National News

Actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu married Raj Nidimoru in an intimate Bhuta Shuddhi Vivaha ceremony at Isha Yoga Center. Her bridal mehendi, a minimalistic design by Arulmozhi Ilavarasu, featured the groom's name, Raj, subtly hidden on her right middle finger. Samantha was described as a happy, chirpy, and simple bride who desired a low-key wedding with loved ones.

A sceptical internet – quick to demonstrate the crab mentality evident among us – was quick to label the mannequin fitted with a speaker and an LLM as not a true robot. But the real question here is: what constitutes a true robot? Does it have to aid Luke Skywalker destroy the Death Star? Or search for its girlfriend while looking cute? Or be sent back in time to save or kill John Connor? Or cosplay as Shah Rukh Khan or Rajinikanth?

India has been invited to chair the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) for the first time, a recognition of its successful electoral process. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar will assume the Chair on December 3, 2026, in Stockholm, Sweden. This appointment highlights India's significant experience in managing elections for its vast electorate.

Ford CEO Jim Farley warns of a critical shortage of skilled tradespeople in the US, highlighting over a million unfilled jobs and a dangerous lag compared to China. He stresses the need for investment in trade education and rebuilding the blue-collar workforce, citing Ford's own efforts to eliminate tiered wages as a step towards career stability.

Elon Musk shared a personal detail about his family. His partner, Shivon Zilis, has Indian roots. Their son's middle name, Sekhar, honours Nobel Prize-winning astrophysicist Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar. Chandrasekhar's work on stars inspired Musk. This naming choice connects family heritage with scientific achievement. It highlights Musk's admiration for thinkers who advance our understanding of the universe.

Former cricketer Mohammad Kaif expressed surprise at Mohammed Shami's exclusion from the South Africa ODI series. Despite strong domestic performances and being India's joint-highest wicket-taker in the last Champions Trophy, the veteran pacer was overlooked. Kaif highlighted Shami's wicket-taking ability and the valuable experience he could offer the young Indian pace attack, especially with Bumrah and Siraj rested.

Usman Khawaja is progressing towards availability for the Gabba Ashes Test, though his back spasms are still being assessed for a full five-day match. He returned to nets for a cautious session, showing some discomfort but appearing more at ease. Meanwhile, Travis Head is open to batting anywhere, and Marnus Labuschagne backed Khawaja's importance to the team.

Pakistan's Prime Minister is reportedly abroad to avoid issuing a notification for the appointment of the first Chief of Defence Forces, a role Field Marshal Asim Munir is set to assume. This move comes after the government missed a deadline to issue the notification, creating uncertainty about the army chief's position and the nuclear command authority.

Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce offered support to friend Pat McAfee. McAfee and his wife are expecting their second child in June 2026. This news comes after a difficult IVF journey. Kelce's message arrived during a tough period for the Chiefs. The team faces a crucial game to stay in playoff contention.

Around 160 passengers were said to be on board the aircraft.

Legendary cricketer Geoffrey Boycott urges England to adopt a more strategic approach for the second Ashes Test at Brisbane. Following a crushing defeat in Perth, Boycott advises against reckless aggression, emphasising the need for batsmen to assess match situations. He also criticised captain Ben Stokes's 'has-beens' comment, highlighting the lack of Ashes success for the current squad in Australia.

A first-year B Tech Computer Science student from Chhattisgarh, Rahul Yadav, was found hanging in his hostel room at KIIT. This marks the third student suicide on campus this year, prompting concern from local politicians and an ongoing police investigation with scientific teams collecting evidence.

Nishant Agarwal, a scientist at BrahMos Aerospace Limited, has been cleared of major charges related to passing defense secrets. He was arrested in 2018. The higher judiciary has now absolved him of charges under the Information Technology Act and Official Secrets Act. Agarwal will be released soon, having served his sentence for possessing official documents on his personal device.

Understanding your blood pressure's two numbers, systolic and diastolic, is crucial for assessing heart and blood vessel health. Systolic measures the heart's pumping effort, while diastolic reflects pressure during relaxation, vital for heart muscle oxygenation. Age influences their significance, with diastolic being more predictive under 50 and systolic after 50 due to arterial stiffening.

Gaurav Gogoi accused Prime Minister Modi of "hijacking Parliament" during the Winter Session, alleging the government refuses to discuss the Indian election system. Gogoi stated that while the opposition is willing to cooperate on government bills, the BJP is not accommodating opposition issues in the parliamentary agenda, undermining democratic functioning.

The 60,000 sqft store can host coaching sessions for basketball, football, skating, pickleball, and gymnastics, along with workshops, a kids’ zone, a yoga and dance studio, weekly cycling and running meetups, sports birthday parties

The top court gave petitioners liberty to approach the tribunal

The statement came days after the Tipra Motha Party organised a rally under the banner of 'One North East'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally submitted a pardon request amid ongoing corruption trials, calling the long-running cases “tearing the country apart”.