Matt Gaetz, the former Florida congressman, became the subject of online jokes about his makeup after appearing on his talk show, The Matt Gaetz Show, New York Post reported. In the second episode, which aired on Friday, Gaetz invited his former colleague George Santos to offer beauty advice. This followed a social media frenzy where many mocked Gaetz for looking like a “Who from Whoville,” a reference to the quirky, round-faced characters from Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Gaetz asked Santos for help with his makeup, saying, “What’s going on with my makeup? Help me! Give me advice!” Santos, a former drag queen, quickly offered his thoughts. “Let me tell you something, highlighter is not for you,” he said. Santos explained that highlighting the centre of Gaetz’s face made his eyes look smaller and didn’t give the right effect. Gaetz tried to defend his makeup, mentioning his deep-set eyes, but Santos disagreed. “Look at the flawlessness in my skin. No highlighter needed!” Santos said. He continued, “You’re a Florida man. I’m in Florida right now. When you’re tan and you’re a Florida man, you don’t need that level of highlighter.” Santos then recommended Gaetz use “Double Wear foundation from Estee Lauder,” an expensive product that costs $52 per ounce. But Gaetz’s makeup isn’t his only issue. He is also involved in a serious sex scandal, facing accusations of trafficking, fraud, and drug use, along with allegations of having sex with a 17-year-old girl. In November, Gaetz announced he was withdrawing as President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general. His chances of Senate confirmation were slim due to ongoing investigations into alleged drug use and payments for sex. He submitted his resignation to Congress.
DHAKA: Bangladesh chief adviser Muhammad Yunus on Saturday shared two possible timelines for the next general elections – Dec 2025 or mid-2026, while assuring a British MP that the polls would be completely “free and fair”. “People could not vote in the last three elections. There was a fake parliament, fake MPs, and a fake speaker,” Yunus told UK MP Rupa Huq, in an apparent reference to allegations of vote-rigging during the tenures of the now-ousted Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League govt. He also told Huq on what led to the July mass uprising and about the “repression of the people” during the tenure of ousted PM Sheikh Hasina. Yunus shared the timelines of Dec 2025 or mid-2026 when he was asked by Huq about the tentative date for the general elections. reform initiatives undertaken by the interim govt of Bangladesh, and the participation process of political parties, according to the chief adviser’s press wing. On Dec 16 last year, Yunus had said the national polls are likely to be held between the end of 2025 and the first half of 2026.
Ann Telnaes, a Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist for The Washington Post, said Friday that she was resigning after the newspaper’s opinions section rejected a cartoon depicting Post owner and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos genuflecting toward a statue of President-elect Trump. In a brief statement posted to Substack, Telnaes – who has worked at the Post since 2008 – called the newspaper’s decision to kill her cartoon a “game changer” that was “dangerous for a free press.” “In all that time I’ve never had a cartoon killed because of who or what I chose to aim my pen at,” she wrote. “Until now.” Telnaes included a draft of her cartoon in her Substack post. In addition to Bezos, the cartoon depicted Meta’s founder, Mark Zuckerberg; Patrick Soon-Shiong, the owner of the Los Angeles Times; and Mickey Mouse, the corporate mascot of The Walt Disney. David Shipley, the Post’s opinions editor, said in a statement that he respected Telnaes and all she had given to the Post “but must disagree with her interpretation of events.” “Not every editorial judgment is a reflection of a malign force,” Shipley said in the statement. “My decision was guided by the fact that we had just published a column on the same topic as the cartoon and had already scheduled another column – this one a satire – for publication. The only bias was against repetition.” nyt
Authorities on Friday said that the man who drove a pickup truck into a crowd of New Year’s revelers in New Orleans had bomb-making materials at his home and had reserved the vehicle for the deadly attack over six weeks in advance. Federal authorities searching Shamsud-Din Jabbar‘s home in Houston discovered a workbench in the garage and hazardous materials suspected to have been used for making explosive devices, law enforcement officials familiar with the investigation, told the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity. Reserved pickup truck on November 14 The FBI’s investigation uncovered that Jabbar acquired a cooler in Vidor, Texas, and gun oil from Sulphur, Louisiana, just before the incident. Officials noted that Jabbar had reserved the pickup truck on November 14, indicating possible advance planning of the attack. Authorities reported that 14 people were killed and around 30 injured in an attack early Wednesday by Jabbar, a former Army soldier. He had posted several videos on his Facebook hours before the attack, previewing the violence he would unleash and expressing his support for the Islamic State militant group. The coroner’s office confirmed that the cause of death for all 14 victims was “blunt force injuries.” The 42-year-old Jabbar lost his life in an exchange of gunfire with police at the crash site on Bourbon Street, a globally recognised festive location in New Orleans’ historic French Quarter. Discovered crude bombs, explosive devices Officials discovered crude bombs planted in the neighborhood, seemingly intended to cause further destruction. Two improvised explosive devices, placed in coolers several blocks apart, were safely defused at the scene. Other devices were found to be nonfunctional, according to officials. The FBI stated on Friday that investigators found a transmitter in Jabbar’s hired vehicle, intended to activate the two explosive devices. Jabbar attempted to set the house Authorities also discovered bomb-making materials at the New Orleans home that Jabbar had rented before the attack. According to the FBI, Jabbar attempted to set the house on fire by igniting a small blaze in a hallway and using accelerants to spread the flames. However, the fire was extinguished before firefighters arrived. Authorities continued investigating Jabbar’s motives and methods on Friday. After crashing his vehicle, he emerged wearing a ballistic vest and helmet and opened fire on police, injuring at least two officers before being shot and killed in the ensuing exchange of gunfire. Earlier on Friday, New Orleans police withheld details about the number of shots exchanged and possible civilian casualties, as the investigation remained active. The head of the city’s Office of the Independent Police Monitor, Stella Cziment, confirmed that investigators are documenting all discharged rounds and assessing if any civilians were struck. Offering prayers, flowers and candles A sombre atmosphere prevailed on Bourbon Street on Friday. Following the crime scene’s reopening, visitors and residents paid tribute to the victims whilst bucket drummers performed nearby. People gathered at an expanding memorial, offering prayers, flowers and candles. Tony Lightfoot, visiting from Baton Rouge with his son, remarked, “New Orleans is about having a good time, you know, just trying to live your best life.” He noted that the attacker “just decided to disrupt all of that”. Thirteen people remained hospitalised, with eight in intensive care at University Medical Center New Orleans, according to spokesperson Carolina Giepert. ‘Grieve with the families and community’ The White House announced President Joe Biden’s forthcoming visit to New Orleans. The presidential couple planned to visit on Monday to “grieve with the families and community members impacted by the tragic attack”. At Bourbon and Canal streets, authorities established security perimeters using vehicles and barriers as pedestrian numbers increased. Additional law enforcement agencies supplemented city police presence, according to NOPD spokesperson Reese Harper. The initial Carnival parade before Mardi Gras was set for Monday, with New Orleans also preparing to host the Super Bowl on February 9. “This enhanced safety effort will continue daily, not just during large events,” Harper stated. Previously installed retractable bollards on Bourbon Street, designed for French Quarter protection, had malfunctioned due to debris accumulation. These were removed before New Year’s Eve, with replacement plans scheduled before the Super Bowl. Jabbar acted alone in the attack FBI investigations concluded Jabbar acted alone in the attack, which claimed multiple lives including an 18-year-old nursing student, a single mother, a father of two and a former Princeton University footballer. The coroner’s office identified thirteen of fourteen victims, aged between 18 and 63, predominantly in their twenties. Among them was British citizen Edward Pettifer, 31, from west London, confirmed by London’s Metropolitan Police.
