Times of India

The rupee hit a record low of 92.00 against the US dollar on Thursday morning due to sustained greenback demand and a cautious global market. Heightened geopolitical tensions and rising crude oil prices, exacerbated by US warnings to Iran, are pressuring emerging market currencies. Domestic equities also opened lower, reflecting investor caution.

Calling for a long-term, consistent and comprehensive strategic partnership, UK PM Keir Starmer said engagement with Dragon is firmly in Britain’s national interest, even as differences remain. ​​Starmer is the first British prime minister to visit China in eight years and is accompanied by a 60-member delegation of business and cultural leaders.

Gold and silver price prediction: Gold and silver prices are moving to newer highs, and the bullish momentum is likely to continue in the coming sessions as well, says Abhilash Koikkara, Head - Forex & Commodities, Nuvama Professional Clients Group. He shares his views on gold and silver:

Silver and gold have surged to record highs on the Multi Commodity Exchange. Investors are flocking to these safe-haven assets due to ongoing geopolitical tensions. The US Federal Reserve's decision to hold interest rates steady also supports precious metals. International markets are seeing similar gains. Experts anticipate continued volatility driven by global events and economic data.

The Delhi High Court has dismissed a petition filed by IRS officer Sameer Wankhede. Wankhede had sought to remove scenes from the web series 'The Ba***ds of Bollywood'. He alleged defamation through his portrayal in the show. The court's decision means the series can continue without changes. The series marks Aryan Khan's directorial debut.

Dismissing a batch of appeals filed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and its concessionaire, a Constitution Bench led by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai, along with Justice K. Vinod Chandran and Justice N.V. Anjaria, upheld the Kerala High Court’s decision to suspend toll collection for four weeks on a congested stretch of National Highway between Ernakulam and Mannuthy.

Multiple Delhi schools received bomb threat emails early Thursday, prompting immediate police action and extensive security sweeps. The threats, which also mentioned Chandigarh institutions, led to the deployment of K9 units and bomb disposal squads. Investigations are ongoing to identify the sender of the emails.

An Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) executive member, accused of sexual harassment and out on bail, has travelled to Jordan for World Cup qualifiers as manager-cum-coach. The International Tent Pegging Federation (ITPF) has written to EFI seeking an explanation for his inclusion, following a parent's safety concerns for junior riders.

Eleven members of the powerful Ming family, involved in large-scale scam centers and gambling operations in Myanmar, have been executed in China. Sentenced for crimes including homicide and fraud, their downfall signifies a major outcome of China's crackdown on cross-border criminal networks. The family's operations generated billions and led to the deaths of Chinese citizens.

Singer-rapper Nicki Minaj publicly endorsed Donald Trump, appearing in a TikTok video with him and praising his leadership. She also shared an image of Trump's "Gold Card," a policy aimed at fast-tracking residency for wealthy individuals and those on work visas. Minaj expressed strong support, calling herself his "No 1 fan" and vowing to counter perceived "smear campaigns."

Shivam Dube showcased a significant T20 evolution with a blistering 65 off 23 balls against New Zealand. He attributed his enhanced performance to consistent opportunities, a sharper mindset, and increased comfort against pace. Dube emphasized his growth through experience, aiming to be a smarter player with each match, focusing on dominating rather than milestones.

A six-year-old boy drowned at a Delhi swimming pool on June 13, 2025, due to alleged negligence and lack of basic safety measures. Six months later, his grieving family seeks justice, having moved the Delhi High Court after police filed a case against the pool owner and manager.

President Trump is reportedly considering significant new strikes against Iran following stalled nuclear talks and the violent suppression of recent protests. Options discussed include targeting Iranian commanders and institutions responsible for the crackdown, aiming to embolden demonstrators and weaken the government. The US has also moved a carrier strike group closer to the region.

Protests erupted across Uttar Pradesh for the second day against new UGC regulations mandating equity committees in higher education. Students and lawyers voiced concerns that the rules, requiring OBC, SC, and ST members, are divisive and could be misused. Demonstrators demanded an immediate rollback, fearing the regulations would create campus divisions and unfairly target general category students.

Amazon has begun mass layoffs impacting 16,000 corporate employees, with internal communications revealing AWS and retail divisions bearing the brunt. Teams involved in AI cloud services, data warehousing, and Prime subscriptions are among those affected. This move aligns with CEO Andy Jassy's vision of operating like a "world's largest startup," emphasizing speed and ownership.

Indian equity benchmarks Nifty50 and BSE Sensex opened lower on Thursday amid weak global cues. Despite a subdued Wall Street performance and unchanged US Federal Reserve interest rates, gold continued its record-setting run. Foreign portfolio investors were net buyers, with domestic institutional investors providing stronger support.

Vidip Jadhav, a personal security officer to Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, tragically died in an air crash alongside the politician. A 2009-batch police constable, Jadhav was known for his close association with Pawar and his calm, warm demeanor in his Vitawa neighborhood. He is survived by his parents and two children.

Commerce minister Piyush Goyal fiercely defended the India-EU free trade agreement, calling it a landmark win-win deal. He dismissed Congress leader Jairam Ramesh's criticisms as politically motivated and disconnected from economic realities, highlighting the pact's potential for growth and employment. Goyal emphasized proactive engagement on sensitive issues like CBAM and intellectual property.

Sanju Samson's batting woes persisted in the New Zealand T20Is, drawing sharp criticism from Sunil Gavaskar. The former captain highlighted Samson's lack of footwork against spin, a recurring technical issue. With scores of 10, 6, 0, and now 24, Samson faces mounting pressure to secure his spot ahead of the T20 World Cup.

First Lady Melania Trump shared her mixed feelings about her husband's signature "YMCA" dance, stating it's enjoyable at times but "not appropriate" on other days. She acknowledged its popularity and the happiness it brings, while also revealing she has performed her own version of the dance.