Senior Congress leader and ex-Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil passed away at his residence in Latur, Maharashtra, early on Dec. 12, 2025, at the age of around 90, after a prolonged illness. Patil had a long political career, serving as Union Home Minister (2004–08), Lok Sabha Speaker (1991–96), Governor of Punjab & Administrator of Chandigarh (2010–15) and representing Latur in Parliament seven times. He was Home Minister during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, resigning in 2008 taking moral responsibility. Patil is remembered for his decades-long service in Indian politics and roles at the highest levels of government. (PC: INC)

At least nine people were killed and many others injured after a private bus carrying pilgrims plunged into a deep gorge on the Chinturu–Maredumilli ghat road in Alluri Sitarama Raju district, Andhra Pradesh during the night between Thursday and Friday. The bus was returning from a pilgrimage when the driver lost control on the winding road, possibly due to poor visibility and dense fog, causing it to veer off the road. Rescue operations were swiftly launched to save survivors and recover casualties. Several injured passengers have been rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment, and investigations are underway.   

The Centre told the Rajya Sabha that there is no official global country-wise air pollution ranking and widely cited international indices like the IQAir World Air Quality Report, WHO database, EPI and GBD are not conducted by any official authority. Countries, including India, set their own air quality standards based on local geography, environment, socio-economic factors and national circumstances. India’s National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for 12 pollutants, notified in 2009, are tailored to domestic needs. The government also conducts annual Swachh Vayu Survekshan to rank cities under the National Clean Air Programme. (PC: NDTV)

India captain Suryakumar Yadav admitted overreliance on Abhishek Sharma cost India the 2nd T20I, as South Africa won by 51 runs to level the series 1-1. Chasing 214, India collapsed to 162 all-out in 19.1 overs after losing Shubman Gill (golden duck), Abhishek Sharma, and Suryakumar (5) early. Quinton de Kock's blazing 90 and Ottniel Baartman's 4-24 powered South Africa's victory. Suryakumar took responsibility, stating "Myself, Shubman, we could have given a good start because we can't rely on Abhishek all the time." He acknowledged Gill's struggles and emphasized other batters must step up. The third T20I is scheduled for Dharamsala on December 14.(PC: NDTV)

Mexico imposed tariffs of 5-50% on over 1,400 products from non-preferential trade partners including India, China, and Thailand, effective January 1, 2026. The move threatens India's $5.75 billion annual exports to Mexico, particularly $1 billion in automobile shipments from Maruti Suzuki, Volkswagen, Hyundai, and Nissan. Passenger vehicle duties rise from 20% to 50%. Engineering goods dominate India's exports at 61% ($3.5 billion), with automobiles comprising one-third. Mexico is India's third-largest car export market after South Africa and Saudi Arabia. FIEO called the timing "wrong" as exporters already struggle with 50% US tariffs. The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers urged maintaining status quo in November.(PC: HT)

Shubman Gill's golden duck dismissal in the 2nd T20I against South Africa sparked severe criticism of head coach Gautam Gambhir and selector Ajit Agarkar for alleged favoritism. Lungi Ngidi dismissed Gill first over with a 135 km/h seaming delivery caught at first slip by Reeza Hendricks. Fans demanded Yashasvi Jaiswal's inclusion, noting he was the T20 World Cup backup opener now sidelined. Captain Suryakumar Yadav also struggled, scoring five off four balls before Marco Jansen dismissed him via review. Suryakumar has managed only 227 runs at 13.35 average across his last 23 innings, with a top score of 47 not out against Pakistan.(PC: India Today)

Squadron Leader Shivangi Singh, India's first woman Rafale pilot, has transitioned to the Hawk advanced jet trainer fleet to train future IAF aviators. The Varanasi native, commissioned in 2017 as part of the second women fighter pilot batch, flew MiG-21 Bison before becoming the only woman trained on Rafale during her induction phase. She recently completed the rigorous Flying Instructor Course at Air Force Station Tambaram and was photographed with President Droupadi Murmu during the President's Rafale sortie. During Operation Sindoor, Pakistan falsely claimed she was captured after a Rafale shootdown debunked by CNN-News18. She now serves at an IAF training establishment, mentoring trainee pilots with her frontline operational experience.(PC: X)

Karnataka discovered one of India's richest mineral deposits, gold grading 12-14 grams per tonne in Koppal's Amrapur block (4-7× commercially viable levels) and lithium-bearing pegmatites in Raichur's Amareshwara block but cannot mine them due to protected forest reserve restrictions. The November 2025 findings from a 6-lakh-hectare survey across 65 blocks also revealed copper, cobalt, rare earth elements, bauxite, and chromium. Mining requires Stage-I forest clearance from MoEFCC under the Forest Conservation Act 1980, currently not granted due to wildlife corridors, tribal settlements, and environmental concerns. Armed guards now protect sites from illegal prospecting. Commercial mining realistically requires 5-8 years, while India imports 99% of gold and needs 125,000 tonnes lithium by 2030. (PC: Gold Market & Mint)

A new photograph shows Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra at Thailand's Phuket Immigration Control Centre, surrounded by Thai officials after being detained from their hotel room following India's extradition request. The Delhi-based restaurateurs will be transported to Bangkok tomorrow for legal formalities before being handed over to Indian authorities. The brothers are wanted in connection with a Goa nightclub fire tragedy that killed 25 people. They fled India anticipating arrest and sought anticipatory bail, arguing they weren't present during the incident. After courts refused to stay their arrest, Indian authorities suspended their passports under Section 10A of the Passport Act, creating immigration complications that led to their detention in Thailand.

India made a dramatic late comeback in the 2nd T20I against South Africa in Mullanpur. After South Africa's blazing start, Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel struck crucial blows, dismissing Quinton de Kock (90 off 46) and Dewald Brevis (14 off 10) in consecutive overs. De Kock was brilliantly run out by wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma's lightning-quick reflexes, missing his century by ten runs. Axar dismissed Brevis caught by Tilak Varma at long-on. However, Jasprit Bumrah struggled, conceding three boundaries to David Miller in the 18th over through full tosses, swinging momentum back to South Africa. At 18 overs, South Africa stood at 179/4 with Miller (12*) and Donovan Ferreira (7*) batting.