Times of India

Veteran Indian off-spinner R Ashwin on Wednesday stunned the cricketing world by announcing his retirement from international cricket after the drawn Test against Australia at the Gabba. His decision, revealed to captain Rohit Sharma in Perth, came as a shock despite Ashwin admitting to having a bit of punch left.

A passenger ferry, Neelkamal, capsized near Uran and Karanja en route to Elephanta Island from Mumbai's Gateway of India, carrying over 110 passengers. Rescue operations are underway, involving the Mumbai Police, Indian Navy, Coast Guard, JNPT, and local fishing vessels.

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge criticized PM Modi for not reprimanding Home Minister Amit Shah over his remarks on Ambedkar. Kharge accused both of "supporting each other's sins" and demanded Shah's removal from the cabinet. This follows Shah's statement in Rajya Sabha where he implied invoking Ambedkar's name had become a trend.

Panic gripped Rajgarh district hospital in Madhya Pradesh late Tuesday night when an oxygen supply pipe to the NICU was stolen, jeopardizing the lives of 12 newborns. The missing copper pipe disrupted oxygen flow, causing breathing difficulties and triggering alarms. Swift action by medical staff, who connected a backup oxygen cylinder, averted a potential tragedy.

Ravichandran Ashwin, India's second-highest Test wicket-taker, announced his retirement from international cricket after the Brisbane Test. An emotional Ashwin bid farewell to his teammates, receiving a signed jersey from the Australian team. He expressed gratitude for the relationships built and affirmed his continued passion for cricket, though shifting focus to club, franchise cricket.

Congress has demanded an apology from PM Modi, Amit Shah, and the BJP, along with Shah's resignation, for allegedly insulting B.R. Ambedkar. They cite instances where the RSS and BJP, including Shah's recent remarks, allegedly disparaged Ambedkar and the Constitution. Congress accuses the BJP-RSS of harboring contempt for Ambedkar and opposing equal rights for Dalits and the oppressed.

Veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin unexpectedly announced his retirement from international cricket during the ongoing Test series against Australia. Despite feeling he still had more to offer, the 38-year-old cited a desire to focus on club cricket, including the IPL. Ashwin, India's second-highest Test wicket-taker, shared an emotional farewell, thanking teammates and the BCCI.

A government-appointed panel led by ex-ISRO chief K. Radhakrishnan has proposed restructuring the National Testing Agency (NTA) after the NEET UG 2024 paper leak. Recommendations include focusing solely on entrance exams from 2025, introducing computer-adaptive testing, and stricter security measures like CCTV surveillance, secure courier services, and sealed containers to prevent question paper leaks, ensuring exam integrity and transparency.

The Supreme Court invited protesting farmers for discussions, but the farmers refused, demanding direct talks with the central government. They intensified their agitation with a 'Rail Roko' protest, disrupting train services across Punjab. Their demands include a legally binding MSP, debt waivers, and withdrawal of police cases.

Indian captain Rohit Sharma paid tribute to Ravichandran Ashwin after the spinner announced his retirement from Test cricket. Rohit lauded Ashwin as a game-changer and a true legend, emphasising his impact on young bowlers. With 765 international wickets, Ashwin concludes his Test career as India's second-highest wicket-taker, boasting 537 wickets in 106 matches.

NASA's InSight lander mission on Mars has ended. The lander studied Marsquakes and the planet's interior. Dust accumulated on its solar panels, causing power loss. Orbiting spacecraft captured images of the dust-covered lander. Scientists continue to analyze data from InSight. The data includes information about dust devils and Martian weather. NASA is no longer receiving signals from the lander.

During the Gabba Test, Virat Kohli masterminded Travis Head's dismissal, despite Australia's 201-run lead. Kohli instructed Mohammed Siraj to bowl over the wicket, targeting middle stump with a scrambled seam delivery. Initially hesitant, Rohit Sharma agreed after Kohli explained his logic. Siraj executed the plan perfectly, forcing Head into a mistimed pull shot, caught by Rishabh Pant.

The Biden administration has finalized new rules modernizing the H-1B visa program, just days before Trump's second inauguration. These changes aim to clarify specialty occupation criteria, offer flexibility to employers and beneficiaries, and enhance program integrity. Key revisions include relaxed degree requirements, deference to prior adjudications, and formalized site visits.

A Delhi court granted interim bail for seven days to former JNU student Umar Khalid in the Delhi riots conspiracy case, allowing him to attend a family wedding. Khalid's lawyer questioned his inclusion as an accused, highlighting that others present at alleged conspiracy meetings weren't charged, despite some meetings being publicly documented on social media.

Uttarakhand will become the first Indian state to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) starting January 2025. The law mandates marriage registration within six months and requires live-in couples to register within one month. The UCC addresses marriage, divorce, inheritance, and live-in relationships, aiming to end practices like polygamy and ensure equal inheritance rights.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticized Union Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as "casteist" and "anti-Dalit." Banerjee accused the BJP of attempting to diminish Ambedkar's legacy. Shah's comments, made during a parliamentary debate, sparked protests and accusations of disrespect from opposition parties, while the BJP defended Shah and accused Congress of hypocrisy.

Asteroid 2024 XS3, a small Apollo asteroid, safely passed Earth at a distance of 3.3 million kilometers on December 18, 2024. This close approach provided astronomers with a valuable opportunity to refine tracking techniques. While posing no threat, 2024 XS3's observation contributes to planetary defense efforts and our understanding of the early solar system.

Travis Head, brimming with confidence after consecutive centuries, walked in to bat with Australia aiming for quick runs. However, Indian pacers Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah triggered a top-order collapse, reducing Australia to 33/5. Head's aggressive approach was cut short by Mohammad Siraj's short ball, caught by Rishabh Pant for just 17.

Sunil Gavaskar questioned Ravichandran Ashwin's mid-series retirement announcement, stating it leaves India short-handed in the middle of an important series. Gavaskar compared it to Dhoni's 2014 retirement, emphasizing the disruption it causes. He pointed out the role Ashwin could have played in the remaining Tests, especially in Sydney, which offers spin-friendly conditions.

The discovery of Obelisks inside the human body may sound like science fiction, but it’s very real. These mysterious RNA-based organisms could hold the key to understanding life itself. As research continues, we may uncover more about how they impact our health and their true origins.