The Resident Evil franchise is experiencing a renaissance, and the recent remakes are a clear example of the same. Capcom is now all set to introduce a new entry in the series, with Resident Evil Requiem all set to be released on February 27, 2026.Recent reports and industry insiders have also confirmed two new remakes: Resident Evil Zero and Code: Veronica. Resident Evil Zero is essentially a prequel to the first game, telling the story of Rebecca Chambers and Billy Coen as they uncover the truth behind the Umbrella Corporation’s initial viral outbreaks.In the section below, there are all the details about the Resident Evil Zero Remake.

Resident Evil Zero Remake expected release date and timeline

Capcom has not officially announced a specific launch date for Resident Evil Zero Remake; however, the roadmap for the franchise has become clearer through reliable leaks. Essentially, Resident Evil Requiem (RE9) is set for early 2026, the Code: Veronica Remake is rumored for 2027, and the Resident Evil Zero Remake is expected to release in early 2028.Accordingly, you will likely have to wait until 2028 for the release of the Resident Evil Zero Remake.

Resident Evil Zero Remake gameplay

The original Resident Evil Zero was known for its Partner Zapping system, which allowed you to switch between Rebecca and Billy to solve puzzles and manage inventory. In the remake, you can expect this system to be completely modernized using the RE Engine. Here are other things that you can expect:

Resident Evil Zero Remake storyline and platforms

The Resident Evil Zero Remake will follow S.T.A.R.S. rookie Rebecca Chambers and convict Billy Coen as they investigate the Ecliptic Express train and a hidden Umbrella training facility. In the remake, the developers will be turning the train and the facility into atmospheric and photorealistic environments, pushing the boundaries of horror.Speaking of the platforms, the title is likely being developed for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC.

The 2025/26 Ashes series may have been decided in record time, but the war of words is only just heating up. Shortly after Australia secured a dominant 3-0 series lead in Adelaide on Sunday, Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head served up a cold dish of “receipts” to former England pacer Stuart Broad, whose pre-series claims about the quality of this Australian squad have aged like milk.

The controversy dates back to October 2025, when Broad made headlines during an episode of his For The Love of Cricket podcast. Broad boldly asserted that Pat Cummins’ side was “probably the worst Australian team since 2010”—the last time England won a series on Australian soil.

Broad didn’t stop there, claiming it was “not an opinion, it’s a fact” and that the current England squad under Ben Stokes was the strongest they had fielded in 15 years.

Marnus Labuschagne hits back after Australia claim the urn

The “fact” proved to be anything but, as Australia retained the urn in just 11 days of cricket, winning the first three Tests in clinical fashion. Speaking to ABC Radio moments after taking the match-winning catch in Adelaide, Labuschagne was quick to remind Broad of his words.

“Have to say, being called the worst Australian team in 15 years… it’s nice to be sitting where we are now, three-nil up,” Labuschagne quipped.

“The job’s not done yet. We want to make sure it’s 5-0 and really take that urn,” added Labuschagne.

While Labuschagne’s bat was relatively quiet in the third Test (scoring 19 and 13), his contribution in the field was undeniable. He pulled off two stunning, one-handed screamers at second slip—including the final wicket of Josh Tongue—to seal the 82-run victory.

Also READ: England captain Ben Stokes opens up on another Ashes series defeat in Australia

Travis Head joins the party to troll Broad

The celebrations moved from the pitch to social media, where Adelaide’s own local hero, Head, delivered the knockout blow. Head, who has been the thorn in England’s side with centuries in Perth and Adelaide, posted an Instagram story featuring himself and Cummins sharing a drink.

The caption? A pointed “Is it 2010 yet?” accompanied by laughing emojis—a direct reference to the year Broad cited as the benchmark for Australian mediocrity.

The Australian team also debuted a new look during their post-match celebrations: white T-shirts emblazoned with the word ‘Ronball’ and a cartoon of head coach Andrew ‘Ronnie’ McDonald. It was a cheeky jab at the ‘Bazball’ hype that has surrounded the England camp for years, suggesting that Australia’s more traditional (but relentless) approach had thoroughly dismantled the English revolution.

