Warring tribes in Pakistan’s northwest ordered to hand over weapons after weeks of deadly clashes

Wham! celebrated the 40th anniversary of their 1984 hit Last Christmas by achieving the Christmas number one spot for the second consecutive year. Andrew Ridgeley expressed joy for the late George Michael's song, noting its classic status in Christmas music history. The festive chart also featured hits from Gracie Abrams, Mariah Carey, and other artists, with a total of 29 Christmas songs making it into the top 40. Full Article

In Catford, south east London, a family home was destroyed by a fire caused by an exploding e-bike just days before Christmas. Three people were inside when the lithium battery burst into flames, forcing two family members to escape onto the roof. One man fell from the roof while waiting for rescue, and a woman was treated for smoke inhalation after slipping and falling into the arms of a firefighter. Full Article

Two days after an Indian Navy speedboat collided with a ferry near Mumbai, Navy chief Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi visited the Western Naval Command headquarters to discuss the crash with top officials. Fourteen people, including a sailor, died in the incident when the Navy speedboat crashed into the ferry 'Neel Kamal' while heading to Elephanta Island, prompting the Navy to launch a 'Board of Inquiry' to investigate the collision. Admiral Tripathi also conducted an aerial...

Assoc Prof Archuleta highlighted the underrepresentation of women in healthcare and academia due to intense work cultures that do not accommodate caregiving roles. This lack of female representation in top roles leads to adverse downstream effects like fewer approved journal topics on women's health. Efforts to close the gap include policy changes for better female representation and building a culture of male allies to support women in balancing work and caregiving responsibilities. Full Article

As Chicago Public Schools faces significant deficits in the next five years, upcoming Board of Education votes could have lasting financial implications. CEO Pedro Martinez's job is at stake in a vote following a standoff with the Chicago Teachers Union and Mayor Brandon Johnson over funding for a new contract. Another decision on whether to bail out charter operator Acero Schools and potentially reopen schools as district-run could set an unsustainable precedent, impacting CPS finances....

In the Hindu epic Ramayana, Prince Rama, his wife Sita, and brother Lakshmana encounter the demon Viradha in the forests of Dandakaranya, leading to Sita's abduction. In a theatrical adaptation in Odisha, a performer playing Viradha used a live pig in a shocking scene, sparking outrage from animal rights activists and lawmakers. The incident has highlighted the evolving nature of Jatra, a traditional form of folk theatre in the region, which now includes more stunts...