Times of India

Land, often overlooked in India's real estate discussions, is emerging as a key asset driven by policy and urban planning. Unlike buildings, land's value hinges on location, zoning, and infrastructure, influenced by government decisions that precede visible construction and dictate future urban growth patterns.

India's T20 World Cup squad is planning a practice match on February 4 due to injury concerns for Washington Sundar and Tilak Varma. Selectors are exploring options like playing South Africa or India 'A' players. Riyan Parag is being prepared as a potential backup, with his fitness to be assessed soon.

President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over the main ceremony at Kartavya Path in the national capital. The President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, also attended the celebrations as chief guests. Kartavya Path, which runs from Rashtrapati Bhavan to the National War Memorial, was extensively decorated to reflect India’s journey over the years.

Republic Day celebrations at Kartavya Path will highlight the 150th anniversary of the national song 'Vande Mataram'. The event will showcase India's developmental progress, military strength, and cultural diversity, with tableaux themed around 'Swatantrata ka Mantra: Vande Mataram' and 'Samriddhi ka Mantra: Aatmanirbhar Bharat'.

At least 11 people were killed and 12 injured in a soccer field shooting in Salamanca, Guanajuato, on Sunday. Security forces are searching for the perpetrators. The incident occurred in a state already grappling with high homicide rates due to criminal group conflicts.

India is set to significantly slash import duties on European cars, potentially to 40% from over 100%, as a free trade agreement with the EU nears conclusion. This move opens India's auto market, benefiting European brands like BMW and Volkswagen, while protecting domestic electric vehicle production initially. The deal aims to boost trade and diversify supply chains.

Sunrisers Eastern Cape pulled off a sensational last-over heist to beat Pretoria Capitals by six wickets and win the fourth edition of the SA20. It was their third title, having also finished runners-up last year. From the auction to structure, SEC are, undoubtedly, T20 franchise cricket's sporting dynasty.

Abhishek Sharma smashed the second-fastest T20I half-century by an Indian, reaching his fifty in just 14 balls against New Zealand. The explosive opener remained unbeaten on 68 off 20 deliveries, guiding India to an eight-wicket victory. Sharma attributed his fearless approach to team expectations and instinct.

Donald Trump urged all Democratic governors and mayors to cooperate with his administration on immigration enforcement, blaming Joe Biden for a surge in illegal immigration and rising violence. He specifically called on Minnesota's Governor Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Frey to assist in deporting "criminal illegal aliens" and demanded an end to "sanctuary cities."

India celebrates its 77th Republic Day with a grand parade on Kartavya Path, showcasing military might and cultural diversity. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and European Council president António Costa are this years chief guests, highlighting a deepening strategic partnership. Discussions on a crucial free trade agreement and a new security pact are underway, underscoring strong India-EU ties.

Budget 2026: Last year’s Budget delivered meaningful tax relief through revisions in personal income-tax slabs and enhancement of the Section 87A rebate.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has accepted the ICC's decision to replace them with Scotland in the T20 World Cup after the government refused to clear the team for travel to India due to security concerns. The BCB stated they cannot participate in the current fixture and will not pursue arbitration.

Ahead of the Republic Day celebrations, security forces in Manipur have intensified intelligence-based combing, cordon and search operations across vulnerable and fringe areas, leading to the recovery of a large cache of arms, ammunition and explosives, and the arrest of individuals linked to extortion and banned outfits.

Tech giants Microsoft and Amazon, usually fierce rivals, have joined forces to tackle Washington State's severe housing crisis. The companies jointly penned an op-ed, pledging $1.6 billion to build over 26,000 affordable homes for the community. They urge policymakers to prioritize policies that simplify and expedite construction, warning that inaction risks further economic decline and talent loss.

Venezuelan interim president Delcy Rodriguez said her government would take up long-standing disputes with Washington “face to face” through what she termed Bolivarian diplomacy, according to Xinhua news agency. She said Venezuela had never imagined that a South American capital would be subjected to a military attack by a foreign power, referring to the events of January 3, when US forces attacked Caracas and forcibly took away Maduro and his wife.

A ferry carrying over 350 people sank off the southern Philippines, resulting in at least 15 fatalities. Over 300 individuals were rescued following a distress call from a coast guard officer on board. Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the sinking, which occurred in good weather conditions.

Canada's prime minister Mark Carney denies plans for a free trade deal with China. This comes after US President Donald Trump threatened tariffs on Canadian goods. Carney affirmed Canada's commitment to the CUSMA agreement, which restricts such deals with non-market economies without prior notice. Carney said recent engagements with China focused on resolving existing tariff disputes, not broader trade pacts.

A bomb threat targeting the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on Saturday night led to heightened security and the detention of a caller from Gonda district. Preliminary inquiries suggest the individual may be mentally unstable and was intoxicated at the time of the call. Authorities are conducting a comprehensive investigation to ascertain the motive and verify the threat's credibility.

Shaadi.com founder Anupam Mittal advocates for founders stepping down as CEOs, calling it maturity, not failure. He argues that startups outgrow founders' management skills, necessitating professional leadership for sustained growth. Globally accepted, this transition is often misconstrued in India as a sign of defeat, Mittal noted.

Sunny Deol's 'Border 2' is a massive box office success, crossing the Rs 100 crore mark within just three days of its release. The patriotic war-drama, directed by Anurag Singh, has shown remarkable growth, especially with a significant jump on Sunday. The film's impressive occupancy rates indicate strong audience engagement, promising further gains during the upcoming holiday period.