What made Kaun Banega Crorepati special was the simplicity of the game, a clean Q & A format taking pride in delivering knowledge when not testing it. But the strain of advertising, destroying one medium after another, bears down on the latest edition, observes Sukanya Verma.
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary has called upon ministers and legislators to extensively use digital technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for balanced development and improved public outreach. He highlighted the state government's existing use of AI in welfare programmes and project cost reduction, stressing its importance for Bihar's progress in the digital era.
Pakistan successfully chased down a target of 75 runs on Day 4 to level their two-Test series against West Indies 1-1, with captain Babar Azam sealing the victory with two sixes despite an injury scare.
Seven people, including two minors and an elderly person, were killed and 21 were injured in storm-related incidents in separate areas of Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh. The storm also disrupted power supply, damaging transformers and electricity poles.
Already, the knives are out for Gautam Gambhir because of his poor record as coach in Test matches, and a potential defeat in Sri Lanka could prove to be the killer blow.
India finished fourth at the 2026 Commonwealth Games with 39 medals, overcoming the absence of traditional medal-winning sports. The contingent's success was driven by a record-breaking boxing campaign, a historic performance in judo, and strong contributions from para athletes, showcasing the country's expanding sporting depth.
Goa's Abhinav Tejrana has been named in the South Zone squad for the prestigious Duleep Trophy, making him the only cricketer from Goa to achieve this distinction this year, a selection attributed to his consistent high-scoring performances in recent seasons.
All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is set to make his return to Test cricket against Sri Lanka, a team he has historically performed well against, bringing significant experience in both batting and bowling to the Indian squad.
Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha and Norway striker Erling Haaland have been named in the fan-voted FIFA World Cup dream team, with both rewarded for standout performances during unexpected runs by their teams.
Police in Seraikela, Jharkhand, have arrested seven individuals for allegedly attempting to extort Rs 5 lakh from a construction company building a culvert in Pitaklaag village. The suspects threatened workers and supervisors, demanding money to allow the construction to continue.
Assam's flood death toll has risen to 80, with two new fatalities reported from Sivasagar district, as eight districts and over 2.12 lakh people remain affected. The state government has announced a six-month moratorium on loan repayments for flood-affected individuals and is seeking a special support package from the Centre.
GMR Aero Technic has signed a license agreement with Honeywell Aerospace to provide maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for LEAP engine line replaceable units (LRUs). This partnership will enhance MRO capabilities for Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in India, leveraging Honeywell's technology and GMR's infrastructure to offer efficient and cost-effective solutions for regional airlines.
Ninety-two remote villages in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region, once a Maoist stronghold, will hoist the national flag for the first time since Independence on August 15. This historic event signifies the end of left-wing extremism in these areas, with the state government leading an extensive campaign to foster national pride.
Jammu and Kashmir seamer Auqib Nabi earned his maiden call-up to the Indian team after he was named as Jasprit Bumrah's replacement for the upcoming two-match Test series in Sri Lanka.
Cricket Scotland and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association (KNCB) have jointly criticised the International Cricket Council's (ICC) significant structural changes to the Men's 50-over World Cup qualification pathway, calling it a 'setback to Associate Member cricket' and expressing disappointment over the lack of consultation.
Debutants FC Raengdai secured a dramatic 4-3 victory over TRAU FC in the Durand Cup, with Mridul Doley netting a hat-trick. This win propelled FC Raengdai to the top of Group D, marking an unexpected strong start for the new team in only their second-ever Durand Cup fixture.
India, led by Shreyas Iyer, aims to secure an unassailable lead against Zimbabwe in the second T20I after a convincing seven-wicket victory in the opener. Young talents like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Mayank Yadav were instrumental in the first match, showcasing strong batting and pace bowling performances.
Following her Commonwealth Games 2026 gold medal win, Indian boxer Preeti Pawar reflected on the learning experience that the event gave her ahead of the Asian Games this year and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, the boxing culture in her hometown Bhiwani, known as 'Mini Cuba' for producing world-class talent and the fulfillment of her baklava promise after her medal win in Glasgow.
A 21-year-old man, Amit, is accused of brutally stabbing a 28-year-old teacher, Sandhya Sharma, to death in Faridabad. Police investigations reveal that Amit had planned the murder for nearly two months, purchasing a knife specifically for the crime. The motive appears to be unreciprocated feelings and resentment after Sharma had previously filed a molestation complaint against him.
Indian Olympic medallist boxer Lovlina Borgohain noticed an inaccurate map of India, missing the Northeast region, displayed at a popular Indian restaurant in Glasgow during a celebratory dinner. Following her observation, Boxing Federation of India president Ajay Singh confirmed that the restaurant management acknowledged the error and assured the Indian contingent that the map would be corrected.
Police in Assam have detained seven people in connection with election-related violence in Tamulpur and Sivasagar. Minor clashes also erupted at several polling booths, resulting in minor injuries. Authorities are investigating the incidents and monitoring the situation to ensure uninterrupted polling.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has extended the implementation date for its revised loan recovery and agent engagement directions to January 1, 2027, from the previously proposed October 1, 2026, following stakeholder feedback.
