ARGENTINA AND MESSI ARE WORLD CHAMPIONS

Argentina won their third World Cup in extraordinary style on Sunday, beating France 4-2 in a penalty shootout after Lionel Messi scored twice in a 3-3 draw that featured a hat-trick for Kylian Mbappe as the holders recovered from 2-0 down after 80 minutes.

It was an incredible night of drama and fluctuating fortunes, delivering one of the all-time great finals to cap a wonderful tournament.

Argentina scored at 23rd, 36th and 108th minute marks while France scored at 80th, 81st and 118th.

Argentina had looked to be cruising to a one-sided victory after Messi's penalty and a brilliant goal by Angel Di Maria in the first half put them in total control but Mbappe converted an 80th-minute penalty and volleyed in an equaliser a minute later to take the game to extra time.

Messi put Argentina ahead again but Mbappe levelled with another penalty, becoming the second man to score a World Cup final hat-trick after Geoff Hurst for England in 1966.

That took the game to a shootout where Argentina keeper Emiliano Martinez saved Kingsley Coman's penalty and Aurelien Tchouameni fired wide to give Gonzalo Montiel to chance to win it, which he gleefully took.

Argentina scored 4 out of their first 4 kicks while France missed the 2nd and 3rd shot.

It meant that after his record 26th World Cup match, at the fifth and final time of asking, the 35-year-old Messi finally claimed the trophy that he and his nation demanded, lifting him up alongside Diego Maradona after the country’s first football God carried them to their emotional second triumph in 1986, following their first in 1978.

It had all looked to be going so smoothly for Argentina till the 80th minute when they were leading 2-0.

France had barely had a kick and coach Didier Deschamps took decisive action, hauling off Oliver Giroud and Dembele and throwing on Marcus Thuram and Randal Kolo Muani after 41 minutes.

It made little impact until they were given a lifeline in the 80th minute when Nicolas Otamendi tripped Kolo Muani and Mbappe, previously anonymous, expertly converted the penalty. A minute later he swept in a brilliant equalising volley after combining cleverly with Thuram, stunning the massed Argentine fans watching their team concede two quick-fire goals for the third time in the tournament.

Argentina regained the lead after a counter-attack when the tireless Lautaro Martinez smashed a shot at Hugo Lloris and Messi pounced on the rebound, technology confirming the ball had crossed the line.

The drama was not over, however, as Mbappe hammered a shot against the arm of Montiel to produce another penalty in the 117th minute, which he calmly dispatched, making it 3-3 in extra time.

PM NARENDRA MODI CONGRATULATES ARGENTINA, COMMISERATES FRANCE

PM Narendra Modi took to Twitter to congratulate Argentina while he also commiserated with France who ended as second best.

Modi tweeted, "This will be remembered as one of the most thrilling Football matches! Congrats to Argentina on becoming FIFA World Cup Champions! They've played brilliantly through the tournament. Millions of Indian fans of Argentina and Messi rejoice in the magnificent victory!"

“Congratulations to France for a spirited performance at the #FIFAWorldCup! They also delighted Football fans with their skill and sportsmanship on the way to the finals. @EmmanuelMacron,” PM Modi tweeted.

STEALTH GUIDED MISSILE DESTROYER MORMUGAO COMMISSIONED INTO INDIAN NAVY

Stealth guided missile destroyer Mormugao was commissioned into the Indian Navy on Sunday. INS Mormugao is the second of the four 'Visakhapatnam' class destroyers of 'Project 15B', indigenously designed by the Indian Navy's in-house organisation, Warship Design Bureau and constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, Mumbai.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony in Mumbai, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said INS Mormugao is evidence of India's excellence in warship design and development. The aim is to make India the indigenous ship building hub, the minister said.

"INS Mormugao is one of the world's most technologically-advanced missile carriers. With over 75 per cent indigenous content, it is a testimony to India's excellence in design and development of warships and a shining example of our growing indigenous defence production capabilities," said the minister. "The warship will meet the present and future needs of our country as well as of our friendly countries across the globe," he said.

Singh commended the Navy and MDL for the commissioning of INS Mormugao, describing it as the result of the hard work, dedication and aspirations of the engineers, technicians, designers and scientists. It is a matter of great pride for India, he added.

