HYDERABAD: Incidents of mass killing of stray dogs in Telangana continued to surface on Monday with another 200 dogs allegedly poisoned to death at Pathipaka village in Hanumakonda district. While the incident, according to animal rights activists, took place a month ago — amid the sarpanch elections — it came to light on Jan 25 after locals tipped them off about the dogs being buried at a site close to the village.This is the second such incident being reported from a village under the Shayampet police station limits this month. On Jan 9, cops here had filed an FIR after a complaint was lodged about 300 dogs being similarly killed in Arepally village, in the same area.

“Since both the cases fall under our jurisdiction, as is suspected to have been executed by the same people, we have decided to make changes to the earlier FIR and add details of the latest case,” said Jakkula Parameshwar, SI, Shayampet police station adding that the dog carcasses will be retrieved and sent for post mortem examination on Tuesday.In the Arepally case, cops had booked the village sarpanch, secretary and others, under Sections 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and Section 11(1)(a) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960 (dealing with killing and poisoning of animals by multiple persons).“We were informed about these killings on Sunday. We suspect that these dogs too were killed by administering lethal injections. We went to the site where they were buried and registered a complaint with the police after the visit,” said Goutham Adulapuram of Stray Animal Foundation India. He added that they also interacted with the locals to understand the motive behind these killings. “It looks like this too was ordered by gram panchayat officials to fulfil poll promises,” he added.So far, more than 1,000 dogs have been allegedly killed across Telangana this month. The accused include several sarpanchs and ward members who, complainants claim, promised to address the dog and monkey menace while campaigning for the recently concluded gram panchayat elections. These mass killings have been reported from Kamareddy, Jagtial, Hanumakonda and Ranga Reddy districts.

Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman has been under fire since his remarks on alleged communal bias in the film industry went viral. The composer revealed that in the last eight years, he is getting less work from Bollywood and it could be because of the industry getting communal. Though, he personally has not experienced it, but heard of it through ‘chinese whispers’. While several filmmakers and singers have weighed in on the controversy, veteran actress Waheeda Rehman has now shared her perspective on the ongoing debate.Responding to Rahman’s comments, the veteran actress said that she prefers to stay away from such discussions. “Yes, I read about it, but I try to dig less into it. I prefer not to pay attention to it when everything is going fine. These small things happen in every country,” she said in an interview with Screen.

Explaining her stance further, the actress added, “So, what to believe and how much to believe? If it’s even true or not, why should we get involved? At least at my age, I don’t want to get involved with anything or anybody. Apni shaanti se raho, yeh mulk hai humaara, bas khush raho, that’s what I can say (this is our country, live in peace and stay happy).”She also suggested that professional phases and changing industry dynamics could sometimes influence such statements. “Kaam toh upar neeche hota hi rehta hai. Ek umar ke baad, log kehte hain ki bring somebody new or different (your ability to get work changes after a certain age). All this can lead to a few people staying behind,” she remarked.Concluding her thoughts, she noted that fluctuations in success are a natural part of any career. “Agar vo bahut oonchaai par pahuche hain aur vo vahin rahenge, unhi ko lenge, aisa bhi toh nahi hota na. Upar neeche hota hi rehta hai, aisi koi nayi baat nahi hai (It is nothing new; this fluctuation keeps happening),” she said.For those not in the know, in an interview BBC Asian Network, Rahman was asked whether he ever felt sidelined in Bollywood for being a Tamil composer. He responded by saying, “Maybe I never got to know of this, maybe it was concealed by God, but I didn’t feel any of this.” He went on to add, “The past eight years, maybe, because a power shift has happened, and people who are not creative have the power now. It might be a communal thing also… but it is not in my face.” During the same conversation, Rahman also criticised Chhaava for capitalising on “divisiveness.”

The West Indies have officially announced their squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, with Shai Hope set to lead an experienced and franchise-heavy side. The global event is scheduled to begin on February 7, with matches hosted across India and Sri Lanka.

The announcement signals a clear shift in strategy from the second-string squad that recently toured the UAE to face Afghanistan, as West Indies selectors have opted for proven international performers and T20 specialists ahead of the marquee event.

Major overhaul in the West Indies T20I squad after Afghanistan series

The squad bears a distinctly different look compared to the side that played the T20I series against Afghanistan. Only a handful of players from that tour have retained their places, underlining the selectors’ intent to prioritize experience and pedigree on the world stage.