TOI correspondent from Washington: US lawmakers of Indian-origin are facing the brunt of nativist fury in America after a photograph one of them posted about their “coalition” triggered a racist meltdown. Shortly after being sworn as Representatives in the 119th Congress, California Congressman Ami Bera posted a photograph on X saying, “When I was first sworn in twelve years ago, I was the sole Indian-American member of Congress and only the third in US history. Now, our coalition is six strong! I am excited to welcome even more Indian-Americans to the halls of Congress in the years to come!” The backlash on the social media platform, now a boiling cauldron of right-wing hypernationalism, was immediate. “I did not – nor did my ancestors – sacrifice, fight, bleed, and in some cases die for this country to have it handed over to foreigners. We did it for our children… who are actively being discriminated against by colleges and companies,” wrote one nativist. Also read: Historic milestone: Six Indian Americans sworn into US House of RepresentativesI have lived through the H-1B process and know the value that the visa brings, says Democratic candidate “A ‘coalition’ of foreign agents in Congress. You should all be deported,” wrote another, posting a clip of Michigan Congressman Shri Thanedar saying, “America is becoming less white, and that’s what makes this country great.” Some of the more reasoned response came from critics who argued that expressing ethnic pride through hyphenation is passe. “I don’t care about race, but if they are sent to DC to represent Americans then you should be American. I would never say, I am honored to be an Italian/Irish/Mexican member of Congress. Regardless of where my grandparents/great grandparents were born they were proud Americans,” wrote one. Among the harsher responses: “Ethnic solidarity against Americans of this sort – especially by politicians – should be prima facie grounds for deportation.” “It may be time to enact laws ensuring that only native-born US citizens are eligible to hold federal office.” “If I can’t even pronounce ya’ll’s names, you don’t belong in Congress much less this country. You’re all going back.” The six lawmakers featured in the photo are Ami Bera and Ro Khanna from California. Raja Krishnamoorthi from Illinois, Pramila Jayapal from Washington, Shri Thanedar from Michigan, and Suhas Subramanyam from Virginia, the newest member of the caucus. Bera, Khanna, Subramanyam were born in the US, and Jayapal, Krishnamoorthi, and Thanedar were born in India and are naturalized Americans. All six are Democrats. Although Bera did not use the term “samosa caucus” as they are sometimes referred to, one critic advised the group to “please drop “Samosa Caucus” to be taken seriously and adopt a more meaningful name.” Another right wing troll called all six “woke, anti-Hindu and anti-Americans” and said “you all have done enough damage to Hindus as well as to America. Resign and go home!”
NEW DELHI: The Union health ministry on Saturday said that India is “closely monitoring” the situation regarding a new variant of the human metapneumovirus (HMPV). The ministry also mentioned that it has requested the World Health Organization (WHO) to provide “timely updates” on the situation in China and that “India is well-prepared” to manage any potential rise in respiratory illnesses. The health ministry said that the surge in respiratory illnesses observed in China was consistent with the seasonal flu patterns. It said that reports indicate that the increase in cases is primarily due to Influenza virus, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV)—all common pathogens associated with the flu season. The ministry noted that these viruses are already circulating globally, including in India, and there is no indication of an unusual rise in respiratory cases. It said that while there is no cause for alarm, as a precaution, the ICMR will increase the number of laboratories testing for HMPV and will continue to monitor trends throughout the year, the statement said. The ministry urged the public to follow standard health precautions, including avoiding close contact when exhibiting symptoms of respiratory illness. ‘Nothing to be alarmed about present situation’: Director General of Health Services On Friday, Director General of Health Services (DGHS), Atul Goel, had explained that after analysing the data on respiratory outbreaks in India, there had been no significant rise in cases during December 2024, and no large-scale outbreaks were reported from Indian institutions. “There is news doing the rounds about a Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) outbreak in China. However, we have analysed the data of the respiratory outbreaks in the country (India) and there is no substantial increase in the December 2024 data and no cases which have been reported in large numbers from any of our institutions. There is nothing to be alarmed about the present situation,” Goel said. He added that hospitals are well-equipped to manage the typical winter surge in respiratory infections. Goel also urged the public to follow standard precautions, such as avoiding close contact with others if experiencing symptoms. Meanwhile, China downplayed the severity of the outbreak, stating that this year’s respiratory infections were less severe than last year’s and assured that it remains safe for foreign travellers. What is HMPV? Reports from China have raised concerns about a surge in respiratory infections, attributed to the HMPV. While some social media posts highlight overwhelmed hospitals, Chinese authorities and the World Health Organization (WHO) have not declared a state of emergency. This increase in infections comes during the winter season, a time when respiratory illnesses naturally peak. HMPV, discovered in 2001, belongs to the Pneumoviridae family, alongside the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). It causes symptoms similar to the common cold or flu, such as coughing, a runny nose, and fever. It can be particularly severe for children under five, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems or chronic respiratory conditions like asthma. HMPV spreads through respiratory droplets, close contact, and contaminated surfaces. There is no specific treatment or vaccine, so management focuses on symptom relief. Preventative measures, such as handwashing, wearing masks, and avoiding contact when ill, are recommended.
As the United States grapples with a series of unsettling attacks, President-elect Donald Trump takes the stage at Turning Point’s AmericaFest to deliver a critical address. This speech comes as a reminder of Trump’s earlier warnings about national security threats and the urgent need for stronger borders and decisive actions. With a sharp critique of Democratic leadership, Trump reinforces his vision to confront these challenges head-on. Tune in to hear what Trump had predicted and why his message resonates in these troubling times. Don’t miss this crucial address as the nation seeks answers and solutions.
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Watch live coverage as President-elect Donald Trump renews his interest in acquiring Greenland, describing it as an "absolute necessity" for U.S. national security. Greenland’s Prime Minister Múte Egede firmly responds, stating, "Greenland is not for sale and will never be for sale," and emphasizes the island’s pursuit of independence from Denmark. In reaction to these developments, Denmark has announced a $1.5 billion defense investment to bolster its military presence in the Arctic region. This situation has sparked significant geopolitical discussions, with implications for U.S.-NATO relations and Arctic sovereignty. Tune in for comprehensive analysis and real-time updates on this unfolding story.
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The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi has introduced several new academic programmes throughout 2024, reflecting its commitment to offering diverse and innovative learning opportunities. These programs span undergraduate, postgraduate, executive, and doctoral levels, catering to various academic interests and professional needs.
Key Courses Introduced In 2024
MSc in Biological Sciences
Launched: February 2024 by the Kusuma School of Biological Sciences.
Admission: Through JAM 2024.
Seats: 20.
This two-year program focuses on cutting-edge research and education in biological sciences.
MA in Culture, Society, Thought
Launched: March 2024 by the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Admission: Based on GATE 2024 scores.
This interdisciplinary program explores themes of culture, society, and thought through sociology, literature, and philosophy.
