Former India coach Ravi Shastri has urged skipper Rohit Sharma to adopt an attacking mindset in the last two Tests against Australia. Rohit, struggling with form, has managed only 19 runs in the series so far and shifted to the No. 6 position to accommodate KL Rahul as opener. Shastri emphasized the importance of Rohit playing naturally, leveraging his quick length-picking skills to dominate bowlers early on. "He should attack and not overthink. A confident Rohit can turn the tide for India," said Shastri. India seeks to regain momentum as the series moves to Melbourne.

A US Navy F/A-18 Hornet was shot down over the Red Sea in a "friendly fire" incident involving the USS Gettysburg, part of the USS Harry S Truman Carrier Strike Group. Both crew ejected safely, with one sustaining minor injuries. This comes as the US launched airstrikes on Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen, targeting missile storage, drones, and command facilities to curb attacks on Red Sea shipping lanes. Houthi missile strikes recently hit Tel Aviv, injuring 16, while Israeli retaliatory strikes killed nine in Yemen. The US reaffirmed its commitment to defending allies amid escalating regional tensions.

Rashmika Mandanna addressed the controversy surrounding Pushpa 2’s song "Peelings," admitting she was initially uncomfortable with its choreography. Known for her phobia of being lifted, Rashmika shared that the song challenged her physically and mentally but credited trust in her director and co-actor for overcoming her fears. She emphasized her commitment to diverse roles, saying, "I like to challenge myself and entertain others." Despite mixed reactions to the choreography, Pushpa 2 continues to dominate the box office, surpassing ₹1,500 Cr globally. However, legal issues arose after a tragic stampede during the film's premiere resulted in a woman’s death.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded Kuwait's highest honour, 'The Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer,' during his state visit to the Gulf nation. This prestigious knighthood is conferred on foreign Heads of State and royals. It marks Modi's 20th international award, highlighting his global diplomatic stature. Earlier, he received Guyana's 'Order of Excellence' and Dominica’s 'Award of Honour.' Modi was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour at Bayan Palace and engaged in talks with Kuwait’s Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed Al-Sabah. The honour underscores the strengthening ties between India and Kuwait.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the central government for amending election rules to restrict public access to certain poll documents. He accused the government of eroding the Election Commission’s independence, calling it a systematic attack on democracy. The amendments limit access to electronic records like CCTV footage and candidate videos during elections, citing concerns over misuse. Kharge highlighted earlier moves, such as removing the Chief Justice from the selection panel for Election Commissioners, as part of this trend. Congress vowed legal action against the changes, with leaders like Jairam Ramesh and KC Venugopal denouncing the poll panel's lack of transparency.

A 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck Vanuatu early Sunday, causing minor shaking but no major damage. This comes just days after a 7.3-magnitude quake killed 12 people and caused significant destruction in Port Vila, the capital. The latest tremor hit at a depth of 40 km, 30 km west of the capital. Over 1,000 people were displaced by the earlier quake, and rescue teams are still searching for survivors. Many businesses are closed, and power has been restored in some areas. Vanuatu remains in a state of emergency following the earlier quake's devastation.

A memorial service was held in Magdeburg, Germany, for the victims of Friday's Christmas market attack. A car, driven by a 50-year-old Saudi man, ploughed into the crowd, killing five people, including four women and a nine-year-old child, and injuring over 200 others. Chancellor Olaf Scholz and other officials attended the service, expressing solidarity with the city. The suspect, Taleb A, faces charges of murder and attempted murder. Residents are in shock, with many saying they need time to process the tragedy. The attack has left the community deeply affected and traumatized.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Ravichandran Ashwin on his remarkable 14-year cricket career following his surprise retirement after the Brisbane Test. Ashwin, India's legendary off-spinner, retired with 537 Test wickets, 156 ODI wickets, and 72 T20I wickets. In a heartfelt message, PM Modi praised Ashwin's unique skills, especially his carrom ball, which “bowled everyone.” Modi also acknowledged the support Ashwin received from his family and wished him a fulfilling future. He expressed hope that Ashwin would continue contributing to cricket in the years ahead.

In response to Bangladesh deploying Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drones near its border with India, the Modi government has strengthened surveillance in West Bengal. India has deployed indigenously-made UAVs, including the Heron TP, to counter potential threats. The drones were stationed near the sensitive "chicken neck" corridor, a crucial area connecting northeast India to the rest of the country. This move comes amid growing tensions between India and Bangladesh, which have been strained after Sheikh Hasina’s ouster and allegations of communal violence in Bangladesh, further complicating bilateral relations.

A 4-year-old boy, Ayush Laxman Kinvade, was killed after being hit by a speeding Hyundai Creta SUV in Mumbai. The accident occurred when the car, driven by 19-year-old Sandeep Gole, struck the boy. Police reported that Ayush’s family lives on the footpath and his father is a worker. The driver, a resident of Vile Parle, has been arrested. Further investigation is ongoing. Maharashtra has been flagged as one of the states with the highest number of road accidents, with over 66,000 road fatalities recorded in the past five years.