The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of heavy to very heavy rain in Goa, Maharashtra, and Gujarat over the next few days. A fresh low-pressure area has formed over the Bay of Bengal near Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coasts, likely to turn into a depression soon. This system will bring widespread rain to the west coast and central India. Extremely heavy rain is expected in Konkan, including Mumbai, Goa, and parts of Gujarat until August 20. Telangana, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh will also see intense rainfall. IMD has asked people to remain alert to possible flooding risks. (PC: HT Photos)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met NDA’s Vice Presidential candidate CP Radhakrishnan in Delhi on Monday. Modi praised Radhakrishnan’s long career in public life and said his experience would strengthen the nation. The BJP-led alliance announced Radhakrishnan as its nominee after Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned in July due to health reasons. Radhakrishnan, a two-time MP from Coimbatore and former Governor of Jharkhand, has held several key roles in politics and governance. His nomination is also seen as a political move to strengthen the BJP’s presence in Tamil Nadu. The Vice Presidential election is expected soon. (PC: India Today)

Diana Pundole, India’s first female race car champion, is set to make her Middle East debut this September at the Ferrari Club Challenge. She will race across Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Dubai. Diana began her journey through go-karting before breaking barriers in a male-dominated sport. In 2023, she became the first Indian woman to win a mixed-gender race, followed by her national saloon car championship win in 2024. Ahead of her UAE debut, Diana said she is excited to compete on world-class tracks and inspire others to follow their passion without limits. (PC: MENAFN)

Former India pacer Karsan Ghavri has strongly criticised Jasprit Bumrah for his risky shot during the Lord’s Test, saying he “had no business” playing it. Bumrah, who supported Ravindra Jadeja with a 53-ball stay, threw his wicket away, hurting India’s chances in a close chase. Ghavri also slammed Yashasvi Jaiswal’s dismissal, calling it an “ugly shot.” However, he defended India captain Shubman Gill’s heated exchange with England’s Zak Crawley, saying such incidents happen in the “heat of the moment.” India eventually drew the five-Test series 2-2 after staging a strong comeback in the final matches. (PC: AFP)

Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has backed Army Chief Asim Munir’s controversial analogy comparing India to a “shining Mercedes” and Pakistan to a “dump truck.” Munir first used the metaphor during a Saudi delegation’s visit in May and repeated it at a private dinner in Florida, claiming Pakistan’s gravel-loaded truck could damage India’s sleek car in a collision. Naqvi echoed the sentiment, denying Indian missile strikes during ‘Operation Sindoor’ despite satellite evidence showing major damage to Pakistani air bases. Munir’s remarks sparked ridicule online, with users mocking Pakistan’s self-deprecating comparison and praising India’s military might. Critics called the analogy delusional and reflective of Pakistan’s diminished strategic standing. (PC: NDTV)

Sunil Gavaskar has sharply criticized Jasprit Bumrah’s workload management, warning that “nobody is indispensable.” He questioned the BCCI and chief selector Ajit Agarkar for resting Bumrah during key Tests in England, especially the must-win match at The Oval. Gavaskar emphasized that national duty should outweigh individual concerns and urged selectors to prioritize Test cricket over bilateral white-ball series. He advocated for Bumrah’s inclusion in upcoming Tests against West Indies and South Africa to boost India’s World Test Championship chances. Gavaskar praised bold squad selections but stressed that final XI decisions must align with Indian cricket’s long-term interests, not short-term fitness strategies. (PC: Mint)

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in India, signaling Beijing’s willingness to continue diplomatic talks with a “positive attitude,” according to the Chinese foreign ministry. His visit comes amid ongoing efforts to stabilize bilateral relations following recent border tensions. The statement underscores China’s intent to maintain dialogue and cooperation, especially in light of regional and global challenges. Wang Yi’s presence in India coincides with the country’s 79th Independence Day celebrations, adding symbolic weight to the timing. While specific agenda details remain undisclosed, the visit is seen as a strategic move to reset ties and explore mutual interests in trade, security, and regional stability.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor hailed astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s historic mission to the International Space Station as a “powerful symbol” of India’s human spaceflight ambitions. Despite the government’s call for a special Lok Sabha discussion on Shukla’s achievement and its role in the Gaganyaan program, the opposition boycotted the debate over voter list revisions in Bihar. Tharoor emphasized Shukla’s contributions to testing Indian systems in space and advancing global space diplomacy. His mission is seen as pivotal for inspiring youth in STEM fields and refining protocols for future missions. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju urged opposition participation, likening the moment to Operation Sindoor’s bipartisan spirit. (PC: Mint & Deccan Herald)

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended America’s decision to impose extra tariffs on India, now totaling 50% while sparing China, despite both buying Russian oil. Rubio warned that sanctioning China could destabilize global energy markets, as China refines and re‑exports Russian crude, potentially driving prices upward. He further spoke about a Senate bill proposing to sanction countries like India and China for buying Russian oil, and said the US did hear from "a number of European countries" regarding some concerns they may have had about it. India criticized the U.S. for “double standards,” maintaining its energy needs require affordable supply from Russia. Meanwhile, Trump hinted he might postpone actions against other nations like China.

Opposition parties may move an impeachment motion against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar in Parliament’s Monsoon Session. The move comes after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and others accused the Election Commission of “vote theft” during polls. Gyanesh Kumar rejected the charges, calling them an “insult” to the Constitution. He asked Gandhi to submit an affidavit or apologize. Gandhi refused, saying the data proving irregularities came from the EC’s website. He accused the poll body of bias, noting no affidavit was sought from BJP leaders making similar claims. The issue has triggered a heated political confrontation. (PC: PTI)