U.S. launches strike against Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria

The United States carried out an airstrike against ​Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria at the ‌request of Nigeria’s government, U.S. President Donald ​Trump and the U.S. military said on Thursday (December 25, 2025), claiming the group had been targeting Christians in the region.

Another Hindu man killed by mob in Bangladesh

Hours after a citizen belonging to Bangladesh’s minority religious population was lynched to death by an angry mob on Wednesday (December 24, 2025), the interim government in Dhaka said that the matter was “unfortunate” but added that it was “not at all a communally motivated incident”.

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman lands in Dhaka

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman landed in Dhaka on Thursday (December 25, 2025) to a rousing welcome, weeks before the country goes to parliamentary elections. He is expected to address a public rally soon. His return to Bangladesh comes after a gap of 17 years amid a fresh wave of unrest and political instability that has been gripping the country. Bangladesh has been witnessing violent protests following the killing of prominent youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi.

Railway Ministry notifies fare hike; new ticket prices come into effect on Dec. 26

The Railway Ministry on Thursday (December 25, 2025) officially notified a hike in train ticket prices by 1 paise per km for ordinary class beyond a journey of 215 km, and 2 paise per km for non-AC classes of mail/express trains and AC classes of all trains.

Govt. links intel grid to National Population Register, agencies can access details of 119 crore residents

The National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID), a secure platform for the police and investigating agencies to access government and private databases in real-time, has been linked to the National Population Register (NPR), which has the family-wise details of 119 crore residents in India, government officials said.

Want to build a secure Bangladesh for all communities: Tariq Rahman

Bangladesh should be a “secure” home for all communities cutting across religious and regional differences within the country, said Tarique Rahman the Acting Chairman of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) who returned home after nearly 18 years of exile in the United Kingdom.

915 villages in Maharashtra stop ill treatment of widows

Last week, an official of Masal gram panchayat of the tribal taluka of Surgana in Nashik district passed away at a private hospital in Beed during treatment. Within hours, the message of his last rites was circulated among the villagers. As it informed the fellow villagers of his demise, it also gave one key message.

Indian Army allows ‘passive participation’ on social media, revises long-standing ban

After years of stringent restrictions on social media use, the Indian Army has revised its policy to allow “passive participation” by its personnel on select platforms, while maintaining strict safeguards to protect operational security.

Navi Mumbai International Airport begins flight operations, opens new gateway to MMR

Adding a new aviation gateway to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), developed and operated by Adani Airports on Thursday commenced commercial flight operations making an over-30-year dream and planning a reality.

Top maoist leader Ganesh Uike, five others killed in gunfights in Odisha

Ganesh Uike, central committee member and head of Odisha operation of outlawed CPI (Maoist), and three other Maoists have been killed in exchange of fire with security forces in Kandhamal district on Thursday (December 25, 2025). With four more Maoists killed, the death toll in the ongoing exchanges of fire since Tuesday has risen to six.

CCPA slaps ₹11 lakh penalty on Vision IAS for misleading ads, first case of repeat offence

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has fined coaching institute Vision IAS ₹11 lakh for publishing misleading advertisements about its students' performance in the UPSC Civil Services Examination, a first case of penalty for repeat offence under consumer protection laws.

Faithful return to Bethlehem, Pope Leo XIV celebrates his first Christmas Eve Mass at St Peter's

Thousands of people flocked to Bethlehem's Manger Square on Christmas Eve as families there and at other sites across the Holy Land heralded a much-needed boost of holiday spirit, after two years of subdued celebrations because of the war in Gaza. At the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV presided over his first Midnight Mass in St Peter's Basilica. In his homily, he marvelled at the "wisdom" of the Christmas story — an infant Jesus born to save mankind.

BJP names V.V. Rajesh as Thiruvananthapuram mayoral candidate after historic win

The BJP on Thursday (December 25, 2025) decided to field former district president V.V. Rajesh as its candidate for the post of Mayor of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, which the party won for the first time, ending 45 years of Left rule. Woman councillor Asha Nath will be the party's candidate for Deputy Mayor.

India entered semiconductor industry a bit late, but it will soon start exporting: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday (December 25, 2025) said India made a strong but a bit late entry into the semiconductor industry, adding that the country will soon become self-reliant in the sector and start exporting. He also said the geographical location of Madhya Pradesh is so attractive and its land so fertile that one can earn crores of rupees by investing even a small amount in the State.

Several injured in Christmas carol clash in Kerala’s Alappuzha

Clashes broke out between two groups of Christmas carol singers on Wednesday (December 24, 2025) night in the coastal district of Alappuzha, leaving several people injured, including several women and children, police said. The incident occurred in the Nooranad area at around 11.30 pm on Christmas Eve when a disagreement between the groups escalated into a physical fight. Tension rose quickly as members from both sides confronted each other during the carol rounds, according to the police.

Introducing 3 Vande Bharat trains to Mangaluru can ensure quick commute option to coastal Karnataka, says Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao

Even as members of Parliament have demanded introduction of a Vande Bharat Express between Bengaluru and Madgaon via Mangaluru, Dakshina Kannada district in-charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao joined the issue by seeking not one, but three Vande Bharat Express trains between Bengaluru and Mangaluru. In a letter to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw dated December 19, Mr. Rao said his request may be treated as the request of the government of Karnataka as well as thousands of residents of coastal Karnataka. He said the State Government is trying to develop tier-2 cities, including Mangaluru, into modern work and industry destinations to provide alternatives for investors and to achieve uniform growth across the State.

Syria says killed senior Islamic State leader

Syrian authorities on Thursday (December 25, 2025) said they killed a senior leader in the Islamic State group in coordination with the U.S.-led coalition, hours after the arrest near Damascus of another leader. Syrian security and intelligence forces, working in coordination with the international coalition, conducted what the interior ministry described as a “precise security operation”.