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NEW DELHI: India on Sunday rejected reports of the Bangladesh media as “misleading propaganda” over a protest that took place outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi following the “horrendous killing” of Dipu Chandra Das, a member of the minority community, in Mymensingh. The ministry of external affairs (MEA) said that India is closely monitoring the situation in the neighbouring country and has voiced strong concerns over the continuing atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh.The MEA also clarified that the small group that gathered outside the high commission of Bangladesh was dispersed by police shortly after.In an official statement, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We have noted misleading propaganda in sections of the Bangladesh media on the incident. The fact is that about 20-25 youth gathered in front of the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on 20 December and raised slogans in protest against the horrendous killing of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh, while also calling for the protection of all minorities in Bangladesh. There was no attempt to breach the fence or create a security situation at any time. The police stationed at the spot dispersed the group after a few minutes. Visual evidence of these events is available publicly for all to see. India is committed to ensure the safety of foreign Missions/Posts in its territory in accordance with the Vienna Convention.”The MEA added, “India continues to keep a close watch on the evolving situation in Bangladesh. Our officials remain in touch with Bangladesh authorities and have conveyed to them our strong concerns at the attacks on minorities. We have also urged that the perpetrators of the barbaric killing of Das be brought to justice.”Security was heightened outside the Bangladesh High Commission even as widespread violence spread across Bangladesh following the death of Osman Hadi and the mob lynching of Dipu Chandra Das.
Nearly three decades after she first went to authorities, Maria Farmer says newly released government records have finally confirmed what she has long maintained: that she reported Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes in the 1990s, and that federal authorities failed to act.Farmer, an artist who once worked for Jeffrey Epstein, is among the earliest known accusers to alert law enforcement about his alleged sexual crimes. Her account appears in newly released Justice Department files, which has attracted a lot of scrutiny.
According to a BBC report, Farmer’s name is redacted in the files, but she has confirmed that one of the complaints described is hers. The FBI document dates back to 1996 and outlines a report in which Farmer said Epstein stole personal photographs she had taken of her underage sisters, aged 12 and 16 at the time.She told investigators that Epstein “stole the photos and negatives and is believed to have sold the pictures to potential buyers.”“Epstein at one time requested to take pictures of young girls at swimming pools,” the document states.Another passage in the file reads: “Epstein is now threatening [redacted] that if she tells anyone about the photos he will burn her house down.”Farmer has said that seeing her account reflected in official records has been deeply validating. “I feel redeemed,” she told the BBC.Her lawyer, Jennifer Freeman, also released a statement noting that the released document confirms that Farmer reported Epstein’s crimes nearly 30 years ago.
Speaking on CNN, Freeman read a statement from Farmer responding to the release of the files. “Thank you for believing me. I feel redeemed. This is one of the best days of my life,” the statement said. “Of course, it’s mixed with the fact that I’m devastated about all the other girls … who were harmed because the FBI didn’t do their job … I’m shedding tears of joy for myself, but also tears of sorrow for all the victims.”“Maria Farmer reported Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell’s crimes in 1996,” Freeman said further. “Had the government done their job, and properly investigated Maria’s report, over 1,000 victims could have been spared and 30 years of trauma avoided.”While, the partial release marked a moment of vindication for Farmer and her sister Annie, it has also caused frustration among other Epstein survivors. Multiple sources told CNN that the Justice Department’s online “Epstein Library” was difficult to navigate, making it hard for survivors to locate records related to their own cases.Another Epstein survivor Jess Michaels told CNN she was unable to find her own victim statement or records of calls she made to the FBI tip line. “I can’t find any of those,” she said. “Is this the best that the government can do? Even an act of Congress isn’t getting us justice.”Farmer’s sister Annie has previously said she was 16 when Epstein and Maxwell abused her. Speaking emotionally to CNN’s Jake Tapper after seeing the document, Annie Farmer said: “Just to see it in writing and to know that they had this document this entire time, and how many people were harmed after that date? We’ve been saying it over and over, but to see it in black and white that way has been very emotional.”
New Zealand openers Devon Conway and Tom Latham etched their names into the record books on Sunday by producing a feat never previously achieved in Test cricket history.
