Delhi’s 14-year-old Madhav Gopal Kamath became the first Indian to win a major World Youth Scrabble Championship (WYSC) 2025. This victory was historic for Indian Scrabble.

Madhav, the current national champion and top-ranked Scrabble player in India, defeated 218 under-18 players from 18 nations in the 20th edition of the World English-Language Scrabble Players Association’s (WESPA) annual tournament, which was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Madhav finished with an outstanding 21 wins from 24 rounds, securing the title in the penultimate round.

Twelve of India’s top young Scrabble players, seven boys and five girls, accompanied by coach and player Neeta Bhatia from Mumbai, sent a sizable delegation to WYSC as they do each year.

With 17 victories, 15-year-old Bengaluru native Suyash Manchali, who finished second in the previous year’s competition in Sri Lanka, took fifth place.

The Essar Foundation, in collaboration with Wordaholix and the Scrabble Association of India (SAI), provided support for the Indian delegation.

“Madhav’s victory is a historic milestone for Indian Scrabble and a proud moment for the entire community,” stated Harvinderjit Bhatia, President of the Scrabble Association of India. Our young players have demonstrated tremendous promise over the years, and this world championship confirms India’s rising prominence in the Scrabble world. We are grateful to the Essar Foundation for helping to establish the foundation for these accomplishments and for supporting Team India at WYSC 2025.

“Being the first Indian to win a world Scrabble title is a dream come true,” Madhav stated in response to his triumph. I hope this encourages many more young players in India to take up the game and think they can compete at the greatest level. I am thankful for the support of my teammates, coaches, and family.

Madhav won the 25th National Scrabble Championship in Mumbai earlier this year, making him the youngest national champion ever. He is currently ranked eighth in the world for all ages. This historic victory is his and India’s first worldwide Scrabble championship, following their recent close calls at the WYSC and the Asia Cup Youth Championship.

When Madhav was just six years old, he began playing Scrabble. He is now among the best players in the world thanks to his exceptional skill and creativity on the board, and he could make it into the top five before he turns 15.

It is anticipated that his WYSC triumph will significantly increase young Scrabble participation in India and encourage a new generation of players to compete in the game.

These accomplishments demonstrate the enormous potential of the competitive young Scrabble circuit in India, where the game is still becoming more and more popular as a sport.

The Scrabble Association of India thanked Black Panther for creating the team shirts, Assembly Travel for supplying backpacks, and the Essar Foundation for their collaboration.

Electronics and IT Secretary S. Krishnan stated that the Center is getting set to start the second phase of the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), with nearly all of the funding for the first phase now provided.

Speaking at Semicon India 2025 in New Delhi, Krishnan stated that just “two to three straggling projects” were still pending finalization, indicating that financing for ISM 1.0 was mostly committed.

“We are in the final stages of preparing ISM 2.0, which will soon be placed in the public domain,” he stated.

The Secretary stated that almost $30 billion in fiscal support is expected to be provided by the federal and state governments to strengthen the semiconductor sector.

He highlighted the benefits of India, pointing out that the country employs more than 20% of the world’s semiconductor design engineers and produces over 1.1 million STEM graduates annually.

He also mentioned the rapid expansion of the mobile phone industry and the growing importance of chips in space and defense as justifications for foreign companies to work with India.

At the launch of “Semicon India 2025” earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that the world now has faith in India and is prepared to work with it to shape the semiconductor industry’s future. He also mentioned that the government will shortly begin the next wave of reforms in the semiconductor sector.

India is expected to play a crucial role in the trillion-dollar semiconductor industry, PM Modi said, highlighting the nation’s expanding presence in the global chip market.

“Investments of $18 billion are being made in 10 semiconductor projects approved since 2021,” he stated.

“The world believes in India, the world trusts India, and the world is ready to build the semiconductor future with India,” the prime minister said, adding that although oil influenced the previous century, chips will shape the future.

The prime minister noted that India will play a significant role in the global semiconductor sector, which is now valued at $600 billion and is expected to surpass $1 trillion in the near future.

In an effort to strengthen India’s semiconductor industry, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch “SEMICON India – 2025” at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi on Tuesday.

The three-day conference, which is set for September 2–4, will concentrate on building an ecosystem of semiconductors in India that is robust, resilient, and sustainable.

Sessions on the Semicon India Program’s advancement, advanced packaging and semiconductor fabrication projects, infrastructure preparedness, smart manufacturing, R&D and AI advancements, investment prospects, and state-level policy execution will be included, among other topics.

