Sunil Gavaskar faced backlash after calling Yashasvi Jaiswal’s controversial dismissal in the fourth India-Australia Test an "optical illusion." Jaiswal, batting on 84, was dismissed by Pat Cummins after the third umpire overturned the on-field call, citing a deflection off the glove despite no Snicko spike. Speaking for Channel 7, Gavaskar questioned the reliability of technology, sparking criticism on social media, where fans termed his remarks "ridiculous" and "embarrassing." Warren Brennan, of Snicko's operator BBG Sports, clarified the absence of noise was due to a glance-shot. The dismissal proved pivotal as Australia clinched the match, taking a 2-1 series lead.

South Korea mourns the tragic loss of 5 female colleagues killed in the Jeju Air crash at Muan International Airport, which claimed 179 lives. The victims, public education employees, were returning from a celebratory trip to Bangkok. "She is still lingering in my eyes. Whenever seeing flowers on that empty desk, ah, sadness rushes in," said Lee Dae-keun, a colleague. At their workplace, empty desks adorned with white chrysanthemums and a memorial altar stand as poignant reminders. Families and colleagues continue to grieve, with many recalling the victims’ kindness and dedication. This crash is South Korea's deadliest air disaster.

Pushpa 2: The Rule, starring Allu Arjun, continues to dominate the box office, earning ₹1760 crore within 25 days of release. Actor Aamir Khan's production house congratulated the team, calling the success a testament to Indian cinema's potential. "Huge congratulations... Wishing you continued success," AKP wrote on X. Allu Arjun responded warmly, thanking the team and extending regards. Mythri Movie Makers also acknowledged AKP's message, wishing them a Happy New Year. Directed by Sukumar and released on Dec 5, Pushpa 2 edges closer to the all-time record held by Aamir's 2016 blockbuster Dangal, which grossed ₹2070.3 crore worldwide.

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.