In the ongoing final Ashes test, England veteran batter Joe Root equalled Australian legend Ricky Ponting’s record for the third-highest number of Test centuries in international cricket.

The right-handed batter scored his 41st Test hundred at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Monday, achieving the milestone in his 163rd Test match. Ponting had reached the same mark in his 168th Test.

Ponting finished his illustrious career with 13,378 runs in 168 Tests at an average of 51.85, including 41 centuries and 62 half-centuries.

Root reached the three-figure mark off 146 deliveries during England’s first innings on Day 2 of the Sydney Test. It was his second century of the ongoing Ashes series, having earlier scored a hundred in the Brisbane Test. With this knock, Root has now registered 24 Test centuries since 2021, the most by any batter in that period.

On the all-time list of most Test hundreds, Root now trails only Jacques Kallis (45) and Sachin Tendulkar (51). 

Root eventually ended his innings on 160 off 242 balls, after being dismissed by Australian bowler Michael Neser. The England batter currently has 13,937 runs in 163 Tests and 297 innings and is closing in on the 14,000-run milestone in the format.

At the close of Day 2, England posted 384 runs in 97.3 overs in their first innings. In response, Australia reached 166 for 2 in 34.1 overs, with Travis Head unbeaten on 91 and Marnus Labuschagne contributing 48.

The opening day of the Test was heavily disrupted due to poor light and bad weather. Play was delayed until 2:55 pm before being abandoned around 5 pm, leading to frustration among players and officials.

Speaking ahead of Day 2, Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Greenberg admitted the situation was particularly deflating.

“I share your frustration. There are a lot of things that frustrate me in cricket, but bad light is one of them. Yesterday, maybe more so than ever, with a full house and millions watching on TV,” Greenberg told SEN Cricket.

“I get frustrated that we don’t have a solution to this problem. We’ve got to find a better way in cricket where we show greater willingness and intent to stay on the field and get play going,” he added.

Kylie Jenner gave fans a heart-melting moment at the 31st Critics Choice Awards when she openly showed support for her boyfriend, Timothee Chalamet. The reality star planted a kiss on the actor as he made his way to the stage, instantly making headlines.

Timothee Chalamet’s first public shout-out to Kylie Jenner

Chalamet, who won Best Actor in a Film for his performance in ‘Marty Supreme’, made a rare public mention of his relationship with Kylie during his acceptance speech.

“Lastly, I’ll just say thank you to my partner of three years. Thank you for our foundation. I love you. I couldn’t do this without you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” he said.

Cameras caught Kylie beaming and mouthing, “I love you,” in response.

A private yet public couple

While Kylie and Timothee have often attended events together, they have largely kept their relationship under wraps.

Chalamet has previously said he doesn’t like to speak much about his personal life, telling the press, “I don’t say that with any fear. I just don’t have anything to say.”

Still, fans have spotted them sharing adorable public appearances recently, including at the Palm Springs International Film Festival and now at the Critics Choice Awards.

Stiff competition, big win

Chalamet’s award came alongside tough competition, with fellow nominees including Leonardo DiCaprio (‘One Battle After Another’), Joel Edgerton (‘Train Dreams’), Ethan Hawke (‘Blue Moon’), Michael B. Jordan (‘Sinners’), and Wagner Moura (‘The Secret Agent’).

Hosted by Chelsea Handler, the 31st Critics Choice Awards at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica was the first major awards ceremony of the 2026 season. The night celebrated film and television talent, honouring actors, directors, creators for their outstanding work across the entertainment industry.

Also Read: ‘Nothing stops that’ Adam Sandler calls his marriage to wife Jackie destiny

US President Donald Trump has said the United States “needs” Greenland for national security reasons, renewing tensions with Denmark, which has firmly rejected any suggestion of annexation.

Trump made the remarks late Sunday while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One. He argued that Greenland’s location in the Arctic has become crucial due to rising activity by Russia and China in the region.

His comments came after a US military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro and his wife. The operation has heightened global concerns about Washington’s willingness to act forcefully beyond its borders.

Also Read: Nicolas Maduro in US custody: Son claims betrayal from within, calls for mobilisation

Trump cites Russia, China presence in Arctic

Trump said Greenland is central to US defence planning. He claimed Russian and Chinese vessels are operating across Arctic waters surrounding the island.

