Politics & International Relations

• The U.S. Senate has overwhelmingly approved a record-setting $901 billion National Defense Authorization Act, marking it as the largest military spending bill in the nation's history. The bill allocates $800 million for Ukraine and includes a 4% pay raise for U.S. troops. Concurrently, the House of Representatives rejected resolutions that would have mandated congressional approval for U.S. boat strikes in the Eastern Pacific and any potential military action against Venezuela.
• The United States imposed sanctions on two International Criminal Court (ICC) judges, Gocha Lordkipanidze of Georgia and Erdenebalsuren Damdin of Mongolia. The sanctions stem from their involvement in ICC efforts to investigate or prosecute Israeli nationals without Israel's consent. In response, Venezuela's Permanent Representative to the United Nations denounced statements by U.S. President Trump, accusing him of attempting to impose a "colony" on Venezuela and asserting that Venezuelan lands and oil belong to the U.S.
• In the Middle East, Israeli troops reportedly fired a mortar shell into a residential area in Gaza, wounding at least 10 people, in what has been described as a violation of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement. Separately, Gaza health officials reported the death of a 1-month-old due to extreme cold, bringing the total number of recent weather-related deaths to 13 amidst challenging living conditions.
• European Union member states are currently deliberating on funding for Ukraine for 2026-2027, with discussions focusing on utilizing frozen Russian assets to underwrite a loan.
• India and Saudi Arabia have formalized a bilateral visa waiver agreement, granting mutual exemption from short-stay visas for diplomatic, special, and official passport holders. Additionally, India and Argentina signed the ICAR–INTA Work Plan 2025–27, aiming to enhance cooperation in agricultural research, technology exchange, and capacity building.
• Belarus has released 123 political prisoners, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatski. This move has prompted discussions about potential U.S. sanctions relief on Belarusian fertilizer exports; however, human rights groups note the continued identification of new political prisoners.
• The UN Human Rights office has expressed alarm over renewed deadly violence along the Thailand-Cambodia border, with reports indicating the use of fighter jets, drones, and artillery, resulting in civilian fatalities on both sides.
• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced regulatory actions aimed at effectively banning gender-affirming care for minors. These proposals include cutting federal Medicaid and Medicare funding from hospitals that provide such care. Furthermore, President Trump signed an executive order that could reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous Schedule III drug, potentially easing regulations and expanding medical research.
• President Donald Trump signed an executive order closing most federal offices on December 24 and December 26, granting federal employees time off for Christmas Eve and the day after Christmas.

Economy

• U.S. President Trump highlighted his economic achievements in a primetime address, despite growing voter concerns regarding affordability and a weakening job market. The unemployment rate in November rose to 4.6%, and the manufacturing sector has experienced job losses for seven consecutive months.
• The European Central Bank opted to keep interest rates unchanged for the fourth consecutive meeting, citing signs of modest economic growth in the euro-zone. In contrast, the Bank of England reduced its key interest rate for the first time in four months as inflation showed signs of easing.
• Mortgage rates in the U.S. saw a slight decrease, with the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate falling to 6.21%, remaining near its 2025 lows.
• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved an $846 million loan to India, aimed at bolstering skill development and employability programs.
• During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official visit to Amman, India and Jordan held productive talks, leading to the signing of multiple Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to enhance cooperation across key sectors. Jordan also indicated its intention to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA).

Science & Technology

• The U.S. Department of Energy launched the "Genesis Mission," a public-private partnership aimed at leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to accelerate scientific discovery and maintain American leadership in science. The initiative involves 24 private sector companies collaborating with national laboratories.
• Physicists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have achieved near-perfect quantum control over a calcium monohydride molecular ion. This breakthrough holds significant potential for advancements in quantum technology and chemical research.
• Reports indicate that Chinese scientists have developed a prototype machine capable of producing advanced semiconductor chips, reportedly through reverse-engineering ASML's extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography technology.
• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully completed simulation tests for its upcoming human spaceflight mission, a crucial step for astronaut safety and mission success.

Social Welfare

• The Government of India has initiated a National Road Safety Awareness Drive, with a focus on educating school students about traffic rules, pedestrian safety, and responsible road behavior.
• The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) launched India's first 'wildlife-safe road' on a 2-kilometer ghat section of National Highway 45 (NH-45) in Madhya Pradesh. This initiative aims to reduce animal-vehicle collisions in ecologically sensitive zones.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that over 1,600 people have been killed in attacks on medical and healthcare centers in Sudan this year, with 65 documented attacks on facilities since January.

Awards & Appointments

• Dr. Maralice Conacci-Sorrell, Associate Professor of Cell Biology at UT Southwestern Medical Center, is slated to receive the 2026 Mary Beth Maddox Award and Lectureship from the Texas Academy of Medicine, Engineering, Science & Technology (TAMEST) for her pioneering cancer research.
• Dr. Craig Kaplan of the University of Waterloo has been recognized as a 2025 ACM Distinguished Member by the Association for Computing Machinery for his significant contributions to computational geometric patterns and non-photorealistic rendering.
• Jane Dever, the director of Clemson University's Pee Dee REC and a prominent cotton breeder, has been inducted into the Cotton Research and Promotion Hall of Fame.
• Hyundai Motor Group announced its executive appointments for 2026, aimed at accelerating its transformation into a software-driven mobility group and strengthening its leadership in core technology and research and development.
• Air India has been honored as the Best Domestic Airline at the Travel + Leisure India & South Asia Awards 2025 for the second consecutive year.
• AXA Philippines achieved multiple accolades across various global and local award programs throughout 2025.

Sports (Non-Cricket)

• Jammu and Kashmir is hosting its inaugural International Indian Style Wrestling (Dangal) event, which includes the Rustam-e-Jammu Kashmir Title 2025.
• The Indian squash team secured a historic Squash World Cup title.
• Indian archers showcased an impressive performance at the Asian Archery Championships, earning multiple medals and enhancing India's standing in the sport.
• A young Indian table tennis player clinched an international title, highlighting the country's emerging talent in the sport.
• The Indian Super League (ISL) has announced the dates for its upcoming knockout stage matches, generating anticipation among football fans.
• The World Tennis League 2025 commenced in Bengaluru, featuring participation from international tennis stars.
• A new All-India Under-21 hockey tournament has been launched with the aim of nurturing young talent in the sport.