Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic visit to Ethiopia resulted in elevating bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership, marking a major diplomatic milestone. The two nations signed several agreements, including cooperation on customs, establishing a data centre, and training in UN peacekeeping operations. A debt-restructuring MoU under the G20 Common Framework was also inked to support Ethiopia’s economic stability. India will double ICCR scholarships for Ethiopian students and offer specialised AI courses. Healthcare cooperation includes upgrading Addis Ababa’s Mahatma Gandhi Hospital’s maternal and neonatal care capacity. During the visit, Ethiopia conferred its highest honour on PM Modi. (PC: Mint)

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, where they discussed strengthening India-Israel bilateral ties, prioritising cooperation in technology, economy, connectivity and security. Jaishankar, who conveyed warm wishes from PM Narendra Modi, said the talks reflected both sides’ confidence that the strategic partnership will grow from strength to strength. He also held meetings with President Isaac Herzog and other senior Israeli leaders. The visit builds momentum ahead of a proposed future visit by Netanyahu to India, with both nations exploring closer engagement across multiple sectors. (PC: PTI)

Prithvi Shaw made a dramatic social media U-turn after being bought by Delhi Capitals at the IPL 2026 auction. The India batter initially went unsold twice at his Rs 75 lakh base price, prompting him to post "It's Ok" with a heartbreak emoji on Instagram. However, Delhi Capitals revived his name in a late bid and acquired him. Shaw promptly deleted his heartbreak post within six minutes, replacing it with "Back to my family" alongside a heart emoji, resharing DC's welcome post. The 25-year-old represented Delhi Capitals from 2018-2024 and recently switched from Mumbai to Maharashtra in domestic cricket, scoring the fastest Ranji Trophy double century in October. (PC: NDTV Sports)

Babblejit Kaur, a 60-year-old Indian-origin woman, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a green card interview on December 1 in the US. Living in America since 1994, Kaur settled in California with her husband, running Natraj Cuisine of India and Nepal restaurant for over 20 years until COVID-19 closure in 2020. She also worked 25 years at Rite Aid pharmacy. Kaur has no criminal record and had an approved green card petition from her US citizen daughter and son-in-law. Her family claims they haven't been allowed to meet her since detention. She was transferred to Adelanto ICE detention center, with hands and feet shackled. (PC: NDTV)

Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa's Homebound has been shortlisted among 15 films for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards. Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan and produced by Karan Johar, India's official Oscar entry competed against films from Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and others. Five films from this shortlist will advance to final nominations, announced January 22, 2026. The film explores friendship between two childhood friends aspiring to become police officers while facing systemic and societal obstacles. Produced by Dharma Movies with Martin Scorsese as executive producer, Homebound premiered at Cannes Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival, currently streaming on Netflix.

Sai Jadhav, 23, has created history by becoming the first woman officer to pass out from the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun after 93 years, ending a wait since the institution's 1932 establishment. Commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Territorial Army, she underwent six months of rigorous training alongside male cadets through special permission. Sai represents the fourth generation of military service in her family, following her great-grandfather (British Army), grandfather, and father Sandeep Jadhav (current Indian Army officer). Over 67,000 male officers graduated before her. Currently, eight women cadets from NDA's 2022 intake are training, marking expanding opportunities for women in armed forces. (PC: X)

West Bengal's Special Intensive Revision has deleted 58.2 lakh voter names from draft electoral rolls, with over one crore more under scrutiny. Deletions include 24.16 lakh deceased voters, 32.65 lakh shifted/absent voters, and 1.38 lakh duplicate enrollments. North Kolkata recorded the highest deletion rate at 25%, while Chowringhee constituency saw over 74,000 names removed. Jorasanko experienced 36% deletions marking the highest percentage. Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal assured no valid voters would be deleted, with hearings scheduled for disputed cases. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee directed party workers to verify deletions thoroughly in her Bhabanipur constituency, where 44,000 names were reportedly removed, instructing door-to-door assistance for affected voters. (PC: The Indian Express & National Herald)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the first global leader to receive Ethiopia's highest civilian honor, the "Great Honor Nishan of Ethiopia," during his maiden bilateral visit to the African nation. Ethiopian PM Dr. Abiy Ahmed presented the award at Addis International Convention Centre on December 16, recognizing Modi's contribution to deepening bilateral relations and global statesmanship. Modi dedicated the honor to India's 1.4 billion citizens and Ethiopia's people, emphasizing education as the cornerstone of their century-old partnership. He highlighted how Indian educators have contributed to Ethiopia's institutional development for over 100 years. The award symbolizes Ethiopia's recognition of India as a trusted long-term partner in Africa with shared developmental values.

A 32-year-old Japanese woman, Yurina Noguchi, married an AI-generated persona named Lune Klaus Verdure at a ceremony in western Japan. The call center operator created her virtual partner using ChatGPT, modeling him after a video game character. Wearing AR glasses, she exchanged vows with Klaus displayed on her smartphone. While not legally recognized, such unions are increasingly common in Japan, where a Dentsu survey found chatbots more popular than best friends for sharing feelings. Noguchi credits Klaus with helping manage her borderline personality disorder, though she's implemented safeguards against over-dependence, limiting ChatGPT use to under two hours daily and programming Klaus to discourage irresponsible behavior. (PC: X)

Pakistan's Field Marshal Asim Munir faces a critical test as President Donald Trump pushes Islamabad to contribute troops to Gaza's stabilisation force. Munir, now Pakistan's most powerful military chief with unprecedented constitutional powers extending until 2030, is expected to meet Trump in Washington soon. Trump's 20-point Gaza plan envisions Muslim nations overseeing reconstruction in the war-torn territory. While Munir has cultivated close ties with Trump, including a rare solo White House lunch in June, deploying troops could trigger domestic backlash from Islamist parties and Imran Khan supporters. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar indicated Pakistan might consider peacekeeping but ruled out disarming Hamas, calling it "not our job." (PC: India Today)