External Affairs Minister Jaishankar strongly criticized Rahul Gandhi in the Rajya Sabha, labeling him a "China-guru" and implying his understanding of China stemmed from Olympic invitations and private lessons from Chinese diplomats. Jaishankar defended his China visit, asserting transparency and contrasting it with alleged secret meetings by others during the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
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India's recent free trade agreements with the UK, Australia, and the UAE are setting precedents for future negotiations. Concessions like reduced auto tariffs and government procurement access are becoming baselines. However, India is resisting pressure to open its agricultural market, particularly dairy, to protect its farmers, potentially impacting existing trade deals with ASEAN, Japan, and South Korea.
US President Trump, frustrated with stalled trade negotiations with India, has announced a 25% tariff on Indian goods starting August 1st. This decision stems from concerns over India's high tariffs, non-monetary trade barriers, and continued reliance on Russia for energy and military equipment.
India's Divya Deshmukh made history. She beat former world champion Tan Zhongyi. Divya secured a spot in the FIDE Women’s World Cup final. Koneru Humpy faces a tie-break. She drew with Lei Tingjie. The tournament highlights Asia's strength in women's chess. An Indian will play in the next Women’s Candidates Tournament. Fans hope for an all-Indian final.
During the fourth Test at Old Trafford, England captain Ben Stokes offered a handshake to signal a draw, but Indian batters Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar declined, surprising Stokes. Both were approaching centuries, and India, in a dominant position, chose to continue batting. Stokes's reaction showed frustration as the game continued, highlighting India's assertive play and focus on personal milestones.
The Supreme Court has sought a response from the Karnataka government regarding the death of five tigers in the MM Hills sanctuary. The incident, attributed to villagers poisoning a carcass consumed by the tigers, highlights the escalating human-animal conflict. The court directed the Union environment ministry to formulate a policy, in consultation with states, to address this issue.
Amar Subramanya, previously at Google, has joined Microsoft as Corporate VP of AI. He appreciates Microsoft's collaborative and ambitious culture. Subramanya highlights the company's focus on AI foundation models and Microsoft Copilot. Other DeepMind team members have also reportedly joined Microsoft. This hiring trend reflects the competitive AI landscape. Microsoft's leadership is committed to advancing AI technology.
India faced injury concerns on Day 3 of the fourth Test as Jasprit Bumrah appeared to hurt his ankle, while Mohammed Siraj also struggled with discomfort. England capitalised, with Joe Root's magnificent 150 propelling them to a commanding 544/7, establishing a substantial 186-run lead. Ben Stokes remained unbeaten, steering England towards a potential series-clinching victory.
A 29-year-old woman, Shweta Sharma, driving to Ulwe, mistakenly followed the road to Belapur creek jetty in heavy rain and darkness. Her car plunged into the creek, but coastal security police rescued her. She mentioned using Google Maps and getting confused by the directions, leading her to drive towards the jetty instead of the bridge.
West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose sent back the Aparajita bill. The reason is objections from the central government. The Centre believes the bill proposes excessively harsh punishments for rape. The bill suggests life imprisonment or capital punishment for rape. The Centre also opposed removing stricter penalties for sexual assault of minors.
The first game of the Women’s Chess World Cup final saw a draw between Divya Deshmukh and Koneru Humpy in Batumi. Divya, playing white, surprised with a new opening, while Humpy's experience ensured a balanced game. Despite tense moments and repeated checks, neither player could break through, setting the stage for a gripping contest.