Times of India

Australian media is heavily promoting the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series with a focus on Virat Kohli. Australian players, including Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, and Alex Carey, expressed their desire to have Kohli in their Test team for his exceptional batting. Meanwhile, Steve Smith and Travis Head preferred Jasprit Bumrah for his formidable bowling skills.

NCP leader Ajit Pawar announces a bid to contest the upcoming Delhi assembly elections, aiming to reclaim the party's national status. He dismisses opposition allegations of electoral fraud, emphasising party unity and plans for a national convention in Delhi to broaden NCP’s influence beyond Maharashtra.

Vladimir Putin apologized to Angela Merkel for bringing his Labrador to their 2007 meeting, unaware of her fear of dogs. Merkel, in her memoir, described it as a deliberate power move by Putin. During a press conference, Putin explained he intended to create a positive atmosphere and promised not to repeat the incident.

On Thursday, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was seen at the Mumbai airport after attending an event in Dubai. Netizens were quick to notice Aishwarya’s phone wallpaper during her appearance. The image reportedly featured Aaradhya with someone else, sparking online debate about whether it was Amitabh Bachchan or Aishwarya’s late father, Krishnaraj Rai.

An Israeli airstrike hit a Hezbollah rocket storage facility in southern Lebanon, just a day after a US-French brokered ceasefire took effect. Both sides have accused each other of violating the truce. The conflict, which has lasted over a year, has resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with displaced civilians struggling to return home.

An exhibition kabaddi game will take place on December 28 at Melbourne's John Cain Arena, coinciding with the Boxing Day Test between India and Australia. PKL athletes will compete against former AFL players, promoting the sport to a new audience. This marks the first time PKL is held on foreign shores, showcasing Indian sport in a globally renowned sporting city.

A management committee from Sambhal's Jama Masjid has petitioned the Supreme Court to challenge the order for a mosque survey after a local court's ruling. Tensions in the area have been high following clashes that resulted in casualties and injuries. Authorities are using footage to identify those involved in the unrest and plan to recover damages from the perpetrators.

Shahid Afridi criticizes the BCCI for mixing politics with sports and urges the ICC to ensure fairness in the standoff over the 2025 Champions Trophy. Afridi supports the PCB's rejection of the hybrid hosting model, highlighting Pakistan's willingness to tour India despite security concerns. The ICC faces pressure to resolve the issue amid broadcaster demands and potential logistical challenges.

An inmate from Kannauj district jail, celebrated his release with a dance outside the facility, observed by police. He was freed after serving nine months for drug trafficking, with the help of the District Legal Services Authority. The event, recorded and circulated on social media, sparked an investigation by jail officials.

The recent political protests in Pakistan, led by Imran Khan's PTI, ended in chaos after a forceful crackdown by security forces. The turmoil reflects the nation's ongoing political and economic crises, with nearly 1,000 arrests and numerous injuries reported. Analysts warn that the government’s repressive tactics could exacerbate public unrest and destabilize the country further.

Unacademy CEO Gaurav Munjal criticizes Duolingo's effectiveness in teaching languages and introduces Airlearn, highlighting its superior approach with teaching slides and AI-based personalized tutoring. He reveals that 1 million lessons on Airlearn were completed in October, primarily by U.S. users learning Spanish and French.

The Australian Senate has passed a world-first law banning children under 16 from using social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, fining tech companies up to AUD 50 million for non-compliance. Advocates argue it addresses youth mental health issues, while critics worry about privacy concerns and potential exclusion of vulnerable groups.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve criticises Congress for being overconfident after the Lok Sabha elections, suggesting that announcing Uddhav Thackeray as the CM candidate could have improved MVA’s performance in Maharashtra. He also hints at a desire among party members to contest future elections independently. Despite setbacks, Shiv Sena (UBT) will remain in the MVA.

The 'Chill Guy' meme, created by artist Philip Banks, has become viral, and has inspired netizens to nominate their 'original chill guy', including Han Lue from Fast & Furious, Bollywood actor Salman Khan, and cricketer KL Rahul. Others include Brad Pitt, Arthur from ‘Past Lives’, and NBA player Derrick Rose.

Andrew Wiggins is navigating the loss of his father with strong support from the Golden State Warriors team. Teammate Draymond Green praises Wiggins for his impressive performance this season, attributing it to his renewed focus and determination despite his personal tragedy.

Pop star Dua Lipa arrives in Mumbai for her Zomato Feeding India Concert, marking her second visit. A.R. Rahman discusses mental health and the power of music at IFFI. Relationship rumors swirl around Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan after her name appears without 'Bachchan' at an event. Malaika Arora shares cryptic posts following Arjun Kapoor's confirmation of being single.

South Africa's Marco Jansen delivered a career-defining performance in the Test match against Sri Lanka at Durban, taking 7/13, the second-best figures by a left-arm fast bowler in Test cricket. Sri Lanka was bowled out for their lowest-ever Test total of 42 runs. Jansen’s feats set the stage for an exciting series.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra enters the Lok Sabha adorned in a traditional Kerala Kasavu saree, marking her connection to her constituency, Wayanad. Holding a copy of the Constitution, she evoked memories of her grandmother Indira Gandhi. Priyanka won the seat with a significant margin, reaffirming Wayanad as a Congress stronghold.

Siddarth Kaul, former Indian pacer, has announced his retirement from professional cricket. Kaul expressed gratitude for his career, reflecting on his journey in Punjab's cricket fields and his achievements. He earned his T20I and ODI caps in 2018. Kaul thanked his supporters, family, teammates, BCCI, and IPL franchises for their support and memories.