World Hepatitis Day | 28 July

World Hepatitis Day, 28 July, is an opportunity to step up national and international efforts on hepatitis, encourage actions and engagement by individuals, partners and the public and highlight the need for a greater global response as outlined in the WHO's Global hepatitis report of 2017.

The date of 28 July was chosen because it is the birthday of Nobel-prize winning scientist Dr Baruch Blumberg, who discovered hepatitis B virus (HBV) and developed a diagnostic test and vaccine for the virus.

Low coverage of testing and treatment is the most important gap to be addressed in order to achieve the global elimination goals by 2030.

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Union Minister Launches Atmanirbhar Panchayat Program, SAMARTH Portal & Releases Model OSR Rules

Union Minister of Panchayati Raj and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, launched the Atmanirbhar Panchayat Programme, the SAMARTH Panchayat Portal and released the Model OSR (Own Source of Revenue) Rules for Panchayati Raj Institutions at a function held at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi. On this occasion, the Union Minister was also presented with the Trophy and Certificate for the Gold Award conferred on the Ministry under the National Awards for e-Governance (NAeG) 2026 for the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) – Data Driven Governance for Viksit Bharat.

The Atmanirbhar Panchayat Programme, SAMARTH Panchayat Portal and Model OSR Rules mark a significant step towards building financially empowered, technologically enabled and self-reliant Panchayats, in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047. The SAMARTH Panchayat Portal would facilitate seamless and transparent taxation, payments and monitoring of Panchayat revenues.

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Axis Finance Launches ‘Drishti’ to Accelerate Data-Driven Credit Decisioning

Axis Finance Limited (AFL), one of India’s fast-growing non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), has launched Axis Finance Drishti, an in-house Business Rules Engine (BRE) designed to accelerate credit decision-making through automation, advanced analytics, and data-driven underwriting.

Rolled out initially for Personal Loans, Business Loans, Loan Against Property (LAP), and Disha Home Loans, Drishti aims to improve the speed, consistency, and accuracy of lending decisions while enhancing the customer borrowing experience.

Developed as a configurable digital platform, Drishti integrates underwriting workflows with statistical scorecards, real-time decisioning, and multiple data sources, including alternate data, to enable policy-driven credit assessments. The platform supports both straight-through processing (STP) and assisted credit journeys, helping reduce turnaround times while strengthening governance and risk oversight.

The initiative aligns with Axis Finance’s strategic vision, ‘Grow the Good,’ which focuses on strengthening digital lending capabilities and delivering faster, smarter, and more seamless loan experiences. By standardizing credit evaluation, the company expects to improve operational efficiency, portfolio quality, and scalability across its lending business.

The launch builds on Axis Finance’s broader digital transformation initiatives, which include ABC Scorecards for objective credit assessment and an AI-assisted quality monitoring framework for collections. Together, these technology investments reinforce the company’s commitment to responsible lending, operational excellence, and customer-centric financial services.

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NASA's AI-powered Mission PRAXIS aims to touch Saturn's rings for the first time

NASA is exploring an ambitious new mission concept that could allow humanity to touch and collect samples from Saturn's rings for the first time. The proposed mission, called PRAXIS (Planetary Rings Autonomous Exploration with In-situ Sampling), would use artificial intelligence to safely navigate the planet's hazardous ring system and retrieve tiny ring particles for onboard analysis.

The mission is currently an early-stage concept backed by NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Phase I funding, meaning it is still in the feasibility study stage and has no confirmed launch date. However, if approved for future development, PRAXIS could answer some of the biggest unanswered questions about the origin, evolution, and composition of Saturn's iconic rings.

Mission PRAXIS is a proposed robotic explorer designed to perform something no spacecraft has achieved before—directly sample particles from a planetary ring system.

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OmniCard Launches India's First Flexi Benefits Basket on UPI -- Employee Benefits Beyond Just Meals

OmniCard (Eroute Technologies Pvt. Ltd.), the RBI-licensed AIpowered Business Fintech OS for corporate spend management, announced the launch of India's first Flexi Benefits Basket on UPI -- a single, employee-controlled benefits wallet that works across multiple taxefficient benefit categories and pays anywhere UPI is accepted.

While recent industry launches have brought UPI to standalone meal cards, OmniCard's Flexi Benefits Basket goes a structural step further: employees allocate their benefits allowance across meal, fuel, telecom, books & periodicals, gadgets, and other eligible categories -- and spend each through simple UPI scan-andpay at the merchants they already use every day, from office canteens and food delivery apps to fuel stations and bookstores.