Executive MBA For Working Professionals
Launched: April 2024 by the Department of Management Studies.
Duration: Two years.
Designed for mid-career professionals with three or more years of experience, this program emphasises career advancement without a break from work.
BTech in Design
Launched: August 2024 by the Department of Design.
Admission: Through JEE Advanced.
This four-year undergraduate program focuses on design thinking, research methods, teamwork, and socio-technical systems.
Healthcare Technology for Medical and Allied Professionals
Launched: October 2024 by the Centre for Biomedical Engineering.
Programme Start: January 2025.
This unique program integrates medicine and engineering to foster deep-tech innovations in healthcare.
PhD In Energy and Sustainability
Launched: December 2024 for IIT Delhi’s Abu Dhabi campus.
Focused on NetZero research, the program addresses renewable energy, sustainable engineering, and AI applications in energy transition.
Joint PhD with the University of Queensland
Programme: Jointly launched by IIT Delhi and the University of Queensland through UQIDAR.
Students will earn a jointly awarded PhD degree after studying at both institutions.
For detailed information and application procedures, visit the official IIT Delhi website.
The United States has faced a harrowing start to 2025, marked by a series of violent incidents and alarming events over the New Year weekend. From New Orleans to Las Vegas, New York City, California, and South Carolina, the nation has been rocked by car attacks, shootings, bomb scares, accidents, and plane crashes. Amidst these incidents, there is growing suspicion that the attacks in Las Vegas and New Orleans may be linked due to similarities in the backgrounds of the suspects. President-elect Donald Trump has publicly criticized President Biden’s administration for these events, attributing them to perceived failures in border security and rising radicalism. Watch the video for details.
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Watch live coverage as President Joe Biden awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 distinguished individuals at the White House. This prestigious honor, the nation’s highest civilian award, recognizes exceptional contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States. Among the honorees are former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, philanthropist George Soros, and acclaimed actor Denzel Washington. The ceremony also celebrates the achievements of sports icons Lionel Messi and Earvin "Magic" Johnson, conservationist Jane Goodall, and chef José Andrés, among others. Posthumous awards will be presented to civil rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer and former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. Tune in to witness this momentous event honoring individuals who have made significant impacts across various fields, reflecting the diverse fabric of American excellence.
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Fearing that a paternity test would prove that he was the father of a 24-year-old woman’s twin daughters, who were just 17 days old, an Armyman allegedly killed her and the infants with the help of a fellow soldier. The two men then went into hiding – deserting the Army, marrying and having children – and managed to evade the law for a staggering 19 years; until a tip-off proved to be their undoing.
The case dates back to February 10, 2006, when 24-year-old Ranjini and her newborn daughters were murdered in their rented house at Yeram near Anchal in Kerala’s Kollam district. Ranjini’s mother had discovered the bodies upon returning from the panchayat office, where she had gone to get the twins’ birth certificates.
Investigation revealed that Dibil Kumar B, a native of Anchal who was 28 at the time and served in the Indian Army’s 45 AD Regiment in Pathankot, was in a relationship with Ranjini. After the twins were born on January 24, 2006, however, he began distancing himself from her.
The unwed mother then approached the Kerala State Women’s Commission, which ordered a test to establish the paternity of the twins. This infuriated Kumar, who allegedly began plotting her murder.
CBI officials said that Rajesh P, who was 33 at the time and also served with Kumar in the same Army regiment, befriended Ranjini and her mother. He assured them that he would help convince Kumar to marry Ranjini, but allegedly joined in the plot to kill her and her daughters instead.
Manhunt
Kumar and Rajesh went on the run soon after the crime and were declared deserters by the Army in March 2006.
Despite extensive investigations by local police and a reward of Rs 2 lakh for information that would lead to their capture, there was no sign of the two men.
The case was handed over to the CBI in 2010 on the orders of the Kerala High Court, but a breakthrough eluded the agency as well.
Whole New Lives
After years of pursuit, the CBI received a tip-off that Kumar and Rajesh were living in Puducherry under fake names and had managed to get new documents made, including Aadhaar cards. They had reportedly married two teachers in the city and had also fathered children.
After carrying out surveillance, the CBI’s Chennai unit arrested the two men on Friday and brought them to Kochi, where they were produced before the Ernakulam Chief Judicial Magistrate Court on Saturday.
They have been remanded in police custody until January 18. Officials said the CBI will also seek their custody.
An award-winning political cartoonist for The Washington Post has announced her resignation after a cartoon depicting the newspaper’s billionaire owner grovelling before Donald Trump was rejected. Ann Telnaes posted on Substack late Friday that this was the first time she “had a cartoon killed because of who or what I chose to aim my pen at.”
The cartoon — which she included in her post — depicts Amazon founder and Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos, as well as Facebook and Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg and other media and tech moguls, kneeling and holding up bags of money before a massive Trump.
Also shown is a prostrated Mickey Mouse, the symbol of the Disney Company, which owns ABC News. The television network recently reached a $15 million settlement with Trump after he sued for defamation over reporting on his sexual abuse trial in New York.
Telnaes wrote that while previous sketches of hers had been rejected, this was the first time that had happened because of her “point of view.”
“That’s a game changer… and dangerous for a free press,” she said.
The Washington Post, whose slogan is “democracy dies in darkness,” said Telnaes’s work had not been rejected due to any “malign force.”
“We had just published a column on the same topic as the cartoon and had already scheduled another column — this one a satire — for publication,” editorial page editor David Shipley said in a statement. “The only bias was against repetition.”
The US media aggressively covered Trump’s chaotic first term, which included two impeachments and ended with his refusal to recognize defeat in the 2020 election — culminating with a mob of his supporters storming Congress.
As Trump prepares for his January 20 inauguration, after having defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in November, there are signs that top CEOs, including in the media, are eager to build good relations.
A stream of senior moguls, from Apple CEO Tim Cook to Bezos Zuckerberg, have travelled to meet Trump at his Florida estate.
Elon Musk, owner of influential social media platform X and the world’s richest person, is one of the president-elect’s closest advisors.
Amazon and Meta have both announced $1 million donations to Trump’s inauguration fund, as reportedly has Apple’s Cook in a personal capacity.
Bezos caused a stir just ahead of the presidential election when he broke with years of tradition and ruled against the Post endorsing a candidate.
Telnaes, who has won the Pulitzer Prize and other awards for her work, had worked for the Post since 2008.
Join us for live coverage of mass protests in Israel, where citizens are demanding the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. The demonstrations have intensified following the Israeli military’s announcement of recovering the bodies of six hostages, leading to national outrage and calls for a ceasefire. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has approved a delegation to resume hostage negotiations in Doha, Qatar, amid these escalating tensions. Additionally, Hamas has released a video featuring 19-year-old hostage Liri Albag, further increasing pressure on the Israeli government to secure the release of captives. Protesters are criticizing the government’s handling of the war and are urging for a swift resolution to the ongoing crisis. Stay tuned for real-time updates and in-depth analysis of this developing situation.
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The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Dhanbad has announced a special recruitment drive for the positions of Professor, Associate Professor, and Assistant Professor. Aspiring candidates who meet the eligibility criteria and have a passion for teaching can apply online through the IIT Dhanbad’s official website. The application process began on November 28, with a deadline set for January 31, 2025.
