American tourist Mike, an international filmmaker, praised India’s healthcare system after receiving free treatment at a rural government hospital in Odisha. On his fifth day in India, Mike fell ill after overeating local food and said he was vomiting every 15 minutes for around 12 hours. Doctors treated him with IV fluids, anti-nausea medication and injections. Mike clarified he did not believe it was food poisoning, blaming overindulgence instead. He said similar treatment in the US could cost thousands of dollars, but the Odisha hospital charged him nothing. His humorous Instagram video drew praise online, with users highlighting free healthcare, offering recovery wishes and suggesting ways to adjust to Indian food. 

US President Donald Trump threatened military action against Oman after Iran announced an agreement with Muscat on a plan for ships to transit the Strait of Hormuz. Trump told Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst that if Oman interfered with Washington’s efforts against Iran, the US would “bomb the s**t out of them.” The warning came as a 60-day memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran expired without a comprehensive agreement to end the conflict. Trump said he was not in a rush to reach a deal and reiterated that the US naval blockade was increasing economic pressure on Tehran. The threat puts Oman in a difficult position as it balances mediation efforts with Washington and talks with Tehran. (PC: Reuters)

Meta is facing a major US trial over allegations that Instagram and Facebook harmed young users and violated child privacy laws. A lawsuit by 30 states seeks potentially more than $1 trillion and demands major changes to the platforms. The states want parental verification for teenage users, limits on recommendation algorithms, fewer appearance-changing filters, an end to autoplay and infinite scroll, and restrictions on multiple accounts and disappearing posts. Meta denies the allegations and says it is committed to supporting young people. The case, before Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, could force Meta to significantly change how teenagers use its platforms. (PC: BBC)

The BJP has announced a new 64-member team of national office bearers, combining political experience with organisational strength and social diversity as the party prepares for the 2029 Lok Sabha election. The team includes 3 former chief ministers—Vasundhara Raje, Tirath Singh Rawat and Biplab Kumar Deb—and 18 sitting MPs from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Ten women leaders have also been appointed. More than 40% of the members come from deprived communities, while leaders from 23 states and Union Territories are represented. The team also includes tribal, SC and minority representatives, along with doctors, professors, lawyers, engineers and other professionals.  

India has signed a Rs 1,943-crore contract with US defence company General Atomics to lease 2 MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones for the Indian Navy for 30 months. The high-altitude, long-endurance drones can remain airborne for more than 30 hours and operate above 40,000 feet. Equipped with advanced sensors and an anti-submarine warfare kit, they will strengthen India’s maritime surveillance and intelligence capabilities across the Indian Ocean Region. The lease comes after India signed a $3-billion deal to acquire 31 MQ-9B drones for the 3 services. The Navy will receive 15 SeaGuardians, while the Army and Air Force will get 8 each. (PC: NDTV)

Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi has ordered a major overhaul of the National Testing Agency (NTA) following recent issues linked to UGC NET. More than 50 NTA staff members have been removed as part of the restructuring. The ministry said 10 specialised leadership posts are also being filled, including Chief Technology Officer, Chief Information Security Officer and General Manager for Test Security. Private-sector experts in cybersecurity, psychometrics and question-paper design will join the reforms. Joshi has also ordered tighter confidential operations, including air-gapped systems and stricter device rules. The NTA must audit all examination processes and submit a corrective-action report. (PC: India Today)

Tyson, a German Shepherd assault dog of the Indian Army’s 2 Para Special Forces, has been honoured for his exceptional courage during a counter-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir. During Operation Trashi-I in the Chatroo area of Kishtwar on February 22, Tyson moved ahead of the troops and detected a terrorist hiding in a suspected hideout. He charged at the terrorist, who opened fire and hit Tyson in the leg. Despite being wounded, Tyson continued the assault, helping troops confirm the terrorists’ position. Security forces subsequently engaged and neutralised 3 Pakistan-sponsored terrorists. Tyson was airlifted to Command Hospital, Udhampur, and later recovered. He was among 89 recipients of Mention-in-Despatches announced by President Droupadi Murmu ahead of Independence Day 2026. (PC: X)

US President Donald Trump has threatened military action against Oman if it interferes with Washington’s blockade of Iranian ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking to Fox News journalist Trey Yingst, Trump said, “If Oman gets in the way, we’ll bomb the shit out of them.” He also called on Iran to “put up the white flag of surrender” and said he was not in a hurry to end the conflict. The comments came as Oman and Iran discussed a plan to reopen the key shipping route. Iran said the sides had reached an understanding on a transit route through the strait. (PC: X)

Ravindra Jadeja reached a major milestone on Day 3 of the 1st Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, completing 350 Test wickets. He became only the 5th Indian to reach the landmark after Anil Kumble, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kapil Dev and Harbhajan Singh. Jadeja also joined Kapil Dev in the elite club of Indian players with more than 4,000 Test runs and 350 wickets. His 350th wicket came when Sri Lanka’s Keshara Nuwantha was caught by Shubman Gill for 2 runs. Jadeja now has 4,095 Test runs and 350 wickets, further strengthening his place among India’s greatest all-rounders. (PC: India Today)

The Supreme Court on Monday questioned the CBI and Enforcement Directorate over allegations of disproportionate assets against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Justice Joymalya Bagchi asked the agencies, “If it is so serious, why has your agency kept quiet?” The court directed the Allahabad High Court to defer its August 20 hearing until the Supreme Court considers Gandhi’s challenge. It also ordered the CBI and ED not to submit any probe report to any authority in the meantime. Gandhi is challenging an Allahabad High Court order directing the agencies to verify the allegations. His lawyer Kapil Sibal called the proceedings a “witch-hunt” and questioned the petitioner’s legal standing. (PC: NDTV)