Daily Current Affairs – 15-12-2025
International News
11 Killed in Terrorist Attack at Sydney Beach, Global Leaders Condemn
A terrorist attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, claimed the lives of 11 Jews, including women and children, and left 29 others injured, among them two police officers. The attack occurred during a Hanukkah prayer gathering on the beach when unidentified assailants opened fire on the crowd. Australian police killed one attacker and captured another with severe injuries. One of the victims, identified as Akram (24), reportedly died after being pushed from a building. The Australian Government ordered flags to be flown at half-mast to mourn the victims. Leaders across the world, including Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, condemned the incident. Countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Germany also denounced the attack and expressed solidarity with Australia.
Ukraine Drops NATO Membership Bid Ahead of Peace Talks with Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine has dropped its ambition to join the NATO military alliance in exchange for Western security guarantees, as part of a compromise to end the war with Russia. The announcement came ahead of talks with U.S. envoys in Berlin. The decision marks a major shift in Ukraine’s policy, as the goal of NATO membership had been included in its Constitution as a safeguard against Russian aggression. Zelenskyy stated that the United States, European nations, Canada, and Japan would provide bilateral and legally binding security guarantees to prevent any future invasion. The move fulfills one of Russia’s war objectives, though Ukraine continues to reject any territorial concessions to Moscow.
Thailand Declares Curfew Amid Border Clashes with Cambodia
The Government of Thailand has declared a curfew in five districts of Trat province bordering Koh Kong province of Cambodia, following intensified border clashes between the two countries. The curfew excludes the tourist islands of Koh Chang and Koh Kood. The conflict, which reignited after a Cambodian soldier was killed in May 2025, has displaced thousands along the border. Thai forces reported destroying a bridge used by Cambodia to transport heavy weapons and launched operations targeting artillery positions in Cambodia’s coastal areas. The Thai Defence Ministry, led by Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri, confirmed ongoing skirmishes and stated that Thailand remains open to diplomatic solutions. Meanwhile, a 63-year-old Thai civilian was killed in a Cambodian rocket attack, marking the first civilian casualty reported in the conflict.
Tamil Nadu News
Tamil Nadu to Conduct Hornbill Population Survey in Three Tiger Reserves
The Government of Tamil Nadu will conduct a hornbill population survey as part of the Hornbill Conservation Initiative launched in March 2025. The study will cover four hornbill species — the Great Hornbill, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Indian Grey Hornbill, and Malabar Pied Hornbill — across the Anamalai, Srivilliputhur-Megamalai, and Kalakkad-Mundathurai Tiger Reserves, along with the Karamadai and Mettupalayam forest ranges in the Coimbatore forest division. The survey will begin in December 2025 and continue until April 2026, coinciding with the hornbill breeding season. It will be conducted using the line transect method by forest staff, biologists, and researchers. The Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF) has trained forest personnel in hornbill identification, nesting, and food pattern studies. The initiative aims to estimate the population and density of hornbills and ensure the protection of mature trees with nesting hollows, crucial for hornbill conservation in Tamil Nadu.
ADB Approves $240 Million Loan for Chennai Metro Expansion
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $240 million loan, forming the second tranche of the Chennai Metro Rail Investment Project to support the expansion of the metro rail network and improve urban transport in the Chennai Metropolitan Area. This approval is part of the $780 million multi-tranche financing facility for the project that was originally approved in 2022 and follows the $350 million loan provided under the first tranche.
Sports News
India Wins Maiden Squash World Cup Title Defeating Hong Kong
India won its first-ever Squash World Cup title by defeating top-seeded Hong Kong with a 3–0 victory in the final held at Express Avenue Mall, Chennai. The Indian team, led by strong performances from Joshna Chinappa, Abhay Singh, and Anahat Singh, delivered the nation’s best result in the tournament’s history, surpassing the bronze medal achieved in 2023. Joshna Chinappa, ranked 79th in the world, defeated Ka Yi Lee, ranked 42 places above her, while Abhay Singh beat Asian Champion Alex Lau in straight games. Anahat Singh sealed the win by defeating Tomato Ho in just 16 minutes. This victory marked a historic milestone for India in international squash competitions.
Unnati Hooda and Kiran George Win Singles Titles at Odisha Masters 2025
At the Odisha Masters Super 100 Badminton Tournament held in Cuttack, Unnati Hooda and Kiran George won the women’s and men’s singles titles, respectively. Unnati Hooda defeated compatriot Isharani Baruah with a score of 21-17, 21-10, while Kiran George, the second seed, triumphed over Indonesia’s Muhamad Yusuf with a score of 21-14, 13-21, 21-16 in the final match lasting 65 minutes.