“We need Greenland. It’s so strategic right now,” Trump said, adding that Denmark would not be able to secure the territory on its own. He also asserted, without providing details, that Europe supports US control of Greenland.

“We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it…The European Union needs us to have it, and they know that,” he said.

Greenland is a self-governing territory under Denmark and occupies a key position between Europe and North America. It also hosts infrastructure linked to the US ballistic missile defence system.

The island’s mineral reserves have drawn growing attention from Washington, particularly as the US seeks to reduce dependence on China, which dominates global rare earth supply chains.

Denmark warns US to stop ‘threats’

Denmark responded sharply. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the idea of the US taking over Greenland was unacceptable.

“It makes absolutely no sense to talk about the need for the United States to take over Greenland,” she said in a statement. She added that the US has no right to annex any part of the Danish kingdom.

Frederiksen urged Washington to stop what she described as threats against a close ally and against the people of Greenland, who have repeatedly said the territory is not for sale.

Trump has floated the idea of acquiring Greenland several times in the past. On December 21, he named Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as special envoy to Greenland, a move that again drew criticism from Copenhagen and Nuuk.

Landry has publicly backed Trump’s view that Greenland should come under US control.

Greenland’s strategic value and resource potential continue to place it at the centre of a growing geopolitical contest in the Arctic.

Also Read: Donald Trump says tariffs could rise quickly over India’s Russian oil imports, praises PM Modi

Hollywood star Adam Sandler, met Jackie when she had a minor role in his 1999 movie Big Daddy. He feels meeting his lady love, his wife was “destiny” and believes it would have happened regardless of whether he was famous or not.

Destined to meet

The 59-year-old actor and Jackie tied their knot in 2003, and have daughters Sunny, 19, and Sadie, 16, together. Sandler says their meeting was “destiny” and strongly believes that they’d still end up together even if he ended up working for his father’s electrical business.

‘Nothing stops that’

At the 2026 Palm Springs International Film Festival, as he collected the Chairman Award  he said: “I sometimes think about it, (if) I didn’t click that year and I did go work for my dad, what my life would be right now. First off, I’m thinking I’d probably still be married to my wife, Jackie. That’s destiny. Nothing stops that.”

He jokingly said: “But we definitely (would) have a different house. Probably, like, 10 less bathrooms and (fewer) statues of me.”

 

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Grateful for love and life

The Grown Ups star recently reflected that he’s “more thankful” than ever for his life and career and couldn’t be happier with where he is right now.

He told People magazine: “I’m just more thankful than I’ve ever been. Happy I got to do this life, happy all the people who’ve been with me during all this stuff, and helped me out, and (it’s) just been a phenomenal time. My whole family’s always been great to me. My wife and I talk about stuff, and what to do, and what to do next, and it’s just been a very cool life.”

‘We’re are very close’ says the actor

The star said that he and Jackie are “close” than ever, despite the passage of time. He said: “We’re very close. We like to talk, like to laugh, like to have fun, and like to think about things and take care of our kids.”

Also Read: Billy Joel makes surprise live return in Florida after brain disorder diagnosis, performs two hits with family

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday extended his birthday greetings to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, conveying his prayers for her good health and long life.

“Birthday wishes to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Didi. I pray for her good health and long life,” Modi posted on platform X.

Mamata Banerjee, who turned 71 today, is a three-time Chief Minister and the first woman to hold the position in West Bengal. Although she was born on January 5, 1955, there has been some debate about her exact date of birth.

Despite frequent political differences and public disagreements between the two leaders, PM Modi’s gesture reflects goodwill on Mamata Banerjee’s birthday.

Bollywood diva Deepika Padukone is ringing in her 40th birthday today on January 5. And she kicked off the celebrations a day early with heartwarming fan meet in Mumbai.

Instead of a flashy party, Deepika chose an intimate evening with the people who have supported her throughout her journey making her milestone birthday truly special.

 

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Flying fans in for the celebration

Fans got more than just a glimpse of their favourite star. Deepika went all out arranging flights and even a car to pick up one lucky fan straight from Mumbai airport.

The gesture then set the tone for a night that felt more personal than a typical celebrity event.

According to a popular fan page, the fans described the evening as “an experience of a lifetime” and called Deepika “the best host ever.”

A festive wonderland

The venue was transformed into a cozy Christmas-themed wonderland. A huge Christmas tree adorned with Polaroid pictures of Deepika set the perfect backdrop.

