Hollywood actor Tom Cruise received the US Navy's Distinguished Public Service Award at a ceremony in Surrey, UK. Presented by Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro, the award recognized Cruise’s decades-long support for the Navy and Marine Corps. His 1986 film Top Gun significantly boosted pilot recruitment, a trend continued by the sequel Top Gun: Maverick (2022). Del Toro praised Cruise's efforts in raising public awareness of the sacrifices made by service members. Cruise, overwhelmed with gratitude, stated, “To lead is to serve,” and vowed to continue contributing to society. The event was attended by top film professionals and Navy officials.

Suchir Balaji, a former OpenAI researcher, was found dead in his San Francisco apartment on November 26. Police confirmed his death as a suicide, with no signs of foul play. Balaji, 26, had recently spoken out against OpenAI, accusing the company of violating copyright laws in its use of data for developing ChatGPT. He left OpenAI in August after four years. Balaji had publicly raised concerns about the impact of AI on the internet. OpenAI expressed deep sadness over his passing and offered condolences to his family.

North India continues to shiver as cold wave conditions persist. Punjab's Faridkot recorded a minimum temperature of zero degrees Celsius on Tuesday. Amritsar followed with 2.6 degrees, while Haryana's Hisar shivered at 1.6 degrees. In Rajasthan, Karauli reported the lowest temperature at 1.3 degrees. Meanwhile, Kashmir’s Konibal recorded a freezing minus 8.5 degrees Celsius, the coldest in the region. Jharkhand’s Kanke district also saw temperatures drop to 2.5 degrees. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts the cold wave will continue, with chances of light snowfall in Kashmir’s higher areas around December 21-22.

12-year-old girl appeared in court charged with manslaughter after the death of 80-year-old Bhim Kohli in Leicestershire. Mr Kohli suffered serious injuries while walking his dog in Franklin Park on 1 September and died the next day in hospital. The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was granted bail and will appear at Leicester Crown Court on 3 February. A 15-year-old boy has already been charged with Mr Kohli’s murder. Following his death, Mr Kohli’s family described him as a “loving, caring person” who adored his grandchildren and treasured time with his family.

UK court sentenced Urfan Sharif, 43, and Beinash Batool, 30, to life imprisonment for murdering 10-year-old Sara Sharif. Sharif will serve at least 40 years, while Batool will serve 33 years. The judge described the killing as a "campaign of torture" and "acts of extreme cruelty." Sara, subjected to years of violence, had 71 injuries and broken bones when found dead in August 2023. The pair fled to Pakistan after her death but were later arrested. Sara’s mother called her daughter “an angel.” The case has raised concerns over child protection and social services' failures.

UK ticket-holder has claimed a £177 million EuroMillions jackpot, becoming the third-biggest National Lottery winner. The draw took place on 26 November, and the winner has chosen to remain anonymous. Lottery operator Allwyn confirmed the £177,033,699.20 prize has been paid.   Andy Carter, a senior winners’ adviser, said, “The possibilities with this kind of money are endless. It’s a life-changing win, especially before Christmas.” The winner now surpasses celebrities like Dua Lipa (£104m) and Michael Bublé (£63m) in wealth. The record UK lottery prize remains £195m, won by another anonymous ticket-holder in July 2022.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticised Congress in the Rajya Sabha for blaming EVMs after election losses. Shah asked, “How can EVMs be faulty in Maharashtra but fine in Jharkhand?” He accused Congress of “disrespecting the mandate” and said the Supreme Court rejected petitions against EVMs 24 times. Comparing constitutional amendments, Shah stated, “Congress made 77 amendments in 55 years, while BJP made 22 in 16 years to uplift backward classes and end triple talaq.” His comments were part of a debate marking the 75th anniversary of the Constitution’s adoption.

The Gabba Test between Australia and India is set for a dramatic finish, weather permitting. India avoided the follow-on, thanks to Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah's efforts. Still trailing by 193 runs at 252/9, Australia might consider bold options, including forfeiting their second innings. Under MCC Law 15.2, captains can forfeit an innings to push for a result. However, Australia is unlikely to risk giving India a modest target. Cummins' team will aim to wrap up India early on Day 5, build a quick lead, and put India under pressure, setting up a thrilling conclusion to the match.

The US Visa Bulletin for January 2025 brings good news for Indian applicants waiting for green cards. Significant progress has been made in both family-sponsored and employment-based visa categories. The final action dates for many visa preferences have advanced, benefiting applicants from India. Over a million Indians are in the green card queue, with many waiting for years. The Visa Bulletin also shows small but notable changes in filing dates. This advancement provides hope for many seeking to settle in the US, as wait times remain a challenge for Indian applicants.

A shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, US, left 5 people dead, including the 15-year-old suspect, who was found dead at the scene. The shooting occurred around 11 a.m. on Monday. Five others were injured and taken to local hospitals. The school serves about 400 students from kindergarten to 12th grade. Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes described the tragedy as a "sad day" for the community. This incident is part of a troubling rise in school shootings across the U.S., with 322 reported this year.