Indian mountaineers led by high-altitude climber Narendra Kumar successfully summited Pico de Orizaba, Mexico's highest mountain and North America's tallest volcano, at 5,636 meters (18,491 feet) in December 2025. The team scaled the challenging Jamapa Glacier route from Piedra Grande refuge, requiring seven to eight hours and demanding technical skills including crampons, ice axes, and navigation across slippery rocks, glaciers, and fresh snow. Kumar shared the achievement on Instagram, stating "Step by step, breath by breath… summit tak ka safar." He revealed plans to climb Mount Everest Base Camp in winter next. Pico de Orizaba, known for thin air, icy terrain, and harsh conditions, serves as a training ground for the Volcanic Seven Summits.

Fourteen-year-old cricketing prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi received India's highest civilian honor for children, the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP), from President Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi. Following the ceremony, he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi alongside fellow awardees. The Bihar batsman missed the Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Manipur to attend the prestigious event. Vaibhav gained national attention after smashing a stunning 190 runs off just 84 balls in Bihar's opening match against Arunachal Pradesh. The PMRBP recognizes exceptional achievements by children aged 5-18 in bravery, art, culture, environment, innovation, science, technology, social service, and sports, celebrating India's youth excellence.

Harmanpreet Kaur created history by becoming the first captain to achieve 77 T20I victories, breaking Australian legend Meg Lanning's record of 76 wins. The milestone came after India's eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in Thiruvananthapuram, sealing a 3-0 series lead. Harmanpreet has captained India in a record 130 T20Is, making her one of only three captains to lead over 100 matches in the format. She also became the first captain to win 16 matches against a single opponent (Sri Lanka) and holds the record for most Women's T20I appearances (185 games). This achievement follows India's historic World Cup victory two months ago, marking their first-ever ICC tournament title. (PC: X)

Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared that India punished terror planners through Operation Sindoor and neutralized executors through Operation Mahadev, marking the first time both were addressed simultaneously. Speaking at the Anti-Terrorism Conference-2025, Shah referenced the Pahalgam terrorist attack in Baisaran Valley, stating it aimed to disrupt communal harmony and derail development in Jammu and Kashmir. Based on precise intelligence, forces neutralized all three terrorists, sending a stern message to Pakistan. Shah said the investigation's findings will put Pakistan "in the dock on international platforms." He warned that terrorism's evolving nature requires agencies to stay ahead, emphasizing the need for uniform Anti-Terrorism Squad structures across states for effective intelligence sharing. (PC: X)

India has conveyed concerns to the US over mass cancellations and rescheduling of H-1B visa appointments affecting thousands of Indian nationals. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated India flagged these issues in New Delhi and Washington, urging the US to address delays causing extended hardships to families and children's education. The Trump administration expanded social media vetting for all H-1B and H-4 applicants from December 15, causing abrupt appointment cancellations and months-long rescheduling. The US also levied a $100,000 fee for first-time H-1B applicants and replaced random lottery with skills-based selection. First-time H-1B approvals for Indian IT companies fell to 4,573 in 2025, the lowest in a decade down 70% from 2015.

Virat Kohli's childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma has declared the veteran batter "fully ready" for the 2027 ODI World Cup in Africa, calling him "the most consistent player of the Indian team." After retiring from Tests and T20Is, Kohli now exclusively plays ODIs for India. Following back-to-back ducks during the Australia tour, he's rebounded with two centuries and two half-centuries in his last four international matches. He carried this form into domestic cricket, scoring 131 against Andhra in the Vijay Hazare Trophy opener and 77 against Gujarat. Sharma defended Kohli's occasional poor innings, stating his record speaks for itself. Kohli next plays internationally in January against touring New Zealand. (PC: X)

An Israeli reservist soldier rammed an ATV into a Palestinian man praying on a West Bank roadside on Thursday, captured on video. The Israeli military confirmed the incident, stating the reservist's service was terminated, his weapon confiscated, and he acted in "severe violation of his authority." Video shows the armed soldier in civilian clothes ramming the vehicle into the praying man, then yelling at him to leave. The victim, though hospitalized, returned home with leg pain. His father claimed the soldier also used pepper spray and regularly provokes village residents. The attacker was arrested and placed under five-day house arrest. UN data shows over 750 Palestinian injuries from Israeli civilian attacks this year in the West Bank.

The Ministry of External Affairs responded to a viral video showing Lalit Modi and Vijay Mallya partying in London, where Modi sarcastically called themselves "biggest fugitives of India." MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated India remains "fully committed" to bringing back all fugitives, saying talks are ongoing with several governments despite complex legal layers involved. The video, posted on Modi's Instagram with the caption "Let's break the internet down in India again," sparked outrage on social media, with many viewing it as mockery of Indian authorities. Mallya was declared a Fugitive Economic Offender in 2019 for loan defaults and money laundering. Modi fled in 2010 amid IPL financial irregularity investigations. Both currently reside in the United Kingdom.

Three satellite-tagged Amur falcons from Manipur named Apapang, Alang, and Ahu have completed record-breaking migrations to Southern Africa, captivating global attention. Apapang flew 6,100 kilometers to Kenya in six days, one of the longest uninterrupted journeys for small raptors. Alang, the youngest, covered 5,600 kilometers with brief stops in Telangana and Maharashtra, while Ahu paused in Bangladesh before flying 5,100 kilometers to Somalia. The tiny birds crossed India, the Arabian Sea, and the Horn of Africa, reaching destinations including Zimbabwe's Harare, Kenya, and Botswana's Okavango Delta. Wildlife Institute of India scientist Suresh Kumar tracked their journey, highlighting the interconnectedness of global ecosystems and the critical need for cross-border conservation efforts. (PC: @supriyasahuias)

India's Ministry of External Affairs responded to the death of Indian-origin Canadian citizen Prashant Sreekumar, stating Canada should take responsibility for the incident. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed Sreekumar was a Canadian national of Indian origin. The 44-year-old accountant and father of three died from suspected cardiac arrest after waiting over eight hours at Grey Nuns Hospital in Edmonton despite severe chest pain. His father recalled his final words: "Papa, I cannot bear the pain." After finally being called for treatment, Sreekumar collapsed within 10 seconds and died. MEA also expressed condolences for Indian doctoral student Shivank Avasthi, shot dead near University of Toronto campus, and is coordinating with authorities while providing family assistance.