DESPOT

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his condolence letter to Tarique Rahman - the son of Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and the acting chairman leader of Bangladesh Nationalist Party - recalled his association with her and expressed hope that the people of Bangladesh, who have shown "remarkable strength and dignity throughout their history... will continue to be guided by their shared values, democratic traditions, and a deep sense of national unity". PM Modi's letter was delivered today by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who represented India at the funeral of Khaleda Zia. On arrival in Dhaka, met with Mr Tarique Rahman @trahmanbnp , Acting Chairman of BNP and son of former PM of Bangladesh Begum Khaleda Zia. Handed over to him a personal letter from Prime Minister @narendramodi . Conveyed deepest condolences on behalf of the Government and… pic.twitter.com/xXNwJsRTmZ — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) December 31, 2025 Expressing his ...

The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has set aside the conviction of an elderly woman in a 1979 murder case, citing 46 years of prolonged proceedings and her age. The court ruled her sentence be treated as already undergone, closing the case due to the "heat of passion" and decades of litigation. from Times of India https://ift.tt/iRaETdu

Desk bowls, often seen as charming additions, are detrimental to goldfish. These active, long-lived animals require significant space, proper filtration, and stable environments. Confined to small bowls, they suffer stunted growth, weakened immunity, and a drastically shortened lifespan, highlighting the need for responsible pet ownership beyond mere aesthetics. from Times of India https://ift.tt/MndVGSA

A 26-year-old employee of Biocon was found dead on the company premises at Bengaluru's Electronic City Phase-II on Tuesday. The incident occurred in the afternoon. Police said the man, Anantha Kumar, may have jumped or fallen from the parapet of the fourth floor of the office building. The reasons behind the death are not yet known, and no note was found, police said. Kumar's body was shifted to a local hospital. A case has been registered at Parappana Agrahara Police Station, and further investigation is underway. Kumar, a resident of Bengaluru's Banashankari area, was employed in the finance department of the company. "We are deeply saddened by the passing of one of our employees in Bengaluru. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the family during this extremely difficult time. As the matter is currently under investigation by the authorities, we are unable to share further details at this stage," said Biocon in a statement.   from NDTV News- ...

Prabhas has once again set the internet abuzz with his looks in Maruthi's upcoming entertainer, The Raja Saab . A brief yet striking shot at the end of trailer 2.0 has sparked widespread discussion, with fans convinced that the actor has cleverly responded to Arshad Warsi's controversial "joker" remark from 2024. In the closing moments of the trailer, Prabhas appears in a dark suit, his head lowered, gripping a massive hammer. As he lifts his face towards the camera, viewers see white face paint with colourful markings, bearing a resemblance to Joaquin Phoenix's Joker . The moment has left fans reading deeper meaning into the visual. Fans Link Prabhas' Joker Look To Arshad Warsi's Remark The striking Joker-inspired appearance instantly drew comparisons to Arshad Warsi's podcast statement last year about Prabhas' portrayal in Kalki 2898 AD . Many online users believe the actor has now turned the criticism into a bold visual statement. An intern...

Ladakh's pristine cold desert faces a crisis as feral dogs, numbering nearly 45,000, threaten endangered wildlife like snow leopards and Pallas's cats. Human activities, including increased tourism and unmanaged waste, have fueled their rapid multiplication. Conservationists warn these canines, now outnumbering native predators, pose a significant ecological threat and have even attacked humans. from Times of India https://ift.tt/QGiSr71

Hours after he gifted the BJP ammunition through a post which was seen as praising the party and its ideological mentor, the RSS, Congress leader Digvijaya Singh said he is against the Sangh's ideology because it does not follow the Constitution.  Speaking to NDTV, the Congress leader, however, also praised the RSS' organisational strength once again, saying its workers could sell a comb to a bald man. On Saturday, the Rajya Sabha MP shared a photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi from 1995 in which he is seen sitting on the ground, near the feet of then BJP president LK Advani, during the swearing-in ceremony of Gujarat chief minister Keshubhai Patel. In a post with the photo, Singh wrote he found it impressive that grassroots workers of the RSS and the BJP could rise to become the chief minister of a state and then the Prime Minister.  "This is the power of the organisation," he said. The BJP latched on to the former chief minister's comments and said he w...

