Sri Ganganagar Case Update: 14 Arrested As SIT Probe Continues Public outrage continues in Rajasthan’s Sri Ganganagar district after the alleged sexual assault case involving a minor girl came to light in June. Police said the investigation is still underway and 14 accused have been arrested so far. Rajasthan Police has also clarified that a video circulating on social media, which was being linked to the Sri Ganganagar case, is actually from Hardoi in

Rajinikanth’s Jailer 2 And Chiranjeevi’s Vishwambhara May Clash This Dussehra The Telugu box office may be heading for a massive festive clash this Dussehra, with Rajinikanth’s Jailer 2 and Chiranjeevi’s Vishwambhara likely to arrive in theatres within a day of each other. Big Dussehra Clash Likely According to trade buzz, Jailer 2 is targeting an October 15, 2026, release, while Vishwambhara is expected to release on

Allahabad High Court Says Personal Laws Cannot Shield Criminal Acts In Triple Talaq, Nikah Halala Case The Allahabad High Court has refused to cancel an FIR in a serious case involving the alleged sexual exploitation of a woman under the guise of triple talaq, nikah halala, and remarriage practices. A division bench of Justices J.J. Munir and Tarun Saxena observed that personal laws cannot be used as a shield to protect criminal conduct. The court said c

Arattai To Disable Usernames After WhatsApp Notice Row 3 July 2026: Zoho co-founder Sridhar Vembu has announced that Arattai will disable its username-based account feature, days after the Indian government raised concerns over username features on messaging platforms, including WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal. The move comes amid growing debate over whether usernames on messaging apps could increase the risk of online fraud, impersonation, and cybercrime

Gujarat Family Of Three Killed In Ohio Motel Fire, Cause Under Probe A family of three from Gujarat’s Kheda district died after a fire broke out at the Econo Lodge motel in Wooster, Ohio, in the United States. The victims have been identified as Hiteshbhai Suthar, his wife Hinaben Suthar, and their 20-year-old daughter Ishani Suthar. The incident took place around 1:30 a.m. local time on July 1, 2026. Officials said the exact cause of the fire is still

AIADMK Exodus Deepens As Four Former Ministers Join Vijay’s TVK Tamil Nadu politics witnessed another major shift on Thursday as four former AIADMK ministers joined Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, marking a fresh setback for the opposition party amid continuing internal churn. Former ministers C Vijayabaskar, M R Vijayabhaskar, MSM Anandan, and S Valarmathi joined TVK along with several former MLAs, district-level functionar

Maruti Suzuki Kharkhoda Plant Inaugurated By PM Modi, Japan PM Takaichi New Delhi, July 2: Maruti Suzuki India’s new manufacturing facility at Kharkhoda in Haryana was inaugurated on Thursday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The virtual inauguration took place during the India-Japan Joint Economic Forum in New Delhi. Fourth Manufacturing Facility For Maruti Suzuki The Kharkhoda pla

S.S. Rajamouli received one of the most significant international honours of his career during his visit to the Lumière Museum in Lyon, France, where his films were screened and his name was added to the prestigious Mur des Cinéastes, marking a major milestone for Indian cinema on the global stage. Historic recognition at Lumière Museum in Lyon S.S. Rajamouli’s visit to the Lumière Museum in Lyon became a landmark moment when his films Eega and RRR were screened before an international audience at one of the most historic institutions in world cinema. The Lumière Museum is widely regarded as the birthplace of cinema, and showcasing Rajamouli’s films there placed Indian blockbuster filmmaking in a space traditionally reserved for global film heritage discussions. The screening highlighted how Rajamouli’s storytelling style, combining emotional depth with large-scale visual spectacle, has gained strong acceptance beyond Indian audiences. It also reflected the growing global visibility of Indian cinema, especially films that push technical and narrative boundaries on a global scale. Importance of Mur des Cinéastes recognition A major highlight of the visit was Rajamouli’s inclusion in the Mur des Cinéastes, an exclusive honour wall that features some of the most influential filmmakers in world cinema history. This includes globally respected directors such as Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, Francis Ford Coppola, and Clint Eastwood. The Mur des Cinéastes is not an annual award but a permanent recognition reserved for filmmakers whose work has significantly influenced global cinematic language. Rajamouli’s inclusion places him in a rare category of directors whose work is considered part of world cinema heritage rather than being limited to regional or commercial success. This recognition marks a major milestone for Indian cinema, as it represents institutional acceptance from one of the most respected film heritage organizations in the world. Meeting with Thierry Frémaux and cinema heritage tour During his visit, Rajamouli was hosted by Thierry Frémaux, who personally guided him through key historical sites connected to the origins of cinema in Lyon. The tour was conducted under the guidance of the Institut Lumière, which preserves the legacy of early filmmaking pioneers. The visit also carried symbolic importance due to its connection with the Cannes Film Festival ecosystem, reflecting the long-standing relationship between European cinema institutions and global filmmakers. The interaction highlighted how modern filmmakers like Rajamouli are now part of global cinematic conversations that trace back to the origins of film itself. Global impact of Eega and RRR screenings The screening of Rajamouli’s films at the museum was a strong recognition of the international appeal of Indian cinema. Both Eega and RRR were presented not just as commercial successes but as examples of evolving global storytelling from India. The audience response underlined how Indian cinema is increasingly being viewed on equal footing with Hollywood productions in terms of scale, technical execution, and emotional impact. This also signals a shift in global film consumption, where language barriers are becoming less relevant due to strong visual storytelling. Rajamouli’s response and global recognition of Indian cinema Rajamouli expressed deep gratitude for the honour, describing the experience as humbling and emotionally significant. His recognition at Lyon adds to his growing international reputation as a filmmaker whose work transcends regional boundaries and appeals to global audiences. More importantly, this moment reflects a broader shift in the global perception of Indian cinema. Filmmakers like Rajamouli are increasingly being included in international heritage platforms, signaling that Indian storytelling is no longer peripheral but part of mainstream global cinema evolution.

