Vinesh Phogat (Getty Images)

NEW DELHI: India’s trailblazing wrestler Vinesh Phogat has officially reignited her Olympic journey. On Friday, the 31-year-old announced her return to competitive wrestling — ending her 18-month retirement with a powerful declaration that her “fire never left,” and that she is ready to chase her dream of stepping onto the Olympic podium at Los Angeles 2028.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Vinesh, who had retired in the aftermath of the Paris Olympics controversy, shared an emotional and introspective post on Instagram confirming her comeback. Her retirement had followed one of the most heartbreaking episodes in Indian sporting history: she reached the gold-medal bout in Paris, but was disqualified hours before the final for being 100 grams overweight, losing the opportunity to become the first Indian woman to fight for an Olympic wrestling gold.

“For the first time in years, I allowed myself to breathe,” Vinesh wrote, describing how stepping away from the sport helped her confront the highs, heartbreaks and sacrifices of the past decade. “And somewhere in that reflection, I found the truth — I still love this sport. I still want to compete.”She revealed the emotional reconstruction that happened during her time off the mat. “In that silence, I found something I’d forgotten — the fire never left. It was only buried under exhaustion and noise.”

Vinesh’s comeback is also intertwined with a new chapter in her personal life. The Olympian, who won the Julana Assembly seat in 2024 before taking maternity leave, welcomed a baby boy in July 2025. This time, she says, she returns with her “biggest motivation” by her side. “My son is joining my team — my little cheerleader on this road to the LA Olympics.”Her Olympic journey has been turbulent: forced withdrawal due to injury in Rio 2016, a shock early exit at Tokyo 2021 despite being world No. 1, and the devastating disqualification in Paris after defeating three continental champions en route to the final. Her appeal to UWW was rejected, and even her escalated plea to the Court of Arbitration for Sport could not overturn the decision.The emotional toll pushed her into retirement — but today marks a new beginning.With her comeback officially underway, Vinesh Phogat is set to rejoin the elite cadre of Indian athletes who have returned stronger after motherhood.

NEW DELHI: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Friday chaired a review and strategy meeting of Congress MPs in Lok Sabha. Party’s Thiruvananthapuram MP, Shashi Tharoor, skipped the meeting chaired by Rahul Gandhi.News agency ANI reported Tharoor had informed the leadership in advance about his unavailability, while senior Congress leader and Chandigarh MP Manish Tewari was also absent from the meeting.The Congress, which has 99 MPs in the Lok Sabha, convened the meeting to assess the party’s performance in the ongoing session and to discuss its response to key issues being raised in Parliament, news agency ANI reported.The discussions are understood to have focused on the government’s stance during the election reform debate and the Opposition’s floor strategy in the days ahead.The review huddle comes a day after Rahul Gandhi escalated his criticism of Amit Shah, accusing the home minister of evading pointed questions raised by the opposition during the debate.Speaking to reporters outside Parliament on Thursday, Gandhi claimed Shah appeared “nervous” during his intervention.“Amit Shah ji was very nervous yesterday. He used the wrong language, his hands were trembling. He is under tremendous mental pressure. Everybody saw this yesterday,” Gandhi alleged. “What I asked him, he did not answer directly. He gave no proof. I have directly challenged him to come on the ground and let us discuss all my press conferences in the Parliament. I got no answer,” he said.The BJP, however, hit back, accusing the Congress and Rahul Gandhi of indulging in “hit-and-run” politics.Union minister Giriraj Singh targeted the Congress leader, alleging that he avoids listening to the government’s side of the story in Parliament.“Rahul Gandhi adopts a hit-and-run formula. When the Prime Minister and the home minister speak, he walks out, this is his democracy. He doesn’t have the strength to listen to the truth. He felt bad after hearing what the Union Home Minister said yesterday. I believe that Rahul Gandhi will have to give up this habit. The entire Nehru family was thrown into disarray by the Home Minister’s speech,” Singh said.Tensions between the ruling party and opposition benches have been running high since Wednesday, when a heated exchange broke out between Amit Shah and Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha over allegations of “vote chori” during the debate on electoral reforms.

You don’t have permission to access “http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/irreparable-loss-to-congress-rahul-gandhi-condoles-former-lok-sabha-speaker-shivraj-patils-death-9796031” on this server.

