New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has defended its decision to launch a domestic T20 competition, NZ20, over joining Australia's Big Bash League, stating it considered a range of expert opinions beyond a single Deloitte report.
The subtext here is that nobody else really matters to America today; only China, because nobody else can truly hurt them, points out Mihir S Sharma.
India faces a challenging Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya with a significantly smaller contingent of 168 athletes, down from 303. While aiming to build on its record 111-medal haul from the last Games, selection disputes in para-shooting and para-cycling, coupled with reduced athlete numbers in key disciplines like para-athletics, pose hurdles. Despite these challenges, star athletes across para-athletics, archery, para-badminton, shooting, and table tennis are expected to lead India's medal charge.
Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has strongly criticised Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's decision to skip the BRICS summit in India, calling it "immature" and detrimental to Bangladesh's national interest. She argued that the absence lost opportunities for economic development and that foreign policy should not be driven by personal considerations. Hasina also highlighted the current "grave national crisis" in Bangladesh and her intention to return to restore democracy.
Pakistan has summoned India's Charge d'Affaires to protest the killing of two alleged civilians by the Border Security Force (BSF) along the international border in Punjab. While India claims the individuals were intruders, Pakistan asserts they were unarmed civilians and demands a transparent investigation into the incident.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham's past meetings with Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak have come under scrutiny following criticism of Burnham's initial response to the club's financial rule breaches.
The US is reportedly considering a USD 100,000 fee for Optional Practical Training (OPT) visas, which allow international students to work in the US after graduation. This move by the Trump administration follows a rejected H1-B visa fee proposal and could significantly impact foreign graduates and tech companies. The Department of Homeland Security is also exploring a USD 100,000 bond for green card applicants.
IIIT-Hyderabad has issued disciplinary warnings to eight students associated with 'No Tyrants, No Silence' (NTNS), an independent campus platform. The institute cited unauthorised use of its name and publication of confidential meeting minutes. NTNS, which discusses caste, merit, and politics, had proposed screening a documentary on Umar Khalid, leading to CBFC objections and the screening's cancellation.
Opposition parties, led by Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, plan to march to the Supreme Court on Monday to meet the Chief Justice of India. They aim to submit a memorandum regarding alleged 'vote chori' and demand CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation, halting of SIR, and a return to paper ballots. The protest follows widespread detentions during previous demonstrations, which the opposition condemns as an assault on democracy.
Abdul Kabir courted controversy by calling Wani a "martyr" and questioned certain BJP leaders' visit to the house of the slain militant and offering the family compensation.
'We are ready to help Prime Minister Modi achieve his vision of 100 per cent connectivity throughout India -- a vision all of our company, including Elon, shares,' Lauren Dreyer, vice-president of Starlink business operations at SpaceX, said at the pre-business day of the India Mobile Congress in New Delhi.
The proposal caught auto makers by surprise.
The objective should be clear: Energy security without abandoning environmental responsibility; water security without ignoring local concerns; and strategic resilience without sacrificing public confidence, notes Varun Arya.
The Indian government has ordered the removal of Jack Dorsey's Bitchat app from app stores, citing law-and-order concerns due to its ability to bypass communication restrictions. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued the takedown demand under Section 69(A) of the IT Act, 2000. The government also addressed the issue of banning minors from social media, indicating a search for a better solution than outright bans.
India summoned Pakistan's Charge d'affaires to protest continued cross-border infiltration and alleged facilitation of drug smuggling, rejecting Pakistan's earlier protest regarding BSF action against suspected intruders. India stated BSF engaged infiltrators who posed a security threat after ignoring warnings.
The Maharashtra government has signed an MoU with the Kolhapur District Cricket Association to build an international-standard cricket stadium and multi-sports hub in Kolhapur, featuring a 35,000-capacity stadium and facilities for various sports.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the deportation of hardened narco-trafficking kingpin Navpreet Singh from Turkiye, hailing it as a significant achievement for the Modi government's commitment to eradicating drug cartels by 2029. Singh, who used a fake identity to smuggle drugs, was arrested by Delhi Police and remanded to 10-day custody. The government highlighted its intensified efforts to bring back fugitives, with 288 extraditions since 2019.
The Mizoram government has announced a cash reward of Rs 40 lakh each for hockey players Lalremsiami and Lalthantluangi, who were part of the Indian women's team that won gold at the Asian Games. Chief Minister Lalduhoma felicitated the athletes, highlighting their historic achievement for the state and the government's commitment to promoting hockey through schemes and infrastructure development.
Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi awarded shooter Elavenil Valarivan Rs 1.33 crore under the Khel Pratibha Puraskar Yojana for her two silver medals at the Asian Games 2026. The state government highlighted its commitment to nurturing sporting talent through various schemes and acknowledged the role of parents in athletes' success. Valarivan, an Arjuna Award recipient, has been associated with the Shaktidoot Scheme since 2017-18 and has represented India at multiple Olympics and won gold at the ISSF World Cup.
'What is the need for collecting so much data unless they are going to be used for some other purpose?'
An Italian woman, Paola Bertolini, travelled to Gurugram, India, to report a romance scam where a man allegedly swindled 1,000 euros from her. Dissatisfied with the response in Italy, she approached the Gurugram Cyber Police, who have registered a case and launched a search for the accused.
