Rohit Sharma, Rahul Dravid (File photo/Agencies)

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

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

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

Candace Owens net Worth in 2025

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

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

Candace Owens and the Charlie Kirk controversy

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

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

PM Modi with Sri Lanka President Dissanayake (File photo)

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Monday, expressing condolences over the loss of lives and widespread destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah.PM Modi conveyed India’s solidarity with Sri Lanka during the crisis and assured continued assistance as part of Operation Sagar Bandhu, aligned with Vision Mahasagar and India’s role as the region’s ‘First Responder’.Meanwhile President Dissanayake thanked India for its swift support, including the rapid deployment of rescue teams and relief supplies, and conveyed the Sri Lankan people’s appreciation for New Delhi’s timely response.PM Modi assured that India would keep extending necessary help as Sri Lanka moves into rehabilitation, restoration of public services, and rebuilding livelihoods across the affected areas.Both leaders agreed to stay in close contact as relief efforts progress.Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre (DMC) on Sunday confirmed that the death toll from Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka has risen to at least 334, with nearly 400 people still missing in the aftermath of the storm. Massive damaged was also caused to homes and other infrastructures. Dissanayake had declared a state of emergency in response to the cyclone’s aftermath and called for international assistance.India launched Operation Sagar Bandhu on November 28 to deliver urgent HADR assistance to Sri Lanka after Cyclone Ditwah. In coordination with Sri Lankan authorities, India supplied a total of 53 tonnes of relief material, including emergency rations, medical supplies, tents and hygiene kits, delivered through Indian Navy ships and three IAF aircraft. Over 80 NDRF personnel and USAR teams were deployed for rescue operations. Chetak helicopters from INS Vikrant and IAF Mi-17s conducted extensive airlift missions, rescuing 121 people of multiple nationalities, including the critically injured. India also evacuated around 1,500 stranded citizens through special IAF and commercial flights. Reaffirming its Neighbourhood First policy and Vision Mahasagar, India has positioned itself as the First Responder and continues to support Sri Lanka’s ongoing rescue, relief and recovery efforts.

Shehbaz Sharif (left), Asim Munir (ANI)

Author and National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) member Tilak Devasher claimed that Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is “intentionally” staying out of the country to avoid being present when the notification would be issued for the appointment of the first-ever Chief of Defence Forces (CDF). Created through the 27th amendment to Pakistan’s constitution, the post is set to be assumed by Field Marshal Asim Munir, potentially making him the most powerful army chief in the country’s history.Also Read | ‘Reflects political bias, misinformation’: Pak brazens it out; criticises UN top official for remarks on 27th constitutional amendmentSpeaking to ANI, Devasher highlighted that Sharif left for Bahrain and then London, leading to speculation that he’s “deliberately” staying away to avoid issuing the notification.“Very smartly, the Pakistan PM went to Bahrain and then to London. He clearly does not want to issue the notification giving Asim Munir five years as army chief and as Chief of Defence Forces. He seems to believe that by staying away and avoiding signing the notification, he can escape the consequences,” said Devasher, author of four books on Pakistan.The comment comes after Sharif’s government failed to issue the required notification appointing Munir as the first-ever CDF by the November 29 deadline—the day his original three-year term as army chief ended. With the creation of the CDF post, the office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee has formally been abolished.Devasher added that Pakistan is currently navigating a “very messy” situation.“If it turns out that he (Asim Munir) is no longer the army chief, then Pakistan finds itself without an army chief, and even the nuclear command authority—meant to fall under the new Strategic Forces Command—is effectively leaderless. It’s an extremely strange situation,” he remarked.Legal experts remain divided over whether the notification is necessary. Under the amended Constitution, the Chief of Army Staff’s term is meant to run concurrently with the CDF, lasting five years.Some analysts, however, argue that the issue may already be addressed by the Pakistan Army Act’s 2024 amendment, which extended the tenure of service chiefs to five years, according to Dawn. The amendment includes a “deeming” clause stating it “shall always be deemed to have been part of the Pakistan Army Act,” implying that Munir’s current term could automatically extend from three to five years without any additional notification.Devasher, however, called this interpretation “controversial,” questioning the view that a notification may not be required.“Some people argue that the Army Act was amended in 2004, setting the army chief’s tenure at five years. Since he has already served three, he supposedly has another two years remaining. From this perspective, no new notification would be required. This is controversial, and it’s unclear how the judiciary or the government will view it. But the fact remains that it makes his position very tenuous,” Devasher said.He also pointed to what he described as political manoeuvring within the military. “There are reports that other generals are now jostling for the position of army chief or for the two newly created four-star posts,” he stated.Devasher added that Prime Minister Sharif’s absence is only deepening the uncertainty. “But this situation cannot continue,” he warned. “A nuclear-armed country cannot function without a Chief of the Army Staff or someone in charge of the nuclear command authority.”

