Times of India

Matt Gaetz has withdrawn his name from consideration for Attorney General in the upcoming Trump administration. Citing distractions and a desire to avoid a protracted confirmation battle, Gaetz expressed gratitude for the nomination and pledged his continued support for President-elect Trump and his agenda.

China is bolstering its export sector to counter potential US tariff hikes threatened by President-elect Donald Trump. The measures include expanding export credit insurance, increasing financing support for international trade, and strengthening cross-border e-commerce. This comes as China's export sector faces challenges from weak domestic consumption and a struggling housing market.

Musician Grimes opened up about the challenges she faced during her custody battle with former partner Elon Musk. She revealed that the legal proceedings took a toll on her mental health and creative output, leading to a period of emotional distress and reduced productivity.

Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal's controversial "pay-to-work" job posting for Chief of Staff, which drew criticism for its unusual Rs 20 lakh fee requirement, has garnered over 18,000 applications. Goyal clarified that the fee was a screening tool and won't be implemented, emphasizing the company's search for candidates prioritizing learning and growth over financial gain.

Former Indian fielding coach, R Sridhar believes Virat Kohli is primed for the upcoming series in Australia. Despite the challenges, Sridhar is confident in Kohli's rigorous preparation routine, highlighting his focus on fitness, technique refinement, and extensive net sessions to counter the Australian bowling attack.

Aaryavir, son of former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag, smashed a double century (200*) for Delhi against Meghalaya in the Cooch Behar Trophy. His innings, studded with 34 fours and 2 sixes, powered Delhi to a commanding 468/2 at stumps on Day 2, securing a substantial lead. Aaryavir's achievement follows his impressive debut in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy in October.

Google has firmly rejected the US Justice Department's proposal to break up the tech giant, calling it an "extreme proposal" that would harm consumers and stifle innovation. The tech giant argued that the breakup would create security risks, force it to share sensitive data, and hinder its investments in artificial intelligence.

After six years away from the public eye, former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia made a notable appearance at the Armed Forces Day reception. Zia, released from house arrest in August following the departure of her political rival Sheikh Hasina, is battling various health issues. Interim government leader Muhummad Yunus expressed delight at Zia's presence at the event.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned Russia's recent intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch, calling it a testament to their fear and desperation. This marks the first wartime use of an ICBM, targeting Dnipro. The incident follows Ukraine's use of Western-supplied long-range missiles against Russian military targets, escalating tensions and prompting threats of retaliation from Moscow.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant, along with Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif. They are accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity during the recent conflict in Gaza. The ICC cited the intentional deprivation of essential resources to civilians.

Badshah revealed that AR Rahman apologized for criticizing his 'Humma Humma' remix. Amitabh Bachchan dismissed rumors of Abhishek and Aishwarya's split. Arjun Kapoor honored his late mother with a new tattoo. Jackie Shroff celebrated Helen's 86th birthday. Somy Ali supported Deepika Padukone amidst trolling about her depression.

Indian fast bowler Umran Malik, known for his blistering pace, is gearing up for a comeback after recovering from injuries. Malik aims to return during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he'll represent Jammu and Kashmir. Despite a brief IPL 2024 stint, his impressive ODI and T20I records, particularly his wicket-taking ability, highlight his potential.

Former India batter Jatin Paranjape backs Virat Kohli for a strong performance in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He also predicts a tough battle between India's young batsmen and Australia's pace attack. Paranjape believes Shubman Gill's injury might sideline him for a few Tests and highlights the importance of the fitness of Australia's key bowlers.

The BJP has countered Rahul Gandhi's criticism of PM Modi regarding the Adani case, invoking George Soros and accusing Gandhi of aligning with the investor's stance. The BJP highlighted Soros's past criticism of Modi and Adani's relationship, questioning the timing of both Soros's comments and the US Justice Department's observations.

Following the Maharashtra assembly polls, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis paid a visit to RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat. While Fadnavis called it a courtesy visit, it sparked speculation about BJP's CM aspirations. Despite exit polls predicting a BJP-led government, Fadnavis emphasized awaiting final results. BJP insiders suggest the party's desire to lead the new government, potentially impacting alliance dynamics.

Former Indian Test batsman Cheteshwar Pujara has voiced his support for KL Rahul to occupy the crucial number three spot in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Pujara believes Rahul's experience makes him the ideal candidate for the position.

South Indian actress Keerthy Suresh is rumored to be marrying her longtime friend Antony Thattil. Meanwhile, actress Tamannaah Bhatia is reportedly planning a 2025 wedding with actor Vijay Varma. The couple has been dating since 2023 and is currently searching for a home in anticipation of their marriage.

Team India, still smarting from their recent home series loss to New Zealand, are gearing up for a challenging Border-Gavaskar Trophy opener against Australia. Both teams, grappling with inconsistent batting form, will rely heavily on their bowlers to set the tone.

The Karnataka government clarified that it is only revoking ineligible BPL cards, not all of them as previously reported. The decision comes after backlash from the BJP, who claimed 1.2 million cards were canceled. The food and civil supplies minister assured that only a small percentage of cards were reclassified and legitimate cardholders will retain their benefits.