Astronomers have discovered the fastest known star in the Milky Way, racing around the supermassive black hole Sagittarius A* at an astonishing 25,000 kilometers per second. The star, named S301, is also the closest known star to our galaxy’s central black hole, completing an orbit in just 8.7 years.

Scientists say S301’s extreme proximity to Sagittarius A* could help them directly measure the spin of a supermassive black hole for the first time. The discovery offers a rare opportunity to test Albert Einstein’s theory of general relativity in one of the most extreme environments in the universe.

Space news: Astronomers track record-breaking star racing at 25,000 km/sec

Russia and Ukraine have exchanged some of the deadliest attacks in weeks. Kyiv came under a fresh wave of ballistic missiles and drones, while a Russian drone strike on a civilian minibus in Kherson killed four people. In Zhytomyr, two police officers were killed and at least 20 people were injured. At the same time, deadly drone attacks were reported inside Russia, showing how the war is now reaching deeper into both countries. Here's everything you need to know about the latest escalation.

Russia-Ukraine war: Moscow unleashes massive missile & drone blitz as Kyiv burns

#Gravitas A popular Chinese comedian, actor and television host is under investigation after performing a modified version of a well-known Chinese patriotic song during a show in Wuhan in July.

The performance has triggered scrutiny from Chinese authorities, raising fresh questions about censorship, political satire and the limits of comedy in China.

Chinese comedian investigated over joke about communist patriotic song

#Gravitas The UK government has faced criticism over a booklet distributed to asylum seekers outlining expected standards of behaviour. The guidance reportedly tells recipients not to commit rape, harass others or make unwanted “kissing sounds”.

The booklet has sparked debate over whether such basic conduct guidelines are necessary and how the government is communicating behavioural expectations to asylum seekers.

UK tells asylum seekers: No rape, harassment or “kissing sounds” 

Summer 2026 has delivered some unforgettable fashion moments, with celebrities turning heads on red carpets, premieres, vacations, and high-profile events around the world. From Anne Hathaway's stunning maternity fashion statement to bold runway-inspired looks and trendsetting street style, the season has been packed with standout outfits.

In this video, we look at the best-dressed celebrities of Summer 2026, the fashion trends dominating Hollywood, and the stars setting the style agenda for the months ahead.

Who owned the summer style game? Watch as we break down the biggest celebrity fashion moments of the season.

Hollywood fashion 2026: Anne Hathaway scripts new chapter in maternity fashion 

A new study has raised concerns about the health risks of sugary beverages. Researchers found that people who consumed at least one sugar-sweetened soft drink every day had a significantly higher risk of developing stomach cancer compared with those who avoided sugary drinks.

According to the findings, daily consumers of sugary beverages faced a 2.45 times greater risk of stomach cancer. The study adds to growing evidence linking excessive sugar intake and ultra-processed drinks to serious health problems.

What does this mean for your daily soda habit? Watch the full report for the latest findings and expert insights.

Just 1 sugary drink a day may double stomach cancer risk, study finds 

Astronomers have discovered the fastest known star in the Milky Way, racing around the supermassive black hole Sagittarius A* at an astonishing 25,000 kilometers per second. The star, named S301, is also the closest known star to our galaxy’s central black hole, completing an orbit in just 8.7 years.

Scientists say S301’s extreme proximity to Sagittarius A* could help them directly measure the spin of a supermassive black hole for the first time. The discovery offers a rare opportunity to test Albert Einstein’s theory of general relativity in one of the most extreme environments in the universe.



Fastest star ever found in Milky Way could unlock black hole secrets

Pakistan has announced its highest civilian award, the Nishan-e-Imtiaz, for two Bombay-based Parsi doctors who treated Muhammad Ali Jinnah and reportedly kept his terminal illness secret in the years leading up to Partition. The decision has reignited debate over whether Jinnah's failing health could have influenced the course of history had it become public knowledge earlier. Nearly eight decades after Partition, Pakistan is recognizing the doctors' role in one of the most closely guarded secrets surrounding the country's founder.

