US Vice President Kamala Harris has significantly narrowed the gap against Donald Trump in the race for the presidency, recent polls reveal. According to the Wall Street Journal, Harris trails Trump by just 2 percentage points, with a 49% to 47% split. A New York Times/Siena College poll also shows a close contest, with Trump at 48% and Harris at 47%. Harris has gained substantial support from non-white voters and key Democratic constituencies, boosting her standing after President Joe Biden's exit from the race. Harris officially declared her candidacy on Saturday, pledging to win every vote.

On the first day of the Paris Olympics 2024, Indian badminton duo Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty secured a solid start by winning their opening match against the French pair Lucas Corvee and Ronan Labar. In hockey, the Indian men’s team is engaged in a challenging game against New Zealand in their Pool B opener. The match, featuring India’s Tokyo 2020 bronze medalists, is currently underway with both teams fighting hard. Additionally, Manu Bhaker has advanced to the final of the women’s 10m air pistol, marking India’s first qualification for an event final in Paris.

Ranbir Kapoor has addressed the backlash against his film Animal, which faced criticism for its perceived misogyny and violence. In a new interview, Kapoor revealed that many in the film industry expressed disappointment over his involvement. “Social media played havoc,” he said. “A lot of people told me, ‘You shouldn’t have done this film; we are so disappointed in you.’” Despite the criticism, Kapoor defended his choice, saying the film was a step to break free from his “good boy” image and was crucial for his career growth.

In a dramatic turn of events at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Team Great Britain’s Scarlett Mew Jensen and Yasmin Harper clinched the bronze medal in the women’s synchronized 3m springboard diving. The British pair benefited from a crucial error by the Australian duo, Maddison Keeney and Anabelle Smith, who slipped during their final dive. Despite being in fourth place before the final round, Mew Jensen and Harper's final performance secured their spot on the podium. China's Chang Yani and Chen Yiwen took gold, while the U.S. team won silver.

Lakshya Sen made a stellar start to his Paris 2024 Olympics campaign by defeating Guatemala's Kevin Cordon 21-9, 22-20 in their men's singles Group L match. Sen dominated the game with confident play, marking a strong debut at the quadrennial event. This victory improves Sen's head-to-head record against Cordon to 2-0, following their previous encounter in the 2021 World Championships. Sen will next face Jonatan Christie and Julien Carraggi, as he aims to continue his impressive run.

The opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics 2024 has sparked controversy with a drag queen-themed parody of Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper." The performance, featuring a group of drag queens in a dramatic tableau with a makeshift halo and scantily dressed performers, was criticized for its perceived disrespect towards Christianity. Critics, including Elon Musk and French politician Marion Maréchal, condemned the act as offensive and provocative. The Olympic organizers defended it as an artistic interpretation meant to highlight the absurdity of violence, but the backlash continues to grow.

Abhishek, the man accused of murdering 22-year-old Kriti Kumari in her Bengaluru PG hostel on July 23, has been arrested in Madhya Pradesh. The accused allegedly sneaked into the Bhargavi Staying Homes For Ladies, slit Kumari's throat, and fled after the attack. Kumari, who worked with the attacker’s girlfriend, died instantly from multiple stab wounds. CCTV footage captured the horrifying scene. Bengaluru police, investigating the motive, noted the PG hostel's negligence as a factor. The suspect will be brought back to Bengaluru for further questioning.

To mark the start of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Nasa astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) organized their own mini-Olympics. A video released on July 26 shows the crew passing a mock Olympic torch, engaging in weightless events like discus throws and gymnastics, and sending a message to Earth’s athletes. Astronaut Matthew Dominick expressed their enjoyment and admiration for the challenges faced by Olympians under gravity. The ISS crew, including Russian cosmonauts, is currently experiencing an extended mission due to technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner capsule.

On Day 1 of the Paris Olympics 2024, shooter Manu Bhaker advanced to the Women’s 10m Air Pistol final with a score of 580, securing third place in qualifications. Hungarian shooter Veronika Major led with 582. Indian shooters Sarabjot Singh and Arjun Singh Cheema did not qualify for the finals. In rowing, Balraj Panwar finished fourth in his heat. Meanwhile, in badminton, Lakshya Sen took control of his match, leading in points against Guatemala’s Kevin Cordon. The Indian team’s performances continue to garner attention as the Olympics unfold.

France endured a second day of severe train disruptions following sabotage attacks that crippled the rail network ahead of the Paris Olympics. The SNCF reported that nearly one-third of trains in northern, western, and eastern France were cancelled, impacting around 160,000 out of 800,000 expected travelers this weekend. Eurostar services between London and Paris also suffered. Authorities have yet to identify the perpetrators but are investigating the attacks on crucial cabling. Despite efforts, the SNCF expects normal service to resume by Monday, though disruptions will continue into Sunday.