Times of India

Pune police are investigating claims by former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar. She alleges a recently hired domestic help from Nepal drugged her and her parents, tied them up, and stole valuables and mobile phones from their Baner Road residence. Khedkar managed to free herself and alert authorities.

India faces escalating disaster risks due to geography, climate change, and development patterns, as starkly illustrated in 2025 by devastating floods and heatwaves. While response capacity has improved, a persistent imbalance favors reactive relief over proactive preparedness, a gap highlighted by contrasting events like Cyclone Phailin and Bihar's recurring floods.

Investor Michael Burry, famous from 'The Big Short,' is betting against Oracle, citing concerns over its AI infrastructure expansion and significant debt. He holds put options and has directly shorted the stock. Burry avoids shorting tech giants like Google and Microsoft, believing their core businesses offer stability despite AI investments.

A humble sugarcane juice vendor from Kannur, Hashim VP, has turned his roadside stall into a launchpad for global exploration. For nearly three decades, his earnings have funded trips to ten countries, including Israel and Egypt. Now, the 67-year-old is preparing for his next adventure to China with his wife and brother, proving dreams can be realized through dedication.

Lohri 2026, on January 13th, celebrates the end of winter with bonfires, songs, and traditional delicacies, honoring harvest and longer days. This vibrant festival in northern India, especially Punjab, signifies gratitude, hard work, and intergenerational togetherness, marking the Sun's Capricorn entry and ushering in prosperity.

Iran faces a near-total internet blackout amid widespread anti-government protests, with connectivity plummeting to below 2% of normal levels. This "internet kill switch" is a deliberate move by authorities to curb communication, disrupt protest coordination, and limit coverage of alleged abuses by security forces. The severe shutdown, impacting essential services, is among the most extreme recorded in the country.

Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand due to a side strain sustained during training. The wicketkeeper-batter suffered an oblique muscle tear after being hit by a delivery. This setback comes after his return from a toe fracture. Dhruv Jurel has been named as Pant’s replacement.

A junior hockey coach in Rewari has been arrested for allegedly raping and impregnating a minor Class 12 student. The girl reported the incident, which occurred four months prior, leading to a miscarriage. An FIR was registered under the POCSO Act, and the accused coach is currently in police remand.

In-form wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel has been drafted into India’s ODI squad as Rishabh Pant’s replacement after the latter was ruled out with a side strain. Jurel joins the team on the back of a prolific Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign, where he has scored 558 runs and led Uttar Pradesh to the top of Elite Group B.

A 19-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped by five men, including a Dial-112 driver, in Korba, Chhattisgarh. Police have apprehended two suspects, one being the driver, while three others are still at large. The incident, which occurred on Thursday night, has deeply embarrassed the police force. Investigations are ongoing, with teams actively pursuing the remaining accused.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) had raised concerns over obscene and harmful content allegedly generated by Elon Musk’s chatbot Grok. The ministry sent a letter to X (formerly Twitter), the social media website owned by Elon Musk, pointing out failures in moderating AI-generated content on its platform.

Virat Kohli's preparation for the ODI series against New Zealand in Vadodara was marked by intense net sessions and a heartwarming fan interaction. A young fan's striking resemblance to a younger Kohli drew widespread amusement online, with many dubbing him 'Mini VK'. Kohli continues his impressive ODI form, aiming to maintain momentum against the Blackcaps.

Former DGP Rashmi Shukla's pre-retirement report recommends FIRs against ex-DGP Sanjay Pandey and two others. They are accused of conspiring to implicate Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde in a 2016 ULC certificates scam. Shukla's report details alleged pressure on a businessman to falsely implicate the leaders.

Protests erupted across the United States following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Demonstrations, organized under the banner "ICE out for good," occurred in major cities and small towns, fueled by videos of the incident and differing accounts from state and federal officials.

Virat Kohli's leadership shone during India's training camp as he motivated a local net bowler, emphasising conviction in bowling. After an intense session, Kohli offered encouragement and signed a ball, demonstrating his commitment to developing talent and his own sharp form ahead of the ODI series.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta expressed pain over AAP members using her verbal slips to attack her, alleging they cannot tolerate a woman leading the government. She also criticized Arvind Kejriwal's past promises and the transition to the 'Sheesh Mahal', while highlighting the government's efforts in public transport and pollution control.

Trump’s interest in Greenland may also be driven by domestic political considerations. With mid-term elections approaching later this year, there is concern that the president may seek a dramatic foreign policy move to divert attention from the US economy, amid fears Republicans could lose control of Congress to Democrats," the Mail reported, citing British diplomatic sources.

US forces launched significant strikes across Syria targeting ISIS, a retaliatory move for a deadly December 13th ambush in Palmyra. The operation, named 'Hawkeye Strike,' directly responds to an ISIS attack that claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter. This action underscores the US commitment to eradicating terrorist threats and protecting its personnel in the region.