Prime Minister Narendra Modi met leading economists at NITI Aayog on Tuesday to discuss India’s growth strategy ahead of the Union Budget 2026–27. The meeting focused on self-reliance and long-term structural reforms. Modi said policies and budgets must align with India’s vision for 2047. He stressed the need for mission-mode reforms and global integration. Economists shared ideas to boost productivity in manufacturing and services. The talks also covered infrastructure, household savings, AI, and digital systems. Nirmala Sitharaman and senior officials were present. (PC: ANI)

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will attend the state funeral of former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia in Dhaka on December 31, government sources said. The visit comes at a time of strained relations between India and Bangladesh after the removal of Sheikh Hasina last year. Zia, who led the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, served two terms in office between 1991 and 2006. Her son and party leader Tarique Rahman recently returned to Bangladesh after 17 years abroad. During her rule, Dhaka moved closer to China, including in defence ties, which often caused unease in New Delhi. (PC: India Today)

India on Tuesday said filmmakers have artistic freedom after Chinese media criticised the film Battle of Galwan. The Salman Khan movie is based on the 2020 clash between Indian and Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh. Khan plays Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu of the 16 Bihar Regiment, who died in the incident. Government sources said India allows freedom of expression and the government has no role in the film. They said anyone with concerns can approach the defence ministry for details. China’s state-run Global Times claimed the film distorts facts and placed blame on Indian troops for the clash. India has said 20 soldiers were killed in the fighting. (PC: NDTV)

Saudi Arabia said it carried out airstrikes on Yemen’s port city of Mukalla after ships arrived with weapons meant for a separatist force. The Saudi military said the arms were unloaded from vessels that came from Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates. It said the attack was aimed at weapons and combat vehicles and was timed to avoid civilian harm. It was not clear if anyone was hurt. The UAE did not comment on the strike. The move marks a new rise in tension between Riyadh and the Southern Transitional Council, which is backed by the UAE and has seized areas in Yemen’s Hadramout region in recent days. (PC: HT)

After the death of former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia, attention has turned to her son Tarique Rahman as the future leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Rahman has been acting chairperson of the BNP for some time and returned to the country days before his mother’s death. Party leaders see him as the clear successor and possible prime minister if the BNP wins the next election. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Zia, calling her role in democracy and India-Bangladesh ties memorable. Interim chief adviser Muhammad Yunus urged calm and announced national mourning and a holiday for her funeral. (PC: NDTV)

Eurostar on Monday advised passengers to postpone travel between London and Paris due to major disruption in the Channel Tunnel. The company said there was a fault in the overhead power supply, followed by a failed Le Shuttle train. It warned that services which do run face long delays and last-minute cancellations. National Rail also urged travellers in the UK to delay journeys from London St Pancras to Paris. Le Shuttle reported long queues at Folkestone in Kent and Calais in northern France, with waits of several hours. Passengers were told to check live updates and avoid stations unless they already have tickets. (PC: X)

India on Tuesday said it was deeply concerned by reports that Ukraine tried to target Russian President Vladimir Putin’s state residence in the Novgorod region. Russia claimed 91 long-range drones were used in the incident, but said all were destroyed and no damage was caused. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denied the charge and called it a false claim. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said all sides should stay focused on talks and avoid steps that harm peace efforts. He repeated that dialogue is the only way to end the war. Ukraine later said Russia gave no proof and warned that reacting to unverified claims can hurt the peace process. (PC: India Today)

A Hindu garment factory security guard was shot dead by a colleague in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district on Monday evening, police said. The incident took place at Sultana Sweaters Limited in Bhaluka upazila around 6.45 pm. The victim, Bajendra Biswas, 42, was an Ansar member on duty inside the factory barracks. Police said the accused, Noman Mia, 29, also an Ansar member, allegedly pointed a government-issued shotgun at Biswas during a conversation when it went off, hitting him in the thigh. Biswas was taken to a local hospital but died. The accused was arrested and the weapon seized. This was the third killing of a Hindu man in two weeks. (PC: India Today)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denied Russian allegations that Kyiv launched 91 drones at Vladimir Putin's residence in Novgorod region, calling it "typical Russian lies" designed to derail peace negotiations. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed all drones were intercepted by air defenses and threatened to revise Russia's negotiating position, labeling the incident "state terrorism." The allegations emerged after US-Ukraine talks in Florida, where Trump and Zelensky discussed peace plans. Trump spoke with Putin afterward, initially claiming shock and anger over the alleged attack, though later acknowledging uncertainty about its occurrence. Zelensky stated there's potential to end the war in 2026 with continued US support, while territorial issues and Donbas region remain unresolved. (PC: BBC)

China's state-run newspaper Global Times has strongly criticized Salman Khan's upcoming film Battle of Galwan following its December 27 teaser release. Based on the deadly 2020 Galwan Valley clash between Indian and Chinese troops, the film stars Salman Khan as Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu and is scheduled for April 2026 release. Chinese military experts accused Bollywood of distorting historical facts and presenting one-sided narratives, claiming the films prioritize emotional storytelling over historical accuracy. Chinese netizens on Weibo harshly criticized the film's visuals, costumes, and historical portrayal, with one user mockingly saying "When history falls short, Bollywood steps in." Military experts warned the narrative could heighten ongoing diplomatic tensions despite recent improvements. (PC: News 18)