Videos from the event show the actor at the centre of a buzzing crowd as she cut a spectacular three-tier cake.

Fans serenaded her with “Aankhon Mein Teri,” the song from her debut blockbuster, ‘Om Shanti Om’.

Food, gifts, and personal notes

Deepika made sure no detail was overlooked. A lavish buffet featuring very, very carefully curated Indo-Western cuisine kept everyone delighted. In addition, handwritten notes and personalised gift hampers added a personal thoughtful touch.

Fans got the chance to chat with her. They took selfies. And, they enjoyed the star’s warm engaging presence throughout the night.

From planning the menu to sharing laughs and signing autographs, she made each fan present there feel special.

Also Read: Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh spotted at NBA game in New York, pose for selfies with fans

The Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, said on Sunday that how Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee could use her own letterhead in writing a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, raising the political contentions of Trinamool Congress.

LoP Adhikari raised this query reacting to a letter from the Chief Minister to the CEC that was circulated among the media persons earlier on Sunday, where she expressed concern over alleged irregularities, procedural violations, and administrative lapses during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in the state.

“The letter from Mamata Banerjee using the official letterhead of the Chief Minister of West Bengal to the CEC is illegal and unconstitutional. The post of Chief Minister is constitutional. So in this case, the official letterhead of the Chief Minister should not have been used,” he told media persons while reacting to the letter from the Chief Minister to the CEC.

According to LoP Adhikari, the chair of the Chief Minister is both an administrative and constitutional post.

“That is exactly why B.R. Ambedkar did not use the term ‘For the party, By the Party, Of the Party’. He used the term ‘For the people, By the people, Of the people’. If Mamata Banerjee had to raise any complaint to the CEC about the political contentions of her party, Trinamool Congress, she should not have raised that objection using her official letterhead as the Chief Minister. She should have addressed the same letter to the CEC in the letterhead of her political post with Trinamool Congress,” the LoP said.

“As the representative and as the Chairperson of a political party, Mamata Banerjee had every right to raise any political contention to the CEC. But in that case, she should have used the letterhead of Trinamool Congress chairpersons in writing that letter to the CEC,” LoP Adhikari added.

He also said that the CEC should treat this letter from Mamata Banerjee as nothing but trash.

“As a Bengali and also the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, I feel ashamed that the Chief Minister’s letterhead is being used to raise the political contention of a political party to the CEC,” LoP Adhikari added.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has written to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, expressing concern over alleged irregularities, procedural violations and administrative lapses during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in the state.

In a letter dated January 3, CM Banerjee alleged that critical instructions related to the SIR process are being communicated informally through WhatsApp messages and text messages, without any formal written notifications, circulars, or statutory orders. She claimed that the absence of formal documentation undermines transparency, accuracy and accountability, and could potentially lead to the disenfranchisement of genuine voters.

“I am once again constrained to write to you in order to place on record my grave concern regarding the serious irregularities, procedural violations and administrative lapses being witnessed during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in West Bengal,” Banerjee wrote.

“I strongly urge you to immediately address and rectify the glitches, correct the flaws and make the necessary corrections, failing which this unplanned, arbitrary and ad hoc exercise must be halted. If allowed to continue in its present form, it will result in irreparable damage, large-scale disenfranchisement of eligible voters, and a direct assault on the foundational principles of democratic governance,” the letter stated.

CM Banerjee further said that the undue haste with which the SIR is being conducted, without adequate groundwork or preparation, has rendered the entire process fundamentally flawed.

“There has been no proper or uniform training of officials entrusted with this sensitive constitutional responsibility; the IT systems being used are defective, unstable and unreliable; instructions issued from time to time are inconsistent and often contradictory; and there is a complete lack of clarity and planning on the part of the Election Commission of India (ECI) and its State-level functionaries,” she said.

The Chief Minister claimed that these deficiencies have reduced a vital democratic exercise to a farce and have severely eroded public confidence in the integrity of the electoral process.

Actress Saiyami Kher has started working on a new project directed by designer-filmmaker Vikram Phadnis starring actor Tahir Raj Bhasin.

Saiyami Kher shares first update from the project

Saiyami took to Instagram stories where she first shared a picture of a script booklet and wrote: “New year. New beginning. As always, Need all the wishes” as the caption.

