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)

Indian-origin Delta Airlines pilot Rustom Bhagwagar, 34, was arrested from the cockpit of Flight 2809 at San Francisco International Airport on July 26. The arrest followed a months-long investigation by Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office into allegations of child sexual abuse. Bhagwagar faces five counts of oral copulation with a child under 10 and is held on $5 million bail. Homeland Security agents assisted in the dramatic arrest, which occurred minutes after landing. The investigation began in April after a report was filed. Delta Airlines has suspended Bhagwagar, stating zero tolerance for unlawful conduct. The arrest has sparked widespread outrage and concern over aviation safety and background checks. (PC: India Today)

During a fiery Rajya Sabha debate, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh declared that the people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) will one day identify as Indians. He emphasized that Operation Sindoor was a precise, self-defensive strike targeting nine terror camps, including Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen, with no civilian casualties. Singh revealed Pakistan’s failed missile and drone attacks, praised India’s armed forces, and confirmed Operation Mahadev neutralized three terrorists behind the April 22 Pahalgam attack. He dismissed US President Trump’s ceasefire mediation claims and warned that Operation Sindoor remains active. Singh concluded by asserting India’s readiness to respond to any aggression and its evolving global security posture.

The 2025 Asia Cup clash between India and Pakistan, scheduled for September 14, has ignited public outrage following the Pahalgam terror attack. With 26 civilians killed and Operation Sindoor launched in response, calls for India to boycott the match have intensified. The BCCI, not under the sports ministry’s purview, holds the final decision. A forfeit would hand Pakistan a walkover, potentially hurting Suryakumar Yadav’s squad. The ACC confirmed the schedule despite uncertainty, and India may face Pakistan up to three times. The controversy echoes a similar boycott in Birmingham’s World Championship of Legends. All eyes now rest on BCCI’s response to national sentiment. (PC: The Times Of India & Hindustan Times)

With the August 1 deadline looming, India faces a trade dilemma due to Trump’s aggressive tariff demands or risk of losing leverage. The US seeks zero-duty access to Indian markets, while India pushes for a 15% tariff ceiling on its exports. Talks remain stalled, though India has signaled willingness to purchase US defense equipment, natural gas, and nuclear reactors. Contentious sectors like dairy and agriculture are off the table. Trump’s proposed 15–20% global tariffs could erode India’s comparative advantage. Exporters face uncertainty, and transshipment clauses may complicate pharma and electronics trade. A final decision may hinge on direct talks between PM Modi and President Trump, with inflation and political optics influencing outcomes. (PC: Instagram)

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, addressing Parliament, defended India’s response to the Pahalgam terror attack and criticized Congress for historic missteps regarding Pakistan. Shah cited the Indus Waters Treaty and Simla Agreement as examples of Congress’s failures, blaming Nehru for PoK’s existence. He asserted that all three terrorists involved were Pakistani nationals, backed by voter IDs and Pakistani-made chocolates. Shah accused former Home Minister P. Chidambaram of indirectly defending Pakistan by questioning the evidence. He emphasized that India targeted terror camps in Pakistan, reinforcing the government's stance. BJP MPs applauded his remarks, while Shah warned that the public is watching the opposition’s narrative closely. (PC: Business Standard)