India's women's cricket team announced their squad for the five-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, marking their return after winning the Women's Cricket World Cup in November. Star opener Smriti Mandhana was included alongside two uncapped players: 17-year-old wicket-keeper Gunalan Kamalini and 19-year-old left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma, both U-19 World Cup winners. Kamalini, who played for Mumbai Indians in WPL, scored 143 runs in seven U-19 matches. Vaishnavi was the top wicket-taker in multiple domestic tournaments with impressive performances. The squad sees three changes from England series: injured Yastika Bhatia, Radha Yadav, and Sayali Satghare miss out. The series begins December 21 in Visakhapatnam.(PC: Times Now & The Statesman)

US President Donald Trump signaled fresh tariffs on India after learning that American rice farmers face stiff competition from imports. During a White House roundtable with agriculture sector representatives, Louisiana rice mill owner Meryl Kennedy told Trump that India, Thailand, and China are "dumping" rice into US markets, devastating southern producers. Kennedy specifically noted Puerto Rico, formerly a major US rice market hasn't received American shipments in years due to foreign competition. When Trump asked Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent about India's tariff exemptions, Bessent confirmed they're "still working on their trade deal." Trump emphasized tariffs would "solve the problem easily" and promised to "take care of it," while announcing $12 billion in federal aid for struggling American farmers.

Hardik Pandya delivered a match-winning all-round performance in his comeback game after three months, leading India to a crushing 101-run victory over South Africa in Cuttack. Scoring an unbeaten 59 off 28 balls when India struggled at 78/4, he propelled the team to 175/6 before claiming a wicket in South Africa's collapse to 74. Returning from injury sustained during the Asia Cup, Pandya revealed he spent 50 days at the National Cricket Academy, away from loved ones, working on his fitness. When asked about his bowling role, he emphasized his team-first mentality: "It's not about what Hardik Pandya wants; it matters what India wants. That's my biggest USP."(PC: NDTV Sports)

Australia has enacted the world's strictest online safety law, officially banning children under 16 from major social media platforms. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the measure took effect Wednesday, declaring Australia has "taken control back" from tech giants. The ban covers Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Kick, and Twitch, while WhatsApp, Roblox, and Pinterest remain allowed. Instagram alone reported 350,000 Australian users aged 13-15 losing access. Platforms face heavy fines for non-compliance and must verify ages for suspected underage users. Meta warned the ban could push youth toward less regulated sites, calling it "counterproductive." Elon Musk's X was the last platform to confirm compliance, stating it had no choice but to obey Australian law. (PC: Mashable)

Pakistan Army spokesman Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry sparked massive controversy after winking at journalist Absa Koman during a press briefing. The incident occurred when she questioned him about allegations against imprisoned former PM Imran Khan, including being a "national security threat" and "anti-state." Chaudhry responded by calling Khan a "mental patient," then smiled and winked at the reporter. Social media erupted with criticism, with users calling it proof "democracy is over in Pakistan." Chaudhry also accused Khan of being a "narcissist" orchestrating attacks on military installations and spreading "poison against the army." Khan had previously called Munir "mentally unstable," accusing him of collapsing Pakistan's constitutional rule.

India crushed South Africa by 101 runs in their T20 World Cup preparation match in Cuttack, but the dominant win masks a critical flaw. Shubman Gill's inclusion has significantly weakened India's aggressive top-order approach. Since his return during the Asia Cup, India has crossed 200 just once in 13 matches, compared to six 200+ scores in 12 matches with the Abhishek-Sanju Samson opening pair. Despite scoring three T20I centuries last year, Samson sits out while Gill, the vice-captain struggles to justify his spot. India collapsed to 17/2 before Hardik Pandya's late assault saved them. With the World Cup approaching, India must decide: Does Gill truly belong, or is hierarchy trumping performance? (PC: India Today)

Australia has become the first country to enforce a nationwide social-media ban for anyone under 16 — in effect from 10 December 2025. Major platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Reddit, Twitch, Kick and Threads must deactivate under-16 accounts and block new registrations — or face fines up to A$49.5–50 million. The ban aims to shield children from online harms like cyberbullying, addictive algorithms and harmful content. However, early checks show some platforms (notably Reddit, YouTube, Twitch) still allow 14-year-olds to register as of the ban’s first day — highlighting enforcement challenges. Supporters say the law protects youth well-being; critics argue it might push teens into less safe, unregulated online spaces.(PC: Reuters)

India’s largest airline — has been ordered by the government to cut its flight schedule by 10%, doubling an earlier 5% directive from the regulator. The cut affects over 2,300 daily flights (about 2,150 domestic), meaning scheduled domestic flights now drop to under 1,950 per day. The airline’s CEO, Pieter Elbers, has been summoned to explain the repeated disruptions and approved cut. The rollback is a response to widespread cancellations triggered by poor crew-rostering and tough new pilot rest rules, which IndiGo struggled to implement. (PC: The Indian EXPRESS)

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM)-aligned Humayun Kabir — a suspended Trinamool MLA — has announced his plan to launch a new political party in West Bengal on December 22. He claims to be “Bengal’s Owaisi,” citing personal assurances from Asaduddin Owaisi, and intends to contest 135 of the state’s 294 assembly seats in 2026. Kabir warned that the “Muslim vote bank” of Trinamool will be finished — positioning his party as a Muslim-representative alternative, and potentially altering communal and electoral dynamics in Bengal ahead of next year’s polls. PC: NDTV)

  Goa Police have detained nightclub co-owner Ajay Gupta in New Delhi, following a Look-Out Circular, as part of the investigation into the fire at Birch by Romeo Lane that killed 25 people. Gupta is likely to be formally arrested and brought to Goa for questioning. Meanwhile the club’s main owners — Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra — remain absconding, and an INTERPOL Blue Corner Notice has been issued to trace them. So far, five senior staff from the club’s management have already been arrested. The fire, which occurred around midnight in Arpora, sparked outrage due to alleged gross violations — including lack of fire-safety equipment, blocked or insufficient exits, and unauthorized construction on salt-pan land. (PC: PTI)