Under the Income-tax Rules, 2026 notified by the CBDT (effective April 1, 2026), the tax-free limit on employer-provided meals has been raised from ₹50 to ₹200 per meal -- available under both the old and new tax regimes, subject to prescribed conditions. That alone allows employees to receive up to ₹1,05,600 annually as a tax-free meal benefit.

OmniCard's Flexi Benefits Basket extends this logic across the full range of eligible benefit categories -- for example, telecom (₹36,000) and books & periodicals (₹50,000) as typically structured -- enabling total annual tax-free benefits beyond ₹2,00,000 per employee, structured within CTC at zero additional cost to the employer.

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India allows use of ammonia in agriculture to cut import dependence on urea

Amid high demand and limited availability of urea—which contains 46 per cent nitrogen (N)—India has allowed ammonia containing 82 per cent N, for agricultural use. However, the country has to go a long way to put in place an infrastructure network for delivery and application of the gas on the farmer field since it needs to be injected under soil.

Industry sources said if it becomes successful, India will be the fourth country in the world after the US, Canada and Australia to use ammonia directly in farming.

According to a notification published on July 23, the Union Agriculture Ministry said that “Anhydrous Ammonia” fertilizer having minimum 82 per cent Nitrogen by weight is allowed to be manufactured by any unit for a period of three years from the date of Gazette notification, under clause 20A of Fertiliser (Inorganic, Organic or Mixed) (Control) Order, 1985.

Industry sources said that many urea plants generate 2,000-6,000 tonnes of surplus ammonia every year which could not be diverted for urea due to limitations in production capacity, and, as a result, they sell it. The government has mandated these ammonia sales as a priority for complex fertiliser (combination of N, P, K nutrients) units.

As the approval missed the Kharif 2025 season, anhydrous and aqueous ammonia was said to be put into trial in 13 ICAR’s institutions during Rabi 2025-26 season. Sources said that the trial was supposed to be for three seasons, but the approval by ICAR was fast-tracked to facilitate the pace of its manufacturing so that in next Kharif season at least some areas could be covered under a pilot scheme.

An investment of ₹13,000—₹15,000 crore is needed to set up a green ammonia plant of 1,200 tonne per day capacity.

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Edelweiss MF to launch India's first REIT-oriented index fund

Edelweiss Mutual Fund is set to launch India's first REITs-oriented index fund, giving investors a new way to gain exposure to the listed real estate sector through a single mutual fund. The launch has generated considerable interest. The fund provides exposure to a portfolio of listed Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and leading real estate companies through a single investment.

Radhika Gupta, Managing Director and CEO of Edelweiss Mutual Fund.

According to Gupta, REITs are classified as equity instruments, whereas InvITs are treated as hybrid instruments. Combining the two would change the nature of the product from an equity index fund to a hybrid index fund, which is currently not permitted under SEBI's regulations for passive funds.

Gupta added that the upcoming Edelweiss Nifty REITs & Realty Index Fund will primarily focus on listed REITs while allocating the remaining portion to real estate companies included in the underlying index.

Edelweiss Nifty REITs & Realty Index Fund will open for subscription from August 5 to August 19. The fund house describes this fund as: from skyline to portfolio, the new way to invest in Indian real estate.

The fund aims to mirror the returns of Nifty REITs & Realty Total Return Index, subject to tracking error, and at present, the composition of the index construct is nearly 60% in Indian REITs and 40% in realty stocks.

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Edelweiss MF to launch India's first REIT-oriented index fund

Edelweiss Mutual Fund is set to launch India's first REITs-oriented index fund, giving investors a new way to gain exposure to the listed real estate sector through a single mutual fund. The launch has generated considerable interest. The fund provides exposure to a portfolio of listed Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and leading real estate companies through a single investment.

Radhika Gupta, Managing Director and CEO of Edelweiss Mutual Fund.

According to Gupta, REITs are classified as equity instruments, whereas InvITs are treated as hybrid instruments. Combining the two would change the nature of the product from an equity index fund to a hybrid index fund, which is currently not permitted under SEBI's regulations for passive funds.

Gupta added that the upcoming Edelweiss Nifty REITs & Realty Index Fund will primarily focus on listed REITs while allocating the remaining portion to real estate companies included in the underlying index.

Edelweiss Nifty REITs & Realty Index Fund will open for subscription from August 5 to August 19. The fund house describes this fund as: from skyline to portfolio, the new way to invest in Indian real estate.

The fund aims to mirror the returns of Nifty REITs & Realty Total Return Index, subject to tracking error, and at present, the composition of the index construct is nearly 60% in Indian REITs and 40% in realty stocks.

