Times of India

Generation Beta, born from 2025 to 2039, is expected to be highly influenced by unpredictable technological advancements and climate crises. This generation will have significant impacts from AI technology, social media, and tighter tech regulations. With a focus on sustainability and resilience, Gen Beta will witness demographic shifts, emphasizing population sustainability rather than overpopulation.

Bank Holidays January 2025: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has published the list of state-specific bank holidays for January 2025. Key closures include New Year's Day, regional festivals like Loosong, Pongal, Makar Sankranti.

Shubman Gill practices in the nets ahead of the fifth Test at SCG with his parents in attendance. His return to the playing XI appears likely after discussions with head coach Gautam Gambhir. Akash Deep is confirmed out due to a back issue, while the final team will be decided after assessing the pitch.

Women have a higher pain threshold due to biological, hormonal, and psychological factors. Estrogen helps reduce pain, though fluctuations can affect sensitivity. Societal conditioning teaches women to endure pain, often silencing their discomfort. Recognizing and addressing pain is essential for well-being, as early detection can prevent serious health issues and improve quality of life.

Elon Musk has been interacting frequently with Google CEO Sundar Pichai on social media, reposting his New Year 2025 greetings and responding to his praise of cricketer Jasprit Bumrah. Musk celebrated the New Year at Mar-a-Lago with President-elect Donald Trump, his son, and other prominent guests.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk linked the explosion of a Cybertruck outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas to a similar attack in New Orleans. He suggested these incidents might be acts of terrorism and rented from the same site. The explosion, caused by fireworks or a bomb, killed one person and injured seven.

Stock market today: BSE Sensex and Nifty50, the Indian equity benchmark indices, rallied strongly in trade on Thursday. While BSE Sensex briefly crossed the 80,000 mark, Nifty50 moved above 24,200.

The late-night noises from an iron charpoy exposed the murder of restaurant owner Shatrughan Rathore by his wife Rakhi's lover, Dharmendra Rathore, and his accomplices in Lucknow. Disturbances awoke the victim's elder daughter, leading to the criminals' swift escape. Subsequent police investigations revealed Rakhi's involvement and resulted in arrests while one suspect remains at large.

India's head coach Gautam Gambhir confirmed the absence of pacer Akash Deep due to a back injury ahead of the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Sydney. The playing XI will be decided on match day. Australia’s captain Pat Cummins announced Beau Webster’s Test debut replacing Mitch Marsh. Mitchell Starc will play despite a rib issue.

A 21-year-old engineering student, Utkarsh Dakhole, allegedly killed his parents after failing his physics paper for the third time. He first throttled his mother and later stabbed his father upon his return. Utkarsh then created a fake suicide note and misled his sister about their parents' whereabouts until the neighbors discovered the crime.

New footage reveals the moment a truck, driven by Shamsud Din Jabbar, navigated through weak barricades and ploughed into a New Year crowd on Bourbon Street, killing 15. Jabbar's vehicle contained weapons and ISIS symbols, implying possible accomplices. President Biden condemned the violence, while Trump blamed illegal immigration for the attack.

2024 recorded the warmest year in India since 1901, with an average temperature of 25.75°C, surpassing 2016's previous record. Global temperatures also rose, marking 2024 as the hottest year globally. For January, the IMD forecasts slightly above-normal rainfall and warmer temperatures across most regions but anticipates colder nights in Prayagraj during the Maha Kumbh.

Sonya Curry opened up about her marriage, divorce, and faith journey on "The Travis Hearn Podcast," including introspection on past choices similar to biblical narratives. Her revelations added context to her 33-year marriage with Dell Curry, which ended in a high-profile 2021 divorce. She now focuses on personal growth and spiritual renewal, offering insights into overcoming adversity and personal accountability.

A video shot by a girl on her mobile phone helped a Bengaluru sessions court convict seven men of the murder of former BJP corporator Rekha Kadiresh. Despite 48 out of 49 witnesses turning hostile, the video evidence was crucial. Rekha, aged 45, was brutally stabbed outside her home in 2021, and the convicts received life imprisonment.

Violence at home persists as a major issue, with 6,237 domestic violence complaints out of 25,743 received by the National Commission for Women in 2024. Uttar Pradesh had the highest number of complaints, while dowry harassment and 'right to live with dignity' issues also remain significant concerns.

A Norwegian citizen from Kerala, Rinson Jose, has been cleared by Norwegian police of any involvement in the September 2024 pager blasts in Lebanon. Jose, whose company was investigated, has safely contacted his family and resumed work. Reports suggest Jose has returned to Norway with his wife, although his current location remains undisclosed.

India designates 2025 as the year of defence reforms to roll out integrated theatre commands, enhance military procurement, and transform the armed forces into a technologically-advanced force. The reforms aim to boost tri-service synergy, optimise resources, and focus on cyber and space domains, artificial intelligence, and robotics.