The US city of Seattle has reportedly reached a USD 29 million (approx. Rs 262 crore) settlement with the family of 23-year-old Indian student Jaahnavi Kandula, who was crushed to death on January 23 when police officer Kevin Dave’s speeding patrol cruiser struck her.

Dave struck Kandula near the intersection of Dexter Avenue North and Thomas Street in Seattle while travelling at 119 kmph in a 40-kph zone. Her body was allegedly tossed more than 30 metres away. Dave, however, had his emergency lights on and had been using his siren at intersections.

“Jaahnavi Kandula’s death was heartbreaking, and the city hopes this financial settlement brings some sense of closure to the Kandula family,” Seattle Attorney Erika Evans said in a statement.

It further added, “Jaahnavi Kandula’s life mattered. It mattered to her family, her friends, and to our community.”

Following Kandula’s death, a US cop was heard mocking the tragedy. A purported body-cam video of the cop was flagged by a police department investigator. The video, believed to be shot from the cop’s body camera, was recorded just after the incident.

Who was Jaahnavi Kandula, crushed to death in Seattle?

In the video, Seattle Police Officers’ Guild Vice President Daniel Auderer is heard laughing and saying that the girl was of a “limited value.” Shortly after saying “she’s dead”, Auderer laughed and said, “It’s a regular person”, referring to Kandula. He then said, “Just write a check — $11,000, she was 26 anyway, she had limited value”.

Following this, India had raised the issue with the US authorities, demanding appropriate action against those responsible. “The treatment of Ms. Jaahnavi Kandula’s death in a car accident in Seattle in January has been the subject of several reports, including those in the media. We have forcefully raised the issue with senior officials in Washington DC, Seattle, and Washington State in order to have a complete investigation and take appropriate action against those responsible for this unfortunate situation,” the Indian Consulate General in San Francisco had said.

The Kollam Vigilance Court on Thursday granted statutory bail to former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) Thiruvabharanam Commissioner K S Baiju in one of the cases related to the gold heist from the Sabarimala temple, as the Special Investigation Team (SIT) failed to file its charge sheet within the stipulated 90 days of his arrest.

The court granted bail to Baiju in the case related to the alleged gold loss from the doorframes of the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum). However, Baiju, the fourth accused in the Sreekovil door frame case, will remain in jail, as he is also the seventh accused in the case related to the loss of gold from the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) plates in which the court has not granted bail to him.

KS Baiju is the sixth accused in the case, who has been granted statutory bail as the SIT did not file a charge sheet within the stipulated period. Five of the accused – Unnikrishnan Potty , Murari S Babu, S Sreekumar, Sudheesh Kumar and N Vasu – were earlier granted bail by the court.

Meanwhile, the SIT probing the case, reached the hill shrine on Thursday as part of fresh sample collection for scientific analysis.

A team, led by SP S Sasidharan, arrived in Sannidhanam by afternoon and will collect fresh samples for scientific analysis after the temple closes for the day following various poojas at the Sannidhanam,as permitted by the Kerala High Court on Monday.

As part of National Deworming Day, 6.69 crore children in Uttar Pradesh have been administered the anti-worm medicine Albendazole.

Now, approximately three crore children aged 1 to 19 years will be administered the medicine in a mop-up round on Friday. Experts have appealed to parents to ensure that no child is left out.

Dr. Satish Kumar Gautam, General Manager of the National Adolescent Health Program, stated that the target is to administer deworming medicine to a total of 9.8 crore children in the state.

Amethi district secured the first position with 99 percent coverage, while Ambedkar Nagar (94 percent), Pilibhit (92 percent), Shahjahanpur and Sambhal (91 percent), and Kushinagar (91 percent) also ranked among the top districts.

According to Dr. Piyali Bhattacharya, a senior pediatrician at SGPGI, on Thursday, children with intestinal worms can suffer from malnutrition and anemia. Albendazole helps kill the worms and expel them from the body.

Mild symptoms such as headache, dizziness, vomiting, or stomach pain may occur after taking the medication, which resolve spontaneously within a few hours. There is no need to panic.

The health department has appealed to parents to ensure their children receive deworming medication so they can remain healthy and malnutrition-free.

