Stay updated with the biggest headlines for Monday, 22 December—politics, crime, sports, and more—all summarized for quick reading. Get instant access to breaking news, major developments, and trending stories in just one click. Perfect for busy readers who want news on the go.
Top news of the day
Air India flight AI887, en route from Delhi to Mumbai, experienced a technical problem just minutes after takeoff today on Monday. One of the aircraft's engines malfunctioned, prompting the crew to immediately return to Delhi Airport and land the plane safely, following standard operating procedures. The aircraft was a twin-engine plane, making a safe landing possible even with one engine operational.
An Air India spokesperson confirmed that the aircraft landed safely in Delhi and all passengers and crew members disembarked without incident. According to flight tracking websites, the aircraft took off from Delhi for Mumbai at 6:10 AM and returned to Delhi at 6:52 AM. No accident occurred, and all passengers were immediately evacuated safely.
On Monday the Indian stock market opened on a strong note. The 30-share BSE Sensex opened 216.54 points higher at 85,145.90, while the Nifty 50 opened with a gain of 89.45 points at 26,055.85. In the previous session, the Sensex had closed at 84,929.36 and the Nifty 50 at 25,966.40.
The BSE Midcap index was trading 101.92 points or 0.22 percent higher in early trade. The BSE Smallcap index also rose by 147.67 points or 0.29 percent to 50,948.44. This indicates a positive sentiment among investors in the initial trading session.
The Ghaziabad Commissionerate Police has intensified its drive against illegal encroachments on public land across the district, invoking Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS). As part of the campaign, notices have been served to more than 12,000 encroachers over the past four months.
According to police officials, over 4,000 individuals have already cleared encroachments and formally informed the police. Authorities stated that unauthorized occupation of public spaces causes serious inconvenience to residents, prompting continuous surveillance of major markets and high-traffic areas. Police teams regularly issue notices to those found violating the rules.
A horrific road accident in Indonesia late night has shaken the entire country. A passenger bus traveling from the capital Jakarta to the ancient royal city of Yogyakarta suddenly went out of control and crashed into a concrete barrier. At least 16 people were killed in the accident, while several others were seriously injured. The accident occurred around midnight local time, when the bus was carrying a total of 34 passengers.
Budiono, head of the National Search and Rescue Agency, said the accident was caused by the bus driver losing control. The speeding bus crashed directly into a concrete barrier and then overturned. The impact was so severe that the bus windows shattered, and several passengers were thrown out, while others were trapped inside the wreckage.
Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister and Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina has leveled serious allegations against the current interim government. She said that the government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus is pushing the country towards anarchy. According to Sheikh Hasina, law and order have collapsed under the current circumstances, and political instability is steadily increasing.
Sheikh Hasina categorically rejected the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) ruling as a miscarriage of justice. She stated that the decision was not a result of justice, but rather of political vendetta. According to her, she was neither given a full opportunity to defend herself nor allowed to choose her own lawyers. Hasina alleged that the tribunal is being used to target the Awami League and for political revenge.
Gold prices in India witnessed a decline on the first trading day of the week. In the domestic market, gold traded with a weak trend today. In Delhi, the price of 24-karat gold was recorded at ₹1,34,320 per 10 grams, while 22-karat gold was priced at ₹1,23,140 per 10 grams. After a rally in the past few sessions, investors engaged in profit-taking today, which clearly impacted prices.
Although a decline was recorded today, gold remains strong on a weekly basis. In the last week, the price of 24-karat gold increased by ₹260, while 22-karat gold became ₹250 more expensive. Experts believe that due to global uncertainties and the demand for safe-haven investments, gold may remain strong in the long term.
Air pollution in Delhi continues to remain at dangerous levels. Despite the government implementing GRAP-4 restrictions, no significant improvement is visible. On Monday morning, almost all areas of the capital were recorded in the red zone, with AQI levels exceeding 300 to 400. In several areas, the level crossed 400, which falls under the 'severe' category.
According to data from the Sameer app, at 6 AM, the AQI in Anand Vihar was recorded at 402, Bawana at 408, Mundka at 400, Narela at 418, and Rohini at 400. Additionally, the AQI reached 403 in Wazirpur and 400 in Jahangirpuri. The air in these areas remains extremely toxic, causing breathing difficulties for residents.
North India is currently in the grip of a severe cold wave. The effects of heavy snowfall in the hilly areas are now clearly visible in the plains. Heavy snowfall occurred in Kashmir and the Leh region of Ladakh on Sunday, leading to a sharp drop in temperature. Rohtang Pass and Shinkula Pass in Himachal Pradesh are also covered in snow. Several roads in the mountains have been closed due to the snowfall, disrupting normal life.
Dense fog and a cold wave have intensified the cold in the plains of North India, including Delhi-NCR. The sun did not appear in the capital Delhi throughout the day on Sunday. Due to extremely low visibility, vehicles were seen crawling on the roads. According to the Meteorological Department, the activation of a Western Disturbance has caused a sudden change in the weather, further aggravating the cold and foggy conditions.
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