Also READ: Fans go berserk as Australia retain the Ashes with a 3-0 lead at the Adelaide Oval

India’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur poses with the winning trophy (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

MUMBAI: In a year in which they finally ended their wait for a maiden World Cup crown by winning the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup at home in November, there is more good news for India’s women cricketers.In another landmark decision for women’s cricket in India, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to introduce a massive pay hike for India’s women domestic cricketers, more than doubling the per-day domestic match fees of senior women cricketers from Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000.

At present, for senior women’s tournaments, players in the playing XI are paid Rs 20,000 per day, and reserves are paid Rs 10,000 per day. For junior women’s tournaments, players in the playing 11 are paid Rs 10,000 per day, and reserves are paid Rs 5,000 per day in all T20 tournaments.Presently, on average, a senior women’s cricketer receives around Rs 2 lakhs for a season if the team only plays the league stages of senior tournaments.As per the revised pay structure, which will soon be implemented by the BCCI for the senior women’s tournaments, players will earn Rs 50,000 per day for being in the playing XI and Rs 25,000 per day for reserves. For T20 matches, their match fees will be Rs 25,000 for being in the playing XI and Rs 12,500 for being in the reserves. For junior women’s tournaments, players will get Rs 25,000 per day for being in the playing XI, and Rs 12,500 per day will be given to the reserves. For T20 matches, the fees will be Rs 12,500 for the playing XI and Rs 6,250 for the reserves.“We have more than doubled the match fees of India’s domestic women cricketers. We are only carrying forward the initiative of (former BCCI secretary and current ICC chairman) Jay Shah, who introduced pay parity for India’s international cricketers,” BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla told TOI.BCCI to review India’s performance in Under-19 Asia CupMeanwhile, concerned by India’s poor performance in the Under-19 Asia Cup final after India suffered a crushing 191-run defeat to Pakistan in the summit clash at Dubai, the BCCI will review the Indian team’s performance in the Under-19 Asia Cup. “We are concerned by this heavy defeat. We will basically have a brainstorming session to strengthen our Under-19 cricket,” Shukla said. The review is important since the 2026 Under-19 World Cup will be held in Zimbabwe and Namibia, starting from January 15.It means that the Board will seek a report from the team manager Salil Datar and hold discussions with head coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar, bowling coach Sunil Joashi and perhaps captain Ayush Mhatre. The BCCI is also concerned with the poor player conduct during the ill-tempered final.

With most major retailers across the US either closing early on Christmas Eve or remaining shut for the entire Christmas Day, shoppers planning last-minute errands are being advised to check store timings carefully before stepping out.According to an AP report, operating hours can vary widely by location, with some chains opting for limited or modified schedules while a handful of businesses remain open during the holiday. Customers are advised to call ahead or check store websites for location-specific timings.Here is a breakdown of which major US retailers are closed and which ones are open on Christmas Day this year, based on AP’s roundup.

Major retailers closed on Christmas Day

Walmart

Walmart stores across the US are closed on Christmas Day. The retailer will reopen at 6 a.m. on December 26, AP reported.

Target

Target locations will remain closed on Christmas and are scheduled to reopen at 7 a.m. on December 26.

Costco

All Costco warehouses in the US are closed on Christmas Day.

Kroger

Kroger grocery stores are shut on Christmas Day and will resume regular business hours on December 26.

Pharmacies and convenience chains with limited or varied hours

CVS

Many CVS locations will operate with modified hours on Christmas Day. Customers are encouraged to check local store timings online or call ahead, according to AP.

Walgreens

Walgreens stores will remain open on Christmas Day, though pharmacy hours may vary. All 24-hour Walgreens locations will continue operating.

Food and beverage chains: Check before you go

Starbucks

Many Starbucks outlets will be closed on Christmas Day, while some locations may operate with limited hours. Customers are advised to verify timings online.

McDonald’s

Several McDonald’s locations across the US are open on holidays like Christmas, but operating hours differ by location. Customers can confirm timings using the chain’s online store locator.

