US President Donald Trump marked Christmas Eve in a light-hearted mood, joking with children about Santa Claus, coal-filled stockings and even a “bad Santa” infiltrating the country. He joined first lady Melania Trump for the annual NORAD Santa-tracking calls from their Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.Vacationing at his Palm Beach resort, Trump took part in the Christmas Eve tradition on Wednesday that allows children who call the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) to track Santa Claus as the US military playfully follows his journey around the world. Some of these calls are patched through to the president, giving youngsters a chance to speak directly with the commander-in-chief.Speaking to children from several US states, the president struck a jovial tone and said he enjoyed the interaction so much that he “could do this all day long.” However, he further highlighted that he would eventually have to return to pressing global issues, including efforts to end the war between Russia and Ukraine.“We want to make sure that Santa is being good. Santa’s a very good person,” Trump said while speaking to children aged between four and ten. “We want to make sure that he’s not infiltrated, that we’re not infiltrating into our country a bad Santa.”US President and Melania Trump sat side by side and took around a dozen calls between them. While the first lady spoke quietly with children, advising them to sleep early so Santa could arrive, the president joked about her focus.“She’s able to focus totally, without listening,” Trump said as Melania remained on her call.During the conversations, Trump mixed humour with reassurance. When an eight-year-old girl from North Carolina asked whether Santa would be angry if children did not leave cookies for him, Trump replied, “He won’t get mad, but I think he’ll be very disappointed.”“You know, Santa — he tends to be a little bit on the cherubic side. You know what cherubic means? A little on the heavy side,” he added. “I think Santa would like some cookies.”In another call, an eight-year-old girl from Kansas said she hoped Santa would not leave coal in her stocking.“You mean clean, beautiful coal?” Trump responded, invoking a phrase he has frequently used while promoting domestic coal production. Laughing, he added, “I had to do that, I’m sorry.”“Coal is clean and beautiful. Please remember that, at all costs,” Trump said, before acknowledging that the child preferred a Barbie doll, clothes and candy.At several points, Trump referenced the military updates on Santa’s location, relayed by a general overseeing the NORAD operation, telling children when Santa would be reaching their homes.Despite the festive tone of the calls, Trump later returned to his familiar political messaging. Shortly after wrapping up the Christmas Eve conversations, he posted on his Truth Social platform: “Merry Christmas to all, including the Radical Left Scum that is doing everything possible to destroy our Country, but are failing badly.”Trump contrasted his administration’s achievements with policies he opposes. “We no longer have Open Borders, Men in Women’s Sports, Transgender for Everyone, or Weak Law Enforcement. What we do have is a Record Stock Market and 401K’s, Lowest Crime numbers in decades, No Inflation, and yesterday, a 4.3 GDP, two points better than expected,” he added.Trump has a history of using Christmas messages to criticise political opponents. In past years, he has posted holiday greetings aimed at what he has described as the “Radical Left Lunatics.”On Christmas Eve, however, the president appeared to enjoy the lighter moment, telling reporters watching nearby at Mar-a-Lago that speaking with children during the Santa-tracking calls was a welcome break from global affairs.

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On the upside, MCX Gold has potential to advance toward the 145,000 level in the upcoming sessions. (AI image)

Gold and silver price prediction: Gold prices are likely to maintain their uptrend and silver too is showing signs of strength, says Abhilash Koikkara, Head – Forex & Commodities, Nuvama Professional Clients Group. He shares his views on gold and silver:

MCX Gold Outlook

MCX Gold remains in a strong uptrend, consistently forming higher highs and higher lows, highlighting the current bullish momentum. This price action reflects sustained buying interest on declines and indicates that the broader trend continues to stay firmly upward. As long as this structure remains intact, the outlook for MCX Gold remains positive.From a technical standpoint, immediate support is seen near the 134,500 level, which has served as a strong base in recent price action, with buying interest repeatedly emerging on minor dips. Any pullback toward this zone is likely to invite fresh buying, helping to limit downside risk in the near term. Sustaining above this support level keeps the bullish structure firmly intact.On the upside, MCX Gold has potential to advance toward the 145,000 level in the upcoming sessions. This objective is in line with the ongoing trend and highlights the strength of the prevailing momentum. A sustained breakout above intermediate resistance levels could further fuel the upward move.Overall, unless there is a clear and decisive break below the 134,500 support, MCX Gold is likely to retain its positive bias. The broader technical setup continues to favour trend continuation, with further upside potential as long as momentum and market sentiment remain supportive.

