In Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, six more Naxalite bodies were recovered following a clash with security forces, bringing the total number of Naxalites killed in the encounter to 18, officials reported on Thursday. Three personnel of the District Reserve Guard (DRG), a state police unit, also lost their lives in the gunfight that occurred on Wednesday. During a prolonged exchange of fire lasting approximately 12 hours, 12 Naxalites were recovered by late Wednesday evening, said Inspector General of Police Sundarraj P. An additional six bodies were found during continued searches by Thursday morning. The operation to locate Naxalites remains ongoing.
The operation involved DRG units from Dantewada and Bijapur, the Special Task Force of the state police, and CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action), an elite CRPF unit. It was launched based on intelligence about the presence of the West Bastar Division and PLGA Company No. 2 of Maoists in the region.
IG Sundarraj P said, "Our forces responded bravely to the Maoists’ firing, but tragically, three of our DRG personnel from Bijapur were martyred." The IG paid tribute to the three deceased jawans at Bijapur Police Lines, in the presence of their families, local officials, and residents. The three killed personnel—Head Constable Monu Vadadi, Constable Dukaru Gonde, and Jawan Ramesh Sodhi—were all residents of Bijapur. Their bodies were sent to their hometowns following the tribute ceremony. Two other DRG personnel sustained injuries in the incident.
Among the killed Naxalites, one has been identified as Modiyami Vella, a commander of PLGA Company No. 2. Vella was involved in several deadly attacks on security forces, including the 2020 Minpa ambush in Sukma, which claimed 17 lives, and the 2021 Tekalgudem attack in Bijapur, which killed 22 personnel. He carried a bounty of ₹8 lakh. Authorities recovered a Light Machine Gun, Single Loading Rifles (SLRs), INSAS rifles, .303 rifles, and other weapons and ammunition from the site.
This year alone, 281 Naxalites have been killed in Chhattisgarh, including 252 in the Bastar division (covering seven districts such as Bijapur and Dantewada), 27 in Gariaband (Raipur division), and 2 in Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki (Durg division). Meanwhile, 23 security personnel have died in Maoist-related violence across the state so far in 2025. The central government has set a target to completely eliminate Left-Wing Extremism in the state by March 31, 2026.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia stated that 44 projects worth around ₹5,700 crore have been approved under the Prime Minister's Development Initiative for the North East Region (PM-DevINE), with the ministry on track to fully utilise the scheme's allocation. Chairing a meeting of the Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, Scindia emphasized the Modi government’s commitment to rapid, transparent, and results-driven development in the northeast, with PM-DevINE acting as a key driver for infrastructure and socio-economic growth.
He described the initiative as the ministry’s most important scheme, conceptualized in the Union Budget 2022-23, with a total outlay of ₹6,600 crore for 2022-23 to 2025-26. As of October 31, 2025, three projects worth ₹176 crore have been completed, while 41 projects worth ₹5,500 crore are ongoing, and projects worth ₹111 crore have been approved in principle, with another ₹625 crore in the pipeline.
The minister highlighted that PM-DevINE projects are monitored through a rigorous multi-layered system, including weekly reviews comparing planned and actual progress. He also stressed the importance of committee meetings involving MPs from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in facilitating continuous dialogue on investment and development in the northeastern states.
Responding to members’ queries, Scindia provided updates on ongoing projects in Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Tripura. On promoting tourism in Tripura, he noted that world-class tourist circuits would be developed across the northeast in coordination with state governments. Pilot projects include the Sohra Circuit in Meghalaya and the Matabari Circuit in Tripura. The Meghalaya-Sohra circuit foundation has been laid, and the Tripura-Matabari circuit is nearing approval. Beyond infrastructure, these tourist circuits will emphasize capacity-building, ensuring skilled manpower is available to support tourism growth and enhance the visitor experience.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.
Mukesh Tyagi, Border Security Force (BSF) Inspector General of the North Bengal Frontier, stated that the India-Bangladesh border remains secure, with incidents of border crime and infiltration having decreased in recent years. Responding to a query on the border’s status, he mentioned that the BSF also assists individuals who voluntarily wish to cross into Bangladesh, a practice ongoing for several months.
“The border with Bangladesh is secure. Border crimes are declining due to our strong patrolling and the installation of new fencing. Infiltration has gone down. Regarding voluntary crossings, we facilitate those who wish to go into Bangladesh. I wouldn’t attribute this to SIR, as this has been happening for some months,” Tyagi told ANI.
He added that modern surveillance technology, including cameras and other equipment, has been installed along the border, and older fencing has been replaced. “Old fencing has been replaced in this corridor. Surveillance cameras and other equipment have also been installed. We also increase forces when needed and keep a close watch on the Siliguri Corridor (Chicken’s Neck), taking action whenever necessary,” he said. Tyagi further highlighted the strong cooperation between BSF and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). “Our relations with BGB are excellent. All Bangladeshi nationals caught are handed over to BGB, and they cooperate with us,” he added.
