Devendra Fadnavis has been chosen as Maharashtra’s chief minister by the BJP. Flanked by Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, he met Governor CP Radhakrishnan to stake claim to form the government. The oath-taking ceremony will be held tomorrow at Azad Maidan, Mumbai, at 5:30 PM. Union Minister Vijay Rupani announced that two deputy chief ministers would also take the oath. Ajit Pawar is likely to be one of them. The BJP-led alliance, Mahayuti, secured a big win with 235 seats. Fadnavis called the victory “historic” and thanked voters for their support. Cabinet discussions will follow soon.

The Bombay High Court has issued notices to HDFC Bank and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) after an employee allegedly embezzled ₹3 crore from a customer’s fixed deposits. Relationship manager Payal Kothari (27) reportedly transferred the funds into fake accounts before routing them to her own. The victim, Meenakshi Kapuria, accused Kothari of gaining her trust with false investment promises and using signed blank cheques. Kapuria also stated she did not receive transaction alerts. The court criticized the bank's security lapses and police inaction, highlighting the erosion of public trust in the banking system.

Donald Trump, the U.S. president-elect, has filed a motion to dismiss his hush money conviction. In May, a New York jury found Trump guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records linked to a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. Trump's lawyers argue the case creates "unconstitutional impediments" to his presidency, set to begin on January 20. Prosecutors have until December 9 to respond. The motion also referenced President Biden’s recent pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, claiming political bias in the justice system. If dismissed, Trump could avoid sentencing, criminal records, and potential prison time.

Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has disclosed his lack of communication with ex-captain MS Dhoni for over a decade. Speaking to News18, Harbhajan stated, “We haven’t spoken in 10+ years,” emphasizing their interactions were limited to field matters during their Chennai Super Kings stint (2018–2020). Despite playing key roles in India’s 2007 and 2011 World Cup victories, the duo’s personal bond faded. Harbhajan clarified he harbors no resentment but stressed, “Friendship is a two-way street.” The cricketers last represented India together in 2015, before Harbhajan retired in 2021, marking the end of an era for the iconic pair.

Tensions between India and Bangladesh have intensified following the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh. Protests erupted in India, with activists storming Bangladesh's consulate in Agartala, Tripura, vandalizing property and desecrating the flag. India condemned the attack, arresting seven individuals, and bolstered security for Bangladeshi missions. Bangladesh termed the incident "heinous," demanding a thorough investigation. Meanwhile, protests against alleged minority persecution in Bangladesh continue in India, fueled by controversial media coverage. The monk's arrest on sedition charges and recent clashes have heightened fears among minorities in Bangladesh, further straining diplomatic ties between the neighboring nations.

Narain Singh Chaura, a 68-year-old resident of Punjab’s Gurdaspur district, was arrested for attempting to shoot former Punjab Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on December 4, 2024. Chaura, linked to the pro-Khalistan group Babbar Khalsa, approached Badal while he was serving penance at the temple and fired a gun, which narrowly missed Badal. The attack occurred after Badal, in a wheelchair, began performing religious punishment for his role in the 2015 sacrilege case. Chaura had previously been involved in the 2004 Burail jailbreak and was released on bail in 2018.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol faces impeachment after his attempt to impose martial law on December 3, 2024. Citing North Korea, Yoon's decision was viewed as a response to domestic issues, triggering protests and an opposition push for impeachment. MPs blocked the move in the National Assembly, leading Yoon to reverse his decision. Nationwide rallies, including daily protests in Busan and candlelight vigils in Gwangju, have called for Yoon’s resignation. The country's main labor union has also launched an indefinite strike. MPs will vote on impeachment proceedings in the coming days, potentially bringing Yoon to trial.

On December 3, 2024, asteroid C0WEPC5 exploded over Siberia just 12 hours after being detected by NASA's Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS). Measuring about 70 cm in diameter, the asteroid entered Earth's atmosphere and burned up harmlessly, creating a spectacular light show visible from Yakutia, Russia. This marks the fourth "imminent impactor" detected in 2024 and the 11th since asteroid tracking began. The event highlights the advancements in asteroid monitoring systems, with the European Space Agency (ESA) emphasizing the effectiveness of their detection and alert systems in ensuring planetary defense.

A US House committee has backed the lab leak theory as the likely origin of COVID-19 in a report released on December 3, 2024. The Republican-controlled panel, after two years of investigation, concluded that the virus probably emerged due to a laboratory or research-related accident. The report highlighted that US-funded research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology may have played a role. The committee also criticized lockdowns and mask mandates, claiming they caused more harm than good, but praised Operation Warp Speed for vaccine development. The origins of the virus remain a contentious global issue.

The UK government has issued a travel advisory for Bangladesh, warning that terrorist attacks are likely, particularly in places visited by foreigners. The advisory cites risks in crowded areas, religious buildings, and political rallies, and highlights the recent violence against Bangladesh’s Hindu minority. The advisory also notes threats such as armed robbery, violent crime, and IED attacks in major cities. The UK government continues to monitor the situation closely, urging the protection of religious freedom in Bangladesh. The advisory follows ongoing unrest after the arrest of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das on sedition charges.