China Warns Citizens Against Japan Travel Amid Deepening Taiwan Row
China has advised its citizens to avoid traveling to Japan, escalating a diplomatic feud over Taiwan. The warning follows comments from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who stated that an armed attack on Taiwan could justify a military response from Tokyo under its "collective self-defense" policy. Both nations have summoned each other's ambassadors over the remarks and a subsequent inflammatory social media post by a Chinese diplomat. The row signals rising tensions between the two Asian powers.
NIA Arrests Another Doctor in Delhi Blast Probe
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested another doctor, Janisar Alam, from West Bengal in connection with the November 10 Delhi car blast probe. Alam, an MBBS graduate from Al Falah University in Faridabad, is the latest professional to be linked to what authorities describe as a "white-collar terror module". The investigation is expanding, with police now tracing vehicles parked near the exploded car and questioning their owners to reconstruct the events leading up to the blast.
Indonesia Expresses Formal Interest in Purchasing India's BrahMos Missiles
Indonesia has officially requested to purchase the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh confirmed. This marks a significant step in India's efforts to boost its defence exports and strengthen strategic partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region. The missiles are co-developed by India and Russia, with a new manufacturing and integration facility recently becoming operational in Lucknow. A deal would make Indonesia another key export customer for the advanced missile system.
Tamil Nadu Government Takes NEET Exemption Battle to Supreme Court
The Tamil Nadu government has filed a suit in the Supreme Court against the President's refusal to grant assent to a bill exempting the state from the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for medical admissions. The state argues the decision is "unconstitutional and arbitrary," undermines federalism, and harms students from rural and economically weaker backgrounds. The legislation, passed twice by the state assembly, aims to restore medical admissions based on Class 12 marks.
IndiGo and Akasa Air to Begin Operations from Navi Mumbai Airport on Dec 25
The new Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is set to commence operations on December 25, with IndiGo and Akasa Air becoming the first airlines to launch services. IndiGo will connect the airport to 10 domestic cities, including Delhi and Bengaluru, while Akasa Air will initially operate flights to four cities. This marks a major milestone for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, providing a much-needed second international airport to alleviate congestion and enhance regional connectivity for millions of travelers.
Sanju Samson Joins CSK, Ravindra Jadeja Returns to RR in Blockbuster IPL Trade
In one of the biggest trades in IPL history, Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson has moved to Chennai Super Kings. In a multi-player deal, CSK stalwarts Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran will join Rajasthan Royals. Jadeja, who began his IPL career with RR in 2008, returns to the franchise after 13 seasons with Chennai. The high-profile swap significantly reshuffles the rosters of two major teams ahead of the IPL 2026 player retention deadline, setting the stage for major strategic changes.
Sikh Pilgrim Missing in Pakistan Reportedly Converts to Islam and Marries
Sarabjit Kaur, a 52-year-old Sikh woman from Punjab who went missing from a pilgrimage group in Pakistan, has reportedly converted to Islam and married a local resident in Sheikhupura. Kaur was part of a jatha visiting gurdwaras for Guru Nanak Dev's Prakash Gurpurab and did not return with the group on November 13. A purported marriage certificate has surfaced online. Indian police have noted that Kaur faces three past criminal cases related to cheating and fraud in Punjab.
NDA Secures Landslide Victory in Bihar Assembly Elections
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has retained power in Bihar with a historic landslide victory, securing over 200 of the 243 assembly seats. The BJP emerged as the single-largest party for the first time in the state's history, winning 89 seats. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) also saw a strong resurgence, securing 85 seats. The opposition Mahagathbandhan, led by the RJD and Congress, faced a collapse, winning only 35 seats combined. The results are seen as a strong endorsement for the ruling coalition.
House of Delhi Blast Accused Demolished in Pulwama
Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir have demolished the house of Dr. Umar Nabi in Pulwama, who is the primary suspect in the November 10 Delhi car blast that killed 13 people. Nabi was identified as the driver of the explosive-laden car after his DNA matched samples from the site. The demolition is part of a wider crackdown on a "white-collar terror module" involving several medical professionals across Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh with alleged links to Jaish-e-Mohammad.
Centre Notifies Digital Personal Data Protection Rules
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has notified the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules, 2025, operationalizing the landmark 2023 Act. The rules establish a framework for how companies and government bodies must collect, process, and protect citizens' data. Key provisions include requirements for clear user consent and data breach notifications. The rules will be implemented in phases over 18 months and establish a Data Protection Board of India to handle complaints and impose penalties for violations.
US Lawmaker Proposes Bill to Eliminate H-1B Visa Program
US Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has announced she will introduce legislation to completely eliminate the H-1B visa program, which is heavily used by Indian tech professionals. The proposed bill aims to end what she calls the "mass replacement of American workers" by phasing out the visa, removing its pathway to citizenship, and forcing visa holders to return home upon expiry. The bill includes a temporary 10-year exemption for a limited number of medical professionals to address healthcare shortages in the US.
Adani Group Announces Over ₹1.6 Lakh Crore Investment in Andhra Pradesh and Assam
The Adani Group has announced massive investment plans for two states. The group will invest ₹1 lakh crore (₹1 trillion) in Andhra Pradesh over the next decade across sectors including ports, data centres, and energy, which includes a $15 billion AI hub in partnership with Google. Separately, Adani Group companies will invest ₹63,000 crore in Assam to set up a 3,200 MW thermal power plant and 2,700 MW of pumped storage plants, marking the largest private sector investment in the region.
BJP and Congress Score Wins in Assembly Bypolls Across Seven States
Results for by-elections held in eight assembly seats across seven states showed mixed outcomes for major parties. The BJP secured victories in Nagrota (Jammu & Kashmir), with Devyani Rana winning her late father's seat, and in Nuapada (Odisha). The Congress won in Telangana's Jubilee Hills and was leading in Rajasthan's Anta. In other key contests, the Mizo National Front (MNF) retained the Dampa seat in Mizoram, and the Aam Aadmi Party was leading in Punjab's Tarn Taran.
Pakistan Deploys Military to Secure Sri Lankan Cricket Team After Islamabad Blasts
The Pakistan government has handed over security for the visiting Sri Lankan cricket team to the country's military and paramilitary forces. The move came after several Sri Lankan players expressed concerns and wished to return home following recent deadly bomb blasts in Islamabad. The tour will continue after Pakistan's Army Chief, Asim Munir, personally assured the Sri Lankan Defence Minister of the team's safety, preventing a potential abandonment similar to New Zealand's tour in 2021.
Anil Ambani Summoned by Enforcement Directorate in 15-Year-Old FEMA Case
Reliance Group chairman Anil Ambani was summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for questioning in a 15-year-old case under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). The investigation pertains to an alleged hawala transaction of around ₹100 crore linked to the Jaipur-Reengus Highway Project, a contract awarded to Reliance Infrastructure in 2010. Ambani offered to appear virtually, but the agency has reportedly insisted on an in-person deposition and is expected to issue a new date.