England team receive embarrassing welcome by fans in Mexico City ahead of crucial FIFA World Cup R16 clash | Football News

England team receive embarrassing welcome by fans in Mexico City ahead of crucial FIFA World Cup R16 clash | Football News

England received a hostile welcome after arriving at their team hotel in Mexico City ahead of their FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match against tournament co-hosts Mexico. Hundreds of local supporters gathered outside the hotel, with many cheering for the home side while others booed as England’s team bus reached the venue.The tense atmosphere…

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King Charles congratulates Trump, Americans on US’ 250th Independence Day, hails enduring UK-US ties

King Charles congratulates Trump, Americans on US’ 250th Independence Day, hails enduring UK-US ties

King Charles and Donald Trump King Charles III has congratulated US President Donald Trump and the American people on the 250th anniversary of American independence, describing the occasion as a “truly historic milestone” and expressing confidence that the longstanding partnership between the United Kingdom and the United States will continue to grow stronger.In a message…

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America at 250 remains the world’s pre-eminent power, but growing doubts over its leadership, alliances and credibility have raised questions about whether it can sustain the global order it created. The United States turns 250 as the most powerful nation on earth. The story of its rise was written in treaties, dollars and aircraft carriers. The story of its perceived decline is being written in tariffs and the “quiet quitting” of old friends.US@250: Primus inter paresTo paraphrase Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg: Twelve score and ten years ago, the founders of an upstart republic brought forth a new nation conceived in Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. They could not have imagined that it would go on to remake the modern world in its own image. But for how long? That is the question.The United States is the most powerful country on earth. Its military is the most advanced anywhere, its defence spending far beyond any rival’s. Its forces can pluck a head of state out of his palace at the president’s pleasure; its jets can bomb any nation back to the “stone age”.  The US economy is enormous: About  trillion at 2025 exchange rates, still comfortably bigger than China’s, with a per capita income many times higher. The dollar remains the anchor of global trade and finance. Then there is the Magnificent Seven: Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia and Tesla. These are the most valuable technology companies in the world. In AI chips, Nvidia plays in a league of its own. The leading AI labs — OpenAI, Anthropic, Google’s Gemini — are all American. And there is Elon Musk, the world’s first trillionaire, who may yet plant human settlements on Mars.And yet American pre-eminence no longer feels inevitable. There is self-doubt inside the country, and questions outside it: Can America still lead? Does it even want to?Much of what troubles the world comes down to the whims of the current administration. Washington has thrown up tariff walls against allies and rivals alike, cast doubt on its own Nato commitments, courted strongmen and bullied its democratic friends. Allies who once worried in private are now making backup plans in the open. America at 250: The numbers behind its global standingThe American dream: The ultimate soft powerFor decades, the American dream did what American diplomacy could not. You didn’t have to love Uncle Sam to love Hollywood, jazz, jeans, the NBA, Apple or Google. America’s deepest power was its knack for making foreigners imagine themselves inside its story.For much of the world, and certainly for India, the US was never just another country. It was the place where an engineering degree could become a green card, and a small-town student a Silicon Valley founder. America did not merely attract foreign talent; it gave ambition a geography.Yale historian Odd Arne Westad, writing in Foreign Policy, called the United States “the first empire that is also a global nation”. Its appeal, he argued, rested on the idea that “anyone could become an American, whether through consumption, culture, or migration.” The milestones that shaped America’s global leadershipWhen the dream began to frayNone of this eroded overnight. Iraq damaged American credibility. The 2008 crash punctured the aura of financial mastery. The forever war in Afghanistan ended not in victory but with the Taliban back in Kabul. Mass shootings made American freedom look, from the outside, like a terrifying bargain. And January 6 showed that even the world’s most powerful democracy could be shaken from within.Donald Trump’s return has sharpened the unease. The Iran war has chipped away at US credibility further. The jury is still out on who, exactly, made an “unconditional surrender”: The US or Iran.The dragon in America’s mirrorThe US has China in its rearview mirror. But can Beijing do to America what Moscow never could? It is certainly the more serious competitor: Economically integrated, technologically ambitious, industrially massive, diplomatically busy. For every ChatGPT there is a DeepSeek; for a Tesla, a BYD; for an Instagram, TikTok; for a WhatsApp, WeChat.None of this means China is destined to replace America. It carries demographic stress, debt pressures, youth unemployment, a property hangover and an increasingly securitised political system. Its model attracts some governments; it does not inspire people. Few parents dream of sending their children to China for higher studies. Many still dream of American universities.But China has done enough to end America’s psychological monopoly. It has shown that capitalism