A fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Goa’s Arpora killed at least 25 people after midnight on Sunday. Witnesses said the blaze spread fast and escape routes were narrow and confusing. Some people ran into the kitchen and were trapped. Police first said a cylinder blast caused the fire, but several eyewitnesses disagree. The club was allegedly built without proper permits and had a pending demolition notice. Fire trucks struggled to reach the site due to a narrow road. Goa’s chief minister has ordered an inquiry into construction, safety lapses, and the cause of the fire. (PC: HT)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had a “very constructive” call with US peace envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. They spoke about ways to make Russia follow any deal to end the war. Ukrainian officials are in Miami for a third day of talks on a US-backed peace plan. Russia has not made concessions and continues heavy strikes across Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron offered support and will join leaders from the UK and Germany for talks in London on Monday. US and Ukrainian teams say the next steps depend on Russia showing real intent to ease the conflict. (PC: BBC)

At least 23 people died in a fire that broke out at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora, North Goa, just past midnight. Eyewitnesses report that the fire erupted on the first-floor dance floor, where over 100 people were partying. In panic, many rushed downstairs to the kitchen area and got trapped with the staff. According to an eyewitness, the club was built with flammable palm-leaf materials, fueling the rapid spread. Limited access—narrow entry points—hampered fire brigade response, making rescue efforts difficult. Mistakes in adhering to fire safety norms are now under investigation. 

IndiGo announced that it has restored 95% of its connectivity and is set to operate nearly 1,500 flights today as part of its recovery from days of severe disruptions. The airline said its network is stabilising following widespread delays and cancellations triggered by revised duty-time rules and crew shortages. Even as operations improved, the DGCA issued show-cause notices to IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers and Accountable Manager Isidro Porqueras, citing major operational lapses. Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu reviewed the situation and stated that further action will be taken based on the enquiry’s findings. (PC: India Today)

A powerful 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck a remote wilderness area along the Alaska–Canada border on December 6, shaking regions near Yakutat, Alaska, and parts of Yukon. According to seismologists, the quake occurred at a shallow depth of around 10 km, intensifying ground movement felt across nearby communities. Residents reported strong shaking and household items falling, but authorities confirmed no major injuries or structural damage. Several aftershocks followed, though experts emphasized there was no tsunami threat. Due to the region’s sparse population and rugged terrain, emergency services reported minimal impact while continuing to monitor seismic activity for potential risks. (PC: AP)

Virat Kohli said he played at his best in two to three years as India clinched a 2–1 ODI series win over South Africa. The 37-year-old scored 302 runs, including two centuries and an unbeaten 65, at an average of 151, earning him the Player of the Series. In the final game in Visakhapatnam, he struck 65 off 45 balls — hitting three sixes — and then charged down the pitch to finish the chase. Kohli described the series as mentally freeing: “I feel really free in my mind … I don’t think I’ve played at this level for a good two-three years.” He also reflected on the internal struggles of being a seasoned batsman, admitting that self-doubt and pressure still affect him, but overcoming them has made him stronger and more balanced. (PC: Reuters)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the devastating fire at a nightclub in Arpora, Goa, which resulted in multiple casualties and injuries. He conveyed heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wished a swift recovery for those injured. Modi also spoke with Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to assess the situation and assured that the state government is extending all necessary assistance to those affected. He emphasised that the tragedy is “deeply saddening” and reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to support relief and rescue efforts during this difficult time.

A Karachi-based woman, Nikita Nagdev, has made a public plea to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing her husband, Vikram Nagdev, of abandoning her in Pakistan and quietly planning a second marriage in Delhi. Nikita says they married in Karachi in January 2020 under Hindu customs, and Vikram brought her to India soon after. She alleges he later left her at the Attari border under the pretext of visa issues, forcing her return to Pakistan. She filed a complaint in January 2025 after learning about his alleged engagement in Delhi. The Sindhi Panch Mediation Centre, under the MP High Court, reviewed the case and recommended his deportation, citing lack of Indian citizenship for both. (PC: NDTV)

After South Africa lost the ODI series 2–1 to India, coach Shukri Conrad expressed regret for saying he wanted to make India “grovel” during the recent Test series. He admitted that his choice of words, though not intended to offend, had “taken the sheen” off South Africa’s big Test win. Conrad explained he meant India should “work really hard” in the field, but conceded he could have picked a better expression. He promised to be more cautious with his language, acknowledging how quickly words can be misinterpreted. 

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a show-cause notice to IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers, demanding a response within 24 hours. The regulator accused him of failing to plan for the November 1 implementation of stricter Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms, resulting in "massive" cancellations and delays that caused severe hardship to passengers. DGCA cited “significant lapses in planning, oversight and resource management” and said IndiGo did not provide required support to stranded flyers. (PC: India Today)