India’s cricket head coach Gautam Gambhir recently caught attention on social media after replying to praise from senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor. The exchange came ahead of India’s T20 series against New Zealand.

Tharoor posted a picture of himself with Gambhir in Nagpur, calling him “the man with the hardest job in India after the Prime Minister.” He praised Gambhir’s calmness and leadership despite being closely watched and often criticized by fans and media. Tharoor wished the coach success in the five-match T20 series.

Gambhir thanked Tharoor for the kind words but added a cryptic message. He said, “When the dust settles, the truth about a coach’s authority will become clear,” and mentioned he was “amused at being pitted against my own who are the very best.” Many interpreted this as a subtle response to critics questioning his decisions and authority within the team.

Gambhir has been leading India through a period of change, with senior players retiring and leadership roles shifting. His decisions have often been debated by fans and experts, which makes his position closely scrutinized.

Although Gambhir didn’t directly name anyone, his comment highlighted the pressure and challenges of coaching the Indian cricket team. Fans and commentators see it as a sign of ongoing discussions about his authority and strategic choices.

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The Supreme Court of India has put Haryana’s ambitious Aravali Zoo Safari Project on hold, asking a central expert panel to carefully study its environmental impact before giving the green light. The Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has been tasked with evaluating whether the massive project can coexist with the fragile Aravali ecosystem. Until the panel completes its review, no work can proceed.

The Haryana government envisions a sprawling zoo-safari covering around 10,000 acres across the Aravali hills in Gurgaon and Nuh districts. Officials say they plan to initially develop about 3,500 acres and will move ahead only after the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change approves a detailed project report. As of now, construction has not begun.

The project has drawn strong opposition from environmentalists, retired forest officers, and local NGOs like People for Aravalis. They warn that building roads, visitor facilities, and administrative complexes on such a large scale could harm the region’s biodiversity, groundwater, and air quality,  essential lifelines for nearby communities.

During the hearing, the court highlighted that the draft project report was submitted to the Central Zoo Authority without a proper environmental assessment. Concerns were raised about the potential impact on local wildlife, vegetation, and the overall ecological balance of the Aravalis.

By involving the CEC, the Supreme Court is taking a cautious approach, aiming to balance Haryana’s developmental ambitions with the need to protect one of India’s most sensitive natural landscapes.

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In a significant post-election development, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has decided to support the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction in the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC), reshaping the power balance in one of Maharashtra’s key civic bodies and highlighting growing cracks in political alliances.

The 122-member KDMC did not deliver a clear majority to any single party in the recent elections. The Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena emerged as the largest party with 53 seats, followed closely by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with 50 seats. The MNS secured five seats, while the remaining seats went to smaller parties and independents. With MNS support, the Shinde Sena’s strength rises to 58, putting it within striking distance of the 62 seats required to control the civic body.

The move is politically significant as it allows the Shinde faction to stake a claim for leadership in KDMC without relying fully on its ally, the BJP. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s camp is reportedly exploring the possibility of forming the civic administration independently, with support from MNS and select independents.

The decision, however, has triggered sharp reactions from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT). Leaders from the UBT camp have criticised Raj Thackeray’s party, pointing out that the MNS had recently campaigned alongside them and had strongly opposed the Shinde faction during the elections. Senior UBT leaders described the support as a betrayal of voter sentiment and warned of political consequences.

Political observers note that the KDMC development is part of a broader trend in Maharashtra’s civic politics, where post-poll alignments are becoming increasingly fluid. Similar efforts by the Shinde Sena to build majorities without the BJP are reportedly underway in other municipal corporations, including Ulhasnagar.

The development has also raised eyebrows within the BJP, which fought the civic polls in alliance with the Shinde Sena. While BJP leaders have not officially opposed the move, the episode underscores shifting dynamics within the ruling coalition and the growing assertion of the Shinde faction in local governance.

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An Indian Air Force training aircraft crashed into a pond in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh during a routine flight. Both pilots were rescued safely, with no civilian injuries or damage reported. The incident is under investigation.

