The 'One Nation, One Election' Bill, approved by the Union Cabinet, was introduced in the Lok Sabha today. The bill proposes simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha and state assemblies, sparking a divide between the ruling NDA and Opposition parties. While BJP and its allies support the bill, key opposition parties, including Congress, Trinamool Congress, and DMK, oppose it. The bill aims to save time and resources, aligning with the government’s development agenda. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal is leading the introduction of the Constitution Amendment Bill in Parliament today.

A 15-year-old female student opened fire at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, USA, killing a teacher and a student, and injuring six others. The shooter, identified as Natalie Rupnow, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Two students remain in critical condition. The attack, which occurred during a study hall, prompted a large emergency response, with 15 ambulances dispatched. Authorities are investigating the motive and are seeking witness accounts. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers and President Joe Biden expressed condolences and called for action on gun violence. The school remains closed during the investigation.

After winning the FIDE World Chess Championship, 18-year-old Gukesh D celebrated his historic victory in style by attempting his first-ever bungee jump in Singapore. Following a dramatic win over China’s Ding Liren, Gukesh shared a video of himself preparing for the bungee jump at the Sentosa Skypark, expressing both excitement and nervousness. Gukesh became the youngest chess world champion and the second Indian after Viswanathan Anand to achieve this feat. He also played a pivotal role in India’s Olympiad gold earlier this year. The young grandmaster’s victory has catapulted him to stardom in India and worldwide.

India captain Rohit Sharma continued his poor form, scoring just 10 runs in the 1st innings of the 3rd Test against Australia in Brisbane. Battling Pat Cummins' out-swinging delivery, Rohit was caught behind after adding minimal runs on Day 4. Fans expressed their frustration on social media, creating memes and criticizing his repeated failures. While Sharma, Kohli, and Jaiswal struggled on the tricky Gabba pitch, KL Rahul stood out, anchoring India’s innings with resilience. This pink-ball Test has exposed batting weaknesses in India’s lineup as Australia maintains pressure. Rohit's form remains a major concern for the Indian team.

Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) has plunged into the ‘severe’ category, with 26 out of 37 monitoring stations recording levels above 400. Jahangirpuri (466), Anand Vihar (465), and Bawana (465) were the worst-hit areas. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has reinstated GRAP-IV restrictions, banning non-essential truck entry and halting construction activities. Schools and colleges have shifted to online classes, and odd-even vehicle restrictions are under consideration. Meteorological conditions, including low wind speeds and high humidity, are likely to keep pollution levels elevated. The Supreme Court has urged a nationwide approach to tackle this "pan-India" issue.

India trailed by 265 runs at 180/6 in the 3rd Test against Australia as rain disrupted Day 4 at the Gabba. Ravindra Jadeja, playing his first innings of the series, scored a resilient 50, partnering with Nitish Kumar Reddy to stabilize the innings. Earlier, KL Rahul fell for 84, despite a strong partnership with Jadeja. Steve Smith redeemed himself with a stunning catch after dropping Rahul. Australia remains in control with a mammoth first-innings total of 445, aided by India’s top-order collapse. Rain continues to frustrate both teams, delaying sessions and curbing India’s recovery.

Bangladesh's interim government law adviser Asif Nazrul criticized PM Narendra Modi's Victory Day post, stating, "India was an ally of this victory, nothing more." Nazrul made the remark on Facebook, protesting Modi’s message that honored Indian soldiers’ contributions in the 1971 war. Modi’s post commemorated the “historic victory” as a milestone for India, but Nazrul emphasized that Dec 16, 1971, is Bangladesh's Victory Day, marking their independent triumph. The statement highlights sensitivities over historical interpretations between the nations.

A New York judge rejected US President-elect Donald Trump’s appeal to overturn his felony conviction in a hush money case. Judge Juan Merchan ruled that Supreme Court immunity for official acts doesn't cover Trump's unofficial conduct, such as paying a porn star to secure silence before the 2016 election. This decision, reported by CNN, raises the possibility of Trump assuming office with a felony conviction, pending appeal. Prosecutors argued Trump's attempt to dismiss the case was excessive and unnecessary to protect the presidency. Trump's sentencing remains indefinitely postponed since his November 5 election victory.

Bangladesh's interim government head, Muhammad Yunus, announced that the next parliamentary elections could take place between late 2025 and mid-2026. This statement comes amid growing pressure from Khaleda Zia’s BNP, which has been demanding an earlier election date. Yunus shared this timeline during a speech on Victory Day, citing the need for reforms. BNP leaders, including acting chairman Tarique Rahman, criticized the delay, accusing influential groups of conspiring to undermine their electoral prospects. Differing views within the interim government on election timing have further fueled debate, with the public demanding clarity on the election roadmap.

A severe cold wave is sweeping across India, with temperatures dipping to -10.6°C in Himachal Pradesh's Lahaul and Spiti. Delhi recorded 4.5°C, prompting GRAP Stage 4 restrictions as air quality plunged to the "severe" category. In Kashmir, Srinagar froze at -3.4°C, while Rajasthan's Sikar district hit -0.4°C. Odisha's Similipal was coldest at 1°C, and Hyderabad saw temperatures drop to single digits. Punjab and Haryana also shivered, with lows around 0.6°C. The MeT department forecasts dry weather till December 26, with light snowfall expected in Kashmir's higher reaches on December 21-22.