Gujarat's Aarya Desai smashes 193 off 81 balls, in T20 tourney in Surat; considered highest score in the format

IANS | March 20, 2026 10:27 PM

Surat, March 20 (IANS) Gujarat's Aarya Desai has made history in T20 cricket by scoring a sensational 193 in 81 balls in the ’Surat Cricket T20 League—a tournament recognised by the Gujarat Cricket Association -- and is being touted as the highest-ever individual score in the shorter version of the white-ball game.

Gujarat farmer’s dream of permanent house fulfilled under PM Awas Yojana

IANS | March 20, 2026 10:11 PM

Dang (Gujarat), March 20 (IANS) A farmer in Gujarat’s Dang district has received a permanent house with financial assistance from government schemes, reflecting the continued rollout of rural housing support in the region.

Jharkhand’s Pinky Rana honoured for role in Jal Jeevan mission, all village households get clean water

IANS | March 20, 2026 10:00 PM

Hazaribagh, March 20 (IANS) Pinky Rana, the village head of Kanchampur, a remote panchayat in the district, has become the talk of the town because of her stellar and commendable contribution to the Jal Jeevan Mission.

Iran war shakes US' Indo-Pacific pivot: Former US diplomat Kurt Campbell

IANS | March 20, 2026 10:00 PM

Washington, March 20 (IANS) The ongoing conflict in Iran is beginning to unsettle US strategic commitments in the Indo-Pacific, as Washington diverts military assets and leadership attention back to the Middle East, a former senior Biden administration official said on Friday.

Orleans Masters 2026: Tanvi Sharma upsets sixth seed to reach semifinals

IANS | March 20, 2026 9:52 PM

Orleans (France), March 20 (IANS) India’s Tanvi Sharma produced a strong performance to reach the semifinals of the Orleans Masters 2026 on Friday, the young shuttler defeating sixth seed Natsuki Nidaira of Japan in straight games, 21-14, 21-14, in a 43-minute encounter.

Iranian Navy at the bottom of the sea, claims Trump

IANS | March 20, 2026 9:39 PM

Washington, March 20 (IANS) President Donald Trump said Friday that Iran’s navy was now “at the bottom of the sea” as he opened a White House event honouring the Navy Midshipmen with an extended defence of US military action against Tehran.

Pakistan: Rights body highlights systemic repression, unjust detention of Balochistan leaders

IANS | March 20, 2026 9:36 PM

Quetta, March 20 (IANS) Human rights body Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) held a seminar in Balochistan’s Surab district, highlighting systemic challenges and repression faced by communities across the province, accusing Pakistani authorities of using legal mechanisms to silence dissent.

Rwanda's Fanny Utagushimaninde scripts history with a century of T20I debut

IANS | March 20, 2026 9:24 PM

Lagos, March 20 (IANS) History was made in Lagos as Fanny Utagushimaninde delivered an impressive performance to become the first woman to score a century on T20I debut. She dazzled in the Nigeria Invitational Women's T20I Tournament with a remarkable unbeaten 111 runs off 65 balls against the Ghana women's national cricket team.

Shared beliefs, interests deepening ties among nations across Indo-Pacific and Mediterranean-Atlantic theatres

IANS | March 20, 2026 9:07 PM

Washington, March 20 (IANS) The national interests of the United States, India, Israel, Italy, and Japan form a critical allied bridge across the Indo-Pacific and Mediterranean-Atlantic theatres, underscoring the importance of these regions to all five nations. This alignment should be consolidated into a resilient, resolute fabric advancing the shared beliefs and interests of these countries, a report mentioned.

Akshay Kumar calls watching late Chuck Norris on screen 'education'

IANS | March 20, 2026 9:01 PM

Mumbai, March 20 (IANS) Renowned martial artist and action film star Chuck Norris passed away at the age of 86.