National News

On Monday, Jammu and Kashmir seamer Auqib Nabi replaced injured Jasprit Bumrah in the India squad for the upcoming two-match Test tour of Sri Lanka. With his maiden call-up to the senior national team, he became the first player from the valley to get selected in India's Test squad. The J&K seamer's rise is driven by a simple philosophy: if you want to play for India, excuses are not an option.

Indian cities face constant road digging due to uncoordinated utility projects. This repeated excavation wastes fuel and causes significant traffic congestion for commuters. Many agencies work separately, leading to roads being dug up multiple times. Integrated planning and digital mapping are needed to manage infrastructure better. Smarter governance is essential as India's urban population continues to grow.

Yanbu has become a critical export hub for Saudi Arabia after the Iran war disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. To maintain crude exports, the kingdom has been transporting millions of barrels of oil each day via pipeline to the Red Sea port.

Abhijeet Dipke stated protests in Bangladesh and Nepal are being used to defame his group. Taslima Nasreen had drawn parallels between CJP protests and a past Bangladeshi student movement. The CJP founder asserted that their protests are fundamentally different from those abroad. In a separate development, the CJP extended support to students protesting examination irregularities. A student leader in Jharkhand began an indefinite hunger strike demanding an investigation.

Southwest monsoon has caused widespread devastation across Assam, Gujarat, and Kerala. Assam reported the highest death toll, with 82 people dead and nearly 1.78 lakh affected. Gujarat faced severe flooding after heavy rainfall, recording 35 rain-related deaths. Kerala battled rain-induced landslides and flash floods, leaving 15 people dead. Relief operations are ongoing in all affected states.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg says AI has “net created a lot of jobs” thanks to the massive infrastructure buildout, dismissing fears of AI job losses. His remarks come months after Meta laid off 8,000 employees—10% of its workforce—in an AI-first restructuring, while committing $130-145 billion to AI spending in 2026. Meta’s Q2 free cash flow crashed 91% as shares fell 10%, even as revenue jumped 28% to $60.8 billion.

A consumer commission ordered Cordlife Sciences India to pay over Rs 2.16 lakh. The company discarded a newborn's cord blood sample due to delayed payment. The commission found the company acted unfairly and engaged in unfair trade practices. It noted the couple never refused payment and were not given a chance to pay. The company was directed to refund the initial payment and pay compensation and costs.

Lauren Sanchez's career evolved from a teenage waterpark job to ocean conservation leadership. She recently explored the Galápagos Islands, highlighting shark importance. The Bezos Earth Fund supports significant marine conservation projects in the region. These initiatives protect vast ocean areas and numerous marine species. Sanchez's work now focuses on protecting vital ocean ecosystems.

An Indian restaurant deleted its Instagram account after a map error was highlighted. Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain pointed out the missing Northeast region on napkins. The restaurant issued a public apology and promised to correct its logo immediately. Boxing Federation of India president confirmed the matter was resolved peacefully. The establishment has a history of hosting visiting sports teams and dignitaries.

A 40-year-old psychiatrist allegedly died by suicide in Ghaziabad. Dr Hemika Agrawal reportedly jumped from her fifth-floor apartment on Sunday. She was taken to a hospital where doctors declared her deceased. Agrawal had been struggling with depression and emotional distress after her divorce. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.

A German-Turkish research team has completed the first scientific survey of the glacier on Mount Ararat, Turkey's highest peak, to study its potential as a record of climate and human history. Scientists mapped the shrinking ice cap to identify the best site for drilling the mountain's first ice core, hoping it will reveal thousands of years of environmental and archaeological information before melting erases it.

Pakistan has deployed Chinese SH-15 artillery guns along its border with India. These 155mm guns, acquired in large numbers, are now operational. The Pakistani army also licensed production of these artillery pieces locally. India is modernizing its own artillery with new systems and domestic development. Both nations are enhancing their artillery capabilities for strategic advantage.

South Korea issued an emergency heat alert after Yangsan hit a record 42.5°C during an ongoing heatwave, prompting authorities to warn that even indoor spaces without airconditioning were dangerous.

A Delhi court has acquitted former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and assistant secretary Vinod Tomar. The acquittal came in a sexual harassment case filed by six women wrestlers. Delhi Police had filed a chargesheet against Singh under several IPC sections. The court had previously ordered framing of charges for sexual harassment and intimidation. Both accused were out on bail during the trial proceedings.

Tenants are advised to scrutinize their leases closely prior to departure. It's necessary to clear all outstanding payments and thoroughly inspect the premises for harm. A deep clean followed by proper documentation of the property's condition helps avoid misunderstandings. Ensuring a smooth transition during the final handoff with the landlord can significantly contribute to securing that much-coveted security deposit refund.

India's injury crisis shows no signs of easing. Jasprit Bumrah will miss both Sri Lanka Tests, joining Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar on the sidelines, while Sai Sudharsan awaits fitness clearance. With key players breaking down repeatedly, the BCCI is likely to part ways with head physiotherapist Kamlesh Jain and team doctor Dr Rizwan Khan.