Former World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen has confirmed he will not challenge Gukesh D, who recently became the youngest World Chess Champion. Speaking on the "Take Take Take" YouTube channel, Carlsen stated, “I’m not part of this circus anymore,” while praising Gukesh’s impressive performance and well-deserved victory. Carlsen noted Gukesh’s determination and highlighted his journey from the feeder circuit to triumphing in the Candidates tournament and the championship. He also acknowledged Ding Liren’s resistance during the final match. Gukesh’s achievement has cemented his place in chess history, marking a new era for the sport.

“I probably got so emotional because I did not really expect to win that position,” said India’s Gukesh Dommaraju after becoming the youngest-ever world chess champion at 18. Gukesh defeated China's Ding Liren in a dramatic 6.5-7.5 victory in the 14th game of the FIDE World Chess Championship 2024 in Singapore. A crucial blunder by Ding, the defending champion, sealed his fate. Gukesh broke Garry Kasparov’s 1985 record as the youngest champion, further solidifying India’s growing chess legacy. “Becoming the world champion doesn’t mean I’m the best; there’s Magnus,” Gukesh added, citing Magnus Carlsen’s dominance.

India's D Gukesh, 18, made history as the youngest World Chess Champion, defeating Ding Liren 7.5-6.5 in a dramatic Game 14. Former World Champion Vladimir Kramnik criticized the match, calling it the "end of chess" and describing Ding's decisive blunder as "childish." Kramnik lamented the overall quality, stating, "Both players were making mistake after mistake... it’s a very disappointing level." Gukesh’s win surpasses Garry Kasparov’s record as the youngest champion. Despite Kramnik’s critiques, Gukesh’s achievement marks a groundbreaking moment for Indian chess on the global stage.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated D Gukesh on his historic achievement, saying, "Historic and exemplary! Congratulations to Gukesh D on his remarkable accomplishment." Gukesh, 18, became the youngest-ever World Chess Champion after defeating Ding Liren of China 7.5-6.5 in the decisive 14th game of the Championship on December 12, 2024, in Singapore. Modi highlighted Gukesh’s "unparalleled talent, hard work and unwavering determination" while emphasizing that the win would inspire millions. Gukesh, visibly emotional, said, "I had been dreaming of this moment for the past 10 years. I’m so happy to have turned that dream into reality."

Saudi Arabia has been confirmed as the host nation for the 2034 FIFA Men's World Cup, announced during FIFA’s Extraordinary Congress meeting. The decision comes alongside Spain, Portugal, and Morocco being chosen as joint hosts for the 2030 tournament, with centenary matches in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. While the English FA expressed confidence in Saudi Arabia's capabilities, organizations like Amnesty International criticized the decision, highlighting concerns over human rights abuses. The Danish Football Union and Norway’s FA also raised concerns about the bidding process. FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated, “We trust our hosts to address all open issues responsibly.”

Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh made history by becoming the youngest World Chess Champion at just 18. He defeated defending champion Ding Liren in a thrilling final game of the 2024 World Chess Championship. Gukesh, who had long dreamed of this achievement, was seen holding back tears after securing the title. In an emotional moment, he thanked Ding for the tough fight. Gukesh now holds the record for being the youngest-ever World Chess Champion, surpassing Garry Kasparov’s previous record. His victory capped off a grueling 13-game series, ending with Ding’s mistake in the final game.

Gukesh Dommaraju, 18, became the youngest-ever World Chess Champion, defeating Ding Liren 7.5-6.5 in Singapore's 2024 World Chess Championship. Tied 6.5-6.5 before the final game, Gukesh, playing with black pieces, capitalized on Ding’s 53rd-move blunder in a tense endgame. Despite losing Game 1, Gukesh showcased resilience, winning Games 3 and 14 to claim the title. Reflecting on the victory, Gukesh said, "It's the best day of my life." He is the second Indian, after Viswanathan Anand, to achieve this milestone. Earlier this year, Gukesh led India to Chess Olympiad gold, solidifying his status as a global chess icon.

Indian captain Rohit Sharma was reportedly upset after Yashasvi Jaiswal delayed the team’s departure from Adelaide to Brisbane for the third Test against Australia. Jaiswal arrived 20 minutes late at the hotel lobby, forcing the team bus to leave without him. The young batter later traveled separately in a hotel car. The delay caused frustration among team management, with Rohit visibly annoyed. India faces pressure to improve after a mixed performance in the series, as Australian bowlers and batters dominated in Perth. The Brisbane Test starts on December 14, with Indian batters urged to improve their performance.

India's World Test Championship (WTC) final hopes face a major setback as "unusual" weather in Brisbane threatens the third Test against Australia. The match, starting Saturday at the iconic Gabba, comes after India's 10-wicket loss in Adelaide. Brisbane has experienced heavy rainfall, making conditions uncertain for the Test. Forecasts predict a 50% chance of rain and thunderstorms on Day 1, with chances rising to 60% on the final day. If the match is washed out, India’s path to the WTC final becomes even more difficult, as a loss or draw in the remaining series matches could eliminate them.

Wrestler-turned-politician Vinesh Phogat was Google India's most-searched personality in 2024. Her disqualification from the Paris Olympics final for being overweight and her subsequent appeal rejection grabbed headlines. Upon returning to India, she joined the Congress and won the Julana seat in Haryana's elections, though her party lost to BJP. Phogat's activism alongside Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia against former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brijbhushan Sharan Singh also kept her in the spotlight. The top-searched list also included Nitish Kumar, Chirag Paswan, cricketer Hardik Pandya, and actor-politician Pawan Kalyan.