Sri Lanka delivered a commanding performance, bowling Australia out for their lowest-ever ODI total in Asia to seal a 174-run victory and complete a dominant 3-0 series sweep at the R. Premadasa Stadium here on Friday. The win marked Sri Lanka’s biggest-ever margin of victory against Australia in ODIs, a statement result as the visitors gear up for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.

Set a target of 282, Australia crumbled to just 107, their eighth-lowest total in ODI history, as their batting frailties were brutally exposed. It was a stunning collapse for Steve Smith’s side, who had arrived in Sri Lanka on a high after their 2-0 Test series triumph but will now need to regroup quickly with the Champions Trophy in Pakistan and UAE just days away.

In a broad daylight bank heist, a man armed with a knife stormed into the Federal Bank branch at Pota, near Chalakudy, Thrissur, around 2:15 p.m. on Friday and made off with approximately Rs 15 lakh after threatening the bank staff.

According to eyewitness accounts and CCTV footage, the suspect arrived on a two-wheeler, wearing a helmet, a jacket, and carrying a shoulder bag. He parked in front of the bank before entering the premises.

Once inside, he brandished a knife at the staff, forcing them into a cabin before proceeding to break the glass panes of the cash counter using a chair. He then took the cash stored in the counter’s cash box and fled the scene.

A shopkeeper near the bank stated that the incident took place around 2 p.m, but the robbery only came to light when bank employees managed to raise an alarm.

The global e-commerce market is on track for significant growth and is expected to reach $11 trillion by 2028, a report said on Friday.

The expansion is being fuelled by rapid technological advancements, improved delivery services, and rising internet penetration worldwide.

The report by GlobalData, a leading data and analytics firm, predicts that e-commerce transactions will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.1 per cent between 2023 and 2028.

The US continues to dominate the sector, while companies worldwide are focusing on innovation, data-driven strategies, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) compliance to stay competitive in the evolving market.

“Consumers are also concerned with the social and governance factors of ESG,” Aisha U-K Umaru, Strategic Intelligence Analyst at GlobalData said.

The International Masters League (IML) 2025 is set to bring an electrifying wave of nostalgia and excitement as it unveils the India Masters and Sri Lanka Masters squads, both of whom comprise cricketing greats who once dominated and decorated the international stage. With the tournament scheduled from February 22 to March 16, 2025, fans will witness the revival of cricket’s golden era.

Indian cricket fans are in for a treat as Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar returns to lead the India Masters. The squad is a formidable mix of elegance, power and match-winning prowess, featuring some of the most celebrated names of the 2000s and 2010s. Batting brilliance returns with Yuvraj Singh, the hero of the T20 World Cup in 2007 and ODI World Cup in 2011, alongside Suresh Raina and Ambati Rayudu, who thrilled fans with their fearless stroke-play. The Pathan brothers, Irfan and Yusuf, will display their explosive all-round skills while Naman Ojha will take charge behind the stumps.

The Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Punjab Bhagwant Singh Mann, is committed to provide jobs to the educated youth on the basis of merit in a transparent manner. The state government has provided jobs to 50 thousand youth without any bribe or recommendation during its first three years.These views were expressed by Punjab Power and Public Works Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO. Addressing the media after attending the convocation ceremony of Desh Bhagat University as the chief guest, the cabinet minister said that the Punjab government has created positive environment by providing employment to large number of youth, which has reduced the tendency of the youth to go abroad.

Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi recently marked a significant spiritual moment by taking a dip in the holy waters of the Maha Kumbh.

Sharing the profound experience with his fans, he posted a video on social media, expressing the deeper meaning behind the ritual. In his post, Vivek wrote, “Bathing in the holy rivers symbolizes the destruction of past karmas and progress towards true liberation in this life. The Kumbh Mela upholds the ideals of unity, peace and cooperation among different communities. It showcases India's rich cultural heritage and spiritual traditions to the world, and highlights the importance of faith, devotion and the collective spirit of humanity. I feel extremely proud to have the opportunity to seek blessings at the Maha Kumbh.#HarHarGange #MahaKumbh2025.”

In the video, the 'Masti' actor is seen taking a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, accompanied by his family members. The video captures the spiritual moment as the family comes together, immersing themselves in the sacred waters of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers.

India legend Kapil Dev has weighed in on the unfortunate injury setback to pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah ahead of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. While acknowledging Bumrah’s impact, he emphasised that the team must step up in his absence.

Bumrah has been ruled out of the marquee tournament due to a lower back injury sustained while leading India in the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Sydney. He was India's best bowler in the series, consistently troubling Australian batters with his exceptional control and aggressive bowling. His absence is a significant blow to India, especially given his match-winning performances in the T20 World Cup 2024.

"The performance doesn't depend on one player, it depends on the team, but yes, if he is not fit it's not good news but the team is there," Kapil Dev told reporters in Kolkata in an event.

"Good luck to the Indian team. Focus on putting the best foot forward and don't think about winning or losing," he added.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on Friday rejected a request from US-based businessman Danny Gaekwad to make a competing offer for a majority stake in Religare Enterprises Limited.

Gaekwad had proposed an offer that was 17 per cent higher than the Rs 235-per-share bid made by the Burman family of Dabur for a 26 per cent stake in the company.

His offer aimed to acquire a 55 per cent stake in Religare. However, the Burman family, responding to Gaekwad’s bid, stated that his proposal was not formal as he had only sought SEBI's permission to make the offer.

They also pointed out that he was already late in entering the bidding process.

Earlier, on January 28, SEBI had returned Gaekwad’s letter seeking permission for a competing open offer, stating that it did not qualify as an exemption under securities law regulations.

Despite facing legal battles in the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court, Gaekwad approached SEBI and the Reserve Bank of India again for approval.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday lauded its ruling government in Punjab for its directive to all district officials from Deputy Commissioners to Station House Officers (SHOs) to curb corruption, calling it a “major step towards honest governance.”

AAP state President, Aman Arora, praised the decision, stating that it would encourage honest and competent officers and ensure strict action against corrupt ones.

He said the Aam Aadmi Party government is committed to providing honest and transparent governance to the people of Punjab, and this decision reaffirms that commitment.

Arora said the primary goal of this decision was to ensure that people could avail all kinds of government services without any trouble, bribery, or unnecessary running from pillar to post and to free common citizens from the menace of corruption.

He said that feedback would be taken about officials from the public and local MLAs.

Two properties worth crores of rupees belonging to a Ranger in Forest Department, Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh, were confiscated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Bhopal in a money laundering case, an official said on Friday.

The confiscated properties of Harishankar Gurjar are in the form of two independent houses situated at Minal Residency, Bhopal.

The ED initiated a money laundering investigation based on an FIR registered by the Lokayukta Police, Bhopal under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and IPC, 1860 against Harishankar and his wife Seema on the grounds that they have amassed assets disproportionate to their known sources of income, said a statement.