations stood at Rs 425 crore for 2026-27. The expanded funding is aimed at strengthening grassroots sports development and supporting elite athletes across the country.
A Delhi court at Karkardooma has sentenced former Aam Aadmi Party councillor Tahir Hussain to life imprisonment for the murder of an intelligence officer. The court described the manner in which the crime was committed as one of utmost brutality and savagery. Hussain, who was previously associated with AAP, was found guilty in connection with the killing. The verdict marks a significant development in a case that drew widespread attention due to the victim's background and the violent nature of the crime.
The Indian Army shot down a Pakistani surveillance drone in the Khour sector of Jammu, near the Line of Control. The drone was detected while hovering close to key military installations in the area. Security forces recovered a memory card from the downed drone, suggesting it was being used for intelligence gathering. The incident underscores ongoing surveillance activities along the sensitive India-Pakistan border.
Flagstar Bank has reached a $31.5 million class action settlement over two cyberattacks that occurred in 2021. The breaches compromised the personal data of over 2.1 million customers. Affected individuals may be eligible for payouts ranging from approximately $60 to $25,000, depending on the nature of their claims. To receive compensation, eligible customers must submit the required claim forms by August 11, 2026.
The Indian Cabinet has approved a scheme to develop 5,000 MW of floating solar photovoltaic capacity across the country. The project carries a financial outlay of Rs 5,070 crore. The initiative is designed to benefit all states and Union Territories in India. Floating solar plants are installed on water bodies, helping conserve land while generating clean energy. The scheme is expected to significantly boost India's renewable energy capacity.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his wife Payal Abdullah have officially divorced, ending their marriage of over two decades. The couple had tied the knot on September 1, 1994, and together have two sons. They had been living separately since 2009, making the split a long time in the making. Omar Abdullah acknowledged the development, describing it as embracing freedom.
UfarmX, founded by Alexander Zanders, is developing a data-driven credit assessment system aimed at expanding financial access for African farmers. The company targets a significant financing gap that has long left millions of smallholder farmers without access to formal credit. UfarmX has already evaluated thousands of farmers, facilitating agricultural commerce across the continent. The initiative is reshaping how investors and financial institutions perceive agricultural lending in Africa.
Carlos Cordeiro, a senior adviser to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, has resigned in protest over the organization's controversial World Cup investment proposal. Cordeiro publicly criticized the plan as 'a bad deal for football' and raised concerns about its governance. His resignation signals deepening internal dissent within FIFA's leadership circle. The move adds to existing opposition from major confederations including UEFA, Concacaf, and the AFC. FIFA now faces significant resistance from both inside and outside the organization ahead of a key membership vote on the proposal.
The Union Cabinet has approved a five-year extension of the PM-Kisan scheme, committing a financial outlay of Rs 3.15 lakh crore. The scheme provides direct income support to eligible farmer families across India. Under the programme, each qualifying farm household receives Rs 6,000 annually, disbursed in installments. The extension aims to continue strengthening the financial security of small and marginal farmers in the country.
The Indian Cabinet has approved a Rs 84,084 crore scheme aimed at accelerating oil and gas exploration across the country. Dubbed 'Samudra Manthan' by the government, the initiative is focused on harnessing India's vast offshore energy resources. The scheme is set to be implemented through the financial year 2030-31. The government views the initiative as a modern-day effort to unlock deep-sea energy potential, drawing a parallel to the mythological churning of the ocean.
Google co-founder Sergey Brin owns a 466-foot megayacht called Dragonfly, designed to function as a mobile workspace. The vessel includes a dedicated business deck equipped with a private office and gym. A hidden helicopter hangar allows for discreet and convenient travel to and from the yacht. Dragonfly runs on a hybrid propulsion system that improves fuel efficiency and minimizes noise. The yacht's work-oriented design is seen as a reflection of Brin's intensified focus on artificial intelligence research.
A Delhi court has sentenced former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain and four others to life imprisonment for the murder of Intelligence Bureau officer Ankit Sharma. Sharma was killed during the violent Northeast Delhi riots in February 2020. Prosecutors had sought the death penalty, citing the 51 injuries found on the victim's body. However, the court considered mitigating circumstances before settling on life sentences for all five convicts.
Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut shared a childhood photograph in which she portrayed Goddess Sita in a school production of the Ramayana in 1997. The image resurfaced on social media amid widespread discussions following the release of the recent Ramayana trailer. Ranaut has been active online lately, having also posted criticism directed at Gen Z protesters. The actress was most recently seen on screen in the medical drama-thriller Bharat Bhagya Vidhata.
