In a sensational World Cup encounter, India defeated South Africa by a massive 243 runs at Kolkata's Eden Gardens. Virat Kohli's brilliant century (101* off 121 balls) on his 35th birthday powered India to 326/5. Kohli's partnership with Shreyas Iyer (77) and a flying start by captain Rohit Sharma (40 off 24) set the stage. In response, Ravindra Jadeja's exceptional five-wicket haul helped India bundle out South Africa for 83 runs. The comprehensive victory showcased India's batting prowess and formidable bowling lineup, maintaining their unbeaten run in the tournament. With this win India holds the top spot with 16 points, leaving South Africa in second place with 12 points.

British PM Rishi Sunak and Indian PM Narendra Modi spoke on Friday about the need to de-escalate tensions and protect civilians amid the Israel-Gaza conflict. The leaders condemned Hamas attacks on Israel but agreed innocent lives in Gaza must be safeguarded and aid allowed. On India-UK ties, they discussed progress in free trade agreement negotiations and the importance of securing an ambitious deal benefitting both sides. Sunak also congratulated Modi on India's cricket World Cup performance and hoped England would have better luck in upcoming India tests. The two prime ministers underscored working together to reduce Middle East tensions and strengthen bilateral partnership.

The Commission for Air Quality Management has decided to implement Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) with immediate effect across the entire Delhi-NCR region. This is in addition to actions under earlier stages to prevent further deterioration of air quality. Stage IV entails a 8-point plan including restricting truck entry, prohibiting non-Delhi diesel vehicles except essential services, halting construction activities in public projects, and enforcing a ban on industries not running on clean fuels. The CAQM cited the prevailing trend of severe air quality in Delhi-NCR behind invoking the emergency Stage IV measures under GRAP to contain pollution.

India showcased a dominant performance, reaching 326/5 in 50 overs against South Africa in the thrilling World Cup encounter. Virat Kohli's magnificent century (101 off 121 balls) on his 35th birthday, equalling Tendulkar's record, stole the show. Earlier, Rohit Sharma (40 off 24) and Shubman Gill displayed aggressive play, propelling India to a quick start. Despite Kagiso Rabada dismissing Sharma, Kohli partnered with Shreyas Iyer (77 off 87), amassing a crucial 134-run stand. Ravindra Jadeja's late blitz (29 not out off 15) set a daunting target for South Africa. India's innings showcased remarkable teamwork and determination.

In the ODI World Cup 2023 match against South Africa, Virat Kohli showcased his brilliance by scoring his 49th ODI century in just 119 balls, equaling Sachin Tendulkar's record on his 35th Birthday. Kohli's outstanding innings played a pivotal role in India's game against South Africa at Eden Gardens. Partnering with Shreyas Iyer, Kohli contributed to a 134-run partnership before Iyer's departure at 77 runs. India's strong start was further bolstered by Rohit Sharma's explosive 40-run innings. The match reflects Kohli's exceptional form and determination in the ongoing World Cup tournament.

Krupesh Hirani, a British-Indian London Assembly member, successfully tabled a motion urging the Metropolitan Police to address rising instances of anti-Hindu hate crimes. The motion, backed unanimously, calls for detailed recording of hate crimes by religion. Hirani cited the Crime Survey for England and Wales, highlighting Hindus as the second most targeted group for religious hate crimes. Despite being underreported, Hindus faced 291 hate crimes in 2022-2023. The move, ahead of Diwali celebrations, emphasizes the need for police accountability in addressing "Hinduphobia" and ensuring the safety of the Hindu community in London.

India is set to establish its consulate in Seattle, USA, nearly seven years after the initial announcement. Following discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden in June, plans were confirmed for the consulate's operationalization by the end of this month. Indian Foreign Service officer Prakash Gupta will serve as the first Consulate-General in Seattle, a prominent technology hub. The move aligns with the Indo-US joint statement, reflecting the countries' commitment to enhancing diplomatic relations, fostering strategic partnerships, and facilitating increased travel between them.

Elon Musk's X, formerly Twitter, is selling dormant user accounts for $50,000, following Musk's intention to free up usernames. The @Handle Team at X actively markets these handles, despite the platform's policy indicating otherwise. Musk aims to transform X into an "everything app," expanding its features to include comprehensive communications and financial services. In a surprising move, Musk hinted at incorporating a dating feature based on users' posts. The sale of old usernames marks a strategic shift for X as it ventures into new avenues beyond social media.

A tense hostage situation persists at Hamburg Airport, Germany, with a 35-year-old man and a 4-year-old girl held captive inside a car parked under a plane. The ordeal began when the gunman breached security gates, firing shots and hurling burning bottles. Authorities suspect a custody battle, as the girl's mother alerted police about the abduction. Terminal buildings were evacuated, leading to the cancellation of 60 flights, affecting over 3,000 passengers. Negotiators and psychologists are on-site, working to resolve the situation as the standoff enters its 12th hour.

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen thanked his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar for India's support to Israel amid its offensive against Hamas in Gaza. In a telephonic conversation on Saturday, Jaishankar reaffirmed India's commitment to countering terrorism and observing international humanitarian law while backing a two-state solution. The discussion focused on finding a stable, peaceful resolution to the Gaza situation. Jaishankar underscored India's firm stance against terrorism but said civilian lives must be protected. He articulated India's steadfast support for a two-state solution to the decades-old Israel-Palestine conflict. Earlier, Jaishankar had called the Hamas attack an act of terrorism but said the Palestinian issue also needs resolution through dialogue.