Indian equity indices closed marginally lower on Friday as heavyweights like Reliance and ITC declined.

At closing, the Sensex was down 71 points or 0.09 per cent at 82,890 and Nifty was down 32 points or 0.13 per cent at 25,356.

The broader market sentiment was positive.

On the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), 2,483 shares were in the green, 1,473 shares in the red and 111 shares closed without any change.

Punjab Police’s Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) has arrested Drug Inspector Shishan Mittal for his involvement in facilitating drug smuggling operations connected to illegal pharmaceuticals, medical stores and laundering the drug money in the ‘benami’ accounts in names of his relatives, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Friday.

The development came about a month after the police froze 24 bank accounts, with the total amount reaching Rs 7.09 crore, linked to the accused, besides seizing a huge amount of cash and foreign currency during a series of coordinated raids conducted at different locations in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh.

In addition to this, two bank lockers were also seized.

Following Rodrygo's comments in which he admitted that he was 'upset' over not being in the 30-man shortlist for the 2024 Ballon d’Or trophy, Real Madrid head coach Ancelotti has stated that he understands the Brazilian's 'sadness.'

"For sure Rodrygo should have been among the nominees for the Ballon d’Or, no doubts. I understand his sadness, he’s right. For me he’s an important player and there are zero problems," said Carlo Ancelotti in a pre-match press conference.

Five players for Los Blancos were included in the shortlist, in the likes of Vinicius Jr, Jude Bellingham, Toni Kroos (now retired), Federico Valverde and Dani Carvajal. But the Brazilian, who scored 17 goals and provided nine assists, was not included.

SEBI Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch, along with her husband Dhaval Buch, on Friday refuted recent allegations made against her, saying she has never dealt with any file involving Agora Advisory, Agora Partners, the Mahindra Group, Pidilite, Dr Reddy’s, Alvarez and Marsal, Sembcorp, Visu Leasing or ICICI Bank at any stage after joining the markets regulator.

The statement, issued in a personal capacity, said the allegations are "completely false, malicious and defamatory".

"All the allegations made are false, incorrect, malicious and motivated. The allegations themselves are based on our Income Tax Returns. In other words, all these matters are a part of our Income Tax returns in which all these matters have been fully disclosed and taxes have been duly paid," the couple said.

They claimed that their Income Tax Returns have been obtained by adopting fraudulent means and illegally.

One in two (51 per cent) GenZ professionals in India have a fear of job loss and 40 per cent worry about securing positions in their preferred fields upon entering the workplace, a report showed on Friday.

Despite the worries, GenZ demonstrates a clear set of priorities when it comes to their careers.

About 77 per cent of the surveyed said they prioritise the role or brand over commercials, with 43 per cent specifically seeking hands-on experience and growth opportunities.

This focus on professional development is further emphasised by the fact that 72 per cent of GenZ professionals consider job satisfaction more important than salary, according to the report by talent engagement and hiring platform Unstop.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said his government's judicial reform package has been ratified by enough state legislatures to validate its application.

At his regular daily press briefing, the President said the next step will be the publication of the reform in the Government Gazette, probably on Sunday, news agency reported.

"A constitutional reform requires the approval of the Chamber of Deputies, and the Chamber of Senators with a qualified majority, plus half of the states plus one, i.e., 17 are required and that's the way the process is legalised," President Obrador said.

Afghan authorities have opened a water supply network and water filtration plant in Kabul, the country's Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development said in a statement on Friday.

Financially supported by United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund and implemented by the Ministry, the projects cost more than $518,000, said the statement, adding that these projects will provide potable water to 1,290 families in Kabul's Sarobi district, news agency reported.

Before the inauguration, Mullah Mohammad Younus Akhundzada, acting minister of Rural Rehabilitation and Development, said that in the future, no one will have to go far from home to fetch drinking water, as they will have access to clean water through taps installed in their houses.

Sandro Tonali returned to action following a 10-month ban for breaching betting rules, against Nottingham Forest during their Carabao Cup win. Head coach Eddie Howe is 'delighted' with his midfield general’s return and believes his minutes with the national team will do him good.

The Italian midfielder went on to make his international return by starting in Italy's two UEFA Nations League games against France and Israel, respectively.

"I think those games (UEFA Nations League) will have done him the world of good - he's performed well and has been part of a winning team as well. So great for Sandro. I'm sure he's in a really good place. It's the first few weeks back and we're delighted he's available," said Eddie Howe to reporters in a pre-match press conference.

The most-awaited dual in the Hero Asian Champions Trophy is finally here, with India taking on nemesis Pakistan on Saturday here at Moqi Hockey Training Base.

While India, led by ace dragflicker Harmanpreet Singh, will go into the match as table toppers, Ammad Butt-led Pakistan will take on India as an unbeaten side placed no.2 in the points table.

Defending Champions India have played the tournament as true favourites, clinching each match with confidence and charisma. They have beaten hosts China 3-0 in their first match, beat Japan 5-1 in their second, trounced Malaysia 8-1 in their third match and clinched a 3-1 win against Korea in their previous match.

After polygraph test, CBI has sought permission from a special court in Kolkata to conduct a narco-analysis of Sanjay Roy, the accused in the rape and murder of a junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College & Hospital here last month.

According to sources, CBI now wants to match the report of the polygraph test with that of the narco-analysis, provided they get the permission of the court for this.

There is a basic difference between polygraph test and narco-analysis: polygraph, test also popularly known as "lie detector" test measures physiological responses like blood pressure, pulse, and respiration of the person who is being questioned based on the idea that physiological responses of a person are different when they are lying.