Canadian ultrarunner Stephanie Case completes Antarctic 100-mile race; first woman to do so
Canadian ultrarunner Stephanie Case made history by becoming the first woman to finish a 100-mile ultramarathon in Antarctica. She completed the Antarctic Ice Ultra on 9 November 2026 at Schirmacher Oasis, Queen Maud Land, East Antarctica. Case finished in 17 hours, 31 minutes and 39 seconds, after enduring extreme cold and fierce winds. Temperatures dropped to about minus 35 degrees Celsius during the race. The route covered icy terrain and exposed sections, demanding careful pacing and resilience. Her achievement marks a milestone for women's ultramarathon running and endurance sports globally, highlighting the growing participation of international athletes in extreme environments.
Date of achievement: 9 November 2026
Distance: 100 miles (160.9 km)
Finish time: 17:31:39
Location: Antarctic Ice Ultra, Schirmacher Oasis
Conditions: temperatures around -35°C
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi becomes youngest captain in men's T20 history
Indian teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made history in men's Twenty20 cricket. On 14 November 2026, he captained Bihar against Saurashtra in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy opener at Holkar Stadium, Indore. At 15 years and 232 days old, Sooryavanshi became the youngest captain in men’s T20 history, breaking the record held by Croatia’s Zach Vukusic (17 years 311 days in 2025). Sooryavanshi has also been noted as India’s youngest debutant in international cricket earlier this year after his T20I debut against England at age 15 years and 99 days. The milestone drew widespread praise from fans and analysts.
Date: 14 November 2026
Age: 15 years 232 days
Match: Bihar vs Saurashtra, SMAT opener, Indore
Record: youngest captain in men’s T20 history
Previous record: Zach Vukusic, 17 years 311 days (2025)
India exports BrahMos missiles to Philippines; defence pact with Vietnam signed in 2026
India’s BrahMos Aerospace announced major export activity in mid-November 2026. On 13 November 2026, BrahMos CEO Jaiteerth R. Joshi said BrahMos missiles have been supplied to the Philippines and that a defence agreement with Vietnam for a coastal-defence and multi-platform package was signed earlier in 2026. The Vietnam package is valued at about US$629–700 million. Indonesia had also concluded a BrahMos deal in July 2026. The Philippines has emerged as the first foreign buyer of the missile system, underscoring India’s expanding defence partnerships in Southeast Asia.
Date: 13 November 2026
Philippines: first foreign buyer of BrahMos
Vietnam: defence agreement signed (May 2026) for US$629–700 million package
Indonesia: BrahMos deal signed in July 2026
Significance: growing India–Southeast Asia defence ties
IMNEX-26 India–Myanmar Naval Exercise underway at Visakhapatnam (10–14 Nov 2026)
The eighth edition of the India–Myanmar Naval Exercise (IMNEX-26) is under way at Visakhapatnam from 10 to 14 November 2026. Myanmar Navy ship UMS King Sin Phyu Shin arrived on 10 November to participate alongside Indian Navy ships INS Rana and INS Sumedha. The exercise features harbour and sea-phase activities, SME exchanges, cross-deck visits, and tactical drills to improve interoperability. IMNEX-26 supports maritime cooperation and security in the Bay of Bengal under the MAHASAGAR framework. The event highlights ongoing defence-to-defence engagement between India and Myanmar and strengthens regional maritime security partners.
Dates: 10–14 November 2026
Participants: Myanmar Navy (UMS King Sin Phyu Shin); Indian Navy (INS Rana, INS Sumedha)
Phases: harbour and sea-phase activities; SME exchanges; cross-deck visits
Purpose: improve interoperability and maritime security
Context: part of MAHASAGAR regional security efforts
Isaiah Arumainayagam receives Arjuna Award (Lifetime) at Rashtrapati Bhavan
Veteran Indian footballer Isaiah Arumainayagam was honoured with the Arjuna Award (Lifetime) for his long-standing contributions to Indian football. President Droupadi Murmu conferred the National Sports Awards 2025 at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi during the November 2026 ceremony, as detailed in recent current-affairs coverage. The National Sports Awards recognize outstanding sporting achievement, with 17 sportspersons selected for the Arjuna Awards in 2025. The lifetime honour acknowledges Arumainayagam’s impact on football’s development in India, including his role in the country's Asian Games gold medal-winning era and ongoing influence on the sport.
RBI approves Pratap Singh as MD & CEO of Fino Payments Bank
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the appointment of Pratap Singh as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fino Payments Bank for a three-year term. RBI issued the approval on 12 November 2026, with the term to begin from 27 November 2026 or on the date Singh takes charge, whichever is earlier, and subject to shareholders’ approval. Singh brings over 29 years of banking experience in India and the United Kingdom, including roles at ICICI Bank and SBI UK. The appointment is expected to support governance and strategic alignment at the payments bank.
Date of RBI approval: 12 November 2026
Appointment: Pratap Singh as MD & CEO, Fino Payments Bank
Term: three years; start from 27 November 2026 or taking charge
Condition: subject to shareholders’ approval
Experience: 29+ years in banking (ICICI Bank, SBI UK)