Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has publicly supported India's bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. He stated that any reform of the UNSC should not grant additional seats to Western countries like Germany and Japan, citing their "militarism and revanchism." Instead, Russia advocates for increased representation from Asia, Africa, and Latin America, specifically backing India and Brazil, while also emphasizing the need to address African interests.
France and Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe has been diagnosed with a hyperextension of his left knee after being forced off during a Nations League match against Turkey. He has returned to Real Madrid for treatment and assessment, casting doubt on his immediate playing future.
The Indian men's cricket team has advanced to the Asian Games semi-final after their quarter-final match against Afghanistan was abandoned due to rain, with India progressing based on their superior ICC T20I ranking.
TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh alleged his car was attacked with hammers and a gun was pointed at his security personnel in Kolkata, following a similar incident in Hooghly. He accused the BJP of orchestrating a "jungle raj," while the BJP dismissed the claims as a publicity stunt.
India's Prachi Choudhary secured a bronze medal in the women's 400m final at the Asian Games in Nagoya, clocking 53.21 seconds. This achievement is particularly significant for Prachi, who expressed her satisfaction in proving her capability in individual events, having previously been told she was only strong in relays. She also mentioned her familiarity with rainy conditions, which were present during the event.
Indian shooters Suruchi Inder Singh and Kamaljeet overcame initial disappointments at the Asian Games to clinch India's first shooting gold medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team event. Both athletes had faced setbacks in their individual qualifications but rallied together, setting a Games and Asian record score of 484.6 to defeat South Korea. Their victory marks a significant turnaround and a testament to their resilience and teamwork.
Li Wenwen secured +86kg Asian Games gold with 310kg and two Games records, then revealed her unusual floor-sleeping routine remains unchanged as she targets future Olympic success.
Indian benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty, experienced declines in early trading, primarily due to selling pressure on blue-chip HDFC Bank and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties.
Indian leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi shares his unique experience at the Asian Games, highlighting the distinct feeling of winning medals for India compared to trophies for the BCCI. He also discusses the team's accommodation and travel, and their desire to explore other sports.
Japan's 11-year-old esports prodigy Yuki Kurihara secured a gold medal in Puyo Puyo Champions at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, defeating South Korea's Kang Dong Shin 10-2.
Anahat Singh and Abhay Singh clinched silver medals at the Asian Games, showcasing their potential despite falling short of gold against formidable Malaysian opponents and missing direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The Congress party has demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging "vote chori" and treason, following a media report revealing that two other Election Commissioners had formally objected to decisions regarding the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge have accused the BJP, RSS, and EC of undermining democracy, citing concerns over voter list tampering and lack of transparency.
A Bain & Company report projects the global AI market must reach nearly USD 6 trillion annually by 2031 to sustain massive infrastructure investments. This growth will largely depend on new innovations beyond productivity gains, with a significant gap needing to be filled by emerging revenue streams like autonomous vehicles, physical AI, and new AI-driven products. The report also highlights the surge in hardware and semiconductor industries due to AI compute demand and the importance of AI absorption for Indian companies.
The annual MTV Video Music Awards saw major triumphs for global music icons Taylor Swift, Madonna, and K-Pop sensation BTS, with Swift making history as the most-awarded artist and Madonna earning the coveted Artist of the Year title.
Indian benchmark equity indices, Sensex and Nifty, experienced declines in early trade due to a surge in Brent crude oil prices, which rose above USD 90 per barrel, coupled with subdued global cues and ongoing US-Iran skirmishes. Track Sensex, Nifty on Auigust 12.
Scientists are stunned by the discovery of a nine-million-year-old capybara tooth fossil in Chile's Atacama Desert, a region currently devoid of capybaras. This finding not only marks the oldest record of the semi-aquatic rodent in coastal Chile but also significantly challenges the long-standing scientific view that the Atacama Desert has been continuously dry for 40 million years, suggesting a much wetter past.
Indian track and field athletes at the Asian Games are facing a growing injury crisis, with Yashas Palaksha, Jyothi Yarraji, and Praveen Chithravel all pulling out or struggling due to fitness issues.
Iran's star striker Sardar Azmoun has been recalled to the national football team, four months after his controversial omission from the World Cup roster. His return follows a social media post that reportedly angered Iranian authorities. Azmoun expressed his joy and readiness to fight for his country as Iran prepares for the Asian Cup.
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has demanded the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, holding him responsible for the deaths of four people during protests in Leh last year. Speaking on the first anniversary of the violence, Wangchuk expressed fear for his life, alleging threats, and called for the judicial inquiry report into the incident to be made public. He criticised the use of automatic weapons against protesters and questioned the branding of local youth as "anti-national," linking the violence to unfulfilled promises regarding Ladakh's constitutional safeguards.
The FBI has placed gangster Satinderjeet Singh, known as Goldy Brar, on its Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, offering a USD 1 million reward for his alleged involvement in the Lawrence Bishnoi Organized Crime Group's violent activities across North America.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi addressed the 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' programme in Prayagraj, emphasising that India's youth are its greatest strength. He raised concerns about the lack of employment opportunities, the declining value of educational credentials, and issues like exam paper leaks, urging youth to bring change through love and affection.