can grow without democracy, that manufacturing muscle still matters, that infrastructure can be diplomacy — and that countries tired of Western lectures have somewhere else to turn. Even governments wary of Chinese dominance want Chinese leverage, if only to bargain harder with Washington.For India, the romance is over but the relationship remainsThe India-US relationship is one of the great strategic transformations of modern diplomacy. Through the Cold War, the two democracies stood apart: Non-aligned India was seen in Washington as too cosy with Moscow.Then came the long thaw: The civil nuclear deal, defence cooperation, the diaspora, the China factor, technology ties, and a bipartisan consensus in Washington that India mattered. Over two decades, suspicion turned into strategic comfort.The past year showed how fragile that comfort was. In the summer of 2025, the Trump administration went ballistic — inexplicably — over India’s purchases of Russian oil, slapping a 25 per cent penalty on top of an existing 25 per cent tariff. Indian exports suddenly faced a 50 per cent wall; no major economy was treated as harshly, and even China got better terms. Weeks later came a new rule demanding 0,000 for every fresh H-1B visa. Indians take about seven in ten of those visas. Whatever the wording, everyone knew whom the policy would hit hardest.An ally of convenience, not convictionThe tariffs came wrapped in insults. President Donald Trump called India’s economy “dead”, turned on the warmth for Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir, and claimed credit — repeatedly — for the May 2025 ceasefire that Delhi insists was worked out directly between the two countries. Commentators who had spent decades celebrating the “defining partnership of the twenty-first century” watched it crumble in a span of a few months.Here is the paradox: The relationship is strategically necessary and politically fragile at the same time. Defence cooperation moves forward while trade quarrels erupt. Technology ties deepen while visa anxieties grow. Leaders invoke shared values while domestic politics in both capitals rewards nationalist suspicion. The relationship is too important to walk away from — and no longer innocent enough to romanticise.For India, the lesson is plain. The US is not a benevolent elder of the democratic family; it is a great power with interests, domestic compulsions and a shortening attention span. India, for its part, is a rising power with choices, markets, talent and geopolitical weight. What happens next will depend less on sentimental talk of shared democracy and more on whether the two sides can manage asymmetry without humiliation.Is America finished? Not so fastAmerica’s obituary has been written before, always prematurely. Political scientist Samuel Huntington counted several waves of American declinism before 1990 — after Sputnik, after Vietnam, after the oil shocks, at the height of the Japan panic — and each was followed by renewal.What is different this time is that the wound is self-inflicted, and the whole world can see it.At 250, the US is not a fallen empire. It is a superpower in a crisis of self-doubt and legitimacy: Unmatched in capacity, weakened in credibility, rich in alliances and surrounded by anxious allies.The world is learning to live with an America that is still mighty, but no longer sure it wants to lead the world it made.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorIndrajeet RaiIndrajeet Rai is the editor for TOI Online. He holds a PhD in International Politics from JNU. He has experience in both research and the social sector. He enjoys the fast-paced world of “breaking news”—as well as the equally important work of breaking down news for readers.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDelhi Court Reserves Order On Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam’s Fresh Bail Pleas In Riots CaseSTORY GOVT DEBUNKS E20 FUEL MYTHS 10-POINT CLARIFICATIONFresh Blow To Mamata Camp As Bengal Chief Quits During Intensifying TMC Power StrugglePM Modi Dedicates India’s 1st Greenfield Integrated Refinery-Cum-Petrochemical Complex at PachpadraRam Temple Tightens Donation Security As SIT Deepens Probe Into Alleged EmbezzlementPM Narendra Modi Opens Jodhpur’s New Airport Terminal, Launches Revamped UDAN SchemeLS Speaker Om Birla To Decide TMC And Sena Merger Claims Ahead Of Crucial Monsoon SessionBihar Restores Z-Category Security To Lalu Yadav And Rabri Devi Weeks After DowngradePunjab Congress Rift Deepens As Channi Camp Seeks Top Post, Randhawa-Shah Meeting Sparks BuzzDigvijaya Singh To Move Ayodhya Court Over Alleged Ram Mandir Donation Row, Targets Trust123Photostories7 Birds that can remember human faces for years and surprise scientists with their intelligenceFrom Inland Taipan to killer bees: 5 small-sized beasts that can take a human life in minutesHow to know if you are being manipulated in a relationship: Psychologist shares 3 evident signs people often ignoreFrom America to India: The world’s most beautiful birds lost to extinction and those on the brink of disappearing foreverShopping for a Banarasi saree? 5 terms that will save you thousandsBetta Fish vs Guppies: Which one is better for beginners starting their first aquarium?5 natural alternatives to Finasteride that could help with hair growth’It honours the…’: CM Yogi Adityanath names this mango of UP as ‘Kakori Brand’7 cat breeds known for minimal shedding that make great indoor companionsCan a slice of bread keep cookies soft? Chef Sanjeev Kapoor shares 6 clever storage tips for cookies123Hot PicksTrump tariffsLuka Modric Net WorthEPF Scheme 2026Amarnath Yatra 2026Income Tax Return FilingMumbai rainUS unemploymentMicrosoft layoffsIndia Japal TradeTop TrendingMumbai rainDelhi rainWeather tomorrowFIFA World Cup 2026GTA 6 Estimated SizeNew England PatriotsCandace OwensFIFA War DecisionCA Toppers ListAnitha Radhakrishnan

