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NEW DELHI: Nitin Nabin will take over as BJP national president on Tuesday after emerging, as widely expected, as the sole candidate in fray, with the party’s leading figures from PM Narendra Modi, his cabinet colleagues and CMs, besides hundreds of electors from across country, endorsing his choice for the top organisational job.Modi, who signed the nomination paper in Nabin’s support but was not physically present at party headquarters Monday, is expected to be there when he formally assumes office. Other senior members, including Union ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh and CMs Yogi Adityanath, Mohan Yadav and Nayab Saini, turned up at the venue to be part of the set-piece occasion.K Laxman, party MP and returning officer for the poll, said after nomination process that Nabin is the only contestant in fray. In BJP’s history since its foundation in 1980, its president has always been a consensus choice and never faced electoral contest. A formal announcement of his elevation is scheduled for Tuesday.“I announce that only one name, that of Nitin Nabin, has been proposed for post of national president of BJP,” he said. Nabin (45), currently BJP working president and fifth-term MLA from Bihar, will take over the mantle from JP Nadda six years after the Himachal politician had taken up the position. Nabin will be its youngest-ever president.All 36 organisational states of BJP were part of the nomination-filing process besides its parliamentary party, which included Modi and Shah among others in what was seen a display of wide support for Nabin. Laxman said all 37 sets of nomination were found valid.Ministers and state presidents were seen patiently waiting for their state’s turn — an alphabetical order was followed for different units, to file their nomination in support of Nabin’s candidature. Nabin is expected to preside over his first formal meeting with office bearers in a couple of days.BJP’s Anurag Thakur said election of a young president conveys Modi’s call to Gez Z to be part of politics. Modi and BJP have shown they practice what they preach, he added.
NEW DELHI: In a rare development, Delhi HC acted on communication from Supreme Court of England and Wales to record statement of a banker in connection with the Nirav Modi case. In a recent order, HC sought assistance of Centre while issuing notice to all parties, including the fugitive diamantaire.Justice C Hari Shankar said assistance from govt is also needed “as to the future course of action to be taken in this matter, as there does not appear to be any earlier precedent in which the court acted on the basis of a communication from the foreign court, without a party to the matter approaching court”.The UK court sought HC’s intervention to record the testimony of a Delhi-based Bank of India official as a witness in proceedings abroad concerning Firestar Diamond FZE and its founder Nirav Modi in a loan default dispute.The request was communicated to Delhi HC via Union ministry of law and justice under 1970 Hague Convention on “taking of evidence abroad in civil or commercial matters”, HC noted in its order. To facilitate the process, court made the parties to UK proceedings, including Nirav Modi, also a party to the present matter.HC also asked counsel for Bank of India to clarify if they intend to file a formal application in the matter.
NEW DELHI: India’s star badminton player Saina Nehwal has confirmed her retirement from competitive badminton as she revealed on Monday that a chronic knee condition had left her unable to cope with the physical demands of elite sport. The 2012 London Olympic bronze medallist last appeared in competition at the Singapore Open in 2023, though she chose not to formally announce her decision at the time.
Explaining her approach, Saina said on a podcast, “I had stopped playing two years back. I actually felt that I entered the sport on my own terms and left on my own terms, so there was no need to announce it.” She added, “If you are not capable of playing anymore, that’s it. It’s fine.”The former world No. 1 said her decision was driven by severe knee degeneration that made sustained training impossible. Detailing the medical reality, she explained, “Your cartiledge has totally degenerated, you have arthritis, that’s what my parents needed to know that, my coaches needed to know that, and I just told them, ‘Now probably I can’t do it anymore, it is difficult’.”“Slowly people will also realise that Saina is not playing,” she added. “I didn’t think it was such a big matter to announce my retirement. I just felt my time was up because I couldn’t push much, that my knee is not able to push like before.”Highlighting the contrast with her peak years, Saina noted, “You train eight to nine hours to be the best in the world, now my knee was giving up in one or two hours. It was swelling and it became very tough to push after that. So I thought it’s enough. I can’t push it anymore.”Her career was significantly affected by a knee injury sustained at the Rio 2016 Olympics. While she mounted a strong comeback with a World Championships bronze in 2017 and Commonwealth Games gold in 2018, recurring issues persisted. In 2024, she revealed she has arthritis and worn cartilage in her knees.
BENGALURU: Logistics firm Shadowfax Technologies has raised Rs 856 crore from anchor investors, a day before its IPO opens for public subscription, according to a stock exchange filing. The company allotted 6.9 crore equity shares to 39 anchor investors at Rs 124 each, the upper end of the IPO price band.Domestic mutual funds accounted for about 53% of the anchor allocation, with shares worth Rs 455.7 crore. Nine mutual fund houses participated through 20 schemes.
