Megha Majumdar's new novel, 'A Guardian and a Thief’, is an Oprah's Book Club selection, a finalist for the National Book Award and the Kirkus Prize, and on the longlist for the American Library Association's Andrew Carnegie Medal. Her first book, 'A Burning’, was nominated for the National Book Award, the National Book Critics Circle's John Leonard Prize and the Carnegie Medal, and won a Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar in India.

India has raised concerns with the US over the abrupt cancellation of pre-scheduled H-1B visa interviews for thousands of Indian applicants. These interviews, postponed for enhanced social media vetting, have caused significant delays and hardships for skilled workers unable to return to their jobs in the US.

India's women's safety challenges persist in 2025, with official crime data revealing only a fraction of the reality. Decades of reforms haven't erased gender inequality, social stigma, and uneven justice access, leaving many incidents unreported due to fear, family pressure, and systemic barriers. This gap between reported crimes and lived experiences highlights the ongoing struggle for safety.

Dr. Dimple Padawe, Dean of Government Dental College, was crowned 'Mrs India Classic', using the platform to raise awareness about oral cancer, especially in tribal communities. Her impactful national costume, featuring a digitally printed saree and a crown of artificial cigarettes, symbolized the disease's devastating effects.

The Enforcement Directorate has launched a money laundering investigation against Islamic preacher Maulana Shamshul Huda Khan, based on an FIR by the UP Anti-terrorism squad. Khan, now a UK citizen, allegedly drew a government salary from 2013-2017 while living abroad and acquired properties worth over Rs 30 crore.

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.