The Times of India News

Prime Minister Modi, inaugurating a memorial in Lucknow, criticized past governments for glorifying a single family and neglecting national heroes. He stated the BJP government is rectifying this by honoring all contributors and dismantling barriers like Article 370. The memorial celebrates Jan Sangh stalwarts, emphasizing the BJP's commitment to merit-based recognition over dynastic politics.

Right-wing vandals disrupted Christmas celebrations in Assam and Chhattisgarh on Christmas Day. In Assam, four activists were arrested for smashing decorations at a school, while in Chhattisgarh, an FIR was filed against 25-30 individuals for vandalizing a mall during a shutdown protest.

Uttar Pradesh schools will now make newspaper reading compulsory for students. A 10-minute slot during morning assembly will be dedicated to reading news, aiming to boost general knowledge, improve vocabulary, and foster critical thinking. This initiative seeks to reduce screen time and cultivate informed, empathetic citizens aware of local and global events.

A 20-year-old Bengali mason, working in Odisha for the first time, was tragically beaten to death by a mob. While his family claims he was falsely accused of being Bangladeshi, police state the violence erupted from a monetary dispute. Two other migrant workers were critically injured in the attack.

CBI has filed a chargesheet against four Punjab Police personnel, naming Inspector Ronnie Singh as the prime accused in the assault on Colonel Pushpinder Bath. Charges of attempted murder were dropped, replaced with 'causing grievous hurt' and 'wrongful restraint' following a parking dispute.

The Enforcement Directorate has registered a money laundering case against a government-recognized madrassa teacher from Azamgarh who fraudulently drew salary and retirement benefits for a decade while living abroad and holding British citizenship. He allegedly amassed significant properties and cash from suspicious entities, highlighting a systemic breakdown in the state's madrassa education framework.

Naxal carried a Rs 1.1 crore bounty on his head

In a heartwarming display of unity, a 75-year-old Sikh woman in Punjab's Jakhwali village donated land for a new mosque. Sikh and Hindu families are also contributing financially to the construction. This gesture highlights the village's long-standing tradition of interfaith harmony, where all communities support each other's religious needs.

A horrific accident occurred in Chitradurga, Karnataka, when a container truck jumped the median and collided with a sleeper bus. The bus driver, Sachin, witnessed the event unfold, with his own bus clipping the burning sleeper bus. The collision resulted in a serious head injury for Sachin and shattered his windscreen.

A tragic road accident near Hiriyur claimed the lives of two young women, AM Navya and HC Manasa, who were traveling to Sigandur temple. Both were engaged, with Manasa's wedding preparations underway and Navya's scheduled for April 2026. Their PG roommate, Milana Narayanamurthy, miraculously survived the devastating crash.

Navi Mumbai International Airport officially opened its doors with the arrival of IndiGo flight 6E460 from Bengaluru. The new gateway handled 48 flights and over 4,000 passengers on its first day, significantly easing Mumbai's air traffic congestion. Despite initial signage and road access challenges, the airport marks a major expansion for the region's connectivity.

A horrific highway collision in Karnataka claimed six lives, including a child, and left 28 injured after a truck veered onto the wrong side, striking a sleeper bus and igniting a blaze. The tragic accident occurred early Thursday near Hiriyur, with victims identified including young professionals and a mother and daughter. Compensation has been announced for the affected families.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended a Christmas service, emphasizing love and compassion, as the BJP intensifies its outreach to the Christian community. Party president JP Nadda also participated in regional celebrations. This engagement follows previous outreach efforts, though opposition highlights concerns over incidents targeting Christians in some areas.

Delhi High Court has barred Richmondd Global School from admitting new students to classes XI and XII and initiated contempt proceedings against its management for violating a previous undertaking. The court ordered the school to deposit Rs 75 lakh, collected from students enrolled only on paper, and allowed 128 students to transfer to a nearby CBSE-affiliated school.

Authorities in Jammu's Kathua district have suspended VPN services for two months due to security concerns, following similar actions in Rajouri and Poonch. Citing misuse for bypassing cyber restrictions and accessing prohibited content, the order aims to prevent unlawful activities and protect sensitive data. The district magistrate's directive mandates strict enforcement, with violations facing legal consequences.

Himachal doctors are planning a mass leave on December 26, demanding the suspension of a resident doctor be revoked. The doctor faces allegations of assaulting a patient at IGMC Shimla after a dispute over respectful address. The association also seeks legal action and better hospital security, warning of further action if demands aren't met.

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.

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.

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.

