New Delhi: Transiting between the three terminals of Indira Gandhi International Airport could become less of a hassle from next year.Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) is learnt to be planning a dedicated corridor between Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 so that domestic-to-international passengers, to begin with, can be transferred airside, instead of them having to use the road. Depending on clearances from multiple govt agencies, the airport operator plans to start doing so before March 2026. This will be followed by international to domestic transfers from T3 to T2.

The biggest relief could come by next June when a similar airside connectivity is likely to be provided for domestic to international transfers from T1 to T3, followed by T3 to T1 for passengers flying from international to domestic sectors. Domestic-to-domestic airside transfers between the three terminals are not yet in the works. Commuting between T1 and T2/3, which are almost 9 km apart, has been a sore point. Despite IGIA being one of the world’s busiest airport, DIAL’s plan to operate an air train, like most big global hubs, including Changi, JFK, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Heathrow and Zurich airport, has been gathering dust for almost a decade now. “An internal team of DIAL and external consultants are working on finding a technical solution for dedicated corridors for transfers between T3 — the airport’s sole international terminal — and T1 and T2, both of which handle only domestic traffic,” sources said. The operator is cognisant of the fact that in the continued absence of an automated people mover — usually air trains at airports — a way needs to be found for making transfers seamless. The plan to start off with domestic-to-international operations is owing to the fact that flyers can directly carry their check-in bags from an incoming domestic flight to an outgoing international one, the sources said.The baggage of international passengers entering India, on the other hand, needs to pass through Customs first before the flyers can carry them on a connecting domestic flight. A seamless route for this is also reportedly being worked out.“The airport operator hopes to present the plan to govt agencies, including aviation ministry, DGCA, BCAS, customs and CISF for their suggestions and approvals. Buses used for transfers on the airside will have a speed limit of 20 kmph, but even then, the commute will be much more convenient and faster than roadside transfers, said the sources.DIAL, which is backed by GMR Group, took over the airport in May 2006 based on a PPP model. It plans to implement these passenger-friendly moves to coincide with it marking two decades at IGIA.With DIAL’s first 30-year concession period ending in 2036, the time between an air train becoming operational, say in 2030, and 2036, is too short for a bidder to recover the expense. Hence, the air train remains a dream for now. Hence, a dedicated airside corridor, to begin with, will be of great help for the transit passengers.

Former Team India skipper Virat Kohli smashed a century on his domestic return during the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025 match against Andhra in Bengaluru on Wednesday, December 24. The right-handed batter, who returned to the 50-over tournament after nearly 15 years, once again showed his consistency with the bat.

Delhi opted to bowl after winning the toss at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. They restricted Andhra Pradesh to 298 for 8 wickets. Ricky Bhui anchored the innings with 122 off 105 balls, while Shaik Rasheed added 31. Simarjeet Singh was the pick of the bowlers for Delhi, finishing with figures of 5 for 54.

Virat Kohli Shines on Domestic Return With Vijay Hazare Trophy Century

Chasing a target of 299 against Andhra Pradesh, Virat Kohli walked in to bat in the very first over. He started positively, hitting two boundaries early and moving to 10 runs off just 5 balls. Kohli looked comfortable at the crease, mixing control with intent.

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Kohli then built a 113-run partnership with Priyansh Arya for the second wicket. Arya played the aggressive role, scoring 74 runs off 44 balls, including seven fours and five sixes.

After Arya was dismissed, Kohli continued batting with composure and went on to score a brisk century. The hundred was his 58th in List A cricket, marking a memorable comeback in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Virat Kohli Reaches 58th List A Century on Vijay Hazare Trophy Return

According to ESPNcricinfo, Virat Kohli scored his 58th century in List A cricket. He now has the second-most List A centuries in history, behind Sachin Tendulkar, who has 60. Notably, 53 of Kohli’s 58 List A centuries have come in international cricket.

The right-handed batter has played only 18 matches for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Before this game, his last appearance in the tournament came 15 years ago, on February 18, 2010. He captained Delhi against Services in Gurgaon and scored 16 runs in a 113-run win.