America at 250 remains the world’s pre-eminent power, but growing doubts over its leadership, alliances and credibility have raised questions about whether it can sustain the global order it created. The United States turns 250 as the most powerful nation on earth. The story of its rise was written in treaties, dollars and aircraft carriers. The story of its perceived decline is being written in tariffs and the “quiet quitting” of old friends.US@250: Primus inter paresTo paraphrase Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg: Twelve score and ten years ago, the founders of an upstart republic brought forth a new nation conceived in Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. They could not have imagined that it would go on to remake the modern world in its own image. But for how long? That is the question.The United States is the most powerful country on earth. Its military is the most advanced anywhere, its defence spending far beyond any rival’s. Its forces can pluck a head of state out of his palace at the president’s pleasure; its jets can bomb any nation back to the “stone age”. The US economy is enormous: About $32 trillion at 2025 exchange rates, still comfortably bigger than China’s, with a per capita income many times higher. The dollar remains the anchor of global trade and finance. Then there is the Magnificent Seven: Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia and Tesla. These are the most valuable technology companies in the world. In AI chips, Nvidia plays in a league of its own. The leading AI labs — OpenAI, Anthropic, Google’s Gemini — are all American. And there is Elon Musk, the world’s first trillionaire, who may yet plant human settlements on Mars.And yet American pre-eminence no longer feels inevitable. There is self-doubt inside the country, and questions outside it: Can America still lead? Does it even want to?Much of what troubles the world comes down to the whims of the current administration. Washington has thrown up tariff walls against allies and rivals alike, cast doubt on its own Nato commitments, courted strongmen and bullied its democratic friends. Allies who once worried in private are now making backup plans in the open. America at 250: The numbers behind its global standingThe American dream: The ultimate soft powerFor decades, the American dream did what American diplomacy could not. You didn’t have to love Uncle Sam to love Hollywood, jazz, jeans, the NBA, Apple or Google. America’s deepest power was its knack for making foreigners imagine themselves inside its story.For much of the world, and certainly for India, the US was never just another country. It was the place where an engineering degree could become a green card, and a small-town student a Silicon Valley founder. America did not merely attract foreign talent; it gave ambition a geography.Yale historian Odd Arne Westad, writing in Foreign Policy, called the United States “the first empire that is also a global nation”. Its appeal, he argued, rested on the idea that “anyone could become an American, whether through consumption, culture, or migration.” The milestones that shaped America’s global leadershipWhen the dream began to frayNone of this eroded overnight. Iraq damaged American credibility. The 2008 crash punctured the aura of financial mastery. The forever war in Afghanistan ended not in victory but with the Taliban back in Kabul. Mass shootings made American freedom look, from the outside, like a terrifying bargain. And January 6 showed that even the world’s most powerful democracy could be shaken from within.Donald Trump’s return has sharpened the unease. The Iran war has chipped away at US credibility further. The jury is still out on who, exactly, made an “unconditional surrender”: The US or Iran.The dragon in America’s mirrorThe US has China in its rearview mirror. But can Beijing do to America what Moscow never could? It is certainly the more serious competitor: Economically integrated, technologically ambitious, industrially massive, diplomatically busy. For every ChatGPT there is a DeepSeek; for a Tesla, a BYD; for an Instagram, TikTok; for a WhatsApp, WeChat.None of this means China is destined to replace America. It carries demographic stress, debt pressures, youth unemployment, a property hangover and an increasingly securitised political system. Its model attracts some governments; it does not inspire people. Few parents dream of sending their children to China for higher studies. Many still dream of American universities.But China has done enough to end America’s psychological monopoly. It has shown that capitalism can grow without democracy, that manufacturing muscle still matters, that infrastructure can be diplomacy — and that countries tired of Western lectures have somewhere else to turn. Even governments wary of Chinese dominance want Chinese leverage, if only to bargain harder with Washington.For India, the romance is over but the relationship remainsThe India-US relationship is one of the great strategic transformations of modern diplomacy. Through the Cold War, the two democracies stood apart: Non-aligned India was seen in Washington as too cosy with Moscow.Then came the long thaw: The civil nuclear deal, defence cooperation, the diaspora, the China factor, technology ties, and a bipartisan consensus in Washington that India mattered. Over two decades, suspicion turned into strategic comfort.The past year showed how fragile that comfort was. In the summer of 2025, the Trump administration went ballistic — inexplicably — over India’s purchases of Russian oil, slapping a 25 per cent penalty on top of an existing 25 per cent tariff. Indian exports suddenly faced a 50 per cent wall; no major economy was treated as harshly, and even China got better terms. Weeks later came a new rule demanding $100,000 for every fresh H-1B visa. Indians take about seven in ten of those visas. Whatever the wording, everyone knew whom the policy would hit hardest.An ally of convenience, not convictionThe tariffs came wrapped in insults. President Donald Trump called India’s economy “dead”, turned on the warmth for Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir, and claimed credit — repeatedly — for the May 2025 ceasefire that Delhi insists was worked out directly between the two countries. Commentators who had spent decades celebrating the “defining partnership of the twenty-first century” watched it crumble in a span of a few months.Here is the paradox: The relationship is strategically necessary and politically fragile at the same time. Defence cooperation moves forward while trade quarrels erupt. Technology ties deepen while visa anxieties grow. Leaders invoke shared values while domestic politics in both capitals rewards nationalist suspicion. The relationship is too important to walk away from — and no longer innocent enough to romanticise.For India, the lesson is plain. The US is not a benevolent elder of the democratic family; it is a great power with interests, domestic compulsions and a shortening attention span. India, for its part, is a rising power with choices, markets, talent and geopolitical weight. What happens next will depend less on sentimental talk of shared democracy and more on whether the two sides can manage asymmetry without humiliation.Is America finished? Not so fastAmerica’s obituary has been written before, always prematurely. Political scientist Samuel Huntington counted several waves of American declinism before 1990 — after Sputnik, after Vietnam, after the oil shocks, at the height of the Japan panic — and each was followed by renewal.What is different this time is that the wound is self-inflicted, and the whole world can see it.At 250, the US is not a fallen empire. It is a superpower in a crisis of self-doubt and legitimacy: Unmatched in capacity, weakened in credibility, rich in alliances and surrounded by anxious allies.The world is learning to live with an America that is still mighty, but no longer sure it wants to lead the world it made.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorIndrajeet RaiIndrajeet Rai is the editor for TOI Online. He holds a PhD in International Politics from JNU. He has experience in both research and the social sector. He enjoys the fast-paced world of “breaking news”—as well as the equally important work of breaking down news for readers.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDelhi Court Reserves Order On Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam’s Fresh Bail Pleas In Riots CaseSTORY GOVT DEBUNKS E20 FUEL MYTHS 10-POINT CLARIFICATIONFresh Blow To Mamata Camp As Bengal Chief Quits During Intensifying TMC Power StrugglePM Modi Dedicates India’s 1st Greenfield Integrated Refinery-Cum-Petrochemical Complex at PachpadraRam Temple Tightens Donation Security As SIT Deepens Probe Into Alleged EmbezzlementPM Narendra Modi Opens Jodhpur’s New Airport Terminal, Launches Revamped UDAN SchemeLS Speaker Om Birla To Decide TMC And Sena Merger Claims Ahead Of Crucial Monsoon SessionBihar Restores Z-Category Security To Lalu Yadav And Rabri Devi Weeks After DowngradePunjab Congress Rift Deepens As Channi Camp Seeks Top Post, Randhawa-Shah Meeting Sparks BuzzDigvijaya Singh To Move Ayodhya Court Over Alleged Ram Mandir Donation Row, Targets Trust123Photostories7 Birds that can remember human faces for years and surprise scientists with their intelligenceFrom Inland Taipan to killer bees: 5 small-sized beasts that can take a human life in minutesHow to know if you are being manipulated in a relationship: Psychologist shares 3 evident signs people often ignoreFrom America to India: The world’s most beautiful birds lost to extinction and those on the brink of disappearing foreverShopping for a Banarasi saree? 5 terms that will save you thousandsBetta Fish vs Guppies: Which one is better for beginners starting their first aquarium?5 natural alternatives to Finasteride that could help with hair growth’It honours the…’: CM Yogi Adityanath names this mango of UP as ‘Kakori Brand’7 cat breeds known for minimal shedding that make great indoor companionsCan a slice of bread keep cookies soft? Chef Sanjeev Kapoor shares 6 clever storage tips for cookies123Hot PicksTrump tariffsLuka Modric Net WorthEPF Scheme 2026Amarnath Yatra 2026Income Tax Return FilingMumbai rainUS unemploymentMicrosoft layoffsIndia Japal TradeTop TrendingMumbai rainDelhi rainWeather tomorrowFIFA World Cup 2026GTA 6 Estimated SizeNew England PatriotsCandace OwensFIFA War DecisionCA Toppers ListAnitha Radhakrishnan

