'Nobody can say a quake will strike on a particular day or month. It remains a natural event, governed by factors that are only partly understood, even by researchers working on this across the world.'
The Prime Volleyball League (PVL) has been officially recognised by the FIVB as India's first division professional volleyball league, marking a significant milestone for the sport in the country. This recognition allows PVL clubs to compete in international tournaments and aligns the league with global standards. The fifth season of PVL is scheduled to begin on November 30, with a players' auction on August 17 in Goa. This development is expected to further strengthen Indian volleyball's performance on the international stage.
India is making a significant push to establish itself as a global semiconductor manufacturing hub, driven by strategic investments and policy support. The upcoming SEMICON India 2026 event will showcase the country's advancements and ambitions in this critical industry, which underpins virtually all modern electronic devices and has faced global supply chain vulnerabilities.
Indian long-distance runner Seema won a bronze medal in the women's 10,000m race at the Asian Games. She revealed that she kept her participation a secret from her 78-year-old mother, who suffers from high blood pressure and worries excessively when Seema travels. Seema, from Himachal Pradesh, is only the third Indian woman to medal in this event at the Asian Games and plans to compete in the 5000m race to try for a different medal. She credits her training under Scott Simon for her success.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is in New Delhi for the 18th BRICS Summit, where he is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This visit, his first to India in nearly seven years, comes amidst efforts to normalise India-China relations following the 2020 Eastern Ladakh standoff and is expected to have significant implications for bilateral ties and BRICS cooperation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at the UPSC centenary, urged a fundamental shift in civil services recruitment and governance. He highlighted the need for services to adapt to an "instant-delivery world" powered by AI, focusing on citizen-centricity and evaluating candidates' motivation beyond academic knowledge. The PM also praised Captain Smit Machchhar's bravery during his address.
Indian benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty, traded marginally higher in early trade despite the US Federal Reserve's recent rate hike and indications of further tightening, with the National Stock Exchange's much-anticipated Rs 22,569-crore IPO also opening for subscription.
Stranger Things actress Millie Bobby Brown and her husband Jake Bongiovi have announced the adoption of their second child.
India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is actively courting Sri Lanka's Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), a Marxist party with strong Sinhalese nationalist roots, marking a significant shift in bilateral relations despite ideological differences. This engagement, highlighted by a recent high-profile visit by JVP leader Tilvin Silva, aims to foster cooperation on economic projects and address New Delhi's concerns over slow progress in India-aided initiatives in the island nation.
There are only bad and worse options before him, points out Aakar Patel.
A Mumbai student activist's home was subjected to a nine-hour police search following her participation in a global kite-flying event expressing solidarity with children in Gaza.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in New Delhi for talks focusing on the West Asia situation, bilateral relations, and BRICS cooperation. The meeting, Pezeshkian's first visit to India as president, comes amidst heightened tensions in West Asia due to new US sanctions on Iran and concerns over global oil supplies from the Strait of Hormuz. Both leaders emphasised regional stability and economic resilience.
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.
India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, bringing together numerous world leaders including presidents from China, Russia, South Africa, Iran, and Egypt, along with prime ministers and foreign ministers from other nations. The summit will feature bilateral talks and highlights the expanded BRICS grouping's growing global influence and India's significant role as a founding member and current chair.
Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the BRICS summit, urging the bloc to play a significant role in achieving peace and tranquillity in West Asia and the Gulf region. He highlighted BRICS' growth over two decades, its efforts in tackling global challenges, and its steadfastness in safeguarding the interests of the Global South. Xi called for opposing the Cold War mentality, strengthening multilateralism, and promoting cooperation in emerging domains like AI, as China prepares to chair the next summit.
Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar announced the establishment of India's first government-driven Artificial Intelligence University and an AI Hub in Bengaluru. This initiative aims to position Karnataka as a global leader in responsible AI innovation, fostering talent, research, and collaboration. The state seeks to become an AI-native state, leveraging AI to improve governance and daily life across various sectors.
Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff has identified a significant opportunity for India as the company transitions its enterprise systems to an AI-first model. He emphasised India's crucial role, leveraging its extensive pool of technology professionals and partners, in this global technological transformation, which he likened to a "Y2K moment" for engineering.
RBI Deputy Governor Rohit Jain highlighted that banks are well-positioned to deploy $133 billion mobilised through FCNR(B) deposits, especially with strong credit demand ahead of the festival season, while also stressing the importance of robust technology governance and cyber defences in the financial sector.
Streaming has globalised the entertainment industry, enabling artists like Diljit Dosanjh and Arijit Singh to reach diverse international audiences.
Indian benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty, closed nearly flat on Thursday, influenced by the US Federal Reserve's interest rate hike and indications of further monetary tightening. Despite some intraday gains, caution prevailed, with foreign institutional investors continuing to offload equities. Meanwhile, the National Stock Exchange of India's (NSE) mega initial public offering opened for subscription, garnering 39 per cent subscription on its first day.
India's bid to host the 2038 Asian Games will not be decided before 2028, as the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has revealed that five other countries are also vying for the same edition.
