National News

As IPL 2026 begins, cricket giants Dhoni, Kohli, and Rohit Sharma are under the spotlight. Commentator Aakash Chopra believes Kohli's fitness and opening role give him an edge. He notes Dhoni faces a tougher challenge due to his age and limited recent play. Rohit is expected to maintain his aggressive batting approach for Mumbai Indians.

Royal Enfield has launched the Guerrilla 450 Apex, featuring a sportier riding posture with lower, forward-set handlebars and new Vredestein tyres. The Dash variant also receives updates, including a headlamp grille, knuckle guards, and improved tyre grip. Both variants retain the 450cc Sherpa engine, offering 40 hp and 40 Nm torque.

The government has imposed export duties on diesel and turbine fuel to boost domestic availability and energy security, estimating Rs 1,500 crore in revenue. Simultaneously, special excise duties on petrol and diesel were reduced to shield consumers, keeping retail prices stable amid global oil supply concerns.

Mohammad Kaif urges Mumbai Indians to fully utilize Rohit Sharma on the field, not just as an Impact Player. He believes Rohit's leadership and on-field presence are crucial, especially in high-pressure situations, and would benefit both the team and his own batting. Kaif emphasized that a fitter Rohit should be involved in all game phases.

Actor Rajpal Yadav, recently out on bail in a debt case, is set to star in 'Bhooth Bangla' with Akshay Kumar. Akshay Kumar recalled late actor Asrani's advice against producing films, a sentiment he shared with Rajpal. Akshay praised Rajpal's acting talent and expressed hope for his recovery from the current situation.

Aditya Dhar’s espionage epic, 'Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge', shows no signs of slowing down as it enters its high-stakes second weekend. Starring Ranveer Singh as the covert spy Hamza, the film has officially joined the elite Rs. 1,000 crore global club in just nine days, matching the record-shattering pace of Allu Arjun starrer 'Pushpa 2.' The sequel is now poised to surpass the Rs. 894.49 crore lifetime record set by the original 2025 released 'Dhurandhar.'

Despite orders passed by the High Court since 2007, the State had done “too little” for the welfare of tribal communities and had not succeeded in preventing deaths caused by malnutrition in the region

From the bustling lanes of its historic core to the glass towers of the western IT corridor and the ever-expanding suburbs beyond, Hyderabad’s rapid growth is testing its administrative limits. As the capital of India’s youngest State grows outwards, the government has overhauled its policing structure, redrawing boundaries, reshaping existing commissionerates and introducing a new one to keep pace with the city’s scale. The move aims to improve oversight and bring policing closer to residents, even as questions remain over coordination and on-ground clarity, write Lavpreet Kaur and Naveen Kumar

Telangana government is creating a website to bring together doctors from the State settled abroad

The LDF, the UDF and the NDA are locked in three-cornered fights in the constituencies of Nemom, Kazhakkoottam, Vattiyoorkkavu, Aranmula, Pala, Thrissur, Nattika, Palakkad and Manjeshwaram. The outcomes from these seats could even determine the final outcome of the polls.

The letter was written by All-India Feminist Alliance (ALIFA), a pan-India collective of grassroots organisations, along with National Alliance for Justice, Accountability and Rights (NAJAR); the groups said they were ‘extremely alarmed and distressed at the undue and unjustifiable haste’ with which the Bill was passed in Parliament

Stock market today: Nifty50 and BSE Sensex dropped in opening trade on Friday as US-Iran war tensions and crude oil prices continued to weight on sentiment. While Nifty50 went below 23,100, BSE Sensex was down over 800 points.

The interest shown by global private equity firms in Kerala’s private health sector has given rise to apprehensions that medical treatment may become a costly affair. A.S. Jayanth finds out A look at the possible fallout of the massive foreign investments in Kerala's hospitals

The Supreme Court ruled that a person professing any religion other than Hinduism, Buddhism, or Sikhism cannot be recognised as a member of a Scheduled Caste

Indian seafarers face severe GPS disruptions and warnings of underwater mines while navigating the Strait of Hormuz. Repeated radio broadcasts from Iran's IRGC Navy forbid passage, forcing reliance on manual navigation in the volatile and dangerous waterway. The situation is unprecedented, with flammable cargo on many vessels amplifying the risks.

The State government’s drive to replace diesel buses in the APSRTC fleet with electric ones promises a cleaner and quieter future, but it has also sparked anxiety among employees, who fear that the transition to e-buses could eventually threaten job security and livelihoods, writes P. Sujatha Varma

Riyan Parag steps into IPL 2026 as Rajasthan Royals captain amid intense scrutiny and past trolling. Backed by the franchise after a rigorous selection process, the 24-year-old faces a defining season. Inspired by Hardik Pandya’s journey and focused on team success, Parag aims to silence critics and revive his chances of returning to the Indian team.

India has reduced its fuel duty, lowering the special additional excise duty on petrol to Rs 3 per litre and removing it entirely on diesel. This move comes amid global oil supply disruptions and follows a price hike by Nayara Energy. Crude prices retreated as US-Iran negotiations showed progress.

In a statement, he claimed that 439 of the 505 promises made ahead of the 2021 Assembly elections remain unfulfilled, accusing the ruling party of misleading the public with claims of near-total implementation

Iran has reportedly mobilised over a million fighters, including military personnel and volunteers, amid escalating tensions with the US and Israel. This comes as the Pentagon develops plans for potential ground troop deployment, though President Trump has publicly denied such intentions while leaving the option open. US allies are also being urged to help secure the Strait of Hormuz.