During his innings in Bengaluru, Kohli also reached another milestone by completing 1,000 runs for Delhi in List A cricket. The 37-year-old is set to play one more match in the tournament before the three-match ODI series against New Zealand.

Kohli also became the fastest player to score 16,000 runs in List A cricket. He achieved the landmark in just 330 innings, breaking the previous record held by Sachin Tendulkar, who had taken 391 innings to reach the mark. Kohli became only the second Indian to cross 16,000 List A runs.

Most List A Hundreds in a Career:

Also read: Virat Kohli breaks Sachin Tendulkar’s massive record in Vijay Hazare Trophy return for Delhi

In a remarkable feat, Ranveer Singh’s ‘Dhurandhar’ has soared to the top, officially becoming his highest-grossing film. This thrilling espionage drama has raked in an impressive Rs 607.25 crore domestically and surpassed Rs 900 crore globally within just 20 days. The film’s cast has received resounding accolades for their powerful performances, all crafted brilliantly by director Aditya Dhar.

Aditya Dhar‘s ‘Dhurandhar’ has been creating history at the box office since its release. It has become Ranveer Singh‘s highest-grossing movie of his career. The film has been raking in good numbers at the box office every day. Even in its third week, the movie managed to pull the audience into theaters. Let’s take a look at how much it earned on its 20th day since release.Dhurandhar Movie Review

‘Dhurandhar’ box office Day 20

The Ranveer Singh-led movie has been receiving praise from all quarters. And not just the lead actor, but the audience has appreciated the performances by every cast member. According to the Sacnilk report, the film has raked in Rs 17.75 crore at the box office on its 20th day since release. With this, the total collection of the film in India is Rs 607.25 crore.The third week collection is now Rs 146 crore in the country.This number represents the domestic earnings, while the movie has already crossed the Rs 900 crore mark at the global box office. According to the Bollywood Hungama report, the worldwide gross collection is Rs 935.17 crore.

Day-wise collection (domestic)

Meanwhile, let’s take a look at the day-wise collection of the blockbuster. Day 1 [1st Friday]: Rs 28 croreDay 2 [1st Saturday]: Rs 32 croreDay 3 [1st Sunday]: Rs 43 croreDay 4 [1st Monday]: Rs 23.25 croreDay 5 [1st Tuesday]: Rs 27 croreDay 6 [1st Wednesday]: Rs 27 croreDay 7 [1st Thursday]: Rs 27 croreWeek 1 Collection: Rs 207.25 croreDay 8 [2nd Friday]: Rs 32.5 croreDay 9 [2nd Saturday]: Rs 53 croreDay 10 [2nd Sunday]: Rs 58 croreDay 11 [2nd Monday]: Rs 30.5 croreDay 12 [2nd Tuesday]: Rs 30.5 croreDay 13 [2nd Wednesday]: Rs 25.5 croreDay 14 [2nd Thursday]: Rs 23.25 croreWeek 2 Collection: Rs 253.25 croreDay 15 [3rd Friday]: Rs 22.5 croreDay 16 [3rd Saturday]: Rs 34.25 croreDay 17 [3rd Sunday]: Rs 38.5 croreDay 18 [3rd Monday]: Rs 16.5 croreDay 19 [3rd Tuesday]: Rs 17.25 croreDay 20 [3rd Wednesday]: Rs 17.75 croreTotal: Rs 607.25 crore

Occupancy

According to Sacnilk, the multi-starrer espionage thriller directed by Aditya Dhar witnessed an overall 32.52% Hindi occupancy on Wednesday (Day 20), December 24, 2025.

‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ collection

On day 6 (Wednesday), since its release on December 19, 2025, the film has collected Rs 10.25 crore at the box office in India. The total collection is Rs 95.75 crore.

More about ‘Dhurandhar’

The movie stars Ranveer Singh as an Indian spy who infiltrates the te*** networks of the Lyari Town in Pa****. It also features Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan, Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, Rakesh Bedi, and Sara Arjun. The lead cast is being supported by talented actors like Danish Pandor, Gaurav Gera, Naveen Kaushik, Saumya Tandon, Naseem Mughal, and more, who play pivotal roles in the film.The film was released in theaters on December 5, 2025. The next part is scheduled to hit cinemas on March 19, 2026.

