Times of India

Errol Musk, father of Tesla CEO Elon Musk, has sparked controversy with remarks predicting a US 'collapse' due to the white population becoming a minority within two decades. He also downplayed systemic oppression in South Africa, claiming white populations significantly contributed to Black African development.

Stock market today: Nifty50 and BSE Sensex, the Indian equity benchmark indices, opened in green on Friday. While Nifty50 was above 261,50, BSE Sensex was up around 100 points.

Diarrhoea outbreak in Indore, claiming four lives and sickening over 1,400, has been traced to contaminated drinking water. Officials confirmed a leak in a main supply pipeline in Bhagirathpura, the epicentre, likely due to sewage mixing. Investigations are ongoing to identify the specific bacteria, with relief measures and compensation announced.

An elderly woman was brutally attacked by a troop of six to seven monkeys in Bahadurgarh, Haryana, on December 26th. CCTV footage captured the startling assault as the primates pounced, biting and pulling the woman's hair while she sat on a chair. This alarming incident highlights growing concerns over monkey incursions into residential zones.

Usman Khawaja announced his retirement from international cricket, confirming the upcoming fifth Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground will be his last. The veteran left-hander, Australia's first Muslim Test cricketer, reflected on a journey of resilience and representation, overcoming early career setbacks to become a key player and advocate.

Hindu religious leaders and BJP figures have strongly criticized Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan. Their ire is directed at his IPL team, Kolkata Knight Riders, for selecting Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman. Congress has stepped in to defend Khan, labeling the criticism an attack on India's pluralism. The debate highlights differing views on nationalism and inclusion,

Delhi's air quality plunged into the 'very poor' category with an AQI of 311 on Friday, exacerbated by chilly winter conditions. Pollutants are expected to linger due to low wind speeds and falling temperatures, with cold wave conditions forecast from January 2-5.

The Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati has postponed the release of the GATE 2026 admit card, earlier expected on January 2, 2026. Candidates will be able to download the hall ticket from the GOAPS portal at gate2026.iitg.ac.in once the revised date is announced. The admit card is mandatory for entry to the examination hall. GATE 2026 will be held on February 7, 8, 14 and 15, 2026 across India in multiple shifts at designated centres.

Stock market recommendations: Bajaj Broking Research recommends Canara Bank, and Nykaa as the top stock picks for January 2, 2026. It also shares its views on Nifty and Bank Nifty.

Two youths were killed in Noida after their bike was allegedly rammed by an SUV following an altercation at an eatery. A friend claims the incident was not an accident but a deliberate act of road rage. Police are investigating, scanning CCTV footage to identify the vehicle, which reportedly lacked a number plate.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani sent a handwritten note to student activist Umar Khalid, currently jailed for nearly five years in connection with the 2020 Delhi riots. Mamdani expressed solidarity, stating, "we are all thinking of you" and recalling Khalid's words on avoiding bitterness. Khalid denies the charges against him.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro expressed openness to dialogue with Washington on drug trafficking, oil, and migration. However, he remained non-committal regarding US President Donald Trump's claims of a strike on a Venezuelan dock used by alleged drug boats. The US has not provided evidence for its recent maritime and potential land strikes against drug operations

A former IAF officer was murdered near his Ghaziabad home by hired hitmen, including a police constable and a notorious juvenile offender. The sons of the victim, embroiled in a dispute over money and property, allegedly paid Rs 5 lakh for the assassination. The constable and the sons are currently absconding.

Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina accused the interim government of plunging the country into darkness through corruption and falsehood. Her party, Awami League, highlighted the emboldening of extremist groups and the targeting of minority communities, particularly Christians, who are being branded as "political enemies" and "enemies of Islam."

Ranveer Singh's 'Dhurandhar' has shattered box office records, becoming the highest-grossing Hindi film ever with a monumental Rs 1,136.75 crore worldwide. The spy thriller achieved a historic Rs 100 crore in its fourth week, outperforming new releases and setting new benchmarks for Bollywood. Its unprecedented run continues to dominate screens.

Former Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh questioned the electoral impact of "mandir-masjid politics" and criticized "recent entrants" to the state unit. Ghosh, who met Union minister Amit Shah, also expressed his desire to contest his home seat in the 2026 assembly polls and spoke of being sidelined.

Gig and platform workers must be engaged for at least 90 days with an aggregator in a financial year to qualify for social security benefits under the new Social Security Code. This threshold increases to 120 days for workers engaged with multiple aggregators. The rules also outline registration requirements and the formation of a National Social Security Board.

Former India batter Robin Uthappa critiques the MCG Test pitch as seam-friendly but not unplayable, attributing struggles to modern batting's lack of patience. He argues for a reset in expectations, suggesting 250 can be competitive with discipline, citing Pujara and Rahane as examples. Uthappa also lamented Joe Root's struggles, reflecting a broader concern about Test cricket's entertainment over endurance.