December 8, 2025 – India Headlines

Story gist: Malayalam actor Dileep was acquitted in the Kerala actor sexual assault case. Six co-accused were found guilty.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like The News Minute frame the story with speculative live updates questioning if Dileep will be convicted, emphasizing anticipation of guilt. Center outlets like The Hindu report neutrally, stating the acquittal and six convictions factually. Right-leaning coverage is absent, omitting conservative perspectives on the verdict.

Story gist: On Day 6 of Parliament’s Winter session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to initiate a debate on Vande Mataram in the Lok Sabha.

Bias summary: Left-leaning Telegraph India pairs the debate with IndiGo’s stumbles under ‘India reels,’ emphasizing economic woes and a lengthy 10-hour session, downplaying the event. Center Indian Express focuses on historical context, highlighting Nehru’s rejection of Vande Mataram as national anthem due to its mournful tone and foreign inaccessibility. Right-leaning coverage is absent, omitting pro-nationalist framing.

Story gist: A fire at a nightclub in Goa killed 25 people. Police arrested manager Bharat in Delhi; Luthra brothers remain absconding.

Bias summary: Left-leaning NDTV uses dramatic framing, calling the nightclub a ‘tinderbox’ ignited by crackers to emphasize negligence and safety failures. Center Times of India reports neutrally on arrests and absconders, mirroring facts without emphasis. No right-leaning outlets covered; perspectives on regulation, enforcement, or owner accountability absent.

Story gist: Thailand launched airstrikes against Cambodian military along the disputed border, according to the Thai army.

Bias summary: Left-leaning Guardian frames strikes amid flaring tensions on disputed border, stressing escalation. Center Times of India portrays as blow to Trump-brokered ceasefire, notes evacuations, and offers explanatory points. Right-leaning coverage absent, omitting potential emphasis on Thai security needs or Cambodian provocations.

Story gist: The Kremlin welcomed the U.S. national security strategy’s removal of the ‘direct threat’ label for Russia. Moscow stated the new strategy aligns with Russia’s vision.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like The Guardian frame the story negatively, emphasizing Trump’s doctrine as abandoning Europe to face Russia alone. Center outlets like BBC neutrally report Moscow’s welcoming statement without added implications. Right-leaning coverage is absent, omitting a perspective that might portray the U.S. shift as pragmatic realism or reduced escalation.