Movie enthusiasts hoping for a showdown at the box office between Alia Bhatt and Salman Khan will have to wait, as the clash has been postponed. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh reported that the release of Alia Bhatt’s eagerly awaited spy thriller Alpha has been delayed to avoid overlapping with Salman Khan’s upcoming war drama Battle of Galwan.
Alpha was originally set to release on April 17, 2026. However, the makers have decided to shift the release to a later date to ensure a smoother theatrical window. Adarsh shared on X: “#BreakingNews... ALPHA AVOIDS CLASH WITH BATTLE OF GALWAN – YRF TO DECIDE ON A NEW DATE... #AdityaChopra steps aside for #SalmanKhan, moving Alpha from its April 17, 2026 release to avoid a direct clash with BattleOfGalwan. #YRF had locked April 17, 2026, for Alpha, but a new date will be announced after reviewing the theatrical calendar in the coming months.”
This is not the first delay for Alpha, which was initially planned for a Christmas 2025 release before being pushed to April 2026. With the latest postponement, the film is expected to release later in 2026, though an official date is yet to be revealed. Directed by Shiv Rawail, Alpha is the sixth installment in the successful YRF Spy Universe, which includes hits like Ek Tha Tiger, Tiger Zinda Hai, War, and Pathaan. Alongside Alia Bhatt, the film stars Sharvari and Bobby Deol in key roles.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
On Saturday, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta inaugurated the Atal Canteen in Pitampura, marking a significant step in the Delhi government’s initiative to provide affordable and nutritious meals to the city’s residents. The Atal Canteen scheme, announced by the government on Thursday, aims to offer a wholesome meal for just Rs 5, making nutritious food accessible to people from all walks of life. In its first phase, the scheme has established 45 Atal Canteens across various locations in Delhi.
Following the inauguration, residents eagerly began availing themselves of the meals. In a gesture of solidarity and engagement, CM Rekha Gupta shared a meal with the people and even personally fed some of the attendees. This act was warmly received by the public, who expressed their appreciation for the government’s efforts to make nutritious food affordable and accessible.
Visitors to the Atal Canteen expressed their delight, stating that they never imagined that a meal as wholesome and flavorful as the one provided—comprising dal, rice, vegetables, roti, and pickle—could be available at such a minimal cost. During the launch of the scheme, CM Rekha Gupta emphasized that although each meal costs the government approximately Rs 30 to prepare, it is being offered to the public for only Rs 5. She highlighted that through these canteens, lakhs of people would benefit from affordable and nutritious meals, with the overarching goal of ensuring that no one in Delhi goes hungry.
Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood added that while the initial rollout includes 45 locations, the government plans to expand the Atal Canteen network significantly. Over the coming months, more than 100 canteens are expected to open across the city. He reiterated that addressing hunger and ensuring food security for all residents remains a top priority for the Delhi government.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
Jailed accused Sukesh Chandrasekhar has filed an application before Prashant Sharma, Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) at Patiala House Courts, offering ₹217 crore to the complainant, Aditi Singh, in the ₹200-crore extortion case. Filed through his lawyer Anant Malik, the application states that the offer is made "without prejudice" to Chandrasekhar’s rights and does not imply an admission of guilt. The matter is scheduled for consideration on January 3, 2026.
The plea seeks the court’s permission for both parties to explore a settlement related to an FIR registered by the Special Cell, Lodhi Colony, New Delhi. Chandrasekhar, currently in judicial custody, has requested the court to notify the complainant and record that the settlement proposal is genuine and subject to her consent.
Background: Delhi Police have accused Chandrasekhar of allegedly duping the wives of former Ranbaxy promoters Shivinder Singh and Malvinder Singh of ₹200 crore. Multiple investigations against him are ongoing nationwide. He and his associate, A Paulose, were arrested in connection with the extortion case and are also facing proceedings under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, with investigations by the Enforcement Directorate.
The police have additionally invoked the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against the accused, alleging that Chandrasekhar, Paulose, and others used hawala channels and shell companies to launder and layer the proceeds of crime. The court has not yet ruled on the settlement application.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
An Israeli reservist deliberately drove his vehicle into a Palestinian man who was praying beside a road in the occupied West Bank on Thursday, December 25, after earlier discharging his weapon in the area, according to the Israeli military. The military said it had received video evidence showing an armed individual striking a Palestinian with a vehicle. It confirmed that the person involved was a reservist whose military service has since been terminated. The army said the act was carried out in “serious violation” of his authority and that his weapon had been seized.
Israeli media reported that the reservist is currently under house arrest. The Israeli police did not immediately comment when contacted by Reuters. The Palestinian victim was taken to hospital for examination following the incident but was not seriously injured and has since returned home. Footage broadcast on Palestinian television and verified by Reuters shows a man in civilian clothing with a firearm slung over his shoulder driving an off-road vehicle into a man kneeling in prayer by the roadside.
According to United Nations data, this year has been among the most violent on record for attacks by Israeli civilians against Palestinians in the West Bank, with more than 750 Palestinians injured. Between October 7, 2023, and October 17, 2025, more than 1,000 Palestinians were killed in the West Bank, mostly during operations conducted by Israeli security forces and in some cases by settlers. During the same period, 57 Israelis were killed in Palestinian attacks. Separately, on Friday, a Palestinian attacker killed two people in northern Israel, police said.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
Aerial footage shows the floodgates of Mexico’s El Cuchillo Dam opened on December 23, releasing water into the San Juan River to fulfill Mexico’s water obligation to the U.S. under the 1944 Water Treaty, which mandates delivering 1.75 million acre-feet of Rio Grande Basin water to the U.S. every five years, in Nuevo León, Mexico.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
For the rest of December, every Monday and Friday, we revisit some of our favourite audio long reads of 2025, each introduced by our editors. From October: Ben Giles, an extreme cleaner, has tackled everything from crime scenes to whale blubber, restoring order when people need it most. Written by Tom Lamont, read by Elis James.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Lars Sivertsen, and Philippe Auclair to discuss the major stories from European football as winter breaks get underway. Listeners can rate, review, and share the podcast on platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Audioboom, Mixcloud, Acast, and Stitcher, or join the conversation via email. In today’s episode, Raúl Jiménez maintained his perfect penalty record to help Fulham secure all three points against Nottingham Forest at Craven Cottage, concluding the Premier League’s long weekend. The podcast also provides updates from Europe’s top leagues, including Xabi Alonso’s continued tenure at Real Madrid, the tight race at the top in Italy, and the surprising team leading Ligue 1 at Christmas—who isn’t PSG. Additionally, the hosts cover the latest from AFCON and answer listener questions. Support for The Guardian is welcome, and Football Weekly is also available on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian
During the daily markets analysis segment on Open For Business, Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman held a discussion with Homin Lee, Senior Macro Strategist at Lombard Odier. The conversation focused on current global market trends, macroeconomic developments, and investor sentiment, offering expert insights into how shifting economic conditions are influencing financial markets and shaping near-term outlooks.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
Every Monday and Friday throughout December, we are republishing some of our most loved audio long reads of 2025 for those who may have missed them, each introduced by our editorial team to explain the choice. From September, this piece explores how rising sea levels are forcing much of the population to face the possibility that their homeland could disappear. The question remains where they will go. By Atul Dev. Narrated by Mikhail Sen.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
