The Economic Times

Before H.C. Verma wrote Concepts of Physics: Long before online coaching and AI study tools, IIT Kanpur professor H.C. Verma identified a gap that was quietly failing generations of Indian physics students and filled it with a book that became a rite of passage for JEE and NEET aspirants. This is the story behind Concepts of Physics and the man who wrote it.

Tejas Shirse became the first Indian to reach the men's 110m hurdles final. He sustained a stress fracture during his warm-up before the medal race. Despite the injury, Shirse completed the race in visible pain. He finished eighth, unable to challenge for a podium position. The athlete will undergo scans to assess the extent of the injury.

DRDO data is reportedly being sold for eight thousand dollars on the dark web. A cyber intelligence firm discovered the alleged data listing during routine monitoring. Sample documents released appear to contain restricted technical information and scientist signatures. DRDO is currently verifying the authenticity of these serious claims and reports. Cybersecurity experts recommend a thorough forensic examination of the purported breach.

Bank of Baroda confirmed a data breach originating from a compromised employee email account. The lender insists its core banking systems remained entirely untouched and secure. This incident is primarily a privacy and identity fraud concern for customers. Customers should reset passwords and enable transaction alerts immediately. Locking Aadhaar biometrics and monitoring credit reports are also recommended actions.

Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara seeks reports on a land registration system overhaul. The proposed roadmap aims to verify ownership before registration, reducing fraud. This shift moves Karnataka from document recording to transaction validation. The integrated system will link registration, revenue records, and mapping.

Four decades after abandoning nuclear power in the wake of the Chernobyl disaster, Italy is preparing to revive the sector as Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government pushes legislation to create a legal framework for next-generation reactors. The move is driven by energy security concerns, rising electricity demand and climate goals, but faces questions over costs, waste management and public acceptance despite growing support among younger Italians.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the NDA parliamentary party meeting, 'Mangal Milan', where MPs who defected from Trinamool Congress to NCPI were present. Discussions focused on Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and the anti-paper leak bill.

Saransh Jain earned his maiden India Test call-up at age thirty-three. This achievement followed a journey marked by perseverance and strong family support. His father, Subodh Jain, a former cricketer, shared his own fulfilled dream. A handwritten note from his father during a health crisis became a source of strength. Consistent domestic performances paved the way for this significant national recognition.

A Kerala consumer commission has ordered an Instagram boutique to pay 36,880 to a woman who paid for two dresses needed for a wedding, received only one after months of delays, and was told to go ahead and file a case when she asked for a refund. The court ruled that Instagram sellers are fully bound by consumer protection law.

T-Mobile has restored service for all customers after a widespread outage. Thousands of users across the United States reported disruptions on Monday afternoon. The wireless carrier confirmed technical challenges were impacting some customers nationwide. Many users reported being stuck in SOS mode during the service interruption. The outage affected multiple U.S. states, including California and Georgia.

Wildfires in France and Spain have forced over 300,000 people to evacuate their homes. These fires have scorched vast areas, exceeding previous records in both nations. Prolonged heat waves and below-average rainfall have worsened fire conditions across Europe. The European Union has deployed aircraft and helicopters to support firefighting operations. This event represents one of Europe's largest evacuation efforts since World War II.

Today, Rahul Gandhi will connect with Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to put the finishing touches on Karnataka's new ministerial lineup. The swearing-in ceremony is tentatively earmarked for Thursday, involving senior Congress leaders who will contribute essential perspectives. Competition is heating up among MLAs for the remaining Cabinet roles, while the government has opted to delay the start of the monsoon session by a week.

The Supreme Court has observed that agitations in a democracy are bound to happen while hearing petitions alleging police excesses during protests over the alleged NEET paper leak. The court indicated it may set up a High Powered Committee to probe incidents of violence in Delhi and other states, while also working towards a uniform nationwide protocol for handling protests and crowd-control measures.

