India Women Win Their First Cricket World Cup; Tri-Service Exercise 'Trishul' To Begin Today; And More

India Women Creates History With Maiden World Cup Win

India's women's cricket team achieved a landmark victory, defeating South Africa by 52 runs to claim their first-ever ICC World Cup title at Mumbai's D.Y. Patil Stadium.

Chasing 299, South Africa's Laura Wolvaardt crafted a century under pressure, but Deepti Sharma's match-winning five-wicket haul dismantled the chase.

Earlier, Shafali Verma's composed half-century and a crucial 104-run opening stand powered India to 298. Deepti's late fireworks with Richa Ghosh pushed the total beyond South Africa's reach. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur's dream finally materialized as a capacity crowd witnessed history, marking India's coronation as world champions in front of their home fans.

Tri-Services Exercise "Trishul" To Begin Today At Western Front

The Indian Armed Forces commence Exercise Trishul 2025 today, 3 November. This will be a large-scale joint drill led by the Navy across Rajasthan, Gujarat's creek and desert sectors, and the northern Arabian Sea.

Coordinated by Western Naval Command, the exercise involves Army Southern Command, South Western Air Command, Indian Coast Guard, BSF, and other agencies, demonstrating unprecedented inter-agency coordination.

The drills will validate joint operational procedures and enhance interoperability through amphibious landings, carrier operations, and air-sea missions.

A key focus includes integrated Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, Electronic Warfare, and Cyber operations.

Other developments

ISRO Launches India's Most Advanced Naval Communication Satellite

ISRO successfully launched GSAT-7R (CMS-03), India's heaviest communication satellite at 4,410 kg, from Sriharikota on November 2. Carried by the LVM-3 'Bahubali' rocket, this indigenously developed satellite marks a major leap in India's technological self-reliance.

The satellite strengthens India's Maritime Domain Awareness grid, supporting real-time coordination and improved situational awareness. The Defence Ministry emphasized that GSAT-7R embodies the Navy's commitment to protecting maritime interests through indigenous innovation. Following GSAT-7 and GSAT-7A, this launch positions India among global leaders in naval space capabilities.

Highways Ministry To Impose Heavy Fines on Contractors for Repeat Accidents

According to reports in a news agency, the Ministry of Highways is set to impose penalties on contractors if multiple accidents occur on the same National Highway stretch built under the build-operate-transfer (BOT) model. Contractors will be fined Rs 25 lakh if more than one accident happens within a 500-meter stretch annually, escalating to Rs 50 lakh for subsequent years.

Road Transport and Highways Secretary V Umashankar explained that revised BOT agreements now mandate contractors implement safety measures and address issues on accident-prone stretches. The ministry has identified 3,500 such areas nationwide.

Additionally, the government will soon launch a nationwide cashless treatment scheme for road accident victims, offering up to Rs 1.5 lakh coverage for seven days at designated hospitals. Following a pilot launched March 2024 in Chandigarh and extended to six states, the scheme aims to reduce deaths from delayed medical assistance after accidents.

Former CJI Ramana Says Jagan Government Filed Cases Against Family to Target Him

Former Chief Justice of India N V Ramana disclosed Saturday that the Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy government filed criminal cases against his family to "coerce" him before his 2021 CJI appointment, stemming from their support for Amaravati's capital project.

Speaking at VIT-AP's convocation in Amaravati, Justice Ramana praised farmers who sustained a five-year agitation (2019-2024) against capital trifurcation, calling it "one of southern India's longest struggles." He condemned attempts to "crush the farmers' movement," noting that judiciary members upholding constitutional principles faced transfers, pressure, and persecution, with judges' families suffering "collateral damage."

Justice Ramana emphasized that while politicians remained silent during these "painful days," lawyers, jurists, and courts stood firm. "The rule of law survives only when people decline to surrender integrity for convenience," he stated, highlighting the judiciary's role as democracy's anchor.

GST Revenue to Exceed Budget Estimates Despite Rate Rationalisation: SBI Research

SBI Research projects GST revenue for FY26 will surpass budgeted collections despite recent tax rationalisation measures. The report indicates most states will experience positive gains, with Maharashtra projected to gain 6 per cent and Karnataka 10.7 per cent, making states "net gainers post-rationalisation."

The September 2025 GST restructuring introduced a simplified two-tier structure. October GST collections rose 4.6 per cent year-on-year to Rs 1.95 lakh crore, while April-October collections grew 9 per cent to Rs 13.89 lakh crore compared to last fiscal's Rs 12.74 lakh crore.

Bihar election corner

PM Modi Says RJD "Put Gun to Congress's Head" Over CM Pick; Predicts INDIA Bloc Collapse

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a sharp attack on the INDIA bloc alliance in Bihar, claiming RJD forced Congress to accept Tejashwi Yadav as chief ministerial candidate by "putting a katta to Congress's kanpatti" (gun to temple). Speaking at rallies in Ara and Nawada, Modi predicted the allies would "break each other's heads" after November 11's second-phase polling.

The PM mocked what he called two "dynastic parties" serving "India's most corrupt and Bihar's most corrupt families," questioning their "friendly contests" despite seat-sharing agreements. He highlighted tensions, noting RJD initially fielded a candidate against state Congress chief Rajesh Kumar in Kutumba before withdrawing. Modi claimed to possess "inside information" about the bloc's impending implosion, contrasting it with NDA's vision for Bihar's development.

JD(U) Candidate Anant Singh Arrested for Murder During Bihar Campaign

Former Bihar MLA Anant Singh, fielded by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U) for the Mokama constituency, was arrested Sunday in connection with the murder of Jan Suraaj supporter Dular Chand Yadav. The victim, a gangster-turned-politician formerly with RJD, was killed Thursday while campaigning for Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj candidate.

Singh, husband of sitting MLA Neelam Devi, was arrested from his Barh residence alongside associates Manikant Thakur and Ranjeet Ram. All three received 14-day judicial custody.

Singh denied involvement, claiming he was "far away" and blamed RJD rival Veena Devi's husband for orchestrating the killing to defame him. The Election Commission transferred Patna's Rural SP and suspended local officials.