Samantha Ruth Prabhu wed Raj Nidimoru today in an intimate ceremony at Isha Yoga Centre’s Linga Bhairavi Temple, attended by 30 guests. She wore a red saree. Rumors swirled after Raj’s ex-wife’s cryptic post; they’ve been linked since 2024. This follows her 2021 divorce from Naga Chaitanya.

Samantha Ruth Prabhu and ‘The Family Man’ director Raj Nidimoru have sparked relationship talk for over a year now. They’ve avoided any confirmation of dating but have popped up together publicly several times. Now, as per the recent reports, the duo tied the knot today at Isha Yoga Centre in Coimbatore during a private ceremony limited to around 30 attendees.

Samantha Ruth Prabhu wedding ceremony details

According to Hindustan Times, the wedding took place on Monday morning. It happened at the Linga Bhairavi Temple inside Isha Yoga Centre early in the morning. There were a total of 30 guests. The actress wore a red saree for the wedding.

Wedding buzz and ex-wife post

The wedding buzz for the duo picked up late Sunday night on social platforms. Shhyamali De, Raj Nidimoru’s ex-wife, stoked curiosity with her Instagram story quote: “Desperate people do desperate things.” According to reports, they divorced back in 2022.

Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Raj Nidimoru’s public displays

In early 2024, hints of a connection between Raj Nidimoru and Samantha surfaced around on the internet after spotting the duo at various events. In the months that followed, the actress shared multiple photos with Raj on social media, openly displaying their bond.

Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s previous marriage

Samantha was previously married to actor Naga Chaitanya in 2017. The couple parted ways in 2021 after four years, finalizing their divorce the next year, and Naga later married actress Sobhita Dhulipala in December 2024.

Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s upcoming projects

Meanwhile, on the work front, Samantha Ruth Prabhu was last seen in her first-produced Telugu film ‘Subham’, where she played a cameo role. She is currently working on the Telugu film ‘Maa Inti Bangaram’, which she is also co-producing, and the upcoming web series ‘Rakt Brahmand: The Bloody Kingdom’.

School Holiday in December 2025

December has finally arrived, bringing with it the stretch students across the country look forward to all year, winter breaks, Christmas celebrations and the gentle slowing down that marks the end of the academic calendar. After a busy November filled with examinations in many states, schools are now shifting into a lighter schedule as temperatures begin to drop and year-end activities take over.Unlike summer holidays, December breaks don’t follow a uniform pattern across India. Each state, and often each school, sets its own calendar depending on the weather and institutional policies. But there is one common trend: the second half of December typically offers the longest cluster of holidays for schoolchildren before the new year begins.

When are schools likely to close in December 2025?

Schools across several northern and central states are expected to go on winter break sometime between December 20 and December 24, with most reopening only in the first week of January. This period usually covers Christmas, New Year’s Eve and the coldest days of the season.

Important festive holidays in December

Even in states without long winter breaks, certain days will be observed as holidays across most schools:

Some schools also club these festive holidays with year-end events, annual functions or cultural programmes, adding to the excitement of the month.

Why December still feels special for students

December is more than just a month of holidays, it marks a much-needed pause in the school year. The weather encourages a slower pace, families plan outings and reunions, and students get a short but meaningful break before the academic race picks up again in January.Even for schools, this period is valuable: campuses use the downtime for repairs, planning sessions and preparations for final-term activities.

