Times of India

Abhishek Sharma's explosive 79 off 34 balls led India to outplay England and secure a seven-wicket victory in the first T20I. Varun Chakravarthy and Arshdeep Singh shone with the ball, with Suryakumar Yadav managing bowlers efficiently. India's disciplined performance bowled out England for 132, leading the five-match series 1-0.

Abhishek Sharma's explosive 79 off 34 balls, studded with 8 sixes and 5 fours, spearheaded India's emphatic seven-wicket victory over England in the first T20I at the Eden Gardens. Supported by disciplined bowling performances, India successfully chased down England's modest total of 132, with Varun Chakravarthy and Arshdeep Singh excelling leading the bowling effort.

India will host the 2025 FIDE Chess World Cup from October 31 to November 27, as confirmed by the All India Chess Federation (AICF). The hosting city will be decided in an upcoming AICF meeting. This follows significant achievements by Indian chess players, including Gukesh Dommaraju’s historic World Chess Championship win and the team's gold medals at the 2024 Chess Olympiad.

A virtual public relations officer named Jarvis inspired by Marvel's AI assistant is transforming community engagement for Bareilly Zone police. Led by ADGP Ramit Sharma, the AI blends advanced technology with relatability to better connect with citizens. Jarvis serves as a digital ally, guiding on traffic rules and educating teenagers on societal roles.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar raised concerns over the misuse of judicial access, calling it a threat to India's governance and democracy. He criticized institutions for overstepping their jurisdiction and questioned the parliamentary provision of party discipline, citing it as a restriction on representatives' freedom of expression. Dhankhar also lamented the declining standards of parliamentary decorum.

US President Donald Trump suggests more sanctions on Russia if President Vladimir Putin does not engage in negotiating an end to the Ukraine war. Trump emphasizes the dire consequences for Russia if it continues. Putin indicates readiness for dialogue, aiming for a sustainable resolution while prioritizing Russian interests.

The Trump administration canceled plans for 10,000 refugees, who had completed a years-long vetting process, to resettle in the US. The cancellations, stemming from President Trump's executive order, affect medical exams, security clearances, and freeze the US refugee program. Special Immigrant Visa holders are exempt from this order.

Young Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh became India's leading wicket-taker in T20Is, surpassing Yuzvendra Chahal, by achieving 97 wickets in 61 matches during the first T20I against England on Wednesday. His precise yorkers and death-over bowling make him a crucial asset for the team, especially during India's transition phase in T20 cricket.

Today's entertainment news features Vicky Kaushal's 'Chhaavaa' trailer debut, Saif Ali Khan's gratitude to an auto-rickshaw driver after a burglary, rumors of a 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara' sequel, Akshay Kumar's removal from 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa' sequels, and Saif's family's risk of losing an INR 15,000 crore property.

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam questions Saif Ali Khan's rapid recovery after a six-hour surgery, while Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut calls it a medical miracle. The Bollywood actor was stabbed in his thoracic spine by an intruder but discharged from Lilavati Hospital just four days later.

Several people were killed in Maharashtra's Jalgaon district when they stepped onto tracks due to a fire rumour and were struck by another train. The incident near Pachora station involved the unscheduled halt of Pushpak Express, leading to casualties from the approaching Karnataka Express. Rescue and railway officials are coordinating efforts.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia on Wednesday confirmed adherence to ICC guidelines for Team India's jersey in the upcoming Champions Trophy. Rohit Sharma will lead with Shubman Gill as vice-captain. Jasprit Bumrah is included, pending final fitness clearance. India will play Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand in Dubai with their matches starting on February 20.

Budget 2025 income tax expectations: In anticipation of Budget 2025, individual and salaried taxpayers are urging Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to lower personal income tax rates and increase exemption thresholds.

Protests over the controversial 70th BPSC exam intensified as educator Guru Rahman attempted self-harm. Rahman joined students in demanding a re-examination, alleging a paper leak. Despite the BPSC's denial of any irregularities, the situation is being reviewed in the High Court. Prominent political figures, including Rahul Gandhi, have shown support. The state's response is awaited.

OpenAI, led by Sam Altman, has announced a $500 billion AI infrastructure project called 'Stargate' in collaboration with SoftBank, Oracle, and MGX. Initial funding is set at $100 billion. Key partners include Arm, Microsoft, and NVIDIA. Construction has begun in Texas, with plans to expand. Elon Musk expressed skepticism about the project's funding.

ISRO's EOS-04 satellite captured detailed images of the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj. The images reveal extensive infrastructure like tent cities and pontoon bridges. Using radar technology to overcome cloud cover, ISRO's visuals assist in managing crowd control and disaster mitigation. Over 450 million devotees are expected during the event, which runs until February 26.

Divyanka Tripathi shared her experience of being scammed by her chartered accountant, who manipulated her into signing fraudulent forms and disappeared with Rs 12 lakh. Despite her busy schedule and initial trust in the CA, this incident underscores the importance of meticulous financial vetting and vigilance.