Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s son Kasim Khan on Monday accused the jail authorities of doing “something irreversible” to his father amid the ongoing speculations about his whereabouts.Speaking to news agency Reuters , Kasim said that the family has had no direct or verifiable contact with Khan, despite a judicial order for weekly meetings.“Not knowing whether your father is safe, injured or even alive is a form of psychological torture,” he said in written remarks, adding that there had been no independently confirmed communication for a couple of months.“Today we have no verifiable information at all about his condition. Our greatest fear is that something irreversible is being hidden from us” Kasim added. Kasim and his older brother Suleiman Isa Khan, who live in London with their mother, Jemima Goldsmith, have kept a distance from Pakistan’s dynastic politics.The brothers, who call him “Abba”, have spoken publicly only sparingly mainly about Khan’s imprisonment.Kasim added that the last time they saw their father was in November 2022, when they visited Pakistan after he survived an assassination attempt.The family has repeatedly sought access for Khan’s personal physician, who has not been allowed to examine him for more than a year, he added.Meanwhile, a jail official told Reuters that Khan was in good health, adding that he was not aware of any plan for a move to a higher-security facility.Controversy swirls around the health of cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan due to a lack of transparency about his confinement conditions. His son, Kasim Khan, claims the former Pakistani prime minister has been denied visitors for the past six weeks, fueling widespread speculation that the PTI leader may not even be alive.Khan remains incarcerated in Adiala Jail, where he was first convicted and sentenced to three years in August 2023 in connection with the Al-Qadir Trust case. Since then, additional corruption charges have piled up, culminating in a 14-year sentence that marks the longest jail term handed down to the politician.Adiala Jail authorities have dismissed the mounting concerns, insisting that all necessary medical care is being provided to the PTI chief. Officials maintain that Khan is in stable condition, but have offered no further evidence to counter the rumours.

Reserve Bank of India Governor Sanjay Malhotra on Monday unveiled the National Strategy for Financial Inclusion (NSFI) 2025-30, aimed at expanding financial access and usage across India over the next five years. The strategy promotes a holistic, ecosystem-based approach to improve the quality, reach, and consistency of last-mile financial services.

Objectives focus on women, households, and micro-enterprises

At the core of the NSFI 2025-30 are five key objectives, known as ‘Panch-Jyoti’, supported by 47 action points designed to boost financial inclusion. These include a gender-sensitive approach to women-led financial initiatives and tailored strategies to strengthen the financial resilience of households, especially among underserved and vulnerable populations, according to an official RBI statement.The strategy also emphasises improving the availability and use of equitable, responsible, suitable, and affordable financial products to ensure financial safety and security for households and micro-enterprises.“The Panch-Jyoti strategy focuses on synergising livelihood, skill development, and support ecosystems and linking them with financial inclusion,” the RBI said.

Financial education and customer protection central to the plan

Governor Malhotra highlighted that the previous five-year NSFI strategy, which concluded in 2024, had successfully met its objectives. The new plan seeks to leverage financial education to promote discipline among users while strengthening customer protection and grievance redressal mechanisms for better reliability and trust in financial services.The NSFI 2025-30 has been developed under the Technical Group on Financial Inclusion and Financial Literacy (TGFIFL), following consultations nationwide with multiple stakeholders. Key participants include the Department of Economic Affairs, Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, SEBI, IRDAI, PFRDA, NABARD, National Skill Development Corporation, and National Centre for Financial Education, as reported by PTI.By integrating financial literacy, livelihood support, skill development, and customer protection, the Panch-Jyoti strategy aims to create a robust, inclusive, and resilient financial ecosystem across India, strengthening access to banking and financial services for millions of households and micro-enterprises.

