NITI Aayog's inaugural Investment Friendliness Index, scoring 36 states and Union Territories on 84 indicators across eight pillars, revealed that no state or UT reached a score of 60 out of 100, indicating significant room for improvement in attracting investment.
Joe Root became only the eighth batter to cross 23,000 international runs, joining Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli and other cricket greats in an elite batting club.
The Indian women's cricket team secured a gold medal at the Asian Games by defeating Sri Lanka in the final. Opener Shafali Verma played a crucial all-round role, scoring 48 runs and taking two wickets. Verma expressed immense pride in representing the nation and celebrating the victory.
India secured a silver medal in the men's 10m air rifle team event at the Asian Games, with Rudrankksh Patil and Himanshu Dhillon also advancing to the individual final. China won gold with a new world record, while South Korea took bronze. This medal adds to India's growing shooting tally, which includes a silver in the women's 10m air rifle team event and a record 22 medals at the Hangzhou Asian Games.
The UK has successfully test-fired a US torpedo from an undersea drone, marking a significant advancement in submarine technology for the AUKUS partners (UK, US, Australia). This development coincides with Prime Minister Andy Burnham's visit to the UN General Assembly, where he is discussing global challenges like AI, the Ukraine conflict, and West Asia security with international leaders, and announced the UK will host the G20 Leaders' Summit in Manchester next November.
Abhishek Sharma's record 30-ball century against Afghanistan had a little help from mentor Yuvraj Singh.
Indian swimmer Rishabh Das secured the sixth position in the men's 100m backstroke final at the Asian Games, clocking 54.77 seconds. China's Xu Jiayu won gold, while other Indian participants, Utkarsh Patil, Benediction Beniston, and Akash Mani, had disappointing results in their respective events.
India's women's 10m air rifle team, comprising Sonam Uttam Maskar, Elavenil Valarivan, and Vidarsa Vinod, secured a silver medal at the Asian Games, marking the country's first medal in shooting. The trio finished second behind China, with Sonam and Elavenil also qualifying for the individual finals, raising hopes for more medals.
Himanshu Dhillon, on his 21st birthday, won the silver medal in the men's 10m air rifle at the Asian Games.
Indian shooters Himanshu Dhillon and Rudrankksh Patil secured individual silver and bronze medals respectively in the men's 10m air rifle event at the Asian Games. India also won a team silver, contributing to the nation's growing medal tally in the continental competition.
Tanya Chaudhary of Uttar Pradesh has set a new women's hammer throw national record at the Indian Athletics Series Final, achieving a distance of 68.35m and surpassing the previous record held by Anushka Yadav. Both athletes are part of the Asian Games team.
Indian women's cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur expressed her joy and hope after securing a gold medal at the Asian Games, defeating Sri Lanka. She believes this victory will inspire other Indian athletes to win more medals and highlighted the team's focus on adapting to conditions despite initial concerns about facilities in Japan. Kaur also reflected on the unique experience of winning a medal for the country compared to traditional trophies.
Suchika Tariyal has secured India's first-ever medal in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games by reaching the semifinals of the women's 60kg event. The veteran multi-discipline combat athlete defeated Mongolia's Altanchimeg Baigalmaa 2-0 and will compete in the semifinals on Monday, guaranteeing at least a bronze medal as MMA makes its Asian Games debut.
Takumi Hojo secured Japan's first gold medal at the Aichi-Nagoa Asian Games, winning the men's individual triathlon. Hojo, who previously won mixed relay gold, overcame early positions to dominate the run segment, finishing nine seconds ahead of China's Zhang Xirui. His victory has boosted the Japanese team's morale.
Indian recurve archer Dhiraj Bommadevara has won a historic gold medal at the Archery World Cup Final in Saltillo, Mexico.
Kerala's Ancy Sojan clinched the women's long jump title at the Indian Athletics Series Final, expressing strong confidence for the upcoming Asian Games where she aims to win gold and experience the national anthem on the podium.
Star Indian batter Smriti Mandhana discusses the team's future aspirations after securing a second consecutive Asian Games gold medal. She emphasises the need for continuous improvement over the next two years to prepare for the tougher competition expected at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, highlighting the unique pride of contributing to India's overall medal tally.
Hanuman Ansh has made a spectacular entry into the Rs 200 Crore Club, with Mirzapur also set to achieve the same milestone.
Suchika Tariyal secured India's first-ever medal in mixed martial arts at the Asian Games, winning a bronze in the women's traditional 60kg event. Despite a fiercely contested bout that ended in a draw, she lost the semifinal to Singapore's Hui Hoon Teo due to a lesser weight rule. Tariyal expressed disappointment with the decision but was proud of her historic achievement for the country.
Alexander Zverev led Germany to an unassailable 3-1 lead over Croatia, securing their spot in the Davis Cup Final 8. Spain and Britain also qualified, with Italy automatically advancing as reigning champions. Other nations like Austria, Canada, South Korea, and the Czech Republic also progressed.