MCX Gold Trading Strategy

MCX Silver Outlook

MCX Silver has delivered a decisive breakout from a consolidation phase, signalling a strong positive technical development and pointing toward the continuation of the uptrend. Consolidation periods usually reflect a temporary balance between buyers and sellers, and a breakout from such formations often results in an accelerated price move as momentum picks up. The latest price action in MCX Silver indicates that buyers have taken control, reinforcing a bullish outlook.From a technical perspective, the breakout signals renewed strength in the trend and increases the likelihood of further upside. If prices remain above the breakout zone, the bullish bias is expected to stay intact. Immediate key support is seen near the 215,000 level, which now serves as a solid base. Any pullback toward this zone could draw fresh buying interest, helping to stabilize prices.On the upside, MCX Silver has the potential to reach the 240,000 level in the near to medium term. This target is based on the height of the consolidation range and is in line with the prevailing momentum. Overall, if prices stay above the 215,000 support, MCX Silver is likely to maintain its positive trajectory, with further upside achievable as bullish sentiment continues to strengthen.

MCX Silver Trading Strategy

(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)

PM Modi offers homage (PTI image)

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday paid tributes to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 101st birth anniversary at the ‘Sadaiv Atal’ memorial. Viajpayee, who is also a Bharat Ratna recipient is one of India’s most respected leaders remembered for his conduct, dignity and unwavering commitment to national interest.In a post on X, the Prime Minister wrote, “The birth anniversary of the esteemed Atal Ji is a special occasion for all of us to draw inspiration from his life. His conduct, dignity, ideological steadfastness, and resolve to place the nation’s interest above all serve as an ideal standard for Indian politics. Through his life, he demonstrated that excellence is established not by position, but by conduct, and it is that which guides society.”

Several other leaders also paid tribute to the former PM, whose birthday is observed as Good Governance Day. President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Union Minister JP Nadda, BJP National Working President Nitin Nabin, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta and other dignitaries offered floral tributes at the memorial.Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to visit Lucknow later in the day to inaugurate the Rashtra Prerna Sthal and address a public gathering. Spread over 65 acres at an estimated cost of Rs 230 crore, the memorial honours towering figures of independent India, including Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. A key highlight is the installation of 65-foot-high bronze statues, alongside a state-of-the-art, lotus-shaped museum spanning nearly 98,000 square feet, showcasing India’s national journey and the contributions of these visionary leaders.Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a founding member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), served as India’s Prime Minister three times, briefly in 1996 and then from 1998 to 2004. He was born on December 25, 1924 in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. He passed away on 16 August 2018 at AIIMS, Delhi, at the age of 93. His birthday is observed annually as Good Governance Day to honour his commitment to principled leadership and public service.

Aditya Dhar‘s ‘Dhurandhar’ has been receiving massive praise since its release in theaters. However, a section of people has labelled it as a “propaganda film.” YouTuber Dhruv Rathee recently criticized the movie for the same. And now, it seems that the filmmaker took an indirect dig at the YouTuber.

Aditya Dhar takes an indirect dig at Dhruv Rathee

Aditya Dhar took to his Instagram and reposted a story slamming the haters of the movie. The caption of the story read, “History is being rewritten in Indian cinema. By men & women who have fire in their hearts & love for their country. They wanted to tell a story to their country people. The best part of the box office success of #Dhurandhar is that it’s organic.”

