Times of India

Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant took a hit to his left knee during drills at the ICC Academy in Dubai, after being struck by a shot from Hardik Pandya. Despite initial pain and limping, Pant received medical attention, strapped his knee, and continued to the nets for practice, sharing a light moment with teammate Axar Patel. Pant was down on the ground straight away and received attention from the medical team. The youngster looked in pain when the ice pack was applied to the knee which had received a lot of damage during his horrific car crash few years back.

Team India, led by Rohit Sharma, commenced their training at the ICC Academy ahead of their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener against Bangladesh. Key players, including Virat Kohli, fine-tuned their preparations for the upcoming matches against Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand. All eyes were on star batter Virat Kohli, who spent nearly 30 minutes meticulously arranging his kitbag. He carefully inspected multiple bats before finally making his way in, dragging his signature red kit bag behind him.

India's cultural diversity is evident in the unique greetings used across various states. While 'Namaste' is widely recognized, local variations like 'Namaskaram' in Andhra Pradesh and 'Nomoskar' in Assam highlight regional traditions. States like Gujarat and Punjab invoke divine blessings through phrases like 'Jai Shri Krishna' and 'Sat Sri Akal.' These greetings underline respect, spirituality, and cultural richness.

Confusion over similar train names and multiple delays led to a deadly stampede at New Delhi Railway Station, claiming 18 lives. Miscommunication about train platforms and unexpected overcrowding were key factors, with the Ministry of Railways launching an investigation.

Nita Ambani, head of Reliance Foundation, received the Governor's Citation from Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, lauding her leadership and philanthropic contributions. She attended the ceremony in a traditional Shikargah Banarasi saree, emphasizing her commitment to India's cultural heritage on an international stage.

Authorities have released the names of 18 victims, including 14 women and five children, who died in a stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. The chaos occurred due to overcrowding and sudden platform changes. Families gathered to claim bodies, many without postmortems. Investigations are ongoing, and compensation for victims' families has been announced.

The ninth edition of the Champions Trophy will feature the top eight ODI teams. Hosted by Pakistan and the UAE, the tournament begins on February 19, 2025. Teams are split into two groups, with the top two from each advancing to the semi-finals. The final is set for March 9, contingent on India's participation.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat emphasized the unity of Hindu society and its role in shaping the nation, mentioning those who couldn't live with this nature formed their own country. He claimed internal betrayal, not the British, led to historical invasions and ruled over India.

A 57-year-old woman in Prakasam district allegedly killed her 35-year-old son due to his inappropriate behavior towards relatives. The body was dismembered and dumped in a canal. Police are searching for the accused, who are currently absconding.

Munawar Faruqui's new show 'Hafta Vasooli' on JioHotstar is causing a buzz online, with the Bigg Boss 17 winner humorously mocking Elvish Yadav over his infamous snake venom case. Faruqui also addressed the ongoing Ranveer Allahbadia controversy, openly supporting Samay Raina and making a joke about BeerBiceps' alleged arrest.

Former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav blamed the Railways for mismanagement following a stampede at New Delhi Railway Station, resulting in at least 18 deaths. The tragedy occurred when thousands of devotees rushed for trains to Prayagraj, worsened by a sudden platform change announcement and delayed train schedules.

Joint security forces in Manipur have dismantled illegal check posts set up by 'village volunteers' on Imphal-Churachandpur road to ensure free movement of vehicles. The conflict between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities since May 2023 has caused over 250 deaths. Security measures increased post-President's Rule, and an FIR was filed over fraudulent calls to legislators.

Two youths from Rajpura in Patiala district, deported by the US among 116 individuals, were arrested at Amritsar airport for their involvement in a 2023 murder case. The suspects, Sandeep Singh alias Sunny and Pradeep Singh, were immediately taken into custody upon arrival on Saturday night.

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for an emergency meeting of European leaders to discuss the actions of US President Donald Trump. This meeting will be held on Monday in Paris. The aim is to address recent moves by Trump that have raised concerns about his influence on European security and Nato.

Mumbai Indians coach Charlotte Edwards expressed concern over contentious run-out decisions that influenced their narrow defeat to Delhi Capitals. Several disputed umpiring calls, involving the LED stumps, resulted in three D.C. players being ruled not out. Edwards emphasised the impact of these decisions on the game’s outcome, while praising Shikha Pandey’s performance in limiting MI’s score.

A tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station has resulted in the death of 18 individuals following a crowd surge of passengers heading to Maha Kumbh. Victims' belongings were scattered across the premises, while rescue efforts ensued. Compensation for victims and their families has been announced by the Railways.

US Vice President JD Vance faced criticism after comparing Elon Musk to Greta Thunberg at the Munich Security Conference, sparking backlash from German officials. Vance emphasized internal threats to European democracy and criticized immigration policies, referencing a recent attack in Munich. President Trump backed Vance, highlighting concerns over free speech and immigration in Europe.

Vance’s speech at the conference shifted focus away from expected discussions on Ukraine and NATO defense policies. Instead, he criticized European nations for suppressing free speech and urged them to remove barriers preventing far-right parties from joining government. His remarks were widely condemned by European leaders.

The Department of Government Efficiency led by Elon Musk announced major spending cuts, including canceling $21 million for increasing voter turnout in India. Other cancellations include $29 million for political strengthening in Bangladesh and $40 million for a gender equality hub. These actions align with DOGE's mission to cut 'wasteful' spending, but have sparked controversy.