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  • Ashes: Pat Cummins Dismisses Joe Root for 12, Extends Dominance

    Ashes: Pat Cummins Dismisses Joe Root for 12, Extends Dominance

    Adelaide, December 18:
    Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins continued his fine form against England captain Joe Root, claiming his wicket for just 12 runs during the ongoing Ashes Test at Adelaide Oval. Cummins’ disciplined pace and swing once again proved challenging for Root, maintaining his remarkable record against the English skipper in high-profile encounters.

    Cummins’ performance not only strengthened Australia’s position in the match but also highlighted his consistency and ability to strike key blows at crucial moments. Cricket analysts pointed out that Root’s dismissal could impact England’s strategy and morale, reinforcing Cummins’ status as one of the premier fast bowlers in world cricket and a decisive factor in the Ashes series.

  • Worst Technology Ever”: Starc Slams Snickometer As It Troubles England and Australia at Adelaide

    Worst Technology Ever”: Starc Slams Snickometer As It Troubles England and Australia at Adelaide

    Adelaide, December 18:
    Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc criticised the snickometer technology, calling it the “worst technology ever” after a series of controversial decisions during the ongoing Test match between Australia and England at Adelaide Oval. Starc expressed frustration as the ultra-edge system repeatedly went against bowlers, affecting crucial dismissals and match momentum.

    The comments sparked debate among players and fans alike, with many questioning the reliability of ball-tracking and edge-detection technologies in cricket. Analysts noted that while snickometer and DRS technologies are intended to enhance umpiring accuracy, inconsistencies can create tensions on the field, especially in high-stakes Test matches. Starc’s remark underscores ongoing discussions about balancing technology use with human judgment in cricket.

  • Cultural Exchange Highlights India‑Ethiopia Ties During PM Modi’s Visit

    Cultural Exchange Highlights India‑Ethiopia Ties During PM Modi’s Visit

    Addis Ababa, December 18:
    During a banquet hosted by Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was honoured with performances of Vande Mataram, showcasing warm cultural exchange and people‑to‑people ties. The event highlighted India’s emphasis on cultural diplomacy alongside strategic discussions, reflecting mutual respect and strengthening bilateral goodwill.

    Cultural engagements like these are also designed to enhance understanding between nations and provide a platform for sharing India’s rich heritage. Such initiatives help reinforce strong diplomatic relationships, promote tourism, and encourage educational and artistic collaborations between India and Ethiopia.

  • PM Modi to Meet Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman

    PM Modi to Meet Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman

    Muscat, December 18:
    Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to hold talks with Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, focusing on strengthening bilateral ties, trade, investment, defence, and regional security cooperation. Sources noted that the discussions will reinforce the strategic partnership and explore joint initiatives across multiple sectors.

    The leaders are also expected to discuss global and regional challenges, including maritime security, counter-terrorism, and energy cooperation. The meeting reflects the importance India places on Middle East relations and its intent to maintain strong ties with Gulf nations for stability, economic development, and regional collaboration.

  • PM Modi Begins Ethiopia Visit on 3‑Nation Tour

    PM Modi Begins Ethiopia Visit on 3‑Nation Tour

    New Delhi, December 18:
    Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for Ethiopia on a two‑day state visit, marking the second leg of his ongoing three‑nation diplomatic tour. The visit follows his official engagement in Jordan and aims to deepen bilateral ties, trade, investment, technology collaboration, and cooperation on global issues. Government sources highlighted that the visit reflects India’s focus on strengthening relations with African nations and enhancing India’s strategic presence on the continent.

    During his stay, PM Modi is expected to engage in discussions on regional security, trade expansion, and technology partnerships. The visit is also intended to showcase India’s commitment to South-South cooperation, encourage investment from Indian businesses in Ethiopia, and explore collaborative initiatives in education, energy, and infrastructure development.

  • TCS Rated ‘Buy’ by Motilal Oswal on Undemanding Valuations; Targets Healthy Upside

    TCS Rated ‘Buy’ by Motilal Oswal on Undemanding Valuations; Targets Healthy Upside

    Mumbai, December 18:
    Brokerage firm **Motilal Oswal Financial Services has reaffirmed its ‘Buy’ rating on Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), citing undemanding valuations and robust long-term fundamentals as key drivers for investor confidence. The brokerage values TCS at 26 times FY28E earnings per share, underlining that the stock’s current valuation presents an attractive entry point for investors amid broader IT sector volatility.

    Motilal Oswal has set a target price of ₹4,400 for TCS, implying a potential upside of around 37 per cent from prevailing market levels, reflecting optimism about the company’s future earnings trajectory. Analysts highlighted TCS’s leadership position in digital and AI-led services, strong deal pipeline, and disciplined execution as key reasons for the Buy call. Institutional investors and market participants are watching TCS’s ability to capitalise on enterprise technology transformation and cloud-related opportunities as it navigates evolving demand conditions.