Mumbai: London-based YouTuber Sangram Patil on Monday claimed that he was stopped at the airport on Monday morning while he was on his way back to the United Kingdom since a lookout circular (LOC) notice issued against him by the Mumbai police was still active despite the process for its withdrawal being initiated. Patil could not take his flight.Patil, a UK citizen, was earlier detained on Jan 10 at the city international airport and questioned by the crime branch unit-III in connection with a defamation case lodged by BJP media cell functionary Nikhil Bhamre. The complaint alleged Patil circulated false information about the ruling party and made derogatory comments against its leaders. City police had earlier said that Patil was served a notice under Section 35 (3) of BNSS, which provides for issuing an appearance notice instead of arrest in offences carrying shorter jail terms.Patil told a news agency on Monday that he was stopped at the city airport by immigration authorities who cited there was an active LOC against his name. The immigration officials informed him that he could not leave India because of this LOC, he claimed. Patil claimed the crime branch had called him on Jan 16 and he had submitted written replies to all police queries on that day.A senior crime branch officer told TOI: “We have amended the LOC from detention to ‘prevent and inform’ because investigation is going on. He has not given his mobile phone and laptop for the probe. The investigating officer had told him that the probe was going on and the officer asked him to postpone his flight. He (Patil) also knew about the active LOC.”“I gave my statement and requested the police to cancel the lookout circular since the inquiry was complete and I was scheduled to return on Jan 19. The police had initiated the process to withdraw the LOC after Jan 10 and had taken my signatures and passport photograph for that purpose. Despite informing them that I was returning on Jan 19, the lookout circular has not been withdrawn. I am a British citizen. My freedom of movement and freedom of expression is curtailed due to these police actions,” Patil claimed.
Iran’s national police chief gave people who were “deceived” into joining- what the authorities have called “riots”- a limited window to turn themselves in with lighter punishment.“Young people who became unwittingly involved in the riots are considered to be deceived individuals, not enemy soldiers,” Ahmad‑Reza Radan said on state television, adding that those individuals have “a maximum of three days” to surrender and would be “treated with leniency by the Islamic republic system.”
The protests, which began in late December, erupted across Iran in response to the worsening economy and soon escalated into direct challenges to the ruling theocracy. Soaring prices and widespread job insecurity drove frustrated traders, university students, and city residents into the streets of major cities, including Tehran, Mashhad, and Isfahan. Some demonstrators even targeted Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, with graffiti and chants calling for his death appearing in Tehran.Iranian officials have presented varying figures for the death toll. A regional Iranian official said at least 5,000 people were killed in the protests, including about 500 members of the security forces. Some of the deadliest clashes were reported in Kurdish regions of northwest Iran.Human rights and activist groups estimate a wide range of casualties and arrests, with some reporting more than 24,000 arrests and thousands of verified deaths.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a rare acknowledgment, confirmed that “several thousand” people were killed during the unrest. In a televised address, he accused the United States and Israel of orchestrating the protests and described US President Donald Trump as a “criminal” for supporting demonstrators.“We will not drag the country into war, but we will not let domestic or international criminals go unpunished,” Khamenei said. He added that authorities “must break the back of the seditionists” and warned that domestic and foreign “criminals” would not be spared punishment.Iran’s judiciary has warned that those accused of leading violence could face swift trials and capital charges, including Mohareb, or waging war against God, a capital offense under Iranian law.
US President Donald Trump escalated his rhetoric against Iran’s leadership, calling Khamenei a “sick man” and saying it was “time to look for new leadership” in the country, accusing him of destroying it through extreme violence.Trump also urged Iranians to continue protesting and “take over institutions,” adding that “help is on its way.” He claimed Tehran had halted planned executions of hundreds of detainees, though analysts have questioned these assertions.Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned that any attack on the Supreme Leader would amount to a declaration of war against Iran. He echoed claims that the unrest was influenced by foreign adversaries and reiterated these concerns in a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Iranian authorities say calm is returning to many cities. State media reported that streets in Tehran and other urban centers were quiet, shops reopened, and schools resumed after a prolonged communications blackout.Internet access has gradually been restored in some areas, though restrictions and heavy filtering remain in place.
Panaji: Former Italy striker and Venezuela coach Pamela Conti is the All India Football Federation’s top choice to take over the U-17 women’s team for the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup.For the first time this season, three women’s teams have made it to the continental stage, and with FIFA World Cup spots on offer, the federation wants to do “everything possible” to help the team make it to the global stage.
