Todays Top 15 News Across the World – 24 December 2025
7 key global stories, from Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025 and Aravalli mining protests to deadly Gaza strikes, a massive
Ukraine drone‑missile assault and a historic Yemen prisoner swap. [web:249][web:253]
🇮🇳 President Murmu Presents Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025 to 24 Scientists
President Droupadi Murmu has conferred the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025 on 24 scientists and innovators
at Rashtrapati Bhavan, recognising major contributions in areas ranging from space research and medicine to climate science. [web:251][web:238]
The ceremony is being highlighted in school‑assembly news as a celebration of India’s growing scientific capabilities and a
call for young students to consider careers in research and innovation. [web:251]
Sources:
Leverage Edu – School Assembly News Headlines: 24 December 2025
;
JagranJosh – School Assembly Headlines (Dec 24)
[web:251][web:238]
🇮🇳 India Re‑elected to ICAO Council With Strong Mandate
India has been re‑elected to the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) with a
strong mandate, reinforcing its role in shaping global aviation rules and standards. [web:251] Civil aviation minister Ram
Mohan Naidu said the win reflects international confidence in India’s fast‑growing aviation market and safety record, at a
time when new technologies and sustainability pressures are transforming the sector. [web:251]
Source:
Leverage Edu – ICAO Council Re‑Election Mention
[web:251]
🇮🇳 CAQM Issues Show‑Cause Notices to 6 Thermal Power Plants Near Delhi
The Commission for Air Quality Management has issued show‑cause notices to six coal‑based thermal power plants within 300 km of Delhi for failing to meet biomass co‑firing norms that help cut pollution. [web:251] The plants have been asked why action should not be taken for poor compliance at a time when the National Capital Region continues to struggle with severe winter smog, raising questions over enforcement of long‑standing directives. [web:251][web:262]
Sources:
Leverage Edu – CAQM Notices to Thermal Power Plants
;
Moneycontrol – School Assembly News Headlines, 24 December 2025
[web:251][web:262]
🇮🇳 Odisha Announces Special Gram Sabhas in PESA Areas on National PESA Mahotsav
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has announced special Gram Sabhas across PESA (tribal) areas as part of a National PESA Mahotsav organised with the Union Panchayati Raj and Tribal Affairs ministries. [web:251] The meetings are intended to strengthen grassroots democracy, ensure tribal voices are heard in local decision‑making and review implementation of rights over land, forests and minor minerals. [web:251][web:238]
Sources:
Leverage Edu – National PESA Mahotsav & Gram Sabha Announcement
;
JagranJosh – State News: Odisha PESA Gram Sabhas
[web:251][web:238]
🇮🇳 Protests Intensify Over Aravalli Mining Plans in Rajasthan
Environmental groups and local residents in Rajasthan have stepped up protests against proposed mining and development in the Aravalli hills, fearing irreversible damage to a fragile ecosystem that helps protect Delhi‑NCR from dust storms and groundwater depletion. [web:254][web:259] Demonstrators are calling for stricter protections, transparent impact assessments and respect for court orders, warning that short‑term commercial gains could permanently scar a key green lung for North India. [web:254]
Sources:
Indian Express – Today News Headlines for School Assembly, Dec 24
;
Indian Express – Social Post on Aravalli Mining Protests
[web:254][web:259]
🇮🇳 Review Flags Foundational Learning Gaps in Early Grades Across 9 States
A multi‑state review of early education has flagged serious gaps in foundational learning, including multigrade classrooms, overburdened teachers and limited use of children’s home languages in nine states. [web:254] The findings suggest that many students are struggling with basic reading and numeracy by Class 3, raising alarms about whether National Education Policy goals can be met without more investment and support for early‑grade teaching. [web:249]
Sources:
Indian Express – Education News: Foundational Learning Review
;
India Today – School Assembly News Headlines, December 24
[web:254][web:249]
🇮🇳 IIT Delhi Develops AI Agent That Can Run Real‑World Scientific Experiments
Scientists at IIT Delhi have developed an AI agent capable of designing and conducting real scientific experiments in the lab, marking a major step in AI‑driven automation of research. [web:254] The system can plan procedures, adjust parameters based on results and generate new hypotheses, potentially speeding up discovery in fields like materials science and chemistry, though researchers stress that human oversight remains crucial. [web:254][web:249]
Sources:
Indian Express – IIT Delhi AI Agent Breakthrough
;
India Today – Science & Tech Headlines, Dec 24
[web:254][web:249]
🇮🇳 New Delhi Capitals Appoint New Head Coach for Women’s Cricket Team
