UK sanctioned Pakistani oil trading tycoon Murtaza Lakhani over alleged involvement in Russia's energy sector amid Ukraine war. British sanctions designated his Mercantile & Maritime Group and UAE-based companies including Tejarinaft FZCO, Fossil Trading FZCO, and Amur II-FZCO, conducting business in sectors strategically important to Russia. Lakhani, who operated from London's Chelsea neighborhood with strong British political connections, declined comment. The move follows EU sanctions targeting Lakhani and an Azeri rival. Washington prepares similar designations targeting Russia's shadow tanker fleet and energy traders. Lakhani built reputation as skilled operator in challenging jurisdictions. The coordinated Western sanctions aim pressuring Moscow toward Ukraine peace agreement. (PC: Money Control)

Pakistani international kabaddi player Ubaidullah Rajput faces disciplinary action after representing a team labeled "India" at Bahrain's GCC Cup tournament on December 16. Social media photos showing Rajput wearing Indian jersey and waving the flag sparked backlash. Pakistan Kabaddi Federation scheduled emergency meeting for December 27 to decide penalties. PKF secretary Rana Sarwar revealed 16 Pakistani players traveled without mandatory federation or Sports Board clearances. The private tournament featured teams named after countries, with players expected to align with their national origins. Rajput apologized, claiming he discovered the team designation later and requested organizers avoid using national names. He emphasized past mixed tournaments never used country labels, calling this a misunderstanding. (PC: Facebook)

Former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly filed a ₹50 crore defamation lawsuit against Uttam Saha, president of Argentina Fan Club Kolkata, over allegations linking Ganguly to Lionel Messi's controversial Salt Lake Stadium visit. The complaint filed at Lalbazar claims Saha's accusations damaged Ganguly's reputation without factual basis. Saha alleged Ganguly acted as middleman between organizers and Messi. Ganguly's legal team demanded retraction and damages, stating serious allegations were made publicly without evidence. Ganguly attended the stadium event in a different section and left disappointed as chaos erupted. Messi thanked India for the love during his short visit, promising to return, possibly for a match. (PC: PTI)

A parliamentary committee led by Congress's Shashi Tharoor declared Bangladesh poses India's "greatest strategic challenge" since the 1971 Liberation War, warning India risks "irrelevance" without recalibration. The report cites rising Islamic radicals, intensifying Chinese-Pakistani influence, and Awami League's collapse as key factors. Concerns include China's expanding infrastructure footprint like Mongla Port expansion, Lalmonirhat Airbase, Pekua submarine base accommodating eight submarines and engagement with Jamaat-e-Islami, now reinstated for elections while Awami League faces electoral ban. The committee recommended monitoring foreign military presence and offering Bangladesh comparative development advantages. Recent visa center closures followed radical Islamist protests, with NCP leader threatening to sever India's northeastern "seven sisters" under Muhammad Yunus's interim government seeking closer Pakistan-China ties. (PC: Lowy Institute)

An elderly woman found at Mumbai's Belapur Metro station claims to be late cricketer Salim Durani's wife, sparking social media controversy. Identified as Rekha Srivastava, she alleges living luxuriously in Dubai, running an airline company, and owning bungalows before financial ruin. She recalls Durani playing cricket nationwide and meeting prominent personalities. However, Durani's biographies don't mention marriage to Srivastava or Dubai business ventures. Social media reports suggest the woman has been spotted in Vrindavan, Varanasi, and other northern religious cities. Durani's family hasn't issued any statement regarding these claims. The legendary all-rounder, India's first Arjuna Award recipient, died in 2023 aged 88 after scoring 1,202 runs and taking 75 wickets across 29 Tests.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa will serve as Chief Guests at India's Republic Day parade on January 26, 2026. They'll share the dais with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu. EU leadership has accepted India's invitation, with official announcement pending. Their visit coincides with the India-EU Summit scheduled for January 27, where the Free Trade Agreement will likely be formally signed. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal confirmed negotiations are progressing, with a rough outline prepared. Of 23 chapters under discussion, 11 are closed. Remaining negotiations include market access for cars, steel, services, investment, and technical trade barriers.(PC: Times Now)

A Delhi court on Thursday remanded Yasir Ahmad Dar, the ninth person arrested in the Red Fort blast terror case, to the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) custody until December 26 for further interrogation. Dar, a Jammu and Kashmir resident, is accused of playing an active role in the November 10 car bomb explosion near the historic Red Fort that killed at least 15 people and injured many others. Investigators say he was in close contact with other suspects, including the suspected suicide bomber, and had allegedly taken an oath to participate in extremist operations. The NIA continues to probe the wider terror network behind the attack. (PC: NDTV)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on EU leaders in Brussels to loan billions of euros from frozen Russian assets, primarily held by Belgium’s Euroclear, to support Ukraine’s military and economic needs. Russia’s €210 billion in EU assets could fund up to €90 billion over two years, covering much of Ukraine’s projected requirements for 2026–2027. While countries like Germany and Italy back the plan, Belgium and Hungary remain hesitant, citing legal and financial risks. The decision requires a qualified majority among EU states. Zelensky emphasized urgency, warning Ukraine’s finances could run dry without action. (PC: BBC)

A video from Pakistan has gone viral showing Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari being introduced at a public event with the hit track “FA9LA” from the Indian espionage thriller Dhurandhar playing in the background — despite the movie being banned in Pakistan for alleged anti‑Pakistan content. The song, performed by Bahraini artist Flipperachi and featured in a popular entry scene, has become widely popular across the country even as some Pakistani politicians, including Bhutto’s own party, have demanded legal action against the film over the use of images of the late Benazir Bhutto. 

India’s Parliament has approved the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, a major reform to open the previously state-controlled nuclear power sector to private companies and investment. The legislation allows private firms to build, operate and decommission nuclear power plants under a licensed regime, aligns nuclear liability laws with global norms, and aims to help India achieve a target of 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047. The bill was passed amid an opposition walkout and debate over safety and liability provisions, with the government assuring robust regulatory safeguards will remain.