Month: December 2025

State BJP Presidents from across the country are likely to be summoned to Delhi after January 15 for the election of the party’s National President.

According to sources, the election process for the BJP’s National President is expected to be completed between January 18 and January 20. The appointment of Nitin Nabin as the new BJP national president is likely to be announced by January 20.

The organisational election process has been completed in more than half of the BJP-ruled states, with 29 out of 37 states finalising their internal elections.

State Presidents from these states will submit one set of nomination papers supporting Nitin Nabin’s candidature for the post of national president. Another set of nomination papers will be filed by members of the BJP’s National Council.

The nomination papers backing Nitin Nabin will also carry the signatures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, sources added.

Since Nitin Nabin is the only candidate expected to file nomination papers, his election as national president will be officially announced soon after the scrutiny of nominations by BJP Chief Election Officer K Laxman.

All Chief Ministers and State Presidents of BJP-ruled states have been instructed to remain present in Delhi on the occasion.

Sources also noted that Nitin Nabin’s term as National President will be from January 2026 to January 2029. With the Lok Sabha elections scheduled in 2029, his term is likely to be extended beyond that year.

The BJP’s appointment of Nitin Nabin, 45, as National President reflects the party’s focus on projecting young leadership. (ANI)

The capital of Kyiv came under a large-scale missile and drone attack overnight on December 27, with multiple explosions reported across the Ukrainian capital and surrounding regions, one day ahead of the meeting between US President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as diplomatic efforts continue to end the four-year-long running war.

According to the Kyiv Independent, citing monitoring sources, the capital was hit by a large-scale ballistic missile assault as Russia fired multiple Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, four Iskander ballistic missiles, and several Kalibr cruise missiles at the city.

Numerous explosions throughout the capital were heard, as in the surrounding Kyiv Oblast, Kyiv Independent reported.

In Brovary, a town about 20 kilometres northeast of Kyiv, the strikes caused power outages affecting the town and nearby areas.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed the attack in a post on Telegram, urging residents to remain in shelters.

“Explosions in the capital. Air defence forces are working. Stay in shelters!” he wrote.

Ukraine’s Air Force also issued a series of urgent alerts, warning of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) operating over Kyiv and nearby regions.

According to the Air Force, UAVs were detected over Kyiv itself, as well as in parts of the Kyiv region, including areas near Velyka Dymerka and west of the village of Pereyaslav, heading south.

Additional UAV activities were also reported in the southern part of the Chernihiv region, moving toward Kyiv Oblast.

“Kyiv, take cover! There is an attack UAV in the air over the city,” the Air Force warned in one of its alerts.

This attack on Ukraine’s capital comes a day after the Ukrainian President confirmed his meeting with US President Trump, acting as a mediator in the peace talks to end the war, in Florida on Sunday.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Zelenskyy said the meeting could help move discussions closer to a settlement, though he cautioned that no final agreement should be expected immediately, CNN reported.

He further stated that both sides would focus on resolving as many outstanding issues as possible.

Zelenskyy also said the 20-point peace plan proposed by US and Ukrainian officials is 90 per cent ready and that talks with Trump would focus on long-term security guarantees for Ukraine and the role of its allies in ensuring stability after the war, as reported by CNN.

However, during an interview, Trump said that any peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia would require his approval, Politico reported.

“He doesn’t have anything until I approve it,” Trump said. “So we’ll see what he’s got,” he added.

Meanwhile, Russia’s Ministry of Defence said that its forces have continued advancing on the frontlines in southern Ukraine while carrying out a series of large-scale strikes across Ukrainian territory in response to what it described as Ukrainian attacks on civilian targets inside Russia.

According to the ministry’s statement in Telegram, units of the Vostok Group of Forces advanced deeper into Ukrainian defensive positions and, following what it called “decisive actions”, captured the settlement of Kosovtsevo in the Zaporizhzhia region.

“The Vostok Group’s units continued to advance to the depths of the enemy’s defence and, as a result of decisive actions, liberated the settlement of Kosovtsevo in Zaporozhye region,” the statement read.

The Defence Ministry also said that between December 20 and December 26, Russian forces conducted one “massive” and five “group” strikes against targets in Ukraine.

The strikes reportedly included the use of Kinzhal hypersonic air-launched ballistic missiles.

It noted that the attacks were carried out in response to alleged Ukrainian “terrorist attacks” against civilian infrastructure in the Russian Federation.

