Ukraine has attacked the Druzhba pipeline in central Russia’s Tambov region, marking the fifth strike this year on the key route supplying Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia. The strike reportedly involved remote-controlled explosives, though operators in Hungary and Slovakia reported that oil flows remained normal as of Wednesday. Kyiv asserts that such attacks on energy infrastructure are intended to weaken Moscow’s war effort, in response to ongoing Russian strikes on Ukraine. The incident underscores escalating energy-security tensions in Europe amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The U.S. State Department has directed consular officers to review H-1B visa applicants’ employment histories and online activity, especially roles linked to content moderation or censorship of protected speech. A cable dated December 2 instructs officers to flag applicants — and accompanying family members — whose LinkedIn profiles or resumes suggest involvement in misinformation, fact-checking, or online safety operations that restricted free expression. The scrutiny applies to both new and returning applicants, reflecting broader moves under the Donald Trump administration to clamp down on visa access tied to speech-suppression concerns. (PC: India Today)

Israel says it will reopen the Rafah crossing with Egypt in the coming days to let Palestinians leave Gaza. The move will follow security checks by Israel and coordination with Egypt, with EU monitors supervising the process. Israel says this supports the current ceasefire with Hamas. But Egypt denies any deal, saying the crossing would only open both ways under President Trump’s peace plan. The Rafah crossing has been mostly shut since May 2024. Thousands of sick and injured Palestinians still wait to leave Gaza for treatment. Talks continue as delays remain linked to the return of hostage bodies. (PC: BBC)

Vladimir Putin has issued a stark warning to European nations, declaring that Russia is fully prepared for war if Europe initiates hostilities, while also accusing European powers of sabotaging a U.S.–led peace initiative on Ukraine. Meanwhile, five-hour talks in Moscow between a U.S. delegation (including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner) and the Kremlin ended without substantive progress, especially on territorial and military constraints for Ukraine. The combination of aggressive rhetoric and diplomatic stalemate raises fears of prolonged conflict and regional escalation. 

Israel’s COGAT authority has said the Rafah Crossing between Gaza and Egypt will reopen soon, following months of closure since Israel took control of the area in May. The renewed opening aims to allow Gazan civilians, particularly those needing urgent medical treatment, to cross into Egypt. According to COGAT, the movement will operate under a coordinated mechanism involving Egypt, Israel, and the EU Border Assistance Mission, which will verify and supervise crossings. The reopening is considered a crucial humanitarian step amid ongoing conflict and widespread medical shortages inside Gaza. (PC: Reuters)  

US President Donald Trump said he does not want Somali immigrants in the country, telling reporters they should “go back to where they came from”. He called Somalia “barely a country” and claimed the US would “go the wrong way” if it kept taking in “garbage”. His remarks came as reports said ICE is planning a major operation in Minnesota’s large Somali community. Local leaders warned the move could target US citizens. Minnesota officials, including Governor Tim Walz, condemned the plan. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar said Trump’s “obsession” with her is “creepy”. Somali officials also criticised the growing attacks. (PC: BBC)

Aleema Khan, sister of former Pakistan PM Imran Khan, said, “Radicalised Islamist Asim Munir yearns for war with India.” Speaking to Sky News, she added that Munir’s conservatism forces him to fight against those who don’t believe in Islam. She described her brother as a “pure liberal” who tries to befriend India and even BJP leaders. Aleema blamed Munir for Khan’s imprisonment, saying he is being mentally tortured in Adiala Jail. She claimed, “They want to suppress the people of Pakistan” by isolating her brother, who she says represents 90% of the country. (PC: NDTV)

A political row erupted after Congress leader Ragini Nayak posted an AI-generated video showing Prime Minister Narendra Modi selling tea at a red-carpet event. The BJP condemned the clip and said the Congress was mocking the Prime Minister’s humble past. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala said the party had insulted Modi many times and could not accept a leader from a modest background. This is the latest in a series of AI videos that have angered the BJP. Congress has faced similar criticism before, including over a video about Modi’s mother that the Patna High Court ordered removed.

Talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner ended without a breakthrough on a Ukraine peace deal. The Kremlin said the meeting was “constructive” but key parts of the US-backed plan were still unacceptable to Russia. Putin earlier criticised changes proposed by Kyiv and Europe, calling them unrealistic. Ukraine and Russia remain divided over territory and security guarantees. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said there was a chance to end the war but only with clear guarantees. Fighting also continued on several fronts, with both sides rejecting each other’s claims of battlefield gains. (BBC)

Jailed former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan launched his fiercest attack on Army Chief General Asim Munir, accusing him of being "mentally ill," "morally depraved," and destroying Pakistan's constitutional framework. In a message on X, Khan described four weeks of solitary confinement without human contact, claiming he and wife Bushra Bibi face "severe mental torture" on false charges. He accused Munir's policies of fueling terrorism resurgence and sacrificing national interests for Western approval. Khan resigned from PTI's political committee, giving Secretary General Salman Akram Raja full authority. He urged Pakistanis to "break chains of slavery" and resist "mafia systems," warning those threatening governor's rule to "see what happens." (PC: The Hindu)