Times of India

In a surprising turn, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un embraced a lighter moment during a visit to a newly refurbished hot springs resort alongside his daughter. The lavish mountain complex, boasting state-of-the-art facilities, is touted as a symbol of the country's advancement.

Elon Musk poked fun at Donald Trump's "Board of Peace," questioning if it was about "piece" of territory. Trump launched the board in Davos as part of his plan to end the Gaza war, with several nations joining. However, France and Slovenia declined, citing conflicts with international law and order.

In a passionate denunciation, Congressman Shri Thanedar has taken a stand against President Trump's controversial comments regarding the tragic death of Renee Nicole Good at the hands of an ICE agent. Instead of expressing sympathy, Trump chose to highlight the deceased's father's political views, prompting Thanedar to describe the President as a 'deranged sociopath.

A Meitei man visiting his Kuki fiancée in Churachandpur was abducted and shot dead on camera, sparking outrage and fresh tensions in Manipur. The victim, M Rishikanta, was found dead near Natjang village. The perpetrators' video message read "No Peace, No Popular Government." The case is now being handed over to the NIA for investigation.

A sacred guardian statue at the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Cary, North Carolina, was vandalized on January 18. Hindu advocacy groups are condemning the act as an attack on their community, urging a thorough investigation into potential bias. Police are reviewing surveillance footage, and restoration efforts are underway, with no arrests made yet.

Congress has issued a strong directive to its Punjab leaders, demanding an end to public displays of internal discord and factionalism. Party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi emphasized unity for the 2027 assembly elections, assuring no immediate leadership changes. Leaders must raise concerns internally, not through media, to present a united front for victory.

Sophie Devine's stellar all-round performance, featuring an unbeaten 50 and two wickets, powered Gujarat Giants to a dominant 45-run victory over UP Warriorz. After posting 153/8, the Giants' disciplined bowling attack, spearheaded by Rajeshwari Gayakwad's three wickets, restricted UP to 108, ending a three-match losing streak and propelling Gujarat to second in the WPL standings.

The Bombay High Court sharply questioned the Maharashtra government's adherence to the rule of law, asking if the Chief Minister was too "helpless" to act against a minister whose son has evaded arrest for weeks. The court's remarks came after the police failed to apprehend the minister's son following the rejection of his pre-arrest bail plea.

Pakistan has formally backed Donald Trump's Gaza "Board of Peace", unveiled in Davos, placing it closer to a US-led post-war framework for Gaza. This move, contrasting with India's abstention and European nations' opt-out, raises questions about potential troop contributions to an International Stabilisation Force, despite domestic political and economic challenges.

South Korea has launched the AI Basic Act, the world's first comprehensive legal framework for artificial intelligence, aiming to become a global AI powerhouse. While the law mandates human oversight in high-impact areas and clear AI-generated content labeling, local startups express concerns about "regulatory risk" stifling innovation, despite a one-year grace period for compliance.

The tragic death of a techie has intensified the CBI's probe into Noida's Sports City project, focusing on Wiztown Planners Pvt Ltd. The investigation into alleged irregularities, including financial losses and regulatory lapses, has widened following the incident and a CAG report highlighting systemic failures.

In a groundbreaking achievement, Ryan Coogler's 'Sinners,' a vampire thriller featuring Michael B. Jordan, has dominated the 98th Academy Awards with an unprecedented 16 nominations. The film is making waves in major categories like Best Picture and Best Director, surpassing all previous records and marking a monumental milestone for the film industry and its visionary creators.

Massive crowds, curiosity and warmth defined the Pune Grand Tour as India embraced elite international cycling with rare fervour. From Saswad to Baramati, spectators lined roads normally meant for everyday life, leaving visiting teams stunned by the turnout and hospitality. Beyond results and jerseys, the inaugural race revealed India’s untapped appetite for global sporting spectacles.

A 34-year-old actor and producer has approached the police in Maharashtra’s Sangli district, alleging that he was cheated of Rs 40 lakh by composer and filmmaker Palaash Muchhal. Police confirmed on Thursday that no First Information Report (FIR) has been registered so far in the matter.

This is why the ongoing Beckham family fallout and the long, slow implosion of Meghan Markle’s relationship with the British Royal Family belong in the same analytical universe. Not because one involves footballers and fashion designers while the other involves crowns and castles, but because both are stories about institutions mistaking themselves for families, families mistaking discipline for love, and younger generations refusing to accept that inheritance must come with silence as its price.

Pakistan's T20 series promo against Australia subtly reignites the handshake controversy with India. A video suggests a tourist forgot to shake hands, implying they learned this from India. This comes after Indian players previously avoided handshakes with Pakistani counterparts following terror attacks. The series is a build-up to the T20 World Cup.

Netflix's animated hit, KPop Demon Hunters, has earned two Oscar nominations for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song. The film, released in June 2025, follows K-pop stars Rumi, Mira, and Zoey as they secretly battle demons using music. Its nominated song, "Golden," plays during a crucial scene revealing a major plot twist.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy contrasted Venezuelan leader Maduro's trial with Russian President Putin's freedom, questioning why the instigator of a major European war remains at large. Zelenskyy's remarks, made at the World Economic Forum, followed Putin's suggestion to use frozen Russian assets for Ukraine's reconstruction and a Gaza ceasefire plan.