Tata Steel has confirmed that Jamshedpur FC will honour all existing player contracts and assist footballers in finding new clubs following its withdrawal from the Indian Super League. The company also clarified that its commitment to grassroots football and youth development in Jamshedpur remains strong, with no plans to relocate the club's operations.
Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan announced that the death toll from rain-related incidents has reached 15, with seven people still missing. He confirmed that the overall situation is under control, except for a few areas in Pathanamthitta, as the state intensifies rescue and relief operations. The CM detailed the deployment of rescue teams, functioning relief camps, and immediate compensation measures for victims and affected families, while also cautioning against rumours regarding dam water release.
Former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal has been convicted by the Bombay High Court's Goa bench in a 2013 rape case and sentenced to 10 years' rigorous imprisonment, overturning his 2021 acquittal. Tejpal claims he is a "political victim" and will challenge the verdict in the Supreme Court, alleging his journalistic career has been targeted.
Commonwealth Games gold medallist Soman Rana has highlighted the critical need for increased corporate support and permanent jobs for Indian para-athletes. He stressed that financial security is vital for athletes to focus on training and achieve consistent international success, including at events like the Paralympics and Para Asian Games. His views were echoed by PCI president Devendra Jhajharia and M3M Foundation chairperson Payal Kanodia, who noted the growing recognition and support for the Paralympic movement in India.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi hit an 18-ball half-century as India crushed Zimbabwe by seven wickets to go 1-0 up in the 3-match T20I series in Harare on Thursday.
India's Harjinder Kaur secured a silver medal in the women's 69kg weightlifting event at the Commonwealth Games, achieving a personal best of 227kg.
Indian judoka Yamini Mourya reflects on her 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games silver medal, expressing her belief that a single mistake cost her the gold medal she had envisioned.
A new study by The Energy & Climate Initiative Society (ENCIS) predicts that AI adoption in India's power generation sector will surge from 35% to 65% by 2030, becoming a core operational capability. The study highlights that nearly seven out of ten professionals see power generation as offering the best opportunity for efficiency gains through AI, driven by India's expanding digital infrastructure and significant investments from energy giants. Predictive asset management and proactive maintenance are identified as key areas for AI application, with efficiency being the primary driver for AI investments.
India's Harjinder Kaur won a silver medal in the women's 69kg weightlifting event at the Commonwealth Games, setting new Games records in both snatch and clean and jerk. Her exceptional performance contributed to India's strong showing in weightlifting, which now boasts seven medals. However, fellow Indian debutant Nirupama Devi had a forgettable outing, failing to register a total in the 63kg category.
Experienced wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das has been appointed as the new One Day International captain for Bangladesh, succeeding Mehidy Hasan Miraz. This move comes as the team begins its preparations and build-up for the 2027 Cricket World Cup.
Debutants FC Raengdai secured a thrilling 4-3 victory over TRAU FC in the Durand Cup, with Mridul Doley scoring a hat-trick. This win propelled FC Raengdai to the top of Group D. Langsning FC also had a memorable debut, defeating Mumbay FC 5-0 in another fixture.
India's boxing contingent had a stellar day at the Commonwealth Games, securing five more semifinal berths and bringing the total to nine. This achievement surpasses India's previous medal tally in boxing from Birmingham 2022, guaranteeing at least nine medals for the nation.
A police constable in Bihar's Siwan district was suspended after a video showing him using an AK-47 rifle during a student protest went viral. An inquiry has been initiated, and political leaders have reacted strongly to the incident, which occurred during a statewide bandh against the NEET paper leak.
Batting great Cheteshwar Pujara believes veteran spinner Ravindra Jadeja's recent shift to a more aggressive, wicket-taking mindset in red-ball cricket will make him a vital player for India during the upcoming two-Test series in Sri Lanka.
As the agitation over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand recruitment examinations entered its 14th day, talks between the state government and student protesters on Friday failed to break the deadlock, with students deciding to continue their protest and hunger strike until their demands, including cancellation of the 14th JPSC examination, are met.
The mortal remains of Merchant Navy chief officer Sagar Gupta, who was killed in a Black Sea attack amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict, were brought to his native place in Kanpur on Wednesday, 18 days after the incident, with his family demanding 'martyr' status and compensation.
Two women from Arunachal Pradesh, January Tali and Hachu Lombo, have successfully scaled the 7,077-metre high Mt Kun in Ladakh, a challenging peak in the Zanskar range. Their achievement has been lauded by the Arunachal Pradesh Governor and is expected to inspire youth in the state.
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has expressed satisfaction with the extensive renovation and cleaning work at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, addressing previous criticisms regarding hygiene and facilities. Significant improvements have been made, including toilet renovations, deep cleaning, seat replacements, and pest control measures, ensuring the venue is ready for the upcoming World Championships.
