Actor Allu Arjun was questioned for 4 hours by Hyderabad Police over a stampede at Sandhya Theatre during Pushpa 2's premiere on Dec 4, which caused the death of Revathi, a 36-year-old woman. Arjun, who appeared with his father and lawyers, stated he learned of the incident the next day. Despite police denying permission for his visit, thousands of fans gathered, leading to chaos. CCTV footage showed security struggling to control the crowd. Arjun, arrested on Dec 13, received bail and announced ₹25 lakh aid for the victim’s family, while the film’s producers provided ₹50 lakh assistance.

Former Union home secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla has been appointed as the new governor of Manipur, replacing Laxman Prasad Acharya, who held additional charge of the violence-hit state. Bhalla, a 1984 batch IAS officer, served as home secretary from 2019 to August 2024, marking the longest tenure in this critical post. Ex-Army chief General V.K. Singh is now Mizoram’s governor, while Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan has been reassigned to Bihar. Bihar Governor Rajendra Arlekar will take over as Kerala’s governor. Mizoram Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati has been appointed as Odisha’s governor, the Rashtrapati Bhavan confirmed.

ISRO’s final mission of 2024, the SpaDex (Space Docking Experiment), will launch on 30 December at 9:58 PM from Sriharikota. India aims to join the US, Russia, and China as nations capable of docking spacecraft in space. The mission will use two spacecraft, Chaser and Target, to demonstrate docking, undocking, and power transfer in orbit. This is a key step for India's plan to build its own space station. The PSLV-C60 rocket will also carry POEM-4, which will host microgravity experiments for up to three months. A successful mission will elevate India's position in global space technology. 

Light rain and cold winds swept through Delhi and nearby areas on Christmas Eve. The temperature dropped to 9.9°C, adding to the winter chill. Rain was reported in Connaught Place, Noida, and Gurugram, causing traffic jams. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted more cold weather and possible rain or snow in northern India. Delhi’s air quality improved, with the AQI dropping to 369, leading to eased pollution restrictions. Authorities advised residents to stay prepared for colder days ahead. The ongoing western disturbance is expected to bring more rain and cooler temperatures in the coming days.

A Russian cargo ship, Ursa Major, sank in the Mediterranean Sea after an explosion in its engine room, Moscow said. The ship went down between Spain and Algeria. Two crew members are missing, while 14 others were rescued and taken to Spain. Ukraine claims the ship was on a mission to move weapons from Syria. Tracking data shows the ship left St Petersburg on 11 December. The incident raises questions about Russia's operations in Syria, especially after Bashar al-Assad's government fell earlier this month. Russia's future in Syria, including its military bases, is now uncertain.

Badminton champion PV Sindhu tied the knot with Hyderabad-based entrepreneur Venkata Datta Sai in a grand traditional Telugu wedding on December 22 in Udaipur. The intimate ceremony, attended by close family and friends, reflected regal charm as Sindhu donned a radiant cream saree, complemented by Sai's cream sherwani. Following the wedding, the couple hosted a lavish reception in Hyderabad on December 24. Datta Sai, Executive Director of Posidex Technologies, is admired for his humility and business acumen. Sindhu, an Olympic medalist and World Champion, embarks on this new chapter, blending personal joy with her illustrious sports career.

American Airlines, the world’s largest airline operator, briefly grounded all flights in the US on Christmas Eve due to a technical glitch. The Federal Aviation Administration lifted the halt after an hour, allowing operations to resume. The disruption impacted thousands of passengers during the peak holiday travel period. Passengers shared grievances on social media, citing canceled or delayed flights. The airline apologized, stating, “We are working to resolve the issue quickly.” The glitch coincides with anticipated record-setting travel on Christmas Eve, echoing a major global IT outage six months earlier that disrupted multiple industries.

Five soldiers of the 11 Maratha Light Infantry were killed, and five others injured when their vehicle veered off the road and plunged 150 feet into a gorge near Ghora Post along the LoC in Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir, on Tuesday evening. The incident occurred around 5:40 PM during an operational duty trip from Nilam headquarters to Balnoi Ghora Post. Rescue operations by the Army's quick reaction team and local police are ongoing, with the injured receiving medical attention. The Indian Army’s 16 Corps extended condolences to the bereaved families. Further details are awaited.

NASA’s Parker Solar Probe is making history with its closest-ever approach to the Sun, venturing into its outer atmosphere, the corona. The spacecraft endures temperatures of 1,400°C and radiation while coming within 3.8 million miles of the Sun’s surface. Traveling at a record-breaking 430,000 mph, the probe seeks to uncover why the corona is hotter than the Sun’s surface. Launched in 2018, this marks its 22nd solar pass. NASA expects a signal by December 28 to confirm its survival. The mission aims to improve understanding of solar wind and space weather, which impact Earth’s technology and daily life.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the full schedule for the 2025 Champions Trophy. The tournament will run from February 19 to March 9, following a hybrid model with matches split between Pakistan and the UAE. India’s group-stage fixtures, including the marquee clash against Pakistan on February 23, will take place in Dubai. Pakistan will host 10 matches, while Dubai will host key games, including the final if India qualifies. Group A includes India, Pakistan, New Zealand, and Bangladesh. All matches start at 2:30 PM IST, with Star Sports broadcasting in India. Pakistan enters as the defending champion.