Times of India

Ravichandran Ashwin, India's celebrated cricketer, announced his retirement from international cricket after a remarkable 14-year career. In a candid interview, Ashwin and his wife, Prithi, shared their journey from schoolmates to life partners, offering insights into their relationship, the challenges of fame, and Ashwin's spontaneous proposal.

Hardeep Singh Puri and Shashi Tharoor clashed over a 2009 New York dinner with George Soros. Puri said Tharoor, then a minister, gave him the guest list including Soros. Tharoor had previously tweeted about meeting Soros. The BJP questioned Soros's intentions toward India. Tharoor denied any ongoing relationship or funding from Soros. The BJP accused Congress of working with Soros.

The Supreme Court clarified the scope of cheque bouncing cases. A director signing a company cheque for a personal loan is not liable under Section 138 if it bounces. The court emphasized the cheque must be from the individual's account. This decision impacts the 36 lakh pending cheque bounce cases. The director might still face cheating charges.

Ravichandran Ashwin's wife, Prithi Narayanan, penned a heartfelt tribute following the cricketer's surprising retirement announcement. She reflected on their journey together, from his early days to his remarkable achievements, acknowledging the dedication and resilience that defined his career. Narayanan encouraged him to embrace a life beyond cricket, free from the pressures of professional sport.

India and France partnered to transform New Delhi's North and South Blocks into the Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum. External affairs minister S Jaishankar highlighted this as a key cultural collaboration and a demonstration of India's soft power. The museum will showcase India's 5,000-year history and is envisioned as a global cultural landmark.

Eight idols were vandalized in Hindu temples across Mymensingh and Dinajpur districts over two days. One arrest was made in Mymensingh. Five idols were damaged at a Dinajpur temple. These incidents follow other recent attacks on Hindu properties and come amid strained Indo-Bangladesh relations following the change in government and subsequent violence against minorities.

LinkedIn's COO, Daniel Shapero, reveals a crucial 2025 job interview question: "Tell me a story about how you used AI." Employers are seeking AI-comfortable candidates as workplaces become AI-centric. Successful answers range from professional to personal AI uses. This reflects the transforming job market, with AI skills becoming increasingly vital for navigating change.

Canada announced changes to its Express Entry program, impacting IT professionals seeking permanent residency. The removal of extra points for LMIA-backed job offers will increase competition, requiring higher CRS scores based on factors like age, education, and language proficiency. The changes follow recent revisions to broader immigration policies aimed at addressing housing and infrastructure challenges.

Former Australian captain Allan Border praises Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah's unique bowling style and captaincy skills. Bumrah's impressive 21 wickets at an average of 10.90 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy have made him the series' top wicket-taker. Border highlighted Bumrah's unusual wrist action and effective field placements, particularly during India's victory in Perth.

A pre-dawn missile attack on Kyiv killed one and injured twelve, damaging several embassies. Ukraine intercepted the missiles and drones, but falling debris caused widespread damage. Russia claimed responsibility, stating the strike targeted Ukrainian military facilities. Kherson also faced shelling, resulting in two deaths and ten injuries.

Tragedy struck a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany. A car plowed into the crowd. Two people died, including a child. Sixty-eight others were injured. Fifteen are in critical condition. The driver was apprehended. Authorities are investigating the incident.

A Faridabad engineer fell prey to an elaborate online scam, losing Rs 3.46 lakh. Posing as courier and cyber cell officials, fraudsters accused him of possessing illegal items and involved in money laundering. They placed him under 'digital arrest,' monitoring him via video call for six days. He was tricked into transferring funds to a supposed 'RBI dummy account.

In Singapore, a 28-year-old Indian-origin man, Visnu Suriamurthi, received a six-week jail sentence and a SGD 2,000 fine for assaulting a rival gang member and illegal gambling. This incident is connected to a fatal brawl outside Concorde hotel. Over ten men have been charged in connection with the brawl. Visnu’s sentencing took into account his history of violent offences.

A pre-dawn collision between a truck and an LPG tanker on the Jaipur-Ajmer highway resulted in a series of explosions, killing 14 and injuring thirty-three. The impact ruptured the tanker, igniting a massive fire that engulfed over forty vehicles, including sleeper buses. Several individuals remain missing, including passengers of a bus and the tanker's driver.

Australian cricketing legend Allan Border reflects on his illustrious career, from his playing days to captaincy challenges. He discusses aggressive batting in modern cricket, praising Travis Head's approach and Jasprit Bumrah's unique skill.

The Kansas City Chiefs are determined to secure the No. 1 seed in their upcoming game against the Houston Texans. Tight end Travis Kelce is ready for the challenge despite a demanding schedule. Fans are eager to see if Taylor Swift will attend the game to support Kelce, adding to the excitement surrounding the Chiefs' playoff push.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has nominated London-based professional Krish Raval for a life peerage in the House of Lords. Raval, chair of Labour Indians, awaits King Charles's approval. This nomination is among 30 aimed at balancing political representation. Raval, an OBE recipient for his inter-faith work, founded Faith in Leadership at Oxford University.