The Young Tigresses will face Jordan on February 19 followed by Hong Kong on February 22 with the final friendly scheduled for February 25 against Russia. All three games will be played in Antalya, Turkey.
Indian U20 Women’s Football. (X)
The India U20 women’s team will play friendly matches against Jordan, Hong Kong and Russia during the FIFA International Match Window in Antalya, Türkiye next month.
Led by head coach Joakim Alexandersson, the Young Tigresses, who are currently camping in Bengaluru, will face Jordan on February 19 followed by Hong Kong on February 22 with the final friendly scheduled for February 25 against Russia.
FIXTURE ANNOUNCEMENT! 🚨🇮🇳The India U20 women’s team will play 3️⃣ friendly matches in February in Antalya, Türkiye. 🇹🇷
Led by head coach Joakim Alexandersson, the #YoungTigresses, who are currently camping in Bengaluru, will face Jordan 🇯🇴 Hong Kong 🇭🇰 and Russia 🇷🇺
India U20 women are preparing for a long year ahead, the SAFF U20 Women’s Championship, slated in July and the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers, scheduled in August 2025.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)
Newssports » football Indian U20 Women’s Football Team To Play Friendlies Against Jordan, Hong Kong and Russia In February
David Beckham paid his tributes to Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna on their fifth death anniversaries.
Kobe Bryant and his daughter died in a helicopter crash. (Photo Credits: Instagram)
It has been five years since Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant lost his life in a helicopter crash along with eight other passengers including his 13-year-old daughter Gianna. The NBA player was en route to his Mamba Sports Academy in Newbury Park, California when the crash took place, shaking the basketball world and his fans across the globe. With Kobe’s fifth death anniversary this year, social media has been filled with emotional tributes and posts as people looked back at his life and career.
David Beckham, a former Manchester United and Real Madrid star, known for sharing a very close friendship with Kobe, also took the opportunity to pay his heartfelt homage to the late basketball player and his daughter on social media.
On Monday, January 27, David Beckham shared a black-and-white picture with Kobe Bryant showing the duo at a Lakers game, warmly smiling and greeting each other. While Beckham was seemingly present to catch a game, Kobe could be seen in his warm-up gear, happily meeting his friend. “Miss you man,” the 49-year-old retired athlete wrote in his story.
The following post features a picture of Kobe and her daughter Gianna, sitting together in a game. Their bright smiles speak volumes of the close bond the father and daughter shared along with their common passion for basketball.
It is worth mentioning that David Beckham has time and again spoken out about his friendship with the NBA star. Following Kobe’s demise in 2020, Beckham took to social media, stating that he struggled to come to terms with the death of his friend. “It’s taken me hours to work out what to write and still my words won’t ever be enough to describe how I am feeling after the tragic loss of Kobe. This was one special athlete, husband, father and friend. Having to write these words is hard enough but also knowing we have lost an amazing human being and his beautiful and talented daughter Gianna is heartbreaking,” he wrote.
On Kobe Bryant’s fifth death anniversary, tributes poured in from the Los Angeles Lakers followed by former Team USA teammate Carmelo Anthony, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, Boston Celtics forward Jason Tatum, and many others. The father and daughter were survived by Kobe’s wife Vanessa Bryant, along with Gianna’s deep links Natalia Bianca and Capri.
Newsmovies David Beckham Honours NBA Legend Kobe Bryant: ‘Miss You Man’
The Couture Spring 2025 collection highlighted the intrinsic value of ‘haute couture, which celebrated craftsmanship, innovation and purposeful design as a whole.
Fashion designer Rahul Mishra showcased his couture collection on Day 1 of Paris Haute Couture Week 2025.
Craftsmanship, innovation and purposeful design took centre stage in Rahul Mishra’s Couture Spring 2025 collection, The Pale Blue Dot at Paris Haute Couture Week 2025.
Interpreting a personal loss and the slow process of healing through the art of couture, Rahul Mishra’s show mirrored the foreseeable future on the pale blue dot we call Earth.
The Pale Blue Dot, originally a spoken essay by Carl Sagan, imparted a profound perspective to Rahul Mishra as he reflected on this collection. This collection emerges from the fear that in all this vastness, there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves.
“In the wake of my father’s passing last month, I have been repeatedly confronted with the realisation that we are but a speck in the grand scheme of the cosmos—small, fragile, and not in control. Fluctuating between the highs and lows of his illness—“the aggregate of our joy and suffering”—I reflected on how every memory we have ever made, of friends, family, and foes, exists here and only here, on this “mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam,” expresses Rahul Mishra.
