Times of India

Entertainment highlights include Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma's trip to Alibaug with their children, Sonakshi Sinha requesting privacy from paparazzi, Varun Dhawan's new look for Border 2, updates on Tiku Talsania's recovery from a brain stroke, and Avneet Kaur attending a Coldplay concert.

BJP MLA Mohan Singh Bisht criticized his party's decision to field ex-AAP member Kapil Mishra for the Karawal Nagar seat, calling it a mistake. Bisht stated he will still contest from Karawal Nagar and voiced the importance of ground workers in upcoming Delhi elections.

Bangladesh fast bowler Tanzim Hasan Sakib faced controversy after a verbal exchange and shoulder bump with Pakistan's Mohammad Nawaz during a Bangladesh Premier League match. The altercation occurred after Nawaz's dismissal, requiring intervention to prevent a further escalation. Tanzim also had previous on-field disputes in the season.

Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy sparked a debate by suggesting a 70-hour workweek, followed by L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan's recommendation of a 90-hour workweek including Sundays, causing widespread criticism. Anupam Mittal humorously responded, questioning work-life balance. Subrahmanyan's controversial comments about the usefulness of time off further intensified the discussion.

Union home minister Amit Shah attributed BJP's victory in the Maharashtra assembly polls to ending the 'politics of betrayal' started by Sharad Pawar. He also criticized Uddhav Thackeray and claimed that Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena represents Balasaheb’s ideology, while Ajit Pawar’s faction is the real NCP.

India and Bangladesh addressed escalating border tensions, emphasizing a cooperative approach to crime prevention. Disputes stem from "unequal agreements" of a previous government. The efforts to install barbed wire fencing along the border were halted amid objections from the Border Guard Bangladesh.

Yograj Singh, father of cricketer Yuvraj Singh, revealed he once planned to kill Kapil Dev after being dropped from the Indian team. Yograj claimed he was restrained by Kapil's mother's presence. He accused late Bishan Singh Bedi of plotting against him and shared that Kapil later apologized, seeking reconciliation in the afterlife.

Telugu producer Suryadevara Naga Vamsi stirred the Hindi film industry by claiming Bollywood targets a niche audience, neglecting the masses. As Etimes discusses this statement in depth, ndustry insiders partly agree, noting urban-centric films and exclusion of the heartland. They suggest Bollywood should focus on mass entertainers like South Indian movies, addressing issues like OTT competition and overpriced multiplexes.

Arvind Kejriwal's claim that Ramesh Bidhuri is the BJP's chief ministerial candidate for Delhi has been denied by Bidhuri, who called it baseless. Bidhuri accused Kejriwal of misleading propaganda and reiterated his commitment to serving the people and the Bharatiya Janata Party without seeking any post.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the importance of the youth in transforming India into a developed nation, highlighting Swami Vivekananda's faith in the younger generation. Speaking on National Youth Day, Modi underscored ambitious goals, including achieving 20% ethanol blending by 2030 and hosting the Olympics. He called for active citizen involvement in realizing the vision of 'Viksit Bharat.'

Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic is in Melbourne for the Australian Open and was spotted enjoying a Big Bash League cricket match. He was amazed by Kane Richardson's impressive catch during the Melbourne Renegades vs Melbourne Stars game. Tennis players often enjoy cricket matches in cricket-loving countries like Australia and England.

Human metapneumovirus cases in northern China are decreasing, as confirmed by health officials. No new infectious diseases have been identified, and the virus, related to the respiratory syncytial virus, has existed for decades. Despite recent concerns and images of overcrowded hospitals, the World Health Organization has not reported unusual outbreaks in China or globally.

Devajit Saikia and Prabhtej Singh Bhatia were elected unopposed as BCCI secretary and treasurer, succeeding Jay Shah and Ashish Shelar. Shah vacated the secretary post to become ICC chairman, and Shelar became a cabinet minister. Saikia was previously joint secretary and had handled the secretary's duties since December 1. No voting was required for these uncontested posts.

The Election Commission refutes the government's justification for simultaneous polls citing the Model Code of Conduct, emphasizing its role in ensuring fairness. The government argues for unified elections due to financial and operational burdens. The EC maintains the MCC is crucial for equitable elections and brief application correlates with electoral cycles, minimizing disruption.

Indian chess legends, including Viswanathan Anand and D Gukesh, celebrated Pongal with traditional dance at Anand's Tamil Nadu residence. The gathering highlighted the camaraderie among top players like Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa and Vidit Gujrathi. This festive unity underscores the rising prominence of Indian chess, buoyed by recent international successes and promising future talents.

Congress has announced its third guarantee, Yuva Udaan Yojana, promising Rs 8,500 monthly for one year to every educated unemployed youth in Delhi if elected. This follows earlier pledges including Pyari Didi Yojana for women and Jeevan Raksha Yojana for health insurance.

Vinod Kambli, a former Indian cricketer, attended the 50th-anniversary celebrations of Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai amidst concerns over his health. Kambli, who was hospitalized due to complications including brain clots, urged people to avoid alcohol and narcotics. He plans to return to the field soon.

Yograj Singh, former cricketer and father of Yuvraj Singh, has criticized MS Dhoni for not giving Yuvraj enough opportunities during crucial phases of his career but has also acknowledged Dhoni's fearlessness and contributions to Indian cricket, sparking debates among fans and experts.

Malala Yousafzai urged Muslim leaders to reject the Afghan Taliban's restrictions on women's education, calling it a crime. Speaking in Islamabad, she emphasized unified action against the Taliban's gender apartheid. Despite their absence, the conference aimed at advancing girls' education highlighted strategic support for Afghan girls through scholarships and initiatives, stressing the urgency of addressing this crisis.