Man–animal conflict in the Uttarakhand hills continues unabated, with a bear on Monday attempting to drag away a schoolboy from his classroom—its second attack at the same school.

Although the child was rescued due to the swift action of teachers and students, the incident has triggered widespread fear across the Chamoli district. The government has since deployed escorts for school-going children.

In a startling incident on Monday morning in the Pokhari hill area of Chamoli, a bear lifted a Class VI student of Harishankar Junior High School from his classroom and rushed toward the nearby forest.

However, the prompt and courageous response of teachers and students forced the bear to drop the child. The boy, identified as Aarav, sustained multiple claw injuries and was found in nearby bushes.

School staff members, speaking on condition of anonymity, said in a video that panic broke out as soon as the bear was spotted roaming inside the campus. Although doors of classrooms were shut immediately, the ferocious animal began banging on them.

Terrified students hid inside the rooms as the bear attempted to break one of the doors. Eventually, it managed to pull Aarav out of his classroom.

According to the staff, the quick reaction of other students and teachers—who rushed toward the bear—prompted it to flee, leaving the injured child behind.

“We are unable to understand why the administration has still not taken strong measures to protect the students. A similar attack had occurred just a few days ago in another locality. Although Aarav’s life was saved thanks to the courage of the students and teachers, fear now grips the entire school. Everyone is terrified,” a teacher said in the video.

The video also shows students crying after witnessing Aarav’s injuries. Just two days earlier, a bear had attacked another student from the same school as he was returning home after classes.

Meanwhile, in Jolly Grant, forest guards under the Thano Forest Range are escorting children to school following a series of bear sightings in the hills.

A few days ago, in Kameth (Sod) village under the Gadool Panchayat, two bears seriously injured a woman who had gone to the fields to collect grass. Since then, fear has gripped the entire region. The threat is particularly severe for schoolchildren and women who venture into the forest for fodder.

A day after the Centre issued a clarification amid concerns raised by environmentalists over the alleged dilution of protections for the Aravalli hills, lawyer and activist Hitendra Gandhi wrote to Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant, urging the Supreme Court to reconsider its decision on defining the ancient mountain range.

The top court last month accepted the Centre’s definition of the Aravalli hills. As per the definition, only hills with an elevation of 100 metres and above will be considered part of the Aravalli range. However, Gandhi argued that such a criterion could weaken environmental protection for the mountain range across north-west India.

In the letter, which was also addressed to the President of India, the lawyer-activist raised concerns over the operational definition adopted by the top court. The development comes a day after the Centre clarified that the ‘100-metre rule’ has been misinterpreted by YouTubers and that only 0.19 per cent of the Aravalli hills area will be eligible for mining.

Speaking to reporters, Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupendra Yadav, who represents the Alwar Lok Sabha constituency, one of the regions that significantly benefits from the Aravalli ecosystem, reiterated that there were no relaxations in the protection of the Aravalli range.

“The total Aravalli area is about 1.47 lakh square kilometres. Only around 217 square kilometres is eligible for mining. Even so, the Supreme Court has directed that a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining be prepared. After that, permission from the ICFRE will be required before any activity can proceed,” Yadav said.

He added that some YouTube channels have misinterpreted the 100-metre definition. “Some YouTube channels wrongly interpret the 100 metres as the top 100 metres, which is not true. The 100 metres refers to the spread of the hill from top to bottom, and the gap between two ranges will also be considered part of the Aravalli range. With this definition, 90 per cent of the area falls under the protected zone,” he clarified.

Yadav further stated that all protected areas and forest reserves in Delhi will remain unchanged. “Our government has been running a Green Aravalli programme for the past two years. We are very committed to protecting the Aravalli, and a false narrative is being created,” he added.

Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) on Monday conducted a comprehensive combined mock drill at Kulda Opencast Project (OCP) of Basundhara area in Odisha’s Sundargarh district to assess and strengthen its disaster preparedness and emergency response systems.