Batting on a flat surface at Bay Oval, the pair scored centuries in both innings of the same Test match, becoming the first opening combination ever to do so.
After registering commanding hundreds in the first innings, Latham and Conway returned in the second to once again dominate the bowling, showcasing relentless intent and remarkable endurance. Their achievement has added a historic chapter to Test cricket’s long and storied past.
With New Zealand holding a 155-run first-innings lead, the hosts opted for an aggressive approach in their second innings, and their openers delivered emphatically. Latham and Conway raced to a 192-run opening partnership, complementing the monumental 323-run stand they had produced earlier in the match.
Both batters scored at an unusually brisk pace for Test cricket, constantly rotating strike and punishing loose deliveries. Their sharp running between the wickets stood out, placing sustained pressure on the fielding side despite having already spent long hours at the crease earlier in the game.
New Zealand surged to 306/2 in just 54 overs, underlining their attacking intent as the match moved rapidly towards a result.
After the openers, New Zealand’s middle order continued in the same aggressive vein. Kane Williamson struck an unbeaten 40 off 37 balls, while Rachin Ravindra smashed 46 not out from just 23 deliveries, switching seamlessly into T20-style acceleration.
Recognising the match situation, New Zealand declared their second innings at 302/2, roughly an hour before stumps, setting the West Indies a daunting target of 462 runs.
Conway’s second-innings century added to his 227 in the first innings, making him only the sixth New Zealander to score a hundred in both innings of a Test. Moments later, Latham followed suit, moving from 80 at tea to 101, after having struck 137 in the first innings – becoming the seventh from his country to achieve the double.
Conway also joined an illustrious global list of players to score a double century and a century in the same Test, alongside legends such as Sunil Gavaskar, Brian Lara, Kumar Sangakkara and Graham Gooch.
Collectively, Latham and Conway set a world record for the opening wicket, combining for 515 runs across the match, an achievement that underscores the scale of their dominance.
Also READ: Top 5 highest opening partnerships for New Zealand in Tests ft. Devon Conway & Tom Latham
At stumps on Day 4, the West Indies reached 43 without loss, with Brandon King on 37 and John Campbell unbeaten on two. However, they still require 419 more runs to win.
No team has ever successfully chased more than 418 runs in the fourth innings of a Test, making the task historically daunting. With the series standing at one loss and one draw for the West Indies, they must defy history to level the three-match series.
Also READ: Fans go berserk as Australia retain the Ashes with a 3-0 lead at the Adelaide Oval
MUMBAI: On a campus better known for case studies, midnight debates and restless ambition, an institution as old as independent India quietly reinvented itself for a generation that has grown up swiping screens rather than licking stamps. The Indian Institute of Management Lucknow on Thursday inaugurated Uttar Pradesh’s first Gen-Z post office, marking a symbolic and practical step in reimagining the country’s postal services for young, digitally fluent citizens.The inauguration, held on the IIM Lucknow campus, brought together academia and administration in an unusual but deliberate partnership. Prof. M. P. Gupta, Director of IIM Lucknow, presided over the event alongside Shri Pranav Kumar, Chief Postmaster General, U.P. Circle, and Shri Sunil Kumar Rai, Postmaster General, HQ Region, Lucknow. Together, they unveiled a space designed not merely to process mail, but to fit seamlessly into the rhythms of student life.Stripped of its traditional counters and queues, the Gen-Z post office speaks the language of convenience. It offers Indian Post Payment Bank services through QR code–based transactions, automated parcel packaging and booking units, and end-to-end tracking systems that provide real-time updates. Aadhaar enrolment and update services sit alongside a free high-speed Wi-Fi zone and cafeteria-style seating — a setting closer to a co-working lounge than a conventional post office.For many students, however, the most immediately tangible innovation may be a practical one. The post office offers a packers and movers facility that allows graduating students to ship their belongings directly from hostel rooms to their homes, at roughly half the cost charged by private operators. It is a small but thoughtful intervention in the logistics of campus life, addressing a recurring pain point for students at the end of their academic journey.Reflecting on the evolution of communication, Prof. M. P. Gupta said, “Prior to the internet era, letters were the primary means of communication, and India Post enabled this. Today, technology and tracking systems have the potential to make services more efficient. We are glad to have the first Gen-Z post office in the state, and I am confident it will benefit the IIM Lucknow community at large.”For India Post, the experiment is as much about relevance as it is about reach. Shri Pranav