Indian benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty, saw declines in early trade, influenced by rising crude oil prices and ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia. Experts suggest that crude oil remains a primary concern, with Brent holding near USD 88 a barrel due to renewed US warnings against Iran, embedding a geopolitical risk premium in energy markets. Track Sensex, Nifty
Indian pacer Prasidh Krishna discusses the factors behind his impressive performance, including team clarity, effective communication, and the healthy competition for World Cup spots. He highlights his rapport with fellow bowlers and the positive impact of pushing each other to improve.
Indian athletes, including Parul Chaudhary, Gulveer Singh, and Vithya Ramraj, secured multiple medals and broke records in various athletics events at the Asian Games, showcasing a strong performance in long-distance running and hurdles.
Donald Trump expressed confidence in a swift victory over Iran, suggesting military strikes before midterm elections are possible, with the primary goal of denying Tehran nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi declared readiness for a "doomsday war" if hostilities resume, while also expressing openness to diplomacy if assets are unfrozen and oil sales allowed.
The Women's Golf Association of India (WGAI) is advocating for increased government support and improved grassroots infrastructure to make golf more accessible to young players in India. WGAI president Kavita Singh and Hero MotoCorp executive vice-president Sanjay Bhan challenged the perception of golf as an elitist sport, highlighting the need for public facilities and resources to foster talent and change mindsets. They stressed that government intervention is crucial for developing the sport and creating career opportunities beyond playing.
Indian squash veteran Joshna Chinappa, at 40, continues to defy age, securing her sixth Asian Games medal in her record seventh appearance. She attributes her remarkable longevity to rigorous training, meditation, and a dedicated support team, while also expressing her desire for an elusive Asian Games gold and her hopes for Indian squash at the 2028 Olympics.
Former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh clarified his stance on his political future and loyalty to the BJP, stating it is his duty to voice his feelings about Punjab to the party, but this does not imply he is quitting. He also reflected on his long political career and the current "difficult times" while attending a book launch.
Indian athletes Baranica Elangovan, Gulveer Singh, and Manpreet Kaur secured historic medals at the Asian Games. Elangovan clinched India's first-ever pole vault medal with a bronze, while Singh became the first Indian to win two 10,000m medals, earning a silver. Kaur redeemed herself with a shot put bronze, contributing to India's growing athletics medal tally.
International Hockey Federation (FIH) President Tayyab Ikram has commended India's professional approach to hockey, urging other Asian nations to adopt similar strategies to improve their global standing. He highlighted India's journey from past Olympic glory to recent bronze medals, positioning it as a model for development in the sport.
Legendary Indian spinner Anil Kumble reflected on the 36th anniversary of his international debut, expressing deep gratitude for his 'truly special journey' that began with his first Test wicket, Allan Lamb.
A political storm has erupted with the Opposition demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, following reports that two Election Commissioners raised 'expansive red flags' over the Special Intensive Revision of voters' lists, citing issues like name deletions and decisions made without their knowledge.
Large office leases in Mumbai and Delhi-NCR are commanding premium rentals in key micro-locations, driven by a scarcity of quality Grade-A space and sustained occupier demand, according to real estate consultants.
Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana sponsored a rifle for Asian Championship gold medallist Meghana Sajjanar, enabling her to access world-class equipment and achieve success. Sajjanar, who recently won gold and bronze medals, credited Khurrana's support for her improved performance, highlighting his selfless act to promote Indian athletes on the global stage.
Sahara Shah, a cancer survivor whom actor Vivek Oberoi supported through her treatment, surprised him by announcing she has signed her first film as a lead actress.
Indian rowers at the Asian Games are contemplating a complaint to the sports ministry over last-minute crew changes, which they claim affected their performance. The Rowing Federation of India president, Balaji Maradapa, stated the changes were necessary due to weather-induced schedule compression and accused a former coach of influencing the players.
Five British nationals arrested on suspicion of terror charges related to an explosives threat near RAF Fairford have been released on police bail. The Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) investigation is ongoing, with stringent conditions placed on the suspects. Iran has denied any involvement, while former US President Donald Trump claimed US intelligence assisted in the arrests.
Thailand's Puripol Boonson made history by winning the 200 metres gold, completing an Asian Games sprint double and matching the Asian record, while China's 18-year-old javelin sensation Yan Ziyi defeated an Olympic champion for her first gold.
The Congress party has launched nationwide protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, demanding his removal. Accusing him of acting in favour of the BJP and citing alleged irregularities in electoral roll revisions (SIR), party workers burned effigies and clashed with police. Opposition parties plan further action, including a meeting of the INDIA bloc to strategize for his ouster.
Carlos Alcaraz and Andre Agassi are advocating for significant changes to Grand Slam scheduling, particularly to avoid late-night finishes that impact player welfare and fan attendance. Alcaraz's US Open campaign ended in a 3:33 a.m. finish, prompting his call for matches to conclude by 11 p.m. Agassi supports guaranteed downtime for players, highlighting a broader push for improved working conditions in professional tennis.
