Day: December 23, 2025

Shashi Tharoor Intervenes on Bangladesh Crisis, Urges Peace and Sends Message to Yunus

Arijit Bose

Dhaka | Amid continuing violence and unrest in Bangladesh, senior Congress leader and Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor has expressed deep concern over the deteriorating situation, particularly attacks on the media and rising intolerance. Tharoor described the recent assaults on press institutions as a direct attack not only on press freedom but also on Bangladesh’s pluralistic character. In a series of posts on social media platform X, Tharoor said he was “deeply troubled” by reports from Bangladesh, especially the targeted attacks on the offices of leading newspapers Prothom Alo and…

Read More

Indiscriminate Firing Near Johannesburg Leaves 10 Dead, Several Injured

Arijit Bose

Johannesburg | At least 10 people were killed and around 10 others injured in a deadly shooting incident near Johannesburg in South Africa, police said on Sunday. Several of the injured are reported to be in critical condition. The information was confirmed by the police and reported by AFP. According to officials, an unidentified gunman opened fire indiscriminately on pedestrians in a village located around 40 kilometres from Johannesburg. The attacker suddenly began targeting people passing through the area, triggering panic and chaos within minutes. Ten victims died on the…

Read More

Saudi Arabia Quietly Eases Alcohol Restrictions, Long Queues Seen Outside Riyadh Store

Arijit Bose

Saudi Arabia | In a move that has sparked global discussion, Saudi Arabia has quietly eased its long-standing restrictions on alcohol sales, allowing broader access to the Kingdom’s only authorised liquor store. While no official announcement has been made, the impact of the decision is already visible, with long queues of cars and people reported outside the store in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter. According to multiple reports, non-Muslim foreign nationals holding a Premium Residency Permit are now permitted to purchase alcohol from the store. Until recently, access was limited strictly to…

Read More

IAF’s Air Force Test Pilots School Trains First Dedicated Drone Test Team

Arijit Bose

Bengaluru | In a major boost to India’s growing unmanned aviation capabilities, the Indian Air Force’s elite Air Force Test Pilots School (AFTPS) has successfully trained its first dedicated drone test team. The milestone was marked at a valedictory function held on December 19 at the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) in Bengaluru. The ceremony saw officers completing two specialised courses being honoured — the maiden Test Course (Unmanned Aerial Systems), focused exclusively on drone and unmanned platform testing, and the 25th Production Test Pilots Course. Officers who excelled…

Read More

CAG Report Flags Gaps in Officer Intake from NCC and Sainik Schools Despite ₹10,000-Crore Spending

Arijit Bose

New Delhi | The National Cadet Corps (NCC) and Sainik Schools, long regarded as the primary feeder institutions for grooming officers for the Indian Armed Forces, are failing to deliver the expected results despite massive public spending, a recent report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has revealed. Presented in Parliament, the CAG report highlights that although enrolment levels in NCC units and Sainik Schools remain high, the actual number of candidates who eventually join the Indian Army as officers is far lower than anticipated. The findings raise serious…

Read More

IOL–SAFRAN Deal: High-Precision Artillery and Missile Systems to Be Manufactured in India

Arijit Bose

New Delhi | In a significant step towards strengthening India’s defence manufacturing capabilities and reducing reliance on imports, India Optel Limited (IOL) has signed a strategic agreement with France’s Safran Electronics & Defense to manufacture high-precision defence systems in India. The systems will be deployed across artillery, air defence and missile platforms of the Indian Armed Forces. The agreement was formally signed on December 22 by IOL Chairman and Managing Director Tushar Tripathi and Alexandre Ziegler, Head of Safran’s Global Defense Business Unit, in the presence of Defence Production Secretary…

Read More

DESERT CYCLONE–II: Indian and UAE Armies Train for Urban Warfare in Al Hamra Desert

Arijit Bose

Al Hamra (UAE) | The armed forces of India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are currently engaged in Exercise Desert Cyclone–II in Al Hamra, sharpening their preparedness for urban warfare operations amid realistic desert conditions. The joint military exercise has reached a crucial phase, with troops from both nations undertaking intensive training in built-up areas to enhance interoperability and operational synergy. Running from December 18 to December 30, 2025, Desert Cyclone–II is the second edition of the bilateral exercise. The first edition was conducted in 2024 at the Mahajan…

Read More

DAC Meeting on December 26 Likely to Boost India’s Military Might

Arijit Bose

New Delhi | As 2025 draws to a close, India’s armed forces may receive a significant strategic boost with the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) set to hold its final meeting of the year on December 26. The high-level meeting, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, is expected to take crucial decisions on the emergency procurement of missiles, precision-guided munitions and advanced radar systems—moves that could further strengthen India’s defence posture amid ongoing tensions with China and Pakistan. Officials indicated that the meeting will revisit several Emergency Procurement (EP) proposals that…

Read More

Madehganj Police Arrest Accused for Kidnapping Minor Girl Within 34 Hours

Arijit Bose

Lucknow: The Madehganj Police of the Lucknow Police Commissionerate have arrested an accused involved in the kidnapping of a minor girl within 34 hours, demonstrating swift and effective police action. According to the police, on December 21, 2025, a case was registered at Madehganj police station on the basis of a written complaint filed by the victim’s family. The complaint alleged that the accused had lured and abducted the complainant’s minor daughter. Following the complaint, FIR No. 222/2025 was registered under Sections 87 and 137(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita…

Read More

Malihabad Police Arrest Accused for Indecent Misconduct with Minor

Arijit Bose

LUCKNOW: Under the ongoing campaign to ensure the safety of women and children, the Malihabad Police, under the Lucknow Police Commissionerate, successfully apprehended an accused wanted for serious offenses against a minor girl. Case Details On 20.12.2025, a female complainant filed a written report at the Malihabad Police Station. She alleged that the accused, Irfan Ali (alias Pappu), had been harassing her minor daughter (approx. 7 years old) and engaging in indecent behavior for several days. The situation escalated when the accused attempted to commit a more serious sexual offense.…

Read More