Five soldiers of the 11 Maratha Light Infantry were killed, and five others injured when their vehicle veered off the road and plunged 150 feet into a gorge near Ghora Post along the LoC in Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir, on Tuesday evening. The incident occurred around 5:40 PM during an operational duty trip from Nilam headquarters to Balnoi Ghora Post. Rescue operations by the Army's quick reaction team and local police are ongoing, with the injured receiving medical attention. The Indian Army’s 16 Corps extended condolences to the bereaved families. Further details are awaited.

NASA’s Parker Solar Probe is making history with its closest-ever approach to the Sun, venturing into its outer atmosphere, the corona. The spacecraft endures temperatures of 1,400°C and radiation while coming within 3.8 million miles of the Sun’s surface. Traveling at a record-breaking 430,000 mph, the probe seeks to uncover why the corona is hotter than the Sun’s surface. Launched in 2018, this marks its 22nd solar pass. NASA expects a signal by December 28 to confirm its survival. The mission aims to improve understanding of solar wind and space weather, which impact Earth’s technology and daily life.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the full schedule for the 2025 Champions Trophy. The tournament will run from February 19 to March 9, following a hybrid model with matches split between Pakistan and the UAE. India’s group-stage fixtures, including the marquee clash against Pakistan on February 23, will take place in Dubai. Pakistan will host 10 matches, while Dubai will host key games, including the final if India qualifies. Group A includes India, Pakistan, New Zealand, and Bangladesh. All matches start at 2:30 PM IST, with Star Sports broadcasting in India. Pakistan enters as the defending champion.

Bethlehem’s Manger Square, usually vibrant during Christmas, remains subdued this year due to the Gaza war. Security forces surrounded the Church of the Nativity, as local authorities opted for minimal decorations, reflecting a somber mood. Mayor Anton Salman emphasized focusing on Palestine's suffering under Israeli occupation. Midnight Mass will proceed, led by the Catholic Church’s Latin Patriarch, but festivities remain muted. Vendors lamented the lack of tourists, crucial to Bethlehem's economy. Amid regional violence, residents and visitors expressed hope for peace. “Christmas is about faith,” Salman said, urging prayers to end the conflict.

Telugu actor Allu Arjun was questioned for 4 hours by Hyderabad police regarding a stampede at Sandhya Theatre during the screening of Pushpa 2 on December 4, which led to a woman’s death. Authorities plan to take him to the theatre for scene recreation. His bouncer, Anthony, was arrested for allegedly organizing security, which reportedly contributed to the chaos. Police confronted Arjun over CCTV footage contradicting his claim of leaving early, asserting he exited at 12:05 AM post-stampede. The actor’s father and father-in-law accompanied him at the station, while his legal team reviewed developments at Sandhya Theatre.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) dismissed Congress' allegations of “arbitrary deletion” and addition of over 10,000 voters per constituency in Maharashtra’s assembly polls. Responding to claims of unexplained voter turnout increases between 5 PM and final figures, the EC clarified that variations are normal during the aggregation process. The Commission emphasized the transparency of voter roll preparation, noting Congress representatives participated in the process. It reassured that statutory Form 17C safeguards voter turnout accuracy, rendering manipulation impossible. ECI encouraged collaboration with political parties and stated all election-related data is accessible on the CEO Maharashtra's website.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar begins a 6-day US visit, marking his first trip since Donald Trump's election victory. The visit, aimed at strengthening India-US relations, includes meetings with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Biden administration officials. Jaishankar will also brief Indian diplomats on engagement strategies with Trump 2.0 officials, focusing on bilateral, strategic, and global issues. This visit comes amid tensions over Canada’s accusations against India and highlights efforts to maintain continuity in ties. Experts anticipate cautious optimism for deeper cooperation, especially in technology and defense, while navigating challenges like reciprocal tariffs and immigration policies.

Pakistan is reportedly negotiating a deal with China to procure 40 J-35 stealth fighter jets, marking Beijing's first export of its most advanced aircraft. If finalized, Pakistan would become the only country outside China to operate these jets, significantly enhancing its air defense capabilities. Despite Pakistan's ongoing economic crisis and reliance on International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailouts, the deal may be financed through Chinese loans. Defense experts highlight concerns over Pakistan's mounting debt to China. The jets, unveiled in November, were discussed during high-level meetings between Chinese and Pakistani military officials. No official confirmation has been made by Beijing.

R Ashwin, the legendary off-spinner with 537 wickets in 106 Tests, retired from international cricket on December 18, 2024. Reflecting on his career, Ashwin expressed no regrets about not captaining the Indian Test team but admitted he would have enjoyed the opportunity. "Leadership doesn't need a title. I contributed to others' success," he said. Ashwin, who led Punjab Kings in IPL and Tamil Nadu teams, will continue playing for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2025 after being bought for ₹9.75 crore. Ashwin’s retirement came during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with Tanush Kotian named as his replacement for the Boxing Day Test.

Protests have erupted across Syria after masked gunmen burned a Christmas tree in Suqaylabiyah, a Christian-majority town near Hama. The new Islamist leadership, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), condemned the act, claiming foreign fighters were responsible and promising swift repairs. Demonstrations in Damascus saw protesters carrying crosses and chanting, "We will sacrifice our souls for our cross." Georges, a Christian protester, stated, "If we're not allowed to live our faith, we don’t belong here anymore." HTS, with a controversial jihadist past, vows to protect minority rights. However, ensuring stability amidst extremist threats remains a significant challenge for Syria's new rulers.