Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved the country's 2025 budget, allocating $126 billion (13.5 trillion rubles) to national defence, which accounts for 32.5% of the total government spending. This marks a significant increase from last year’s budget, highlighting the ongoing strain the war in Ukraine has placed on Russia’s finances. The budget sets a new record, with military spending expected to account for over 6% of Russia's GDP. In contrast, expenditu

Shahid Afridi, the former Pakistan cricket captain, has voiced his support for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in rejecting the hybrid model proposed for the 2024 Champions Trophy, which is set to be held in Pakistan. Afridi criticized the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for mixing politics with sports, pointing out that Pakistan has toured India multiple times despite security concerns, including a white-ball series after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Afridi emphasized that t

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) that it will not accept the Hybrid Model for the upcoming Champions Trophy, a format that would involve some games being played in India and others in Pakistan. The ICC convened a virtual meeting with executive members to address the scheduling dilemma after India refused to send its team across the border. The PCB has been firm in its opposition to the Hybrid Model, arguing that it would give preferential t

Mohammed Shami has limited time to convince selectors to include him in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with just under a week to prove his fitness. The fast bowler, who has returned to competitive cricket after a lengthy injury layoff, has impressed in his first Ranji Trophy match but now faces evaluation through Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) T20 matches. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is closely monitoring Shami's recovery, with a particular focus on his fitness

President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to impose a 25% tariff on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada, set to take effect on his first day in office, January 20. The new tariffs are expected to have severe implications for American consumers, including higher prices on everyday products such as gasoline, produce, cars, and alcohol. Mexico, now the US’s top trading partner, and Canada, a major supplier of oil and agricultural products, will be significantly impacted by these tariffs

In a thrilling IPL 2025 Auction, Afghanistan's promising spinner Allah Ghazanfar made a big splash as Mumbai Indians secured him for a whopping Rs 4.8 crore. The 18-year-old spinner, known for his brilliant performance in recent ODIs, including a standout spell against Bangladesh, attracted intense bidding from several franchises. Kolkata Knight Riders, who were interested in bringing him back, ultimately lost out to Mumbai Indians, who won the bidding war. Ghazanfar’s ris

India has officially announced that it will not be participating in the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan, citing security concerns. This decision has raised controversy, as there were proposals for a hybrid model where India would play their matches in Dubai, but this was rejected by Pakistan. With both the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) standing firm on their positions, the future of the competition remains uncertain. Legendary Pa

Indian wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant has denied speculation that his departure from Delhi Capitals (DC) ahead of the IPL 2025 auction was due to a disagreement over his retention fee. The clarification came after Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar suggested that top players, like Pant, sometimes leave their franchises to assess their true market value in the IPL auction, particularly when there are talks about retention fees. In a video shared by Star Sports before the IPL 202

Arjun Tendulkar, the 25-year-old son of cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar, made a statement in the ongoing Ranji Trophy Plate match, picking up his maiden five-wicket haul in First-Class cricket. Arjun’s stellar bowling performance saw him claim figures of 5/25, helping bowl Arunachal Pradesh out for just 84 runs on Day 1. Starting strong, Arjun dismissed Nabam Hachang in the second over and followed up with two wickets in consecutive balls in the 12th over, leaving him on a hat-t

In a significant development ahead of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that the Indian cricket team will not travel to Pakistan for the tournament. Citing security concerns, the BCCI has requested that all of India's matches be moved to Dubai instead, as confirmed by an anonymous BCCI official to the Indian Express. This stance has been consistent, and the BCCI has made it clea

As the deadline for IPL 2025 player retentions approaches, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has shared a creative puzzle for their fans, featuring nine potential player names. This fun engagement comes as franchises prepare for the mega auction, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) setting a retention deadline of October 31. The players included in RCB's puzzle are cricketing stars Virat Kohli, Mohammed Siraj, Rajat Patidar, Faf du Plessis, Cameron Green, Glenn

With just two days remaining before the IPL 2025 retention deadline, excitement is building around the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and the pivotal decisions they will make. A key focus of speculation is whether MS Dhoni, the legendary captain, will return for another season. As an uncapped player since his international retirement over five years ago, Dhoni's status has generated heated discussions among fans and analysts alike. A recent post by CSK on social media, featuring cryp

In a historic shift for the Ashes series, Perth will host the first Test of the 2025-26 Ashes, ending Brisbane's nearly 40-year tradition of kicking off the Australia-England rivalry. The first Test is set to take place at Perth Stadium from November 21-25, 2025. This will be the inaugural Ashes Test at the new venue, which replaced the old WACA ground, last utilized in 2017. Following the Perth Test, the second match will be a day-night affair at Brisbane's Gabba, scheduled

In a surprising move, Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting has been appointed as the head coach of Punjab Kings, taking over from Trevor Bayliss, who oversaw the team for the past two seasons. Ponting, who previously spent seven years with Delhi Capitals, signed a four-year contract with Punjab, highlighting the franchise’s long-term vision to rebuild its squad. Under Ponting's leadership, Delhi Capitals became a formidable team in the IPL, reaching the final in 2020 bu

Title and Overview: Defending champions India achieved a hard-fought 1-0 victory over hosts China to clinch their fifth Asian Champions Trophy title. The final, held amidst intense competition, saw India’s perseverance and strategic play ultimately lead them to triumph. Match Highlights: Despite a challenging match where India struggled to penetrate the Chinese defense in the first three quarters, the breakthrough c

In a spectacular display of hockey, India overwhelmed Malaysia with an 8-1 victory in their Asian Champions Trophy 2024 match. The game was highlighted by Rajkumar Pal’s exceptional hat-trick performance, with his goals coming in each of the first three quarters. Alongside him, Araijeet Singh Hundal contributed significantly, scoring two goals—one in the first quarter and another in the third. Their combined efforts showcased India's attacking prowess and tactical superiority.

Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella has been suspended by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) following allegations of an anti-doping violation. The suspension, announced with immediate effect on Friday, relates to an incident during the recently concluded Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2024, where Dickwella captained the Galle Marvels. The Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency (SLADA) conducted the test as part of SLC's ongoing efforts to uphold the integrity of cricket and ensure the sport remains