In a major development in the high-profile Lamborghini crash case, police arrested Shivam Mishra, son of tobacco businessman K K Mishra, in connection with the February 8 accident on VIP Road, and within hours, he was granted bail by a court on Thursday.

The high-speed crash, involving the luxury car reportedly worth crores of rupees, left several people seriously injured and sent shockwaves across the city.

Shivam was arrested nearly four days after the incident. However, he secured bail within a few hours of being taken into custody. He reportedly remained in police custody for around seven hours.

According to police, Mishra is accused of ramming his speeding Lamborghini into an auto-rickshaw and Bullet motorcycle riders on Sunday, leaving four people injured.

After the incident, a dispute arose over who was driving the vehicle at the time of the crash. Shivam Mishra’s family claimed that their driver, Mohan, was behind the wheel. On Wednesday, a man identified as Mohan attempted to surrender in court, claiming responsibility for the accident.

However, the police rejected the claim based on scientific and technical evidence. Viral videos from the scene allegedly show Shivam Mishra stepping out of the driver’s seat immediately after the crash. CCTV footage and eyewitness statements reportedly confirmed that Shivam was driving.

Police also suspected an attempt to shield the real accused by presenting a “dummy driver.” Despite public statements by K K Mishra claiming that his son was in Delhi for medical treatment at the time, surveillance teams tracked Shivam’s location to Kanpur, leading to his arrest on Thursday.

He was produced before the court in Kanpur, where he appeared unwell and was seen with an IV drip attached to his hand. Police personnel and relatives were seen supporting him, and a family doctor from Delhi was also present.

His lawyer, Naresh Chandra Tripathi, stated that the court refused to grant police remand and ordered his release on a personal bond of Rs 20,000 and a surety of Rs 20,000. The defence alleged that the police acted under pressure and that Mishra was wrongly arrested.

The CBI has formally registered an FIR and started investigating the suspicious death of the NEET aspirant from Jehanabad at a girls’ hostel in Patna. The central investigative agency registered the case under number 7S/26 against several unidentified individuals.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had recommended a CBI probe into the case on 31 January after widespread protests against the Bihar Police for alleged negligence and a cover-up in the case.

The student was found unconscious in her hostel on 6 January. She was taken to private hospitals, where she remained on ventilator support and died on 11 January. The hospital’s initial report cited an overdose of sleeping pills and typhoid as the cause of death.

A post-mortem conducted at the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), Patna, on 12 January revealed signs of sexual violence, including injuries, scratches, and signs of struggle, but the exact cause of death could not be determined. Later, forensic examination of her clothes found traces of sperm.

As soon as the incident came to light, widespread anger was witnessed across the state. Protests followed over alleged sexual harassment and lack of security in hostels.

Following protests, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed. But the victim’s family alleged that the local police were downplaying the seriousness of the case and attempting to protect certain influential individuals. Later, they met Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and demanded a high-level investigation.

Student organisations, social activists, and political parties also demanded a fair investigation and repeatedly called for a CBI probe.

Announcing the Bihar government’s decision of handing over the case to the CBI, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary wrote on social media platform X, “Chief Minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar, has requested the Government of India to have the CBI investigate the NEET student’s murder case in Patna (Case No. 14/26). It must be ensured that the incident is uncovered in a transparent and just manner.”

Jan Swasthya Abhiyan (JSA), Rajasthan strongly condemned the statement made by Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar in the state assembly on Thursday about the fate of the Right to Health (RTH) Act.

In response to a question in the House, the health minister had said, “There is no need for a Right to Health (RTH) Act in the state as free health services are already being provided under schemes such as the MAA Yojana and other schemes.

The NGO asserted that equating the Right to Health Act with free services reflects a serious misunderstanding of the law and its intent. It explained in a communique that the Act is not limited to the provision of free treatment; rather, it establishes a rights-based, legally enforceable framework to ensure accountability, transparency, and protection of patients.

The Health Minister’s stance ignored several core provisions of the Right to Health Act, the NGO observed in the release.

JSA Rajasthan emphasised that government schemes are policy decisions that can be modified, restricted, or withdrawn at any time, whereas a law guarantees entitlements that citizens can legally claim. Free services without enforceable rights do not protect patients from denial of care, arbitrary referrals, or exploitation, issues that remain widespread across Rajasthan.

