Six individuals accused of vandalizing Telugu actor Allu Arjun’s Jubilee Hills residence in Hyderabad were granted bail on Monday. The protestors, claiming to be part of the Osmania University Joint Action Committee (OU-JAC), threw tomatoes and shouted slogans outside the actor’s home on Sunday evening. The controversy follows a stampede incident during the premiere of Allu Arjun’s film "Pushpa 2: The Rule," resulting in a woman’s death and injuries to her son. Telangana CM Revanth Reddy criticized Arjun for attending the event despite safety warnings, alleging negligence that escalated the tragedy.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico made a surprise visit to Moscow, meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin. This marks him as the third Western leader to meet Putin since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Discussions focused on gas supplies to Slovakia, which relies heavily on Russian energy. The meeting comes as Slovakia’s gas transit deal with Gazprom nears expiration. Fico, a critic of EU military aid to Ukraine, said they also discussed the military situation and prospects for peace. Fico informed EU officials before the trip, emphasizing Slovakia's position as a “good neighbor” to Ukraine despite halting military aid.

  Asma Al-Assad, wife of deposed Syrian president Bashar Al-Assad, has filed for divorce and sought permission to leave Moscow, where the family has been exiled. The Jerusalem Post reports that she is unhappy with her life in Russia and wishes to return to the UK. Born in London, Asma holds dual British-Syrian citizenship. Since the onset of the Syrian uprising, she has expressed a desire to exile herself with her children. Bashar Al-Assad remains in Moscow under asylum, facing heavy restrictions imposed by Russian authorities. The couple has three children.

A controversy surrounding Ravindra Jadeja's alleged Hindi-only press conference led to the cancellation of a friendly cricket match between Indian and Australian journalists in Melbourne. Scheduled for Sunday at Junction Oval, the match was called off after some members of Team India’s backroom staff and Indian media boycotted the event. Australian media claimed Jadeja refused to answer questions in English, but Indian journalists and the team's media manager denied this, asserting Jadeja only responded to Hindi queries from traveling reporters. Cricket Australia had organized the fixture, which was scrapped due to insufficient players following the boycott.

India's ICC Champions Trophy 2025 matches will be played in Dubai, as confirmed by a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) spokesperson. The PCB selected Dubai as a neutral venue for the tournament, a decision officially conveyed to the ICC. This move follows the ICC's confirmation that India's games in the eight-team event would be held outside Pakistan. The tournament, scheduled from February 19 to March 9, features teams like India, Pakistan, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, England, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. The official schedule is expected soon. India last won the Champions Trophy in 2013, defeating England in the final.

A woman was tragically set on fire and killed aboard a stationary subway car at Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station in Brooklyn, NYC. The suspect, a Guatemalan immigrant, allegedly ignited the victim's clothing without prior interaction. Responding officers found the victim engulfed in flames but were unable to save her. The suspect remained at the scene before leaving the station. A tip-off from high school students later led to his arrest at Herald Square station in Manhattan. Police are investigating the motive, and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch called it "one of the most depraved crimes imaginable."

India captain Rohit Sharma's form remains a concern after a viral video showed him struggling against part-timer Devdutt Padikkal in net practice ahead of the fourth Test against Australia in Melbourne. The 37-year-old has scored just 19 runs in three innings this series and 152 runs in his last 13 Test innings at an average of 11.69. Fans labeled his struggle as "embarrassing," speculating he is in his "endgame." Sunil Gavaskar hinted that Rohit might step down as captain if his form doesn’t improve. Speculation grows that senior players, including Rohit, may retire before the next WTC cycle in 2025.

Three Khalistani terrorists, linked to the banned Khalistan Commando Force, were killed in a joint encounter by Punjab and Uttar Pradesh Police in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh. Gurvinder Singh (25), Virender Singh alias Ravi (23), and Jaspreet Singh alias Pratap Singh (18) were wanted for attacking a police post in Punjab's Gurdaspur. The police recovered two AK-47 rifles, two Glock pistols, and live rounds. The accused fired at the police, leading to retaliatory action. Authorities are investigating their foreign connections. This follows an explosion at an abandoned Gurdaspur police post on December 21, which caused no casualties but heightened tensions.

Air India Express launched its first Surat-Bangkok direct flight, which gained attention after passengers consumed ₹1.8 lakh worth of liquor mid-air. The crew announced they had run out of alcohol before landing in Bangkok, as around 15 liters of premium beverages, including Chivas Regal and beer, were consumed. Passengers also brought traditional Gujarati snacks like thepla and khaman to complement onboard refreshments. Social media users questioned reports, noting the aircraft's passenger capacity likely capped at 176, making alcohol consumption around 85ml per passenger. The incident sparked debate about Gujarat's prohibition policy, with suggestions to review it for regulated alcohol sales.

Indian-American entrepreneur Sriram Krishnan has been appointed Senior Policy Advisor on Artificial Intelligence by US President-elect Donald Trump. The announcement came as part of a series of new appointments. Krishnan will work in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, focusing on maintaining American leadership in AI. He will collaborate closely with David Sacks, the AI and Crypto Czar. Krishnan, who has worked at Microsoft, Facebook, and Twitter, expressed his gratitude, calling it an honour to serve the country. The Indian-American community welcomed the decision, calling it a proud moment for their diaspora.