All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM)-aligned Humayun Kabir — a suspended Trinamool MLA — has announced his plan to launch a new political party in West Bengal on December 22. He claims to be “Bengal’s Owaisi,” citing personal assurances from Asaduddin Owaisi, and intends to contest 135 of the state’s 294 assembly seats in 2026. Kabir warned that the “Muslim vote bank” of Trinamool will be finished — positioning his party as a Muslim-representative alternative, and potentially altering communal and electoral dynamics in Bengal ahead of next year’s polls. PC: NDTV)

  Goa Police have detained nightclub co-owner Ajay Gupta in New Delhi, following a Look-Out Circular, as part of the investigation into the fire at Birch by Romeo Lane that killed 25 people. Gupta is likely to be formally arrested and brought to Goa for questioning. Meanwhile the club’s main owners — Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra — remain absconding, and an INTERPOL Blue Corner Notice has been issued to trace them. So far, five senior staff from the club’s management have already been arrested. The fire, which occurred around midnight in Arpora, sparked outrage due to alleged gross violations — including lack of fire-safety equipment, blocked or insufficient exits, and unauthorized construction on salt-pan land. (PC: PTI) 

In response to a sharp rise in air pollution, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has banned the use of coal and firewood in tandoors in all hotels, restaurants and eateries across Delhi. Under the directive, commercial kitchens must immediately switch to electric, gas or other clean-fuel appliances. Additionally, a new rule empowers authorities to impose a fine of up to ₹5,000 on anyone caught burning garbage or waste in the open — a major cause of worsening air quality. The measures aim to curb local emissions and improve air quality as the city’s Air Quality Index stays dangerously high. (PC: ANI)

Two U.S. Navy F/A-18 fighter jets flew over the Gulf of Venezuela on December 9, marking one of the closest U.S. warplane flights to Venezuelan territory in recent years. According to U.S. officials, the jets conduct “routine training flight” in international airspace and stayed at least ~150 miles from Venezuela’s coast, though they circled the Gulf for over 30 minutes.    The flyover occurs amid a significant U.S. military buildup in the region — including naval deployments and lethal strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and Caracas have denounced the military presence, warning it threatens national sovereignty, while U.S. leaders suggest the pressure on Venezuela could intensify, including possible ground operations. (PC: India Today Today)

A member of the UK armed forces died in Ukraine on Tuesday while observing the testing of a new defensive system, the Ministry of Defence said. The accident happened away from the front lines, and no other British personnel were hurt. The individual’s family has been informed. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Defence Secretary John Healey offered their condolences, calling the death a tragic loss. The BBC reported that hostile fire was not involved. The UK has a small number of personnel in Ukraine to support local forces and protect diplomatic staff. This is the first publicly confirmed UK military death since 2022. (PC: BBC)

Jasprit Bumrah made history in Cuttack by becoming the first Indian bowler to take 100 wickets in Tests, ODIs and T20Is. He reached the milestone in the first T20I against South Africa by dismissing Dewald Brevis. Bumrah is now the fifth bowler in world cricket to achieve this record. He has 234 Test wickets, 149 ODI wickets and 101 T20I wickets. India dominated the match, scoring 175 for 6 before bowling out South Africa for just 74, their lowest T20I total. Hardik Pandya hit an unbeaten 59, while Arshdeep Singh, Axar Patel and Varun Chakaravarthy also took key wickets. (PC: India Today)

New York mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani said he and his wife will move into the $100 million Gracie Mansion in January. He said the move is needed for his family’s safety and to focus fully on his plan for affordability and housing stability. Mamdani, who won last month’s election by a wide margin, will be the youngest New York mayor in over a century. He currently lives in a rent-stabilised Astoria apartment and has faced criticism for it. Gracie Mansion offers high security, staff support and space for official events, which most past mayors have used. (PC: NDTV)

IndiGo faced another day of major disruption on Tuesday, cancelling more than 400 flights across India. Delhi and Bengaluru saw the highest cancellations. The civil aviation ministry ordered IndiGo to cut its operations by 10%, saying the airline failed to manage its schedule properly. IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers said the airline is working “on a war footing” to restore normal operations and apologised to passengers. He said most refunds and baggage deliveries have already been completed. IndiGo plans to operate around 1,900 flights on Wednesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi told MPs that passengers should not suffer due to operational chaos. (PC: HT)

Australia has blocked millions of children and teenagers under 16 from using major social media platforms as a new national law takes effect. Apps like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, X, and Reddit must now remove or block accounts belonging to users below the age limit. Parents and children will not face punishment, but companies could be fined up to A$49.5 million for failing to follow the rules. The government says the ban will protect young people from harmful content. Critics warn it may isolate vulnerable teens and push them toward unsafe, unregulated online spaces. (PC: BBC)

Goa Police DIG Varsha Sharma has denied claims that police officers helped Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra flee India after the Birch by Romeo Lane fire that killed 25 people. She said the brothers escaped within five hours because they owned the place and knew what had happened. Sharma said the police began action at once but the owners had already travelled to Phuket from Delhi. She added that an LOC and a Blue Corner Notice were issued quickly. Sharma called rumours of senior officers shielding the accused “absolutely wrong” and said efforts to bring them back are ongoing. (PC: India Today)