In a world where technology and smartphones are often seen as inseparable from daily life, one Chinese woman has managed to break free from her phone for an impressive eight hours, winning a unique competition designed to encourage mindfulness and digital detox. The contest, held in Chongqing, southwest China, challenged participants to disconnect from their phones and spend the day in a controlled environment.

In a bizarre incident in Madhya Pradesh’s Machalpur district, a thief offered prayers at a petrol pump office before making off with ₹1.57 lakh in cash. The incident occurred on Saturday night at a petrol station located on the Soyat Kalan - Sujalpur highway, while the employees were fast asleep at the fuel bank.

Social entrepreneur Trisha Shetty, founder of the NGO SheSays, has accused IndiGo Airlines of mishandling a robbery incident involving her mother aboard one of their flights. According to Shetty’s post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), her mother was robbed mid-flight on IndiGo flight 6E 17, and the airline’s crew allegedly failed to assist in filing a complaint.

The Indian Navy is set to unveil its latest addition, the INS Tushil, a multi-role stealth-guided missile frigate, on December 9, 2024, during a grand commissioning ceremony in Kaliningrad, Russia. The event will be attended by India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who will be the chief guest, alongside senior officials from both Russian and Indian governments and defence sectors. This milestone marks a significant leap in the Navy's modernization efforts, reinforcing India’s defense capabilities.

In a remarkable display of resilience, Wisdom, the world's oldest known wild bird, has laid an egg at the age of 74, a milestone that has captivated bird lovers and wildlife enthusiasts worldwide. Wisdom, a Laysan albatross, laid her 60th egg this year, marking her return to Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, where she has been nesting for decades.

Bangladesh has announced a historic decision to remove the image of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of the nation, from its currency notes. This marks a significant shift in the country’s national identity and historical narrative, as Rahman has featured prominently on the nation’s currency since its independence in 1971.

The Centre has approved ₹944.80 crore as part of the central share from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for Tamil Nadu, following the destruction caused by Cyclone Fengal, which hit the region on November 30. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) confirmed the release of the funds in two instalments to assist the state government in its relief efforts for the people affected by the cyclone.

Emulating the timeless lines of poet Sohan Lal Dwivedi, "Lahron se dar kar nauka paar nahi hoti, aur koshish karne walon ki kabhi haar nahi hoti" (One cannot cross the sea fearing waves, and those who try never fail), renowned international open-water swimmer Meenakshi Pahuja achieved a historic feat by swimming 17 kilometers across the Arabian Sea. She completed the journey from Rewas Jetty to the Gateway of India in Mumbai in 6 hours and 24 minutes, conquering the challenges posed by ocean currents, jellyfish, sea snakes, and fluctuating temperatures.

Tamil film Maharaja, starring Vijay Sethupathi, has made a significant impact in China, earning approximately ₹16 crore (RMB 13.37 million) at the box office on its first day of release. The movie is the first Indian film to be screened in China following a diplomatic agreement to normalize ties between the two nations after their standoff in eastern Ladakh.

Amid the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved a record-breaking budget for 2025, with $126 billion (13.5 trillion rubles) allocated to national defence. This represents 32.5% of the total government spending and is $28 billion higher than this year’s defence expenditure, according to a report by CNN.