Times of India

China has approved the construction of the world's largest dam on the Brahmaputra River in Tibet, aiming to develop clean energy and address climate change. Despite assurances from China about the project's safety and ecological measures, concerns arise in India and Bangladesh regarding potential control over water flows. The project faces engineering challenges due to its seismic location.

Azerbaijan Airlines attributes the crash of its Embraer 190 in Kazakhstan to external interference, prompting cessation of flights to 10 Russian airports. Russia and Ukraine are trading blame over the incident, with Russia alleging Ukrainian drone attacks, while Ukraine holds Russia responsible. The crash claimed 38 lives out of 67 occupants.

Sonia Gandhi paid tribute to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who passed away at 92, describing him as wise, noble, and humble. She highlighted his contributions to social justice, secularism, and democratic values, and acknowledged his impact on India's progress and development. His death is deeply felt across the nation.

The NFL Christmas Day games on Netflix set new records, featuring performances by Beyonce and Mariah Carey. Mariah's rendition of 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' evoked nostalgia among fans, while Beyonce's halftime show saw peak viewership. Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens expressed excitement about witnessing Beyonce live for the first time.

Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar on Friday highlighted India captain Rohit Sharma's struggles with declining reflexes and footwork, particularly against Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins, who has dismissed him seven times in Test cricket. This issue was evident in the Boxing Day Test, as Rohit managed only three runs before being dismissed by Cummins.

Russia alleges Ukrainian drones attacked Grozny during an Azerbaijani Airlines plane crash in Kazakhstan, killing 38 and injuring others. Visibility issues and control system failures were cited as contributory factors. Ukrainian officials demand accountability from Russia, while investigations continue with recovered black boxes.

Sunil Gavaskar advised Team India on approaching the third day of the Boxing Day Test at MCG. He emphasized the need for a 100-plus partnership and for Pant and Jadeja to bat patiently. India should aim to surpass lunch and reduce the deficit against Australia's 474, avoiding follow-on risks and countering Nathan Lyon's spin.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim paid tribute to former Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, recalling a time when they both were finance ministers of their countries. He also hailed Singh's role in India's economic transformation. ​Ibrahim also shared a personal anecdote involving Dr Singh's offer of scholarships for his children during his imprisonment.

Kevin Pietersen has supported Virat Kohli amid controversies in the Melbourne Test, calling him a 'showman.' Kohli's shoulder bump with Australian debutant Sam Konstas resulted in a demerit point. On the second day, he had a mix-up with Yashasvi Jaiswal and faced booing fans. India trails by 310 runs, ending Day 2 at 164 for 5.

Sunil Gavaskar commented on Yashasvi Jaiswal's run-out during the Boxing Day Test. He said it could have been avoided if Jaiswal had not looked at the fielder. Jaiswal was batting well and scored 82 runs. His run-out triggered a mini-collapse for India, which went from 153/2 to 164/5 by stumps.

Batting maestro Virat Kohli, despite struggling in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, is regarded by Justin Langer as the best batter he has ever seen, even over legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara. Kohli's critical innings of 36 runs in the fourth Test against Australia showcased his leadership and resilience, attributes Langer praises highly.

Laura Loomer, MAGA’s resident chaos agent, kicked things off by targeting Krishnan on X (formerly Twitter). She accused him of being a “globalist tech bro” intent on displacing American workers and even claimed he had donated to Kamala Harris’s campaign.

RBI permits users of full-KYC prepaid payment instruments (PPIs) to make and receive UPI payments via third-party mobile apps. The decision expands digital payment options, improves flexibility for PPI holders, and ensures transactions are authenticated using existing PPI credentials, enhancing convenience in financial operations.

A private bus fell into a drain near Jiwan Singh Wala village in Punjab's Bathinda district, resulting in 8 deaths and 26 people being injured. The accident occurred while the bus was traveling from Talwandi Sabo to Bathinda. Local residents and authorities promptly initiated rescue efforts, and the injured were taken to a nearby hospital.

German President Steinmeier dissolved Parliament and set February 23 for new elections after Chancellor Scholz's coalition collapsed. Scholz is now leading a minority government. Elon Musk and JD Vance faced backlash for endorsing the far-right AfD party. Musk's support via social media drew criticism for aligning with a group known for its controversial positions.

A 30-year-old mother of two from Widnes died after being administered staggering overdoses of paracetamol while being treated for suspected pneumonia. Despite an antidote being given, her health deteriorated, leading to multi-organ failure. The hospital acknowledged the overdose but contended the antidote prevented it from being the cause of death. The case is under investigation.

In 2024, the US issued over one million visas to Indians, who became the top international students. Visa renewals and processing efficiency improved, alongside the removal of the two-year residency requirement for Indian exchange visitors. The enhanced Smart Traveler Enrollment Program was launched to improve emergency communication for US citizens in India.

Tempers flared during a post-match chat between Sanjay Manjrekar and Irfan Pathan regarding the Virat Kohli-Yashasvi Jaiswal run out during the Boxing Day Test. Manjrekar blamed Kohli, while Pathan defended him, leading to a heated exchange. The run out occurred when Jaiswal went for a single, but Kohli didn't respond, resulting in Jaiswal's dismissal.

India's strong start in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG crumbled within 30 minutes, slipping from 153/2 to 159/5 due to a mix-up between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli and poor decisions on Day 2. Australia now holds a 310-run lead. Despite Jaiswal and Kohli's earlier efforts, India's concentration lapses have put them in a difficult position.

India struggled at 164/5 on day two of the fourth Test against Australia at Melbourne. Jaiswal's run-out and Kohli's exit triggered a collapse. Australia, led by Cummins and Boland, dominated with a 310-run lead. Rohit Sharma's early dismissal added to India's woes. Steve Smith's 140 and Cummins' 49 pushed Australia to 474.