Sex crime convictions of Indian nationals in the United Kingdom rose by 257% between 2021 and 2024, according to data analysed by the Centre for Migration Control (CMC). Convictions increased from 28 in 2021 to 100 in 2024, the sharpest rise among foreign nationals. Overall, foreign nationals saw a 62% rise in sex crime convictions during this period. Nigerians, Iraqis, Sudanese, and Afghans also recorded major increases. The report also noted Indian nationals ranked third for serious crime convictions, which more than doubled. UK authorities have introduced new rules to speed up deportations of convicted foreign criminals. (PC: Times Now)

Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa qualified for the Grand Chess Tour finale after finishing runner-up at the Sinquefield Cup. American Grandmaster Wesley So won the title by defeating him in the playoff. So first beat Nodirbek Abdusattorov in the final round to tie with Praggnanandhaa and Fabiano Caruana at 5.5 points. In the playoff, Praggnanandhaa beat Caruana but lost to So, who then held Caruana to a draw to secure the trophy. Caruana finished third. With Maxime Vachier-Lagrave leading the standings, Levon Aronian also qualified for the finale. The Grand Tour will now move to Uzbekistan for the Grand Swiss. (PC: X)

India’s solar manufacturing capacity has surged 50-fold over the past decade, producing enough panels to generate 100 gigawatts of electricity. The government aims to position India as a global clean-energy hub. However, a 50% tariff imposed by the Trump administration now threatens exports to the U.S., India’s largest market. Compounding challenges, India remains heavily reliant on Chinese imports for solar cells and silicon wafers. To counter this, New Delhi is promoting energy self-sufficiency through incentives and mandates for local sourcing, especially for rooftop solar installations across 27 million households. Despite progress, China still dominates over 80% of global solar manufacturing, raising concerns about India’s competitiveness in the renewable energy race. (PC: Ember & LinkedIn)

Sunny Varkey, Indian-born chairman of Dubai-based GEMS Education, reignited the work-life balance debate by claiming success demands the ability to work 24/7. In a podcast with Anas Bukhash, Varkey shared his journey from modest beginnings to leading one of the world’s largest private education groups. He emphasized that his achievements stem from relentless discipline and hard work, not luck. While acknowledging the value of balance, he insisted extraordinary commitment is essential. His remarks sparked online backlash, with critics arguing that glorifying nonstop work undermines mental health and ignores privilege. Supporters praised his honesty, but many questioned whether such a lifestyle should be idealized in today’s workforce. (PC: GEMS Legacy School)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to China for the first time in 7 years to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1. Officials said Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping may hold bilateral talks during the visit. The meeting, if confirmed, will focus on trade, border issues, and regional security. India and China have faced strained ties in recent years, especially after border clashes in Ladakh. The SCO summit will also see leaders from Russia, Pakistan, and Central Asian nations. This visit is seen as an important diplomatic step. (PC: News18)

Ahead of Asia Cup 2025, Virender Sehwag named Jasprit Bumrah, Abhishek Sharma, and Varun Chakaravarthy as India’s key game-changers excluding popular picks like Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, and Sanju Samson. Sehwag praised Bumrah’s lethal pace and past World Cup heroics, Abhishek’s explosive strike rate of 193.84 with two centuries in 17 T20Is, and Varun’s mystery spin that rattled batters during India’s Champions Trophy win. India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, will face UAE, Pakistan, and Oman in Group A, starting September 10 in the UAE. Sehwag believes these three players can single-handedly turn matches, making them vital to India’s title hopes. (PC: News 18 & The Telegraph)

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has called the H-1B visa system a “total scam”, claiming it mostly benefits Indians. Speaking to Fox News, he argued that US companies misuse the program to replace American workers with cheaper foreign labor. DeSantis said many firms lay off Americans while renewing H-1B visas, calling it “indentured servitude” that Indians exploit. He urged immigration policies that prioritize US citizens, stressing, “Why import workers when we have our own?” His remarks follow US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s announcement of a new “gold card” system, offering residency to foreigners investing $5 million in America. (PC: HT)

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will visit Beijing next week to attend a major military parade with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The event marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and will host 26 foreign leaders, though none from the US or Western Europe. It will be Kim’s first visit to China in six years. Beijing said it “warmly welcomes” Kim and stressed the importance of China-North Korea ties. Putin’s presence highlights growing unity between Moscow, Beijing, and Pyongyang as global tensions continue over Ukraine and international security challenges. (PC: Sky News)

The Greater Noida dowry death case has taken a new turn after doctors revealed Nikki Bhati’s dying statement. The 26-year-old said her burns came from a cylinder blast at her in-laws’ home, not from being set on fire. Nikki died last week with 80% burns while being shifted to Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital. Her sister Kanchan earlier alleged Nikki was set ablaze by her husband Vipin Bhati and his family over dowry. Police have arrested Vipin, his parents, and brother Rohit. Videos of Nikki being assaulted surfaced online, while police continue to investigate dowry harassment and family disputes. (PC: India Today)

A tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis left two students dead. The shooter, Robin Westman, 23, used a rifle, shotgun, and pistol, later dying from a self-inflicted wound. Disturbing messages like “Kill Donald Trump” and “Nuke India” were scrawled on weapons, as revealed in now-deleted YouTube videos. Westman, who legally purchased the firearms and had no criminal history, identified as female since 2020. Videos showed weapon caches, journals in Cyrillic, and a letter to family. Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the video’s authenticity, calling the violence “unthinkable.” President Trump ordered flags at half-staff. This marks the 146th school shooting in the U.S. this year.(PC: Hindustan Times & NDTV)