The Board of Control for Cricket in India is considering major changes to its annual central contract system, according to reports. Under the proposed model, the Grade A category may be removed. If approved, senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are expected to be placed in Grade B. The selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, has suggested scrapping the A+ category and retaining only A, B and C grades. Final decisions and financial details are likely at the next BCCI apex council meeting. (PC: NDTV)

Litter was found inside a coach of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express within hours of its inaugural run on Saturday. The train was flagged off between Howrah and Guwahati by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Videos shared online showed plastic packets and disposable spoons scattered on the floor of a sleeper coach. The incident occurred before regular commercial services began. Railway officials later said cleanliness on trains is a shared public responsibility. The Vande Bharat Sleeper is part of Indian Railways’ push to upgrade long-distance travel with modern coaches and higher fares. 

Spain has declared three days of national mourning after a high-speed train crash killed at least 40 people in the southern region of Andalusia. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said a full investigation would determine why two trains collided near Adamuz, close to Córdoba. The crash happened on Sunday evening when a Madrid-bound train derailed and struck an oncoming service. More than 120 people were injured, with several still in intensive care. Transport Minister Óscar Puente said the cause remains unclear. High-speed rail services on the route remain suspended. (PC: BBC)

Indian-origin Australian resident Vikrant Thakur, 42, admitted to killing his wife Supriya Thakur, 36, but pleaded guilty to manslaughter rather than murder. Police responded to a domestic assault call at their Northfield, Adelaide home on December 21, 2025, finding Supriya unconscious. Despite CPR attempts, she couldn't be revived. Vikrant was arrested at the scene and charged with murder. During his second court appearance, he maintained innocence on murder charges while admitting manslaughter. The hearing resumes in April, pending DNA and post-mortem results. Supriya aspired to become a nurse and worked long hours. Friends established a GoFundMe for her son. Manslaughter differs from murder by lacking intent to kill. (PC: ABC)

An eight-year-old Hindu student was forced to change schools in London after allegedly facing discrimination for wearing Tilak-Chandlo, a sacred Hindu forehead symbol, at Vicar's Green Primary School. The child was reportedly questioned and intimidated by the headteacher, who closely observed him during breaks, causing isolation from classmates. Advocacy group Insight UK alleged the student was stripped of school responsibilities solely due to religious practice, potentially violating UK's Equality Act 2010. Parents' repeated attempts to explain Hindu practices' religious significance were met with dismissive responses. At least four Hindu children have withdrawn from the school, raising concerns about inclusivity and religious freedom. The incident highlights broader issues of religious accommodation in British educational institutions. (PC: News18)

National pole vault record holder Dev Meena and fellow athlete Kuldeep Yadav were forcibly deboarded from a train at Panvel station by a Travelling Ticket Examiner who prohibited them from carrying their poles which is an essential sport equipment. The athletes were stranded for nearly five hours while explaining their situation to authorities after returning from the All India Inter-University Championships. A viral video shows Meena questioning the treatment, wondering about harassment faced by junior athletes if international competitors face such issues. The 19-year-old Meena holds India's national record at 5.35m, set in April 2025, though significantly trailing the Asian record (6m) and world record (6.27m by Armand Duplantis). The incident sparked nationwide controversy.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar accused the West of "selective targeting" of India beyond tariffs during discussions with Polish counterpart Radoslaw Sikorski in New Delhi. India has repeatedly criticized Western sanctions on companies doing business with Russia as hypocritical, noting the US and Europe continue Moscow trade in their own interests. Jaishankar referenced previous candid conversations in New York and Paris about Ukraine, emphasizing selective targeting is "unfair and unjustified." He also expressed displeasure over Poland's October joint statement with Pakistan mentioning Kashmir, urging Warsaw to show "zero-tolerance for terrorism" and avoid fueling terrorist infrastructure in India's neighborhood. Sikorski acknowledged concerns about global trade turbulence and agreed on countering cross-border terrorism. (PC: PTI)

On The Great Indian Kapil Show, Kapil Sharma joked about Yuvraj Singh's cricket revenge against England despite marrying British actor-model Hazel Keech. Yuvraj's savage reply: "It's my karma." The episode featured Yuvraj, Virender Sehwag, and Mohammad Kaif sharing hilarious memories. Sehwag teased Yuvraj about owning multiple houses across Chandigarh, Gurugram, Mumbai, London, and Dubai. The trio admitted surviving with minimal English vocabulary. Yuvraj's England records include the fastest T20 fifty (12 balls) in 2007, career-best ODI score (150), and cricket's second-highest fourth-wicket partnership with MS Dhoni. He married Hazel in November 2016; they have two children. Yuvraj ranks second for most ODI runs against England with 1,523. (PC: Instagram/@yuvisofficial)

Iran's death toll amid ongoing protests has climbed to 4,029, including 3,786 demonstrators, 180 security forces, 28 children, and 35 non-protesters, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported Tuesday. Hackers disrupted Iranian state TV, airing clips of exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi urging security forces to join protesters. Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan issued a three-day ultimatum for "rioters" to surrender, promising leniency for those "deceived" into joining demonstrations. Protests erupted December 28 over economic struggles and regime opposition. Analysts warn of nuclear risks amid chaos. President Trump drew red lines against protester killings and mass executions, while USS Abraham Lincoln heads toward the Middle East, escalating tensions. (PC: Reuters)

Security forces busted a Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist hideout in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, during ongoing Operation Trashi-I. The search operation uncovered substantial winter supplies including rations, ghee, utensils, gas cylinders, and stoves near the gunfight site. Officials confirmed the hideout was spacious enough to accommodate multiple people and stocked with provisions for winter months. This discovery follows Sunday's encounter between security forces and terrorists that claimed the life of one paratrooper. The operation continues as forces track down remaining militants in the Kishtwar district. The recovery highlights the terrorists' preparation for extended stays in the region, with authorities intensifying efforts to neutralize remaining threats and dismantle terror infrastructure. (PC: Times Now)