Times of India

Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal condemned the disruption of a peaceful Sikh Nagar Kirtan in New Zealand, calling it a threat to religious freedom and universal brotherhood. He praised the Sikh community for maintaining restraint despite provocation and urged external affairs minister S Jaishankar to raise the issue with the New Zealand government, as police intervened to ensure the procession could continue safely.

Imprisoned former Pakistan PM Imran Khan has called for nationwide protests and vowed to challenge the recent Toshakhana-II verdict, which he claims was delivered hastily and without evidence. Khan alleges he and his wife are subjected to harsh solitary confinement and criticizes army chief Asim Munir, stating Pakistan is governed by 'Asim Law'.

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram strongly criticized the Centre's move to replace MGNREGA, calling it the "second killing of Mahatma Gandhi." He stated the party will oppose the new VB-G RAM G bill until the original employment guarantee framework is restored, vowing to expose the alleged fraud.

Pakistan's U19 team secured a dominant 191-run victory over India in the Asia Cup final, preventing a repeat of the senior tournament's trophy presentation drama. A stellar 172 by Sameer Minhas powered Pakistan to 347, a target India couldn't approach, falling for 156. Indian players collected medals separately, avoiding the ACC chairman.

A late-night viewing of 'It's a Wonderful Life' offered unexpected solace and a profound reminder of life's value. The film beautifully portrays George Bailey's selfless nature and his struggle with perceived failure. Through a guardian angel's intervention, George realizes the immense impact of his quiet sacrifices, highlighting the significance of every life and the power of gratitude.

Following BJP's 2025 victories in Delhi and Bihar, 2026 presents a crucial comeback opportunity for the opposition. Key contests in West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam, and Puducherry will test incumbent governments and emerging political forces, with updated electoral rolls adding another layer of intrigue to these significant state elections.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, speaking in Kolkata, voiced concerns about live-in relationships, deeming them an unwillingness to accept responsibility. He suggested renunciation for those avoiding marriage. Bhagwat also shared insights from experts, recommending early marriage (19-25) and three children for health and ego management, while acknowledging his personal lack of experience in these matters.

Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan criticized the Union government's recent railway fare hike, stating it will burden the middle and lower middle class before the Union budget. She slammed the increase of Rs 10 per 500 km, impacting long-distance travel costs significantly.

India's exports to the US rebounded in November after two months of continuous decline. growing by 22.61% to reach $6.98 billion. This was largely driven by upply-chain adjustments and pre-holiday season inventory restocking, according to the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI). The trade data shows imports from the US also grew significantly, jumping 38.29 per cent to $5.25 billion during the month.

Police in Jamshedpur have arrested a gang of thieves who utilized Google Maps to scout and target homes for burglaries across Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Bihar. The trio, apprehended after a break-in in Golmuri, were found with stolen gold, a firearm, and tools used for their crimes. They have been placed in judicial custody.

India suffered a crushing 191-run defeat to Pakistan in the U-19 Asia Cup final. Chasing a daunting 348, India collapsed to 156 all out. Pakistan bowlers didn't give away and bowled tight lines from the beginning. Fast bowler Ali Raza took 4 wickets, including Ayush Mhatre, and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. While Mohammad Sayyam, Abdul Subhan, Huzaifa Ahsan took 2 wickets each.​​

Congress criticizes Bihar CM Nitish Kumar for allegedly violating a young woman's bodily autonomy during an appointment letter distribution event. A video showed Kumar questioning a doctor's naqab, which the Congress leader described as an attempt to normalize unwanted touch from influential men. The doctor has since not reported for duty.

President Droupadi Murmu has approved the Viksit Bharat—Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025, replacing the MGNREGA. The new law guarantees 125 days of wage employment annually to rural households volunteering for unskilled manual work, aligning with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. Opposition parties have criticized the move, citing concerns over undermining Mahatma Gandhi's legacy.

India's U19 Asia Cup final against Pakistan in Dubai included a heated exchange after captain Ayush Mhatre's early dismissal. Pakistan posted a formidable 347, thanks to Sameer Minhas's 172, putting India under immense pressure. Mhatre's quick exit and subsequent on-field confrontation added to the intense rivalry, as India struggled in their chase.

Stock markets have to brace for a cautious start to the week, influenced by foreign investor activity and global economic cues. A shortened trading week due to Christmas may also result in subdued volumes. Experts anticipate a range-bound market with a positive bias, driven by renewed FII interest and a slight INR recovery, as investors eye upcoming Q3 earnings.

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon advises job seekers to prioritize emotional intelligence and communication skills over technical tasks as AI reshapes the workforce. He believes human soft skills are irreplaceable by machines, urging individuals to focus on critical thinking and adaptability.

Following news of Gisele Bündchen's marriage to Joaquim Valente, Tom Brady shared a song on Instagram with lyrics about mental health struggles and suicidal thoughts, sparking fan concern. The couple, who welcomed a baby earlier this year, reportedly began dating in June 2023. Brady's song choice, Logic's '1-800-273-8255', has raised questions about his state of mind.

Fans offered their opinions on the Mount Maunganui pitch, a role typically for experts, as New Zealand built a commanding lead against the West Indies. Centuries from Latham and Conway bolstered New Zealand's position, setting a challenging target of 462 after bowling out the West Indies for 420 and declaring their second innings at 306/2.