Sixteen schools in Delhi received bomb threat emails early Friday, prompting extensive security searches. This incident follows a similar hoax targeting 44 schools on December 9. Emails, referencing school events, warned of explosions, sparking panic among parents and staff. Security agencies, including bomb squads and fire services, thoroughly searched affected campuses. Schools like DPS RK Puram and Cambridge School shifted to online classes, while authorities declared the threats baseless. AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal expressed concern over the psychological impact on children and urged improved safety measures. Delhi Police confirmed investigations are ongoing to identify the culprits behind these repeated hoaxes.

In the tragic Bengaluru techie suicide case, Karnataka Police issued summons to Atul Subhash’s wife, Nikita Singhania, her mother, and two relatives, demanding their appearance within 3 days. Subhash, originally from Bihar, left a 24-page note alleging harassment, multiple false cases, and bribery involving a judge. He accused his estranged wife and her family of demanding ₹3 crore post-divorce. Police discovered his body in a locked flat and found a video message seeking justice and requesting his ashes remain unimmersed until justice was served. His family vowed to fight for justice.

India’s D Gukesh, 18, made history on December 12 by becoming the youngest-ever World Chess Champion, defeating China’s Ding Liren in Singapore with a 7.5-6.5 score. Chess legend Garry Kasparov, whose record Gukesh broke, lauded the teenager’s resilience and hailed India’s chess legacy, driven by Viswanathan Anand. Kasparov urged India to capitalize on its momentum, calling this a “watershed moment.” Gukesh, a product of Anand’s academy, capped off a stellar year for Indian chess, including Olympiad dominance. Despite Magnus Carlsen’s absence, Kasparov credited both finalists for their spirited performances, celebrating Gukesh’s win as a landmark achievement for Indian chess.

Actor Allu Arjun was arrested on Friday in connection with a stampede at Hyderabad’s Sandhya Theatre during the Pushpa 2 screening on December 4. The incident resulted in the death of a 35-year-old woman and injuries to her 9-year-old son. The chaos unfolded when massive crowds gathered to see Arjun, causing the theatre’s main gate to collapse. A case of criminal negligence has been filed against the actor and the theatre. Arjun expressed his condolences, donated ₹25 lakh to the family, and assured support. The movie, starring Rashmika Mandanna, has grossed ₹1,000 crore worldwide.

Indian chess sensation D Gukesh, 18, made history as the youngest-ever World Chess Champion by defeating Ding Liren of China. His win was marked by a decisive final game, securing 7.5 points to Ding’s 6.5. Google celebrated this milestone with a vibrant Doodle featuring animated chess pieces. Gukesh, who follows in Viswanathan Anand’s footsteps, expressed his pride in bringing the title back to India. Reflecting on his decade-long dream, he said, “This moment means everything to me.” Gukesh also earned $1.3M, breaking Garry Kasparov’s record as the youngest champion, and inspiring a new generation of Indian chess players.

Donald Trump declared Syria "not our fight" while in Paris, even as Assad's regime collapsed and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) seized control. The US, with 900 troops in Syria, counters Islamic State remnants and supports Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Trump's nominee for national security adviser, Mike Waltz, emphasized prioritizing Israel and Gulf allies. Critics doubt Trump's isolationist approach, citing past missile strikes and sanctions. Tensions with Turkey over Kurdish forces and regional stability remain pivotal as Trump signals potential troop withdrawals. Analysts predict gradual disengagement, warning of power vacuums and rising regional complexities.

The US Visa Bulletin for January 2025 shows progress for Indian green card applicants, especially in family-sponsored and employment-based categories. The family-sponsored category limit is set at 2.26 lakh, with the employment-based preference capped at 1.4 lakh. Key updates include advancements in final action dates for F1, F2B, F3, and F4 family categories, along with changes in EB-2 and EB-3 employment categories. Over 1 million Indians await green cards, with delays extending up to 195 years, per Congressional Research Service. The bulletin marks a slight but significant relief for Indian applicants striving to reduce prolonged immigration backlogs.

IndiGo Airlines faced severe criticism after around 400 passengers were stranded at Istanbul Airport for over 24 hours due to delays in flights to Delhi and Mumbai. Passengers complained about inadequate food, poor accommodation, and lack of communication from the airline's staff. Social media was flooded with posts highlighting their ordeal, with some accusing IndiGo of "failing basic service standards." Despite promises of lounge access, overcrowding left many standing for hours. IndiGo apologised for the inconvenience and assured direct communication with affected passengers but offered no detailed explanation for the delays. Both flights remain grounded as of now.

India's stock market witnessed a sharp decline on Friday as the BSE Sensex plunged 1,079 points to 80,210, and the NSE Nifty fell 330 points to 24,218. Metal stocks led the slump, with Tata Steel and JSW Steel among major losers, alongside IndusInd Bank and Reliance Industries. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) sold ₹3,560 crore worth of equities on Thursday, further weakening market sentiment. While global market trends and fund outflows weighed on indices, select stocks like Bharti Airtel and Hindustan Unilever bucked the trend, registering gains. Analysts cite global uncertainties and weak demand as key factors behind the crash.

Former World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen has confirmed he will not challenge Gukesh D, who recently became the youngest World Chess Champion. Speaking on the "Take Take Take" YouTube channel, Carlsen stated, “I’m not part of this circus anymore,” while praising Gukesh’s impressive performance and well-deserved victory. Carlsen noted Gukesh’s determination and highlighted his journey from the feeder circuit to triumphing in the Candidates tournament and the championship. He also acknowledged Ding Liren’s resistance during the final match. Gukesh’s achievement has cemented his place in chess history, marking a new era for the sport.