SEMICON India 2025, organized in collaboration with SEMI, the global association for the semiconductor industry, and the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), will attract a record number of global stakeholders and more than 350 exhibiting companies from 33 countries and regions.

SEMICON India has so far taken place in three different cities: Bengaluru in 2022, Gandhinagar in 2023, and Greater Noida in 2024.

In order to promote cooperation and technological improvements throughout the whole supply chain, the three-day event will bring together leaders in the industry, innovators, academics, the government, and other stakeholders.

Since the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) was established in 2021, India has taken its semiconductor journey from idea to reality in just four years. The government unveiled a Rs 76,000 crore Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to assist this goal, of which around Rs 65,000 crore has already been committed.

India’s changing significance in the global semiconductor ecosystem is expected to be demonstrated during SEMICON India 2025.

It will offer South Asia’s largest platform for the semiconductor and electronics industries, with around 350 exhibitors, over 15,000 anticipated attendees, six country roundtables, four country pavilions, and participation from nine Indian states.

With ten authorized strategic projects on display, including High-Volume Fabs, Advanced Packaging, Compound Semiconductors, OSATs, and government funding for research and start-ups, the exhibition will showcase India’s advancements in the semiconductor industry.

The event will provide insightful information on developments and trends in important fields such fabs, advanced packaging, smart manufacturing, artificial intelligence, supply chain management, sustainability, workforce development, designs, and startups under the subject “Building the Next Semiconductor Powerhouse.”

During his discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Tianjin on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that India-China cooperation will lead to the “welfare of the entire humanity” and reiterated New Delhi’s commitment to advancing bilateral relations based on respect, trust, and sensitivity.

The two-day Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit was the backdrop for the meeting, which aimed to deepen bilateral ties and build on recent gains in India-China relations. Threats of US tariffs are also a factor in this.

In his introductory remarks, Prime Minister Modi remarked, “Thank you for the invitation, President Xi Jinping. We had productive talks in Kazan last year, which contributed to the improvement of our relationship. A climate of peace and stability has been established following the border disengagement. Our special representatives have reached a consensus about border management. The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has resumed its journey. Additionally, direct flights between the two countries are starting up again.”

According to the prime minister, collaboration between the two countries is tied to the interests of the 2.8 billion people who live in both countries.

Additionally, this will clear the path for the well-being of all people. We are dedicated to advancing our relationship based on respect, trust, and tact,” he stated.

PM Modi thanked the Chinese president on taking over as SCO chairman. The meeting also included top government officials from both countries, including Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and NSA Ajit Doval.

The two leaders’ most recent meeting was held in 2024 in Kazan, Russia, during the BRICS Summit.

A four-year border conflict was essentially eased when both sides agreed on patrolling procedures along the 3,500-kilometer Line of Actual Control (LAC), which paved the way for the breakthrough in negotiations.

The border disputes between the two countries were also discussed in the meetings between PM Modi and Xi Jinping.

Experts say the two leaders’ meeting in Tianjin is “symbolic” and important for bolstering bilateral relations and acting as a powerful deterrent to US tariffs.

After twelve thrilling competition days, the 16th Asian Shooting Championship (all events) in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, came to an end.

The Indian team achieved its best-ever performance, finishing with an unprecedented 50 gold medals to top the tally, which was also a first for the premier continental championship.

The senior team’s performance in the 15 Olympic rifle, pistol, and shotgun events was especially impressive.

Indian shooters took home six gold, two silver, and three bronze medals, trailing only the world’s top-seeded China, which took home eight gold, and the host nation, Kazakhstan, took home the other medal.

“It’s a fantastic result, and it’s obvious that our performance at the Olympics in Paris has greatly increased the shooting ecosystem’s confidence. Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo, President of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), expressed his satisfaction with the juniors’ performance, saying, “It’s particularly pleasing, which tells you that Indian shooting has just begun and greater things are sure to come in the near future.”

India finished the tournament with 50 gold medals, 26 silver, and 23 bronze, falling just shy of the 100-medal milestone. China finished third overall with 15 gold and 37 medals, while the hosts came in second with 70 medals and 21 gold.

The highlights of the senior’s performance included Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar defending his men’s 3P title, Neeru Dhanda winning India’s first Asian championship gold in women’s trap, Sift Kaur Samra winning her first Asian title in women’s 50 rifle 3-position (3P), and two-time Olympian Elavenil Valarivan winning her second Asian title (she won a double gold with Arjun Babuta in the mixed team event) in women’s air rifle with an Asian record score.

Indian junior shooters dominated every Olympic event, taking home 10 gold, four silver, and three bronze medals apiece, demonstrating the breadth of the nation’s shooting prowess.