Police records detail the use of non-lethal munitions during a protest march. The Rapid Action Force fired plastic pellets and tear gas shells near Jantar Mantar. Opposition parties have targeted the government over the use of force against protesters. The Delhi Police stated claims of using pellets against peaceful protesters were false. An assessment of the event will be conducted after the agitation concluded.

India's IT Ministry summoned Meta's public policy head regarding a removed post. This action followed a BJP worker's accusation of Facebook restricting the Prime Minister's video. The worker questioned Meta's authority to censor content for millions of citizens. She also raised concerns about political bias and accountability from the company. The ministry's summons indicates a significant government response to the platform's actions.

Pyrocumulonimbus Cloud Formation: Fierce wildfires in southwest France generated towering storm clouds, a phenomenon called pyrocumulonimbus. These fire clouds gain energy from burning material, unlike normal thunderstorms. They create unpredictable winds and lightning, posing new dangers for firefighters. Such storms can inject smoke high into the atmosphere, affecting global air quality. Climate change is increasing the frequency of these extreme fire-generated weather events.

Iran publicly executed two men convicted of violent attacks during protests. Abolfazl Sepahi and Amir-Hossein Safari were found guilty of assaulting police officers. They were accused of charges including waging war against God and spreading fear. These executions occurred in Malekshahr, central Isfahan province, following recent unrest. Iran carries out the world's second-highest number of executions annually.

A Kerala consumer commission has ordered Canara Bank to pay Rs 45,000 in compensation and costs after it automatically debited Rs 53,463 from a woman's savings account on a Sunday to recover a gold loan, without her consent and without first invoking its right to sell the pledged gold ornaments it already held as security.

The US State Department confirmed Monday that the next round of talks between Israel and Lebanon will be held in Rome on August 4 through 6, as Israel prepares to withdraw from two pilot zones in southern Lebanon. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani first announced the next round of US-on the condition of anonymity.

Coaches and support staff are vital to India's athletic success at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Their extensive preparation and guidance enable athletes to perform at their highest levels. PT Usha emphasized coaches as strong pillars supporting every successful sporting campaign. Vijay Sharma's work with Mirabai Chanu Saikhom exemplifies this crucial partnership. Their dedication ensures athletes remain physically and mentally composed throughout competitions.

Devi after she clinched the bronze medal in the women's 58kg event at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Monday, hailing her contribution to India's growing medal tally at the Games.

Donald Trumps Iran strategy has reached a dead end despite repeated military threats, exposing the limits of US power. The article argues that Americas inability to force Iran into submission stems from a technological shift in modern warfare, where drones, satellites and precision weapons have empowered weaker nations, making traditional US military dominance increasingly ineffective.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani stated he would not engage with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's criticisms. Netanyahu accused Mamdani of fomenting hate and creating fear among Jewish New Yorkers. Mamdani emphasized his priority is ensuring the safety of all New Yorkers, especially Jewish residents. Netanyahu plans to visit New York in September to address the United Nations General Assembly.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet US President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday for talks focused on Iran, regional security and the Middle East. The meeting comes amid reports of recent tensions between the two leaders, who are expected to discuss Lebanon, Gaza and the expansion of the Abraham Accords.

India's wheelchair basketball team lost a close match to Nigeria. This defeat ended their hopes of reaching the quarterfinals at the Games. The team had previously faced losses against Scotland and Wales. They finished their debut Games appearance at the bottom of their pool. This marked the end of their Commonwealth Games journey.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has said power plants built exclusively to supply electricity to data centers, and not connected to the public grid, may be exempt from key federal pollution rules. The move is aimed at accelerating AI infrastructure development, easing pressure on regional power grids, and supporting the rapid expansion of data centers across the United States.

French jet engine maker Safran reported strong first-half profits. This performance led the company to raise its financial targets. Demand for spare parts significantly boosted operating margins for Safran. The company's core Propulsion division saw substantial earnings growth. Safran now anticipates higher full-year revenue and profit figures.

