Times of India

A 20-year-old woman, Manya Patil, has died from injuries sustained in an alleged honour killing in Dharwad. Three individuals, identified as Prakash, Veeran, and Arun, have been arrested for the assault, which reportedly involved a pipe. Manya's mother-in-law, father-in-law, and sister also suffered injuries during the incident. Investigations are continuing.

Actor R Madhavan has secured legal protection for his personality rights from the Delhi High Court, preventing unauthorized use of his name and image. This follows similar court orders for other public figures like Amitabh Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who are increasingly seeking legal recourse to protect their likeness and prevent misuse, especially with the rise of AI.

Ernest Hemingway was one of the most popular authors of war and life's struggles fueled timeless novels like 'The Old Man and the Sea,' celebrated for its profound wisdom. Hemingway's 'iceberg theory' influenced generations, emphasizing understated emotion and the enduring significance of how one lives, not just the inevitable end.

BJP emerged as the single largest party in Maharashtra's local body polls, securing 117 president posts and doubling its councillors since 2017. Despite challenges, the Mahayuti alliance, including Shiv Sena and NCP factions, celebrated a significant win, seen as a precursor to upcoming municipal corporation elections.

Sanju Samson's T20 World Cup selection is lauded by former selector Srikkanth, who urges him to convert starts into big scores. Samson seized his opportunity after a period out, while Shubman Gill's struggles and injury led to his omission. Srikkanth also highlighted India's formidable batting, calling it "intimidating and devastating."

Andrew Strauss says sacking Ben Stokes or Brendon McCullum will not solve England’s repeated Ashes failures in Australia. The former captain, England’s last Ashes winner Down Under, believes deeper structural changes are needed. With England 3-0 down again, Strauss warned against knee-jerk reactions and urged reforms to fix a long-standing system problem.

The US Embassy in India has issued a worldwide alert for H-1B and H-4 visa applicants, expanding social media screening for all individuals. This new protocol, effective immediately, aims to prevent program abuse while allowing companies to hire international talent. Applicants are advised to apply early due to anticipated processing delays.

CBSE has rescheduled its Orientation Programme on Entrance Exams and Career Pathways for Principals and Counsellors in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Originally postponed due to rising river levels, the offline event will now take place on December 30, 2025, at Seth M. R. Jaipuria School. The initiative aims to bolster career guidance and align school practices with NEP 2020.

Speaking on the Supreme Court's acceptance of the "new definition" of Aravalli, the minister said: "The ruling recognises and endorses the Government of India’s sustained efforts to protect the Aravalli range through scientific assessment, strict safeguards and initiatives such as the Aravalli Green Wall Project." Yadav explained that the Aravali range comprises all landforms located within 500 metres of two adjoining hills with a height of 100 metres or more.

Salesforce is scaling back its reliance on large language models due to reliability issues, shifting focus to more predictable automation. Executives admit a decline in AI model trust, citing instances where agents missed instructions or lost focus. This move follows significant staff reductions attributed to AI deployment, as the company navigates the gap between AI hype and practical business needs.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif announced a 10 million Pakistani rupees cash award for each U19 player after Pakistan thrashed India by 191 runs to win the U19 Asia Cup. Sameer Minhas starred with a brilliant 172, while Pakistan’s pacers dominated. Coaches and players praised teamwork, preparation, and collective effort behind the title win.

Kerala's Education Minister V. Sivankutty has warned private schools against blocking Christmas celebrations, citing concerns of divisive religious models. He emphasized that schools should foster secular values and unity among students, vowing strict action against institutions promoting narrow communal interests. The minister's remarks followed reports of some schools cancelling festivities.

England’s Ashes 2025–26 campaign ended in disaster as Australia sealed a 3-0 lead within 11 days. Michael Vaughan criticised Ben Stokes’ side for their failed approach, calling the tour “humbling.” Despite strong efforts from Stokes and Archer, England fell short chasing 435, with Australia dominating throughout and retaining the Ashes comfortably.

AI pioneer Yann LeCun advises computer science students to prioritize foundational subjects like math and physics over trendy technology courses. He argues that a strong grasp of core principles, often found in engineering disciplines, is crucial for long-term adaptability in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

Eight years ago today, Rohit Sharma etched his name in T20I history by smashing a joint-fastest century off just 35 balls against Sri Lanka in Indore. This explosive innings, featuring 12 boundaries and 10 sixes, was a highlight of his stellar career before retiring after India's 2024 T20 World Cup triumph.

Kolkata's new East-West Metro, the Green Line, has revolutionized city travel with its groundbreaking underwater tunnel beneath the Hooghly River. This engineering marvel drastically cuts commute times between Salt Lake and Howrah, offering comfort and reliability. The line is already transforming daily life, easing congestion and connecting twin cities like never before.

The ministry of external affairs (MEA) on Saturday had said that about 20-25 youths gathered in front of the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on Saturday and raised slogans, protesting the "horrendous killing" of Dipu Chandra Das, 25, who was lynched to death by a mob in Mymensingh on Thursday.

New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy achieved a historic five-wicket haul in the final Test against the West Indies, securing a series victory. His performance also saw him surpass Richard Hadlee's record for most wickets in a calendar year for New Zealand. Duffy's exceptional 2025 form across formats has earned him high praise.