Times of India

The Ministry of External Affairs has urged around 9,000 Indian citizens, primarily students in Iran, to depart the country due to recent developments. Advisories have been issued for both those in Iran and those planning to travel there. India is actively monitoring the situation and preparing to assist citizens wishing to return home.

Aaryan Varshney became India’s 92nd chess Grandmaster at 21, guided entirely by his father Gaurav, a single parent since Aaryan was five. With no coach, academies, or foreign training, Gaurav trained him at home using game analysis and ChessBase. Overcoming pandemic hurdles, Aaryan rose rapidly and now dreams of becoming a World Champion.

Stock markets will observe a rare Sunday trading session on February 1, allowing investors immediate reaction to the Union Budget 2026-27. Both BSE and NSE announced full-day trading, with pre-open from 9 am to 9:08 am and regular trading from 9:15 am to 3:30 pm.

AR Rahman discusses his collaboration with Hans Zimmer for Nitesh Tiwari's 'Ramayana,' highlighting his respect for Hindu mythology despite being Muslim. He emphasizes the epic's moral core and the importance of seeking wisdom universally. Rahman sees the project as a global message of love, uniting diverse backgrounds.

During a heated press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confronted a journalist regarding a deadly ICE shooting, branding his inquiries as one-sided and accusing him of partisanship.

A Black Hawk helicopter, known as the Yanshuf, crashed while being airlifted after an emergency landing earlier this week due to severe weather in Gush Etzion. The harness reportedly tore mid-lift, causing the helicopter to fall near a house. No injuries were reported, and an investigation has been ordered.

Indian households are shifting from traditional savings like gold and cash to market-linked investments such as mutual funds and equities. This trend, accelerated by digital access and financial literacy, sees a significant rise in individual investors, particularly younger demographics and women, seeking inflation-beating returns.

That day, a terrorist organisation’s desire to imbibe a little culture by paragliding into a music festival ended up rewriting the world order. The story that followed could have been directed by Quentin Tarantino: gory, non-linear, with all threads interconnected and a few perverts thrown in. Israel’s furious response, with help from Uncle Sam, led to the dismantling of Iran’s Axis of Resistance, tangentially hastened Trump’s return to the White House, and reminded Russia, China, and even Europe who is Daddy.

Bangladesh Cricketers’ Welfare Association president Mohammad Mithun faces death threats after advocating for players subjected to derogatory remarks. He insists his actions are solely for player welfare, especially with the T20 World Cup approaching. Mithun expressed shock at the threats, emphasizing his commitment to player rights and national interest, not politics.

The Mahayuti alliance, comprising BJP and Shiv Sena, has secured a dominant performance in Maharashtra's local body elections, leading in key municipal corporations including Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur. This victory is being hailed as a mandate for Prime Minister Modi's policies and nationalism, with opposition parties like Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP, and Congress facing significant setbacks.

While Virat Kohli shines with consecutive fifties, Rohit Sharma faces scrutiny in the ongoing ODI series. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate attributes Sharma's recent modest scores to challenging pitch conditions and a lack of recent match practice, emphasising his team-first approach and overall strong ODI record.

In a light-hearted twist following the BJP's victory in the Maharashtra civic elections, MP PC Mohan cheekily took a dig at Raj Thackeray by referencing 'rajmalai'. This comes on the heels of Thackeray’s playful jab at K Annamalai, calling him 'rasmalai' during a spirited debate on Mumbai's essence.

Congress is leading in the Latur Municipal Corporation elections, ahead of the BJP in early trends. This closely watched contest unfolds amidst Maharashtra's ongoing civic polls, where the ruling alliance has shown strong performance. The LMC results follow a tight race in 2017, with the BJP then emerging as the largest party.

Nipah virus, a deadly bat-borne illness, has resurfaced in West Bengal, raising concerns after past outbreaks in India. Initial symptoms mimic common fevers, leading to delayed diagnosis. With a high fatality rate and no cure, early detection and isolation are crucial. Experts urge vigilance as the virus progresses rapidly, causing severe neurological issues.

Early trends indicate the Mahayuti alliance, led by BJP and Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, is poised to end the Shiv Sena (UBT)'s 30-year dominance in the BMC. The alliance is leading in over 110 wards, with BJP showing significant strength. Similar trends are observed in Pune, where BJP is displacing the Pawars.

The Nationalist Congress Party, split into factions led by Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar, faced a significant setback in the Pimpri-Chinchwad and Pune municipal elections. Despite campaigning together, both factions suffered losses, with the BJP leading in a majority of wards. This performance raises questions about the potential merger of the NCP factions.

As mentioned before, the Nexon EV gets two battery pack options - 30kWh and 45kWh. Powering both variants is a front-mounted electric motor that delivers 145 hp and 215 nm. The 38kWh version offers an ARAI-certified range of 325km, while the 45kWh version provides a range of 489km on a full charge.