82 Positions Open For Recruitment
Under this recruitment drive, a total of 82 vacancies will be filled. The category-wise positions are as follows:
SC category- 28 positions
ST category- 14 positions
OBC (NCL) category- 40 positions
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for these positions, candidates must hold a PhD degree with a first-class academic record. For unreserved candidates, the maximum age limit is 35 years. Age relaxation will be provided as per government norms for SC/ST and OBC candidates. For detailed eligibility information, candidates are advised to refer to the official notification.
The UK is grappling with a sharp surge in flu cases, government health officials announced today. Surveillance data tracking the outbreak reveals that flu-related hospital admissions have soared, now standing at four times the level recorded just a month ago.
According to BBC, latest data shows there were 5,000 patients with the virus being treated in hospital at the end of last week – almost 3.5 times higher than the same week in 2023, although not as high as in 2022.
The head of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine told the BBC that pressure on hospitals is “unacceptably awful” and flu is pushing them to breaking point. It comes as health officials warn about the impact of the very cold weather expected this weekend on vulnerable patients, and the health system.
Professor Julian Redhead, NHS national clinical director for urgent and emergency care, told the BBC the figures show “the pressure from flu was nowhere near letting up before we headed into the new year, skyrocketing to over 5,000 cases a day in hospitals as of the end of last week and rising at a very concerning rate.”
“With what looks like an extreme cold snap expected right across England ahead of the weekend, we know the low temperatures can be dangerous for those who are vulnerable or have respiratory conditions,” he added.
According to National Health Service (NHS) UK, Flu will often get better on its own, but it can make some people seriously ill. It’s important to get the flu vaccine if you’re advised to.
The healthcare system in the United Kingdom advises individuals to monitor for flu symptoms, which typically develop rapidly. Common symptoms include a sudden high temperature, body aches, fatigue or exhaustion, a dry cough, sore throat, headache, difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite, diarrhea or abdominal pain, and nausea or vomiting. In children, symptoms may also include ear pain and reduced activity levels. Being aware of these signs can help in early detection and management of the flu.
If you are a performance car enthusiast and if you’re lucky enough to afford one, it seems like you’ll be spoilt for choices for new cars to choose from in 2025. From an all-new Lamborghini and Ferrari, two new Aston Martins, updates to existing nameplates, and even some new electric sportscars, there are a lot of high-performance machines arriving in India this year. Let’s take a closer look at each.
Aston Martin Vanquish
The all-new Vanquish, Aston Martin’s flagship front-engine tourer, is powered by a 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 that produces 835hp and a massive 1,000Nm. The company claims a 0-100kph time of just 3.3 seconds, and a top speed of 345kph. It casts a longer, more flowing silhouette than its siblings, the DB12 and Vantage, befitting of its ‘hyper tourer’ status. The launch is expected in the first quarter of 2025, and prices are likely to be around the Rs 6 crore mark. (ex-showroom).
Aston Martin Vantage Roadster
Aston Martin will bring the drop-top version of its Vantage sports car here shortly after its global debut. Other than the convertible roof top, the updates from the coupé will carry over, including the AMG-sourced 665hp V8, and the generous equipment list. There’s nothing entry-level about Aston’s junior sportscar though, with prices expected to be around the Rs 5 crore mark (ex-showroom). The Vantage Roadster will arrive by the middle of the year, but before that, the updated DBX 707, with its new interior, is also scheduled to arrive in the first quarter of 2025.
Audi e-tron GT facelift
The facelift for Audi’s all-electric performance sedan is headed here to take on the Porsche Taycan and Mercedes EQS. Along with subtle cosmetic changes, the e-tron GT gets quite a significant power boost and battery upgrade. The 97kWh battery (up from 84kWh) powers a 680hp dual-motor setup in the entry-level e-tron GT, an 857hp setup in the RS e-tron GT, and 925hp in the range-topping RS e-tron GT Performance. Prices for the e-tron GT are expected to be in the range of Rs 1.90 crore and Rs 2.20 crore (ex-showroom), and the launch is expected in the first quarter of this year.
Audi RS Q8 Performance
The fastest production SUV around the Nürburgring, the RS Q8 Performance will sit atop the Q8 range in India. Its V8 engine has been tuned to produce 640hp (up 40hp from the RS Q8), and it is 0.2 seconds quicker to 100kph, which it completes in a supercar-baiting 3.6 seconds. Along with sportier design outside and in, the RS Q8 Performance also gets a sportier, more evocative sounding exhaust. It is expected to arrive in the first quarter of this year, with an expected price of around Rs 2.50 crore (ex-showroom).
Bentley Continental GT
The all-new Continental GT, in Speed guise, eschews the iconic W12 engine for a hybridised V8, which makes 782hp and 1,000Nm of torque. Power is channelled to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic gearbox. Bentley claims a 0-100kph time of 3.2 seconds, a top speed of 335kph, and an all-electric range of 80km. The exterior is very Batur-inspired and while the interior layout is familiar, there’s more tech on offer. The launch is expected in the second quarter of this year, and prices are likely to be north of 6 crores (ex-showroom).
Ferrari 12Cilindri
Ferrari’s celebration of 12-cylinder engines in their purest form is the appropriately named 12Cilindri. The 6.5-litre V12 unit from the 812 now makes a staggering 830hp and 678Nm, with the Italian marque claiming a 0-100kph time of 2.9 seconds, and a top speed of over 340kph. The 12Cilindri is undeniably Ferrari’s best GT car, one that can thrill on both road and track while boasting a bold mix of cutting-edge tech and heritage design inspired by the likes of the 1968 Ferrari 365 GTB/4. While its interior is similar to that of the Purosangue, the GT features a 10.25-inch central infotainment touchscreen. Apart from the coupe, Ferrari also revealed the Spider, which gets a roof that can retract in just 14 seconds at speeds of up to 45kph. But whether both will come to India is still unknown. The launch is expected before mid-2025, and it will likely cost around Rs 7.5c crores (ex-showroom).
Lamborghini Temerario
The Huracán’s successor is powered by an all-new hybrid V8 making a staggering 920hp and 800Nm of torque. The Temerario, which has clear visual links to the Huracán and the Gallardo, sprints from 0-100kph in a claimed 2.7 seconds, and has a top speed in excess of 340kph. The interior also carries the hexagonal motifs seen outside, along with Lambo’s typical fighter jet-themed cockpit. It is, however, only arriving much later in the fourth quarter of 2025 with prices expected to around Rs 5 crores (ex-showroom).
Lotus Emira
What may be the last ICE sportscar from Lotus, and a purists’ delight, will arrive in India with three powertrain options. The Emira will get an AMG-sourced 360hp four-cylinder turbo-petrol paired to an 8-speed dual-clutch auto, and a Toyota-sourced 400hp supercharged V6 that comes with either a 6-speed manual or an automatic. The launch is expected over the next couple of months, but with prices expected to exceed Rs 3 crores (ex-showroom), it will be quite expensive for what is only an entry-level sportscar.
