Five European campaigners have been denied US visas after Washington accused them of trying to pressure American technology firms to limit online speech. Two are from the UK. They are Imran Ahmed of the Centre for Countering Digital Hate and Clare Melford of the Global Disinformation Index. The others include former EU tech chief Thierry Breton and two leaders of German group HateAid. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the group was part of a “global censorship complex”. The UK government said it supports free speech while backing efforts to curb harmful content online. France, Spain and the EU criticised the move and sought clarification. (PC: BBC)

Toronto Police have identified Abdul Ghafoori, 32, as the suspect in the first-degree murder of Himanshi Khurana, a 30-year-old Indian woman. Khurana was reported missing Friday, and her body was discovered Saturday in a residence near Strachan Avenue and Wellington Street W. Police have issued a warrant for Ghafoori, a Toronto resident, and are actively searching for him. The Indian High Commission in Toronto expressed shock and sorrow, calling the incident “tragic” and “disturbing,” while extending condolences to Khurana’s family. The Consulate confirmed it is closely monitoring the case and will continue supporting the bereaved family as investigations progress into the circumstances surrounding the murder. (PC: X)

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has directed states to impose a complete ban on new mining leases across the Aravalli range, stretching from Delhi to Gujarat. The move aims to curb illegal mining and protect the Aravallis as a continuous geological formation. The ministry has tasked the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) with identifying additional zones where mining should be prohibited, based on ecological and geological factors. This follows a Supreme Court ruling defining Aravalli Hills as landforms 100 metres above local relief. Existing mines must comply with strict safeguards. The Centre emphasised the Aravallis’ role in biodiversity, aquifer recharge, and preventing desertification. (PC: X)

Mumbai-born Oxford law student Viraansh Bhanushali went viral after a fiery speech at the Oxford Union debate on India-Pakistan relations. Countering claims by Pakistani Union president Moosa Harraj that India’s policies were populist, Bhanushali argued they stem from genuine security concerns. He cited India’s restrained response to the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and calibrated military actions after Pathankot, Uri, Pulwama, and Pahalgam, stressing these were not tied to election cycles. Calling Pakistan a “state that has no shame,” he contrasted India’s accountability with Pakistan’s populist war narratives. Sharing personal memories of terror tragedies, he underscored India’s resolve against cross-border terrorism. His remarks drew millions of views globally.

India's Ministry of External Affairs condemned the demolition of a Lord Vishnu statue at the Thailand-Cambodia border, stating "such disrespectful acts hurt sentiments of followers around the world." The 2014-built statue was toppled by Thai military engineers using a bulldozer on Monday amid two-week military clashes between the nations. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized Hindu and Buddhist deities are "deeply revered and worshipped" across the region as "shared civilizational heritage." Cambodia's Kim Chanpanha confirmed "the statue was inside our territory in An Ses area." Border clashes erupted in July; despite a US-brokered ceasefire, fighting resumed this month. India urged both sides to "return to dialogue and diplomacy" and "avoid further loss of lives."

Indian travel vlogger Anant Mittal, known as "On Road Indian," was detained 15 hours at Guangzhou airport on December 15 after commenting on Arunachal Pradesh online. Chinese authorities questioned him extensively, confiscated his camcorders and phone, and denied him food for 29 hours. Mittal repeatedly stated "Humaari koi aukaat nahi" (we have no status), expressing helplessness. He clarified having no political affiliations, saying his content showcases travel experiences. However, sources told India Today his detention stemmed from controversial social media posts showing Chinese beggars accepting digital payments. Mittal wasn't deported but allowed to take his return flight. This followed an Arunachal Pradesh citizen named Prema's 18-hour Shanghai airport detention in November.

Virat Kohli created history during Delhi's Vijay Hazare Trophy opener against Andhra Pradesh on December 24, becoming the second player after Sachin Tendulkar to score 16,000 List A runs. Kohli achieved the milestone in just 330 innings, beating Tendulkar's 391 innings by a massive margin, making him the fastest ever. The 37-year-old is the only player in this elite nine-member club averaging above 50, with a stunning 57.34 average. Kohli holds 57 centuries and needs just three more to match Tendulkar's world record of 60 List A tons. He's also the fastest to 10,000, 11,000, 12,000, 13,000, 14,000, and 15,000 List A runs, with 90% scored internationally.

Ishan Kishan celebrated his India T20 World Cup 2026 comeback by smashing a 33-ball century for Jharkhand against Karnataka in Vijay Hazare Trophy at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium on December 24. The left-handed wicketkeeper-batter scored 125 from just 39 balls, hitting 7 fours and 14 sixes, helping Jharkhand post 412/9. Ishan broke 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi's record, who scored a 36-ball century earlier the same day. Bihar's Sakibul Gani holds the fastest Indian List A century record at 32 balls. Ishan finished as highest run-getter in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, earning his first India selection in over two years. Australian Jake Fraser-McGurk holds the world record at 29 balls.

The Union environment ministry has ordered states to stop granting any new mining leases across the Aravalli range, which runs from Delhi to Gujarat. The ban will apply to the full length of the hills to curb illegal and unplanned mining. The ministry has asked the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education to find more no-mining zones in the region. It will also prepare a science-based plan to study environmental impact and guide future action. The draft will be shared for public feedback. For existing mines, states must enforce strict rules and follow Supreme Court orders to limit damage to the fragile ecosystem. (PC: India Today)

Ukraine says Russian troops carried out a night raid on the border village of Hrabovske in the Sumy region and took 52 civilians to Russia. Thirteen Ukrainian soldiers were also captured, officials said. About 100 Russian troops are believed to have crossed the border during the attack. The civilians were gathered in a church before being moved across the border, Ukraine’s military said. Some may be held in the Russian city of Belgorod, but their location is not confirmed. Fighting was reported in the village after the raid. Ukraine says most of those taken were elderly residents who had refused earlier evacuation orders. (PC: BBC)