NIA conducts searches at the Lucknow residence of arrested woman doc Shaheen Shahid

LUCKNOW: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday widened its probe into a “white-collar” terror financing and radicalisation network linked to the November 10 car blast near Delhi’s Red Fort, conducting coordinated searches across Jammu & Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh — including the Lucknow residence of former medical college faculty member Dr Shaheen Shahid, now arrested and in custody of NIA. Lucknow search: family under scannerIn Lucknow, NIA searched Shaheen’s Lalbagh residence where her father and one of her brothers continue to live; another brother, also a doctor, has been detained for questioning.

It is for the first time that NIA has conducted searches at residence of Dr Shaheen Shahid in Lucknow.Shaheen was earlier arrested after a Russian rifle and ammunition were recovered from a car registered in her name, allegedly used by Muzammil.Investigators allege she funnelled Rs 27–28 lakh into the module, including Rs 6.5 lakh for weapons and Rs 3 lakh for a vehicle, though she claims the money was given as zakat. Agencies also assert she was the only woman in the Faridabad JeM module and was in contact with Afira Biwi, wife of Pulwama attack mastermind Umar Farooq, and had discussed a plan to target six Indian cities on December 6 as “revenge for Babri Masjid”.A topper turned terror accusedBorn and raised in Kaiserbagh, the 46-year-old pharmacology specialist Shaheen also known as ‘Madam Surgeon’ had an impeccable academic run — topping her Class 10 and 12 boards, completing MBBS and MD from the government medical college in Prayagraj, and securing a UPPSC rank to join GSVM Medical College, Kanpur, as an assistant professor in 2006.Her trajectory reportedly plunged after 2013, when she abruptly stopped reporting for duty. All official communication failed, and she was terminated in 2021. During these undocumented years, investigators claim she drifted toward radical elements while associated with Al-Falah University, where she allegedly grew close to Dr Muzammil, suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) operative whom she married in 2023.Dr Shaheen Shahid was allegedly heading the India wing of Jamaat-ul-Mominaat which is the women’s wing of Jaish-e-Muhammad.NIA teams carried out searches at eight locations in Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam. In Shopian, officers raided the home of Maulvi Irfan Ahmad Vagay, who has emerged as the alleged mastermind responsible for radicalisation and recruitment in the network. Vagay is currently under NIA custody in connection with the Red Fort blast that killed 15 people.In Pulwama, searches were conducted in Koil, Chandgam, Malangpora and Sambura, all linked to suspects connected to the Delhi blast.Simultaneously, NIA searched the residence of Dr Aadil Ahmad Rather in Saharanpur, arrested earlier this month, as part of efforts to map the financial and operational web of the module.A white-collar terror modelOfficials describe the network as a new breed of “white-collar” terror module — educated professionals who raise funds through financial fraud, laundering and legitimate-looking transactions, making detection far more complex.With raids now stretching from Kashmir to Uttar Pradesh, investigators say the focus is on identifying the module’s handlers, mapping the funnel of funds, and establishing how radicalisation and operational planning were executed by individuals with professional backgrounds.The raids come after a Delhi court on Saturday extended the National Investigation Agency (NIA) custody of four accused, including Dr Shaheen Shahid, Dr Muzammil Shakeel, Mufti Irfan Ahmad Wagay, and Dr Adeel Ahmed Rather in the Delhi blast case for another 10 days after it sought more time for investigation.Even before the blast, several arrests had been made across multiple states, and investigators had begun to piece together evidence of an interstate terror module.Following the explosion, the NIA found that the incident was connected to earlier arrests, leading to a series of new revelations as the probe deepened.The NIA has so far arrested seven individuals in connection with the blast involving a Hyundai i20 driven by Dr Umar Muhammad, which exploded near the Lal Qila Metro station.