The BSF Meghalaya Frontier reported significant operational gains along the 444.857 km India-Bangladesh border in its annual performance summary released on Monday. Between January and November 2025, BSF personnel seized contraband worth Rs 29.43 crore, including Yaba tablets, ganja, and Phensedyl cough syrup, striking a major blow to cross-border smuggling networks.
To curb illegal migration, the force apprehended 449 individuals attempting to cross the border illegally, including 213 Bangladeshi nationals and 31 Indians involved in infiltration. Officials noted that coordinated crackdowns on tout networks and enhanced monitoring of vulnerable routes have strengthened border security across key sectors.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
French President Emmanuel Macron met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday (Dec 4) to strengthen trade ties, as the European Union prepares stricter trade regulations. Macron is accompanied by a large business delegation on his fourth state visit to China. Macron will travel to Chengdu in southwestern Sichuan province with Xi—a rare gesture, since the Chinese leader seldom joins visiting officials outside Beijing. However, Xi is not expected to approve a long-awaited Airbus deal or reduce duties on EU brandy imports, nearly all of which come from France.
Beijing aims to ease trade tensions with Brussels over its heavily subsidized electric vehicle sector, which has led to retaliatory tariffs on some European goods. At the same time, committing to a 500-jet Airbus order could reduce China’s leverage with the US, which is pushing for a Boeing deal, and with Europe as it plans new economic security measures.
Macron has previously emphasized a united European stance in dealing with China while avoiding confrontation, recognizing China’s importance as an export market for key French companies. The delegation with Macron includes top executives from Airbus, BNP Paribas, Schneider Electric, and Alstom, as well as leaders from the French dairy and poultry sectors. Macron and Xi are expected to sign several agreements following their meeting.
China is France’s seventh-largest trading partner, importing about US$35 billion in goods annually, including cosmetics, aircraft parts, and alcoholic beverages. France imports around US$45 billion in Chinese products, mainly low-cost items such as clothing, accessories, and gadgets through online platforms like Shein, benefiting from an EU customs waiver on purchases under 150 euros (S$226.65).
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
Russian President Vladimir Putin met U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner at the Kremlin to discuss possible ways to end the Ukraine war, the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War II. Ahead of the meeting, Putin warned Europe of swift defeat if it went to war with Russia and rejected European peace proposals as unacceptable. A leaked U.S. draft peace plan alarmed Kyiv and European powers for largely meeting Russia’s demands, including NATO concessions and Russian control over parts of Ukraine. Talks in Geneva led to an updated peace framework, but no agreement has been reached. The Kremlin meeting lasted over four hours, with Putin stressing that Europe’s proposals were aimed at blocking peace. He warned that if Ukraine rejects terms, Russia will continue its territorial advances. Nearly four years into the war, Russia controls about 19% of Ukraine but has failed to conquer the country, which continues to receive support from the West. Zelenskiy said the outcome depends on the talks, emphasizing the need for fair and open negotiations, while Western powers remain wary of a peace deal favoring Moscow.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
A new law in Texas now permits residents to sue abortion pill providers in other states. Supporters argue it helps enforce Texas’ abortion restrictions, while critics are concerned about how plaintiffs might gather evidence. In this special episode, Carter Sherman, the Guardian US reporter on reproductive health and justice, talks with individuals who provide, use, or protect abortion pills, as well as those opposing them in Texas.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from The Guardian.
On ‘Culture Club’, Melanie Oliveiro speaks with Her Excellency Jessica María López, Venezuela’s Ambassador to Singapore, about her country’s key cultural traditions, foods, drinks, and travel highlights. She discusses must-visit destinations such as Angel Falls and Caracas, as well as customs like Carnaval, joropo dancing, and family-oriented dishes such as arepas. Ambassador López also highlights cocuy, a traditional spirit central to Venezuelan drinking culture. Representatives from the restaurant Chimichanga will join to explain cocuy and how it differs from tequila and mezcal.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.
Pippa and Kiran talk about the prime minister’s Monday speech and consider whether it will distract from claims that the chancellor misled the public with her budget statements. Also: disorder at Your Party’s inaugural conference.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from The Guardian.
In December 2019, a fishing boat set out from an Alaskan port with an experienced crew, unaware that an icy storm was gathering. The events that followed underscore why deep-sea fishing is considered one of the most dangerous professions in the world. This account is by Rose George, read by Rosalie Craig, and is adapted from Every Last Fish: What Fish Do for Us, and What We Do to Them, published by Granta.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