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Ministry of Earth Sciences marks 20 years of service, launches new weather and ocean science initiatives

The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) celebrated its 20th Foundation Day at Prithvi Bhawan in New Delhi, marking two decades of contributions to weather forecasting, earth systems science, oceanography, seismology and polar research. The occasion also saw the launch of several new scientific initiatives, digital platforms and research publications aimed at strengthening weather services, disaster preparedness and marine research.

Dr. Muthunayagam reflected on the evolution of India’s ocean research programme, tracing its beginnings to the establishment of the Department of Ocean Development in 1981. He highlighted milestones including India’s first Antarctic expedition, the establishment of permanent research stations such as Dakshin Gangotri, Maitri and Bharati, the creation of institutions including NIOT, NCPOR and INCOIS, and advances in ocean thermal energy conversion and desalination technologies.

Among the major announcements, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) unveiled 13 Centres of Excellence dedicated to specialised areas such as desert meteorology, mountain meteorology, thunderstorm research and agrometeorology.

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SBI to issue first rupee-denominated perpetual debt of 2026

State Bank of India is set to become the first bank to tap the market for perpetual bonds in 2026, with plans to raise 50 billion rupees ($517.76 million) within the ‌next two ⁠weeks, ⁠three bankers familiar with the matter.

The country's largest lender is in advanced talks with merchant bankers and investors to issue Basel III-compliant additional Tier I perpetual bonds with a five-year call option.

State-run Canara Bank was the last lender to tap the market, raising 35 billion rupees through Basel III-compliant ‌additional Tier I perpetual bonds at a 7.55% coupon in November 2025.

SBI last issued perpetual bonds in October ⁠2024, raising 50 billion rupees at a 7.98% coupon with a 10-year call option.

In June, SBI's board approved raising up to 600 billion rupees through debt this financial year, including long-term infrastructure bonds, Basel III-compliant additional Tier I securities and Tier II instruments.

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Former SBI Chief GM to liquidate Paytm Payments Bank Ltd.

The Delhi High Court has appointed former SBI Chief General Manager (CGM) Girikumar M. Nair to liquidate Paytm Payments Bank after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancelled its banking licence three months ago.

As per the said Order, the Official Liquidator shall exercise all the powers prescribed under the provisions of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 along with applicable provisions of the Companies Act, 2013.

According to a circular dated April 24, 2026, the RBI had cancelled PPBL’s banking license and had ordered it to stop onboarding customers, as it found that “the affairs of the bank were conducted in a manner detrimental to the interest of the bank and its depositors.” Further, the RBI said the bank had not been complying with Section 22 (3) (b) of the BR Act, which protects depositor money.

The RBI had further approached the Delhi High Court to initiate winding up process of the bank. “In terms of the said Order, the Official Liquidator shall, with effect from July 8, 2026, exercise all the powers of the Board of PPBL,” it added.

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Delhi Lakshmi Yojana to roll out on August 28; women with more than three children ineligible

The Delhi Government has approved the Delhi Lakshmi Yojana, aimed at the economic empowerment and social security of women. The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta at the Delhi Secretariat. Under the scheme, eligible women will receive financial assistance of 2,500 rupees every month. A provision of 5,110 crore rupees has been made for the scheme in the 2026-27 Budget.

Speaking to the media in New Delhi, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the registration portal for the scheme will open on 1st August. She said women between 21 and 60 years of age, with an annual family income of up to 2.5 lakh rupees, will be eligible to avail of the benefits.

The Chief Minister said the scheme is aimed not only at providing financial assistance but also at promoting education, healthcare, skill development, savings and greater social participation among women. She expressed confidence that the initiative would benefit more than 17 lakh women and help make them self-reliant and empowered.

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EIL and CSIR-IMMT sign MoU to advance indigenous technologies

Engineers India Limited (EIL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the CSIR–Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (CSIR-IMMT), Bhubaneswar, on 23 July 2026 to strengthen collaboration in mineral processing, extractive metallurgy, and the critical and strategic minerals value chain.

Under the agreement, EIL and CSIR-IMMT will jointly identify, evaluate, and undertake research and development initiatives in critical and strategic minerals. The collaboration will also facilitate the exchange of technical expertise, capacity-building programmes, technology scale-up, and the execution of pilot-scale and commercial deployment projects.

EIL, a public sector undertaking under the administrative control of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoPNG), Govt. of India, is a premier engineering consultancy agency providing concept-to-commissioning services across the oil & gas, petroleum, refining, ferrous & non-ferrous, fertilizers, infrastructure, and renewable energy sectors.