The caption further read, “All those crying “corporate bookings” in the week of release have suddenly become silent now. A video maker tried to criticise it recently & got swept away by a wave of criticism against him. Dhurandhar is a craze today. A tsunami which will sweep away any other release in its path. A tsunami which will roll into 2026. It is not going to stop soon.”His post didn’t end there, as the director went on to share, “A tsunami created by a young director from Delhi, @adityadharfilms, and his team of actors & technicians. All united in vision & approach, positive in thought, passionate about storytelling, and immense confidence in this director’s work. @ranveersingh @actormaddy @rampal72 #AkshayeKhanna #EkMuthhiSauHaath… These names must be added today. They are equally vital. Each equally contributing to the success of #Dhurandhar @saraarjunn @therakeshbedi @gauravgera @danishpandor @manavgohil #JyotiDespande.”Take a look:

More about ‘Dhurandhar’

‘Dhurandhar’ has raked in over Rs 590 crore at the box office until now in India. The movie stars Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, R Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun, and Rakesh Bedi.The movie was released in theaters on December 5, 2025. Meanwhile, the second part of the movie will be out in theaters on March 19, 2026.

The BCCI’s decision to move Virat Kohli’s Vijay Hazare Trophy matches from Bengaluru’s iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium to the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) has now been clarified, with security and compliance issues emerging as the decisive factors behind the shift. What was initially expected to be a high-profile comeback for Kohli in front of home crowds instead unfolded quietly behind closed doors on the outskirts of the city.

Virat Kohli’s anticipated return to Chinnaswamy that never happened

Early reports suggested that Kohli would make his return to competitive cricket at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, which was initially listed as the host venue for Delhi’s Vijay Hazare Trophy fixtures.

For Bengaluru fans, this carried emotional significance. After months of uncertainty following the June 4 stampede outside the stadium, Kohli’s return in domestic cricket was seen as a symbolic step toward reclaiming the ground for major matches.

Instead, the opening fixture against Andhra Pradesh was quietly relocated to the BCCI Centre of Excellence, with no spectators allowed.

Government and police deny permission for Chinnaswamy

The primary reason behind the relocation was the Karnataka government and police refusing permission to host matches at Chinnaswamy. Following the fatal June stampede, a government-appointed inspection committee assessed the stadium’s readiness and found serious lapses.

According to media reports, several critical crowd-safety recommendations – including new entry and exit gates, proper queuing zones, evacuation planning, parking management, and pedestrian flow – have not been implemented. With these shortcomings unresolved, authorities deemed the venue unsafe for large gatherings.

Based on this assessment, the Home Ministry denied approval for Vijay Hazare Trophy matches at Chinnaswamy, especially with crowd-pullers like Kohli and Rishabh Pant expected to attract massive festive-season attendance.

Why the BCCI chose the Centre of Excellence?

With Chinnaswamy ruled out, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) was instructed to shift all Bengaluru-based Vijay Hazare fixtures to the Centre of Excellence near Aerospace Park. The CoE has recently hosted Duleep Trophy and India A matches without spectators, making it a proven low-risk option.

Authorities felt the CoE offered tighter security control, limited access points, and a safer short-term solution while Chinnaswamy undergoes structural upgrades and compliance checks.

Kohli delivers masterclass at CoE despite empty stands

While the crowd was missing, the cricket was not. Kohli walked into the CoE and reminded everyone why the 50-over format remains his comfort zone.

Chasing 299, he smashed a commanding 131 off 101 balls, bringing up his fifty in just 39 deliveries and his hundred in 83 balls.

Also READ: Virat Kohli equals Sachin Tendulkar’s legendary feat in his Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 return for Delhi

𝐕𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭 𝐊𝐨𝐡𝐥𝐢 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 😎

1️⃣3️⃣1️⃣ runs
1️⃣0️⃣1️⃣ balls
1️⃣4️⃣ fours
3️⃣ sixes

A terrific knock from Virat Kohli as he guided Delhi to a 4️⃣-wicket victory against Andhra 👏

He also completed 1️⃣6️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ runs in Men’s List A cricket 🫡 @IDFCFIRSTBank | @imVkohli |… pic.twitter.com/kCfdl3yux1

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) December 24, 2025

Delhi cruised to 300/6 in 37.4 overs, rendering Ricky Bhui’s 122 for Andhra Pradesh a mere footnote.

