Ace Indian cueist Pankaj Advani is looking to win his third consecutive Asian Billiards Championship, starting on Tuesday in Saudi Arabia. Advani, a nine-time Asian billiards champion, faces tough competition from players across Asia, including fellow Indians Sourav Kothari and Dhruv Sitwala. The tournament features a unique 100-point format that promises exciting and unpredictable matches.
The Space Exploration and Research Agency (Sera) has announced an upcoming suborbital manned spaceflight featuring an Indian citizen, marking the second time an Indian will travel to space and the second time an Indian-origin individual will fly on a Blue Origin mission. The mission, open to Indian citizens, will be part of a Blue Origin space tourism mission for a fee of $2.5 million. The selected individual will be chosen through public voting and undergo training at Blue Origin’s Texas base before the flight.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) has announced the squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against India, starting July 5th. Experienced all-rounder Chloe Tryon returns from injury, while Delmi Tucker and Nondumiso Shangase will depart after the one-off Test. The series serves as crucial preparation for the T20 World Cup in October.
Leading health insurer Niva Bupa is set to go public, filing a draft prospectus to raise Rs 3,000 crore ($360 million) through an IPO. The offering includes a fresh issue of Rs 800 crore and an offer for sale of up to Rs 2,200 crore by existing shareholders, including Bupa Singapore Holdings and Fettle Tone LLP. This makes Niva Bupa the second stand-alone health insurer to list on Indian stock exchanges.
India’s space program is taking giant leaps forward with the upcoming Gaganyaan mission, aiming to send astronauts to space by 2024. Prime Minister Narendra Modi could potentially be among those astronauts. The mission’s success would make India the fourth nation to achieve human spaceflight. Furthermore, ISRO has set its sights on a moon landing by 2040, part of Modi’s ‘Amrit Kaal’ vision, requiring the development of more powerful rockets.
South Africa’s women’s cricket team achieved a historic milestone during the one-off Test against India in Chennai. They surpassed their previous highest Test score, smashing a record total thanks to centuries from Sune Luus and Laura Wolvaardt.
Three new criminal laws replacing colonial-era legislation have come into effect in India, sparking debate about their implementation and potential impact on civil liberties. While some legal experts praise the modernization, others criticize the hasty passage and potential for increased litigation.
India participated in the third UN-led conference on Afghanistan in Doha, marking the Taliban’s first appearance at an international event. While India is cautiously engaging with the Taliban for humanitarian and security purposes, the conference drew criticism over the regime’s treatment of women. External Affairs Minister Jaishankar also visited Doha, strengthening India-Qatar ties across various sectors.
Despite the men’s team’s recent loss in the T20 World Cup final, the South African women’s cricket team displayed impressive resilience in their one-off Test match against India, with Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus leading the charge. Despite facing a massive deficit and challenging conditions, the duo forged a crucial partnership, demonstrating their ability to adapt and thrive under pressure.
Tata Consumer Products Ltd has received an income tax demand of Rs 171.83 crore for the assessment year 2019-20. The company claims the demand is not maintainable and plans to appeal the order. The demand has no immediate impact on the company’s financials or operations.