Rahul Mishra with Coco Rocha and Jordan Roth at Paris Haute Couture Week 2025.
The couture show was opened by Coco Rocha and saw an array of iconic models and personalities including Jordan Roth celebrate the collection on the runway.
Life-sized birds, abandoned cities, sculpted geometric shapes, and rearview mirrors turned muse for the couturier and his team of over 2000 fashion workers, who he addresses as his family.
So let’s travel with Rahul Mishra through Carl Sagan’s words…
Concrete Jungle
What happens to these cities when they are abandoned when they become uninhabitable for us? The abandoned cities featured 3D buildings sculpted on gowns embroidered with intricate shimmery detailing featuring threadwork and sequins.
Birds of a Feather
Birds took over the runway in the form of life-size sculptures. Known for bringing theatrical magic on the runway with every show he presents, the birds definitely stole the show this season.
The Midas Touch
Everything Rahul envisions turns into gold. Manifesting hope in the times of darkness, the collection featured a series of ensembles in an opulent gold palette.
Mirror of Emotions
Objects in the mirror are closer than they appear – a message of a future through rearview mirrors was imagined through wearable art.
Every element displayed on the runway was a wake-up call for everyone. While Rahul Mishra chose to address it through couture, how would you do it?
Location :
Delhi, India, India
Newslifestyle Rahul Mishra’s Couture Mirrors The Foreseeable Future On The Pale Blue Dot We Call Earth
Party insiders say Sisodia probably shifted his constituency from East Delhi’s Patparganj — a symbol of his political stature and the site of major electoral wins for the AAP — to “tackle anti-incumbency and stains of corruption”
Manish Sisodia’s change of seat has prompted many in Jangpura to label him a ‘runaway’ candidate. (News18)
It’s a whole new battle for Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) top leader Manish Sisodia this February. The upcoming elections will see Delhi’s former deputy chief minister slog it out to win over people’s support once again and secure a victory, let alone a sweep, from Jangpura — a new seat he has picked.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has made a dent here, which may not be sufficient for it to win the elections, but won’t allow it to be a cakewalk for Sisodia either.
Party insiders say Sisodia probably shifted his constituency from East Delhi’s Patparganj — a symbol of his political stature and the site of major electoral wins for the AAP — to “tackle anti-incumbency and stains of corruption”. After he landed in jail in connection with the Delhi excise policy, his return to his former constituency became difficult.
In the Pratap Camp area in Nehru Nagar, Behind her, one can see children playing by a large open drain, and pools of dirty water in the sewer holes. (News18)
This shift has prompted many in Jangpura to label him as a ‘runaway’ candidate and has made them sense the unease that Delhi’s ruling party is facing ahead of the polls this time around. Meanwhile, some others feel this shift is both a challenge and an opportunity for Sisodia to win back trust and ability as a political leader.
Gulshan Narang, 63, who has been running a spare parts shop in Bhogal for over 40 years and is also a resident in the area, asked: “Why did Sisodia have to leave his former constituency and come here instead?”
He added: “The AAP may form the government even this time since there are people who are inclined towards their politics of welfare of the lower classes, but the middle class knows well that it’s the same money that’s being taken from them and being given to the other segment of society in the name of welfare of the poor.”
Veerappan, an e-rickshaw driver from the Madrasi Camp built on railway land, said from his cluster, it’s a 50:50 for BJP-AAP. (News18)
The freebies, he said, on water and power bills are not of much benefit to the middle class. “My household consumption for both water and power is higher than the limit set for zero bills. For the middle class, the real issues are streets getting flooded with dirty drain water during monsoon and low water supply, which need to be fixed. The flood-water entered my shop last year and damaged all my furniture,” he said.
BJP’s candidate Tarvinder Singh Marwah, he said, is resurfacing in this election. Both Marwah and Sisodia are in a neck-and-neck fight even as the Congress tries hard to make a comeback.
Attempts to reach out to Marwah and Sisodia did not elicit a response.
The Congress has fielded Farhad Suri, former mayor of Delhi, long-time municipal councillor from Nizamuddin, and a veteran leader. Suri’s work, goodwill and long-time legacy in the area have earned him a loyal support base.
Though the Congress may not be in a winning position, the Muslim vote, which had switched to AAP over the last two assembly elections in the Capital, is now said to be going back significantly — at least in Jangpura.
