Stay updated with the biggest headlines for Tuesday, 23 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
Activists of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) protested in Delhi today on Tuesday against the killing of Hindu youth Deepu Chandra in Bangladesh. The main objective of the protest was to demand justice for the victim's family and to call for the safety of Indian students, especially medical students, stranded in Bangladesh. The protest began at 11:00 AM outside the Bangladesh High Commission.
The Bangladeshi Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Indian High Commissioner over the incident. This is the second time this month that the High Commissioner has been summoned. The Ministry stated that relations between the two countries have become strained following the incident. Anti-India protests have occurred in Bangladesh before, including those related to the death of Sharif Osman Hadi.
After the women's cricket team made history by winning their first World Cup title on home soil in 2025, more good news has arrived for Indian women cricketers. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to double the salaries of women domestic cricketers. The match fees for senior players have been increased from ₹20,000 to ₹50,000 per day.
Currently, players in the playing XI of senior women's tournaments receive ₹20,000 and reserve players receive ₹10,000 per day. In junior tournaments, the amounts were ₹10,000 and ₹5,000 respectively. Under the new system, players in the playing XI of senior tournaments will receive ₹50,000 and reserve players will receive ₹25,000 per day.
Concerns are mounting for Indian professionals aspiring to work in the United States. The US Embassy has announced stricter scrutiny for H-1B and H-4 visa applicants. Review of all applicants' online and social media presence will now be mandatory. This rule will apply to applicants from all countries and nationalities worldwide.
The US Embassy stated that visa applicants may now face longer processing times. Interviews scheduled after mid-December are being postponed until March and May. Many Indian professionals are unable to obtain visas to return to the US. The embassy has advised applicants to apply early.
The Indian stock market, on Tuesday, December 23, the second trading day of the week, opened positively but soon turned negative. The BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty 50 saw an initial surge in early trading, but the market quickly reversed course as investors turned cautious and engaged in profit-taking.
At 9:15 AM, the Sensex opened 122.62 points or 0.14% higher at 85,690.10. The Nifty 50 was trading 32.80 points or 0.13% higher at 26,205.20. However, within minutes, the Sensex slipped 127 points to 85,439 and the Nifty fell 21 points to 26,151.
The Haryana Legislative Assembly recently passed a significant bill that increases working hours for employees in shops and private commercial establishments. Previously, employees were required to work 9 hours a day; this limit has now been extended to 10 hours. The bill's stated objective is to boost economic growth and reduce the compliance burden on small businesses.
This bill was passed as an amendment to the Haryana Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1958. Labour Minister Anil Vij stated that the changes are in the best interest of both employees and employers. The bill includes provisions such as increasing the overtime limit and simplifying the registration process for small businesses.
Kisan Diwas also known as National Farmers' Day, is celebrated every year across the country to honor the invaluable contributions of farmers. This day also commemorates the birth anniversary of India's fifth Prime Minister, Chaudhary Charan Singh, who dedicated his life to the rights of farmers and land reforms. The government officially declared December 23rd as National Farmers' Day in 2001.
The theme for Farmers' Day 2025 is “Developed India 2047 – The Role of FPOs in the Globalization of Indian Agriculture.” This year, the focus is on making Indian agriculture globally competitive with the help of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and modern technology. The discussions center around increasing farmers' income, strengthening market access, and promoting innovation in the agricultural sector.
Gold and silver prices continue their upward trend. Both precious metals became more expensive for the second consecutive day today. After two days of stability, gold prices have surged. In Delhi, 24-karat gold became ₹10 more expensive per 10 grams, while the price of 22-karat gold also increased by ₹10. In the last two days, 24-karat gold has become ₹1,980 and 22-karat gold ₹1,810 more expensive per 10 grams.
Gold prices remain high in major cities across the country. In Delhi, 24-karat gold reached ₹1,36,310, 22-karat gold ₹1,24,960, and 18-karat gold ₹1,02,270 per 10 grams. In Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, the price of 24-karat gold was recorded at ₹1,36,160 per 10 grams. Gold is most expensive in Chennai, where 24-karat gold is selling at ₹1,37,140 per 10 grams.
The air pollution crisis in the national capital Delhi continues to worsen. On Thursday, a thick layer of smog covered many parts of the city. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi's average Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 463, which falls into the 'severe' category. Anand Vihar, where the video was filmed, was among the most polluted areas.
The month of December is drawing to a close, but Delhi residents have not found any relief this entire month. Surprisingly, there hasn't been a single day in December so far when the AQI was below 200, i.e., in the 'moderate' category. According to official CPCB data, the capital's air quality remained mostly in the 'very poor' and 'severe' categories throughout the month.
Dense fog continues to blanket most parts of the country, including North India. Extremely low visibility during the morning and night hours is disrupting daily life. Several states in Central and Eastern India are also experiencing increased cold and chill due to the fog. The reduced difference between minimum and maximum temperatures is making the cold feel more intense in the plains.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), visibility was recorded at less than 50 meters in several parts of Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. Visibility dropped to zero in Amritsar, Agra, Kanpur, and Prayagraj. Dense fog also prevailed in some areas of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, eastern Madhya Pradesh, and northern Chhattisgarh. Visibility ranged between 50 and 200 meters in many places, affecting road, rail, and air traffic.
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