Vikram Phadnis shares first glimpse from the reading session

Designer-filmmaker Vikram Phadnis also shared a collage featuring a monochrome picture of him with with Saiyami and Tahir from the reading session. It also had a picture of the upcoming project’s clapboard.

There were not any details about the project but the story had a caption and it said: “And today every silent prayer finds its way home.”

Kher’s recent projects

Actor has recently wrapped up shooting for “Haiwaan” starring Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan. Directed by Priyadarshan, and shot across picturesque locations including Kochi, Ooty, and Mumbai. The film also stars Sharib Hashmi. This film is expected to be released this year, and marks the reunion of Akshay, and Saif after 18 years.

 

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Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan reunite once again

Meanwhile, Priyadarshan and Akshay Kumar are working on a project titled ‘Bhoot Bangla’. The movie marks the reunion of Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan, one of the most commercially rewarding actor-director pairs of Hindi cinema. As the date was said to be 2nd April, the horror drama is likely to be postponed. The new date will be released soon.

Also Read: Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt ring in new year 2026 with daughter Raha; fans melt over cute family moment

Actor’s last on screen appearance

Saiyami was last seen in Jaat directed by Gopichand Malineni. The film stars Sunny Deol, Randeep Hooda, Regena Cassandrra, Vineet Kumar Singh and Saiyami Kher in pivotal roles, along with Ramya Krishnan, Jagapathi Babu, Prashant Bajaj, Zarina Wahab, P. Ravi Shankar and Babloo Prithiveeraj.

Jaat follows a mysterious passenger whose obsessive demand for an apology brings him face-to-face with a ruthless labourer-turned-crime boss, resulting in a battle between the two.

On January 3, veteran actor Sanjay Khan turned 86, and his former son-in-law, Hrithik Roshan, made sure the celebration went beyond balloons and cake. The actor shared an emotional Instagram post.

Sharing previously unseen pictures with Sanjay Khan, Hrithik Roshan wrote, “Today, on your birthday, Dad, I want to thank you for always being this giant, loving and guiding presence in my life. Thank you for always making me feel more special than I think I am. Of every place I’ve ever known, the one corner where I was guaranteed unconditional love was when I was around you and Mom.”

The post also revealed an important piece of advice Sanjay had given Hrithik early in his career, a mantra the actor still uses today.

Also Read: Rajinikanth turns 75: Dhanush’s birthday wish for former father-in-law steals the spotlight

Hrithik recalled, “During my early years as an actor, I was nervous about a shoot, and you looked at me and said, ‘Before each shot, that moment when the clap covers your face, collect yourself, smile and whisper “magic time”, and then just let it all go!’ That stayed with me, Dad, and I use it to this day. It works like magic. Every time.”

 

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Honouring a television pioneer

Hrithik didn’t stop at personal anecdotes. He also paid tribute to Sanjay’s legendary contributions to Indian television.

“You have been a pioneer for the Indian television industry,” he wrote. “Making a well-researched historical like ‘Tipu Sultan’ way before the internet made research easy, you raised the bar for Indian television long before OTT platforms existed. The show continues to be a favourite for so many of us all these years later.”

He added a note of admiration for Sanjay’s resilience: “Truly nothing stops you, Dad. You even cheated death and kept building. May you be our guiding light for another 100! We love you. Happy birthday Dad ❤️ Love you and miss you Mom.”

Sanjay Khan: From silver screen to small screen legend

Sanjay Khan’s career spans decades of Indian cinema and television. He began his acting journey in 1964 with supporting roles in films like ‘Haqeeqat’ and ‘Dosti’.

By 1966, he was featuring in hits ‘Dus Lakh’, ‘Ek Phool Do Mali’, ‘Intaquam’, ‘Dhund’. He also shared screen with his elder brother Feroz Khan in films such as ‘Upaasna’, ‘Mela’, ‘Nagin’.

Eventually, Sanjay moved behind the camera producing and directing films like ‘Chandi Sona’ and ‘Abdullah’. In 1990, he created and starred in the iconic historical TV series ‘The Sword of Tipu Sultan’, which became a cultural phenomenon and remains beloved to this day.

Hrithik and Sussanne: A family story that continues

Hrithik Roshan and Sussanne Khan married in 2000 and have two sons Hrehaan and Hridhaan. The couple separated in 2013 and finalised their divorce in 2014. Now they remain close co-parenting their children and sharing mutual respect.

