Ukraine's president calls for face-to-face engagement as US shifts focus to Iran
Today at a glance
Ukraine's Zelensky reaches out to Putin for direct talks while the US turns attention to Iran. In India, a suspended Telangana police officer faces judicial custody over disproportionate assets, and Karnataka police arrest four in an abduction conspiracy targeting a former legislator. Meanwhile, Team India battles IPL fatigue ahead of their Test match against Afghanistan, and chess star Praggnanandhaa analyzes Gukesh's creative playing style at Norway Chess.
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Telangana ASP remanded in assets case
India1 min read
A Hyderabad court has remanded suspended ASP Nayini Bhujanga Rao to judicial custody in a disproportionate assets case. The Anti-Corruption Bureau conducted searches and uncovered assets worth ₹5.92 crore allegedly accumulated beyond known sources of income. Rao was previously involved in a phone-tapping controversy that had made headlines. The ACB is continuing its investigation into how the suspended officer amassed such wealth during his tenure in the Telangana police force.
Karnataka police have arrested four people in connection with an abduction conspiracy targeting a former MLC. Investigators say the plot began with a road accident in December 2025 involving the former legislator. The accused allegedly planned to use the incident as leverage for extortion. Police uncovered the conspiracy before any abduction took place. The case highlights how seemingly routine traffic incidents can evolve into elaborate criminal schemes. Authorities are investigating whether more suspects were involved in planning the crime.
Just three days after the IPL final, Team India is racing to adapt from T20 chaos to Test cricket discipline ahead of their one-off match against Afghanistan. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate reveals players are shifting from 11 am wake-ups to breakfast at 8:30 am, completely resetting their body clocks. The challenge isn't just sleep — it's shedding IPL batting habits and recalibrating for five-day cricket. Players are working on technical adjustments while their bodies recover from the exhausting franchise league schedule.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has written an open letter to Vladimir Putin proposing direct, face-to-face negotiations to end the war. Zelensky argues that only direct engagement between the two countries can bring peace, particularly as Washington shifts its strategic focus toward Iran. The proposal marks a significant diplomatic move after more than two years of conflict. Russia has not yet responded to the overture. India angle: New Delhi has consistently called for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the Ukraine conflict, and this proposal aligns with India's long-standing position that bilateral talks between the warring nations are essential for lasting peace.
The brutal transition from IPL nights to Test mornings is underway. Three days after the franchise league finale, Team India is attempting a complete reset ahead of the Afghanistan Test. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate reveals the team is forcing earlier wake-ups, moving breakfast from late morning to 8:30 am to reprogram their internal clocks. But it's not just about sleep — players must abandon T20 instincts and rebuild Test-match temperament. The challenge exposes a deeper question about modern cricket: can players truly switch formats in just 72 hours?
R Praggnanandhaa is having a tough Norway Chess campaign, losing to Wesley So in round six and falling to D Gukesh the previous day. But the young grandmaster took time to analyze his compatriot's unique approach to the game. Praggnanandhaa describes Gukesh's style as doing weird creative stuff that catches opponents off-guard. The back-to-back losses highlight the intense competition at elite chess, where even India's top players are testing each other's limits on the global stage.
