Entertainment
Bangladesh’s first female prime minister, Khaleda Zia, dies at 80
Khaleda Zia, who made history as Bangladesh’s first female prime minister and shaped the country’s politics for decades, died on Tuesday after a long illness, her party said.
Zia, aged 80, had advanced cirrhosis of the liver, arthritis, diabetes, chest and heart problems, her doctors said.
A post on the party’s Facebook read: “BNP chairperson and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia passed away today at 6am just after Fajr (dawn prayer) […] We seek forgiveness of his soul and pray for his departed soul from everyone.”
Despite years of ill health and imprisonment, Zia vowed in November to campaign in elections set for February 2026 — the first vote since a mass uprising toppled her arch-rival Sheikh Hasina last year.
Zia’s BNP is widely seen as a frontrunner.
But in late November she was rushed to hospital, where, despite the best efforts of medics, her condition declined from a raft of health issues.
During her final days, interim leader Muhammad Yunus called for the nation to pray for Zia, calling her a “source of utmost inspiration for the nation”.
BNP’s media chief Moudud Alamgir Pavel also confirmed Zia’s death to AFP.
Zia was jailed for corruption in 2018 under Hasina’s government, which also blocked her from travelling abroad for medical treatment.
She was released last year, shortly after Hasina was forced from power.
There had been plans earlier this month to fly her on a special air ambulance to London, but her condition was not stable enough.
Her son, political heavyweight Tarique Rahman, only returned to Bangladesh after 17 years in self-imposed exile on Thursday, where he was welcomed back by huge crowds of joyous supporters.
Rahman will lead the party through the February 12 general election, and is expected to be put forward as prime minister if his party wins a majority.
Entertainment
Nancy Guthrie case gets major update
Authorities investigating the abduction of Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie, believe the suspect deliberately targeted the 84-year-old.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told NBC’s Today that the case has been difficult, but his team is focused.
“I think this was an individual who had a target for whatever reason, and he has made it tough, but I’ve got some pretty tough investigators too.”
Investigators are prioritizing DNA evidence recovered inside Nancy’s Tucson home.
While a glove found two miles away yielded no matches in the national database, Nanos said the DNA from the residence could be more critical, “We believe we may have some DNA there that may be our suspect, but we won’t know that until that DNA is separated, sorted out.”
Surveillance footage released earlier this month shows a masked man with a gun and gloves on Nancy’s porch in the early hours of February 1.
The FBI described the suspect as a male, approximately 5’9” to 5’10” tall, of average build, carrying a black 25 liter Ozark Trail backpack.
Nanos acknowledged speculation that the suspect may have been wearing a ring under his glove, saying his team is reviewing the detail.
The case has drawn national attention due to Savannah Guthrie’s connection, with viewers and colleagues showing support.
On Wednesday’s broadcast, Today anchors wore yellow ribbons in solidarity, echoing displays of yellow flowers in Tucson.
The FBI is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to Nancy Guthrie’s recovery or an arrest.
Entertainment
Super Eights lineups confirmed for T20 World Cup 2026
Pakistan became the final team to qualify for the Super Eight of the Twenty20 World Cup after Sahibzada Farhan’s maiden international century powered them to a thumping 102-run victory over Namibia in Colombo on Wednesday.
Farhan remained unbeaten on exactly 100 off 58 balls, reaching his landmark in the final over as Pakistan posted 199 in their must-win Group A encounter at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground.
Pakistan finished second in Group A standings with six points in four matches, and their qualification to the next stage marked the end of the United States of America’s (USA) T20 World Cup 2026 campaign as they slipped to third with four points.
The eight qualified teams are divided into two groups of four, with Group X featuring defending champions India, Australia, West Indies and South Africa, while England, New Zealand, Pakistan and co-hosts Sri Lanka are slotted in Group Y.
Each team will play a total of three matches in the upcoming stage, with the top two sides from each group following its conclusion will advance into the semi-finals, scheduled to be played on March 4 and 5, respectively.
The T20 World Cup 2026 Super Eights will get underway on February 21, with Pakistan taking on New Zealand at the R Premadasa Stadium, and will conclude on March 1 with a double header between South Africa and Zimbabwe, followed by India versus West Indies.
Pakistan’s remaining two Super Eights matches are scheduled against England and Sri Lanka on February 24 and 28, respectively.
T20 World Cup 2026 Super Eights schedule
- February 21: New Zealand vs Pakistan – Colombo
- February 22: Sri Lanka vs England – Kandy
- February 22: India vs South Africa – Ahmedabad
- February 23: West Indies vs Zimbabwe – Mumbai
- February 24: England vs Pakistan – Kandy
- February 25: Sri Lanka vs New Zealand – Colombo
- February 26: South Africa vs West Indies – Ahmedabad
- February 26: India vs Zimbabwe – Chennai
- February 27: England vs New Zealand – Colombo
- February 28: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan – Colombo
- March 1: South Africa vs Zimbabwe – Ahmedabad
- March 1: India vs West Indies – Kolkata
Entertainment
Indian university under fire for showcasing Chinese robot as its own
An Indian university is facing severe backlash after a professor presented a Chinese-made robotic dog as the university’s own creation at an AI summit in Delhi.
The controversy started when Neha Singh, a professor at Galgotias University, told state broadcaster DD News that a robot named “Orion” had been developed at the university’s Centre of Excellence.
Her interview gained attention when netizens identified the robot as the Go2 model developed by Unitree Robotics.
The robot used widely in research and education is commercially available for roughly $2,200. Social media users accused the university of passing off an imported product as indigenous innovation, sparking a wave of backlash during the high-profile gathering.
However, following the backlash, Galgotias University denied the claims of ownership of the robot’s hardware, saying the emphasis was on training students in artificial intelligence programming using globally available tools.
Later, the professor also clarified that her comments had been misunderstood, and she may not have communicated transparently.
The incident gained further attention after India’s IT minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, shared the video on his official X (formerly known as Twitter) account before deleting the post.
After the widespread backlash, the university was asked to vacate the exhibition stall, though faculty members said they had received no formal eviction notice.
-
Business1 week agoAye Finance IPO Day 2: GMP Remains Zero; Apply Or Not? Check Price, GMP, Financials, Recommendations
-
Fashion1 week agoComment: Tariffs, capacity and timing reshape sourcing decisions
-
Business1 week agoGold price today: How much 18K, 22K and 24K gold costs in Delhi, Mumbai & more – Check rates for your city – The Times of India
-
Business6 days agoTop stocks to buy today: Stock recommendations for February 13, 2026 – check list – The Times of India
-
Fashion6 days agoIndia’s PDS Q3 revenue up 2% as margins remain under pressure
-
Tech1 week agoRemoving barriers to tech careers
-
Fashion1 week agoSaint Laurent retains top spot as hottest brand in Q4 2025 Lyst Index
-
Fashion6 days ago$10→ $12.10 FOB: The real price of zero-duty apparel
