National News

Mumbai Indians have several experienced players in the dressing room, including Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav, both of whom have led India in T20 cricket. A couple of seasons ago, the franchise replaced Rohit with Hardik as captain, ending a tenure that brought five IPL titles. The decision drew reactions from sections of fans, especially with Hardik moving from Gujarat Titans and taking charge immediately.

Ram Navami offers a unique, grounded morning, marked by quiet traditions and the enduring values of Lord Ram: balance, righteousness, and patience. Beyond rituals, the day emphasizes simple acts of connection, like sending wishes. The article provides heartfelt, thoughtful, and family-oriented messages, alongside concise lines for social media, encouraging a moment of reflection and peace amidst daily life.

In a poignant farewell that ended a 12-year vigil, 31-year-old Harish Rana was cremated at the Green Park crematorium in Delhi. With tears held back, his younger brother Ashish ignited the pyre, supported by their sister, who embodied strength.

Hotels and restaurants face strict action for levying additional charges like "LPG charges" or "fuel cost recovery" on food bills. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) stated these are unfair trade practices, as operational costs should be included in menu prices. Consumers can dispute such charges and file complaints.

Home Minister Amit Shah is leading an informal Group of Ministers to address strategic issues arising from the West Asia conflict, including impacts on cooking gas and LNG supplies. Another GoM, headed by Manohar Lal, is focusing on energy supply matters, particularly piped gas for homes, as the government prioritizes PNG adoption.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced that the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) will develop infrastructure along the 1,600 km Indo-Myanmar border to bolster management capabilities. The BRO is also ensuring all-weather connectivity in remote regions and adopting modern construction techniques to enhance operational mobility and defence preparedness.

Indian space company Agnikul Cosmos has successfully tested its 3D-printed booster engine, 'Agnite'. This single-piece Inconel engine, a meter long, can be fully printed within a week, significantly reducing production complexity and turnaround time. The successful in-house testing marks a crucial end-to-end cycle completion for their larger engines.

India's Navy has launched Operation Urja Suraksha. More than five frontline warships are ensuring safe passage for India-bound cargo ships. These vessels carry vital supplies like LPG and crude oil. The operation escorts ships out of the troubled Strait of Hormuz. This protects critical maritime routes and Indian crew. Key successes have already been achieved.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has once again been recognized as the world's most popular democratic leader, achieving a 68% approval rating in a recent Morning Consult survey. This significant endorsement highlights his strong public support, even as it shows a slight decrease from last year's figures. Modi continues to lead global leaders by a considerable margin.

Bengal's electoral rolls saw a significant reduction of approximately 12 lakh voters after judicial officers cleared just over half of the 60 lakh pending cases. This has led to widespread disenfranchisement in several rural pockets, with many long-term residents finding their names deleted despite submitting documentation.

PSL 2026 faces multiple issues, including a fuel crisis and venue changes. During a captains’ press conference, David Warner showed frustration at others talking, saying, “What’s wrong? Sorry gentlemen, we have got school kids here.” PCB confirmed travel restrictions and cancelled events due to the crisis, with matches now limited to Lahore and Karachi.

A man died by suicide in Rajasthan's Balotra district, with his family alleging harassment by usurers. The creditors reportedly recorded and viralized an apology video of the deceased on police station premises, despite a consensus on repayment being reached. Two accused have been detained.

Households with access to piped natural gas but still using LPG cylinders will face a supply cut in three months. This government move aims to reduce LPG imports, with exceptions for technically infeasible PNG connections. City gas firms will notify eligible consumers, while authorities must now grant pipeline permissions within set deadlines.

Indian Institutes of Technology are solidifying their global standing in engineering, with multiple disciplines ranking in the world's top 50. Management education is also advancing, as seen with IIM Ahmedabad's rise. Overall, India's higher education system shows significant quality improvement and global competitiveness.

The Union cabinet has approved the continuation of the immigration and visa tracking scheme for five more years until March 2031 with a Rs 1,800 crore outlay. This initiative aims to enhance national security and streamline the visa and immigration process for foreign visitors by inter-linking multiple databases for informed decision-making.

A UK court has dismissed fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi's plea to reopen his extradition order, bringing him closer to facing charges in India for a Rs 6,500 crore Punjab National Bank scam. The High Court found no exceptional circumstances to revisit the earlier decision, despite Modi's concerns about ill-treatment. This development follows years of legal proceedings since his 2019 arrest.

P.J. Kurien endorses Chennithala, but leader downplays it, says final decision rests with high command; K.C. Joseph warns against potential divisiveness; Congress has ‘a galaxy of leaders’ capable of executing any political task, says Satheesan

A fresh Harry Potter era dawns as HBO unveils a teaser for its 'Philosopher's Stone' series, introducing new actors like Dominic McLaughlin as Harry. The trailer revisits iconic moments from Harry's early life and his arrival at Hogwarts. This reimagining promises a more detailed exploration of J.K. Rowling's beloved saga, set to premiere this Christmas on HBO Max.

While Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the Singapore court’s ruling makes the SIT case stronger, Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi terms it a gift for those accused of killing him