The government has directed all mobile phone makers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on new devices sold in India. Companies like Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo have 90 days to follow the order. The app will help users report fraud, block stolen phones, check mobile connections and verify if a device is genuine. A DoT official said the aim is to make fraud reporting faster and easier. The app will be visible at first use but can be deleted. India has lost nearly ₹35,000 crore to cyber fraud in recent years, pushing the need for stronger protection. (PC: HT)

The Election Commission of India is under heavy criticism after posting a video of BLOs dancing during the SIR voter roll revision. The video came at a time when more than a dozen Booth-Level Officers across several states have reportedly died by suicide due to work pressure. Many people called the video tone-deaf and insensitive. The clip showed a “50-minute work, 10-minute fun” break in Kerala. Critics said the ECI should focus on reducing workload instead of sharing dance clips. Congress leaders also raised the issue in Parliament. The ECI has now extended the SIR deadline by one week. (PC: India Today)

India’s partnership with Russia played a major role in the success of Operation Sindoor. Key Russian systems like the BrahMos missile, S-400 air defence and Sukhoi fighter jets helped India stop enemy threats and carry out accurate strikes. Experts say these technologies gave India clear control in the air and on the ground. The BrahMos missile showed precise target-hitting power, while the S-400 stopped incoming drones and missiles. With President Putin visiting India on December 4–5, both nations are set to deepen their defence ties. The strong India-Russia bond continues to shape India’s security. (PC: NDTV)

Net migration to the UK has dropped sharply, falling 80% from the 2023 peak, according to new ONS data. In the year ending June 2025, 74,000 Indians left the UK, the highest among non-EU groups. Most were students and workers. Chinese nationals were the next largest group to leave. The fall comes as fewer people arrive for work or study and more decide to leave. Skilled worker visas also dropped due to higher salary rules. Experts warn the decline may affect the UK economy. At the same time, irregular migration by small boats has increased, adding pressure on services. (PC: Financial Express)

The government has confirmed GPS spoofing and GNSS interference near Delhi airport and several other major airports. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu told Parliament that flights using satellite-based landing on Delhi’s Runway 10 faced spoofing, forcing pilots to use backup procedures. Airports in Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Amritsar also reported similar cases. The DGCA has issued strict reporting rules and a new SOP for real-time alerts. The Airports Authority of India has asked the Wireless Monitoring Organisation to trace the source of the signals. Cybersecurity steps are also being upgraded to protect key aviation systems. (PC: India Today)

West Bengal is now the second most visited state in India for foreign tourists, after Maharashtra, says the India Tourism Data Compendium 2025. The state saw 31 lakh international visitors in 2024, a rise of 14.8% from 2023. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the growth comes from new tourism plans such as festival tourism, religious tourism and MICE events. Most visitors came from the US, Russia, the UK and Italy, even though there are no direct flights to Bengal from these regions. The state is also building new circuits, including coastal, hill and heritage routes. Bangladesh arrivals dropped sharply. (PC: X)

Two rare storms, Cyclone Senyar and Cyclone Ditwah, have caused massive destruction across Southeast Asia. More than 1,000 people have died, and thousands have lost their homes in Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and parts of India. Senyar brought record floods and landslides to Indonesia and Thailand, blocking roads and cutting power. Ditwah hit Sri Lanka with heavy rain and flash floods, causing hundreds of deaths and leaving many missing. India’s Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh saw strong rain but limited damage. Rescue teams are struggling to reach remote areas as officials warn that more rain may follow. (PC. HT)

Mumbai has enforced the strictest GRAP-4 pollution control measures after air quality in areas like Mazgaon, Deonar, Malad, Borivali East, Powai, and Mulund reached ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’ levels. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has halted construction and dust-generating activities at over 50 sites. Small industries must switch to cleaner processes or face action. Flying squads with engineers, police, and GPS-tracked vehicles are monitoring emissions. Residents report breathing problems and sore throats. Celebrities and local politicians have called for urgent action. The BMC plans a ‘Clean Air Action Plan’ including tree planting, stricter norms, and round-the-clock pollution monitoring. (PC: NDTV)

Scientists say Africa is slowly breaking apart and may form a new ocean in 5 to 10 million years. The East African Rift, stretching from Jordan to Mozambique, is pulling the continent apart like “a zip on a jacket.” The Afar region, where three rifts meet, shows early signs of this split. Magnetic data from the 1960s confirms slow seafloor spreading. The eastern landmass would include Kenya, Tanzania, and Somalia, while the western landmass would have Egypt, Nigeria, and Algeria. The process is very slow, moving only a few millimeters each year, but will reshape Africa’s geography over millions of years. (PC: X)

Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit India on December 4-5 for the 23rd Annual Summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Defence cooperation is expected to be a key topic, including a possible new S-400 missile deal. Russia may supply two to three additional S-400 regiments, with up to 50% technology transfer for local assembly. India aims to strengthen its air defence and reduce delays in deliveries. The summit will also review joint projects like BrahMos missiles, T-90 tanks, and MiG-29 jets. Talks will focus on timely deliveries, after-sales support, and boosting India’s domestic defence capabilities. (PC: India Today)