Pakistan honours Indian parsi doctors who kept Jinnah's illness secret

The Supreme Court is hearing a crucial challenge by Uddhav Thackeray's faction against the Election Commission's decision to award the Shiv Sena name and iconic 'bow and arrow' symbol to the Eknath Shinde-led camp. During the hearing, the court observed that a political party's organizational will should prevail over a legislative majority. The case stems from the dramatic 2022 Shiv Sena split that reshaped Maharashtra politics. With local body elections on the horizon, the verdict could have major political implications for both factions.

Shiv Sena symbol row reaches supreme court: Uddhav vs Shinde battle intensifies 

North Korea has fired a suspected ballistic missile, Japanese authorities said, in another show of force by Pyongyang. The launch comes amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula and growing concern over North Korea's missile capabilities. Japan and South Korea are closely monitoring the situation as officials assess the missile's trajectory and other details.

North Korea fires ballistic missile ahead of major US-South Korea war drills

Protests over the National Register of Citizens (NRC) have intensified across Manipur, prompting the state government to temporarily shut schools, colleges and universities. Educational institutions will remain closed until Sunday as authorities cite concerns over the law-and-order situation. The move comes amid heightened tensions surrounding the NRC exercise, with officials closely monitoring developments across the state.

Manipur NRC protests intensify: Schools and colleges shut amid tensions

Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh has hit back at growing opposition to Visakhapatnam's upcoming data centres, calling it a "misinformation campaign" built on "false propaganda." Addressing concerns in the Assembly, Lokesh said building these data centres is key to India's digital sovereignty, especially as the country races to build its own AI infrastructure.

Visakhapatnam data centre row: Nara Lokesh calls it a 'misinformation campaign' 

China is developing a multilayered defence architecture designed to detect, disrupt and destroy incoming threats. The proposed system could combine advanced sensors, AI, satellites and multiple interception technologies to strengthen China’s military defences.


China proposes 3-Layer Defence shield to counter drone swarms and missile threats

At least four people were killed after flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall struck Rajouri district in Jammu & Kashmir. Rescue teams have been deployed as authorities assess the damage and search for those affected. Torrential rains have caused widespread disruption across parts of the region.


Jammu-Kashmir Floods: Four dead in Rajouri flash floods

A former Meta director has testified about Mark Zuckerberg’s role in decisions related to child safety on the company’s platforms. The testimony has put Meta’s internal safety practices and leadership decisions under renewed scrutiny.


Former META director testifies on Zuckerberg’s role in child safety 

Bangladesh is set for its first contested presidential election in nearly 35 years after Jamaat-e-Islami entered the race. The Jamaat-led 11-party alliance has named former military officer and LDP chairman Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed as its consensus candidate.


Bangladesh elections: BNP nominee Mirza Fakhrul leads presidential race 

 The US Federal reserve is becoming increasingly worried that inflation may not fall back to its 2 percent target, and that could mean higher interest rates for longer. Minutes from the fed’s July 28th and 29th meeting show several policymakers were ready to raise rates, while many others said a hike could become necessary if inflation fails to decline. The key question now: will the fed keep rates steady, or start raising them again?


FED’s inflation worry deepens, rate hike fears return 

Russia is deploying fast-moving jet-powered drones in a new challenge for Ukraine’s air defences. The weapons can travel faster than conventional drones, potentially reducing reaction time for Ukrainian forces and complicating interception efforts. As Moscow expands its drone arsenal, can Ukraine adapt its defences to counter this emerging threat? WION Pulse tracks the latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine war.


Russia's new jet drones are stretching Ukraine's defences

Despite president Donald Trump’s tariffs, the United States continues to account for about 20 percent of India’s exports.


US-India trade pact: India and US export share remains resilient despite Tariff pressures 

The Pakistani government implemented a major reduction in the price of High-Speed Diesel (HSD), slashing it by Rs. 32.63 per litre following intensive negotiations with local oil refineries.

The breakthrough came after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik to engage with domestic refineries to secure consumer relief. With local refineries agreeing to lower the cost of locally produced diesel, the retail price dropped from nearly Rs. 396 down to Rs. 363.06 per litre.