The drill was conducted jointly by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel and the Mine Rescue Team from Mines Rescue Station, Orient Area, focusing specifically on handling water-related emergencies in mining operations.

The simulated emergency scenario involved two pump operators reportedly drowning in the mid sump area — one conscious and the other missing. Upon receiving the alert, emergency protocols were immediately activated and an integrated rescue operation commenced without delay.

The rescue teams working in seamless coordination with Kulda OCP officials, carried out a swift, well-coordinated and systematic search and rescue operation. Both workers were successfully traced, safely rescued and brought to the surface within the stipulated time frame. Immediate first aid and medical attention were provided to the rescued individuals as part of the standard emergency response protocol.

MCL officials, rescue teams and support staff, actively participated in the exercise, underlining MCL’s commitment to ensuring the highest standards of mine safety and preparedness.

This exercise effectively demonstrated MCL’s robust disaster management planning, rapid mobilization capability and the efficiency of its coordinated response system. MCL remains steadfast to strengthening safety standards across all its operational areas and continues to prioritize the well-being of its workforce by reinforcing robust disaster management systems and proactive preparedness.

Alarmed by allegations of widespread encroachment and illegal occupation of protected forest land in Uttarakhand, the Supreme Court on Monday initiated suo motu proceedings, directing an immediate suspension of all construction activity on such land and ordering the State’s Chief Secretary to constitute a fact-finding committee to examine the extent of violations and official lapses.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi suo motu enlarged the scope of the proceedings while hearing a plea filed by one Anita Kandwal challenging a November 14, 2025, judgment of the Uttarakhand High Court. Taking note of the materials placed before it, the Court said the allegations warranted an urgent judicial intervention.

Expressing strong displeasure over the apparent inaction of the State administration, the Chief Justice remarked that forest land was being openly encroached upon without any effective response from authorities.

“What is shocking to us is that the State of Uttarakhand and its authorities are sitting like mute spectators when forest land is being grabbed in front of their eyes. Thus, we initiate a suo motu case,” CJI Kant said.

To prevent further damage, the Court issued a set of immediate restraining directions. It ordered that no construction activity shall take place on forest land and prohibited private parties from creating any third-party rights.

“Meanwhile, all private individuals are restrained from alienating the land, encumber it or create any third-party rights. It goes without saying that no construction activity shall be allowed to take place either,” the bench said in its order.

The Bench further ordered the Forest Department to take over possession of all vacant forest land, excluding areas where residential houses are already standing.

“The vacant land (other than the residential houses) shall be taken into possession by the Forest Department and the Collector concerned”, the order directed.

To ascertain the factual position on the ground, the Court directed the Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand, along with the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, to set up a fact-finding committee. The committee has been tasked with examining the scale and nature of encroachments, identifying those responsible, and assessing how the concerned authorities responded—or failed to respond—to the situation.

“The Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand and Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Uttarakhand, are directed to constitute an Enquiry Committee to examine all the facts and submit a report to this Court”, the court ordered.

The case has been directed to be listed for further hearing on January 5, after the Court reopens.

Encroachment of forest land has increasingly become a matter of concern in Uttarakhand, with reports suggesting that protected and ecologically sensitive areas—particularly in hill districts near expanding urban and semi-urban zones—have been steadily occupied for private use, raising serious questions about environmental protection and enforcement failures.

A high-level meeting of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) held in Kochi on Monday decided to induct the All India Trinamool Congress (Kerala Unit) led by former MLA P V Anvar and Janadhipathya Rashtriya Sabha led by tribal leader C K Janu as associate members in its fold.

Along with Anvar and Janu, Kerala Kamaraj Congress led by Vishnupuram Chandrasekharan was also inducted into the UDF as an associate member.

UDF chairman and Opposition leader in the Kerala Assembly V D Satheesan told media persons in Kochi that the UDF leadership has decided to induct these parties as associate members in the front based on the letters submitted by the leaders of these parties seeking to work with the UDF. “As associate members, they will strengthen the UDF in the upcoming Assembly elections.”

