Times of India

Sanju Samson's omission from India's T20I against England, despite his World Cup heroics, has sparked debate. Head coach Gautam Gambhir, who previously lauded Samson as 'world-class,' was seen in a quiet conversation with the player before the match. Samson's recent low scores on the UK tour led to his replacement by debutant Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, highlighting the swift shifts in international cricket fortunes.

Alia Bhatt's exhilarating spy thriller 'Alpha' has made a sensational debut, amassing ₹24 crore in India and ₹37 crore globally by its second day. Co-starring Sharvari, the film showcases impressive box office growth and captivated audiences right from the start. Kareena Kapoor Khan has praised the film's celebration of 'girl power', as it successfully engages viewers with its electrifying storyline.

Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, making his India debut, confidently advised senior partner Abhishek Sharma on pitch conditions during the second T20I against England. Becoming India's youngest international debutant, Sooryavanshi impressed with a fearless 14 off 10 balls, including two sixes. His historic entry and bold batting display captivated fans, showcasing remarkable composure on the international stage.

France lead Paraguay in a FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 clash played in extreme heat at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field, with temperatures near 100°F (37.8°C) and heat index reaching 105–110°F (40.6–43.3°C). The extreme conditions, under an official heat warning, have turned the match into a severe physical test, with Kylian Mbappé’s penalty separating the sides.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla confirmed the report on corruption charges against Justice Yashwant Varma will be presented in the monsoon session, despite his resignation. The House will decide the next steps after the report's tabling, which could happen on the session's first day. Justice Varma faces allegations of financial irregularities following a fire incident at his Delhi residence last year.

Good news for monsoon-hit India! A low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal is set to boost rainfall across central and western regions for the next five days, significantly reducing the deficit. While this brings relief for sowing, authorities are on alert for potential extreme weather events, with red alerts issued for several states. Monsoon is also advancing into northwest India, with full country coverage expected soon.

Authorities have issued a stern notice to Telegram, demanding proactive measures against the rampant circulation of pirated films and shows. The government insists the messaging app must go beyond individual channel takedowns and implement robust systems to detect and remove infringing content. This move follows previous concerns regarding Telegram's use for illegal activities, including fraud and the distribution of harmful material. An action report is expected within fifteen days.

The government aims to reintroduce its ambitious women's reservation bill in the upcoming monsoon session after a previous defeat. Speaker Om Birla's decision on defecting MPs could bolster the ruling alliance's numbers. Discussions are also expected on potential changes to the bill to address concerns from southern states, alongside a proposal for automatic removal of leaders facing serious criminal charges.

Amidst global energy turmoil, India, under PM Modi's leadership, bolstered domestic LPG output and secured diverse crude supplies. Strategic diplomacy and policy interventions successfully shielded citizens from potential shortages and price surges. The inauguration of the HPCL Rajasthan Refinery marks a significant step in India's expanding refining prowess, positioning it as the world's fourth-largest refining nation.

Vehicle manufacturers are defending the government's mandatory 20% ethanol blending in petrol, assuring the public that no engine damage has been observed. While acknowledging a slight drop in fuel efficiency for older vehicles due to lower calorific value, industry leaders state field experience has been positive. Discussions are ongoing with the government regarding flex-fuel vehicles as a future pathway.

India's road transport ministry is introducing mandatory cybersecurity and software update rules for advanced vehicles. Starting October, new models with Level-3 automation and above will need to comply, followed by existing models and then vehicles with over-the-air update capabilities. This proactive measure addresses the growing threat of cyberattacks on increasingly connected cars, ensuring safer journeys for all.

India has declared 23 individuals from Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir as terrorists, targeting Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish operatives. Home Minister Amit Shah stated these individuals are involved in anti-India activities, including terror attacks and recruitment. The designated terrorists are linked to significant attacks like Pathankot and the Rameshwaram Cafe blast, with some also involved in reconnaissance for future strikes. This move underscores the government's firm stance against terrorism.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has accused the BJP of attempting to split opposition parties ahead of the monsoon session, warning that their true aim is to alter India's Constitution. Despite efforts, Ramesh asserted the ruling party will not achieve the two-thirds majority needed for such a move, citing the 'Ab ki Baar, 400 Paar' slogan's failure. He anticipates bills like delimitation and 'One Nation, One Election' might be introduced.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has apprehended Amit Bapna, former CFO of Reliance Capital Ltd, as part of its probe into Reliance ADA Group matters. Authorities allege Bapna, a key financial decision-maker, approved loans to intermediary firms despite knowing it violated RBI guidelines. Funds were reportedly diverted to various Reliance group entities, causing losses to banks and gains for the accused.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted India's remarkable 12-year journey from shortages to self-reliance and confidence, culminating in the vision of a 'Viksit Bharat'. He emphasized the success of 'Make-in-India', particularly in defence, with production soaring and exports reaching record highs. Singh also underscored the media's vital role in national security and the nation's enhanced global standing, citing the abrogation of Article 370 and efforts against Naxalism as key achievements.

Thousands of pilgrims are continuing their journey to the sacred Shri Amarnath cave shrine. On Saturday, the third batch of 4,812 devotees departed from Jammu's Yatri Niwas base camp. This follows a successful opening day where over 12,000 pilgrims offered prayers. The administration has made advance registration compulsory, and helicopter services are unavailable due to the no-fly zone declaration along the pilgrimage route.

Controversial comments by Kansas City Chiefs placekicker Harrison Butker regarding women’s roles and other social issues had sparked widespread debate in 2024. While teammates like Patrick Mahomes expressed disagreement but acknowledged Butker as a person, Travis Kelce defended him as a good teammate, though not endorsing his views back then. Amidst this, a viral rumor suggests Butker was reportedly uninvited to Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift’s royal wedding. Despite most of the team receiving invitations from their star tight end.

Srinagar airport's planned Monday-Tuesday closures and a full shutdown from October 1-16 have been withdrawn by AAI. The Indian Air Force had proposed these closures for runway repairs. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed gratitude for the government's prompt response, highlighting the importance of uninterrupted air connectivity for tourism and the region's economy, especially during peak holiday seasons.

A young man from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Zeeshan Mir, was repatriated home after crossing the Line of Control to meet his beloved, Iram Bano. Initially detained, Mir was eventually acquitted by an Uri court, which recognized his act as a desperate attempt of love rather than infiltration. The couple, whose families are related across the border, shared a brief meeting before Mir's handover, with both families hoping for their union.