The Hindu Morning Digest: December 14, 2025

Centre invokes toughest anti-pollution measures in Delhi as air quality hits season’s worst

The Centre imposed the most stringent emergency measures in Delhi-NCR on Saturday (December 13, 2025) as the city recorded its worst air quality of the season. The curbs include a complete ban on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in Delhi and in the districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar. Authorities in the Capital and the four adjoining districts have also been directed to conduct classes except for Grades 10 and 12 in hybrid mode (either physically or online).

Israel says it has killed top Hamas commander in Gaza

Israel on Saturday (December 13, 2025) said it killed a top Hamas commander in Gaza after an explosive device detonated and wounded two soldiers in the territory’s south. Hamas in a statement did not confirm the death of Raed Saad. It said a civilian vehicle had been struck outside Gaza City and asserted it was a violation of the ceasefire that took effect on October 10.

Brown University says there is an active shooter on campus in Rhode Island

Police responded to an active shooting on Saturday (December 13, 2025) on campus at Brown University in Providence, according to the school’s alert system. Multiple people were shot at Brown University, the prestigious Ivy League school in Rhode Island, said Kristy DosReis, a public information officer for the city of Providence. Brown on its website described the incident as an “active shooter” situation, with no suspects in police custody as of 5:11 p.m. ET. Other news outlets said as many as 20 individuals were injured, but Reuters has not confirmed those reports.

Congress to hold rally at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi on December 14 over ‘vote chori’

The Congress will intensify its campaign against alleged “vote chori” with a rally at Ramlila Maidan on Sunday (December 14, 2025), seeking to hold the government and the Election Commission (EC) accountable for what it claims to be “collusion to manipulate elections”.

Election Commission appoints new observers to monitor SIR in eight States including Bengal, T.N.

In order to ensure that draft electoral rolls published during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of voters’ lists are largely error-free, the Election Commission has appointed special roll observers (SROs) in eight States. The commission has also asked Chief Electoral Officers of all States and Union Territories to share the list of absent, shifted/dead and duplicate (ASD) voters with booth-level agents of political parties prior to the publication of the draft rolls.

Hyderabad roars for Messi, as Revanth Reddy scores in a friendly match

The much anticipated friendly football match featuring teams led by football great Lionel Messi and Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy turned into a spectacle on and off the field on Saturday (December 13) evening. Hours after the stadium horror in Kolkata, Hyderabad roared for Messi in a packed Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium.

UN chief says six peacekeepers killed in drone strike on a UN facility in Sudan

A drone strike hit a UN facility in war-torn Sudan on Saturday (December 13, 2025), killing six peacekeepers, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said. The strike hit the UN peacekeeping logistics base in the city of Kadugli, in the central region of Kordofan, he said in a statement.

Trump says U.S. will ‘retaliate’ after three Americans killed in Syria attack

President Donald Trump said on Saturday (December 13, 2025) that “we will retaliate” after two U.S. service members and one American civilian were killed in a Syria attack that the U.S. blames on the Islamic State group.

Transmen cricket team from Karnataka prepares for first national outing

Monday will mark a watershed sporting moment for Karnataka when a transmen team representing the State will participate in a national-level cricket tournament for the first time. When the team of eleven led by captain Aadhityanath and vice-captain Bhuvan play their first match against the Maharashtra team on December 15, every run will be hard-earned, scored after a longer innings off the field.

Does the Netflix-Warner deal threaten cinema? | Explained

On December 5, Netflix said it will acquire Warner Bros., including its film, television studios, and premium streaming assets like HBO, in a massive deal valued around $82.7 billion. This merger marks a paradigmatic shift where a new-age streaming platform is absorbing a traditional Hollywood studio and transforming it into a wholly integrated production-cum-distribution powerhouse.

Raj Thackeray criticises CM Fadnavis over rise in child abduction cases in Maharashtra

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Saturday (December 13, 2025) raised concerns over the rising number of missing children and kidnappings in Maharashtra and highlighted that “interstate gangs are systematically targeting young children” across the state.

RJD alleges men getting the benefit of scheme meant for women in Bihar

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Saturday (December 13,2025) claimed that instead of transferring money to women under Mukhayamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojna, the state government wrongly transferred ₹10,000 to several men’s accounts, alleging attempts to buy votes.