Kumar described the initiative as a conscious attempt to bring young people back into a system they rarely interact with. “Designed to attract and bring the youth into the postal system, this post office is the first-of-its-kind in Lucknow. Equipped with high-tech facilities, it caters to the needs of the new generation. We aim to engage with the young generation and make them experience the modern postal services. Under this initiative, we are also involving the youth to provide input in the design process at different locations, ensuring their perspectives shape the future of our post offices,” he said.Sunil Kumar Rai linked the project to a broader national vision for postal reform. “Under the guidance and support of Union Minister of Communications, Jyotiraditya Scindia, with the launch of this Gen-Z post office, we aim to make the postal system smarter and more approachable. Through innovations like trackable consignments and streamlined delivery processes, we are confident that the new facility will provide more transparent and youth-friendly services,” he noted.The IIM Lucknow launch is part of a wider push to create interactive, technology-driven postal spaces across the country, without discarding the legacy of a network that once stitched together a newly independent nation. Uttar Pradesh currently has 125 post offices, and alongside the IIM Lucknow unit, facilities at Lucknow University, Sainik School, Sarojini Nagar, and Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University have also been designated as Gen-Z post offices.In a state where the post office has long been a symbol of routine and reliability, the new model suggests something more aspirational: a public service willing to listen, adapt, and meet the next generation where it already is.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has extended the submission deadline for bids on its two new Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises by another two days, the second such postponement as interest appears lukewarm.“The last date for submitting initial bids is now extended by two days,” revealed a source at news agency PTI. The revised date for initial bids is now December 24, though the PCB hasn’t issued an official update yet.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi first announced the shift from December 15 to December 22 during a PSL roadshow in New York last week. No explicit reason surfaced for this further delay, but it’s widely seen as stemming from subpar technical bids for the new teams, with a final auction slated for January 6—open only to shortlisted candidates post-evaluation.Reports note PCB’s aggressive roadshows in London and New York to lure foreign capital rather than relying solely on domestic buyers.On another front, the Multan Sultans’ future remains murky since ex-owner Ali Tareen quit over a clash with the board. Unofficially, the PCB eyes self-managing the side for the next season, then re-tendering rights for a nine-year term before PSL 12.
MUMBAI: As artificial intelligence steadily embeds itself into the machinery of governance, from welfare delivery to regulatory oversight, the question confronting India’s public sector is no longer whether to adopt AI, but how to do so responsibly. Responding to this inflection point, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras has announced a new national capacity-building programme aimed squarely at government officials — those who will be tasked with buying, deploying, and governing AI systems in the years ahead.The initiative is being led by IIT Madras’ Centre for Responsible AI (CeRAI) at the Wadhwani School of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, in partnership with Google and the Digital Futures Lab, an independent interdisciplinary research studio. It was formally announced on Thursday at the ‘Conclave on Strengthening Human Capital for the AI Era’, hosted on the IIT Madras campus.At its core, the programme seeks to bridge a widening capability gap within government — one that has emerged as AI tools outpace institutional understanding of their risks, limits, and governance requirements. Designed specifically for public officials, the training will focus on building technical literacy, procurement capacity, and policy awareness around AI systems that increasingly influence education, public service delivery, and digital governance.The curriculum is structured to move beyond abstract discussions of artificial intelligence. Participants will be introduced to foundational AI technologies and their real-world applications, while also learning how to evaluate AI solutions during procurement, assess scalability, and embed responsible AI practices aligned with India’s emerging policy frameworks. Identifying risks, understanding system limitations, and anticipating governance challenges in live deployments form a central part of the coursework.Speaking at the Conclave, Prof. B. Ravindran, Head of the Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI at IIT Madras, underlined the stakes involved. “As AI systems increasingly influence decision-making, it is important that their development and deployment are rooted in trust and inclusion. Through this Conclave, we hope to create a shared