"Our growing economy is directly connected to the increasing trade, most of which is through sea routes. Our interest is directly linked to the Indian Ocean. Being an important country in this region, the role of Indian Navy becomes more important in its security. It is heartening to see that they are discharging their duties successfully," he said.

The warship, with her multi-dimensional combat capability, will form part of the Western Fleet, the sword arm of the Indian Navy, he said.

CENTRE REMOVED ALL OBSTACLES IN NORTHEAST GROWTH, SAYS PM MODI ON NEC’S GOLDEN JUBILEE

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that his government during its eight-year tenure has removed all obstacles that came in the way of development of the North East region.

Addressing a public meeting on the occasion of the golden jubilee of the North East Council (NEC) in Shillong, he also said that improved air connectivity provided to the region has been helping export of agricultural produce, benefiting farmers.

Ahead of the FIFA World Cup final in Qatar, Modi also said that the NDA “government has shown the red card to many obstacles that came in the way of development for the North East.

“Obstacles such as corruption, discrimination, violence and vote bank politics were removed,” the PM said in his 26-minute speech. “Earlier, attempts were made to divide NE. Now, we are removing these divisions,” Modi said at the meeting.

He also inaugurated, dedicated and laid the foundation stone for multiple projects.

The North Eastern Council is the nodal agency for the economic and social development of the North Eastern Region which consists of the eight States of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

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MESSI & CO. GIVE COMPATRIOTS REASON TO CELEBRATE AMIDST GLOOM

For the many millions who weren’t inside the golden bowl that the Lusail Stadium is, the closing moments of the World Cup final were being played on a split screen.

On one, Lionel Messi – the freshly-minted world champion following Argentina’s win over France via penalty shootout 4-2 in the greatest final of all time, which ended 3-3 after extra time– punching the air and celebrating like a man possessed, hugging his teammates one after another, sobbing. On the other, the scenes of delirium at the Obelisco, where thousands of strangers sang, danced, hugged, cried, jumped in joy and chanted the name of their hero. The kind of emotions only football can evoke.

They’d been planning this party in central Buenos Aires for days. The government put policy-making on hold. The Financial Times reported Argentina’s labour minister Kelly Olmos ‘said tackling inflation could wait and that the first priority was “to win” the championship.’

Big corporates paused their marketing plans until after the World Cup to gauge the mood of the nation.

On Sunday, the streets in the country’s capital were shut. The supermarkets brought down their shutters well before the noon kick-off, local time. And a key trade association ‘advised’ businesses to take ‘precautions’ so that their employees aren’t disappointed and demotivated to work for the rest of the year – in other words, a directive to keep their premises closed during the final.

And they all descended upon Obelisco. Just like 1978. Back then, when Argentina first won the World Cup while the country was ruled by a military dictatorship, people would watch the games in cinema halls and then flock to Obelisco to celebrate the wins.

Though not as dire as in 1978, Argentina’s triumph comes against a backdrop of political turmoil and deep economic distress. This month, inflation in Argentina is projected to reach 100 per cent, as per the Economist. The country’s vice-president, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, was last month convicted on charges of corruption. The Washington Post estimated that ‘almost 40 per cent of the country’s population now lives below the poverty line’, thus forcing people to move abroad.

But as the country grapples with another crippling crisis, Messi has pulled off a – pardon the pun – Messiah act for the nth time. This one, though, will define his legacy. Not just because he – in his final attempt – did what Maradona did: win a World Cup. But in doing so, he’s lifted the economic gloom and despair that’s cast over the country.

TOP IRANIAN ACTOR HELD OVER CRITICISM OF DEATH PENALTY

Taraneh Alidoosti, one of Iran’s most famous actors, has been arrested by security forces in Tehran days after she criticised the state’s use of the death penalty against protesters, local media reported.

She had previously posted a picture of herself on her Instagram page in which she was not wearing the hijab and holding a piece of paper reading “women, life, freedom” — the slogan that has come to encapsulate the fight against the current Iranian regime.

