Times of India

Rishabh Pant dazzled the Sydney Cricket Ground with a fiery 61 off 33 balls, smashing six fours and four sixes, becoming the fastest visiting batter to reach a Test fifty in Australia. Sachin Tendulkar praised Pant's impactful innings, which helped India reach 141/6 with a 145-run lead. Scott Boland excelled for Australia with four wickets.

Elon Musk has donated 268,000 Tesla shares valued at nearly $112 million to charity. This follows a significant donation of $1.95 billion worth of Tesla shares in 2022 and $5.7 billion in 2021. Despite these donations, Musk still holds a substantial number of Tesla shares and faces ongoing legal disputes over his compensation package.

Arvind Kejriwal promised to waive incorrect water bills for Delhi residents if AAP regains power in the upcoming elections, countering PM Modi's criticism by calling AAP's work a "blessing" and identifying internal crises within the BJP as key issues for the opposition.

Farhan Akhtar praised Rohit Sharma's decision to step down in the Sydney Test, highlighting Rohit's selflessness for prioritizing team success over personal form. Farhan lauded Rohit's captaincy and elite batting skill, emphasizing the challenge of remaining resilient amid criticism. He called Rohit a strong leader, applauding his team-first attitude.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Grameen Bharat Mahotsav 2025 in New Delhi, emphasizing the pivotal role of prosperous villages in achieving a developed India. Held from January 4 to 9, the event aims to enhance rural infrastructure, promote self-reliance, foster innovation, and support rural women's entrepreneurship through various workshops and discussions.

Virat Kohli's struggle against deliveries outside off-stump continued as he was dismissed by Scott Boland for the fourth time in the series, scoring just six runs in India's second innings at the SCG. Kohli managed 190 runs in nine innings, averaging 23.75. Boland dominated Kohli, conceding 28 runs in 68 balls and dismissing him four times.

Jasprit Bumrah's exceptional performances in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy have been remarkable, with 32 wickets and over 150 overs bowled. Despite his heavy workload and occasional injury concern, Bumrah's dominance in the series is evident through his consistent and impactful wicket-taking ability. At the Sydney Cricket Ground, tension gripped the Indian camp as Bumrah left the field with India’s team doctor during the second session, as reported by TimesofIndia.com.

On January 5, 2025, Nikki Glasser will host the 82nd Golden Globes at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles. The star-studded nominations include Kate Winslet and Selena Gomez, with Morris Chestnut and Mindy Kaling announcing the nominees. The awards will be broadcast live on Lionsgate Play in India on January 6 at 5:30 a.m.

Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Ann Telnaes resigned from The Washington Post after her cartoon depicting Post owner Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, Patrick Soon-Shiong, and Mickey Mouse was rejected. Telnaes cited concerns for press freedom, while Opinions Editor David Shipley defended the decision to avoid repetition, urging her to reconsider resignation.

A Seawoods woman has accused her husband and in-laws of dowry harassment and divorcing her via triple talaq on a video call. The abuse began post-marriage and continued during her stay in the UK. Authorities are investigating, and charges have been filed under relevant laws, including the Muslim Women (Protection of Marriage Rights) Act.

China describes the rise in respiratory infections as a common seasonal trend during winter despite reports of a flu outbreak overwhelming hospitals. Authorities maintain that the situation is less severe than last year. Indian health officials state there is no need for alarm regarding a Human Metapneumovirus outbreak.

A 38-year-old shop owner, Shams Ansari, was shot dead near Shanti Shopping Centre in Mira Road (E) on Friday night. He was an eyewitness in a complaint against Yusuf, who had allegedly assaulted another shop owner's pregnant daughter. Ansari had received a warning about a contract on his life the day before the incident.

India's stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah left the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) with the team's doctor during the second session of play against Australia on Saturday. Bumrah, who returned to the field after lunch, bowled just one over before walking off, leaving former captain Virat Kohli to take over the on-field responsibilities.

Manipur's Kangpokpi district witnessed violence as Kuki-Zo protesters clashed with police, injuring the SP and others. The mob attacked the SP's office, vandalized vehicles, and demanded the withdrawal of central forces from Saibol village. Police intervened to control the situation.

A cyber extortionist was arrested in Delhi for impersonating a US-based freelancer and using virtual international numbers to create fake profiles on dating apps. He targeted women aged 18-30, gaining their trust and later blackmailing them with intimate content to extort money. Police seized a mobile phone, virtual numbers, and 13 credit cards.

Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra disclosed over $400 million in assets, including luxury items like handbags and watches, after taking office in September. Paetongtarn, part of the influential Shinawatra family, reported significant investments and properties. Her father Thaksin remains a major political figure in Thailand, highlighting the link between wealth and power in the nation.

Justice C T Ravikumar, hailing from a scheduled caste family in Kerala, pursued a successful career in law, culminating as a judge of the Supreme Court of India. His retirement on January 5 marked the end of an over four-decade-long judicial journey filled with dedication and respect for the legal profession.

Army soldier Matthew Livelsberger committed suicide and set off an explosion near Trump hotel in Las Vegas to highlight societal issues. His notes revealed grievances about the country's direction. The explosion injured seven people but caused no major damage. Livelsberger, a Green Beret, was struggling with PTSD and recent health issues.

A New Year's party in Rohini turned fatal as 40-year-old Dharmender was murdered by neighbors after requesting them to lower the music volume for his children's sleep. The tragedy has highlighted neighborhood safety and noise pollution issues. The family is devastated, with three young children left fatherless. Local authorities are urged to enforce stricter noise regulations.

A zilla parishad school in Hiwali village, Maharashtra, stands out with its innovative approach, integrating academic lessons with practical skills like welding and organic farming. The transformation, led by Keshav Gavit since 2009, has greatly improved student engagement and academic achievements, garnering the attention of state education minister Dada Bhuse.