India

Neeraj Ghaywan’s acclaimed drama Homebound has been shortlisted in the Best International Feature category at the Oscars. The film, produced by Karan Johar, premiered at Cannes and now joins 14 other global contenders.

Three people were burnt alive after a pickup truck collided with a truck and caught fire on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in Rajasthan’s Alwar district. One person was critically injured, while police and fire officials launched rescue operations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday thanked the people and government of Ethiopia for conferring the country’s highest award, the ‘Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia’, calling it a tribute to India-Ethiopia ties and reaffirming commitment to deeper cooperation.

A man in Uttar Pradesh’s Shamli allegedly killed his wife and two daughters and buried their bodies in a seven-foot-deep pit at home. Police arrested the accused after he confessed, and recovered the bodies for post-mortem.

A bipartisan group of US senators has introduced the Decreasing Russian Oil Profits (DROP) Act, proposing financial sanctions on foreign entities purchasing Russian oil to curb Moscow’s war funding, while allowing limited exemptions for countries that support Ukraine.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem to discuss expanding cooperation in technology, economy, connectivity and security, expressing confidence that the India-Israel strategic partnership will continue to strengthen.

Daily Horoscope: Your stars are bringing good tidings for you. Check out your astrological predictions for December 17, 2025. May the day bring you happiness

The family home of Sajid Akram in Hyderabad’s Toli Chowki drew intense media and police attention after he was identified as one of the perpetrators of the Bondi Beach mass shooting in Sydney. Telangana Police confirmed there were no adverse records against Sajid during his stay in India, and officials stressed that his radicalisation had no local links.

Sebi has launched recovery proceedings to collect Rs 18.14 crore from ‘Baap of Chart’ Mohd Nasiruddin Ansari and others for running unregistered investment advisory services. The regulator has frozen bank, demat and mutual fund accounts and barred asset transfers

Anirudh's all-round performance of 112 and 4/18 and Divesh Raghunandan's 101 for Pallavi Model School-Alwal helps in their victory

Messi received a traditional welcome featuring folk music, floral offerings and a ceremonial aarti. He later took part in temple rituals, including Ambe Mata Puja, Ganesh Puja, Hanuman Puja and Shiv Abhishek, offering prayers for peace and unity.

Backward Class organisations have warned of intensifying their agitation on the lines of the farmers’ protest, demanding that the Congress introduce a Private Bill in Parliament for 42 per cent reservations. A BC Yatra and mass public meeting have been announced

Nirav Modi’s bid to reopen his extradition appeal in the UK High Court has been adjourned to March 2026 after Indian authorities submitted fresh assurances regarding his detention in Mumbai. The case, linked to the Rs 14,000 crore Punjab National Bank fraud, has already spanned six years in UK courts.

Paris-based World Inequality Lab’s 2026 report paints a grim picture of highly skewed wealth distribution, urging nations to rethink their growth models

Karnataka’s cinema ticket ceiling ignores how competition from gaming, live entertainment, and a sprawling OTT landscape already checks pricing

Two co-owners of the Goa nightclub 'Birch by Romeo Lane', Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, where 25 people died in a fire on December 6, have been arrested after being deported from Thailand. They were detained by Thai authorities on December 11 and deported to India.

The rupee has fallen from 90 a dollar to 91 in the last 10 trading sessions, and according to forex traders, the Indian currency might even cross the 92 per dollar-mark in December

India will have a strong presence at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos from January 18-24, with four Union ministers, five Chief Ministers and over 100 business leaders participating in global discussions on growth, cooperation and innovation

The BJP has welcomed the Centre’s move to rename MGNREGA as VB G RAM G, calling it an upgrade aligned with Viksit Bharat goals. The Opposition criticised the change, while the government said the Bill expands workdays, accountability and welfare coverage

The Lok Sabha witnessed a sharp debate over a Bill proposing 100 per cent FDI in the insurance sector, with Treasury benches backing higher investment to boost penetration and jobs, while the Opposition warned of risks to credibility, affordability and social inclusion

The Congress will stage nationwide protests on Wednesday against the Centre’s VB-G RAM G Bill, alleging it seeks to replace MGNREGA and dismantle a rights-based welfare scheme while undermining Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy, workers’ rights and federal responsibility

Thirty-four Naxalites, including 26 carrying rewards worth Rs 84 lakh, surrendered in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district under the state’s rehabilitation policy. Police said the move reflects growing impact of reintegration initiatives aimed at ending Left-wing extremism

PM Modi invited Jordanian companies to partner with India, highlighting opportunities in pharma, IT, agri-tech, renewable energy, and heritage tourism. Both nations aim to double bilateral trade to $5 billion and strengthen an India-Jordan economic corridor