Times of India

Tom Brady retired from the NFL after 23 seasons but soon joined Fox Sports with a 10-year, $375 million contract. His playful Instagram video of ice skating caught attention, with Erin Andrews humorously commenting due to her deep hockey knowledge, stemming from her NHL-star husband, Jarret Stoll. The couple welcomed their first child in 2023.

Hadi Matar was found guilty of attempting to kill novelist Salman Rushdie by repeatedly stabbing him on stage following a fatwa over The Satanic Verses. Matar faces up to 25 years in prison with sentencing set for April 23, as the trial highlighted the controversial issue of free speech and religious criticism.

Kash Patel, an Indian-origin leader, was sworn in as the FBI director on the Bhagavad Gita, marking a significant milestone for first-generation Indians in the U.S. President Trump praised Patel's qualifications and the Senate confirmed him with a 51 to 49 vote.

A Jharkhand Public Service Commission exam topper, Shalini Vijay, was found dead along with her IRS officer brother Manish and their mother in Kochi, Kerala. Investigators suspect a suicide pact following a long legal battle over the 2003 recruitment exam's fairness. Charges against Shalini and others include cheating and corruption. Autopsies are pending.

Transport minister Pratap Sarnaik stated that MSRTC is facing significant financial losses due to concessions provided to women and senior citizens, amounting to Rs 3 crore daily. However, DCM Ekanth Shinde assured that these discounts will continue despite the financial strain.

The AICC accused the BJP and RSS of taking American funds since the 60s to destabilize Congress governments. They claimed the $21 million in USAID funds mentioned by BJP were intended for Bangladesh, and questioned the lack of government oversight on such international finances impacting regional stability.

PM Modi highlighted the importance of leadership in various sectors at the SOUL conclave, aiming to foster leaders ready for disruptive changes. Bhutanese PM Tobgay praised Modi's governance and sought guidance to reform Bhutan's bureaucracy. Tobgay also discussed the Gelephu Mindfulness City project, crediting Bhutan's King and Modi's support, inviting Indian businesses to invest.

The Supreme Court of India has directed the National Medical Commission to revise its outdated 'both hands intact' requirement for MBBS aspirants, describing it as ableist. The court emphasized functional assessment of candidates and urged NMC to consider clinical accommodations and assistive technologies, ensuring equal opportunities for persons with disabilities to pursue medical courses.

Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin criticized the Modi govt over the NEP and withholding of funds, threatening to stop tax collections sent to the Centre. Stalin accused the Union govt of undermining state rights and development. Union Education Minister Pradhan urged TN to prioritize students and avoid politicizing education.

The external affairs ministry of India expressed deep concerns over US President Trump's claim that USAID allocated $21 million to increase voter turnout in India, labelling the matter as 'deeply troubling'. Indian agencies are now investigating the potential foreign interference in India's internal affairs.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, in a TOI interview, emphasized the need for year-round efforts to combat pollution with a 365-day plan. The BJP government intends to address water, dust, vehicular, and stubble pollution continuously and ensure the availability of resources for social welfare schemes amid concerns about Delhi's treasury.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his pride in the connection between the RSS and Marathi language at the 98th Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan. He praised the recognition of Marathi as a classical language and highlighted Maharashtra's rich cultural heritage and contributions to India's freedom struggle.

Stephen Curry is expected to play as the Golden State Warriors face the Sacramento Kings on February 21, 2025. However, Jonathan Kuminga will be absent due to an ankle injury, which could impact the Warriors' rotation. The matchup includes key players like Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine for the Kings, promising a competitive game.

External affairs minister S Jaishankar met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi and emphasized restoring mutual trust and border peace between India and China. They discussed cooperation in regional and multilateral forums like G20. Jaishankar highlighted the significance of international cooperation despite challenging bilateral relations.

Punjab cabinet minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal has been left with only the NRI affairs portfolio as the state government scrapped the administrative reforms department. This change comes after his previous key portfolios of agriculture and rural development were reassigned during a cabinet reshuffle.

The AICC is taking a firm stance against Congress MP Shashi Tharoor. Despite a recent meeting with Rahul Gandhi, Tharoor remains dissatisfied due to lack of commitment to address his grievances and suggestions. Tharoor is unhappy about being sidelined within the party, including being removed from key positions and denied opportunities in Parliament debates.