Times of India

Abhishek Sharma etched his name in the record books with a blistering 14-ball fifty, the joint third-fastest in men's T20Is against a Full Member nation. His fearless counter-attack, including a rapid 53-run partnership with Ishan Kishan, set the tone for India's comfortable chase. This historic knock followed a mixed series start, showcasing Sharma's growing reputation as a formidable top-order batter.

Senator Ted Cruz was secretly recorded criticizing Vice President JD Vance and mocking President Trump's tariff policy. Cruz warned donors that the tariffs could harm the economy and lead to Trump's impeachment, recounting a heated call with the President. He also accused Vance of being a protégé of Tucker Carlson, influencing foreign policy appointments.

Sanju Samson's T20I struggles persisted as he was dismissed for a golden duck on the first ball against New Zealand. His recent lean patch, with scores of 10, 6, and 0, has intensified discussions about India's opening combination. Meanwhile, India's bowlers, led by Ravi Bishnoi and Jasprit Bumrah, restricted New Zealand to 153 for 9.

The Met department has warned that weather conditions in Himachal Pradesh may worsen from Monday due to a fresh western disturbance, with heavy snowfall likely in higher reaches. Alerts have been issued as snowfall has already disrupted daily life, shutting over 800 roads and affecting power supply across several districts. Cold wave conditions continue in many parts of the state.

The court set aside the decision of the division bench of Madras High Court, which had denied maternity leave to a government school teacher by applying the State’s two child norm policy, rather than as a right connected to motherhood and reproductive dignity.

Hardik Pandya delivered a spectacular catch in the third T20I against New Zealand. This moment of brilliance provided India with an early advantage. India captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and chose to bowl. Harshit Rana took an early wicket. India leads the series 2-0. The team aims to play fearlessly.

Pakistan's T20 World Cup squad announcement is not a confirmation of participation, with the PCB awaiting government approval. Chairman Mohsin Naqvi stated the board will follow the government's decision regarding the tournament in India and Sri Lanka. The PCB also voiced strong disapproval of the ICC's stance on Bangladesh's exclusion.

President Droupadi Murmu, on the Republic Day's eve, lauded India's democratic ideals, national heroes like Netaji Bose, and citizen contributions. She highlighted women's achievements, farmer's role, tribal empowerment, economic growth, and digital India's success. The address underscored collective efforts in building a stronger, self-reliant nation, inspiring national pride and unity.

Mike Tomlin’s sudden exit from the Steelers has led to plenty of questions. The speculation grew louder after Jason Whitlock slammed how the team handled the situation, and podcast host Harold White publicly claimed Tomlin left because of personal issues. Those claims, which include rumors of a pregnancy and a payout, have not been confirmed by Tomlin or the Steelers.

The Trinamool Congress has strongly condemned BJP leader Sanjay Das for his derogatory remarks against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, including calling her a "witch" and advocating for her beheading. The TMC accused the BJP of normalizing misogyny, citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's past remarks and the act of handing a sword to another BJP leader during the event.

AI pioneer Yann LeCun criticizes Silicon Valley's obsession with Large Language Models, calling the industry "LLM-pilled." He argues this focus stifles innovation as tech giants poach engineers, preventing diverse research. LeCun believes true artificial intelligence requires predictive "world models," a key reason for his departure from Meta to pursue this vision.

Veteran actor Dharmendra and former Jharkhand CM Shibu Soren will be honored with Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan posthumously, respectively. India announced 131 Padma Awards for 2026, including five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri, recognizing distinguished service across various fields.

India Inc is significantly reducing fresh graduate hiring, particularly in STEM fields, as companies prioritise industry-ready talent. This shift sees a focus on smaller, skilled teams and job-ready individuals proficient in cloud platforms, data pipelines, and AI tools.

Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur are set to receive the prestigious Padma Shri for their significant contributions. Sharma's leadership saw India clinch the 2024 T20 World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy, while Kaur captained the historic Women's World Cup victory on home soil. Their achievements mark a new era for Indian cricket.

Iranian women are leading a powerful protest movement, fueled by decades of repression and a fight for basic rights. The slogan 'Woman, Life, Freedom' echoes across the nation, a testament to their courage in demanding bodily autonomy and dignity. Despite facing severe crackdowns and personal risks, their defiance, ignited by Mahsa Amini's death, continues to challenge the state's authority.

The choice between the old and the new income tax regime is an important one and every year, taxpayers carefully calculate the tax liability under each before deciding on which one to opt for.