Top Stories | Rupee hits record low, Delhi AQI turns severe, Bondi Beach mass shooting and more

Good evening. Here’s a snapshot of the stories shaping markets, policy and global headlines today.

The rupee slid to a record low, closing at 90.74 against the US dollar, weighed down by India-US trade

deal uncertainty and sustained foreign fund outflows. On the trade front, India is eyeing a Preferential Trade Agreement with Mexico to shield exports from steep tariff hikes expected next year.

Domestically, the government has proposed a major shift in rural employment policy, with the VB-G RAM G Bill, 2025 set to replace MGNREGA, marking one of the biggest reforms in two decades.

In the capital, Delhi’s air quality deteriorated to the ‘severe’ category, triggering GRAP Stage-IV restrictions, while Asian stocks slipped as investors cut exposure ahead of key central bank meetings.

Globally, leaders reacted strongly to a deadly shooting during a Jewish festival at Australia’s Bondi Beach, while Ukraine signalled flexibility on its NATO ambitions amid fresh peace talks. In politics, the BJP named Nitin Nabin as its youngest working president, and in lighter news, Lionel Messi is set to visit Vantara as his GOAT India Tour wraps up.

Stay with us for all the latest updates and expert takes—there’s plenty to unpack!





Rupee slumps 25 paise to close at all-time low of 90.74 against US dollar 



The rupee on Monday crashed to its lowest-ever level of 90.80 before settling at a fresh all-time low of 90.74 (provisional) against the US dollar, registering a loss of 25 paise over its previous close, weighed down by uncertainty over an India-US trade deal and persistent foreign fund outflows.

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India eyes PTA with Mexico to shield exports from steep tariffs



India is aiming for a WTO-compatible Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) with Mexico to help Indian exporters avoid planned tariff hikes that will come into effect in the coming year.

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MGNREGA vs VB-G RAM G Bill 2025: What are the key differences in India's new rural employment law



The government has proposed a sweeping overhaul of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), seeking to replace the two-decade-old law with a new bill titled the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025.

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Delhi AQI slips to severe category; GRAP Stage-IV imposed



Delhi woke up to hazardous air quality on Monday (December 15) morning as a thick layer of toxic smog enveloped large parts of the national capital, severely impacting visibility and pushing pollution levels into the 'severe' category across multiple locations.

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Asian stocks slip as traders reduce exposure ahead of central bank meetings, key data



Asian stocks tumbled in early trading on Monday as investors reined in risk-taking at the start of a week sprinkled with central bank decisions and data releases.

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'Targeted attack on Jewish Australians’: World leaders react to Jewish festival shooting on Bondi Beach



At least 15 people were killed, and dozens were injured in a deadly shooting during a Hanukkah celebration at Australia’s Bondi Beach on Sunday, December 14. Twenty-seven individuals are being treated in hospitals around Sydney for injuries sustained in the mass shooting, reported CNN, citing the latest update from New South Wales Health.

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Ukraine drops NATO goal as Trump envoy sees progress in peace talks



President Volodymyr Zelenskyy offered to drop Ukraine's aspirations to join the NATO military alliance as he held five hours of talks with U.S. envoys in Berlin on Sunday (December 14) to end the war with Russia, with negotiations set to continue on Monday (December 15).

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Who is Nitin Nabin, 5-time MLA from Bihar named BJP’s youngest working president

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday appointed Bihar minister Nitin Nabin as its new working national president. The 45-year-old is the youngest leader ever to hold this position, surpassing the previous record set by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who became BJP president in 2014 at 49.

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Lionel Messi to visit Vantara after Delhi stop on GOAT India Tour

Football superstar Lionel Messi is set to spend the night at Vantara in Jamnagar on Monday, hosted by Anant Ambani, Director of Reliance Industries, as his high-profile GOAT India Tour draws to a close.

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