WPL 2026: Deepti, Lanning take UPW to 143/8 despite de Klerk’s bowling masterclass

IANS | January 29, 2026 9:35 PM

Vadodara, Jan 29 (IANS) Skipper Meg Lanning’s early blitz and all-rounder Deepti Sharma’s resilient knock of 55 from 43 balls helped UP Warriorz (UPW) post a decent total of 143/8 in 20 overs in the must-win encounter against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the 18th match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 at the Baroda Cricket Association Stadium at Kotambi, in Vidarbha on Thursday.

Bangladesh stands at complex crossroads with politicisation of religion

IANS | January 29, 2026 9:28 PM

Dhaka, Jan 29 (IANS) As campaigning for Bangladesh’s February 12 election got underway, certain political parties are openly claiming that voting against them would be equivalent to voting against Islam — a common pattern used to brand opponents as “anti-religion,” when political legitimacy is questioned, a report said on Thursday.

Bangladesh: Yunus govt failed to safeguard women’s political participation

IANS | January 29, 2026 9:23 PM

Dhaka, Jan 29 (IANS) Under Bangladesh’s interim government led by Muhammad Yunus — globally recognised for pioneering microfinance for advancing women’s empowerment — the political representation of women in the country has not been institutionally safeguarded, a report said on Thursday.

Crisis deepens in PoK, PoGB amid governance failure: Report

IANS | January 29, 2026 9:20 PM

Islamabad, Dec 29 (IANS) The political situation in both Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB) continues to be marked by a crisis of legitimacy. In PoK, traditional political structures are struggling to address public grievances, worsening the legitimacy deficit, while PoGB faces constitutional ambiguity that restricts democratic consolidation and leaves core governance questions unresolved, a report stated on Thursday.

Bangladesh must reset ties with India amid growing complexities: Report

IANS | January 29, 2026 9:18 PM

Dhaka, Jan 29 (IANS) Bangladesh must pursue calibrated and interest-based bilateralism to maintain a “dignified, equitable, and mutually beneficial” bilateral relationship with India and other South Asian neighbours, guided by the respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs, and the principle of a “no-harm-to-each-other-or-to-a-third-party”, a report said on Thursday.

Global engagement emboldens Pak military to intensify repression: Report

IANS | January 29, 2026 9:17 PM

Islamabad, Jan 29 (IANS) Pakistan's military establishment has been emboldened by US and Arab engagement, enabling it to escalate repression against ethnic groups such as Baloch and Pashtun as well as Hindu minorities across the country. The resurgence of the Pakistani military on the global stage has given it confidence to stifle the autonomy of the country's democratic institutions and rule civilians with an iron fist, a report said on Thursday.

Coal to remain key pillar of India’s energy mix on road to Viksit Bharat 2047: Top Govt Official

IANS | January 29, 2026 9:16 PM

New Delhi, Jan 29 (IANS) Coal will continue to play a central role in India’s energy mix as the country works towards tripling its per capita energy consumption on the path to Viksit Bharat 2047, Coal Secretary Vikram Dev Dutt said on Thursday.

India’s grandmaster Divya Deshmukh joins Norway Chess Women for 2026

IANS | January 29, 2026 9:13 PM

New Delhi, Jan 29 (IANS) Indian Grandmaster Divya Deshmukh is set to debut at the Norway Chess Women in 2026, making history as the youngest participant since the tournament's inception in 2024. She is among the top talents in women’s chess today, arriving in Oslo after a breakthrough season that has cemented her position among the world’s elite.

Ranji Trophy: Dubey picks 6-37 as Vidarbha take upper hand over UP in must-win clash

IANS | January 29, 2026 9:06 PM

Nagpur, Jan 29 (IANS) Vidarbha captain Harsh Dubey claimed 6-37 in 19.5 overs to bowl out Uttar Pradesh for 237 in 68.5 overs on the opening day of their must-win Elite Group A clash in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur on Thursday.

Indian gifts to US leaders disclosed in State Department report

IANS | January 29, 2026 9:05 PM

Washington, Jan 29, (IANS) A State Department report has disclosed a series of high-value gifts from Indian leaders to top US officials, including a $7,750 sterling silver train set presented to the then President Joe Biden by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and later transferred to the National Archives.