According to the statement, the strikes targeted enterprises linked to Ukraine’s defence industry, energy facilities supplying those enterprises, and transport infrastructure and further claimed that the strikes hit airfields, ports, and depot infrastructure allegedly used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

“In response to the terrorist attacks launched by Ukraine against civilian facilities in the Russian Federation from 20 to 26 December 2025, the Russian Armed Forces carried out one massive and five group strikes including by Kinzhal hypersonic air-launched ballistic missiles. They hit enterprises of the Ukrainian defence industry, energy facilities providing them with work, transport, airfield, port and depot infrastructure used for the benefit of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, assembly facilities, storage areas of long-range strike unmanned aerial vehicles, fuel and military equipment depots as well as temporary deployment areas of Ukrainian armed formations and foreign mercenaries,” the statement added. (ANI)

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Friday said that the government appealed to the Maoists to abandon the language of violence and gunfire and join the mainstream of development.

“We have repeatedly appealed to the Maoists to abandon the language of violence and gunfire and join the mainstream of development. The government will treat them fairly, and the results are already evident. We have formulated a good rehabilitation policy, and today, more than two thousand Maoists have surrendered, and the government is treating them well. We are providing them with skills training. We are also giving them financial assistance of Rs 10,000 every month, and our new rehabilitation policy includes provisions for providing land for farming. There is also a provision for providing land to build houses in urban areas. In this way, the government is concerned about its future and is working towards its well-being,” he said.

Earlier, as many as 34 Naxals surrendered in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district. The surrendered Maoist cadres were collectively carrying a reward of Rs 84 lakh, the Bijapur Police said.

The surrender took place under the state government’s rehabilitation initiative titled “Poona Margham: Punarvas Se Punarjeevan” (Return to the Mainstream: Social Reintegration through Rehabilitation), which focuses on reintegrating former extremists and welfare-based measures. Officials said the move reflects the growing impact of sustained anti-Naxal policies combined with confidence-building efforts.

The Central Government has set a deadline to eradicate Naxalism from the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi by March 2026. (ANI)

Over a hundred people were detained by the police following a stone-pelting incident in Jaipur’s Chomu area on Friday, which erupted over alleged encroachment near a local mosque.

DCP West, Jaipur, Hanuman Prasad Meena told ANI, “Tension arose in Chaumu over a dispute related to a religious site, and when police action was taken, miscreants pelted stones at the police, injuring some policemen. The police took the rioters from their homes and detained them. A total of 110 rioters were taken into custody by the police.”

A long-simmering dispute over alleged encroachment near a mosque in Chomu flared into violence, prompting police to clamp down swiftly with detentions, heavy deployment, and suspension of internet services to prevent the situation from spiralling out of control.

Jaipur Special Police Commissioner Rahul Prakash said that individuals attempting to disturb peace had been identified and detained.

“Those who appeared suspicious were brought in. Attempts were also made at some places to protest against the police. Such people have also been brought in. The situation on the spot is peaceful,” Prakash said. He added that many of those rounded up were habitual troublemakers and warned that those who managed to escape would be arrested soon.

The incident took place near the Kalandari Mosque, where a dispute over alleged encroachment has been going on for a considerable period. Police officials said one of the parties involved had earlier voluntarily removed the disputed structure.

Meanwhile, Rajasthan Minister Jawahar Singh Bedam said the recent violence should not have occurred, asserting that the police acted responsibly to prevent danger to public life and maintain law and order.

Speaking on the incident, Bedam said, “The construction is currently underway beside the Jaipur-Sikar road. Due to various illegal structures, there has been an increase in road accidents, posing a risk to lives. Recognising this danger, the police observed the encroachments and began an effort to remove them to ensure the road remains unobstructed. After discussions and mutual understanding, the illegal structures were cleared,” he said.

He added that trouble began when some individuals allegedly attempted to reinstall railings at the cleared site. “The police immediately intervened to stop them. However, because they were troublemakers and had a conspiracy, they started pelting stones at the police. I thank the police for taking action, arresting the culprits, and taking strict action against those involved. They also prevented the railings from being installed and have put up police barricades,” Bedam added. (ANI)

Cambodia and Thailand have agreed to an “immediate ceasefire” effective from 12:00 noon (local time) on Saturday as part of a joint effort to de-escalate tensions along their shared border following weeks of intense clashes, which resulted in the death of over 100 people and the displacement of over half a million.

