World

Oxford University Press has named “rage bait” as its Word of the Year 2025. The term describes online content deliberately designed to provoke anger and engagement, reflecting the growing awareness of digital manipulation and polarisation in modern internet culture

Hong Kong authorities confirmed the death toll from the apartment complex fire has climbed to 151 after additional bodies were recovered. Search teams continue operations, with 104 people still missing after the massive blaze that burned from Wednesday until Friday morning

As Princess Aiko turns 24, her rising popularity intensifies calls to end Japan’s male-only imperial succession. Supporters fear the monarchy’s extinction as only one young male heir remains, while conservatives resist reforms despite public admiration for Aiko’s growing role and service

A long-hidden Rubens Crucifixion painting, mis-attributed for centuries and valued at only US$10,000, was authenticated by experts and sold in Versailles for US$2.3 million after scientific analysis confirmed pigments and provenance tracing back to William Bouguereau’s collection

President Donald Trump said he has invited the families of Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, who was fatally shot in Washington, DC, and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, who remains critical. Vigils were held in West Virginia as authorities pursue charges against a 29-year-old Afghan national.

At least 334 people have died and 370 remain missing as Cyclone Ditwah wreaks havoc across Sri Lanka. Rescue efforts are hampered by communication breakdowns, while President Dissanayake calls it the country’s worst disaster and pledges full state support for recovery.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has strongly defended the H-1B visa programme, highlighting how the US economy benefits from Indian immigrants and stressing the need for high-skill talent. Speaking on Nikhil Kamath’s podcast, Musk acknowledged misuse of the system by outsourcing firms but urged reforms instead of shutting it down.

Rohit Sharma broke Shahid Afridi’s record to become the batter with most sixes in ODI history. He smashed his 352nd six during the first ODI against South Africa in Ranchi, achieving the feat in his 270th innings

Belgium defeated India 1-0 in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup final in Malaysia. Thibeau Stockbroekx scored the decisive goal in the 34th minute as India failed to convert penalty corners and settled for silver in the prestigious hockey tournament

India defeated South Africa by 17 runs in the first ODI at Ranchi. Virat Kohli’s century, Rohit Sharma’s record-breaking knock, and Kuldeep Yadav’s four wickets powered India to a 1-0 lead in the three-match series

Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly retained their Syed Modi International women’s doubles title with a comeback win over Japan’s Kaho Osawa and Mai Tanabe in Lucknow. Kidambi Srikanth, however, lost a close men’s singles final to Hong Kong’s Jason Gunawan

Sunil Gavaskar termed South Africa coach Shukri Conrad’s use of the word ‘grovel’ as ill-advised. He highlighted India’s role in South Africa’s cricket re-entry, stressed the positive ties between the two nations, and urged Conrad to clarify his remark

Hyderabad’s Naveen Puligilla and co-driver Musa Sherif made history by becoming the first all-Indian team to secure a podium finish in a World Rally Championship event, finishing second in WRC3 at the Saudi Arabia Rally 2025 in Jeddah

A shooting at a Stockton banquet hall during a family gathering left four people dead and ten injured, including children. Authorities believe the attack may have been targeted, though the motive remains unknown as detectives continue investigating

Several people were injured in a shooting in Stockton, California, on Saturday night. The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office said multiple victims were taken to hospitals, with the area remaining an active crime scene as investigations continue.

Sri Lanka’s death toll from Cyclone Ditwah has climbed to 153, with 191 people still missing as flooding, landslides and severe rain continue across multiple districts. Over 100,000 people are in evacuation centres, while Indian forces assist nationwide rescue and relief efforts.

India thrashed Oman 17-0 in the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup in Chennai. Hat-tricks from Manmeet Singh, Arshdeep Singh and Dilraj Singh powered the win, taking India to the top of Pool B with 24 goals

India B (Manipur) defeated Colombia 8-5 to win the 15th Manipur International Polo Tournament at Imphal Polo Ground. The event, part of the Sangai Festival, marked polo’s return after a two-year pause due to ethnic violence

Karnataka’s Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha qualified for the men’s doubles main draw of the 2026 Australian Open after winning the Asia-Pacific Wildcard Playoff in Chengdu with Thailand’s Pruchya Isaro. KSLTA announced a Rs 1 lakh reward for his achievement

Praneel Sharma clinched both singles and doubles titles at the ITF World Junior Tennis Tour J100 in New Delhi. He beat Aashravya Mehra in the singles final and paired with Aditya Mor to win the doubles crown

India stormed into the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup final after thrashing Canada 14-3 in Ipoh. Jugraj Singh scored four goals, while Abhishek struck twice late in the game. India will face Belgium in the summit clash on Sunday

India face South Africa in the first ODI at Ranchi with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli returning to the squad. The series doubles as a 2027 World Cup audition, while head coach Gautam Gambhir looks to stabilise India’s white-ball direction

Eight-year-old Hyderabad chess prodigy Anaya Sharma won gold in the under-8 category at the Commonwealth Chess Championship 2025 in Kuala Lumpur. An ELO 1600+ player, she trains at Maestro Chess Academy and aspires to become a Grandmaster

Kidambi Srikanth defeated Mithun Manjunath to reach the Syed Modi International final, while Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly advanced to the women’s doubles final. India’s singles hopes ended with Unnati Hooda and Tanvi Sharma losing in the semifinals at Lucknow