An elderly woman found at Mumbai's Belapur Metro station claims to be late cricketer Salim Durani's wife, sparking social media controversy. Identified as Rekha Srivastava, she alleges living luxuriously in Dubai, running an airline company, and owning bungalows before financial ruin. She recalls Durani playing cricket nationwide and meeting prominent personalities. However, Durani's biographies don't mention marriage to Srivastava or Dubai business ventures. Social media reports suggest the woman has been spotted in Vrindavan, Varanasi, and other northern religious cities. Durani's family hasn't issued any statement regarding these claims. The legendary all-rounder, India's first Arjuna Award recipient, died in 2023 aged 88 after scoring 1,202 runs and taking 75 wickets across 29 Tests.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa will serve as Chief Guests at India's Republic Day parade on January 26, 2026. They'll share the dais with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu. EU leadership has accepted India's invitation, with official announcement pending. Their visit coincides with the India-EU Summit scheduled for January 27, where the Free Trade Agreement will likely be formally signed. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal confirmed negotiations are progressing, with a rough outline prepared. Of 23 chapters under discussion, 11 are closed. Remaining negotiations include market access for cars, steel, services, investment, and technical trade barriers.(PC: Times Now)

A Delhi court on Thursday remanded Yasir Ahmad Dar, the ninth person arrested in the Red Fort blast terror case, to the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) custody until December 26 for further interrogation. Dar, a Jammu and Kashmir resident, is accused of playing an active role in the November 10 car bomb explosion near the historic Red Fort that killed at least 15 people and injured many others. Investigators say he was in close contact with other suspects, including the suspected suicide bomber, and had allegedly taken an oath to participate in extremist operations. The NIA continues to probe the wider terror network behind the attack. (PC: NDTV)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on EU leaders in Brussels to loan billions of euros from frozen Russian assets, primarily held by Belgium’s Euroclear, to support Ukraine’s military and economic needs. Russia’s €210 billion in EU assets could fund up to €90 billion over two years, covering much of Ukraine’s projected requirements for 2026–2027. While countries like Germany and Italy back the plan, Belgium and Hungary remain hesitant, citing legal and financial risks. The decision requires a qualified majority among EU states. Zelensky emphasized urgency, warning Ukraine’s finances could run dry without action. (PC: BBC)

A video from Pakistan has gone viral showing Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari being introduced at a public event with the hit track “FA9LA” from the Indian espionage thriller Dhurandhar playing in the background — despite the movie being banned in Pakistan for alleged anti‑Pakistan content. The song, performed by Bahraini artist Flipperachi and featured in a popular entry scene, has become widely popular across the country even as some Pakistani politicians, including Bhutto’s own party, have demanded legal action against the film over the use of images of the late Benazir Bhutto. 

India’s Parliament has approved the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, a major reform to open the previously state-controlled nuclear power sector to private companies and investment. The legislation allows private firms to build, operate and decommission nuclear power plants under a licensed regime, aligns nuclear liability laws with global norms, and aims to help India achieve a target of 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047. The bill was passed amid an opposition walkout and debate over safety and liability provisions, with the government assuring robust regulatory safeguards will remain. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Oman's highest national honor, 'The Order of Oman, First Class,' marking his 29th international award. The prestigious recognition places him alongside distinguished recipients including Queen Elizabeth, Nelson Mandela, Queen Maxima, Emperor Akihito, and King Abdullah of Jordan. Sultan Haitham bin Tarik conferred the honor during Modi's visit to Muscat, the final leg of his three-nation tour. The leaders held bilateral talks culminating in India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement signing. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized CEPA will boost trade, investment, economic diversification, and employment generation. Discussions covered defense, security, trade, energy, agriculture, technology, and cultural relations. Modi participated in India-Oman Business Forum, highlighting India's competitive market reforms.

US H-1B and H-4 visa interview crisis deepens as hundreds of Indian applicants face appointments postponed to October 2026, following earlier rescheduling to February-March 2026. Immigration lawyers report interviews originally scheduled for mid-January now pushed to year-end. US authorities cite expanded social media screening requirements causing delays. Professionals separated from families remain stranded with precarious job situations. Mass cancellations accelerated since mid-December, catching applicants who booked travel and arranged leave off-guard. US Consulate spokesperson acknowledged shifting appointments to match resource availability. Immigration attorneys advise documenting everything while pleading with employers for remote work options. Indian expat forums express anxiety and frustration over mounting uncertainty, questioning US viability for long-term careers.

India closed two additional visa centers in Bangladesh's Rajshahi and Khulna due to deteriorating security conditions, following Dhaka center's closure. The decision follows radical Islamist protests near the Indian High Commission organized by "July Oikya" group. Despite India's concerns about rising anti-India sentiment, Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Advisor Touhid Hossain dismissed threats made by National Citizens Party leader Hasnat Abdullah regarding India's "seven sisters" northeastern states, claiming he's not part of government. Hossain denied security deterioration despite radical elements organizing protests. Bangladesh rejected India's election advice, calling it unacceptable. Observers suggest radical groups backing Muhammad Yunus's interim government may derail elections to prolong unelected rule beyond February while scapegoating India.

Indian-origin rideshare driver Simranjit Singh Sekhon, 35, faces rape charges after allegedly assaulting an unconscious 21-year-old passenger in California. Sekhon picked up the intoxicated woman from a Thousand Oaks bar on November 27 around 1 am. Investigators allege he continued driving after completing the ride, taking the vulnerable victim around Camarillo before sexually assaulting her. Arrested December 15 in Bakersfield, Sekhon pleaded not guilty and is held on $500,000 bail. Ventura County Sheriff's Office suspects additional victims may exist. The case adds to growing scrutiny of rideshare driver safety. Authorities haven't disclosed which company employed Sekhon. His next court appearance is December 29. Police urge potential victims to contact investigators immediately.