Canadian rock legend Bryan Adams kicked off his So Happy It Hurts Tour 2024 in India with a sensational concert at Kolkata’s Aquatica on December 8. Performing timeless classics like Summer of ’69 and Everything I Do (I Do It for You, Adams mesmerized fans and prominent Bengali artists like Ujjaini Mukherjee and Upal Sengupta. Expressing his excitement, Adams asked, "Is every concert in this town like this?" This marks his sixth visit to India, with upcoming shows in Shillong, Gurugram, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Goa. Fans described the event as an unforgettable "Rock n Rosogolla" experience.

The INDIA opposition bloc's unity faced another blow as RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav joined regional leaders, including YSRCP's Jagan Reddy, in endorsing Mamata Banerjee for leadership. Banerjee's recent call to lead the bloc has garnered support from Samajwadi Party, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP leaders. Lalu Yadav dismissed Congress's objections, stating, "Congress's opposition doesn’t matter." TMC leaders urged Congress to "set aside its ego" and back Banerjee, citing her experience. Congress, facing criticism for its electoral losses outside Bengal, remains hesitant, further deepening the bloc's leadership tussle.

The Congress-led INDIA opposition bloc moved a no-confidence motion against Rajya Sabha Chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar on December 10, 2024, accusing him of biased handling of the House. The motion, signed by over 50 MPs from various parties, including Trinamool and AAP, comes after a heated Parliament session. The opposition claims that Dhankhar allowed personal attacks against Congress leaders while rejecting their attempts to discuss critical issues. While the motion is unlikely to succeed due to a lack of majority, the opposition insists it acted on principle, not expectation of success.

Hindu-American Tulsi Gabbard, nominated by US President-elect Donald Trump to be the Director of National Intelligence, has sparked mixed reactions. Gabbard, 43, met with key Senators on Capitol Hill to support Trump’s stance on Syria. Critics have raised concerns over her 2017 visit to Syria, where she met President Bashar al-Assad. Gabbard, a former Hawaii Congresswoman and US Army veteran, would become the first Hindu American to lead the US intelligence community. While some Senators praised her leadership, others are skeptical of her foreign policy views. Gabbard, a former Democrat, left the party in 2022.

Luigi Nicholas Mangione, 26, has been charged with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Police arrested Mangione in Pennsylvania after a McDonald's employee spotted him with a gun, mask, and writings linking him to the shooting. Mangione is set to be extradited to New York. Police found a document with anti-corporate sentiments. Thompson, 50, was killed outside a hotel last week in a premeditated attack. His death occurred just before UnitedHealth Group’s annual investor conference. Mangione’s family expressed shock, offering prayers to Thompson’s family.

Bangladesh has asked India to inform former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to stop making political speeches from Indian soil. Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin raised the issue during talks with his Indian counterpart Vikram Misri. He stated that the government does not like her recent comments and has requested India’s attention on this matter. Hasina accused the interim government of targeting minorities and called it a "fascist regime." Dhaka is also considering her extradition. Both sides discussed minority rights, border killings, and misinformation campaigns. India assured that Hasina’s stay would not affect bilateral relations.

Israel carried out over 100 air strikes across Syria, targeting military sites, including a suspected chemical weapons centre. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed the attacks in Damascus and other areas. Israel said the strikes were to prevent weapons from reaching extremists after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.   The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons urged Syria to secure chemical stockpiles. Israeli PM Netanyahu called the regime’s collapse a "historic day" and promised peace with Syrians seeking good relations. The strikes come amid regional tensions following the Gaza war and cross-border attacks on Israel.

Syrian rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani has vowed to hold former officials accountable for crimes under Bashar al-Assad’s regime. “We will not hesitate to bring criminals and torturers to justice,” Jolani said after meeting outgoing PM Mohammed al-Jalali to coordinate a peaceful transition of power. Assad fled Syria as rebel forces entered Damascus, ending his five-decade rule. Thousands gathered at Saydnaya prison, infamous for atrocities, searching for missing relatives. The UN called for accountability, while the US and Europe urged Syria’s new leadership to protect human rights. “This is a rebirth for Syria,” said Damascus resident Rim Ramadan.

Delhi’s air quality worsened to the ‘poor’ category on Tuesday, with an AQI of 224 at 8 am. The average AQI rose to 229, up from 186 on Monday. The minimum temperature dropped to 8°C, two degrees below normal, and is expected to dip further to 6°C by Thursday. Meteorologists attribute the drop in temperature to cold northwesterly winds and fresh snowfall in the mountains. Delhi also recorded its lowest maximum temperature of the season at 21.6°C on Monday. Of 38 air monitoring stations, 28 reported poor air quality, while the rest recorded moderate levels.

RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav sparked controversy with a sexist comment on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Mahila Samwad Yatra. Yadav suggested the rally was a way to "letch at women." JD(U) leader Rajiv Ranjan and Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary condemned the remark, calling it "deplorable" and "unfortunate." The Mahila Samwad Yatra, starting December 15, aims to engage women and review Bihar’s 7-Resolves programme. Meanwhile, Yadav supported Mamata Banerjee for the INDIA bloc leadership, dismissing Congress’s objections. The Trinamool Congress is pushing for Banerjee, citing her victories over the BJP as proof of her strong leadership skills.