The only thing absent from the performance was the roar of a packed stadium.

Also READ: Fans go wild as Virat Kohli smashes 83-ball century for Delhi in his historic Vijay Hazare Trophy return vs Andhra Pradesh

Jasprit Bumrah (R) and Temba Bavuma (AP Photo)

NEW DELHI: South Africa captain Temba Bavuma has broken his silence on the controversial on-field comment involving India pacer Jasprit Bumrah and wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant during the first Test of the series at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, revealing that both Bumrah and Pant later apologised to him for the remark that sparked widespread debate.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The incident occurred on Day 1 of the match on November 14 when Bumrah believed he had Bavuma LBW and engaged in a discussion with Pant over taking a DRS review after the on-field umpire turned down the appeal. A stump-mic clip of their exchange went viral, with Bumrah appearing to refer to Bavuma as “bauna”, a term often associated with dwarfism and widely perceived as offensive when directed at someone’s stature.

Writing in his ESPNcricinfo column, Bavuma said he was initially unaware of the comment and only learnt about it later through his team’s media manager.“I know from my side there was an incident where they said something in their language about me,” Bavuma wrote. “At the end of the day, two senior players, Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah, came and apologised.”Bavuma admitted the apology initially puzzled him. “When the apology was made, I was in the dark about what it was about. I hadn’t heard it at the time and I needed to check in with our media manager about it.”

While stressing that such incidents are part of the intensity of elite cricket, Bavuma made it clear that words spoken on the field are not easily erased. “What happens on the field, stays on the field but you don’t forget what is said,” he noted. “You use it as fuel and motivation, but there are no grudges per se.”The South Africa skipper added that high-stakes series against India inevitably bring heightened emotions. “A series against India is always going to be intense, and when it’s heated, it makes it even more of a spectacle and motivates the players further,” he wrote, emphasising that mutual respect between players ultimately remained intact.Bavuma’s comments come in the backdrop of a historic achievement for South Africa, who under his leadership completed a dominant 2-0 Test series whitewash over India on their home soil, their first such feat since 2000. Reflecting on the tour, Bavuma said moments of controversy only underlined how fiercely contested the series was — and how determined his side were to make history.

Panaji: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has presented a short-term proposal to the clubs for organisation of the top tier Indian Super League (ISL) this season and asked them to provide feedback within 48 hours.In a meeting on Wednesday between the AIFF’s three-member committee and five ISL clubs, which included Mohun Bagan SG and NorthEast United on a virtual call, the first proposal for 2025-26 includes dividing the 14 teams into East and West conferences of seven teams each with double leg matches to be played between the teams at two centralised venues.The top four teams from each conference will then play single leg matches to decide the champions, while the bottom three will jostle to save relegation.The second is for all teams to play each other in a single leg format with each team, randomly selected, playing either six or seven home/away matches. The team with the maximum points will be declared champion.Club representatives present at the meeting said they need to consult other members.“The format is secondary, what matters more is to tell us about the budget and broadcast details,” said a club official. “Do we have to pay a fee to take part, and if yes, how much? Who spends on the production (for broadcast)? Unless we have clarity on commercial operations, there’s little we can say.”Another official said a model with double leg matches within the conferences would be acceptable but not at a centralised venue since it would involve additional cost for the clubs. “It would make sense to play home and away, in a Conference model since the travel distances won’t be much. In a centralised venue, why pay a high cost for accommodation when you play once in four days,” asked the official.The AIFF will respond to the clubs’ query on Dec 26 at the second meeting between the three-member panel and club representatives. It is here that the long-term proposal, still being fine tuned, will be shared with the clubs and a final meeting with all stakeholders has been scheduled for Dec 29 in the Capital.According to sources, AIFF’s long-term plan proposes that the top league be owned and operated by the federation in a hybrid model with clubs so that the constitutional requirements are met. According to the new constitution, “seniormost top division league shall mean the league competition owned, operated and recognised by the AIFF.”“The plan is for the clubs to sign a participation agreement with the AIFF (instead of FSDL) and they will have the freedom to decide on the commercial partner, commercial regulations, secure sponsorships, and broadcaster. Here the clubs will have a major say in the running of the league,” said the source.AIFF will be in-charge of regulations, match operations, appointment of match referees, integrity matters and disciplinary issues.

