World

Jannik Sinner advanced to the Australian Open second round after Frenchman Hugo Gaston retired injured while trailing 6-2, 6-1. The two-time defending champion extended his winning run at Melbourne Park to 15 matches and now chases a historic third consecutive title

The ICC Event Technical Committee has approved Rehaan Ahtif as a replacement for Dylan Thakrar in the Tanzania squad at the Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026. Thakrar suffered a finger injury against South Africa and was ruled out

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

At least seven people, including a Chinese national, were killed in a suicide bombing at a restaurant in Kabul’s Shahr-e-Naw district. The Islamic State claimed responsibility, citing retaliation against China’s treatment of Uyghur Muslims, while investigations continue

A surfer suffered minor injuries in the fourth shark attack off New South Wales in three days. Multiple attacks, including critical injuries to children, have prompted beach closures, shark alerts, and warnings against swimming in murky waters conducive to bull shark activity

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.

Novak Djokovic marked his 100th career win at the Australian Open with a dominant first-round victory as Iga Swiatek and Shang Juncheng also advanced. Several top seeds progressed on an action-packed day in Melbourne

India staged a stunning comeback to beat Pakistan 5-3 in the SAFF Women’s Futsal Championship in Thailand. Trailing 3-1, the Futsal Tigresses struck four goals in the final 12 minutes to go top of the table with nine points

India’s para badminton stars Pramod Bhagat and Sukant Kadam clinched double gold medals at the Egypt Para Badminton International 2026. Bhagat won the SL3 singles, Kadam took SL4 singles, and together they claimed doubles gold, boosting confidence ahead of the World Championships

The Agreement introduces unprecedented investment commitments and consultation-driven governance, offering a template for next-generation investment treaties

NASA prepares for Artemis II, a historic crewed lunar flyby on February 6, 2026. Astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen will test Orion spacecraft and life-support systems, orbiting the Moon before returning to Earth

Indian intelligence agencies have warned of an ISI-backed plot to infiltrate terrorists into India via Bangladesh ahead of Republic Day, citing links with smuggling syndicates and relaxed controls there, as Pakistan-based groups seek alternative routes amid tighter LoC security

China’s population declined for a fourth straight year in 2025 despite incentives to boost births, including cash subsidies and policy shifts after ending the one-child rule. New data show falling birth rates as high living costs, economic pressures and low fertility continue to challenge authorities

Bangladesh’s BNP urged the Election Commission to act with complete impartiality ahead of the February 12 general elections, raising concerns over postal ballots, alleged code violations and bias, while the CEC defended the commission’s neutrality and sought cooperation for a fair, inclusive poll 

Prince Harry returns to London’s High Court as a nine-week trial begins against the Daily Mail’s publisher, accusing it of unlawful privacy breaches. The case marks the final chapter in his high-stakes legal battle to curb tabloid excesses and could involve millions in damages

Ahead of the World Economic Forum in Davos, an Oxfam report warned that billionaire wealth hit a record USD 18.3 trillion in 2025, deepening economic and political inequality, with billionaires far more likely to hold power while global poverty, hunger and unrest intensify

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned that any attack on Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would trigger an all-out war, as tensions escalated following US President Donald Trump’s call for new leadership in Iran amid ongoing unrest.

Washington: India is increasingly hedging rather than aligning firmly with the United States as China deepens its global trade footprint and confidence in US leadership weakens, CNN host Fareed Zakaria said, pointing to data and opinion polls that show a broader global recalibration. Speaking on Fareed Zakaria GPS, Zakaria said the shift was not about […]

More than 20 people are feared dead after a high-speed train derailed and collided with another train in southern Spain, injuring dozens and prompting suspension of rail services as rescue operations continue

Virat Kohli’s fighting 124 went in vain as India lost their first ever home ODI series to New Zealand, going down by 41 runs in Indore. Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips powered the visitors to a historic 2-1 triumph

Arjun Erigaisi defeated compatriot R Praggnanandhaa, while D Gukesh drew with Javokhir Sindarov in Round 1 of the Tata Steel Masters. Hans Niemann and Vincent Keymer also won, as the prestigious chess tournament began in Wijk Aan Zee

Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz advanced in straight sets on a record day at the Australian Open 2026. Venus Williams, 45, set an age milestone, while upsets saw Marta Kostyuk and Ekaterina Alexandrova exit early. Attendance reached 100,763 at Melbourne Park

India fought back three times to hold Nepal 3-3 in a thrilling SAFF Futsal Championship 2026 clash at Nonthaburi Stadium. Nikhil Mali’s last-second equaliser capped a dramatic contest featuring goals from Adhikari, Laltluangzela, Rana and Lama

An Se Young defeated Wang Zhi Yi to win the women’s singles crown, while Lin Chun Yi beat Jonatan Christie in the men’s singles final at the India Open 2026. China claimed both doubles titles, and Thailand won the mixed doubles