US President-elect  Donald Trump pledged to end what he called "transgender lunacy" and reaffirmed his stance on gender during a speech at AmericaFest 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. He vowed to make it official policy to recognize only two genders, male and female, once he takes office. Trump promised executive orders to remove transgender individuals from the military and schools, and to ban them from participating in women’s sports. He also discussed his plans for mass deportations and addressed global issues like the Ukraine war, promising to bring peace and prosperity to the U.S. under his leadership.

Luigi Mangione, 26, pleaded not guilty to murder charges in the killing of UnitedHealth Group CEO Brian Thompson on December 4 in New York, US. Mangione faces 11 charges, including murder and terrorism, after allegedly gunning down Thompson outside a hotel in Manhattan. The murder is described as an act of terrorism. Mangione was transferred from Pennsylvania to New York last week and appeared in court with handcuffs and shackles. His lawyer argued that Mangione was being treated unfairly. Mangione also faces federal charges and could face the death penalty if convicted.

Ravichandran Ashwin, India’s highest wicket-taker among active bowlers, shocked fans by announcing his retirement during the Border Gavaskar Trophy after the third Test in Brisbane. Explaining his decision, Ashwin said, “I’ve never been a person who holds onto things. The game always stood ahead of me.” He added that he felt his creative side had no future or direction. Reflecting on his journey, Ashwin shared, “I’ve got no regrets. Cricket gave me meaning in life.” He retires with 537 Test wickets, leaving behind a legacy shaped by his deep passion for the sport.

Hyderabad police summoned actor Allu Arjun to appear at Chikkadpally police station on Tuesday regarding the December 4 stampede at Sandhya Theatre during the Pushpa 2 premiere, which killed a woman. On Monday, six individuals were granted bail after vandalising his Jubilee Hills residence. The incident triggered political disputes, with Telangana CM Revanth Reddy urging strict law enforcement. Congress and BJP leaders exchanged accusations over the attackers' affiliations. Meanwhile, Pushpa 2 producers gave ₹50 lakh to the victim’s family, and the injured boy remains hospitalised. Security has been heightened at the actor’s residence amid ongoing tensions.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at a Christmas event hosted by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) in Delhi, condemned societal violence, saying, “It pains my heart to see attempts to incite violence in society.” He urged everyone to embrace the teachings of Jesus Christ, highlighting love, harmony, and selfless service. Modi referenced India’s humanitarian efforts, adding, “India prioritizes both national and human interests.” He celebrated Cardinal George Koovakad’s elevation by Pope Francis and extended an invitation to the Pope to visit India. This was the first time a Prime Minister visited the CBCI headquarters.

Legendary filmmaker Shyam Benegal passed away on December 23, 2024, at 90, after battling chronic kidney disease. He died at 6:30 pm in Mumbai's Wockhardt Hospital, his daughter Pia Benegal confirmed. Known as a pioneer of Indian parallel cinema, Benegal delivered classics like Ankur and Manthan. Despite his illness, he celebrated his 90th birthday on December 14 with close friends and family, including actors Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi. Awarded the Padma Shri in 1976 and the Padma Bhushan in 1991, Benegal leaves behind a legacy of thought-provoking films that redefined Indian cinema.

Delhi's air quality stayed in the ‘severe’ category for the second day, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 406 on Monday. Areas like Anand Vihar, Wazirpur, and Bawana saw AQI levels exceeding 400, with the main pollutant being PM 2.5. Despite light drizzle in the morning, the air quality remained hazardous. The city recorded a maximum temperature of 18.4°C, lower than the seasonal average. Humidity was high, and fog persisted. The India Meteorological Department predicts cloudy skies and more rain on Tuesday, with temperatures expected to range between 9°C and 19°C.

The Ram temple project in Ayodhya has received the British Safety Council's prestigious ‘Sword of Honour’ for maintaining exceptional safety standards. The construction, managed by L&T with Tata Consulting Engineers' support, also won the National Safety Council's Golden Trophy. The British Safety Council awarded the honour after rigorous inspections of the project, which met top safety criteria. The temple's construction has involved over 15 million man-hours of labour, with safety precautions ensuring smooth progress despite challenges posed by the large number of daily devotees visiting the site.

Shyam Benegal, the renowned filmmaker who pioneered India's parallel cinema movement, has passed away at the age of 90. Known for his realistic and socially relevant films, Benegal revolutionized Indian cinema in the 1970s and 1980s. His works broke away from mainstream Bollywood conventions, focusing on real-life issues and complex narratives. He was admitted to Mumbai's Wockhardt Hospital just days after celebrating his 90th birthday on December 14. Benegal's contributions to cinema have left a lasting impact on Indian filmmaking, and he is remembered as a trailblazer in the industry.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has nominated Krish Raval, an Indian-origin professional, for a life peerage in the House of Lords. Raval is the founder of Faith in Leadership, an organization based at the University of Oxford focused on inter-faith relations. He was awarded an OBE in 2018 for his work in leadership education and inter-faith cohesion. Raval, also the chair of Labour Party’s diaspora group, Labour Indians, will join the Labour benches in the House of Lords, alongside other nominees, including Sue Gray and Thangam Debbonnaire. The King must approve the nominations.