Grocery and retail stores closed on Christmas Day

According to AP, the following grocery, convenience and retail chains will remain closed on Christmas Day:

Stores open on Christmas Day or with select locations operating

While most major retailers are closed, AP reported that some chains will continue operations, either fully or at select locations:

Safeway

Many Safeway stores will be closed, but some locations will remain open with adjusted hours.

Sheetz

Sheetz convenience stores will remain open 24/7, including on Christmas Day.

7-Eleven

Most 7-Eleven stores will be open round-the-clock, including Christmas, though some locations may operate on modified schedules.

What shoppers should keep in mind

Shoppers should double-check local store hours, as holiday schedules may differ even within the same retail chain depending on the city or state.When in doubt, customers should call the store directly or refer to official websites for the most accurate information before heading out.

Gurugram: Members of ‘Aravalli Bachao Sanstha’ stage a demonstration as part of the Save Aravalli movement, near the residence of Haryana minister Rao Narbir Singh, in Gurugram. (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: A day after clarifying how only 0.19% of the total 1.44 lakh sq km area of Aravalli can be eligible for mining, Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav on Monday said no new mining lease can be granted in the Aravalli hills and ranges till the finalisation of the management plan for sustainable mining (MPSM) for the entire landscape, and all existing mines must comply strictly with central committee’s stringent safeguard.Calling protests in certain quarters against the latest move a misinformed campaign based on wrong interpretation of facts, Yadav emphasised that the definition adopted by the Supreme Court does not relax any restrictions. He also accused the Congress party of spreading “lies”.The apex court had last month considered the recommendations of a central committee regarding a uniform policy level definition of the Aravalli hills and ranges, specifically in the context of regulating mining, and accepted that all the landforms enclosed within the lowest binding contour, encircling hills of height of 100 metres or more irrespective of their height and slopes, are excluded for the purpose of grant of mining lease.Asked about the rationale behind adopting the 100 metres height threshold by the central committee, headed by Union environment secretary, Yadav said the panel used the globally accepted scientific standards (Richard Murphy’s Landform Classification of 1968) that identify landforms rising 100 metres above the local relief as hills and prohibit mining on both the hill and its supporting slopes.Cultivation/agriculture is the dominant land-use category, across the Aravalli landscape districts, accounting for approximately 55% of the combined geographical area of the 37 districts falling within the Aravalli hills and ranges.A large area of Aravalli has already been covered under habitations over a period of time. Part of many cities, including Udaipur, Ajmer, Alwar, South Delhi, Gurugram, Banaskantha fall within the boundaries of Aravalli.Besides accepting the definition of the Aravalli hills and ranges, the apex court in its Nov 20 order also directed the environment ministry to prepare MPSM through the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) for the entire Aravallis on the lines of such plan for the Saranda forests in Jharkhand.Yadav said there is no basis for arriving at the conclusion that 90% of the Aravalli has been opened up for mining when the MPSM is yet to be prepared as per the SC’s directions. “The Congress, which allowed rampant illegal mining in Rajasthan during its tenure, is spreading confusion, misinformation and lies about the issue,” he alleged.“The definition adopted by the Court does not relax any existing restrictions. Instead, it provides additional safeguards through standardised and technically validated basis for regulation, supported by enhanced oversight and scientific planning,” said the minister.At present, 277 sq km out of a total of nearly 1.44 lakh sq km of areas in Aravalli are under mining lease. It includes the highest 247 sq km in Rajasthan’s 20 districts, 27 sq km in Gujarat’s five districts and 3 sq km in Haryana’s seven districts. No mining activity is permitted in Delhi whose five districts fall in the Aravalli range.

Virat Kohli was spotted at Mumbai airport on Monday as he prepares to return to domestic cricket. The former India captain is set to feature for Delhi in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy, which begins on December 24, marking yet another return of a senior international to the domestic circuit.The Delhi and District Cricket Association confirmed that Rishabh Pant will lead the side in the tournament. Kohli is part of the squad for the first two matches.Delhi’s squad also boasts experience in Ishant Sharma and Navdeep Saini, both of whom have confirmed their availability. Harshit Rana, currently with the Indian T20I setup, will link up with the team once he is released. Placed in Group D, Delhi will play seven matches, with their campaign running until January 8.

