Times of India

In a heartfelt gesture, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay visited families affected by the Karur stampede disaster. He distributed job appointment orders to eligible dependants as part of rehabilitation efforts, visibly moved by their immense sorrow. This visit coincided with the High Court's evaluation of the government's permanent job appointment policies. Furthermore, Vijay criticized the opposition DMK for allegedly exploiting the tragedy for political gain.

As Norway cheers for its football team's remarkable journey to the World Cup quarter-finals, fans have adopted a rowing celebration that reflects their Viking roots. This captivating sync has turned heads during the tournament, yet one vigilant fan finds fault with the tribute, suggesting it's a misrepresentation of history and too closely resembles Iceland's beloved clap. His muted protest serves to challenge the celebration's genuine connection to Viking legacy.

India's UDAN scheme aims to make flying affordable for all citizens. The initial phase connected many smaller cities but faced sustainability challenges. A modified UDAN scheme now focuses on airport development and broader ecosystem support. This new phase includes increased financial aid and indigenous aircraft integration. The government hopes this will create a self-sustaining regional aviation network.

At least eleven people died after a wildfire swept through southern Spain overnight. Authorities reported four victims were found inside a vehicle near the mountains. Seven others died after abandoning their cars and attempting to flee on foot. Spain has long grappled with devastating wildfires exacerbated by strong winds and heat. The nation experienced record-breaking heat in June, contributing to excess deaths.

A Kerala medical student was murdered in Uzbekistan by a fellow student. The victim allegedly faced repeated demands to convert her religion before her death. Uzbek authorities have arrested the accused student in connection with the ongoing investigation. Indian authorities are assisting the victim's family and liaising with Uzbek officials. A second post-mortem was conducted in Kerala after the body's repatriation.

The European Commission has charged Meta Platforms with breaching EU digital law. Instagram and Facebook features are accused of keeping users hooked and addicted. Regulators demand changes or face significant fines for the company. Meta rejects the allegations, citing improved teen protections and parental controls. The company will continue engaging constructively with European Union regulators.

The world's largest particle accelerator has powered down. CERN has switched off the Large Hadron Collider to begin Long Shutdown 3 (LS3), its biggest overhaul yet, swapping 1. 2km of magnets to build the High-Luminosity LHC. The upgraded collider will boost collisions tenfold when it restarts from 2028, fully operational by 2030. No black holes, no doomsday, just a very expensive maintenance window.

Indian refiners are well equipped from a product-quality standpoint to supply the gasoline grades required by Russia. However, Oil minister Hardeep Singh Puri has said that Indian companies are not directly selling gasoline to Russia.

New T20I captain Shreyas Iyer faces scrutiny after two series defeats. Former selector Saba Karim urges Iyer to assert his captaincy identity. Karim questioned batting order decisions, specifically Shivam Dube's placement at number five. He noted this differed from Iyer's IPL tactical approach. Leadership and communication are crucial for captains in pressure situations.

Haryana Police recently engaged in a fierce confrontation with the Deepak Nandal gang, during which four suspected shooters were killed and a kidnapped businessman was successfully rescued. Deepak Nandal, the gang's leader, operates from outside the country and is known for his involvement in extortion and contract killings across northern India. Authorities are intensifying efforts to unravel his international criminal connections.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the new Muse Spark 1.1 AI model on X. X's Head of Product Nikita Bier then offered Creator Monetization for his account. This exchange occurred on Elon Musk's platform after Zuckerberg's AI announcement. The Muse Spark 1.1 model is designed for coding and complex AI tasks. Developers can now access this powerful new AI through Meta's API.

A husband faces murder charges after his wife's death was initially reported as sudden. Raajitha Sabbineni's last message about a bitter smoothie became key evidence. Autopsy results revealed she died from strangulation, contradicting the initial account. Investigators uncovered evidence of the husband's alleged affair with another woman. He was arrested in Bellevue, Washington, four months after their wedding.

India's Operation Sindoor demonstrated precision strikes against terror targets deep inside Pakistan. The Pinaka rocket system has evolved to hit targets up to 120 kilometers away. New variants like the Long Range Guided Rocket enhance India's strike capabilities significantly. Suryastra is envisioned as a next-generation system to rival missile accuracy. These developments signify India's shift towards non-contact warfare and enhanced deterrence.

The Indian Air Force secured third place globally in the 2026 WDMMA rankings. This ranking places India's air power ahead of China's People's Liberation Army Air Force. The World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft uses a proprietary True Value Rating system. This system evaluates air forces based on fleet size and composition. India's air force is undergoing modernization and procurement programs to enhance capabilities.

Delhi's air quality reached the 'good' category for the first time in nearly three years. Continuous monsoon rains washed pollutants away, lowering the Air Quality Index significantly. This event highlights how quickly weather can cleanse the city's atmosphere. However, maintaining this improvement remains a significant environmental challenge for Delhi. Experts emphasize that year-round emission reduction policies are crucial for sustained clean air.

Melinda French Gates received the Josef Korbel Award for her philanthropic work. She stressed that empowering women builds stronger families and nations. French Gates highlighted the importance of centering women in philanthropic efforts. Her organization Pivotal invests in entrepreneurs and advocates for paid leave. She urged students to contribute their skills to local communities.

A catastrophic wildfire ravaging southern Spain has sadly resulted in the loss of twelve lives, with numerous others suffering injuries due to the rapidly spreading flames. The extreme heat and arid conditions exacerbated the situation, hindering firefighting efforts. This event stands as one of the most tragic wildfires in Spain's recent history. Investigations into the cause of the fire are currently underway.

A consumer commission ordered a retailer to refund expired noodles and pay compensation. The minor daughter fell ill after consuming the product, which had passed its expiry date. The commission rejected the seller's 'buyer beware' defense, emphasizing seller responsibility. It ruled the retailer solely liable for failing to remove old stock. The family received a refund, compensation, and litigation costs.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi faced disappointment after his dismissal in the fourth T20I match. He scored low scores in his first three international matches. Jofra Archer troubled the young batter with short-pitched bowling. Sooryavanshi came with high expectations after a sensational IPL and U-19 World Cup. India trails England three-nil in the ongoing five-match series.