Soldiers playing football in No-Man’s Land a year after the Christmas Truce in 1914 (Photo Credit: Universal History Archive/UIG/Getty Images)

On Christmas morning in 1914, something happened that no military plan could have predicted and no weapon could have forced. In the middle of World War I, one of the bloodiest conflicts in human history, soldiers laid down their guns and stepped out of their trenches. And what did they do? They ended up playing football.For a few precious hours, war made way for humanity. This moment, now known as the Christmas Truce, remains one of the most powerful stories ever told about football and peace.

Fought between the Allied Powers, backed by France, Britain, Russia, later joined by the US, Italy, and Japan, and the Central Powers, led by Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria, World War I had erupted in the summer of 1914. Europe was torn apart as nations rushed into battle with confidence and somewhat misplaced optimism. Many soldiers believed the war would be short. “Home by Christmas,” they said.Instead, by December, the war had stalled into a brutal deadlock. Soldiers on both sides were trapped in muddy trenches across Belgium and northern France. Life there was unbearable. Freezing cold, constant shelling, disease, hunger, and fear became daily companions. Young men, many of whom were barely out of school, faced death every hour. Christmas was approaching, but joy felt impossible.

‘Merry Christmas’

On the night of December 24, something strange happened along parts of the Western Front. British soldiers heard singing coming from the German trenches. At first, they suspected a trick. But the tune was unmistakable. The Germans were singing Christmas carols. “Stille Nacht”, which translates to Silent Night in English, floated gently through the cold air. British troops replied with their own songs.Soon, laughter replaced gunfire. Shouts of “Merry Christmas!” crossed no man’s land, the deadly strip of ground that usually meant instant death.

9th January 1915: British and German troops make a Christmas and New Year truce in the trenches of the Western Front. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Against all logic, the blazing sounds of gunfire went silent.As dawn broke on Christmas Day, soldiers cautiously climbed out of their trenches. Hands raised. No weapons. No orders. No one fired.British and German soldiers met in the middle. They shook hands. They smiled awkwardly. They exchanged cigarettes, chocolate, buttons, badges, and even small gifts sent from home.Photographs of loved ones were shown. Stories were shared. For the first time, soldiers saw the faces of the men they had been told to hate. They discovered something shocking. The enemy looked just like them.

As Football became the protagonist

Then came the football. In some places, it was a proper leather football. In others, it was a bundle of rags tied together. It didn’t matter. There were no goalposts, no referee, no rules. Hwever, soldiers marked goals with caps or coats. Their boots were heavy, and the ground was frozen and uneven. But they couldn’t care less.British soldiers kicked the ball with German soldiers. Scores were kept loosely, if at all.

‘Christmas Truce in the Trenches : Friend and Foe Join in a Hare Hunt’. Original Artwork: Drawing by Gilbert Holliday, from a description by an eye witness rifleman. Original Publication: The Graphic. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Some accounts claim the Germans won one match 3–2. Others say the result didn’t matter, because the real victory was simply playing.Soldiers used the calm to recover bodies that had been lying in no man’s land for weeks. Joint burial services were held. Prayers were said together.Men who would soon be ordered to kill each other stood side by side in silence.Many later wrote letters home describing how surreal it felt. One British soldier wrote that it seemed “too wonderful to be real.” Another admitted he struggled afterwards to fire at men he had just shared laughter with.

The return of war

The Christmas Truce was never officially approved. High-ranking officers were furious when they learned what had happened. To them, the truce threatened discipline and the will to fight.Orders were quickly sent down the line. By December 26, the guns roared again. The war resumed its brutal course. Many of the men who played football that day would be killed in the months that followed.For years, the Christmas Truce was pushed aside. Military leaders feared it showed too much humanity in war. Some reports were censored. Others were ignored. But stories have a way of surviving.Letters were found in attics. Diaries were published. Veterans spoke quietly of that day when the war stopped making sense. Slowly, the truth emerged.Football already belonged to everyone in 1914. It was played in England, Germany, France, and beyond. It needed no shared language. No explanation. You just kicked the ball.That simplicity made football powerful. It reminded soldiers of home. Of weekends. Of joy. Of life before the trenches.Football did not end the war. But it proved that hatred was learned, and humanity was natural.

