Jessie Oldfield

What began as a dream Antarctic expedition turned into a global health scare after a rare hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius went undetected for weeks, leaving three passengers dead and others critically ill even while nearly 150 people, including two Indian crew members, remain on the ship

Suvendu Adhikari comes from one of the state’s most influential political families. His father, Sisir Adhikari, served both in the West Bengal Assembly and the Lok Sabha, while his brother Dibyendu Adhikari was earlier a Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP before joining the BJP in 2024. Suvendu began his political journey with the Congress during the 1995 municipal polls before moving to the newly formed TMC alongside his father in 1998. He rose rapidly within Mamata Banerjee’s party and became one of its strongest organisational faces in coastal Bengal.

Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar is concerned about the game's increasing tilt towards batters, especially in T20s. He highlights shorter boundaries, fielding restrictions, and powerful bats as key issues. Gavaskar specifically advocates for a more lenient wide bouncer rule, arguing bowlers are unfairly penalized. He urges the ICC Cricket Committee to consider measures to restore balance for the bowling fraternity.

Two Indian nationals aboard a cruise ship have tested positive for hantavirus, but health officials assure there's no immediate threat to India. The virus, primarily spread by rodents, does not transmit easily between humans. Global health authorities are monitoring the situation, with the public risk deemed very low.

The BJP, either on its own or in alliance, is in power in around 22 states, covering roughly 78% of India’s population. According to psephologist Sanjay Kumar, these figures reflect the party’s firm establishment of dominance in national politics

A US-based businessman, Graham Walker, gifted his 540 employees a staggering $240 million from the $1.7 billion sale of his family's company, Fibrebond Corp. This generous act, where workers received an average of $443,000, stemmed from a condition Walker imposed before the sale to power-management giant Eaton.

Air India assures employees no layoffs are anticipated despite financial strain from the Middle East conflict. However, annual salary increments will be deferred by at least a quarter. CEO Campbell Wilson urges a "laser sharp focus" on cost reduction, eliminating waste, and suspending discretionary spending to navigate these challenging times. Variable pay and planned promotions will continue.

Gold prices surged on Friday, driven by robust spot demand and fresh speculative buying. Across major Indian cities, retail rates for 22K, 24K, and 18K gold saw an uptick. Futures contracts for August delivery on MCX climbed, mirroring a stronger global sentiment for the precious metal. This rally reflects increased trader confidence and positive market momentum.