Speaking at a 'Veer Bal Diwas' event commemorating Guru Gobind Singh's sons, PM Modi stated India is breaking free from the "mindset of slavery." Expressing faith in people and heritage, He noted, "When we respect our heritage, the world also values it," highlighting changing global perspectives. Commemorating Guru Gobind Singh's sons, Modi outlined a vision for youth, foreseeing opportunities in the next 25 years. Stressing India's global recognition, he urged prioritizing health, saying, "When fit, you'll be super hit." Modi called for a movement against drugs and celebrated 'Veer Bal Diwas' as symbolic protection of Indianness, honoring the bravery of Guru Gobind Singh's family.  

A MiG-29K fighter jet suffered a tire burst on the taxiway at Goa Airport during Navy's operational hours, prompting a nearly two-hour runway closure. The incident led to the diversion and delays of sixteen flights. The runway reopened after the disabled jet was removed with a crane. No injuries were reported. The Airports Authority of India confirmed the resumption of civil aircraft operations. The MiG-29K squadron operates from Goa's INS Hansa naval base, sharing the runway with the civilian airport. The closure affected afternoon flights, with one diverted to Mopa International Airport.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh asserted India's commitment to tracking down those responsible for recent drone attacks on Merchant Navy ships, stating, "The government has taken the drone attack on MV Chem Pluto and MV Sai Baba very seriously." Speaking at the commissioning of INS Imphal, he declared, "Whoever carried out this attack, we will find them even from the seabed. Those behind it will be brought to justice." The Pentagon attributed one attack to an Iran-backed group. MV Chem Pluto, targeted off India's west coast, docked in Mumbai, showing damage from a drone strike. India assures cooperation with friendly nations to safeguard maritime trade in the region.

Afghanistan cricketers Mujeeb-ur-Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, and Naveen-ul-Haq face uncertainty in IPL 2024 as the Afghanistan Cricket Board rejects No Objection Certificates over a central contract disagreement. The players sought release from annual contracts, emphasizing private leagues. ACB deems it a breach of national duty, prompting disciplinary action. The trio, including a Kolkata Knight Riders recruit, faces potential exclusion. Notable global players, Trent Boult and Faf du Plessis, abandoning central contracts, echo broader tensions. ACB forms a committee to investigate, signaling the far-reaching impact of prioritizing personal interests over national commitments.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared the Gaza offensive "isn't close to finished," facing domestic pressure to secure the release of over 100 Israeli hostages held by Hamas. During a parliamentary speech, families of the hostages heckled Netanyahu, demanding their immediate return, relatives of the hostages interrupted him and shouted “Now! Now!” Opposition leader Yair Lapid echoed the sentiment, urging swift action. The death toll of Israeli soldiers rose to 156, impacting public support. Despite a UN resolution urging a ceasefire, fighting intensifies, and an Egyptian peace proposal faces resistance.

The Met Office has issued seven weather warnings across Britain, predicting heavy rain and flooding that pose a danger to life in some regions. Wales faces a risk of fast-flowing or deep floodwater, with potential impacts on homes and businesses. Power cuts are also anticipated in various parts of the country. Additionally, wind and snow warnings cover southern England, Wales, the north of England, and Scotland throughout Wednesday. Scotland has an ice warning for Monday and Tuesday, heightening concerns about difficult travel conditions. The Met Office officially declared a white Christmas as snow fell in some UK areas, breaking temperature records for the highest daily minimum on Christmas Day.

Filmmaker Hansal Mehta has lauded Shah Rukh Khan's latest film, 'Dunki', calling it "not perfect but perfectly fine." Mehta took to his social media to express his appreciation, stating that the movie provided the nostalgic, heartfelt simplicity often missed in today's films. The Rajkumar Hirani directorial, centered around the illegal immigration technique 'donkey flight,' features Shah Rukh Khan alongside Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal, Boman Irani, Vikram Kochhar, and Anil Grover. Mehta urged audiences to experience the enduring charm of the film, concluding, "It is a Rajkumar Hirani film all the way. Go watch it and decide for yourself."

India aims to secure easier market access for mangoes and grapes while fast-tracking visas for skilled workers in discussions with the US at the India-US Trade Policy Forum on January 13-14. The forum, co-chaired by Piyush Goyal and US Trade Representative Katherine Tai, will address trade-related issues, including India's new authorization system for IT hardware imports. Despite assurances that the system won't expand, concerns linger, with the US fearing potential business obstacles. India's move to restrict imports, citing national security, will be discussed bilaterally. The talks also cover WTO cases and strengthening intellectual property rights between the two leading trading partners.

India's cricket captain, Rohit Sharma, sets sights on a historic South African triumph, a milestone eluding past teams. Ahead of the first Test, Sharma discusses KL Rahul's potential new role, stating, "I am not sure how long KL Rahul would want to keep wickets, but he is keen as of now." Acknowledging Mohammed Shami's absence, Sharma expresses, "Shami will be a big miss for what he has done for us over the years. Someone will fill up the hole but it won't be easy." Sharma emphasizes, "Want to achieve what nobody has achieved in this part of the world." The series begins on December 26 in Centurion, with Sharma emphasizing enjoyment of the game.

The Israel-Gaza conflict intensifies with over 100 casualties in Gaza, including residential bombings in Maghazi refugee camp. Israeli airstrikes persist despite the UN resolution for aid and a ceasefire. Gaza faces one of the deadliest days, impacting Christmas celebrations. Palestinian Christians hold subdued masses. In response, Israel reports a "very heavy cost" with 15 soldiers killed. Ceasefire proposals by Egypt face rejection, raising concerns for Gaza's 2.3 million residents with death toll rises to over 20,500. Despite international calls for precision targeting, Israel insists on military pressure for a "complete victory" over Hamas. The humanitarian crisis deepens as UN warns of starvation for a quarter of Gaza's population.