The United States has finalised a major overhaul of the H-1B work visa programme, replacing the longstanding random lottery system with a weighted selection process that prioritises higher-paid and higher-skilled foreign workers. The new rule, announced by the Department of Homeland Security, will take effect February 27, 2026, ahead of the FY2027 H-1B cap season, and applies to about 85,000 visas issued annually. Officials say the change aims to curb abuse of the old lottery, protect US workers’ wages and better align visa allocation with economic needs. This shift could make it harder for entry-level applicants, including many from India, to secure H-1B visas. 

At least 18 young wrestlers from Odisha, including eight girls, endured inhumane conditions during travel to and from the 69th National School Games Wrestling Championship in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, after their train tickets were not confirmed by authorities. The athletes were made to sit on the floor near the train toilet for hours in winter, with luggage and cold discomfort, as viral videos sparked outrage and questions about mismanagement by the School and Mass Education Department. Officials have called for a detailed report, and the department said tickets were booked but not confirmed despite efforts. 

Bollywood spy-action thriller Dhurandhar gained an authentic military feel with retired Colonel Bhupinder Shahi serving as a military consultant, ensuring accurate portrayal of army protocols, tactics and culture. Shahi trained actors in fieldcraft and coordinated with costume designers and art directors for realism. Filmed extensively in Ladakh, where Shahi served for eight years, the consultant also helped secure permissions from the Indian Army and Air Force for equipment use. Shahi, with experience on films like Shershah, said his role was crucial in reflecting the Army accurately on screen, enhancing credibility in this decade-long espionage narrative. (PC: The Tribune)

India’s space agency ISRO on December 24, 2025 launched the BlueBird Block-2 satellite aboard its heavy-lift rocket LVM3-M6 from Sriharikota. The 6,100 kg satellite — AST SpaceMobile’s largest — is the heaviest payload ever placed into low Earth orbit by the LVM3 and marks the vehicle’s sixth operational flight under a commercial contract. The mission aims to expand direct-to-mobile connectivity worldwide, offering 4G/5G services via a global LEO constellation to compete with SpaceX. Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the milestone, highlighting its boost to India’s self-reliance and future space ventures.

Indian law student Viraansh Bhanushali demolished Pakistan at Oxford Union debate, using personal 26/11 Mumbai attacks trauma and data. Speaking November 27, day after 26/11 anniversary, Bhanushali recalled his aunt narrowly escaping CSMT station attack where 166 died. He countered Pakistani Oxford Union president Moosa Harraj (son of Pakistan's defense production minister) stating "to win this debate, I don't need rhetoric, just a calendar." Bhanushali cited 1993 blasts, Pathankot, Uri, Pulwama attacks, and explained Operation Sindoor's naming after April 22 Pahalgam massacre widows. "You cannot shame a state with no shame," he declared, contrasting India's "strategic restraint" with Pakistan's terror sponsorship. The students' debate occurred after Harraj sabotaged expert-level India-Pakistan debate last month.

India recorded the highest global doping offenders for the third consecutive year, with 260 positive cases from 7,113 samples, a 3.6% positivity rate according to WADA's 2024 report. This figure more than doubles any other nation, as no country exceeded 1.75% positivity. Norway documented second-highest proportion at 1.75%, followed by the US at 1.15%. In absolute figures, France registered 91 violations, Italy 85, Russia and US 76 each, while Germany and China recorded 54 and 43 respectively. Global comparisons reveal despite more rigorous testing regimes elsewhere, India's doping rate remains significantly higher, highlighting concerns about banned athletic performance-enhancing drug use in competitive sports. (PC: Md Babul Hosen)

Sharif Osman Hadi's brother Omar directly accused Muhammad Yunus's interim government of killing the prominent youth leader to cancel Bangladesh's forthcoming elections. The 32-year-old activist and Inqilab Manch spokesperson was shot in Dhaka on December 12 during a campaign event, dying December 18 in Singapore, triggering nationwide unrest. Omar confronted authorities, warning "If you can't give justice then you have to flee," demanding accountability for "those in power" responsible. "You killed Osman Hadi and want to cancel election showing him," he charged. Tens of thousands attended Hadi's funeral under heavy security, chanting "Hadi's blood will not go in vain." Hadi gained prominence during July 2024's uprising that ousted Sheikh Hasina.

A federal judge rejected the US Chamber of Commerce's challenge to President Trump's $100,000 H-1B visa fee, ruling it falls under his broad immigration regulatory powers. US District Judge Beryl Howell dismissed arguments that the fee conflicts with federal law and will force employers to cut jobs. "The parties' vigorous debate over ultimate wisdom of this political judgment is not within courts' province," Howell wrote. Separately, the Department of Homeland Security scrapped the H-1B lottery system, replacing it with a weighted selection prioritizing higher-skilled, higher-paid workers effective February 27, 2026. Amazon received over 10,000 visas this year, followed by Tata Consultancy Services, Microsoft, Apple, and Google. California has the highest H-1B worker concentration. (PC: Times Now)

The Supreme Court accepted the Environment Ministry's 100-meter Aravalli definition on November 20, despite its own Central Empowered Committee opposing it. On October 14, CEC chairman Siddhant Das wrote that Forest Survey of India's 3-degree slope definition should be adopted instead, clarifying views attributed to CEC were actually Dr. JR Bhatt's individual opinion, not the committee's. Amicus curiae K Parmeshwar's presentation warned the 100-meter rule loses "integrity of Aravali as geographical feature" and enables mining on lower hills, accelerating Thar Desert expansion. FSI's internal assessment flagged 91.3% of 12,081 Aravalli hills above 20 meters would be excluded. Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav claimed mining covers only 0.19% currently but hasn't addressed future development scope. (PC: The Indian Express)

Pakistan Muslim League youth wing leader Kamran Saeed Usmani warned India against threatening Bangladesh's sovereignty, stating "Pakistani armed forces and our missiles are not far away." Usmani claimed Muslim youth are alert to India's alleged regional conspiracies, including "cutting off Bangladesh's waters" and imposing "Akhand Bharat ideology." Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has emphasized strengthening Pakistan ties for mutual cooperation and trade. National Citizen Party leader Hasnat Abdullah previously threatened sheltering "separatists of seven sisters" if India destabilizes Bangladesh. India's MEA rejected "false narratives by extremist elements," stating the interim government hasn't conducted thorough investigations or shared meaningful evidence regarding recent incidents, criticizing Bangladesh's response to regional tensions.