Starting our journey on August 26, 2023, Shorts91.com has grown thanks to the incredible support from our readers. We focus on sharing bite-sized news about India and the global Indian community in 91-word snippets, mirroring India's dialing code. With the last sunset of 2023, we reflect on a wonderful journey and eagerly embrace the new year ahead. Grateful for the past year, we extend heartfelt wishes for a Happy and Prosperous 2024 to all our readers. Stay informed, keep reading Shorts91.com—here's to more moments of connection and discovery in the coming year. Thank you for being a part of Shorts91.com.

Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi celebrated New Year's Eve by making homemade orange marmalade together in their kitchen. They filmed the process in a 5-minute video posted on YouTube, showing them plucking oranges from their garden, cooking the marmalade, and packaging it in jars "with love." Rahul joked that BJP members were welcome to try their marmalade too. Sonia said the recipe belonged to Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. She also recalled adjusting to Indian flavors like chilies after moving to India. The lighthearted video aimed to present the Gandhis bonding as a family ahead of a challenging election year. It carried the logo of Congress's recent Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi.

Shimla, famed for its picturesque New Year celebrations, experienced an unexpected dip with a mere 50-60% occupancy, marking the lowest in four decades. Despite the Winter Carnival's vibrant display along the Mall Road and The Ridge, hotel bookings fell short of expectations. The anticipation of a 'white New Year' was met with disappointment as the likelihood of snowfall remained bleak. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu's directive to welcome tourists with warmth and leniency towards revelers did not translate into increased occupancy. Stakeholders attribute the decline to unregistered tourism units, capturing tourists, and adverse social media publicity causing diversions to alternative destinations.

Following India's challenging outing in the Centurion Test against South Africa, former Proteas pacer Allan Donald emphasized Sachin Tendulkar's exceptional performance on South African soil, stating, "Only person I know who played us well was Tendulkar." Donald highlighted Tendulkar's trigger movement and ability to leave the ball well. He advised Indian batters to adopt a similar approach, saying, "If you leave the ball well here, you can score runs." Tendulkar, with over a thousand runs in Tests in South Africa, remains a standout performer. As the second Test looms in Johannesburg, Donald predicts a challenging pitch but advises hard work for success. The series is critical as India prepares for a home series against England.

In a late-night raid near Mumbai, Thane police detained 80 individuals for illegally consuming drugs at a rave party. LSD, charas, ecstasy pills, and marijuana were confiscated during the operation. Two organizers, Tejas Kubal and Sujal Mahajan, have been arrested, with suspicions of involvement from individuals outside Maharashtra. The party, located near Vadavali Creek, attracted attendees primarily comprising students and corporate professionals. Police traced the event through Instagram invites. Detainees are undergoing medical examination. The raid reflects authorities' crackdown on illegal drug activities, emphasizing the need for vigilance in curbing such events.

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) are poised for a unique New Year's experience, celebrating the transition from 2023 to 2024 a total of 16 times. The ISS's rapid orbit, completing an orbit around Earth every 90 minutes, results in 16 sunrises and sunsets within a 24-hour cycle. This distinctive phenomenon provides astronauts with unparalleled opportunities for experiments in microbiology and metallurgy. While adhering to Greenwich Mean Time, the ISS crew encounters challenges in maintaining circadian rhythms due to the continual oscillation between day and night. The ISS mission offers breathtaking views and a truly extraordinary New Year's celebration.

Eurostar services have resumed following "unprecedented" flooding in a tunnel, causing travel chaos and cancellations. The unexpected disruption impacted thousands, with passengers stranded and holiday plans disrupted. The Met Office issues severe weather warnings for New Year's Eve, including gales and heavy showers in the south and southwest of the UK, potentially affecting road, rail, air, and ferry journeys. Flood warnings abound, with over 200 issued. Thames Water cites a "fire control system" as a possible cause. As celebrations approach, Southeastern and Thameslink predict continued disruptions, urging caution. Eurostar's return to service is expected but with possible delays.      

India's 2024 general election is widely expected to result in a third term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), according to the Guardian. Analysts say Modi's popularity as a Hindu nationalist leader makes a BJP victory seem "almost inevitable" even as opposition parties try to challenge him. A third Modi term raises concerns about further erosion of rights for Muslims, who face rising violence. Modi has consolidated power extensively since 2014, gaining control over media, judiciary and opponents. The BJP campaigns on welfare aid and nationalism while stoking religious tensions. Regional opposition exists but lacks national unity. Modi remains confident, predicting recent state wins "guaranteed the 2024 victory."

Pop sensation Dua Lipa concludes the year in Rajasthan, India, sharing captivating moments on Instagram. From safari adventures to exploring historical monuments in New Delhi, the singer expresses feeling "beyond lucky." Her holiday album reflects joy and gratitude, thanking the warm hospitality received. Dua Lipa's Instagram post encapsulates the magic of her Indian experience, making 2023 unforgettable. Fans anticipate more excitement in 2024 as she shares highlights and wishes everyone "Happy Holidays." This marks Dua Lipa's return to India since her 2019 OnePlus Music Festival appearance, leaving an indelible mark on the country.

US Navy helicopters sank three Houthi rebel boats and killed their crews after the boats fired upon and tried to board a Singapore-flagged container ship in the Red Sea early Sunday. The Maersk Hangzhou issued a distress call after coming under attack by four Houthi vessels at around 3:30am GMT. The boats got within 20 meters of the ship in an apparent hijacking attempt. A security team returned fire as the crew tried to fend off the boarding. US Navy helicopters responding to the distress call then sunk three rebel boats in self-defense after being fired upon. The fourth boat fled. The incident was the second attack on the Maersk ship in 24 hours amid a rise in Houthi assaults on commercial vessels near Yemen.