  • Australia Announces Tougher Hate Speech Laws, Visa Cancellations After Bondi Beach Attack

    Australia Announces Tougher Hate Speech Laws, Visa Cancellations After Bondi Beach Attack

    Canberra, December 18:
    In the aftermath of the deadly Bondi Beach attack that killed 15 people during a Hanukkah celebration, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a sweeping crackdown on hate speech and those who promote division and violence. The federal government outlined a set of legislative reforms aimed at strengthening hate speech laws, increasing penalties for those who incite hatred and violence, and creating new legal offences targeting leaders and preachers who promote extremist ideologies. Authorities said the reforms are part of a broader strategy to combat antisemitism and prevent radicalisation following the nationally shocking incident.

    The measures include new federal offences for “aggravated hate speech”, making hate an aggravating factor in sentencing online threats and harassment, and establishing a framework to list organisations whose leaders engage in violent hate speech. Crucially, the Home Affairs Minister will be granted expanded powers to cancel or reject visas for individuals who spread hate or would do so if allowed into Australia, signalling a stricter approach to immigration linked to national security and social cohesion. A 12-month task force to address antisemitism in schools and education systems will also be established under the plan.

  • Tata Motors Share Price Surges After JPMorgan, Bank of America Initiations; Target Set at ₹475

    Tata Motors Share Price Surges After JPMorgan, Bank of America Initiations; Target Set at ₹475

    Mumbai, December 18:
    Shares of Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles Ltd. climbed sharply on Thursday, gaining over 3.5% in early trade after top global brokerages JPMorgan and Bank of America (BofA) initiated coverage on the stock with positive outlooks. The stock hit an intraday high of around ₹403 from Wednesday’s close near ₹386, buoyed by optimism around the company’s growth prospects heading into 2026. Both brokerages started coverage with bullish ratings — overweight from JPMorgan and buy from BofA — reflecting confidence in the commercial vehicle segment’s performance and Tata Motors’ strategic positioning.

    Analysts from both institutions set a target price of ₹475, implying roughly 20% upside from current levels, driven by expectations of improving demand, disciplined margin management and value creation from initiatives such as the Iveco acquisition. The positive broker actions have lifted investor sentiment and contributed to the stock’s upward momentum in the broader auto sector. Market participants are now watching how these forecasts translate into earnings and deliveries in the coming quarters.

  • Sreeleela Says ‘Hope People Like Our Film’ Amid Parasakthi vs Vijay’s Jana Nayagan Pongal Clash

    Sreeleela Says ‘Hope People Like Our Film’ Amid Parasakthi vs Vijay’s Jana Nayagan Pongal Clash

    Chennai, December 18:
    Actress Sreeleela, who stars in the upcoming Tamil film Parasakthi, spoke about the much-anticipated box office clash with actor Vijay’s Jana Nayagan slated for release during the Pongal 2026 festival. With fans closely watching the face-off between the two big releases, Sreeleela expressed optimism about audience response, stating that she hopes viewers appreciate Parasakthi for its storytelling and performances. Parasakthi marks her significant Tamil cinematic appearance, and the actress conveyed both excitement and confidence as her film prepares for its festive release.

    The Pongal box office clash between Parasakthi and Jana Nayagan has generated widespread buzz in the Tamil film industry, with both films expected to draw large audiences during the peak holiday period. Jana Nayagan, starring Vijay and directed by H Vinoth, is one of the most awaited films of the year, while Parasakthi, featuring Sivakarthikeyan and a strong ensemble cast, has created its own momentum ahead of release. Sreeleela’s remarks reflect confidence in her film’s potential to resonate with audiences regardless of the box office competition.

  • KTR Accuses Rahul Gandhi of Double Standards, Disrespecting Anti-Defection Law

    KTR Accuses Rahul Gandhi of Double Standards, Disrespecting Anti-Defection Law

    Hyderabad, December 18:
    Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) on Thursday launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of double standards and disrespecting the Anti-Defection Law enacted by his late father, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. The strong criticism came after the Telangana Assembly Speaker dismissed disqualification petitions against five MLAs accused of defecting from BRS to the ruling Congress, a decision that has triggered political controversy in the state.

    KTR alleged that the Congress leadership, including Rahul Gandhi, has undermined the very constitutional and democratic principles it claims to uphold by protecting defected legislators and delaying action against them. He described the Speaker’s ruling as a “mockery of democracy” and said the reluctance to disqualify MLAs reflects political maneuvering to avoid by-elections rather than respect for the law. The BRS has announced plans to challenge the verdict in the Telangana High Court, asserting that the action violates legislative integrity and weakens the spirit of the anti-defection provisions.