Among the batters, Johnson Charles, Shimron Hetmyer and Brandon King are the only names to carry over from the UAE series. The rest of the batting group has been refreshed with players who have consistently delivered in high-pressure franchise environments.

While the batting unit has seen notable changes, the pace attack remains largely intact. Jason Holder, Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales, and Matthew Forde form a balanced mix of pace, bounce, and control.

Spin options are led by Akeal Hosein and Gudakesh Motie, who are expected to play key roles on subcontinental surfaces where variation and accuracy will be crucial.

Franchise experience shapes West Indies strategy

A defining feature of the selected squad is its strong franchise cricket influence. Several members of the team are regular participants in major T20 leagues around the world, bringing adaptability and situational awareness to the side.

Players such as Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford and Romario Shepherd have built reputations as impact performers across leagues, capable of changing games in short bursts. Their inclusion reflects West Indies’ commitment to aggressive, fearless cricket – a hallmark of their T20 identity.

Also READ: New Zealand pacer Adam Milne ruled out of T20 World Cup 2026, replacement announced

Evin Lewis left out of the West Indies T20 World Cup squad 

One of the notable omissions from the squad is left-handed opener Evin Lewis. Lewis endured a disappointing outing during his limited appearances against Afghanistan and has not done enough to reclaim his spot in the final World Cup squad.

His absence signals a tough selection call by the West Indies management, emphasizing current form and adaptability over past reputation as they aim to build a cohesive unit for the tournament.

West Indies squad for T20 World Cup 2026

Shai Hope (c & wk), Johnson Charles (wk), Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Quentin Sampson, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd

Also READ: Will Ishan Kishan replace Sanju Samson as opener in T20 World Cup 2026? Ravichandran Ashwin has his say

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Maine plane crash (AP image)

At least seven people were killed and a crew member survived with serious injuries after a private business jet crashed during takeoff amid a snowstorm at Bangor International Airport in the US state of Maine on Sunday night.The Bombardier Challenger 600, carrying eight people, flipped over and caught fire while attempting to depart the airport at around 7.45 pm (local time). The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the fatalities and said the injured crew member was immediately taken to a hospital for treatment.The crash occurred as massive winter storms swept across large parts of the United States, bringing heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain, which disrupted air and road travel nationwide.Nearly 12,000 flights were canceled and about 20,000 were delayed on Sunday, according to flight tracker FlightAware. The airport, located about 200 miles north of Boston was shut down shortly after the crash.The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which is investigating the incident along with the FAA, said preliminary information showed the plane experienced a post-crash fire.Airport director Jose Saavedra said emergency responders reached the scene within moments of the crash. Referring to air traffic control recordings, he said an alert was raised soon after takeoff clearance. “Aircraft upside down. We have a passenger aircraft upside down,” an air traffic controller was heard saying about 45 seconds after the plane was cleared for departure, as reported by news agency AP.Saavedra said that first responders arrived in less than a minute and confirmed that the airport would remain closed until at least noon on Wednesday.Addressing weather preparedness, Saavedra said, “We have crews on site that respond to weather storms on a regular basis. This is normal for us to respond to weather events.”Airports in Philadelphia, Washington, Baltimore, New York, New Jersey and North Carolina were among the worst affected.The Bombardier Challenger 600 is a wide-bodied business jet typically configured for nine to 11 passengers. Introduced in 1980, it was the first private jet with a “walk-about cabin” and remains a popular charter aircraft.The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched a joint investigation to determine the cause of the crash. Preliminary information indicates the plane experienced a post-crash fire upon departure. The NTSB said that it will not release further details until investigators arrive on-site.

