With 33 medals (8 gold, 12 silver, 13 bronze), India currently ranks 4th in the medal tally at the ongoing Asian Games. Day 7 has India vs. Pakistan clashes in squash and hockey alongside multiple medal prospects in athletics. India will fight for gold in mixed doubles tennis and men's team squash finals. The hockey team takes on arch-rivals Pakistan as Mirabai Chanu starts her campaign. Long jumpers Aldrin, Sreeshankar and 2018 heptathlon winner Swapna Barman also feature. After a haul of 33 already, India aims higher on Saturday across various disciplines.

England's Jonny Bairstow shared on Instagram about the team's 38+ hour economy class flight to Guwahati for their World Cup warmup match against India. He posted a picture of a player surrounded by co-passengers on the flight and captioned it "utter chaos". Bairstow mentioned the long journey saying "last leg incoming...been some trip" and "38 hours and counting". The England squad reached Guwahati along with the Indian players. England have two warmup games scheduled before the World Cup - against India and then Bangladesh in Guwahati. Bairstow's post highlighted the grueling travel facing teams for the tournament across distant Indian venues.

Madhya Pradesh police said those who refused to help the rape survivor in Ujjain, seen begging door-to-door in viral CCTV footage, could be charged under child sex abuse laws for not reporting the crime. An auto driver who knowingly didn't inform police has been identified. More people visible in footage ignoring the bleeding girl's pleas may face action if deliberate lapse is confirmed. However, police claimed some had tried helping with money and clothes. But none took her in or called the cops until a priest sheltered her and called the police. The horrifying case has spotlighted appalling public apathy towards a desperate child victim.

Amid ongoing diplomatic tensions between India and Canada, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar claimed Canada was providing space to terrorists due to "compulsions of its politics". He confirmed discussing the matter with US NSA Jake Sullivan and Secretary of State Antony Blinken during his Washington visit. This follows Canadian PM Justin Trudeau's remarks accusing India's role in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Jaishankar shared India's concerns on the issue with the US and received their assessments. The meeting was the highest level interaction between the countries after the recent G20 summit.

The governor of New York declared a state of emergency on Friday as torrential rainfall caused flash flooding across the city, disrupting subway services and forcing road closures. Over 5 inches of rain fell in New York by Friday morning, prompting a flash flood warning. Governor Kathy Hochul described the floods as a "life-threatening event" and urged residents to follow warnings. The flood waters entered basements in New York and submerged roads in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and New Jersey. Hochul also declared an emergency in Long Island and Hudson Valley regions hit by the sudden downpour and flooding.

Several police personnel in Hyderabad joined devotees for a dance during the Ganesh Visarjan procession on Thursday, spreading joy and excitement. Videos going viral show cops spontaneously dancing with hundreds of devotees to traditional songs at NTR Marg. From senior officers to juniormost staff, the police seemed eager to shake a leg with the public during the celebrations. A cop dancing freestyle on a wall caught much attention. About 90,000 idols are expected to be immersed across Hyderabad. Police made elaborate arrangements to ensure smooth and safe immersion. The enthusiastic participation of cops highlights the festive bonhomie and unity in the city.

Indian athlete Kiran Baliyan clinched the bronze medal in the women's shot put event at the Hangzhou Asian Games 2023 on Friday. The 24-year-old produced a throw of 17.36m in her third attempt, which remained her best and fetched her the bronze. This was India's first athletics medal at the ongoing Asian Games. Baliyan achieved her personal best of 17.92m earlier this month at the Indian GP 5. The last time India won a medal in women's shot put at the Asian Games was in 1951 when Barbara Webster clinched bronze. Baliyan's podium finish ends India's long wait for an athletics medal at Asia's biggest sports competition.

President Droupadi Murmu has given her assent to the Women's Reservation Bill, paving the way for 33% reservation for women in Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies. The bill, officially known as the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act now, seeks to reserve one-third of seats for women in parliament and state assemblies. President Murmu gave her nod to the bill on Thursday, as per a notification issued by the Law Ministry. The bill will come into force on a date to be decided by the central government through an official gazette notification. This is a landmark moment in the empowerment of women in legislative bodies.

In a major boost to 'Make in India', the Indian Air Force is likely to place orders for 156 additional indigenous 'Prachand' Light Combat Helicopters to be deployed along the China and Pakistan borders. The move comes after the IAF and Army successfully inducted 15 Prachand choppers over the last 15 months. As per defence officials, the IAF has proposed the joint acquisition of 156 more Prachand helicopters which is expected to get approval soon. The deployment of the new fleet will significantly enhance India's surveillance capabilities along the sensitive borders with China and Pakistan. (Image Courtesy: ANI)

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has sent a ₹100 crore defamation notice to BJP MP Maneka Gandhi for her recent controversial statement accusing ISKCON of selling cows to butchers. ISKCON vice-president Radharamn Das said Maneka's comments were baseless and hurt devotees' sentiments globally. He added that ISKCON will legally pursue the case against the former union minister. In a viral video, Maneka alleged that ISKCON establishments sell cows to butchers despite taking government benefits for gaushalas, a claim ISKCON has denied.