Indian chess prodigy Gukesh Dommaraju etched his name in history by becoming the youngest-ever Chess World Champion 2024, defeating defending champion Ding Liren in the final round. The 18-year-old’s victory marks a monumental achievement, making him the second Indian to claim the title after Viswanathan Anand.

Gukesh’s remarkable performance throughout the tournament, including a standout display at the Candidates event, has drawn widespread praise, including from world number one Magnus Carlsen. The Norwegian legend lauded Gukesh’s strategic prowess and predicted a bright future for the young champion, suggesting he could soon become the world’s second-ranked player and possibly challenge for the top spot.

Carlsen, who chose not to defend his title in 2023 after a decade of dominance, commended Gukesh’s team for their innovative strategies. “It’s an incredible achievement. Gukesh’s performance in the FIDE circuit, the Chennai tournament, and the Candidates event was extraordinary,” Carlsen said during a recap stream.

The former world champion, however, ruled out the possibility of a title match with Gukesh. “I’m not part of this circus anymore,” Carlsen said, maintaining his decision to step away from world championship clashes.

Despite this, Gukesh expressed his admiration for Carlsen, stating his desire to compete against the Norwegian at some point. “Winning the Chess World Championship 2024 doesn’t make me the best player—Magnus Carlsen is still the benchmark. It would be an amazing challenge to face him,” Gukesh said during a press conference.

Gukesh’s victory has been celebrated as a milestone for Indian chess, highlighting the nation’s growing prominence in the global chess arena. Carlsen called it a “massive moment for India,” emphasizing the collective efforts that have fueled such successes.

“This is just the beginning,” Carlsen remarked. “There are many more success stories to come. Gukesh’s win is a testament to the hard work being done in India’s chess ecosystem. It’s heartwarming to see what it means to him and the country.”

With his victory, Gukesh Dommaraju has not only claimed the prestigious title but also set the stage for an exciting new chapter in international chess. As he aims for even greater heights, the chess world watches with bated breath to see how far this young talent will go.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra delivered a powerful debut speech in the Lok Sabha on Friday, raising critical issues such as the Unnao rape case and the recent violence in Sambhal. Her remarks came as a pointed response to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s opening address, which set the tone for a contentious two-day debate on the Constitution.

Ms. Gandhi Vadra took center stage as she led the opposition’s charge, addressing a mixed response of applause and dissent from the House. Her speech critiqued the BJP’s alleged efforts to “redefine” the Constitution while bringing to light pressing social issues that have gripped the nation.

Ms. Gandhi Vadra began her address by sharing a poignant story from the Sambhal violence. “A few days ago, members of the bereaved families from Sambhal came to meet us. Among them were two boys, Adnan and Uzair. One was my son’s age (24) and the other was 17. Their father, a tailor, had a simple dream: to see his sons educated,” she said.

“The police shot their father dead,” she continued. “Adnan told me he would become a doctor to fulfill his father’s dream—a dream shaped by the ideals enshrined in the Constitution of India.”

The Congress MP’s speech also criticized the BJP for what she described as an attempt to undermine the nation’s founding document. While addressing the House, she highlighted the importance of safeguarding constitutional values amidst allegations of growing authoritarianism.

Her maiden speech not only marked a significant moment in her parliamentary career but also underscored her party’s commitment to addressing human rights issues and holding the ruling party accountable for alleged injustices.

The two-day debate is expected to continue with fiery exchanges between the opposition and the government, as the Lok Sabha addresses pressing constitutional and societal concerns.

Telugu superstar Allu Arjun has been arrested in connection with a tragic stampede outside Sandhya Theatre, Hyderabad, which led to the death of a 35-year-old woman and left her young son injured. The incident occurred on December 3 during an unscheduled visit by the actor to a screening of his much-anticipated film, Pushpa 2: The Rule.

The 41-year-old actor was taken into custody from his residence in Jubilee Hills and brought to the Chikkadpally Police Station. Present at the time of his arrest were his father, renowned filmmaker Allu Arvind, and other family members.

Police have registered charges against Mr. Arjun, members of his security team, and the theatre’s management, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder and voluntarily causing hurt. Investigators are focusing on whether the actor had obtained police permission for the visit and his interaction with fans at the venue, which is located in a busy area surrounded by multiple cinema halls.

The stampede unfolded after Allu Arjun and Pushpa 2 music director Devi Sri Prasad made an unannounced appearance at the theatre, attracting a massive crowd. According to Hyderabad Police Commissioner CV Anand, there was no prior notice from the actor’s team or the theatre management about the visit, nor were adequate crowd management measures implemented.

The deceased, identified as Revathi, and her nine-year-old son were caught in the chaos as fans pushed and shoved to catch a glimpse of the star. Police said the pair experienced severe suffocation in the packed crowd before being rescued and rushed to a nearby hospital, where Revathi was declared dead.

The commissioner noted that the lack of separate entry and exit points exacerbated the situation, further highlighting the negligence in planning.

Following the incident, Mr. Arjun moved the Telangana High Court on December 11 to request quashing of the case. However, Hyderabad Police continued their investigation, citing negligence on multiple fronts.

In the wake of the tragedy, Mr. Arjun expressed his grief on social media platform X, stating, “Deeply heartbroken by the tragic incident… My heartfelt condolences go out to the grieving family during this unimaginably difficult time.”

The actor pledged ₹25 lakh as financial assistance to Revathi’s family and assured full coverage of her son’s medical expenses.

Despite his public apology and promises of support, questions remain about the safety measures and planning surrounding the surprise appearance, which turned deadly. Further details are awaited as the investigation continues.