Russian Defence Minister Shoigu claims Mariinka's capture in eastern Ukraine, a key town near Donetsk, but Kyiv immediately denies the assertion. Mariinka, a gateway to Donetsk, has suffered extensive destruction. The Ukrainian military spokesperson counters Shoigu's statement, affirming ongoing fighting for Mariinka. In a separate incident, a Russian warship is damaged in a Ukrainian attack on the Crimea port of Feodosiya. Ukrainian forces resist Russian encirclement attempts in Avdiivka. President Putin applauds the reported capture, pushing Ukrainian troops away from Donetsk. As tensions escalate, Ukrainian President Zelensky plans to mobilize 500,000 more amid ammunition shortages and aid setbacks.

A tiger from Pilibhit's Tiger Reserve forest in Uttar Pradesh ventured into Atkona village, perching on a Gurudwara wall. Locals promptly alerted the forest department, leading to a security cordon using a net. The incident drew a massive crowd, capturing the spectacle on social media. Concerns about the tiger's well-being sparked discussions in the comments, with some questioning its return to the wild. The video, shared on December 26, garnered over 1.1 lakh views, prompting queries about the tiger's safety and speculations about its health. Wildlife authorities are on the scene to manage the situation.

National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah criticized the Modi government, emphasizing the urgent need for dialogue with Pakistan to avoid a fate similar to Gaza. Referring to former PM Vajpayee's stance on India-Pakistan relations, Abdullah questioned the absence of dialogue despite PM Modi's aversion to war. Speaking to reporters, Abdullah stated, "If we do not find a solution through dialogue, we will meet the same fate as Gaza and Palestine, which are being bombed by Israel." Expressing concern over recent events in Jammu and Kashmir, he dismissed BJP's claims of normalcy post-Article 370's abrogation, urging a deeper understanding of terrorism's root cause. Abdullah stressed the importance of finding the right perspective to end bloodshed, emphasizing a need for meaningful solutions beyond superficial measures.

Today marks a historic moment as the Indian Navy is set to commission the INS Imphal, a groundbreaking stealth-guided missile destroyer, at Mumbai's naval dockyard. The warship, the first named after a Northeastern city, signifies a leap in indigenous naval capabilities. Constructed by Mazagon Dock Limited, INS Imphal boasts advanced features, including BrahMos missiles and a modern surveillance radar. With a displacement of 7,400 tonnes, it's a potent force in maritime defense. Notably, the ship successfully test-fired the extended-range supersonic BrahMos last month, a remarkable achievement for any indigenous warship. The ceremony, to be attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, underlines India's commitment to bolstering its naval strength and maritime security.

According to intelligence sources, terrorists, including JeM and LeT, employ Chinese weapons, bodysuit cameras, and communication devices in Jammu and Kashmir attacks. China's supply of weapons and drones to Pakistan is linked to recent terror strikes. Infiltrators use Chinese sniper guns, and encrypted communication devices for infiltration are traced back to China. China is suspected of aiming to divert Indian troops from Ladakh by escalating terrorism in Kashmir. Despite this, Indian security remains vigilant, countering attempts on both fronts. A recent attack in Poonch prompts plans to reinforce Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch-Rajouri sector with additional troops.

Alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar has hit back at Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez's plea alleging that he sent her intimidating letters from jail. In an application filed in a Delhi court, Chandrashekhar challenged the actress to prove that any of his letters were threatening or tried to influence her as a witness in the INR 200 crore extortion case against him. The conman said he is ready to face punishment if even one of his letters to Jacqueline is found to be intimidating. Last week, Jacqueline moved court seeking a bar on Sukesh contacting her, citing mental harassment. The court had supported her plea. Sukesh questioned why the actress approached the court a year after first receiving his letters. Jacqueline is a protected witness in the case against Chandrashekhar.

In a historic first, Saveera Parkash has become the first Hindu woman to file nomination papers for a general seat in Pakistan's upcoming elections. The young woman will contest the PK-25 seat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Buner district on a Pakistan People's Party ticket. A recent medical college graduate, Parkash aims to uplift women and serve the marginalized in her community. Her nomination comes after recent Election Commission mandates requiring 5% of general seat contestants to be women. Parkash hopes to follow in the footsteps of her father, a dedicated PPP member. If elected, she would be the first Hindu woman to win a general National Assembly seat in Pakistan.

Despite a slight dip, Prashanth Neel's "Salaar: Part 1: Ceasefire" starring Prabhas maintains its box office dominance, collecting Rs 41.24 crore on the fourth day. The film has now surpassed the Rs 250 crore mark, outperforming 2023 releases like Shah Rukh Khan's "Pathaan" and Ranbir Kapoor's "Animal." Despite mixed reviews, the film's success is attributed to its strong opening and continued audience support. The Hombale Films production showcases Prabhas, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Shruti Haasan, and Jagapathi Babu in key roles, offering a cinematic experience laden with combat scenes and intense action.

Thick fog blankets Delhi and the NCR, causing disruption in flight operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport. Visibility drops significantly, reaching 150m, prompting the diversion of five flights to Jaipur. The cold wave tightens its grip over northern India, with the minimum temperature in Delhi hitting 7 degrees Celsius. Very dense fog affects isolated areas in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and more. The Regional Meteorological Department forecasts partly cloudy skies and continued dense to very dense fog in the morning. Night shelters witness increased occupancy as residents seek refuge from the cold.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vows, "We're not stopping," after visiting Gaza amid intensified strikes. International figures, including Pope Francis, decry the "desperate humanitarian situation" and call for an immediate ceasefire. The conflict, now in its 12th week, sees four major strikes, claiming over 100 lives, bringing the total death toll to over 20,674. Israel faces global pressure to protect civilians. Amid dire shortages, Gazans await aid, and the UN warns of a "risk of famine." Netanyahu addresses parliament, stating the war's toll is a "very heavy price." Tensions escalate regionally, with Iran accusing Israel of killing a senior general in Syria.