America at 250 remains the world’s pre-eminent power, but growing doubts over its leadership, alliances and credibility have raised questions about whether it can sustain the global order it created. The United States turns 250 as the most powerful nation on earth. The story of its rise was written in treaties, dollars and aircraft carriers….

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Jul 04, 2026, 19:15 IST

Jul 04, 2026, 19:15 IST

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (BCCI Photo) NEW DELHI: India handed 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi his much-awaited international debut in the second T20I against England at Old Trafford in Manchester on Saturday.India captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and chose to bat first. The only change in the playing XI saw Sooryavanshi replace Sanju Samson at the…

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Vaibhav Sooryavanshi makes India debut: A look at his career records in numbers

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi makes India debut: A look at his career records in numbers

NEW DELHI: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the 15-year-old boy wonder from Bihar’s Samastipur district, on Saturday became India’s youngest debutant in international cricket surpassing the legendary Sachin Tendulkar who held the record for nearly 37 years.The 15-year-old received his maiden India cap from Tilak Varma before the toss and was all smiles as he prepared for his…

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‘Wicked Sunny’: Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan lock title for their ninth film after ‘Bhooth Bangla’ and ‘Haiwaan’

‘Wicked Sunny’: Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan lock title for their ninth film after ‘Bhooth Bangla’ and ‘Haiwaan’

Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan’s ninth film together has been titled ‘Wicked Sunny’, inspired by a popular theme from Mujhse Shaadi Karogi. Produced by Ramesh Taurani’s Tips Films, the comic thriller is written by Priyadarshan and Rohan Shankar. Filming begins in December, ahead of their eighth film Haiwaan’s September 2026 release. Earlier, in April 2025, reports…

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A Maine couple thought they were about to photograph a moose. Instead, a calf and a bear burst from the woods, and they had seconds to decide whether to intervene

A Maine couple thought they were about to photograph a moose. Instead, a calf and a bear burst from the woods, and they had seconds to decide whether to intervene

Bear chases moose calf in Telos Township, Maine (Picture credit: Elvia J Malcolm) What began as a quiet fishing trip in the US state of Maine turned into a dramatic wildlife rescue when a couple found themselves watching a black bear chase a moose calf. With only seconds to react, the man drove his truck…

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The row over a controversial book in Jammu and Kashmir’s government school libraries escalated on Saturday after Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha suspended eight School Education Department officials, removed a contractual employee, and ordered a departmental inquiry into the selection and procurement of two library books found to contain “inappropriate content”.The LG also blacklisted the books’ authors and publishers and directed the withdrawal of their publications from across the Union Territory, following a political storm over allegations that one of the books glorified terrorists, separatists and stone-pelters.The action came amid BJP allegations that the book promoted ‘academic jihad’, with the party demanding an immediate ban on the publication and the removal of Education Minister Sakeena Itoo. The Congress has also sought a ban on the controversial book and Itoo’s dismissal.According to PTI, addressing a press conference, Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Sunil Sharma alleged that Personalities and Legends of J&K, distributed under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, was intended to “poison young minds” and revive separatism by using the education system to propagate a Pakistan-sponsored narrative.Sharma claimed the book portrays individuals such as hanged JKLF founder Maqbool Bhat, Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed and separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Shabir Shah, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Masarat Alam Bhat in a positive light. He also objected to references describing the region as “Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK)” and “India-held Kashmir.””The book distributed by the Jammu and Kashmir Education Department and the Government of Jammu and Kashmir across numerous libraries in the Union Territory glorifies convicts, murderers, terrorists, separatists, and stone-pelters,” Sharma said.”It is deeply regrettable that the Jammu and Kashmir Education Department has distributed this book to schools under the logo of the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan. This is a grave offence,” he added.The BJP leader accused the ruling National Conference of providing political patronage to a separatist narrative and sought immediate action against those responsible.He also demanded the removal of the Education Minister and a high-level investigation into the matter.”Those responsible — including the author, the publisher, and the committee of experts that approved the book– should face criminal proceedings. A case should be registered against them, treating it as a seditious offence, and they should be arrested immediately and proceeded against in accordance with the law,” Sharma said.He further alleged that the publication lacked educational value and had been designed to spread “a poisonous narrative driven by a separatist ideology and a jihadist mindset”.Referring to previous BJP campaigns against similar publications, Sharma said the party had earlier facilitated the banning of 25 books allegedly containing material against India’s sovereignty and urged the government and investigating agencies to take immediate action against the current publication.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosHAPS Explained: How India’s New High-Altitude Surveillance Aircraft Will Boost Defence CapabilitiesDelhi Court Reserves Order On Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam’s Fresh Bail Pleas In Riots CaseSTORY GOVT DEBUNKS E20 FUEL MYTHS 10-POINT CLARIFICATIONFresh Blow To Mamata Camp As Bengal Chief Quits During Intensifying TMC Power StrugglePM Modi Dedicates India’s 1st Greenfield Integrated Refinery-Cum-Petrochemical Complex at PachpadraRam Temple Tightens Donation Security As SIT Deepens Probe Into Alleged EmbezzlementPM Narendra Modi Opens Jodhpur’s New Airport Terminal, Launches Revamped UDAN SchemeLS Speaker Om Birla To Decide TMC And Sena Merger Claims Ahead Of Crucial Monsoon SessionBihar Restores Z-Category Security To Lalu Yadav And Rabri Devi Weeks After DowngradePunjab Congress Rift Deepens As Channi Camp Seeks Top Post, Randhawa-Shah Meeting Sparks Buzz123PhotostoriesWorld Biryani Day 2026: 12 iconic Biryanis from across India to celebrate with7 Birds that can remember human faces for years and surprise scientists with their intelligenceFrom Inland Taipan to killer bees: 5 small-sized beasts that can take a human life in minutesHow to know if you are being manipulated in a relationship: Psychologist shares 3 evident signs people often ignoreFrom America to India: The world’s most beautiful birds lost to extinction and those on the brink of disappearing foreverShopping for a Banarasi saree? 5 terms that will save you thousandsBetta Fish vs Guppies: Which one is better for beginners starting their first aquarium?5 natural alternatives to Finasteride that could help with hair growth’It honours the…’: CM Yogi Adityanath names this mango of UP as ‘Kakori Brand’7 cat breeds known for minimal shedding that make great indoor companions123Hot PicksTrump tariffsLuka Modric Net WorthEPF Scheme 2026Amarnath Yatra 2026Income Tax Return FilingMumbai rainUS unemploymentMicrosoft layoffsIndia Japal TradeTop TrendingMumbai rainDelhi rainWeather tomorrowFIFA World Cup 2026GTA 6 Estimated SizeNew England PatriotsCandace OwensFIFA War DecisionCA Toppers ListAnitha Radhakrishnan

