Times of India

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has achieved a historic IPL milestone. The Rajasthan Royals teenager is the first uncapped player to score 700 runs in a single season. He also set a T20 record for most powerplay runs in a tournament. Sooryavanshi's incredible form continues to break records. His season now stands as the highest-scoring IPL campaign by an uncapped player.

Former England captain Kevin Pietersen sparked debate during IPL 2026 Qualifier 2 after criticising wide-ball referrals in cricket. “Referring wides in cricket needs to stop,” Pietersen posted on X while watching Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals. His remark divided fans, with some saying reviews slow down T20 games, while others defended technology for ensuring accurate decisions in high-pressure matches.

An Indian-designed autonomous combat aircraft entering the European manufacturing ecosystem is an endeavour Indian defence planners seemingly wanted for years. But beyond the symbolism lies a far bigger story involving military technology, Nato interoperability, artificial intelligence, export controls, defence geopolitics and the rapidly changing nature of modern warfare. The agreement also highlights something increasingly visible in global defence manufacturing as the military power is no longer built entirely inside geographical limits.

Drones are revolutionizing warfare, with their cost-effectiveness making them ubiquitous. Counter-drone systems are evolving rapidly, increasingly relying on non-kinetic methods like lasers and EMPs to neutralize threats. Advanced detection and identification technologies, including AI and sophisticated sensors, are crucial in this escalating technological arms race.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has made IPL history. He is the first player in T20 cricket to score 500 runs in the powerplay during a single tournament. This happened in IPL 2026. He achieved this milestone in a crucial qualifier match. Rajasthan Royals relied on him after early wickets. Sooryavanshi has been a standout performer all season.

Former US attorney general Pam Bondi appeared before the House Oversight Committee. She admitted to redaction errors in the Jeffrey Epstein files. Bondi defended the Justice Department's actions under her leadership. Democrats and survivors criticized the closed-door interview format. They demanded greater transparency and accountability in the handling of these sensitive documents.

Aam Aadmi Party secured a significant victory in Punjab's urban local body elections, prompting AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal to declare the "ED party" (BJP) wiped out. Kejriwal accused the BJP of harassing traders, stating people had taken revenge.

Indian stock markets experienced a significant downturn on Friday. Investor wealth saw a substantial decline of Rs 5.77 lakh crore. Benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty50, plunged sharply in the final trading hour. Concerns over a weaker monsoon outlook and geopolitical uncertainty fueled the sell-off. Broad-based selling pressure was observed across various sectors.

An Instagram influencer attempted suicide after accusing her former fiancé of online harassment and defamation, including sharing intimate videos. The fiancé's legal team denies the allegations, claiming the influencer was not legally divorced and had defrauded his client. Both parties have filed police complaints against each other.

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) prices have increased by Rs 2 per kg in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, taking the new rate to Rs 86 per kg. Piped cooking gas will also see a 50 paise per unit hike. This rise is attributed to global energy supply chain disruptions and increased procurement costs.

Outgoing Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah met with Congress leaders in Delhi, fulfilling his promise to resign and paving the way for a transition. He reportedly sought cabinet berths for his son and loyalists, while the party prepares for a state unit reorganization where he is expected to play a key role.

Rishabh Pant has stepped down as Lucknow Super Giants captain after two disappointing IPL seasons. Bought for a record Rs 27 crore, Pant's tenure saw LSG finish bottom in IPL 2026, extending their playoff drought. His individual form also struggled to justify the hefty price tag, impacting his national team prospects.

A 16-year-old student was found dead in a Lucknow hostel, with police investigating after her family allegedly tried to move the body for cremation without informing authorities. A note reading “I quit” was found in her room, considered a potential suicide note. The post-mortem and forensic reports are awaited.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has endorsed New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's new government efficiency initiative, COGE. This comes after their public disagreement on taxing the wealthy. Bezos, who previously criticized city spending, now supports Mamdani's plan to make government work smarter, suggesting savings could benefit lower earners.

From childhood declarations of destiny to early electoral setbacks, D K Shivakumar's political journey is marked by a relentless drive to lead. Repeated denials in school only fueled his determination, teaching him to strategize and ensure victory, even from behind the scenes. This resilience and ability to absorb opponents became foundational to his rise.

Russia is investing billions in a state-backed initiative focused on longevity, exploring gene therapy, organ printing, and cryotherapy. This ambition, fueled by President Putin's personal fascination with extending life and power, aims to overcome aging. Despite bold claims, critics question the scientific validity, while Russia grapples with low life expectancy.