A passenger train derailed in Oaxaca, southern Mexico, on Sunday, 28 December 2025, killing at least 13 people and injuring nearly 100 others. The train was traveling between the Pacific port of Salina Cruz and Coatzacoalcos on the Gulf of Mexico, part of a major east‑west route.

The train was carrying about 250 people, including 241 passengers and nine crew members. Officials said 193 passengers are safe, while 36 remain hospitalized, some in serious condition.

Videos and photos from the scene show derailed carriages and rescue teams helping injured passengers. Emergency workers, the military, and civil protection teams responded quickly to assist.

President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed condolences and sent officials to help families of victims. Oaxaca Governor Salomón Jara Cruz confirmed that government teams reached the site to support rescue efforts.

Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office has started an investigation to find out why the train derailed. Possible causes being checked include track problems, technical issues, or human error.

The Interoceanic Corridor project, which started in 2023, connects Mexico’s east and west coasts and is meant to boost trade and development in southern Mexico. Operations on the line are temporarily stopped, and authorities are reviewing safety measures.

Rescue and recovery work is ongoing as officials continue to help the injured and families affected by the accident.

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Kathmandu Mayor Balendra “Balen” Shah has been named the prime ministerial candidate after joining forces with the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) ahead of Nepal’s general election on March 5, 2026. Under a seven-point deal, Shah will lead the RSP’s parliamentary group and could become prime minister if the party wins a majority. RSP chief Rabi Lamichhane will continue as party leader.

The agreement allows Shah and his supporters to contest under the RSP’s election symbol — the bell — while keeping the party’s name, flag, and identity intact.

Political analysts see this alliance as a bid to unite emerging voices, especially the youth, who led protests in September 2025 against corruption, poor governance, and economic stagnation. These protests played a role in the resignation of former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and the dissolution of parliament, paving the way for early elections.

Supporters say the alliance aims to address demands raised during the protests, including accountability, reforms, and better governance.

Shah first gained attention as an independent mayor in Kathmandu and has strong support among urban voters and young people. His entry into national politics challenges Nepal’s traditional parties, like the Nepali Congress and Communist Party of Nepal (UML), which have ruled for decades.

The Shah-RSP alliance is now seen as a major factor in the upcoming election, where 275 members of the House of Representatives will be elected.

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Former Supreme Court judge Markandey Katju has defended the interim bail granted to former BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the 2017 Unnao rape case, highlighting that the convict has already spent eight years in jail. The remarks come as a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court hears the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) plea challenging the Delhi High Court’s December 23 order that suspended Sengar’s life sentence and granted him bail pending appeal.

Sengar was convicted in 2019 for kidnapping and raping a minor girl in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh. He was sentenced to life imprisonment and fined. In addition, he is serving a separate 10-year sentence for culpable homicide in connection with the death of the victim’s father while in custody.

Katju clarified that the Delhi High Court’s interim order does not determine Sengar’s guilt or innocence. The ruling focused on legal technicalities, including whether a legislator should be treated as a “public servant” under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Under Indian law, a member of the legislative assembly is not considered a public servant, which affects sentencing provisions. Katju also pointed out that prolonged trials in India can be unfair, and a defendant spending decades in jail before a final judgment may constitute injustice.

The bail order has generated significant public debate and protests. The survivor and her family expressed serious concerns over safety, and demonstrations were reported in parts of New Delhi. Activists argue that suspending Sengar’s sentence undermines confidence in the judicial system, while supporters of the High Court’s decision stress that it followed legal interpretations rather than questioning the conviction itself.

The Supreme Court’s hearing will determine whether the Delhi High Court’s suspension of Sengar’s life term and its bail conditions will continue or be overturned. The case continues to attract national attention due to its legal, social, and political implications, reflecting ongoing debates on justice, legal technicalities, and the protection of victims’ rights in high-profile cases.

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Indian women’s cricket star Smriti Mandhana became the fastest woman to score 10,000 international runs on December 28, 2025, during the fourth T20I against Sri Lanka at the Greenfield Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. India won the match comfortably, sealing the series.

Mandhana needed 27 runs to reach 10,000 and achieved it in the seventh over with a single off Nimasha Meepage. She finished the innings with 80 runs off 48 balls, hitting three sixes and several boundaries. Her innings highlighted her skill and consistency.

At 29, Mandhana joined an elite group of four women cricketers with 10,000+ international runs, alongside Mithali Raj, Suzie Bates, and Charlotte Edwards. She also became the fastest to reach this milestone, doing it in 281 innings, ten fewer than Mithali Raj.

2025 has been an outstanding year for Mandhana. She became the first woman to score 1,000 ODI runs in a single year and ended as India’s leading run-scorer in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup.

In the same T20I, Mandhana and teammate Shafali Verma set a record opening partnership of 162 runs, the highest for India in Women’s T20Is.

Mandhana’s achievement is celebrated as a major milestone for Indian women’s cricket, showing her talent, dedication, and impact across formats over more than a decade.

Her record adds another chapter to her illustrious career and continues to inspire young women cricketers across India and the world.

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Baramati marked a significant milestone on Sunday with the inauguration of the Sharadchandra Pawar Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence, a facility that reflects veteran leader **Sharad Pawar’s long-standing emphasis on education-led development and institution building.

