At his first campaign rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, since surviving an assassination attempt, Donald Trump declared he "took a bullet for democracy." Sporting a bandage on his ear, Trump reflected on the shooting, which occurred on July 13 in Pennsylvania, leaving one supporter dead and two others injured. Joined by running mate JD Vance, Trump attacked Democratic rivals, mocked President Biden, and promised to prevent "world war three" if re-elected. The heavily secured rally underscored Trump's resilience and his commitment to his presidential bid.

Students and intellectuals in West Bengal rallied in support of their Bangladeshi counterparts, condemning the deaths of protesters in the neighboring country. The protests were sparked by Bangladesh's reservation policy for Liberation War veterans' families. Marches were held in Santiniketan and Kolkata, with leftist organizations and Visva-Bharati University students leading the charge. Social media is also abuzz with voices decrying the violence. The solidarity protests demand justice for the dozens of young lives lost in Bangladesh's unrest.

An investigation into trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar's disability certificates has revealed discrepancies. Khedkar obtained three certificates between 2019 and 2022, claiming different disabilities. She used two names, Puja Khedkar and Puja Gaikwad, while applying. The certificates were issued by different hospitals in Maharashtra. The UPSC filed a complaint, leading to a Delhi Police case against Khedkar and her family. The authenticity of her certificates and eligibility for the IAS position are now in question. The matter is under investigation, with Khedkar's selection as an IAS officer hanging in the balance.

The Union health ministry has rejected a US-based study claiming India's Covid-19 deaths were significantly underreported. The study, published in Science Advances, estimated 1.19 million excess deaths in 2020, eight times higher than official numbers. The ministry called the findings "unacceptable" and "untenable," citing critical flaws in methodology. The study's estimates far exceeded WHO's calculations, sparking controversy. The ministry stands by its official Covid-19 death toll, dismissing the study's claims as unacceptable. A fierce debate has ensued over the accuracy of India's pandemic mortality data.

A global IT outage triggered by a bug in a CrowdStrike update has caused chaos worldwide. Airline passengers faced lengthy delays and lost luggage, while pharmacies struggled with medicine delivery backlogs. The issue, which began Friday, affected Microsoft Windows PCs, displaying a "blue screen of death." Experts warn that full recovery may take weeks. Travelers reported extended wait times and poor communication from airlines, with some waiting over nine hours. The company's founder confirmed the issue was not a cyber attack, but a bug in the update.

The Uttar Pradesh government is set to install a 51-feet tall bronze alloy statue of Lord Buddha in Kaushambi to boost religious tourism. The State Lalit Kala Academy has initiated the e-tender process, and the installation is expected to be completed within seven months. The giant statue aims to attract tourists and pilgrims, promoting Kaushambi as a major Buddhist destination. The project is part of the state government's efforts to develop religious tourism in Uttar Pradesh. The iconic statue will be a significant addition to the state's cultural landscape.

Mumbai has been severely affected by heavy rains for the third consecutive day, causing widespread waterlogging and disrupting public transport. The weather department has issued warnings for Mumbai, Pune, Thane, Palghar, and other districts. On Friday, central Mumbai received 78mm of rainfall, while eastern and western parts received 57mm and 67mm respectively. One person died and three were injured in a building collapse in south Mumbai. Thirteen people were rescued from the affected building. Moderate to heavy rains are expected to continue, exacerbating the situation. Authorities are working to mitigate the impact of the heavy rainfall.

Iryna Farion, a former Ukrainian MP and linguistic professor, was shot and killed in Lviv on Friday. She was 60 years old. Police are investigating the incident as a targeted attack, but have not identified a motive or suspect. Farion was known for her controversial views, including a statement that Ukrainians should not speak Russian. A power outage in the area affected CCTV footage. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko confirmed the killing was not spontaneous. The Lviv Regional Governor expressed condolences, and police are working to determine the circumstances surrounding Farion's death.

Six-time world snooker champion Ray Reardon has passed away at 91 after a battle with cancer. The Welsh legend, known as "Dracula" for his distinctive hairstyle, dominated the sport in the 1970s, winning six world titles. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in snooker history, alongside Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry. Reardon's wife Carol confirmed his passing on Friday. World Snooker paid tribute to his incredible legacy, cementing his place as a snooker icon. His impressive career and enduring nickname will be remembered by fans and fellow players alike.

A worldwide digital chaos erupted on July 19, grounding flights, halting businesses, and causing widespread outages. Amidst the blame game, a surprise emerged. Vincent Flibustier, posing as a new CrowdStrike employee, claimed responsibility for the meltdown with a tongue-in-cheek tweet. His message, "First day at Crowdstrike, pushed a little update and taking the afternoon off," sparked both outrage and admiration. As the world struggled to cope with the disaster, Flibustier became an unlikely internet hero, leaving many to wonder about his true identity and motives.