Putting to rest speculation about wider realignments, including a possible return of Kerala Congress (M), Satheesan said that the UDF leadership has not authorised anyone to hold talks with parties that left the UDF earlier. “We have not authorised anyone to hold talks with parties that left the UDF earlier. That said, our doors are not closed. Anyone willing to work with the UDF and accept its politics can approach us,” he said, adding that many former Left supporters are disillusioned with the LDF’s “rightward drift”and they are now gravitating towards the UDF.

Janadhipathya Rashtriya Sabha was earlier part of the NDA. Before joining the Trinamool Congress, Anvar was with the Left and he represented Nilambur constituency in the Kerala Assembly.

KPCC president Sunny Joseph, former KPCC president K Sudhakaran, UDF convenor Adoor Prakash, IUML leaders P K Kunhalikutty and P M A Salam, Kerala Congress (Joseph) chairman P J Joseph, RSP leaders Shibu Baby John and N K Premachandran, CMP leader C P John attended the meeting.

Meanwhile, Kerala Kamaraj Congress leader Vishnupuram Chandrasekharan denied reports that his party has joined the UDF. He said at a press conference that his party was still with the BJP-led NDA and currently he is its vice-chairman in the state.

Stating that he has a Sangh Parivar background, Chandrasekharan said he has been a Swayamsevak since the age of 14 and that he is still a Swayamsevak. “I have a difference of opinion with the BJP’s actions that do not respect its allies. I have the strength to resolve the difference of opinion. Otherwise, the Parivar movements will intervene and resolve the issue,” he said.

Chandrasekharan further said he didn’t write any letter seeking admission in the UDF. “If I applied to join the UDF, then the UDF leadership should release that letter at a press conference,” he asked the UDF leaders.

Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) has been conferred with two prestigious recognitions — the CII Digital Transformation (DX) Award and the Jagran HiTech Award — for its flagship DriveTrack Plus program.

At the CII Digital Transformation (DX) Awards, DriveTrack Plus was recognized in the Customer Experience category for Most Innovative Best Practices, while it also received the Editor’s Choice Award for Best Use of Technology in a Loyalty Program at the Jagran HiTech Awards, which celebrate excellence in technology across the automobile and mobility ecosystem. These recognitions reaffirm HPCL’s commitment to digital transformation, customer-centric innovation, and technology-led growth in the retail and mobility ecosystem.

DriveTrack Plus is HPCL’s prepaid fleet card and loyalty program offering a comprehensive fleet management solution for fleet owners. The program enables purchase of fuel and lubricants across HPCL petrol pumps nationwide and allows digital recharging of CCMS accounts with DriveStars digital incentives on every recharge. In addition to a 0.75% digital incentive, DriveTrack Plus provides accident insurance cover for drivers and co-drivers, a Transport Management System (TMS) for enhanced visibility and control of fleet operations, Sadak Ka Sathi (SKS) roadside assistance supported by a nationwide network of over 18,000 trained mechanics, and an NFC-based contactless fueling solution at select outlets, ensuring accurate fueling and billing under HPCL’s assurance of “What is Filled is Billed.”

These recognitions stand as a testament to the strength and trust reposed in the HPCL brand, which has been recognized as one of India’s most trusted and well-established trademarks. The awards reinforce HPCL’s commitment to delivering reliable, technology-driven solutions that enhance customer confidence and brand credibility across its retail network.

In a significant move to bolster international electoral cooperation, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India Gyanesh Kumar hosted high-level diplomatic meetings with the Ambassador of Brazil and the High Commissioner of Australia on Monday. The meetings, held at Nirvachan Sadan, the headquarters of the Election Commission of India (ECI), underscore India’s growing role in global democratic governance.

Gyanesh Kumar, who also serves as the Chairperson of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), met with Kenneth Felix Haczynski da Nobrega, Ambassador of Brazil to India, and Philip Green, High Commissioner of Australia to India. The discussions centered on shared democratic values and the exchange of best practices in election management.

