Times of India

India's stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah left the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) with the team's doctor during the second session of play against Australia on Saturday. Bumrah, who returned to the field after lunch, bowled just one over before walking off, leaving former captain Virat Kohli to take over the on-field responsibilities.

Manipur's Kangpokpi district witnessed violence as Kuki-Zo protesters clashed with police, injuring the SP and others. The mob attacked the SP's office, vandalized vehicles, and demanded the withdrawal of central forces from Saibol village. Police intervened to control the situation.

A cyber extortionist was arrested in Delhi for impersonating a US-based freelancer and using virtual international numbers to create fake profiles on dating apps. He targeted women aged 18-30, gaining their trust and later blackmailing them with intimate content to extort money. Police seized a mobile phone, virtual numbers, and 13 credit cards.

Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra disclosed over $400 million in assets, including luxury items like handbags and watches, after taking office in September. Paetongtarn, part of the influential Shinawatra family, reported significant investments and properties. Her father Thaksin remains a major political figure in Thailand, highlighting the link between wealth and power in the nation.

Justice C T Ravikumar, hailing from a scheduled caste family in Kerala, pursued a successful career in law, culminating as a judge of the Supreme Court of India. His retirement on January 5 marked the end of an over four-decade-long judicial journey filled with dedication and respect for the legal profession.

Army soldier Matthew Livelsberger committed suicide and set off an explosion near Trump hotel in Las Vegas to highlight societal issues. His notes revealed grievances about the country's direction. The explosion injured seven people but caused no major damage. Livelsberger, a Green Beret, was struggling with PTSD and recent health issues.

A New Year's party in Rohini turned fatal as 40-year-old Dharmender was murdered by neighbors after requesting them to lower the music volume for his children's sleep. The tragedy has highlighted neighborhood safety and noise pollution issues. The family is devastated, with three young children left fatherless. Local authorities are urged to enforce stricter noise regulations.

A zilla parishad school in Hiwali village, Maharashtra, stands out with its innovative approach, integrating academic lessons with practical skills like welding and organic farming. The transformation, led by Keshav Gavit since 2009, has greatly improved student engagement and academic achievements, garnering the attention of state education minister Dada Bhuse.

Punjab govt has urged Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's intervention in resolving the farmers' protest at the Punjab-Haryana border. In a letter, Punjab's agriculture minister highlighted the ongoing hunger strike by farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal and sought actions aligned with the Supreme Court's directions.

India and the Maldives have reaffirmed their commitment to bilateral cooperation during a meeting between foreign minister S Jaishankar and his Maldivian counterpart Abdulla Khaleel. Both sides signed a MoU to implement High Impact Community Development Projects in the Maldives with Indian grant assistance, emphasizing India’s 'Neighbourhood First' policy.

Congress accuses the BJP government of violating the Places of Worship Act, 1991, and plans to join the Supreme Court case demanding adherence to the law. The party will file an application, highlighting the political stance regarding the recent developments and accusations of BJP's role in court applications.

Official sources have questioned the valuation of a 7.5-carat lab-grown diamond gifted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Jill Biden. They suggest the actual market value is between Rs 1.1 lakh and Rs 1.9 lakh, much lower than the US state department's assessment of $20,000, pointing out recent price drops in lab-grown diamonds.

Australian opener Sam Konstas drew criticism for his aggressive confrontation with India's Jasprit Bumrah during the SCG Test. His heated interactions, particularly in the tense final over, led to Usman Khawaja's dismissal and celebrations by the Indian team. Luminaries like Adam Gilchrist reflected negatively on Konstas' approach.

India's coastline has significantly expanded from 7,516km in 1970 to 11,098km in 2023-24, driven by new measurement methodologies. Gujarat and Bengal saw the most growth, while Puducherry's coastline shrank. The recalculations reflect advances in accurately measuring coastline features, boosting economic prospects in coastal states like AP with new ports and infrastructure projects.

The draft rules for the DPDP Act released by the IT ministry in India state that children under 18 can join social media platforms only with parental consent. Restrictions are imposed on transferring certain personal data outside India, affecting companies like Meta and Google. Stakeholder comments on these rules will be accepted until February 18.

India has lodged a strong protest with China over the creation of two counties in Hotan prefecture, which include areas in Ladakh. India has also raised concerns about China's hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo river in Tibet, emphasizing transparency and consultation with downstream states.

A CBI court sentenced 10 individuals to life imprisonment and four others, including ex-CPM MLA KV Kunhiraman, to five years for the 2019 murder of two Youth Congress workers in Kerala. The court imposed a fine of Rs 2 lakh on each of the life-term convicts.

Home Minister Amit Shah prioritises 100% renewable energy in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep using solar panels and windmills. He reviews progress, stressing the need for a holistic approach to infrastructure projects, highlighting the focus on tourism and trade while preserving cultural heritage.

A new study reveals that only 25% of India's population has access to stroke-ready hospitals. With 1.5 million stroke cases annually, treatment options like IVT and EVT are limited, especially in the central, east, and north-east regions. Southern states, Chandigarh, Kerala, and Delhi have the best coverage.

Train operations between Jammu and Srinagar will begin in the coming weeks, including a Vande Bharat train taking three hours and 10 minutes. Services will start from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, with round trips daily. Railways also introduced a new Jammu rail division and continue speed trials for the Vande Bharat sleeper train.