Rohit Sharma, Rahul Dravid (File photo/Agencies)

NEW DELHI: Ravichandran Ashwin has said India’s aggressive batting style in recent years is the result of former captain Rohit Sharma and ex-head coach Rahul Dravid’s influence.The former India off-spinner said the two pushed for a faster scoring approach in limited-overs cricket and also followed the same approach themselves, which helped change the team’s mindset in T20Is and ODIs.“Rohit as a captain has always been laying his stamp by showing the team what he wants from it. The transitional batting that India has gone through in T20 cricket and ODI cricket — the way we bat fast — a lot of credit for that goes to Rohit and Rahul bhai,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel ‘Ash Ki Baat.’“They showed the way, Rahul bhai said this is how we have to play and Rohit showed the way, paved the way and eventually it has changed the way how India perceived batting. Batting is not average, it is purely strike rate in white ball cricket,” he added.According to Ashwin, India shifted to a more proactive plan under Rohit and Dravid after a run of disappointing ICC results. The approach was visible during the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, where the team led the league stage with an attacking method, and again during the 2024 T20 World Cup title win in the Caribbean and USA.With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli now playing only ODI cricket after retiring from T20Is and Tests, Ashwin said fans should value the period left with them in international cricket.“I will say one thing, how much time we have to watch and enjoy Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma bat, please let’s do it because once they are done, we could hear talks like ‘oh, what a player he was! Please bring him back’. That doesn’t cut ice for me.”“For however long they play, let us celebrate them as long as they are playing. As I said, life moves on very fast. Time does not wait for anyone. It is very important that we realise that the time is less. So it is better that we enjoy whatever they are doing,” he said.

The first Test of the three-match series between New Zealand and West Indies, scheduled from December 2-6, 2025 at Hagley Oval, is set to unfold under variable weather conditions, with the highest rain risk predicted on Days 1 and 5. While the middle phase of the match is expected to enjoy clearer skies, early cloud cover, fluctuating temperatures, and brisk northwest winds may shape pitch behaviour and captaincy decisions.

NZ vs WI, 1st Test: Will rain play a spoiler?

Temperatures through the Test window are forecast to range between 8°C and 24°C, with humidity sitting between 58-73% and winds gusting up to 38 km/h. These factors are expected to assist seam bowlers, traditionally dominant at Hagley Oval. With minimal mid-Test interruptions projected, teams winning the toss on Day 1 may be tempted to bowl first and exploit the new-ball-friendly conditions.

Day 1: High rain chance and cloud cover to challenge opening hour

The opening day on December 2 brings the most unstable weather of the Test. Conditions are predicted to stay cloudy with temperatures between 8-18°C, accompanied by strong northwest winds that could reach 38 km/h, particularly in exposed pockets of the stadium.

A 25-40% probability of rain threatens to delay or disrupt the opening session. Forecast models indicate 10-20 mm of precipitation if showers align during play, prompting officials and teams to monitor updates closely. Heavy 80% cloud cover should create ideal swing conditions, giving early advantage to pacers such as Matt Henry. Batters may face a stern examination until the overhead conditions settle.

Day 2: Improved forecast with moderate seam movement expected

Conditions improve on December 3, with rain chances dipping to 20-30%, though isolated showers could still bring brief interruptions. Temperatures rise to 12-20°C, while winds ease to around 20 km/h, creating more stable playing conditions compared to Day 1.

A partly cloudy afternoon is ideal for prolonged sessions of play, but humidity hovering near 70% may still assist bowlers. Seamers from both sides – particularly New Zealand’s attack and West Indies’ Jayden Seales – are expected to benefit from the lingering movement through the air.

Day 3: Best weather window promises full day of cricket

The third day, on December 4, offers the most favourable forecast, with rain odds falling below 15%. Temperatures climb to 14-22°C, and winds ease further, settling between 15–25 km/h. Under partly sunny skies, teams should enjoy an uninterrupted day – perfect for batting as the pitch typically stabilizes by this stage.

Hagley Oval’s historical data suggests 300-plus scores are achievable on Days 3 and 4 once the early greenness fades and bounce becomes more predictable.

Day 4: Dry, warm and windy conditions set stage for big scores

December 5 remains dry with negligible rain (<10%) and temperatures ranging 16-24°C. Gusty northwest winds between 20-30 km/h may provide minor assistance to bowlers, but overall conditions strongly favour batters. Partial cloud cover near 50% should keep the pitch lively enough to prevent imbalance but allow set players to capitalise, especially during the third and fourth innings.