Shailesh Chandra, MD and CEO of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles (TMPV), stated that the uncertainty surrounding how long commodity costs will remain elevated is a greater concern for the company than the actual price increases. He noted that commodity prices have risen significantly over the past five to six months, impacting margins and necessitating faster cost-reduction efforts, though no major production or supply-side issues are currently foreseen.
Researchers have developed a new atomic clock using the element lutetium, which they claim is the most stable and accurate in the world. This clock can measure a trillionth of a second precisely and is highly resilient to environmental changes like temperature and magnetic fields, making it a significant advancement in timekeeping technology.
BRICS nations have successfully reached a consensus on a joint statement following extensive negotiations, with India playing a crucial role in bridging differences, particularly among West Asian members like Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, despite regional conflicts and geopolitical tensions.
'We expect the Indian delegation to flag New Delhi's worries and elaborate on its standpoint on the Russia-linked tariff as well as the Section 301 investigation into overcapacity.'
Four-time Formula One champion Max Verstappen showcased his racing prowess by overtaking 100 competitors in just 13 laps during the 'Max vs 100' go-karting event at Silverstone.
Homegrown software company Zoho has launched Zia Chat, a unified AI interface designed to streamline business operations across various functions. Alongside this, Zoho announced its entry into vertical SaaS with seven industry-specific applications for sectors like retail, automotive, healthcare, and education, reinforcing its position as a 'Swadeshi' alternative to global tech giants.
Vikash Dhorasoo, the first Indian-origin player in a FIFA World Cup, expresses strong belief in India's potential to reach football's biggest stage. Visiting India for a friendly match against Brazil, Dhorasoo highlights the importance of method, clear objectives, and leveraging players of Indian origin to elevate the national team's level. He also offers his coaching expertise to help develop young talent in India.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in New Delhi for the BRICS summit, where he is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to enhance trade and strengthen overall relations. His visit is particularly significant given the heightened tensions in West Asia and recent US economic sanctions against Iran. Pezeshkian highlighted BRICS' role in fostering economic resilience and reducing dependence on the US dollar, while the summit itself aims to address global challenges and bolster collective resilience in critical sectors.
Ganges Grandmasters, led by Ian Nepomniachtchi, defeated defending champions Alpine APL Pipers to win their first Global Chess League title. Nepomniachtchi's crucial win against Magnus Carlsen in the final, coupled with Stavroula Tsolakidou's performance, sealed the victory. FYERS American Gambits secured third place in the tournament.
Former Indian fast bowler Zaheer Khan has joined the ownership group of Vancouver Anchors, a franchise in the Canada Super 60 league, reuniting with his former teammate Yuvraj Singh. Khan brings his extensive international cricket experience to the league, which features men's and women's competitions and aims to promote global cricket growth.
For India, the goal is not simply to host another grand diplomatic gathering. It is to prove that a diverse coalition of emerging powers can still deliver.
UEFA vice-president Laura McAllister stated that UEFA is actively seeking a credible challenger to FIFA President Gianni Infantino for the upcoming March election, emphasising the need for a candidate capable of uniting football's confederations and delivering lasting governance reform, rather than merely installing a European figurehead.
Indian MMA fighter Varun Sanyal faced a challenging Asian Games debut, marked by logistical issues and a medical disqualification due to a weight-cutting incident. Despite the setback, Sanyal, an Indian citizen with Singapore PR, shares his journey in MMA, his 'fighting nomad' lifestyle, and his aspirations for Indian fighters.
Kargil War veteran Group Captain Amit Kumar Gupta was allegedly attacked with an iron rod by a parking attendant in Gurugram, sustaining a serious head injury and fractured elbow. Gupta claims the hospital's MLC report is false and police assistance has been lacking, while an FIR has been registered against unknown accused.
India's six-member golf contingent, led by silver medallist Aditi Ashok, is set to compete at the Asian Games. The team, comprising experienced professionals like Yuvraj Sandhu, Veer Ahlawat, and Diksha Dagar, aims to add to India's seven past golf medals. They face a strong international field, including PGA Tour stars like Tom Kim and Keita Nakajima, on a challenging course.
Looking at the best Tom Cruise films outside the Mission: Impossible franchise that proves just how versatile the superstar can be.
India's three-match ODI series against the West Indies, starting Sunday, is a vital preparatory stage for the ICC World Cup 2027. The series will focus on giving game time to young players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and assessing the form of key players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who is nearing a significant ODI milestone. The development of all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy is also a priority. The West Indies team, grappling with recent losses and financial issues, will aim to overcome these challenges and deliver a competitive performance.
IBS Group has launched Naviq Technology, an artificial intelligence company dedicated to the global travel industry, backed by a substantial USD 500 million investment over the next five years. The new venture aims to partner with major travel players to drive business transformations, modernise operations, and leverage AI for new revenue streams, with plans for significant job creation in India.
The challenge for India lies in navigating complex landscape to its best advantage. The BRICS Summit will test its navigation skills, asserts former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.
