At a gathering of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance's newly-elected MPs, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar formally threw his weight behind Narendra Modi for a historic third term as Prime Minister. Emphasizing his commitment to stand by Modi's side, Kumar addressed critics who anticipated yet another political about-face, affirming his loyalty. In a thinly-veiled swipe at his former allies, he criticized the opposition bloc's lack of tangible contributions to the nation. Kumar's endorsement also quashed rumors suggesting the opposition had courted him, solidifying his alignment with the ruling coalition.

Nara Bhuvaneshwari, wife of TDP leader Chandrababu Naidu, saw a staggering surge in wealth as Heritage Foods, where she holds a significant stake, witnessed a remarkable rally. With a 24.37% ownership in the company, her influence is evident in its performance. Despite a market downturn post Lok Sabha election results, Heritage Foods’ stock soared, closing at ₹659 per share after five consecutive sessions of gains, up from ₹402.90 on May 31, 2024. Bhuvaneshwari's holdings of 2,26,11,525 shares propelled the surge, underscoring her pivotal role in the company's trajectory.

Kangana Ranaut slammed Bollywood for staying silent after she claimed to be slapped by a CISF officer at Chandigarh airport. In her now-deleted Instagram story, Ranaut accused the industry of ignoring her ordeal and warned about the importance of standing up for free speech. She compared her situation to potential future attacks on others, urging people to remember her support for free speech. The post, which garnered attention, was later removed. Ranaut's criticism highlights divisions within Bollywood and prompts discussion about the industry's responsibility to support its members during difficult times.

In a stunning turn of events, the USA defeated Pakistan in a thrilling Super Over finish in their Group A clash at the T20 World Cup 2024. Saurabh Netravalkar, a Mumbai-born bowler, defended 18 runs in the one-over eliminator, giving away just 13 runs to secure a famous win for the USA. This monumental upset marks a historic moment in World Cup history, with Netravalkar's cool and brilliant bowling shattering Pakistan's perfect start hopes. The win instills hope in aspiring cricketers worldwide, showcasing the USA's determination and talent on the global stage.

Bengaluru's special court has granted bail to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a defamation case filed by the BJP's Karnataka unit over ads labeling the BJP as corrupt before the 2023 state polls. The complaint alleges Congress claimed BJP leaders priced state postings, leading to corruption. Earlier, Karnataka Congress chief D K Shivakumar and CM Siddaramaiah were also granted bail in the same case. Allegations include pricing posts like the CM's at Rs 2,500 crore and ministers' at Rs 500 crore. Gandhi is the fourth accused, alongside Congress and its leaders, in the case.

Following the 2024 Lok Sabha election results, top officials of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are meeting to understand their electoral setbacks in states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and West Bengal. The RSS, BJP's ideological backbone, is reviewing the party's campaign strategies and identifying factors behind the downslide, including the Ram Mandir issue's limited impact and caste-based narratives exploited by the opposition. The focus is on states where vote shares and seats dropped significantly. The discussions aim to address these challenges and realign the party's approach to better align with national interests.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has maintained the repo rate at 6.5%, as announced by Governor Shaktikanta Das. The decision, taken by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), reflects ongoing concerns over inflation, which remains above the target of 4%. Despite economic uncertainties, the RBI projects a GDP growth rate of 7.2% for FY2024-25, marking the fourth consecutive year of 7% or higher growth. The standing deposit facility (SDF) rate stays at 6.25%, while the marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and bank rate are unchanged at 6.75%. The RBI aims to balance inflation control with growth.

Four Indian students drowned in a river near St. Petersburg, Russia, with authorities recovering one body and searching for the remaining three. A female student who also fell into the river was rescued and is undergoing medical treatment. The Indian Embassy and Consulate in St. Petersburg are working with local authorities to expedite the recovery and repatriation of the deceased students. The students were studying medicine at Veliky Novgorod State University. Efforts are being made to support the bereaved families and ensure proper care for the rescued student. The cause of the incident remains under investigation.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam attributed his team's shocking defeat to the USA in the T20 World Cup to a mindset issue, saying they underestimated their opponents. Azam admitted that his team played below their standard, failing to execute their plans. This is not the first time Pakistan has suffered a upset loss to a lower-ranked team in a major tournament. Azam acknowledged that his team needs to improve their execution, saying preparation is not enough. The defeat is a wake-up call for Pakistan, who must regroup and refocus to avoid further upsets in the tournament.

CISF constable Kulwinder Kaur has been suspended and faces a police case for allegedly slapping actor and Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut at Chandigarh airport. Kaur claimed she was provoked by Ranaut's past remarks about farmers, particularly during the 2020 protests against farm laws. Ranaut was en route to Delhi when the incident occurred. The altercation, partially caught on video, shows an argument but not the slap. Ranaut addressed the incident on social media, expressing concern over rising tensions in Punjab. The incident has drawn attention to Ranaut's controversial statements about the farmer protests.