The meetings focused on deepening institutional ties between the ECI and the electoral bodies of Brazil and Australia. India shared its expertise in managing the world’s largest electorate, while Brazil and Australia shared their experiences with advanced electronic voting systems and compulsory voting frameworks, respectively.

The timing of these meetings is particularly noteworthy as India recently assumed the Chairship of the Council of Member States of International IDEA for 2026. Under Gyanesh Kumar’s leadership, the ECI has intensified its “Electoral Diplomacy,” including training election officials from various nations and hosting international observers during the 2024 General Elections.

A two-day ‘Chintan Shivir’ to strengthen influenza preparedness in India commenced in the national capital on Monday.

The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) India, is organising the ‘Chintan Shivir’ on “Strengthening Interministerial and Intersectoral Convergence for Influenza Preparedness and Response” from 22nd to 23rd December.

Addressing the inaugural session virtually, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda, said that the ‘Chintan Shivir’ offers an important opportunity for all stakeholders to deliberate on various dimensions of preparedness for resilience against influenza. He emphasised that it is vital to ensure preparedness and response activities, including surge capacities, are well aligned for the forthcoming influenza season.

The Union health minister further underlined the importance of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), stressing that coordinated and synergistic efforts by the Centre and States are essential to ensure robust and collaborative surveillance systems across India.

The ‘Chintan Shivir’ witnessed participation from around 110 representatives from a wide range of ministries, departments and institutions, reflecting strong multi sectoral engagement.

The participants included officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), National Institute of Virology (NIV), partner organizations, and States and Union Territories.

Eleven states participated in person, while others joined virtually, enabling cross-learning through the sharing of best practices and experiences.

Influenza continues to pose a significant public health challenge in India and globally, with periodic outbreaks resulting in substantial morbidity and mortality, particularly among vulnerable populations such as young children, older adults, pregnant women and individuals with chronic illnesses.

Against this backdrop, the Union Health Ministry continues to closely monitor seasonal influenza trends across states and UTs in real time through the IDSP network.

Deliberations emphasised that influenza preparedness cannot remain siloed and must be supported through convergence across sectors for surveillance, early warning, laboratory preparedness, clinical readiness and effective risk communication.

A key outcome of the ‘Chintan Shivir’ is the advancement of a more structured and actionable approach to preparedness review by States, UTs and institutions. This includes the development of a practical preparedness checklist to support readiness assessments, identify gaps and guide time-bound follow-up actions.

The discussions reinforced the need for timely information sharing, clarity of roles and responsibilities, and coordinated action across departments.

The ‘Chintan Shivir’ marks an important step towards strengthening One Health-based preparedness by linking human, animal and environmental health systems.

By fostering whole-of-government coordination through a One Health lens, the initiative contributes to strengthening India’s pandemic preparedness and response capabilities and advancing national and global health security, in the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.

In a disturbing incident that has raised concerns over internal discipline and conflict management within security forces, a Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF) jawan was shot dead by a colleague inside a battalion camp in Khairagarh district on Sunday night.

The incident took place at the CAF battalion camp in Ghaghra village. According to police, the victim, Sonveer Jat— a native of Uttar Pradesh posted at the camp—was asleep when another jawan, Arvind Gautam, allegedly opened fire on him. Preliminary investigations suggest that the two had been at odds for some time over a personal dispute, which is believed to have led to the fatal shooting.

The sound of gunfire created panic within the camp. Fellow personnel rushed the injured jawan to Khairagarh Civil Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. Officials stated that he had sustained critical gunshot injuries, leaving little scope for medical intervention.

Upon receiving information, police arrived at the camp, registered a case, and initiated legal proceedings. The body has been sent for post-mortem, which will be conducted after the arrival of the deceased’s family members, who have been informed.