platform for open dialogue on the responsible use of AI, with a particular focus on strengthening human capital through AI for education and education about AI. By bringing diverse stakeholders under one roof, our goal is to co-create policy-relevant, context-aware frameworks that reflect the lived realities of the Global South,” he said.For Google, the partnership reflects a broader concern about trust and accountability in large-scale digital transformation. Preeti Lobana, Country Manager, Google India, noted that technological progress cannot be decoupled from institutional responsibility. “A thriving digital India can only be built on a foundation of trust. As AI becomes an intrinsic part of our daily lives, protecting India’s digital future becomes a collective responsibility. We are proud to partner with IIT Madras and the Digital Futures Lab to operationalize this vision. This program is about more than just technology adoption; it is about empowering professionals across the private and public sector with the knowledge to deploy AI responsibly, ensuring that safety and fairness are embedded at the core of India’s digital transformation,” she said.Dr. Urvashi Aneja, Founder and Director of Digital Futures Lab, framed the initiative as a strategic investment in state capacity. “We are delighted to be kicking off this capacity building program on AI with the India AI mission, along with CeRAI, and with support from Google. Strengthening capacity within government is perhaps the most important lever needed for effective and responsible use of AI in India. It will also provide the foundation for India’s leadership on responsible AI in the global south and we hope we can soon take this program to other countries in the Global South as well,” she said.Beyond classroom instruction, the programme will rely heavily on case studies, workshops and hands-on sessions. Officials will be encouraged to assess their departments’ current AI readiness and identify practical pathways to adopt or improve AI-enabled tools within their specific domains.The Conclave itself serves as a pre-summit event to the India AI Impact Summit 2026, convening researchers, policymakers, academics, industry leaders and civil society groups. Its broader aim is to align AI literacy and skilling with national digital transformation priorities — ensuring that as AI reshapes governance, it does so in ways that remain transparent, human-centred, and worthy of public trust.
NEW DELHI: Isro’s upcoming LVM3-M6 mission will place the BlueBird Block-2 satellite into orbit on December 24 as part of a commercial agreement with US-based AST SpaceMobile. The mission marks a significant step in global efforts to deliver high-speed mobile connectivity directly to smartphones using satellite technology.The BlueBird Block-2 satellite is a next-generation communications spacecraft designed to provide round-the-clock cellular broadband coverage across the world. AST SpaceMobile, formally known as AST & Science, LLC, is working to build what it describes as the first space-based cellular broadband network that can be accessed directly by standard smartphones, without the need for special devices. “We are on a mission to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by today’s nearly six billion mobile subscribers and bring broadband to the billions who remain unconnected,” the company said on its website.AST SpaceMobile has already launched five satellites — BlueBird 1 to 5 — in September 2024, enabling continuous internet coverage across the United States and some other regions. The company plans to expand this network further and has partnered with more than 50 mobile operators worldwide.As per Isro, the LVM3-M6 mission will be a dedicated commercial launch under an agreement signed between NewSpace India Limited and AST SpaceMobile. NewSpace India Limited is the commercial arm of Isro.The BlueBird Block-2 satellite will be part of a Low Earth Orbit constellation aimed at enabling direct-to-mobile connectivity. According to news agency PTI, Isro said the network would support 4G and 5G voice and video calls, text messaging, streaming and data services for users anywhere, at any time.The satellite features a massive 223 square metre phased array, making it the largest commercial communications satellite ever deployed in low Earth orbit. It will also be the heaviest payload launched into LEO by Isro’s LVM3 rocket.The LVM3 has previously launched major missions, including Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3 and two OneWeb missions carrying 72 satellites. Isro’s most recent LVM3 launch was the LVM3-M5/CMS-03 mission, which successfully placed a communication satellite into orbit on November 2, 2025.
Priyanka Chopra recently revealed that she celebrated her Karwa Chauth over the clouds. The global diva credited her husband, Nick Jonas, for the same. Here’s what the actress shared about her Karwa Chauth celebration during her recent appearance on a show.
Priyanka Chopra will be appearing as a guest on ‘The Great Indian Kapil Show’ S4. During the episode, host Kapil Sharma will be seen joking about flirting on the show and says, “Idhar subtitles aata hai… kahin Nick padh na le (subtitles come here; what if Nick reads it?).”