In a state where citizens continue to face refusal for treatment, arbitrary charging by private hospitals, lack of accountability during medical emergencies, and absence of effective grievance redressal, to declare the Right to Health Act as unnecessary is to turn a blind eye to ground realities.

Jan Swasthya Abhiyan, Rajasthan urges the State Government and the Health Minister to withdraw the statement in reference, that the Minister made today in the House. The NGO also demanded immediate framing of the rules and notified them to operationalise immediately.

Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced that the Gulmarg leg of the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) 2026 will be held from February 23 to 26 in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. This will mark the sixth edition of the Khelo India Winter Games.

The first leg of KIWG 2026, featuring ice sports, was held in Ladakh from January 20 to 26, while Gulmarg will stage the snow sports competitions. The Indian Army will defend its overall championship title in Jammu & Kashmir.

“The Gulmarg leg is coming at the back of the Winter Olympics, and this is the perfect time to host the Khelo India Winter Games. We had a very successful first phase in Leh (Ladakh), and surely, we will see the same excitement in Jammu & Kashmir as athletes will once again battle with nature and challenging conditions,” said Dr Mandaviya.

“Every season of the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) has seen exciting performances and rising competition. In Leh, the addition of figure skating enhanced the competitive intensity, and in Gulmarg, we are expecting some impressive timings on the Kongdoori slopes,” he added.

Before the introduction of the Khelo India Winter Games, winter sports in India had limited visibility, minimal public engagement and lacked structured competition. Ice and snow disciplines largely remained niche, with sporadic international participation and limited awareness.

The Khelo India Winter Games have since reshaped the winter sports landscape by establishing a national competitive platform for both ice and snow disciplines. Participation levels, performance standards, and public interest have expanded significantly, transforming what was once a marginal segment into a developing talent pipeline.

This shift is reflected in international performances. Indian winter athletes have begun securing podium finishes and delivering competitive displays abroad. Indian figure skater Tara Prasad has claimed medals at international competitions, while the Indian women’s ice hockey team secured a historic bronze medal at the 2025 IIHF Women’s Asia Cup, India’s first-ever podium finish in an international ice hockey championship. The team also recorded landmark victories during the tournament, underlining the rapid progress in ice sports at the global level.

These achievements underline how the Khelo India Winter Games are building a stronger foundation for sustained international participation, moving India beyond a phase where Winter Olympics representation was often limited to one or no athletes. With regular domestic competition and exposure to high-pressure environments, depth across disciplines is expected to grow further.

The timing of the Gulmarg leg of KIWG 2026 is significant, as it follows the Winter Olympics Milano Cortina 2026, where India is represented by alpine skier Arif Khan and cross-country skier Stanzin Lundup. The scheduling helps carry global momentum into the domestic winter calendar and sustains athlete motivation and public interest in winter sports development.

Gulmarg will host four medal disciplines — Ski Mountaineering, Alpine Skiing, Nordic Skiing (Cross-Country) and Snowboarding — with around 400 athletes expected to compete. Alpine Skiing is set to draw the highest participation.

At the conclusion of KIWG 2025, the Indian Army topped the team standings with 18 medals, followed by Himachal Pradesh in second place. Ladakh, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu completed the top five. After the Ladakh leg of KIWG 2026, Haryana led the medal tally with four gold medals, all won by its figure and ice skaters, followed by Ladakh, Maharashtra, and Telangana.

The 44th All India Major Ports Cricket Tournament (2025–26) was inaugurated on February 11, 2026, at the Karnataka Cricket Ground in Mumbai. The opening ceremony was attended by senior officials and dignitaries from the Mumbai Port Authority (MbPA).

Dr. P. N. Bahekar, Secretary of MbPA and Chairman of the MbPA Sports Council, attended the ceremony as the Chief Guest and formally unfurled the Major Ports Sports Control Board (MPSCB) flag, declaring the tournament open. Heads of Departments and senior officers of the Port were also present at the event, underscoring the importance of the tournament in the maritime sporting calendar.

The tournament will be held from February 12 to February 16, 2026, with matches scheduled at the Karnataka Cricket Ground, Churchgate, and the RCF Ground in Chembur. Ten major ports from across India are participating in the prestigious competition, which is exclusively organised for employees of India’s major port authorities.