The Supreme Court will hear on Monday a case on the controversial definition of Aravalli hills and other issues linked to it. It took up the matter on its own (suo moto). from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/bckIHlF

The Junior Cricket Committee of BCCI on Saturday named the India Under-19 squads for the three-match ODI series against South Africa Under-19, and the following World Cup that is set to take place in Zimbabwe and Namibia from January 15 to February 6 next year. For the series against South Africa, Vaibhav Suryavanshi has been named captain, with Aaron George being his deputy. It is worth noting that 14-year-old Suryavanshi has been given the big charge as regular skipper Ayush Mhatre misses out on the series due to a wrist injury. Vihaan Malhotra, who is the vice-captain for India in the U-19 World Cup, is also out of the three-match series due to a similar injury. "Ayush Mhatre and Vihaan Malhotra have sustained wrist injuries and will miss the South Africa tour. The duo will report to the BCCI Centre of Excellence for further management of their injuries and will join the team for the ICC Men's Under-19 World Cup," informed BCCI in a release. India's squad for Sou...

Patrick Mahomes spent Christmas off the field this year after suffering a season-ending ACL injury. Instead of game day, he enjoyed special moments with his wife Brittany and their three children. Brittany shared adorable photos of the kids, including daughter Golden’s first visit with Santa, capturing the family’s holiday joy despite a challenging NFL season for the Chiefs. from Times of India https://ift.tt/YVevd6p

Bigg Boss Marathi fame Pushkar Jog and his daughter Felisha were safely rescued from a major fire that engulfed their Mumbai apartment on December 25. The actor shared a plea for help on Instagram, detailing their ordeal before the fire brigade arrived. Thankfully, they escaped unharmed, though their home sustained extensive damage. from Times of India https://ift.tt/cQyduet

Amid spiralling violence against minorities in Bangladesh, ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in a Christmas speech, has attacked the Yunus regime and said that the "current ruling group" has seized illegal power and is now subjecting minorities to "unspeakable torture". On the occasion of Christmas, Hasina started her speech by extending greetings to citizens and reminded them that in the past, Bangladesh had always been a "shining example of communal harmony".  "The father of the nation dreamed of a non-communal Bangladesh. Bangladesh Awami League has ensured the smooth living of people of all religions to realise that dream," Hasina reminisced. However, citing the current political climate, she noted, "It is sad to say that the current ruling group that has seized illegal power is interfering with the freedom of people of all religions and communities to practice their own religion." Her address comes at a time when the atmosp...

A CRPF head constable sustained injuries when a leopard entered a paramilitary camp in Anantnag, attacking him in the mess. The animal subsequently escaped into a nearby forest. This incident follows a recent surge in wild animal sightings and attacks across Kashmir, prompting the government to develop a plan to address the issue. from Times of India https://ift.tt/gq2DiR5

A doctor of a hospital in Himachal Pradesh's Shimla who was seen on camera thrashing a patient has been removed from his post, sources said. The government took the decision to sack him after going through the report of the investigators, they said. The police in Shimla had filed a first information (FIR) report against Dr Raghav Nirula, who was seen on camera assaulting the patient on a hospital bed. The complainant Arjun Singh, 36, alleged that during a routine round, Dr Nirula questioned him about his admission and medical papers. Due to his medical condition and oxygen shortage, Singh said he was unable to respond appropriately, which led to an argument over the doctor's manner of speaking. Singh alleged the doctor became "aggressive, threatening and repeatedly punched him on the face and body, causing bleeding from the nose and mouth and injuries to different parts of his body." Today, the patient, wearing an oxygen mask, told reporters that he was thankful f...

