Gyanesh Kumar has been appointed as the new chief election commissioner, succeeding Rajiv Kumar. Haryana chief secretary Vivek Joshi has been named election commissioner. The appointments follow a meeting of the PM-led selection committee, despite objections from leader of opposition, Rahul Gandhi.
Related news
An extensive insurance fraud involving deceased individuals has been uncovered in Uttar Pradesh, extending to 12 states. Scammers manipulated insurance, hospital, and government processes to claim payouts, exploiting loopholes and minimal verification. Authorities have arrested 16 individuals and are conducting a wider probe into the involvement of various institutions. More arrests are expected as the investigation continues.
A federal judge in San Francisco has ordered the Trump administration to reinstate numerous dismissed probationary workers, asserting that the terminations were executed without proper authority. The administration plans to appeal the ruling, while multiple lawsuits against these dismissals are ongoing.
DeepSeek, a Chinese startup, has unveiled a revolutionary AI model that has considerably disrupted global markets and sent shockwaves through Wall Street. By leveraging cost-efficient technology, DeepSeek has posed significant questions about the sustainability of the US-led AI dominance and the effectiveness of export controls on advanced chips to China.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings on Manipur's Statehood Day, which Congress criticized as hollow. They highlighted his failure to visit the violence-affected state since May 2023, accusing him of neglect and hypocrisy, and demanded an immediate visit to show concern.
At least three people were killed and 14 others injured in a mass shooting at Young Park in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Police are investigating the incident, with assistance from state and federal agencies, and are asking for public help to identify the suspect or suspects.
New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra matched Sourav Ganguly's record by scoring his second century in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, placing him among an esteemed group of players. Notable mentions include Chris Gayle with three centuries. Ravindra's 108 runs helped New Zealand achieve a strong position against South Africa in the semi-final.
Indian cricketers, including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill, have arrived in Nagpur ahead of the ODI series against England starting February 6. The series features three matches, with games also scheduled for Cuttack and Ahmedabad. Harshit Rana replaces Jasprit Bumrah in the squad, which remains otherwise unchanged from the ICC Champions Trophy team.
Gautam Gambhir's tenure as India's head coach is under scrutiny. While he has had success in T20 cricket, his results in Tests and ODIs have been inconsistent. Dinesh Karthik highlighted the challenges Gambhir faces, especially after Rahul Dravid's successful era. Gambhir's comments on senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have also drawn attention.
Delhi high court overturned the government's cancellation of Ashok Swain's OCI card but permitted the issuance of a new show-cause notice with a reasoned order. Swain had contested the revocation, arguing it was executed unfairly and targeted him for his views on the government.
President-elect Trump has issued a stern warning to Hamas, demanding the release of hostages by his inauguration on January 20, or threatening severe consequences. His warnings hint at significant actions in the Middle East if demands are not met. The situation remains uncertain with ongoing negotiations involving both Trump's and Biden's administrations.