The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has issued an interim ban on U.S.-based trading firm Jane Street Group, preventing its entities from trading in Indian securities. The move bans any direct or indirect dealings and instructs banks to freeze accounts unless SEBI authorizes withdrawals . The action follows a months-long probe into Jane Street’s derivatives activity—allegedly used to manipulate key benchmark indices—spanning a three-year period . SEBI also directed the firm to disgorge approximately ₹4,844 crore in illicit gains. The restrictions will remain until the investigation concludes and mandates are enforced. (PC: Getty Images)  

The US Congress has passed President Donald Trump’s $4.5 trillion ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ in a narrow 218–214 House vote, delivering a major legislative win in his second term. The 800-page bill enshrines permanent 2017 tax cuts, introduces new tax breaks, and funds his immigration crackdown. Despite internal GOP divisions—two Republicans voted against it—and total Democratic opposition, GOP leaders secured support after overnight lobbying. The White House confirmed Trump will sign the bill Friday at 5 pm. Though seen as a landmark conservative win, Democrats are expected to campaign hard against the bill in the 2026 midterms. (PC: India Today)

Dr Marwan Sultan, director of Gaza's Indonesian Hospital, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on his Gaza City home, along with several family members, according to relatives. The strike reportedly hit only his room, with daughter Lubna al-Sultan stating he “was not affiliated with any movement.” The IDF claimed to have targeted a Hamas “key terrorist” and said civilian harm is being reviewed. At least 139 Palestinians were killed across Gaza in 24 hours. A strike on a “safe zone” in al-Mawasi also killed 5, including children. The UN reports no functioning hospitals remain in north Gaza amid ongoing Israeli strikes. (PC: BBC)

Novak Djokovic stormed into the third round of Wimbledon 2025 with a dominant 6-3, 6-2, 6-0 win over Dan Evans, marking his 99th career victory at the tournament. The 24-time Grand Slam champion set a new Open Era record with his 19th third-round appearance at SW19. Djokovic converted 6 of 16 break points and hit 46 winners in just 74 minutes. “Wimbledon remains the most special tournament in my heart,” he said. Djokovic next faces compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic. Meanwhile, Mirra Andreeva, Alex de Minaur, and Elena Rybakina also advanced to the third round with impressive Round 2 performances. (PC:India Today)

Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota tragically died in a car crash in Spain’s Zamora province, along with his brother, Andre Silva. The 28-year-old was en route to board a ferry back to England after minor surgery. Jota, who married just 11 days ago, was remembered by Liverpool as “irreplaceable.” Manager Arne Slot called him “the essence of a Liverpool player.” Cristiano Ronaldo and Jurgen Klopp led emotional tributes, with Ronaldo writing, “It doesn’t make sense.” Jota scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for Liverpool and 14 goals in 49 internationals for Portugal. The football world is in mourning. (PC: BBC)

Indian chess prodigy and reigning world champion D Gukesh stunned Magnus Carlsen in the sixth round of the Grand Chess Tour in Zagreb, taking sole lead with 10 out of 12 points. The 18-year-old has now won five consecutive games, including victories over Fabiano Caruana and Nodirbek Abdusattorov. Gukesh’s win came after Carlsen dismissed his chances pre-match, calling him “presumably one of the weaker players.” Gukesh's performance not only proved Carlsen wrong but reaffirmed his dominance in rapid chess. The Chennai-based grandmaster continues to impress on the global stage with calm, tactical brilliance and mental strength. (PC: HT)

NASA has confirmed the detection of an interstellar object, 3I/ATLAS, speeding through the solar system at 245,000 km/h. First observed between June 25–29 by the ATLAS system, the comet-like body is believed to originate outside our solar system. Officially classified by the International Astronomical Union’s Minor Planet Centre, it will pass inside Mars’s orbit before exiting the solar system. Estimated to be 10–20 km wide, it poses no threat to Earth, according to ESA’s planetary defence chief. This is the third known interstellar object after 2017’s Oumuamua and 2019’s 2I/Borisov, highlighting growing detection capabilities of space observatories. (PC: NDTV)

Shubman Gill delivered a historic performance in the 2nd Test against England at Edgbaston, scoring 269 runs off 387 balls. His innings included 30 fours and 3 sixes and helped India post 587 in the first innings. Gill broke 13 records, including the highest individual Test score by an Indian in SENA countries, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s 241. He also broke Virat Kohli’s record for the highest score by an Indian Test captain. At 25, Gill became the second-youngest Indian captain to hit a double century and the first Asian captain to score a double ton in SENA nations. (PC: BCCI)

In an hour-long call with Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia would not abandon its objectives in Ukraine but remains open to negotiations, the Kremlin said on Thursday. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed Putin emphasized achieving the "root causes" of the conflict. The call followed the Trump administration's pause on transferring key weapons to Ukraine, including Patriot systems and 155mm shells, citing low US stockpiles. Putin also urged diplomatic solutions for tensions in Iran and the Middle East. Despite Trump's pledge to end the Ukraine war, Putin has rejected direct talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. (PC: HT)

Facing public backlash, the Delhi government has announced that End-of-Life (EOL) vehicles will not be impounded. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa urged the Air Quality Commission to pause the fuel ban on old vehicles, citing flawed ANPR systems and lack of NCR-wide coordination. Water Minister Parvesh Verma opposed age-based bans, demanding pollution status-based checks instead. Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court sought responses from the government and CAQM on a plea by petrol dealers who argue private stations can't legally enforce the ban. The 2018 Supreme Court and 2014 NGT rulings on vehicle age had triggered the new enforcement push.