Ilia Topuria’s ex-wife Giorgina Uzcategui filed a police complaint in Madrid on December 22 over alleged online threats linked to their divorce. Her legal team stressed the case is private and involves a child. No charges have been announced, and both sides remain cautious as legal proceedings continue behind closed doors. from Times of India https://ift.tt/lHWaTq7

As Delhi chokes under toxic smog, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday acknowledged that the transport sector contributes significantly to pollution and stressed the urgent need to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Gadkari said, "If there is any true nationalism today, it is reducing imports and increasing exports. But look at our situation. I stay in Delhi for two days and develop a throat infection. Delhi is troubled by pollution. I am the Road Transport Minister, and around 40 per cent of pollution is linked to our sector." He further questioned the country's heavy reliance on fossil fuels, noting that India spends nearly Rs 22 lakh crore annually on fossil fuel imports. "What kind of nationalism is this? Fossil fuels are limited, and pollution is increasing. Can't we reduce fossil fuel usage? Why can't we promote electric vehicles and hydrogen-powered vehicles, which can lead to zero pollution?" he asked. Gadkar...

Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki has been gradually rising to be one of the most respected young leaders in the NHL. Together with his ascent on the ice, his long-lasting relationship with Caitlin Fitzgerald has also attracted attention. Since they had connected in Ontario at an early age to the time of their private marriage. This is the closest explanation of Suzuki's personal life and relationship path. from Times of India https://ift.tt/OKqXNC7

The BCCI has more than doubled the match fees of women cricketers and officials in domestic cricket, a move triggered by India's maiden ODI World Cup triumph and aimed at creating a more equitable pay structure across the circuit. The substantial hike was approved by the Board's Apex Council. As per the revised structure, senior women cricketers plying their trade in domestic tournaments will now earn between Rs 50,000 and Rs 60,000 per day, a significant jump from the existing Rs 20,000 (Rs 10,000 for reserves) per match day. For senior women's domestic one-day tournaments and multi-day competitions, players in the first XI will receive Rs 50,000 per day, while those in reserves will be paid half the amount at Rs 25,000 per day. In national T20 tournaments, first XI players will earn Rs 25,000 per match day, with reserves receiving Rs 12,500. If a top domestic women cricketer now features across all formats during a full season, she can earn anywhere between Rs 12 lakh ...

The Houston Texans' star player, Woody Marks, was expected to return to the field today as the team gears up to face the Las Vegas Raiders. But his status has sparked chaos among fans as Woody Marks continues to deal with his ankle injury. Amid this, insiders have opened up about his status. from Times of India https://ift.tt/UOeEPB0

A young man from Gujarat, who went to Russia for studies on a student visa, has in a video message requested people not to join the Russian military under any circumstances. He was allegedly forced to serve in the Russian military after being blackmailed with a false drugs case, he said. The student, Sahil Mohammad Hussain, made the appeal in a video taken in Ukraine - where he has been kept after his capture by Ukrainian forces. In the video shared by the Ukrainian authorities, Sahil Mohammad Hussain, who is from Gujarat's Morbi, asked the Indian government to help him return home. He said he had been working part time for a courier firm while studying in Russia. He alleged the police in Russia falsely implicated him in a drug case, and promised to drop the case if he served in the Russian Army. "President Vladimir Putin was in India recently. I would like to request the government to speak to Putin for my safe return home," he said. In another video, he said he to...

Star batter Smriti Mandhana shattered a huge India record during the 1st Women's T20I against Sri Lanka in Visakhapatnam on Sunday. The 29-year-old became the first Indian to breach the 4,000-run mark in women's T20Is. Overall, she is the second after New Zealand's Suzie Bates , who has scored 4,716 runs in 177 matches. In the first T20I against Sri Lanka, Mandhana scored a run-a-ball 25 before holing out in the ninth over of India's 122-run chase. However, Mandhana is quickest to do so in terms of balls taken (3227) than Bates, who took 3675 balls to reach the 4000 runs milestone. This was Smriti's first appearance since the ODI World Cup final where India defeated South Africa to win their first title last month. Earlier, India restricted Sri Lanka to a modest 121 for six after the visiting batters struggled to put away the loose balls. Opener Vishmi Gunaratne top-scored for the visitors with a 43-ball 39, while Hasini Perera and Harshitha Samarawickrama chi...