Reference #18.2ef63717.1765523449.2b57629

https://errors.edgesuite.net/18.2ef63717.1765523449.2b57629

Gold’s intraday technical structure points toward a possible pullback from overbought levels. (AI image)

Gold price prediction today: Gold prices are showing signs of exhaustion, says Jateen Trivedi, VP Research Analyst – Commodity and Currency, LKP Securities. He recommends selling if the gold prices slip below Rs 1,32,300:Gold futures on MCX witnessed a sharp rally overnight, touching highs near ₹1,32,610 before encountering resistance and slipping lower in early trade. The momentum indicators now suggest overbought conditions, and prices are showing signs of exhaustion near the upper band. This keeps the intraday bias vulnerable to a corrective move if support levels fail to hold. A sell signal activates below ₹1,32,300, with defined risk and clear downside potential.Technical Setup:The price has extended significantly above both short-term moving averages, indicating a stretched rally. EMA 8 is steep but beginning to flatten, a common early sign of momentum cooling. A break below ₹1,32,300 would shift prices back toward the EMA cluster, reinforcing bearish pressure.Bollinger Bands:Gold is trading at the upper Bollinger band after a vertical rise. This suggests price overextension, and a move below the mid-band could accelerate selling toward the lower volatility zone.RSI is at 72.7, firmly in the overbought territory. This level often precedes corrective pullbacks, especially when combined with slowing price momentum.MACD remains positive, but histogram bars are shrinking, indicating weakening bullish strength. A downward crossover in the next few sessions is possible if price slips below key support.Pivot Points (Previous Day):

Failure to hold ₹1,32,300 will expose the lower pivot levels, increasing the probability of a corrective slide.Intraday Trading View:

Targets:

Conclusion:Gold’s intraday technical structure points toward a possible pullback from overbought levels. Bears may regain control if the price slips below ₹1,32,300, opening room toward ₹1,31,700. Traders should maintain strict risk parameters with a stop-loss at ₹1,32,750.(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)

NEW DELHI: The Red Fort has turned into a high-security zone as India hosts, for the first time, the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of UNESCO, days after a deadly blast near the monument.The week-long meeting, being held from December 8 to 13 inside the fort complex, comes against the backdrop of the November 10 Red Fort blast that killed 15 people and injured more than two dozen, prompting a massive security overhaul in and around the UNESCO World Heritage Site.Multiple layers of security have been put in place, with Delhi Police and paramilitary forces manning both the perimeter and inner precincts of the fort. Delegates and accredited media entering from the busy Chandni Chowk side are being funnelled through a labyrinthine series of barricades before they can approach the heavily guarded Lahori Gate and access the venue.“This is the same spot where the blast took place in November, and since this is a very big international event being held in Delhi, security is very tight, day or night,” a police personnel on duty said, pointing to a layer of soot still visible on a street side near the gate of the Lal Quila Metro Station, where fresh rows of ‘Delhi Police’ barricades now stand.Only UNESCO-accredited delegates and media with dedicated badges are being allowed entry into the Red Fort complex. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which has jurisdiction over the site, has closed the monument to general visitors from December 5 and plans to keep it shut till December 14.While an armed CISF contingent guards the entry from the Delhi Gate side, Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel maintain a constant vigil inside, tracking the movement of delegates and guests. After dark, bike-borne police patrol the street skirting the fort’s perimeter, from Lahori Gate to Delhi Gate, as part of the enhanced deployment.The high-profile session formally opened on December 7 with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar as chief guest. Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and India’s Ambassador and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, Vishal V Sharma, attended the ceremony.On Wednesday, India’s Deepavali, the festival of lights, was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, adding to the significance of the gathering for the host country. In the evening, a cultural programme was organised for delegates on the lawns facing the iconic Diwan-i-Aam, followed by a gala dinner held under a tight security ring.“It is a pleasure to be in India for the first time, to know more about this land and its people,” said Abu Dhabi-based Walid Al Halani, a member of the UAE delegation, speaking on the sidelines of the session.Outside the high-security cordon, life is slowly returning to normal in the adjoining Old Lajpat Rai Market, even as traders still speak in hushed tones about the November blast. “We have to move on, but the scars are there,” said a trader who did not wish to be named.The Red Fort, built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as the palace of his capital Shahjahanabad, is one of Delhi’s most visited tourist attractions, drawing heavy footfall daily in normal times. Its massive fortified walls, whose construction was completed between 1638 and 1648, have long been a symbol of India’s political and cultural heritage.In 2023, the fort also hosted the maiden India Art, Architecture and Design Biennale (IAADB), reinforcing its status as a marquee venue for major national and international cultural events. The ongoing UNESCO ICH session, officials say, has further underlined both its global profile and the security challenges that come with it.