Gulshan Narang, who has been running a spare parts shop in Bhogal for over 40 years, said AAP’s freebies are not of much benefit to the middle class. (News18)
Speaking to News18, Suri said he comes with a track record of honest work in the area. Also, he doesn’t consider Sisodia to be in the fray.
“If you ask me, my opponent is the BJP. I don’t see Sisodia in the fray. He has run away from his constituency, probably realising that the ground under him was weak in Patparganj. We will for sure reclaim our ground and results might surprise everyone,” he said.
The Congress leader, however, also alleged that they are not being allowed a level-playing field with both BJP and AAP having administrative forces behind them to rally support. “One of the candidates (BJP) is heavily backed by the central government while the other (AAP) controls Delhi government and MCD. The latter is getting Punjabis from outside living in the slums to gain support,” he alleged.
The changing dynamics
Marwah, formerly a three-time MLA (1998-2013) from the seat, switched to the BJP from Congress a few years ago and exercises immense political influence in the area. Hailing from the Sikh community, which comprises a sizeable section of the electorate along with Punjabis in the constituency, he is pushing hard to regain lost ground.
Jangpura has a mix of upper middle-class and lower-class segments, with Jatavs, Balmikis, Sainis and Dhobi (washermen) communities forming the other major part of the electorate besides Muslims.
It is these lower-class clusters that had so far voted heavily in favour of the AAP. Now, a visible rift can be seen, with many voters seemingly ready to give BJP’s Marwah another chance.
Rakesh Sagar, a former AAP member, is contesting from the seat as an Independent with the support of Chandra Shekhar Azad, a Dalit leader and MP known for his Bhim Army. (News18)
“Until last election, people here had voted largely for the AAP. But this time, it’s a bit different. The BJP is trying to make inroads here and slum-dwellers too seem to be drifting towards it,” said Jagdish Kumar, a resident of the Janata Camp.
Those living in the Pratap Camp area in Nehru Nagar, which houses four major Jhuggi-Jhopri clusters, said Marwah is like a family member who has been helping people even when he was not in power. He has now promised to do more if he wins this time.
“We gave AAP a chance and now we are ready to give Marwah a chance once again when he is finally in the fray,” said Rajni, 48.
The BJP candidate enjoys the reputation of a senior family member in this camp and attends their social and personal events like weddings and even deaths.
It’s not that AAP has not worked, said Rekha, an old-time resident of the camp. They did build a public toilet here and a Mohalla Clinic nearby which, by her own admission, is out of medicines for most part of the year.
“But our major problem is water supply and open drains in the area, which bring diseases. We have to buy bottled water for Rs 40 every day for drinking. This area needs pipelines, which is a major issue,” she said.
Behind her, one could see children playing by a large open drain, and pools of dirty water in the sewer holes.
Every day, for the last week or 10 days, a Bhandara (free food distribution) has been organised by the BJP candidate in the area. Also, Marwah has been a regular visitor while Sisodia has come here only once so far, she added.
Veerappan, an e-rickshaw driver from the Madrasi Camp built on railway land, said from his cluster, it’s a 50:50 for BJP-AAP. “We don’t ask anyone for amenities, we work on our own and get the basics,” he said, even as the women complained of sanitation issues with only two ladies’ public toilets that are not sufficient for the large cluster.
AAP’s Uphill Battle
The ground situation reveals that it’s going to be particularly hard for Sisodia to land a comfortable win from here this time, mainly because of the anti-incumbency of the sitting MLA from the seat as well as his not being a local in the area.
Residents in the area also complained about Praveen Kumar, who is the sitting MLA from the constituency, not working as expected by the AAP.
BJP’s candidate Tarvinder Singh Marwah is resurfacing in this election and is ready to lock horns with Sisodia. (News18)
Kumar won the seat twice in 2015 and again in 2020 by a comfortable margin. This year, he was replaced with Sisodia, who Kejriwal recently announced would be the deputy CM face of the party.
“Kumar won the election last time only because of the party and not due to his own standing. It was only because people believe in Kejriwal’s welfare politics that he won. He didn’t even listen to residents’ problems,” said Rajan Gupta, a grocery store owner.
Another resident, not wishing to be named, said, “Sisodia may have to pay for Kumar’s half-hearted work in the constituency.”
Meanwhile, another candidate Rakesh Sagar, a former AAP member, is contesting from the seat as an Independent with the support of Chandra Shekhar Azad, a Dalit leader and MP known for his Bhim Army.
Blue-coloured pamphlets, the colour of the party’s flag, were hanging at several places across Jangpura, including in Bhogal market.
