Stay updated with the biggest headlines for Friday, 19 December—politics, crime, sports, and more—all summarized for quick reading. Get instant access to breaking news, major developments, and trending stories in just one click. Perfect for busy readers who want news on the go.
Top news of the day
India delivered a dominant batting performance in the fifth T20I against South Africa at Ahmedabad, piling up 231 runs. Explosive knocks from Hardik Pandya and solid contributions from Tilak Varma put the visitors under massive pressure.
Amid speculation over leadership change in Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah asserts he will complete his full five-year term, dismissing power-sharing talks with Deputy CM DK Shivakumar as Congress leaders hold key meetings to maintain unity.
The Election Commission has released Gujarat’s draft voter list after the Special Intensive Revision. Of over 5.08 crore voters, nearly 73.7 lakh names were removed due to death, migration, or duplication, ensuring a cleaner electoral roll ahead of elections.
The Election Commission has released Tamil Nadu’s draft voter list after Special Intensive Revision, removing over 97 lakh names. The move comes ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, triggering political debate and renewed focus on voter verification.
US President Donald Trump imposes stricter travel bans on 39 countries, including full restrictions for 20 nations and Palestinians. Tourists and immigrants from these nations face severe entry challenges starting January 2026, altering global travel dynamics.
Bangladesh’s interim government condemns the lynching of a Hindu man in Mymensingh amid unrest after Osman Hadi’s death, pledging swift justice, supporting journalists, and urging citizens to remain calm as protests and violence grip the nation.
In Mymensingh, Bangladesh, Hindu youth Dipu Chandra Das was brutally murdered and set on fire amid ongoing unrest following Sharif Osman Hadi’s death. Violence has targeted minorities, media institutions, and raised international concern over law and order.
Israel’s approval of 19 new West Bank settlements worsens the Palestinian crisis, with deteriorating humanitarian conditions and restricted aid. Palestinian Ambassador Abdullah Abu Shawesh highlights severe funding issues and calls for global condemnation of Israel’s actions.
The Income Tax Department's raid on approximately 36 locations, including Tanmay Modi's Shubham Hero Agency in Maharajganj, lasted for almost three days. After more than 65 hours of continuous operation, the Income Tax team departed on Friday morning with all the necessary documents. Dynamite News provided continuous updates on this raid.
According to sources, the Income Tax team took with them computer hard drives, transaction-related documents, bills, vouchers, and accounting records. However, the department has not officially disclosed what was recovered during the raid or what kind of irregularities were being investigated.
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, launched a major attack on the central Modi government, saying that the 20-year-old MNREGA law was dismantled in a single day. He alleged that the government got the Developed India G-Ram-G Bill passed in Parliament without serious scrutiny and adequate debate. Rahul Gandhi termed it against democratic processes.
Rahul Gandhi termed the Developed India G-Ram-G Bill, which replaces MNREGA, as "anti-village and anti-state." In a post shared on social media, he wrote that this new law abolishes the rights-based and demand-driven employment guarantee. According to him, it will be controlled from Delhi, which will weaken the role of states and panchayats.
The winter session of Parliament formally concluded on Friday. On the final day, no legislative business could be conducted in the Lok Sabha due to disruptions by the opposition, after which Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla adjourned the House sine die. Shortly afterward, Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan also announced the adjournment of the Upper House.
After the session ended, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla invited MPs for tea in his chamber. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also attended this informal meeting. He was joined by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi, Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav, and several other leaders from various parties. The meeting aimed to foster dialogue and goodwill at the conclusion of the session.
Popular comedian Bharti Singh and her husband, writer-producer Haarsh Limbachiyaa, welcomed a second bundle of joy into their family today. According to sources, the couple has been blessed with a baby boy. Currently, neither of them has made an official announcement on social media or to the media.