According to a Joint Statement issued following the 3rd Special General Border Committee (GBC) Meeting held at the Prum-Ban Pak Kard International Point of Entry between the two nations, both sides noted “the importance of conducting discussions on the peaceful settlement of disputes in an atmosphere of trust, sincerity, good faith, fairness, and mutual respect in accordance with the purpose and principles of the United Nations Charter, the ASEAN Charter and Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, paving the way for a new chapter of peace and cooperation between the two nations.”

Both sides recalled the ASEAN Chair’s Statement from the Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on December 22, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. They reiterated their commitment to refrain from the threat or use of force and reaffirmed their adherence to the July 28 ceasefire arrangement and other bilateral agreements.

Under the de-escalation measures, both sides agreed to “an immediate ceasefire after the time of signature of this Joint Statement with effect from 12:00 hours noon (local time) on 27 December 2025, involving all types of weapons, including attacks on civilians, civilian objects and infrastructures, and military objectives of either side, in all cases and all areas.”

“Both sides must avoid unprovoked firing or advancement or movement of troops towards the other side’s positions or troops. This agreement must not be violated under any circumstances,” the statement added.

The statement further reaffirmed obligations under the Ottawa Convention on anti-personnel mines and outlined cooperation on humanitarian demining through the Joint Coordinating Task Force. Both sides also pledged enhanced cooperation to combat transnational crimes, including cyber scams and human trafficking.

“Both sides reaffirm their obligations under the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mine and on Their Destruction (Ottawa Convention). Both sides will work together through the Joint Coordinating Task Force (JCTF) on Humanitarian Demining in accordance with the agreed Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to make timely progress on demining efforts along the border,” the statement read.

“Both sides agree to adhere to the Action Plan for Cooperation on the Prevention and Suppression of Transnational Crimes, including Cyber Scams and Human Trafficking,” it added.

As a confidence-building step, the statement said that 18 Cambodian soldiers would also be returned after the ceasefire had been fully maintained for 72 hours, in line with the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration of October 26.

The meeting was co-chaired by Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, General Tea Seiha, and Thailand’s Minister of Defence, General Nattaphon Narkphanit, with the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) as observers, and emphasised peaceful resolution and mutual respect in line with international norms.

This agreement comes amid recent border clashes that have raised regional concerns, with ASEAN playing a pivotal role in mediation to promote stability and prosperity. (ANI)

Excitement was at an all-time high for new parents Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani as they celebrated their daughter’s first Christmas on Thursday.

Taking to Instagram, Kiara gave a sneak peek into her Christmas celebration with her baby Saraayah and husband Sidharth by her side.

She posted a photo of the little one dressed in a cute red velvet outfit with the words “My first Christmas” written on it. She accompanied the photo with a caption that read, “Merry Merry Christmas from my little Miss Claus.”

She also shared a picture of a Christmas tree that they decorated with personalised baubles featuring her own name, the names of Sidharth and Saraayah.

Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra welcomed their first child, daughter Saraayah, in July this year.In a heartfelt Instagram post, Kiara and Siddharth announced their baby girl’s name as Saraayah Malhotra while sharing a photograph of their daughter.

The couple shared a picture of them holding the baby’s tiny feet and wrote, “From our prayers, to our arms. Our divine blessing, our princess, Saraayah Malhotra.”

The couple tied the knot in an intimate yet grand ceremony in Rajasthan in February 2023. Their love story blossomed on the sets of the war drama ‘Shershaah’.

On the work front, Kiara Advani was last seen in ‘War 2′. She will be next seen in Yash-starrer ”Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups’.

Sidharth has ‘Vvan – Force of the Forrest’ with Tamannaah Bhatia in his kitty. (ANI)

Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt made a surprise appearance at Punjabi singer AP Dhillon ‘s Mumbai concert on Friday.

He literally elevated the gig with his swag. Sanjay not only greeted the audience in his style but also grooved to AP’s songs.

Another surprise at AP’s Mumbai gig was the presence of actress Tara Sutaria. She joined him on stage, and the duo performed their hit track “Thodi Si Daaru.”

Earlier this month, AP Dhillon set Delhi on fire with a high-energy performance that left the crowd enthralled.

AP, who was joined by his long-time collaborator Shinda Kahlon, performed at Indira Gandhi Arena , crooning his hit tracks.