Veteran actor Mukesh Khanna, known for his iconic role as Shaktimaan, has praised Ranveer Singh's performance in his latest release, Dhurandhar . Describing the film as "perfect", Mukesh called Ranveer a "good actor". This comes a year after he denied Ranveer the role of Shaktimaan due to his "mischievous" on-screen image.  In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Mukesh Khanna lauded Ranveer's energy and screen presence in Dhurandhar . He also praised the film's director, Aditya Dhar, for the strong writing and his creative vision. The veteran actor said, "There are many brilliant adjectives that can be attributed to the film Dhurandhar. It's a perfect film, a commercial film, and one that will hit the masses. Every department did their best, whether it was acting, directing, action, direction, or writing. Everyone has given their best, so that you can call the film Dhurandhar in every way."   Talking about Ranveer, he adde...

Boxer Anthony Joshua's personal life draws attention. His son's mother, Nicole Osbourne, a dancer and yoga instructor, shares co-parenting duties. They maintain a respectful relationship focused on their son Joseph. Joshua's career demands often kept him away, contributing to their split. He remains dedicated to fatherhood amidst ongoing boxing discussions. from Times of India https://ift.tt/xwmnNWy

LeBron James' wife, Savannah James, enjoys a massive popularity due to her husband's talent and her businesses. While the couple enjoy a luxurious life, Savannah James has admitted that she often struggles with loving herself, despite having a loving family. from Times of India https://ift.tt/yh6GVKP

Radhika Apte is currently basking in the success of Saali Mohabbat , which released on OTT a while ago. In a recent conversation, the actress recalled how she had once missed a call from Shah Rukh Khan. Though she first thought it was a prank, she later realised it wasn't and called him back. What's Happening Radhika Apte opened up about how Shah Rukh Khan once called her to applaud her performance in the 2018 film Andhadhun. She told Mashable India, " Hum khaana kha rahe the. Toh mujhe missed call tha koi. Maine kaha koi missed call hai dekhte hain . Uske baad message aaya uss hi number se, 'Radhika, this is Shah Rukh Khan. Please call me back'" (We were having food when I noticed a missed call. So I said there's a missed call; let's check. After that, a message came from the same number: 'Radhika, this is Shah Rukh Khan; please call me back'). After confirming with her agent that it was indeed Shah Rukh Khan's number, she calle...

Nicole Lunders, ex-wife of NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, is grieving the tragic loss of their daughter, Emma Elizabeth Biffle. Emma died in a plane crash in North Carolina in December 2025, with the aircraft catching fire during landing. Investigations by the FAA and NTSB are ongoing into the cause of the accident. from Times of India https://ift.tt/nvyPxu3

Aryan Khan was honoured with the Best Debutant Director of the Year award at the NDTV Indian of the Year event held in New Delhi on Friday. A proud moment unfolded in the audience as Aryan's grandmother, Savita Chhibber, reacted emotionally to her grandson's achievement.  Expressing her joy, she said, "I'm very happy. May he be very successful. My blessings to him. I love you the most. I'm so proud. At this age, I'm just hearing my grandson and his achievement has been honoured by the whole country." Clearly moved by her words, Aryan was seen smiling ear to ear. He responded warmly, saying that his next award would be dedicated to her, adding, "I promise."  Moments later, he walked up to his grandmother and shared a heartfelt hug with her, drawing applause from those present. About Aryan Khan Born and brought up in Mumbai, Aryan Khan attended Dhirubhai Ambani International School and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in film and televi...

