National News

Mani urges authorities to either cull or translocate wild animals to address the escalating human-wildlife conflict

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev accused Russia of shooting down an Azerbaijani passenger plane, killing 38 of 67 passengers. Aliyev demanded an apology, acknowledgment of guilt, and compensation. Survivors reported loud noises, and the Kremlin admitted active air defence systems. Investigations are ongoing with a joint probe at the crash site.

South Africa secured their first World Test Championship Final spot with a thrilling win over Pakistan in Centurion. The victory, driven by tail-enders Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen, confirmed their top-two finish in the standings. The achievement follows their 2-0 win over Sri Lanka and improved their percentage points to 66.67%.

Sepoy Solomon from Manipur, despite his home being destroyed by a mob, successfully passed the Army Cadet College exam and Services Selection Board interview. He is now on the path to becoming an officer, a first from his village. With support from his battalion, his journey is an inspiration of determination.

Norovirus outbreaks are rising sharply across the United States this winter, with 91 outbreaks reported in early December, compared to 69 in late November. Known for causing sudden vomiting and diarrhoea, norovirus spreads easily, especially in crowded settings. With no specific treatment, prevention through hygiene remains the best defence. Here’s what you need to know.

Ankur Jain, an American entrepreneur, founded Bilt Rewards, which is valued at $3.1 billion. Jain, previously VP of products at Tinder, sold his app Humin to Tinder. He married former WWE wrestler Erika Hammond in 2024 after they met at Rumble Boxing gym. Jain’s estimated net worth is $1.2 billion.

The account, which reportedly employs a rudimentary voice changer, became the subject of ridicule after joining a public X Space and passionately defending Musk. During the session, the individual, believed to be Musk.

Delhi Police are investigating alleged data collection for the AAP's 'Mahila Samman Yojna' scheme after concerns raised by Congress' Sandeep Dikshit. Lt Governor Saxena directed an inquiry into improper personal information gathering. The Delhi government departments have denied the existence of such a scheme, distancing themselves from AAP's claims as elections approach.

India speedster Mohammed Siraj on Sunday picked up three crucial wickets to help India make a strong comeback in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. Earlier, Sunil Gavaskar's call to drop Siraj for non-performance and skipper Rohit Sharma's motivational tactics led to pacer's improved performance in the ongoing series.

President-elect Donald Trump has backed Elon Musk's support for the H-1B visa program, despite previous opposition. Trump's endorsement has caused a rift among his supporters. Big tech figures such as Musk argue that the program is essential for maintaining US industry leaders.

Sharmistha Mukherjee criticizes Congress for trolling her and her father, ex-President Pranab Mukherjee, questioning the lack of a condolence CWC meeting. She claims the party is plagued by internal issues, calls for a memorial and Bharat Ratna for late PM Manmohan Singh.

In a press conference, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said there might be a Shivling at the Uttar Pradesh chief minister's residence, amid ongoing excavation in Sambhal district. This remark came on the ninth day of excavation aimed at discovering an ancient stepwell. Efforts are being made to clear encroachments and carefully conduct the excavation under the Archaeological Survey of India's guidance.

Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj led India's attack brilliantly on the fourth day of the Boxing Day Test. Bumrah's standout performance, including his 200th Test wicket, and Siraj's increased speed helped dismantle Australia's middle order. Despite a dramatic collapse, Australia extended their lead to 333 runs thanks to contributions from Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon.

Elon Musk endorsed Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in an op-ed, calling it the country's "last spark of hope." His support has sparked controversy, particularly as Germany approaches a federal election. Reactions from politicians and journalists reveal strong opposition and concern over Musk's stance. In 2021, Germany's domestic intelligence agency labelled the AfD a suspected extremist organisation at the national level.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev claimed that a plane crash in Kazakhstan, which killed 38 people, was caused by Russian intervention. He accused Russia of hiding the crash's cause and noted the plane encountered 'external interference' in Russian airspace. Russian President Vladimir Putin apologized but did not assume responsibility.

A Jeju Air flight from Bangkok crashed at Muan airport in South Korea, killing 179 of the 181 passengers on board. The plane skidded off the runway due to landing gear failure and struck a concrete barrier. Initial reports suggest a bird was stuck in the wing. Recovery operations are ongoing, and investigations are underway with retrieved flight data and voice recorders.

The India vs Australia fourth Test witnessed a record Boxing Day Test attendance with 299,329 fans. It surpassed the previous highest of 271,865 set during the 2013 Ashes Test. The match saw significant turnout from Indian fans worldwide, with Day 3 breaking several attendance records. The fifth day is yet to be played at the MCG.

A Jeju Air flight from Bangkok to South Korea crashed while landing at Muan Airport, likely due to bird strikes and adverse weather. The crash resulted in 151 confirmed deaths out of 181 people onboard. Rescue efforts and an official investigation are ongoing.