National News

External affairs minister S Jaishankar highlights strong growth in India-US relations under leaders Modi and Trump, expressing confidence in future ties. During his visit to Spain, he emphasizes India’s substantial interests in the Mediterranean region and the importance of India-Spain and India-EU cooperation for global stability.

Apple and Foxconn urgently seek Indian government assistance due to severe delays of specialized manufacturing equipment at Chinese ports. These delays, persisting for months, could significantly impact India's electronics manufacturing expansion plans, especially for iPhone production, amid heightened India-China diplomatic tensions.

The FBI has issued a warning about potential 'copycat or retaliatory attacks' after Shamsud-Din Jabbar, an ISIS sympathiser, drove a truck into crowds on New Year's Day in New Orleans, killing 14 people. The authorities highlight the increasing use of vehicle ramming by extremists inspired by foreign terrorist organisations.

The festival is a reminder of a not-so-distant past when crops like ragi and groundnut were grown where today stand tall buildings in the city

Kapil Dev addressed the retirement speculation surrounding Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, expressing confidence in their ability to make the right decision about their careers. The retirement rumours have arisen following their underwhelming performances in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia and previous retirement from T20Is.

L&T’s HR head Sonica Muraleedharan clarifies Chairman S N Subrahmanyan's remarks about a 90-hour work week, explaining that his comment was misinterpreted and not intended to mandate extreme working hours. Muraleedharan emphasizes Subrahmanyan’s supportive leadership and commitment to employee growth, urging understanding of his true intentions.

Next Sankranti, cockfights in coastal Andhra Pradesh are set to see high stakes with prizes like Mahindra Thar SUVs and Royal Enfield Bullets for winning roosters. This new trend aims to attract more participants, emphasizing memorable events over profits, with organizers focusing on participant satisfaction and elaborate setups.

Jagmeet Singh warns that Donald Trump's tariff threats pose a significant danger to Canadian jobs and the economy. He urges Canada to respond strongly, possibly by halting the export of critical minerals to the US, and firmly rejects any notion of Canada integrating into the United States.

In 'Fearless', Mohinder Amarnath recounts the 1978 cricket tour of Pakistan, depicting an unwelcome derogatory comment from a Pakistani cricketer and mixed interactions with Pakistani players. Despite some hostility, the Indian team received overwhelmingly warm welcomes from the crowds, highlighting the contrasting experiences throughout the tour.

Chinese officials are exploring the possibility of Elon Musk acquiring TikTok's US operations if the platform faces a ban, preferring it remains under ByteDance's ownership. Senior officials are debating contingency plans while ByteDance contests the ban in the Supreme Court. Negotiations involve complex geopolitical and financial factors, with Musk's involvement seen as strategically favorable.

US lawmakers are urging President Biden to extend the deadline for ByteDance to sell TikTok's US assets to avoid a potential ban. ByteDance's legal team argues that completing a sale by January 19 is unfeasible, stressing the impact on 170 million American users. Many content creators are switching to another Chinese app, Xiaohongshu.

A 15-year-old boy from Meerut took his own life after being reprimanded by his mother and elder brother for mingling with violent individuals. Before the incident, he viewed videos about the consequences of suicide in the Garuda Purana. Police are investigating how he obtained the illegal pistol.

India's all-rounder Hardik Pandya is focusing on fitness and preparation for the white-ball season, starting with a five-match T20I series against England on January 22. He recently played in domestic tournaments and shared his training on Instagram, indicating a big season ahead. This series will be followed by three ODIs and the ICC Champions Trophy in February.

Pongal is a major South Indian festival celebrated with great enthusiasm, particularly in Tamil Nadu, marking the Tamil month of Thai and the harvest season. The four-day event involves honoring deities, expressing gratitude for food and prosperity, and sharing warm greetings and messages of happiness and good fortune.

Travis Kelce, since dating Taylor Swift in September 2023, hinted at new music coming from her after her Eras tour. He shared his admiration and subtle insights about Swift’s upcoming projects during an interview. Their high-profile, supportive relationship continues to capture public attention.

Elon Musk is expected to launch the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in the White House Complex, aimed at reducing government expenses. This initiative, co-led by Vivek Ramaswamy, intends to dismantle bureaucracy and cut wasteful spending. DOGE's mission is set for completion by July 4, 2026, while ethics rules and legal frameworks could complicate Musk’s involvement.

Makar Sankranti, celebrated across India in mid-January, marks the Sun's transition into Capricorn. This festival honors the Sun God, signifies the end of the winter solstice, and celebrates the harvest. Traditions include flying kites, sharing sweets, and regional customs like Lohri in Punjab and Pongal in Tamil Nadu, promoting joy and family bonds.

BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla dismissed reports of internal rifts among chief selector Ajit Agarkar, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and captain Rohit Sharma after India's Border-Gavaskar Trophy loss. He attributed poor player form to natural phases in sports. The team for the ICC Champions Trophy, starting February 19, will be decided by January 18 or 19.

MI Cape Town secured a 33-run victory over Paarl Royals in the first Cape Derby of SA20 Season 3. Reeza Hendricks hit a stylish 59, supported by Rassie van der Dussen's 43. Kagiso Rabada's exceptional bowling turned the game in MI Cape Town's favour. George Linde and Rashid Khan further dismantled the Royals, restricting them to 139/9.