Actor Shilpa Shetty Kundra's house was searched by income tax officials today in a case linked to her restaurant, Bastian. She is the co-owner of the brand founded in 2014. Income tax officials also searched some premises in Bengaluru in connection with the case, officials said. The action came a day after the Bengaluru Police filed a case against Bastian Garden City, an outlet of the high-end restaurant in the city, for operating past the legal closing hours. The actor and her husband, Raj Kundra, are also fighting allegations of cheating a businessman of Rs 60 crore in an investment deal. The Mumbai Police's Economic Offences Wing charged the couple with cheating. In a post on Instagram on Wednesday, Shilpa Shetty shared a note denying the allegations. "We categorically deny the baseless.and motivated allegations being circulated. The issues sought to be raised are being given a criminal colour without any lawful basis. A quashing petition has already been filed bef...

Ishan Kishan was in fiery form for Jharkhand against Haryana in the final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy - the national T20 tournament. The wicketkeeper-batter, who is the captain of Jharkhand, slammed 101 off just 49 balls (10x6s, 6x4s). This was Kishan's fifth century in SMAT in 62 innings, equalling Abhishek Sharma . Kishan hit 33 sixes in SMAT 2025 - the most by a designated wicketkeeper-captain in any T20 tournament (international or domestic franchise). Earlier, MS Dhoni (30 sixes, IPL 2018) and Nicholas Pooran (30, ILT20 2023-24) held the record. Kishan's century is bound to be noticed by the BCCI selectors. Kishan, who last played for India against Australia in a T20I in 2023, has been playing for India A in recent times. However, as far as T20Is go, Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma are above him in the pecking order. Kishan made a compelling case for a T20I recall with a belligerent hundred to power Jharkhand to their maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title with a...

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, speaking on the hijab row in Bihar and the BJP's reaction to it, said today that one can expect no better from the party. A section of leaders in the BJP has been vocal supporters of Bihar Chief Minister and ally Nitish Kumar -- who landed in controversy after pulling at a Muslim doctor's veil at a public event.  Today, BJP minister Giriraj Singh escalated the row with his comment that the woman can accept the appointment or "go to hell".  Amid vocal demands for an apology, Omar Abdullah said, "If I had lifted the veil of a Hindu woman in Haryana or Rajasthan, would the BJP said the same?" "Had a Muslim man lifted the veil of a Hindu woman imagine the kind of trouble it would have caused. But because the woman is a Muslim, the BJP is behaving this way. We can expect no more from them," he added. Earlier today, Giriraj Singh had staunchly defended Kumar, saying he has done nothing wrong. "If an...

Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming was quite honest while talking about the side's decision of trading Ravindra Jadeja for Sanju Samson. He admitted that the move was executed in order to keep the franchise prepared when MS Dhoni leaves. Notably, the legendary wicketkeeper-batter has guided CSK to a record-equalling five Indian Premier League titles. Given Dhoni is at the fag end of his career, CSK need a replacement to fill his shoes in the upcoming years. The trade was a big call from the franchise as it also included England's Sam Curran. The all-rounder too headed to Rajasthan Royals along with Ravindra Jadeja for Samson as part of the deal. "For us, the opportunity was there. We felt we were still a little bit light in our opening batting. And we were also looking at the fact that at some point, MS will move on," Fleming said at the IPL 2026 auction. "Sanju is an international-quality player, and he fills that role very well "So it's...

The fourth T20I between India and South Africa was called off on Wednesday owing to poor visibility after a dense layer of smog engulfed the Ekana Stadium raising serious questions about BCCI's scheduling of matches in northern part of India during peak winter month. The venues allotted for the full series against the Proteas included New Chandigarh, Dharamsala, Lucknow, Ranchi, Raipur, Visakhapatnam, Cuttack, Ahmedabad, Guwahati and Kolkata during November and December. It is also a period when pollution levels in the host cities like Lucknow, New Chandigarh and Dharamsala are usually at its worst. The fourth T20I was officially abandoned without a ball being bowled due to "excessive fog", the reality was that a thick blanket of smog enveloped the Ekana Stadium, severely hampering visibility. The Air Quality Index (AQI) remained in the hazardous range, above 400 in Lucknow on Wednesday, raising serious questions about the BCCI's commitment to players' welfare. ...

