Top news headlines of today – 11 Dec 2025

New Delhi: Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said the Opposition’s walkout from the Lok Sabha over his reference to “ghuspathiye (illegal immigrants)” had bared the “real agenda” behind its two-day tirade against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, claiming their only concern was to save an illegal-immigrant vote bank that SIR would delete from the lists.

Shah had already launched a stinging attack on the Opposition’s criticism of SIR and on the Congress’ record, but the benches stayed put as he accused Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi of historic instances of “vote chori”. It was only when he turned to “avaidh ghuspathiye” and their place on the voter list that Opposition MPs walked out.

“The Opposition wants to normalise and formalise the ‘ghuspathiye’ and add them in electoral rolls,” Shah alleged, intervening in a debate on election reforms. After the walkout, he said no matter how many times the Opposition boycotts proceedings, the NDA would continue with its policy of “detect, delete and deport” illegal immigrants.

Also read: SIR debate: How Mamata is playing ‘tu daal daal, main paat paat’ with EC to derail SIR

Shah used that sequence to argue that the real trigger for the campaign against SIR was the fear that “ghuspathiye”, whom he repeatedly framed as the Opposition’s vote bank, would be struck off the rolls. “Can a country’s democracy be safe when the prime minister and the chief minister are decided by ‘ghuspathiye’?” he asked.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded Shah's speech in the Lok Sabha saying he exposed the opposition's lies about the election process.

The prime minister described Shah's 90-minute speech in the Lower House as "outstanding".

"An outstanding speech by Home Minister Shri Amit Shah Ji. With concrete facts, he has highlighted diverse aspects of our electoral process, the strength of our democracy and also exposed the lies of the Opposition," Modi said on X.

An outstanding speech by Home Minister Shri Amit Shah Ji. With concrete facts, he has highlighted diverse aspects of our electoral process, the strength of our democracy and also exposed the lies of the Opposition. https://t.co/oRI21Eij8H

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 10, 2025

Follow this page as we track big developments of the day...

Dec 11, 2025 18:18 IST
Bangladesh to vote on February 12, first poll after PM Hasina's ouster
Bangladesh will hold the 13th parliamentary election on February 12, Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin announced on Thursday.
 
This will be the first election after prime minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted in a violent student-led protest in August 2024. READ MORE



Dec 11, 2025 17:38 IST
Delhi court grants interim bail to Umar Khalid to attend sister's wedding
A Delhi court on Thursday granted interim bail from December 16 to 29 to former JNU student Umar Khalid to attend his sister's wedding.
 
Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai granted interim relief to Khalid, who is an accused in the case regarding the larger conspiracy behind the 2020 Delhi riots. READ MORE



Dec 11, 2025 17:32 IST
IndiGo crisis: DGCA officials start monitoring operations, refunds at airline headquarters
Enhancing oversight, DGCA officials on Thursday began monitoring IndiGo's operations, refunds, and other processes from the airline's headquarters, sources said.
 
They said the officials are expected to submit daily reports on the situation at the airline, which has been grappling with significant operational disruptions and the subsequent cancellation of thousands of flights due to planning failures related to the implementation of new pilot and crew duty norms. READ HERE



Dec 11, 2025 17:21 IST
DPIIT panel may release 2nd paper on copyrightability of AI generated content in two months
The DPIIT committee on the intersection of artificial intelligence and copyright is expected to release its second working paper, on copyrightability of AI-generated content, in about two months, a senior government official said on Thursday.
 
The committee's first paper was released on December 8, in which it proposed to give a mandatory blanket licence to artificial intelligence developers for using all legally accessed copyright-protected works to train AI systems. READ MORE



Dec 11, 2025 17:09 IST
EC extends SIR deadlines across states, Bengal’s schedule remains unchanged for Dec 16
The Election Commission on Thursday extended the timeline for Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in six states and Union territories following requests from the respective chief electoral officers.
 
In a statement, the Election Commission (EC) issued the revised schedule for SIR in Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Uttar Pradesh. READ MORE



Dec 11, 2025 16:43 IST
Goa nightclub fire: Luthra brothers detained in Thailand; partner Gupta in 7-day police custody
Gaurav and Saurav Luthra, co-owners of the ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’ nightclub where a Saturday blaze claimed 25 lives, have been detained by the authorities in Thailand, and efforts are underway for their return to face legal action, officials said here on Thursday.
 