The return of players like Kohli to domestic tournaments follows the BCCI’s push to ensure Indian cricketers stay in game mode by featuring regularly in domestic cricket like the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy or the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.On the field, Kohli comes into the tournament in solid ODI form. He finished the year as India’s highest run scorer in the format, amassing 651 runs in 13 matches at an average of 65.10. His run included three centuries, four half centuries and a strike rate close to 96, numbers that underline his continued impact in white-ball cricket.The turnaround began during the Australia series, where, after two consecutive ducks, an unbeaten 74 in Sydney looked like a release of pressure. From there, Kohli carried the momentum into the home series against South Africa. He struck centuries in the first two ODIs, scoring 135 in Ranchi and 102 in Raipur, before sealing the series with a composed 65 not out in a chase of 271 in Vizag.

The TOI correspondent from Washington: US president Trump is moving in on Greenland. After a brief lull that calmed European disquiet over his coveting the resource-rich territory in Denmark’s realm, the MAGA supremo on Monday appointed Louisiana governor Jeff Landry as special envoy to Greenland, reviving a long-standing and controversial effort to bring the Arctic territory under US control.The White House said Landry will serve in a voluntary capacity, tasked with advancing US interests in Greenland and engaging with stakeholders on the island’s future. While Landry has no formal diplomatic background in Arctic affairs and no known personal ties to Denmark, which administers Greenland, his selection reflects political loyalty and subject-matter alignment rather than conventional diplomatic credentials.

Landry has been one of the most outspoken US officials backing Trump’s ambition to acquire Greenland, having publicly endorsed the idea on social media, writing that Trump was “absolutely right” and that Greenland should join the US. Following his appointment, he reiterated that his primary goal is “to make Greenland a part of the US,” signaling a clear ideological commitment to the project.

.

Trump’s interest in Greenland is driven largely by its natural resources and strategic location. Greenland is believed to hold significant untapped reserves of oil, natural gas, and rare earth minerals, critical to advanced manufacturing and defence technologies. As governor of Louisiana, one of the largest energy-producing states in the US, Landry has overseen offshore drilling, pipeline development, and the petrochemical sector, exporting energy even to distant India. Ironically, Louisiana itself (and its surrounding areas) was purchased by the US from France (led by Napoleon Bonaparte) in 1803 for $ 15 million (about 3 cents an acre). The so-called Louisiana purchase of areas from the Mississippi river west to the Rocky mountains, and from the Gulf of Mexico north to present-day Canada, doubled the size of the United States.Acquiring Greenland, by coercion or cooperation, will add to the US a territory 25 per cent larger than Alaska – which also Washington bought from Russia in 1867 for $ 7.2 million. Disparaged as “Seward’s icebox,” after then secretary of state William Seward, who negotiated the deal, the Alaska purchase later proved extremely valuable due to gold, oil, and strategic importance. If Greenland is added to the US, it will become the world’s second largest country after Russia, pushing Canada, currently the second-largest, to third place.Also read: Greenland standoff: Trump appoints ‘special envoy’; is he edging closer to annexation?Landry holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental science, which allies say gives him a technical foundation to navigate the environmentally sensitive Arctic context. In addition, he is an Army veteran and former lawmaker who has framed offshore resources as a matter of national security. Trump echoed that in announcing the appointment, saying Landry “understands how essential Greenland is to our national security.”Denmark reacted swiftly, reiterating that Greenland is not for sale and that its future can only be decided by the people of Greenland themselves, while warning that unilateral US actions risk undermining cooperation in the Arctic.The Landry appointment fits a broader pattern in the MAGA supremo’s approach to allies and partners, which has often been marked by blunt rhetoric and unilateral actions. He has repeatedly criticized Nato allies for insufficient defence spending, at times suggesting the US might not honour collective defence commitments. He also withdrew the US from the Paris climate agreement, the Iran nuclear deal, and the World Health Organisation, moves that drew sharp criticism from European capitals. He publicly clashed with German leaders over the Nord Stream gas pipeline, accused Canada of unfair trade practices while imposing tariffs, and threatened Mexico with economic penalties to secure cooperation on border enforcement. He has been particularly harsh on India and Brazil. Even as the president upped the ante on Greenland, his administration last week recalled nearly 30 career diplomats from ambassadorial and other senior embassy posts, mostly in Africa and Asia, as it moved to reshape the US diplomatic posture abroad with personnel deemed fully supportive of his “America first” priorities. Most of the envoys are from the so-called “Third world,” including 13 countries in Africa, a continent disdained by Trump. Diplomats were also recalled from Nepal and Sri Lanka in the Indian subcontinent.