NASA astronaut Sunita “Suni” Williams has retired after an outstanding career that lasted nearly 30 years. One of NASA’s most experienced astronauts, Williams officially stepped away from active service at the end of 2025, bringing an important chapter in space exploration to a close.

Williams is best known for her long stays in space. Over her career, she spent 608 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS), making her one of the astronauts with the most time spent in orbit. She also set a major record by completing nine spacewalks, spending over 62 hours outside the space station, the highest total for any woman astronaut.

Her first space mission was in 2006, when she flew on the Space Shuttle Discovery. She returned to the ISS in 2012, where she became the commander of the space station. In this role, she led international crews and oversaw important scientific experiments and maintenance work in space.

Williams’ final space mission took place in 2024, when she flew aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft on its first crewed test flight. The mission was supposed to be short, but technical problems with the spacecraft meant she and her crewmate stayed in space much longer than planned. Despite the challenges, Williams continued her duties on the ISS and returned safely to Earth in 2025 aboard a SpaceX capsule.

Before becoming an astronaut, Williams served as a U.S. Navy pilot and test pilot, flying different types of aircraft. She joined NASA in 1998 and soon became known for her strong leadership, calm approach and technical skills.

Of Indian origin, Sunita Williams is admired around the world, especially in India, as a symbol of determination and success. Her retirement marks the end of a remarkable journey in space, but her achievements will continue to inspire future generations interested in science and space exploration.

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India and the European Union are on the verge of finalising a major free trade agreement that could transform commerce between the two regions. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called it “the mother of all deals” at the World Economic Forum in Davos, highlighting its potential to benefit both economies and millions of businesses.

The deal, if signed, would link markets of nearly 2 billion people and account for around a quarter of global GDP. Von der Leyen said the agreement could open new opportunities in clean energy, digital trade, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals. It is expected to boost exports from India while giving European companies easier access to one of Asia’s fastest-growing markets.

Von der Leyen is scheduled to visit India immediately after Davos to accelerate the final stages of negotiation ahead of the high-level India-EU summit in New Delhi later this month. She, along with other EU leaders, will attend India’s Republic Day celebrations and meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss trade and investment cooperation.

The India-EU FTA negotiations were first launched in 2007 and relaunched in 2022 after nearly a decade-long pause. The talks aim to remove trade barriers, harmonise regulations, and expand collaboration in goods, services, and investment. While some challenges remain, such as market access for sensitive sectors and regulatory alignment, both sides are committed to concluding the deal quickly.

If completed, this trade pact would be one of India’s most significant international agreements, offering expanded market access for Indian businesses and a strategic foothold in Asia for European firms.

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Indian stand-up comedian Zakir Khan, known for his witty storytelling and signature style of connecting deeply with audiences, has announced that he will be taking a long break from comedy. Speaking during a live show in Hyderabad, Zakir revealed that he will be pausing all performances for the next three to five years, likely until 2030, after completing his current tour commitments.

Zakir, who rose to fame with his heartfelt and humorous take on everyday life, relationships, and the struggles of young India, has been a constant presence on the comedy scene for over a decade. He gained nationwide recognition with his hit stand-up specials and his famous line, which has become part of pop culture, making him one of the most beloved comedians in India.

In his announcement, Zakir explained that the decision to step away is driven by health and personal reasons. He said years of nonstop touring, performing multiple shows in a single day, and the constant travel have taken a toll on his well-being. He admitted to struggling with health issues over the past year but continued performing because of his commitment to fans and his passion for comedy.

On social media, Zakir posted messages thanking his fans for their love and support. He encouraged them to attend his remaining shows, which he described as a celebration of his journey in comedy so far. His final shows are scheduled to continue until June 2026, after which the hiatus will begin.

Zakir Khan’s comedy has often stood out for its relatability and honesty, blending humor with reflections on life, love, and everyday struggles. Fans across India and abroad have appreciated his ability to make laughter feel personal and meaningful.

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Amazon has introduced two new smart displays in India,  the Echo Show 11 and the updated Echo Show 8, as part of its efforts to strengthen its smart home ecosystem. The devices are designed to act as all-in-one hubs for entertainment, communication and connected home control.

