A chartered aircraft carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar crashed while landing at Baramati around 8:45 AM Wednesday. The DGCA confirmed six people were killed in the crash, including Pawar, who was traveling to attend a public rally scheduled for 11 AM ahead of Zila Parishad elections. Videos from the crash site show the completely damaged aircraft engulfed in flames with first responders present. The plane reportedly crashed into a field during landing. Emergency services rushed to the scene immediately. Initial reports indicated four to six passengers sustained serious injuries, but authorities later confirmed no survivors. Official statements are expected as investigations continue.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died after the aircraft carrying him crashed during an emergency landing attempt at Baramati airport on Wednesday, officials said. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation confirmed that five people on board, including Pawar, were killed. Visuals from the crash site showed the plane completely destroyed, with debris scattered across a field and thick smoke rising. Pawar was travelling to Baramati to attend a scheduled event when the incident occurred. Local residents rushed to the site soon after the crash and helped emergency teams. Authorities have started an investigation to determine the cause of the accident. 

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed profound grief over Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's death in the Baramati plane crash, stating he is "deeply shocked and pained" by the tragedy. Singh praised Pawar's lifelong commitment to Maharashtra's development and prosperity, highlighting his compassion for people and unwavering dedication to public service. The defence minister extended heartfelt condolences to Pawar's family, well-wishers, and admirers. The 66-year-old NCP leader died when his chartered Learjet crashed during landing at Baramati airport, killing all six aboard including security personnel and crew. Political leaders across India have mourned the loss of the prominent politician.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died Wednesday morning when his chartered aircraft crashed during landing at Baramati airport. The DGCA confirmed all six people aboard including Pawar, security personnel, personal assistant, pilot, and co-pilot were killed in the 8:45 AM crash. The 66-year-old NCP leader was traveling from Mumbai to Baramati to campaign for Zilla Parishad polls and attend four public rallies. The Learjet 45 (VT-SSK) slid off the runway threshold and exploded upon impact. Eyewitnesses reported hearing loud noise before the massive explosion. The Pawar family, including Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule, were in Delhi attending Parliament's budget session and immediately departed for Baramati. (PC: HT)

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is making the first British PM visit to China since 2018, meeting President Xi Jinping on Thursday. Sixty British business and cultural leaders accompany him, including representatives from HSBC, GSK, Jaguar Land Rover, and the National Theatre. Starmer argues Britain's China approach has been inconsistent, oscillating between "Golden Age to Ice Age," and strategic engagement serves national interests. He'll raise human rights issues, including Uyghur treatment and Jimmy Lai's imprisonment. Critics warn China poses national security threats, citing MI5 warnings about espionage. Conservatives accuse Starmer of lacking leverage after approving Beijing's controversial London embassy. The visit follows similar trips by Canadian and French leaders. (PC: BBC)

China allegedly hacked mobile phones of senior British Downing Street officials between 2021-2024, compromising communications of aides to former Prime Ministers Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, and Rishi Sunak. The espionage operation, known as Salt Typhoon, may still be ongoing, potentially affecting current PM Keir Starmer. US intelligence warns the breach accessed text messages, calls, metadata, and location data. This forms part of a broader global campaign targeting Five Eyes intelligence partners including the US, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. The FBI warned Chinese hackers infiltrated telecommunications networks worldwide. Britain's MI5 alerted Parliament in November about Chinese state espionage threats, while parliamentary committees criticized government's inadequate response. (PC: Times Now)

India's historic trade deal with the EU eliminates tariffs on 96.6% of European exports, potentially making numerous products cheaper for Indian consumers. The agreement is one of the largest both parties have concluded, reduces duties from 50-150% to 0-20%, saving €4 billion annually. Key industrial goods seeing tariff cuts include machinery, aircraft, medical equipment, plastics, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals dropping to zero percent. Motor vehicles will decrease from 110% to 10%. Agricultural products like wine, spirits, beer, olive oil, processed foods, and meat will see significant reductions. Prime Minister Modi announced this deal represents 25% of global GDP and one-third of global trade, creating major opportunities for Indians and Europeans alike. (PC: Instagram/@HindustanTimes)

A Lashkar-e-Taiba commander has publicly confirmed links with Hamas, raising concerns about expanding terrorist cooperation. Faisal Nadeem admitted meeting Hamas leader Khaled Mashal in Doha, Qatar, in 2024, accompanied by Pahalgam attack mastermind Saifullah Kasuri. This follows earlier reports of Hamas commander Naji Zaheer meeting Lashkar's Rashid Ali Sandhu in Pakistan's Gujranwala. Zaheer has reportedly visited Pakistan fifteen times since October 2023. Officials suggest these meetings indicate strategic efforts to build ideological and operational alliances involving training, fundraising, and propaganda collaboration. Indian intelligence agencies are closely monitoring developments and assessing implications for national security, with potential actions at FATF and international bodies. (PC: NDTV)

President Donald Trump warned Iran as US warships head toward West Asia, stating America has an "armada" moving in that direction while expressing hope it won't be needed. US officials confirmed aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and guided-missile destroyers will arrive in coming days, with additional air defence systems under consideration. The deployments follow US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June and aim to protect American bases while providing military options. Trump threatened intervention over Iran's protest crackdown, claiming Tehran cancelled nearly 840 executions following his warnings. He told reporters he hopes for a deal before it's too late, though tensions remain high between both nations.

Arijit Singh has clarified his decision to step back from playback singing, citing multiple reasons rather than a single incident. The 38-year-old singer explained he loses interest quickly and needs new creative challenges to thrive. He expressed eagerness to hear fresh voices that inspire him and wishes to focus on personal growth and independent music production. Singh reassured fans he'll honor existing commitments, with releases still appearing this year, and emphasized he won't stop making music entirely. His most recent playback work is "Maatrubhumi" from Battle Of Galwan. While stepping away from new playback projects, Singh will continue live performances and independent musical endeavors. (PC: X)