World-renowned tabla maestro Zakir Hussain passed away at 73 in San Francisco due to complications from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. A child prodigy, he rose to global acclaim, collaborating with both Indian and Western music legends. His innovative fusion music and captivating performances cemented his legacy as a cultural ambassador and earned him numerous awards, including four Grammys.
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The Supreme Court is reviewing petitions challenging the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, particularly regarding the removal of 'waqf by user' and the inclusion of non-Muslim members in Waqf boards.
The suicide of a 17-year-old girl in Kheda has uncovered a child marriage case, leading to charges against both sets of parents under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act. Investigations revealed that Jankikumari Chunara and her husband, Anand, were underage at the time of their marriage in March 2023.
Apple has introduced a new iPad Air featuring the powerful M3 chip, offering double the performance of the M1 model. Available in 11- and 13-inch versions, the devices come at the same starting prices of $599 and $799. The update includes support for advanced AI features, enhanced graphics, and a redesigned Magic Keyboard.
An SUV driver allegedly blinded by the headlights of an oncoming vehicle veered off a Wadala road, running over a woman and her 18-month-old son sleeping on a footpath. The toddler died, and the mother sustained injuries. The driver turned himself in and was later released on bail. The police are investigating the incident.
Kannada cinema lost a beloved figure as veteran comedy actor Bank Janardhan passed away at 79 due to prolonged illness and multi-organ complications. Known for his impeccable comic timing and character roles in over 500 films, including Shhh! and Tarle Nan Maga, he also charmed audiences through television serials like Papa Pandu.
Senior Hezbollah leader Sheikh Muhammad Ali Hamadi was fatally shot in the Bekaa Valley by unidentified gunmen. Lebanese authorities are investigating the attack, believed to be linked to a prolonged family feud. This incident happens just days before the scheduled end of an Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire agreement.
In Bangladesh, the Muslim Consumers' Rights Council rallied, demanding a boycott of restaurants not serving beef. They accused these establishments of aligning with anti-Muslim ideologies and called beef a symbol of Islamic identity. This protest occurs amidst escalating violence against minorities following the recent political upheaval.
The Calcutta High Court and Supreme Court invalidated the 2016 West Bengal School Selection Commission recruitment process due to widespread manipulation. Approximately 25,000 teaching and non-teaching staff appointments were cancelled, revealing a scam involving manipulated mark sheets, rank jumping, and appointments of ineligible candidates. Investigations exposed destroyed records and the creation of supernumerary posts to accommodate fraudulent appointments.
D Gukesh secured a crucial victory against Vincent Keymer in a 72-move match at the Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2025, marking his second win. R Praggnanandhaa held Max Warmerdam to a draw, maintaining his strong performance. Other notable outcomes included Harikrishna's draw with Wei Yi and Fedoseev's win over Caruana. The Challengers section saw Divya Deshmukh defeated by Erwin l'Ami.
Epigamia co-founder Rohan Mirchandani, 42, died from a sudden cardiac arrest on December 21. His passing follows other recent losses in the startup world, raising concerns about stress-related illnesses among young professionals. Mirchandani, an NYU and Wharton alumnus, founded Drums Food International in 2013, leading Epigamia to become a prominent yogurt brand in India.