Ben Stokes has sent a firm message to India ahead of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, starting on Wednesday, stating that his team won’t back down from any on-field confrontations.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Tuesday said that the country's financial inclusion index (FI-Index) rose to 67 in March 2025 -- marking a 4.3 pc increase over the previous year.

The index stood at 64.2 in March 2024, according to the central bank statement.

"Index for the year ending March 2025 has since been compiled. The value of FI-Index for March 2025 stands at 67 vis-a-vis 64.2 in March 2024, with growth witnessed across all sub-indices, viz, access, usage and quality," RBI said in a release.

The FI-Index is a measure developed by the RBI to track how well financial services are reaching people across the country.

It captures the level of financial inclusion using data from different sectors, including banking, insurance, investments, pensions and postal services.

The index ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 means complete financial exclusion and 100 means full financial inclusion.

The final journey for Communist veteran V.S. Achuthanandan from Thiruvananthapuram commenced on Tuesday on a state-owned passenger bus which was fully decked with flowers.

The state capital city has been his second home since 1967, when he won as a legislator for the first time.

VS, as the leader was popularly known, passed away at a private hospital here on Monday at 3.20 p.m. He was 101.

On Tuesday morning, the body of former Chief Minister was taken from his son's house here to the palatial Durbar Hall in the heart of the State Secretariat- the seat of the government which he headed from 2006-11.

At 1 p.m., the body was placed on the bus, and it left the Secretariat where he held fort from 2006 to 2011 as Chief Minister.

India has witnessed a sharp rise in hybrid cannabis smuggling, with seizures of 373 kg recorded in just the first five months of 2025 - a 24 per cent jump from 302 kg in all of 2024.

According to a written response by Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, in Lok Sabha on Tuesday, reveals a widening network using air routes, international couriers, and even the dark web to smuggle high-potency hydroponic ganja, with Kerala making its first appearance as a trafficking hotspot.

The NSS unit of Desh Bhagat University organized a webinar on the theme "Food-Planet-Health", highlighting the deep interconnections between dietary choices, environmental sustainability, and public health. The keynote speaker for the session was Nija Dhillon, Coordinator at Vegan Outreach and an educator from Vadodara known for her commitment to societal and animal welfare. Dhillon discussed the critical links between diet, health, the environment, animal welfare, and global warming. She emphasized the harmful effects of meat and dairy consumption and highlighted the health and environmental benefits of adopting a vegan lifestyle. She also introduced the "10 Week Vegan" program to help individuals transition to veganism. 

A shocking case of animal cruelty has surfaced in Madurai, where a community dog was brutally attacked with heavy bricks on Velayutham Pillai Street in Goripalayam.

A disturbing video of the incident, which quickly went viral on social media, prompted immediate action from animal rights activists and the Madurai City Police.

Acting on a complaint, police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against two unidentified individuals involved in the attack -- one who hurled the bricks and another who assisted him in fleeing the scene.

Officials are currently reviewing CCTV footage from the area to identify the culprits.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will come under the National Sports Governance Bill 2025, set to be tabled in the ongoing monsoon session of the Parliament,

This will be mandatory for all the federations, including the BCCI to come under NSP, sports ministry sources confirmed. The BCCI was the only prominent sports body which did not come under government regulations.

The Meteorological office in Kolkata on Tuesday predicted heavy rain in several pockets of West Bengal between July 23 and 27 as a low-pressure area is likely to form over the north Bay of Bengal.

The possibility of a low-pressure system and the favourable position of the monsoon are expected to bring widespread rainfall across the state, especially in South Bengal.

"A low-pressure area is likely to form over the north Bay of Bengal around July 24. Rainfall activity is likely to increase with isolated heavy to very-heavy rainfall very likely in south Bengal between July 23 and 27," said the weather bulletin.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday vowed to ensure exemplary punishment for the perpetrators behind the unpardonable crime of sending threatening emails related to Sri Harmandir Sahib.

“People from across the globe visit this sacred place and pray for the progress and security of their families and friends. How can we allow anyone to issue threats to this holy place?” said the Chief Minister after paying obeisance at Sri Harmandir Sahib.

Actress Kajol, who has delivered some amazing blockbusters during her tenure, does not watch her own movies. Yes, you read it right.

"No, I don't, I am really bad. I don't watch films, period. I am more of a reader, so I watch films very rarely," Kajol said.