The All India Major Ports Cricket Tournament is a flagship sporting event organised annually by the Major Ports Sports Control Board to promote camaraderie, teamwork, and sportsmanship among port employees. The competition follows the T20 format, offering an opportunity for port professionals to showcase their cricketing talent on a national stage.

Teams representing major port authorities, including Visakhapatnam, Paradip, Mumbai, Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (Kolkata), Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Chennai, New Mangalore, V.O. Chidambaranar (Tuticorin), and Deendayal Port (Kandla), are expected to compete for the title.

The cricket tournament is part of a broader sporting season for major ports, which also includes the 41st All India Major Ports Kabaddi Tournament, hosted by Paradip Port in early February, and the 25th All India Major Port Cultural Meet held in January. An annual athletics meet for port employees and their children is also conducted as part of the programme.

Adani Power officially announced here on Thursday that it has incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary company called Adani Atomic Energy Ltd (AAEL) to generate, transmit and distribute electric power derived from nuclear or atomic energy.

According to a regulatory filing to the stock exchange, Adani Power’s 100% owned subsidiary AAEL was incorporated with an authorised capital of Rs 5,00,000 which amounts to 50,000 equity shares of Rs 10 each on February 11, 2026. AAEL received the Certificate of Incorporation from the Central Registration Centre, Registrar of Companies, on February 11, the statement mentioned.

The investment has been made in cash, the statement mentioned, adding that AAEL will be classified as a related party of the listed company, Adani Power, under regulatory norms.

The development is seen as a significant departure from previous laws which had allowed only state-owned public sector companies like the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) to operate and build nuclear power plants in the country.

AAEL’s entry into the nuclear power sector has been enabled by the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act 2025, which allowed private sector companies to construct and operate nuclear power plants. The SHANTI Act 2025 has also established an independent Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) to regulate the nuclear power sector.

This would mean that private companies like AAEL will now be able to build and operate nuclear power plants in the country, while the government retains the right to make strategic decisions.

Adani Power operates several coal-fired thermal power plants and it plans to replace all its coal-fired plants with nuclear power plants, reportedly targeting an electricity generation capacity of 30 gigawatt (GW).

However, it is being seen as a challenge because nuclear power projects are known to be notoriously capital-intensive, with estimates for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) alone ranging from $5 billion to $7 billion per gigawatt (GW).

According to September 2024 figures, Adani Power maintains a manageable debt-to-equity ratio of approximately 0.83, while the entire Adani Group’s gross debt stood at Rs 2.8 trillion.

Also, running nuclear power plants needs significant technological knowhow, due to which partnerships with international firms will have to be considered.

Earlier, the Adani Group was reported to be in talks with the state government of Uttar Pradesh for a public-private partnership to build around eight small modular reactors (SMRs) with a capacity of 200 megawatts (MW) each at yet-to-be-identified sites in the state. A potential deal could give AAEL a total of 1.6 GW nuclear power generation capacity.

Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar held his nerve in dramatic fashion to clinch gold in the men’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions event, spearheading an Indian clean sweep at the Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship, New Delhi 2026, at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range.

In a tense finish, Aishwary edged past teammate Niraj Kumar with a stunning final shot of 10.7. Heading into the 35th and last shot of the final, Niraj led by a slender margin of 0.2 points.

Shooting first, Niraj registered a 10.3, setting Aishwary a target of 10.6 to claim gold. The World Championship silver medallist rose to the occasion, delivering a superb 10.7 to leapfrog Niraj and seal the top spot with a total of 362.0. Niraj finished just behind at 361.8, earning his first individual international medal, while Akhil Sheoran completed the podium with bronze at 343.5.

Earlier in qualification, Niraj had topped the standings with an impressive 593-34x, followed by Aishwary (588-40x) and Akhil (588-32x). Although 10m Air Rifle gold medallist Rudrankksh Patil posted the second-best qualification score of 591-33x, he was competing for ranking points only.

Nikhil Tanwar, also shooting for ranking points, scored 587-29x. The trio of Aishwary, Niraj and Akhil combined to secure team gold for India, with Japan and Kazakhstan taking silver and bronze, respectively.

