During his visit to Brazil, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi met with Admiral Marcos Sampaio Olsen, Commander of the Brazilian Navy, to discuss enhancing cooperation between the two navies. Their discussions focused on operational engagements, training exchanges, hydrography, information sharing, maritime domain awareness, defence industry collaboration, technology development, innovation, and capacity building. The Indian Navy highlighted that this high-level meeting underscores the mutual commitment of both navies to strengthen strategic convergence and deepen the India-Brazil maritime partnership, contributing to stability in global maritime domains, especially in the Global South.
A significant outcome of the visit was the signing of a tripartite MoU between the Indian Navy, Brazilian Navy, and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited on exchanging information related to the maintenance of Scorpène-class submarines and other naval vessels. The agreement aims to enhance lifecycle support, share expertise in maintenance, logistics, and training, and strengthen defence R&D and technological collaboration between the two countries.
This visit follows recent exchanges, including a 40-member delegation from Brazil's Naval War College visiting India in November and a Brazilian defence delegation visiting the College of Defence Management. In July, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Brazil led to a strategic roadmap for deepening bilateral ties over the next decade, with defence and security as one of the five priority areas. The leaders also welcomed growing defence cooperation, including joint military exercises, high-level delegation exchanges, mutual protection of classified information, and the launch of a Bilateral Cybersecurity Dialogue.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from X/@indiannavy.
Superstars Nagarjuna and Vijay Sethupathi felicitated Mohanlal at JioHotstar’s ‘South Unbound’ event following his Dadasaheb Phalke Award win, recognizing his iconic contribution to Indian cinema. The trio was present to promote their respective Bigg Boss shows in Malayalam, Telugu, and Tamil.
On stage, Nagarjuna praised Mohanlal as a “deserving actor” and called the award “pure and prestigious.” Both Nagarjuna and Vijay Sethupathi honored Mohanlal by draping a shawl over his shoulders. Mohanlal, who received the award from President Droupadi Murmu at the 71st National Film Awards, said, “This moment is not mine alone; it belongs to the whole Malayalam industry.” At 65, he is the youngest recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award and only the second from Malayalam cinema to win it, after Adoor Gopalakrishnan.
Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin also unveiled JioHotstar’s upcoming slate of 25 South titles, including originals, blockbuster films, and series across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada. The event marked the launch of a collaboration to nurture young creators in Tamil Nadu, offering training in content creation, filmmaking, and digital storytelling.
Returning franchises like Kerala Crime Files S3, Save The Tigers S3, Heartbeat S3, and Good Wife S2 will be joined by new originals including Cousins And Kalyanams, LBW – Love Beyond Wicket, Resort, Lingam, and Vikram On Duty. Regional adaptations and new films such as Vishakha, Kaattaan, Pharma, Lucky The Superstar, and Kenatha Kaanom were also announced. The Bigg Boss franchise continues to dominate the OTT platform, alongside new reality shows like Comedy Cooks, Mad for Each Other, Second Love, and the Telugu debut of Roadies. The event saw the presence of cinema icons including Kamal Haasan, Mohanlal, Nagarjuna, and Vijay
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP) observed Human Rights Day on December 10 at Vision Hall, Faisalabad. The event followed this year’s United Nations theme, Reaffirming the Values of Human Rights: Our Everyday Essentials, emphasizing that human rights are fundamental protections shaping daily life, often unnoticed, especially in times of social instability. The program brought together civil society members, lawyers, political and religious leaders, women activists, youth, students, and professionals from across Pakistan, both in person and virtually.
HRFP President Naveed Walter expressed concern over ongoing human rights violations, particularly the persecution of minorities including Christians, Hindus, and Ahmadiyyas. He highlighted the increase in false blasphemy accusations, violence, abductions of minority girls, and attacks on vulnerable communities. Walter stressed that the UN theme calls for renewed focus, action, and collective efforts to protect victims and support affected families, advocating for human rights regardless of religion, gender, race, or ethnicity.
HRFP welcomed the passing of the National Minorities Commission Bill 2025, a step the organization has long supported since a 2014 Supreme Court directive. However, it emphasized that legislation is ineffective without proper enforcement and called on society to actively promote human rights, protect vulnerable groups, and foster an inclusive future. Speakers also urged educational reforms to instill peace and tolerance in young generations.
