The Supreme Court has allowed authorities to act against old vehicles below BS IV standards in Delhi-NCR. The move comes as air quality remains poor in the region. The court modified its earlier order after the Delhi government sought changes. It said highly polluting older vehicles add to the air crisis. The bench clarified that BS IV and newer vehicles will not face action only due to age. Earlier, the court had protected diesel vehicles over 10 years and petrol vehicles over 15 years. The new order allows action against pre-BS IV end-of-life vehicles to help control pollution. (PC: India Today)

UK inflation fell more than expected in November, dropping to 3.2%, its lowest level since March, driven mainly by falling food prices such as cakes, biscuits and cereals. The sharper-than-forecast decline has strengthened expectations that the Bank of England will cut its main interest rate to 3.75% this week as the UK economy faces weak growth and rising unemployment. Finance minister Rachel Reeves welcomed the data, calling lower household bills a priority. Markets reacted immediately, with the pound weakening as traders priced in further rate cuts in 2026. Analysts say the fall in inflation is likely enough for Governor Andrew Bailey to approve another rate reduction, offering borrowers a “Christmas present.” (PC: The Economic Tiimes)

India's rupee has declined 6% against the US dollar in 2025, becoming one of the worst-performing global currencies amid widening trade deficits, punitive 50% US tariffs, and record $18 billion foreign equity outflows. Trading at a record low of 91.075 per dollar, the rupee's real effective exchange rate of 96 is the lowest in over a decade. Despite looking cheap, investors remain wary without a US trade deal. India's Chief Economic Advisor expects an agreement by March 2026, but analysts warn further weakness may be needed to offset tariffs. The rupee's depreciation has eroded dollar returns, with India's equity index rising just 2% compared to China's 30% gain this year. (PC: Reuters)

Filmmaker SS Rajamouli has shared his first review of James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire And Ash from India. Rajamouli said he felt honoured to be the first Indian to watch the film before its release. He praised Cameron’s vision, visuals and storytelling. Rajamouli said the film made him feel like a child watching cinema again. He enjoyed the new worlds, characters and action scenes. He said Jake Sully’s moral struggle stayed in his mind even after the film ended. Rajamouli also praised the emotional conflicts shown in the story. Avatar: Fire And Ash will release in theatres on December 19. (PC: HT)

Delhi faced severe air pollution again this winter as smog covered the city. With air quality staying hazardous, the Chinese embassy offered help. It shared a step by step guide on how Beijing cleaned its air. China said both countries face pollution from fast growth. The post showed Delhi’s AQI at 447 and Beijing’s at 67. China listed strict vehicle rules, public transport, and electric cars. It also spoke about closing or moving heavy industries. Experts said these ideas are useful but hard to apply in Delhi without strong enforcement and state coordination. Stubble burning and weak checks remain problems. (PC: India Today)

Star Indian cricketer Yashasvi Jaiswal was hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis following Mumbai's victory over Rajasthan in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Super League match in Pune on Tuesday. After scoring 15 runs off 16 balls, Jaiswal experienced worsening stomach cramps post-match and was admitted to Aditya Birla Hospital in Pimpri-Chinchwad. He underwent CT and ultrasound tests, received IV medication, and was advised to rest and continue treatment. In three SMAT games, Jaiswal scored 145 runs at a 168.6 strike rate. Mumbai won the match by three wickets, chasing 217, with Ajinkya Rahane's unbeaten 72 and Sarfaraz Khan's explosive 22-ball 73 leading the charge. (PC: AP)

President Trump's $100,000 fee for new H-1B workers hired from outside the US will significantly impact IT outsourcing firms, particularly Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, and Cognizant Technology Solutions. Bloomberg analysis reveals nearly 90% of these companies' new H-1B hires between May 2020-2024 were approved at US consulates and would face this fee. Infosys alone would have paid over $1 billion for 10,400+ workers (93% of new hires). Tata would owe fees for 6,500 workers (82%), while Cognizant faces charges for 5,600+ employees (89%). Industry experts predict the fee will drive jobs overseas, particularly to India, and could reduce lottery entries by 30-50% next year, despite legal challenges pending. (PC: Daily Excelsior)

Australian police have charged Naveed Akram over the deadly Bondi Beach shooting in Sydney. He faces 59 charges, including 15 counts of murder and one terrorism charge. Fifteen people were killed in the attack during a Hanukkah event. Dozens were injured. Akram was hurt in the incident and appeared in court from his hospital bed. His father, Sajid Akram, was killed during a police shootout at the scene. Police say the attack was aimed at the Jewish community. Authorities have called it a terrorist incident. Investigations are ongoing. The next hearing is scheduled for April 2026. (PC: BBC)

A 28-year-old Indian-origin man, Abhijit Patel, has been charged with first-degree murder after allegedly beating his 67-year-old father, Anupam Patel, to death with a sledgehammer at their Schaumburg, Illinois home on November 29. Despite having an active protection order against him, Abhijit was living at home. His mother discovered Anupam unresponsive after noticing dropping glucose levels when he failed his usual 8 am check-in call. Abhijit told her he had "taken care of Dad." He surrendered to police, claiming a "religious obligation" to kill his father due to alleged childhood molestation. Medical professionals believe his claims are delusional, as he's under treatment for schizophrenia. (PC: X) 

India summoned Bangladesh High Commissioner M Riaz Hamidullah on Wednesday over deteriorating security threats to the Indian High Commission in Dhaka and extremist activities. The MEA conveyed strong concerns about elements announcing plans to create security situations around India's mission, rejecting "false narratives" by extremist groups. The summons followed National Citizen Party leader Hasnat Abdullah's threat to isolate India's Seven Sisters (northeastern states) and shelter separatists if Bangladesh was destabilized. Rising anti-India rhetoric in poll-bound Bangladesh has strained bilateral ties since Sheikh Hasina's fall. Bangladesh previously summoned India's envoy demanding cooperation in investigating an assassination attempt, alleging Indian involvement, which New Delhi strongly rejected.