Xinhua world news summary at 1530 GMT, Dec. 18

NEW DELHI -- India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday won the assembly elections in the western state of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh in the north.

Though the BJP won the crucial elections in the state of Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's homestate, its margin of victory is said to have lowered than last time. (India-BJP-Polls)

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LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan -- At least three people were killed and 31 others injured after a suicide car bombing struck a police checkpoint in Lashkar Gah, capital of Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand on Monday, spokesman of provincial governor said.

The incident occurred roughly at 5:30 p.m. local time (1300 GMT) after a suicide bomber detonated the vehicle near the targeted police post, locating in a crowded bazaar, spokesman Omar Zwak told Xinhua. (Afghanistan-Car Bomb)

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HARARE -- The Zimbabwe Defense Forces on Monday announced the end of their military intervention that culminated in the resignation of former President Robert Mugabe last month.

Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army Phillip Valerio Sibanda told a press conference that police have now resumed their normal duties following the end of the operation, code-named "Operation Restore Legacy." (Zimbabwe-Mugabe-Takeover)

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WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Donald Trump will unveil a national security strategy report on Monday, the first of its kind since he took office and the 17th since the Reagan administration began to submit such a report to Congress in 1987, officials said Sunday.

National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster was quoted as saying earlier that the report will identify four pillars of U.S. national interests, namely, protecting the U.S. people, promoting U.S. prosperity, "preserving peace through strength" and advancing U.S. influence. (US-National Security) Enditem