Times of India

Amid speculation of internal discord within INDIA alliance, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav denies any rift, asserting the alliance's unity. Contrasting opinions emerge from within, with some leaders blaming Congress for failing to maintain unity post-elections, while others prioritize direct contests against BJP.

Lohri is a vibrant celebration in Punjab, marking winter's end and the harvest season's start. Families gather around bonfires, singing, dancing, and sharing sweets as symbols of goodwill. The festival strengthens bonds, spreads happiness, and expresses gratitude for nature's bounty and life's blessings.

Tamil Nadu's governor criticized chief minister MK Stalin for calling his walkout 'childish,' after Ravi protested the omission of the National Anthem at the assembly's opening session. Stalin defended the state's tradition of playing the Tamil Anthem at the start and the National Anthem at the end.

Ira Jadhav of Mumbai set a new record with an unbeaten 346 runs off 157 balls in the Women’s U19 One Day Trophy against Meghalaya. Her innings, featuring 42 fours and 16 sixes, led Mumbai to a massive 563/3. Supported by significant partnerships with Hurley Gala and Diksha Pawar, Jadhav's score is now the highest in tournament history.

In Bijapur's National Park area, police found three Maoists bodies and a significant cache of weapons and explosives. The discovery followed an IED attack that injured a CRPF jawan. Ongoing search operations are underway, with recent encounters at the Sukma-Bijapur border resulting in additional casualties and the recovery of additional weapons.

Shaheen Shah Afridi's Test cricket future is uncertain as he has been repeatedly sidelined since early 2024. Pakistan selectors excluded him from the upcoming West Indies series to keep him fresh for the ICC Champions Trophy. Despite his desire to play, Shaheen has missed several key Test matches, raising questions about his role in the Test format.

Bangladesh's 15-member squad for the ICC Men's Champions Trophy is missing veteran Shakib Al Hasan, who is banned from bowling under ECB jurisdiction. Shanto will captain the team, with Mushfiqur and Mahmudullah leading. Newcomers include Parvez Hossain Emon and rising pacer Nahid Rana. Despite setbacks, the team aims for the title.

Arvind Kejriwal, AAP national convenor, accuses BJP of planning to demolish slums for land acquisition if elected in Delhi assembly elections. He dismisses BJP’s housing scheme, alleging poor implementation and displacement plans without adequate housing solutions. Delhi elections are on February 5 with results on February 8.

India's squad for the T20I series against England has raised eyebrows with the exclusion of Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Aakash Chopra questions these decisions, highlighting Pant's talent and potential and suggesting that Jaiswal could have been given a chance. Chopra also critiques the lack of a third opener, raising concerns for the upcoming series.

Independent MP Pappu Yadav called for a Bihar bandh to demand the cancellation of the BPSC exam, alleging a question paper leak. Despite the government ordering a fresh test, protests and demonstrations continue. Yadav plans to collaborate with other party leaders to support affected students and disrupt House proceedings from March 21.

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi launched a crowdfunding campaign, urging public support for her election bid from the Kalkaji seat. Highlighting BJP's financial power, she emphasized AAP's reliance on honest public contributions. Campaign billboards feature former CM Arvind Kejriwal, aiming to capitalize on his popularity. Atishi faces BJP's Ramesh Bhiduri in the upcoming Delhi elections.

Devastating wildfires in Los Angeles County have claimed 16 lives and damaged over 12,000 structures. The Palisades and Eaton Fires are the most severe, with widespread evacuations and disruptions. Search and rescue efforts continue, with significant support from volunteers. Officials highlight health hazards and urge caution. Governor Newsom calls for unity in addressing the disaster.

Ace fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah may miss the Champions Trophy next month due to a back injury. The selectors, who have rested him for the upcoming T20I series against England, await his complete medical report. Bumrah’s absence could be a significant blow to the Indian team as they prepare for the tournament starting February 19.

The Baltimore Ravens dominated the Pittsburgh Steelers, winning 28-14 to advance in the AFC playoffs. Lamar Jackson threw two touchdowns, and Derrick Henry rushed for 186 yards and two scores. George Pickens led the Steelers with five catches, but his performance was marred by a costly penalty and a $22,511 fine for unnecessary roughness.

Pratibha Prajapat's family has refused to accept her body after she was allegedly murdered by her partner, Sanjay Patidar, and kept in a refrigerator for over nine months. Her family had severed ties with her years ago. A community member performed the last rites while police have taken the accused into custody for questioning.

Isro's planned space docking experiment faced another delay, pushing the procedure beyond Sunday after a trial run. The agency is carefully analyzing trial data before proceeding, emphasizing the mission's complexity. Initial attempts showed promising progress, bringing satellites closer gradually, but required further validation. Limited to just three other nations, successful docking remains a challenging milestone.

Dewald Brevis' extraordinary boundary catch to dismiss Faf du Plessis highlighted the SA20 clash at Wanderers. Despite Brevis' effort and Kagiso Rabada's impressive bowling, rain ultimately led to a six-run Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) victory for Joburg Super Kings. MI Cape Town posted 140/6, but rain and a revised target of 136 runs benefited Joburg Super Kings.

New Zealand Cricket announces its 15-member squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, featuring young pacers Will O'Rourke, Ben Sears, and Nathan Smith. The squad is a mix of experience and youth, led by new captain Mitchell Santner. Kane Williamson and Tom Latham provide veteran support. The tournament begins for NZ on February 19 against Pakistan in Karachi.