Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh passed away at 92 after a prolonged illness. Tributes poured in, highlighting his enduring legacy and recalling his famous 2014 remark, "History will be kinder to me than the contemporary media." Known for bold economic reforms in 1991, Singh transformed India's growth trajectory despite facing allegations of weak leadership during UPA-II. Leaders across parties praised him as a visionary economist and a silent architect of modern India. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge stated, "History shall judge you kindly." Singh’s legacy remains pivotal in shaping India's economic and political landscape.

Virat Kohli, Indian cricket star, reacted angrily to a fan’s taunt following his dismissal for 36 on Day 2 of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG. Provoked by the Australian crowd’s boos, Kohli began walking toward the spectator before an official intervened, calming him down. Earlier, Kohli showcased resilience during his 86-ball innings but lost rhythm after Yashasvi Jaiswal's run-out. The duo’s 102-run partnership had steadied India before Australia's resurgence left India at 164/5. The incident follows Kohli’s controversial altercation with Sam Konstas on Day 1, which resulted in a 20% match fee fine.

NASA's Parker Solar Probe made history on Christmas Eve, becoming the closest-ever spacecraft to the Sun at 3.8 million miles. Traveling at a record 430,000 mph, it endured extreme radiation and temperatures of 1,400°C while exploring the Sun's corona. The mission aims to solve the mystery of why the corona is hotter than the solar surface and improve understanding of solar wind, crucial for mitigating space weather's impact on Earth. Dr. Nicola Fox of NASA said, "We can't experience the Sun's atmosphere without flying through it." After days of silence, NASA confirmed the probe's safety on December 28.

Former Indian PM Manmohan Singh, a key architect of India's 1991 economic reforms, passed away at 92. Global tributes poured in, with The New York Times calling him a “cerebral leader” behind India’s rise as an economic powerhouse. Reuters labeled him a “reluctant prime minister,” acknowledging his integrity and historic reforms. Al Jazeera highlighted his “mild-mannered technocrat” persona. Singh once said, “History will be kinder to me than contemporary media.” The US State Department praised him as a “champion of the US-India strategic partnership.” His 10-year leadership and economic vision remain pivotal in India’s modern history.

Syria's rebel-led government reported 14 interior ministry troops killed and 10 wounded in clashes with Assad loyalists near Tartous. The loyalists ambushed security forces pursuing a former officer linked to Assad’s regime. Reinforcements were deployed, leading to arrests, including the ex-officer. Demonstrations and unrest have also erupted in Alawite-dominated areas like Homs and Latakia, following concerns over revenge against the Assad-linked Alawite community. Syria's new leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, faces mounting challenges to stabilize the nation after ousting Assad's regime in a lightning offensive. Syrians demand justice for atrocities under Assad, complicating reconciliation efforts.

India's promising position on Day 2 of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne crumbled in a dramatic collapse. A 102-run stand between Yashasvi Jaiswal (82) and Virat Kohli (36) had steadied India at 153/2, but a disastrous 30 minutes saw them lose three wickets for 11 runs. Jaiswal’s run-out, followed by Kohli’s dismissal to Scott Boland, triggered the collapse. India ended the day at 164/5, trailing Australia by 310 runs. Rishabh Pant (6*) and Ravindra Jadeja (4*) are at the crease as India faces a daunting task to avoid the follow-on.

Ricky Ponting faced criticism from fans after accusing Virat Kohli of instigating a verbal altercation with debutant Sam Konstas during Day 2 of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Ponting's comments on Channel 7, blaming Kohli for walking over to confront Konstas, were met with backlash on social media. Fans reminded Ponting of his own controversial encounter with a 19-year-old Harbhajan Singh in 1998. Konstas impressed on his debut, scoring 60 off 65 balls, as Australia reached 311/6 at Stumps on Day 1. India struggled on Day 2, finishing at 164/5, trailing Australia by 310 runs.

In a historic move, Palitana, a city in Gujarat's Bhavnagar district, has become the world’s first to officially ban non-vegetarian food. The ban prohibits the sale and consumption of meat and eggs, rooted in the Jain community’s principles of non-violence and compassion. This decision follows a protest by over 200 Jain monks, leading to a law that closed around 250 butcher shops. Since its enforcement, the city has witnessed a surge in vegetarian restaurants and tourism, promoting a unique, ethical culinary culture.

India’s hopes were dashed by a late collapse on Day 2 of the 4th Test in Melbourne, as they reached 164/5, trailing Australia by 310 runs. Yashasvi Jaiswal (82) and Virat Kohli (36) had steadied the innings with a 102-run stand, but both were dismissed in quick succession. Australia’s first innings total of 474 was bolstered by Steve Smith’s 140, with Jasprit Bumrah taking 4 wickets. Pat Cummins and Scott Boland claimed 2 wickets each for Australia. India will rely on Rishabh Pant to revive their innings on Day 3.

Ukrainian forces have captured an injured North Korean soldier sent to support Russia’s war in Ukraine, marking the first such capture since December. South Korea’s spy agency confirmed the capture, following the circulation of a photo on Telegram. North Korea is believed to have deployed over 10,000 soldiers to aid Russia, although neither Moscow nor Pyongyang have confirmed the troops' presence. Ukrainian forces suspect some North Koreans have been issued fake Russian IDs. The collaboration between Russia and North Korea, involving elite troops, increases tensions and poses risks for regional stability.