India’s dominance extended to the junior men’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions final, where Adriyan Karmakar clinched his second gold medal of the championship. He shot 353.2 to finish 4.7 points ahead of Kazakhstan’s Dmitriy Kim, who took silver. Manvendra Singh Shekhawat added another medal to India’s tally with bronze at 338.6.

Adriyan displayed remarkable consistency throughout the final. After briefly trailing in the early kneeling series, he seized the lead from the sixth shot and maintained control for the remainder of the contest. The third Indian finalist, Hemant Burman, finished fifth after bowing out in a shoot-off.

The Asian Shooting Championship concludes on Friday, with medals to be decided in the women’s 50m Rifle Prone and men’s 25m Centre Fire Pistol events.

Confirming the receipt of the invitation from the United States to join the Gaza Peace Board, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said that New Delhi is currently examining the proposal.

The Board is a US-backed effort to establish peace and begin reconstruction and economic revival in Gaza. In this context, the MEA noted that India has consistently supported efforts aimed at promoting peace, stability and dialogue in West Asia.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, while addressing his weekly media briefing in New Delhi, said, “We have received an invitation from the US side to join the Board of Peace. We are currently examining the proposal.”

“As you know, India has consistently supported efforts aimed at promoting peace, stability and dialogue in West Asia,” he added.

“Our Prime Minister has welcomed the initiative that provides a pathway towards long-term and sustainable peace in the region, including Gaza,” Jaiswal stated.

The first session of the newly-formed Board of Peace is scheduled for February 19.

During a telephonic conversation with US President Donald Trump on February 2, Prime Minister Narendra expressed India’s support for his efforts for peace and termed the US President’s leadership vital for global peace, stability and prosperity. “President Trump’s leadership is vital for global peace, stability, and prosperity. India fully supports his efforts for peace. I look forward to working closely with him to take our partnership to unprecedented heights,” PM Modi posted on X after the phone call.

Last month, Trump launched the Board of Peace at Davos, outlining a US-backed effort to lock in peace, open crossings, demilitarise armed groups, and begin a long-term reconstruction and economic revival in Gaza. The launch followed the signing of the Board of Peace charter. “This is a very exciting day,” he said as he described the initiative as a shift from war to rebuilding.

Trump later framed Gaza’s future in economic terms, arguing that redevelopment and geography could reshape the territory’s prospects.

“I’m a real estate person at heart, and it’s all about location,” Trump said. “Look at this location on the sea. Look at this beautiful piece of property, what it could be for so many people.”

The 24-hour nationwide general strike called by trade unions on Thursday against the Central government’s policies brought life to a standstill in Kerala with public transport largely crippled, shops and markers remaining closed.

The strike, supported by various trade unions to protest against the central government’s labor codes, brought the transportation to an abrupt halt, closed businesses, and heavily impacted government offices. The state-run KSRTC and private buses remained off the roads, causing major inconvenience to commuters. Taxi and auto-rickshaw services were largely unavailable.

Markets and shops remained shut in most parts of the state. Educational institutions remained closed, while the government offices saw limited footfall of employees.

A KSRTC bus that reached Thampanoor in Thiruvananthapuram was blocked by protestors. Though public and private sector financial institutions had opened in many places in the state in the morning, they were later forcibly shut down by protesters. The employees of the Catholic Syrian Bank, Kalpetta were not allowed to enter the bank by the strike supporters. The branch later shut down. A minor clash broke out when CITU workers blocked teachers and students who tried to enter the Government Upper Primary School in Puthiyangadi, Kozhikode. Locals and parents of the students asked the supporters of the strike not to block the teachers and students , who came to attend the school. This led to a minor scuffle. Police soon intervened and dispersed the crowd, after which the teachers also left.

Essential services, including hospitals, pharmacies, milk distribution, and Kochi Metro services, remained operational to offer limited relief to the public.

The 24-hour strike was called by a joint forum of 10 central trade unions ,including CITU, INTUC, and AITUC, to protest the Central Government’s new labour codes and farm policies.

Meanwhile , Opposition leader V D Satheesan, called for a public debate on whether nationwide strikes should be observed as hartals or complete shutdowns in the state. He asked whether a strike similar to a hartal and a bandh is being held in any other state in India other than Kerala, saying that it is a national strike.

