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
The weather in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has once again surprised people. Heavy rains that lashed several major cities, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi, in the early hours of Friday disrupted daily life. Roads were flooded, traffic was disrupted, and the authorities urged people to stay indoors. Viral videos on social media show water flowing rapidly through valleys.
The rain, which started late Thursday night in Dubai, continued throughout the city until morning. Abu Dhabi also experienced heavy rainfall, leading to waterlogging in low-lying areas. Viral videos on social media show roads turning into lakes and several vehicles stranded in the water. Local authorities warned people to be cautious and avoid going outside.
Big news has emerged for fans of Bollywood star Ajay Devgn who have been waiting for the third installment of the superhit 'Drishyam' franchise. The makers have officially announced 'Drishyam 3'. Along with this, the film's release date has also been revealed, creating a buzz on social media.
In the 1 minute 13 second teaser released by the makers, Ajay Devgn's powerful voice can be heard. In the teaser, Vijay Salgaonkar talks about the importance of his family and his willingness to go to any lengths for them. The blend of emotion and determination in his voice has once again connected the audience with this character.
Student politics in Bangladesh is once again gripped by violence. Just days after the death of Osman Hadi, one of the prominent figures of the 2024 student movement, another student leader has been fatally attacked. This latest incident has not only stirred political circles but also raised serious questions about the country's security system.
According to local media reports, senior National Citizen Party (NCP) student leader Motaleb Sikder was shot in Khulna city on Monday. The attackers directly targeted his head, making it clear that the attack was intended to kill him. Motaleb Sikdar is the Khulna divisional chief of the NCP and also the central organizer of the NCP Workers' Power.
Indian cricket team's star batsman and one of its most successful captains, Rohit Sharma, has made a shocking revelation about his career. He publicly admitted for the first to time that after the defeat against Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup final, he seriously considered retiring from cricket. According to Rohit, that loss completely shattered him mentally.
Sharing his feelings during an event at Masters Union in Gurugram, Rohit Sharma said, “After the World Cup final, I felt like cricket had taken everything away from me. I was completely empty inside and didn't want to play anymore.” He said that at that time, he had no energy left to return to the field.
India and New Zealand have announced a significant Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The announcement was made during a telephone conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. The negotiations, which began in March 2025, were completed in just nine months, reflecting the political will and strategic understanding of both countries.
Both leaders agreed that bilateral trade would be doubled within the next five years after the FTA comes into effect. This will give new impetus to trade, investment, innovation, and supply chain cooperation. This agreement will take India and New Zealand's economic relations to new heights.
Every year, when the budget is announced, the expectations of ordinary citizens rise. This time, for the first time, the central government has given common citizens the opportunity to directly convey their views to the Finance Minister. The Ministry of Finance has sought suggestions from the public through the 'MyGov' platform to make the budget more transparent, inclusive, and citizen-centric. The government believes that development is only possible when every citizen's voice is included in the budget.
You can easily send your suggestions from the comfort of your home through the MyGov website or mobile app. Go to the MyGov.in homepage and click on the 'Union Budget 2026-27' link. After logging in, you will find a comment box where you can write your opinion on any sector, such as education, employment, taxes, inflation, agriculture, etc. These suggestions will reach the Finance Ministry team directly and will be helpful in the budget preparation.
The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has constituted a textbook development committee for the development of syllabi and textbooks of Artificial Intelligence for Classes 11 and 12, the Ministry of Education said in Prliament.
Replying to a question in Lok Sabha, the Education Ministry said that keeping in view the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023, the National Council of Educational Research & Training (NCERT) has constituted a Development Committee to develop syllabi and textbooks of Artificial Intelligence for Classes 11 and 12.
Madhya Pradesh Cyber Police has issued a major warning to internet users across the country. Recently, news emerged that the email IDs and passwords of approximately 68 crore internet users have fallen into the hands of cybercriminals. This incident poses a threat to social media, banking, and other online accounts. The cyber police stated that if someone's email is hacked, the criminals can gain access to all associated digital platforms.
Madhya Pradesh Cyber Police has advised people to check if their email data has been compromised using the "Have I Been Pwned" website. By entering your email address on this website, you can find out if your account has been involved in any hacking or data breach.
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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