North Korea on Friday slammed the United States and Japan for turning their alliance into a threatening "nuclear" coalition, claiming the move justifies its own defence buildup.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) issued the criticism in an article by a North Korean international affairs analyst, citing last year's upgrade of US-Japan consultations on extended deterrence to the ministerial level and the two countries' recent reaffirmation of extended deterrence guidelines.

Extended deterrence refers to the US' stated commitment to using the full range of its military capabilities, including nuclear arms, to defend its ally, news agency reported.

North Korea also cited Japanese authorities' recent tour to a base for US B-52 strategic bombers and the staging of a joint military drill simulating nuclear use.

In a decisive move following recent accidents in Jhalawar and Jaisalmer, the Rajasthan Department of Autonomous Governance has ordered the sealing and demolition of 2,699 dangerously dilapidated buildings across the state.

The action comes as part of a statewide monsoon preparedness campaign, with officials instructed to conduct ground inspections, warn the public, and prevent any untoward incidents. The above decision has been taken in the wake of recent accidents in Jhalawar and Jaisalmer -- where incidents related to unsafe infrastructure and torrential rains raised serious safety concerns -- the Department of Autonomous Governance in Rajasthan has moved into high alert mode.

Responding swiftly to the growing threat of structural collapses, especially during the monsoon season, the department has undertaken a comprehensive and statewide review of building safety and disaster preparedness across urban areas.

A lot is being speculated since US President Donald Trump announced levying of 25 per cent tariff on exports from India. Meanwhile, India has withstood pressure to open up its markets, keeping in mind the interests of farmers, MSMEs, and cheap energy needs, a report said on Friday.

"As the sanctions are stipulated to be implemented from August 1, India continues to engage with the American counterparts to iron out a trade deal," Ventura said in its report.

Negotiations are expected to resume in mid-August, and the deal is likely to be clinched by October.

"In this case, the pain would be relatively short-term with an improved trade trajectory," the report stated.

Close on the heels of the sanctions on Indo-Russian oil refining and marketing company Nayara, the US' 25 per cent tariffs and yet unquantified penalties for India’s continuing purchases of Russian crude and military hardware, have the potential to disrupt exports and impact the economy. However, unlike other countries which have yielded to President Trump’s diktats, India has withstood pressure to open its markets, keeping in mind the nationalistic interest of farmers, MSMEs, and cheap energy needs, as per the report.

The World Championship of Legends 2025 (WCL) is all set for its ultimate showdown as South Africa Champions, led by AB de Villiers, go head-to-head against Pakistan Champions in the grand finale on Saturday.

In 2024, Indian cricket fans witnessed Yuvraj Singh lead the India Champions to victory. This year, AB de Villiers stands at the forefront, ready to take the crown and secure the title for South Africa. Backed by a stellar line-up featuring Hashim Amla, Imran Tahir, Wayne Parnell and Chris Morris, the South Africa Champions earned their place in the final with a commanding win over Australia Champions in the semi-final.

Their final opponents, the Pakistan Champions, have looked unstoppable throughout the tournament. With a powerful squad comprising Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Sharjeel Khan and Saeed Ajmal, they bring experience, aggression and consistency to the final stage.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday launched a month-long door-to-door cleanliness campaign from Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) Kashmiri Gate, aiming to improve sanitation and workplace conditions across the national Capital.

The campaign will be conducted across all districts of Delhi and involve active participation from government officials, civic agencies, and local communities.

Leading by example, the Chief Minister personally took part in the cleanliness drive by sweeping the premises at the ISBT, where she also inspected the condition of the offices and public facilities.

A Border Security Force (BSF) trooper has gone missing from his battalion headquarters in Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar.

Officials said that the trooper identified as Sugam Choudhary of the 60th BSF battalion went missing from his battalion headquarters in Srinagar late Thursday evening.

“A massive search operation was launched to trace the missing BSF trooper who was posted in the Panthachowk area of Srinagar. The trooper belonging to the 60th Battalion was stationed at Panthachowk. However, despite extensive efforts in nearby areas, he remains untraceable," the officials said.

Following this, a missing report has been lodged, and further investigation is underway, the officials added.

The Bengaluru police have solved the shocking kidnapping and murder case of a 13-year-old boy and arrested the two accused after shooting them in the legs during an encounter on Friday.

The body of the victim, A. Nischal, an 8th-grade student, was recovered on Thursday night on the outskirts of the city. Nischal was brutally assaulted and killed, and the accused later set his body on fire in an attempt to destroy evidence.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that the two accused were known to both the victim and his family. They have confessed to kidnapping the boy for a ransom of Rs 5 lakh and subsequently burning his body to erase evidence.

The official statement by the Bengaluru Police stated that the accused have been identified as 27-year-old Gurumurthy, a resident of Weavers Colony on Bannerghatta Road, and 27-year-old Gopi alias Gopala, a resident of Bannerghatta.

India’s manufacturing sector gained momentum in the month of July as Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to a 16-month high of 59.1, up from 58.4 in June, despite global uncertainties and US tariffs, according to data released by S&P Global on Friday.

The HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) climbed to a 16-month high of 59.1, driven by strong gains in new orders and output, though business sentiment and hiring momentum showed signs of moderation.

“India recorded a 59.1 manufacturing PMI in July, up from 58.4 during the prior month. This marked a 16-month high for the sector, which benefited from strong growth in new orders and output,” said Pranjul Bhandari, chief India economist at HSBC.

“At the same time, however, business confidence fell to its lowest level in three years due to concerns over competition and inflation,” Bhandari added.

India’s manufacturing sector remains on a strong footing entering the second half of FY25.

The sustained manufacturing resilience comes on the back of robust domestic demand and continued output expansion.

Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) has been reported in cattle from 10 states in the country in 2025, the Centre informed the Parliament.

LSD is a transboundary animal disease that has gained significant attention in India due to its severe impact on cattle health and the dairy industry. The disease is characterised by the development of skin nodules across the body, fever, swollen lymph nodes, decreased milk yield, and difficulty in movement.

In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, said that till July 24, “LSD has been reported in 10 states namely Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Mizoram, Maharashtra and Karnataka”.

The imposition of 25 per cent tariff on India with penalty is a "bad business decision" but the mysterious forces of global supply chain will auto adjust and cushion the impact, and Indian businesses and firms would do well to reinvigorate the 'Made in India' as a hallmark of unquestionable quality, an SBI Research report said on Friday.

Not surprisingly, the US GDP, inflation and currency face a greater risk of downgrades compared to India, the report noted.

Though the US is India's top exporter (20 per cent in FY25), India has diversified its export destinations, and the top 10 countries only accounted for 53 per cent of total exports.

The top 15 items exported to the US accounted for 63 per cent of total exports. Electronics, gems and jewellery, pharmaceuticals and nuclear reactors and machinery account for 49 per cent of India's exports to the US.