The new trophy of the FIDE World Chess Cup being held in Panjim was on Friday (October 31, 2025) christened as the Viswanathan Anand trophy, in honour of the five-time world champion Indian legend.

The trophy was unveiled during a colourful opening ceremony which was attended by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and FIDE chief Arkady Dvorkovich.

"Extremely proud and delighted to announce the Viswanathan Anand Cup, the FIDE World Cup (Open) Winner’s Running Trophy, instituted in honour of the King of Chess and India’s first Grandmaster, Shri Viswanathan Anand," All India Chess Federation (AICF) president Nitin Narang said.

India’s long and painful wait for an ICC title finally came to a glorious end. On a historic Sunday night, Harmanpreet Kaur’s fearless brigade rose to the occasion, defeating a determined South Africa by 52 runs amid thunderous cheers from a packed Dr DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

For years, heartbreak had defined India’s story — Karen Rolton’s century crushed their dreams in 2005 at Centurion, and Anya Shrubsole’s magical six-for broke millions of hearts at Lord’s in 2017. But in 2025, the script changed forever. With Shafali Verma’s fire and Deepti Sharma’s composure under pressure, India finally conquered the stage that had long eluded them, clinching their maiden ICC title and joining New Zealand, Australia, and England as ODI world champions.

The Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said that the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Department of Commerce, has facilitated the first-ever air shipment of GI-tagged Indi Lime from Karnataka and Puliyankudi Lime from Tamil Nadu to the United Kingdom.

"A major boost to our farmers! @APEDADOC facilitates the first-ever air shipment of GI-tagged Indi Lime from Karnataka & Puliyankudi Lime from Tamil Nadu to the United Kingdom. This milestone will empower farmers, open fresh avenues & strengthen the presence of India's agri-products in global markets," Piyush Goyal wrote on X.

Earlier this year, APEDA successfully exported three metric tons (MT) of GI-tagged Swadeshi Lime from Vijaypura, Karnataka, to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The three-day 34th Mela ‘Ghadri Babeyan Da’ will begin at the Desh Bhagat Yadgaar Hall in Jalandhar today and will run till November 1st. This year, the mela is dedicated to the centenary of the death of Ghadarite Gulab Kaur (1925-2025) and the struggle of the Ghadar movement.

Discussions on present national and international issues, plays, speeches, painting competitions, musical programmes, theatre and book exhibitions will be organised. A special discussion on the topic of ‘Remembering the legacy of the Ghadar movement’ will also be a part of the events.

Punjab has launched the second phase of Mukhya Mantri Teerth Yatra Yojna. It is dedicated to the 350th martyrdom anniversary of the Ninth Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Open to people of all castes, religions and regions, devotees aged 50 years and above are eligible for this yatra.

They will be taken for visits to Sri Harmandir Sahib, Durgiana Temple, Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal, Jallianwala Bagh, the Partition Museum, and other religious places in Amritsar, besides several other sacred sites across the state and Mata Naina Devi in Himachal Pradesh also. While launching the yojna yesterday, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said that the State government is in touch with the Ministry of Railways for the pilgrimage to other States as well.

The International Salinity Conference 3.0, WE-CARE 2025, began today at ICAR-CCARI, Old Goa. The event was inaugurated by Dr. A.K. Nayak, Deputy Director General (NRM), ICAR, New Delhi.

Dr. Nayak said soil and water salinity pose a growing threat to farm productivity, ecosystems, and food security, especially in arid and coastal regions. He noted that over a billion hectares worldwide, including 6.7 million in India, are affected and called for science-based innovations to make agriculture more sustainable.

He commended ICAR institutes at Karnal and Goa for bringing together experts from SAARC, AARDO, JIRCAS, ICBA, and other countries to discuss restoring saline ecosystems and shaping future policy recommendations. About 150 delegates from India as well as SAARC and AARDO member countries including Japan, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Dubai, Oman, Kenya, Ghana, Zambia, Gambia, Eswatini, and Lebanon are participating in the conference.

The Punjab cabinet has given its nod to the Punjab Unified Building Rules, 2025, under which it will allow the construction of stilt-plus-four floors in all new residential areas coming up in urban areas.

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the council of ministers held under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, yesterday.

A spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office disclosed that this act aims to introduce a comprehensive and uniform regulatory framework governing building and development activities across Punjab.

The Cabinet also gave its concurrence to the Punjab Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Counselling and Rehabilitation Centres Rules, 2025, replacing the existing 2011 Rules and First Amendment Rules, 2020, to strengthen the regulation of de-addiction and rehabilitation centres across Punjab.

These rules overcome the shortcomings in the 2011 rules and subsequent amendments in 2020 to regulate 36 Government and 177 licensed private de-addiction centres.

To safeguard children from growing online threats and to ensure their digital well-being, Punjab Police’s Cyber Crime Division has launched a flagship statewide programme ‘Cyber Jago’, to spread awareness on Internet Safety and safe online use for government school students across Punjab.

State’s Special Director General of Police, Cyber Crime, Ms V. Neeraja, said that the widespread availability of digital content and the increased exposure to inappropriate material and cyber threats also need to be tackled collectively and urgently.

She said that as guardians of the next generation, we must understand these dangers and take proactive steps to protect children from online dangers. Teachers and parents must engage in open conversations with children about online safety and initiate conversations on online threats.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu today inaugurated the 69th National School Games 2025 (Under-17 Boys & Girls – Boxing) at the Khelo India Indoor Stadium, Itanagar. Arunachal Pradesh is hosting the event for the first time in the 71-year history of the School Games Federation of India.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister termed it as a moment of pride for Arunachal Pradesh. He said that, in the last decade, Arunachalee athletes have excelled in several disciplines such as Taekwondo, Karate, Wushu, Boxing, and Weightlifting, proving that the state’s youth are among the best in the country. Arunachal Pradesh, which became affiliated with SGFI in 2008-09, has since made impressive progress in developing school-level sports.

He further highlighted that Arunachal Pradesh has made significant investments in sports infrastructure – including the establishment of Khelo India Centres, multipurpose indoor halls, national-level stadiums, and specialized academies for various sports. He added that the government is also extending financial incentives, job reservations, and technical support to promising sportspersons to nurture their growth.

India's right-hander Rohit Sharma has etched his name into the record books by becoming the world's No. 1 ranked ODI batter for the first time in his illustrious career. The former India captain reached the summit of the latest ICC Men's ODI Batter Rankings on Wednesday (29 October), becoming the oldest cricketer to achieve the feat at 38 years and 182 days.

Rohit climbed two places to displace current India skipper Shubman Gill, rising to the top on the back of his unbeaten century in the third and final ODI against Australia in Sydney, where he led India to a dominant nine-wicket victory. The Mumbai-born opener was in sublime touch alongside Virat Kohli (74*), striking 13 fours and three towering sixes on his way to his 33rd ODI hundred.

Rohit's return to the top comes on the back of a superb run of form in the recently concluded ODI series against Australia, where he amassed 202 runs in three matches at an astonishing average of 101. His unbeaten century in the series decider at the Sydney Cricket Ground not only sealed India's series victory but also reaffirmed his status as one of the most reliable and destructive openers in world cricket. The veteran was deservedly named Player of the Series.