Times of India

Rishabh Pant, captain of Lucknow Super Giants for the upcoming IPL, expressed relief at avoiding selection by Punjab Kings, who chose Shreyas Iyer instead. Pant, bought for an IPL record Rs 27 crore, pledged to give his all to win the title. This marks his second captaincy stint after leaving Delhi Capitals.

The BCCI is considering new guidelines for players and support staff following India's defeat in the Border Gavaskar Trophy. Former cricketer Sunil Joshi advises against knee-jerk reactions and split-coaching. He supports continuing with Gautam Gambhir as head coach for all formats despite recent setbacks, emphasizing consistency and avoiding divergent coaching methods.

Donald Trump's second term as the 47th President of the United States could usher in significant changes to the education system. His administration may push for the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education, alter student loan forgiveness programs, and restrict protections for marginalized student groups, including Black, Hispanic, LGBTQ+, and international students. Policies regarding Title IX, DACA, and immigration could also impact student access to higher education and create new challenges for vulnerable communities.

India's squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 includes Rohit Sharma as captain, with matches starting in Dubai. Despite recent struggles, Harbhajan Singh supports Rohit and Virat Kohli's comeback. Yashasvi Jaiswal, an emerging talent, joins the team. Key fixtures include matches against Bangladesh and arch-rival Pakistan, generating high anticipation among fans.

For the MAGAverse, this isn’t just another political ceremony; it’s a coronation of their chosen champion, a reclamation of what they believe was nearly lost. The Capitol steps, now adorned with flags and a stage fit for a rock star, await Trump’s larger-than-life presence, as supporters and sceptics alike prepare to witness a moment that will undoubtedly define this era of American politics.

The parents of a 31-year-old doctor raped and murdered in Kolkata last year express discontent with the convict's life imprisonment sentence, urging for a death penalty. They plan to appeal for justice in higher court, alleging half-hearted investigation. The crime involved a brutal attack on an on-duty doctor, raising safety concerns for medical professionals.

Sunrisers Eastern Cape and MI Cape Town secured key victories this week in the SA20 League, with MI Cape Town topping the standings. Sunrisers rose to fourth place with bonus-point wins. Paarl Royals and Joburg Super Kings remained competitive, while Pretoria Capitals had mixed results. Durban’s Super Giants struggled at the bottom, needing a revival to stay in contention.

DK Shivakumar, Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, emphasized his dedication to protecting the Congress party and its government, dismissing any internal discord. He highlighted the significance of the ongoing 'Jai Bapu, Jai Bheem, Jai Constitution Convention' in Belgaum, stressing his commitment to the party's principles and the importance of unity among party members.

The dramatic increase in donation levels aligns with a surge in enthusiasm after a contentious election. With over $170 million raised so far and expectations of surpassing $200 million, the committee's funds far exceed the costs of hosting the events, including receptions, lunches, and balls. For donors with business interests before the government, the $1 million price point is seen as a calculated investment in influence.

The Boston Celtics face the Golden State Warriors tonight at the Chase Center, with the Celtics leading the season series. Key players to watch include Jayson Tatum and Stephen Curry. Despite recent momentum, the Warriors are likely to struggle against the reigning champions. The game will air on TNT, truTV, and MAX.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee criticizes the CBI for removing the rape and murder case of an on-duty doctor from Kolkata Police. A Kolkata court sentenced the convict, Sanjay Roy, to life imprisonment instead of the death penalty, causing dissatisfaction among Banerjee and others who demanded capital punishment.

A 26-year-old Hyderabad student, Ravi Teja, was fatally shot by unidentified assailants in Washington. The incident occurred at a gas station while he was job hunting after completing his master’s degree. Authorities are investigating the possibility of a hate crime.

Oxfam International’s report highlights how colonial wealth extraction, particularly from India, has laid the foundation for modern economic inequalities, including the dominance of unearned wealth, the exploitation in global supply chains, and the widening gender and wage gaps, reinforcing economic dependency and underdevelopment.

A Kolkata court sentenced Sanjay Roy to life imprisonment and fined him Rs 50,000 for the rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor. While the CBI called for the death penalty in this 'rarest of rare' case, the court declined, deeming it not sufficiently rare. Roy maintains he was framed and coerced into confessing.

The dominance of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic (the "Big Three"), born in the 1980s, created an era of unprecedented greatness, amassing over 60 Grand Slam titles combined. Their rivalry defined an era, leaving little room for players born in the 1990s to consistently break through.

Gaurav Taneja, known as Flying Beast on YouTube, appeared on Shark Tank India to pitch his supplements brand, BeastLife. Despite his company's initial success, the sharks doubted his dual-focus strategy. Anupam Mittal questioned his commitment, while Taneja raised concerns about the show's diminishing impact in a LinkedIn post.

Former cricketer Aakash Chopra criticised Mohammed Siraj's omission from India's Champions Trophy squad, suggesting Siraj's consistent ODI performances should have earned him a place over Ravindra Jadeja. Chopra emphasised Siraj's higher potential for contribution and discussed his impressive statistics, arguing that he would have been more valuable to the team in the tournament.

The Supreme Court has stayed proceedings against Rahul Gandhi in a defamation case for allegedly making defamatory remarks about Amit Shah during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The court has sought responses from the Jharkhand government and the complainant. The case was initially filed by BJP functionary Navin Jha for Rahul's comments during a Congress meeting in Delhi.

The Adani Group has hired US law firms to handle civil and criminal proceedings by the SEC and Eastern District of New York. Charges against Gautam Adani and associates include payment of bribes for solar energy contracts.