Pakistan fuel crisis: Diesel prices could fall by all over Rs. 30-32 per litre

Tamil Nadu CM Vijay issued a stern warning to the DMK during a heated Assembly session. Vijay suggested that he has evidence linked to allegations against the opposition and warned that he could disclose it if pushed further.

Tamil Nadu Assembly: CM Vijay says 'will reveal corruption files of previous DMK regime' 

A major study analyzing more than 12 million death certificates has found that pilots and flight attendants face some of the highest rates of radiation-related cancer deaths among U.S. workers. Researchers say prolonged exposure to cosmic radiation at high altitudes may increase the risk of cancers including leukemia, melanoma, breast and thyroid cancer, raising fresh concerns about the long-term health risks faced by airline crews.

Study warns pilots face hidden cancer risk from cosmic radiation

The United States is preparing to issue a stern diplomatic warning to dozens of partner nations, telling them they must choose between Washington and Beijing in the escalating global artificial intelligence race. According to a leaked internal U.S. State Department draft reviewed by sources, the administration is targeting 35 countries that signed an American "AI Opportunity Statement" in June.


US warns countries over China's rival AI framework

The COVID-19 origins debate has taken a new turn following a guilty plea by Dr. David Morens, a former senior adviser to Dr. Anthony Fauci at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). Morens pleaded guilty in a federal court to conspiracy charges involving the concealment of government records and evading public records laws concerning pandemic-related research grants.


COVID  origins mystery gets new twist after Fauci adviser guilty plea

Harvard University has agreed to a $53 million class-action settlement to resolve civil lawsuits brought by families whose loved ones' remains were stolen and sold on the black market. The scandal centers around Cedric Lodge, the former manager of the Harvard Medical School morgue, who systematically stole body parts—including brains, skin, bones, and dissected heads—from cadavers donated for medical research between 2018 and 2020.


Harvard morgue scandal: Harvard to pay $53 million over theft & sale of human remains

United States President Donald Trump has emphasized the critical importance of maintaining a positive personal rapport with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, stating that their mutual understanding helps stabilize the Korean Peninsula. In recent statements, Trump highlighted that Kim has consistently treated him with respect and noted that ongoing diplomatic engagement remains a priority for constructive bilateral relations.


US-North Korea ties: Trump says very important for him and Kim to get along

The Indian government is rolling out a major nationwide outreach initiative targeted at Gen Z, titled 'One Day, One University'. Under this proposed program, a Union Minister will visit a designated university campus every single day to engage in direct dialogue with students, listen to their perspectives on national issues, and share details regarding youth-centric government welfare and employment schemes.


Govt plans 'one day, one university' drive; one minister to visit one university daily

US-Iran tensions escalate as Donald Trump announces what he calls the “most crushing economic operation ever” against Iran. The move signals a major expansion of Washington’s economic pressure campaign as the conflict between the US and Iran intensifies. Watch this report for the latest developments, Trump’s Iran strategy, sanctions and the wider impact on the Middle East and global economy.


US-Iran war: Trump announces 'most crushing economic op ever' against Iran

Nigeria’s political landscape heats up as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the country’s next elections. The opposition leaders are seeking to build a stronger political front as Nigeria prepares for another closely watched electoral battle. Watch this report for the latest developments, political alliances, and what the challenge could mean for Tinubu and Nigeria’s opposition.


Nigeria elections: Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar & Peter Obi challenge Tinubu

More than 150 years after Charles Darwin proposed his theory of ticklishness, new research has found evidence supporting his idea. Scientists discovered that body parts touched less frequently tend to be more ticklish. The study also mapped the most ticklish areas of the human body, including the neck, armpits, abdomen and feet, offering fresh insights into one of science’s oldest mysteries.

Darwin’s 150-year-old tickling theory gets scientific backing

#Gravitas The debate over the origins of COVID-19 has taken a new turn after a former senior adviser to Dr. Anthony Fauci admitted to helping conceal U.S. federal records linked to coronavirus research. The development is reigniting questions about transparency, record-keeping, and what information was available during investigations into the pandemic's origins. The case is likely to intensify scrutiny of key figures and institutions involved in COVID-era decision-making.

Covid origins mystery deepens after Fauci adviser’s guilty plea

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