NEW DELHI: Who will resolve the ongoing power tussle in Karnataka between chief minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar – top Congress leadership in Delhi or the leaders themselves at the local level?On Sunday, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge shielded the “high command” from this embarrassing power game in Karnataka and said that “any confusion on the leadership issue existed at the local level.” Kharge also added that the local leaders should take ownership of the internal disputes rather than blaming the high command.The remark is not only interesting, given the strong and established high command culture in the grand-old party, but is also open to many interpretations.Did Kharge endorse Siddaramaiah’s claim to continue as chief minister for a full five-year term? After all, he is the chief minister at present and if there is no confusion at the central level on the leadership issue, it perhaps could mean that Siddaramaiah has the support of the high command.The talk about an alleged deal on rotational chief ministership and the demand for DK Shivakumar to take over the top post after two-and-a-half years has been raised by the supporters of the deputy chief minister at the local level. So, by calling the leadership tussle a local issue, is Kharge citing these claims in favour of DKS made by some MLAs and local Congress leaders?Kharge had, in his remarks, also cautioned party leaders against claiming credit for Congress’s electoral success in the last assembly elections. “Everyone has built the party. It’s not any individual’s effort. Congress has been built by party workers. Congress workers supported us,” Kharge said without naming anyone.This again points more towards the supporters of DK Shivakumar, who have openly claimed that the deputy chief minister, who is also the state Congress president, had played a key role in the party’s spectacular victory in the 2023 assembly elections. The Congress had in 2023 won a comprehensive majority, bagging 135 assembly seats out of 224 with a vote share of 43.2%. The BJP was decimated and reduced to just 66 seats with a vote share of 36.3%.However, the leadership tussle has overshadowed this victory from Day 1. The Congress leadership then had to make a lot of effort and persuasion to convince DK Shivakumar to allow Siddaramaiah to lead the government. There were then reports of an alleged power-sharing arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar. As the Congress government crossed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, speculations intensified about a leadership change. MLAs of both factions have petitioned the high command in support of their leaders.Taking a cue from Kharge’s remark, Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara on Monday said any differences or confusions within the party over the leadership issue in the state have to be resolved locally.“Everyone of us should know, we should resolve ourselves. If the All India Congress president says that you (state leaders) resolve yourself and have nothing to do with the high command, we all have to sit together and resolve,” Parameshwara said.Chief minister Siddaramaiah, however, reiterated his stand that Congress top leader Rahul Gandhi and the party high command will have to take a decision on the CM change issue, and everyone will abide by their decision.“I don’t know about it. Rahul Gandhi and the high command have to decide. Whatever they decide, I’m committed to it,” Siddaramaiah told reporters here in response to a question on Kharge’s statement.“I have spoken to the high command. They have said that they will decide. I will abide by whatever the high command decides,” he said.Siddaramaiah had on Friday asserted on the floor of the assembly that he would continue in office. He had also said that the Congress high command was “in my favour” and asserted that no decision was made on his staying at the helm for only two-and-a-half years.Reacting to his remarks, Shivakumar had said that he and CM Siddaramaiah have come to an agreement with the involvement of the Congress high command, and both of them will abide by it.This is not the first time that DKS has spoken about the power-sharing agreement. In fact, when the tussle had started, he had made a cryptic social media post stating that “word power is world power.”“Keeping one’s word is the greatest strength in the world! The biggest force in the world was to keep one’s word… Be it a judge, president, or anyone else, including myself, everyone has to walk the talk. Word power is world power,” DKS had then written.Siddramaraiah had then responded sharply to this and had countered DKS with his own play of words. “A Word is not power unless it betters the World for the people,” Siddaramaiah wrote and detailed the various welfare schemes that his government had launched for people of Karnataka.This power tussle has already caused a lot of embarrassment for the Congress leadership and also raised questions about its ability to resolve disputes between state leaders. Kharge’s remarks have done little to bring clarity on the way forward. It will be interesting to see how DKS responds to his statement, especially on not giving him credit for the party’s victory in the 2023 elections.

