India

Calling Rs 90 per dollar ‘“not a big concern’ may calm markets, but it masks deeper structural flaws in the economy

At the Messi GOAT India Tour in Delhi, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta was met with chants of ‘AQI, AQI’ from sections of the crowd, highlighting severe air pollution in the capital, which recorded an Air Quality Index of 427–498 on Monday

Lionel Messi’s brief visit to India sparked a selfie craze, with reports of fans paying hefty sums for a photo with the football icon. Those priced out turned to AI-generated selfies, flooding social media and proving that wit can outshine wealth in the age of technology

A bike taxi rider was arrested in Kalyan for allegedly molesting a 26-year-old woman passenger and stealing Rs 1,000 after diverting her ride to a deserted stretch. State transport authorities have sought explanations from app-based aggregators

Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh has sought Central support to roll out an AI-powered Skill Census across the State. He briefed Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on the Mangalagiri pilot and sought backing for startups, AVGC-XR centres and IndiaAI expansion

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Samrat Choudhary warned criminals and land mafia of swift action, promising demolition of illegal encroachments within 24 hours of complaints. He said restoring law and order and ending migration by creating jobs remain top government priorities

India has proposed a preferential trade agreement with Mexico to mitigate the impact of steep import tariffs on Indian goods. The move aims to secure limited concessions quickly, protecting key export sectors affected by Mexico’s revised tariff regime

The Goa bench of the Bombay High Court has converted a civil suit linked to the deadly Arpora nightclub fire into a PIL, seeking accountability and asking the state government to explain permissions granted to the establishment

The Supreme Court has adjourned till January 7, 2026, the hearing on a plea by Gitanjali J Angmo challenging the NSA detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, citing lack of time. The Centre is yet to respond.

India and the US are close to finalising a framework trade deal to address high tariffs, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said. Parallel talks are also underway on a comprehensive bilateral trade agreement to deepen economic ties

The Centre on Monday introduced three key bills in the Lok Sabha, including legislation to open the civil nuclear sector to private players, overhaul nuclear liability norms, and grant greater autonomy to higher educational institutions

Ram Janmabhoomi movement leader and former BJP MP Ram Vilas Vedanti died of a heart attack in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, at 67. He was undergoing treatment for septicaemia and multi-organ failure at a superspecialty hospital.

India’s High Commissioner to Fiji, Suneet Mehta, met senior Fijian ministers to discuss skilled mobility, digital cooperation and people-to-people ties. The engagements also included a cultural evening with Know India Programme alumni, highlighting growing bilateral relations.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said he will seek time from Delhi Police to appear next week in connection with the National Herald case, citing the ongoing Assembly session and seeking a copy of the FIR

Two CRPF CoBRA commandos were injured in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh, when a Naxalite-planted IED exploded during an anti-Maoist operation. The injured were hospitalized in Raipur, while security forces continue the ongoing operation

The Enforcement Directorate questioned Yes Bank co-founder Rana Kapoor in connection with a money laundering probe involving Reliance Anil Ambani Group companies, suspecting a quid pro quo linked to high-value bank exposure and investments that later turned non-performing

The Centre’s move to repeal MGNREGA and replace it with a new rural employment law guaranteeing 125 workdays has triggered sharp opposition criticism, with leaders questioning the removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s name and warning of weakened worker protections

Three 16-year-old girls were allegedly abducted in separate incidents in Ballia district. Police have registered FIRs against the accused in two cases, while one girl remains missing and a case against unknown persons is underway

Thailand is set to hear the case of Goa nightclub co-owners Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, detained in Phuket after a fire killed 25. India has requested their deportation, while Thai courts examine legal and human rights issues 

Delhi High Court advised lawyers and parties-in-person to use video conferencing due to hazardous pollution levels, with the city recording an AQI of 498. Health experts warned prolonged exposure poses serious public health risks

Two young men from Punjab, Gurdeep Singh (27) and Ranvir Singh (19), were shot dead in Edmonton, Canada, likely due to mistaken identity, shortly after leaving a birthday party, leaving families in shock and grief

Rajasthan experienced a significant drop in night temperatures, with Fatehpur recording the lowest at 5.3°C. Cold wave conditions are expected to persist in several areas, affecting daily life across the state, including Jaipur at 11.7°C

The Supreme Court granted protection from arrest to actors Shreyas Talpade and Alok Nath in a cheating and breach of trust case involving Human Welfare Credit Cooperative Society, allowing investigation to proceed before any action is taken

In Pune's Rajgurunagar, a 16-year-old Class 10 student was fatally stabbed by a classmate inside a coaching centre, reportedly over a prior dispute. Police are investigating the motive and moving to detain the accused