Indian stock markets will remain closed today, December 25, 2025, as trading across domestic exchanges is suspended on account of Christmas. This marks the final trading holiday of the year, bringing the 2025 market calendar to a close. BSE, NSE, and rupee trading remain haltedAs per the official holiday calendar released by the exchanges, both benchmark bourses — the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE) — will remain closed for the entire trading day. As per the 2026 holiday calendar, Indian stock markets will next remain closed on January 26, 2026, in observance of Republic Day. ---Advertisement---The Indian stock markets are closed today, December 25, in observance of Christmas, marking the final trading holiday of 2025.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 25 – Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has sent a message of goodwill to Kenyans during the Christmas season, calling for unity, peace and caution on the roads as families travel to celebrate the holidays. In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, Kenyatta extended his Christmas wishes to the nation, praying for peace, joy and God’s blessings for Kenyan families. “As we mark this Christmas season, I extend my sincere wishes of peace, joy, and God’s blessings to you and your families,” Kenyatta said. The former Head of State urged Kenyans to reflect on values that bind the nation together, including love, compassion and hope. “Looking ahead, I wish you a prosperous New Year 2026, filled with unity, peace, and mutual respect for the good of our beloved nation.

The involvement of the WWE with Saudi Arabia has always been one of the hottest topics in the wrestling world. WWE formally solidified their long-term deal with the Saudi Arabian government in 2019, agreeing to stage two major events per year. “We’ve been going there for six years, we’ve been taking sh*t for six years,” was Rollins’ response when someone suggested that going to Saudi Arabia was a problem for WWE. What’s happened in Saudi Arabia latelyRollins took it a level further by detailing how his own perspective may have changed over the years. Rollins revealed that he was a doubter when WWE first came to perform in Saudi Arabia in 2019.

Global tech giant Amazon has taken a strong step by barring nationals of North Korea from working at the company. A report by AFP said Amazon’s Chief Security Officer Stephen Schmidt shared the information on LinkedIn, highlighting the growing risk linked to remote hiring. The company said this problem is not limited to Amazon and could be affecting several industries, particularly the tech sector. After identifying these issues, the company said it has blocked more than 1800 job applications linked to North Korea. Stephen Schmidt urged other companies to stay alert and report suspicious hiring activity to authorities.

In Summary:Riyad Mahrez scored twice to become Algeria’s all-time leading AFCON scorer as the team beat 10-man Sudan. Substitute Ibrahim Maza (Bayer Leverkusen) scored the third goal, marking Algeria’s 100th goal in the history of the tournament. Algeria kicked off their 2025 AFCON campaign with a dominant 3-0 victory over Sudan in Rabat. The brace makes Mahrez Algeria’s all-time leading scorer in AFCON history with eight goals. READ MORE: AFCON 2025: Cameroon Beats Gabon 1-0 Despite Team DramaSudan’s Resilience Amid Domestic CrisisFor Sudan, the match was a testament to survival.

However, more than a decade on, the legacy lives on through his son, Zilla Fatu. ---Advertisement---A heartfelt holiday tributeDuring the holidays this year, Zilla posted a personal message about his father on the social networking platform X (ex-Twitter). “I just really, really, really WISH my dad was here….”---Advertisement---I just really really really WISH my dad was here … 😓😤 — ZILLA FATU (@Zillafatu) December 23, 2025The simple yet poignant post resonated with fans. Due to his family connections alone, he could easily have a role woven into The Bloodline story, adding an element of reality to one of the greatest WWE storylines of all time. For now, Zilla is still grinding on the indie scene, with the burden and honor of his father’s legacy on his shoulders.

Boma Yangu new Mukuru housing etate. [Wilberforce Okwiri, Standard]Perhaps overexcited to see the president, or happy their parents’ dreams of moving into new houses were coming to life, or just desirous of good cake, tens of children swarmed President William Ruto as he distributed slices of cake during the launch of the new Mukuru Estate (Phase II) on December 18, 2025. The president had just handed over 4,536 affordable houses to exhilarated locals, who thronged the terraces of the houses and sang away into the night in jubilation. In May of this year, Dr Ruto had handed out 1,080 units in the same area.