Australia vs England, 4th Ashes Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground sets the stage for high drama on Boxing Day, December 26, 2025. With Australia leading the 2025-26 Ashes series 3-0 after dominant wins in Perth, Brisbane, and Adelaide, the Boxing Day clash offers England a chance to salvage pride despite the urn already retained by the hosts. Both teams face key absences, intensifying the battle at the iconic MCG, where over 90,000 fans traditionally pack the stands for this festive showdown.​

Australia and England both lose their frontline pacers

Australian captain Pat Cummins, returning from a five-month back stress injury layoff, has been ruled out of the remainder of the Ashes series as a precautionary measure by team management. After featuring in limited action post his July 2025 comeback against West Indies, coaches opted not to risk long-term fitness, especially with the series secured, paving the way for Steve Smith to lead at the MCG. This rest aligns with preparations potentially eyeing the 2026 T20 World Cup, allowing pacers like Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood to shoulder the load on a pitch known for early bounce and carry favouring quicks.​

England’s campaign hits rock bottom with pace spearhead Jofra Archer sidelined for the final two Tests due to a left side strain, capping a nightmare tour where the visitors trail 0-3. Archer, England’s standout performer with nine wickets across the first three Tests despite his injury-plagued history, exits after impressing post a four-year Test absence, replaced by Gus Atkinson in the XI alongside Jacob Bethell for dropped Ollie Pope. Ben Stokes now leads a depleted attack featuring Atkinson, Josh Tongue, Brydon Carse, and spinner Will Jacks, testing their resolve against Australia’s formidable batting on a surface where pacers have claimed 124 of recent wickets.​

Also READ: Ashes 2025-26: England unveils their playing XI for the Boxing Day Test; no place for Ollie Pope and Jofra Archer

Melbourne Weather Forecast for the Boxing Day Test

Day 1

The opening day of the Test at the MCG is expected to be played under mostly cloudy and breezy conditions, with temperatures hovering around a cool 16 degrees during the day and dropping to 11 degrees at night. Strong south-southwesterly winds could make batting tricky, especially under lights, as low cloud cover is likely to assist swing bowling. While there is a small chance of a light shower, rain is unlikely to disrupt play, keeping conditions ideal for fast bowlers to make early inroads.

Day 2

Day two should bring similar challenges for batters, with persistent low clouds and cool weather continuing to aid seam movement. Afternoon winds are expected to pick up, further assisting the pacers. The morning session may test the technique and patience of top-order batters, although conditions are forecast to ease out as the day progresses.

Day 3

The third day marks a clear shift in weather, with sunshine and warmer temperatures setting in. With no rain expected and improved bounce on offer, batting should become more comfortable. As the pitch settles, stroke-makers, particularly in the middle order, could take control and post significant runs.

Day 4

By day four, the Test is likely to be played under bright sunshine and rising heat. The warmer conditions will test players’ stamina, and as the surface starts to show wear, spinners may finally come into play. Tactical declarations and calculated chases could define the day’s narrative.

Day 5

The final day is forecast to be the hottest, with very warm and clear conditions favoring aggressive batting. Any target set could be chased with intent, provided wickets remain in hand. Overall, the evolving MCG surface and uninterrupted weather promise a full, gripping contest where bowlers strike early, batters cash in later, and the match builds toward a dramatic summer finish.

Overall, the forecast signals minimal interruptions, shifting from cool, bowler-friendly opening days to batting paradises later, amplifying tactical intrigue at the MCG. Australia’s depth gives them edge, but England’s fightback hinges on exploiting early seam amid these conditions.

Also READ: ‘My role is to protect’: England captain Ben Stokes breaks silence on drinking controversy ahead of Boxing Day Test vs Australia