The row over a controversial book in Jammu and Kashmir’s government school libraries escalated on Saturday after Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha suspended eight School Education Department officials, removed a contractual employee, and ordered a departmental inquiry into the selection and procurement of two library books found to contain “inappropriate content”.The LG also blacklisted the books’ authors and publishers and directed the withdrawal of their publications from across the Union Territory, following a political storm over allegations that one of the books glorified terrorists, separatists and stone-pelters.The action came amid BJP allegations that the book promoted ‘academic jihad’, with the party demanding an immediate ban on the publication and the removal of Education Minister Sakeena Itoo. The Congress has also sought a ban on the controversial book and Itoo’s dismissal.According to PTI, addressing a press conference, Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Sunil Sharma alleged that Personalities and Legends of J&K, distributed under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, was intended to “poison young minds” and revive separatism by using the education system to propagate a Pakistan-sponsored narrative.Sharma claimed the book portrays individuals such as hanged JKLF founder Maqbool Bhat, Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed and separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Shabir Shah, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Masarat Alam Bhat in a positive light. He also objected to references describing the region as “Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK)” and “India-held Kashmir.””The book distributed by the Jammu and Kashmir Education Department and the Government of Jammu and Kashmir across numerous libraries in the Union Territory glorifies convicts, murderers, terrorists, separatists, and stone-pelters,” Sharma said.”It is deeply regrettable that the Jammu and Kashmir Education Department has distributed this book to schools under the logo of the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan. This is a grave offence,” he added.The BJP leader accused the ruling National Conference of providing political patronage to a separatist narrative and sought immediate action against those responsible.He also demanded the removal of the Education Minister and a high-level investigation into the matter.”Those responsible — including the author, the publisher, and the committee of experts that approved the book– should face criminal proceedings. A case should be registered against them, treating it as a seditious offence, and they should be arrested immediately and proceeded against in accordance with the law,” Sharma said.He further alleged that the publication lacked educational value and had been designed to spread “a poisonous narrative driven by a separatist ideology and a jihadist mindset”.Referring to previous BJP campaigns against similar publications, Sharma said the party had earlier facilitated the banning of 25 books allegedly containing material against India’s sovereignty and urged the government and investigating agencies to take immediate action against the current publication.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosHAPS Explained: How India’s New High-Altitude Surveillance Aircraft Will Boost Defence CapabilitiesDelhi Court Reserves Order On Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam’s Fresh Bail Pleas In Riots CaseSTORY GOVT DEBUNKS E20 FUEL MYTHS 10-POINT CLARIFICATIONFresh Blow To Mamata Camp As Bengal Chief Quits During Intensifying TMC Power StrugglePM Modi Dedicates India’s 1st Greenfield Integrated Refinery-Cum-Petrochemical Complex at PachpadraRam Temple Tightens Donation Security As SIT Deepens Probe Into Alleged EmbezzlementPM Narendra Modi Opens Jodhpur’s New Airport Terminal, Launches Revamped UDAN SchemeLS Speaker Om Birla To Decide TMC And Sena Merger Claims Ahead Of Crucial Monsoon SessionBihar Restores Z-Category Security To Lalu Yadav And Rabri Devi Weeks After DowngradePunjab Congress Rift Deepens As Channi Camp Seeks Top Post, Randhawa-Shah Meeting Sparks Buzz123PhotostoriesWorld Biryani Day 2026: 12 iconic Biryanis from across India to celebrate with7 Birds that can remember human faces for years and surprise scientists with their intelligenceFrom Inland Taipan to killer bees: 5 small-sized beasts that can take a human life in minutesHow to know if you are being manipulated in a relationship: Psychologist shares 3 evident signs people often ignoreFrom America to India: The world’s most beautiful birds lost to extinction and those on the brink of disappearing foreverShopping for a Banarasi saree? 5 terms that will save you thousandsBetta Fish vs Guppies: Which one is better for beginners starting their first aquarium?5 natural alternatives to Finasteride that could help with hair growth’It honours the…’: CM Yogi Adityanath names this mango of UP as ‘Kakori Brand’7 cat breeds known for minimal shedding that make great indoor companions123Hot PicksTrump tariffsLuka Modric Net WorthEPF Scheme 2026Amarnath Yatra 2026Income Tax Return FilingMumbai rainUS unemploymentMicrosoft layoffsIndia Japal TradeTop TrendingMumbai rainDelhi rainWeather tomorrowFIFA World Cup 2026GTA 6 Estimated SizeNew England PatriotsCandace OwensFIFA War DecisionCA Toppers ListAnitha Radhakrishnan

The row over a controversial book in Jammu and Kashmir’s government school libraries escalated on Saturday after Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha suspended eight School Education Department officials, removed a contractual employee, and ordered a departmental inquiry into the selection and procurement of two library books found to contain “inappropriate content”.The LG also blacklisted the books’…