Speaking to reporters in Kozhikode on Thursday, Satheesan said, “My question is: Is it appropriate in this age to turn a nationwide strike into a hartal or a bandh? I am not saying whether it is right or wrong, but I am placing it for a public discussion.

Satheesan emphasised that people in other states are largely unaware of nationwide strikes, while in Kerala, strikes often halt normal life. “There should be a public discussion, as only in Kerala, a strike becomes a hartal or bandh that brings normal life to a standstill. Whether this practice should continue must be discussed by the public,” he added.

Odisha’s leading digital service provider, Reliance Jio, further solidified its market leadership in the home broadband segment as it added over 2 lakh new JioAirFiber subscribers in 2025.

As per the latest telecom subscription data released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the total number of subscribers for Jio’s fixed wireless access (FWA) service JioAirFiber crossed 3.34 lakhs by December 31, 2025.

This included over 2.87 lakh 5G FWA subscribers and over 46,000 UBR FWA subscribers on the Jio network in Odisha.

In fact, JioAirFiber added four times more fixed wireless access (FWA) subscribers than its nearest competitor, Airtel, in Odisha in 2025. As per the data, the total FWA subscriber base in Odisha crossed the 4 lakh mark in December 2025 from around 1.5 lakhs in January 2025.

With its cutting-edge technology, robust infrastructure, and customer-first approach, Jio continues to drive Odisha’s digital transformation across urban and rural landscapes.

JioAirFiber has been a game-changer in bridging the digital divide, overcoming last-mile challenges, and connecting homes and small businesses across semi-urban and rural regions.

It provides seamless access to high-speed broadband, 800+ TV channels, 11+ OTT apps, unlimited WiFi, and much more – empowering students, professionals, entrepreneurs, and families to thrive in the digital era.

Jio also continued to dominate the home broadband segment in Odisha, adding over 26,000 JioFIber and JioAirFiber subscribers in December 2025.

The total number of home broadband subscribers on the Jio network in the state crossed 6.92 lakhs as of December 31, 2025.

JioAirFiber alone witnessed around 20,000 new subscribers joining the Jio 5G FWA and UBR FWA services in December. Nationally, Jio also added the highest number of broadband subscribers, 8.7 lakh, which was double that of its nearest competitor, Airtel.

Jacob Duffy is embracing his first World Cup experience at 31, capping what has already been a breakthrough phase in his career with New Zealand. The right-arm pacer enjoyed a record-breaking 2025, claiming 81 wickets across formats to surpass a long-standing national mark held by Sir Richard Hadlee for four decades.

He has carried that momentum into the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, striking key blows in New Zealand’s victories over Afghanistan and the UAE.

Duffy’s journey, however, has been far from straightforward. He had to wait until the age of 26 to make his international debut, marking the occasion with a four-wicket haul and a Player of the Match award in a T20I against Pakistan.

Years of intermittent opportunities and A-team tours preceded that breakthrough, but the seamer believes the patience he was forced to show has ultimately shaped him into a stronger cricketer.

“There were so many times I wished I was in the team and I wasn’t,” he said.

“I have done a lot of A tours, and when I finally got a consistent run of games, that was the most important thing. I’d had a series or a game here and there over the years, but to play regularly and be comfortable at that level and prove to yourself you belong at that level is pretty huge.

“I have 10 or 12 years of experience to call upon, and that has served me well. I know my game so well; I know my tactics, my action. I had all those experiences to call upon when push came to shove in those high-pressure moments in international cricket.

“It’s not always nice sitting on the sidelines not getting those games, but those experiences helped me when I did get there. A big part of it is proving to yourself you are good enough. A lot of sportspeople talk about imposter syndrome and not quite knowing if you are good enough.

“To prove time and again that you are, not necessarily to dominate, but to have meaningful impact for New Zealand and hold your own in different formats is a great feeling,” he added.

Born in Lumsden on New Zealand’s South Island, Duffy honed his skills bowling to his two older brothers on a backyard pitch prepared by their father using local Kakanui clay. He believes being the youngest sibling “definitely fast-tracked my progress” and is now preparing for a new chapter off the field as well, with him and his wife Natasha expecting their first child in mid-June.

