Tamil Nadu-born Chef Vijay Kumar has won the prestigious James Beard Award for Best Chef in New York, earning global acclaim for his signature snail curry, Nathai Pirattal. Once shamed in childhood for loving the dish, Kumar has now turned it into a culinary triumph at his Michelin-starred restaurant Semma. Embracing his roots and cooking with authenticity, Kumar said, “There is no such thing as poor or rich food — it’s food.” His win is a powerful statement on the value of traditional cuisine and subaltern pride. Kumar wore a veshti while receiving the honor, redefining luxury through heritage and truth. (PC: X)

Actors Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa are going to be parents soon. They shared the happy news on Instagram with a soft, pastel photo showing a cradle and a floral wreath. The post read, “Baby on the way.” Rajkummar simply wrote, “Elated ❤️❤️.” The couple has been together for 15 years. They got married in November 2021 in a quiet ceremony in Chandigarh. Rajkummar once said Patralekhaa is his biggest strength. Fans and friends are showering them with love. Rajkummar's new movie Maalik releases on July 11. Patralekhaa was last seen in Phule.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Taliban Supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhunzada and Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani for alleged gender-based persecution in Afghanistan. Judges said the Taliban severely deprived women and girls of education, freedom of movement, expression, and other rights since seizing power on August 15, 2021. The court also cited persecution based on gender identity. The Taliban dismissed the charges as “baseless rhetoric” and rejected ICC jurisdiction. Rights groups including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch welcomed the move, calling it a crucial step toward accountability for widespread, systematic abuses against Afghan women and LGBTQ+ communities. (PC: Al Jazeera)

‘Vatsala’, Asia’s oldest elephant, died on July 8, 2025, at the Panna Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh at over 100 years of age. Originally from Kerala, she had become a beloved figure at the reserve—leading elephant herds and acting as a grandmother to calves. Due to age-related ailments, including blindness and foot injuries, she was under regular veterinary care. Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav paid heartfelt tribute, calling her the “silent guardian of our forests.” Vatsala’s last rites were conducted by forest officials, marking the end of a remarkable life that captivated generations of visitors and staff alike. (PC: The Hindu)

A yellow heat health alert has been issued across southern England as the UK faces its third summer heatwave. The alert, active from Wednesday to Tuesday, covers London, the Midlands, the East and South. Temperatures are expected to reach up to 32°C, possibly 34°C, with "significant impacts" predicted on health and social care. The UK Health Security Agency has urged people, especially the elderly, to take precautions. Nights will remain uncomfortably warm. A hosepipe ban begins in Yorkshire on Friday. The Met Office warns this heatwave could be more widespread than June’s record-breaking hot spell. (PC: Sky News)

Tennis star Jannik Sinner missed a practice session after hurting his elbow in a match against Grigor Dimitrov at Wimbledon. Fans were worried, but his coach Darren Cahill said there’s “nothing serious” and Sinner is ready to play in the quarterfinals against Ben Shelton. Sinner had an MRI scan and then did light training indoors. Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz easily beat Cameron Norrie to reach the semifinals. Taylor Fritz also made it to the semifinals after a tough win over Karen Khachanov. The winner between Sinner and Shelton will play Novak Djokovic or Flavio Cobolli in the next round. (PC: HT)

A five-month-old dog named Rocky saved 63 lives in Siyathi village, Himachal Pradesh, during a midnight landslide on June 26. Alerted by Rocky’s frantic barking amid heavy rain, owner Lalit Kumar discovered a wall crack and flooding. He immediately woke his family and rushed door-to-door to warn 22 nearby families. Just minutes later, a massive landslide buried several homes, but all residents escaped unharmed. Only a few structures remain standing. Rocky, who was later rescued himself, is being hailed as a hero. The affected villagers are now sheltering at Naina Devi temple, with government aid and local support pouring in. (PC: India Today)

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has successfully extradited Monika Kapoor from the United States, ending her 25-year evasion from Indian law. Kapoor, accused of economic offences involving forged documents and duty-free license fraud worth over $679,000, fled India in 1999. The US District Court in New York approved her extradition, rejecting her claims of potential torture in India. Kapoor is en route on an American Airlines flight, set to land Wednesday night. India requested her extradition in 2010. This marks a significant breakthrough in India's efforts to bring fugitive economic offenders to justice under the India–US Extradition Treaty. (PC: News18)

Two Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots were killed after a Jaguar trainer aircraft crashed during a routine sortie near Bhanuda village in Rajasthan’s Churu district on Wednesday. The crash, which left debris and human remains scattered in an agricultural field, marks the third Jaguar crash in five months. No civilian casualties were reported. A court of inquiry has been launched to determine the cause. Villagers heard a loud noise followed by flames and smoke. This is the fifth IAF aircraft crash in 2025. The ageing Jaguar fleet, despite ongoing upgrades, continues to raise safety concerns within defence circles. (PC: India Today)

Ukraine suffered its largest aerial assault since the war began, with 728 drones and 13 missiles hitting multiple cities, including Kyiv, Lviv, and Lutsk. The overnight attack followed Donald Trump’s vow to resume U.S. weapons supplies to Kyiv, reversing a suspension he claimed he was unaware of. Trump criticised Vladimir Putin, saying, "He just wants to keep killing people." The Kremlin downplayed his remarks, calling Trump's tone “harsh.” Ukrainian President Zelensky condemned the strikes, accusing Russia of rejecting peace efforts. The city of Lutsk, near the Polish border, was heavily targeted. Talks of a ceasefire remain stalled amid ongoing Russian offensives. (PC: BBC)