India's gold reserves have surged past $100 billion for the first time, driven by soaring global prices. Despite the Reserve Bank of India significantly slowing its gold purchases this year, the precious metal now forms its highest proportion of total reserves since 1996-97, a trend bolstered by international central banks diversifying away from the US dollar.
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India's ODI opener against Australia in Perth was a one-sided affair, with the top-order faltering in challenging conditions. Despite rain interruptions, KL Rahul and Axar Patel provided some resistance, but India could only manage 136 for 9. Former player Irfan Pathan highlighted batting struggles and suggested early acclimatization for future tours.
India is seeking partnerships with Russian firms to secure vital rare earth magnets and minerals, a move driven by China's tightening export controls. Indian companies and research institutions are evaluating Russian processing technologies, aiming to diversify supply chains and bolster domestic production. This collaboration is part of a wider effort to reduce reliance on China for these critical resources.
Philadelphia Phillies face a crucial offseason with Kyle Schwarber's free agency. Former GM Jim Bowden suggests targeting New York Mets star Pete Alonso as a logical replacement. Alonso offers durability, defensive versatility at first base, and is younger than Schwarber, making him an intriguing, albeit potentially costly, alternative if Schwarber departs.
Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged new US sanctions on the energy sector are serious and will have consequences, but insisted they won't significantly damage the economy. The "unfriendly act" targets Rosneft and Lukoil, aiming to pressure Moscow over the Ukraine conflict. Washington hopes the measures will encourage dialogue, while the Kremlin expresses concern over escalating pressure.
India's passport ranking has slipped to 85th in the 2025 Henley Passport Index, offering visa-free access to 57 destinations. This marks a decline from its previous position. Singapore leads the index with access to 193 countries, followed by South Korea and Japan. Several European nations also feature prominently in the top rankings.
South Korea's Supreme Court has sent back a massive $1 billion divorce settlement for SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won's estranged wife, Roh Soh-yeong, for review. The court deemed funds from Roh's father, a former president, as bribe money, thus ineligible for the settlement. This decision offers Chey immediate financial relief while the case awaits further deliberation.
OpenAI's new ChatGPT Atlas browser, touted as a revolutionary AI-powered navigation tool, has been revealed to be built on Google's Chromium, the same open-source technology underpinning Chrome and other browsers. Despite claims of challenging Chrome's dominance, Atlas integrates AI features like ChatGPT sidebars and "browser memories" onto a familiar foundation. This move places Atlas alongside other AI-enhanced browsers like Perplexity's Comet, all leveraging Google's existing browser... Expand
Earth has a new cosmic companion, a 19-meter asteroid named 2025 PN7, discovered in August 2025. This 'quasi-moon' will orbit near Earth for about 50 years, until 2083. Scientists are excited as it offers a unique opportunity to study solar system dynamics and potentially ancient materials, posing no threat to our planet.
An astonishing 1,75,000 tickets sold for the India-Australia ODI series in Perth, defying concerns about the format's relevance. While Shubman Gill leads a new era, the spotlight remains on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's return against a formidable Australian pace attack. Their performance will be crucial in this highly anticipated series opener.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries on Saturday extended heartfelt Dhanteras greetings to citizens, praying for happiness, prosperity, and good health. Leaders emphasised the significance of the festival, linking it to wealth, health, and the birth anniversary of Lord Dhanvantari, while also urging for environmental protection and social harmony.