Taking a cue from Delhi Metro's recently launched WhatsApp-based ticketing, the Kejriwal government is now planning to introduce a similar digital ticketing system for DTC and cluster buses in Delhi. Officials said the transport department is developing the WhatsApp ticket booking facility which will allow bus commuters to easily purchase tickets on their smartphones with payment via credit/debit cards or UPI. However, ticket cancellations will not be permitted. Launched in May across the metro network, the DMRC's WhatsApp chatbot supports both English and Hindi and allows hassle-free ticket purchases from 6am-9pm daily, with a cap on the number of tickets per user. 

Australia announced tighter visa rules Monday that could halve immigration over two years as it overhauls a "broken" system that saw record arrivals peak at 510,000 in 2022-23. Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil said targeted reforms are already easing pressure, with official forecasts showing a sharp drop to 250,000 in 2024-25 and 2025-26. While driven mainly by students, the influx strained resources. Seeking more sustainability, PM Anthony Albanese said levels require scaling back. Under the policy, international students will need higher English scores and lose extensions. But a new fast-tracked visa for highly-skilled workers will aid business recruitment in one of the world's tightest labor markets. The balancing act aims to better align immigration with national priorities.

The 193-member United Nations General Assembly is expected to vote Tuesday on a resolution urging an immediate Gaza ceasefire, diplomats announced Sunday. This comes after the U.S. vetoed a similar UN Security Council measure Friday. The Assembly resolution would demand an immediate humanitarian truce in the Israel-Hamas conflict ravaging Gaza, echoing an October General Assembly text passed with 121 votes. The upcoming vote follows weeks of rising pressure for the UN to act and intervene on the crisis since the Security Council stall. But any Assembly action lacks the Security Council's legal enforceability and remains largely symbolic amid fraught Israel-Palestine politics. Still, the majority support for October's ceasefire call indicates likely Assembly approval again.

Former President Donald Trump declared Saturday he will not testify again in the New York civil fraud trial threatening his real estate empire. Trump had been summoned to appear Monday as a defense witness in state Attorney General Letitia James' lawsuit alleging Trump Organization business fraud. But in an all-caps social media post, Trump maintained he had already "successfully and conclusively" testified last month and had nothing more to contribute. By refusing to appear and complete his testimony, Trump risks jeopardizing his self-cultivated image as a triumphant businessman amid allegations of extensive financial misconduct at his firm. But the defiant ex-president insisted he already covered everything relevant and explicitly stated "I WILL NOT BE TESTIFYING ON MONDAY."

Despite ongoing border talks between Bhutan and China, new satellite images reveal Beijing has continued unauthorized settlement activity in Bhutan's strategically located Jakarlung Valley. Experts say the sharpest images released of the region show Bhutan may have to accept the fait accompli imposed by China 50km from the Bhutan-Arunachal border. Over two years, the images demonstrate a Chinese civilian and military buildup establishing villages and outposts in the valley based on questionable historical grazing claims. With the area holding cultural significance for Bhutan, analysts state the weaker nation has limited options to counter China's indefensible unilateral seizure of territory in the contested region. (Image source: Maxar Technologies)

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky will visit Washington on Tuesday to meet President Biden and address skeptical Republicans regarding continued military aid for Ukraine. With warnings that funding could dry up within weeks, Zelensky will make an urgent case for support in meetings with Biden, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, and Senators from both parties. Discussions with Biden will focus on Ukraine's pressing defense needs and maintaining vital U.S. backing at this critical juncture, including potential joint weapons production. Zelensky's visit comes after Senate Republicans recently blocked $106 billion in emergency assistance over unrelated immigration disputes. The meetings aim to shore up aid despite growing conservative opposition and Biden's warnings that a Russian victory could spur further aggression in the region.

  Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday called for Hamas operatives to lay down their arms, saying the Palestinian group's end was near, as the war in the Gaza Strip raged more than two months after it began. "The war is still ongoing, but it is the beginning of the end of Hamas. I say to the Hamas terrorists: It's over. Don't die for (Yahya) Sinwar. Surrender now," Netanyahu said in a statement, referring to the chief of Hamas in the Gaza Strip. But Hamas remained defiant, warning no hostages would leave Gaza alive without meeting the group's demands. Spokesman Abu Obeida said in a broadcast that neither Israel nor its backers can take prisoners without negotiations and concessions. The pronouncements come as over 17,100 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 50,000 wounded by Israeli assaults since October 7. Meanwhile, close to 1,200 Israelis have died as well over the course of the prolonged conflict. 

As the BJP named Vishnu Deo Sai, a tribal leader as Chhattisgarh's first tribal chief minister, speculation heightened over selection of CMs for Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Despite recent buzz, former Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje and current MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan continue to remain key contenders. The BJP's newly-elected Madhya Pradesh MLAs will meet Monday in Bhopal to choose their legislative party leader, supervised by senior party observers. A similar legislative party meeting of Rajasthan MLAs is likely on Tuesday with different BJP central observers. After following a new leadership trend in Chhattisgarh, the BJP may opt for fresh faces in the remaining states too rather than retaining incumbents Raje and Chouhan. But the veteran leaders still stand as tough competition.

Ahead of the inauguration of the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao's daughter and BRS MLC K Kavitha on Sunday termed it "a dream come true for crores of Hindus". In a Telugu social media post, Kavitha expressed happiness over the soon-to-open temple, stating that along with the rest of India, Telangana welcomes the auspicious occasion when Lord Ram's idol will be installed. She shared a video of the under-construction temple. The sanctum-sanctorum where the idol will be enthroned is nearly complete, and the Ram Janmabhoomi Trust has decided to place Ram Lalla there between 12-12:45 pm on January 22nd, 2023. Prime Minister Modi will attend next year's inaugural ceremony.

Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir are intensifying security measures and monitoring social media in anticipation of the Supreme Court's Article 370 verdict on Monday. A senior police officer stated, "We are deploying more police and paramilitary forces on the ground and monitoring social media activity." Jammu and Kashmir's Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order), Vijay Kumar, has instructed district authorities to monitor the situation before the Supreme Court's Article 370 verdict. He emphasized "preventive and punitive" actions against those spreading "mischief, misinformation, and misuse of social media." Five users have been booked for spreading "rumours" and "hateful" content, while PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti alleged police seeking lists of party workers, urging the Supreme Court to prioritize the country's integrity over political agendas.