Ludwig A Minelli (AFP photo)

Head of the Swiss right-to-die group Dignitas, Ludwig Minelli, has died through an assisted death, the organisation has confirmed. Minelli, who founded Dignitas in 1998, died on Saturday, just days before his 93rd birthday. The group said he spent his final years looking for new ways to help people make their own choices about the end of life.“Right up to the end of his life, he continued to search for further ways to help people to exercise their right to freedom of choice and self-determination in their ‘final matters’ – and he often found them.” Dignitas said it would continue his work and run the association in the spirit he set, as an organisation focused on self-determination and freedom of choice.Assisted dying laws have changed widely since Dignitas began. France recently approved assisted dying for some people with terminal illnesses. Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Spain and Austria have also legalised assisted dying since 2015. In the US, it is allowed in 10 states.In the UK, the assisted dying bill is still being debated. MPs backed it in June, but it is now under scrutiny in the House of Lords. Minelli, a journalist who later became a lawyer, faced several legal battles over the years. He won cases in the Swiss supreme court and at the European Court of Human Rights.Dignitas said Minelli had a lasting impact on Swiss law, noting a 2011 European court ruling that supported a person’s right to choose how and when to end their life. Switzerland does not allow euthanasia, where another person gives a lethal drug. But assisted dying, where a person takes the final action themselves after expressing the wish to die, has been legal for decades. Dignitas, which has over 10,000 members, also accepts people from outside Switzerland. By 2024, it had assisted more than 4,000 deaths, including 571 people from the UK. About 1,900 Britons are members, among them is TV presenter and campaigner Esther Rantzen. In a 2023 interview with the Financial Times, Minelli said he was still working long hours at the age of 90 and believed assisted dying should be available to almost everyone.

Representative image (AI-generated)

Jefferies initiated its coverage on Lenskart with a buy rating and the target price at Rs 500. Analysts said that Lenskart, India’s largest tech-driven eyewear retailer, holds just about 5% market share, offering strong growth potential. Its vertically integrated omni-channel model ensures cost efficiency, rapid delivery, and superior customer experience, they said. India serves as a bedrock for the company with over 85% contribution to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), while the international segment offers optionality. Analysts feel Lenskart offers attractive unit economics and fast paybacks should drive 50%+ adjusted EBITDA compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) between FY25 and FY28.Nomura has a buy rating on M&M with the target price at Rs 4,355. Analysts said that M&M launched a new 7-seater electric XEV 9S SUV on Nov 27 Nov at an introductory price of Rs 19.95 lakh. Bookings for the model will begin on Jan 14, 2026 and deliveries will start from Jan 23, 2026. XEV 9S comes with premium features and is priced much more attractively than expectations of Rs 23-31 lakh. XEV 9S is based on the INGLO platform and powered by MAIA.Kotak Institutional Equities has upgraded JSW Infrastructure to reduce from sell with the target price at Rs 270. Analysts said that the recent discussion about the company comforts them on prospects that it would leverage the group’s capabilities and requirements to generate a reasonable return on growth investments over the next five years. It also provides comforts on recovery in growth in Jaigarh by using pricing and investment levers to regain market share in Maharashtra. They feel that the key risk to the investment thesis is longevity and sustainability of growth, which lacks comfort for now. They also feel that the recent price correction still falls short of giving an attractive buy price point.UBS has a buy on GAIL with the target price at Rs 215. Analysts said that the recent tariff hike was disappointing while the increase in realized tariffs could be even lower. The 12% hike in announced tariffs does not mean equal increase in realized tariffs, they said. Current hike in tariffs reflects revision in only two parameters: Increase of Rs 5.16/mmbtu on account of higher system-use-gas, and the increase of Rs 1.92/mmbtu on account of lower volume divisor as per latest capacity determination. However, the regulator deferred the review of other parameters to FY28 (next tariff effective from 1 April 2028), flagging that a true-up of all parameters at this stage would lead to a material increase in tariff and can place some unexpected financial pressure on its customers.JP Morgan has an overweight rating on LIC with the target price at Rs 1,200. Analysts feel that the product mix shift, margin expansion, and distribution diversification would drive growth for the life insurance major. They also feel that the GST removal is likely to increase both the penetration and density of the insurance market. The company does not plan to pass on the cost benefit to distributors or customers, analysts said.