Yemen's top diplomat stated Houthis aim to replicate Iran's Strait of Hormuz strategy. This action could disrupt shipping in the Bab el-Mandeb and Red Sea gateways. The Red Sea has become a new front in the Iran war, with escalatory approaches. Saudi Arabia responded with airstrikes and vowed to protect commercial shipping. Yemen's government is prepared for escalation, with conflict potentially returning.

Meta restored Prime Minister Modi's Facebook video after an erroneous restriction. The video was briefly unavailable in India following a legal request notice. This content featured the Prime Minister's address to Gen Z students. The platform stated the restriction occurred due to an error. Access to the widely viewed video has now been fully reinstated.

Quote of the day by mystic poet Rumi: Persian poet Rumi's ancient words encourage people to overcome self-doubt. He taught that humans are not insignificant but part of a larger existence. Rumi's message challenges the tendency to see ourselves as limited when we are capable. His quote reminds us that life is dynamic and transformation is always possible.

Mercedes-Benz saw a profit increase but faces challenges ahead. The automaker now expects overall sales to decline in 2026. This forecast is due to ongoing problems within the Chinese market. Strong performance from financial services and vans supported recent earnings. The company plans further cost-cutting measures in the coming months.

A magisterial probe found the MCD primarily responsible for the Saket building collapse. The civic body failed to enforce building bylaws, leading to the preventable disaster. Unauthorised structural additions and inadequate enforcement caused the building's collapse, killing six people. The report also stated MCD fabricated records to mislead the inquiry after the incident.

India's new policy imposing a minimum import price on PVC resin is expected to result in higher domestic prices. This strategy supports local manufacturers but also elevates costs for downstream industries, putting additional financial strain on small businesses. Given the nation's substantial import reliance, this initiative is unlikely to lessen dependency significantly. The government's goal is to enhance local production in response to persistent market demand.

At least three suspects were involved in a shootout at Seattle's Bite of Seattle food festival, police said, revising their earlier assessment of two shooters. The gunfire left three people dead, including a 19-year-old suspected gunman, and injured four others, including a 2-year-old child. Investigators believe the violence may have been gang-related, while a 15-year-old suspect remains in juvenile detention as the investigation continues.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Bhogapuram airport on August 1. This international airport was built at a cost of nearly Rs 4,727 crore. It is designed to handle six million passengers annually in its first phase. The airport features a Code-E runway capable of accommodating wide-body aircraft. Nearby aviation hub and university will foster significant investment and job creation.

Andrew and Tristan Tate will remain in U.S. custody until at least August 13 as they fight extradition to the U.K., where they face fresh allegations of rape, sex trafficking and related offences. The brothers deny all accusations, while a U.S. court considers whether they should be released during the extradition process.

Russian strikes in eastern Ukraine killed seven people and injured more than twenty. Donetsk Region reported three deaths near Kostiantynivka and one near Kramatorsk. Dnipropetrovsk Region suffered three fatalities and six injuries from drone and artillery attacks. Nikopol and Syneklykove towns were among the affected areas in Dnipropetrovsk. A Ukrainian drone strike in Russia's Belgorod Region killed one person.

Taylor Farms complained to White House and FDA officials about government inspections. The company suspended operations in central Mexico after lettuce was linked to an outbreak. Health authorities confirmed thousands of cases of the parasitic disease cyclosporiasis. Former FDA chief suggested other produce from central Mexico could be involved. The true scope of the outbreak is likely much larger than reported.

Manali hotel denied booking: A Gurgaon consumer commission has ordered The Allure Grand Resort in Manali to pay Rs 31,000 in compensation and litigation costs after it denied stay to a guest despite a confirmed booking, leaving him stranded in an unfamiliar hill station. The court ruled that returning the advance alone does not erase the mental harassment caused.