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra police have been using the MahaCrimeOS AI platform in Nagpur district since April to tackle cybercrime. The system, developed using Microsoft Foundry technology, helps process complaints faster and analyse complex data. On 12 December 2025, the Maharashtra government and Microsoft announced that the platform would be extended from Nagpur’s 23 police stations to all 1,100 stations across the state. “Ethical and responsible AI for public good is our core motto,” said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. “AI has the power to transform by improving efficiency, enhancing quality of life and delivering true ease of living for every citizen.” The customised investigation platform, developed by CyberEye and deployed through MARVEL (Maharashtra Advanced Research and Vigilance for Enforcement of Reformed Laws), serves as an AI copilot for investigators. It automates frontline processes from lead generation to action. “The project, initiated by the Nagpur Rural SP, has been helpful in crime data collection and generating leads in cases,” said State Cyber Cell DIG Sanjay Shintre. The initiative comes amid a surge in investment scams, refund frauds and digital frauds. According to I4C data cited in a parliamentary reply on 2 December 2025, nearly 2.27 million cybercrime cases were reported in 2024, with losses exceeding Rs 22,800 crore. A notable case involved Nitu Y, a bank clerk from Nagpur district. After investing in an online stock-trading app for about a month, she saw her account showing profits of Rs 90 lakh (approximately US$102,000). When she tried to withdraw the funds, she was told to pay additional commission fees running into hundreds of thousands of rupees, but the recipient claimed the money had not been received. “They told me that RTGS (real-time gross settlement) is not an instant process… then I realised something was fraudulent,” Nitu said. She immediately called 1930, India’s national cybercrime helpline, and lodged an FIR at Saoner police station. The process took just 15 minutes. Investigators can now upload scam site details, social media accounts, URLs, mobile numbers, screenshots and bank statements, whether in PDF or handwritten form in English, Hindi or Marathi. MahaCrimeOS AI extracts and files the information in the correct sections within minutes, freeing officers from manual data entry. Assistant Police Inspector Ashish Singh Thakur, who handled Nitu’s case, said that before the AI, collecting information could take two to three months. “We had to visit multiple banks, draft letters, collect statements, track IP addresses and manage multiple mobile numbers. It was very time-consuming,” he explained. With MahaCrimeOS AI, the same tasks took about a week. “I can request call detail records for multiple numbers with a few clicks. Letters are automatically drafted, and I don’t risk missing information or making errors,” Thakur said. He now handles seven to eight cases a month, compared with just one previously. CyberEye founder and CEO Ram Ganesh said the main challenge was minimal standardisation across reports and legal notices. The company worked with MARVEL to embed Maharashtra police investigation protocols and provide the platform in Marathi. The AI copilot, built using Azure OpenAI Service in Microsoft Foundry and secured with Defender for Cloud, analyses case data, generates automated workflows and suggests investigation pathways. It also provides access to India’s criminal laws and open-source intelligence to link crimes and trace suspects. Superintendent of Police Nagpur Rural and MARVEL CEO Harssh A Poddar said the platform adapts existing best-practice protocols and develops tailored investigation plans. “Investigators now have a copilot that can handle tasks using the knowledge resources within the Maharashtra police,” he said. The system allows officers to track cases and required actions, such as freezing bank accounts, blocking phone numbers or taking down social media profiles. Poddar highlighted that the main benefits are faster investigations, adherence to police standards and the ability to explain steps to survivors. He added that officers who previously struggled with cybercrime cases now feel confident and autonomous. “The digital companion builds professional capability, boosts self-confidence and improves decision-making for officers at all levels,” he said. Assistant Investigator Sangita Gawande of Nagpur Rural police, who has seven years’ experience in cybercrime, said she now handles about 200 cases a month, compared with two or three when she started. “Before, I didn’t have time to reach certain cases or provide timely answers to my superiors. Now I can complete reports faster and focus on each case,” she said. The MahaCrimeOS AI initiative complements federal measures, including the 1930 hotline, the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal and Cyber Cells in state police departments, all coordinated by I4C. “Our collaboration with Microsoft began to solve complex cybercrime challenges, but its potential is far greater,” said Chief Minister Fadnavis. “AI touches every sphere of human activity, from healthcare and agriculture to industry and governance. We aim to harness this power responsibly to create a more effective, citizen-centric state.” Nitu’s ordeal continues. Between March and April, she transferred more than Rs 30 lakh (approximately US$34,000) to the fake app. So far, police have recovered about Rs 8 lakh (approximately US$9,000) from frozen bank accounts nationwide. “The support from the police matters more than the money being returned. The intensity of my financial loss fades day by day, but the support will never fade,” she said.