Currently, Hrithik is in a relationship with actor Saba Azad, while Sussanne is dating Arslan Goni.

Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez on Monday extended an olive branch to the United States, calling for collaboration and dialogue amid the rapidly evolving scenario in the country. Emphasising peace, sovereignty and adherence to international law, Rodríguez said Venezuela is seeking cooperative engagement with the US for shared development and regional stability.

In a message posted on the social media platform Instagram, Rodríguez invited the US government to work with Venezuela on a mutually beneficial agenda. “We invite the US government to collaborate with us on an agenda of cooperation oriented towards shared development within the framework of international law, to strengthen lasting community coexistence,” she said.

 

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Expressing loyalty to former president Nicolás Maduro, Rodríguez said her appeal for peace and dialogue echoed his long-standing message. Her remarks came despite indications from US President Donald Trump suggesting that Rodríguez could be Washington’s preferred leader in the current political scenario.

Addressing Trump directly, Rodríguez said, “President Donald Trump, our people and our region deserve peace and dialogue, not war. This has always been President Nicolás Maduro’s message, and it is the message of all of Venezuela right now.” She added that her vision remains rooted in unity, saying she continues to pursue the dream of a Venezuela where all citizens can come together.

Reaffirming Venezuela’s commitment to peace, the acting president stressed the importance of peaceful coexistence and respect for national sovereignty. “A message from Venezuela to the world, and to the United States: Venezuela reaffirms its commitment to peace and peaceful coexistence. Our country aspires to live without external threats, in an environment of respect and international cooperation,” Rodríguez stated, adding that global peace begins with ensuring peace within individual nations.

Rodríguez underlined that Venezuela seeks balanced and respectful international relations with the United States and other countries in the region, guided by the principles of sovereign equality and non-interference. “These principles guide our diplomacy with the rest of the world,” she reiterated.

Trump gives Delcy a stark warning

Amid tensions escalating between the two countries, US President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, he suggested that Rodríguez could face consequences worse than those faced by former President Nicolás Maduro if she fails to “do the right thing,” though he did not specify what actions he expects from her.

“I don’t have to tell you. I just say that she will face a situation probably worse than Maduro, because, you know, Maduro gave up immediately,” Trump said.

Trump also reiterated that the United States must have full access to Venezuela’s natural resources, particularly its oil reserves. He asserted that access to Venezuela’s resources was necessary for rebuilding the country. “We need total access. We need access to the oil and to other things in their country that allow us to rebuild their country,” he said.

Maduro remains in US custody

Meanwhile, dramatic developments unfolded over the weekend with the capture of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores by US forces during a military operation on Saturday.

Both remain detained in the United States and are expected to appear before a federal court in the Southern District of New York today. They face charges linked to alleged narco-terrorism and conspiracy to traffic drugs, according to US authorities.

US officials confirmed that Maduro and Flores are scheduled to appear before a federal judge at 12 pm, marking their first court appearance following the operation carried out on Saturday.

Also read: How the US captured Nicolas Maduro in 2 hours and 20 minutes

India’s Olympic and world champion Neeraj Chopra is currently on a break as he recovers from a back injury sustained in September last year. The injury occurred just ahead of the World Athletics Championships, and there is no confirmed timeline for his return to competitive action.

On Saturday, January 3, Athletics Federation of India (AFI) spokesperson Adille Sumariwalla confirmed that Chopra’s priority will be rehabilitation rather than early-season competitions.

“He (Chopra) is taking a break. He is recovering from his injuries. He had two injuries. The focus is on rehabilitation, that is the most important thing, not the season opener,” Sumariwalla said while announcing the qualification standards for the Asian Games.

Sumariwalla also praised Chopra’s determination to compete at the World Championships despite being injured.

“Hats off to him that he took part in the World Championships. I have seen his injury, the swelling, and he still competed. We told him not to do it. He said, ‘No sir, I will try.’ He never once said that he couldn’t throw because of his injury,” he added.

Chopra competed at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo in September 2025, where he finished an uncharacteristic eighth with a best throw of 84.03m. The result brought an end to his remarkable streak of top-two finishes across 26 consecutive competitions since 2021. The subdued performance was largely attributed to the severe back injury he had sustained nearly two weeks earlier.

Despite the setback, Chopra enjoyed an outstanding season overall, registering a season-best throw of 90.23m at the Doha Diamond League in May 2025.