Before that, Duffy has a World Cup campaign and his maiden IPL stint to navigate. He is set to represent Royal Challengers Bangalore, where he is eager to learn from Josh Hazlewood and share a dressing room with Virat Kohli.

Within the New Zealand squad, he continues to benefit from the camaraderie and collective knowledge of fellow seamers Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, and Kyle Jamieson. “One of our greatest strengths is that we all get along so well,” he said.

“We feed off each other pretty well, and we all have different attributes.

“Even just this week, I’ve been trying to perfect my away swing to the left-hander. Kyle has come out and nailed those sorts of balls for the last five or six years, so he is helping me out trying to do that.

“We are all good mates, we are all helping each other out and having a good time doing it. I am very grateful for their companionship.”

Having grown up watching World Cups, Duffy is now relishing the chance to play on the biggest stage and hopes New Zealand can go one step further after several near-misses.

“That 2015 World Cup was pretty amazing; that got a lot of people into cricket back home, and there was a real buzz after that. The pool game against Australia, Kane (Williamson) hitting the last ball six to win it when we were nine down, then obviously there was the semi-final against South Africa at Eden Park.

“I know people who were there that day, and they still stay they have never experienced a crowd with that much energy in it. World Cups are pretty special things, and these are the pinnacles you work towards through your career. It’s very exciting to be part of it,” he added.

The Supreme Court’s direction making its February 2026 Telangana judgment on DGP appointments applicable to all states has placed Jharkhand under a defined timeline to ensure compliance with the UPSC-led selection process.

Hearing issues arising from the Tamil Nadu appointment, a Bench led by Chief Justice Justice Surya Kant observed that the conflict between states and the Union Public Service Commission over the appointment of regular Directors General of Police stood settled by its February ruling in the Telangana matter.

The Court directed that paragraphs 10 to 12 of that judgment be followed by all states and the UPSC, granting only a limited modification to Tamil Nadu due to its specific circumstances. The entire process, the Bench indicated, must be completed within one month.

The ruling traces its foundation to the binding directions in Prakash Singh v. Union of India, in which the Supreme Court mandated that states forward a panel of eligible senior IPS officers to the UPSC. The Commission would then shortlist three officers based on merit, seniority and service record. The state government must appoint one of them as DGP, with a minimum tenure of two years to ensure functional stability and insulation from political interference.

In Jharkhand, DGP appointments have previously drawn scrutiny. During the tenure of former DGP Anurag Gupta, questions were raised in political and legal circles regarding adherence to the Supreme Court’s guidelines and the role of the UPSC in the empanelment process.

At present, Tadasha Mishra is serving as the state’s Director General of Police. With the Court reiterating that the Telangana framework will uniformly govern such appointments across the country, the Jharkhand government may need to review and, if necessary, formally align its procedure with the UPSC-mandated mechanism within the stipulated time frame.

BJP spokesperson Ajay Sah said the state must ensure transparent compliance with the Supreme Court’s directions. “The Prakash Singh guidelines are clear. The UPSC’s role cannot be bypassed. Jharkhand should complete the process within the timeline fixed by the Court,” he said, adding that institutional procedure must prevail over political discretion.

Whether the state moves swiftly to reaffirm procedural compliance within the one-month window will now be closely watched.

In a significant decision taken at its 50th Board meeting here on Thursday, the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB) gave its nod for a laser and sound show on ‘Baba Barfani’ to be hosted both in Srinagar and Jammu. The show will also serve as a cultural beacon, highlighting the rich spiritual history of the Union Territory.

The Board also announced that the Pratham Pooja for the 2026 Amarnath pilgrimage will be performed on 29 June on the occasion of Jyeshtha Purnimaa. The formal commencement date for the annual Yatra will be finalised soon.

The meeting was chaired by the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who is also the Chairman of SASB.

The Board approved various key measures and interventions to further enhance the spiritual experience and convenience of devotees for the upcoming 2026 Yatra.

Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board decided to enhance the accidental insurance cover for registered pilgrims, service providers, officials, seasonal workers, and pujaris from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh.

The Board also discussed and approved various welfare measures for SASB employees.

