China arrests six members of underground Protestant church in Chengdu: Human Rights Watch

IANS | January 8, 2026 5:11 PM

Washington, Jan 8 (IANS) Half a dozen members of an underground Protestant church based in Sichuan's Chengdu have been arrested by the Chinese authorities, the Human Rights Watch (HRW) mentioned in a statement. This is the latest in a series of arrests of members of prominent unofficial "house churches" in China in the past year, it stated.

Choice Wealth bags IPPB mandate to roll out digital investment platform for India Post customers

IANS | January 8, 2026 5:11 PM

New Delhi, Jan 8 (IANS) Choice Wealth Private Limited on Thursday announced that it has secured a major mandate from India Post Payments Bank to roll out a digital investment platform for the bank’s customers -- marking a significant step towards expanding investment access across the country.

Have no doubt that Stubbs will do some amazing stuff in SA20, says Duminy

IANS | January 8, 2026 5:06 PM

New Delhi, Jan 8 (IANS) Tristan Stubbs was a notable omission from South Africa’s squad for the T20 World Cup, but ex-batter JP Duminy believes the youngster has shown strong leadership skills by taking Sunrisers Eastern Cape to the top of the SA20 standings and has backed him to do amazing things in the ongoing tournament.

Alia Bhatt’s production house reacts to the success of Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar’

IANS | January 8, 2026 5:02 PM

Mumbai, Jan 8 (IANS) Bollywood star Alia Bhatt has taken to her social media account to laud Ranveer Singh starrer Dhurandhar. The actress reposted the post that featured on the social media page of her production house, Eternal Sunshine.

Swabhiman Parv: Thousands of devotees travel by special trains to Somnath

IANS | January 8, 2026 4:52 PM

Gandhinagar, Jan 8 (IANS) The grand celebration of 'Somnath Swabhiman Parv' commenced on Thursday and will continue till January 11.

Sri Lanka appoints Vikram Rathour as batting coach ahead of T20 WC 2026

IANS | January 8, 2026 4:45 PM

Colombo, Jan 8 (IANS) Sri Lanka Cricket Board has appointed Vikram Rathour as their batting coach as they step up their preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup, which will start on 7 February.

ISRO’s PSLV-C62 to launch earth observation satellite on January 12

IANS | January 8, 2026 4:45 PM

New Delhi, Jan 8 (IANS) The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is expected to launch the EOS-N1 earth observation satellite aboard PSLV-C62 rocket on January 12, marking the first mission of 2026.

NRAI suspends shooting coach Ankush Bharadwaj after sexual assault allegations, issues show cause notice 

IANS | January 8, 2026 4:43 PM

New Delhi, Jan 8 (IANS) National shooting coach Ankush Bharadwaj has been suspended by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), and a show-cause notice has been issued to him following sexual assault allegations by a 17-year-old national-level shooter, NRAI assistant secretary Rajiv Bhatia told IANS on Thursday. 

China hints at rare earth export curbs to Japan, raising fresh geopolitical concerns

IANS | January 8, 2026 4:42 PM

New Delhi, Jan 8 (IANS) Tensions between China and Japan have escalated after Beijing signalled that it may restrict exports of rare earth materials to Japan, raising serious concerns among Japanese businesses and policymakers, a report has said.

Sarfaraz Khan slams fastest List A half-century by an Indian

IANS | January 8, 2026 4:42 PM

Jaipur, Jan 8 (IANS) India batter Sarfaraz Khan created history on Thursday with a breathtaking innings, smashing the fastest fifty by an Indian in List A cricket during Mumbai’s Vijay Hazare Trophy clash against Punjab at the Jaipuria Vidyalaya Ground.