Lotus Emeya
Lotus’ first performance sedan since the 1990 Carlton will arrive in India with a 102kWh battery that has up to 600km of range, and powers motors on each axle making a combined 918hp and 984Nm. The Emeya has a Porsche Taycan Turbo S-matching 0-100kph time of 2.8 seconds, and its wow factor outside and inside, and performance and handling makes a compelling case for itself as an addition to a multi-crore garage. The launch is expected around December this year with prices expected to range between Rs 2.25 crore and Rs 3.0 crore (ex-showroom).
Maserati GranCabrio
The GranTurismo’s drop-top sibling will come with a twin-turbo V6 engine that produces 550hp; all-wheel drive is standard. The heavier GranCabrio is slightly slower to 100kph (the coupe does it in 3.5 seconds), but its folding fabric top can be lowered or raised in 14 seconds, at speeds of up to 50kph. It will be more expensive than its coupe counterpart, likely touching the Rs 3 crores mark (ex-showroom), and the launch is expected by mid-2025.
Maserati GranTurismo Folgore
The electric counterpart of the Maserati’s GT, called the GranTurismo Folgore, is coming this year with an 83kWh (usable) battery with a claimed range of 450km. It produces 761hp and 1,350Nm of troque, which propels the coupé from 0-100kph in just 2.7 seconds. The GT Folgore also sports a slightly tweaked, EV-specific design. The launch is expected in the second half of 2025 with prices expected to be around Rs 3.5 crores. (ex-showroom).
Mercedes-AMG CLE 53
The performance-focused CLE has a mild-hybrid twin-turbo straight-six making 449hp and up to 600Nm. Merc claims a 0-100kph time of 4.4 seconds, which can be lowered to 4.2 seconds with the AMG performance package. Mercedes also sells the CLE 53 AMG convertible in international markets, but it is yet to be ascertained which one is headed to India. As for pricing, we expect the AMG CLE 53 coupe to have a price tag of around Rs 2 crore, and the launch is expected by late-2025.
MG Cyberster
MG will dial up the cool quotient with the all-electric Cyberster that goes on sale this January at the Bharat Mobility Show. The Cyberster is based on a born-electric platform, and in India, it will be offered with a 77kWh battery pack, paired with two electric motors on each axle, simulating an AWD setup. This powertrain produces 510hp and 725Nm of peak torque, with a claimed 0-100kph sprint time of 3.2 seconds. MG claims a maximum range of 580km on a single charge (CLTC cycle). The convertible all-electric sports car will come to India as an import but pricing will be competitive.
Ather Energy Limited, a prominent electric two-wheeler manufacturer, has launched the 2025 Ather 450 with several updates aimed at improving rider safety, convenience, and performance. The new models, including the Ather 450X and Ather 450 Apex, feature multi-mode traction control, MagicTwist™, and enhanced TrueRange™ capabilities.
According to Ravneet S. Phokela, Chief Business Officer of Ather Energy, the company has consistently worked on upgrading the performance and safety of its 450 series. He highlighted the addition of multi-mode traction control, a feature typically found in higher-end motorcycles, as a significant enhancement. This system, available in three modes—Rain, Road, and Rally—ensures stability and adaptability on various road conditions.
The Rain Mode emphasizes grip on wet and slippery surfaces, prioritizing safety. Road Mode offers a balanced experience suited for daily commutes, while Rally Mode caters to off-road riding with controlled wheel slip. These features aim to improve stability, enabling riders to manage the scooter effectively across diverse terrains.
The 2025 Ather 450 lineup also includes multi-compound tires developed in collaboration with MRF to optimize range and performance. MagicTwist™, a feature previously introduced on the Ather 450 Apex and Rizta models, has been incorporated into the 450X. This innovation allows riders to modulate deceleration through the throttle, eliminating the need for conventional braking. It also functions at all charge levels, including 100%, contributing to better energy efficiency and range.
The scooters’ TrueRange™ has been improved across various models. The Ather 450X with a 3.7 kWh battery now offers up to 130 km of TrueRange™ (161 km IDC), while the Ather 450 Apex provides up to 130 km (157 km IDC). The 450X with a 2.9 kWh battery delivers up to 105 km of TrueRange™ (126 km IDC), and the 450S offers a TrueRange™ of 105 km (122 km IDC).
Powering the new lineup is AtherStack™ 6, the company’s latest software engine. This system includes features such as Google Maps integration, Alexa compatibility, WhatsApp notifications, and live location sharing. Riders can also use the “Ping My Scooter” feature to locate their vehicle using sound and visual cues.
Ather’s 2025 range is supported by the Eight70 warranty, which provides coverage for up to eight years or 80,000 km, with a 70% battery health assurance during the warranty period. Additional benefits include faster charging for the 450X 2.9 kWh model, now bundled with the Ather Duo charger, reducing charging time to three hours for 0-80%. The 450 Apex comes with Ather’s smart Halo helmet.
The 2025 Ather 450 series includes the 450S, starting at ₹1,29,999, the 450X 2.9 kWh variant at ₹1,46,999, and the 450X 3.7 kWh variant at ₹1,56,999 (all prices ex-showroom Bengaluru). The 450 Apex is priced at ₹1,99,999 (ex-showroom Bengaluru, inclusive of Pro Pack). Bookings and test rides for the new models are now open across India.
For the first time in 40 years, India’s largest-selling car did not carry the Maruti Suzuki logo. Punch, the subcompact SUV from Tata Motors, edged out Maruti Suzuki’s Wagon R and Swift to become the country’s largest-selling car in 2024.
Tata Motors sold over 2.02 lakh units of Tata Punch in 2024, overtaking the Wagon R, which sold 1.91 lakh units.
What is telling is that three out of the top five selling cars in the country were SUVs. Within the segment, Maruti Suzuki Ertiga – the number 1 SUV brand of 2023 – slipped to number 4.
India’s shift towards premium cars is turning out to be a litmus test for Maruti Suzuki, the country’s largest affordable car maker.
Limited SUV options, especially at a price above Rs 10 lakh, impacted Maruti Suzuki’s market share.
Consider this: In 2018, before the pandemic, the Indian industry had its best year ever, with 33.49 lakh car sales. With 52% of the Indian market’s share, Maruti sold more cars than all its competitors combined. And the top five best-selling products were all from Maruti’s stable.
In 2024, when the Indian industry reached another peak of about 42.86 lakh car sales in the post-pandemic era, Maruti’s market share not only fell to 41%, but had also lost the distinction of supplying India’s best-selling car.
In the post-independence era, Hindustan Motors’ Ambassador held the number one position for nearly three decades in a duopoly; Premier’s Padmini was the second best-selling product in India then.
But in 1985, a modern, reliable, and affordable offering from Suzuki, the Maruti 800, took over the crown of best-selling car for years to come. The next four decades were of Maruti-Suzuki growing from strength to strength in India, even when the market was opened to other foreign rivals in the post-90s liberalization era.
History of Best-selling cars in India
After Maruti 800, its spiritual successor, Alto, remained a best seller for 13 years, reaching the highest sales of 3,11,367 in 2011. That’s the highest ever sales achieved by any car in the Indian industry in a calendar year.
However, after 2018, things changed rapidly due to evolving regulations—e.g., the transition from BS IV to BS VI, and the call for mandatory airbags.
The number one position has been shifting among several Maruti products, from the sub-4m Dzire to the Swift premium hatchback to the tall-boy Wagon R. The 2024 top five list underlines how the shift in choice to SUVs has impacted not only vehicle brands but also the models and market share.