The accused jawan has been arrested and is currently being held at Gatapar police station. A case of murder has been registered, and further investigation is underway to establish the exact sequence of events and the circumstances leading to the shooting.

Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), the country’s leading public sector steel producer, has been recognised with eight prestigious national awards by the Public Relations Society of India (PRSI). The awards were presented during the 47th All India Public Relations Conference, held in Dehradun from December 13 to 15, 2025.

The accolades recognize SAIL’s innovative approach to corporate communication, particularly its successful integration of cutting-edge technology and its commitment to national development.

SAIL secured top honors across a diverse range of categories, reflecting its multifaceted communication strategy:

Best Advertising Campaign using AI: For the impactful SAIL advertisement campaign during the Women’s World Cup 2025.
Best Use of AI in PR Campaign: For its pioneering AI-driven news bulletin, AI SAILTrack.
Corporate Website: Recognition for user experience and information accessibility.
Most Impressive Event Management: For the successful execution of the exhibition at India Steel – 2025.
Make in India (Defense Sector): For praiseworthy efforts in promoting indigenous manufacturing for national defense.
E-Newsletter: For the in-house production and effective broadcasting of the audio-visual news bulletin ‘SAILTrack’
Best Communication Campaign (Internal Publics): For the ‘AI & U’ competition, aimed at engaging employees with emerging technologies.
Sustainable Development Report: For excellence in the creative design and layout of the Corporate Sustainability Report – 2023-24.

Congratulating the team, SAIL Chairman Shri Amarendu Prakash stated: ” Our engagement with all stakeholders must consistently demonstrate clarity of purpose, strong alignment with organisational values and a deep understanding of our strategic priorities. The integration of AI-powered tools into our internal and external communication processes reflects not only the adoption of advanced technology but also our collective capability to translate vision into impactful communication. By leveraging cutting-edge innovation, we must further strengthen our ways of communication, raise benchmarks and uphold the highest standards of professional communication, thereby contributing meaningfully to SAIL’s long-term growth and success.”

A day after Congress president Mallikarjun urged local leaders to take ownership of internal disputes, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said that Rahul Gandhi and the high command should decide on any changes. At the same time, he also agreed with Kharge’s assertion that no one is bigger than the party and that local leaders should resolve disputes.

“I fully agree with AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge’s statement that no one is bigger than the party. No one can be bigger than the party. Rahul Gandhi should decide on the leadership change. We are committed to whatever he decides. I have spoken to the party leaders about this and they have said that we will decide on this. We are all committed to their decision,” he said in response to a question on Kharge’s statement.

Notably, the third angle in the leadership row between Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar, Home Minister G Parameshwara, had waded in asking the high command to step in and settle the issue. Repeated and conflicting public statements are harming the government’s focus at a crucial time, said the senior Congress leader, who is believed to be supported by factions such as Tumakuru seers, Dalit groups and supporters of Siddaramaiah, as a potential alternative.

Meanwhile, the CM also downplayed meetings between close confidante and senior leader K N Rajanna and Shivakumar which added to the buzz around “political revolution” after ‘Sankranti’.

“Let him meet. Shivakumar is the president of the party state unit. What is wrong with that?”

“I’m saying it once for all, ultimately, the high command has to make a decision. Everyone will abide by whatever the high command decides,” Siddaramaiah said; adding that the “media is the one who is mostly discussing the leadership change”.

On Shivakumar’s claim that he had made Rajanna the Apex Bank chairman during the S M Krishna-led Congress government he said, “claiming credit for appointing some to some post while in power is not important. S.M. Krishna was the CM, the then government had appointed.”

Speaking in Kalaburagi on Sunday, Kharge said any confusion over the leadership issue exists only at the local level, not within the party high command. Local leaders should take ownership of internal disputes instead of blaming the high command, he also said, cautioning individuals claiming sole credit for the party’s electoral success. The Congress was built by party workers, he also said. “The high command hasn’t created any confusion. The confusion exists at the local level. Is it right to put the blame on the high command” he questioned.