Alidoosti is regarded as one of the most influential Iranian actors of her generation, and her arrest is a sign that the state wants to crack down on celebrities, artists and sports personalities who have used their platform to challenge the regime, The Guardian reported.

Tehran prosecutor’s office alleged Alidoosti had failed to provide documentation to justify her provocative remarks.

The picture of Alidoosti without a hijab has been liked more than 1 million times. It appeared that her Instagram account, which had more than 8 million followers, had been shut down.

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WHY MODI GOVT IS ALLOWING IMPORTS FROM CHINA, ASKS ARVIND KEJRIWAL

AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal Sunday lashed out at the Narendra Modi government over the recent faceoff between Indian and Chinese troops in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh, asking it to show “some courage and respect” for the country’s soldiers.

Addressing the party’s National Council meeting, Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal said while Chinese aggression is increasing at the border, the BJP-led Centre says “everything is alright”.

Instead of “punishing” China, the Modi government is “rewarding Beijing” by allowing high volumes of imports from the country even though many Indian soldiers put their lives on the line while fighting Chinese troops, he charged.

“Don’t you have any respect for our soldiers? Show some courage. China will come to its senses if India stops imports,” Kejriwal said. He also appealed to the nation to boycott Chinese products. “They say Chinese products are cheap. We do not want Chinese products even if it is cheap. We are ready to buy made-in-India products even if it costs us double,” he added.

CONGRESS TARGETS JAISHANKAR’S SON, SAYS ORF RECEIVES FUNDING FROM CHINA

The Congress party Sunday hit out at the BJP for its “silence” on the issue of Chinese incursions in India, alleging links between policy foundations operating in the country and their ostensible links with the BJP and the RSS. The son of external affairs minister, S Jaishankar, has been the target of the party’s latest salvo.

In a press conference in Rajasthan, on the sidelines of the party’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, the chairman of the Congress’s media department, Pawan Khera, said that the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), where Jaishankar’s son, Dhruva Jaishankar, works, has received funding from the Chinese Embassy in India.

“It is important to reveal a piece of information today. The foundation, whose unit in USA is headed by son of the Foreign Minister, has received funding from the Chinese Embassy, not once, not twice, but three times. This has happened recently. Why was this funding received? What is the reason? What is the reason for which the government of India repeatedly maintains silence over China?”, asked Khera.

He also trained his guns on another policy research organisation, the India Foundation. “The India Foundation has a lot of people from the Sangh associated with it. Why does the foundation visit China so often? What relationship does it have with China?”, Khera said.

EC: 54.32 CR AADHAAR COLLECTED, NONE LINKED WITH VOTER ID YET

The Election Commission had collected 54.32 crore Aadhaar numbers from registered electors until December 12 since the start of the voluntary drive on August 1, though the process of linking the Aadhaar with Voter IDs had not started yet, the poll panel said in a Right to Information (RTI) reply.

The EC launched the special campaign on August 1 after Parliament passed the Election Laws (Amendment) Act, 2021, empowering it to collect Aadhaar numbers for linking with Voter IDs.

On June 17, the Law Ministry notified April 1, 2023 as the last date that electors “may” submit their Aadhaar numbers for linking with Voter IDs by filling a new form — Form 6-B.

Last week, senior EC officials said about half of the total 95 crore registered electors had linked their Aadhaar with Voter IDs voluntarily.

Asked how many Aadhaar numbers had been linked with Voter IDs, the EC, in the RTI reply, said: “It is informed that the process of linking of Electoral Roll/EPIC database with Aadhaar database has not been started so far.

DIRECT TAX COLLECTIONS RISE BY 26%

Gross direct tax collections have grown by 26 per cent to touch Rs 13.63 lakh crore. Tax on corporate and individual income makes up direct taxes.

After deducting refunds, net direct tax collection this fiscal are at Rs 11.35 lakh crore, which is about 80 per cent of the full-year Budget target.

Net collections from income and corporate taxes are 19.81 per cent higher than the Rs 9.48 lakh crore collected in the corresponding period of the last financial year (2021-22).

The gross collection of Rs 13.63 lakh crore includes corporation tax at Rs 7.25 lakh crore and personal income tax, including securities transaction tax at Rs 6.35 lakh crore, read the statement.

