Daily brief of Bharat-centric happenings and beyond!
Published at 8PM IST on 2025-12-31.
Good evening, and welcome to the news. Let’s get straight to tonight’s headlines.
First, some welcome financial news for residents of Delhi-NCR. Indraprastha Gas Limited, or IGL, has announced a reduction in piped cooking gas prices, effective January 1st. The revised rates are ₹47.89 per SCM in Delhi, ₹46.70 per SCM in Gurugram, and ₹47.76 per SCM in Noida, Greater Noida, and Ghaziabad. IGL stated this adjustment reflects their commitment to making clean energy more affordable.
Turning to international developments, a shipment of American corn bound for Bangladesh has sparked considerable controversy. The US Embassy’s announcement of this shipment was met with strong reactions online, with many raising concerns about the fertilizer used in growing the corn – specifically, its connection to pig manure. Social media posts have expressed outrage, with some questioning the nature of the trade agreement.
We now move to sports news, where the cricket world mourns the loss of Muhammad Mahdi, the younger brother of Zimbabwe T20I captain Sikandar Raza. Tragically, Mahdi passed away at the age of 13 due to complications related to his pre-existing condition, haemophilia. Zimbabwe Cricket has extended its deepest condolences to Sikandar and his family during this incredibly difficult time.
Looking at the broader cricket landscape, India concluded 2025 as the number one team in both the ODI and T20I formats. Australia finished the year ranked number one in Tests, while England secured the third position. New Zealand rounded out the top two in ODIs.
For those planning ahead, the Reserve Bank of India has released its 2026 holiday calendar. Banks will be closed on several key dates, including Republic Day on January 26th, Independence Day on August 15th, and Gandhi Jayanti on October 2nd. Other designated holidays include April 1st, April 3rd, April 14th, May 1st, and May 27th, with potential closures also on June 26th and September 4th.
Speaking of upcoming events, India has a busy schedule planned for the first three months of 2026. The nation will host New Zealand for a three-match ODI series and a five-match T20I series from January 11th to January 31st