As the world bids farewell to 2024, a year marked by climate disasters, political upheaval, and the return of Donald Trump to the White House, many hope for a brighter 2025. The year saw record heat and devastating events from the Middle East to Europe. The Paris Olympics briefly united nations, while elections in over 60 countries brought changes, including Trump’s comeback. In the Middle East, ongoing conflicts worsened the humanitarian crisis, and Ukraine continued to resist Russian aggression. Despite uncertainty, the world looks to 2025 with cautious optimism for climate action and global events like the Kumbh Mela festival.

India cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has openly criticized Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for their poor performances in Australia, which has left India trailing 1-2 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Kohli’s footwork was specifically called out for repeated dismissals, while Gavaskar stressed the lack of contributions from senior players in the top order. Speaking to India Today, Gavaskar urged the BCCI selectors, led by Ajit Agarkar, to reassess the future of the seniors, saying their failure has put India in a difficult position. He emphasized that the top-order's lack of runs has been the main issue.

A Chinese state-sponsored hacker breached the US Treasury Department’s systems in early December, accessing employee workstations and unclassified documents, US officials confirmed. The breach, described as a “major incident,” exploited a key from a third-party service provider, BeyondTrust, which has since been taken offline. The Treasury, FBI, and cybersecurity agencies are investigating the incident, believed to be the work of a China-based Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) actor. The Chinese embassy in Washington DC denied the allegations, calling them part of a smear campaign. A detailed report will be sent to lawmakers within 30 days.

In a New Year’s gift for the poor, the Modi government has initiated a survey to provide 2 crore additional houses under the PM Awas Yojana. This fulfills a key 2024 election promise. The survey will use the Awaas+ 2024 mobile app for identification and self-surveys, with citizens performing Aadhaar-based eKYC. The process, which started for 1 crore houses under the urban scheme, will complete by March 31, 2025. The BJP's manifesto also pledged 3 crore more houses by 2029, with a focus on rural areas.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un pledged to further strengthen his country’s strategic partnership with Russia in a New Year letter to President Vladimir Putin. Kim sent his greetings to Putin and all Russians, including their military personnel, expressing his desire to deepen bilateral ties through new projects. Kim also wished 2025 to be a year of victory, hoping Russia’s army would triumph over neo-Nazism. The letter comes after Kim and Putin signed a mutual defense treaty in June, which commits both nations to assist each other in case of an attack.

A heart-wrenching final photo has emerged of a three-year-old boy, the youngest victim of the South Korean plane crash that killed 179 people on Sunday. The child, on his first overseas trip to Thailand with his parents, was captured gazing out of a plane window moments before the Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 crashed. The family, including Kang Ko, 43, and his wife Jin Lee Seon, 37, died in the tragedy during an emergency landing at Muan International Airport. Only two flight attendants survived. Authorities are investigating the cause, considering factors like weather and mechanical failure.

Six newborns in Gaza, including 20-day-old Sila, have died from hypothermia in two weeks as night temperatures drop to 7°C. Families displaced by the 14-month conflict live in leaking tents with limited aid and food supplies. Sila’s mother, Nariman al-Najmeh, shared the dire conditions, saying, “We huddled to keep warm, but it wasn’t enough.” Hospitals report rising cases of severe hypothermia and premature births due to maternal malnutrition. UNICEF warns of more preventable deaths as the humanitarian crisis worsens. Dr. Ahmad al-Farra emphasized the urgent need for adequate shelter, food, and medical supplies to save lives.

Former US President Jimmy Carter's state funeral will be held on January 9 at Washington DC's National Cathedral, marking a day of mourning. President Joe Biden will deliver a eulogy, with federal offices and the Supreme Court closed in Carter's honor. Preceding events include tributes at Carter's Georgia home and Capitol Hill, where he will lie in state. A Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Carter championed global peace and human rights. Indian PM Modi praised Carter's role in strengthening India-US ties. Carter passed away at 100 in Plains, Georgia, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and diplomacy.

Allu Arjun’s Pushpa 2: The Rule continues its remarkable run, earning ₹6.65 crore on its fourth Monday, bringing its total box office collection to ₹1163.65 crore. The film, also starring Rashmika Mandanna and Fahadh Faasil, grossed ₹725.8 crore in its first week and ₹129.5 crore in week three. Despite controversies surrounding a stampede incident during its premiere, Pushpa 2 remains a box office juggernaut. The film's team extended ₹2 crore to support the victim’s family. Arjun expressed deep regret for the tragedy, stating it was unintentional. Telangana CM emphasized no compromise on law and order for the film industry.

The United States will honor former President Jimmy Carter with a national day of mourning on 9 January. A state funeral will be held at Washington National Cathedral, followed by public ceremonies in Atlanta, Georgia, before his burial in Plains, next to his wife, Rosalynn. President Joe Biden has ordered US flags to be flown at half-staff for 30 days. Carter, who passed away at 100, served as the 39th president and was celebrated for his humanitarian work, including earning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 and advocating for global peace and human rights.