The Army has tightened social media rules for personnel, allowing only passive viewing on platforms like Instagram and X. Meanwhile, a top Maoist leader with a Rs 1.2 crore bounty was killed in Odisha. Union Minister Gadkari recalled meeting Hamas leader Haniyeh before his assassination.

Thailand defended demolishing a Vishnu statue near the Cambodian border, citing security and administration. India expressed strong disapproval, calling the act disrespectful to Hindu sentiments. Cambodia confirmed the statue was on its territory and condemned the destruction, amidst ongoing border clashes that have claimed numerous lives

Right-wing groups Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad protested outside a Bareilly church on Christmas Eve, alleging objectionable portrayals of Hinduism. Reciting the Hanuman Chalisa, they claimed Christmas events hurt Hindu sentiments. Police are investigating after the groups submitted a memorandum demanding action against alleged misleading depictions of religious conversion and Hindu society.

Karnataka deputy CM DK Shivakumar met Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge to discuss the new law replacing MGNREGA, denying any political talks. He reaffirmed his commitment as a lifetime party worker and announced plans for a movement to protect rural development. The Congress Working Committee will meet on December 27 to deliberate on the issue.

Delhi's air quality saw a welcome improvement for the second day, moving from 'severe' to 'poor' levels. While some areas experienced 'moderate' air, others remained in 'poor' or 'very poor' categories. Vehicular emissions and neighbouring NCR districts were identified as major pollution sources. Forecasts suggest a potential return to 'very poor' conditions soon.

2025 saw political shifts with Nitish Kumar retaining power in Bihar and Siddaramaiah navigating a leadership tussle. While Nitin Nabin and Chirag Paswan rose, the Congress faced defeats and internal strife. Arvind Kejriwal's AAP lost Delhi, and Prashant Kishor's political venture faltered, highlighting power's dynamic nature.

The Army has unveiled new social media guidelines for its personnel. While platforms like Instagram and YouTube are restricted to viewing and information gathering, users can share unclassified general information on messaging apps like WhatsApp and Signal with known contacts. LinkedIn is permitted for professional networking and job seeking purposes only.

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti criticised the Delhi High Court’s decision to suspend the life sentence of former BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the 2017 Unnao rape case, calling it a “chilling message” to the survivor and alleging that leniency in brutal rape cases has been normalised. The sentence has been suspended pending appeal, though Sengar will remain in jail as he is serving a separate 10-year term in the custodial death case of the survivor’s father.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended Christmas greetings, wishing for peace, compassion, and hope, and called for societal harmony. He attended a Christmas morning service at The Cathedral Church of the Redemption in Delhi, highlighting the enduring values of love and brotherhood. This follows his consistent engagement with the Christian community through various events.

The Delhi High Court has directed the Centre to expedite the extradition of US-based accused Amit Wadhwa and asked the trial court to conclude the long-pending criminal proceedings preferably within one year.

Actor Vijay, founder of the TVK party, accused the ruling DMK of allowing the BJP's «Lotus» to bloom in Tamil Nadu and confusing people with a «common minimum agenda.» He stated that political adversaries were rattled by TVK's successful public meetings and were now «unmasking themselves.»

Union minister Nitin Gadkari recounted meeting Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh hours before his assassination in Tehran. Gadkari, was in Iran, attending presidential swearing-in, and was informed of Haniyeh's death early next morning. The incident highlighted the growing role of technology in modern conflict and national security.

The CBI will challenge the Delhi High Court's decision to suspend the life sentence and grant bail to former BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the Unnao rape case. Sengar, convicted for kidnapping and raping a minor in 2017, was granted bail after serving over seven years, though he remains jailed for another conviction.

A 16-year-old girl's body was discovered under mysterious circumstances in Sachendi village, days after her father allegedly beat her for an affair with a cousin. While her father claims suicide, police are investigating the cause of death, preserving viscera due to unclear postmortem findings. A dupatta was found tied around her neck.

The Allahabad High Court ruled that a consensual relationship between a teacher and student constitutes misconduct, not sexual harassment. This decision overturned a 19-year-old dismissal order for an MNNIT lecturer, deeming the penalty disproportionate. The court noted the relationship appeared consensual and was not followed by criminal action.

A father in Tamil Nadu has been sentenced to death for the horrific sexual assault and impregnation of his 14-year-old daughter. The 49-year-old labourer's brutal acts, which began in August 2024, were discovered when the victim fell ill and doctors found she was pregnant.

Gujarat High Court acquitted a father sentenced to death for the rape and murder of his pregnant teenage daughter. The court cited procedural lapses, including compromised DNA evidence due to delayed submission and improper preservation, as grounds for overturning the conviction. The prosecution failed to establish a complete chain of reliable evidence.

In a significant ruling, the Allahabad high court has freed a man after nearly 24 years of imprisonment. The court found the trial court erred by relying solely on a confession made under duress. Upholding the right to a fair trial, the bench highlighted the lack of legal aid and corroborative evidence, leading to the acquittal of Azad Khan.

The Jammu & Kashmir High Court has dismissed a Public Interest Litigation filed by former CM Mehbooba Mufti. The court deemed the petition vague, politically motivated, and lacking substantiation, stating it failed to meet legal standards for PILs.

'Continues to arm pak with latest weapons'

Move comes even as plea against life term is pending

The National Highways Authority of India has issued a final notice to Roadways Solutions India Infra Ltd (RSIL) for termination over severe delays on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in Gujarat. With construction progress as low as 4.9% on one 35-km stretch, the project's revised deadline is now at risk.

Unnao rape survivor and her mother met Rahul and Sonia Gandhi seeking help in their legal battle against convicted attacker Kuldeep Sengar, who received bail. The survivor also requested relocation to a Congress-ruled state for safety, fearing for her life. Rahul Gandhi pledged legal assistance and support for her relocation, while condemning police action against her protest.

The CBI will challenge the Delhi High Court's decision to suspend former BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar's life sentence and grant him bail in the Unnao rape case. Despite this, Sengar remains jailed due to a separate conviction. The survivor, calling the bail «death,» plans to appeal to the Supreme Court, citing safety fears.

A CRPF head constable sustained injuries when a leopard entered a paramilitary camp in Anantnag, attacking him in the mess. The animal subsequently escaped into a nearby forest. This incident follows a recent surge in wild animal sightings and attacks across Kashmir, prompting the government to develop a plan to address the issue.

A Junior Commissioned Officer of the Indian Army, Subedar Surjeet Singh, tragically lost his life from a gunshot wound while on duty in Samba district, Jammu and Kashmir. The terror angle has been ruled out, and the incident is currently under investigation. The Rising Star Corps has paid tribute to the brave soldier, offering unwavering support to his grieving family.

Congress slammed the Centre’s ban on new mining leases in the Aravallis as a “bogus attempt at damage control,” saying it fails to address concerns over the government’s new 100-metre hill definition. Jairam Ramesh alleged the redefinition weakens environmental protection despite expert objections, a charge the Centre has denied.

The Centre has ordered a complete ban on new mining leases in the Aravallis and directed states to expand protected zones. This move aims to conserve the ancient mountain range, extending from Delhi to Gujarat, and halt unregulated mining. The government also intends to expand restricted areas based on ecological assessments.

A Pentagon report suggests China is using eased border tensions with India to stabilize ties and counter growing US-India partnership. While Beijing seeks normalcy through resumed flights and visas, New Delhi remains skeptical of China's motives amid ongoing distrust. This strategic move aligns with China's long-term national rejuvenation goals.