US stocks opened with modest gains on Monday as investors turned their focus to a busy earnings calendar and the upcoming policy meeting of the US Federal Reserve, while gold surged past the $5,000-an-ounce mark for the first time.The S&P 500 rose 0.4% in early trade, coming off its second consecutive weekly loss. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 184 points, or 0.4%, while the Nasdaq composite advanced 0.3% by mid-morning trading.Airline stocks traded slightly lower after thousands of flights were cancelled due to a massive winter storm stretching from the Rockies to the US East Coast. Shares of Delta Air Lines and United Airlines were down 1.2% each.USA Rare Earth, an Oklahoma-based critical minerals miner, jumped 25% after receiving a boost from a US government investment, highlighting continued policy support for strategic supply chains.Safe-haven demand pushed precious metals sharply higher. Gold climbed 2% to breach $5,000 an ounce for the first time, while silver surged 8.6% to around $110 per ounce, extending gains seen amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty.Natural gas futures rose another 2.2% as colder weather followed the winter storm, which dumped heavy snowfall in several regions and disrupted power supplies.Investors are also closely watching the US Federal Reserve, which meets later this week to decide on interest rates. Most expect policymakers to keep rates unchanged after cutting them at the final three meetings of 2025.Market attention this week will remain on corporate earnings, including results from United Airlines, Boeing, General Motors, Meta, Microsoft and Apple, with investors assessing the potential impact of recent US tariff policies.Global cues were mixed. European markets edged higher, while Asian markets were weaker. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 1.8% after the yen rebounded against the US dollar amid speculation of possible government intervention. The dollar slipped to 153.83 yen from 155.01 yen, after trading near 158 yen last week.

Representative image (Photo credit: PTI)

NEW DELHI: Prominent agriculture scientist Ashok Kumar Singh, who developed over 25 rice varieties, especially Basmati, and co-developed India’s first genome-edited rice, and former Vice-Chancellor of the Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa in Bihar, Gopal Ji Trivedi, were among nine persons associated with the farm and allied sector selected for this year’s Padma Shri award.Besides Singh, former director of the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), there were four other scientists and four farmers in the list of awardees from the sector who helped farm growth through their research and innovative farm practices and contributed towards improving the livelihood of farmers in different parts of the country.Rice varieties, including different Pusa Basmati and non-Basmati varieties, developed by Singh and other ICAR-IARI scientists, significantly increased rice output over the years and helped India earn roughly around Rs 50,000 crore annually from Basmati rice export.The country’s first genome-edited rice varieties, ‘DRR Dhan 100 (Kamala)’ and ‘Pusa DST Rice 1’, which Singh co-developed with other scientists of the ICAR’s institutes, were expected to enhance output, save water and reduce greenhouse gas emission during cultivation. It was estimated that cultivation of these varieties, released last year, in about 5 million hectares of the recommended area would produce 4.5 million tons of additional paddy, save a total of 7,500 million cubic metres of irrigation water, particularly by using the shorter duration maturity variety of ‘DRR Dhan 100 Kamala’, and reduce methane emissions by 20%.Trivedi helped farmers cultivate Makhana (fox nuts) in a big way and popularise the nutrient-dense, low-calorie and gluten-free snack among health conscious Indians. Besides helping farmers cultivate Makhana, Trivedi also popularised adoption of canopy management in Litchi orchards to improve yield and promoted winter maize cultivation in Bihar.Other agriculture scientists selected for Padma Shri were Prem Lal Gautam, former chairperson of the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) and the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPVFRA); K Ramasamy, former Vice Chancellor of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU); and N Punniamoorthy, former dean at Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANVASU).Ramasamy championed natural farming and significantly contributed in National Policy Planning of Agriculture Biotechnology, Ferti-irrigation and Biogas Development. Gautam established India’s first plant germplasm registration system and helped in operationalising India’s National Gene Bank.Punniamurthy, a veterinarian, pioneered antibiotic-free herbal and traditional protocols and developed herbal formulations for Mastitis, FMD and parasitic infection. He helped reduce antibiotic residues in milk and treated over 8 lakh cows.Four farmers selected for the Padma Shri for contributions to agriculture and animal husbandry included Raghupat Singh (Posthumous), a progressive farmer from Bilari in Moradabad district, who conserved more than 55 rare and nearly extinct vegetable varieties and developed around 100 new varieties; Jogesh Deuri of Assam, who promoted Muga silk and helped it gain wider national and international recognition; Shrirang Devaba Lad of Maharashtra, who developed the “Dada Lad technique” for cotton cultivation to increase yield; and Rama Reddy Mamidi of Telangana (Posthumous), who strengthened cooperative models in animal husbandry and dairy development.

