Times of India

India’s U-19 cricket team clinched their sixth ICC U-19 World Cup title with a dominant 412-run total against England at Harare Sports Club. Fourteen-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi starred with 175 off 80 balls. Praises poured in from PM Modi, Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan, President Murmu, and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar. England fell short, giving India a historic, record-extending triumph.

India's Harshit Rana has been ruled out of the T20 World Cup 2026 due to a knee injury sustained during a warm-up match against South Africa. Mohammed Siraj has been named as his replacement. The BCCI confirmed Rana's unfitness after specialist assessment and scans.

Seven Naxals, including top leader Prabhakar with a Rs 25 lakh bounty, were killed in an encounter with Maharashtra police in Gadchiroli. The operation, launched three days ago, also resulted in the death of a special force jawan, Deepak Chinna Madavi, while another jawan is out of danger. The anti-Naxal operation is ongoing.

The US has accused China of secretly conducting nuclear tests, urging Beijing to join arms control talks as the New START treaty expires. While Russia and the US acknowledge the need for urgent negotiations, China rejects the claims and refuses to participate, citing its smaller arsenal. This raises fears of a new nuclear arms race.

India U19 clinched their sixth ICC Under-19 World Cup title with a dominant 100-run win over England U19 at Harare Sports Club. Fourteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi starred with 175 off 80 balls, the fastest 150 in U19 history. India posted 411/9, and despite Caleb Falconer’s 115, England fell short at 311, as India’s bowlers maintained control.

Pakistan enters the T20 World Cup seeking a second title, relying on key batters and all-rounders Saim Ayub and Mohammad Nawaz. Despite mixed results since the last tournament, including away series losses, home wins and strong spin performances offer positives. However, concerns remain regarding the batting strike rate and Babar Azam's anchor role.

India U19 claimed their sixth ICC Under-19 World Cup title in 2026, defeating England U19 by 100 runs at Harare Sports Club. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi starred with 175 off 80 balls, while captain Ayush Mhatre and Kanishk Chouhan contributed crucial knocks. England’s chase faltered under consistent Indian bowling, handing India a dominant win and extending their rich U19 legacy.

India's tourism landscape is rapidly evolving beyond beaches and hills. A new generation is flocking to spiritual and heritage sites like Ayodhya and Varanasi, driven by religious revival, infrastructure growth, and social media influence. These destinations are now vibrant, year-round hubs attracting diverse travellers seeking cultural immersion and authentic experiences.

The Union Budget 2026 announced seven high-speed rail corridors to enhance travel speed, safety, and comfort. The bullet trains, along with already operational Vande Bharat Sleeper and Amrit Bharat Express trains will improve connectivity and passenger experience.

Iran's foreign minister described mediated talks with the US in Oman as a "good start" for nuclear discussions, expressing optimism for a positive framework if the current path continues. Both sides agreed to further discussions, with Iran conveying its concerns and interests while the US seeks to address its missile program and regional support.

Four astronauts are set for a 10-day deep-space journey aboard the Artemis II mission, marking humanity's return beyond low-Earth orbit after five decades. This lunar flyby will test new spacecraft and partnerships, validating crucial systems for future lunar landings and Mars missions. The mission prioritizes crew health and scientific observation, paving the way for sustained lunar exploration.

First-time homebuyers must understand the crucial roles of Completion Certificates (CC) and Occupancy Certificates (OC) in real estate. The CC verifies lawful construction as per approved plans, while the OC confirms a building's safety and readiness for habitation, ensuring legal occupancy and access to essential utilities.

A devastating suicide bombing at a Shia mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan, claimed at least 31 lives and injured over 160 during Friday prayers. The attacker detonated himself after being stopped at the imambargah's gate. Authorities are investigating the incident, with initial reports suggesting foreign links. This attack follows recent violence in the region.

Elon Musk predicts space will soon host the most cost-effective AI data centers, potentially within three years. He highlighted space's superior solar energy capture, lack of atmospheric interference, and absence of day-night cycles, eliminating the need for batteries. Musk also downplayed concerns about GPU reliability in large-scale AI training, suggesting they become dependable after initial debugging.