Times of India

In Rudrapur, two men have been apprehended for allegedly raping a 25-year-old woman inside a moving car. The survivor reported being offered a ride to work, only to be driven around and assaulted before being left in a secluded spot. Police swiftly arrested both suspects and recovered the vehicle used in the crime.

India captain Suryakumar Yadav said the team deliberately chose to chase and play with six batters to test itself under pressure after a 50-run loss to New Zealand. He called it a learning experience ahead of the World Cup. New Zealand posted 215, while India were bowled out for 165 despite strong knocks from Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh.

Shivam Dube blazed away with a fifty of the highest quality, but his lone assault was not enough to save India from a 50-run defeat against New Zealand in the fourth T20I on Wednesday. Chasing a daunting 216, India were bowled out for 165, despite Dube’s superb 65 off 23 balls (3 fours, 7 sixes), as the visitors pulled the series back to 3-1.

Axar Patel credits recent ICC events, including the 2024 T20 World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy, for overcoming self-doubt and performing under pressure. His crucial contributions in knockout matches, particularly batting at No. 5 in the 2024 T20 World Cup final, significantly boosted his confidence ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has said that India still needs to address outstanding US concerns over its continued purchases of Russian crude if it hopes to obtain relief from US tariffs.

Trey Hendrickson’s run with the Cincinnati Bengals appears to be winding down. With his contract still unresolved, the team seems prepared to go in a different direction this offseason. Hendrickson played a major role in the Bengals’ defense for several seasons, but signs now point toward change as Cincinnati looks ahead.

An FIR has been registered against Ranveer Singh at the High Grounds Police Station in Bengaluru for allegedly insulting Hindu religious sentiments and the Chavundi Daiva tradition of coastal Karnataka. The case was filed on Wednesday.

Norway Chess has confirmed Germany’s top player Vincent Keymer as a participant for the 2026 event, alongside Magnus Carlsen and R Praggnanandhaa. Keymer will make his debut after a rapid rise to World No. 4. Praggnanandhaa returns for a third time, while fans still await confirmation of reigning world champion D Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi.

Bangladesh’s foreign affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Wednesday said that there was “no reason” for India to recall the family members of its diplomats from Dhaka. This comes after New Delhi cited precautionary safety concerns amid rising extremist activity ahead of the country’s general elections scheduled for February 2026.

​The India-US trade deal aims to more than double two way trade from the current level of $191 billion to $500 billion by 2030. Initial discussions on the agreement were announced during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Washington in February 2025.

Captain Hansja Sharma has made history. She is the Indian Army's first woman pilot qualified to fly the Rudra Armed Helicopter. This marks a significant milestone for Army Aviation. Captain Sharma recently led the 251 Army Aviation Squadron during the Army Day Parade 2026. She hails from Jammu and topped her training course.

Hardik Pandya stole the spotlight in the fourth T20I against New Zealand with a brilliant direct-hit run-out of captain Mitchell Santner in Visakhapatnam. The moment came in the 18th over and halted New Zealand’s late momentum. Despite strong knocks from Tim Seifert and Devon Conway, India stayed competitive through sharp bowling and energetic fielding, with Pandya’s effort proving a key turning point.

Singer Arijit Singh has announced his departure from playback singing to focus on Indian classical music and his own compositions, a decision that has surprised fans and filmmakers. The move has drawn parallels to cricketer Virat Kohli's past retirement, with fans highlighting their shared status at the peak of their careers.

Novak Djokovic, reaching the Australian Open semi-finals, stated Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal remain his biggest rivals, not current stars Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. He acknowledged their high level but emphasized his focus on creating his own history and fighting for championships, not stepping aside.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has halted new H-1B visa hiring across state agencies and public universities until May 2027, citing program abuse and prioritizing Texans for jobs. This directive contrasts with Elon Musk's push for professionals to relocate to Austin. The state, second only to California in H-1B holders, will also audit its foreign workforce.

The sudden demise of NCP chief Ajit Pawar has cast a shadow over Maharashtra's political landscape, igniting questions about the future of his party. Analysts predict a leadership crisis and uncertainty regarding the potential merger of NCP factions and their future alliance with Sharad Pawar.