India bolsters its defence capabilities with a Rs 21,100 crore investment in 100 K-9 Vajra artillery guns and 12 Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets. This procurement addresses the need for enhanced firepower in high-altitude regions and replaces aging aircraft, contributing to a stronger national security posture.

In a heartwarming display of unity, villagers in Assam's Jorhat district rescued four wild elephants, including a struggling calf, trapped in a pond. Hearing the elephants' distressed cries, the villagers quickly mobilized, using tools to carve a makeshift escape route.

The Chandigarh Commission for Protection of Child Rights issued an advisory to singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh, restricting songs mentioning alcohol, drugs, or violence at his upcoming concert. This follows a similar notice in Telangana. The commission warned of penal action for non-compliance, citing potential harm to children. A complaint alleges Dosanjh used altered lyrics in previous performances despite similar restrictions.

A Delhi court acquitted six individuals, including a former coal secretary and company executives, in a coal scam case. The court found no evidence of cheating or misrepresentation by Navbharat Power Pvt Ltd (later Brahmani Thermal Power) in obtaining Odisha coal blocks.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasised on the implementation of the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEEC) as a 'historic initiative' to foster regional connectivity and prosperity during his meeting with United Arab Emirates Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Papua New Guinea is set to enter the NRL in 2028, but the Australian Rugby League Commission will not put a timeline on when a women's team will be established.

Syria’s former president, Bashar Assad, should live in Russia’s Donbass, a politician in Moscow has said Read Full Article at RT.com

About 20 people were evacuated after an envelope of white powdery substances was found in the mailbox of an Orchard Road house on Dec 12. The police and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said they were alerted to the incident at 42 Saunders Road at about 5.30pm. SCDF officers donning personal protective gear arrived and retrieved the envelope. SCDF's hazardous material (hazmat) specialists conducted several tests on the white substances but did not detect anything dangerous. The police said that based on their preliminary findings, the contents of the envelope are believed to be drug-related substances. About 20 residents were evacuated from the neighbouring units as a precautionary measure. There were no reported injuries, SCDF said. According to Chinese language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao, a section of the road was cordoned off till about 7pm. Several emergency vehicles, including an SCDF hazmat control vehicle, were also seen at the location. The case has been referred to the Central Narcotics Bureau.

As a potential port shutdown looms, the president-elect’s statement in support of the union is highly unusual for a Republican.

Due to the number of slip and fall accidents last week, which led to various fractures, the decision was made at Landspítali National Hospital to open an additional operating room and day ward last Sunday. The same will be the case next Sunday.

Mayor Einar Þorsteinsson, a Christmas child whose birthday is on Christmas Eve, recently awarded the Kokka store and Fálkahúsið with awards for the best Christmas decorations in the city. Kokka received an award for the most beautiful Christmas window and Fálkahúsið for the most beautiful Christmas decoration.

Government data reveals significant gender disparity in leadership roles within public sector banks, with men holding most chairman and managing director positions. While women's representation in legislatures has increased over time, including a rise in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, leadership in financial institutions remains predominantly male.

Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin and Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the renovated Thanthai Periyar memorial and library at Vaikom. Stalin emphasized creating societal equality, while Vijayan highlighted cooperation amidst encroachment on states' rights. Both leaders commemorated the Vaikom Satyagraha centenary, a pivotal struggle for equality.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and his faction visited NCP chief Sharad Pawar on his birthday, sparking reunion rumors. Both factions, previously engaged in fierce campaigns against each other, discussed the Parbhani violence, Parliament disruption, and cabinet expansion.

India voted with 158 other countries at the UN General Assembly for resolutions demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages, and access to humanitarian aid. The assembly also supported the UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA), despite Israel's ban on its operations, urging Israel to respect international law and allow aid delivery.

The Jharkhand High Court has temporarily halted a state law mandating 75% job reservation for locals in private companies. The court's decision follows a legal challenge by an industry association arguing the law violates constitutional equality principles. The ruling JMM party plans to appeal the stay, while emphasizing the government's intent to boost local employment.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vanuatu (CAAV) is urging the public to prioritise safety during the upcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations, with specific advice for those planning fireworks displays, using laser lights, or operating drones.

The 2025 academic year starts on February 3rd, according to the school calendar released by the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET).

Vanuatu has taken a huge step towards joining the post-carbon economy with a new partnership.

As of yesterday, the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) has yet to comply with the Supreme Court's temporary order to continue paying the salaries and other entitlements of the suspended teachers in civil case number 2752 of 2024.

The Vanuatu Tourism Office (VTO) is celebrating a major milestone in the country's tourism recovery as Jetstar Airlines officially launched its service connecting Sydney to Port Vila.

Canada will cut carbon emissions 45 to 50 per cent below 2005 levels by 2035, the federal government announced today, signaling a small advance over the current target but falling short of what a key group of climate experts had recommended to the government.

The province introduced the Interdiction Patrol Team as a way to bolster security and crack down on people found to be illegally attempting to cross the border or traffic weapons or drugs.

The point-in-time count, conducted by volunteers on Oct. 8, identified 1,499 people experiencing homelessness that day. That's nearly three times higher than the last count, two years ago, which identified 550.

Former Alberta premier Rachel Notley is stepping down as MLA for Edmonton-Strathcona.

The US president-elect reportedly expects his allies to put peacekeepers on the ground, but not as a NATO mission Read Full Article at RT.com

It was a day to stay home, if you could, across much of midwestern Ontario due to weather.

The Supreme Court will hear a petition challenging a Karnataka High Court decision. The HC quashed criminal proceedings against individuals who shouted «Jai Shri Ram» inside a mosque. The petitioner argues that the HC's decision was premature as the police investigation was incomplete and the act could incite communal disharmony.

A mosque on the Uday Pratap College campus in Varanasi is under double lock after a land dispute resurfaced. Students locked the mosque gates following protests sparked by a waqf board's claim, later withdrawn, on the mosque's land. The college administration holds the second set of keys, halting prayers and preventing further disputes.

The Union Cabinet approved bills for «one nation, one election,» aiming to synchronize Lok Sabha, state, and local body polls. This move seeks to streamline governance and reduce election-related expenses. While BJP and allies support the initiative, several parties oppose it, sparking debate about its feasibility and impact on India's democracy.

Congress criticized the government's clearance of simultaneous polls bills, calling it a diversionary tactic. They expressed concerns about the bills' impact on federalism and electoral integrity, citing Modi's past actions as inconsistent with the «one nation, one election» slogan. The party reiterated its stance that the concept violates the Constitution's basic structure.

A video of his speech, with subtitles in Hebrew and Farsi, was posted to the prime minister’s accounts on X

Viktor Orban reiterated that he had held a number of meetings and phone conversations with other leaders in order to settle the Ukraine conflict