Iran firmly denies allegations from the US regarding a drone attack on a tanker off the Indian coast, dismissing the claims as "completely rejected and worthless." The US Pentagon had accused Tehran of orchestrating the attack, which targeted a Japanese-owned chemical tanker amid a series of strikes by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the Red Sea. Iran's foreign ministry spokesman, Nasser Kanani, stated that such accusations aim to distract public attention and cover up the US government's support for Israel's actions in Gaza. Additionally, Iran criticized recent remarks by UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron, dismissing them as "repetitive" and "threadbare."

A plane, held near Paris over trafficking suspicions, departs for Mumbai with 303 passengers, mostly Indians. French prosecutors cleared the Airbus A340 after two days of questioning. The charter, bound for Nicaragua, faced grounding at Vatry airport after a trafficking tip-off. Departure approval was expected today, and the plane is anticipated to land in Mumbai this afternoon. While French courts questioned passengers, some hearings were canceled due to procedural irregularities. The Indian embassy collaborated with French authorities for stranded passengers' welfare, providing consular access. Legend Airlines, the Romanian company, plans to seek damages, asserting no wrongdoing.

A charter flight carrying 303 Indian passengers, en route to Nicaragua from Dubai, was permitted to continue its journey after being grounded in France over human trafficking suspicions. Operated by Romanian charter company Legend Airlines, the flight faced scrutiny from French authorities at Vatry airport, east of Paris. The passengers, including 11 unaccompanied minors, underwent questioning by judges, leading to the cancellation of hearings due to procedural irregularities. The Indian Embassy in France confirmed the development, emphasizing the detainees' predominantly Indian origin. The destination of the flight remains uncertain, raising questions about its next course—India, Nicaragua, or Dubai.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to embark on a five-day (Dec 25-29) visit to Russia from Monday, aiming to discuss bilateral and global issues. The visit includes meetings in Moscow and St. Petersburg. The MEA highlights the stable and resilient India-Russia partnership. Jaishankar will engage with Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov on economic matters. Discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will cover various issues. The annual India-Russia leaders' summit won't occur this year. Jaishankar's visit underscores the enduring Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia.

A drone launched from Iran attacked the Japanese-owned chemical tanker, Chem Pluto, in the Arabian Sea. The vessel, en route to Mumbai from Saudi Arabia, continues its journey under US military communication. The Indian Navy will inspect and sanitize the ship upon arrival in Mumbai. The incident raises concerns amid regional security challenges, including Houthi militia actions and piracy. The Iranian-backed Houthis, expressing solidarity with Hamas, contribute to the complex security landscape. This follows a series of recent incidents, including a suspected drone attack on an Israeli-owned cargo ship in the Indian Ocean.

Indian High Commissioner to the UK, V. Doraiswami, during his visit to Gibraltar engaged with Gibraltar's Indian community, commending their hard work and inviting them to tap into India's dynamism. The community welcomed the resumption of EVisas for UK overseas territories. During meetings with Governor Sir David Steel and Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia, discussions ranged from Gibraltar's future prospects to fostering ties in IT and financial services. Health and Business Minister Gemma Vasquez and Financial Services Minister Nigel Feetham explored cooperation in healthcare and business. The High Commissioner concluded by encouraging collaboration between the University of Gibraltar and Indian counterparts in niche areas. [picture courtesy: hcilondon/instagram]

Aakash Nambiar, a 34-year-old from Bengaluru, ran 104 km barefoot in Dubai, starting from Love Lake and finishing at Burj Khalifa. Completing the run in 17 hours and 20 minutes, Nambiar aimed to highlight climate change urgency, stating, "We are running out of time." Sharing his journey on Instagram, he emphasized promoting a healthy lifestyle and sustainable living. Choosing Dubai post-COP28, he stressed the need to limit global warming, expressing, "We only have one Earth." Nambiar's run garnered praise for its impressive feat and environmental message.   [Image Courtesy: barefootmallu/Instagram]

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed concerns about providing dual citizenship to Indians abroad, stating, "There are economic and security challenges." Speaking in Chennai at the TAKEPRIDE 2023 summit, he acknowledged the ongoing debate despite the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) initiative addressing some demands. Dual citizenship allows individuals to hold two nationalities simultaneously, but India's Constitution prohibits it for its nationals. The OCI program caters to Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), offering various benefits, though excluding voting rights and the ability to contest elections in India. Jaishankar's remarks shed light on complexities during the CII-organized event.

Indian Navy officials have contradicted US reports, clarifying that the drone-attacked vessel, MV Saibaba, is registered under Gabon's flag, not India's. The crude oil tanker, targeted by Houthi rebels in the Southern Red Sea, carried 25 Indian crew members, all confirmed safe. The US Central Command initially identified the ship as Indian-flagged, part of two drone attacks. These events mark the 14th and 15th Houthi assaults on commercial shipping since October 17, according to US sources. The incident raises maritime security concerns amidst heightened tensions in the Red Sea, emphasizing the need for accurate information in such delicate situations.

In a significant revelation, the US has officially confirmed that the drone responsible for striking an Israel-linked vessel off the Gujarat coast was "fired from Iran," marking the seventh such attack since 2021. The targeted vessel, MV Chem Pluto, a Liberia-flagged tanker carrying crude oil and crewed by 20 Indians, sustained damage but reported no casualties. According to a Pentagon spokesperson, "The motor vessel Chem Pluto...was struck...by a one-way attack drone fired from Iran." The incident occurred in the Indian Ocean, 200 nautical miles from India's coast. The Indian Navy is investigating the attack's origin, while the vessel, facing steering issues, is anticipated to reach Mumbai under the escort of the Indian Coast Guard. Tensions escalate amidst the Israel-Hamas conflict and increased Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.