Times of India

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar advises Jasprit Bumrah to prioritise shorter cricket formats over Tests. Akhtar believes this will help Bumrah manage his injury-prone body better and prolong his career, given the physical demands of Tests. While acknowledging Bumrah's Test potential, Akhtar suggests focusing on white-ball cricket where his skills are best suited.

Authorities found a Shiva temple in a locked house in Sambhal. The house was abandoned after the 1978 riots. Officials launched an investigation into the property's ownership. The temple contains statues of Lord Shiva and Hanuman. An ancient well was also discovered outside the temple. ASI will determine the temple's age. The temple will be given to its rightful owners.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized Congress for imposing the 1975 Emergency, stating they "tore apart" the Constitution and suppressed fundamental rights. He accused the Gandhi family of repeatedly undermining the Constitution, citing attempts to control the judiciary and curtail freedom of expression. Modi asserted Congress will never be able to erase this stain.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Lok Sabha on the 75th anniversary of India's Constitution, hailing the nation's democratic journey. He emphasised India's role as the "mother of democracy" and the importance of unity for achieving developed nation status by 2047. Modi paid tribute to the Constitution's architects and highlighted the inclusion of women's voting rights from the outset.

Former OpenAI AI researcher Suchir Balaji, a key witness in a lawsuit against the company, was found dead in his San Francisco apartment. Police confirmed suicide. Balaji's death follows his August exit from OpenAI due to disagreements over AI practices. Elon Musk, currently in legal battles with OpenAI, reacted to the news on X.

Indian badminton star PV Sindhu on Saturday got engaged to Venkata Datta Sai in a private ceremony. The couple will wed on December 22nd in Udaipur, followed by a Hyderabad reception on December 24th. Sindhu has five world championship medals, including a gold in 2019, besides her silver and bronze at the Olympic Games.

Rajat Patidar, retained by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for a hefty sum, is viewed as a potential future captain. Currently the third highest scorer in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he aims to lead Madhya Pradesh to victory against Mumbai.

India celebrates the centenary of Raj Kapoor, the iconic "Showman" of Indian cinema. His family, along with Prime Minister Modi, paid tribute to his enduring legacy. While experts debate whether his films or music will be his most lasting contribution, his impact on Indian cinema and global audiences remains undeniable.

Australian batters unanimously declare Ravichandran Ashwin the more challenging spinner to face compared to Ravindra Jadeja. They praise Ashwin's variations, tactical brilliance, and adaptability, highlighting his ability to exploit conditions and set up dismissals. While respecting left-arm spinner Jadeja's accuracy, they find veteran offie Ashwin's intelligence and dominance more formidable.

Balaji wasn’t your archetypal Silicon Valley visionary. He wasn’t a grizzled founder with a decade of battle scars or a loud-mouthed tech bro proclaiming himself the savior of humanity. He was just a kid, albeit a remarkably sharp one, who started working at OpenAI in 2020, fresh out of the University of California, Berkeley.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticized BJP policies during a Lok Sabha debate. He used Hindu scriptures to illustrate his points. He compared the government's actions to Dronacharya's treatment of Eklavya. Gandhi accused the BJP of harming businesses and centralizing power. He previously invoked the Mahabharata's Chakravyuha to make similar criticisms.

Shrikant Shinde, citing Indira Gandhi's 1980 letter praising Savarkar, questioned Rahul Gandhi's stance. Gandhi countered, recounting Indira Gandhi's disapproval of Savarkar's alleged plea for forgiveness from the British. Rijiju shared the letter on X, challenging Gandhi's Lok Sabha statement where he criticized Savarkar's views on the Constitution.

Georgia elected Mikheil Kavelashvili, a staunch critic of the West, as its new president, sparking protests. The ruling party's decision to freeze EU accession talks until 2028 ignited public anger, given the widespread support for EU membership. Kavelashvili, backed by influential ex-prime minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, has promoted controversial anti-Western views.

The World Bank has halted a $500 million loan to Pakistan due to unfulfilled conditions, including revisions to a China-Pakistan Economic Corridor agreement. This leaves a $2.5 billion financing gap, exacerbated by the cancellation of another loan related to clean energy.

Rain washed out the first day of the Brisbane Test between Australia and India, leaving fans to entertain themselves in the stands. Spectators enjoyed food and drinks, with one grill master working tirelessly to keep up with demand. Despite the festive atmosphere, the lack of cricket disappointed many who had hoped for an exciting contest.

Zaheer Khan and Matthew Hayden's captivating rivalry during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in the 2000s is revisited. From on-field battles to a shared moment carrying the trophy, their story is one of fierce competition and mutual respect. Zaheer's cunning bowling challenged Hayden's aggressive batting, creating memorable clashes.

Pakistani fast bowler Mohammad Amir has announced his retirement from international cricket once again, just months after reversing an earlier retirement to play in the T20 World Cup. Amir, whose career was marked by a spot-fixing ban, had previously retired in 2020 citing mental distress, before briefly returning earlier this year.

Glenn McGrath questions Rohit Sharma's decision to bowl first at the Gabba, suggesting Sharma avoids batting. McGrath highlights the media's contrasting reactions to batting versus bowling failures. Contrary to usual Gabba strategy, Sharma opted to bowl, deviating from the norm of batting first and setting a high score. Despite recent losses at the Gabba, Australia remains confident.