At present, there is no fixed timeline for Chopra’s return. The focus remains on full recovery and regaining fitness ahead of the Asian Games, scheduled to be held in Japan from September 19 to October 4 later this year.

AFI sets stricter Asian Games qualification rules

The AFI has also announced the qualification criteria for the Asian Games. As per the guidelines, athletes must compete in a minimum of three tournaments, one state-level meet and two national-level competitions organised by the AFI, to be considered for selection, unless exempted.

Notably, Neeraj Chopra has been granted a special exemption from domestic competitions to allow him sufficient time to recover ahead of the Asian Games.

“People qualify in January and then do nothing before the Asian Games, and when they go there, they don’t perform. We want to see whether an athlete is improving or declining. One good day is not enough at this level,” Sumariwalla stated.

He further clarified that the rules apply uniformly to all athletes, barring exceptional cases.

“We are not foolish enough to restrict our athletes. Neeraj Chopra is only one Neeraj. But for everyone else, the same rules apply,” he added.

Jimmy Kimmel had a night of celebration at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards. But his victory came with emotions and reflections.

The popular late-night host did not just take home a trophy. He also opened up about a year he described as one of the hardest chapters of his life.

Also Read: What exactly did Jimmy Kimmel say about Charlie Kirk that got his show pulled?

A big win after a very hard year

Jimmy Kimmel won the Best Talk Show award at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards on Sunday, January 4. This marked his second win in the same category.

The awards ceremony was held at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica with top shows from television competing in various categories.

A painful phase for the host

After winning the award, Kimmel spoke to reporters backstage. He spoke about what the past year had been like for him and his team. According to PEOPLE, he described the experience as emotionally overwhelming.

Kimmel said watching everything unfold felt strange and painful at the same time. He compared it to witnessing his own funeral, a moment filled with fear, sadness, and disbelief.

“It was almost a near-death experience for me,” he said, explaining that while nothing physical happened, the emotional toll was very real.

When ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ went off air

The tough phase began in September last year, when ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ was off air for six days. This happened after comments made by Kimmel sparked heavy backlash and public debate.

Although the show returned on September 23, the pressure did not fade away easily. Criticism continued. Kimmel became frequent target of attacks from US President Donald Trump who repeatedly called for the show to be cancelled.

The situation put Kimmel and his team under intense public scrutiny.

Public support made the difference

Despite the criticism, Kimmel said the public reaction surprised him in powerful way. Many viewers stood by the show. That support helped him push through the darkest moments.

He said the response reminded him how much comedy and free speech still matter to people. According to Kimmel, many fans felt that comedy should be protected, even when opinions differ.

“When they come after the comedians, that’s when people draw the line,” he said, adding that the support felt urgent and deeply emotional.

Serbian tennis great Novak Djokovic said he has “stepped away completely from the Professional Tennis Players Association”, which he co-founded, citing concerns regarding “ongoing transparency and governance”.

Djokovic and Canadian tennis player Vasek Pospisil founded Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) as a not-for-profit corporation to ensure players have a unified, independent voice in shaping the future of professional tennis.

“After careful consideration, I have decided to step away completely from the Professional Tennis Players Association. This decision comes after ongoing concerns regarding transparency, governance, and the way my voice and image have been represented,” Djokovic posted on X.

“I am proud of the vision that Vasek and I shared when founding the PTPA, giving players a stronger, independent voice – but it has become clear that my values and approach are no longer aligned with the current direction of the organisation,” the post read.

“I will continue to focus on my tennis, my family, and contributing to the sport in ways that reflect my principles and integrity. I wish the players and those involved the best as they move forward, but for me, this chapter is now closed,” he added.

In March 2025, the PTPA and over a dozen players filed a sweeping series of legal actions against the ATP, WTA, ITF and ITIA to reform professional tennis, accusing them of several antitrust violations.

The lawsuit says players should gain access to more earnings, arguing that the governing bodies that oversee the four Grand Slam tournaments — Wimbledon, the U.S. Open, the French Open and the Australian Open — and other professional events cap the prize money tournaments award and limit players’ ability to earn money off the court.

The ATP and WTA both strongly rejected the accusations and said they would defend their position.

A 27-year-old Indian woman was found dead inside an apartment in the US state of Maryland, police said. She had stab injuries.

