Mumbai: In a rare breath of fresh air for Mumbaikars, the city recorded its cleanest air quality since the beginning of the month on Sunday. The city registered an overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of 117, firmly placing it in the ‘moderate’ category where it has remained since the start of the New Year. Though the city has seen some intermittent days of satisfactory air in January, the recent readings mark a significant point of improvement for February so far.While the city-wide average showed improvement, the air quality remained a tale of two suburbs. Residents in Borivli (60), Powai (67), and Mulund (77) enjoyed the best conditions, with levels bordering the ‘satisfactory’ mark. Conversely, pockets of the city continued to struggle with stagnant air. Sion emerged as the most polluted locality with an AQI of 175, followed by Bandra East (159) and Navy Nagar, Colaba (150).The satellite cities followed a similar trend of marginal improvement. Thane recorded an AQI of 108, while Navi Mumbai stood at 113. Within Navi Mumbai, Vashi boasted a ‘satisfactory’ 75, though industrial Taloja remained the outlier at 134.While the lungs found some relief, the skin felt the sting of an unseasonably warm sun as the day was 3.7° warmer than usual. Maximum temperatures across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) stayed significantly above the seasonal average. Indian Meteorological Department’s (IMD) Santacruz observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 34.5°C, which was 3.6° warmer than normal. The nights offered little respite, with the minimum temperature at Santacruz settling at 19.2°C, 2° warmer than normal.The Colaba weather station mirrored this trend, recording a high of 33.4°C, which was 3.7° warmer than the normal expected temperature. The minimum temperature at Colaba was 22°C, marked as 2.3° warmer than normal. This spike in mercury suggests a momentary pause in the city’s usual January chill.

BENGALURU: Scientists from Isro’s Space Applications Centre (SAC) have identified a promising landing zone in the rugged south polar region of the Moon for India’s first lunar sample return mission, Chandrayaan-4. A detailed terrain study using images from the Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter High Resolution Camera (OHRC) has shortlisted a one-square-kilometre patch near Mons Mouton as the safest option for touchdown. The study, carried out by Amitabh, K Suresh, Ajay K Prashar, Kannan V Iyer, Abdul S, Shweta Verma Trivedi and Nitant Dube, has been accessed by TOI.Chandrayaan-4 will be Isro’s most complex lunar mission. The spacecraft will include a propulsion module, a descender module, an ascender module, a transfer module and a re-entry module. The descender and ascender stack must soft-land on the Moon, collect samples and launch them back to lunar orbit for return to Earth .Selecting the right site is crucial. Engineers must ensure gentle local slopes, adequate sunlight for at least 11-12 days, clear radio visibility to Earth, and minimal hazards such as craters and boulders. The lander design limits the acceptable slope to about 10° and requires boulders smaller than 0.32 metres .Earlier assessments based on coarser data had highlighted several candidate areas between 84° and 90° south latitude. The new work focused on five zones around Mons Mouton, analysing them with sharper OHRC stereo images at 32-centimetre resolution. One site was discarded because it lay in permanent shadow .Researchers generated digital elevation models at a fine grid of 0.32 metres and studied terrain undulations, illumination patterns and hazard distribution. Four locations, labelled MM-1, MM-3, MM-4 and MM-5, were compared on parameters such as mean slope, height range and the number of safe landing grids of 24 by 24 metres .Among them, the MM-4 area — at latitude minus 84.289° and longitude 32.808° — emerged as the front-runner. It showed the lowest hazard level at 9.89%, an average slope of 5° and the highest count of 568 safe grids. The region also offered favourable illumination and limited shadowing from nearby terrain .Other sites carried higher risks. MM-1 and MM-3 recorded hazard levels above 12%, while MM-5 provided only 72 safe grids within the target area. Elevations across the sites ranged from 4,800 to over 6,100 metres, reflecting the broken topography of the lunar south pole .Scientists say the analysis demonstrates how high-resolution imaging can guide precise landing decisions. The OHRC data allowed them to map craters, boulders and slopes with a clarity not available during earlier missions .If approved by the landing site selection committee, the MM-4 patch will host India’s first attempt to bring back pieces of the Moon. Success would place Isro among a small group of space agencies capable of returning extraterrestrial samples, opening a new chapter in the country’s planetary exploration programme.