ODM party leader and Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga. [Photo, Standard]Sharp divisions are emerging in ODM amid accusations that some of its leaders are plotting to “auction” the party to President William Ruto to bolster his 2027 re-election bid. On Tuesday, ODM’s top leadership — led by party leader and Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga, Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, and Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’—visited the home of the late former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo in Lumakanda, Kakamega County.

Across basic education and higher learning institutions, industrial action has become almost predictable, signalling a breakdown in trust between educators and the state. The key lesson here is unavoidable: sustainable education systems are built on honest social dialogue, respect for agreements, and proactive conflict resolution. In many schools, teachers are expected to implement new approaches with minimal retraining, large class sizes, and limited teaching materials. Education policy cannot succeed through decree alone; it must earn public trust through fairness and dialogue. By Hillary MuhalyaYou can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.

Thursday's election will mark the triumph of Keir Starmer, who will move into 10 Downing Street, the British prime minister's residence since 1735, on Friday. However, the latest polls put Labour on 40.7%, which is practically the same percentage by which Jeremy Corbyn was defeated by Theresa May in 2017. “Nobody goes into an election campaign, no matter how difficult, with a basic message: don’t let the other side win too much. “We campaigned as a changed Labour party and we will govern as a changed Labour party if we are given the opportunity to do so,” Starmer assured the Telegraph, which interviewed him just days before the vote. And despite the anger this has created among British Muslims, who have always supported Labour but are now leaving the party.

A section of Migori residents buy books on Christmas eve. They say they'd rather prepare for reopening of schools than celebrate Christmas. [Anne Atieno, Standard]An opinion poll has painted a disturbing picture of Kenya grappling with economic stress, dampening the spirit of the festive season. The new nationwide survey by Infotrak Research and Consulting reveals that Kenyans overwhelmingly feel that the country is headed in the wrong direction.

2025 was marked by several political shifts, public protests, leadership transitions and sporting milestones in Kenya and beyond. [File, Standard]2025 was marked by several political shifts, public protests, leadership transitions and sporting milestones in Kenya and beyond. From Washington to the Vatican and from Addis Ababa to Nairobi, the year captured moments that defined governance, faith, democracy, and national identity.

Protesters make signs with their arms in front of Kenya police officers during a demonstration against tax hikes in Nairobi. [AFP]For many Kenyans, 2025 will be remembered as the year of shattered hopes, violent crackdowns and deepening poverty. What began as protests demanding economic relief escalated into one of the worst human rights crises in the country's recent history, with at least 100 people killed, dozens abducted and thousands arrested as President William Ruto's government deployed brutal force against its own citizens.

His flagship group, Bharti Enterprises, has announced a strategic investment in Haier India, the Indian arm of China’s Haier Group. Bharti Enterprises will acquire the stake jointly with global private equity firm Warburg Pincus. Together, the two investors will hold a 49 per cent stake in Haier India, while Haier Group will retain another 49 per cent. The remaining stake will stay with Haier India’s management team. India’s consumer appliance market is witnessing rapid growth, driven by rising disposable incomes, urbanisation, changing lifestyles, and higher demand for premium and energy-efficient products.

YEAR ENDER 2025: The year 2025 was a tough one for football managers which once again demonstrated the lack of mercy of modern football. The following is an overview of the top 5 sackings that were characteristic of 2025. Julen Lopetegui — West Ham UnitedBeginning with poor outcomes in league matches, West Ham chose to end Julen Lopetegui’s tenure. Igor Tudor — JuventusSacked in late 2025, Igor Tudor left Juventus following poor performances across multiple league matches. Also Read: YEAR ENDER 2025: Five most memorable football matches of 2025