Investors await crucial data releases including India’s CPI and figures today. (AI image)

Stock market today: Nifty50 and BSE Sensex, the Indian equity benchmark indices, opened in green on Friday. While Nifty50 was near the 26,000 mark, BSE Sensex was up over 300 points. At 9:16 AM, Nifty50 was trading at 25,976.75, up 78 points or 0.30%. BSE Sensex was at 85,108.90, up 291 points or 0.34%.Indian stock markets moved upwards on Thursday, breaking a three-day downward trend in Nifty. Foreign institutional investors continued their selling streak for the eleventh consecutive session. Investors await crucial data releases including India’s CPI and figures today.Dr. VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Investments Limited says, “A healthy feature of the investment behaviour of retail investors is the steady inflows into mutual fund SIPs, which have been consistently above 29000 crores during the last three months. This has strengthened the DIIs in the FIIs vs DIIs tug of war and has enabled the DIIs to absorb the sustained selling by FIIs. It would be difficult for the FIIs to sell continuously and maintain a high short position in the market in the context of healthy SIP inflows, particularly when the economy is doing well and the prospects for earnings growth are improving.” “It is important to understand that rupee depreciation, sustained FII selling, delay in the finalisation of the US-India trade deal and the ongoing AI trade are all temporary drags on the markets. The most important factor that will dictate the direction of the market is the earnings growth, and this looks promising for FY 27. In December so far, FIIs have sold equity worth Rs 14845 crores through the exchanges. This sell figure has been completely eclipsed by the DII buying for Rs 36097 crores during this period. Sustained selling in India when the prospects for growth and earnings look bright is not a sustainable policy. This can lend support to the market.”Regional Asian equities opened higher, following record-setting performances in US and global markets, supported by the Federal Reserve’s third sequential rate reduction.The S&P 500 and Dow Jones reached new closing highs on Thursday after the Federal Reserve’s policy announcement proved less aggressive than anticipated. The technology-focused Nasdaq declined as Oracle’s financial report caused wariness regarding AI investments.Gold prices fell on Friday following a more than seven-week peak in the previous session, as investors took profits.Foreign portfolio investors sold shares worth Rs 2,021 crore net on Thursday. DIIs were net purchasers at Rs 3,796 crore.(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)

‘Dhurandhar’ is already making headlines with Akshaye Khanna’s new entry song, ‘FA9LA’. The energetic track has gone viral and become a favorite among fans worldwide. People are curious to know what the song means, as its powerful beats and catchy vibe have everyone hooked. Khanna’s strong screen presence adds more excitement, making ‘FA9LA’ a major highlight of the film.

Ever since ‘FA9LA’ hit the internet, it has become the talk of the town. Fans can’t stop comparing it to Bobby Deol’s viral ‘Jamaal Kudu’ from ‘Animal’, claiming that ‘FA9LA’ has now stolen the spotlight. The song built its own craze online and has set a new trend. Akshaye Khanna’s natural, free-flowing dance moves have only added to its charm, making every frame instantly memorable.