Last week, Amelia Valverde, who guided Costa Rica to two FIFA Women’s World Cups in 2015 and 2023, was confirmed as the senior women’s head coach. Now, AIFF is close to finalising a deal with Conti, who was voted Italy’s Player-of-the-Year in 2004.“We have agreed terms with Conti and should be able to sign the contract in the next couple of days,” a senior AIFF official told TOI on Sunday. “Women’s football is at a crucial stage and a good performance at the Asian level can spur the sport to greater heights in India.”The AIFF is understood to have also contacted a Swedish coach who was assistant to national teams in Sweden and Brazil. However, it’s Conti who has found favour, thanks to her work in Venezuela where she took the national team to the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2024.Besides qualification to the U-20 World Cup where they drew against South Korea, Conti’s other achievements with Venezuela includes a gold medal at the U-20 South American Games, gold at the U-23 Alba Games and silver at the Central American Games.“Conti has great coaching experience, having been with the Atletico Madrid U-17 team and then the Venezuela women’s national team, who are ranked in the forties in FIFA rankings for the past five years. In Venezuela, she looked after the seniors, U-20 and U-17 teams, and was in-charge of the entire structure,” said another official.Venezuela women are ranked 42 in the latest FIFA rankings, just ahead of Costa Rica.AIFF is expected to ink a contract with Conti till the conclusion of the AFC Asian Cup 2026 in May.As a professional footballer, Conti has 16 years of experience playing in Italy, Spain, Russia, Sweden and the United States. She made her national team debut at 16 and ended with 98 caps, scoring 42 goals, which included two European Championships.India’s previous appearance at the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup was in the inaugural edition in 2005. The draw for the 10th edition of the tournament is scheduled for Feb 12 with the tournament set to take place from April 30 to May 17 in China.Meanwhile, newly-appointed senior women’s national team Alemia Valverde will take charge in Turkey on Monday. She joins the squad along with goalkeeper’s coach Javier Garri and fitness trainer Jose Alberto Salazar, both from Costa Rica.
India cricket veterans Zaheer Khan and Ajinkya Rahane have questioned Ravindra Jadeja’s effectiveness in the middle overs of One-Day Internationals (ODI) following India’s series-deciding defeat against New Zealand in Indore on Sunday, January 18. The discussion emerged after India lost the third ODI by 41 runs, conceding the series (2-1) – New Zealand’s first-ever ODI series victory on Indian soil.
Asked to bat first at the Holkar Cricket Stadium, New Zealand posted an imposing 337 for 8 in their 50 overs. The foundation of the total was a massive 219-run partnership for the fourth wicket between Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips. Mitchell scored a commanding 137, while Phillips complemented him with a fluent 106, dismantling India’s bowling plans during the middle and death overs.
For India, Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana were the standout performers, picking up three wickets each. However, the lack of control from the rest of the bowling unit allowed New Zealand to maintain momentum throughout the innings.
In reply, India’s chase never truly gained traction after early losses at the top. Virat Kohli once again stood tall, scoring a brilliant 124 and anchoring the innings. He received support from Nitish Kumar Reddy (53) and Harshit Rana (52), but the required rate continued to climb as partnerships failed to flourish.
India were eventually bowled out for 296, handing New Zealand a famous 41-run victory and sealing a historic series win. The defeat prompted post-match analysis, with attention turning to India’s middle-overs bowling and Jadeja’s role in that phase.
Jadeja endured a difficult series, struggling to make an impact with either bat or ball. Across the three ODIs, the experienced all-rounder scored just 43 runs and failed to take a single wicket, conceding 141 runs in the 25 overs he bowled.
In the opening ODI at Vadodara, Jadeja went for 56 runs in nine overs. He followed that with figures of 44 runs in eight overs at Rajkot, before conceding 41 runs from six overs in Indore, where he was introduced only in the 30th over. These returns raised concerns about his ability to control and influence the middle overs.
Speaking on Cricbuzz, Zaheer emphasized how the ODI format has evolved, particularly during the middle overs. According to him, bowlers can no longer afford to play a purely containing role.
“The ODI format has changed. You can’t just be a containing bowler in the middle overs,” Zaheer said. He added that teams now view this phase as an opportunity to shift momentum, making wicket-taking a crucial requirement. Zaheer stressed that Jadeja must focus on being more aggressive and impactful with the ball in ODIs.
“Everyone sees that phase as an opportunity to shift momentum, so you can’t just contain; you must also be aggressive and take wickets. Ravindra Jadeja needs to focus on that aspect of his game in ODI,” the former India pacer added.
Ajinkya Rahane echoed similar concerns, suggesting that Jadeja’s lack of variation has made him easier to line up. Rahane noted that bowling at a similar pace, especially with only one fielder outside the circle, allows batters to settle.
He contrasted Jadeja’s approach with that of Axar Patel, highlighting how changes in pace, angles, and use of the crease can disrupt batters.
Also READ: Angry fans target head coach Gautam Gambhir following India’s ODI series loss to New Zealand
“In ODIs, you must have variations. Though Jadeja is a proven performer across conditions, he bowls at a similar pace and can become predictable. With only one fielder up, it becomes easy for the batter if a bowler maintains the same speed. With Axar, he has variations; he changes his pace and uses angles at the crease really well. So, there is healthy competition, and I am sure Jadeja understands this, as he knows his game well,” said Rahane.
Rahane also underlined the importance of evolving with conditions, stating that while Jadeja is lethal on turning tracks, flatter wickets demand adaptability and fresh plans.
“Jadeja likes to keep his game simple with the ball. But you have to evolve based on conditions. On a turning track, he’s lethal. But on a flat wicket, he’ll have to adjust and devise different plans, using angles better,” added the ex-India Test captain.
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