Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, during a visit to Jammu and Kashmir, emphasized, "The Army does not have to only save the nation from enemies; it also has the responsibility to win the hearts of people." Following recent civilian deaths in Poonch, Singh added, "Ensure such things don't happen again," expressing a commitment to end terrorism in the region. The deaths occurred during an anti-terror operation, leading Singh to express prayers for the injured soldiers, assuring, "Each of our army personnel is important to us." Singh, accompanied by Army Chief General Manoj Pande, reviewed the security situation.

Members of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) carried out violent protests in Bengaluru, targeting high-profile areas like Kempegowda International Airport and prominent business districts. The group, advocating for the mandatory use of Kannada, damaged English signboards, claiming they "undermined the official language of Karnataka." KRV convener TA Narayana Gowda defended the actions, stating, "If you ignore Kannada, or put Kannada letters in small (print), we will not let you operate here." Police have taken preventive measures, detaining several protesters involved in the attacks.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has established a temporary committee to oversee the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) following the suspension of its newly elected administration. Led by Bhupinder Singh Bajwa, the ad hoc committee, including MM Somaya and Manjusha Kanwar, aims to ensure fair play, accountability, and transparency. The decision was prompted by alleged arbitrary actions by the WFI's President and officials, violating constitutional provisions and good governance principles. IOC chief PT Usha expressed concern in a letter stating, "The Indian Olympic Association has recently become aware that the recently appointed President and officials of the WFI have made arbitrary decisions in violation of their own constitutional provisions and against the principles of good governance espoused by the IOC and further without following due process overturned the rulings of the IOA appointed ad hoc committee."

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met prominent wrestlers, including Olympic medalist Bajrang Poonia, in Haryana's Jhajjar amid protests over Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) election results. Wrestlers, led by Poonia, returned awards after BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh's aide, Sanjay Singh, became WFI president. Poonia emphasized Gandhi's interest in witnessing their daily wrestling routine. Poonia previously announced returning his Padma Shri until justice prevails for those fighting harassment. The Sports ministry suspended WFI activities, citing violations of the Sports Code and control by former officials amidst sexual harassment allegations.

A thick blanket of fog wreaked havoc in Delhi-NCR today, causing significant disruptions to transportation. Indira Gandhi International Airport faced delays in 110 flights, both domestic and international, as visibility plummeted to near zero. Additionally, 25 trains to Delhi experienced delays due to the adverse weather conditions. The cold wave persisted, with the minimum temperature dropping to 7 degrees Celsius in the capital. Commuters grappled with low visibility on the roads, and night shelters witnessed an influx of homeless seeking refuge from the cold. The Regional Meteorological Department predicts continued dense fog until December 29, with relief expected after an active western disturbance in the Himalayan region from December 30.

A late-night ammonia gas leak at a fertiliser manufacturing unit in north Chennai's Ennore led to the hospitalization of over 25 people. The incident occurred around 11:45 pm on Tuesday, causing discomfort, nausea, and faintness among residents. The leak, identified in the sub-sea pipe of Coromandel International Limited, triggered panic as locals evacuated their homes. Swift response from officials and effective evacuation measures prevented major casualties. Tamil Nadu's Environment and Forest Department reported that the leak was quickly detected, stopped, and addressed, with residents later given the all-clear to return home.            

After the cricket World Cup final at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where over a ton of plastic waste was generated, an NGO has recycled it into a positive initiative. The plastic waste, primarily from plastic bottles, has been converted into 10 benches and reflector jackets. Fifty kilograms of plastic were used for each bench, soon to be placed in parks. Additionally, each reflector jacket, made from 10 plastic bottles, will be distributed to cleaning staff under the municipal corporation. This sustainable effort aims to repurpose waste for community benefit.

Two international passengers were apprehended at IGI Airport, New Delhi, for allegedly carrying medicines valued at Rs 80 lakh. CISF, during routine screening, detected suspicious images in their bags, leading to a physical check and the seizure of the medicines. The passengers lacked supporting documents, prompting suspicion. In a separate move, the government has assigned comprehensive security of the Parliament complex to CISF after a recent breach. Experts from CISF will conduct a survey for regular deployment, considering the force's proven expertise in access control and security.

A loud blast near the Israel embassy in New Delhi on Monday has prompted heightened security measures. Two suspects were captured on CCTV near the blast site, and a letter critical of Israel's Gaza actions, wrapped in an Israeli flag, was discovered. The group "Sir Allah Resistance" claimed responsibility for the explosion. Although no casualties were reported, Delhi Police is actively investigating the incident, examining CCTV footage and the letter. The Israeli foreign ministry confirmed cooperation with Indian authorities. Security has been reinforced around the embassy, recalling a 2021 blast in the vicinity and a 2012 bombing targeting an Israeli embassy car.            

With heavy traffic in Himachal Pradesh during the holidays, a tourist drove a Mahindra Thar SUV through Chandra River to escape congestion on the roads to hill stations. A video of this went viral, causing locals to criticize the move. Police fined the driver under traffic rules. Over 55,000 vehicles passed through Rohtang's Atal tunnel in three days, creating challenges for local authorities. Shimla anticipates over 1 lakh vehicles for New Year, raising concerns about traffic and the area's delicate environment. The situation prompted the Director General of Police to appeal for safe travel practices, emphasizing the state's management efforts.