Saudi Arabia has announced a ban on the personal and commercial use of religious and national symbols, a move expected to impact residents, including Indians. Commerce Minister Dr. Majid al-Qasabi stated that the decision aims to prevent the misuse of sacred and national emblems such as the national flag, Islamic Declaration of Faith, crosses, swords, and palm trees. The ban also extends to images and names of Saudi leaders. Businesses must comply within 90 days of the decision’s publication in the Official Gazette or face fines and prosecution. This reflects Saudi Arabia's commitment to protecting the sanctity of symbols.

Russia and the US have intensified actions in Ukraine ahead of Donald Trump’s return to the White House in January. Russia launched its largest missile strikes in months and eased nuclear weapon use conditions, aiming to maximize battlefield advantage. Meanwhile, the Biden administration approved Kyiv’s use of long-range Atacms missiles on Russian territory and pledged $300M in military aid, including anti-personnel mines. The moves follow Russia’s deployment of North Korean forces, seen as a “massive escalation.” Experts suggest both nations are positioning for negotiations under Trump, though skepticism remains about potential compromises.

India dismissed a The Globe and Mail report alleging government involvement in the assassination of pro-Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia in June 2023. External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal termed the claims, based on an unnamed Canadian official, "ludicrous" and rejected them outright. He criticized Canada for pursuing smear campaigns, which further strain bilateral ties. Canada had earlier accused Indian diplomats of involvement, prompting retaliatory expulsions. India insists Canada has not provided evidence to support these allegations. The diplomatic fallout continues to deepen the crisis between the nations.

The Met Office has issued multiple yellow weather warnings for snow and ice across the UK, with sub-zero temperatures reaching -7.5°C in Cumbria. Scotland, Wales, and northern England face up to 20 cm of snowfall in higher areas, while southwest England could see 10 cm on Dartmoor. Heavy rain and strong winds are expected over the weekend, raising flood concerns. Over 100 schools in Scotland remain closed. The UK Health Security Agency issued an amber cold weather alert, urging caution for vulnerable populations. The RAC and AA warn drivers of breakdown risks and advise checking forecasts before traveling.

Ukraine has reportedly fired British Storm Shadow cruise missiles at Russian military targets, marking the first use of these long-range weapons in the conflict. The move comes as the UK approved the missile use in response to Russia deploying North Korean troops. Debris from Storm Shadow missiles was found in Russia's Kursk region, with others intercepted over Krasnodar's Yeysk port. This follows Ukraine's use of US-supplied ATACMS missiles. President Zelensky continues urging Western nations to strengthen military aid. The UK’s decision highlights increasing tensions, with the issue dominating discussions at the G20 summit in Brazil.

The United States has stated it will veto a UN Security Council resolution calling for an unconditional ceasefire in Gaza, citing concerns over the lack of hostages’ release in the draft. A senior US official said the Council's 10 non-permanent members rejected compromise efforts, especially proposals made by Britain. The draft resolution demands an “immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire” in Gaza but omits a clause on hostage release, which the US insists is essential. The Israeli military campaign, which began in October 2023, has resulted in nearly 44,000 deaths and massive displacement in Gaza.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has initiated an investigation into a massive bitcoin scam in Maharashtra, involving an alleged fraud of Rs 6,600 crore. The agency filed a case against two key suspects—Amit Bharadwaj, who recently died of a heart attack, and Ajay Bharadwaj, who remains at large. The CBI summoned Gaurav Mehta, another accused, for questioning. The investigation follows a Supreme Court order, and it comes after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had already registered FIRs against the Bharadwaj brothers. BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi has claimed that members of the NCP and Congress were involved in using bitcoin to influence election results, but Supriya Sule denies these allegations.

Ukraine’s military intelligence agency has accused Russia of launching a “massive informational and psychological attack” on Ukraine by spreading false messages about an impending rocket-bomb attack on Kyiv and other cities. The agency, part of the Ministry of Defence, urged citizens to only trust official sources and avoid panic. It emphasized that while the messages are meant to intimidate, Ukrainians should still heed air raid alerts. Russia’s tactics aim to exert psychological pressure on society amid ongoing tensions.

Exit polls predict the BJP-Sena-NCP alliance will retain power in Maharashtra, with projections ranging between 150-170 seats for the Mahayuti alliance. The MVA coalition, including Congress, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena UBT, and NCP factions, is expected to secure 110-130 seats. In Jharkhand, exit polls favor the BJP-led NDA to win 42-47 seats, surpassing the 40-seat halfway mark. The JMM-Congress alliance is forecasted to win 25-30 seats. However, experts caution that exit polls may not always be accurate, urging caution in interpreting the predictions.

Russia's territorial gains in eastern Ukraine have surged, with the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reporting almost six times more territory gained in 2024 compared to 2023. Russian forces have advanced towards key Ukrainian hubs, including Kupiansk and Kurakhove, while Ukraine's efforts in the Kursk region are faltering. Experts fear the collapse of Ukraine’s eastern front and attribute the failure of Kyiv’s offensive to manpower shortages. With the potential change in U.S. leadership, fears grow that military aid to Ukraine could be reduced, further weakening its position.