ICC Honours Shafali Verma and Simon Harmer for November Performances

India opener Shafali Verma has been named the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for November, following her pivotal role in India’s historic triumph at the Women’s World Cup. Her performance in the final proved decisive as India lifted their maiden World Cup title on home soil, making the month one of the most memorable of her young international career. In the men’s category, South African spinner Simon Harmer received the award for his exceptional Test performances against India.

Viksit Bharat 2047 Vision Drives Major Reform in Rural Job Guarantee

The Union government is preparing to introduce the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025 in Parliament, proposing the repeal of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The proposed legislation seeks to align rural employment policy with the long-term national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, focusing on sustainable livelihoods, durable infrastructure, and stronger governance.

Gyan Bharatam Mission Recognises University of Patanjali for Knowledge Preservation

The University of Patanjali has been officially designated as India’s first Yoga and Ayurveda–based Cluster Centre under the Gyan Bharatam Mission of the Ministry of Culture. The recognition represents an important milestone in the country’s efforts to preserve, document, and academically integrate India’s ancient knowledge systems through structured institutional collaboration.

Saudi–China Ties Deepen with Mutual Visa Exemption Agreement

Saudi Arabia and China have taken another step towards closer strategic cooperation by signing a mutual visa exemption agreement for holders of diplomatic and official passports. The agreement was finalised during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s official visit to Riyadh, coinciding with the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations, highlighting the growing maturity of bilateral ties.

Play971 Marks a New Era of Regulated iGaming in the United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates has taken a historic step into regulated digital gaming with the launch of Play971, its first officially licensed online sports betting and iGaming platform. Supervised by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), the initiative signals a major policy shift for a country traditionally known for stringent restrictions on gambling rooted in cultural and religious norms.