India

Deepti Sharma became the costliest buy at the 2026 WPL mega auction, retained by UP Warriorz for Rs 3.20 crore. Amelia Kerr, Shree Charani, Laura Wolvaardt and Meg Lanning also landed big deals as franchises strengthened their squads

Though the long-awaited labour codes represent genuine reforms, the government must address the concerns of unions fully and fairly

By turning welfare into a transactional exchange rather than a rights-based entitlement, political parties risk reducing women’s citizenship to consumer choice

The Hyderabad–Chennai high-speed rail corridor has reached a crucial stage, with South Central Railway submitting the final alignment plan to Tamil Nadu. Currently, train travel between the two cities takes 12 hours, but the bullet train will reduce this to just 2 hours and 20 minutes.

India vice-captain Rishabh Pant apologised for the team’s 0-2 Test series loss to South Africa, saying players will regroup and refocus to come back stronger. The defeat has intensified scrutiny on coach Gautam Gambhir’s strategy of relying on all-rounders

Sunil Gavaskar defended India head coach Gautam Gambhir after the Test series loss to South Africa, saying coaches can only prepare teams but players must deliver. R Ashwin also backed Gambhir, stressing players should take responsibility instead of blaming the coach

India’s Test selectors, led by Ajit Agarkar, may turn to seasoned domestic stars like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rajat Patidar and Rinku Singh after the South Africa whitewash. Experts stress the need for specialists over all-rounders to strengthen the batting line-up

Tanvi Sharma, 16, stunned former World No 1 Nozomi Okuhara in a thrilling three-game battle at the Syed Modi International 2025. The World Juniors silver medallist rallied to win 13-21, 21-16, 21-19, advancing to the quarterfinals

Goa CM Pramod Sawant announced plans to introduce chess in every school after hosting the FIDE World Cup 2025. The event saw 206 players from 82 countries, with Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Sindarov becoming the youngest champion

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reaffirmed that the state will not lose its rightful share of Krishna river water. He instructed officials to strongly defend AP’s interests before the tribunal and reviewed reservoir availability and groundwater improvements across the State

A gang of six armed men looted cash and jewellery worth around Rs 1 crore from a shop in Siwan’s Raghunathpur area, firing multiple rounds to spread panic. The daylight heist has raised serious concerns over Bihar’s law and order situation

Andhra Pradesh Police arrested 14 members of a Cambodia-linked cyber fraud syndicate that cheated a 75-year-old Bhimavaram resident of Rs 78.6 lakh through a fake digital arrest scam. Officials recovered Rs 42 lakh and seized phones, passports and digital evidence

UNICEF and Humane World for Animals India, in collaboration with Telangana State Disaster Management Authority, held the state’s first animal-inclusive disaster risk reduction conference. Experts discussed integrating animal welfare into disaster preparedness, response systems, and family-centered plans

The Income Tax Department will send SMSs/emails to 25,000 high-risk taxpayers over undisclosed foreign assets. The CBDT urges filing revised ITRs by December 31, 2025, to avoid penalties under the Black Money Act, expanding the nudge campaign nationwide

Mahindra University inaugurated two state-of-the-art research labs – the Centre for Advanced Electron Microscopy and InfraX, a civil engineering lab ecosystem. Equipped with advanced technology, the labs aim to promote nanotechnology, materials science, and multidisciplinary research innovation in Hyderabad

Brar Squadron won the Commandant’s Banner at the Air Force Academy, Hyderabad, recognising its overall excellence across physical, academic and competitive events. Desa Squadron emerged victorious in the drill competition as AFA Commandant Air Marshal Vohra praised cadets’ teamwork and discipline

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday unveiled Skyroot’s first orbital rocket, Vikram-I, while inaugurating the startup’s Infinity Campus in Hyderabad. He praised Gen Z engineers and credited space sector reforms for the rise of over 300 private space startups in India

A 44-year-old woman was allegedly killed by her live-in partner in southwest Delhi after a drunken fight. The accused attempted to dispose of her body but was too intoxicated to drive and returned home to sleep. Police have arrested him and are tracing his associates

Muskan, accused in the ‘blue drum’ murder of her husband, has been shifted to Meerut jail’s Barrack 12A with her newborn daughter after being discharged from hospital. Jail officials said both are healthy, though no DNA test request has been made yet

The Centre informed the Supreme Court that guidelines to regulate explicit and harmful social media content are in the final stages. The court urged stronger checks, including a possible autonomous regulator and stringent protections for disabled individuals against online mockery

DK Shivakumar’s cryptic X post on “keeping one’s word” has intensified the Karnataka Congress power tussle, reviving debates over a reported power-sharing pact. With Kharge acknowledging the crisis, both Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah have been summoned to Delhi for a final decision

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu hailed India winning the bid to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games 2030, calling it a proud moment for every citizen. He lauded PM Modi’s leadership, saying the achievement boosts India’s global standing and commitment to sporting excellence.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated Skyroot’s new Infinity Campus in Hyderabad and unveiled the Vikram-I orbital rocket. Highlighting the government’s space reforms, he said private participation has transformed India’s space ecosystem, with over 300 startups driving innovation and attracting global investment.

A 24-year-old Pakistani man was detained after villagers found him hiding in a cattle shed near the International Border in Rajasthan’s Barmer district. BSF troops apprehended him and handed him over to police as agencies probe his infiltration route and motive.