Sensex Jumps 579 Points As IT Stocks Rally Despite Asian AI Selloff Indian stock markets closed sharply higher on Thursday, July 2, as strong buying in IT stocks, easing crude oil prices, and positive broader market participation lifted investor sentiment. The rally came even as several Asian chip-heavy markets faced selling pressure over concerns that the artificial intelligence investment boom may be running too far ahead of demand. The BSE Sensex rose

Serena Williams Knee Scare Puts Wimbledon Doubles Return With Venus In Doubt Serena Williams’ much-awaited Wimbledon 2026 return has taken an uncertain turn after the tennis legend suffered a knee scare during her first-round singles defeat to Australia’s Maya Joint. The 44-year-old, who made her Grand Slam singles comeback at the All England Club, lost a hard-fought three-set match 6-3, 6-7, 6-3 on Centre Court. While the result ended her singles ca

WhatsApp Username Rollout Paused In India Over Cyber Fraud Concerns India has asked Meta to pause the rollout of WhatsApp’s proposed username feature in the country, raising concerns over privacy, impersonation, and possible cyber-fraud risks. The government has reportedly sought a detailed explanation from Meta within three days and asked the company not to proceed with the feature until consultations are completed. What Is WhatsApp

Chembur School Bus Tragedy: 11-Year-Old Vihaan Srivastava Remembered As Sports-Loving Child Mumbai, July 2: The death of 11-year-old Vihaan Srivastava in the Chembur school bus tragedy has left his family, neighbours, and school community in deep shock. The Class VI student died after a large tree fell on a school bus in Chembur while children were being dropped home after school. Tree Falls On School Bus In Chembur The tragi

Tiruvallur Ammonia Leak: 17 Dead, Probe Into Alleged Minor Recruitment Widens The death toll from the ammonia gas leak at a private seafood processing and export facility in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvallur district has risen to 17, the state government said. The incident has also triggered a wider investigation into the alleged illegal recruitment of workers and the suspect

How WhatsApp usernames change user identity sharing WhatsApp’s rollout of usernames introduces a new way for users to connect without directly sharing their mobile number. In India, where phone numbers are closely connected to UPI payments, Aadhaar verification, banking services, and multiple digital identity systems, this shift is especially significant. While phone numbers remain required for account creation and verification, they will no longer be the only way users identify or connect with each other on the platform. Privacy improvements and everyday impact The introduction of usernames helps reduce exposure of personal phone numbers in group chats, business communication, and online marketplaces. This can lower the chances of spam calls, unsolicited messages, and basic data harvesting. It also creates a separation between private identity and public interaction, which is increasingly important in large digital ecosystems like India’s. However, the actual privacy benefit will depend on how WhatsApp manages visibility settings and user discovery options. Cybersecurity concerns and impersonation risks At the same time, experts warn that usernames introduce new cybersecurity challenges. The biggest concern is impersonation, where attackers can create similar-looking usernames to deceive users. Unlike phone numbers, usernames can be copied or slightly modified, making fake accounts harder to detect at a glance. In India, where cyber fraud linked to messaging apps and digital payments is already rising, this increases the importance of careful identity verification. Safety features and implementation factors WhatsApp is expected to introduce additional protections such as a “username key” system, which restricts who can message a user even if they know the username. This could help reduce spam and unwanted contact. However, the overall effectiveness of the feature will depend on default settings, user awareness, and how strictly WhatsApp enforces anti-impersonation measures. The update represents a shift in digital identity handling, offering stronger privacy on one side while introducing new forms of security risk on the other.

BTS Economy Impact: How A Small K-Pop Label Built A $50 Billion Cultural Force BTS is not just one of the world’s biggest music groups. The seven-member South Korean boy band has also become a major cultural and economic force for South Korea, with estimates suggesting that the group’s overall contribution to the country’s economy over its first decade may be worth tens of billions of dollars. The story is even more striking because BTS did not com