Khalin Joshi, fresh off a win, shot a career-low 11-under 61 to take a four-shot lead at the Bengaluru Open 2026. The local golfer's bogey-free round included an eagle and nine birdies. Teenager Manoj S is in second place, while the tournament is crucial for players to retain their playing rights on the DP World PGTI tour.
Veteran spinner Imran Tahir, at 47, attributes his continued success and record-breaking five-wicket haul in the Caribbean Premier League to the motivation provided by his son, who encourages him to play 'one more year'.
The Japan Cricket Association (JCA) is set to host its first-ever T20I against reigning world champions India, a landmark event expected to significantly elevate cricket's profile and drive its long-term growth in Japan, according to JCA COO Alan Curr.
Super League Kerala is implementing a new financial model to ensure franchise sustainability and has partnered with the German Football Association (DFB) for a five-year technical roadmap. This includes establishing a residential Centre of Excellence to nurture young football talent while integrating formal education.
At just 13, Yu Zidi claimed her second Asian Games gold by smashing the 200m IM Asian record, finishing only 0.40 seconds behind Summer McIntosh's world record.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has proposed an independent review of the world football body's decision-making framework.
Kylian Mbappe has asserted his belief that he deserves to win the Ballon d'Or this year, despite not securing any club or international silverware. The French forward highlighted his individual performances, including becoming the World Cup's all-time leading scorer, and praised new France coach Zinedine Zidane.
The Indian women's hockey team secured a dominant 17-1 victory over Indonesia in their second Pool B match at the Asian Games.
Suchika Tariyal secured India's first-ever medal in mixed martial arts at the Asian Games, winning a bronze in the women's traditional 60kg event.
Suryakumar Yadav turned 36 as wife Devisha, BCCI, Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings celebrated India's T20 star, highlighting his World Cup triumphs, captaincy and international achievements.
Indian air rifle shooter Elavenil Valarivan secured a silver medal at the Asian Games, despite initially leading the final. She expressed contentment with the result, viewing it as a crucial learning experience focused on process over outcome. This marks her third consecutive individual silver at major Asian competitions, and she also contributed to India's team silver. The medal holds personal significance as her first at the Asian Games, achieved after eight years, and she credits her coach's guidance.
The Indian men's and women's hockey teams commence their Asian Games campaign in Japan, with both aiming for a gold medal to secure direct qualification for the Los Angeles Olympics. The men's team seeks to recover from a recent World Cup slump, while the women's team looks to build on their strong World Cup performance, facing significant challenges from opponents like China.
Punjab Police's Counter Intelligence wing in Amritsar has successfully busted a cross-border narcotics smuggling module, leading to the arrest of three individuals and the recovery of 17 kg of heroin. This latest seizure brings the total recovery by CI Amritsar to 54 kg of heroin in just four days, highlighting a significant crackdown on drug trafficking in the region.
Tata Group's British luxury carmaker Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) announced plans to reduce its global workforce by approximately 4,000 roles over the next two years, aiming for 1.7 billion in savings to enhance sustainable profitable growth and invest in future technologies.
India's junior men's hockey team successfully defended their Asia Cup title, defeating Korea 4-1 in the final in Moqi, China. This victory marks their record sixth continental crown and secures their spot in the upcoming World Cup. The team displayed a dominant performance with goals from Ajeet Yadav, Anmol Ekka, Prabhdeep Singh, and Ashu Maurya.
Kerala Police officer Bobby Sabu has broken a 39-year-old triple jump record at the 47th Kerala Police State Athletics Meet with a 15.93-metre effort. This achievement follows his recent gold medal win at the All India Police Duty Meet, marking a significant milestone in his athletic career.
Suchika Tariyal has made history by becoming India's first Asian Games medal winner in Mixed Martial Arts, securing a bronze in the women's traditional 60kg event. The 36-year-old fighter, who hails from Haryana, expressed immense joy and dedicated her medal to her family, acknowledging the financial struggles and personal sacrifices made throughout her career. Despite initially considering retirement, her performance has inspired her to continue her professional fighting journey.
The Indian women's hockey team secured its second consecutive Pool B victory at the Asian Games, defeating Indonesia 17-1. Deepika Sehrawat, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal, and Navneet Kaur each scored a hat-trick, contributing to the dominant performance. Coach Sjoerd Marijne expressed satisfaction but highlighted the upcoming match against Japan as the real challenge for topping the pool and securing direct Olympic qualification.
Legendary Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has provided crucial insights into India's preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup, advocating for squad continuity and consistent game time for players. He stressed the importance of avoiding last-minute changes and building belief within the chosen squad, drawing lessons from past tournament performances. Yuvraj also highlighted the need for a balanced team with match-winners, adaptable to various conditions, echoing Australia's successful World Cup strategy.
The Indian men's and women's hockey teams are set to compete at the Asian Games in Kakamigahara, Japan, with the primary goal of winning gold to secure direct qualification for the Paris Olympics. The men's team aims to defend its title and overcome recent World Cup disappointment, while the women's team, buoyed by a strong World Cup performance, seeks only its second Asian Games gold. Both teams face tough competition, with the men needing to prove their dominance against regional rivals and the women confronting a strong Chinese side.
