Good morning. Here are the important news headlines curated for your school assembly on this Thursday, December 26, 2025, covering significant national and international events, sports, business, and educational updates.
National Headlines
In a major security development, a top Maoist leader identified as Paka Hanumanthu, also known as Ganesh or Chamru, was shot dead. The encounter, which resulted in the deaths of three other Maoists, took place in Odisha during the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday. Officials confirmed that Hanumanthu hailed from the Nalgonda district in Telangana.
Residents of the national capital can breathe a sigh of relief as the dense fog conditions have finally eased. Early Thursday morning, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported a significant improvement, with hardly any fog observed over the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport.
In a move towards modernizing official documentation, the Kerala government has decided to introduce permanent photo-affixed nativity cards. This new system will replace the current practice of issuing standard nativity certificates.
International and Sports Updates
On the international front, Tarique Rahman, the son of former Bangladeshi president Ziaur Rahman and ex-Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, is set to return to Bangladesh today. His return marks the end of a 17-year self-imposed exile.
Tragedy struck in Nigeria where a blast at a mosque killed five people and injured over thirty in what appears to have been a suicide attack. Meanwhile, in Gaza, an explosion wounded a soldier, with Israel accusing Hamas of violating the ceasefire terms.
In the world of sports, cricket fans are in for a treat as Steven Smith's Australia prepares to face Ben Stokes' England in the fourth Test of their five-match series. The crucial match will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday.
Indian chess talents continue to shine. IM Ethan Vaz and WFM Shubhi Gupta have emerged victorious at the National Junior Chess Championship, showcasing the country's growing prowess in the mind sport.
Business and Education Roundup
In economic news, Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran has come forward to defend India's GDP data. He called for a more balanced evaluation of the country's economic performance, noting that critical voices are often louder than supportive ones when growth numbers are strong. In a related development, Mridul Saggar, Chairman of the Technical Advisory Committee on the IIP, stated that the IMF's assessment of India's official statistics is expected to improve significantly once the ongoing review of key macroeconomic indicators is completed.
For aspiring teachers, there is important news. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will reopen the application window for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) February registration. This opportunity is specifically for candidates who missed filling out the form earlier.
The year 2025 has marked a significant shift in the educational preferences of Indian learners. Courses in cutting-edge fields like generative Artificial Intelligence, data science, and cybersecurity have surged in popularity, becoming the top choices for students looking to future-proof their careers.