The power-packed setlist featured some of his iconic hits ‘Excuses’, ‘Insane’, ‘Summer High’, ‘With You’, ‘Desires’ alongside new fan favourites like ‘Hitmen’, ‘ Afsos’, ‘STFU’, ‘Thodi Si Daaru’ and ‘Without Me’.

The highlight of his gig was undoubtedly a special appearance by popular singer Babbu Maan. The energy shift was palpable as fans witnessed two powerhouse artists share the stage, further amplifying the excitement and cultural significance of the ‘One of One’ India Tour, which is co-produced and promoted by Team Innovation and BookMyShow Live. (ANI)

Superstar Salman Khan marked his 60th birthday in grand style on December 27, celebrating the milestone with close friends and family members at his Panvel farmhouse.

Ahead of the private celebrations, the actor stepped out to greet the media gathered outside his farmhouse and to cut his birthday cake with them.

Salman greeted the media warmly, exchanged smiles, and had a brief interaction.

In the ANI visuals, the stunning star is seen cutting a red-and-white cake as the paparazzi sang the birthday song. Dressed casually in a T-shirt and blue denims, Salman seemed to be ageing in reverse as he sported a clean-shaven look.

In the clips, the actor is seen offering pieces of cake to the photographers and posing for pictures. In a heartwarming moment, Salman also greeted a woman with a side hug, drawing cheers from those present.

On the work front, Salman will be seen donning the Indian Army uniform in Apoorva Lakhia’s directorial ‘Battle of Galwan’, which is based on the Galwan Valley clashes at the India-China border in 2020.

Twenty Indian soldiers died during the Galwan Valley clash on June 16, 2020, five years ago, while the Chinese side also faced heavy casualties.

Following the clashes, tensions between India and China rose, with the army deploying formations near the Galwan Valley, along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh, and undertaking a range of activities such as surveying border areas to prevent “possible” Chinese aggression. Actor Chitrangda Singh has been paired opposite Salman in the film. (ANI)

Hours after sealing a thrilling victory over Gujarat in a nail-biter in Bengaluru at the Vijay Hazare Trophy, star cricketer Virat Kohli was spotted at the Mumbai airport.

In the visuals captured by the paps, Virat Kohli could be seen exiting the airport. He was all smiles.

Currently, Virat has scored 208 runs in two matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy so far at an average of 104.00 and a strike rate of 128, including a 101-ball 131 against Andhra Pradesh and a brisk 77 in 61 balls against Gujarat.

Virat’s return to VHT after 15 years has also witnessed him complete a couple of milestones, reaching the 1,000-run mark in the tournament’s history and also becoming the second Indian after Sachin Tendulkar and the fastest batter to reach the 16,000-run landmark in List A cricket.

Virat’s return to 50-over format, which started on a poor note with two successive ducks against Australia in November, now looks a triumphant one. Starting from that unbeaten 74* in Syndey ODI, Virat has blasted 584 runs at an average of 146.00 in six innings for India/Delhi, scoring three centuries and fifties each.

All eyes are on the ‘King’ to wear the ODI colours when India kickstarts a three-match ODI series against New Zealand from January 11. (ANI)

The lynching of two Hindu Bangladeshis has sparked a massive political row in India, with protests erupting in West Bengal and Assam demanding accountability from the neighbouring country’s government.

Multiple organisations, mostly pro-Hindu activists in saffron-clad clothes, dominated the streets of Kolkata on Friday, demanding that the atrocities being committed against minorities, especially Hindus, be stopped.

Thousands of saffron-clad activists gathered outside the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata to protest the atrocities being committed against minorities in the neighbouring country.

The pro-Hindu activists’ rally was accompanied by West Bengal Leader of Opposition (LoP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikari. They entered the premises of the Deputy High Commission of Bangladesh to speak to the authorities regarding atrocities against Hindus.

12 people were arrested for protesting against the atrocities being committed in Bangladesh. They were produced before the Alipore Police Court.

The court granted them bail on a bond of Rs 3,000 each.

Advocate Chandan Kumar Saha told ANI, “The court has granted bail to them on a bond of Rs 3,000 each.”

The members of the Bengali United Forum also held a protest before the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Assam’s Guwahati on Friday against the reported atrocities being committed against minorities in the neighbouring country.

Bengali United Forum member Santanu Mukherjee said, “We condemn the attack on Bangladeshi Hindus and request the government to take immediate steps to stop the killings.”

Adhikari demanded that atrocities against Bangladeshi Hindus be stopped and warned of an intensified protest if demands were not met.

