Voting is underway in Kerala’s Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency for the by-election. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is making her electoral debut against 15 other candidates. The bypoll was necessitated after Rahul Gandhi vacated the seat. Wayanad, a Congress stronghold, will see its 14.7 lakh voters decide the outcome.
Former Australian all-rounder Shane Lee has criticized his ex-teammate Ricky Ponting for his comments on Virat Kohli’s form, suggesting it might backfire by motivating the Indian star ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Lee anticipates a heated series, fueled by Ponting’s remarks. The first Test begins on November 22 in Perth.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) faces significant financial losses if the 2025 Champions Trophy is moved or postponed due to India’s refusal to participate. The PCB risks losing USD 65 million in hosting fees and potential ICC sanctions. The standoff arises from India’s security concerns, despite other nations touring Pakistan recently.
Ahead of the Border Gavaskar Trophy, a war of words has erupted between India’s coach Gautam Gambhir and former Australian captain Ricky Ponting over Virat Kohli’s form, with Gambhir defending his players and Ponting clarifying his intentions. The five-Test series begins on November 22 at the Optus Stadium in Perth.
Taking a break from campaigning, Rahul Gandhi explored Wayanad’s scenic beauty, including its longest zipline, to promote tourism after recent landslides impacted the region. He engaged with locals, acknowledging their struggles and praising their resilience. Both Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi emphasized Wayanad’s untapped tourism potential, urging visitors to support the region’s recovery.
President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Tasked with transforming federal governance into a streamlined model, the duo will leverage their private-sector experience to seek out inefficiencies in the $6.5 trillion annual federal spending by July 4, 2026.
The Supreme Court criticized the Defence Colony Welfare Association (DCWA) for illegally occupying the historic Shaikh Ali ‘Gumti’ tomb. The court questioned the DCWA’s justification for the occupation and criticized the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for allowing it.