State Bank of India (SBI) on Saturday announced executing its inaugural gold trade as a special category client (SCC) on the India International Bullion Exchange (IFSC) Ltd.

This event heralds a transformative era for bullion imports in India, enhancing efficiency, transparency, and accessibility for the industry, particularly the MSME jewellers, SBI said in a statement.

SBI was also the first bank to become a Trading-cum-Clearing (TCM) Member at India International Bullion Exchange in 2024, it said.

As a special category client, SBI is positioned to facilitate seamless bullion transactions, supporting jewellers, bullion dealers, and other stakeholders in importing gold through IIBX and meeting the escalating demand for precious metals across the country, it said.

Former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson announced his retirement from Twenty20 internationals on Sunday but he will play for the Black Caps in the test series against West Indies.

The 35-year-old batsman has played 93 T20s for his country since making his debut against Zimbabwe in 2011, captaining the side on 75 occasions and leading them to the World Cup final in 2021 and semi-finals in 2016 and 2022.

“It’s something that I’ve loved being a part of for a long period of time and I’m so grateful for the memories and experiences,” he said.

Russia has launched its newest nuclear submarine ‘Khabarovsk’ designed to carry the underwater nuclear drone ‘Poseidon’, also known as ‘doomsday missile’, capable of intercontinental travel and immense destruction.

The Khabarovsk was ceremonially launched at the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk by Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, in the presence of Russian Naval Chief Admiral Alexander Moiseyev and other top shipbuilding officials. Belousov called it a significant momment for Russia’s navy.

India delivered its best-ever performance at the 2025 Asian Youth Games in Manama, Bahrain, winning 48 medals including 13 gold, 18 silver, and 17 bronze, surpassing previous tallies from 2009 and 2013.

Among 222 Indian athletes, standout moments included the girls’ kabaddi team winning India’s first gold, Priteesmita Bhoi setting a world youth record in weightlifting, and a strong finish with seven golds on the final day, led by boxing and beach wrestling.

India’s first medal came from Khushi, who won bronze in girls’ kurash, while Ranjana Yadav earned the first athletics medal with silver in the 5000 meter race walk. The girls’ kabaddi team secured India’s first gold by defeating Iran, and Priteesmita Bhoi set a world youth record in the girls’ 44kg clean and jerk to clinch the nation’s first individual gold.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Thursday said Nauradehi Sanctuary will become the third home for cheetahs in the state after Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary.

Cheetahs will be brought from Namibia in Africa and released into the Nauradehi Sanctuary, he said.

Yadav said the state government is continuously taking steps to conserve various wildlife species.

Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya Scindia on Monday inaugurated the North Eastern Science & Technology (NEST) Cluster at IIT Guwahati and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth ₹635 crore across Assam.

The ceremony was attended by senior Assam government officials, representatives of educational institutions, and members of the scientific and entrepreneurial community.

Speaking at the event, Scindia described Assam as “the heartbeat of a rising Northeast,” adding that the state is emerging as “the innovation and connectivity hub of a Viksit Purvottar.”

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin commended Chennai's 16-year-old Ilamparthi AR, who has become India’s 90th Grandmaster on Thursday.

In a social media post, Mr. Stalin said: "Tamil Nadu’s 35th #Grandmaster Ilamparthi makes our reign on the 64 squares shine brighter!" He battled through brilliance to script history, earning his title and adding another jewel to Tamil Nadu’s crown of champions, Mr. Stalin said.

Mr. Udhayanidhi Stalin, in a social media post, termed it a remarkable milestone and yet another proud moment for Tamil Nadu and Indian chess. "Congratulations to Ilamparthi AR on becoming India’s 90th Grandmaster and Tamil Nadu’s 35th! A proud beneficiary of SDAT’s Champions Development Scheme, he clinched his final GM norm at the GM4 #Bijeljina2025ChessFestival in Bosnia and Herzegovina," he said.

India has achieved three GUINNESS WORLD RECORD Titles under the campaign Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan. The initiative set multiple records, including the highest number of people to register for a health care platform in a single month, numbering over 3.21 crore. It also achieved the record for most people to sign up for a breast cancer screening online in one week. Over 9.94 lakh women had signed up for the screening. Besides these, a record number of 1.25 lakh people signed up for vital signs screening online in one week at the state level. Union Health Ministry said that more than 20 Ministries actively participated in the campaign, which involved Central government institutes, medical colleges and private organizations.Following the Whole-of Society approach, the campaign which started from 17th September to 2nd of this month has witnessed unprecedented community participation. More than 5 lakh Panchayati Raj representatives, 1.14 Crore school and college students, 94 lakh SHG members, and 5 lakh other community platform members participated in the campaign. These achievements stand as a testament to India’s collective effort, combining government systems, digital health innovation, and community participation to build a Healthy Woman, Empowered Family, and Viksit Bharat.

Biosphere Reserves are protected areas, meant for the conservation of plants and animals. Not just the flora and fauna, but human beings also depend on these protected areas for their livelihood activities. In the year 2022 at the 41st Session of UNESCO's general Conference, it was decided that November 3 would be celebrated worldwide as the International Day for Biosphere Reserves.

A BR tries to balance economic and social development and maintenance of associated cultural values along with the preservation of nature. The Day aims at highlighting and promoting the activities of Biosphere Reserve (BR) in order to harmonise sustainable development. The Day is also significant from the point that with each passing day, the need to tackle environmental issues is growing.

Further, according to Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, “The logic is simple: to improve our relationship with nature, we must first improve our understanding of how we affect the living world that sustains us – and vice versa.”

Former Indian hockey goalkeeper Manuel Frederick, a bronze medallist at the 1972 Munich Olympics, passed away at 78. Hailing from Kannur, Kerala, he was the first athlete from the state to win an Olympic medal, a record matched only by PR Sreejesh in 2021.

Frederick, known for his fearless goalkeeping, represented India from 1971 to 1978, featuring in two World Cups Amstelveen 1973 where he won silver and Buenos Aires 1978. He also played for ASC (Army Service Corps), (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) HAL, Services, Uttar Pradesh, and Mohun Bagan.

Honoured with the Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019, Frederick is remembered as one of India’s finest custodians. Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey paid tribute, and called him a true guardian of the post whose legacy will inspire generations.