India A showcased a dominant performance on the second day of the third unofficial Test against New Zealand A. Half-centuries from Dhruv Jurel, Tilak Varma, and Washington Sundar propelled India A to a strong total of 464 for five declared. Fast bowler Prasidh Krishna then made early inroads, claiming two wickets to leave New Zealand A struggling at 36 for 2 at stumps, with India A holding a substantial lead.
'It is a blunt and dangerous attempt to pressure India to sign BTA on one-sided terms.'
Kris Srikkanth has questioned Washington Sundar's inclusion for India's Afghanistan T20Is, saying the all-rounder must prove match fitness through competitive cricket after recurring injuries.
The United States has evacuated American aircraft from an air base in the UK following a threat from Iran, according to people familiar with the matter, raising fresh concerns over the security of US military assets amid the ongoing conflict.
US President Donald Trump has met with his national security team to discuss resuming military operations against Iran, with senior officials confirming preparations are being finalised for potential major operations, while Iraq has warned against using its territory for strikes.
The third and final unofficial Test between New Zealand A and India A concluded in a draw after persistent rain washed out the last two days of play, leading to a drawn series.
Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei has declared that the results of the US midterm elections and shifts between American political parties will not alter Iran's defensive strategy or soften Washington's long-standing hostility toward the Iranian nation.
Rain disrupted the Washington Open women's final between Jessica Pegula and Alexandra Eala, pushing it to Monday, along with the men's final. The Canadian Open in Toronto and Montreal also saw matches postponed due to adverse weather conditions.
US President Donald Trump stated that the US still needs to address "one or two targets" in Iran, specifically mentioning a site like Pickaxe Mountain, claiming it could be done in 10 minutes. This comes as Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned of an "unrestricted" response to any US or Israeli missteps. Despite the tough talk, diplomatic channels remain open, with both sides acknowledging ongoing talks, though Trump expressed skepticism about Iran's reliability in negotiations.
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson declared a statewide state of emergency and burn ban Saturday morning as an unprecedented wildfire crisis gripped the region, with active blazes scorching nearly 3,000 acres.
Iraq's Civil Aviation Authority barred a plane carrying Iran's national football team from landing at Basra airport, citing US sanctions on Iranian airlines. The team was forced to return to Iran and travel overland to participate in a four-nation tournament.
Donald Trump has announced that Stephen Miller will take over as White House Chief of Staff from November 9, 2026, replacing Susie Wiles, who will move to Trump's political operation. Trump praised both Miller and Wiles, indicating a desire for strategic changes within his administration.
Persistent rains on Monday led to the complete washout of the third day's play in the third and final unofficial Test between India A and New Zealand A in Lincoln, New Zealand. This disruption meant Indian Test pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna, both returning from breaks, missed crucial match practice ahead of the upcoming Test series against New Zealand.
Far-right activists, led by Jake Lang, stormed Diwali celebrations in Seattle, displaying racist placards and sparking widespread condemnation from US lawmakers and community leaders.
Former US National Security Adviser John Bolton criticises JD Vance's attempt to distance himself from Donald Trump by blaming Republican midterm losses on the Iran war, calling it a "big political mistake". Bolton argues that broader voter dissatisfaction stemmed from economic issues, rising prices, and Trump's tariff policies, not just the Iran war. He also discusses Trump's leadership style, potential investigations, and the impact of US domestic turmoil on US-India relations.
Democrats are projected to gain control of the US House of Representatives, marking a significant political shift. This comes as voters express discontent over economic anxiety, the Iran war, and tariffs, leading to a rebuke of the Republican party. The shift will empower Democrats to scrutinize the Trump administration and block Republican legislative efforts, with Representative Hakeem Jeffries potentially becoming the first African American Speaker.
The United States has reportedly conducted a clandestine military operation targeting Iran's Qeshm Island, part of a series of limited attacks against Tehran. This strike occurred on Monday, shortly after US President Donald Trump suggested a deal with Iran was possible, despite ongoing military actions. US officials indicate these strikes are kept minimal and secret to avoid escalating to a wider military campaign. The incident follows previous US actions and Iran's report of capturing a US drone.
Billionaire Elon Musk reacted to the Democratic sweep in the 2026 US midterm elections with sarcastic posts on X, lamenting that his 'election-interfering space lasers didn't work' and suggesting 'data centers in space' looked appealing after Republicans suffered major setbacks despite his extensive financial support.
Following significant midterm election losses, US Vice President J D Vance is reportedly forming a new political alliance targeting disaffected Trump supporters for the 2028 presidential election, while President Donald Trump is considering whether to retain Pete Hegseth as Secretary of War amid scrutiny over the Iran conflict.
The US midterm elections saw the Democratic Party gain control of Congress and key gubernatorial posts, leading international affairs experts to view the outcome as a referendum on President Donald Trump's policies. Analysts suggest the results signal a desire for change in his behaviour and could prompt a more pragmatic approach in his remaining term, with potential implications for global politics and India-US relations.
