Parliament passed the landmark SHANTI (Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India) Bill on Thursday, opening India's nuclear power sector to private players. Cleared by Lok Sabha Wednesday and introduced Monday by Union minister Jitendra Singh, the legislation permits private companies to construct, own, operate, or decommission nuclear plants after obtaining safety licenses. It removes controversial supplier liability clauses, rationalizes accident payout levels, and aims to achieve 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047. PM Modi called it "transformational," enabling safe AI power and green manufacturing while creating private sector opportunities. The Bill repeals the 1962 Atomic Energy Act and 2010 CLND Act, amending patent laws for atomic energy applications. (PC: News18)

Indian-origin cab driver Simranjit Singh Sekhon, 35, was arrested for allegedly raping an unconscious 21-year-old passenger in California. Ventura County Sheriff's Office began investigating after November reports of assault in Camarillo. Sekhon picked up the intoxicated victim from a Thousand Oaks bar around 1:00 am on November 27. Despite marking the ride complete, investigators allege he continued driving the unconscious woman around Camarillo and sexually assaulted her. Arrested December 15, Sekhon was booked at pre-trial detention for rape with aggravating vulnerability factors. He pleaded not guilty; bail set at $500,000 with December 29 court date. Detectives suspect additional unreported victims. Police haven't disclosed his rideshare company affiliation. (PC: X)

Delhi's 'No PUC, No Fuel' campaign resulted in 3,746 vehicle challans and 568 vehicles turned back within 24 hours of launch, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced. Joint Delhi Traffic Police and Transport Department teams checked approximately 5,000 vehicles at key entry points. Additionally, 217 non-destined trucks were diverted via Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways. PUCC issuance surged to 61,912 certificates between December 17-18, indicating increased compliance. Sirsa emphasized strict enforcement and growing public cooperation reduced outside vehicle inflow. Authorities deployed smartplate-reader devices at intersections while conducting manual checks elsewhere. Fuel stations denied service to non-compliant vehicles. Sirsa warned enforcement continues during peak winter pollution, flagging private offices' incomplete work-from-home advisory compliance.

Ten asteroids will approach Earth between December 18-20, according to NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies, though none poses impact threats. The closest, asteroid 2015 XX168, passes at 2.3 million kilometers on December 18, several times the Moon's distance. Sizes range from 7 meters (2025 XT4) to 160 meters (2025 XV), with speeds between 6-17 kilometers per second. Most have zero rarity scores, indicating common occurrences; only 2025 XV rates one due to larger size, not elevated risk. Scientists emphasize these flybys provide valuable research opportunities for studying asteroid behavior, refining orbital models, and improving planetary defense capabilities. Close approaches occur regularly, often weekly, with Earth safely monitored. (PC: Pinterest)

Sachin Tendulkar met the Indian Women’s Blind Cricket Team, newly crowned T20 Blind Cricket World Cup champions, at Mumbai’s MIG Cricket Club, celebrating their historic achievement. He spent nearly an hour with the players, praising their resilience, hard work and the crucial support of their families. Sachin reminded them that success brings greater responsibility and urged them to stay focused as their victory marks the beginning of a larger journey. The players described meeting him as overwhelming and deeply motivating. Captain Deepika TC called it a dream come true. CABI President Dr. G.K. Mahantesh said Sachin’s encouragement boosts confidence across India’s blind cricket ecosystem.

India and Oman signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement on December 18, 2025, granting India duty-free access on 98.08% of Omani tariff lines, covering 99.38% of Indian exports to Oman. India offered liberalized tariffs on 77.79% of its tariff lines, covering 94.81% of Omani imports. Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Sultan Haitham bin Tarik in Muscat for bilateral discussions. India exported $4.06 billion to Oman in 2024-25 (0.93% of total exports) and imported $6.5 billion (0.91% of total imports). Beyond merchandise tariff removal, the agreement includes service sector concessions, particularly benefiting worker mobility. The deal strengthens India-Oman economic ties significantly. (PC: X)

UK sanctioned Pakistani oil trading tycoon Murtaza Lakhani over alleged involvement in Russia's energy sector amid Ukraine war. British sanctions designated his Mercantile & Maritime Group and UAE-based companies including Tejarinaft FZCO, Fossil Trading FZCO, and Amur II-FZCO, conducting business in sectors strategically important to Russia. Lakhani, who operated from London's Chelsea neighborhood with strong British political connections, declined comment. The move follows EU sanctions targeting Lakhani and an Azeri rival. Washington prepares similar designations targeting Russia's shadow tanker fleet and energy traders. Lakhani built reputation as skilled operator in challenging jurisdictions. The coordinated Western sanctions aim pressuring Moscow toward Ukraine peace agreement. (PC: Money Control)

Pakistani international kabaddi player Ubaidullah Rajput faces disciplinary action after representing a team labeled "India" at Bahrain's GCC Cup tournament on December 16. Social media photos showing Rajput wearing Indian jersey and waving the flag sparked backlash. Pakistan Kabaddi Federation scheduled emergency meeting for December 27 to decide penalties. PKF secretary Rana Sarwar revealed 16 Pakistani players traveled without mandatory federation or Sports Board clearances. The private tournament featured teams named after countries, with players expected to align with their national origins. Rajput apologized, claiming he discovered the team designation later and requested organizers avoid using national names. He emphasized past mixed tournaments never used country labels, calling this a misunderstanding. (PC: Facebook)

Former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly filed a ₹50 crore defamation lawsuit against Uttam Saha, president of Argentina Fan Club Kolkata, over allegations linking Ganguly to Lionel Messi's controversial Salt Lake Stadium visit. The complaint filed at Lalbazar claims Saha's accusations damaged Ganguly's reputation without factual basis. Saha alleged Ganguly acted as middleman between organizers and Messi. Ganguly's legal team demanded retraction and damages, stating serious allegations were made publicly without evidence. Ganguly attended the stadium event in a different section and left disappointed as chaos erupted. Messi thanked India for the love during his short visit, promising to return, possibly for a match. (PC: PTI)

A parliamentary committee led by Congress's Shashi Tharoor declared Bangladesh poses India's "greatest strategic challenge" since the 1971 Liberation War, warning India risks "irrelevance" without recalibration. The report cites rising Islamic radicals, intensifying Chinese-Pakistani influence, and Awami League's collapse as key factors. Concerns include China's expanding infrastructure footprint like Mongla Port expansion, Lalmonirhat Airbase, Pekua submarine base accommodating eight submarines and engagement with Jamaat-e-Islami, now reinstated for elections while Awami League faces electoral ban. The committee recommended monitoring foreign military presence and offering Bangladesh comparative development advantages. Recent visa center closures followed radical Islamist protests, with NCP leader threatening to sever India's northeastern "seven sisters" under Muhammad Yunus's interim government seeking closer Pakistan-China ties. (PC: Lowy Institute)