French authorities detain a flight bound for Nicaragua, carrying 303 Indians, primarily from Punjab and Gujarat, over suspected human trafficking. Indian citizens, safe in judicial custody, await legal proceedings. A detailed report is submitted to the Indian government, and deportation efforts will be pursued. The Romanian-owned aircraft, operated by Legend Airlines, was grounded during a technical halt near Paris. The investigation involves concerns about potential human trafficking, emphasizing the majority from Punjab and Gujarat. "Poor villagers from Punjab and Gujarat wanted to enter the US through Nicaragua," reveals a source. The legal process is scheduled for the coming week, with India actively involved in ensuring the well-being of its citizens.

In a strategic move ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Sachin Pilot has been named Congress General Secretary in-charge of Chhattisgarh. This decision comes as part of the party's ongoing organizational restructuring, replacing Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as the Uttar Pradesh in charge. Pilot's appointment is perceived as an effort to address his aspirations within the party, following past tensions in Rajasthan. Despite previous challenges, Congress aims to present a united front as it navigates political landscapes, making crucial changes in various states during a recent Congress Working Committee meeting chaired by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge.

Kanpur exporters are withholding ₹100 crore worth of export consignments due to the Israel-Hamas conflict and heightened attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea. Shipping companies' refusal of insurance coverage and increased freight costs by 35% on alternative routes have impacted manufacturing costs. The Red Sea, a crucial trade route, is witnessing attacks by the Houthis. Exporters fear robbery or destruction of consignments, prompting a holdback. Industry leaders warn of adverse effects on exports, urging government intervention to address the crisis's economic implications.

Prashanth Neel's directorial venture, 'Salaar: Part One- Ceasefire,' featuring Prabhas, Prithviraj Sukumaran, and Shruti Haasan, made cinematic history with a colossal opening at the box office. Early estimates suggest the film grossed an impressive ₹95 crore domestically on its debut day, and globally, it soared to ₹178.7 crore. Dominating Andhra Pradesh and Telangana with a staggering ₹70 crore, 'Salaar' also performed remarkably in Karnataka and Kerala. The film surpasses the opening day collections of major releases, including 'Pathaan,' 'Jawan,' and 'Animal,' solidifying its status as the most significant opener of 2023.            

Israel is considering flooding the Hamas tunnel network in Gaza with seawater, a move experts warn could lead to an ecological disaster. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have installed pumps in Al-Shati refugee camp for this purpose. Environmental concerns arise as seawater may seep into Gaza's aquifer, affecting drinking water for 2.3 million residents. Experts, including Mark Zeitoun, caution that such an action could ruin living conditions and potentially violate international humanitarian and environmental laws. The UN Environment Programme emphasizes the need to protect Gaza's fragile ecosystem and the coastal aquifer.

Despite Shah Rukh Khan's "Dunki" surpassing the Rs 100 crore milestone globally, it faces a formidable challenge from "Salaar." With an opening day collection of Rs 29.2 crore and Rs 20.5 crore on Friday, Dunki's Saturday performance is poised to match December 22 figures. As of 6 pm on December 23, its domestic nett collection stands at Rs 17.37 crore, contributing to a total of Rs 63.46 crore in India. The film's Hindi occupancy is at 29.45%, with Saturday afternoon shows seeing a rise to 37.86%. Despite its global success, Dunki lags behind "Salaar," which set a new record with a staggering Rs 95 crore opening in India.

Women opposition leaders Priyanka Chaturvedi and Supriya Shrinate criticized Union Minister Smriti Irani's comment on LGBTQIA+ during a Parliament discussion. Irani questioned the menstruation leave policy for LGBTQIA people, emphasizing gay men without a uterus. Chaturvedi said, "Shameful that we have a minister who doesn’t get the ambit of LGBTQIA+." Shrinate added, "LGBTQIA+ is NOT gay men alone... Minister @smritiirani your apathy, arrogance & ignorance are appalling." Irani defended her stance, claiming the question was ill-intended and designed to attract attention. The controversy follows Irani's opposition to mandatory paid menstruation leave, citing potential workplace bias.            

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's announcement to lift the hijab ban in educational institutions is praised by Muskaan Khan, who gained social media attention during the protests. Muskaan expresses gratitude, stating, "I welcome CM Siddaramaiah's decision. I will continue my studies again." Siddaramaiah emphasizes personal choice, fulfilling a Congress election promise, saying, "The choice of clothes is one's own prerogative." The hijab controversy, previously imposed by the BJP government, sparked protests and legal battles. Muskaan's father welcomes the decision, stating, "CM's decision is welcomed. From now she'll study in Mandya." The sensitive issue saw legal validation in the Karnataka High Court and a divided Supreme Court decision.

Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander, Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naqdi, warned of closing the Mediterranean Sea if the United States and allies persist in what Iran terms as "crimes" in Gaza. Iran, supporting Hamas against Israel, accuses the U.S. of backing alleged Israeli offenses. The threat comes amid Houthi attacks on Red Sea merchant vessels, and Naqdi's statement raised questions about the feasibility of such a closure. The White House acknowledged Iran's involvement in planning operations against commercial ships in the Red Sea. Naqdi claimed the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz became a "nightmare" for adversaries.

The 'rat miners' who drilled the final stretch of the collapsed Silkyara-Barkot tunnel in Uttarakhand to rescue 41 workers have rejected the state government's Rs 50,000 reward as inadequate. More than two weeks after the tunnel collapse, the miners crawled into tight spaces without safety gear to drill through debris after machines failed. They enabled pipes for trapped workers to escape. Hailed briefly as heroes, the miners returned to dangerous, unrecognized manual labor. At a felicitation by CM Dhami, they accepted but refused to encash the cheques, deeming the rewards symbolic of neglect. Their employer said workers got Rs 1 lakh each while the rescuing miners got half. The miners' rejection highlights their plight despite the risky rescue operation.