India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray on his birth centenary, praising his intellect, oratory and cultural passion. Modi said Thackeray profoundly shaped Maharashtra’s politics and inspired ongoing efforts toward the state’s progress and unity

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted searches at 10 locations across Amritsar, Tarn Taran and Gurdaspur districts in connection with the 2025 Amritsar temple grenade attack. Incriminating material, including digital devices and documents, was seized.

The ICC has expressed satisfaction with Eden Gardens facilities ahead of the Men’s T20 World Cup starting February 7. The stadium will host multiple matches, though Bangladesh’s participation remains uncertain amid security concerns, with Scotland as a possible replacement

Sophie Devine’s unbeaten fifty and a strong bowling effort helped Gujarat Giants beat UP Warriorz by 45 runs in the Women’s Premier League, snapping a three-match losing streak and moving to second place in the standings

Bangladesh has refused to send its team to the T20 World Cup in India after the ICC rejected its request for a venue change, citing security concerns. The decision opens the door for Scotland to replace Bangladesh in the tournament

K Sannidhi will captain the Osmania University women’s team in the South Zone inter-university cricket tournament to be held in Chennai from January 26, with a 16-member squad named along with coach and manager

Former world champion P V Sindhu reached the quarterfinals of the Daihatsu Indonesia Masters 2026 and will face top seed Chen Yu Fei, while Lakshya Sen also advanced. Anmol Kharb, Kidambi Srikanth and India’s doubles pair exited

If the Gaza initiative focuses more on optics than meaningful action, it risks becoming another failed plan, collapsing under the harsh realities on the ground and threatening the authority of the United Nations

Timofei Derepasko caused a major upset by defeating fourth seed Dominik Palan, while top seed Max Houkes also advanced, as the men’s singles pre-quarterfinals concluded at the Hyderabad Open ITF tennis tournament on Thursday

Mumbai rode on centuries by Siddhesh Lad and Sarfaraz Khan to post 332 for four against Hyderabad on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group D match at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium

On trial are not individuals, but history itself — and history, time and again, has proven resilient

India stayed away from the launch of US President Donald Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ in Davos, saying it is still examining the proposal. Several major powers also skipped the initiative, which is being pitched as a global peace body

Three people were killed after a private bus caught fire following a collision with a container lorry in Andhra Pradesh’s Nandyal district early Thursday. The accident occurred after a tyre burst, though all 36 passengers escaped with minor injuries

Intelligence inputs suggest Pakistan’s ISI has brought ISKP and Lashkar together under the pretext of fighting the TTP, with plans to infiltrate Jammu and Kashmir and target tourist hubs, prompting heightened security and combing operations by the Indian Army

Former India and East Bengal defender Ilyas Pasha passed away aged 61 after a long illness. A calm and reliable right wing-back, he earned eight international caps and won multiple trophies with East Bengal, leaving a lasting legacy in Indian football

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticised the Election Commission over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, alleging public harassment and selective targeting, and called for a united protest while inaugurating the Kolkata International Book Fair

India face New Zealand in the second T20 at Raipur with Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan aiming to make their mark. India, buoyed by an emphatic win in Nagpur, look to continue momentum ahead of next month’s T20 World Cup

YSRCP chief Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy said he would not attend the Andhra Pradesh Assembly unless granted Leader of Opposition status, accusing the Speaker of undermining democracy and alleging corruption and “credit chori” by the coalition government

World champion D Gukesh ended his run of draws with a win over Thai Dai Van Nguyen in round five of the Tata Steel Masters. Arjun Erigaisi lost to Vladimir Fedoseev, while Praggnanandhaa drew and Aravindh Chithambaram suffered defeat

P V Sindhu and Lakshya Sen advanced to the quarterfinals of the Indonesia Masters with straight-game wins. Sindhu will face Chen Yu Fei next, while Kidambi Srikanth and Anmol Kharb exited after defeats in their pre-quarterfinal matches

A Delhi court acquitted former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar in a Janakpuri case linked to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, ruling that the prosecution failed to prove his presence or role beyond reasonable doubt despite acknowledging victims’ trauma

Fifteen Maoists, including top leader Patiram Majhi alias Anal Da carrying a Rs 1 crore bounty, were killed in a gunfight with security forces during an anti-Maoist operation in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district, police said

Varanasi police have issued a notice to folk singer Neha Singh Rathore in connection with a 2025 case over alleged objectionable remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Rathore said police from Varanasi and Lucknow have approached her as part of the probe

The Election Commission has allotted the whistle symbol to actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, prompting party workers to begin campaigns across Tamil Nadu. Party leaders said the symbol reflects public expectations ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, which will be TVK’s first electoral test