Times of India

Pakistan has halted preparations for the T20 World Cup 2026, backing Bangladesh's refusal to play in India due to security concerns. Islamabad has indicated it may withdraw if the issue isn't resolved, following Bangladesh's withdrawal from the IPL. The ICC is reluctant to shift Bangladesh's matches, potentially leading to Scotland's replacement.

Rohit Sharma’s poor run continued with an 11-run dismissal in the deciding ODI against New Zealand on Sunday, raising questions about his form and motivation. Now playing only ODIs, Rohit struggled throughout the series, prompting Simon Doull to question whether the 2027 World Cup is too distant to drive him. Doull also cited limited ODI cricket as a factor. Virat Kohli topped the series with 240 runs.

Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen visited a Teesta project area in Bangladesh, signaling China's keenness to implement the Teesta Master Plan. This visit occurs amidst strained India-Bangladesh relations and follows discussions on development cooperation, including the Teesta project and a proposed friendship hospital.

Klay Thompson and Megan Thee Stallion have inspired billions around the world with the love and commitment they have shown towards each other over the past few months. While Megan Thee Stallion has often spoken out about how grateful she is for Klay Thompson, the star player’s recent gesture has sparked chaos among fans.

Vanessa Bryant celebrated her daughter Natalia's 23rd birthday with a heartfelt social media tribute, sharing cherished family memories. The post honored Natalia's journey, her connection to Kobe's legacy through Nike, and her burgeoning career in cinema and modeling. The touching message also included late husband Kobe and daughter Gianna, highlighting enduring family love.

Tech firms are shifting from volume hiring to skills-led recruitment, narrowing fresher intake to specialized roles. Companies are offering significantly higher packages, ranging from Rs 16 lakh to Rs 55 lakh, for niche positions in AI, data engineering, and cybersecurity, reflecting a growing demand for specialized talent.

London-based YouTuber Sangram Patil was prevented from flying back to the UK after a lookout circular issued by Mumbai police remained active. Patil claims the process for its withdrawal was initiated after he was questioned in a defamation case, but immigration officials cited the active notice, curtailing his movement.

Legendary Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani, renowned for defining modern couture and dressing global icons, has died at 93. He founded the Valentino fashion house in 1959, becoming synonymous with high glamour and shaping Italian fashion for over five decades. His legacy includes iconic designs and building a global luxury empire.

Ravichandran Ashwin expressed disappointment following India's maiden ODI series loss to New Zealand at home, deeming the team's response "a bit flat." He felt the visitors, despite missing key players, effectively dominated the series. Ashwin highlighted India's lack of pressure on New Zealand and described their play as "very soft cricket."

Priyanka Chopra's mother, Madhu Chopra, revealed that her son Siddharth suffered due to Priyanka's early stardom. Madhu's extensive travel to support Priyanka's career meant Siddharth often grew up without significant parental presence. She expressed regret over this, acknowledging him as 'collateral damage' to her daughter's success.

Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja faced an awkward moment during the toss of a BPL 2025–26 match when his call to “make some noise” was met with near silence. The clip went viral on social media, drawing mixed reactions. While some mocked the moment, others defended Raja, citing poor acoustics or early crowd turnout. Raja quickly moved on and continues as a prominent voice in the league.

Bangladesh's interim government claims most 2025 incidents involving minorities were criminal, not communal. Out of 645 cases, only 71 had religious motives, including temple vandalism and threats. The government emphasizes accurate classification to combat misinformation, but minority groups question the assessment, fearing it emboldens criminals.

Protests erupted across Iran in late December over economic hardship, escalating into anti-regime unrest. Authorities report thousands of deaths, widespread arrests, and violent clashes, particularly in Kurdish regions. Supreme Leader Khamenei vowed harsh punishment, blaming foreign interference. Police offered leniency to “deceived” protesters. While cities show signs of calm and limited internet restoration, tensions and restrictions persist amid continuing government crackdowns.

Elon Musk's xAI is aggressively entering the talent war, seeking an elite unit of "talent engineers" to recruit the world's best. Reporting directly to Musk, these individuals will use an engineering mindset to find exceptional talent, focusing on those with a history of building innovative products and strong interpersonal skills.

China’s Type 075 amphibious assault ships have become a prominent symbol of Beijing’s rising military pressure on Taiwan. Their deployment in large-scale drills encircling the island in December highlighted their importance to any future cross-strait operation. Combining helicopter operations, landing craft and troop deployment, the vessels significantly enhance China’s amphibious and power-projection capabilities, reshaping the regional security balance.

South Africa comprehensively dominated the West Indies in the 1998-99 Test series, securing a 5-0 whitewash. The final Test saw South Africa win by 351 runs, leading to the entire Proteas team being named Player of the Match in a rare decision.