Times of India

Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket after a decorated career spanning 13 years. The off-spinner, who bagged 537 Test wickets, shared a heartfelt video tribute through BCCI, reminiscing about his journey and expressing gratitude for the support he received. Ashwin is the only Indian allrounder to score 3000 runs and take 500 wickets.

The House narrowly averted a government shutdown by passing a trimmed-down funding bill. The legislation, supported by both parties, includes disaster relief and agricultural subsidies, but removed contentious provisions like a congressional pay raise. The Senate now faces a tight deadline to approve the bill before the March 14th deadline.

Tragedy struck a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, when a car plowed into a crowd, leaving two dead, including a child, and at least 68 injured, 15 critically. The black BMW sped 400 meters towards the town hall before hitting market-goers. Disturbing videos circulating online appear to show the horrific incident.

'Pushpa 2' has now crossed Rs 1000 crore at the box office and the movie is now on its way to break the record of 'Baahubali 2' after beating 'Jawan' and 'Stree' by a huge number.

An Indian-American businessman, facing a hefty Rs 500 crore alimony payment to his first wife, has been ordered by the Supreme Court to pay Rs 12 crore to his second wife after a brief marriage. The court criticized the second wife's demand for alimony equal to the first wife's, emphasizing that alimony aims to prevent destitution, not equalize wealth.

Parliament's winter session concluded amidst unprecedented chaos, marked by low productivity, protests, and even physical altercations. The session saw minimal legislative output, with only one bill passed. While debates on the Constitution's 75th anniversary offered a moment of reflection, the Speaker issued a stern warning against disruptive behavior as the session ended abruptly.

A car plowed into a crowded Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, leaving at least one dead and up to 60 injured. The driver has been arrested, and authorities are investigating the incident. Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed condolences, while regional officials described the event as "terrible.

A joint parliamentary committee (JPC) of 39 members, chaired by P.P. Chaudhary, will scrutinize the 'one nation, one election' bills. The committee, comprising members from various parties, including 22 from NDA and 15 from the opposition, will examine the proposed mechanism for simultaneous polls and submit its report by the next session's final week.

A BJP MP gave Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi a bag with 'Genocide of Sikhs' written on it. This happened at Parliament. The bag referred to the 1984 events. Gandhi initially accepted the bag. She later reacted to the message. A Trinamool MP commented on the chairman's speaking time.

A dispute over incense in a Kalyan building escalated into a Marathi vs. non-Marathi conflict, leading to the arrest of MTDC officer Akhilesh Shukla and two others for assaulting their Marathi neighbors. The incident sparked outrage in the Maharashtra assembly, with CM Fadnavis assuring strict action. Shukla denies making anti-Marathi remarks, claiming it was a personal dispute.

A fatal highway accident near Jaipur involving an LPG tanker and a truck highlighted the lack of cloverleaves at the NH48-Ring Road junction. Unfinished four years after the road's inauguration, these missing exits force dangerous U-turns at Bhankrota and Mahapura, causing frequent accidents. Land acquisition issues and contractor problems have delayed the cloverleaf construction until March 2026.

A devastating LPG tanker fire on the Jaipur-Ajmer highway claimed the life of police constable Anita Meena, identified tragically by her brother at the SMS Hospital mortuary. The chaotic scene saw families desperately searching for loved ones amidst confusion and restricted access to the burn ward.

A 26-year-old Delhi taxi driver was fatally stabbed after a fare dispute escalated. Five people, including a juvenile, allegedly attacked the driver after refusing to pay a Rs 400 fare. Police have arrested one man and apprehended the juvenile, while the search continues for the remaining three suspects.

A BJP camp office in Varanasi's Indira Nagar market was demolished by authorities on December 17 as part of an anti-encroachment drive. BJP district vice-president Surendra Singh criticized the demolition, claiming it was done without notice, while officials stated the land was designated for a park.

Another abandoned temple, potentially decades old, was discovered in a Muslim-majority area of Aligarh, India, following a similar finding just a day prior. Hindu groups cleaned the site and performed prayers, leading to police deployment to maintain peace.

Alabama became the 20th US state to incorporate Sikh studies into its K-12 curriculum. The Sikh Coalition collaborated with the Alabama Sikh community and education officials to achieve this milestone, aiming to combat bullying and promote inclusivity. A national report highlighted the prevalence of bullying against Sikh students, emphasizing the need for inclusive education.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh announced his intention to vote against PM Justin Trudeau's Liberal government in an upcoming no-confidence motion. Singh criticised Trudeau's leadership, citing broken promises and a failure to prioritize the needs of Canadians. The motion could trigger an election when Parliament resumes on January 27, 2025. Meanwhile, Trudeau is reportedly planning a cabinet reshuffle.

Prithvi Shaw, the 25-year-old Mumbai batter, is facing criticism over his fitness, discipline, and attitude. A Mumbai Cricket Association official revealed that even senior players have complained about Shaw's behavior. Shaw responded to the criticism with a cryptic social media post, hinting at unfair judgment.

BJP members and Hindu organizations protested in Coimbatore against the state government's handling of the funeral of S.A. Basha, a convict in the 1998 Coimbatore bombings. Police detained BJP state president K. Annamalai and other leaders for holding the unauthorized "Black Day" procession. Annamalai criticized the government for allegedly glorifying a terrorist responsible for 58 deaths.