Crude oil prices are set for another volatile week with an upward bias, as ongoing US-Iran negotiations and heightened geopolitical risks, particularly concerning energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, continue to influence the market, according to analysts.
India has strongly criticised the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), labelling it a "biased" entity with a "blatantly political agenda." This comes after two senior USCIRF officials raised concerns about alleged vigilante attacks on Sikh gurdwaras in India and urged the US government to hold perpetrators accountable. India's External Affairs Ministry questioned USCIRF's silence on attacks on religious places and racial abuse targeting the Indian community in the US.
India has strongly rejected a civil lawsuit filed in a US court by Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun against National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and former R&AW chief Samant Goel, calling the allegations "fabricated and malicious." The US State Department confirmed it delivered the summonses through diplomatic channels, clarifying that this does not indicate a US position on the merits of the case.
US President Donald Trump has announced that Washington will end approximately $4 billion in annual assistance to Israel by the end of this year, saying that the country no longer requires American financial support, while Israel's Democratic Party Chairman Yair Golan, belonging to the Anti-Netanyahu bloc, criticised the proposed move, calling it a severe blow to the country's security.
Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill are the only Indian cricketers in the top 10 of the latest ICC Test batting rankings, holding eighth and tenth positions respectively. Afghanistan's Rahmat Shah made history by becoming the first player from his country to enter the top 10 in any ICC Test Player Rankings category, climbing to seventh after a century against Zimbabwe. Jasprit Bumrah remains fifth in Test bowlers' rankings, while Ravindra Jadeja is second in all-rounders. Recent ODI rankings also saw Indian bowlers Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, and Gurnoor Brar making gains.
American tennis player Robin Montgomery reflects on how an injury-forced break helped her discover her identity beyond the sport. Despite early success as a junior and a recent WTA title, she faced challenges, including a serious wrist injury. This period allowed her to explore new hobbies and appreciate her life off the court, fostering a stronger sense of self.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has interpreted the US midterm election results as a clear rejection of conflict by the American public, stating, "Americans said NO TO WAR, and we endorse this message." This comes as Democrats are poised to take control of the US Congress, securing the Senate and gaining seats in the House of Representatives.
United States Central Command (CENTCOM) forces have disabled a commercial cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman using precision airstrikes after the ship's crew repeatedly ignored warnings and attempted to breach an active naval blockade against Iran, the US military confirmed in an official statement.
Iran's powerful secretary of the supreme national security council Major General Mohsen Rezaei has issued a warning to the US after Donald Trump indicated that the war is unlikely to resume.
A group of US lawmakers, led by Grace Meng, has reintroduced the Diwali Day Act in the House of Representatives to recognise Diwali as a federal holiday. The bill aims to acknowledge the cultural significance of Diwali for Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, and various South Asian communities, especially amidst rising anti-Hindu and anti-South Asian hate. If passed, Diwali would become the 12th federally recognised holiday in the United States.
Democrats are projected to reclaim control of the House of Representatives in the 2026 midterm elections, paving the way for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to potentially become the first African American Speaker of the House, marking a historic political transformation in the United States.
Oman and Iran discussed efforts to resume navigation through the Strait of Hormuz without obstacles during a telephone conversation between their foreign ministers on Thursday, with both sides emphasising the need for sustainable understandings to ensure maritime safety, facilitate international trade and energy flows, and prevent further confrontations in the region.
Devdutt Padikkal made a strong case for the No. 3 spot in India's Test team with a superb 199 as India A fought back from a disastrous start to post 488 for 8 in their second innings against New Zealand A in the first unofficial Test on Monday.
US President Donald Trump has acknowledged that his administration's hardline immigration policies may have contributed to the Republican Party's setbacks in the November 3 midterm elections, admitting that the deportation drive targeting undocumented immigrants, including those with long-established jobs and lives in the country, may have been "too tough".
US President Donald Trump stated that the US and India are 'pretty close' to finalising a trade deal, which he expects to be significantly different from previous agreements. This announcement comes amidst ongoing discussions between officials from both nations, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit to India and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal's meetings with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, following an initial framework agreement in February.
US President Donald Trump acknowledged that the war in Iran largely contributed to Republican losses in the midterm elections due to rising gasoline prices. However, Trump remained defiant, stating he would undertake the action again as it was the "only answer" in the long term to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. He also dismissed suggestions of replacing Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Indian selectors face a selection dilemma for the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka, with Washington Sundar unlikely to be fit for the first Test, while senior all-rounder Hardik Pandya is set to return to white-ball cricket from August after recovering from injury.
Vance was sceptical about the war against Iran and was the only figure in Trump's circle who refused to endorse Benjamin Netanyahu's bid for re-election as prime minister, points out Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.
Analysts predict that the US midterm election results, which saw Democrats gain control of Congress, will primarily influence Indian markets through changes in global financial conditions, trade policy expectations, and geopolitical developments, with a keen focus on the US administration's actions in West Asia and their potential impact on crude oil prices.
Navigating this geopolitical minefield requires a cold-blooded blend of immediate tactical pleading, structural domestic diversification, and aggressive collective resistance, suggests Ambassador Rajasekhar.
