Times of India

Lionel Messi's event organiser, Satadru Dutta, revealed the footballer disliked physical contact, leading to his early departure. Dutta claimed an influential person disrupted crowd control plans, allowing unauthorized access. Messi reportedly received Rs 89 crore for the tour, with Rs 11 crore paid in tax. Investigations into security lapses and financial dealings are ongoing.

Pakistan's government has denied any restrictions on former PM Imran Khan's sons visiting him in jail, assuring visas will be granted. This follows concerns raised by his sons, who fear they may never see their father again due to alleged isolation and harsh prison conditions. Officials refuted claims of solitary confinement and solitary confinement.

Chiefs heiress Gracie Hunt reveals she gained 15 lbs during her 2025 fitness journey, explaining why strength, recovery, and long-term health mattered more than appearance. The Kansas City Chiefs owner’s daughter shares how intentional training, muscle gain, and consistency helped her finish the year stronger than she started.

Google is successfully luring back top AI talent with its robust computational infrastructure, including TPUs and cloud services, rather than solely relying on massive signing bonuses. This 'boomerang' strategy is proving effective, with former employees making up a significant portion of new AI hires, highlighting the value engineers place on the ability to build groundbreaking products.

Despite doing everything asked of him, Jitesh Sharma has paid the price for India’s muddled selection calls. In the World Cup Playing XI plans a few days ago, the 32-year-old finisher was quietly dropped at the last moment, exposing a deeper lack of clarity in the team’s thinking and leaving a team man heartbroken.

Shubman Gill's omission from India T20I World Cup squad has come as a surprise to many. The decision to drop the vice-captain from the squad was taken only a few days back and it suits everyone. Captain SKY doesn't have a high-profile player breathing down his neck, coach Gambhir will not be accused of favouritism and chief selector Ajit Agarkar has managed to reward a domestic performer.

The Congress party has announced it will contest the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections independently. This decision comes as Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray's MNS appear to be aligning, potentially to protect the Thackeray political legacy. The MVA alliance, which includes Congress, faced a significant defeat in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections.

Ishan Kishan expressed his delight after being selected for India's T20 World Cup 2026 squad, returning to the national side following a stellar Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign. Suryakumar Yadav will lead the 15-member team, with Shubman Gill notably excluded due to form and fitness concerns.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday criticized the previous Congress government for neglecting Assam and the Northeast's development. He said Modi government is rectifying past mistakes and is committed to the region's progress.

Ahead of the T20 World Cup, selectors dropped Shubman Gill, prioritizing impact players and quick starts. Ishan Kishan and Rinku Singh return, while captain Suryakumar Yadav, despite recent lean form, expressed confidence in his batting resurgence. The team aims for stronger performances from its leader as they prepare to defend their title.

EAM S Jaishankar has pointed towards a significant shift in the global economic and political hierarchy, reflecting upon India's advantage in human resources as developed nations face demographic challenges. He emphasized that India is becoming a driver of the global workforce, creating new responsibilities for governments in managing cross-border mobility and citizen welfare.

A 14-day-old infant's body was exhumed in Pilibhit following allegations of deliberate harm by hospital staff over an unpaid bribe. Parents claim the child was dropped, while hospital officials deny this, stating a vacuum extraction led to swelling mistaken for injury. The father alleges threats after reporting the incident, prompting a magistrate-ordered autopsy for clarity.

An Army jawan on duty was arrested in Ranchi for allegedly raping a 22-year-old woman at Tatisilwai Railway Station. The 42-year-old soldier, reportedly inebriated, took the woman to an empty train coach and committed the assault. He was apprehended after bystanders raised an alarm.

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi has strongly criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. She claims the new VB-G RAM G Bill replaces MGNREGA and harms the poor. The government states the new law improves upon MGNREGA, which it says was plagued by corruption. The opposition protested the bill's passage in Parliament.

A Dalit migrant worker from Chhattisgarh, Ramnarayan Baghel, was tragically beaten to death in Kerala's Palakkad district. Initial reports suggest he was mistaken for a Bangladeshi national and possibly a thief after a local incident. Five arrests have been made as police investigate the brutal mob violence that has left his family devastated and sparked fear among migrant communities.