The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) plans to invite IPL team owners to buy franchises in other sports to help ensure their leagues succeed. Sources told Times Now that women’s hockey, archery and volleyball are being considered under the initiative, modelled on the Indian Premier League. The proposal comes as the Women’s Hockey India League faces an existential crisis amid rising costs and operational difficulties. India’s women’s hockey players appealed to save the league after their fifth-place World Cup finish, their best result since 1974, crediting the league for their success. The Indian Super League faced difficulties, with its 2025-26 season starting in February and being played in truncated form. (PC: CNBC)

Saudi Arabia is struggling against a resurgent Ansar Allah, better known as the Houthis, in Yemen, while its principal ally, the United States, might have reached an understanding with the Iran-backed group to protect American and international shipping. US officials reportedly met Houthi representatives at the US Embassy in Muscat, Oman, in direct outreach that could reshape the Yemen conflict. If an understanding has been reached, Riyadh could be left confronting the Iran-backed militia largely on its own. The development comes as Saudi Arabia battles a renewed Houthi offensive in Yemen, potentially altering the regional dynamics and leaving the kingdom to manage the threat without the same level of American support. (PC: AP)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Friday, discussing developments in West Asia and ways to strengthen India-UAE ties. The leaders reaffirmed cooperation and coordination to promote peace, security and stability in the region. They discussed expanding the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership across energy, defence, technology, investment and health. The call came a day after Modi turned 76, with Sheikh Mohamed conveying birthday wishes. Modi thanked him for the call and wishes. The UAE President also congratulated Modi on India’s BRICS Presidency. Modi appreciated UAE Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled’s participation in the BRICS Summit and thanked the UAE for its cooperation and partnership.

Congress candidate Milan Pradhan, contesting the Nandigram Assembly by-election, has been arrested in connection with an old alleged murder case, hours after Mamata Banerjee publicly announced support for his candidature. Banerjee said her faction would back Pradhan after its own nominee, Sanchita Pradhan Dey, withdrew her nomination amid the Trinamool Congress’ name and symbol freeze row. Pradhan’s arrest adds another twist to the dramatic developments surrounding the Nandigram bypoll. The report said the alleged murder case dates back several years, but did not provide further details about the case or the circumstances of the arrest. Banerjee had extended support to Pradhan earlier Friday, just shortly before news of his arrest emerged. (PC: X)

Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress faction will back Congress nominee in the Nandigram bypoll after its nominee, Sanchita Pradhan Dey, withdrew from the contest. Dey’s candidature had been announced on Sunday, but she reportedly met Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday night before withdrawing on Friday. With nominations already closed for the October 6 election, the faction could not field a replacement. The Congress has nominated Milan Pradhan, while the BJP has fielded Hasirani Rath and Ritabrata Banerjee’s TMC faction has nominated Ehteshamul Haq. Banerjee said Rahul Gandhi had called her over the party’s name and symbol dispute, saying they were together. The Election Commission has frozen the TMC name and symbol.

India began its Asian Games T20 gold defence with an eight-wicket win over hosts Japan in the women’s quarter-final. Japan were bowled out for 57, with Shree Charani taking four wickets. India then chased the target inside five overs, losing only two wickets. Harmanpreet Kaur’s team entered the match after a demanding 107 hours that included controversy surrounding their refusal to receive the Women’s Asia Cup trophy from ACC president Mohsin Naqvi, followed by a 72-run victory over Sri Lanka in the final and a nearly 8,000-kilometre journey from Dubai to Delhi and then Nagoya. The opener gave India a straightforward start to their title defence after their long journey overall.

India’s sole Asian Games gymnast, Pranati Nayak, and her coach, Ashok Mishra, faced accommodation problems aboard a cruise ship in Nagoya. They were initially assigned one room, while officials failed to find Mishra’s name in records because a letter was missing. Mishra said several others faced issues, with men and women not properly separated. The problem was resolved after the Indian Olympic Association intervened and arranged separate rooms. Mishra said the incident caused sleep disruption but had not affected Pranati’s preparation, and they completed their training session without problems. Pranati, from Pingla village in Paschim Medinipur, will compete in the women’s vault and all-around events at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026. (PC: PTI)

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has returned to X after more than two years of silence on the platform. His personal account had been inactive since June 28, 2024, shortly after he shared an article about his plea deal following his release from prison. WikiLeaks first announced his comeback on September 17 by posting a photograph of Assange standing beneath a poster featuring his image in Sydney. Re-posting the announcement, the 55-year-old wrote from his personal account, “I’m back”. Assange was freed in June 2024 after pleading guilty to one count of conspiring to obtain and disclose classified US national defence documents under a plea deal. He subsequently returned to Australia home.

India rejected Pakistan’s allegations over the recent Arabian Sea collision involving INS Kolkata and Pakistani Naval Ship Hunain, calling Islamabad’s response “usual prevarication.” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said INS Kolkata was on routine deployment when Hunain conducted an “unacceptable and unprofessional” manoeuvre that caused the collision. India said the Pakistani vessel violated Article 10 of the 1991 agreement requiring naval units to remain at least three nautical miles apart, as well as international collision-prevention regulations. Jaiswal said the incident caused no major damage to INS Kolkata, which remains at sea. Both countries summoned each other’s diplomats and lodged complaints following the incident, after both sides lodged formal protests over the incident.

At least 16 people, including five police personnel, were killed and 54 injured in a blast near a mosque in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Friday, officials told The Express Tribune. The explosion occurred in Kohat’s Old Police Lines area and was described by officials as a suicide attack. Authorities said seven armed terrorists, including the bomber, entered the area, with six reportedly killed by press time. Conflicting accounts emerged over the blast’s method: Inspector General Zulfiqar Hameed initially said a vehicle loaded with explosives was rammed near Old Police Lines, but later said a suicide bomber detonated himself near the Special Branch building. Police said an exchange of fire with TTP-linked personnel continued.