World

Israel confirmed that remains returned by Hamas from Gaza do not match any of the hostages killed during the 2023 attack. With two hostages still in Gaza, both sides near completing the first phase of the US-brokered ceasefire

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised President Donald Trump for brokering multiple peace deals, including what he called “very dangerous” ones like India–Pakistan, asserting Trump deserves major credit for reshaping US foreign policy. India, however, continues to deny any third-party mediation

The FBI has offered a US$50,000 reward for information on Indian national Nazeer Hameed, wanted for the 2017 New Jersey murders of Sasikala Narra and her son. US authorities urge India to extradite him after DNA evidence allegedly linked him to the crime 

A system outage disrupted check-in operations at multiple airports on Wednesday, delaying several flights. IndiGo, SpiceJet, Akasa Air and Air India Express were among the affected airlines. Airports switched to manual check-ins as Microsoft Windows reportedly faced a major global service outage.

Dr Salvador Plasencia, who admitted to illegally selling ketamine to Matthew Perry before the actor’s fatal overdose, faces sentencing in Los Angeles. Prosecutors seek three years in prison, while his lawyers argue he’s already suffered severe personal and professional consequences

Severe, late-season storms and heavy rains have unleashed deadly floods across Southeast Asia, overwhelming governments and exposing weak preparedness. Scientists warn these increasingly destructive, unpredictable events reflect a climate-driven “new normal,” with rising losses, vulnerable communities hit hardest, and adaptation funding still insufficient

The Trump administration has halted immigration applications — including green cards and naturalisations — for migrants from 19 travel-ban countries, citing national security concerns after a National Guard troop was killed near the White House. USCIS will re-review all cases dating back to January 2021.

The rupee crashed to a record 90.13 per US dollar on Wednesday amid weak trade flows and uncertainty over the India–US trade deal. The sharp fall weighed on equities, with Nifty slipping below 26,000 and market sentiment turning cautious.

Malaysia will restart the deep-sea search for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 on December 30, with Ocean Infinity set to conduct a 55-day operation in high-priority zones of the southern Indian Ocean under a no-find, no-fee contract.

Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov said US–Russia talks on ending the nearly four-year Ukraine war were “productive,” though substantial work remains. Putin met US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner as Washington pushes a peace deal amid concerns over Trump’s earlier proposal favouring Moscow.

Rajinder Kumar, an Indian national who entered the US illegally in 2022, has been charged with criminally negligent homicide after a semi-truck he was driving collided with a car in Oregon, killing two people. ICE has lodged an arrest detainer against him.

US President Donald Trump invoked India–Pakistan disputes while claiming he had “ended eight wars” and prevented others during a Cabinet meeting. He argued the Russia–Ukraine conflict would not have occurred under his leadership and highlighted his administration’s role in brokering global ceasefires.

An Indian national, Mohammed Asif, has been sentenced to two years in a US federal prison for orchestrating a $1.17 million Medicare fraud through a Washington-based diagnostic lab. He must pay restitution and faces likely deportation after serving his term.

India will rely on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to clinch the ODI series against South Africa in Raipur. Kohli’s century and Rohit’s fifty powered India to victory in Ranchi, while South Africa look to bounce back with Bavuma’s return

Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has opted out of IPL 2026, weeks before the mini-auction. Released by Punjab Kings, Maxwell said he made the decision with gratitude towards the league. His exit follows Andre Russell’s retirement and Faf du Plessis’ withdrawal

Former England batter Robin Smith, famed for his battles against West Indies pacers and his powerful square cut, passed away at 62 in Perth. He played 62 Tests, scored 4236 runs, and was a Hampshire legend remembered fondly by fans

Hitesh Chauhan, India’s junior No 1, entered the second round of the ITF M15 Gwalior after beating Aditya Balsekar in three sets. Other Indians had mixed results, with Manish Sureshkumar and Maan Kesharwani advancing, while several compatriots exited early

Sri Lanka will host Pakistan for a three-match T20I series in January 2026 at Dambulla ahead of the Men’s T20 World Cup. The series will help both teams prepare, with Pakistan set to play all World Cup matches in Sri Lanka

India defeated Switzerland 5-0 in Madurai to qualify for the FIH Men's World Cup quarterfinals. Manmeet Singh scored twice on his birthday, while Sharda Nand Tiwari converted two penalty corners. India topped Pool B with nine points from three matches

Indian Umrah pilgrims often lack awareness about claiming accidental death insurance due to gaps among Indian tour operators. The mandatory Umrah insurance covers medical emergencies, accidental death, and repatriation, but families sometimes struggle to access benefits after tragic incidents abroad

US envoy Steve Witkoff met Vladimir Putin in Moscow to advance Washington’s early-stage Ukraine peace plan, as Volodymyr Zelenskyy sought European support in Ireland and Paris. Major gaps remain over territory and security guarantees, while both sides face mounting military and political pressure

Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of Bangladesh’s BNP, plans to return from London as his mother, former PM Khaleda Zia, remains critically ill on ventilation. Security around her Dhaka hospital has been tightened amid heightened political and electoral developments

Militants ambushed the vehicle of North Waziristan Assistant Commissioner Shah Waliullah in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district, killing him, two policemen and a local. The chief minister condemned the attack amid rising TTP-linked terrorist incidents targeting security forces in the region

A Russian tanker carrying sunflower oil to Georgia was attacked in the Black Sea near Turkey, days after Ukrainian drone strikes on two Russian “shadow fleet” vessels. Turkey condemned the escalating attacks, warning they endanger navigation and occur within its exclusive economic zone