44-year-old Gaurav and his 40-year-old brother Saurav Luthra had fled to Phuket within hours after the December 6 tragedy at their club in Goa. An Interpol Blue Corner notice was issued on December 9 following a request from the Goa police routed through the CBI. READ MORE



Dec 11, 2025 16:39 IST
Second phase Kerala local body polls see turnout of over 60% till 3 pm
The second phase of polling in the crucial local body elections in seven districts of Kerala on Thursday witnessed a turnout of over 60 per cent after eight hours of polling.
 
Voters began casting ballots from 7 am at the 18,274 polling stations in the districts of Thrissur, Palakkad, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod.
 
People of all ages and professions, including political leaders, queued up at polling stations since early morning. READ MORE



Dec 11, 2025 16:31 IST
Rupee slumps 39 paise to close at all-time low of 90.33 against US dollar
The rupee plunged 39 paise to close at an all-time low of 90.33 (provisional) against the US dollar on Thursday amid uncertainty over the India-US trade deal.
 
Forex traders said the rupee is expected to trade with a negative bias as the delay in the trade deal between India and the US may continue to dent investor confidence. READ MORE



Dec 11, 2025 15:43 IST
Pakistani military court sentences former ISI chief Faiz Hameed to 14 years in jail
In a significant development, a Pakistani military court on Thursday sentenced former spy chief Faiz Hameed to 14 years in jail for violating the army laws.
 
According to a statement by the army, the process of Field General Court Martial was initiated on August 12, 2024, against Hameed, formerly Lt Gen, under provisions of the Pakistan Army Act.
 
He was tried on four charges related to engaging in political activities, violation of the Official Secrets Act detrimental to the safety and interests of the State, misuse of authority & government resources, and causing wrongful loss to persons. READ MORE



Dec 11, 2025 15:34 IST
Trump will be the American President that lost India, chased India away: US lawmaker
US President Donald Trump's policies towards India are doing “real and lasting damage” to the strategic trust and mutual understanding, a top US lawmaker has said, underlining that Washington must move with “incredible urgency” to mitigate the damage done to bilateral ties.
 
“...Unless he changes course, Trump will be the American President that lost India, or more accurately, that chased India away while revitalising the Russian Empire, while breaking up the Transatlantic Alliance and menacing Latin America. That is not a legacy any President should be excited about having,” Democratic Congresswoman from California Sydney Kamlager-Dove said Wednesday. READ MORE



Dec 11, 2025 15:26 IST
IndiGo offers travel vouchers worth Rs 10,000 to passengers severely impacted during Dec 3-5
IndiGo, which has been facing significant operational disruptions, on Thursday announced that it will offer travel vouchers worth Rs 10,000 to each passenger whose flights were cancelled or delayed for long during December 3-5.
 
The compensation would be in addition to the amount that needs to be provided to passengers for flight cancellations under DGCA norms. READ MORE



Dec 11, 2025 15:25 IST
Rupee slumps 54 paise to all-time low of 90.48 against US dollar in intra-day trade
The rupee plunged 54 paise to an all-time low of 90.48 against the US dollar in intra-day trade on Thursday after reports surfaced that the India-US trade deal is likely by March 2026.
 
Forex traders said the rupee fell to a new all-time low of 90.48 after Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran reportedly said the India-US trade deal is likely to be inked by March. READ MORE



Dec 11, 2025 15:04 IST
It's a 'shame' students have to go back to India, China after graduating: Trump
US President Donald Trump announced the launch of a million-dollar “Gold Card” offering a pathway for immigrants to US citizenship, saying that it is a “shame” that students from India and China have to go back to home countries.
 
The Trump Gold Card announced on Wednesday is a visa based upon an individual’s ability to provide a substantial benefit to the United States. READ MORE



Dec 11, 2025 14:46 IST
Lok Sabha extends tenure of committee examining 'one nation, one election' bills
The Lok Sabha on Thursday extended the tenure of the parliamentary committee examining bills that seek to introduce simultaneous polls to the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies.
 
