India's food safety watchdog, FSSAI, has mandated that only beverages derived solely from the Camellia sinensis plant can be labeled as 'tea'. This directive aims to prevent misbranding and consumer confusion, impacting products like rooibos and flower infusions. The move is expected to bring clarity to the market and consumer understanding of what constitutes true tea.

Delhi High Court has asked the Centre and producers of a web series, reportedly based on gangster Vikas Dubey, to respond to a plea by his wife seeking to halt its release. She claims the series invades her privacy by sensationalizing private life and events without consent, violating her constitutional rights.

The Madras High Court has ordered an FIR and legal action against two Tamil Nadu police officers for allegedly torturing a passport applicant in Virudhunagar in 2020. Justice Sunder Mohan noted that disciplinary proceedings against sub-inspector S Manikandan and constable SP Selvaraj for torturing Thavakannan constituted cognizable offenses, warranting an FIR and subsequent action.

After 28 years, a CISF constable sacked in 1998 for assault and misconduct has been reinstated by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The court deemed the punishment excessive, stating past conduct shouldn't justify removal when current allegations are unsubstantiated. The bench emphasized that punishment must be proportionate and not shock the conscience.

The Punjab and Haryana high court ruled that character certificates cannot be denied to Army aspirants due to pending criminal cases before charges are framed. Justice Suvir Sehgal allowed a petition by Ramanpreet Singh, who was denied a certificate for an abetment to suicide case, stating mere registration of a case isn't guilt.

CBI has filed a chargesheet against four Punjab Police personnel, naming Inspector Ronnie Singh as the prime accused in the assault on Colonel Pushpinder Bath. Charges of attempted murder were dropped, replaced with 'causing grievous hurt' and 'wrongful restraint' following a parking dispute.

A 20-year-old Bengali mason, working in Odisha for the first time, was tragically beaten to death by a mob. While his family claims he was falsely accused of being Bangladeshi, police state the violence erupted from a monetary dispute. Two other migrant workers were critically injured in the attack.

In a heartwarming display of unity, a 75-year-old Sikh woman in Punjab's Jakhwali village donated land for a new mosque. Sikh and Hindu families are also contributing financially to the construction. This gesture highlights the village's long-standing tradition of interfaith harmony, where all communities support each other's religious needs.

Naxal carried a Rs 1.1 crore bounty on his head

Tragedy struck near Mysuru Palace late Thursday when a helium cylinder for balloons exploded, claiming one life and injuring four, including three tourists. The blast, heard a kilometer away, occurred as visitors enjoyed the palace's winter festival events. Authorities have ruled out foul play, and forensic teams are investigating the incident. Injured individuals were promptly taken to KR Hospital.

India's first wildlife-safe road corridor debuts on Bhopal-Jabalpur highway. A 12km stretch through a tiger reserve features speed-calming red markings, fencing, and 25 underpasses. This integrated approach aims to drastically reduce animal road deaths by guiding wildlife and slowing vehicles in critical tiger habitats.

The Enforcement Directorate has registered a money laundering case against a government-recognized madrassa teacher from Azamgarh who fraudulently drew salary and retirement benefits for a decade while living abroad and holding British citizenship. He allegedly amassed significant properties and cash from suspicious entities, highlighting a systemic breakdown in the state's madrassa education framework.

The Army has tightened social media rules for personnel, allowing only passive viewing on platforms like Instagram and X. Meanwhile, a top Maoist leader with a Rs 1.2 crore bounty was killed in Odisha. Union Minister Gadkari recalled meeting Hamas leader Haniyeh before his assassination.

Thailand defended demolishing a Vishnu statue near the Cambodian border, citing security and administration. India expressed strong disapproval, calling the act disrespectful to Hindu sentiments. Cambodia confirmed the statue was on its territory and condemned the destruction, amidst ongoing border clashes that have claimed numerous lives

Right-wing groups Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad protested outside a Bareilly church on Christmas Eve, alleging objectionable portrayals of Hinduism. Reciting the Hanuman Chalisa, they claimed Christmas events hurt Hindu sentiments. Police are investigating after the groups submitted a memorandum demanding action against alleged misleading depictions of religious conversion and Hindu society.

Karnataka deputy CM DK Shivakumar met Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge to discuss the new law replacing MGNREGA, denying any political talks. He reaffirmed his commitment as a lifetime party worker and announced plans for a movement to protect rural development. The Congress Working Committee will meet on December 27 to deliberate on the issue.

Delhi's air quality saw a welcome improvement for the second day, moving from 'severe' to 'poor' levels. While some areas experienced 'moderate' air, others remained in 'poor' or 'very poor' categories. Vehicular emissions and neighbouring NCR districts were identified as major pollution sources. Forecasts suggest a potential return to 'very poor' conditions soon.

2025 saw political shifts with Nitish Kumar retaining power in Bihar and Siddaramaiah navigating a leadership tussle. While Nitin Nabin and Chirag Paswan rose, the Congress faced defeats and internal strife. Arvind Kejriwal's AAP lost Delhi, and Prashant Kishor's political venture faltered, highlighting power's dynamic nature.

The Army has unveiled new social media guidelines for its personnel. While platforms like Instagram and YouTube are restricted to viewing and information gathering, users can share unclassified general information on messaging apps like WhatsApp and Signal with known contacts. LinkedIn is permitted for professional networking and job seeking purposes only.

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti criticised the Delhi High Court’s decision to suspend the life sentence of former BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the 2017 Unnao rape case, calling it a “chilling message” to the survivor and alleging that leniency in brutal rape cases has been normalised. The sentence has been suspended pending appeal, though Sengar will remain in jail as he is serving a separate 10-year term in the custodial death case of the survivor’s father.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended Christmas greetings, wishing for peace, compassion, and hope, and called for societal harmony. He attended a Christmas morning service at The Cathedral Church of the Redemption in Delhi, highlighting the enduring values of love and brotherhood. This follows his consistent engagement with the Christian community through various events.

The Delhi High Court has directed the Centre to expedite the extradition of US-based accused Amit Wadhwa and asked the trial court to conclude the long-pending criminal proceedings preferably within one year.

Actor Vijay, founder of the TVK party, accused the ruling DMK of allowing the BJP's «Lotus» to bloom in Tamil Nadu and confusing people with a «common minimum agenda.» He stated that political adversaries were rattled by TVK's successful public meetings and were now «unmasking themselves.»

Union minister Nitin Gadkari recounted meeting Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh hours before his assassination in Tehran. Gadkari, was in Iran, attending presidential swearing-in, and was informed of Haniyeh's death early next morning. The incident highlighted the growing role of technology in modern conflict and national security.

The CBI will challenge the Delhi High Court's decision to suspend the life sentence and grant bail to former BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the Unnao rape case. Sengar, convicted for kidnapping and raping a minor in 2017, was granted bail after serving over seven years, though he remains jailed for another conviction.

A 16-year-old girl's body was discovered under mysterious circumstances in Sachendi village, days after her father allegedly beat her for an affair with a cousin. While her father claims suicide, police are investigating the cause of death, preserving viscera due to unclear postmortem findings. A dupatta was found tied around her neck.