India opened its medal account at the 2026 Commonwealth Games after Jhandu Kumar won bronze in the men's heavyweight para powerlifting event in Glasgow. The medal was confirmed after Nigeria's Riluwan Idris failed to lift 212kg on his final attempt. Jhandu finished with 130.9 points to secure third place. Idris won gold, while England's Matthew Harding took silver. Fellow Indian Sudhir finished sixth with 114.1 points. Jhandu, who is from Bihar, switched from para athletics to powerlifting and has enjoyed strong success in recent years. His bronze gives India its first medal of the Games. (PC: AP, Getty Images)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked Union ministers to become more active on Instagram and connect with young people through reels and interactive content. During a Cabinet meeting, he asked ministers how many of them use Instagram and stressed the platform's importance. “Youth are on Instagram. They are the citizens we need to continuously engage with,” Modi reportedly said. Hours earlier, the Prime Minister posted a reel on his own Instagram account. The move comes as the Gen Z-led Jantar Mantar protests over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak continue to gain attention on social media platforms.

More than 220,000 people have been evacuated as massive wildfires continue to spread across France and Spain. Around 200,000 people were moved from south-west France, while thousands left their homes near Madrid. Spain has declared a national emergency as firefighters struggle to control the flames. “The wildfire is at its peak and is currently beyond the capacity of firefighters to contain,” Madrid emergency chief Carlos Novillo said. French President Emmanuel Macron has deployed the military to help. Strong winds, high temperatures and dry weather have worsened the fires. Authorities have urged people to follow safety instructions. (PC: EPA, Getty Images)

1 Indian sailor was killed after the commercial ship MV OMORFI came under attack in the Black Sea on July 18, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. 2 other Indian crew members on board are safe. The ship had 10 crew members, including three Indians. The MEA said the Indian Embassy in Moscow is helping the family of the deceased. "India unequivocally condemns such attacks targeting commercial shipping," the ministry said. It also expressed concern over growing threats to global shipping and urged all sides to ensure the safety of civilian vessels and uninterrupted international trade.

CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said public anger over the NEET controversy is growing across the country. He warned that demands for accountability may soon go beyond Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. “Very soon this might not even be limited to Mr Pradhan,” Ranka said in an interview with India Today. He said protesters also want compensation for affected families and withdrawal of cases against demonstrators. Ranka claimed the government agreed in principle to some demands but said Pradhan’s resignation remains non-negotiable. He also questioned why the government took nearly two months to respond to the paper leak issue. (PC: PTI)

Activist Sonam Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali Angmo, has appealed to people not to criticise him for ending his 26-day hunger strike. She said Wangchuk is in the ICU after losing 11 kg and deserves compassion. In a post on X, she wrote, "He lies in the ICU today... The least we can offer him is a day of compassion." Wangchuk ended his fast after receiving written assurances from the government and Opposition leaders that the exam issue would be discussed in Parliament. He said he took the decision to avoid possible violence. The CJP protest will continue, protest leaders said.

The US-Iran conflict entered its 13th consecutive night of fighting, with Washington continuing airstrikes across Iran and Tehran launching fresh missile and drone attacks targeting Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan. Amid escalating tensions, US President Donald Trump claimed China and Russia would not sell weapons to Iran and warned that future damage to ships or cargo would be compensated using Iranian funds under US control. Trump also said he was considering a "massive attack" on Iran, claiming Tehran had "not received enough pain yet" despite remaining interested in negotiations. Separately, eight countries condemned the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, while fresh explosions were reported on Iran's Qeshm Island amid regional tensions. (PC: Times Now)

Activist Sonam Wangchuk strongly rejected allegations that he struck a "deal" with the Centre to end his 26-day indefinite hunger strike over the NEET-UG paper leak and examination irregularities. In a video message, Wangchuk said he was disappointed by claims questioning his integrity, asking whether he still needed to "prove" his sincerity after fasting for nearly a month. He urged critics not to view his decision through political speculation. Earlier, his wife Gitanjali Angmo appealed to people not to judge him, revealing that Wangchuk is recovering in the ICU after losing 11 kg during the fast. Wangchuk ended his hunger strike at Medanta Hospital after weeks of negotiations.

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)