India’s Sumit Nagal (PTI Photo/Shailendra Bhojak)

The Davis Cup Qualifiers tie between India and the Netherlands was dragged into a decisive final rubber on Sunday after Sumit Nagal’s reverse singles loss allowed the visitors to draw level at 2-2, wiping out the advantage India had earned through their dramatic doubles win earlier in the day.Nagal, who had given India the perfect start by taking the opening set, could not sustain the momentum as he went down 7-5, 1-6, 4-6 to world number 88 Jesper de Jong in a punishing contest that stretched close to three hours. The defeat set up a winner-takes-all fifth singles, with Dhakshineswar Suresh once again entrusted with the responsibility of seeing India through. He faces Dutch debutant Guy de Ouden, who had beaten Nagal on Saturday.

India had earlier surged ahead 2-1 after Yuki Bhambri and Dhakshineswar Suresh edged past David Pel and Sander Arends in a gripping doubles rubber, winning 7-6 (0), 3-6, 7-6 (1) in a match that swung repeatedly over three hours.In the reverse singles, Nagal broke De Jong in the opening game and kept his errors in check early on. The Dutchman, however, clawed his way back by winning three games in succession to take a narrow lead. After trading breaks, Nagal found another lift late in the set, breaking in the 11th game and closing it out confidently with a powerful forehand winner.The conditions slowed in the second set, which initially appeared to suit Nagal’s counter-punching game. De Jong, though, wrested control with a double break to open up a 5-1 lead. Despite Nagal saving multiple break points in a long sixth game, De Jong eventually forced a decider.The Dutchman struck early in the final set and gradually wore Nagal down in a physically demanding phase. Although Nagal managed to break back once, De Jong held his nerve to seal the match and level the tie.Earlier, India captain Rohit Rajpal’s decision to pair Bhambri with Dhakshineswar in doubles proved inspired. The opening set saw Bhambri repeatedly tested on serve, but the Indian pair survived several break points before dominating the tie-break without conceding a point.The Netherlands responded in the second set as Bhambri’s serving troubles resurfaced, allowing the visitors to break and level the contest. The deciding set became a battle of patience, with India creating multiple break chances that initially went begging.The turning point came after Arends required a medical timeout for his left hand. From that moment, his serving lost its bite, and the Indians finally seized the opening to clinch the match and hand themselves a slender advantage that now rests on the shoulders of Dhakshineswar in the decisive fifth rubber.

BENGALURU: City police have arrested a 32-year-old man from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, for allegedly assisting software engineer Balamurugan in the murder of his wife by tracking and sharing her live location.Abhimanyu Singh, who worked as an assistant with a gold merchant, was taken into custody for his role in the conspiracy, police said.

Abhimanyu’s arrest has been linked to the murder of Bhuvaneshwari, a bank employee, who was shot dead in Dec 2025 within the limits of Magadi Road police station. Her husband, Balamurugan, was earlier arrested for orchestrating and executing the killing. Investigators said Balamurugan had planned the murder for several months and had even kept a knife as a backup in case the shooting plan failed.Police said Balamurugan had initially hired a Tamil Nadu-based burglar, Moulesh Kumar, to shoot his wife. However, as Moulesh kept postponing the execution, Balamurugan eventually carried out the murder himself. Moulesh was later arrested by Tamil Nadu police in connection with a house burglary, during which one of the country-made pistols allegedly procured by Balamurugan was recovered.During the investigation, police identified Abhimanyu as a key facilitator. “Abhimanyu Singh would come to Bengaluru and stay with Balamurugan. Pretending to attend a gym located opposite Bhuvaneshwari’s bank every morning, Abhimanyu followed her movements whenever he was in the city,” a police officer said. “On the day of the murder, Abhimanyu shared Bhuvaneshwari’s live location with Balamurugan, enabling him to track her movements.“Police also alleged that Abhimanyu had accompanied Moulesh to Bihar to procure the two country-made pistols. Two other associates of Moulesh — Surya and Rahul — have also been identified for their alleged roles in the murder plot.Both are currently lodged in prisons in Tamil Nadu, and city police said steps are being taken to bring them to Bengaluru for further questioning. Investigators maintained that the murder was the result of a meticulously planned conspiracy, with multiple accomplices aiding Balamurugan at different stages.