Reviewing the calendar year 2024 performance, Shailesh Chandra, MD, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd. and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd. said the PV industry is expected to touch a sales volume of 4.3 million units, with strong growth in the SUV segment and sustained traction for emission-friendly powertrains.
“For Tata Motors, CY24 was the fourth consecutive year of highest-ever annual sales with 565,000 units sold. We registered strong growth in our SUV portfolio with successful product introductions built on our proven multi-powertrain strategy. SUV volumes grew by 19%, with Punch selling over 200,000 units, allowing it to emerge as the highest-selling car model in India in CY24.”
Launched in 2021, Punch, with its proper SUV silhouette, upright stance, 190 mm ground clearance, and commanding driver position in a 3.8-metre footprint, created an all-new sub-segment in the sub-4 m SUV category.
Based on footprint, this segment is turning out to be an ideal alternative for prospective buyers of hatchbacks like the Maruti Swift. With these attributes, Tata Punch started selling over 10,000 units a month and became the 10th best-selling car in 2022.
In terms of footprint, features, and price point, the Exter and Punch are equally matched; Hyundai and Tata have nearly similar sales footprints. However, the Hyundai Exter could not deliver even half the volume of the Tata Punch in 2024.
Hyundai Mobis has announced that it has developed a new battery cell cooling material to prevent battery overheating during ultra-fast charging of electric vehicles. The company aims to secure this new battery cooling technology and commercialise it to enhance its competitiveness in the future mobility market.
This material, referred to as the ‘Pulsating Heat Pipe’, is composed of aluminium alloy and refrigerant and is placed between battery cells to lower the internal battery temperature that spikes during rapid charging. Even when battery heat generation increases during ultra-fast charging, it is expected to significantly reduce electric vehicle charging time by implementing a stable thermal management system capable of withstanding the heat.
Heat pipes are metal-tube-shaped thermal conductors that enhance heat transfer efficiency between two objects and are high-heat-dissipation materials used for cooling electronic devices such as computer CPUs and smartphones.
Specifically, pulsating heat pipes diffuse heat through the vibration and circulation of refrigerant internally, resulting in minimal performance degradation due to gravity even when applied to high-speed moving vehicles. With over ten times the heat transfer performance compared to standard aluminium, they rapidly move the heat from overheated battery cells to the exterior.
Typically, battery systems (BSA) are constructed by adding battery management systems (BMS), cooling fans, and various electronic devices to multiple battery modules (BMA). BMA, which directly generates electrical energy, is a module-level component with multiple battery cells stacked, and optimizing the cooling structure to prevent battery cell overheating is critical. Hyundai Mobis successfully placed PHPs between each battery cell. They quickly transferred the heat generated in each cell to cooling blocks, thereby stably controlling the internal temperature at the module level.
Hyundai Mobis states that it applied a press process enabling large-scale continuous production in the manufacturing stage, simplifying the PHP manufacturing process and reducing production costs. Additionally, to facilitate mounting on vehicle batteries, it achieved PHPs with a thickness of only 0.8mm, which is significantly thinner and has a larger area than standard heat pipes (approximately 6mm). This enhancement in product quality aims to promote the adoption of electric vehicles.
ALSO READ:Hyundai Mobis targets 40% of global OE sales in auto component manufacturing by 2033
Hyundai Mobis unveils 65 new technologies for EVs, electronics, safety
King Charles III was on Saturday said to be “deeply saddened” after police said a British relative of his sons’ former nanny was among the victims of the deadly truck-ramming attack in New Orleans.
Edward Pettifer, 31, who died in the atrocity, was the stepson of Prince William and Prince Harry’s former nanny Tiggy Pettifer.
It was “understood the King was… deeply saddened, and had been in touch with the family to share personal condolences”, the UK’s Press Association news agency said in a report.
Heir to the throne Prince William said he and his wife Catherine had also been “shocked and saddened by the tragic death of Ed Pettifer”.
“Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Pettifer family and all those innocent people who have been tragically impacted by this horrific attack,” he wrote on the couple’s Kensington Palace social media account.
Pettifer’s half-brother Tom is one of William’s godsons and was a page boy at his wedding to Catherine, the Princess of Wales, in 2011.
In 1993, Charles employed Tiggy Legge-Bourke, now Pettifer, whose family had longstanding links to the royals, as a nanny for William and his younger brother Harry after his separation from their mother, Princess Diana.
“The entire family are devastated at the tragic news of Ed’s death in New Orleans. He was a wonderful son, brother, grandson, nephew, and a friend to so many. We will all miss him terribly,” the Pettifer family said in a statement.
On New Year’s Day a US army veteran, who the FBI says pledged loyalty to the Islamic State jihadist group, used a pickup truck to kill and wound revellers in New Orleans’s crowded French Quarter, before being killed by police.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said he was “extremely saddened” to learn a British man had been among those killed in the attack.
“We are supporting his family and stand united with the US against terror threats,” he wrote on X.
The Citroen Basalt is now marginally more expensive as the introductory period ends and prices have gone up to ₹28,000.
The Citroen Basalt is now more expensive by up to ₹28,000 on the top variants, while the lower variants are pricier by ₹17,000
The Citroen Basalt coupe SUV went on sale in India in August last year and the French automaker has now increased prices across its range model for the new year. The Citroen Basalt is now marginally more expensive as the introductory period ends and prices have gone up to ₹28,000. The new Basalt coupe SUV is now priced from ₹8.25 lakh onwards, going up to ₹14 lakh (ex-showroom).
Citroen Basalt Price Hike
The base variants of the Citroen Basalt gets a price hike of ₹26,000 on the 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol You manual variant. The 1.2-litre turbo petrol Max variants are now more expensive by ₹21,000 on the manual and automatic, while the turbo-petrol Max variants are are more expensive by ₹17,000. The Citroen Basalt gets most expensive on the top-spec trims with a price hike of ₹28,000 on the 1.2-litre Turbo Petrol Plus manual and automatic. The mid-spec Basalt 1.2-litre NA petrol manual price remains unchanged at ₹9.99 lakh. All prices are ex-showroom.
Also Read : Citroen Basalt test mule spotted. Is this the EV version?
The Citroen Basalt isn’t the most feature laden offering in the segment but gets most of the essentials
Citroen Basalt Specifications
The Citroen Basalt is powered by two engine options. The 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol tuned for 80 bhp and 115 Nm of peak torque, paired with only a 5-speed manual transmission. There’s also the 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine tuned for 109 bhp. Transmission options include the 6-speed manual with 190 Nm of torque, while the torque converter automatic makes 205 Nm.
Citroen Basalt Fuel Efficiency
Citroen claims a fuel efficiency of 18 kmpl on the 1.2 naturally aspirated model, while the 1.2 turbo petrol manual returns 19.5 kmpl. The turbo petrol automatic promises 18.7 kmpl.
Watch: Citroen Basalt review: Can the Curvv-rival trigger French Renaissance?
Citroen Basalt Features
On the feature front, the new Citroen Basalt gets LED projector headlamps, 16-inch alloy wheels, wraparound taillights, rear AC vents, adjustable thigh support for the second-row occupants and more. It’s also equipped with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and automatic climate control. The coupe SUV also received a four-star safety rating in the Bharat NCAP crash tests.
