Sridevi remains one of Indian cinema’s most celebrated and versatile performers — a star whose magnetic presence transcended language and genre. From her early days as a child prodigy to becoming Bollywood’s first true female superstar, she redefined the contours of stardom through her expressive artistry and emotional depth. Her filmography, spanning over five decades and multiple languages, includes some of the most memorable performances in Indian cinematic history.

A tragic incident in Bengaluru has drawn nationwide outrage after a food delivery agent was killed in a deliberate car crash, allegedly caused by a couple following a heated altercation. CCTV footage from the scene shows the couple chasing the victim on a busy street before ramming their vehicle into his two-wheeler. The impact flung the delivery agent several feet, resulting in fatal injuries. Police have arrested both suspects and are investigating the motive, which appears linked to a road rage dispute.

A tense hostage situation in Mumbai concluded dramatically after police neutralized a lone gunman who had taken 17 schoolchildren captive inside a private coaching center. The standoff, which lasted for several hours, kept the city on edge as negotiators and tactical units worked to secure the hostages’ release. All 17 children were safely rescued, and no casualties were reported among them. Authorities confirmed that the assailant was killed during the final confrontation after repeated warnings were ignored.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi intensified his criticism of opposition parties during a recent public address, launching a direct attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav. Without naming them, he referred to the duo as “two Yuvrajs from the country’s most corrupt families,” accusing their parties of nurturing dynastic politics and undermining India’s progress through decades of misgovernance.

Justice Surya Kant has been appointed as the 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI), marking a new chapter in the country’s judiciary. Known for his integrity, judicial acumen, and forward-thinking approach, Justice Kant succeeds Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, who retired after an impactful tenure. With decades of experience across constitutional, criminal, and administrative law, Justice Kant’s elevation is seen as a continuation of reform-oriented leadership at the Supreme Court.

India Extends Oil and Gas Block Bidding Deadline to Boost Exploration Interest

The Indian government has extended the submission deadline for the tenth round of oil and gas block auctions under the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP-X) to December 31, 2025, allowing exploration and production companies additional time to finalize their bids.

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has entered into three strategic agreements with Oil India Limited (OIL), Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL), and Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore Ltd. (FACT) to advance India’s energy infrastructure, petrochemical capacity, and sustainable production initiatives. The agreements, announced at the 28th Energy Technology Meet in Hyderabad, cover the development of a new greenfield refinery in Andhra Pradesh, a 700-kilometre product pipeline connecting the Northeast to eastern India, and a waste-to-fertiliser project in Kerala.

The recent Supreme Court directive allowing the Indian government to revisit Vodafone Idea’s adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues has ignited renewed optimism across India’s telecom and equity markets. Analysts view this as a potential turning point for the debt-laden telecom operator, which has long struggled under the weight of legacy liabilities.

India’s small tea growers have urged the Tea Board of India to issue formal stop-plucking orders during the winter dormancy period to preserve plant health and improve the quality of tea leaves. The Confederation of Indian Small Tea Growers Associations (CISTA) has recommended that plucking cease by December 20 in Assam and December 25 in West Bengal. The industry body warns that continued harvesting during dormancy diminishes leaf quality, undermines market prices, and jeopardizes long-term productivity.

A governance rift has erupted within the powerful Tata Trusts, as chairman Noel Tata and two other trustees voted against the reappointment of Mehli Mistry, a long-time associate of Ratan Tata. The decision marks one of the most significant internal disputes in recent years, threatening to upend the delicate balance of power at the helm of the charitable body that controls a 66% stake in Tata Sons—the holding company of the USD 365 billion Tata conglomerate. The rare boardroom dissent signals deep strategic and ideological divisions within India’s most respected corporate institution.