National News

Azerbaijan Airlines attributes the crash of its Embraer 190 in Kazakhstan to external interference, prompting cessation of flights to 10 Russian airports. Russia and Ukraine are trading blame over the incident, with Russia alleging Ukrainian drone attacks, while Ukraine holds Russia responsible. The crash claimed 38 lives out of 67 occupants.

Resolution says he ‘embodied the very best qualities of a true statesman, including compassion, honesty, and a deep commitment to public service’. In a separate condolence message, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi describes the loss as a ‘personal one’

The design of the memorial for actor Vishnuvardhan incorporates a circular structure, it emphasises community engagement, and reflects the actor’s service-oriented philosophy

Sonia Gandhi paid tribute to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who passed away at 92, describing him as wise, noble, and humble. She highlighted his contributions to social justice, secularism, and democratic values, and acknowledged his impact on India's progress and development. His death is deeply felt across the nation.

Police nabbed the suspects during a flash check conducted with the support of the District Anti Narcotics Special Action Force

‘Kerala Adventure Trophy- 2024’ is being organised by Kerala Motor Sports Society

IGNCA member secretary Sachidanand Joshi participates in several programmes at Central Tribal University of Andhra Pradesh and Centurion University of Technology and Management in Vizianagaram

The NFL Christmas Day games on Netflix set new records, featuring performances by Beyonce and Mariah Carey. Mariah's rendition of 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' evoked nostalgia among fans, while Beyonce's halftime show saw peak viewership. Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens expressed excitement about witnessing Beyonce live for the first time.

Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar on Friday highlighted India captain Rohit Sharma's struggles with declining reflexes and footwork, particularly against Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins, who has dismissed him seven times in Test cricket. This issue was evident in the Boxing Day Test, as Rohit managed only three runs before being dismissed by Cummins.

Russia alleges Ukrainian drones attacked Grozny during an Azerbaijani Airlines plane crash in Kazakhstan, killing 38 and injuring others. Visibility issues and control system failures were cited as contributory factors. Ukrainian officials demand accountability from Russia, while investigations continue with recovered black boxes.

Sunil Gavaskar advised Team India on approaching the third day of the Boxing Day Test at MCG. He emphasized the need for a 100-plus partnership and for Pant and Jadeja to bat patiently. India should aim to surpass lunch and reduce the deficit against Australia's 474, avoiding follow-on risks and countering Nathan Lyon's spin.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim paid tribute to former Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, recalling a time when they both were finance ministers of their countries. He also hailed Singh's role in India's economic transformation. ​Ibrahim also shared a personal anecdote involving Dr Singh's offer of scholarships for his children during his imprisonment.

Kevin Pietersen has supported Virat Kohli amid controversies in the Melbourne Test, calling him a 'showman.' Kohli's shoulder bump with Australian debutant Sam Konstas resulted in a demerit point. On the second day, he had a mix-up with Yashasvi Jaiswal and faced booing fans. India trails by 310 runs, ending Day 2 at 164 for 5.

Sunil Gavaskar commented on Yashasvi Jaiswal's run-out during the Boxing Day Test. He said it could have been avoided if Jaiswal had not looked at the fielder. Jaiswal was batting well and scored 82 runs. His run-out triggered a mini-collapse for India, which went from 153/2 to 164/5 by stumps.

Batting maestro Virat Kohli, despite struggling in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, is regarded by Justin Langer as the best batter he has ever seen, even over legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara. Kohli's critical innings of 36 runs in the fourth Test against Australia showcased his leadership and resilience, attributes Langer praises highly.

Laura Loomer, MAGA’s resident chaos agent, kicked things off by targeting Krishnan on X (formerly Twitter). She accused him of being a “globalist tech bro” intent on displacing American workers and even claimed he had donated to Kamala Harris’s campaign.

RBI permits users of full-KYC prepaid payment instruments (PPIs) to make and receive UPI payments via third-party mobile apps. The decision expands digital payment options, improves flexibility for PPI holders, and ensures transactions are authenticated using existing PPI credentials, enhancing convenience in financial operations.