Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk rejected allegations of racism during an interview with The Economist, citing his personal and professional life. Musk said his partner, Shivon Zilis, is half-Indian and that one of their four children bears the middle name Sekhar, honouring Indian-American Nobel laureate Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar. He added that his companies employ senior executives “of all races” and insisted, “I’m not a racist.” Musk also admitted he “got carried away” while leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the Trump administration, saying he should have focused more on his companies. He also defended his immigration views and reiterated criticism of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey casting.

India's Olympic bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain has guaranteed the country's first boxing medal at the Commonwealth Games after receiving a direct entry into the women's 75kg semifinals. The 28-year-old said the unexpected bye removed the pressure of securing a podium finish, allowing her to focus solely on winning gold. Reflecting on her journey, Lovlina said she rebuilt confidence after the Paris Olympics through continuous competition, including the World Championships, and consistent training. She credited a successful training camp in Belfast and praised head coach Santiago Nieva for boosting her preparations. Lovlina is likely to face Australia's Emma-Sue Greentree in the final and believes confidence will be the key to victory. (PC: Reuters)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked young people for their “insightful” suggestions on his Instagram video through another reel as the government intensified its response to the nationwide agitation over alleged examination irregularities. The Union Cabinet approved a draft Bill proposing stricter punishments for paper leak cases, including tougher penalties for those involved in organised examination fraud. The development follows the Centre’s recent announcements on strengthening safeguards against paper leaks and reforming the examination system. Meanwhile, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) maintained that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation remains “non-negotiable”, arguing that legislative changes alone cannot address concerns over accountability amid the continuing nationwide protests demanding education reforms. (PC: PTI)

A Mozambique-flagged LPG tanker carrying 28 Indian crew members came under attack in Iranian territorial waters on Friday amid escalating Iran-US tensions. The Indian Embassy in Tehran confirmed the incident, identifying the vessel as DISHA, and said all 28 Indian nationals on board are safe. The embassy added that it is in close contact with Iranian authorities and is closely monitoring the situation. Officials have not disclosed the extent of damage to the tanker or identified those responsible for the attack. The incident has heightened concerns over the safety of commercial shipping in the region as hostilities between Iran and the United States continue to intensify. (PC: News18)

An Indian sailor was killed after a civilian ship carrying 10 crew members came under attack in the Black Sea, prompting strong condemnation from the Indian government. The incident was confirmed on Thursday, though authorities have not yet disclosed details about the vessel, the identity of the deceased, or who was responsible for the strike. The government denounced the attack on the civilian vessel and is monitoring the situation closely. The report remains a developing story, with further information expected as investigations continue. Officials are likely to coordinate with relevant authorities regarding the crew, the vessel and the circumstances surrounding the deadly attack in the conflict-hit Black Sea. (PC: Reuters)

The Supreme Court on Friday barred the recording, extraction, modification, dissemination, monetisation and circulation of live-streamed courtroom proceedings without prior permission from the concerned court authorities, citing growing misuse of judicial videos on social media. The interim order, passed by a three-judge Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant while hearing a PIL, also prohibits reposting and reviewing such recordings across digital platforms without approval from the Registrar or Secretary General of the Supreme Court or the Registrar General of High Courts. The court clarified that the restriction will not affect legitimate news reporting and is aimed solely at preventing unauthorised use of judicial proceedings online. (PC: The Indian Express)

India on Friday strongly objected to China's continued activities in parts of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, saying Beijing is undertaking projects on Indian territory under its illegal occupation. Responding to media queries, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said China has remained in illegal occupation of Indian territory in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh since 1963, and India has consistently conveyed its objections. He reiterated that India respects China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, but Beijing has not reciprocated. The remarks followed External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's statement that India, not China, has legitimate sovereignty concerns. New Delhi also reiterated its opposition to Chinese projects in Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced stricter measures to curb examination paper leaks, with key decisions approved at Friday’s Union Cabinet meeting amid nationwide protests over the alleged NEET-UG leak. The National Testing Agency (NTA) dismissed 47 officials as part of a major organisational overhaul, with more corrective action and legal proceedings against some officials expected. The Cabinet also cleared a draft Bill to amend the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, proposing tougher penalties, including up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a maximum ₹10 crore fine for organised paper leak rackets. The reforms aim to strengthen examination integrity while ensuring candidates are not penalised under the law for unfair practices. (PC: PTI)

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said he was "misquoted" over remarks suggesting the Supreme Court did not have time to watch videos related to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest controversy. Speaking on the sidelines of the UNCITRAL conference, the CJI clarified that the Supreme Court is open to every citizen and never refuses to hear any matter, while emphasising that due judicial procedure must be followed. Addressing the controversy surrounding his earlier comments, he reiterated the judiciary's commitment to accessibility and fairness. The clarification comes amid political debate and criticism linked to the student protests and the police crackdown following the July 20 demonstrations. (PC: India Today)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Union ministers to strengthen their Instagram presence and use reels and interactive content to engage more effectively with India's youth during a Cabinet meeting. According to CNN-News18 sources, the Prime Minister asked ministers how many actively used Instagram and emphasised that young citizens increasingly consume information on the platform. Hours earlier, Modi himself posted a short-form Instagram reel in a conversational style, signalling the government's focus on digital-first communication. The push comes as the Gen Z-led Jantar Mantar protests over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak have gained massive traction through viral reels, videos and live updates, making social media a central space for public engagement. (PC: Reuters)