| VB-G Ram G: President gives assent to Bill; oppn slams new jobs scheme Dec 21st 2025, 11:53 by TOI NEWS DESK President Droupadi Murmu has approved the Viksit Bharat—Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025, replacing the MGNREGA. The new law guarantees 125 days of wage employment annually to rural households volunteering for unskilled manual work, aligning with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. Opposition parties have criticized the move, citing concerns over undermining Mahatma Gandhi's legacy. | | IND vs PAK final: Heated! Mhatre confronts Pakistan bowler – Watch Dec 21st 2025, 11:29 by TOI SPORTS DESK India's U19 Asia Cup final against Pakistan in Dubai included a heated exchange after captain Ayush Mhatre's early dismissal. Pakistan posted a formidable 347, thanks to Sameer Minhas's 172, putting India under immense pressure. Mhatre's quick exit and subsequent on-field confrontation added to the intense rivalry, as India struggled in their chase. | | Stock market activity possibly muted for the week; what experts said Dec 21st 2025, 11:25 by TOI BUSINESS DESK Stock markets have to brace for a cautious start to the week, influenced by foreign investor activity and global economic cues. A shortened trading week due to Christmas may also result in subdued volumes. Experts anticipate a range-bound market with a positive bias, driven by renewed FII interest and a slight INR recovery, as investors eye upcoming Q3 earnings. | | SF power outage: Hundreds of Google's Waymo self-driving cars stranded, company says due to… Dec 21st 2025, 10:53 by TOI TECH DESK A widespread power outage in San Francisco, affecting nearly 30% of the city, paralyzed infrastructure and stranded hundreds of Waymo self-driving vehicles. The blackout, caused by a PG&E substation fire, forced Waymo to suspend operations due to non-functioning traffic signals, leading to significant traffic disruptions and even trapping a passenger. | | Not Bishop or Simon Doull: Fans give pitch report during NZ vs WI Test - Watch Dec 21st 2025, 10:39 by TOI SPORTS DESK Fans offered their opinions on the Mount Maunganui pitch, a role typically for experts, as New Zealand built a commanding lead against the West Indies. Centuries from Latham and Conway bolstered New Zealand's position, setting a challenging target of 462 after bowling out the West Indies for 420 and declaring their second innings at 306/2. | | T20 WC squad: Gambhir asked about Gill omission at airport - Watch Dec 21st 2025, 10:19 by TOI SPORTS DESK India revealed its T20 World Cup 2026 squad. Shubman Gill's exclusion surprised many. Ishan Kishan's strong domestic form earned him a spot. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar cited Gill's lack of runs. Captain Suryakumar Yadav emphasized the need for an aggressive opening wicketkeeper. The selection signals a focus on attacking players for the upcoming tournament. | | 'Really bad example': Bangladeshi scribe on violence after Hadi's death; flags lapses Dec 21st 2025, 10:12 by TOI WORLD DESK A senior Bangladeshi journalist has criticized the post-death violence following the killing of activist Osman Hadi, citing serious law and order lapses. He stated that while public grief was understandable, fringe elements exploited the situation, leading to attacks on media and cultural institutions, sending a troubling signal ahead of the national election slated for February. | | San Francisco blackout: Power outage leaves nearly a third of city in darkness Dec 21st 2025, 10:11 by TOI WORLD DESK San Francisco faced a massive power outage on Saturday, impacting over 124,000 customers and disrupting daily life just before Christmas. A fire at a PG&E substation was identified as the cause, leading to widespread closures of businesses and transit. Power restoration efforts were underway overnight. | | U19 Asia Cup: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi fails again; departs cheaply in final Dec 21st 2025, 10:04 by TOI SPORTS DESK Teenage prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was dismissed for 26 in the U19 Asia Cup final against Pakistan. Pakistan opener Sameer Minhas starred with a brilliant 172, propelling Pakistan to a massive 347/8. India, chasing the steep target, found themselves in deep trouble after early wickets. Sooryavanshi also failed to score big in the semi-final against Sri Lanka. | | How the Indian education system is responding to high AQI and cold waves Dec 21st 2025, 09:27 by TOI Education North Indian schools are adapting to winter challenges, with hazardous air quality and cold waves forcing changes. Delhi-NCR schools are shifting to online and hybrid models under GRAP IV. Uttar Pradesh districts are closing schools due to fog and cold, while Bihar is revising timings to safeguard students. These measures prioritize health amidst extreme weather. | | B'desh unrest: India suspends visa services in Chittagong; cites security concerns, protests Dec 21st 2025, 09:22 by TOI WORLD DESK Indian visa operations in Chittagong have been indefinitely suspended following protests near the Indian High Commission. This closure, along with earlier disruptions in Dhaka and other cities, comes amid rising tensions in Bangladesh. Ministry of external affairs has expressed strong concern and also refuted certain media reports regarding recent protests. | | Mountains older than memory: How new 'definition' of Aravalli risks eroding 'Viksit Bharat' Dec 21st 2025, 08:56 by RAJEEV SINGH India's ancient Aravalli Range faces a new definition crisis after a Supreme Court ruling. The court accepted a 100-meter elevation threshold for identifying the hills, sparking concerns among environmentalists. Critics argue this narrow view ignores the range's vital ecological functions, potentially opening it to unchecked mining and real estate development, threatening water security and climate stability. | | Train travel gets costlier: Here is how much your ticket will cost now Dec 21st 2025, 08:01 by TOI BUSINESS DESK Indian Railways will implement a revised fare structure from December 26 to address rising operational and manpower costs. Passengers traveling beyond 215 km in Ordinary Class will see a 1 paise per kilometer increase, while Mail and Express non-AC and AC coaches will face a 2 paise per kilometer hike. Suburban and monthly season tickets remain unchanged. | | Messi got Rs 89cr for India tour, govt Rs 11cr as tax: Organiser blames 'influential' people Dec 20th 2025, 23:14 by TNN Event organizer Satadru Dutta was arrested following chaos during the Messi tour in Kolkata. Police seized Rs 22 crore from his accounts, suspecting black money use. Dutta claimed Rs 100 crore was spent, but investigators doubt his financial figures. He also blamed others for the event's disorder, citing pressures for increased access. | |