In domestic cricket news, the New Delhi Capitals franchise has appointed a new head coach for its women’s team ahead of the next Women’s Premier League season. [web:254][web:252] The move is seen as part of a broader effort to refresh leadership, bring in new strategies and build on the growing popularity of women’s cricket in India, where packed stadiums and TV audiences are turning WPL stars into household names. [web:254]
Sources:
Indian Express – New Delhi Capitals Women’s Coach Update
;
CollegeSearch – School Assembly News: December 24 Headlines
[web:254][web:252]
🇵🇸 Gaza Sees No Real Peace as Deadly Airstrikes Continue
Despite talk of “peace” and ceasefires, airstrikes, shelling and gunfire continue to kill and injure Palestinians in Gaza, according to the UN human rights chief Volker Türk. [web:261] He has rejected suggestions that Israel’s new “Yellow Line” of concrete blocks inside Gaza represents any kind of legitimate border, warning that civilian deaths remain high and humanitarian access is still severely constrained. [web:261]
Source:
UN News – Peace Proves Relative in Gaza With No Let‑Up in Deadly Airstrikes
[web:261]
🇺🇦 Ukraine Endures Large‑Scale Night‑Time Drone and Missile Assault
Ukraine has faced a large‑scale night‑time drone and missile barrage targeting power grids and military infrastructure, testing its air defences and resilience. [web:253][web:256] Reports say at least three people were killed and dozens injured in one of the month’s heaviest attacks, just as Ukrainian negotiators returned from talks in the US to brief President Volodymyr Zelensky on a stalled peace process. [web:256]
Sources:
FDD Overnight Brief – Large‑Scale Aerial Attack on Ukraine
;
YouTube – Global Headlines Unpacked: Gaza Strikes, Ukraine Assaults & Yemen
[web:256][web:253]
🇾🇪 Yemen Prisoner Swap Frees Around 2,900 People, Offers Rare Hope
In Yemen, warring parties have completed a historic prisoner swap involving about 2,900 detainees, reuniting families separated for years and offering a rare moment of hope in a long, brutal conflict. [web:253] The exchange, highlighted in global‑news explainers, is seen as a fragile confidence‑building step that could support broader peace talks if both sides maintain momentum and avoid fresh escalations. [web:253]
Source:
Global Headlines Unpacked – Yemen’s 2,900‑Person Prisoner Swap
[web:253]
🇹🇭🇰🇭 Thailand and Cambodia Trade Fire Amid New Border Ceasefire Talks
Thailand and Cambodia have traded fresh artillery and gunfire along their disputed border, even as new
ceasefire talks get underway to calm the latest flare‑up in long‑running territorial tensions. [web:253][web:9] Injuries have been reported on both sides, and analysts warn that without effective monitoring and clear de‑escalation mechanisms, the fighting could quickly spiral beyond local commanders’ control. [web:253]
Sources:
Al Jazeera – Thailand–Cambodia Trade Fresh Fire as Talks Begin
;
Global Headlines Unpacked – Thailand–Cambodia De‑Escalation Efforts
[web:9][web:253]
🌍 Climate Activists Face Crackdowns as Governments Tighten Protest Laws
International round‑ups note that climate activists are facing tougher crackdowns and stricter protest laws in multiple countries, including new bans on road blockades and harsher penalties for disruptive demonstrations. [web:249] Governments argue that they must balance public order and economic activity with the right to protest, but environmental groups warn that silencing peaceful activism will only deepen mistrust and delay urgent climate action. [web:249]
Source:
India Today – World & Climate Activism Headlines, December 24
[web:249]
🌐 Zelensky Unveils New Peace‑Plan Details, Seeks Trump Talks on Territory
Al Jazeera’s rolling news and analysis note that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has unveiled more details of a new peace plan, including proposals on army size and security guarantees, while signalling he is open to talks with US President Donald Trump on the hardest issue – territory. [web:9] Zelensky says negotiators secured some gains in recent meetings, but admits that control of Donbas remains the “most difficult point”, leaving the war’s endgame highly uncertain. [web:9]
Source:
Al Jazeera – Zelensky Unveils Peace‑Plan Details, Seeks Trump Talks
[web:9]
📊 Business & Sports Wrap: Liquidity Moves, Samsonite Hub & New Zealand Series
Business briefs highlight that the Reserve Bank has announced ₹2 lakh crore worth of open‑market purchases and a 10‑billion‑dollar rupee swap to support market liquidity, while luggage maker Samsonite has made India its largest manufacturing hub after a major expansion at Nashik. [web:251] On the sports side, the New Zealand T20I series is being seen as crucial preparation for the 2026 World Cup, and two Indian women football coaches have completed AFC A Diplomas under a FIFA scholarship, marking a milestone for women’s coaching in the country. [web:251]
Source:
Leverage Edu – Business & Sports News for School Assembly, 24 December
[web:251]