BCCI officials have denied reports of approaching VVS Laxman to replace Gautam Gambhir as Test coach following recent series losses. Despite scrutiny over India’s red-ball performance, the board reaffirmed its “complete trust” in Gambhir, stating his contract remains secure until the 2027 World Cup without any official discussions of change.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to meet President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, Florida, to discuss a potential “victory plan” for ending the war with Russia. The meeting comes as Trump prepares to take office, having repeatedly pledged to resolve the conflict swiftly through direct negotiations.

Virat Kohli won hearts by signing the match ball for Gujarat’s Vishal Jayswal after the young spinner dismissed him for 77 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Jayswal, who called it a dream come true, took a four-wicket haul, though Delhi ultimately secured a narrow seven-run victory over Gujarat.

Anupam Kher hailed the massive success of Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar as a “slap on the face” of critics who labeled the spy thriller as propaganda. He praised the director’s conviction and noted that the audience’s overwhelming response—pushing the film past ₹1000 crore—rejects attempts to belittle art for “selfish purposes.”

In a massive pre-New Year crackdown, Delhi Police arrested 285 people and detained over 1,300 during “Operation Aaghat 3.0.” The operation targeted organized crime and bootlegging, resulting in the seizure of 21 pistols, 27 knives, narcotics, and over 12,000 quarters of illicit liquor to ensure public safety.

Actor Kajal Aggarwal joined celebrities like Janhvi Kapoor in condemning the brutal lynching of Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu garment worker in Bangladesh. Sharing a “Wake up Hindus” message, Aggarwal urged the community to speak out against such “barbaric” extremism. The incident has triggered massive protests and diplomatic tensions.

Manojh Sai Lella, a 22-year-old senior at the University of Texas at Dallas, was arrested in Frisco for allegedly trying to set his family’s home on fire. Charged with arson and making terroristic threats following a “mental health episode,” Lella is held on a $103,500 bond.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon hailed the India-New Zealand FTA as a “landmark achievement” that will create jobs and boost exports to 1.4 billion consumers. He dismissed Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ criticisms that the deal is “neither free nor fair” and excludes dairy, maintaining it is essential for the nation’s future.

Thailand and Cambodia signed a ceasefire agreement on Saturday to end 20 days of border fighting that killed over 100 people and displaced 500,000. Effective immediately, the deal includes freezing troop movements and monitoring by ASEAN observers. A trilateral meeting with China is scheduled Sunday to build mutual confidence.