Veteran US journalist Fareed Zakaria has described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "India's most consequential leader since Jawaharlal Nehru", adding that most long-serving leaders tend to falter after a decade of power. "Leaders start to lose it after 10 years, which leads to their downfall," he said, in an exclusive interview with NDTV's Editor-in-Chief Rahul Kanwal. "You don't see that in Modi's case. Part of it is weak opposition, part of it is his discipline. He does not seem to be fatiguing." Zakaria went further, placing PM Modi in a long historical arc of Indian leadership. "Modi is the most consequential Indian Prime Minister since Nehru," he said. "India is growing at 6.5 per cent, the fastest-growing large economy. There is a degree of contentment. The BJP is a well-organised party, works very hard at elections. Modi has been able to play this role of outsider-insider in a very clever way," Zakaria told ND...

The India vs South Africa 4th T20I in Lucknow on Wednesday could well have decided the result of the series, with the hosts needing a win to seal it. However, what the two teams and the thousands of spectators got was an endless wait. The toss, which was supposed to take place at 6:30 PM IST, was delayed again and again due to excessive fog. Umpires opted for pitch inspections at 6:50 PM, 7:30 PM, 8 PM, 8:30 PM, 9 PM, and 9:25 PM. On each occasion, play could not begin, frustrating everyone. India currently lead the series 2-1. The play was abandoned at 9:25 PM.  2007 T20 World Cup winner Robin Uthappa , who was commentating on the match, was visibly irritated. He wondered whether it was possible for the fog to clear as the evening progressed. "I am actually befuddled by the umpire's decision. This is not going to get better. I have played first-class cricket in much worse conditions than this. This is way better," said Robin Uthappa. Ahead of the fourth T20I, Indian a...

The India vs South Africa 4th T20I in Lucknow on Wednesday was called off without a ball being bowled due to excessive fog. The toss was supposed to take place at 6:30 PM IST but was delayed due to excessive fog, according to the BCCI. Umpires opted for pitch inspections at 6:50 PM, 7:30 PM, 8 PM, 8:30 PM, and 9 PM. The endless wait frustrated everyone. Finally, the game was called off after a final inspection at 9:25 PM. While there was dense fog throughout, several social media users commented that pollution played a big part in the abandonment. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor reflected on how fans suffered. "Cricket fans have been waiting in vain for the #INDVSSAODI to start in Lucknow. But thanks to dense smog, pervasive in most north Indian cities, and an AQI of 411, visibility is too poor to permit a game of cricket. They should've scheduled the game in Thiruvananthapuram, where AQI is about 68 right now!" Tharoor posted on X. Cricket fans have been waiting in vain fo...

Gabrielle Union once advised a young Stephen and Ayesha Curry to break up, believing their relationship wouldn't last. During a COVID-era Instagram Live, she humorously recalled telling them to "enjoy life" and "have s*x with other people." However, Union now praises their enduring and consistent bond, calling them "unicorns" in relationships. from Times of India https://ift.tt/OIZ08TY

IPL 2026 Full Squad List Of All Teams: The IPL 2026 auction brought up some interesting trends. While Australian Cameron Green was the costliest player at Rs 25.20 crore, it was the uncapped Indian players who were the real winners. Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma became the joint-most-expensive uncapped Indian players to be signed by an IPL franchise, receiving Rs 14.20 crore each from CSK during the IPL auction in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. The 10 teams spent a combined Rs 215.45 crore on 77 players, with 29 of them from overseas. ( IPL Auction 2026: Full List Of All Sold And Unsold Players, Base Price And Salaries ) Here's the Complete Squad Of All Teams After IPL Auction And Full Salaries Chennai Super Kings PLAYERS BOUGHT Kartik Sharma (14.20 cr), Prashant Veer (14.20 cr), Rahul Chahar (5.20 cr), Akeal Hosein (2 cr), Matt Henry (2 cr), Matthew Short (1.50 cr), Aman Khan (40 L), Sarfaraz Khan (75 L), Zakary Foulkes (75 L) RETAINED PLAYERS Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Ayush M...