Notable speakers, including Raja Thomas, Ejaz Ghouri, Shamshad Gill, James Lal, John Victor, Bushra Bibi, Sadaf Shadman, Shahida Parveen, and Sohail Emmanuel, highlighted ongoing inequalities and challenges faced by women, children, and minorities. They pointed to poor implementation of minority job quotas, limited opportunities for youth and students, and global challenges like poverty, climate change, conflict, and systemic discrimination.
Victims shared personal accounts of discrimination, violence, and workplace injustice. HRFP called for immediate action against domestic worker abuse, forced conversions, forced marriages, fabricated charges, and hate speech targeting minorities, urging society to foster respect and equality. HRFP Program Coordinator Shadman John and Field Coordinator Hamdosh Samuel thanked participants and distributed informational materials, including HRFP’s REAT Helpline brochures for marginalized communities.
The event concluded with a peaceful protest, where attendees held banners and play-cards advocating human rights, equality, and religious freedom. Participants demanded an end to abductions, forced conversions, workplace harassment, misuse of blasphemy laws, and called for curriculum reforms and national efforts to ensure justice, equality, and freedom. Slogans included Our Everyday Essentials – Notice Now, Yes to Human Rights – No to Violations, and Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
The Union Health Ministry, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), launched a month-long Delhi Metro campaign at Sultanpur Metro Station on Wednesday, focusing on the health and well-being of women and girls. Running from December 10, 2025, to January 10, 2026, the campaign aims to reach millions of commuters through messages displayed on trains and selected metro stations. It highlights key issues such as women’s safety, health, mental well-being, bridging the digital divide, awareness of the PC&PNDT Act, and TB prevention.
Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava told ANI that the campaign builds on the successful “Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan,” which saw participation from over 11 crore people. She said the initiative, in collaboration with WHO, focuses on promoting messages like “Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar” and “Sashakt Bharat,” emphasizing the importance of women’s health, safety, and awareness about PCPNDT and TB. She added that a family or nation cannot progress without healthy women and that the Delhi Metro provides a powerful platform to reach the public directly.
Dr. Catharina Boehme, Officer-in-Charge, WHO South-East Asia, said the “Healthy Women, Healthy Nation” campaign is vital, as many women in India and globally still face stigma and lack access to timely healthcare, including for tuberculosis. She encouraged public ownership of the campaign on behalf of WHO and the Indian government.
The flag-off included a performance by WeBhor, an all-women band, celebrating women’s empowerment and resilience, followed by an inaugural metro ride to reinforce shared responsibility for promoting safety, dignity, and well-being for women and girls. Officials present included Meera Srivastava, Geetu Joshi, and other senior members of the Union Health Ministry.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from X/@MoHFW_INDIA.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz were seen leaving 10 Downing Street in London, United Kingdom, following a high-level meeting. The discussions reportedly focused on international cooperation, security matters, and strategies to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties among their nations.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
Malaysia’s ringgit has made an unexpected recovery, while Thailand’s baht continues to lag behind. So where does the Singapore dollar stand amid this regional currency reshuffle? Andrea Heng and Genevieve Woo explore the forces behind Asia’s currency winners and losers in 2024, and what households and businesses should monitor going into the new year, with insights from Saktiandi Supaat, Chief FX Strategist and Head of FX Research & Strategy at Maybank.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.
During the daily market analysis segment on Open For Business, hosts Andrea Heng and Genevieve Woo engage in a detailed discussion with Mel Siew, who serves as the Portfolio Manager for Asia Public Credit at Muzinich & Co., covering insights, trends, and key developments impacting financial markets across the region.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.
After three days of discussions between Ukrainian and US officials in Miami, Florida, no clear progress was achieved by Saturday. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will now shift his focus to Europe, heading to London on Monday for direct talks with the leaders of Britain, France, and Germany. Andrea Heng and Genevieve Woo speak with Dr. Cedomir Nestorovic, Professor of Geopolitics at ESSEC Business School Asia Pacific, for the latest insights.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.
Across the globe, Gen Z is moving beyond online activism and taking to the streets — pushing back against existing systems, highlighting inequality, and demanding a future they can trust. Many young people feel increasingly shut out, with rising youth unemployment and shrinking economic opportunities adding to their frustration. We speak with CNA senior correspondent Wei Du, who followed a wave of Gen Z demonstrations in Asia for an Insight documentary, and Dr. Eugene Mark, Fellow and Co-coordinator of Thailand Studies at the ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute, to understand the forces behind this new wave of youth-driven protests.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.
