Times of India

India-EU FTA: India and the EU are on the verge of sealing a landmark trade deal, marking India’s ninth trade pact in four years as both sides accelerate deal-making amid rising global protectionism. The agreement promises market access gains for Indian goods and services.

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held extensive talks with Poland's Deputy Prime Minister Radosław Sikorski, reviewing bilateral cooperation in economy, technology, and defense. Discussions also covered global and regional developments, with both nations emphasizing the need to counter terrorism and selective targeting in trade.

Scottish cricket officials have said the ICC has not contacted them about replacing Bangladesh at the T20 World Cup, despite speculation. Scotland, the highest-ranked team outside the tournament, would be ready if approached but are not initiating talks out of respect for Bangladesh, whose participation remains uncertain amid venue and political concerns.

Critics often call him a right-wing white supremacist nationalist and, much like the Holy Roman Empire, none of those descriptors are remotely accurate. He’s not right-wing, not a white supremacist, and not even nationalist. Trump doesn’t care about race at all, not in the way people think. He’s barely nationalist and will always put his own self-interest ahead of the nation’s. And right-wing? He’s the most left-leaning POTUS, so much so that if McCarthy were around today, he would blacklist him.

The AFC Championship Game between the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots is clouded by significant injuries. Broncos QB Bo Nix is out for the season with an ankle fracture, while RB J.K. Dobbins' return is uncertain. The Patriots are also monitoring CB Carlton Davis's concussion status, with these key player absences potentially deciding the Super Bowl berth.

Asia’s grip on global mathematics is no longer about topping ranks, but about how far ahead it stands. As East Asian systems pull away, the United States struggles to lift its middle, slipping below the OECD average. India, despite its scale and reputation, remains absent altogether, not because of failure, but because it chose not to be measured.

DJ Moore became a focal point after the Bears’ season ended with an overtime loss to the Rams. A late miscommunication with Caleb Williams led to a costly interception, and Moore was reportedly absent from the locker room during media access. While the duo helped Chicago win the NFC North, the ending raised questions about accountability.

Shapiro writes that he pushed back immediately, calling the question offensive and absurd. What troubled him more than the question itself was what it suggested about the assumptions being made. He wondered whether similar scrutiny was being applied to non-Jewish contenders, or whether he was being treated as a unique risk because of his identity and his outspoken criticism of antisemitism on US college campuses after the October 7 attacks.

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes Nitish Kumar Reddy should have featured earlier in the ODI series against New Zealand. Pathan highlighted Reddy's promising batting and bowling performances, suggesting he could be a valuable backup for Hardik Pandya. The youngster's potential to play big shots and bowl at decent speeds impressed Pathan, who advocates for continued management support.

As Tamil Nadu Congress strategizes for the 2026 elections, it's at a crossroads: should it maintain its long-standing alliance with the DMK or consider a fresh partnership with the charismatic actor Vijay's TVK? Tensions within the party flared after the DMK turned down a proposed power-sharing deal, leading to lessons on 'coalition dharma'.

Nitin Nabin has been elected unopposed as the national president of the Bharatiya Janata Party, set to formally take charge on January 20. His uncontested election, at 45 years old, signifies a generational leadership shift within the party. The smooth transition highlights the BJP's internal consensus and procedural discipline ahead of future elections.

CBSE has revised its affiliation norms to make counseling and career guidance mandatory across all affiliated schools. Approved in November 2025, the changes require trained Counseling & Wellness Teachers and Career Counselors based on student strength. The move aims to strengthen mental health support, ensure professional guidance, and promote holistic student development beyond academics.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is strategically shrinking the political space for regional parties across India. Recent election results in Maharashtra, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh demonstrate the BJP's success in weakening rivals through fragmentation, welfare schemes, and narrative control. While regional parties persist, their ability to translate state power into national influence has significantly diminished.

Trump’s line about no longer feeling obligated to think “purely of peace” has been read by some as emotional blackmail over the Nobel Prize. That misses the point. Trump is not rejecting peace as an outcome. He is rejecting peace as a constraint.

Karnataka DGP K Ramachandra Rao faced scrutiny after a video allegedly showing him in a compromising position with women went viral. Rao denied the footage, calling it "fabricated and false." Chief minister Siddaramaiah and other officials promised strict action if wrongdoing was confirmed. Rao stated he would consult his lawyer and clarify the matter with authorities.