Today's top headlines for December 16, 2025.
Breaking News Today: Top Headlines from Across India | 16 December 2025
Top headlines of India today, 16 December 2025. Get the latest breaking news, major national developments, politics, economy and key updates from across the country, live and in one place.
Headlines
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Amman on a two-day visit to Jordan; he Expresses confidence the visit will boost bilateral ties with the Arab Nation.
- Government says, Special Intensive Revision will remove fake voters from electoral rolls.
- LokSabha sends bill empowering higher educational institutions to Joint Parliamentary Committee.
- Ukraine agrees to drop #NATO membership ambition in exchange for Western security guarantees; Rejects US push to cede territory to Russia.
- ManuBhaker and Simranpreet Kaur Brar clinch gold medals in women's 25m sports pistol events at National Shooting Championship in New Delhi.
PM Modi Holds Talks with King Abdullah II, India and Jordan Agree to Deepen Strategic Partnership
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was accorded a warm reception by His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan at the Al Husseiniya Palace, marking an important moment in India-Jordan diplomatic ties. According to Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, the two leaders held detailed discussions on bilateral relations as well as key regional and global issues of mutual interest. Both sides agreed to further strengthen the India-Jordan partnership, with a special focus on trade and investment, defence and security, counter-terrorism and de-radicalisation, fertiliser and agriculture, infrastructure, renewable energy, and tourism and heritage. Reaffirming their united stand against terrorism, the talks concluded with King Abdullah II hosting a banquet dinner in honour of Prime Minister Modi.
Sharing this information, Official Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs, India, Randhir Jaiswal wrote on X:
"PM Narendra Modi was warmly received by His Majesty @KingAbdullahII at the Al Husseiniya Palace. The leaders held discussions on India-Jordan bilateral relations and on regional and global issues of mutual interest. They agreed to further deepen the 🇮🇳 - 🇯🇴 partnership, especially in the fields of trade and investment; defence and security; counter-terrorism and de-radicalisation; fertilizer and agriculture; infrastructure; renewable energy, and tourism & heritage. Both leaders reaffirmed their united stand against terrorism.
Following the talks, His Majesty @KingAbdullahII hosted a banquet dinner in the honour of PM @narendramodi.”
PRESIDENT OF INDIA TO VISIT KARNATAKA, TAMIL NADU AND TELANGANA FROM DECEMBER 16 TO 22
The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, will visit Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Telangana from December 16 to 22, 2025.
A press release from the President's Secretariat stated that: On December 16, the President will inaugurate the 1066th Jayanthi celebrations of Adi Jagadguru Sri Shivarathreeshwara Shivayogi Mahaswamiji at Malavalli, Mandya district, Karnataka.
On December 17, the President will perform darshan and aarti at the Golden Temple, Vellore, Tamil Nadu. Later, she will reach Rashtrapati Nilayam, Bolarum, Secunderabad, for a winter sojourn.
On December 19, the President will inaugurate the National Conference for the Chairpersons of Public Service Commissions, being organised by the Telangana Public Service Commission at Hyderabad.
On December 20, the President will address a conference on ‘Timeless Wisdom of Bharat: Pathways of Peace and Progress’, being organised by Brahma Kumaris Shanti Sarovar to mark its 21st Anniversary at Hyderabad.
Aaditya Thackeray Accuses BJP of Misleading Claims on Mumbai’s Cessed Properties
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Maharashtra MLA Aaditya Thackeray on Monday launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led Maharashtra government, accusing it of making false announcements and misleading claims in response to the opposition’s demands.
In a post on X, Thackeray said he had exposed what he termed as the “lies” of the BJP regime regarding pugree and cessed properties in Mumbai. He alleged that while tenants have been demanding legal protection, occupant status, and redevelopment linked to the age of buildings, the government’s assurances largely favour landlords and builders through incentives like additional FSI and TDR. Reiterating his party’s stand, Thackeray asserted that Shiv Sena (UBT) stands firmly with tenants and will continue to fight for their rights and protection.
Aaditya Thackeray wrote on X-
"Today I exposed the BJP regime’s lies and false announcements in Mumbai, that they made recently, as a response to our demands.
Exposé 1: Pugree/ Cessed Properties:
What we have asked for ✅
1) Give all tenants “occupant” status and legal protection from eviction by landlords.
2) Resolve the legal issue of “competent authority” in court
3) Keep the age of the building as a trigger for redevelopment rather than the condition of the building.
What the government has promised ❌
1) Tenants will get the amount of space, ONLY as much as they already have
2) Landlords/ Builders will get additional FSI, TDR and incentives.
🚨 the bjp government has sided with the landlords and builders instead of tenants living in pugree/ cessed properties.
We stand with the Tenants for the rights and believe that they must be protected at all cost."
Over 5,500 Afghan Refugees Forcibly Repatriated from Iran and Pakistan in a Single Day
The crisis of Afghan refugees has deepened further as more than 5,500 Afghans were forcibly repatriated from Iran and Pakistan in a single day. Taliban deputy spokesperson Mullah Hamdullah Fitrat said in a social media post that 1,014 families, comprising 5,580 people, returned to Afghanistan yesterday after being deported from the two neighbouring countries. He also revealed that earlier, 4,991 Afghan migrants were forcibly sent back on Saturday. As winter approaches, recently returned refugees living in designated camps have appealed to the Taliban for shelter, jobs and essential supplies. The Taliban, meanwhile, has assured assistance to returnees and called upon host countries to halt forced deportations.
India to Host Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine
New Delhi will become the focal point of a global dialogue on health and well-being as India jointly organises the Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine from 17 to 19 December 2025. Co-hosted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, the Summit will bring together policymakers, scientists, practitioners, Indigenous knowledge holders and civil society leaders from across the world to advance a shared vision of balanced, inclusive and sustainable health systems.
The Summit will be held under the theme “Restoring balance: The science and practice of health and well-being.” At a time when health systems globally are grappling with inequities, environmental stress and rising chronic disease, the Summit seeks to reaffirm the relevance of Traditional Medicine while firmly grounding its role in science, evidence and responsible practice. Building on the momentum generated by the inaugural Summit held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, in 2023, the New Delhi edition marks a significant step forward in positioning Traditional Medicine within the global health agenda.
Advisory for pilgrims regarding booking through HGOs/PTOs for Hajj 2026
It is brought to the notice of all intending pilgrims that, as per the timelines issued by the Ministry of Hajj & Umrah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the last date for finalising Housing and Services Contracts for Hajj-2026 is 1st February 2026. These mandatory contractual arrangements are essential for ensuring accommodation, transport, and other logistical services for pilgrims in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
A press release from the Ministry of Minority Affairs stated that: In light of the timelines outlined above, and considering the various preparatory requirements that must be completed by the Hajj Group Organisers (HGOs) and Private Tour Operators (PTOs), all prospective pilgrims intending to perform Hajj through these HGOs/PTOs are strongly advised to secure their bookings well in advance. Timely completion of booking is necessary to complete the procedural compliance, including finalisation of accommodation, transportation contracts within the deadlines stipulated by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Haj-2026.
