A section of the crowd booed Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Monday as she arrived to welcome football star Lionel Messi. Some spectators chanted “AQI, AQI” to highlight Delhi’s severe air pollution. The incident took place on a day when the city recorded hazardous air quality, with the AQI touching 498 earlier. Thick smog reduced visibility across Delhi. Opposition leaders shared videos of the chants on social media and criticised the government. Gupta said her government is taking steps to control pollution and blamed earlier administrations. The event continued despite the protest, and Messi briefly thanked fans before leaving the stage. (PC: PTI)

At least four people were killed and 25 others injured after a major road accident on the Delhi–Agra Expressway in Mathura on Tuesday morning. The crash involved seven buses and three cars. Dense fog reduced visibility and led to a multi-vehicle pile-up. Several vehicles caught fire after the collision, causing panic among passengers. Police and fire teams rushed to the spot soon after the incident. Senior officials said rescue operations are nearly complete and the injured are being treated in nearby hospitals. None of the injured are reported to be in critical condition. Authorities are clearing the road and arranging transport for stranded passengers. 

The government on Monday introduced the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha. The bill aims to create a single regulator for higher education. It will replace bodies like the UGC, AICTE, and NCTE. Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the bill will improve quality, autonomy, and transparency in universities. The proposed commission will have three councils to regulate, accredit, and set standards. Opposition MPs objected to the bill, citing lack of time to study it and concerns over centralisation and state powers. The government agreed to send the bill to a Joint Parliamentary Committee. (PC: Sansad TV)

Delhi faced a public health crisis on Monday as thick toxic haze covered the city. Air quality dropped to hazardous levels across many areas. Several monitoring stations reported severe readings. Visibility fell and breathing became difficult for many residents. Airlines cancelled 228 flights due to poor visibility and safety risks. Many schools shifted classes online to protect students. Hospitals reported a rise in cough and breathing complaints. Doctors advised people to stay indoors and wear masks if outside. Authorities urged reduced travel and use of public transport as emergency measures were reviewed. Officials said updates would follow as conditions changed. (PC: India Today)

Nick Reiner, son of Hollywood director Rob Reiner, has been arrested for murder after his parents were found dead in Los Angeles. Police said Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner were discovered at their Brentwood home with stab wounds. Their daughter Romy found them on Sunday. Nick Reiner, 32, is in custody with bail set at four million dollars. Police are treating the case as homicide. The cause of death is still pending. Rob Reiner was a famous filmmaker and actor known for many hit films. Tributes have poured in from Hollywood and politics. (PC: BBC)

A new 3D promo of Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana will play in theatres with James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash. The film stars Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Yash. The promo gives audiences their first big screen taste of the epic. Visual effects are handled by Oscar winning studio DNEG. Ramayana is planned as a two part film. Part one will release on Diwali 2026. Part two will arrive in 2027. The film also stars Ravi Dubey and Sunny Deol. Music is by AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer. A longer trailer is expected to release next year before filming ends officially. (PC: X)

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has criticised the Centre’s plan to rename and replace MGNREGA. He called the move unfortunate and said Mahatma Gandhi’s name is central to the scheme’s purpose. Tharoor said Gandhi stood for the rural poor and believed in dignity of work. He argued that removing Gandhi’s name ignores the moral base of the programme. Tharoor also warned against creating divisions where none exist. His remarks come as the government plans a new rural jobs law under the Viksit Bharat vision. The proposal has drawn strong opposition from Congress and other parties. (PC: NDTV)

The National Investigation Agency has filed a chargesheet in the Pahalgam terror attack case that killed 26 people in April 2025. The chargesheet names seven accused, including Pakistan-based terror groups Lashkar-e-Taiba and The Resistance Front. It also names Pakistani handler Sajid Jatt and three terrorists who were later killed by security forces. Two local men have been charged for helping the attackers. The NIA said the attack was planned and supported from Pakistan. The agency has filed the case under terror, arms, and criminal laws. The attack led to major military action by India against terror camps. (PC: X)

Ahmed Al Ahmed, who confronted one attacker during the Bondi Beach shooting in Sydney, was wrongly identified online after the incident. Early reports claimed he was a fruit seller from Sydney’s Sutherland Shire. This information was incorrect. Al Ahmed is the owner of a tobacco and convenience store, which he has run since 2021. The mistake spread quickly as people shared messages of support on social media. A local fruit business later clarified it had no link to him. Al Ahmed was shot twice during the attack and is recovering in hospital. Police believe his actions helped limit further harm during the shooting. (PC: NDTV)

The United States has started social media screening for all H-1B visa applicants and their H-4 dependents from December 15. The rule requires applicants to keep their social media accounts public for review. US officials say the move aims to identify people who may pose security or safety risks. Indians are likely to be the most affected, as they make up over 70 percent of H-1B visa holders. Many visa interviews in India have been rescheduled, leaving workers stranded. Immigration lawyers warn the delays could lead to job losses and long work disruptions. (PC: HT)