The largest and most complete stegosaurus fossil ever discovered, nicknamed “Apex,” sold for $44.6 million at Sotheby’s in New York, making it the most valuable fossil ever sold at auction. Discovered in 2022 in Moffat County, Colorado, by paleontologist Jason Cooper, Apex measures 3.4 meters tall and 8.2 meters long. The specimen, which shows evidence of arthritis, was purchased by an anonymous buyer who plans to loan it to a U.S. institution. Sotheby’s Cassandra Hatton hailed the sale as a historic moment for natural history auctions, which totaled $45.8 million overall.

According to multiple Democratic sources, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer privately urged President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 election. Schumer met Biden in Delaware and conveyed the views of his caucus, reflecting growing concerns among party leaders about Biden's viability. Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries have also expressed similar concerns. Despite this, Biden remains determined to run, supported by key figures like the Congressional Black Caucus, Senator Bernie Sanders, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

German police detained a man suspected of stalking Taylor Swift just before her concert in Gelsenkirchen on Wednesday. The arrest followed tips from event organizers after the man allegedly made threats against the singer. The concert, attended by about 60,000 fans, proceeded peacefully. Gelsenkirchen, temporarily renamed "Swiftkirchen" in honor of Swift, is hosting three of her Eras Tour shows this week. The American pop star, who last performed in Germany nine years ago, greeted fans in German and promised to return soon.

The Indian High Commission in Dhaka has issued an urgent advisory for Indian citizens and students to avoid non-essential travel and minimize movement due to escalating unrest in Bangladesh. Violent clashes between students and police in Dhaka erupted after the government's decision to close all universities, stemming from protests over the quota system for civil service jobs. Tear gas was deployed, and several roads were blocked, leading to traffic disruptions and injuries. Emergency contact numbers have been established for Indians needing assistance.

Days before his assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks allegedly wrote a chilling message on Steam, stating, “July 13 will be my premiere.” Investigators found photos of Trump and President Biden on Crooks' mobile, along with searches related to political events. The Secret Service and FBI continue to analyze his tech equipment. Crooks, who was fatally shot after targeting Trump, had a 20-minute window between being identified and opening fire. His political alignment remains unclear despite being a registered Republican.

Indian cricket stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are set to return for the ODI series against Sri Lanka. The three-match series will be the first under new head coach Gautam Gambhir. Jasprit Bumrah will be rested, while Hardik Pandya will only play in the T20Is. Rishabh Pant is expected to be part of both squads. The matches will take place in Pallekele and Colombo. This tour marks a new beginning for Team India after Rohit and Kohli’s last ODI appearance in the World Cup 2023 final against Australia. The selectors aim to start strong under Gambhir's leadership.

Manorama Khedkar, mother of trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar, was arrested for attempted murder after a video showed her threatening villagers with a gun. The video, linked to a land dispute, led to her arrest in Mahad, Pune. She had been hiding for days. Police charged her under the Arms Act and the new criminal code. She was sent to two days of police custody. The incident has added to controversies surrounding her daughter, whose IAS training is under scrutiny. Questions about Puja Khedkar’s selection and her father's past corruption charges are also being investigated.

4 people died and 20 were injured when six coaches of the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derailed near Gonda station in Uttar Pradesh. The accident happened between Motiganj and Jhilahi stations on Thursday. Rescue teams and top railway officials are at the site. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered immediate relief efforts and medical treatment for the injured. The State Disaster Response Force is also helping. Due to the derailment, two trains were cancelled, and 11 were diverted. The train had left Chandigarh on Wednesday night and was heading to Dibrugarh in Assam.

The Chandipura virus outbreak in Gujarat has claimed 15 lives, with a four-year-old girl confirmed as the first victim by the National Institute of Virology in Pune. The virus has spread to nearly a dozen districts, including Sabarkantha, Aravali, Mehsana, Rajkot, Ahmedabad, Morbi, and Panchmahal. So far, 29 suspected cases have been reported, primarily affecting children. The virus causes flu-like symptoms, body aches, diarrhoea, vomiting, and acute encephalitis, and is transmitted by mosquitoes, ticks, and sandflies. Health officials stress the importance of early detection and prevention. There is no specific antiviral treatment; care focuses on managing symptoms. Preventive measures include using insect repellents, wearing protective clothing, and improving sanitation to reduce sandfly breeding sites.

In an exclusive interview, Nobel laureate Amartya Sen has praised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying he has gained significant maturity. Sen noted that Gandhi's true test lies in leading the Opposition in Parliament against the Modi-led government. He credited Gandhi's 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' with shaping him into a national leader and enriching India's political landscape. This endorsement comes as a boost to Gandhi's political image. Sen's comments highlight Gandhi's growth and potential as a leader, setting the stage for his future in Indian politics.