India

Hyderabad Toofans defeated HIL GC 3-2 in their final league stage match of the Hero Hockey India League at Kalinga Stadium. Goals from Zachary Wallace, Amandeep Lakra and Shilanand Lakra sealed the win, keeping Toofans alive in the tournament

Costa Rican coach Amelia Valverde has been appointed as head coach of the Indian senior women’s football team. Valverde, who previously led Costa Rica and CF Monterrey to success, joins the Blue Tigresses ahead of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026

The sixth edition of the Khelo India Winter Games 2026 was inaugurated at the NDS Stadium in Ladakh. The ice sports leg will conclude on January 26, followed by snow events in Gulmarg. Dr Mansukh Mandaviya praised Ladakh’s successful hosting

Mumbai Indians wicketkeeper-batter G Kamalini has been ruled out of the TATA WPL 2026 due to injury. Vaishnavi Sharma, a left-arm spinner and member of India’s U19 World Cup-winning squad, joins MI as her replacement for Rs 30 lakh

Mayank Gupta will captain Hyderabad in the Col CK Nayudu Trophy under-23 match against Vidarbha at NFC from January 23. A Avanish Rao is vice-captain, with S Dheeraj Goud and others named in the squad

Sania Mirza has launched The Next Set, an initiative to support India’s women athletes with coaching, physiotherapy, training camps and holistic development. Partnering with BNW Developments and Shookra Polyclinics, the programme aims to balance athletic excellence with academic and personal growth

Ryan Group of Institutions will oversee the educational framework at the FIFA Talent Academy in Bhubaneswar from January 2026. The partnership includes tutoring, counselling, and exams, ensuring young footballers balance academic growth with athletic excellence ahead of future FIFA World Cups

India pacer Md Siraj will captain Hyderabad in the Ranji Trophy matches against Mumbai and Chhattisgarh. Opener Tanmay Agarwal is ruled out with a back injury, while K Nitesh Reddy is sidelined due to an eye issue

South Africa Women will host India for a five-match T20I series from April 17 to 27 in Durban, Johannesburg and Benoni. The series serves as crucial preparation for both teams ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England

India begin their five-match T20 series against New Zealand in Nagpur with skipper Suryakumar Yadav under pressure to regain form ahead of the World Cup. Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy return as India fine-tune preparations

The UK defended transferring sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, retaining Diego Garcia under a 99-year US lease, after Donald Trump criticized the move as weakening national security. Opposition voices and displaced islanders expressed concern over the deal

TN Chief Minister MK Stalin announced DMK’s plan to push for a constitutional amendment to remove the mandatory Governor’s Address after Governor R N Ravi refused to read the government-prepared speech, marking the fourth walkout since 2021 

One person was killed and four seriously injured after a mob attacked a vehicle carrying road project workers on suspicion of cattle theft. The vehicle was set on fire; police have detained suspects and launched investigations 

The Supreme Court allowed Punjab Kesari’s printing presses to continue operating despite the Punjab State Pollution Control Board’s power cut order over alleged violations. The bench granted a one-week reprieve, maintaining status quo until the High Court delivers its verdict

Five members of a family, including a couple and their two sons, were found dead with gunshot wounds in their Sarsawa home. Three pistols were recovered, and police have launched a detailed investigation into the incident

Former CM Ashok Gehlot expressed concern over reports that a Rajasthan team at the National School Games in Manipur was allegedly held at gunpoint and robbed. He demanded a thorough investigation and stronger security for traveling students

Nitin Nabin was formally declared BJP national president, succeeding J P Nadda. At 45, he is the youngest-ever leader of the party. The transition, witnessed by top leaders including PM Modi, marks a new chapter for BJP politics

Security forces detained several suspects as a massive anti-terror search entered day three in Kishtwar after an encounter killed one paratrooper. Troops busted a fortified hideout, intensified searches with drones, and paid tributes to the slain soldier

The Army’s Eastern Command sought Governor CV Ananda Bose’s intervention after CM Mamata Banerjee alleged a senior officer at Fort William aided BJP activities during electoral roll revision, prompting political backlash and the Governor alerting central authorities

A man’s suicide after viral Instagram harassment allegations sparked outrage in Kerala, raising concerns over social media vigilantism, police lapses and due process. Police booked abetment to suicide as probes, human rights inquiry and political criticism intensified

Gulmarg recorded minus 5.5°C as the MeT Department forecast moderate to heavy rain and snowfall from January 22 due to two Western Disturbances, warning of transport disruption, landslides, strong winds and advising caution to travellers and residents

Bengaluru Karnataka government suspended DGP K Ramachandra Rao after alleged obscene videos from his office went viral. Citing conduct rule violations, he faces inquiry, travel restrictions, amid denials, prior gold smuggling allegations, and assurances that no officer is above law

A US congressional hearing highlighted sharp divisions over worker safety and liability in the stone slab industry, as experts warned of rising silicosis cases while industry representatives urged legal protection for manufacturers and distributors amid mounting lawsuits.

The Enforcement Directorate conducted raids at 21 locations across three states in the Sabarimala gold robbery case, probing alleged money laundering, while a court-monitored SIT continues its parallel investigation into the suspected siphoning of gold from the shrine