18-year-old Pranav Venkatesh clinched the World Junior Chess Championship with unique preparation methods, including playing cricket in hotel rooms with his coach, GM Shyam Sundar. Pranav balanced his rapid blitz skills with the patience needed for classical chess, leading to his triumph in Montenegro, a title once held by Viswanathan Anand.
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Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt has criticized Donald Trump's science policies, labeling them as "madness" and "too stupid," fearing they undermine America's technological competitiveness against China. He highlighted funding cuts for universities and research agencies, leading to hiring freezes and concerns about international talent avoiding the U.S. due to immigration uncertainties.
A fresh encounter between terrorists and security forces erupted in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua, with three terrorists trapped. Following previous clashes that resulted in casualties, security forces have intensified search operations with aerial surveillance and sniffer dogs. Deputy Inspector General Shiv Kumar Sharma emphasized the commitment to the mission until the last terrorist is neutralized.
Israeli PM Netanyahu criticized Canadian PM Mark Carney for seemingly acknowledging "genocide in Gaza," calling out to him to retract the statement. Carney later clarified he misheard the protestor and was referencing Gaza broadly. Israeli officials denied a full arms embargo, stating only limited export permit suspensions exist, not a declaration of genocide.
The Supreme Court ruled that the Centre cannot impose service tax on the sale of lotteries, a state subject under List II. It upheld Sikkim High Court's decision that lottery activities fall under 'betting and gambling'. The court found no merit in the Centre's appeal, emphasizing that no service was rendered between lottery ticket purchasers and state governments.
Singer Sonu Nigam has clarified that he is not on X (formerly Twitter) after discovering a fake account impersonating him. He expressed concerns about safety risks to himself and his family due to potential controversial posts from the impersonator. Fans urged him to take legal action against the impersonator.
Home Minister Amit Shah assured young children from Jammu and Kashmir that the day is near when no weapons will be present in the region, making armed forces' presence unnecessary except for guarding borders. He emphasized their role in maintaining permanent peace and seizing opportunities nationwide while sharing their experiences with their communities.
Anish Giri faced a tough start in the Masters at the Tata Steel Chess Tournament, losing to World Chess Champion D Gukesh. Giri's early control vanished after a critical mistake, which Gukesh exploited effectively. Gukesh, unaffected by his recent busy schedule, now prepares for Round 2 against Vladimir Fedoseev, while Giri faces Arjun Erigaisi next.
Nitish Kumar Reddy achieved his maiden Test century at the MCG in front of a massive crowd, including his emotional father. Reddy's composed batting under pressure, highlighted by his expert balance and footwork, rescued India from a precarious position, securing his place as a promising talent.
Telangana government has mandated Telugu as a compulsory subject for Classes 1 to 10 in all schools, starting from the 2025-26 academic year. This decision fully implements the Telangana (Compulsory Teaching and Learning of Telugu in Schools) Act, introduced in 2018 but previously not fully enforced.
The ICC Champions Trophy returns to Pakistan on February 19 after eight years, featuring the top eight men's ODI teams divided into two groups. India will play all their matches in Dubai under the hybrid model. Key players and squads have been announced for teams including India, Pakistan, and Australia, among others.