CSIR-IMMT, a constituent laboratory of CSIR, is engaged in research and technology development in mineral processing, extractive metallurgy, and materials engineering. It is also recognized as a Centre of Excellence for Critical Minerals under the National Critical Mineral Mission.

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Himachal launches Mukhyamantri Machhuara Samman Nidhi Yojana to support reservoir fishermen

Himachal Pradesh government launched ‘Mukhyamantri Machhuara Samman Nidhi Yojana’ to provide financial assistance and social security to fishermen engaged in reservoir fisheries across the state.

The scheme comes as over 3,500 fishermen have been affected by a sharp decline in fish production due to the annual fishing ban. Under the scheme, each eligible fisherman will receive an annual financial assistance of Rs 3,500.

The scheme will cover fishermen engaged in reservoir fisheries through registered Fisheries Cooperative Societies and holding valid fishing licences.

Eligible fishermen will have to apply through their respective Fisheries Cooperative Societies with a valid fishing licence, Aadhaar card, Parivar Register details, a valid NFDP registration number and a society membership certificate. Applications will be scrutinised by the Fisheries Cooperative Societies and Fisheries Department officials before approval by the Deputy Director or Assistant Director of Fisheries at the district level.

The financial assistance will be transferred directly to the beneficiaries’ bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism. The Directorate of Fisheries will monitor the scheme, maintain beneficiary records and conduct random verification to ensure transparency.

Around 3,700 fishermen families associated with the Gobind Sagar, Pong Dam, Kol Dam, Chamera and Ranjit Sagar reservoirs are expected to benefit from the scheme every year. The state government will spend about Rs 1.20 crore annually on its implementation.

The scheme would provide much-needed financial support to families dependent on reservoir fisheries and help them meet essential needs during the fishing ban.

The state government has already introduced a Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 100 per kg for reservoir fisheries and reduced royalty rates. Under the policy, if auction prices fall below the MSP, the government will provide a subsidy of up to Rs 20 per kg through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

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Vizhinjam seaport gets final Customs clearance for EXIM operations

Vizhinjam International Seaport has secured Customs approval to commence EXIM operations, its operator, VISL. Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd said the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs has granted final approval for the port to officially commence EXIM cargo operations from August 18.

While Vizhinjam International Seaport, Thiruvananthapuram, has so far functioned exclusively as an international transshipment hub, export-import cargo operations shall commence with effect from August 18, 2026.

"Customs regulation of EXIM cargo will be carried out in coordination with various government and facilitating agencies, such as VISL, AVPPL, the Mercantile Marine Department, the Port Health Organisation, the Bureau of Immigration, the Coastal Police, authorised banks and port security agencies," the CBIC order dated July 24 said.

As there is currently no designated Container Freight Station attached to the port, the CBIC has imposed several conditions governing EXIM cargo handling.

The CBIC has directed that no Less-than-Container Load cargo, loose cargo or containers requiring de-stuffing or CFS examination be allowed at the port until a designated CFS becomes operational.

Regarding exports, the CBIC said operations would be restricted to Direct Port Entry of factory-stuffed, self-sealed or Customs-sealed FCL containers. However, cargo requiring loose stuffing, examination or carting within the port yard will not be permitted, it said.

Besides direct DPD and DPE container movement, road transshipment between the seaport and other notified Customs stations, such as Inland Container Depots, Container Freight Stations, Special Economic Zones and Land Customs Stations, will also commence, the CBIC said.

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Gujarat Launches E-Zero FIR System For Cyber Financial Fraud Cases

Gujarat has introduced an e-Zero FIR system for cyber financial fraud cases, allowing victims to initiate the legal process without visiting a police station, in a move aimed at speeding up investigations and improving the chances of preventing financial losses.

Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi formally launched the 'Cyber Financial Fraud e-Zero FIR' service in Gandhinagar.

Under the new mechanism, complaints lodged through the national cybercrime helpline, 1930, will automatically generate an e-Zero FIR, which will then be forwarded electronically to the jurisdictional police station for further action.

The initiative has been implemented in coordination with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. It is designed to reduce delays in the initial stages of cybercrime investigations.

Director General of Police (DGP) Gyanendra Singh Malik has directed all field units to deal with such complaints with seriousness and sensitivity and to ensure that complainants receive prompt justice through effective implementation of the new system.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Bipin Ahire, who heads the Cyber Centre of Excellence, said the e-Zero FIR process had been developed in coordination with I4C.

Based on the complaint, the Cyber Crime Department took swift action and prevented a loss of more than Rs 15.76 lakh.