Notably after Punjab, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka is yet another Congress-ruled state witnessing mayhem amid local rivalries. Meanwhile, political circles are abuzz with solutions emerging from the upcoming Congress Working Committee meeting.

In a telling sign of how technology is being misused alongside its benefits, railway authorities in the Jammu Division have detected four cases of fake Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS) tickets generated using Artificial Intelligence (AI) during a special campaign from 15 December to 21 December.

The AI-crafted tickets, aimed at bypassing Indian Railways’ paperless ticketing safeguards, were swiftly identified, and appropriate penalties were imposed on the offenders, said Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Uchit Singhal, here on Monday.

A UTS ticket is an Unreserved Ticketing System ticket from Indian Railways, allowing passengers to buy general, non-reserved train tickets via mobile app (UTS on Mobile) or self-service machines, offering paperless options for daily commutes and avoiding physical counters.

Recently, a case of a fake ticket created using the misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI) was detected in the Jaipur Division of North Western Railway. Following this, a campaign was launched in the Jammu Division.

Under this campaign, more than 2200 (UTS) unreserved tickets were checked across all railway stations in the Jammu division. Unique ID numbers and QR code scanning were used to detect fake tickets. During this period, four cases of fake UTS unreserved tickets created with the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI) were detected, Singhal added.

He said this step has been taken to prevent digital fraud and ensure a uniform and safe travel experience for all passengers.
It is also a way to curb unauthorized ticket agents from misusing the AI technology for their own benefit. Similar campaigns will be conducted in the division in the future as well, he said.

Singhal urged the passengers not to tamper with tickets using Artificial Intelligence or any other digital means, as this is a punishable offense. Strict action will be taken against those caught, he warned.

Vice President CP Radhakrishnan on Monday emphasised that prudent financial management is essential to ensuring the operational readiness of the Armed Forces.

Addressing the Officer Trainees of the Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS) from the 2023 and 2024 batches at the Vice-President’s Enclave, he underscored the significance of the Service.

He said the IDAS plays a critical role in managing the financial resources of the Indian Armed Forces and allied organisations.

As the accounting and financial authority of the Defence Services, the Vice-President said IDAS officers must understand and assimilate the challenges faced by the Armed Forces while discharging their duties.

Welcoming the officer trainees, he noted with pride that the Defence Accounts Department has a legacy of more than 275 years, making it one of the oldest departments of the Government of India.

The Vice-President said that as the nation moves towards the ambitious goal of becoming a Viksit Bharat by 2047, civil servants will play a pivotal role in translating this vision into reality.

He recalled the clarion call given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Amrit Kaal and emphasised that development must focus on inclusive growth and last-mile delivery.

Stating that the youthful energy and innovative thinking of young officers would be vital for nation-building, he urged them to adopt Seva Bhav and Kartavya Bodh as their guiding mantra.

The Vice-President stressed the need to maintain the highest standards of integrity, transparency, vigilance, and accountability, especially since public money represents the hard-earned contributions of taxpayers.

He also underlined the importance of continuous capacity building in an era marked by rapid technological and scientific advancements, encouraging officers to make effective use of platforms such as iGOT Karmayogi for lifelong learning.

Speaking on values in public service, the Vice-President said that while knowledge is essential, character is paramount. He reminded the officers that among India’s 140 crore citizens, they have been entrusted with a rare opportunity to bring about positive change in society and must exercise this responsibility with humility and dedication.

Responding to a question from an officer trainee on expectations from civil servants in the journey towards Viksit Bharat, the Vice-President urged them to remain innovative, adaptive to modern technologies, enthusiastic in their work, empathetic in their approach, and ethical in administration.

The US embassy in India on Monday advised Indian nationals to expect delays in the grant of H-1B and H-4 visas due to the launch of expanded “online presence reviews” starting December 15. The embassy said these screenings have been launched for all applicants of all nationalities globally.

