A tourist boat capsized near Calangute beach in North Goa on Wednesday, killing one person and injuring nearly 20 others. The boat, carrying over 20 passengers, capsized 60 metres from the shore due to an engine malfunction. Lifeguards rescued 13 people, including a family of six from Maharashtra. A 54-year-old man was declared dead, while two children and two women were hospitalised. Some passengers were not wearing life jackets, making the rescue harder. Police have registered a case and are investigating the incident. Lifeguards and rescue teams acted quickly, bringing most passengers safely back to shore.

Ukraine faced massive missile strikes on Christmas Day, targeting energy facilities. President Zelensky condemned the attacks as “inhumane” and a “conscious choice” by Russia. The strikes caused power cuts across the country, with Kyiv residents sheltering in metro stations. Ukrainian officials reported damage to critical infrastructure, leaving half a million people in Kharkiv without electricity or water. Russia claimed the attack was successful. Zelensky vowed Ukraine would not be broken, saying, “Russian evil will not distort Christmas.” Efforts to restore power are underway. Ukrainian Foreign Minister called the strikes “Christmas terror,” as the nation continues to endure relentless aggression.

Former Indian captain MS Dhoni dressed as Santa Claus to celebrate Christmas with his family. His wife, Sakshi, shared heartwarming photos of the festive event, showing Dhoni in a red Santa suit with his daughter, Ziva. The pictures, which went viral, highlighted Dhoni's playful side and brought smiles to fans worldwide. While enjoying the festive season, fans eagerly await his return in IPL 2025 with the Chennai Super Kings. Retained for ₹4 lakh, Dhoni remains a key figure for the team. Though retirement rumours persist, fans hope to see him lead CSK again in the upcoming season.

An Azerbaijan Airlines flight crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, killing 35 and injuring many. The Embraer 190 plane, carrying 67 people, was rerouted from Grozny, Russia, due to fog. Officials said 32 people survived, with 22 hospitalised. The crash occurred after the plane hit birds and suffered a steering failure. Pilots attempted an emergency landing but lost control. The plane circled for an hour before crashing into a field and catching fire. Passengers included nationals from Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Rescue operations continue. The cause of the crash is under investigation. Flight data showed the plane faced strong GPS jamming.

Actor Allu Arjun and his team announced ₹2 crore aid for an 8-year-old boy injured in the December 4 stampede at Sandhya Theatre. The tragic incident occurred during the Pushpa 2 premiere, claiming the boy’s mother’s life. The boy, Sritej, is recovering but still needs time for full recovery, doctors said. Producer Allu Aravind pledged ₹1 crore, with ₹50 lakh each from Mythri Movie Makers and director Sukumar. The family confirmed receiving ₹10 lakh. Police questioned Allu Arjun about the case, but his team stated the support was unconditional. The boy's condition remains stable, though progress is slow.

Russia’s Christmas Day attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure left 520,000 people in Kharkiv without heating and water and 500,000 without electricity, according to Kharkiv official Oleg Sinegubov. A 53-year-old woman was killed by mortar fire. Russia’s Ministry of Defence confirmed the attack, claiming it targeted critical energy facilities supporting Ukraine’s military operations. Ukraine’s air force reported detecting 184 enemy missiles and drones, shooting down 113. Strikes hit energy facilities in Kharkiv, Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and other regions. Efforts to restore power and heating are ongoing, with authorities confirming casualties but withholding details.

Rohit Sharma is set to return as an opener, while KL Rahul will bat at No. 3 in India’s Boxing Day Test against Australia in Melbourne, reports Times of India. India is considering playing two spinners, with Washington Sundar likely to partner Ravindra Jadeja, leaving Nitish Kumar Reddy out despite strong performances. Meanwhile, Mitchell Starc is one wicket away from 100 international scalps against India and five away from a 700-wicket milestone. The 4th Test holds significant stakes as Starc aims to join legends Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, and Brett Lee in Australian cricket history.

A roadways bus en route from Bhimtal to Haldwani, Uttarakhand, fell into a 100-metre deep gorge, leaving 4 dead and 21 injured. Authorities said the driver lost control near Bhimtal, causing the tragic accident. Locals and SDRF teams rescued the injured, who are receiving treatment at Sushila Tiwari Government Hospital, Haldwani. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed condolences and dispatched a team of doctors from AIIMS Rishikesh to assist. The mishap comes a day after an Army vehicle fell into a gorge in Jammu and Kashmir, killing 5 soldiers. Investigations into both incidents are ongoing.

Telugu superstar Allu Arjun and Pushpa 2 makers pledged ₹2 crore to support the family of Revathi, who died in a stampede during the film's Hyderabad premiere on December 4. Arjun contributed ₹1 crore, with ₹50 lakh each from Mythri Movies and director Sukumar. The announcement was made by Arjun's father, Allu Aravind, at KIMS Hospital, where Revathi’s son Sri Tej is recovering. Criticism arose after Telangana CM Revanth Reddy accused Arjun of attending unauthorized events, allegedly fueling chaos. Arjun, who is out on bail, was questioned by police for 4 hours regarding the incident.

An Israeli military investigation revealed that ground operations in Gaza inadvertently influenced Hamas' killing of six hostages in August. The probe stated soldiers were unaware of the hostages' presence during the Rafah operation. The victims’ bodies were later found in an underground shaft. Critics accuse Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government of insufficient action to secure hostage releases. The conflict has left over 45,000 Palestinians dead and displaced nearly 2M. Amid ongoing negotiations, 96 hostages remain missing, with 62 believed alive. Israel denies obstructing aid to Gaza despite UN warnings of a humanitarian crisis. No ceasefire breakthrough has been achieved yet.