The Echo Show 11 features a large 11-inch full-HD screen, making it suitable for video streaming, video calls and dashboard-style smart home controls. The Echo Show 8, now in its latest generation, offers an 8.7-inch HD display with a refreshed design and thinner borders. Both models support Alexa voice commands as well as touch input, allowing users to interact in the way that suits them best.

One of the major upgrades is the inclusion of Amazon’s Omnisense sensor system. Using motion and presence detection, the devices can trigger smart routines automatically, such as turning lights on or off when someone enters or leaves a room. The built-in 13MP camera enhances video calling with auto-framing and improved noise reduction, and also allows users to view feeds from compatible security cameras and doorbells.

Sound quality has been improved with a new audio setup that includes stereo speakers and a custom woofer, delivering fuller sound for music, podcasts and videos. The Echo Show devices support popular music services including Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, JioSaavn and Audible. For video content, users can stream from Prime Video and Netflix or access YouTube through the web browser.

Amazon continues to highlight privacy controls, offering dedicated buttons to disable the camera and microphone, along with options to manage stored voice data.

The Echo Show 11 is priced at ₹26,999, while the Echo Show 8 is available for ₹23,999 in India. Both are offered in Graphite and Glacier White finishes. Amazon has also indicated that these devices will support the upcoming Alexa+ generative AI experience, which is expected to make interactions more conversational and proactive once rolled out in India.

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President Donald Trump recently posted an altered map online that showed Greenland, Canada, and Venezuela as US territories. The images appeared to be AI-generated, with American flags marking regions that are not under US control. One picture even showed Trump and other officials standing beside the map, while another depicted him planting a flag in Greenland, labelled “Greenland US Territory Est. 2026.”

The posts have drawn widespread attention on social media, with reactions ranging from amusement to concern. Many users pointed out that the images were clearly fictional, while others criticized the posts as provocative and diplomatically insensitive.

Trump has previously expressed interest in Greenland, emphasizing its strategic importance for the United States. Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark, whose government has repeatedly stated it has no intention of joining the US. The inclusion of Canada and Venezuela on the map added further controversy. Trump has jokingly suggested in the past that Canada could become a US state, a proposal firmly rejected by Canadian leaders. Venezuela’s appearance comes amid ongoing political tensions in the region, adding another layer of sensitivity.

Diplomats and European leaders have taken notice of the posts, with some calling them a “provocative stunt.” While the images were likely intended for online engagement, they have nonetheless sparked debate about international relations and territorial respect.

The map also comes at a time when Trump is preparing to engage with global leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where discussions on diplomacy, security, and trade are expected to take centre stage. Analysts say the posts highlight Trump’s flair for attention-grabbing social media moments that often blur the line between reality and performance.

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NASA is preparing to launch Artemis II, its first crewed lunar mission in more than five decades, as early as February 6, 2026, with backup launch dates into March and April. This mission is a key step in NASA’s plan to return humans to the Moon and eventually send astronauts to Mars.

The spacecraft will carry four astronauts: NASA’s Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency. The mission will last about 10 days. Unlike future missions, Artemis II will not land on the Moon but will fly around it, testing important systems like navigation, communication, and life support for future lunar landings.

NASA is also offering a unique opportunity for the public to send their names to the Moon. Anyone can register online for free, and submitted names will be stored on a digital card aboard the Orion spacecraft. After registration, participants will receive a digital boarding pass showing that their name will travel with the crew.

Registration is open until January 21, 2026. There are no age or nationality restrictions, so anyone—from students to space enthusiasts—can take part. NASA emphasizes that this is symbolic only; sending a name does not make someone an astronaut or give actual space travel rights.

This public initiative aims to inspire people around the world and connect them to this historic mission. Artemis II’s successful lunar flyby will pave the way for Artemis III, which plans to land humans on the Moon and build a sustained lunar presence.

With the launch approaching, Artemis II marks a historic moment in space exploration, inviting people everywhere to be part of humanity’s journey back to the Moon.

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