A jet from the United States Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration team—an F-16C Fighting Falcon—crashed Wednesday morning near Trona Airport in Southern California’s Mojave Desert during a training flight. The pilot ejected safely around 10:45 a.m. local time and was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The aircraft erupted into flames on impact, sending a large plume of black smoke into the sky, and authorities confirmed the scene posed no immediate threat to nearby terrain. An investigation by the United States Air Force is underway to determine the cause. 

A morning ride in a posh colony in Gurugram turned fatal when a cyclist and businessman, Amitabh Jain (58), was struck from behind by a Hyundai Santro around 7:15 am. CCTV footage shows him riding in the left lane before the car overtook and hit him. He was critically injured and later died. The driver fled the scene; police traced the registration via CCTV but found no car or owner at the registered address and have launched a manhunt. 

India’s crude-oil imports from Russia plunged by around 38 % in October 2025 compared with earlier data, marking the steepest drop yet in this trading relationship amid growing Western sanctions on Moscow. Refiners in India are reportedly scaling back deals with Russian majors to comply with pressure from the US and EU, even as Russia remains a key supplier. The shift reflects New Delhi’s tightrope act—balancing energy security and relations with Moscow while addressing geopolitical and economic constraints imposed by the West. (PC: Reuters)

IndiGo cancelled over 200 flights on Thursday due to staff shortages and operational disruptions, affecting major airports including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has called IndiGo officials for a meeting to investigate the crisis. Flight delays are also impacting other airlines as IndiGo planes occupy parking bays, straining airport capacity. The Federation of India Pilots blamed the airline’s hiring freeze and lean staffing strategy, while ALPA India raised concerns over crew management and regulatory oversight. IndiGo cited technical glitches, weather, congestion, and new crew rules as reasons for disruptions. (PC: India Today)

Meta has started removing Australian children under 16 from Instagram, Facebook, and Threads ahead of the country’s social media ban on 10 December. Around 500,000 accounts are expected to be affected. The law fines companies up to A$49.5 million for failing to block under-16s. Teens can download their posts or request age verification if wrongly identified. The ban aims to protect children from harmful content, cyberbullying, and online grooming. Other platforms like YouTube, TikTok, X, Snapchat, and Reddit are also included. Critics warn the move may isolate children or push them to less-regulated apps. (PC: X)

Delhi is on high alert as Russian President Vladimir Putin prepares to visit India for two days. Over 5,000 police personnel, SWAT teams, snipers, and anti-terror units have been deployed across the capital. Anti-drone systems and secured VVIP routes are in place, with traffic advisories planned to reduce commuter inconvenience. During the visit, Putin will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a private dinner and attend the 23rd India-Russia annual strategic summit. Discussions will include trade, defence, industrial cooperation, technology, healthcare, and space exploration. Security officials are closely monitoring every movement to ensure the safety of both leaders. (PC: HT)

A record 74,000 Indian students left the UK in 2025, raising concerns about stricter visa and dependant rules. New policies, including limits on postgraduate dependants and uncertainty around post-study work visas, are driving students away. Experts say this trend could hurt universities heavily dependent on international fee revenue, with potential budget shortfalls and course closures. Countries like Australia, Dubai, and Germany are attracting Indian students with clearer pathways and longer work options. Education specialists urge the UK to stabilize the Graduate Route, revisit dependant rules, and offer transparent immigration policies to restore student confidence and maintain its global competitiveness. (PC: India Today)

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon delighted crowds at the 7th New Zealand Sikh Games in Auckland by making jalebis live. He joined local MP Rima Nakhle at the opening ceremony on November 30, meeting athletes, volunteers, and performers. Standing behind a steaming wok, Luxon piped the sweet batter into spirals as the crowd cheered. The video quickly went viral, with fans calling him the “coolest Prime Minister ever” and joking about trying his jalebis. The Sikh Games showcased sports like kabaddi, cricket, and Gatka martial arts, blending culture, competition, and community pride from participants across New Zealand and abroad. 

Delhi is battling toxic air, with AQI levels touching 400, but city officials are still cutting large tree branches in the name of pruning. Residents say the Municipal Corporation of Delhi is hacking trees instead of doing light and scientific trimming. Social media is filled with complaints from areas like Vasant Kunj, Defence Colony and Greater Kailash. Experts warn this will reduce green cover at a time when trees are the only natural defence against pollution. Despite rules that restrict pruning without permission, poor coordination and alleged corruption continue. Citizens say this careless approach is worsening Delhi’s pollution crisis. (PC: India Today)

Russian President Vladimir Putin has begun a two-day visit to Delhi for a summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The leaders will discuss new oil and defence deals as India faces pressure from the US to cut Russian crude imports. Washington has raised tariffs on Indian goods, pushing ties to a low point. Modi aims to protect India’s “strategic autonomy” by staying close to Moscow while keeping doors open to the West. India wants faster delivery of Russian weapons, including S-400 units, and more space for Indian products in Russia’s market. The visit will test India’s balance between security, trade and global politics. (PC: BBC)