The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s mysterious "Disease X," which claimed 143 lives since October, has been identified as a severe form of malaria. The illness, primarily affecting women and children, led to 592 reported cases, with a fatality rate of 6.2%. Health officials highlighted the impact of malnutrition in worsening respiratory symptoms. WHO data reveal Congo accounts for 11% of global malaria cases and deaths. While 2.2 billion malaria cases and 12.7 million deaths have been averted globally since 2000, the disease remains a severe threat, particularly in Africa, with 597,000 deaths recorded worldwide in 2023.

A French court sentenced Dominique Pelicot, 72, to 20 years for drugging and raping his ex-wife Gisèle Pelicot over nearly a decade. Fifty men, accused of assaulting her while she was unconscious, received jail terms ranging from 4 to 18 years. Gisèle waived her anonymity, demanding justice and exposing horrific crimes through videos recorded by Pelicot. The trial, marked by claims of consensual acts by defendants, highlighted the lack of explicit consent in France's rape laws. Protest rallies across France support Gisèle, who stated, “I’ve done nothing wrong; they must be ashamed.”

Virat Kohli’s childhood coach, Rajkumar Sharma, confirmed the cricketer, along with wife Anushka Sharma and children Vamika and Akaay, will soon move to London. Kohli, who owns property in the UK, plans to settle there post-retirement. Despite relocating, Sharma emphasized Kohli’s commitment to cricket, predicting five more years of international play, including the 2027 World Cup. Kohli’s recent performances in the Australia series sparked discussions about his form, but Sharma remains confident in his abilities. The move comes after the birth of their son in London earlier this year. Kohli continues to focus on family and cricket.

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced a $900M plan to strengthen border security following US President-elect Donald Trump’s warning. The crackdown aims to combat illegal immigration and drug trafficking along the US-Canada border. Known as the "dunki route," this path had become a preferred alternative for Indians seeking to enter the US illegally, with over 43,000 attempting crossings in 2024. Stricter measures include drones, surveillance towers, and increased patrols, making the route more perilous. Human smugglers charge $50,000-$100,000 per person for the journey, often involving dangerous conditions, fraud, and severe risks to life.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra rejected BJP's allegations that Rahul Gandhi pushed two BJP MPs, Pratap Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput, outside Parliament. She called it a "conspiracy to save Amit Shah" and asserted that Rahul Gandhi, holding a photo of Dr. BR Ambedkar, was peacefully entering Parliament when jostling occurred. "I saw Kharge ji and a CPM MP pushed to the ground," Priyanka stated. Meanwhile, BJP MPs accused Rahul Gandhi of "gundagardi" after Sarangi was injured. Rahul Gandhi denied the accusations, claiming BJP MPs were the aggressors, pushing him and Congress leader Kharge during protests.

Ravichandran Ashwin contradicted Rohit Sharma’s claim that he wanted to quit after the Perth Test, revealing he made the decision on Day 4 of the third Test in Brisbane. “It was very instinctive, and it has been running in my head for a while. I just felt it on Day 4 and decided to call it on day 5,” Ashwin said. The 38-year-old, who boasts 537 Test wickets, expressed no regrets about his retirement. "I have zero regrets. I’ve seen people with regrets, but not me," he added. While retiring from international cricket, Ashwin will continue playing IPL for Chennai Super Kings. “I’m still burning bright in IPL,” he affirmed.

BJP MP Phangnon Konyak from Nagaland has filed a complaint with the Rajya Sabha Chairman, accusing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of misbehaving during protests outside Parliament. Konyak claimed that Gandhi stood too close to her and shouted loudly, making her uncomfortable as a woman. She said security had created a designated passage, but Gandhi ignored it and approached her. The MP expressed her disappointment, stating she had to step aside, feeling her democratic rights were disregarded. Konyak denounced the incident, calling for more respectful behavior from fellow MPs.

At least 100 North Korean troops have been killed and 1,000 injured in combat against Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region of Russia, according to South Korean politician Lee Seong-kweun. The heavy casualties were attributed to inexperience in drone warfare and unfamiliarity with open terrain. Lee stated that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is overseeing training, suggesting further troop deployments. Over 10,000 North Korean soldiers have been sent to support Russia's war effort, with Pyongyang supplying significant military aid. The losses reflect the intensity of North Korean involvement in the ongoing conflict.

Syrian rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, now the de facto leader following Bashar al-Assad's ouster, urged the lifting of sanctions on Syria, asserting they target a bygone regime. Speaking to the BBC, Sharaa, leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), denied extremism claims and called for HTS's removal from global terror lists. He emphasized Syria's distinct identity, support for women’s education, and legal reform through a Syrian committee. Sharaa stressed HTS’s focus on opposing Assad's regime, not targeting civilians. Despite his assurances, skepticism persists among Syrians and international observers about HTS’s commitment to moderate governance.

Parents of the trainee doctor allegedly raped and murdered at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College in August have moved the Calcutta High Court, demanding a fresh probe. Dissatisfied with the ongoing Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry, they cited a lack of trust in the process. Justice Tirthankar Ghosh instructed the petitioners to include the CBI as a party and refile the matter on December 23. The victim’s body was discovered in a hospital seminar room, with Kolkata Police civic volunteer Sanjay Roy charged as the primary accused. Public protests continue over alleged delays and lapses in the investigation.