Virat Kohli acknowledged the stellar performance of India's opening pair, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul, after their unbeaten 172-run partnership on Day 2 of the first Test against Australia in Perth. As the openers walked off the field, Kohli, busy with his own batting drills, stopped to salute them. Their partnership, which helped India extend its lead to 218, was a masterclass in contrasting styles—Rahul's steady technique and Jaiswal's attacking flair. Their composure under pressure and dominance over Australia’s bowlers earned Kohli’s admiration, highlighting their maturity and promise for India’s future.

The Ukraine-Russia war marked its 1000th day with significant escalations. The West, notably the US and UK, significantly bolstered Ukraine's military by providing longer-range ATACMS missiles, Storm Shadow missiles, and anti-personnel landmines. Meanwhile, Russia raised the nuclear stakes, altering its nuclear doctrine and deploying a new missile, "Oreshnik," to strike Ukraine. President Putin warned the conflict had "global" implications, while the US prepares for the potential return of Donald Trump, signaling possible shifts in diplomatic approaches. These moves signal both heightened military involvement and the global stakes of the war.

Anushka Sharma was spotted enthusiastically cheering for her husband, Virat Kohli, during the India vs Australia Test match at Perth’s Optus Stadium. Dressed in a casual white T-shirt and denims, Anushka’s presence in the stands delighted fans. Videos show her celebrating Kohli's performance and even Harshit Rana’s dismissal of Mitchell Starc, following Kohli's advice. Fans praised her as Kohli’s “lucky charm,” with many calling her “Queen of cricket.” Anushka and Virat, who recently welcomed their son Akaay in February 2024, were seen enjoying time with their kids in Perth before the match. Their bond continues to captivate fans globally.

Priyanka Gandhi is poised to outperform her brother, Rahul Gandhi, in the Wayanad bypoll, with a lead of over 4 lakh votes. Priyanka secured 6,17,942 votes, significantly ahead of CPI's Sathyan Mokeri and BJP’s Navya Haridas. Rahul had previously won the seat in 2024 with 6,47,445 votes and a margin of 3,64,422. The bypoll was triggered after Rahul vacated the seat to retain Raebareli. Congress leaders have expressed confidence that Priyanka will surpass Rahul’s record and make a significant impact in Parliament. Priyanka expressed gratitude to voters, vowing to be their voice in the Lok Sabha.

Canada has confirmed it will comply with the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed Canada’s commitment to international law, stating, "We stand up for international law, and we will abide by all the regulations and rulings of the international courts." The ICC issued the warrant for Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant over alleged "crimes against humanity" linked to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. This follows the UK’s stance to arrest Netanyahu if he travels there. Other nations, including Belgium and France, have also pledged to uphold the ICC decision.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde thanked voters as the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is set for a landslide victory in the state assembly elections. With leads in 218 of 288 seats, Mahayuti is poised to form the government. Shinde, while addressing speculation about his deputy Devendra Fadnavis being the BJP's CM choice, stated, “No decision on Chief Minister candidate has been taken yet.” He added that the alliance's parties would meet after the final results to decide. Shinde celebrated the victory with party workers, emphasizing the support of Maharashtra’s common people, farmers, and women voters.

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), part of the INDIA alliance, is set to form its third consecutive government, securing leads in 55+ seats, well above the 42-seat majority mark. Defying exit poll predictions and overcoming challenges such as Soren's arrest in a money laundering case, the party retained its stronghold across key regions like Chota Nagpur and Santhal Pargana. JMM's campaign, focused on welfare schemes like Mukhyamantri Maiya Samman Yojana and tribal pride, resonated with women voters, evident in high female turnout. Meanwhile, BJP's campaign targeting illegal immigration failed to gain traction, securing only 23 seats.

An Israeli airstrike flattened an eight-storey residential building in central Beirut's Basta district early Saturday, killing at least 11 people and injuring more than 60, according to Lebanon's health ministry. The pre-dawn attack, involving five missiles, left the area in ruins, with rescue teams searching for survivors in the rubble. Local resident Nemir Zarariya described the chaos: “Dust, wrecked houses, people running and screaming.” The strike, part of Israel’s intensified campaign against Hezbollah, is the fourth in Beirut this week. The Israeli Defense Forces later targeted Hezbollah command sites, escalating hostilities in the ongoing conflict.

Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis credited Mahayuti’s Assembly election victory to public acceptance of Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar’s NCP as the “real” factions. He emphasized the alliance’s unity, stating, “No row over the Chief Minister’s post; leaders will decide together.” Calling himself a “modern-day Abhimanyu,” Fadnavis credited teamwork for the win. He thanked voters for supporting the slogan "Ek hain toh safe hain," showcasing unity under Mahayuti. The win, he noted, reflects strong backing for PM Modi, Shinde, and Pawar's leadership.

India dominated Day 2 of the 1st Test against Australia, leading by 218 runs at stumps in Perth. Yashasvi Jaiswal (90*) and KL Rahul (62*) showcased resilience, steering India to 172/0 in the second innings. Earlier, India's bowlers excelled, with captain Jasprit Bumrah claiming 5/30 and debutant Harshit Rana taking 3/48. Australia collapsed to 104 all out despite a gritty 25-run last-wicket stand between Mitchell Starc (26) and Josh Hazlewood (7*). With 17 wickets falling on Day 1, the low-scoring Border-Gavaskar opener promises a thrilling contest.