Citroen is also said to be working on an electric version of the Basalt, which was spotted testing recently.
Check out Upcoming Cars in India 2024, Best SUVs in India.
Maruti Suzuki teases the e Vitara electric SUV, revealing a stylish interior with a dual-screen setup, advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), and
…
Maruti Suzuki has unveiled major details about the upcoming e Vitara over social media.
Maruti Suzuki is gearing up to jump on the electric vehicle (EV) bandwagon with its much-anticipated e Vitara SUV. Maruti Suzuki has been dropping subtle hints through social media about what the e Vitara will look like and what it will feature. The official launch is slated for January 17 at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 at the Maruti Suzuki pavilion. Here’s what the latest teaser has revealed so far:
In the teaser, design elements like Y-shaped LED DRLs, Y-shaped LED tail lamps and a bold front bumper are visible. At the side, the charging port has been placed right above the wheel arch. The wheel arches are clad with black plastic for a rugged look and the rear door handles are mounted on the C-pillar.
The tailgate is adorned with a sleek silver Suzuki logo and an “e Vitara” badge. The e Vitara is built on the brand’s new Heartect-e platform made specifically for electric vehicles.
Also watch: Suzuki e Vitara, Maruti’s first electric car, breaks cover | Range, features, specs | India launch
Maruti Suzuki e Vitara: Interior
The teaser also reveals details about the interior of the vehicle. It shows the India-spec e Vitara will include a rotary dial on the centre console much like its international counterpart along with an electronic parking brake.
The global version showcases a dual-tone cabin, a stylish flat-bottom two-spoke steering wheel, vertically aligned air conditioning vents and chrome accents on the dashboard. A twin-screen setup for the infotainment system and instrument cluster adds a tech-savvy look to the interior.
Also Read : Maruti Suzuki e Vitara to debut in 2025: Key expectations you should be aware of
Maruti Suzuki e Vitara: Features and specifications
This electric SUV is set to become Maruti Suzuki’s first vehicle to offer ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems). Other features include six airbags, ventilated front seats, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless phone charger, and a regenerative braking system.
Globally, the e Vitara comes with two battery options including a 49 kWh and a 61 kWh capacity. It will compete with other EVs in India such as the upcoming Hyundai Creta EV, Mahindra BE 6, Tata Curvv EV and the MG ZS EV.
Check out Upcoming Cars in India 2024, Best SUVs in India.
Watch live coverage of the state funeral proceedings honoring former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100. The ceremonies begin in Georgia, with a motorcade transporting Carter’s remains through his hometown of Plains, including a stop at his boyhood home. The late president will lie in repose at the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta, allowing the public to pay their respects. Subsequently, his body will be flown to Washington, D.C., to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. A national funeral service is scheduled at the Washington National Cathedral, where President Joe Biden is expected to deliver the eulogy. Following the service, Carter’s remains will return to Georgia for a private interment in Plains, where he will be laid to rest beside his wife, Rosalynn Carter.
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Prince William shocked by death of ex-nanny’s stepson in New Orleans attack
Edward Pettifer has been identified by the Metropolitan Police as the British national who was killed in New Orleans on 1 January
The Prince of Wales has said he and Catherine are “shocked and saddened” by the death of his former nanny’s stepson, Edward Pettifer, who was killed in the New Orleans attack.
The 31-year-old was among 14 people killed in a vehicle attack on New Year’s Day.
His stepmother Alexandra “Tiggy” Pettifer, née Legge-Bourke, cared for Prince William and Prince Harry in the 1990s.
Prince William said: “Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Pettifer family and all those innocent people who have been tragically impacted by this horrific attack.”
This comes after palace sources said King Charles was “deeply saddened” by the death and has been in touch with Mr Pettifer’s family.
The 1 January attack saw a 42-year-old US Army veteran drive a pick-up truck into crowds along New Orleans’s famous Bourbon Street before being shot dead by police.
The New Orleans coroner gave Mr Pettifer’s preliminary cause of death as “blunt force injuries”, PA reports.
In a tribute, Mr Pettifer’s family described him as a “wonderful son, brother, grandson, nephew and friend to so many”.
Prince Harry has also been informed but will not be commenting publicly on the news.
Prince William and Prince Harry with their nanny Alexandra Pettifer, known as Tiggy, in 1994
The suspect, named as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, is believed to have acted alone in a “premeditated and evil act”, the FBI said.
It added that a flag of the Islamic State group was found inside the vehicle.
Two improvised explosive devices were also found nearby, according to police.
A well-known American college football player, a young aspiring nurse and a mother of a four-year-old are among the victims.
At least 39 people were also injured during the attack, which took place in the city’s French Quarter – a bustling nightspot popular with locals and tourists – at around 03:15 (09:15 GMT) on Wednesday.
Some of the injured have been discharged from hospital – but more than a dozen remain, with some being treated in the ICU.
Mr Pettifer, of Chelsea, London, was named by the Metropolitan Police as among the victims on Saturday morning.
His family said in a statement they were “devastated at the tragic news of Ed’s death in New Orleans”.
“We will all miss him terribly. Our thoughts are with the other families who have lost their family members due to this terrible attack.
“We request that we can grieve the loss of Ed as a family in private. Thank you.”
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said in a statement that he was “extremely saddened to hear the tragic news that a British man was among those killed during the attack in New Orleans”.
“We are supporting their family and are united with the US against terror threats,” the statement said.
Ms Pettifer joined King Charles’s staff in 1993 when he was the Prince of Wales.
She became a close companion to the young princes following the separation of Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales.
Ms Pettifer often accompanied the two princes on holiday and, following the death of Diana, she helped them adjust to the loss of their mother.
In 1999, Ms Pettifer – née Legge-Bourke – married security consultant Charles Pettifer at a private ceremony in Wales, which was attended by William and Harry.
Your striking pictures of snow and frost across UK
An aerial shot of Scotland’s Bridge of Gaur shows it looking very wintery
Parts of the UK have been met with wintry scenes heading into the weekend, as frosty weather and snow make an appearance early in the new year.
Bitter conditions are expected to continue into next week thanks to an Arctic wind.
Several weather warnings are in place for parts of England and Wales as heavy snow and freezing rain are expected.
Walking up to the summit of the munro Ben Macdui in the Cairngorms, ScotlandA group preparing skis to climb back up to the Cairngorm mountain summitThe view from the top of the of A’ Mharconaich mountain at the edge of the Cairngorms in ScotlandThere were similar snowy scenes further north in the Shetland Islands Walking into Ben Wyvis, in the northern Scottish Highlands.It was a cold but beautiful day in Cornwall’s Bissoe ValleyA stag looks across a frosty Richmond Park in LondonA dog got a sniff of some frosty flowers in Waldringham, SuffolkThe sun shone on snow-covered trees in Aberdeen A pair of good boys at Dulnain Bridge near Cairngorm in the Scottish HighlandsIt was time for a rest in some frosty grass after a walk in Armagh, Northern IrelandThe sun was captured shining on some frosty tree branches in the Scottish village of LairgFrost sparkles in the morning sunshine, Grantown-on-SpeyAnother furry friend was photographed during a snowy walk, this time in Yorkshire’s Denby DaleA stone bridge in Carrbridge in Scotland was blanketed in snowThis country lane in the Scottish village of Methven also got a good dusting of snow
You can keep up to date with BBC Weather forecasts online and on the app.