It further said all applicants seeking to submit non-immigrant visa applications should submit those as early as they can, as processing times for H-1B and H-4 visas have increased.

“WORLDWIDE ALERT FOR H-1B AND H-4 VISA APPLICANTS. Beginning December 15, the Department of State expanded online presence reviews to ALL H-1B and H-4 applicants as part of standard visa screening. This vetting is being conducted globally for ALL applicants of ALL nationalities for H1-B and H-4 visas. It is an effort to address abuse of the H-1B program while still permitting companies to hire the best of the best temporary foreign workers,” the US embassy in India tweeted.

“US embassies and consulates continue to accept and process H-1B and H-4 nonimmigrant visa applications. We encourage applicants to apply as early as they can and anticipate additional processing time for these visa classifications,” it added.

WORLDWIDE ALERT FOR H-1B AND H-4 VISA APPLICANTS

Beginning December 15, the Department of State expanded online presence reviews to ALL H-1B and H-4 applicants as part of standard visa screening. This vetting is being conducted globally for ALL applicants of ALL nationalities… pic.x.com/qMrMrOvqy0

— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) December 22, 2025

In a message earlier posted on December 9, the embassy had informed applicants that their appointments had been rescheduled.

“ATTENTION VISA APPLICANTS – If you have received an email advising that your visa appointment has been rescheduled, Mission India looks forward to assisting you on your new appointment date. Arriving on your previously scheduled appointment date will result in your being denied admittance to the Embassy or Consulate,” it said.

US tightens H-1B scrutiny; public access to social media made mandatory

Indian work permit holders stranded

The embassy message came as reports said Indian H-1B visa holders, who had returned to India to renew their US work permits, have been left stranded. The Washington Post reported that their appointments are being rescheduled by US consular offices.

The Indian high-skilled workers have been told that their appointments have been rescheduled due to the implementation of the Trump administration’s new social media vetting policy.

Rahul Gandhi fires salvos on Modi over US visa fee hike and alleged vote fraud

The new policy aims at social media vetting in order to ensure that no applicant poses a threat to the US national security or public safety.

“The United States has expanded its review of social media and online presence to cover all H-1B speciality occupation workers and their H-4 dependents,” the US Embassy in India had stated on December 10.

H-1B and H-4 visa applicants have been included in the social media vetting which was already in place for student and exchange visitor visa categories like F, M, and J.

“While in the past the emphasis may have been on processing cases quickly and reducing wait times, our embassies and consulates around the world, including in India, are now prioritising thoroughly vetting each visa case above all else,” a spokesperson for the State Department was quoted as saying.

India youngster Vaishnavi Sharma is keen to build on an encouraging start to her international career and is targeting a long-term role in the national side’s white-ball plans.

Vaishnavi made her international debut against Sri Lanka in Vizag on Sunday, with the left-arm spinner delivering a tidy performance in India’s comprehensive eight-wicket win. She returned figures of four economical overs and played her part in keeping the Sri Lankan batters in check during the series opener.

Although she did not claim a wicket on debut, Vaishnavi impressed with her control and discipline, conceding no boundaries against a potent Sri Lanka batting line-up. She appeared composed and confident at the highest level, settling seamlessly into the contest at the Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium.

Speaking to the media after the match, Vaishnavi admitted to feeling nervous ahead of the game but said those emotions eased once proceedings got underway. “I was nervous before the national anthem. After that, I calmed down,” Vaishnavi said.

“I am very happy that I was able to execute my plan. There are four more matches to go (in the series).”

Vaishnavi earned her maiden senior international call-up following a string of standout performances at the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup earlier this year. The 20-year-old finished the tournament as the leading wicket-taker, picking up 17 wickets at an outstanding average of 4.35, performances that firmly put her on the selectors’ radar.

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur had spoken in the lead-up to the series about the importance of giving opportunities to young players, especially with the next ICC Women’s T20 World Cup less than six months away. Vaishnavi, for her part, is determined to make the most of the chance and hopes to turn her dream of representing India into a lasting reality.

