Eleven Arrested After Deadly Tavern Mass Shooting in South Africa

December 25, 2025

Eleven Arrested After Deadly Tavern Mass Shooting in South Africa

Eleven suspects have been arrested after gunmen killed nine people at a tavern near Johannesburg. The attack is linked to illegal mining disputes.

Anu Garg Becomes First Woman Chief Secretary of Odisha

December 25, 2025

Anu Garg Becomes First Woman Chief Secretary of Odisha

Anu Garg, a 1991-batch IAS officer, has been appointed as the first woman Chief Secretary of Odisha. She takes charge after Manoj Ahuja's retirement on December 31, 2025. Garg is praised for her work in development and water resources.

Sargaalaya Arts and Crafts Festival 2025 Opens with 100 International Stalls

December 25, 2025

Sargaalaya Arts and Crafts Festival 2025 Opens with 100 International Stalls

The 13th Sargaalaya International Arts and Crafts Festival has started with a colorful display of handicrafts and 100 stalls from 15 countries and Indian states. It features handloom contests, a flower show, and a tourism expo. The festival runs until January 11, 2026.

Norovirus Spreads Rapidly Across US with New GII.17 Variant Amid Winter Illness Surge

December 25, 2025

Norovirus Spreads Rapidly Across US with New GII.17 Variant Amid Winter Illness Surge

Norovirus cases are rising fast in the US, driven by a new GII.17 variant. This 'winter vomiting disease' spreads alongside flu and COVID, hitting states like California and Michigan hard.

ED Arrests Key Accused in $15 Million Illegal Call-Centre Scam Preying on US Citizens

December 25, 2025

ED Arrests Key Accused in $15 Million Illegal Call-Centre Scam Preying on US Citizens

Enforcement Directorate arrests Chandra Prakash Gupta in illegal call-centre scam that cheated US nationals of $15 million. The scam used fake Microsoft alerts to trick victims into giving remote access and transferring funds.

US Expands Social Media Checks for H-1B Visas, Causing Delays for Indian Workers and Dependents

December 25, 2025

US Expands Social Media Checks for H-1B Visas, Causing Delays for Indian Workers and Dependents

From December 15, the US added social media screening for H-1B visas and H-4 dependents. This caused passport holds, delays, and temporary refusals. An Indian applicant shared their experience online, urging others to stay patient as emergency requests are still being approved.

14 Nations Condemn Israel's Approval of 19 New West Bank Settlements

December 25, 2025

14 Nations Condemn Israel's Approval of 19 New West Bank Settlements

Fourteen countries including Britain, Canada, and Germany have condemned Israel’s recent approval of 19 new settlements in the West Bank. They say the move violates international law and threatens stability and peace in the region.

White House Takes Charge of DOJ Messaging After Epstein File Backlash Rocked Trump Team

December 25, 2025

White House Takes Charge of DOJ Messaging After Epstein File Backlash Rocked Trump Team

After chaos and conspiracy theories hit the Epstein file release, the White House moved swiftly to control DOJ's messaging. Retractions, fake letters, and unfair redactions stirred criticism, but the scrutiny continues with over 700,000 files still to review.

Australians to Spend $1.6bn on Boxing Day Sales Amid Warning Against Fake Discounts

December 25, 2025

Australians to Spend $1.6bn on Boxing Day Sales Amid Warning Against Fake Discounts

Australians are expected to spend $1.6 billion on Boxing Day sales, with overall post-Christmas spending rising. Consumer authorities warn shoppers about misleading discount tactics by major retailers.

Democratic Lawmaker Sues to Remove Trump's Name from Kennedy Center After Controversial Vote

December 25, 2025

Democratic Lawmaker Sues to Remove Trump's Name from Kennedy Center After Controversial Vote

US Representative Joyce Beatty has filed a lawsuit to remove Donald Trump’s name from the Kennedy Center. The board, filled with Trump allies, renamed it without Congress approval. Beatty was muted during the vote and says the change breaks the law. Trump’s name went up amid strong criticism from the Kennedy family and locals.