Also READ: NZ vs WI 2025 – Pitch Report for 1st Test, Hagley Oval Stats and Records

Day 5: Rain threat returns for potentially dramatic finish

The final day on December 6 sees a renewed rain risk between 30-50%, with temperatures dropping to 10-20°C. Forecasts warn of up to 15 mm of rainfall, which may disrupt the closing passages of the Test. If weather permits, both teams will push for a result – but early use of covers remains likely should morning showers develop.

Also READ: Breakdown of Andre Russell’s IPL salary since his debut – From 2012 to 2025

Candace Owens Net Worth in 2025: Podcast earnings, career, Charlie Kirk controversy and more (Image via Getty)

Candace Owens is a very famous American speaker and podcaster. Many people know her because she talks about politics and big news events. In 2025, she is in the news again because of her money, her podcast, and her strong comments about the death of Charlie Kirk. Candace also made new claims about the President of France. Some of her claims have no proof, and many news groups have checked them. Here is the latest confirmed information about her.

Candace Owens net Worth in 2025

Candace Owens’ net worth in 2025 is reportedly around $5 million. She earns this money from many places. She writes books, speaks at events, and runs her own podcast. She also makes money from YouTube and social media. Reports say she began a stronger independent media career in 2024 after leaving her old network. Because she works in many areas, she gets steady income from different jobs.

Candace Owens runs a popular podcast where she talks about US politics, world news, and major events. According to Britannica and Economic Times, she has a large online audience that listens to her daily shows. Her YouTube channel and social media videos also bring her money.Her strong opinions help her get a lot of views, which increases her media income. She stays active online and posts updates almost every day.

Candace Owens and the Charlie Kirk controversy

Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed in September 2025, according to Wikipedia and Times of India. After his death, Candace Owens said she did not fully believe the official story. She asked for more proof and made new claims about how he was killed.Major news groups said there is no confirmed evidence for the extra claims she shared. Some people support her questions, but many have criticized her for sharing information that is not proven.

In November 2025, Candace Owens said that French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife planned to harm her. Euronews and France24 confirmed that she gave no proof for these claims. The Macron family then filed a defamation lawsuit against her for making false statements. This lawsuit is now one of the biggest news stories linked to her in late 2025.Candace Owens remains a major media voice in the United States. She earns well, stays very active online, and continues to be at the center of debates because of her strong claims and public statements.Also Read: Candace Owens And Charlie Kirk Controversy Explained: Inside Her Statements On Erika Kirk, Emmanuel Macron And Mystery Around His Death

Faf du Plessis on the left (Photo Credits: IPL)

Former England cricket all-rounder Moeen Ali has decided to participate in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026, choosing not to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.The 38-year-old’s announcement follows a similar decision made by Faf du Plessis to play in the PSL.Revealing his decision on X, he wrote, “I’m really excited to be joining PSL in its New Era. The league has earned a reputation for top-level T20 cricket, with high-quality competition and world-class talent across every team. Playing in Pakistan is always incredible; quality of cricket is outstanding and the passion and intensity from the crowd push you to bring your best. I’m looking forward to being part of it all and creating some great memories along the way. Ready for another special experience Insha’Allah!”Moeen Ali has been consistently playing in the IPL since 2018, representing teams including Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Chennai Super Kings, and Kolkata Knight Riders.In his IPL career spanning 73 matches, he has accumulated 1167 runs and claimed 41 wickets.During the 2025 IPL season, he played six matches for Kolkata Knight Riders before being released prior to the mini-auction.Moeen, who has played 92 T20 internationals for England, has previous PSL experience with nine matches for Multan Sultans.Former South African captain Faf du Plessis has also withdrawn from the upcoming IPL auction, making his announcement on November 29, two weeks before the IPL auction on December 15.Du Plessis began his IPL journey with Chennai Super Kings in 2013, quickly becoming an essential team member. He spent seven seasons with CSK and played for Rising Pune Supergiant in 2016 and 2017.His most successful IPL season was in 2021 with CSK, scoring 633 runs and nearly winning the Orange Cap.After CSK released him, Royal Challengers Bengaluru signed him as captain for 2022-24. He excelled in this role, scoring 730 runs in 2023.In 2025, he played for Delhi Capitals, scoring 202 runs in nine matches before an injury ended his season.Du Plessis’s IPL career statistics are impressive, with 4,773 runs in 154 matches at an average of 35.10 and a strike rate of 135.79.“After 14 seasons in the IPL, I’ve decided not to put my name into the auction this year. India has a special place in my heart… this certainly isn’t goodbye.”Du Plessis will now focus on the PSL, where he previously played for Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators.“A new country. A new environment. A new challenge,” he expressed about his PSL participation.