“We have worked hard for this. Our dream is to represent India and contribute,” Vaishnavi added.

“I can’t say much about the future. Let’s leave it to God.”

After Sunday’s first T20I in Visakhapatnam, the two teams will face off in the second T20I at the same venue on Tuesday, followed by the next three T20Is on December 26, December 28 and December 30 in Thiruvananthapuram.

The combined Index of Eight Core Industries recorded a growth of 1.8% in November compared to the same month last year, supported by higher production in cement, steel, fertilizers and coal, according to data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Among individual sectors, coal production increased by 2.1% in November 2025 on a year-on-year basis. However, its cumulative index declined by 1.4% during April–November 2025-26.

Crude oil production contracted by 3.2% in November, while its cumulative output declined by 1.3% during the current financial year so far. Natural gas production also declined by 2.5% in November, with cumulative production falling by 3% during the same period.

Petroleum refinery products, the largest component of the index, registered a decline of 0.9% in November. Despite the monthly contraction, refinery output recorded a marginal cumulative growth of 0.2% during April–November 2025-26.

On the positive side, fertilizer production rose by 5.6% in November, while its cumulative index increased by 1.3% during the period under review.

Steel production grew by 6.1% in November, with strong cumulative growth of 9.7% during April–November 2025-26.

Cement production emerged as the best-performing segment, rising sharply by 14.5% in November compared to the year-ago period. Its cumulative index increased by 8.2% during the current financial year so far.

In contrast, electricity generation declined by 2.2% in November, while its cumulative index fell by 0.3% during April–November 2025-26.

After finishing seventh in the IPL 2025 season, Lucknow Super Giants have already begun laying the groundwork for the upcoming season, with the franchise planning an early overseas training stint for its domestic fast bowlers. With over three months remaining before the new campaign gets underway, LSG are reportedly set to send a group of Indian pacers to South Africa to train alongside players from Durban Super Giants during the SA20 tournament.

The SA20 is scheduled to begin on December 26 and will run for a month, providing an extended window for structured training. Avesh Khan and Mohsin Khan are part of the initial shortlist for the trip, while one or two additional bowlers, including Naman Tiwari, could also be included. The group is expected to travel to Durban sometime next week, according to a report by Cricbuzz.

None of the players identified for the programme are currently contracted to the BCCI or engaged with their respective state teams. However, to avoid any procedural issues, the franchise is understood to have sought and received the necessary permission from the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

Durban Super Giants’ support staff includes Lance Klusener, Tom Moody, Bharat Arun and Carl Crowe, with Moody, Arun and Crowe also forming part of LSG’s IPL coaching setup. The shared personnel allows for continuity in training methods and workload management across both franchises.

The primary objective of the South Africa stint is to help bowlers returning from long injury layoffs gradually regain rhythm and match fitness. Avesh, the right-arm pacer from Madhya Pradesh, has not played competitive cricket since the last IPL season, while left-armer Mohsin, from Uttar Pradesh, missed the entire previous edition. Both are believed to be in the latter stages of rehabilitation and have only recently resumed bowling, making the Durban programme a key step in their return to full fitness ahead of the IPL, which begins on March 26.

LSG are also considering including Naman Tiwari in the group. The franchise signed the 20-year-old left-arm pacer for Rs 1 crore at the recent mini-auction in Abu Dhabi and view him as a promising prospect. With Tiwari not named in Uttar Pradesh’s squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy, the option of sending him to South Africa remains open.

At the mini-auction, LSG entered with a purse of Rs 22.95 crore and made several additions to bolster their squad. They secured Josh Inglis for Rs 8.6 crore, Mukul Choudhary for Rs 2.6 crore, Akshat Raghuwanshi for Rs 2.2 crore, and overseas reinforcements Anrich Nortje and Wanindu Hasaranga for Rs 2 crore each, along with Tiwari.