Times of India

South Africa's SA20 league is aiming to emulate the success of the Indian Premier League (IPL) by attracting top international talent and providing a platform for young South African players. The league's second season saw strong attendance, and the addition of India's Dinesh Karthik, for the third edition, is expected to further boost viewership.

The Supreme Court halted new lawsuits against the 1991 Places of Worship Act during its ongoing hearing. It also prohibited lower courts from issuing survey orders in related cases. The government has four weeks to respond to petitions challenging the Act's provisions, particularly the August 15, 1947, cut-off date for maintaining religious character.

A quirky Indian wedding invitation has gone viral for its humorous honesty. It playfully requests guests to "complain about the food" and acknowledges the wedding day chaos, including potential traffic jams and a coincidental mass wedding date clash.

India's November 2024 CPI inflation eased to 5.48%, falling within the RBI's target range. Food inflation also decreased to 9.04%.

ISRO successfully hot-tested its CE20 cryogenic engine with an innovative nozzle protection system. The test validated a multi-element igniter, crucial for engine restart, and achieved all performance parameters. This enhanced engine, powering the LVM3, is set to boost India's space exploration capabilities for Gaganyaan and future missions.

TMC MP Sagarika Ghose submitted a privilege motion against Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, endorsed by 60 opposition MPs. Ghose accused Rijiju of making derogatory remarks, stating opposition members were "not worthy" of being in the house. This follows opposition criticism of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and a no-confidence motion filed against him.

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) detected frozen water and other volatile compounds within a protoplanetary disk 1,300 light-years away in the Orion Nebula. This discovery provides crucial insights into early planetary formation and the potential for life beyond our solar system. JWST's NIRCam instrument observed these compounds, suggesting that the disk may contain the building blocks for habitable planets.

Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjiv Goenka expressed well wishes for KL Rahul after the batter's transfer to Delhi Capitals. Goenka called Rahul a "decent and honest person" and part of his family, despite a tense exchange between them after a match last season. Rahul also spoke about the incident, saying he sought a fresh start and more freedom.

Union minister Nitin Gadkari acknowledged a rise in road accidents, contrary to his initial goal of a 50% reduction. He highlighted human behavior and lack of lane discipline as contributing factors, citing improper truck parking as a major concern.

The Union Cabinet approved the 'One Nation, One Election' bill, aiming for concurrent elections nationwide. A high-level committee, chaired by former President Kovind, found that simultaneous elections would enhance policy consistency and voter participation. The bill, based on extensive research and stakeholder consultations, is expected in Parliament next week.

Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh acknowledged that finding a permanent solution to the state's ongoing crisis will be a lengthy process due to its fragile nature. He highlighted government efforts, the re-imposition of AFSPA, and commemorated Nupi Lan, praising Manipuri women's historical and contemporary contributions. He also addressed the treatment of Myanmar refugees, emphasising equal treatment under UN guidelines.

Sanjiv Goenka, owner of Lucknow Super Giants, praised MS Dhoni's exceptional leadership and mentorship in a recent podcast. Goenka highlighted Dhoni's ability to reinvent himself and nurture young talent like Matheesha Pathirana. He also recounted Dhoni's patient interaction with his young grandson and admired Dhoni's handling of past controversies. At CSK, Dhoni's guidance has created a culture of consistency, loyalty, and excellence, making the franchise one of the most respected in the IPL.

Rahul Gandhi visited the family of the 2020 Hathras rape victim after receiving a letter from the victim's father. The letter detailed the family's continued struggle for justice, unfulfilled promises of government aid, and the trauma of living under constant security. The father expressed feeling imprisoned and unable to work while the accused are free.

Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar played a historic Test match innings 43 years ago. He batted for over 11 hours, scoring 172 runs against England. This feat broke his own record for the longest innings by an Indian batsman. The match in Bangalore eventually ended in a draw.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced a monthly payment of Rs 1,000 for registered women in Delhi. This amount will increase to Rs 2,100 after the upcoming elections. Kejriwal cited a previous announcement delayed due to his imprisonment, emphasizing the importance of supporting women and their role in families and society.

The Lok Sabha approved a bill allowing bank account and locker holders to designate up to four nominees. This change simplifies asset distribution after death. The bill awaits Rajya Sabha approval and presidential assent for implementation.

Maharashtra's cabinet expansion is scheduled for Saturday, December 14th, as announced by Deputy CM Ajit Pawar. The BJP is expected to secure 20 ministerial positions, while Shiv Sena and NCP will likely receive 10 each. Ministerial terms may be limited to two and a half years, subject to performance reviews.

Virat Kohli is poised to surpass Rahul Dravid's Test run record against Australia in the upcoming Brisbane Test. Meanwhile, Shubman Gill aims to overtake Yuvraj Singh's career Test run tally and Rishabh Pant is on the verge of eclipsing Sunil Gavaskar and ML Jaisimha's run records at the Gabba. The third Test begins on December 14.

Following a 10-wicket defeat in Adelaide, Australia levelled the series 1-1 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Sunil Gavaskar believes the momentum has shifted to Australia ahead of the Gabba Test. Harbhajan Singh emphasizes the series' unpredictable nature, highlighting India's need to secure victories in at least two of the remaining matches, ideally starting with Gabba.