As Indian equities head into the final trading sessions of the year, the familiar question around the Santa Claus rally has resurfaced, with historical data and recent market signals pointing towards smaller stocks once again stealing the spotlight.Data from SAMCO Securities shows that smallcap stocks have delivered the strongest performance during the Santa Claus period — defined as the last five trading days of December and the first two sessions of January — over the past decade, according to an ET report. Smallcaps posted an average return of 3.55% during this window, with a 100% success rate, outperforming both midcaps and largecaps.Large-cap stocks, represented by the Nifty 100, delivered comparatively modest average gains of 1.78% over the same period, while midcaps recorded average returns of 2.63% with a 90% success rate. Importantly, downside risk across market segments has remained limited during this seasonal phase, even in weaker market years.

“Smallcaps have been the biggest beneficiaries, with an average return of 3.55% and a 100% win rate, indicating uninterrupted gains during this seasonal window,” said Jahol Prajapati, Research Analyst at SAMCO Securities. “The Santa Claus Rally is not merely a market myth but a repeatable seasonal pattern, where improved sentiment, lighter volumes, and year-end positioning create a favorable environment — especially for mid and small-cap stocks.”For the current year, analysts say technical indicators are beginning to support the case for a rebound in smaller stocks after a prolonged phase of underperformance. The Nifty Smallcap 100 index has shown what analysts describe as constructive price action, with two consecutive small-bodied candles featuring long lower shadows — a pattern suggesting buying interest on declines. This has been accompanied by a positive crossover in the daily Relative Strength Index (RSI).“The crucial level to watch is the 20-day EMA zone of 17,450–17,500. If the index sustains above 17,500, it is likely to regain strong upward momentum, potentially leading to an extended pullback toward 17,800,” said Sudeep Shah, Head of Technical and Derivatives Research at SBI Securities, quoted ET. “Given its historical Santa rally performance and the recent technical improvement, the setup favours accumulation on dips.”Market breadth indicators also suggest improving participation among smaller stocks. While 58% of Nifty constituents closed above their 10-day simple moving average this week, down from 64% in the previous week, the Nifty Smallcap 250 index saw 57% of its constituents trading above the same benchmark — a sharp rise from 39% a week earlier.“This suggests that smallcaps have begun to catch up, encouraging a stock selective approach with the smaller cap stocks in the near term,” said Anand James, Chief Market Strategist at Geojit Investments Limited.The broader Nifty index, too, is showing signs of stabilisation. After moving along a declining trendline for nearly three weeks, the benchmark has managed to hold above the previous week’s low, indicating a potential bottoming process.“The index has recently formed an Adam & Adam double bottom pattern, and the neckline resistance lies in the 26,050–26,100 zone,” Shah said. “If Nifty manages a sustained breakout above 26,100, it would confirm the pattern and could very well trigger fresh bullish momentum, aligning with the typical Santa rally behaviour.”James sees an initial upside target of 26,300 for the Nifty, though he cautioned that failure to sustain above 25,980 could result in a period of sideways consolidation instead of a sharp rally.Prajapati said the consistency of the year-end rally has been notable across cycles. “Importantly, downside risk during this period has remained limited, with minimal negative returns even in weaker years,” he said. “Overall, the chart reinforces that the Santa Claus Rally is a repeatable seasonal pattern.”(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)