Sources indicate that the baby was born today, and Bharti and Haarsh are overjoyed with this happy news. This new responsibility and moment of joy have filled their home with happiness. Further details about the birth are yet to be revealed, but this news is very special for their fans.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was in Germany to attend an event organized by the Indian Overseas Congress. During this visit, he toured the BMW headquarters in Munich. A video of him sitting inside a Rolls-Royce Phantom car and experiencing it firsthand has gone viral on social media.
In the video, Rahul Gandhi is seen sitting in both the front and back seats of the car, appreciating the comfort and design details. Previously, a video of him on a BMW adventure bike had surfaced, but the Rolls-Royce Phantom video is generating the most buzz.
Today was the last day of Parliament Winter Session, and the Lok Sabha was adjourned indefinitely (sine die). This means that no further sittings will be held during this session.
ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company Ltd. shares made a strong start on the stock market. The company's shares listed today on both the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). On the NSE, the shares listed at ₹2,600, a 20.09% premium over the issue price. On the BSE, the shares listed at ₹2,606.20, registering a premium of 20.38%.
The issue price of the ICICI Prudential AMC IPO was fixed at ₹2,165 per share. Based on this, investors gained approximately ₹435 per share on the NSE listing, while on the BSE, they earned a profit of approximately ₹441.20 per share. For investors who received an allotment in the IPO, the listing day proved to be a profitable one.
Bangladesh is once again witnessing political and social unrest. Student leader Sharif Osman Hadi, who played a key role in the prominent student uprising of 2024, passed away on Thursday, December 18, 2025. News of his death sparked widespread grief and anger across the country, which escalated into violent protests in several locations.
Sharif Osman Hadi was a prominent figure and spokesperson for the Inqilab Manch, an organization opposed to Sheikh Hasina's government. He was campaigning as an independent candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency in the upcoming February elections. The Inqilab Manch rose to national prominence during the July 2024 student uprising, which shook the foundations of the then-government. Osman Hadi was considered the ideological face of the uprising.
In the domestic bullion market, gold prices have surged for the third consecutive day. On the morning of December 19, the price of 24-karat gold in Delhi reached ₹1,35,000 per 10 grams, while 22-karat gold was trading at ₹1,23,760 per 10 grams. Strong demand and global uncertainties have kept gold attractive as a safe-haven investment.
Gold prices remain high in other major cities across the country. In Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata, 24-karat gold reached ₹1,34,850 per 10 grams and 22-karat gold reached ₹1,23,610 per 10 grams. Similar prices were recorded in Pune and Bengaluru, indicating uniformity in gold prices across the country.
There has been no relief from air pollution in the national capital Delhi. Falling temperatures and calm winds are causing pollution levels to rise continuously. On Friday morning, a blanket of smog, along with mist and light fog, covered several parts of Delhi, reducing visibility and affecting daily life.
According to the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi, the average Air Quality Index (AQI) in the capital was recorded at 387 on Friday morning, which falls in the "very poor" category. Experts say that seasonal conditions are preventing pollutants from dispersing, making the air even more toxic.
Widespread tension has gripped Bangladesh following the death of Sharif Usman Hadi, spokesperson for the Inqilab Manch. Violent protests erupted in several major cities, including the capital Dhaka. Angry mobs targeted media outlets, and incidents of vandalism and arson were reported in multiple locations, making the situation extremely volatile.
Sharif Usman Hadi had been battling for his life at Singapore General Hospital for the past six days. He passed away on Thursday night while undergoing treatment. He had been critically injured last week when unknown assailants shot him in the head in Dhaka. He was taken to Singapore for better medical care.
An unprecedented political confrontation was witnessed in Parliament over the Developed India Guarantee for Employment and Livelihood Mission (Rural), or VB-GRAM Bill 2025, related to the employment system in rural India. After the bill was passed by both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, opposition parties accused the government of crushing the democratic process.
The Rajya Sabha passed the bill by voice vote after midnight. The Lok Sabha had already approved it earlier. This new law will replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA). The government claims that it will provide more employment opportunities to rural families.
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