Lucy White, a British woman and self-described Public Policy Specialist, sparked outrage online after complaining that Marks & Spencer staff at Heathrow Airport were speaking Hindi. In a now-viral X post, she wrote that she recorded their conversation and intended to report them, urging others to “confront” such behavior. Her remarks were widely condemned as discriminatory, with users questioning why private conversations in Hindi were an issue. Many pointed out the double standards, citing their own experiences of speaking native languages abroad. White had earlier stirred controversy with similar complaints about Heathrow staff not speaking English. (PC: India Today)

A stampede at Haridwar’s Mansa Devi Temple on Sunday morning left 6 devotees dead and over a dozen injured. The tragedy occurred around 9 am on the steep stairway route amid Shravan month pilgrim rush. According to officials, panic erupted after a false rumour spread that a live electric wire had snapped. District Magistrate Mayur Dixit said chaos ensued as devotees rushed to escape. Emergency teams, including SDRF and police, quickly responded. Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed grief and confirmed relief efforts were underway. The temple, perched 500 feet above Shivalik Hills, is among Haridwar’s most sacred sites. (PC: X)

An American Airlines flight bound for Miami aborted takeoff at Denver International Airport after a landing gear malfunction caused smoke and panic on the runway. Flight 3023, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, experienced a tyre issue at 2:45 pm local time, prompting an emergency evacuation. Dramatic videos showed passengers fleeing via emergency slides as black smoke and flames emerged from the aircraft’s rear. All 173 passengers and 6 crew members safely evacuated. Medical teams assessed six people for minor injuries, with one hospitalized. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident. American Airlines confirmed the technical fault and passenger safety. 

Captain Shubman Gill (78*) and KL Rahul (87*) staged a remarkable 174-run partnership to revive India’s hopes in the 4th Test at Old Trafford after a disastrous 0/2 start. Their stand is now the highest-ever for a team recovering from such a collapse, surpassing a 48-year-old Indian record. England posted 669, bolstered by Ben Stokes’ 141 and earlier five-wicket haul. At stumps on Day 4, India reached 174/2, trailing by 137 runs. Despite aggressive spells from Jofra Archer and Liam Dawson, the Indian pair remained composed. The Test remains delicately poised heading into the final day in Manchester. (PC: BCCI)

Israel has announced a "tactical pause in military activity" in parts of Gaza to allow humanitarian aid. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the pause would occur daily from 10:00 to 20:00 in areas where troops are not operating, including al-Mawasi, Deir al-Balah, and Gaza City. Secure aid corridors will function from 06:00 to 23:00 for UN and humanitarian convoys. This move comes amid mounting international pressure and rising concerns of starvation, with at least 127 Gazans reported dead from malnutrition. The IDF says the pause was coordinated with the UN and may be expanded if necessary. (PC: BBC)

A tragic stampede at Haridwar’s Mansa Devi Temple on Sunday killed 6 people and injured over 25 during a massive crowd surge on the stairway route. Panic reportedly spread after some devotees felt an electric current from a nearby pole, though police later ruled out electrocution as the cause. Rescue teams including SDRF and local police rushed to the site. Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Dhami and PM Narendra Modi expressed grief and assured ongoing relief efforts. Five of the injured have been shifted to AIIMS. The incident occurred during the Shraavana season, a time of heavy footfall at Hindu shrines. 

India's injured wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant will bat on Day 5 of the fourth Test against England in Manchester despite a fractured right foot, confirmed batting coach Sitanshu Kotak. Pant had earlier scored a gritty half-century on Day 2 after sustaining the injury. India ended Day 4 at 174/2, trailing by 137 runs, with KL Rahul and Shubman Gill leading a strong fightback. Kotak praised their determination and Gill’s changed mindset. Meanwhile, England is uncertain about Ben Stokes' bowling availability due to cramps. His absence could affect England’s chances on a slow pitch heading into the final day of the Test. (PC: BCCI)

Aid agencies have condemned air drops into Gaza as a “grotesque distraction,” warning they cannot meet the massive humanitarian need. The Israeli military, along with the UK, UAE, and Jordan, have launched air drops amid blocked land routes. The UN says 6,000 aid trucks remain stalled, awaiting clearance. Over 127 deaths due to malnutrition, including 85 children, have been reported. The World Food Programme warns one in three Gazans aren’t eating for days. Aid officials stress ground access is safer and more effective. Dropped parcels have injured civilians, sparking chaos. Gaza faces mass starvation under what experts call a “man-made famine.” (PC: X)

A stampede at Haridwar’s Mansa Devi Temple on Sunday claimed 6 lives and left several others seriously injured. The tragedy occurred as large crowds gathered during the holy Shraavana season. Authorities have yet to confirm the exact cause of the stampede. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated that SDRF, local police, and other rescue teams quickly reached the site and are conducting relief operations. “I’m in constant contact with the administration,” Dhami posted on X, assuring that the situation is being monitored closely. Injured devotees are being rushed to hospitals as the state reels from the tragic incident. (PC: HT)

Saurabh Anand, a 33-year-old Indian-origin man, was brutally attacked by five teenagers outside a Melbourne shopping centre. He suffered multiple stab wounds, a fractured spine, and nearly lost his hand, which was reattached after emergency surgery. The teens ambushed him on July 19 with a machete, inflicting life-threatening injuries. Police have arrested four suspects; two were released on bail, prompting Anand to call for justice and tougher measures. The attack highlights a surge in youth violence in Victoria, where machete-related crimes are rising. A full ban on machetes takes effect in the state from 1 September amid growing public concern. (PC: India Today)