Hardik Pandya Becomes Fourth Player to Achieve Rare Treble in T20Is
Hardik Pandya became the fourth cricketer to achieve the treble of 1,000 runs, 100 sixes, and 100 wickets in T20 International (T20I) cricket, after completing his 100th wicket in the format on Sunday. With this milestone, he joined Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe), Mohammad Nabi (Afghanistan), and Virandeep Singh (Malaysia) in this rare achievement.
National News
Nauradehi Tiger Reserve to Become Third Cheetah Habitat in Madhya Pradesh
The Government of Madhya Pradesh has approved the development of the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve, located at Nauradehi in Sagar district, as the third cheetah habitat in the State. The decision follows the successful translocation of cheetahs from Africa to Kuno National Park (KNP) and the recent release of cheetahs at the Gandhi Sagar Tiger Reserve. The new habitat is expected to be ready before the 2025 monsoon season. The initiative, announced by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, aims to expand cheetah conservation efforts and strengthen wildlife relocation programmes in Madhya Pradesh.
Indian Navy to Commission Second MH-60R Helicopter Squadron in Goa
The Indian Navy will commission its second MH-60R helicopter squadron, named INAS 335 (Ospreys), on December 17, 2025, at INS Hansa, Goa, in the presence of Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, the Chief of the Naval Staff. The MH-60R Seahawk helicopters, equipped with advanced weapons, sensors, and avionics, are multi-role platforms capable of addressing both conventional and asymmetric threats. The commissioning of INAS 335 will enhance the Navy’s integral aviation capability and operational readiness, further strengthening India’s blue-water naval strength. The first MH-60R helicopter squadron was commissioned on March 6, 2024, at Kochi, marking a key step in India’s maritime aviation development.
Women Lead in Financial Inclusion through Atal Pension Yojana Growth
Women have shown remarkable progress in financial inclusion by subscribing to the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) following their large participation in the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY). According to the Finance Ministry, as of October 31, women formed 48% of the total 8.34 crore subscribers under APY, while 56% of PMJDY beneficiaries were women as of December 3. The APY, launched in May 2015, aims to provide a universal social security system for all Indians, particularly for poor and unorganised sector workers aged 18–40 years with savings accounts in banks or post offices. Since October 1, 2022, income tax payers are ineligible for this scheme. Under APY, subscribers receive a Central Government guaranteed monthly pension ranging from ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 after 60 years of age, depending on their contribution. In the event of the subscriber’s death, the spouse continues to receive the pension, and after both their demise, the nominee receives the accumulated amount. As of October 31, the total APY corpus stood at ₹43,275 crore, while deposits under PMJDY reached ₹2,75,873 crore. The scheme is supported by public sector and regional rural banks, along with PMJJBY and PMSBY, enhancing social security coverage for the unorganised sector.
Personalities, Awards and Events
Vice-President Releases Postage Stamp Honouring Mutharaiyar King
Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan released a commemorative postage stamp in honour of Emperor Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II (Suvaran Maran) at the Vice-President’s Enclave, New Delhi. Emperor Mutharaiyar II belonged to the Mutharaiyar dynasty, which ruled the central regions of Tamil Nadu between the 7th and 9th centuries CE. The event was attended by Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh, Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L. Murugan, and BJP Tamil Nadu President Nainar Nagenthran.
Reports and Indices
India Ranks Third in 2024 Global AI Index
According to the Global AI Vibrancy Tool Report released by Stanford University, India has ranked third globally in Artificial Intelligence (AI) competitiveness after the United States and China in the 2024 Global AI Index. India achieved a score of 21.59, rising from seventh place in 2023 to third in 2024, reflecting its strong progress in strengthening the AI ecosystem. South Korea and the United Kingdom followed India in fourth and fifth positions, scoring 17.24 and 16.64, respectively. The United States topped the index with a score of 78.60, while China ranked second with 36.95, supported by its dominance in research, publications, and AI patents. The report also noted that major AI models such as Gemini 2.0 Pro, o1, and Llama 3.1 were developed by US-based companies including Google, OpenAI, and Meta, while China’s Deepseek model gained attention in early 2025 as part of its national AI integration strategy.
Economy News
NLC India and PTC India Sign Joint Venture for Green Energy Project
NLC India Renewables Ltd (NIRL), a wholly owned subsidiary of NLC India Ltd (NLCIL), has signed a joint venture agreement with PTC India Ltd (formerly Power Trading Corporation) at Neyveli to develop green energy projects. This agreement follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between NIRL and PTC India in September 2025. The collaboration aims to establish a green energy capacity of up to 2,000 MW, to be developed in multiple phases, with the first phase targeting 500 MW.