France Indicts Founder of Notorious Website Used in Pelicot Rape Case

By Catherine Porter and Ségolène Le Stradic from NYT World https://ift.tt/47INYlS

"May Or May Not...": Chahal Speaks Up Amid Divorce Rumours With Dhanashree

Yuzvendra Chahal has broken his long silence after rumours on social media claimed that all was not well in his marriage with Dhanashree Verma. Earlier on Wednesday, Dhanashree broke her silence amid viral rumours of her divorce. Chahal got engaged to Dhanashree, a YouTuber, dance choreographer and dentist, who has participated in the reality show Jhalak Dheekha Ja, on August 8, 2020. The couple got married in a private ceremony on December 22, 2020 in Gurgaon. 

In a long message regarding "social media posts speculating on matters that may or may not be true", Chahal said it has caused him and his family immense pain.

"I am grateful to all my fans for their unwavering love and support without which, I wouldn't have come this far. But this journey is far from OVER!!! As there are still many incredible OVERS left to deliver for my country, my team, and for my fans!!! While I am proud to be a sportsman, I am also a Son, a Brother, and a Friend. I understand the curiosity surrounding recent events, particularly about my personal life. However, I have noticed certain social media posts speculating on matters that may or may not be true," he wrote in a long post on his Instagram story.

"As a Son, a Brother and a Friend, I humbly request everyone not to indulge in these speculations, as they have caused immense pain to me and my family. My family values have taught me to always wish well for all, strive to achieve success through dedication and hard work, instead of taking shortcuts, and I remain committed to these values. With Divine Blessings, I shall forever strive to seek your love & support and not sympathy.

Earlier, Dhanashree slammed faceless trolls for spreading hate.

"The past few days have been incredibly tough for my family and me. What's truly upsetting is the baseless writing, devoid of fact checking, and the character assassination of my reputation by faceless trolls spreading hate," Dhanashree wrote in a long post on her Instagram story.

"I've worked hard for years to build my name and integrity. My silence is not a sign of weakness; but of strength. While negativity spreads easily online, it takes courage and compassion to uplift others.

"I choose to focus on my truth and move forward, holding onto my values. The truth stands tall without the need for justification."

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We Are Not Prepared for Fires Like This

By David Wallace-Wells from NYT Opinion https://ift.tt/sobrLw7

World No. 1 Sinner Kicks Off AO 2025 With Doping Fears Still Hanging Above

World number one Jannik Sinner said Tuesday his "amazing" 2024 was history as he warmed up for the defence of his Australian Open title with a tough exhibition match victory on Melbourne's centre court. The Italian is coming off a breakthrough year in which he backed up his maiden Grand Slam title at Melbourne Park by winning the US Open and ATP Finals. He then starred for Italy as they claimed a second consecutive Davis Cup triumph, ending as the world's undisputed top player.

The 23-year-old skipped any lead-up events to the opening major of the year and instead flew straight to Melbourne for his first match of 2025.

He faced a testing battle on a hot afternoon against Australian world number 25 Alexei Popyrin, eventually prevailing 6-4, 7-6 (7/2), rallying from 5-2 down in the second set on Rod Laver Arena.

"2024 was an amazing season for me, but it has already gone now," said Sinner, who spent Christmas at home in the snow and arrived in Melbourne to a 40 degree Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) day.

"So many things have happened for me on this court and off the court," he added.

"I'm very happy to be back, even if it is a kind of exhibition. For us it's always very important trying to feel the court, the pace.

"In my mind, I know how much work we have put in, which hopefully will give me confidence and we will see how it goes," he added.

The Australian Open starts on Sunday.

Sinner is kicking off his campaign with a doping cloud hanging over him after twice testing positive for traces of the steroid clostebol in March.

He was exonerated by the International Tennis Integrity Agency, which accepted his explanation that the drug entered his system when his physiotherapist treated a cut.

But the World Anti-Doping Agency appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and the Italian is still awaiting the verdict.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Pope Names Nun to Head a Vatican Department, a First for a Woman

By Elisabetta Povoledo from NYT World https://ift.tt/CqPRnEk

Mobile-Home Lender Owned by Buffett Is Sued Over Risky Mortgages

By Matthew Goldstein from NYT Business https://ift.tt/pLJWfKA

Amid Retirement Claims, Report Says Kohli Wants To Play Till This Tournament

Has the world seen the last of Virat Kohli in Test cricket, or will he be able to revive his career and enjoy a second wind? The flag-bearer of Indian batting since the retirement of Sachin Tendulkar, Kohli yelled at himself and punched his thigh, as he got out for the eighth time edging to the slip cordon or keeper in his nine visits to the crease in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The 36-year-old's career was hanging by a thread after he once again fell victim to a back-of-length delivery on a sixth-stump line on the second day of the fifth and final Test against Australia, the bowler being the self-effacing but relentless Scott Boland.

His problems seem unsolvable at the moment as it is more mental than technical.

The sameness in the mode of his dismissals mean it has become his second nature to "fish" at deliveries on the corridor of uncertainty.

Kohli batted in nine innings across five Tests and barring the second innings century at Perth in the opening Test, and a 36 in the first innings in Melbourne, he has failed to get going.

Remove the 136 runs he had aggregated over his two innings in Perth and Melbourne, and Kohli is left with just 54 runs across his seven other completed knocks.

For a champion player, it is very difficult to take a decision when he is going through his career's all-time lowest phase.

It is understood that Kohli is in no mood to retire and wants to play for India till the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has been constantly saying that the right-hander would continue.

But an ex-national selector looked at the situation differently. He asked how Kohli plans to convince the selectors for the England tour in June without playing any tangible red-ball cricket.

"It would be very hard for selectors to pick either Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli on the basis of IPL performance or form. Their has to be some red-ball cricket for them in lead-up to England tour. Else you can't justify their selections," the former selectors told PTI.

If sources are to be believed there is no indication as of now that Kohli intends to play the Ranji Trophy, which restarts from January 23.

Delhi will play Saurashtra from January 23-26 in an away game in Rajkot when the Ranji Trophy resumes.

In the next round of matches from January 30 to February 2, Kohli's state team Delhi is scheduled to play Railways.

However, playing domestic red-ball cricket in India in January and February for Test matches in England in June practically won't make sense.

Kohli lives in his new home in London for better part and only joins the national team or IPL side before the start of a series or tournament.

India's next assignment is a three-match ODI series against England from February 6 followed by the Champions Trophy (from February 19 to March 9) and then the IPL starts on March 14.

Clearly there is no window to play any red-ball tournament for preparation unless he skips the IPL for a county stint to gear up for the England tour.

Kohli is one of the biggest brands of the IPL and he won't be losing a chance to captain RCB once again this year and fulfil his dream of winning at least one IPL trophy before drawing the curtains on his glorious career.

The only other option left is talking to selectors and playing at least couple of India A games during its shadow tour to England just before the senior team's tour begins with the first Test at Leeds from June 18.

As of now, Kohli has played his last Test at SCG. But when the name is as big as Virat Kohli, there could always be a twist in the tale.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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