“1,000 sadhus have gathered here against what happened with Dipu Das and the atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh. We demand that the atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh should stop. If our demand is not met, all saints who come to Ganga Sagar Mela will come and sit in protest here,” the BJP leader told ANI.

Former MoS for External Affairs and BJP leader MJ Akbar said that the events unfolding in Bangladesh for the last two years were reflective of “venom introduced by Pakistan”.

Speaking to ANI in Mapusa, he said that “hate” was not an ideology since it can’t sustain itself.

“What we see in the last 2 years is the return of the venom that Pakistan introduces in the body politic that reflects in Bangladesh. Hate is not an ideology as hate cannot sustain itself,” Akbar said.

BJP leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain alleged that the neighbouring country’s government had an “anti-Hindu mentality” and was targeting minority communities.

Speaking to ANI, he said that the entire Hindu community in Bangladesh was living in fear.

“There is an anti-Hindu mentality government in Bangladesh. Hindus are being targeted. After Deepu Chandra Das, another Hindu, was lynched. The entire Hindu community is living in fear. The actions Bangladesh is taking are unforgivable. Bangladesh should not forget that its actions will damage its own image,” Hussain said.

Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Sharmila Sarkar said that the attacks on minorities in Bangladesh were an international issue and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with the Ministry of External Affairs, to intervene.

“This is an international issue, and we want our Prime Minister and the Ministry of External Affairs to intervene in this matter and engage in talks with Bangladesh to stop the attacks on Hindus. Our Chief Minister has clearly said that whatever steps the country takes, we will support,” Sarkar told reporters.

Earlier, West Bengal Women and Child Development Minister Shashi Panja accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of not being vocal against attacks on minorities in Bangladesh.

“In relation to Dipu Chandra Das’ killing, why are Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah quiet? What is the External Affairs Minister doing?” Panja told reporters during a press conference in Kolkata.

She also said that the BJP was trying to create a “false narrative” against TMC, dismissing claims that her party was silent on minorities being attacked in the neighbouring country.

“Those who are dying in Bangladesh should not be dying. The Bharatiya Janata Party should answer. What steps has your leader, the Prime Minister of the country, taken? The Government of India and the Government of Bangladesh should talk to each other. Then why is the Trinamool Congress being questioned here?” Panja said.

Reacting to this, BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli lashed out at TMC, enquiring about the steps it is taking against illegal immigrants in the backdrop of attacks against minorities in Bangladesh.

“Any case of lynching is terrible, and strict action has to happen against the accused. However, now that TMC has spoken. Perhaps, they can let the nation know what they are doing in West Bengal to remove illegal Bangladeshis and Rohingyas, they must tell,” Kohli told ANI.

Meanwhile, India on Friday raised serious concerns over repeated incidents of violence against religious minorities in Bangladesh, including Hindus, Christians and Buddhists, and said it is closely monitoring the situation in the neighbouring country.

Briefing the media in New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the Indian government was disturbed by the sustained hostility faced by minority communities.

“India is closely monitoring developments and has expressed grave concern over the continued hostility of minorities, including Hindus, Christians, and Buddhists. We condemn the recent killing of a Hindu youth in Mymensingh and expect that the perpetrators of the crime will be brought to justice,” Jaiswal said.

On Wednesday, the Daily Star reported that a Hindu youth identified as Amrit Mondal was lynched at Hosendanga village of Kalimohor union in Rajbari’s Pangsha sub-district over an extortion allegation.

Police rushed to the spot upon receiving information last night and rescued Samrat in a critical condition.

The murder of Mondal took place days after the mob lynching and burning of the Hindu youth, Dipu Chandra Das, in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district.

A worker in a garment factory, Dipu Chandra Das, was beaten to death by a mob over alleged blasphemy charges and had his body hanged and set on fire on December 18.

The Daily Star, citing Mymensingh’s Additional Superintendent of Police, Abdullah Al Mamun, stated that a factory official had informed Bhaluka police that a group of workers attacked Dipu inside the factory, accusing him of making “derogatory remarks about the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH)” in a Facebook post.

However, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-14 Company Commander in Mymensingh, Md Samsuzzaman, told The Daily Star that investigators found no evidence suggesting the deceased had posted or written anything on Facebook that could have hurt religious sentiments, adding that neither residents nor fellow garment factory workers could point to any such activity by the victim. (ANI)