Times of India

Shikhar Dhawan praised Shubman Gill for his exceptional form in the ICC Champions Trophy, highlighting his elegant batting and professionalism. Dhawan also commended Rohit Sharma's leadership. He acknowledged Jasprit Bumrah's absence but saw it as an opportunity for Harshit Rana to prove himself. India has secured a semi-final spot with wins against Bangladesh and Pakistan.

The EPFO has retained an 8.25 per cent interest rate on EPF deposits for 2024-25, maintaining the increase set in 2023-24 from 8.15 per cent. The rate remains subject to Ministry of Finance approval before being credited to the accounts of over seven crore subscribers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the European Commission's visit to India aims to finalize a long-pending free trade agreement between the EU and India by year's end. This will be the largest deal of its kind globally, focusing on trade, technology, and inclusive development in the Indo-Pacific and Africa.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin criticized the implementation of a three-language policy, advocating the use of Artificial Intelligence for translation instead of burdening students with additional languages. He emphasized innovation over linguistic imposition. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi supported the New Education Policy 2020, arguing it provides more opportunities for youth and allows them to choose languages.

Kangana Ranaut and Javed Akhtar's legal dispute, arising from Ranaut's allegations against Akhtar regarding threats during her public spat with Hrithik Roshan, has been resolved. Kangana shared their reconciliation on Instagram and revealed Akhtar will write songs for her next directorial venture. The case has been ongoing since 2020 and recently concluded through mediation.

Mumbai Police have initiated an investigation following a WhatsApp threat from a Pakistani number to attack Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis. Meanwhile, two individuals were arrested for sending a bomb threat to Maharashtra deputy CM Eknath Shinde. Security measures have been intensified to ensure the safety of state officials.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Delhi to discuss enhancing their strategic partnership. Von der Leyen, leading the EU College of Commissioners, has emphasised the importance of India as a trusted friend and ally, aiming to deepen bilateral ties.

Osamu Nishimura, a prominent Japanese wrestler, has died at 53 after battling esophageal cancer. Despite his late-stage diagnosis, he continued wrestling until December 2024. Nishimura was also a Tokyo Bunkyo Ward Assembly representative and food education instructor. WWE star Shinsuke Nakamura paid tribute. His death was announced on February 28, 2025.

A 25-year-old Mumbai manager, Manav Sharma, committed suicide in Agra, alleging marital harassment. He recorded a distressing video before his death, expressing loneliness and pleading for awareness of men's struggles. Police are investigating the case after his family's complaint.

Stock market crash today: BSE Sensex and Nifty50, the Indian equity benchmark indices, crashed in opening trade on Friday. While BSE Sensex went below the 74,000 mark, Nifty50 was near 22,350.

Wayne Gretzky, Canada's honorary captain, faced backlash for supporting Team USA during a recent championship game, sparking controversy among Canadian fans. Political tensions and public dissatisfaction led to calls for removing his name from an Edmonton highway, questioning his loyalty to Canadian hockey values.

Renowned businessman Robert Kiyosaki supports Elon Musk's warnings about America's looming bankruptcy, citing systemic issues with the monetary system. Kiyosaki blamed rising debt and the potential collapse of the bond market for economic destabilization. He reaffirmed his faith in Bitcoin, gold, and silver as reliable investments during economic downturns, contrasting them with 'fake money.'

A federal judge issued a temporary injunction halting the Trump administration's initiative to hire large numbers of federal employees, citing a lack of authority of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). The decision follows lawsuits challenging the administration's workforce policies, including mass firings and changes to hiring procedures.

Ex-captain Younis Khan chose to mentor Afghanistan's team over assisting Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, citing financial reasons. Younis, previously a World Cup-winning captain for Pakistan, is helping Afghanistan adapt to Pakistani conditions. Afghanistan have successfully used local mentors in past tournaments, contributing to their impressive performances against teams like England.

Bitcoin dropped below $80,000 for the first time since November due to a broader cryptocurrency sell-off amid rising global market volatility. Contributing factors include economic uncertainty and concerns over Trump's proposed tariffs and trade policies, which have pushed investors away from riskier assets.

After his struggles in Australia, Virat Kohli returned to former batting coach Sanjay Bangar to refine his technique. The adjustments included enhanced back foot play, altered bat positioning, and a slightly opened stance, helping Kohli regain his form, as evidenced in his 51st ODI ton against Pakistan.

Sindhu Gangadharan, Nasscom chairperson, criticizes global tech giants like Meta and Amazon for reducing diversity initiatives, calling it unfortunate and urging adherence to core values. She underscores the importance of diversity in achieving global success, emphasizing its role in product development and customer satisfaction.

Stephen Curry's three-point shooting prowess sets him apart from others in the NBA. His recent performance against the Orlando Magic showcased his extraordinary skill, scoring 16 points in the second quarter alone, including a remarkable 49-foot shot. With 45 games featuring 9+ three-pointers, Curry has redefined the game, leaving competitors like Damian Lillard and Klay Thompson far behind.