Times of India

Jack Smith, the special counsel who pursued two federal cases against President-elect Donald Trump, has stepped down from his position. His resignation revealed in a legal filing footnote, marks the end of a tumultuous tenure of courtroom losses and political tension. His resignation was expected before Trump’s inauguration, who had vowed to remove him from his role.

Joburg Super Kings secured a six-run victory over MI Cape Town using the DLS method in a rain-affected SA20 clash. A revised target of 136 runs from 19 overs saw JSK ahead by six runs when rain halted play. Leus du Plooy and Wihan Lubbe were not out at the stoppage, while MI Cape Town's Kagiso Rabada excelled with 2/10.

Dubai Capitals won by one run against MI Emirates in ILT20 Season 3's opener, with Gulbadin Naib's precise bowling leading the way. Despite Nicholas Pooran's 61 for MI Emirates, Naib's dismissal of Pooran and Olly Stone's tight bowling secured victory. Fazalhaq Farooqi's 5 for 15 restricted Capitals to 133/8, but their bowlers defied the odds.

Bangladesh's interim government claims that attacks on minorities, especially Hindus, are politically motivated, despite evidence suggesting communal intolerance. Since August 2024, 115 cases have been registered, with 100 arrests made. Officials report that only 20 incidents were communal and the rest politically driven, reiterating a zero-tolerance policy towards such violence.

A school principal in Dhanbad allegedly made 80 Class X girls remove their shirts with messages during Pen Day, leading to an investigation by a five-member committee formed by the deputy commissioner. Parents and an MLA demanded action against the principal, who denies the allegations. The committee is reviewing CCTV footage and questioning staff members to gather more information.

Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar expressed concerns over the hiring of retired individuals and the extension of government officials' tenures, suggesting it hinders career progression for others. Speaking at the National Conference of State Public Service Commissions in Bengaluru, Dhankhar emphasized the importance of objectivity and non-favoritism in public service appointments.

India has joined the UN committee of experts on big data and data science for official statistics, marking a significant advancement in the country's statistical ecosystem. This membership enables India to leverage data and technology for decision making and showcases its commitment to modernizing statistical processes for informed policy formulation.

Sanjay Raut emphasizes that Congress is responsible for maintaining the India alliance formed against BJP before the Lok Sabha polls. He highlights the lack of meetings and a convenor since the elections, questioning the bloc's sustainability. Congress insists the alliance remains strong, despite internal disagreements.

Taylor Swift, the billionaire pop star, continues to break records, becoming the most followed woman on Spotify with 130 million followers. She recently concluded her successful Eras Tour, generating $2.2 billion in revenue. Currently, Taylor is on a break, spending quality time with her boyfriend, NFL star Travis Kelce, while supporting him during the NFL playoffs.

Union home minister Amit Shah revealed that 7% of India's population is involved in illegal drug use. He highlighted the government's efforts to eliminate this menace, reporting record drug seizures and the destruction of narcotics to demonstrate their commitment to eradicating drug abuse.

DJ Akademiks has sparked controversy with allegations that NBA star LeBron James has been unfaithful to his wife, assisted by rapper Drake. The claims emerged amid a feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar. Neither LeBron nor Drake has addressed the accusations, leaving fans to speculate. This scandal has created significant media buzz.

In Luna village, painted storks are valued highly by the residents, who have significantly reduced their kite flying activities during Uttarayan to protect the birds. Awareness programs and vigilance have fostered a strong bond between villagers and storks, ensuring the birds' safety and curbing hunting practices.

Indian diplomatic efforts successfully convinced Indonesia not to club President Prabowo Subianto's Republic Day visit to India with a simultaneous official travel to Pakistan. It remains unclear if his proposed visit to Islamabad will proceed as initial reports suggest he may fly to Malaysia instead.

Residents in Manipur's Kamjong district set a temporary Assam Rifles camp on fire during protests against continuous frisking and harassment. The situation escalated when Assam Rifles personnel stopped timber transport, despite a local MLA's intervention. The confrontation led to the firing of tear gas and air shots, further fueling the unrest.

A CAG report has identified major irregularities in Delhi's excise policy from 2017 to 2021, costing the exchequer Rs 2,027 crore. Key issues include unauthorized pricing discretion for liquor manufacturers, lack of quality control, and ignored expert recommendations, leading to political criticisms against the AAP government.

Mohammad Salim acknowledges the impact of a triangular contest in the Delhi elections, with minority votes potentially divided between AAP and Congress. While AAP's focus on freebies and anti-BJP stance makes it favorably viewed by Muslim voters, issues like poor sanitation and public services still sway opinions. The consolidation of Muslim votes remains crucial for a decisive outcome.

A 28-year-old man, Sukhjit, died after a speeding Audi collided with his Ertiga on Ring Road in Delhi. The Audi driver, Paras Pathania, was apprehended later. Sukhjit was returning from Gurgaon and ran a transportation business. The impact left the vehicle mangled, and a case has been registered.

US antitrust regulators support Elon Musk's claims against OpenAI and Microsoft, arguing overlapping board memberships can harm competition. The lawsuit highlights LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman's roles from 2017 to 2023. Musk seeks to stop OpenAI's for-profit shift, asserting it breaches non-profit goals.