A toddler narrowly escaped a fatal accident at Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano on Christmas Day. The child sprinted toward a 400-ft cliff edge in a restricted area near the erupting caldera but was saved when his mother grabbed him just a foot from the edge. Families had gathered to watch the ongoing eruption, which began on Dec 23. Park rangers have issued warnings to stay on trails, avoid closed areas, and keep children close. "Hopefully sharing this incident prevents future tragedies," said ranger Jessica Ferracane. Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, continues its low-level eruption.

Luke Walford, a 40-year-old youth pastor from Rockhampton, was fatally attacked by a shark while fishing with his family near Humpy Island in Australia's Great Barrier Reef. The predator inflicted a life-threatening neck wound, and despite efforts, Walford died within 90 minutes. Queensland police confirmed the incident, noting that a report would be prepared for the coroner. Humpy Island, a popular destination for snorkeling and diving, witnessed this tragedy in its serene waters. This marks Australia's first fatal shark attack of 2024, adding to over 250 fatal incidents since 1791.

A political row erupted over the location of Manmohan Singh's last rites at Delhi's Nigambodh Ghat. The Congress accused the Centre of disrespecting the former Prime Minister by holding the funeral at a public crematorium. Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi criticized the government for poor arrangements and disrespect to Singh's legacy. BJP leaders, including JP Nadda and Sambit Patra, countered, calling Congress's remarks cheap politics and stressing that space for a memorial had been promised. The dispute also referenced past grievances with Congress's treatment of leaders like Narasimha Rao and Pranab Mukherjee.

Delhi experienced a foggy morning on Sunday as the temperature dropped to 13°C, six notches above normal. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts a further dip, with the minimum temperature reaching 5°C by December 31. A dense fog alert has been issued for Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh. Following record-breaking rainfall earlier, Delhi’s air quality worsened to the 'poor' category, with an AQI of 230 at 9 a.m. The IMD warns of intensified cold wave conditions across northern states, urging caution for travelers amid reduced visibility. No further rainfall is expected for the year.

An Air Canada flight from St. John’s narrowly avoided disaster Saturday night at Halifax airport. The plane’s landing gear malfunctioned, causing it to tilt at a 20-degree angle during landing. The wing skidded along the runway, sparking a fire. Passenger Nikki Valentine described loud crash-like sounds and flames on the left wing. Smoke entered the cabin as the pilots halted the aircraft. The incident occurred at 9:30 p.m. Atlantic Time. No injuries were reported. Air Canada Flight 2259, operated by PAL Airlines, is under investigation for the mechanical failure.

A Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 flight from Bangkok crashed at Muan International Airport, South Korea, on Sunday, likely killing 179 of the 181 onboard. Two survivors, a crew member and a passenger, were rescued from the wreckage. Officials suspect a bird strike and adverse weather as possible causes, with a joint investigation underway. The plane landed with smoke billowing from its engines before being engulfed in flames. Jeju Air issued an apology, vowing support for victims’ families. This devastating accident underscores the importance of addressing aviation safety concerns globally.

A Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 flight crashed at Muan International Airport, South Korea, killing 85 of the 181 on board. The Bangkok-origin flight veered off the runway, struck a concrete fence, and burst into flames. Emergency responders rescued three survivors and continue searching for others. Officials suspect landing gear failure, possibly from a bird strike. Acting President Choi Sung-mok directed urgent rescue efforts, while investigations proceed. This is Muan Airport’s first major disaster. Earlier this week, an Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash-landed in Kazakhstan, killing 38. The aviation sector faces heightened scrutiny following these tragedies.

Elon Musk is under fire for alleged censorship after 14 conservative accounts on X claimed their blue ticks were revoked. These accounts had criticized Musk's pro-immigration stance, with the billionaire calling anti-immigration Republicans "contemptible fools" and "racists." Losing the verification badge has hindered these users' ability to monetize their accounts. Musk, who supports skilled legal immigration, reiterated that posts muted or blocked by verified accounts would face reduced visibility. Critics accuse him of "shadowbanning," undermining free speech claims. The controversy highlights escalating debates on immigration and Musk's influence over political discourse on his platform.

Russian President Vladimir Putin apologised to Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev for the tragic crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane this week. The crash, which killed at least 38 people and left 29 survivors, occurred near Aktau, Kazakhstan, after the plane tried to land at Grozny airport, which was under Ukrainian drone attacks. The Kremlin confirmed that Putin expressed condolences and explained that Russian air defences repelled the attacks. The crash has raised concerns, with some speculating that a Russian missile may have downed the plane. Several airlines have suspended flights to Russia in light of the incident.

Former PM Manmohan Singh was cremated in Delhi on Saturday, with Bhutan King Jigme Wangchuck and Mauritius FM Dhananjay Ramful attending. World leaders, including French President Macron and Russian President Putin, hailed Singh as an "outstanding statesman." US President Biden credited him for the India-US nuclear deal, calling him a "true statesman." Mauritius and Singapore flew national flags at half-mast as a mark of respect. Palestine described Singh as a "wise politician and economist." Known for fostering South Asian partnerships, Singh's legacy as a leader dedicated to India's growth remains unparalleled, shaping global ties and economic reforms.