Times of India

T T V Dhinakaran's AMMK has formally rejoined the NDA. He accepts Edappadi K Palaniswami as the coalition's chief ministerial candidate. This move has caused concern among AMMK supporters. Dhinakaran will attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally. Seat-sharing talks are underway for the alliance.

Veteran investor George Noble warns OpenAI is "falling apart" despite its $500 billion valuation. He cites internal "Code Red" alerts, declining ChatGPT traffic, massive quarterly losses of $12 billion, and unsustainable costs for tools like Sora. Key departures and Elon Musk's lawsuit further highlight significant internal turmoil and financial strain.

Reports claiming Pakistan has halted T20 World Cup 2026 preparations in support of Bangladesh have been dismissed by former cricketers. Kamran Akmal called the idea illogical, stressing no official PCB or government statement exists. Basit Ali said any decision depends on the government and noted broadcasters would oppose withdrawal, especially due to the India–Pakistan match. The issue stems from Bangladesh’s refusal to play in India over security concerns.

Prostate cancer is a growing concern in India, often missed due to subtle symptoms mistaken for aging. Early signs like frequent urination or blood in urine are frequently ignored. This lack of awareness and discussion delays diagnosis. Experts urge men over 40 to undergo regular check-ups, especially with a family history, to ensure early detection and successful treatment.

Indian Oil Corporation is ready to process Venezuelan crude if supplies resume, recalling past imports. The company's robust refineries can handle the oil, according to its chairman. This comes amid geopolitical shifts and India's strong economic growth, which attracts global business interest. IOCL continues to invest in the energy sector.

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara stated that the state government swiftly suspended DGP K Ramachandra Rao following unverified sleaze videos, deeming such acts unacceptable. He emphasized that disciplinary action was initiated regardless of seniority, with potential dismissal if charges are proven true. The minister also addressed opposition criticism, asserting that the law will take its course in all matters.

A Danish lawmaker in the European Parliament used strong language to condemn US President Donald Trump's interest in Greenland. The President has repeatedly expressed a desire to bring the Arctic territory under American control. This move has sparked concerns about Greenland's sovereignty among European representatives. The lawmaker's outburst reflects growing frustration over Trump's public pressure on the issue.

Air Force One, carrying President Trump, made an unexpected return to Joint Base Andrews due to a minor electrical issue mid-flight. The President and his team will board a different aircraft to continue their journey to Davos for the World Economic Forum. The White House confirmed the decision was made out of an abundance of caution.

The Indian rupee hit a new low of 91.20 against the US dollar on Wednesday, extending its downward trend. This depreciation is attributed to strong dollar demand from metal importers, continued foreign fund outflows, and geopolitical uncertainties. The domestic stock market's sluggish performance also contributed to the rupee's decline.

National record holder Dev Meena and his teammates were delayed for hours at Panvel station, missing their train to Bhopal. Railway officials demanded a penalty for their pole vault equipment, deeming them 'steel pipes'. Despite explaining their athlete status, the team paid a fine and incurred extra travel costs, causing significant inconvenience.

Indian equity benchmarks Nifty50 and BSE Sensex opened lower on Wednesday, mirroring global weakness driven by escalating US-Europe trade tensions and Trump's policies. Analysts anticipate a short-term technical rebound due to oversold conditions, advising caution and a wait-and-watch approach for stability.

India's first Vande Bharat sleeper train, designed for faster overnight travel, faced immediate criticism after a video emerged showing litter scattered across a coach shortly after its inaugural run. The incident sparked widespread social media commentary on the lack of civic sense among some passengers.

India’s ODI series loss to New Zealand has put captain Shubman Gill’s leadership under scrutiny. Former spinner R Ashwin said India lacked clarity in using bowling resources during crucial middle overs. Comparing Gill to Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni, Ashwin felt India failed to apply timely pressure, questioned Kuldeep Yadav’s limited use, and suggested Gill appeared cautious under pressure with no clear backup plan.

Global markets experienced a significant downturn Tuesday, with US indices suffering their worst day in three months following President Trump's new tariff threats against Europe. This sparked a broad sell-off, pushing gold higher and impacting Bitcoin. Indian markets also mirrored the global decline, with both Nifty and Sensex falling over 1%.

In a major confession from a Western leader against the unbridled and unchecked American hegemony, the Canadian PM said the Western nations "avoided calling out the gaps between rhetoric and reality" as the American hegemony helped provide public goods. Carney, without naming US president Donald Trump, who have been hostile towards Canada ​ever before assuming office a year ago, tore into the Republican leader, saying: "You cannot live within the lie of mutual benefit through integration when integration becomes the source of your subordination."

Budget 2026 expectations: India does not need a larger financial system. It needs a system where liquidity is deeper.

On Wednesday, Delhi-NCR was engulfed by a dense layer of smog, as the Air Quality Index soared to 341, marking it as 'very poor' yet again. Following a weekend where air quality neared 'severe' conditions, the situation has slightly improved; however, many neighborhoods continue to experience alarming 'severe' levels of pollution.

India face a resurgent New Zealand in a T20 series, a crucial test for the T20 World Cup squad. Captain Suryakumar Yadav seeks to regain form amidst batting concerns, while Ishan Kishan is set to bat at number three. New Zealand, buoyed by recent successes, aims for a T20 hat-trick against India.

Nasa astronaut Sunita Williams has retired after 27 years. She completed three missions on the International Space Station and set records for spacewalks and time in orbit. Williams' career included space shuttle flights and a recent test flight on Boeing's Starliner. Her contributions pave the way for future space exploration.