✈️ Taiwan practices jet drills with French jets

Taiwan conducted rapid turnaround drills using French-made fighter jets during its annual war games. This exercise involved the Taiwanese military forces and took place within the scope of the scheduled annual war games. Specific details regarding the number of jets or dates of the drills were not provided in the report. These maneuvers are part of Taiwan's ongoing military readiness preparations against regional tensions. The drills aim to enhance operational capability for future defense scenarios. ✈️

📉 US Visa Drops Sharply for Indian Students 😟

US student visa approvals for Indian nationals saw a massive 62% drop in 2025 compared to the previous year. This trend was noted by a US think tank report from the Centre for Immigration Studies. Specifically, 22,149 visas were issued to Indians in 2025, versus 58,694 in 2024. Meanwhile, Chinese students experienced a smaller 34% decline, with 40,034 visas granted in 2025. The report suggests changes to the OPT program to protect US workers.

📈 Gold stable amidst Hormuz tensions and Fed uncertainty

Gold prices have remained steady as geopolitical tensions near the Strait of Hormuz cast shadows on the Federal Reserve's future outlook. Traders are currently focusing their attention on upcoming payroll data releases for crucial economic indicators. The market remains watchful regarding inflation trends and global stability over the next few weeks. This cautious trading environment reflects investors' hedging against potential economic volatility. Future movements will heavily depend on the official payroll figures released soon. 📈

🇦🇷 Tapia on Messi and Argentina's England Win

Claudio Tapia shared his thoughts regarding Lionel Messi and Argentina's victory over England at the World Cup. He praised Messi as the best player of the tournament during an interview with TyC Sports. Tapia noted the emotional weight of the match against England felt like winning the World Cup itself. Regarding the Malvinas flag, he stated it was from the people and he would pick it up proudly. FIFA has not issued any sanctions concerning the flag usage so far.

✨ Lenovo's Aeroblade might be their thinnest ThinkBook

Exclusive images reveal a super-thin unannounced Lenovo ThinkBook laptop named Aeroblade. This device is part of Lenovo’s business-focused ThinkBook line, positioned below the ThinkPad series. While exact launch dates aren't known, the laptop features an incredibly slim chassis and Windows 11. It aims to challenge the current record holder for thinnest Windows laptops. Further details on its specs and availability are expected soon. 💻

🚨 Ebola cases climb past 4,000 in DRC

The confirmed Ebola case count in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has officially surpassed 4,000 according to health authorities. This serious situation is unfolding in the DRC, with the latest update released on Thursday. As of now, there are 4,053 total cases, which includes 1,850 fatalities, and 694 patients are currently hospitalized. Medecins Sans Frontieres warned on Wednesday that the outbreak in eastern DRC is spreading rapidly without any signs of slowing down. Efforts continue to manage the crisis while patients remain in isolation or care.

🏏 Rahane on 2-year Test wait: 'Was 12th man'

Ajinkya Rahane recalled the tough period of waiting for his India Test debut after his white-ball debut in 2011. He spent two years as the 12th man while travelling with the squad in India. During this time, he learned to stay positive instead of seeking sympathy, which shaped his career. Rahane later played 85 Tests, scoring 5,077 runs at an average of 38.46. He emphasized that patience was a lesson learned from life experiences, not something innate.

🏏 Jaiswal turns Rohit's scolding into a tribute

Yashasvi Jaiswal shared a throwback post referencing Rohit Sharma's famous 'gully cricket' scolding. This happened as India began training in Colombo for the Sri Lanka Test series. The viral moment occurred during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. The instruction, 'Stay down,' was a crucial technical point for silly point fielding. Jaiswal’s post shows that the former captain’s guidance remains influential in the team's preparation. 🏏

🏏 India aims to reclaim Test glory in Colombo tour

India has started its two-Test tour of Sri Lanka, with coach Gautam Gambhir asserting readiness for the series. The Shubman Gill-led squad arrived 11 days before the August 15th opener in Galle, ensuring acclimatization. Despite mixed recent results, the team is well-rested and has time to address past performance issues. Key absences include Jasprit Bumrah and Washington Sundar for the first Test, leaving 14 players available. The team needs a 2-0 series win to keep their World Test Championship final hopes alive. 🏏

💰 FPIs and traders push for tax relief on stock deals

Foreign portfolio investors and international trading company arms met with Sebi and government officials to ask for a reduction in Securities Transaction Tax (STT). These high-frequency trading firms noted that RBI's leverage rules force them to shift activities to FPIs in India. The demand comes shortly after India eliminated taxes on Government Securities for FPIs starting April 1, 2026. Industry sources argue that lowering STT and capital gains tax would make the Indian market more competitive. Further discussions are pending regarding these tax rationalization demands. 📈

🔥 Bengal BJP fights 'Trinamoolification' drama

West Bengal BJP President Samik Bhattacharya initially stated that the party doors were closed to Trinamool members. However, he later welcomed three former TMC MPs, Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, Sushmita Dev, and Prakash Chik Baraik, into the BJP fold on July 9. This move caused backlash, with rank-and-file members showing discontent against the decision. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's meetings with NCPI MPs further fueled the internal friction within the BJP. Meanwhile, TMC itself is fracturing, with many MPs and MLAs defecting to the NDA.