A story that lives on

Today, more than a century later, the Christmas Truce is remembered across the football world. Memorial matches are held. Statues stand near former battlefields. Clubs and fans share the story every December.

Liverpool and Everton scarves adorn a Christmas Truce statue outside a church near the stadium before the English Premier League match in Liverpool. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Because on Christmas Day in 1914, football did something extraordinary. It reminded the world that before we are soldiers, enemies, or nations, we are human beings. And sometimes, a simple game is enough to make us remember that.

Mumbai: Each Christmas, the city’s churches, homes, and gaothan squares are temporarily sublet to the Holy Family. Depending on the available real estate, they appear either as a compact nuclear unit — Baby Jesus, Mother Mary, and St Joseph — or accompanied by a sprawling entourage of angels, shepherds, cattle, and kings. Space also determines scale — from finger-sized figurines to life-size tableaux housed in custom-built sheds.While Christmas staples like the tree, the Advent wreath, and the star have remained largely unchanged in form and function, the Nativity scene has evolved with the times. Many contemporary cribs go beyond the familiar mise-en-scène of a hay-strewn manger beneath a star-lit roof to articulate messages that speak to present-day social and environmental realities, and occasionally, political ones.The Nativity scene at St Pius X College, Goregaon, is a diptych titled “Persecuted Peacemakers”. It features on the one side Christians targeted and killed for their missionary work and campaigns for social justice, such as Fr Stan Swamy, Sr Rani Maria, Graham Steines, and members of Manipur’s Kuki-Zo community persecuted for their faith. And on the other, Christians who forgave their attackers, such as Pope John Paul II. The crib, says the concept note, serves as a reminder that “faith grows even in the midst of trial, and that from the wounded community seeds of reconciliation and peace can be born”. Baby Jesus, at the centre of the scene, is the beacon of peace.“The theme is inspired by Pope Leo’s prayer intention for December 2025 ‘for Christians in areas of conflict’,” said Fr Prashant Padu, director of Propaedeutic Year (leading the foundational year for men studying to become priests). The conception and execution of the crib is assigned to the first-years, who settle on a theme after a month of brainstorming, research and reflection. “We think up a couple of ideas and pray over them for at least two days. This is followed by another round of discussions to shortlist themes,” explained Fr Padu. The themes ‘Christian persecution’ and ‘love for the poor’ ran neck and neck this year. He asked the young candidates to research both, but Pope Leo’s message on persecution tipped the scales in its favour.Interestingly, unlike most cribs that are unveiled on Christmas Day itself, the one at St Pius was inaugurated on December 19, a day before the seminarians went home for the holidays.At St Pius X Church in Mulund, the Nativity sets Jesus, a symbol of hope, against a distinctly modern idol of pleasure and promise: the cellphone. The tableau is dense with symbolism. On one side, solitary figures bent over their phones inhabit a cityscape of blue-tinted skyscrapers; on the other, communities gather in fellowship on green lawns. A bionic hand rises from the ground to point towards the cellphone, while a human hand descends from the sky to gesture at the manger — both hands a span apart, framing a choice between tech-driven dreams and God-given hope.At the nearby St Pius X High School, a more traditional scene unfolds, with the manger set against hills and fields — a bucolic landscape peopled by the customary Nativity attendants. On closer inspection, however, the shepherds reveal themselves to be shepherdesses and women farmers, churning butter, gathering fruit, fetching milk — and thankfully, also resting and chatting. The display, says Fr George Athaide, parish priest of St Pius X Church, anticipates the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026, a theme selected by the UN to highlight the roles women play in agrifood systems. (In India, agriculture employs about 80% of rural women, according to NITI Aayog.)Another thematic binary unfolds at St Peter’s Church in Bandra, where an Old Monk factory faces off with an NGO. One side of the landscape is dominated by the sticks and stones of consumerism — bars, shops, entertainment venues, and the other by hospitals, schools, and nonprofits. The backdrop echoes this divide, laid out like a split mood-board, with words such as “partying” and “social media” ranged against “outreach” and “family time”. “We discussed more complex themes but realised that children might not understand them. Since it is usually young people who visit the cribs, we decided to choose a theme they would find easy to grasp,” said Althea Sequeira, vice-president of St Peter’s Youth, the group that worked on the Nativity scene alongside the parish’s confirmation students.Several streets away, a seemingly conventional Nativity at St Anne’s Church reveals an environmental message rooted in grass and native plants — an invitation to appreciate and conserve God’s gift of nature. “The crib endeavours to use natural material and display the beauty of grasses and plant material that are normally viewed as wild or waste,” said Premila Martis Parera, who led the team of volunteer-parishioners, but calls herself the chief procurement officer for sourcing the material, which ranged from old whiskey tubes to foraged grasses. “Beauty is present in creation all around us. We just need to observe and give thanks.”St Francis of Assisi created first first Nativity sceneSt Francis of Assisi is credited as the creative director of the first Nativity scene, staged 802 years ago in the hill town of Greccio, Italy, about 80 km north of Rome. Accounts suggest that his time in the Holy Land between 1219 and 1220 inspired him to recreate a living tableau of Christ’s birth, emphasising the poverty and simplicity that marked it. Two weeks before Christmas, he instructed a friend to set up the scene at a cave in Greccio—where a hermitage had been built for him—and at Christmas Mass, illuminated with torches and candles, the first Nativity was brought to life.

