Times of India

Axar Patel has been named the new captain of Delhi Capitals for the upcoming IPL season. The experienced all-rounder, who has played 150 IPL matches, replaces Rishabh Pant. Delhi Capitals are the last team to announce their captain, with KL Rahul among the key players expected to support Axar’s leadership going into the 2025 season.

India has strongly rejected Pakistan's allegations of involvement in the Balochistan train hijacking, pointing out Pakistan's issues with internal terrorism. Accusations emerged after the Balochistan Liberation Army seized the Jaffar Express, resulting in 58 deaths. Afghanistan also denied Pakistan's claims, urging Islamabad to address its own security challenges.

IIT Guwahati Professor D Udaya Kumar, who designed the Indian rupee symbol, distanced himself from the controversy over Tamil Nadu's decision to replace the Devanagari symbol with a Tamil letter in its budget logo. The state government's move is part of a larger language policy dispute with the central government. Kumar emphasized the autonomy of state decisions.

US President Donald Trump suggested that the United States may eventually annex Greenland, highlighting its importance for international security. His comments came amid Greenland's parliamentary elections, where the Demokraatit Party, which opposes Trump's proposal, secured an unexpected victory.

A mansion built for former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy in Visakhapatnam is facing scrutiny for its opulent design and high costs. Once intended as a camp office, the project has evolved through various stages, now sparking a debate on its usage and the ethics of public spending. The extravagance compares to Arvind Kejriwal's controversial residence renovation.

A 42-year-old woman and her two daughters were found dead from suspected poisoning in their Delhi flat, likely due to financial distress. The mother had previously been jailed for murder, and the family faced ongoing economic hardships. Neighbours described them as reclusive and seldom interacted.

Glenn McGrath supports Jasprit Bumrah's recovery from a back injury and stresses the importance of smart management due to his age. Bumrah's experience makes him invaluable to India. McGrath commends India for their smart play in the Champions Trophy, rejecting claims of unfair advantage. India's strong white-ball cricket is noted with emphasis on the influence of IPL.

An Ordnance Factory employee, Ravindra Kumar, was arrested by the Uttar Pradesh ATS for allegedly leaking classified defense information to a Pakistani intelligence handler posing as Neha Sharma. He shared sensitive documents via WhatsApp, endangering national security. Authorities continue to investigate the extent of the security breach.

UN experts have accused Israel of committing sexual violence in Gaza, targeting hospitals and civilians, disproportionately affecting women and children. Israel rejects the UN's findings, labeling them biased. The investigation's results could be used in international legal cases, including at the International Criminal Court, which has already issued arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders.

A federal judge in San Francisco has ordered the Trump administration to reinstate numerous dismissed probationary workers, asserting that the terminations were executed without proper authority. The administration plans to appeal the ruling, while multiple lawsuits against these dismissals are ongoing.

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed gratitude to leaders including India's PM Modi and US President Trump for their efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Putin agreed to a ceasefire if it leads to long-term peace, appreciating international support for peaceful resolution. PM Modi emphasized India's active role and reiterated the importance of negotiation over warfare.

CBI has filed an FIR in Delhi regarding a gold-smuggling case allegedly involving actor Ranya Rao, without naming any specific individuals but identifying "unknown public servants" and "unknown private persons" as suspects. This step has intensified the investigation, potentially uncovering deep-rooted corruption within government circles.

Holi 2025, the festival of colors, marks the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil. People globally exchange heartfelt messages, wishes, and greetings, spreading happiness and positivity among friends, family, and loved ones. Celebrate the spirit of togetherness with joy and vibrant colors.

The BJP criticized the TMC-led West Bengal government for allegedly banning Holi celebrations at Santiniketan, accusing CM Mamata Banerjee of appeasement politics. They urged Hindus to celebrate without fear. The state government clarified that there was no ban, but rather a request for environmental caution in protected areas. The BJP claimed the move was politically motivated.

A PMLA court in Bhubaneswar has ordered the reimbursement of Rs 332 crore to victims of the Rose Valley chit fund scam in Odisha. The Enforcement Directorate had previously attached the group's assets, now valued at Rs 450 crore, and the Calcutta High Court's Assets Disposal Committee will oversee the fund distribution.

Kailash Nagare, a 2020 Young Farmer Award recipient, died by suicide, citing government negligence in a note he left behind. His death, attributed to unaddressed irrigation issues, led to significant unrest among farmers in his village, with demands for immediate government response. He is survived by his family.

In the case involving Kannada actor Ranya Rao, the CBI's FIR in the gold-smuggling racket has left the accused column blank, giving them flexibility in summoning individuals. The DRI suspects a coordinated syndicate between Dubai and India. The ED also raided multiple locations, including Ranya's flat, seizing documents and gadgets, pointing to high-level corruption.

The Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment and Promotion Board announced results for 60,244 constable posts, including significant representation from women and various reservation categories. This concluded the largest state police recruitment, beginning with 48 lakh applications. Following a probe and re-examination, final selections were based on written scores, document verification, and physical tests. Successful candidates will undergo medical checks and training.