NEW DELHI: NSA Ajit Doval’s first bilateral visit to Canada since the diplomatic strife over the killing of a Khalistani separatist in 2023 rocked the relationship between the countries saw both sides agreeing to a “shared workplan” to guide bilateral cooperation on national security and law enforcement issues, and to enable “practical collaboration” on respective priorities. Doval is learnt to have strongly conveyed to Canada that violent extremist groups should not enjoy any form of support from the Canadian govt. According to an Indian readout, both sides acknowledged progress on initiatives aimed at supporting the safety and security of their countries and citizens. The national security advisor met his counterpart Nathalie Drouin on Saturday, during a visit that the Indian govt described as part of regular bilateral security dialogue between the two sides. While there have been several high-level exchanges between the two sides in the recent past, including a visit to India by Canadian foreign minister Anita Anand, Doval’s presence in Canada is being seen as an important confidence-building measure ahead of PM Mark Carney’s visit to India next month. According to a ministry of external affairs (MEA) statement, it was agreed that each country would “establish security and law enforcement liaison officers and that their respective agencies would build on working relationships”. “This important step will help streamline bilateral communication and enable timely information sharing on issues of mutual concern to Canada and India, such as the illegal flow of drugs, particularly fentanyl precursors, and transnational organised criminal networks,” said the statement. During her visit, Anand had told TOI that Canada is following a twin-track approach to India: active law enforcement dialogue to address security concerns and expanded cooperation in trade, technology and energy. The visit also saw both sides launching a new roadmap to revive economic ties amidst increasing global uncertainties. Both sides also committed to formalising cooperation on cybersecurity policy and information sharing on cybersecurity issues, as well as continuing talks on cooperation over fraud and immigration enforcement, consistent with domestic laws and international obligations, according to the readout. Doval also had a meeting with Gary Anandasangaree, the Canadian minister for public safety, on Friday.

In a tournament already filled with high-intensity drama, the T20 World Cup 2026 clash between New Zealand and Afghanistan at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium delivered one of its most bizarre moments.

During the third over of the Afghanistan innings, a chaotic miscommunication between wicketkeeper Tim Seifert and Finn Allen led to a high-profile dropped catch that left both players and the crowd in a state of disbelief. What should have been a regulation dismissal for Matt Henry turned into a viral ‘comedy of errors’ as two of New Zealand’s finest collided on the big stage.

Tim Seifert and Finn Allen’s bizarre mix-up gives Rahmanullah Gurbaz a lucky lifeline during NZ vs AFG T20 World Cup 2026 match

The incident unfolded when Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz, looking to break the shackles against Henry, danced down the pitch for a wild slog. He only managed a thick top edge that sent the ball towering into the sky, seemingly hanging in the Chennai humidity forever. As the ball descended directly behind the stumps, Seifert tracked it perfectly and made a clear call to claim the catch, appearing to be in full control of the situation.

However, Finn Allen, charging in with blinkered focus from short fine-leg, failed to hear or heed the call and ran across Seifert’s path. Just as the keeper settled under the ball to complete the dismissal, Allen arrived at full tilt and bumped into him. The force of the mid-air impact knocked the ball out of Seifert’s steady gloves, sending both players sprawling onto the turf as the ball landed safely between them. In a classic display of Kiwi temperament, after the initial shock, both Allen and Seifert were seen laughing on the ground, sharing the embarrassment of a ‘mine-not-yours’ disaster that gave Gurbaz a vital early reprieve.

Here’s the video:

pic.twitter.com/HGgY2H1N3Q

— Drizzyat12Kennyat8 (@45kennyat7PM) February 8, 2026

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T20 World Cup 2026: Seifert & Glenn Phillips power New Zealand to record chase over Afghanistan

New Zealand kicked off their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a clinical five-wicket victory over Afghanistan in Chennai. After Rashid Khan won the toss and chose to bat, Afghanistan posted a competitive 182/6, fueled by a solid half-century from Gulbadin Naib. The Kiwis’ chase started poorly with Mujeeb Ur Rahman removing both openers early, leaving them reeling at 14/2.

However, Seifert played a match-winning hand, smashing 65 off 42 balls to stabilize the innings and shift the momentum. He was well-supported by Glenn Phillips, who added a blistering 42 to keep the required rate under control against the Afghan spinners. Despite a late wicket from Rashid Khan, Daryl Mitchell and skipper Mitchell Santner remained calm to finish the job with 15 balls to spare. This win earns New Zealand two vital points in the “Group of Death” and serves as revenge for their 2024 defeat to the same side. The Black Caps now look ahead to their high-stakes clash against South Africa scheduled for February 14th.

Also READ: Fans erupt as Sher Malla removes Phil Salt on first ball to script dream debut at T20 World Cup 2026 – ENG vs NEP