Sports
Australia Reveals Power-Packed Squad for 2026 T20 World Cup
Australia unveiled its 15-man squad for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, starting Feb 5 in India and Sri Lanka. Led by Mitchell Marsh, the team features stars like Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, and Pat Cummins. Strategic picks like spinner Adam Zampa and all-rounder Marcus Stoinis target subcontinental conditions. With young talents like Cooper Connolly joining veterans, the Aussies aim to dominate the global tournament.
Business
First Vande Bharat Sleeper to Connect Guwahati and Howrah
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed the first Vande Bharat Sleeper train will run between Guwahati and Howrah. This semi-high-speed train features 16 luxury coaches, including AC 3-Tier, 2-Tier, and First Class, seating 823. Amenities include automatic doors, bio-vacuum toilets, and the 'Kavach' safety system. This launch marks a massive upgrade for connectivity in Northeast India, offering air-travel-like comfort on rails.
India
Indian Leaders Welcome 2026 with Messages of Hope
As 2026 begins, PM Modi and President Murmu extended warm greetings to the nation. PM Modi wished for health and peace, while President Murmu called the New Year a symbol of new energy. VP Dhankhar emphasized the collective resolve needed for a developed India. The leaders urged citizens to focus on social harmony and progress, setting a unified and optimistic tone for the year ahead.
Business
Arista's Jayshree Ullal Becomes World's Richest Indian-Origin CEO
Arista Networks CEO Jayshree Ullal is now the world's richest Indian-origin CEO, surpassing Satya Nadella and Sundar Pichai. The Hurun India Rich List 2025 values her net worth at $5.7 billion, driven by Arista's boom in cloud and AI infrastructure. Unlike consumer tech giants, her success comes from enterprise networking. Her rise marks a major shift in global tech wealth, highlighting the value of backend infrastructure.
World
US Embassy Issues Strict Warning to Illegal Immigrants
Amid stricter immigration policies, the US Embassy in India has issued a stern warning that illegal entry into the US will result in "significant criminal penalties." The statement aligns with the Trump administration's renewed 2026 crackdown, backed by billions in funding for border enforcement. The message underscores the US commitment to securing its borders and ending illegal immigration, signaling a tough year ahead for undocumented migrants.
World
Hindu Man Brutally Attacked, Burned On New Year's Eve in Dhaka
A Hindu businessman in Dhaka, Bangladesh, narrowly survived a horrific mob attack where he was beaten, stabbed, and set on fire. Khokan Chandra managed to escape by jumping into a pond but sustained critical injuries. This marks the fourth such assault on the minority community in just two weeks, heightening fears and tensions in the region following recent political unrest and the murder of an anti-India leader.
Finance
Commercial LPG Prices Hiked by ₹111 on New Year
The New Year brought a price shock for businesses as oil marketing companies hiked the rate of 19-kg commercial LPG cylinders by ₹111, the steepest increase in six months. While domestic household cylinder rates remain unchanged, this hike pushes commercial prices to ₹1,691.50 in Delhi. In contrast, aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices saw a relief, getting slashed by 7.3%, offering some respite to the airline industry.