The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) announced its second list of 20 candidates for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections in January 2025. Manish Sisodia, who has represented Patparganj since 2013, has been moved to Jangpura. Newcomer Avadh Ojha, a renowned UPSC coach, will contest from Patparganj, reflecting a strategic focus on the Purvanchali community, which forms 42% of the constituency's electorate. The list features 18 fresh faces, including former BJP and Congress leaders, such as Jintender Singh Shunty and Surinder Pal Singh Bittu. The announcement follows the party's first list, which also prioritized new inductees from rival parties.

The Kanlaon volcano in the Philippines erupted on December 9, spewing a massive ash column 3,000 meters high. Located on Negros Island, the volcano emitted red-hot ashes and debris, prompting the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology to call for evacuations within a 6-kilometer radius. Officials warned of a potential escalation in eruptions as magmatic activity intensifies. Videos on social media captured the dramatic cauliflower-shaped ash plume. Kanlaon is among the Philippines' 24 active volcanoes and has shown heightened activity, with an earlier gas release in September displacing hundreds of residents. Authorities remain on high alert.

India dropped to 3rd in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings after a 10-wicket loss to Australia in the pink-ball Test in Adelaide on December 8. Australia regained the top spot with a points percentage of 60.71, while India stands at 57.29. New Zealand, after losing to England in Wellington, is now out of the WTC final race, slipping to 6th with 44.23%. India must win all remaining matches and rely on Sri Lanka defeating South Africa to secure a WTC final berth. The next India-Australia Test begins in Brisbane on December 14.

Videos of retired Bangladeshi army personnel making anti-India statements have gone viral, sparking concerns. In these clips, ex-soldiers claim Bangladesh could capture Kolkata and Assam within four days if supported by 3M citizens. These provocative remarks come amid strained India-Bangladesh ties following Sheikh Hasina’s ouster and Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus leading an interim government. Communal violence against Hindus in Bangladesh has further deteriorated relations. While these statements are personal, they reflect shifting attitudes towards India. India accuses Dhaka of ignoring extremist violence. The Bangladeshi government has not officially endorsed these claims but tensions remain high.

Wisdom, a 74-year-old Laysan albatross, laid her first egg in four years at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, Hawaii. Tagged in 1956, she holds the title of the oldest known wild bird globally. Despite losing her long-time mate, Akeakamai, Wisdom formed a new bond and is sharing incubation duties with her new partner. Over her lifetime, she has laid 50-60 eggs, raising around 30 chicks. Wildlife experts hope the egg will hatch successfully, exemplifying resilience against threats like plastic pollution and habitat loss. Wisdom’s longevity inspires hope for seabirds amid environmental challenges.

More than 40 schools in Delhi, including DPS RK Puram and GD Goenka School Paschim Vihar, received bomb threat emails on Monday morning. The emails, reportedly sent at 11:38 PM on December 8, demanded $30,000, warning of multiple bombs “hidden very well” that could injure people. Students were evacuated as a precaution, and schools like Mother Mary’s issued alerts to parents for immediate collection of their children. Delhi Chief Minister Atishi criticized the Centre for deteriorating law and order, calling it a security failure. Investigations are underway, with police tightening security across the capital.

Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj and Australian batter Travis Head will face ICC sanctions for their on-field altercation during Day 2 of the Adelaide Test. Siraj celebrated Head’s dismissal with a fiery send-off, prompting a heated verbal exchange. While Head admitted his reaction was excessive, Siraj denied accusations of disrespect, citing video evidence. The duo later reconciled with a handshake on Day 3, earning praise on social media. The ICC’s disciplinary hearing is expected to issue fines, with no suspensions anticipated. Cricket enthusiasts hope this serves as a reminder of the game’s spirit and sportsmanship.

The BJP alleged that Sonia Gandhi, as co-president of the Forum of Democratic Leaders in Asia Pacific, is linked to a group funded by the George Soros Foundation, which purportedly supported Kashmir’s separation. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey plans to question Rahul Gandhi in Lok Sabha, claiming ties between Congress and Soros-backed entities like the OCCRP, which the party accuses of harming India's economy. The US dismissed BJP's allegations, reiterating its commitment to media freedom. Congress has demanded a Joint Parliamentary Committee to probe claims against the Adani Group, which the opposition accuses of benefitting from government favoritism.

The leader of Syria's largest rebel group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, hailed the fall of President Bashar al-Assad as “a victory for the Islamic nation.” Speaking at the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus on Sunday, Jolani declared, "Assad turned Syria into a farm for Iran’s greed. Today marks the end of tyranny and a new chapter for the Syrian people." Crowds in Damascus cheered and chanted "Allahu Akbar" as the HTS leader addressed them. Jolani, using his real name Ahmed al-Sharaa, praised the people for their resilience and promised a "free Syria for all."

US President-elect Donald Trump has promised to pardon those convicted for the 2021 Capitol riot on his first day in office. Speaking to NBC, he described their conditions as "disgusting" and said he would review their cases quickly. Trump also vowed to end birthright citizenship through executive action, challenging the 14th Amendment. He plans to deport undocumented immigrants while working with Democrats to support "Dreamers." Trump hinted at possible retribution against political adversaries but stated his focus is on making the country successful. He takes office on 20 January and plans to issue orders on immigration, energy, and the economy.