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Updated: Jul 04, 2026, 18:56 IST

Updated: Jul 04, 2026, 18:56 IST

After much anticipation and a delay which felt longer than it was, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi finally made his India debut on Saturday, becoming the youngest player to represent the country in international cricket when he took the field in the second T20I against England at Old Trafford in Manchester.The 15-year-old received his maiden India cap from…

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Vaibhav Sooryavanshi makes India debut: The incredible journey of the 15-year-old from Bihar’s Samastipur to Team India

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi makes India debut: The incredible journey of the 15-year-old from Bihar’s Samastipur to Team India

NEW DELHI: “Chase your dreams, they do come true.”Those famous words from Sachin Tendulkar perfectly captured the moment 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi stood with a smile on his face after receiving his maiden India cap from Tilak Varma just ahead of the second T20I against England at the Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester. For a boy…

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Latest Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada OTT releases (July 3

Latest Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada OTT releases (July 3

Directed by Abhinav Sunder Nayak ‘Mollywood Times’ follows an aspiring filmmaker determined to become the greatest horror director as he navigates the challenges of the film industry, creative struggles and personal setbacks in pursuit of his dream. Starring Naslen, Sharaf U Dheen, Vineeth Sreenivasan, and Jagadish, the darkly comic psychological drama is available in Tamil,…

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5 small-sized beasts that can take a human life in minutes

5 small-sized beasts that can take a human life in minutes

Nature is endowed with innumerable fascinating creatures whose defense strategies are so amazing that they go beyond our understanding, so much so that some of these unique creatures haven’t yet been discovered, to our surprise. While these tiny beasts look almost harmless, brightly coloured, quiet, and even beautiful, they actually ring out certain unbelievable characteristics…

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Screengrab from video posted by TMC NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee on Saturday challenged leaders of the rebel faction to “directly join the BJP” and “take on me if you have the courage,” accusing the saffron party of using them to fuel dissent within the TMC ranks.”I dare the treacherous and ungrateful traitors abandoning the party to directly join the BJP and take me on if you have the courage, instead of playing this dishonest BJP-sponsored game,” Banerjee said in a video message.  Watch Fresh Blow To Mamata Camp As Bengal Chief  Quits During Intensifying TMC Power StruggleQuestioning the timing of the rebellion, she asked, “You call yourself rebels? Where was your rebellion before the elections? Where was your dissent during the last 15 years when you were MPs and MLAs on TMC tickets and served as ministers and held other important government positions? Why didn’t you come to me then and voice your differences?”Describing TMC workers who remain loyal to the party as its “goldmine,” Banerjee told the rebels not to commit “the same treachery” against the people who had voted for them.Banerjee’s remarks came on a day when another long-time associate, Chandrima Bhattacharya, resigned from the Trinamool Congress and joined the dissident camp. Bhattacharya had been appointed president of the TMC’s West Bengal unit just a month earlier, on June 3.Responding to the development, she announced that, in addition to serving as the TMC’s national chairperson, she would also assume charge as the party’s West Bengal unit chief until veteran leader Subrata Bakshi recovered.The former CM also named Kunal Ghosh and Madan Mitra as the party’s general secretaries.(With PTI inputs)Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosHAPS Explained: How India’s New High-Altitude Surveillance Aircraft Will Boost Defence CapabilitiesDelhi Court Reserves Order On Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam’s Fresh Bail Pleas In Riots CaseSTORY GOVT DEBUNKS E20 FUEL MYTHS 10-POINT CLARIFICATIONFresh Blow To Mamata Camp As Bengal Chief Quits During Intensifying TMC Power StrugglePM Modi Dedicates India’s 1st Greenfield Integrated Refinery-Cum-Petrochemical Complex at PachpadraRam Temple Tightens Donation Security As SIT Deepens Probe Into Alleged EmbezzlementPM Narendra Modi Opens Jodhpur’s New Airport Terminal, Launches Revamped UDAN SchemeLS Speaker Om Birla To Decide TMC And Sena Merger Claims Ahead Of Crucial Monsoon SessionBihar Restores Z-Category Security To Lalu Yadav And Rabri Devi Weeks After DowngradePunjab Congress Rift Deepens As Channi Camp Seeks Top Post, Randhawa-Shah Meeting Sparks Buzz123PhotostoriesWorld Biryani Day 2026: 12 iconic Biryanis from across India to celebrate with7 Birds that can remember human faces for years and surprise scientists with their intelligenceFrom Inland Taipan to killer bees: 5 small-sized beasts that can take a human life in minutesHow to know if you are being manipulated in a relationship: Psychologist shares 3 evident signs people often ignoreFrom America to India: The world’s most beautiful birds lost to extinction and those on the brink of disappearing foreverShopping for a Banarasi saree? 5 terms that will save you thousandsBetta Fish vs Guppies: Which one is better for beginners starting their first aquarium?5 natural alternatives to Finasteride that could help with hair growth’It honours the…’: CM Yogi Adityanath names this mango of UP as ‘Kakori Brand’7 cat breeds known for minimal shedding that make great indoor companions123Hot PicksTrump tariffsLuka Modric Net WorthEPF Scheme 2026Amarnath Yatra 2026Income Tax Return FilingMumbai rainUS unemploymentMicrosoft layoffsIndia Japal TradeTop TrendingMumbai rainDelhi rainWeather tomorrowFIFA World Cup 2026GTA 6 Estimated SizeNew England PatriotsCandace OwensFIFA War DecisionCA Toppers ListAnitha Radhakrishnan

