Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis shocked the cricketing world on Thursday by announcing his immediate retirement from One-Day International (ODI) cricket. However, he will still be available for selection in Australia’s national T20I squad.

The 35-year-old all-rounder was included in Australia’s preliminary 15-man squad for the ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled to take place later this month in Pakistan and the UAE. He will now be replaced in the final squad, which is set to be announced by February 12.

Stoinis, who has been competing in South Africa’s T20 franchise competition with Durban’s Super Giants, reportedly sustained a mild hamstring injury while bowling in recent days. Despite the injury, his decision to retire from ODIs stems from his desire to focus on the T20 format for the remainder of his career, both at the international level and in franchise cricket.

Standing on the deck of RV Tangaroa, a deepwater research vessel in the Ross Sea in Antarctic waters, marine scientist Sherine Sonia Cubelio squinted her eyes across the horizon.

Gujarat is set to implement a Uniform Civil Code in the state and has formed a five-member committee to prepare draft guidelines. The committee, which will be chaired by retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Desai, has been asked to submit its report within 45 days.

Announcing the development, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said Prime Minister Narendra Modi "advocates equal rights for all" and the UCC was a step in that direction.

"The Constitution is our sacred text. The BJP delivers on its promises - whether it is Article 370, One Nation One Election, Triple Talaq, women's reservation, or now working towards the Uniform Civil Code. Gujarat has always been at the forefront in fulfilling PM Modi's resolutions," the Chief Minister said.

China is preparing an ambitious lunar mission to explore the Moon’s south pole. The mission, set for 2026, includes a robotic "flyer detector" designed to search for water. Scientists believe finding water could support future human missions.

The Chang’e-7 mission will consist of four key components. These include an orbiter, a lander, a lunar rover and a flying robotic detector. According to Chinese space officials, the mission will focus on locating water ice in permanently shadowed craters.

Tang Yuhua, the deputy chief designer of Chang’e-7, said the probe will test China’s ability to land anywhere on the Moon. "If we find water ice, it could reduce the need to transport water from Earth," she explained. This could help establish a future lunar base and support deep-space exploration.

India has paid USD 37.64 million dollars to the United Nations Regular Budget for 2025, joining the "honour roll" of 35 member states who have paid their regular budget assessments in full and on time to the UN.

According to the UN Committee on Contributions, as of January 31 2025, thirty-five member states have paid their regular budget assessments in full within the 30-day due period specified in UN financial regulations.

India contributed USD 37.64 million to the 2025 United Nations Regular Budget and made the payment on January 31, 2025.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the premature repatriation of Bibhuti Bhushan, Assistant General Manager (Air Traffic Service) at the Airports Authority of India (AAI), from his role as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Jitan Ram Manjhi.

The decision follows a proposal from the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises seeking his early repatriation with the provision of an extended cooling-off period. Bhushan is to be relieved of his duties immediately to rejoin his parent cadre at AAI.

Sagar Singh Kalsi, an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the 2010 batch from the AGMUT cadre, has been appointed as Director in the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas under the Central Staffing Scheme.

According to an DoPT order issued on February 4, Kalsi's appointment has been approved for a period of five years from the date of assuming charge or until further orders, whichever is earlier. He was recommended for the Central deputation by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Kalsi's selection follows a recommendation by the Ministry of Home Affairs for his deputation to the Centre. The Ministry has directed that he be relieved of his current responsibilities immediately to take up his new assignment in Delhi.

In the World Pickleball League (WPL), Bengaluru Jawans emerged as the inaugural champions, securing a 3-1 victory over Pune United in a thrilling final, last evening. The match showcased two teams with very different paths to the championship, culminating in an intense showdown for the title.

Jack Foster set the stage with a dominant 26-8 win in the men’s singles, giving Bengaluru an early lead. The momentum continued with Trang Hyunh-McClain and Alejandra Borobia securing a 13-9 victory in the women’s doubles. Pune United responded with a strong 15-6 win in the men’s doubles from William Sobek and Vanshik Kapadia, but Bengaluru’s Katerina Stewart sealed the deal with a commanding 21-9 victory over Brooke Revuelta in the final singles match. Stewart’s impressive performance earned her the title of Player of the League

In a major breakthrough, Karnataka has been declared Naxal-free following the surrender of a Naxalite in Chikkamagaluru district. Superintendent of Police (SP) Vikram Amathe confirmed the development, stating, "With this surrender, Karnataka is now Naxal-free."

Kotehonda Ravindra (44), a resident of Kotehonda in Hulagaru Bail near Kigga, Sringeri Taluk, had been living in the forests for years. On Friday, he arrived in Sringeri and voluntarily surrendered before SP Amathe. Following this, he was taken to Deputy Commissioner Meena Nagaraj, where the formal surrender procedures were completed.

Veteran English actor Brian Murphy has died. He was 92. Brian was best known for appearing in 70s sitcoms such as Man About the House and George and Mildred. Brian died on Sunday, February 2.

Murphy was born on the Isle of Wight on September 25, 1932. He completed his military services before enrolling into an acting workshop.

After bagging roles in projects such as The Avengers, Callan, Z-Cars, Dixon of Dock Green, Murphy was cast in the popular Man About the House. The sitcom ran for a period of three years (1973-76), where Murphy was seen in the role of George Roper, a landlord who moves into a house with two single women. The show was remade in America by the name of Three's Company, which was telecast from 1977 to 1984.