In a year filled with challenges, 2025 offered moments of profound human connection and kindness. From a handwritten note in an auto to a surprise birthday celebration for a delivery partner, these acts demonstrated empathy and decency. These stories, though small, reminded people that compassion thrives amidst the noise, offering hope and a sense of a world not entirely broken.

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti criticised the Delhi High Courts 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 survivors father.

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.

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 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.

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.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw lauded Rahul Gandhi for acknowledging Foxconn's significant job creation in Karnataka, attributing it to Prime Minister Modi's 'Make in India' initiative. Gandhi highlighted the rapid hiring of 30,000 staff, predominantly young women, at the new iPhone assembly unit, emphasizing the creation of dignified jobs and opportunities for all, setting an example for India's manufacturing growth.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

India has condemned the demolition of a Hindu deity statue near the Thailand-Cambodia border, emphasizing that such acts disrespect shared civilizational heritage and hurt global followers. The Ministry of External Affairs urged both nations to resume dialogue and diplomacy to restore peace, prevent further loss of life, and protect property and heritage.

India's Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, met with US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor at Mar-a-Lago to discuss strengthening trade ties and the bilateral partnership. The meeting, held during President Trump's holiday stay, also covered Gor's priorities for the India-US relationship. This interaction highlights the expanding scope of cooperation beyond trade, including the space sector.

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has released the final syllabus for NEET (UG) 2026, urging students to align their preparation with the updated curriculum. This revised syllabus, effective for the 2026-27 academic session, aims to ensure uniformity and transparency in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Medical colleges and educational institutions are advised to update their teaching materials accordingly.

India has achieved significant reductions in malaria, tuberculosis, and maternal/child deaths, marking a decisive phase in public health. These gains stem from sustained political will, scientific capacity, and public participation. While progress is evident, challenges remain in eliminating diseases and ensuring comprehensive life-course immunisation.

Indian musicians Mainak Biswas and Kallab Ghosh faced intense anxiety in Dhaka after their concert was cancelled. Trapped for 48 hours amidst rising anti-Indian sentiment, Biswas described the experience as a worst nightmare, highlighting the fear of being targeted as a Hindu in Bangladesh. They managed to return home on December 22nd.

The Calcutta High Court ruled that foreign courts can hear divorce and maintenance cases for marriages solemnised in India if a spouse resides there. This decision overturned a lower court's injunction on a UK court order, asserting that a UK family court has jurisdiction if parties last resided together in the UK.

India successfully tested its K-4 intermediate-range ballistic missile from the nuclear-powered submarine INS Arighaat in the Bay of Bengal. This solid-fuelled missile, capable of carrying a two-tonne nuclear payload, is crucial for strengthening the sea leg of India's nuclear weapons triad. The test marks a significant step towards enhancing India's strategic deterrence capabilities.

India's LVM3 rocket, nicknamed Baahubali, successfully launched the 6,100kg US satellite BlueBird Block-2, marking the heaviest spacecraft ever lifted from Indian soil. This ninth consecutive success for the human-rated launcher boosts confidence for the Gaganyaan mission and signals India's strong entry into the global LEO communications market.

Union Minister Amit Shah announced the upcoming launch of 'Bharat Taxi,' a new initiative by the Ministry of Cooperation. This service aims to create job opportunities for drivers and ensure they receive 100% of their earnings. 'Bharat Taxi' will also provide insurance facilities and allow advertisements on vehicles, enhancing driver welfare and customer convenience.

The Union environment ministry is expanding prohibited mining areas in the Aravali hills following Supreme Court directives and public protests. The ministry has asked a central institution to identify additional zones for mining bans, aiming to further protect the mountain range's ecology and biodiversity.

Home minister Amit Shah declared India has conquered long-standing security threats under the Modi government, highlighting peace in regions previously plagued by extremism and terrorism. Speaking at a police graduation ceremony, he urged new recruits to combat drugs and social evils, emphasizing the government's unwavering support for states in tackling crime. Shah also attended events honoring historical figures.

Rahul Gandhi's praise for Karnataka's job creation, particularly Foxconn's hiring surge, has drawn a response from Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. Vaishnaw credited Prime Minister Modi's 'Make in India' initiative, highlighting the nation's shift towards becoming a producer economy.

Prime Minister Modi is convening a three-day summit with chief secretaries in Delhi to accelerate deregulation and enhance ease of business. The meeting will also focus on developing human capital to achieve India's developed nation status. Key themes include women and child welfare, education, sports, and skill development, with states presenting their initiatives.

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 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.