Screengrab from video posted by TMC NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee on Saturday challenged leaders of the rebel faction to “directly join the BJP” and “take on me if you have the courage,” accusing the saffron party of using them to fuel dissent within the TMC ranks.”I dare the treacherous and ungrateful traitors abandoning the party to directly join the BJP and take me on if you have the courage, instead of playing this dishonest BJP-sponsored game,” Banerjee said in a video message. Watch Fresh Blow To Mamata Camp As Bengal Chief Quits During Intensifying TMC Power StruggleQuestioning the timing of the rebellion, she asked, “You call yourself rebels? Where was your rebellion before the elections? Where was your dissent during the last 15 years when you were MPs and MLAs on TMC tickets and served as ministers and held other important government positions? Why didn’t you come to me then and voice your differences?”Describing TMC workers who remain loyal to the party as its “goldmine,” Banerjee told the rebels not to commit “the same treachery” against the people who had voted for them.Banerjee’s remarks came on a day when another long-time associate, Chandrima Bhattacharya, resigned from the Trinamool Congress and joined the dissident camp. Bhattacharya had been appointed president of the TMC’s West Bengal unit just a month earlier, on June 3.Responding to the development, she announced that, in addition to serving as the TMC’s national chairperson, she would also assume charge as the party’s West Bengal unit chief until veteran leader Subrata Bakshi recovered.The former CM also named Kunal Ghosh and Madan Mitra as the party’s general secretaries.(With PTI inputs)Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosHAPS Explained: How India’s New High-Altitude Surveillance Aircraft Will Boost Defence CapabilitiesDelhi Court Reserves Order On Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam’s Fresh Bail Pleas In Riots CaseSTORY GOVT DEBUNKS E20 FUEL MYTHS 10-POINT CLARIFICATIONFresh Blow To Mamata Camp As Bengal Chief Quits During Intensifying TMC Power StrugglePM Modi Dedicates India’s 1st Greenfield Integrated Refinery-Cum-Petrochemical Complex at PachpadraRam Temple Tightens Donation Security As SIT Deepens Probe Into Alleged EmbezzlementPM Narendra Modi Opens Jodhpur’s New Airport Terminal, Launches Revamped UDAN SchemeLS Speaker Om Birla To Decide TMC And Sena Merger Claims Ahead Of Crucial Monsoon SessionBihar Restores Z-Category Security To Lalu Yadav And Rabri Devi Weeks After DowngradePunjab Congress Rift Deepens As Channi Camp Seeks Top Post, Randhawa-Shah Meeting Sparks Buzz123PhotostoriesWorld Biryani Day 2026: 12 iconic Biryanis from across India to celebrate with7 Birds that can remember human faces for years and surprise scientists with their intelligenceFrom Inland Taipan to killer bees: 5 small-sized beasts that can take a human life in minutesHow to know if you are being manipulated in a relationship: Psychologist shares 3 evident signs people often ignoreFrom America to India: The world’s most beautiful birds lost to extinction and those on the brink of disappearing foreverShopping for a Banarasi saree? 5 terms that will save you thousandsBetta Fish vs Guppies: Which one is better for beginners starting their first aquarium?5 natural alternatives to Finasteride that could help with hair growth’It honours the…’: CM Yogi Adityanath names this mango of UP as ‘Kakori Brand’7 cat breeds known for minimal shedding that make great indoor companions123Hot PicksTrump tariffsLuka Modric Net WorthEPF Scheme 2026Amarnath Yatra 2026Income Tax Return FilingMumbai rainUS unemploymentMicrosoft layoffsIndia Japal TradeTop TrendingMumbai rainDelhi rainWeather tomorrowFIFA World Cup 2026GTA 6 Estimated SizeNew England PatriotsCandace OwensFIFA War DecisionCA Toppers ListAnitha Radhakrishnan

Screengrab from video posted by TMC NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee on Saturday challenged leaders of the rebel faction to “directly join the BJP” and “take on me if you have the courage,” accusing the saffron party of using them to fuel dissent within the TMC ranks.“I dare the treacherous and ungrateful…

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Historic! Vaibhav Sooryavanshi makes India debut, breaks Sachin Tendulkar’s 36-year-old record | IND vs ENG 2nd T20I

Historic! Vaibhav Sooryavanshi makes India debut, breaks Sachin Tendulkar’s 36-year-old record | IND vs ENG 2nd T20I

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Sachin Tendulkar (Image credit: Agencies) NEW DELHI: The wait is finally over. Teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made history on Saturday by becoming the youngest player ever to represent India.The 15-year-old received his maiden India cap from Tilak Verma ahead of the second T20I against England at the Old Trafford Stadium in…

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