US markets moved lower on Monday, giving back part of last week’s gains as bitcoin and other once-popular assets continued to weaken. The S&P 500 was down 0.4% in morning trading, putting its five-day winning run at risk. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 204 points, also 0.4%, and the Nasdaq composite edged down 0.5%.Earlier rally had been fueled by optimism that the Federal Reserve may cut interest rates at its meeting next week to support a cooling labor market. Those expectations remain strong, with CME Group data showing traders see almost an 88% chance of a rate cut, reported AP.Even so, yields on long-term US government bonds moved higher. This followed a rise in global yields after the Bank of Japan’s chief suggested that interest rates there could increase. When bond yields rise, they often draw investors away from riskier markets, putting pressure on stocks and cryptocurrencies in particular.Bitcoin, which had been around $125,000 in October, slid below $86,000 — a 5% more drop than yesterday. The decline weighed on crypto-linked companies: Coinbase Global fell 3.7% and Robinhood Markets dropped 4.6%. Strategy, previously known as MicroStrategy, tumbled 8% after saying it had raised $1.44 billion in US dollars through stock sales to help cover dividends on preferred shares and pay interest on its debt.Synopsys was among the strongest performers, rising 3.9% after revealing that Nvidia will invest $2 billion in the company as part of a deepened partnership. Nvidia, now the most influential stock on Wall Street, recovered from early losses to close 0.9% higher.Investors also reacted to early reports from the holiday shopping weekend. Spending during Black Friday and Cyber Monday appeared to exceed projections despite ongoing concerns about the broader US economy. Amazon inched up 0.4%, while Best Buy slipped 1.9%.Global markets showed mixed results. France’s CAC 40 index eased 0.3%, partly due to a 5.1% decline in Airbus. The company said that most of its 6,000 A320 aircraft had been updated after a software issue discovered over the weekend that could affect flight controls. Airlines faced minor disruptions as they rushed to apply the fix during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.In Japan, the Nikkei 225 dropped 1.9% amid worries that the country’s long-standing near-zero interest rates may soon rise as inflation remains above the Bank of Japan’s 2% target.In the US, the yield on the 10-year Treasury note climbed to 4.08% from 4.02% at the end of last week. It briefly went past 4.09% before easing after a report showed US factory activity declined more than expected. Manufacturers reported weak hiring conditions and said they are “still more focused on managing headcount than on hiring,” as quoted by AP. Several companies also mentioned ongoing challenges related to tariffs, with one saying, “Conditions are more trying than during the coronavirus pandemic in terms of supply chain uncertainty.”

