Priyanka Gandhi slammed Home Minister Amit Shah in Parliament after he claimed Sonia Gandhi cried for terrorists killed in the 2008 Batla House encounter. “Meri maa ke aansu tab gire jab unke pati ko aatankvadiyo ne shaheed kiya,” she said, referring to the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. She accused the government of failing to prevent the Pahalgam terror attack and questioned why no security was present in a busy tourist spot. “There was no first aid, no protection. People went there trusting the government,” she added, demanding answers from the Centre on the security lapse. (PC: NDTV)

Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir was caught on camera shouting at Oval curator Lee Fortis just days before the final Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test. In the now-viral video, Gambhir yells, “F*** off… you are only a groundsman,” while pointing fingers aggressively. The clash happened during India’s optional practice session. Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak also intervened. The reason behind the heated exchange is still unclear. With India trailing 2-1 in the series, pressure is mounting on Gambhir, who has just four Test wins in 14 matches. He recently called on Team India for “one final push” to bring pride back home.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, speaking in Lok Sabha, criticised the Centre over Operation Sindoor. “You went into Pakistan and told our pilots not to attack their air defence,” he said. Gandhi claimed the operation was stopped in just 22 minutes to protect PM Modi’s image. He added, “The opposition stood like a rock with the government, despite insults.” Gandhi also dared the Prime Minister, saying, “Say Donald Trump is a liar,” referring to Trump’s ceasefire claims. He accused the government of informing Pakistan mid-operation. Other leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi and Kharge, questioned the handling of the Pahalgam attack and demanded accountability. (PC: Hindustan Times)

NASA is facing a major crisis as nearly 20% of its workforce around 3,870 employees to exit under the Trump administration’s Deferred Resignation Program. The move, aimed at streamlining federal agencies, has sparked nationwide protests and alarm among scientists and engineers over the loss of institutional expertise. Critics warn the layoffs threaten mission readiness, especially for Moon and Mars projects. The agency, now led by an acting administrator after Trump’s nominee was rejected, is accused of lacking clear leadership. Elon Musk heads the Department of Government Efficiency overseeing the cuts. A letter titled The Voyager Declaration signed by hundreds of former staff warns of irreversible damage to U.S. space dominance and safety standards. (PC: Space)

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar told Parliament that no phone call occurred between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former US President Donald Trump from April 22 to June 17, refuting Trump’s repeated claims of brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Jaishankar emphasized that India’s response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor, was independent and diplomatically backed by global consensus. He clarified that ceasefire talks were initiated through military channels, not foreign mediation, and dismissed any trade linkages. The Cabinet Committee on Security suspended the Indus Waters Treaty and launched diplomatic efforts that led to TRF’s global terror designation. India’s stance: zero tolerance for terror and sovereign right to self-defense. (PC: BBC & Hindustan Times)

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) will announce India’s new men’s football head coach on August 1, with Khalid Jamil emerging as the frontrunner amid financial constraints. Jamil, currently with Jamshedpur FC, is favored by the technical committee over Stephen Constantine and Stefan Tarkovic. The decision follows Manolo Marquez’s departure earlier this month. Jamil, an AFC Pro Licensed coach and AIFF Coach of the Year for 2023–24 and 2024–25, could be India’s first full-time Indian coach since 2005. With FIFA match windows in September and AFC Asian Cup qualifiers in October, AIFF is under pressure to finalize the appointment swiftly. The executive committee may also consider additional candidates if needed. (PC: JamshedpurFC Photo)

India has overtaken China as the top smartphone exporter to the US, accounting for 44% of shipments in Q2 2025, up from 13% a year ago. This shift is driven by Apple’s accelerated “China Plus One” strategy, scaling iPhone production in India amid US-China tariff tensions. China’s share dropped from 61% to 25%. Apple now assembles iPhone 16 Pro models in India, with plans to double output to 80 million units. Samsung and Motorola also increased India-based exports, though at a slower pace. Despite the supply chain shift, US smartphone demand grew just 1%. Apple’s exports from India hit $5 billion in Q1 FY26, reinforcing India’s rise as a global tech manufacturing hub. (PC: Digital Trends & Wired)

The UK is witnessing renewed calls for a dedicated Sikh regiment in the British Army, echoing the Gurkha model. Labour peer Lord Kuldip Singh Sahota raised the issue in the House of Lords, citing Sikh soldiers’ loyalty in both World Wars. Defence Minister Lord Coaker expressed openness to discussions, though the Ministry of Defence cited anti-discrimination laws as a barrier. Advocates argue such a regiment would boost ethnic minority recruitment and honor Sikh military heritage. With over 700,000 Sikhs in the UK and only 200 serving in the armed forces, proponents believe a Sikh regiment could foster inclusion and strengthen ties with India. King Charles has also voiced support for greater Sikh representation. (PC: Wavell Room & India Today)

Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) launched Ajay, the eighth and final Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) for the Indian Navy on July 21 in Kolkata. Designed for coastal operations, these 77.6m-long vessels feature low draughts and advanced underwater surveillance systems including hull-mounted sonar and low-frequency variable depth sonar. Armed with lightweight torpedoes, ASW rockets, mines, and remote-controlled guns, they support coordinated anti-submarine missions with aircraft. The launch marks a milestone in India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, with over 80% indigenous content. Vice Admiral Kiran Deshmukh praised GRSE’s legacy of building 110+ warships, reinforcing India’s maritime strength and self-reliance in naval defense. (PC: Janes & The Economic Times)

A mysterious interstellar object named 3I/ATLAS, traveling at 130,000 mph, is baffling scientists with its unusual trajectory and speed. Detected on July 1, 2025, it’s estimated to be 15 miles wide and will reach perihelion in November, temporarily vanishing from Earth’s view. Experts, including Harvard’s Avi Loeb, suggest it may be an alien surveillance probe, aligning eerily with Baba Vanga’s 2025 prophecy of extraterrestrial contact. Loeb warns of potential hostile intent, sparking global debate on planetary defense. The object’s strategic path near Jupiter, Mars, and Venus adds to speculation. As November approaches, astronomers and defense agencies are on high alert. (PC: News Bytes & Times Now)