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SpaceX’s giant Starship rocket completes successful test flight, deploys 20 Starlink satellites

SpaceX’s giant Starship rocket successfully completed its latest test flight travelling halfway around the world and deploying 20 advanced Starlink satellites. The 124-metre rocket launched from Texas after a previous delay caused by engine problems. The new Starlinks successfully connected with existing satellites using laser links. NASA is closely watching Starship’s progress because it plans to use the spacecraft as a lunar lander for future Artemis moon missions. The flight was the 13th Starship test and the second launch of the newer V3 version. The mission was delayed earlier due to a launch abort and bad weather from Tropical Storm Bertha.

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Gulveer Singh and Harjinder Kaur win Silver medals at Commonwealth Games

At the ongoing Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, Gulveer Singh scripted history by becoming the first Indian athlete to win a medal in the men’s 10,000-metre race after claiming a silver medal. The reigning Asian champion clocked 27:49.78 at the Scotstoun Stadium to finish behind Australia’s Ky Robinson.

Harjinder Kaur also added a silver to India’s medal tally in the women’s 69-kilogramme weightlifting event. The 29-year-old Indian weightlifter finished with a combined lift of 227 kilograms to secure India’s seventh medal from eight weightlifting events in Glasgow. This was Harjinder Kaur’s second successive Commonwealth Games medal, after she won bronze at Birmingham in 2022. With this, India’s total medal count at the Glasgow Games rose to 12, including two gold, seven silver and three bronze medals.

Lovlina Borgohain secured India’s first guaranteed medal in the women’s 75-kilogramme event, while Preeti Pawar progressed to the women’s 54-kilogramme semifinals. Priya Ghanghas assured herself of at least a bronze medal by defeating Scotland’s Niamh Mitchell 4-1 in her women’s 60-kilogramme quarterfinal match. Jadumani Singh Mandengbam also stormed into the men’s 55-kilogramme semifinals, extending India’s guaranteed boxing medal tally.

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Indian duo Sonam Maskar, Himanshu Dhillon clinch bronze in ISSF World Cup 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team event

India added another medal to its tally at the ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun in Hangzhou after the pairing of Sonam Maskar and Himanshu Dhillon secured the bronze medal in the 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team event.

The Indian duo, competing as India 2, delivered a composed performance in the qualification round to finish second with an aggregate score of 634.6, earning a place in the four-team medal round. They carried their form into the final, accumulating 441.2 points to finish third behind two Chinese teams that dominated the event. Host nation China 1 claimed the gold medal with 505.0 points, edging China 2, which settled for silver with 504.6 in a closely contested final.

The bronze medal further underlined India’s depth in rifle shooting, with both Indian pairs advancing to the final ahead of several experienced international combinations. Sonam contributed 220.6 points in the medal round, while Himanshu matched her tally with another 220.6, helping India secure its place on the podium.

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Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi takes charge of the Union Ministry of Education

Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi officially took charge of the Ministry of Education at Kartavya Bhavan. The Minister also holds charges of the Union Ministries of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New and Renewable Energy.

Shri Joshi chaired a review meeting of the Ministry in which he reviewed the implementation of various Schemes and other initiatives. Union Minister of State of Education Shri Jayant Chaudhary also attended the review meeting.

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Weightlifter Gyaneshwari Yadav clinches silver medal in Women’s 53kg category

Indian weightlifter Gyaneshwari Yadav clinched the silver medal in women’s 53kg category at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Asian Championships bronze winner, Gyaneshwari lifted 88kg in the snatch section, and 111kg in clean and jerk for a total lift of 199kg. Onome Omolola Didih of Nigeria won the gold with a Commonwealth and Games record total lift of 206kg. Earlier, India’s weightlifting queen Mirabai Chanu won first gold medal for the country at the Games. She dominated the women’s 48kg event with a record-breaking total lift of 190 kilograms. The triumph also earned her a third consecutive Commonwealth Games Gold medal, following her victories in 2018 and 2022.

India’s medal tally now stands at five with one gold, three silver and one bronze.

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Indian shooter Esha singh clinches gold in women’s 25 meter pistol event at ISSF World Cup; Manu Bhakar settles for Bronze

In Shooting, India’s Esha Singh grabbed the gold medal in the women’s 25 metre pistol event of the ISSF World Cup (Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun) in Hangzhou, China. She upstaged Olympic-medallist Manu Bhaker, who took the bronze to complete a double-podium finish for India. The 21-year-old Esha produced a commanding display in the final, registering 40 hits to seal the gold medal, while Paris 2024 double Olympic-medallist Manu fought through a tense, highly-competitive field, winning a crucial shoot-off before finishing with 28 hits to secure bronze.

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