Asma al-Assad, wife of Syria's deposed president Bashar al-Assad, has filed for divorce. Reports say she wants to return to the UK with her children. The family has been living in Moscow under strict Russian control. Asma, born in London, holds British citizenship. She has asked a Russian court for permission to leave. Bashar al-Assad fled Syria after losing power to rebel forces. He cannot leave Moscow or access his assets. The Assad family ruled Syria for over 50 years before their fall. Asma has reportedly been unhappy since the uprising began.

Bangladesh's interim government has sent a diplomatic note to India, requesting the return of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, 77, who has been in exile in India since August 5, 2024. Hasina fled Bangladesh during widespread student-led protests that ended her 16-year rule. Dhaka's International Crimes Tribunal has issued arrest warrants for Hasina and several officials for "crimes against humanity and genocide." Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain confirmed the extradition request, citing an existing treaty with India. Home Adviser Jahangir Alam added that efforts are underway to facilitate the judicial process.

Japanese carmakers Honda and Nissan have announced plans to merge, creating the world's third-largest automaker by sales, following Toyota and Volkswagen. The merger will include Mitsubishi Motors, part of the Nissan Alliance, and focus on cutting costs and competing in the electric vehicle (EV) market. Honda’s president, Toshihiro Mibe, stated the new company would retain each brand’s principles, aiming to finalize the deal by August 2026. With a combined market value exceeding $50 billion, the collaboration seeks to address EV components, autonomous driving software, and global market competition. Mibe cautioned the merger's implementation is not guaranteed.

Shooter Manu Bhaker, a double-medal winner at the Paris Olympics, is surprisingly absent from the Khel Ratna Award nominations. Reports suggest the omission may stem from Bhaker not applying for the award, though her family claims she did. The sports ministry officials cite procedural issues, while others call for suo moto recognition of Bhaker’s achievements. Hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh and para-athlete Praveen Kumar are among the nominees. Congress MP Vijay Vasanth has also urged the government to honor Ravichandran Ashwin, who recently retired. The controversy has reignited discussions about fairness in award selections.

UK Minister Dan Jarvis assured the Sikh Federation of protection, stating, “We do not tolerate intimidation or threats to life.” The assurance follows allegations that Indian agencies targeted British Sikhs. India rejected the claims as baseless, with ex-diplomat Kanwal Sibal stating, “UK authorities have long encouraged Khalistani extremists to threaten India’s sovereignty.” Jarvis also urged India to cooperate with Canada on the Nijjar case, which India labeled politically motivated and lacking evidence. Many Sikhs distanced themselves from the Sikh Federation, criticizing its divisive rhetoric. Questions linger over the allegations’ credibility.

Congress has denied any involvement in the attack on actor Allu Arjun's Hyderabad residence, which occurred on Sunday evening. The incident, reportedly linked to protests over the Sandhya Theatre stampede, saw protesters allegedly from Osmania University vandalizing the property. Congress spokesperson Sama Ram Mohan Reddy dismissed claims of party links, calling them baseless. Telangana CM Revanth Reddy condemned the attack, directing authorities to ensure strict action. Six suspects were granted bail after being arrested, while the police continue to investigate the incident, which caused significant damage to the actor's property.

At least 28 Palestinians, including children, were killed in Israeli strikes across Gaza, according to Gaza’s civil defense agency. A school sheltering displaced families was among the sites hit, leaving 8 dead, including 4 children. The Israeli military claimed Hamas operated within the school compound. Attacks near Kamal Adwan Hospital sparked calls for a ceasefire from the WHO and Pope Francis. The hospital director warned of risks to patients amid alleged targeting of its fuel tanks. With over 45,000 Palestinians killed during the 14-month war, Hamas representatives hinted that a ceasefire deal might be nearing.

In a joint operation by Punjab and Uttar Pradesh Police, three Khalistani terrorists were killed in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, early Monday. Identified as Gurvinder Singh (25), Virender Singh alias Ravi (23), and Jaspreet Singh alias Pratap Singh (18), the accused were linked to the banned Khalistan Commando Force. They allegedly attacked a police post in Punjab’s Gurdaspur using grenades. During the encounter, the police seized two AK-47 rifles, two Glock pistols, and live ammunition. A senior police official revealed connections to foreign entities, and an investigation is underway.

Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, delivered a heartfelt Christmas message reflecting on her cancer battle and the importance of love. In the message, which will feature during her annual carol service, she said, "Love is the greatest gift we can receive, not just at Christmas, but every day of our lives." Earlier this year, Kate revealed undergoing major abdominal surgery and chemotherapy, describing the journey as "complex, scary, and unpredictable." Despite the challenges, she emphasized resilience and gratitude. The televised carol service airs on Christmas Eve, offering hope and inspiration to many.

Breaking a week-long losing streak, the S&P BSE Sensex soared 802.66 points to 78,844.25, while the NSE Nifty50 jumped 243 points to 23,828.60. Banking, IT, and metal stocks led the recovery, with Reliance Industries and HDFC Bank gaining up to 1.7%. Metal stocks surged 1.3% following a safeguard probe into steel imports. Analysts raised HDFC Bank’s target price to ₹2,100, citing strong asset quality. Global cues supported the rally as Asian markets rose amid subdued US inflation. Despite the gains, experts remain cautious, emphasizing the need for sustained economic growth to ensure market stability.