A deadly plane crash occurred at Muan International Airport in South Korea on December 29, 2024, when Jeju Air Flight 7C2216, a Boeing 737-800, veered off the runway. The flight, carrying 181 people from Bangkok, crashed into a wall and burst into flames, killing at least 177 people. Two crew members survived, but the remaining passengers are presumed dead. Officials suspect a bird strike and weather conditions contributed to the crash, which is South Korea's deadliest aviation disaster. Rescue teams continue to search for victims in the wreckage, which was mostly destroyed.

India’s Koneru Humpy clinched her second World Rapid Chess Championship title on December 29, 2024, by defeating Indonesia’s Irene Sukandar. Humpy, who won her first title in 2019, joins China’s Ju Wenjun as the only players to secure multiple championships in this format. The Indian chess star earned 8.5 points from 11 rounds, overcoming a challenging year. "This is a surprise," she said, crediting family support for her success. Humpy's victory follows D Gukesh's triumph in the classical format World Championship. Russia’s Volodar Murzin won the men’s title.

Mikheil Kavelashvili, a former footballer and loyalist of the ruling Georgian Dream party, was inaugurated as Georgia's president on December 29, 2024. His election has been declared "illegitimate" by the outgoing president Salome Zurabishvili and opposition groups. Despite these claims, Kavelashvili took the oath of office during a parliamentary ceremony. Zurabishvili, who continues to assert her position as the "only legitimate president," has vowed to challenge the new president’s authority and fight against the ruling party. The situation adds to Georgia’s political tensions as the country faces internal division.

At least 176 people were killed after a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 crashed while landing at Muan International Airport in South Korea. The flight, arriving from Bangkok with 181 people on board, went off the runway, crashed into a wall, and exploded into flames. Two survivors, including a flight attendant, were rescued and hospitalized. Families of the victims are gathering at the airport as rescue operations continue. Authorities suspect bird strikes and poor weather as possible causes, though no official cause has been confirmed yet. Investigations are ongoing into the tragic crash.

The Pakistan Army will train the Bangladesh Army in Mymensingh and three other cantonments starting February 2025, marking its first involvement since 1971. This agreement, initiated during the Yunus regime, aims to strengthen ties with Islamabad. Training, led by Major General rank officers from Pakistan, has sparked fears of anti-India indoctrination within the Bangladesh Army, which had previously diluted such ideology under Awami League rule. Explosives discovered at Chittagong Port, allegedly from Pakistan, further raised regional security concerns. India remains cautious about this development, given its potential impact on the geopolitics of South Asia and the northeastern states.

A Jeju Air flight from Bangkok to Muan crashed at Muan International Airport, South Korea, with 179 of 181 passengers presumed killed. Minutes before the tragedy, a passenger texted, “Should I say my last words?” The Boeing 737-800 attempted a belly landing, skidding off the runway and erupting in flames. Witnesses reported explosions and thick black smoke. Investigators are probing bird strikes and weather conditions. Two survivors, likely crew members, were rescued. Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra extended condolences. Jeju Air apologized, pledging full support for families as recovery operations continue and flights remain suspended.

A toddler narrowly escaped a fatal accident at Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano on Christmas Day. The child sprinted toward a 400-ft cliff edge in a restricted area near the erupting caldera but was saved when his mother grabbed him just a foot from the edge. Families had gathered to watch the ongoing eruption, which began on Dec 23. Park rangers have issued warnings to stay on trails, avoid closed areas, and keep children close. "Hopefully sharing this incident prevents future tragedies," said ranger Jessica Ferracane. Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, continues its low-level eruption.

Luke Walford, a 40-year-old youth pastor from Rockhampton, was fatally attacked by a shark while fishing with his family near Humpy Island in Australia's Great Barrier Reef. The predator inflicted a life-threatening neck wound, and despite efforts, Walford died within 90 minutes. Queensland police confirmed the incident, noting that a report would be prepared for the coroner. Humpy Island, a popular destination for snorkeling and diving, witnessed this tragedy in its serene waters. This marks Australia's first fatal shark attack of 2024, adding to over 250 fatal incidents since 1791.

A political row erupted over the location of Manmohan Singh's last rites at Delhi's Nigambodh Ghat. The Congress accused the Centre of disrespecting the former Prime Minister by holding the funeral at a public crematorium. Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi criticized the government for poor arrangements and disrespect to Singh's legacy. BJP leaders, including JP Nadda and Sambit Patra, countered, calling Congress's remarks cheap politics and stressing that space for a memorial had been promised. The dispute also referenced past grievances with Congress's treatment of leaders like Narasimha Rao and Pranab Mukherjee.

Delhi experienced a foggy morning on Sunday as the temperature dropped to 13°C, six notches above normal. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts a further dip, with the minimum temperature reaching 5°C by December 31. A dense fog alert has been issued for Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh. Following record-breaking rainfall earlier, Delhi’s air quality worsened to the 'poor' category, with an AQI of 230 at 9 a.m. The IMD warns of intensified cold wave conditions across northern states, urging caution for travelers amid reduced visibility. No further rainfall is expected for the year.