Committee Chairman P P Chaudhary moved the motion seeking extension of the tenure of the Joint Committee on the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, up to the first day of the last week of the 2026 Budget session. READ MORE



Dec 11, 2025 13:41 IST
Ethanol-blended petrol environment friendly, benefitting farmers: Gadkari in LS
Ethanol-blended petrol has greatly benefitted farmers and resulted in saving of over Rs 1.40 lakh crore of foreign exchange, Lok Sabha was informed on Thursday.
 
Amid concerns over the use of ethanol-blended petrol, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said after extensive testing, no adverse impact has been found in cars where ethanol mixed petrol is used. READ MORE



Dec 11, 2025 13:03 IST
Act in 3 days to protect Salman Khan's personality rights, Delhi HC tells social media platforms
The Delhi High Court on Thursday directed social media intermediaries to act in three days on Bollywood actor Salman Khan's complaint seeking protection of his personality rights.
 
Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora said she will pass a detailed interim restraining order regarding other entities impleaded in the matter. READ MORE



Dec 11, 2025 12:22 IST
Who are Aryan Sharma and John James? Indian-origin duo named in Australia U-19 World Cup team
Two Indian origin players -- Aryan Sharma and John James -- have been named in Australia's 15-member squad for the men's U-19 World Cup scheduled to be held in Namibia and Zimbabwe from January 15 to February 6.
 
Aryan, a handy batter and slow left-arm spinner, and James, a right-arm medium pace all-rounder, were both part of the squad that played against India in the youth Tests and one-dayers in September. READ MORE



Dec 11, 2025 11:26 IST
Goa nightclub fire: Owners Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra detained in Thailand
The Thailand Police have detained Saurabh Luthra and his brother Gaurav Luthra, who fled India after a fire at their Goa nightclub claimed 25 lives, officials said on Thursday.
 
The nightclub co-owners, against whom an Interpol Blue Corner Notice had been issued, were detained at the request of the Indian government, they said.
 
Both the accused have been detained at Phuket in Thailand, and a process is underway to bring them to India, senior officials confirmed to PTI. READ MORE



Dec 11, 2025 11:16 IST
IndiGo cancels 60 flights from Bengaluru; CEO Pieter Elbers to appear before DGCA
Crisis-hit IndiGo cancelled 60 flights from Bengaluru Airport on Thursday, as safety watchdog DGCA tightened its scrutiny following large-scale disruptions in services on account of planning failures related to the implementation of new pilot and crew duty norms, a source said.
 
"IndiGo has cancelled 60 flights -- 32 arrivals and 28 departures from Bengaluru Airport," the source said. READ MORE



Dec 11, 2025 11:10 IST
Second phase of key Kerala local body polls begins, CM confident of LDF win
The second phase of polling in the crucial local body elections commenced in seven districts of Kerala on Thursday morning with the turnout crossing 8 per cent in the first two hours of voting.
 
Voters began casting ballots from 7 am at the 18,274 polling stations in the districts of Thrissur, Palakkad, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod.
 
Polling will conclude at 6 pm. READ MORE



Dec 11, 2025 10:48 IST
India calls for pragmatic engagement with the Taliban: Amb Harish tells UNSC
India told the UN Security Council that it calls for a “pragmatic engagement” with the Taliban as New Delhi underlined that a focus on only punitive measures will ensure a 'business as usual' approach.
 
Addressing the UN Security Council meeting on the Situation in Afghanistan on Wednesday, Harish said India calls on the United Nations and the international community to adopt nuanced policy instruments that help bring sustainable benefits for the people of Afghanistan. READ MORE



Dec 11, 2025 10:41 IST
Delhi records AQI of 288 in 'poor' category, IMD predicts fog through weekend
The air quality in the national capital recorded in the 'poor' category with an AQI reading of 288, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
 
As per the CPCB, an AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 to 100 'satisfactory', 101 to 200 'moderate', 201 to 300 'poor', 301 to 400 'very poor' and 401 to 500 'severe'. READ MORE



Dec 11, 2025 07:37 IST
IndiGo CEO likely to appear before DGCA on Thursday
Mumbai: Aviation safety regulator DGCA asked crisis-ridden IndiGo's Chief Executive Officer Pieter Elbers to appear at its office on Thursday and submit a complete report, along with comprehensive data and updates, relating to the recent operational disruptions.
Elbers has been asked to appear at the DGCA office at 3 pm on Thursday.