Times of India

Betty Bromage, aged ninety-seven, has once again become the world's oldest female wing walker. She achieved this remarkable feat in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom on August fourth, 2026. This accomplishment came just a year after she suffered a stroke, proving age is no barrier. Bromage undertook the thrilling adventure to raise funds for the hospital that cared for her. Her actions highlight a growing trend of seniors embracing adventurous travel experiences.

FIFA has come out in staunch defense of president Gianni Infantino, rebutting fresh allegations and widespread criticism. The organisation has accused unnamed detractors of orchestrating a campaign aimed at destabilising its leadership. While UEFA acknowledged a severance payment to a former employee associated with Infantino, he continues to enjoy robust support from various continental federations despite European discontent.

A significant shipping route agreement is nearing completion between Iran and Oman, which is essential for reviving the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Iran insists on receiving US compensation and an end to hostilities as part of the deal. Meanwhile, the UAE has noted that another ship has been attacked in the strait, highlighting that normal oil trade can only commence once these larger issues are resolved.

Thalapathy Vijay's latest venture, 'Jana Nayagan,' has experienced a remarkable surge at the box office, raking in Rs 2.35 crore in India on its seventeenth day. This impressive figure marks a notable improvement from the previous day's revenue. Notably, the Tamil version has been pivotal in driving the movie's domestic success. Overall, the film has surpassed Rs 312 crore globally, showcasing its widespread appeal.

Former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan acknowledged the immense potential of Gen Z, stating that grasping their hopes and dreams is essential for national advancement. He noted that the eagerness of young people surpasses any governmental duties, a point he shared with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who subsequently reached out to the youth. Pradhan maintained that prioritizing the nation's welfare is of utmost importance.

The Trump administration is ramping up its efforts to persuade Harry Sargeant III to withdraw from Venezuela. In a significant move, the Treasury Department has frozen the assets of his offshore company connected to oil operations. This halt enables Sargeant to divest from the Venezuelan entity effectively, a role he previously held as a crucial facilitator between Washington and Caracas, while ensuring compliance with US foreign policy.

Bangladesh has openly criticized India for allegedly exploiting the Hasina card, which presents a challenge to India's aims of fostering amicable relations with Bangladesh. The home minister emphasized the importance of mutual respect and sovereignty between nations, expressing concerns that Hasina may be colluding with external forces against the current government. India's frequent gestures toward Hasina are deemed unwelcome by some, complicating neighborly ties.

The United States has firmly rejected China's maneuvers at Scarborough Reef, asserting that Beijing's environmental assertions are hindering Filipino fishermen from accessing their traditional fishing grounds. As a staunch ally in the Indo-Pacific, Washington stands in solidarity with the Philippines, highlighting China's contentious approach of using legal claims to assert maritime rights. This reaffirmation underscores US commitment to its allied nation's interests amidst complex maritime disputes.

Ravindra Jadeja entertained teammates by mimicking Kuldeep Yadav’s bowling action, leaving Gautam Gambhir laughing during India’s Colombo warm-up match. Devdutt Padikkal impressed with an unbeaten 142, boosting his chances for the opening Test. Jadeja scored 63 and Manav Suthar added 41 as India reached 357/6. Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel disappointed, managing just two and one respectively.

India successfully tested its Agni-4 medium-range ballistic missile last Thursday. This missile bridges a critical gap in India's strategic deterrence capabilities. The Agni-4 missile can carry nuclear and conventional payloads with a 4,000 km range. It features an advanced heat shield and a precise guidance system for accuracy. This successful test reaffirms India's commitment to national defense technologies.

The rollout of EPFO's new IT system has resulted in a substantial backlog of claim issues. Field officials are grappling with an increasing number of pending auto claims, which have lingered for over twenty days and are causing significant discomfort to members. EPFO admits that this surge in pendency is a short-term effect of the system transition, although it was executed with minimal disruption to services.

In a daring move, the Indian Navy successfully thwarted a pirate assault on the Golden Arsenal in the perilous Gulf of Aden. The ship’s crew effectively sought refuge within an impregnable citadel that the invaders could not penetrate. Currently, four vessels remain under the control of Somali pirates, with Indian nationals on three of them.

On Saturday, VP JD Vance engaged in a conversation with PM Narendra Modi, reiterating both nations' dedication to strengthen partnerships in vital sectors such as trade, defense, and upcoming technologies. They shared insights on international matters of shared concern, coinciding with the US Senate's approval of a bill focused on Russian oil transactions.

The law ministry notified thirty new judges for four high courts on Saturday. Madras High Court received fifteen appointments, while Calcutta got eight and Karnataka six. Judicial officers and advocates were elevated to the benches, with most appointed as additional judges. Over sixty lakh cases are pending across India's twenty-five high courts. The law minister cited collegium delays for the significant number of vacancies.

During a turbulent flight from Phuket to Delhi, the captain of an Air India aircraft reportedly tested positive for psychoactive substances. The turbulence caused a significant scare, resulting in hospitalization for thirteen passengers and four crew members. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation is conducting a detailed investigation, and the flight crew has been suspended from flying duties as per standard procedures.

Stephen Curry and Ayesha Curry's foundation Eat. Learn. Play has marked a major $100 milion investment after helping changing lives for close to a decade.

The government has pledged that the upcoming UPI merchant discount rate will be minimal. This fee will be applicable only to certain merchants and transactions that surpass a designated threshold. Importantly, person-to-person UPI payments will remain free for all users. This initiative is designed to enhance the sustainability of India’s digital payment ecosystem and facilitate service expansion into rural and semi-urban regions.

India's education funding aligns with GDP standards but falls short of public spending goals. Completion rates for secondary schools lag behind national and UNESCO guidelines. This funding pattern emerges as countries shift focus from education financial targets. India's extensive education initiatives benefit millions of students, yet the sector continues to grapple with persistent challenges despite increased program deployment.