Tashi Namgyal, the Ladakhi shepherd who played a pivotal role in alerting the Indian Army about Pakistan's intrusion during the 1999 Kargil War, has passed away at the age of 58 in Aryan Valley, Ladakh. Known for his vigilance, Namgyal spotted Pakistani soldiers digging bunkers on the Batalik mountain range and swiftly informed the Indian Army, a timely warning that shaped the military response during the conflict. His actions were instrumental in India’s victory, earning him recognition as a national hero. The Fire and Fury Corps and the Army have paid tribute to his invaluable contribution, with his legacy etched in history.
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh criticized the Narendra Modi government over the complexity of the GST system, particularly the "absurdity" of having three different tax slabs for popcorn. He called for a complete overhaul of the system, highlighting how its growing intricacies were facilitating tax evasion, input tax credit fraud, and the establishment of bogus companies. Ramesh also pointed to the recent revelation by the Directorate General of GST Intelligence, which reported a staggering ₹2.01 lakh crore in GST evasion for FY24. As the Union Budget approaches, Ramesh urged the Prime Minister and Finance Minister to launch a GST 2.0 to address these issues.
Pakistan's recent attempt to pressure China over the strategic Gwadar port has backfired, highlighting the growing tensions between the two nations. Islamabad, struggling with economic crises, political instability, and internal unrest, demanded that China provide it with a second-strike nuclear capability in exchange for allowing Beijing to establish a military base in Gwadar. This audacious move was swiftly rejected by China, worsening diplomatic relations between the two allies. As Pakistan depends heavily on China for both economic support and military supplies, this fallout could have severe consequences for the country's fragile position on the global stage.
The Special Representatives of India and China on border issues will meet in Beijing on December 18 to discuss restoring bilateral ties following the October 21 agreement to disengage troops in eastern Ladakh. The talks, which will be led by India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and China's Wang Yi, mark the 23rd round of discussions under the China-India Boundary Question mechanism. This meeting comes after a five-year gap, with the previous one held in 2019. The talks are expected to pave the way for normalizing relations between the two countries, which have been strained since the 2020 military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Bangladesh's interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, has announced that general elections are likely to be held by late 2025 or early 2026. Yunus, who heads the caretaker government installed after the August revolution that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, emphasized that the election date will depend on the completion of necessary reforms. While Yunus suggested that elections could be held sooner if political parties agree to minimal reforms, he noted that a more comprehensive overhaul of the electoral system could delay the polls by several months. His administration is focused on restoring democratic institutions amid ongoing political challenges
A group of 38 leading scientists, including Nobel laureates and renowned experts, has urged a halt to research on "mirror life" microbes due to concerns that these synthetic organisms could pose "unprecedented risks" to life on Earth. The experts warn that mirror bacteria, made from mirror-image molecules of those found in nature, could bypass immune defenses in humans, animals, and plants, potentially causing lethal infections. The group called for a global debate on the risks of mirror microbes and urged funding bodies to reconsider support for this research until a comprehensive risk assessment is conducted.
Students at Dhaka University staged a unique protest by blasting Sapna Choudhary’s hit Haryanvi song Teri Aakhya Ka Yo Kajal outside the Vice Chancellor’s office. The protest was sparked by complaints from female students about noise pollution near their hostel, which they allege was ignored by the university administration. Using loudspeakers to create the same disturbance they had experienced, the students drew attention with their unconventional form of protest, earning praise online for their creativity.
Elon Musk has become the first person in history to achieve a $400 billion net worth, propelled by a recent insider share sale at SpaceX and the impact of the 2024 U.S. elections. According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Musk's net worth surged by $50 billion, reaching $439.2 billion. The growth follows his strong ties to President-elect Donald Trump, with Musk benefiting from Tesla's stock rise and his involvement in Trump’s administration. SpaceX also made headlines as it became the most valuable private startup globally, with a new $1.25 billion share deal valuing the company at $350 billion.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar responded to President-elect Donald Trump's recent threat to impose 100% tariffs on BRICS nations, stating that India has "no interest" in weakening the US dollar. Speaking at the Doha Forum, Jaishankar highlighted the positive relationship between India and the first Trump administration, citing the revival of the Quad as a key achievement. He also emphasized that India has always opposed de-dollarization and clarified that there are no proposals for a BRICS currency. Jaishankar is currently on an official visit to Qatar and Bahrain, where he is engaging in discussions to strengthen bilateral ties across various sectors.
In a setback for environmental diplomacy, the year-long effort led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to phase out plastic pollution has failed to produce a conclusive agreement. Despite the historic 2022 UN resolution calling for global action to end plastic pollution, intense negotiations over two years, including the latest round in Busan, South Korea, ended in deadlock. The dispute centers around differing views on how to tackle the crisis, with countries like the European Union pushing for cuts to plastic production, while large developing nations, including India, resist such measures due to economic concerns. As plastic pollution continues to harm ecosystems and health, the global community faces a critical moment to act.
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has accused miscreants of setting fire to its centre in Dhaka, Bangladesh, earlier on Saturday. Radharamn Das, ISKCON's Kolkata vice president, confirmed that the deities of Sri Sri Laxmi Narayan and other temple items were completely destroyed in the blaze. The attack targeted both the Shri Shri Radha Krishna Temple and the Shri Shri Mahabhagya Lakshmi Narayan Temple, part of the Hare Krishna Namhatta Sangha. Despite drawing attention to the issue, ISKCON officials claim that the Bangladesh authorities have failed to address their concerns regarding growing violence against Hindus and religious minorities in the country.
India has condemned Pakistan for failing to take action against Masood Azhar, the leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed, following reports of his hate speech in Bahawalpur. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has demanded "strong action" against Azhar, citing his involvement in major terrorist attacks on Indian soil, including the 2001 Parliament attack and the 2019 Pulwama bombing. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized that if the reports about Azhar's recent speech are true, it would expose Pakistan’s duplicity on terrorism. India continues to press for credible action from Pakistan to prevent further violence and fulfill its international obligations.
NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore marked six months aboard the International Space Station (ISS) this Thursday, with two more months to go in their extended mission. The duo launched in June aboard Boeing's Starliner capsule, initially meant for a short test flight, but due to technical issues, their mission was extended until February. Williams, who serves as the station commander, shared her excitement about life in space, calling it “super fun.” The astronauts have carried out vital tasks such as scientific experiments, repairs, and maintaining the station, while also staying connected to Earth by participating in marathons and sending holiday greetings. Despite the challenges, both astronauts remain positive, with Wilmore describing their journey as being “on a different path.”
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared “emergency martial law” in a televised address on December 3, accusing the opposition of undermining the government with “anti-state activities” and sympathizing with North Korea. Yoon vowed to “rebuild and protect the free Republic of Korea” and eliminate “anti-state forces” to restore order. Martial law in South Korea involves military rule and the suspension of civil liberties, and this declaration has been met with strong opposition, including from members of Yoon's own party. The move comes amid political gridlock and ongoing scandals involving the president and his wife.