“I was with the AAP since the time of Anna Hazare’s Andolan. But it has changed its ideals over the years. The party supported Praveen Kumar, even though he did not work in his first term as MLA, over people who have served in the area. It had become important to contest from the seat to send them a message,” said Sagar, who is also general secretary of the Bhogal market association and has been an original resident of the area.
“Jangpura is like my family. I don’t campaign much, but just go door-to-door,” he said.
Asked if his candidature would cut into AAP’s vote base, he said: “Azad-ji (referring to Chandra Shekhar Azad) plans to hold a rally here on January 30. We will cut into AAP’s votes for sure, which is anyway being divided with the Congress’s this time,” he said.
Newselections ‘Why Did He Run & Come Here?’ Jangpura Jigsaw Awaits AAP’s Deputy CM Face Manish Sisodia
The Ram Mandir Trust said that there has been an “unprecedented increase” in the number of devotees visiting Ram Mandir in the last three days.
Ram Mandir in Ayodhya (PTI Image)
Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra on Tuesday appealed to the devotees, who are seeking to offer prayers at the Ram Mandir and are coming from “nearby areas” of Ayodhya, to postpone their visits to February due to a large influx of devotees who are arriving from “distant places”.
Stating that an “unprecedented increase in the number of devotees” arriving to offer prayers has been witnessed in the past three days, the Trust said that it is becoming “increasingly difficult” to ensure darshan of Ram Lalla to every devotee in a single day, considering the size and population of the holy town.
“The ‘Mukhya Snan’ (main bathing ritual) for Mauni Amavasya at Kumbh in Prayagraj will take place on January 29, 2025. It is estimated that approximately 10 crore devotees will take a holy dip in Prayagraj on this auspicious day. A large number of devotees are also traveling from Prayagraj to Ayodhya via train and road,” the Trust posted on X.
Respected Devotees,Jai Shri Ram!
The ‘Mukhya Snan’ (main bathing ritual) for Mauni Amavasya at Kumbh in Prayagraj will take place on the January 29, 2025. It is estimated that approximately 10 crore devotees will take a holy dip in Prayagraj on this auspicious day. A large…
— Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra (@ShriRamTeerth) January 28, 2025
It said that the large influx of devotees has caused inconvenience to people as devotees are having to walk longer distances.
“We humbly request devotees from nearby areas to plan their visit to Ayodhya 15-20 days later, allowing those coming from distant places to have an easier darshan experience at present. This will ensure convenience for everyone,” the post said.
“There will be much relief after Vasant Panchami, and the weather in February will also be pleasant. It would be best if devotees from nearby areas plan their visit during that time. We request you to kindly consider this appeal,” the Trust added.
Location :
Ayodhya, India, India
Newsindia ‘Becoming Difficult To…’: Ram Mandir Trust Appeals To Devotees ‘Nearby’ Ayodhya To Postpone Visit
TMC has ordered the immediate closure of 81 illegal schools in Thane, urging parents not to enrol their children and warning managements of action.
81 schools to be closed in Maharashtra’s Thane. (Image: Getty)
The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) in Maharashtra has declared 81 schools in the city to be operating illegally and has instructed their managements to close the institutions immediately, as reported by news agency PTI.
The list, published by the TMC’s education department on Monday, includes 79 English medium schools and 2 Hindi medium schools, some of which are managed by well-known business houses.
Most of these unauthorised schools are situated in the Mumbra and Diva areas of Thane, according to the list.
SL vs AUS 1st Test Cricket Live Streaming Details: Sri Lanka and Australia will square off in a two-match Test series in Galle.
Sri Lanka vs Australia live: Check how to stream 1st Test between SL and AUS. (AFP Photo)
Sri Lanka vs Australia 1st Test Live Streaming Details: Sri Lanka will host Australia in a bilateral Test series that commences this Wednesday (January 29). The upcoming two-match tie won’t have any impact on the 2023-25 World Test Championship cycle as Australia are already through to the competition’s final. They will face South Africa at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in June. As for Sri Lanka, the Asian giants are out of contention for a chance to play in the final.
Australia skipper Pat Cummins will miss the Sri Lanka series as he is currently on paternity leave. Star fast-bowler Josh Hazlewood will also be out of action due to a calf injury he sustained in the 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. Mitchell Marsh has been left out of the squad after ordinary outings during the home series against India.
Australia veteran Steve Smith has been appointed captain for the tour in Cummins’ absence. The 35-year-old was in top form against India, racking up two centuries.
