A 6.6 magnitude earthquake occurred near the southwestern shores of Samoa on Friday, as reported by the United States Geological Survey. The quake struck at 12:37 pm local time, at a depth of 314 kilometers (195 miles) and over 400 kilometers from the coastline. The US tsunami warning agency confirmed there was no tsunami threat following the event. The South Pacific region is prone to earthquakes due to its position along the seismic "Ring of Fire," which is known for significant tectonic activity. While such earthquakes rarely cause major damage in sparsely populated areas, they can trigger landslides.

Mohammed Siraj had a challenging day at Old Trafford, failing to take a wicket and conceding 58 runs in 10 overs during the fourth Test against England. He engaged in a heated exchange with Ben Duckett, who scored 94 runs, contributing to a strong opening partnership. Debutant Anshul Kamboj took Duckett's wicket, marking his first Test scalp. India posted 358 runs in their first innings, with notable contributions from Sai Sudharsan and Rishabh Pant. England's Ben Stokes was the standout bowler, taking 5 wickets.

India's Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal announced significant progress in trade deal negotiations with the US ahead of the August 1 tariff deadline. Both nations aim for a mini trade deal, with India seeking preferential treatment. Goyal emphasized the importance of a balanced agreement and downplayed strict timelines. The US has recently made trade deals with other countries, but India has not yet received tariff letters. Trump indicated that a trade deal with India is close, with expectations for further discussions in August.

Anshul Kamboj made a significant impact on his Test debut for India, taking the crucial wicket of England opener Ben Duckett, who scored 94 runs. Kamboj, a 24-year-old pacer from Haryana, was called up due to injuries in the squad. His sharp delivery led to Duckett's dismissal, and Kamboj expressed both excitement and humility about his performance. He acknowledged the nerves of debuting in a high-stakes match but aimed to improve in future spells. Bowling alongside Jasprit Bumrah has provided him with valuable learning experiences, and his debut has rekindled hopes for the Indian team.