Times of India

Jeff Bezos commented on New York City's proposed pied-à-terre tax. He suggested that aggressive tax increases could negatively impact tourism and competitiveness. Bezos also criticized targeting individuals, calling it a villain strategy. He argued that government spending inefficiencies are a greater concern than taxation. Bezos previously criticized the city's public school spending and economic policies.

Henry Kissinger once urged Bobby Fischer to face the Soviets. It was a small island, not his homeland, that gave him a resting place. In the second column of The Grandmaster View, India's 93rd Grandmaster Aarav Dengla traces Fischer's journey from Cold War hero to exiled genius. his revolutionary impact on chess, the tragedy of his later years, and why the country that embraced him in death offered the sense of belonging that his own homeland ultimately could not.

The mother of a Noida teenager thanked Prime Minister Modi for forgiving her daughter's protest remarks. She stated the Prime Minister's forgiveness was a birthday gift and a new lease of life. The mother appealed for the withdrawal of the FIR, claiming her daughter's age was incorrectly stated. She requested stricter social media controls for minors and their exclusion from protests.

The highly anticipated Ramayana film has disclosed its star cast remuneration details. Ranbir Kapoor is set to earn an impressive Rs 150 crore for his dual role, while Yash will take home Rs 100 crore for both his performance and co-production role. Other notable stars like Sai Pallavi and Sunny Deol are also receiving significant compensation, and Vivek Oberoi has generously waived his fee for this epic project.

Indian badminton player Tanvi Sharma secured her first BWF World Tour title. She defeated Vietnam's Thuy Linh Nguyen in the Taipei Open final. The 17-year-old achieved this victory in just 36 minutes. Tanvi became the youngest finalist in Taipei Open history. This win marks a significant milestone for the young Indian athlete.

Homeowners in New York City received alerts about the implementation of a new pied-à-terre tax. This tax requires individuals to demonstrate that their properties serve as primary residences to sidestep the added charge. It specifically affects high-value homes not utilized as the owner's primary dwelling. In response, many homeowners are gathering necessary documentation and engaging experts to help with the exemption application process.

India's warm-up match against a Sri Lanka XI has been shortened. The practice game will now be played from August 7 to August 9. This fixture will take place at the NCC Ground in Colombo. The two-Test series against Sri Lanka begins on August 15. This series is part of the ongoing World Test Championship cycle.

Joe Root expressed enthusiasm for leading England's Test team again. He cited incoming coach Stephen Fleming as a key reason for his excitement. Fleming's vision has Root looking forward to the team's future prospects. Root also acknowledged the positive impact of Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes. England's next assignment is a home series against Pakistan in August.

Thousands of firefighters battled multiple wildfires across Washington state on Saturday. Governor Bob Ferguson declared a statewide emergency and imposed a burn ban. The fast-moving Old Trails Fire in Spokane threatened thousands of structures and forced evacuations. Power utility Avista implemented safety shutoffs, leaving many customers without electricity. Officials confirmed some structures were destroyed as the extent of damage was assessed.

A Gurugram man was found hanging after his wife sought a divorce. His seven-year-old son reportedly recorded a video of the incident. The deceased's sister alleges foul play and disputes the suicide claim. Police have detained the wife and are investigating the circumstances thoroughly. The post-mortem report is awaited to determine the exact cause of death.

Bitquery's former CEO, Dean Karakitsos, faces accusations of stealing over five million dollars. He allegedly transferred company funds to personal accounts and associates over several years. Karakitsos also misled investors about the company's financial standing and its cash reserves. Days before his October 2025 resignation, he deleted nearly two hundred financial records. The company is now seeking the return of misappropriated funds and additional damages.

Aaron Rodgers has emerged as the leading name in CBS’s search for a possible Tony Romo successor amid growing uncertainty around the network’s top NFL booth. This report explains how the Steelers quarterback entered the broadcasting conversation, what Awful Announcing reported, and why his television future remains far from certain despite public speculation linking him to a major analyst role.

Friendship Day 2026 offers a chance to appreciate loved ones. The article provides numerous messages for different friendship dynamics. These include wishes for best friends and those living far away. Funny and heartfelt messages are also included for various relationships. The article emphasizes that simple gestures often convey deep appreciation.

Railway Board committees recommended premature retirement for five Group A officers. This action targets corruption, lack of integrity, and inefficiency within the service. Two senior administrative grade officers and three junior administrative grade officers were affected. These decisions were made under the Indian Railway Establishment Code provisions. Previously, thirty-two officers were retired in 2022 for similar reasons.

The CBI has filed a cheating case against Reliance Capital and Anil Ambani. This action stems from an alleged Rs 1,816 crore loss to the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation. EPFO invested Rs 2,500 crore in Reliance Capital’s debentures which later defaulted. While the issue was settled earlier, ED findings prompted a new fraud case. Anil Ambani denies any wrongdoing in this matter.

Arvind Kejriwal announced a march to the Prime Minister's residence on Tuesday. He demanded consumers have a choice between pure petrol and E20 fuel. Kejriwal also called for E20 fuel to be priced lower than pure petrol. He challenged the government to release scientific studies supporting the E20 fuel policy. The AAP leader advised consumers to consider electric vehicles for future transportation needs.

India faces a risk of below-normal monsoon rainfall due to El Niño. A positive Indian Ocean Dipole may offer some relief to the country. This oceanic pattern could improve rainfall conditions in southern India. It might prevent the monsoon from slipping into a deficient phase. International forecasts suggest a positive IOD could develop soon.

Mithun Swain's heart traveled on a Vande Bharat train after his family donated his organs. This journey marked India's first organ transport via the express train. His heart reached Ahmedabad for a life-saving transplant operation. The railways and Gujarat government coordinated this vital organ delivery. This act provided a second chance for four individuals.