The Lieutenant Governor directed the officials to identify spots for the installation of suitable toilet facilities en route to the yatra.

He further directed the installation of shelter sheds and rain shelters on tracks for pilgrims, service providers, and security personnel.

The meeting also discussed ongoing projects, dissemination of Yatra-related information, insurance cover for ponies; extension of online and prepaid services, registration of pilgrims, disaster preparedness and mitigation measures, adequate provisioning of medical care facilities, langar and volunteer services, telecommunication, grid connectivity, weather forecasting infrastructure & systems, security and surveillance, the digital prepaid system for hiring services, laying of crash barriers and safety railings along vulnerable stretches on both routes, and the progress achieved on various ongoing works undertaken by different departments.

Reviewing the maintenance, restoration, and development of Yatra tracks by the Border Roads Organisation, the Board was informed that the BRO has registered significant progress, achieving comfortable track width on both Baltal and Pahalgam routes.

Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, Chief Executive Officer, SASB, gave a detailed presentation regarding the arrangements for the upcoming Yatra.

The meeting was attended by Members of the Shrine Board- Swami Avdheshanand Giri, Prof Kailash Mehra Sadhu, K K Sharma, K N Rai, Mukesh Garg, Dr Shailesh Raina, Dr Simridhi Bindroo, Suresh Haware and Prof Vishwamurti Shastri.

Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary; Shaleen Kabra, Additional Chief Secretary, Jal Shakti Department; Shailendra Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary, Power Development Department; Nalin Prabhat, DGP, and Chandraker Bharti, Principal Secretary, Home, were among the officers who attended the meeting.

Sri Lanka sent out an early statement at the T20 World Cup 2026 with a crushing 105-run victory over Oman in Kandy, piling up the highest total of the tournament so far before sealing the game with a clinical bowling effort.

Batting first after Oman captain Jatinder Singh opted to field, the co-hosts posted a formidable 225/5, the highest score of this edition and the fourth-highest in Men’s T20 World Cup history. They then restricted Oman to 120/9 to complete a dominant all-round performance.

Sri Lanka were dealt a minor jolt early, losing Kamil Mishara and Pathum Nissanka inside the Powerplay. However, they still raced to 58/2 in the first six overs, setting the tone for what would become a punishing display of strokeplay.

The innings was shaped by a blistering 94-run partnership off just 52 balls between Kusal Mendis and Pavan Rathnayake. On a batting-friendly surface, Rathnayake took the aggressive route, smashing eight fours and a six in a breathtaking 60 off 28 deliveries. Mendis, at the other end, provided stability and timing, crafting a composed 61 off 45 balls to anchor the innings.

Captain Dasun Shanaka then turned the screws further. Walking in after Rathnayake’s departure, he unleashed a flurry of big hits against an increasingly stretched Oman attack. Shanaka blazed his way to a half-century in just 19 balls, the fastest T20I fifty for Sri Lanka, finishing with five sixes and two fours in a stunning cameo. The hosts plundered 129 runs in the final 10 overs, including 17 in the last over, to surge past the 200-run mark with ease.

Oman’s bowlers endured a torrid evening, with five of the six used conceding at over 10 runs per over. Jiten Ramanandi picked up two wickets, while Bilal Khan Odedra and Mehmood managed one apiece.

Chasing a daunting 226, Oman never found momentum. They slipped to 36/3 inside six overs after Dushmantha Chameera struck in the opening over, bowling Jatinder Singh with a delivery that clipped the top of off stump. Aamir Kaleem and Hammad Mirza soon followed cheaply, leaving the visitors reeling. A 42-run stand between Mohammad Nadeem and Wasim Ali briefly steadied the innings, but the required rate kept climbing. Nadeem battled on to score an unbeaten 53 off 56 balls, providing a lone bright spot.

Maheesh Theekshana led Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling effort, conceding just 11 runs while taking two wickets, as the co-hosts completed a resounding victory.

Brief Scores: Sri Lanka 225/5 (Kusal Mendis 61, Pavan Rathnayake 60, Dasun Shanaka 50; Jiten Ramanandi 2/41) beat Oman 120/9 (Mohammad Nadeem 53, Wasim Ali 27; Dushmantha Chameera 2/19, Maheesh Theekshana 2/11) by 105 runs.