Originating from Bahrain, ‘FA9LA’ brings together artists Flipperachi and Daffy, with DJ Outlaw handling the music. The song, featured in ‘Dhurandhar’ and performed onscreen by Akshaye, combine hip-hop beats with a traditional Khaleeji flair. The term ‘FA9LA’ is said to mean “fun time” or “party,” perfectly matching the song’s lively and celebratory vibe. The song is translated into English, it follows as;

Yakhi Doos Doos 3indi Khosh Fasla(Come on, bro, keep it going, keep it going, I’m in a chill zone)Yakhi Tafooz Tafooz Wallah Khosh Raqsa(Bro, you’re winning, you’re winning, I swear that’s a killer dance)Yakhi Doos Doos 3indi Khosh Fasla(Come on, bro, keep it going, keep it going, I’m in a chill zone)Yakhi Tafooz Tafooz Wallah Khosh Raqsa(Bro, you’re winning, you’re winning, I swear that’s a killer dance)

Bahraini rapper Hussam Aseem, better known by his stage name Flipperachi, is the powerhouse behind the viral hit ‘FA9LA’, a dynamic fusion of Khaleeji rhythms and hip-hop energy. His journey with music began in his teenage years, leading him to officially step into the industry in 2003. Celebrated for his amazing voice and upbeat style, Flipperachi was honored as Bahraini Artist of the Year in 2024. Over time, he has teamed up with international icons like ‘Shaquille O’Neal’, ‘Shaggy’ and ‘The Game’, producing standout tracks such as ‘Ee Laa’ and ‘Shoofha’. With ‘FA9LA’ featured in ‘Dhurandhar’, his sound has now captured a global audience, marking a milestone in his expanding international career.

The ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2025 is scheduled to commence on Friday, December 12, 2025, and will run through to the final on Sunday, December 21, 2025, making it a compact, high-stakes tournament spanning just ten days.

ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2025: Tournament Details

The competition is being fully hosted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), utilizing two world-class venues in Dubai to manage the packed fixture list. The matches will be shared between the ICC Academy Ground and The Sevens Stadium. This tournament holds immense importance as it serves as a critical preparatory event for the participating teams ahead of the forthcoming ICC Men’s U19 World Cup 2026, allowing the young stars to adapt to pressure and gain crucial experience in the 50-over format.

ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2025: Teams, format and groups

A total of eight teams are participating in this edition, representing the top cricketing nations in Asia. The field includes the five full-member nations of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, along with three qualified associate teams: the UAE (hosts), Nepal, and Malaysia. The tournament follows the traditional 50-over One Day International (ODI) format, emphasizing stamina and tactical depth. Teams are initially divided into two groups of four for a single round-robin league stage.

Group A features the high-profile rivalry between India and Pakistan, alongside the UAE and Malaysia. Group B comprises defending champions Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Nepal. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knock-out semi-finals, where the group winner will face the runner-up from the opposite group, leading up to the final clash.

Former ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2025 champions and current title aspirants

The history of the U19 Asia Cup is dominated by India, who are the most successful side in the tournament’s history with an impressive eight titles. However, the current champions entering the 2025 edition are Bangladesh, who secured their second title in the 2024 final by defeating India. This makes the competition particularly fierce, as both India and Bangladesh will be keenly watched as favorites, alongside the traditionally strong teams of Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The tournament opens with a double-header on December 12, but the most anticipated fixture is the India vs. Pakistan group stage match, scheduled for December 14, which traditionally sets the tone for the rivalry and passion within the tournament.

ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2025: Captains of all participating teams

This year, the tournament sees Bangladesh enter as the defending champions, having won the previous edition. The rivalry between India and Pakistan will be a major highlight, with their group stage clash set for December 14.

• India Captain: Ayush Mhatre
• Pakistan Captain: Saad Baig
• Bangladesh Captain: Azizul Hakim Tamim
• Afghanistan Captain: Mehboob Taskin
• Sri Lanka Captain: Vimath Dinsara
• Nepal Captain: Ashok Dhami
• UAE Captain: Yayin Rai
• Malaysia Captain: Deeaz Patro
  

Also READ: India squad for U19 Asia Cup 2025: Ayush Mhatre to captain Vaibhav Suryavanshi-starrer team

ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2025: Complete Schedule

ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup: Broadcast and Live Streaming details

• Live Telecast (India): The matches will be broadcast live on the Sony Sports Network.
• Live Streaming (India): Fans can stream the games live via the SonyLIV app and website.

Also READ: Vaibhav Suryavanshi to miss IPL 2026? BCCI unveils new eligibility rules for U-16 and U-19 players