ELON MUSK ASKS TWITTER USERS TO VOTE TO DECIDE IF HE SHOULD STEP DOWN

Elon Musk, under fire for recent policy changes at Twitter Inc., is asking users to vote on whether he should step down as head of the social media site. Since reluctantly completing the Twitter acquisition at the end of October, he has spent much of his time on the social service itself.

Censoring other social media companies on its platform, Twitter on Sunday announced it will no longer allow users to promote their presence on Facebook, Instagram, Mastodon, Truth Social, Tribel, Nostr, and Post -- a move that has irked millions of users.

Twitter will still however, allow cross-posting content from any social media platform.

OLA GEARS UP TO TAKE ON M&M AND TATA MOTORS WITH ELECTRIC CV PLAN

Ola Electric is set to enter the commercial vehicle space with the launch of electric small commercial vehicles (eSCVs) with three and four wheels. In doing so, it will be taking on the two top commercial vehicle giants, Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra. In May, the Tatas announced the launch of the electric Ace EV, a four-wheel eSCV, and are expected to give deliveries shortly.

Mahindra & Mahindra is the dominant player in the three-wheel electric cargo market with its Treo Zor.

The eSCV category represents commercial vehicles — with a gross vehicle weight not exceeding 3.5 tonnes — which are generally used for last-mile delivery by e-commerce players.

Ola Electra is also readying the launch of an electric passenger three-wheeler which puts it in direct competition with Bajaj Auto, Mahindra & Mahindra, and Greaves Cotton.

INDIA WIN CHATTOGRAM TEST

India took a 1-0 lead in their two-Test series against Bangladesh after winning the first match in Chattogram by 188 runs as the hosts were bowled out for 324 on the final day of play on Sunday.

Resuming on an overnight score of 272/6 in their second innings, Bangladesh soon lost the wicket of Mehidy Hasan Miraz (13) to Mohammed Siraj.

Captain Shakib Al Hasan (84) was next to depart as his entertaining display, which featured six fours and six sixes, came to an end after Kuldeep Yadav found the middle stump as Shakib tried an aerial stroke.

The second and final Test will be played in Dhaka from December 22 to 26.

Scores: India 404 & 258/2 (declared), Bangladesh 150 & 324

AT GABBA, AUSTRALIA DOWN SOUTH AFRICA IN TWO-DAYS

Australia completed a six-wicket victory within two days in the first Test against South Africa on Sunday as the Proteas crumbled on a green Gabba wicket that played straight into the home bowlers' hands.

Skittled for 152 on day one, South Africa were routed for 99 shortly after tea on day two, leaving Australia 34 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada claimed four quick wickets to leave Australia 24/4 but Marnus Labuschagne (five not out) and Cameron Green survived to push the hosts over the line on a glorious afternoon.

The highest score in Australia's second innings was in the extras column (19), with Rabada and Anrich Nortje sending balls over the wicketkeeper to gift the hosts boundaries.

Scores: S Africa 152 & 99, Aus 218 & 35/4

FRANCE DISAPPOINTED BUT PROUD OF FIGHTBACK IN EPIC WORLD CUP FINAL

France are disappointed they could not successfully defend their World Cup crown after losing to Argentina on penalties in Sunday’s final but leave Qatar with heads high having fought until the end, players Raphael Varane and Hugo Lloris said. “For an hour we were not in the game. We could have won too. I’m very proud of this group and of being French. We keep our heads high. We came back in this game when it was complicated.

“We pushed and we believed until the end. We almost turned the game around, which was not going well… There was mental strength in this group, a lot of heart. That allowed us to come back in this game. We’re disappointed but also proud.”

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Influence is like a savings account. The less you use it, the more you've got. - Andrew Young

OFF TRACK

Early one morning, a mother went in to wake up her son. "Wake up, son. It's time to go to school!"

"But why, Mom? I don't want to go."

"Give me two reasons why you don't want to go."

"Well, the kids hate me for one, and the teachers hate me, too!"

"Oh, that's no reason not to go to school. Come on now and get ready."

"Give me two reasons why I should go to school."

"Well, for one, you're 52 years old. And for another, you're the Principal!"