An IndiGo flight travelling from Kolkata to Hyderabad reported a bird strike on Monday and landed safely at Shamshabad airport, officials said. The pilot followed safety steps and all 118 passengers on board were unharmed. The airline said the aircraft will be checked before it returns to service. No damage details were shared. A similar case was reported in October when an Air India flight from Colombo to Chennai faced a bird hit that was noticed after landing. That plane was grounded for checks and passengers exited safely. Airport teams said bird strikes are handled through standard checks to ensure aircraft safety before further flights. (PC: India Today)

Some Eurostar trains have resumed after hours of disruption in the Channel Tunnel caused by a power supply failure. The first service to run was the 15:04 train from London to Brussels, which left shortly after 16:00 GMT. However, Eurostar has told passengers not to travel unless necessary, warning of long delays. Only one tunnel line is open because of damage to overhead cables. LeShuttle services for cars have also restarted slowly, with queues earlier near Folkestone. The UK transport department said disruption is likely to continue for the rest of the day. Eurostar will offer compensation for hotels, taxis, and meals to affected travellers. (PC: BBC)

A US think tank has warned of potential armed conflict between India and Pakistan in 2026 due to heightened terrorist activity. The Council on Foreign Relations report, surveying American foreign policy experts, noted the Trump administration's efforts to end ongoing conflicts including between New Delhi and Islamabad. The warning follows May 2025's three-day military face-off after the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 6, eliminating over 100 terrorists and nine camps. Pakistan attempted drone attacks on military and civilian targets between May 7-10, all neutralized by Indian forces. Pakistan's military sought de-escalation on May 10. The CFR report also flags moderate likelihood of Afghanistan-Pakistan conflict in 2026. (PC: NDTV)

Iran erupted into major protests Monday as the rial plunged to a record low of 1,390,000 against the US dollar, with demonstrations spreading across Tehran and several major cities. Western sanctions have devastated the economy, causing food prices to surge for Iran's 92 million population. Central bank chief Mohammad Reza Farzin reportedly resigned amid the crisis. Traders shut shops urging nationwide solidarity while protesters clashed with security forces, resulting in multiple arrests. President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged the "legitimate demands," promising fundamental reforms to the monetary and banking system. He tasked the interior minister to engage protesters through dialogue. Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani admitted authorities recognize the significant pressure on citizens and don't defend the current situation. 

A 40-year-old Hindu man, Bajendra Biswas, was killed Monday evening in central Bangladesh after being accidentally shot by a colleague inside a garment factory. The incident occurred at Sultana Sweaters Limited in Mymensingh's Bhaluka upazila, where both men worked as Ansar security personnel. Police arrested the alleged shooter, Noman Mia, 22, after a shotgun in his possession discharged while they sat together. The bullet struck Biswas in the left thigh, causing severe bleeding. He was rushed to Bhaluka Upazila Health Complex but declared dead on arrival. Police are investigating whether the shooting was purely accidental or if other factors contributed. The victim's body has been sent for autopsy.

India has overtaken Japan to become the world's fourth-largest economy with USD 4.18 trillion GDP and is projected to surpass Germany by 2030 to claim third position. The country remains the fastest-growing major economy, with real GDP expanding 8.2% in Q2 of 2025-26, marking a six-quarter high. India aims to reach USD 7.3 trillion GDP by 2030. International agencies have revised growth forecasts upward: World Bank projects 6.5% growth in 2026, Moody's expects 6.4-6.5%, IMF raised projections to 6.6% for 2025 and 6.2% for 2026. The government highlighted strong fundamentals including controlled inflation, declining unemployment, improving exports, stable financial conditions, and strengthening urban consumption supporting sustained momentum. (PC: India Today)

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will attend the funeral of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in Dhaka. The visit is to convey India’s condolences. Zia died on Tuesday at the age of 80 while undergoing treatment in Dhaka. She was the chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. She became Bangladesh’s first woman Prime Minister in 1991. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over her death. She had a long political rivalry with Sheikh Hasina. (PC: Reuters)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met leading economists at NITI Aayog on Tuesday to discuss India’s growth strategy ahead of the Union Budget 2026–27. The meeting focused on self-reliance and long-term structural reforms. Modi said policies and budgets must align with India’s vision for 2047. He stressed the need for mission-mode reforms and global integration. Economists shared ideas to boost productivity in manufacturing and services. The talks also covered infrastructure, household savings, AI, and digital systems. Nirmala Sitharaman and senior officials were present. (PC: ANI)

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will attend the state funeral of former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia in Dhaka on December 31, government sources said. The visit comes at a time of strained relations between India and Bangladesh after the removal of Sheikh Hasina last year. Zia, who led the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, served two terms in office between 1991 and 2006. Her son and party leader Tarique Rahman recently returned to Bangladesh after 17 years abroad. During her rule, Dhaka moved closer to China, including in defence ties, which often caused unease in New Delhi. (PC: India Today)

India on Tuesday said filmmakers have artistic freedom after Chinese media criticised the film Battle of Galwan. The Salman Khan movie is based on the 2020 clash between Indian and Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh. Khan plays Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu of the 16 Bihar Regiment, who died in the incident. Government sources said India allows freedom of expression and the government has no role in the film. They said anyone with concerns can approach the defence ministry for details. China’s state-run Global Times claimed the film distorts facts and placed blame on Indian troops for the clash. India has said 20 soldiers were killed in the fighting. (PC: NDTV)