UPT20 Season 4: Shivam Chaudhary tops opening phase of auction with INR 21 lakh bid

IANS | July 24, 2026 11:20 PM

Agra, July 24 (IANS) The opening phase of the UPT20 League Season 4 player auction witnessed an intense bidding war, with Shivam Chaudhary emerging as the biggest buy. He was signed by Gaur Gorakhpur Lions for INR 21 lakh after a fierce contest involving Lucknow Falcons and Kanpur Superstars. Chaudhary had entered the auction with a base price of INR 5 lakh.

Nepal's public debt grows more than fourfold in a decade

IANS | July 24, 2026 10:27 PM

Kathmandu, July 24 (IANS) Nepal's public debt has increased more than fourfold over the past decade as the country borrowed heavily to cope with the impact of two major crises — the 2015 earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Calls mount for China to end suppression of animal abuse protests

IANS | July 24, 2026 10:27 PM

New York, July 24 (IANS) Human Rights Watch (HRW), a US-based advocacy group, called on the Chinese authorities to stop suppressing public discussion of animal abuse, release protesters who remain in detention, and investigate allegations of police violence in China’s Chongqing.