The remaining gold medals were won in non-Olympic events, team contests, and youth competitions. For instance, Rio Olympian Gurpreet Singh won gold in the men’s 25-meter Standard Pistol event, and former world champion Ankur Mittal set a new world record of 107 to win the men’s Double Trap gold.

On Saturday, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) announced that the relatives of 11 people killed in a stampede outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium during the team’s June 4 IPL 2025 triumph celebrations will each receive Rs 25 lakh in financial assistance.

“On June 4, 2025, our hearts sank. 11 members of the RCB family passed away. They belonged to us. Our city, our community, and our team are distinctive in part because of this.

Each of us will carry their absence in our memory. In a social media message, RCB stated that “no amount of support can ever fill the space they’ve left behind.”

But RCB has given their families ₹25 lakh apiece as a beginning step and out of the utmost respect. Not only as monetary assistance, but also as a pledge of kindness, solidarity, and continuous support.

Additionally, this marks the start of 𝗥𝗖𝗕 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗦: a sustained dedication to meaningful action that starts with remembering them. Every advancement will be in line with the expectations, feelings, and deservingness of the fans,” it continued.

Tragic events swiftly followed RCB’s eagerly anticipated IPL victory on June 3, which was secured with a six-run victory over Punjab Kings at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. Celebrations in Bengaluru descended into mayhem less than twenty-four hours later when a stampede outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium killed eleven people and injured more than fifty. Heartbreak broke out on the streets as the squad celebrated indoors, igniting a nationwide outcry.

After public outrage, arrests, and numerous complaints, RCB launched its ‘RCB Cares’ campaign eighty-four days later, promising Rs 25 lakh to each grieving family and assistance for the injured. However, rather than being a sign of true compassion, many saw the action as postponed damage control.

The franchise was directly held accountable by the Karnataka government for the mistakes that caused the tragedy. Shortly after the tragedy, RCB sent out a brief condolence message, but their extended quiet quickly eclipsed it.

During one of the most difficult times in the team’s history, their three-month absence from the discussion left many fans feeling ignored and abandoned.

Prominent US economist Richard Wolff has cautioned that a major global economic transition is underway, noting that BRICS countries now account for 35% of global output, while the G7 countries collectively account for only 28%.

According to Wolff, India’s insistence on continuing to purchase Russian oil despite pressure from the US demonstrates how the balance of power is changing.

The United Nations claims that India is currently the world’s largest nation. He compared the United States’ directives to a mouse striking an elephant with its fist.

As the US debt hits $36 trillion, Wolff pointed out in a podcast that China has decreased its ownership of US Treasury securities, which might seriously threaten the US dollar.

He noted that if that pattern persists, the US could have to pay more for borrowing or reduce domestic spending, which would further erode its standing internationally.

The US tariffs, according to the economist, are a futile tactic that could strengthen ties between India and the other BRICS nations. He clarified, “What you’re doing is building the BRICS into an ever-bigger, more integrated, and prosperous economic alternative to the West.”

The Trump administration’s assertion that tariffs can boost American industry was criticized by Wolff. “No business that is currently producing something in Brazil, China, or India is going to decide to spend a fortune to move production back to the United States,” he stated.

He claims that US tariffs might keep American exporters out of foreign markets without generating new jobs at home.

Beginning on Wednesday, the Trump administration increased the duties on India by another 25%, increasing the total to 50%.

Any compromise that jeopardizes the interests of India’s small companies and farmers has been banned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India has described the US tariffs as “unjustified and unfair.”

On the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Tianjin on Sunday, PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet bilaterally. PM Modi is making his first trip to China in seven years.

The Australian Space Agency (ASA) announced Friday that NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program will launch Australia’s first Moon rover by the end of the decade.

The ASA said the rover, called Roo-ver, will be sent to the lunar surface on NASA’s CT-4 mission by the end of the 2020s.

According to the space agency, NASA has given the rover “key research objectives” that include gathering fresh information on the lunar surface to help advance global space science and exploration objectives.

“In time, Roo-ver’s explorations will help global efforts to establish a possible sustainable human presence in space,” according to the ASA.

The rover, which will weigh roughly 20 kilos, will be designed, built, and operated by the Australian-led consortium ELO2, the federal government said in December 2024.

It is anticipated that Roo-ver will function for as long as 14 Earth days, or almost half a day on the Moon.

The rover’s development and launch will motivate the STEM workforce required for Australia’s future, Tim Ayres, Minister for Industry and Innovation and Science, stated on Friday.

“This is one of the most specialized robotics and advanced manufacturing projects in the country,” Ayres stated.

