BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla dismissed reports of internal rifts among chief selector Ajit Agarkar, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and captain Rohit Sharma after India's Border-Gavaskar Trophy loss. He attributed poor player form to natural phases in sports. The team for the ICC Champions Trophy, starting February 19, will be decided by January 18 or 19.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Sri Sri Radha Madanmohanji temple in Kharghar. The temple, costing Rs 170 crore, is part of ISKCON's Glory of Maharashtra initiative. The event was attended by distinguished guests and featured extensive security measures, highlighting ISKCON's role in promoting spirituality and Indian culture.
Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi emphasizes India's firm communication to Pakistan since 2014 and highlights the nation's clear stance on J&K being an integral part of India post Article 370. He also expresses concern over a Pak Army-ISI delegation's visit to areas in Bangladesh near the Siliguri Corridor.
Indian stock markets experienced a substantial downturn in February, erasing over Rs 40 lakh crore from BSE market capitalization. Experts like Zerodha's Nithin Kamath and economist Jim Walker recommend a long-term investment strategy, emphasizing India's robust economic policies and growth potential over market fluctuations.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that NATO membership for Ukraine is unrealistic, urging Western allies to support a negotiated agreement with Russia. He confirmed no US troops will be deployed to Ukraine and defenders must rely on European and non-European military backers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the School of Ultimate Leadership (SOUL) Conclave, emphasizing the need for dynamic leadership to advance India's progress. SOUL aims to train future leaders in governance, business, and policy-making. Modi highlighted the importance of equipping youth with skills and knowledge for nation-building, with the SOUL campus in Gujarat set to open in two years.
Mohammad Shami will miss Bengal's first Vijay Hazare Trophy game against Delhi. He is recovering from knee swelling. Shami recently played in the Ranji and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophies. Indian captain Rohit Sharma wants Shami fully fit. His availability for the Champions Trophy is uncertain. Seamer Mukesh Kumar is in the Bengal squad.
Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore's ISS mission has been extended until late March due to technical glitches with Boeing's Starliner and delays in the next SpaceX Crew Dragon launch. Originally scheduled to return in February 2025 after their June 2024 arrival, the duo will now spend approximately ten months in space.
Donald Trump's anticipated return to the Oval Office is influencing global politics. His unpredictable diplomacy is reshaping alliances, spurring NATO allies' budget reevaluations, and prompting negotiations like the China-India border dispute resolution. Trudeau's resignation in Canada, Danish talks concerning Greenland, and potential Israel-Hamas negotiations hint at the Trump Effect in various geopolitical scenarios.
The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has decided to honour cricketing legends by naming stands at the Wankhede Stadium after Rohit Sharma, Ajit Wadekar, and Sharad Pawar. Additionally, a lounge will be named after former MCA president Amol Kale. The MCA also announced an increase in the corpus for affiliated clubs, aiming to bolster grassroots cricket infrastructure in Mumbai.
Himani Narwal, a 22-year-old Congress worker, was found murdered, leading her family to suspect political rivalry as a motive. Her mother refuses to perform last rites until justice is served. Senior Congress leaders condemned the incident, calling for a high-level probe and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to ensure the perpetrators are swiftly punished.