Her former boyfriend, who owned the apartment, is now wanted for murder. US authorities say he flew to India just hours after reporting her missing.

Police in Howard County identified the woman as Nikitha Godishala, a healthcare professional based in Maryland.

Her ex-partner, Arjun Sharma, has been charged with first- and second-degree murder.

How the case unfolded

Police said Sharma contacted them on January 2 to report Godishala missing. He told officers he had last seen her on December 31 at his apartment in Columbia, Maryland.

Later that day, investigators confirmed that Sharma had left the United States for India.

On January 3, police searched the apartment on Twin Rivers Road. Inside, they found Godishala’s body. She had multiple stab wounds.

Investigators believe she was killed on the evening of December 31, shortly after 7 pm.

Police said no motive has been established yet. The investigation is still underway.

What happens next

After the body was found, an arrest warrant was issued against Sharma. He faces charges of first- and second-degree murder under US law.

Howard County Police said they are working with federal agencies to locate and arrest him.

The United States and India have an extradition treaty. Officials said such cases usually involve legal hearings and diplomatic coordination, and can take months.

Young striker Gonzalo Garcia scored a hat-trick as Real Madrid kept track of FC Barcelona at the top of La Liga with a comfortable 5-1 home win over Real Betis.

Garcia, who started due to Kylian Mbappe’s knee injury, opened the scoring with a far-post header in the 20th minute and doubled the lead with a volley early in the second half, reports Xinhua.

Raul Asencio was left unmarked to make it 3-0 with a header, before Cucho Hernandez pulled a goal back for Betis. Garcia then completed his hat-trick with a back-flick and Fran Garcia scored the fifth in injury time.

On the other hand, Atletico Madrid dropped two points in the title race after a 1-1 draw to Real Sociedad, whose new coach Pellegrino Matarazzo was making his debut.

Alexander Sorloth put Atletico ahead after 50 minutes, but Takefusa Kubo set up Goncalo Guedes to level just five minutes later.

Atletico currently sits fourth in the standings, seven points behind Real Madrid and 11 behind Barcelona.

Luis Castro’s reign as new Levante coach got off to a good start, as his side notched a 3-0 away win over Sevilla.

Iker Losada put Levante ahead on the stroke of halftime after a sharp exchange of passes. Carlos Espi’s first ever league goal doubled the lead with 13 minutes left to play and Carlos Alvarez sealed the win in stoppage time.

Real Oviedo, which also looks to have improved under Guillermo Almada, played out a 1-1 draw away to Alaves.

Federico Vinas put Oviedo ahead in the second half and missed a great chance to double the lead, while Lucas Boye made Oviedo pay for the misses when he equalized with a stunning free kick in the 69th minute.

Girona climbed out of the bottom three with a 2-1 win in Mallorca, with Viktor Tsygankov and Vladyslav Vanat putting them 2-0 ahead before Vedat Muriqi’s late penalty for Mallorca.

India’s Syndrela Das won her second title in two days by teaming up with Sarthak Arya to clinch the U-19 mixed doubles crown in the WTT Youth Contender 2026, presented by Sports Authority of Gujarat, at the SAMA Indoor Sports Complex here on Sunday, as per a release.
The second edition of the WTT Youth Contender in Vadodara, presented by Sports Authority of Gujarat is being hosted by Table Tennis Association of Baroda and implemented by UTT, will feature a total of 226 players competing across the U-11 to U-19 age categories.

In the U-19 mixed doubles final, Syndrela and Sarthak dominated the top-seeded combination of Abhinandh Pradhivadhi and Ananya Muralidharan 11-3, 11-9, 11-3 to clinch the title.
Syndrela won the girls’ U-17 singles title on Sunday and is also in contention to retain her U-19 singles crown.

Vivaan Dave and Naisha Rewaskar bagged the U-15 mixed doubles title, beating Reyansh Jalan and Tanishka Kalbhairav 11-8, 11-8, 11-3.

Earlier, U-11, U-15 and U-19 girls and boys were in action in the group stage, with the top two players from each group qualifying for the knockout stage.
In the boy’s U-11 category, Rehansh Singhvi in Group 1 and Rajdeep Biswas in Group 2 won all their three group matches to reach the semifinals.

Aadya Baheti and Anshika Gupta topped their respective groups in the girls’ U-11 category to make it to the last four stage.