National News

New train time table will come into effect from Wednesday

Indian captain Rohit Sharma clarified that Shubman Gill was not dropped for the Boxing Day Test, but selected an all-rounder Washington Sundar to strengthen the lower middle-order batting. Sunil Gavaskar criticized the decision, emphasizing that it effectively sidelined Gill. Sundar contributed with 19 overs and a 50-run knock, but India still faced defeat, trailing 1-2 in the series.

A controversy arose in Pune after a pub sent guests condoms and oral rehydration sachets as part of their New Year's Eve party invitation, sparking backlash from the Maharashtra Pradesh Youth Congress. The Congress has demanded strict action against the pub's management, citing an unsuitable marketing strategy. Police have begun recording statements from attendees.

No official programme due to seven-day mourning following Manmohan Singh’s death. However, private hospitality groups have arranged live music shows, gala dinners, mini fireworks and so on

Gains from the Year of Enterprises campaign over the last three years resulted in 3.39 lakh new enterprises, fresh investments of ₹21,791 crore, and the creation of 7,19,710 jobs

A 34-member district committee, featuring six new faces, was elected at district conference that drew to a close on December 30, 2024.

Yashasvi Jaiswal showcased determination and composure during India's chase of 340 against Australia. Despite the top order's struggle, his 84 runs and an 88-run partnership with Rishabh Pant kept India hopeful. However, Pant's dismissal led to a collapse, and Australia won by 184 runs as India got all out for 155.

NCW chief Vijaya Rahatkar revealed that the accused in the Anna University assault case is a habitual offender. A two-member NCW committee is investigating. The Madras High Court has ordered a special investigation team and Rs 25 lakh compensation for the survivor due to FIR leakage, to be recovered from the responsible police personnel's salaries.

The 49ers host the Lions in a Week 17 Monday Night Football game. San Francisco is out of playoff contention, while Detroit seeks the top seed. The Lions miss star running back David Montgomery, out for the season due to a torn MCL.

In 2024, India faced intense diplomatic challenges amidst regional tensions and international incidents. From strained relations with Canada and Bangladesh to resolving the border dispute with China, India's diplomatic efforts were rigorously tested. It achieved significant wins including securing the release of Indian naval personnel from Qatar and signing new agreements with Sri Lanka and Iran.

In September, Australian athlete Lily Winward, 19, was forced to travel with a toddler on her lap due to an Etihad Airways overbooking issue during a layover in the UAE. Despite paying $3,000 for her flights, Winward's attempts to address the situation have so far been ignored by the airline.

Apple is seeking to reduce its reliance on Nvidia by renting GPU access from cloud providers and collaborating with Broadcom to develop its own AI server chip, targeting mass production by 2026. This move aims to achieve technological autonomy and is driven by both financial motives and longstanding corporate disputes.

Pollsters faced significant challenges and inaccuracies during the 2024 elections in India and the United States. Despite predictions for the BJP and NDA, actual outcomes were unexpected. Key states like Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and swing states in the US contradicted exit polls, highlighting the limitations and pressures faced by psephologists.

Magnus Carlsen confirmed his return to the World Blitz Chess Championship after FIDE permitted players to compete in jeans. Carlsen criticized FIDE's decision-making process and deputy president Viswanathan Anand, claiming the situation was mishandled and Anand was not suitable for his role. Carlsen faced fines and rules clarification issues.

The verdict relied on testimonies from more than 70 witnesses, forensic evidence and CCTV footage capturing the crime.