The centre was inaugurated by industrialist Gautam Adani and has been established under Vidya Pratishthan, an educational trust associated with the Pawar family. Designed as a hub for advanced research, training, and innovation in artificial intelligence, the facility aims to equip students and professionals with skills relevant to a rapidly evolving digital economy.

Senior leaders, including Sharad Pawar, Supriya Sule, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, and Sunetra Pawar, attended the event, underscoring the importance of the initiative for the region and beyond. Baramati, long known for its strong educational institutions and cooperative movement, is now being positioned as a centre for emerging technologies.

Speaking at the inauguration, Gautam Adani described Sharad Pawar as a mentor of over three decades and credited him with shaping Baramati through sustained focus on education, rural development, and entrepreneurship. He said the new AI centre carries forward Pawar’s belief that institutions, not individuals alone, drive lasting change.

Adani highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence in shaping economies, governance, and daily life, and said India must build its own AI capabilities to remain competitive and self-reliant. He urged young Indians to lead innovation by developing indigenous models, data systems, and digital infrastructure rather than relying heavily on imported technologies.

The Centre of Excellence is expected to promote advanced AI research, skill development, and industry-oriented training, with an emphasis on practical applications that can address real-world challenges. It is also expected to open new opportunities for students from rural and semi-urban backgrounds, bridging the gap between local talent and global technology trends.

The inauguration of the AI centre adds a new chapter to Sharad Pawar’s legacy in Baramati, reinforcing his vision of blending education, technology, and inclusive growth to prepare future generations for the challenges and opportunities of a digital India.

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Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge called for a nationwide campaign to protect the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, urging citizens to protest the proposed repeal and defend rural jobs, linking the move to earlier controversial law repeals.

Delhi’s air quality worsened sharply as dense fog and cold weather trapped pollutants, pushing the Air Quality Index beyond 400 in several areas. Thick smog reduced visibility and authorities advised children, elderly and patients to limit outdoor exposure.

With New Year celebrations around the corner, the Delhi Police launched a massive citywide crackdown to keep streets safe and prevent crime. Under Operation Aaghat, police teams worked through the night, arresting more than 150 criminals and detaining hundreds of others as part of preventive action across the capital.

The operation focused on areas known for criminal activity and places that see heavy crowds during the festive season. Police officers carried out surprise checks, vehicle inspections and raids, aiming to send a clear message that crime would not be tolerated during the celebrations.

Officials said the drive led to the seizure of over 20 country-made pistols, along with live cartridges and knives, raising concerns about the easy availability of illegal weapons. “Removing these weapons from the streets before New Year is critical for public safety,” a senior police officer said.

Large quantities of illicit liquor were also recovered during the operation. Police said illegal alcohol sales tend to spike during festivals and can lead to law-and-order issues and health risks. Alongside this, teams seized ganja and other narcotic substances, registering multiple cases under the NDPS Act. Drug peddlers often target young people and party-goers during festive periods, officials noted.

Beyond arrests and seizures, the operation brought relief to several citizens who had lost valuables. Police recovered hundreds of stolen mobile phones and two-wheelers, tracing them back to theft networks operating across different districts. Several habitual offenders, listed in police records as repeat criminals, were also picked up for questioning and preventive detention.

The scale of Operation Aaghat reflected coordinated planning across districts, with senior officers personally monitoring the drive. Additional patrols have been deployed at busy markets, transport hubs, party venues and tourist spots to ensure quick response to any untoward incident.

Delhi Police said the operation was not just about arrests, but about reassurance. “People should feel safe stepping out to celebrate,” an officer said, adding that visible policing and strict checks help build public confidence.

Authorities have urged citizens to cooperate with police checks and report suspicious activity. With heightened vigilance continuing through New Year’s Eve, police said they are committed to ensuring a peaceful and secure start to the New Year for everyone in the capital.

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In a major political development in Kerala, BJP leader V V Rajesh was sworn in as the Mayor of Thiruvananthapuram, becoming the first BJP mayor in the state’s history. The event marks a significant breakthrough for the party in Kerala, where civic and state politics have largely been dominated by the Left and the Congress for decades.

Rajesh’s election follows the recent Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation elections, where the BJP emerged as the single largest party. In the mayoral election held at the corporation council, Rajesh secured 51 votes in the 100-member council, crossing the majority mark with the support of an independent councillor. One seat remains vacant following the death of a candidate before polling.

This victory is particularly significant as it ends the 45-year rule of the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) in the state capital’s civic body. The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) trailed behind, failing to form a majority.

The BJP’s success in Thiruvananthapuram is being seen as a major morale booster ahead of the Kerala Assembly elections, expected next year. Senior BJP leaders attended the swearing-in ceremony, underlining the party’s focus on strengthening its presence in the state.

After taking oath, Mayor V V Rajesh said his priority would be inclusive development of the city. He assured that all 101 wards of the corporation would receive equal attention, regardless of political affiliation. He also stressed the need to improve basic civic services, infrastructure, waste management, and urban planning to make Thiruvananthapuram a better city to live in.

Rajesh, a lawyer by profession, has been active in politics for several years. He is currently a BJP state secretary and was elected councillor from the Kodunganoor ward. He had earlier contested the 2021 Kerala Assembly election from Vattiyoorkavu but lost narrowly.

The BJP’s mayoral win in Kerala’s capital is being viewed as a symbolic and strategic milestone, signalling a shift in urban voter sentiment and adding a new dimension to the state’s evolving political landscape.

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