The Sri Lankan trio of Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis and Pathum Nissanka have fitness concerns. Nissanka will likely miss the opening Test due to a groin injury. Silva will lead Sri Lanka in the two-match home series. The upcoming series could also see the young duo of Lahiru Udara and Sonal Dinusha make their debuts.
Sri Lanka vs Australia 1st Test Match Schedule, Date and Time: The 1st Test between Sri Lanka and Australia will be played from Wednesday (January 29) at the Galle International Stadium in Galle. The match will start at 10 AM IST.
SL vs AUS Live Streaming Channel in Sri Lanka: There is currently no official confirmation regarding the live TV broadcast of the 1st Test match between Sri Lanka and Australia in India.
SL vs AUS 1st Test Cricket Live Streaming OTT: The live streaming of the Sri Lanka vs Australia 1st Test will be available on the FanCode app and website in India.
SL vs AUS Toss Time: The toss for the Sri Lanka vs Australia 1st Test will take place at 9:30 AM IST.
Location :
Galle (Sri Lanka)
Newscricket Sri Lanka vs Australia 1st Test Live Streaming: When And Where To Watch SL Vs AUS Coverage On TV And Online
Delhi Election News 2025 Live Updates: With just over a week to go for the high-stakes Assembly elections in the national capital, the political battle between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) continues to intensify as former CM Arvind Kejriwal made another bombshell allegation over Yamuna.
In the final leg of Delhi polls, Kejriwal’s AAP has secured the support of Trinamool Congress MP Shatrughan Sinha and the Samajwadi Party in the poll campaign. Kejriwal will address two public meetings today – in Ghonda at 4 pm and Karawal Nagar at 5 pm.
In yet another political storm, Delhi CM Atishi accused the ruling BJP in Haryana of “intentionally” draining industrial waste into the Yamuna that supplies water to the national capital, after which Kejriwal alleged that the saffron party is trying to kill people by mixing “poison” in the river.
Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini refuted the claims and said it is an old habit of AAP leaders to blame others and run away. Saini further said that Kejriwal should apologise to the public or else he would file a defamation case against him over the fraudulent remarks.
Meanwhile, Atishi and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann will attend a meeting with the Election Commissioner at 4 pm today after the Delhi CM wrote a letter saying that ammonia levels in Yamuna had increased sevenfold and demanded action in the matter.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Black starred Rani Mukerji in the key role with Shernaz Patel and Dhritiman Chatterjee playing supporting roles.
Amitabh Bachchan worked with Ranbir Kapoor in Brahmastra. (Photo Credits: Instagram)
Amitabh Bachchan continues to captivate fans with impressive hosting abilities on the quiz-based reality TV show Kaun Banega Crorepati. Since the start of season 16 last year, the megastar has frequently shared some interesting personal experiences with fans. Whether it’s about his family life or experiences he had while shooting various films, Amitabh has always shared interesting and emotional stories. Recently, he recalled working with Ranbir Kapoor way before the actor made his debut in Bollywood.
Amitabh Bachchan shared how Ranbir Kapoor worked as an assistant director in Black and trained the young girl Ayesha Kapur to play the visually impaired character. Amitabh noted, “He is an adbhut kalakaar. I was working in Black and Ranbir Kapoor was an assistant director there. I was in that film. When we were shooting for the film, I saw Ranbir train the young girl, who played visually impaired Michelle. He used to train her and also work as an AD. That’s how he got Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film Sawaariya, which was his debut film. Now see where he has reached.”
Black, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, also starred Rani Mukerji in the key role with Shernaz Patel and Dhritiman Chatterjee playing supporting roles. The film tells the narrative of Michelle, a deafblind woman, and her connection with her teacher, Debraj, who subsequently gets Alzheimer’s disease.
Some years back, Amitabh Bachchan had worked with Ranbir Kapoor in Brahmastra Part 1. As per a Peeping Moon report, Amitabh Bachchan will reunite with Ranbir Kapoor again in Nitish Tiwari’s film Ramayana. It is reported that the megastar would voice the mythical character Jatayu in the film. According to the report, Jatayu will be created using VFX, but the makers plan to include Amitabh’s striking eyes to give the character a tremendous impact. Jatayu’s sacrifice is significant in the Ramayana epic, despite its limited duration.
Amitabh Bachchan has been connected with KBC from its inception in 2000, with the exception of the third season, which had Shah Rukh Khan as host. Recently, the reality show hosted their silver jubilee episode. It also featured Harshvardhan Nawathe, the show’s first ‘Crorepati’ on the hot seat.
