Times of India

Shree Charani etched her name in history, becoming India's leading wicket-taker in a single T20 World Cup edition with 12 wickets. Her stellar performance against Bangladesh, where she claimed two crucial wickets, propelled her past Poonam Yadav's record. Charani's exceptional bowling, coupled with Radha Yadav's three-wicket haul, restricted Bangladesh to 136/8, setting India up for a potential victory.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has accused the Uttar Pradesh government of shielding "big fish" in the alleged Ram Temple donation embezzlement case. An FIR has been registered against eight individuals, but Yadav claims evidence might be tampered with under the guise of an SIT probe, suggesting a pre-determined outcome. This follows allegations of misappropriated funds, prompting a state-formed SIT and a new Supreme Court petition for a CBI-led investigation.

Around fifty years ago, students at a government engineering college in Ahmedabad walked out over a steep hike in their monthly food bill. The cause was parochial; the consequences were not. From an OPEC meeting in Vienna in October 1973 to the midnight broadcast on All India Radio on June 25, 1975, a chain of economic shock, popular fury, political mobilisation, and institutional crisis unfolded without interruption. This report reconstructs that chain from primary sources — and asks, which links are held and which ones are more complicated than they appear.

The FIR was lodged by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust member Krishna Mohan at the Ram Janmabhoomi police station under Sections 306 (theft by clerk or servant), 316 (criminal breach of trust), 317 (cheating) and 61 (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), police sources said. According to the complaint, the accused allegedly embezzled donations offered by devotees at the Ram Temple and misappropriated trust funds through a criminal conspiracy.

As Punjab gears up for the 2027 elections, a complex and competitive scenario unfolds. The AAP government grapples with controversies stemming from a sacrilege video and growing defections. In contrast, Congress is mired in its own turmoil, leaving room for the BJP to assert itself through robust campaigning efforts. The Shiromani Akali Dal’s fight for relevance adds another layer to a politically charged atmosphere, making the upcoming elections unpredictable.

In January 2026, gold prices hit $5595 - a life-time high - they are now trading at below $4,000. The prices are down 7.6% year-to-date. On the MCX, the decline has been lesser - at around 22% - largely due to a hike in import duties.

A shocking Muharram procession stunt in Ujjain saw a van hoisted 40 feet by a crane and detonated with firecrackers before thousands. While no one was injured, police have booked four individuals for endangering public safety. The dangerous display, which went viral online, has sparked serious concerns among locals regarding the potential for mass casualties from such reckless acts.

Prime Minister Modi has urged states to expedite e-Zero FIRs for cyber fraud victims, aiming to streamline complaint registration and bypass jurisdictional hurdles. This push comes amid a surge in organized cybercrime, highlighted by a recent CBI crackdown. The article emphasizes the critical first hour after a fraud, advising immediate calls to the 1930 helpline and online reporting to maximize fund recovery chances.

As excitement around the youngster continues to grow, former India coach and Rajasthan Royals head coach Rahul Dravid has shared his thoughts on the teenager.

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Dina Patil allegedly threatened journalists with dire consequences when questioned about his daughter's political stance and previous controversial remarks. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde intervened, urging Patil to express regret for his outburst, suggesting it was a reaction to personal attacks. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated he would gather more information before commenting on the incident.

India's Army is bolstering its anti-tank capabilities with a mix of legacy and modern missile systems. From reliable Russian Konkurs and Franco-German MILAN to advanced Israeli Spike, the infantry is well-equipped. Main battle tanks and Apache helicopters also contribute with integrated guided missiles and aerial precision strikes, ensuring a robust defense against evolving armored threats across diverse terrains.

Valiant Shield 2026, a major multinational military exercise, is underway across the Indo-Pacific, involving the US and allies like Australia, Japan, Canada, and New Zealand. This drill emphasizes advanced capabilities and interoperability in air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains. Meanwhile, the Indian Navy is bolstering maritime partnerships with a recent port call in Vietnam, reinforcing regional security cooperation and India's commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

After opening their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Morocco, Brazil have followed it up with two wins and finished top of Group C.

The FIFA World Cup 2026's group stage is nearing its end, with 13 teams already securing spots in the Round of 32. A thrilling race is underway for the eight best third-placed teams to also advance. FIFA's ranking system, prioritising points, goal difference, goals scored, conduct, and FIFA rankings, will determine these crucial qualifiers. Several high-stakes matches remain, promising to finalise the knockout picture by Sunday morning.

Belarus served as a staging ground for Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, allowing Russian forces to launch their offensive from its territory. The conflict has now entered its fifth year. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly said in recent months that he believes Moscow is seeking to draw Belarus further into the war.

The Banglar Awaas Yojana in West Bengal aims to provide a sturdy home to individuals lacking proper housing or living in unsafe conditions. Eligible participants can receive Rs 1.3 lakh distributed over several installments and also benefit from 95 days of unskilled labor wages. Applicants must not own a pucca house and must be listed on the Permanent Waiting List from 2011.