MUMBAI: Cameras equipped with facial recognition tech have helped Government Railway Police track down the suspected killer of a city college teacher in around 12 hours after the murder. The victim, Alok Kumar Singh (33), was stabbed to death after a fight on a local train at Malad station on Saturday evening.The 27-year-old suspect, Omkar Shinde, told police that he lost his cool after a tiff with Singh over alighting at the station. Shinde, who is into imitation jewellery and metal polishing, is believed to have used a small pair of tongs to stab Singh. He threw away the weapon while fleeing. Police are looking for it.Singh and his colleague S K Trivedi were heading home in a Borivli-bound slow local when the former was stabbed at the door of the coach. “We may have scanned footage from close to 200 cameras in the span of a night,” a Borivli GRP officer said. The GRP worked with Railway Protection Force and city police to track down the suspect.Explaining the sequence of events after the stabbing of the junior college teacher, police said Shinde ran on platform no. 1 and climbed a foot overbridge. Cameras captured him exiting the railway premises towards Malad (E) a minute later.“We wanted to check if the suspect was a frequent railway commuter and started looking through surveillance footage from five days before the incident,” a GRP officer said. Around 5-6 teams were formed. Logs were maintained for dates and timings that Shinde was captured on cameras, equipped with facial recognition tech, entering or exiting railway premises.“Shinde would typically board the 7.18am Up local from Malad and after work, he took board the 4.16pm local from Charni Road to head home,” said another officer. Surveillance footage from outside Malad railway station showed that Shinde preferred walking home in the evening. But in the morning, he would take an auto to reach the station.After studying these patterns, investigators set up a trap at the auto stand outside Malad station around 7am on Sunday. “We were not too sure if he would go to work as it was a Sunday. But we saw him getting off an auto,” said an officer. The team pounced on Shinde and brought him to the Borivli GRP chowky. He initially claimed he wasn’t aware of Singh’s death. Shinde resides at Kurar village in Malad with his parents and a brother. He works at his father’s metal polishing unit in Khetwadi, besides doing some imitation jewellery work on his own. Police said his father is a heart patient and has stopped working.On Sunday, Shinde was produced before a holiday court at Borivli which sent him to police custody till Jan 29. Police said he does not have a prior criminal record.

NEW DELHI: Bihar rode opener Piyush Singh’s superb second-innings double century and sharp bowling spells from Suraj Kashyap and Himanshu Singh to crush Manipur by a massive 568 runs in the Plate final, sealing a triumphant return to the Ranji Trophy Elite Group on Monday. Bihar’s Ranji journey has been turbulent, with the side briefly breaking into the Elite Group in the 2022-23 season before slipping back to the Plate Group in 2024-25.Now back in the top tier, Bihar are pushing ahead with a rebuilding phase under skipper Sakibul Gani, bolstered by the promise of teenage batting prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi.

On Monday, Bihar set Manipur a daunting target of 764 after Raghuvendra Pratap Singh fell agonisingly short of a century, dismissed for his overnight score of 90, prompting the declaration of the second innings at 505 for 6.After posting 522 in the first innings and dismissing Manipur for 264, Bihar wrapped up the match by bowling out their opponents for 195 in the second essay, with spinners Suraj Kumar Kashyap (3/32) and Himanshu Singh (3/49) picking up three wickets apiece on the fifth and final day.Skipper Gani (108) and Bipin Saurabh (143), who both struck fine centuries in the first innings, laid the foundation for the emphatic victory, before Piyush Singh followed it up with an unbeaten 216 off 322 balls in the second innings as Bihar piled on the runs against a hapless Manipur.Bihar declared after just nine balls on the final day, with Raghuvendra unable to add to the team’s overnight total of 505, prompting Gani to call an early declaration and give his side a full day to dismantle Manipur.The bowlers then left Manipur reeling at 50 for 5 inside 14 overs, a collapse that deepened to 70 for 7 by the 23rd, before a gritty 102-ball 74 from teenager Pheiroijam Jotin briefly held up Bihar’s charge.The 19-year-old Jotin later added 83 runs for the eighth wicket with L. Kishan Singha, who made 30 off 76 balls, as the pair momentarily threatened to deny Bihar an outright victory.However, once pacer Akash Raj removed Kishan Singha in the 44th over, the outcome became inevitable. Jotin fell a few overs later, bringing an end to the last resistance in Manipur’s batting.Earlier this month, Bihar had also earned promotion to the Elite League in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, defeating Manipur by six wickets in the final.Brief Scores:Bihar 522 and 505 for 6 decl (Piyush Singh 216, Raghuvendra Pratap Singh 90; Pheiroijam Jotin 3/85).Manipur 264 and 195 in 56.1 overs (Pheiroijam Jotin 74; Prashant Singh 2/51, S Kashyap 3/32, H Singh 3/49).