Incredible Luke Littler etched his name into darting history with a crushing 7-3 victory over Michael van Gerwen to become the youngest ever PDC World Championship winner.
The 17-year-old was in unstoppable form as he raced into a 4-0 lead, and despite Van Gerwen getting three sets on the board, he never really threatened a comeback and was always in Littler’s rear mirror.
Van Gerwen was the previous youngest champion when he won the first of his three world titles in 2014 aged 24, but darting phenomenon Littler smashed that record just as easily as he dealt with the Dutchman on the Alexandra Palace stage.
Warrington teenager Littler averaged just over 102 and threw 12 180s in a darting masterclass as he claimed the £500,000 first prize and lifted the Sid Waddell Trophy for the first time.
With the way he handled the pressure of being the favourite and the manner of his performances still three weeks short of his 18th birthday, it surely is just the first of many.
Littler was pipped by Luke Humphries in last year’s final and when the world number one went out in the fourth round this year, the trophy looked to be there for the taking.
Van Gerwen has not been at his best this season but facing a three-time winner appearing in his seventh final still represented a tough test for the youngster.
Littler is not built like your average darts player though, and he showed no signs of nerves when racing into that 4-0 lead – albeit helped by some dodgy finishing by Van Gerwen.
The 35-year-old was scoring well but either missed darts at doubles or failed to even get down to a shot at the outer ring – which resulted in him winning just three legs in those first four sets.
Van Gerwen finished with a 100 average himself and one more 180 than Littler with 13, but hitting just 14 of 38 on his doubles was never going to cut it against the game’s new superstar.
‘Everyone dreams of lifting this trophy’
“I can’t believe it,” Littler told Sky Sports. “We both played so well.
“I’ve said in interviews that I needed to get off to a quick start tonight and that’s what I did.
“Everyone dreams of lifting this trophy. You’ve got to get through a tough field. I can’t believe it.”
After bursting onto the scene at last year’s World Championship, ‘The Nuke’ went on to win 10 titles and hit four nine-darters in 2024 and took that form to Alexandra Palace.
Littler averaged more than 100 in five of his six matches and led the tournament with 76 maximums to win the Ballon D’Art trophy for top 180 hitter – although he did fail to match Michael Smith’s record of 83 set in 2022.
Not that Littler will care after a tournament where he was operating at a different level to the rest.
The relentless scoring is one thing, that magical double 10 he hardly misses is another, but Littler also has that perfect timing – hitting 180s and nailing big checkouts at crucial moments that just mentally grind his opponents into submission.
A certain Phil Taylor won his first BDO world title 35 years ago this year, and there’s more than a hint of ‘The Power’ about Littler’s game.
At Littler’s age, Taylor’s record of 16 world titles could be in serious danger.
The wait goes on for Van Gerwen
Getty Images
Van Gerwen was once in Littler’s shoes and beating up everyone on the big stage, but his third world title came back in 2019 and he has now lost three finals since then.
The Dutchman has won 157 PDC titles worldwide and is regarded as the best player since Taylor, but he has struggled in the last couple of years when he has failed to win a major in back-to-back seasons for the first time since his first in 2012.
He battled away against Littler but just did not have that extra gear, while Littler in return did just that, and “every chance he got and every moment he had to hurt me, he did”.
“We all know I’ve come from a far distance and I’ve been battling my own game,” admitted Van Gerwen on Sky Sports, who at twice Littler’s age joked about the new star of the oche.
“I’m 35, he’s 17. Every 17 years, a star gets born.”
Van Gerwen is not done yet, and just making the final after the year he had is a victory in itself, but Littler is going nowhere and everyone, Van Gerwen included, now needs to raise their game to keep up.
World title caps Littler’s meteoric rise
PA Media
In truth, Littler’s star was born at Alexandra Palace 12 months ago, but his continued brilliance has elevated him and his sport to new heights.
Sir Keir Starmer praised Littler on X for his “mesmerising performance” and labelled his victory as an “inspirational performance under such pressure” to win the title.
“You should be really proud of what you’ve achieved tonight,” added the prime minister. “Not just for yourself but for the sport of darts as a whole.”
Littler has gone from 164th to second in the PDC Order of Merit and added the world title to the Premier League, World Series and Grand Slam titles already won in 2024.
Off the oche he has prompted a huge spike in darts interest among youngsters and brought the sport into the mainstream while winning the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year, and was runner-up in the main award to Olympic gold medal-winning athlete Keely Hodgkinson.
Now a world champion, the sky’s the limit for the natural born dartist who has the world at his finger tips.
A 52-year-old woman from Andhra Pradesh swam for 150 km in a rare feat which has earned praise from people across India and the world.
Goli Shyamala Garu swam through an extremely tough and challenging stretch of the sea from Visakhapatnam to Kakinada. It took six days for the 52-year-old to complete the feat.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu was among the first leaders who congratulated Ms Garu.
“At 52, Goli Shyamala Garu’s 150 km swim from Visakhapatnam to Kakinada is a story of extraordinary courage and determination. During six days, this daughter of Andhra Pradesh faced numerous challenges on her journey but ultimately prevailed with courage,” Mr Naidu said in a post on X.
“Her journey is not just a shining example of Nari Shakthi (women power), but a reflection of the power of the human spirit. She has also underscored the need to protect our precious marine life, inspiring millions through her admirable achievement. Congratulations, Shyamala Garu,” Mr Naidu said.
At 52, Goli Shyamala Garu’s 150 km swim from Visakhapatnam to Kakinada is a story of extraordinary courage and determination. During six days, this daughter of Andhra Pradesh faced numerous challenges on her journey but ultimately prevailed with courage. Her journey is not just a… pic.twitter.com/D67DksCs0T
Mr Garu lives in Kakinada district’s Samarlkota village. She began the ultimate swim on December 28. A team of over a dozen experts including doctors and scuba divers kept watch for her safety while she made her way across the 150-km stretch.
She completed swimming across the Palk Strait in 2021.
The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has announced a significant reduction in the cut-off percentile for NEET PG Counselling 2024. The decision, taken by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) in consultation with the National Medical Commission (NMC), aims to expand the pool of eligible candidates.
NEET PG Counselling 2024: The revised eligibility criteria
General/EWS Category: Candidates securing 15 percentile and above can participate in the counselling.
SC/ST/OBC/PwD Category: Candidates securing 10 percentile and above are eligible to participate.
The Medical Counselling Committee has advised candidates to stay updated by visiting its official website, and the NBE website for further information, including the counselling schedule and scorecard details.
The Round 3 seat allotment result for NEET PG 2024 is expected to be released on January 4, 2025. Registered candidates can check the results on the MCC website.
For more details, candidates can refer to the official notice.
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After Maruti 800, its spiritual successor, Alto, remained a best seller for 13 years, reaching the highest sales of 3,11,367 in 2011. That’s the highest ever sales achieved by any car in the Indian industry in a calendar year.
Launched in 2021, Punch, with its proper SUV silhouette, upright stance, 190 mm ground clearance, and commanding driver position in a 3.8-metre footprint, created an all-new sub-segment in the sub-4 m SUV category. 
