Times of India

In 2025, studying abroad felt less like a guaranteed leap forward and more like a journey with hidden risks. A string of Indian student deaths across countries—some violent, some sudden, some unresolved—shook families and campus communities. This year-ender looks at who these students were and what is known so far, beyond rankings, visas and social media gloss.

Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt highlights America's stagnant electricity generation, contrasting it with China's massive renewable energy investments, including nuclear and solar. Elon Musk echoes these concerns, warning of a significant competitive disadvantage for the US as China rapidly expands its power capacity, leaving America behind in the global energy race.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy will meet US President Trump in Florida this weekend to discuss security guarantees and a nearly finished 20-point peace plan. The talks follow US diplomatic efforts, complicated by Moscow and Kyiv’s conflicting demands. While Zelenskyy is open to withdrawing troops from parts of eastern Ukraine, Russia insists Ukraine give up remaining Donbas territory.

An NRI's viral post highlights a New York friend's surprise at India's rapid growth and affordability, particularly in healthcare, transport, and digital services. While acknowledging better air quality in the US, the visitor noted significantly lower costs for mobile, health insurance, and property taxes in India. The post sparked discussions on civic sense and the nuances of cost-of-living comparisons.

Virat Kohli smashed 77 for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy to become the highest-averaging batter in List A history, surpassing Michael Bevan. His average now stands at 57.87. Amid doubts over his form, Kohli has scored 584 runs in six 50-over matches and has become the fastest to 16,000 List A runs.

A mosque bombing in Homs, Syria, during Friday prayers has claimed at least eight lives and injured 21. State media reported explosive devices were planted inside the Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib Mosque. Syria's foreign ministry condemned the "cowardly criminal act," vowing to combat terrorism and hold perpetrators accountable amid rising sectarian tensions.

In his memoir, Bill Gates reveals how co-founder Paul Allen influenced his early experimentation with drugs and alcohol, including LSD and marijuana. Gates also recounts Steve Jobs' suggestion to try hallucinogens for product appeal, a notion he ultimately rejected. Despite these youthful explorations, Gates went on to co-found Microsoft and achieve billionaire status.

India's women's safety challenges persist in 2025, with official crime data revealing only a fraction of the reality. Decades of reforms haven't erased gender inequality, social stigma, and uneven justice access, leaving many incidents unreported due to fear, family pressure, and systemic barriers. This gap between reported crimes and lived experiences highlights the ongoing struggle for safety.

India has raised concerns with the US over the abrupt cancellation of pre-scheduled H-1B visa interviews for thousands of Indian applicants. These interviews, postponed for enhanced social media vetting, have caused significant delays and hardships for skilled workers unable to return to their jobs in the US.

Hungarian GM Richárd Rapport shared insights on the upcoming 2026 Candidates Tournament in Cyprus, saying experience will play a key role. He noted that veterans like Hikaru Nakamura and Fabiano Caruana may play tight games against each other, while decisive results often come against struggling players. Rapport added that lower-seeded players can still create surprises in the round-robin format.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are going through a rough patch with inconsistent performances and growing pressure on leadership. Elliotte Friedman has said the team needs to act quickly to improve consistency and accountability. How the Leafs play in the coming games will show if they can get back on track and avoid a difficult stretch this season.

Research indicates a 'sweet spot' for age gaps in long-lasting relationships, with zero to three years showing the highest satisfaction. While larger gaps can present challenges, successful couples prioritize open communication, shared values, love, and respect to navigate differences and maintain happiness.

Several well-known Twitch streamers have officially left FaZe Clan. The announcements were made on December 25, 2025. Along with Stable Ronaldo, four other members confirmed they were no longer part of FaZe Clan. Rani “Stable Ronaldo” was the first to confirm his exit through a post on X. Soon after, other members followed with similar messages. Their announcements were brief but emotional in tone.

A prominent Tesla supporter has raised concerns about the Full Self-Driving (FSD) system's performance in rain, noting a visibility warning on his Cybertruck. This contrasts with earlier praise for the FSD v14 update. Meanwhile, Tesla is reportedly incentivizing employees to act as 'AI operators' for its Robotaxi service, monitoring vehicles and intervening when necessary, as it aims for full autonomy.

Khaled Mahmud walked out of Noakhali Express’s training ahead of the BPL opener, unhappy with team management and poor facilities. Pace coach Talha joined him after a reported argument over a lack of practice balls and alleged misbehaviour by the owner. Both later returned after being convinced, as BPL officials criticised the franchise’s unprofessional conduct.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh shared a witty anecdote about former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee's response to a Pakistani reporter's marriage proposal. During a Lahore visit, she offered marriage in exchange for Jammu and Kashmir as 'Mehr'. Vajpayee humorously countered, stating he'd marry her if Pakistan was given as dowry, drawing laughter and applause