Times of India

Pete Alonso's contract discussions with the New York Mets appear uncertain as the Toronto Blue Jays show strong interest in signing him. The Blue Jays are reportedly ready to offer a $116 Million deal, which surpasses the Mets' $70 Million offer. Alonso's agent, Scott Boras, might negotiate a better deal for him with the Blue Jays.

The ICC Champions Trophy is set to return for the first time since 2017. Former captains Ricky Ponting and Ravi Shastri picked India and Australia as favourites to reach the final, with England and South Africa as strong contenders for semifinals.

BJP MPs have submitted a notice against Sonia Gandhi for allegedly using derogatory remarks about the President of India, asking for disciplinary action. The BJP claimed her comments violated parliamentary ethics and decorum, aiming to protect the dignity of the highest constitutional authority. They also filed a notice against MP Pappu Yadav.

BJP mocked Rahul Gandhi for mentioning 'China' 34 times in his Lok Sabha speech. Gandhi asserted China leads India by a decade in production and data sectors. He criticized the 'Make in India' initiative, blaming its failure for China's presence in Indian territory. He voiced concerns about reliance on Chinese technology in potential conflicts.

Aaradhya Bachchan seeks Delhi High Court action to remove misleading content about her. Legal notices were issued to Google and other platforms; a hearing is set for March 17. Previously, the court ordered Google's removal of false videos about her health, stressing the need for dignity and respect for all children.

Rahul Gandhi criticized the 'Make in India' initiative, contending its failure has let China gain a foothold in Indian territory. He asserted the nation's reliance on Chinese products affects national security and emphasised that India's production capabilities must be strengthened, in collaboration with the United States.

External affairs minister S Jaishankar refuted Rahul Gandhi's claims that he traveled to the US to secure an invitation for PM Modi to attend Trump's inauguration. Jaishankar emphasized that his visit involved meeting US officials and chairing a gathering of Consuls General, with no discussion about an invitation.

The Pakistan Cricket Board is rushing to complete renovations of venues in Lahore and Karachi for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. The tri-series involving South Africa and New Zealand, starting February 8, will test these facilities. The ICC has granted an exception for this period, with the tournament set to commence on February 19.

KP Chowdary, a prominent South Indian film producer and distributor, was found dead in Goa, reportedly by suicide. Known for his work on films like Rajinikanth's Kabali, Chowdary faced personal and financial difficulties after a drug-related arrest in 2023. His death has shocked his family and the film community, highlighting mental health issues in the industry.

Surat police intervened in a troubled wedding when the groom's family walked out over a food shortage at the event, prompting distress for the bride. The police mediated, facilitated the completion of the wedding rituals at the station, and acted as 'Baratis' to ensure the ceremony's conclusion.

Former cricketer Shikhar Dhawan reflects on India’s 2013 Champions Trophy win and shared fond memories of the journey. He believes the current squad, with its blend of experience and young talent, has the potential to win the 2025 edition under Rohit Sharma's captaincy. Dhawan is confident in the form and abilities of Rohit and Virat Kohli.

Rahul Gandhi criticized the Central government for not releasing a photo of the Halwa ceremony ahead of the Union Budget, pointing out the lack of representation of OBC, tribal, and Dalit officers. He emphasized the importance of participation and highlighted findings from a caste census in Telangana, revealing significant underrepresentation of these communities.

The Lok Sabha witnessed chaos after Rahul Gandhi criticized the government over economic policies and China's lead in production. He claimed that ineffective policies led to India lagging behind China in technology and manufacturing, and unable to generate sufficient employment.

Despite India's 1-3 loss in the Border Gavaskar Trophy series on the tour of Australia, fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah's exceptional performance earned him the 'Player of the Series' award for his 32 wickets. Mitchell Marsh humorously shared how even his four-year-old nephew mimics Bumrah's unique bowling action, continuing his 'nightmare' of facing Bumrah.

Amazon's AWS division has introduced new guidelines, requiring sales managers to oversee at least eight direct reports, up from six previously. This move, part of CEO Andy Jassy's effort to boost the ratio of individual contributors, aims to streamline decision-making and reduce costs following a pandemic-era hiring surge.

Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan criticised the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government over the Maha Kumbh stampede in Prayagraj, alleging contamination of water due to bodies thrown in the river. She accused the state government of neglecting common visitors while giving special treatment to VIPs, and questioned the purported mass gathering numbers. Noisy protests erupted in Lok Sabha with opposition demanding discussion and list of deceased.

BJP MP Sambit Patra cited a JNU research report claiming illegal migration from Bangladesh and Myanmar has increased Delhi's Muslim population. He accused AAP of facilitating this influx and helping migrants obtain fake voter registrations, posing a threat to democracy. This statement was made ahead of Delhi's voting on February 5.

An explosion in an upscale residential block in Moscow killed one person and injured four others, including a Ukrainian separatist. The injured are in serious condition, and authorities have launched a criminal investigation. The building suffered significant damage. This incident adds to the increasing attacks on Moscow amidst the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.