An investigation is underway into a flydubai co-pilot, identified as Hamam al-Hammami, who allegedly attacked Indian Captain Smit Machchhar in an attempt to crash an Israel-bound flight. The incident, which saw the plane plummet thousands of feet before the captain regained control, is being treated as a lone-wolf terrorist act, with probes by UAE, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Australia.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) is organising a protest in New Delhi, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities and the deletion of names from voter rolls. CJP leaders claim activists have been detained and faced restrictions while travelling to the capital for the demonstration.
Opposition MPs from the INDIA bloc, including prominent leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, marched to the Supreme Court to file a petition against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging 'vote chori' and irregularities in electoral rolls.
Indian men's hockey team goalkeeper Suraj Karkera commented on Pakistan's withdrawal from the upcoming Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) Punjab 2026. While acknowledging that fans will miss the intense rivalry, Karkera stated the Indian team remains focused on performing their best. Bangladesh has replaced Pakistan in the tournament, where India, fresh off their Asian Games gold, will enter as top-ranked contenders.
India is deeply concerned by the growing consolidation of Pakistan-backed jihadi and radical Islamist groups in Bangladesh, particularly in the strategically vital Chittagong Hill Tracts, which experts warn is transforming the country into a new safe haven for these networks and posing a direct threat to India's security.
Researchers have outlined five crucial actions to help the world prepare for a potentially strongest-on-record El Nino, aiming to reduce its severe health consequences like infectious diseases, malnutrition, and heat-related conditions. These recommendations, published in The Lancet, emphasise a comprehensive risk overview and early preparatory measures.
Flydubai co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami 'attempted a terrorist act' on flight FZ1073 to Tel Aviv, attacking Captain Smit Machchhar with a crash axe and trying to seize control.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya is scheduled to meet para-shooters protesting alleged corruption and manipulation in the selection process for the upcoming Para Asian Games. The athletes claim "illicit monetary extortion" and violations of Sports Ministry guidelines by the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) and its Shooting Technical Committee. The PCI denies the charges, stating selections were merit-based. Separately, para-cyclists also protested their omission from the contingent.
Apple has removed the offline messaging app Bitchat from its India App Store following a demand from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). Developed by Jack Dorsey, Bitchat faced scrutiny under Section 69(A) of the IT Act, 2000, due to concerns about its potential misuse by anti-national elements and for evading lawful surveillance, especially during public disorder. This marks the second time the app has faced government action in India.
The United States military has developed fresh strike options against Iran that include the potential use of the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB), widely known as the "mother of all bombs", to target energy infrastructure and nuclear sites, CNN reported, citing multiple US officials familiar with military planning discussions.
The AIADMK suffered a significant blow in the recent Madurantakam and Dharapuram by-polls, seeing a sharp decline in its traditional vote base. The party came in a distant third in both seats, which were previously its strongholds, raising concerns about its leadership, strategy, and future in Tamil Nadu's political landscape, especially with the rise of the TVK.
Leaders of the opposition INDIA bloc met President Droupadi Murmu, alleging 'vote chori' and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with the repeal of assembly polls from the last two years. Rahul Gandhi expressed shock that the President did not deny the 'election theft' charge but sought proof.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged for a global framework to combat cross-border cyber frauds and deepfakes, highlighting the need for governments, tech companies, telecom operators, and financial institutions to collaborate. Speaking at the India Mobile Congress 2026, Modi stressed that technology thrives on trust and that India is ready to share its expertise in tackling cyber threats. He also noted the rapid expansion of 5G and the success of digital governance initiatives like Direct Benefit Transfer.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw warned of increased global turbulence from tech disruptions, AI, and financial risks in the coming years. He stated that India is strengthening its economic and technological resilience to protect its growth from external shocks. India is focusing on domestic manufacturing and design in critical tech areas while maintaining global integration, with trust becoming as crucial as cost in supply chains.
India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is actively courting Sri Lanka's Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), a Marxist party with strong Sinhalese nationalist roots, marking a significant shift in bilateral relations despite ideological differences. This engagement, highlighted by a recent high-profile visit by JVP leader Tilvin Silva, aims to foster cooperation on economic projects and address New Delhi's concerns over slow progress in India-aided initiatives in the island nation.
Kerala Police has launched a probe after an internal application, crucial for handling files, became dysfunctional, with officials suspecting a cyber attack. The system, maintained by Keltron through a private firm, has been non-functional for four days, affecting internal file movement. Police have confirmed no data breach, and public-facing services remain operational.
Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) has officially commenced its international flight operations with an Air India Express service to Abu Dhabi, marking a significant boost in connectivity for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and establishing a new global gateway.
Five-time world champions Brazil are set to play India in an invitational friendly at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium, marking their first-ever international meeting. The match, while a spectacle for Indian fans, has drawn criticism regarding its cost and impact on Indian football development, with former captain Bhaichung Bhutia questioning its value over long-term investment. For Brazil, it's part of a rebuilding process, while India aims to gain invaluable experience against a top-tier team.
Fraser Stewart, Head of Cricket at MCC, expressed concern over cricketers retiring early from Tests for franchise T20 leagues but acknowledged players' desire for higher earnings with less play. He also welcomed the ICC's decision to trial pink balls in day-time Tests to mitigate fading light issues and boost spectator interest.