Australia head coach Andrew McDonald opened up about veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon’s injury ahead of the Boxing Day Test against England during the ongoing Ashes 2025-26 series. McDonald stated that Lyon is determined to return to the Australian cricket team after undergoing surgery for a torn hamstring.

Lyon suffered a hamstring injury late on the final day of the Adelaide Ashes Test against England. The veteran spinner hurt himself while stretching near the boundary at fine leg to stop a four. After receiving medical attention, Lyon left the field clutching his hamstring and was ruled out of the remainder of the series.

He’s Pretty Shattered – Andrew McDonald on Nathan Lyon

Nathan Lyon remains an important part of Australia’s plans despite concerns about his future. Andrew McDonald said that the spinner is deeply disappointed but eager to bounce back.

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After undergoing surgery, Lyon is still expected to remain with the Australia squad during the fourth Ashes Test, which is set to begin on Friday, December 26, in Melbourne. Lyon had suffered a calf problem that ruled him out of the 2023 Ashes in England.

“He’s pretty shattered,” McDonald told cricket.com.au late Tuesday. “He’s a huge part of what we do. “He’s facing a long recovery timeframe. That type of injury, it’s going to be a hard period for him to get back to where he was. “But he still wants to do it and that’s the main thing.”

India’s On the Horizon, He’ll Be A Key Part of It – Andrew McDonald

Australia’s Test schedule gives Nathan Lyon time to recover without rushing his return. After the final Ashes Tests in Melbourne and Sydney, Australia will not play another series until mid-2026, when they will travel to Bangladesh.

Australia are set to face New Zealand and South Africa before a demanding five-Test tour of India in early 2027, followed by the 150th anniversary Test against England. McDonald said the focus is on Lyon completing his rehabilitation and being ready for those key assignments.

“India’s on the horizon, he’ll be a key part of that,” McDonald said of Lyon. “We’ve got New Zealand (and) South Africa before that. So, get through this rehab and then (we’ll) look forward.”

Nathan Lyon Replaced by Todd Murphy for Final Two Tests

Nathan Lyon has been a key part of Australia’s Test team for many years. He has played 141 Tests, including 100 consecutive matches between 2013 and 2023. Australia used two spinners in some matches in the subcontinent, but Lyon remained the first-choice spinner at home.

Lyon has also spoken about his future plans. He has said many times that he wants to tour India and England with Australia in 2027. By then, he will be close to 40 years old, but is still keen to keep playing.

With Lyon ruled out, Australia have picked Todd Murphy as the main spin option for the fourth Ashes Test in Melbourne. The 25-year-old was preferred over Matthew Kuhnemann, Corey Rocchiccioli, and Mitchell Swepson.