Sanchar Saathi mobile app

In what raises privacy concerns and fears around state surveillance, govt has asked smartphone makers to mandatorily pre-install its Sanchar Saathi app on their devices, ostensibly to strengthen cyber security on the devices and prevent tampering and spoofing of IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number.The order, originally issued on November 21, gives the device makers – ranging from Apple, Samsung, Google, Motorola, and the Chinese lot of Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo – 90 days to comply with the regulation or otherwise face penalties. The govt’s order is even valid for devices being imported to the country, or still in pre-sales transit.The direction — that raised red flags within the industry as well as privacy advocates — said, “Central govt hereby directs every manufacturer and importers of mobile handsets that are intended for use in India to… ensure that the Sanchar Saathi mobile application, as specified by Department of Telecom (DoT), is pre-installed on all mobile handsets manufactured or imported for use in India.”And to ensure that the exercise does not end up as mere eyewash, the order also asks the companies to ensure that the pre-installed Sanchar Saathi app is “readily visible and accessible to the end users” at the time of first use or device setup and that “its functionalities are not disabled or restricted”.The order said that a provision to follow the instructions should also be made for devices which are in transit for sales. “For all such devices that have already been manufactured and are in sales channels in India, the manufacturer and importers of mobile handsets shall make an endeavour to push the App through software updates.”Sanchar Saathi is pitched as a citizen-centric initiative of DoT that promises to “empower mobile subscribers, strengthen their security” while increasing awareness about govt initiatives.The direction has been given under the Telecommunications (Telecom Cyber Security) Rules, 2024, and its further amendments. “Rule 5 of the Rules empowers the govt to establish digital or other mechanisms necessary to identify and report acts that may endanger telecom cyber security, and accordingly, the DoT has instituted the Sanchar Saathi App, that, inter-alia, enables stakeholders to report IMEI related suspicious misuse and also to verify authenticity of IMEIs used in mobile devices,” the order said.The order said that mobile handsets bearing duplicate or spoofed IMEI pose serious danger to telecom cyber security. Govt instructed the manufacturer and importers of mobile handsets to submit compliance reports to the DoT within 120 days from issue of the directions. “Failure to comply with these directions shall attract action under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, the Telecom Cyber Security Rules, 2024 (as amended), and other applicable laws.”

Recent estimates put India’s economy at more than ten times Pakistan’s size. (AI image)

“In another decade, we’re going to have another “North and South Korea at night” photo.”With that one line on X, economist Noah Smith dropped an image into everyone’s mind: A future satellite shot where a border glows in the dark, one side blazing with light, the other visibly behind. His post has been widely shared and quoted in Indian and Pakistani timelines.Strip away the drama and the tweet is really about one thing: compounding GDP growth. The original Korea-at-night image became famous because it compresses decades of economic divergence into a single frame. Smith is hinting that, on current trends, we may see something similar for India and Pakistan – even if the story won’t be as extreme as the two Koreas.

India vs Pakistan: GDP paths that are pulling apart

On paper, India and Pakistan still share plenty: A long border, dense populations, a common colonial history, and deep cultural overlaps. But the GDP numbers show they are now moving on very different economic trajectories.In 2024, India’s economy was about $3.9 trillion in nominal terms, compared with roughly $370-410 billion for Pakistan – a gap of around 10:1. India’s GDP per capita was about $2,700, versus roughly $1,500-1,700 in Pakistan.India’s economy grew at its fastest clip in six quarters in the July-September period, expanding 8.2% from a year earlier and easily beating market forecasts of about 7.3%. The reading was also stronger than the 7.8% growth recorded in the previous quarter, even as Washington slapped new US tariffs of up to 50% on a range of Indian exports. India’s economy is now on track to clock about 7% of growth for the current fiscal year.

GDP per capita: India vs Pak

Pakistan, by contrast, managed growth of roughly 2.38% in 2024 after a contraction in 2023.Those differences might look small in a single year, but over time they compound. If India sustains growth in the 6-7% range while Pakistan stays closer to 2-3%, the absolute GDP gap widens dramatically. That is already visible: recent estimates put India’s economy at more than ten times Pakistan’s size, and some Indian states now have output similar to, or larger than, Pakistan’s entire GDP.The quality of that growth story matters too. India has built a broad-based mix of services (IT, finance, telecom), manufacturing and a large domestic market. The World Bank notes that India has stayed the fastest-growing major economy despite a tough global environment, backed by reforms and strong services activity.Pakistan, meanwhile, has lurched through repeated balance-of-payments crises and IMF programmes. An IMF-cited analysis recently highlighted how “elite capture” and corruption are effectively taxing growth.If India keeps outgrowing Pakistan at anything like the recent pace, Smith’s imagined “before and after” shot of the subcontinent in 2035 will show a much brighter India, with more continuous belts of light along expressways and industrial corridors – and a Pakistan that has grown, but not nearly as fast.