Times of India

Anaya Bangar celebrated her close friend Sarfaraz Khan's IPL return with Chennai Super Kings at the IPL 2026 mini-auction. Sarfaraz, picked at his base price, expressed gratitude for the "new life" from CSK. The long-standing friendship between Anaya and Sarfaraz was highlighted, with Anaya sharing memories of their early days in cricket.

The BJP shared a video alleging Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kirti Azad vaped inside the Lok Sabha. BJP MP Anurag Thakur had previously complained to the Speaker. The incident is being taken seriously. Lok Sabha Secretariat sources stated that appropriate action will follow examination of the recordings. The alleged act is a serious violation of parliamentary conduct and rules.

Gold prices saw a slight dip on Wednesday while silver futures surged to new record highs on the Multi Commodity Exchange. Silver's rise was fueled by global factors and anticipated US Federal Reserve interest rate cuts. Gold prices varied across major Indian cities, with some experiencing minor increases. The market displayed contrasting movements for the precious metals.

The government on Wednesday issued clarification on the "missing" Nehru papers after Congress demanded apology from the Centre. The controversy erupted after government made a statement in Parliament asserting that no papers are missing from PMML. However, they clarified that papers are not missing in the sense that there whereabouts are unknown but alleged that some papers were handed to Sonia Gandhi in 2008.

Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman stated that Google's Gemini 3 can perform tasks beyond Copilot's capabilities, while Copilot excels in real-time visual assistance. He emphasized Microsoft's commitment to developing "humanist superintelligence" systems designed to serve human interests, vowing to abandon any AI that becomes uncontrollable.

A new driver-owned ride-hailing service, Bharat Taxi, is set to launch in Delhi on January 1, challenging existing platforms. Promoted by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited, it boasts 56,000 registered drivers and promises them nearly 80% of earnings. Beta trials are underway, with the platform aiming to empower drivers with complete ownership and a zero-commission structure.

India's Army Aviation Corps has received the final three AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, completing its contracted fleet. These advanced aircraft, set to be based in Jodhpur, significantly boost the Army's attack and reconnaissance capabilities. This delivery marks a key milestone in the growing US-India defence partnership, enhancing regional security cooperation.

The Supreme Court is pushing for practical solutions to Delhi's severe air pollution crisis. It has directed the Delhi government to directly transfer funds to verified idle construction workers and consider providing them alternative work. The court also criticized the affluent for violating pollution norms, highlighting the disproportionate impact on the poor.

The UAE has introduced amendments to its corporate tax, VAT, and Commercial Companies Law to improve regulatory clarity and business efficiency. The changes outline how corporate tax credits and incentives are applied, simplify VAT procedures, and introduce greater flexibility in company structures, including new non-profit entities and enhanced capital arrangements.

Mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy has reached a career-best rating, solidifying his No.1 spot in ICC T20I bowler rankings. His exceptional performance against South Africa, including crucial wickets, bolsters India's T20 World Cup defence hopes. Pacer Arshdeep Singh and batter Tilak Varma also saw significant rankings improvements, adding to India's growing optimism.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a rare personal diplomatic honour in Ethiopia as Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali personally drove him to the airport. The visit saw the elevation of India-Ethiopia ties to a Strategic Partnership and PM Modi being conferred Ethiopia's highest civilian honour, highlighting growing Indian diplomatic stature.

Chennai Super Kings secured Sarfaraz Khan at his base price of Rs 75 lakh, a move fueled by his recent explosive Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy performance. The franchise also made significant investments in uncapped talents Kartik Sharma and Prashant Veer, alongside acquiring Matt Henry and Rahul Chahar. This strategic recruitment follows a major trade that saw Sanju Samson join CSK.

As Delhi grapples with severe air pollution, the Chinese Embassy in India shared its nation's strategies for tackling the issue. China implemented ultra-strict vehicle emission controls, including phasing out old vehicles and promoting electric mobility. The country also undertook industrial restructuring, shutting down heavy industries and transforming former factory sites into public spaces and economic hubs.

The New York Knicks are close to winning the NBA Cup. A victory means a substantial prize of over $500,000 for each player on a standard contract. This financial incentive is a major draw for players. Even reaching the final guarantees a significant payout. The league views the NBA Cup as a serious competition with playoff-level intensity.

Hollywood maestro James Cameron expressed his admiration for Indian director S.S. Rajamouli, even requesting to visit his film sets. Cameron's 'Avatar' franchise, lauded by Rajamouli as a benchmark for big-screen experiences, is set for a massive multi-language release in India. This exchange highlights a significant creative connection between Indian and Hollywood cinema.

Ranveer Singh's 'Dhurandhar' is shattering box office records, becoming his highest earner ever and surpassing 'Padmaavat'. The film has achieved unprecedented numbers, including a massive opening weekend and week, and setting new benchmarks for an A-rated Hindi film. Its second week collections are proving historic, demonstrating incredible audience reception.

SSN College of Engineering will stop taking new students from 2026–27, shifting future engineering admissions to the SSN School of Engineering under Shiv Nadar University Chennai. For students, the big change is not the campus but the gate: TNEA’s rank-led route (no JEE needed) gives way to a university process. Fees, too, move from state norms to university slabs.

Delhi faces severe air pollution, prompting the government to implement Stage-IV GRAP restrictions. Measures include 50% work from home, mandatory PUC certificates for fuel, and a ban on construction material trucks. Officials acknowledge the long-standing nature of the pollution crisis and the need for sustained efforts.

Government job aspirants have a final chance today, December 17, 2025, to apply for over 2,900 positions. Major recruitment drives for Junior Engineers in Andaman and Nicobar, Nursing Officers in Uttarakhand, Act Apprentices in South Eastern Railway, specialists at AIIMS, and Medical Laboratory Technicians are closing. Interested candidates must check eligibility and apply through official websites before the deadline.