Also read: “We have always received…” – Usman Khawaja’s wife reveals online abuse of daughters after Bondi attack

Navi Mumbai airport opens today with 30 domestic flights (Picture credit: PTI)

MUMBAI: Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) opens to commercial operations on Thursday after years of missed deadlines, opening a second gateway for air travel in the Mumbai region. The day will see four airlines operating about 30 domestic flights at India’s newest greenfield airport. The first scheduled arrival will be an IndiGo flight from Bengaluru, touching down at 8 am, while the first departure will also be operated by IndiGo, a morning service from Navi Mumbai to Hyderabad, scheduled to take off at 8.40 am. The terminal building will open to departure passengers around 6.40 am, said an NMIA spokesperson.“On Day One, domestic services will be operated by IndiGo, Air India Express, Akasa Air and Star Air connecting NMIA to nine destinations across India. The airport will handle 15 scheduled departures on the first day,” said an NMIA spokesperson.“During the initial phase, NMIA will operate between 8 am and 8 pm, with up to 24 scheduled daily departures to 13 destinations and the capability to manage up to 10 aircraft movements per hour. From Feb 2026, operations are planned to progressively scale up to round-the-clock services,” the spokesperson added. “Passenger services from day one will be supported by Digi Yatra-enabled contactless processing at designated touchpoints, along with trained terminal staff across kerbside, check-in, security and boarding areas,” the spokesperson said. Conventional check-in counters too will be available for passengers not opting for Digiyatra. Retail and food and beverage offerings have been curated with a focus on affordability and local preferences, the airport said.In its initial phase, NMIA opens with terminal 1 and one operational runway; the terminal building has a capacity to handle 20 million passengers annually, but it is expected to touch that number before mid-2026. The terminal building can accommodate about 2-3 million passengers beyond its declared capacity. The new airport is 45-50 km from North Mumbai, 35-40 km from South Mumbai and 35-45 km from the eastern suburbs.

NEW DELHI: India has recorded steep declines in malaria, tuberculosis, maternal and child deaths, signalling what the government calls a decisive, results-driven phase in the country’s public-health journey.Addressing the Advancing Public Health Outcomes Forum 2025 on Wednesday, Union health minister JP Nadda said the gains were based on sustained political commitment, strong scientific capacity and people’s participation, rather than isolated programmes. “Disease control and immunisation outcomes today are the result of institutional strength and Jan Bhagidari,” he said.Incidence of malaria has dropped by over 80%, with deaths down 78%, shifting India from a high-burden to a high-impact phase. Incidence of tuberculosis has fallen from 237 cases per lakh population in 2015 to 187 per lakh — a 21% decline, nearly double the global average. Maternal mortality has reduced from 130 per lakh live births in 2014 to 88 in 2025, while infant mortality has declined from 39 to 27 per 1,000 live births. Under-five and neonatal mortality rates have also fallen far faster in India than globally.At the forum, four national reports reviewed progress on malaria, tuberculosis, lymphatic filariasis and immunisation. While they show that sustained programmes have sharply reduced the disease burden across most regions, they warn that the final phase of elimination will be the most demanding.The malaria assessment found transmission persisting in tribal, forested and hard-to-reach areas, with emerging risks in some urban pockets. As cases fall, experts cautioned that asymptomatic infections could be missed unless surveillance remains strong.The lymphatic filariasis report flagged gaps in post-treatment districts, especially in urban slums, industrial belts and migrant settlements. Uneven drug uptake, weak follow-up and limited morbidity care could threaten the 2027 elimination target despite years of mass drug administration.On tuberculosis, expanded diagnostics, digital tracking & newer regimens have improved outcomes, but poverty, malnutrition, migration and co-morbidities continue to drive transmission. Disruptions in care for migrants & the growing burden of post-TB lung disease among survivors were highlighted as major concerns.The immunisation assessment pointed to strong childhood coverage but warned of problems beyond early life—gaps in adolescent and adult vaccination, data inconsistencies and the absence of a life-course immunisation strategy.Strengthening primary healthcare remains central to the government’s approach. Nadda reiterated the goal of one Ayushman Arogya Mandir for every 2,000 people, noting that over 30,000 centres have already achieved national quality certification.