To which Priyanka Chopra responds, “Nick ko aadat hai… usko pata hai sab mujhse flirt karte hai, lekin main ghar toh wahi jaati hoon (Nick is used to it… he knows everyone flirts with me, but at the end of the day, I go home to him).”In the upcoming episode, Priyanka will also be seen speaking about receiving sargi from her mother-in-law. The actress will share just how romantic Nick Jonas truly is, revealing that to help her break her Karva Chauth fast, “Apne plane mein clouds ke upar leke gaye aur chaand dekh ke vrat toda (He took me above the clouds in a plane, and we broke our fast after seeing the moon).”
Priyanka is currently in Hyderabad for the shoot of her upcoming movie, ‘Varanasi’, starring South star Mahesh Babu, helmed by SS Rajamouli.In addition to this, she has also been roped in for the latest installment in the popular franchise ‘Krrish 4’, marking Hrithik Roshan’s debut as a director.The 42-year-old actress will also be seen as a 19th-century Caribbean pirate in the forthcoming swashbuckler action drama, ‘The Bluff’.She was last seen in ‘Heads of State’, directed by Ilya Naishuller. It stars Idris Elba and John Cena as the UK Prime Minister and US President, respectively.
MUMBAI: As workplaces become increasingly shaped by algorithms, dashboards and predictive models, the role of human resources is quietly undergoing a fundamental shift. No longer confined to administration and compliance, HR is being recast as a strategic, data-led function — one that sits at the intersection of people, technology and organisational foresight. It is against this backdrop that IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation has partnered with the Union Education Ministry’s SWAYAM Plus initiative to launch an AI-enabled HR Analytics Programme.The programme, announced on Tuesday, is designed to equip learners with data-driven and AI-enabled HR capabilities aligned with emerging workforce and organisational demands. The first cohort will commence in January 2026, with applications open until December 30, 2025. The course is open to both students and working professionals, with details available through IITM Pravartak’s official platform.At its core, the initiative seeks to respond to a growing skills gap in the people management ecosystem. As organisations evolve into digitally enabled environments, HR professionals are increasingly expected to interpret workforce data, deploy predictive analytics and leverage artificial intelligence to inform decisions on talent strategy, workforce planning and organisational design. The programme positions itself as a bridge between traditional HR knowledge and these new analytical imperatives.Participants will gain hands-on exposure to workforce data analysis, interpretation of HR metrics, and the use of AI-powered tools to generate actionable insights. The emphasis is firmly on application: strengthening evidence-based decision-making and enabling HR teams to move from intuition-driven judgments to data-backed strategies that can scale with organisational complexity.Highlighting the significance of the initiative, Dr. M. J. Shankar Raman, Chief Executive Officer of IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation, said, “This programme marks an important step toward transforming HR into a truly data-driven and AI-empowered function. By combining academic rigor with practical industry insights, we aim to prepare future-ready HR leaders who can drive meaningful impact in organisations of tomorrow.”The programme curriculum reflects this dual focus on theory and practice. It integrates foundational HR concepts with advanced analytics, AI applications and machine learning–driven predictive models. Real-world, case-based learning forms a critical component, ensuring that participants are able to translate analytical insights into practical organisational interventions.Among its key highlights is a four-month course duration that includes two days of on-campus learning at Indian Institute of Technology Madras, offering participants direct exposure to an academic and innovation ecosystem. Sessions will be delivered by IIT Madras faculty alongside industry practitioners with hands-on experience in HR analytics and AI. A central element of the programme is an industry-focused HR Analytics Capstone Project, covering areas such as HR dashboards, AI applications in HR, predictive modelling, HR metrics and data-driven decision-making.The programme is positioned for a wide audience — from entry to mid-level HR practitioners and aspiring HR leaders to professionals from sectors such as aviation, technology and services who are looking to deepen their analytical and digital skill sets.IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation itself is a Section 8 company that houses the Technology Innovation Hub on Sensors, Networking, Actuators and Control Systems, under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems, and is hosted by IIT Madras. Through this collaboration with SWAYAM Plus, it extends its mandate beyond core engineering and cyber-physical systems into the human dimension of digital transformation.As organisations grapple with rapid technological change and shifting workforce expectations, the launch of this AI-enabled HR Analytics Programme signals a broader recognition: that the future of work will depend as much on how intelligently people are managed as on the technologies that surround them.