“It’s accelerating the development of Australia’s advanced technical capabilities and deepening local manufacturing expertise,” he stated.

For the development, design, construction, and operation of the semi-autonomous rover, the government has allocated 42 million Australian dollars ($27.4 million).

An integrated NASA payload, an analysis tool designed to showcase technologies for scientific and exploration reasons, will supercharge Roo-ver, according to the ASA.

“In time, Roo-ver’s explorations will help global efforts to establish a possible sustainable human presence in space,” it stated.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between India and Bhutan to further enhance collaboration in the areas of agricultural and related industries, such as livestock.

Thinley Namgyel, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, representing the Royal Government of Bhutan, and Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, representing India, signed the Memorandum of Understanding in Thimphu.

The two nations’ shared commitment to food security, sustainable farming, and rural development is reflected in the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, which marks an important turning point in their long-standing alliance.

According to a statement released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, it will act as a framework for cooperation in a number of areas specified in the Memorandum of Understanding, such as livestock health and production, post-harvest management, value chain development, agricultural research and innovation, and the sharing of knowledge, skills, and expertise.

Following the signing, the two nations decided on the terms of reference for the Joint Technical Working Group (JTWG) and priority areas of collaboration for urgent action at the inaugural session of the JTWG, which was organized to implement the Memorandum of Understanding.

The importance of the conference as a significant turning point in strengthening bilateral cooperation in the areas of agriculture and related sectors was emphasized by both parties.

In addition to outlining the government of India’s unique attempts to support the agriculture industry, Chaturvedi outlined the country’s priorities and problems. Utilizing digital solutions, encouraging climate-resilient farming methods, risk reduction, and farmer loans were all part of the new project.

Key areas of cooperation, such as agriculture, livestock, agricultural marketing and cooperatives, food processing, the seed sector, research and technology collaboration, and capacity building, were thoroughly discussed by both parties during the JTWG session.

The next JTWG meeting will take place in India at a time that works for all parties.

According to the official announcement, the Agriculture Secretary’s travel to Bhutan is consistent with the long-standing custom of frequent exchanges between India and Bhutan and aims to deepen the two nations’ already strong friendship and collaboration.

Every year on August 29, National Sports Day is observed to honor Major Dhyan Chand, the hockey whiz who helped India win gold at the Olympics in 1928, 1932, and 1936. Dhyan Chand is still regarded as one of the best hockey players in history and is known as the “Hockey Magician.”

“Ek Ghanta, Khel ke Maidan Main” is the subject of the Fit India Mission’s three-day statewide sports and fitness program, which will take place from August 29 to August 31.

National Sports Day, which has been marked nationally since 2012 after being observed in 1995, has come to represent India’s dedication to athletic prowess, fitness, and health. The Fit India Movement’s 2019 start has further revolutionized fitness for the general public.

PM Modi sent a message on X while on a two-day trip to Japan. “Happy National Sports Day!” he wrote. We honor Major Dhyan Chand Ji on this momentous anniversary, whose brilliance continues to motivate future generations.

On Friday, National Sports Day, International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman Jay Shah honored hockey great Major Dhyan Chand by showcasing his accomplishments and encouraging everyone to work together to use sports to create a stronger, healthier country.

“On India’s National Sports Day, we honor Major Dhyan Chand, the genius whose illustrious accomplishments never cease to motivate us. “Let us unite and use sports to create a stronger and healthier nation as India continues its path to become a sporting superpower,” Shah wrote on X.

Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar celebrated National Sports Day on X with a touching statement honoring Indian athletes from all states and disciplines, “On National Sports Day, I am honored to commemorate the tremendous advancements India has made in the realm of sports. Our sporting accomplishments today represent the diversity of our nation and its citizens rather than being restricted to just one or two high-profile sports.

Vijender Singh, a former Olympic boxer, sent his best wishes to athletes nationwide. Vijender recalled Dhyan Chand as “India’s first sporting hero,” stating that the hockey whiz had influenced generations with his tales and writings.

“I want to wish you all the very best on Major Dhyan Chand’s birth anniversary, which is also observed as our National Sports Day. Our first sporting hero and the person who taught us the true meaning of sports was Major Dhyan Chand. We read books and stories about him as children. I hope you have the finest day ever on this unique day for all athletes. I hope you put in a lot of effort and bring home a lot of medals for India.

Sakshi Malik, a former Olympic medalist, wished everyone a happy National Sports Day. To all of you, congratulations. Playing games teaches us how to work out in addition to keeping us in shape. You should all incorporate games into your daily lives. Stay fit and keep moving forward.”