The Economic Times

INDIA Bloc leaders, including RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, have called for returning Jantar Mantar as a protest site. They accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar Gupta of undermining democracy, linking it to a conspiracy involving the BJP and its leaders. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge supported the protests against vote fraud, labeling their efforts a significant achievement.

The Indian Navy is set to commission Samarthak, their first multi-purpose vessel, on October 16, 2026. Built by Larsen & Toubro Ltd under the Make in India initiative, this vessel focuses on maritime surveillance. Samarthak is designed for various operations including patrolling and humanitarian assistance missions. Its integrated combat suite features indigenous sensors and weapons for operations in difficult conditions.

The Ministry of External Affairs emphasizes that Ladakh is an integral part of India. It responded to recent statements by China regarding Ladakh with firm denial. A press release identified 28 features in Ladakh with standardized names on the Survey of India map. This initiative was undertaken in consultation with local stakeholders to enhance public awareness. The MEA asserts that no denial from China will alter this established fact.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Czech Republic's First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade Karel Havliek on Tuesday reviewed the entire spectrum of defence industrial cooperation between the two countries and agreed to expand collaboration under the India-Czech Joint Defence Committee to promote 'Make in India' and 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'.

Sridhar Vembu Net Worth: Zoho co-founder Sridhar Vembu and his siblings have a combined net worth of $5.8 billion, according to Forbes. He grew up in a village in Tamil Nadu, studied at IIT Madras and Princeton, and now lives in rural Tenkasi. His wealth is in the news again after he said Zoho staff will not get a pay hike this year.

Many urban centers in India have designated protest sites that reflect their historical significance and role during the freedom struggle. Notable examples include Azad Maidan in Mumbai and Gandhi Maidan in Patna, both with rich protest histories. Jantar Mantar in New Delhi has been a prominent protest site before recent changes in its status. The article highlights various cities and their notable protest locations that recall their pasts.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli prepare for their milestones in the upcoming ODI series against West Indies. Virat is close to achieving several records, including becoming the second player to reach 15,000 ODI runs. Rohit is also on the verge of reaching significant run milestones in limited-overs cricket. Both players have impressive records against West Indies, with Virat excelling at Thiruvananthapuram.

The Indian women's cricket team fully supports the BCCI's decision regarding the Asia Cup trophy. Coach Amol Muzumdar stated that winning the tournament is sufficient for the players. The team comprehensively defeated Sri Lanka in the final to secure their eighth title. This refusal to accept the trophy from the ACC chief is a repeat of a past stance.

In a blow to Sri Lanka Cricket, the organization has lost its chance to host the 2027 ICC Women's Champions Trophy, which will now be held in India in February 2027. Citing government meddling and absence of a legitimate administration, the ICC's decision underscores ongoing challenges faced by Sri Lanka, marking another significant ICC event lost since 2024.

The BCCI has banned Bengal leg-spinner Rohit Yadav for two years for allegedly misrepresenting his age. The action comes weeks after he was selected for Indias Under-19 squad for the upcoming Australia series.

Defending champions Central Zone face East Zone in the Duleep Trophy semi-finals. South Zone, last year's runners-up, will compete against North Zone. East Zone enters the match after a dominant quarterfinal victory. North Zone advanced by narrowly defeating West Zone in their knockout match. Both semi-finals promise intriguing contests between experienced and momentum-driven teams.

Trans-athlete Anaya Bangar opens up on cricket comeback and WBBL dream

Sanjay Manjrekar criticized the ICC and BCCI for their handling of player misconduct. He believes leniency trains young players to repeat such behavior. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi faced disciplinary issues recently. Jaiswal was fined for an on-field altercation during a Test match. Sooryavanshi also had a heated exchange after a one-day tri-series match.

Veteran Indian leg-spinner Karn Sharma announced his retirement from all cricket formats. His final professional game will be on Tuesday, August 25, concluding a long career. Sharma expressed gratitude to institutions and people who supported his cricketing journey. He achieved significant success, winning four IPL titles with different franchises. Sharma will now be available for coaching opportunities after his playing days.

England fast bowler Kate Cross has announced her retirement from professional cricket, saying the ongoing English summer will be her final season. Cross, who debuted for England in 2013, made 102 international appearances across formats and took 140 wickets. Her career included a six-wicket ODI haul and a memorable Ashes Test debut.

Jemimah Rodrigues is out of the Asia Cup and Asian Games with a hamstring injury. She sustained the injury on August 3rd while playing in England's The Hundred tournament. Medical assessments confirmed a high-grade tear, ruling her out of upcoming events. Pratika Rawal will replace Rodrigues in the Asia Cup squad. The Asian Games are scheduled to take place in Japan later this year.

India will pursue preferential trade agreements with developing economies like South Africa. This approach opens select product categories instead of deep market access. India is also negotiating preferential trade agreements with Mercosur and exploring options with Mexico. The government emphasizes inclusive stakeholder consultations for all trade pacts. This consultative style contrasts with previous trade negotiation practices.

Afghanistan has secured automatic qualification for the 2027 Cricket World Cup. This victory means the West Indies must now enter the qualifying tournament. They are ranked tenth and cannot improve their position before the deadline. The 2027 event will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

Kuldeep Yadav rested during the warm-up game after a heavy workload, which was precautionary. Other spinners like Manav Suthar and Ravindra Jadeja received extended bowling sessions. The team focused on adapting to local conditions and assessing player fitness for the upcoming series. Shubman Gill recovered well after a hand injury and prepared diligently for the spinners.

Cricket South Africa has added a T20I series to India Women's tour. The revised itinerary now includes all three international cricket formats. This expansion provides valuable match practice for upcoming tournaments. The tour will conclude with T20 matches played during the festive period. Both teams will compete across formats before the Champions Trophy.