AUTOR: K Shiva
Sydney Terror Attack: At least 11 people were killed and 29 wounded when gunmen opened fire at a Jewish Hanukkah event at Sydney’s Bondi Beach. One suspect was killed by police. Prime Ministers Anthony Albanese and Narendra Modi condemned the "ghastly" targeted attack.
Thailand-Cambodia Border Clash: Thailand announced a curfew in southeastern Trat province as fighting with Cambodia spread to coastal areas. A Cambodian rocket attack killed a 63-year-old Thai villager.
Ukraine-NATO Compromise: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine has relinquished its ambition to join NATO in exchange for legally binding Western security guarantees to end the war with Russia.
Assassination in Gaza: Hamas confirmed the killing of senior commander Raed Saed in an Israeli strike, stating the action imperils the current ceasefire.
Hong Kong Opposition Dissolves: The city’s last major opposition group, the Democratic Party, voted to disband due to mounting pressure and national security crackdowns.
Myanmar Military Desertions: A former military officer revealed that approximately 20,000 soldiers and 200 officials have deserted the Myanmar junta since the 2021 coup.
BJP Leadership Change: Bihar Minister Nitin Nabin has been appointed as the new National Working President of the BJP, succeeding J.P. Nadda.
Congress 'Vote Theft' Rally: Senior Congress leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi, held a massive rally in Delhi’s Ramlila Ground against alleged "vote chori" (theft) and the Election Commission's functioning.
Cyberfraud Crackdown: The CBI filed a chargesheet against 17 persons, including four Chinese nationals, and 58 firms involved in a transnational network using fraudulent loan and job apps.
Higher Education Overhaul: The Union government proposed the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025, which aims to subsume the UGC, AICTE, and NCTE under a single umbrella commission.
Equitable Development: Minister Kollu Ravindra reaffirmed the government's commitment to the equitable development of all regions in AP, highlighting temple tourism and logistics as key drivers.
Vijayawada Airport: The deadline for the new integrated terminal building at Gannavaram has been pushed to March 31, 2026.
Vande Bharat Extension: Union Minister B. Srinivasa Varma flagged off the extended Chennai-Vijayawada Vande Bharat Express up to Narsapur.
Visakhapatnam (Operation LUNGS): The GVMC cleared 655 encroachments over a single weekend to improve pedestrian safety and protect government lands.
Sri Sathya Sai District: Police arrested three persons from Karnataka for the murder of a 44-year-old man over a long-standing land dispute and personal grudge.
Vizag Navy Marathon: Over 17,000 people participated in the 10th edition of the Eastern Naval Command Navy Marathon held along Beach Road.
Squash World Cup: India made history by winning their maiden Squash World Cup crown, defeating top-seed Hong Kong 3-0 in the final held in Chennai.
Cricket (India vs. SA): India won the third T20I at Dharamshala; Hardik Pandya became the fourth player to achieve a "treble" of 1,000 runs, 100 sixes, and 100 wickets in T20Is.
GOAT Tour: Football legend Lionel Messi met Sachin Tendulkar at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, as part of his four-city India tour.
Badminton: Unnati Hooda and Kiran George clinched the singles titles at the Odisha Masters Super 100.
Actor Assault Case (Kerala): The trial court judgment highlighted a missing witness (Sreelakshmi) in the 2017 actor rape case, casting doubt on the prosecution's handling.
UNESCO Review: India’s UNESCO Ambassador Vishal V. Sharma reviewed conservation efforts at the Ramappa Temple in Telangana.
Word of the Day: Beatific – experiencing or bestowing celestial joy; angelic.
Ground Frost vs. Snowfall: The IMD clarified that ice formations in hill stations like Lambasingi are often ground frost (dew crystallizing) rather than actual snowfall.
Stubble Burning Evening Shift: Reports suggest Punjab and Haryana farmers have shifted stubble burning to the evening to avoid detection by polar-orbiting satellites.
Navy Recruitment: The Indian Navy is preparing to commission its second MH-60R helicopter squadron (INAS 335 'Ospreys') in Goa on December 17.
STEM Scholarships: Nasscom Foundation announced the STEM Scholars initiative for 3rd/4th year B.Tech students in select cities; deadline is Dec 26.
Tata Capital Pankh Scholarship: Open for students in Classes 11, 12, or degree/diploma programs; deadline is Dec 25.
Bhavani Deeksha: The sacred 'Poornahuti' ritual marking the conclusion of the annual Bhavani Deeksha Viramana was performed atop Indrakeeladri.
New Terminal Themes: The upcoming Vijayawada airport terminal will feature interior themes of Amaravati Buddhist stupas and Kuchipudi dance.
International Tea Day
International Tea Day is observed annually to celebrate the cultural and economic significance of tea or chai.
The day aims to promote and raise awareness about the diverse aspects of tea, including its history, production, consumption and health benefits.
First discovered in China in 2737 BC, tea went on to become a staple within Asian culture
The first International Tea Day was celebrated in India's capital city, New Delhi, in 2005