US President Donald Trump has stopped all asylum rulings and blocked visas for people using Afghan passports after a shooting near the White House killed one National Guard member. The suspect, 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was arrested and faces murder and assault charges. Trump called the attack a “terrorist act” and blamed the Biden administration for allowing Afghans who worked with US forces to enter the country. He also said he would pause migration from what he called “Third World countries.” US immigration officials said asylum cases will remain on hold until stronger checks are in place. (PC: HT)

Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind president Mahmood Madani triggered a major row by saying, “If there is oppression, there will be jihad.” He claimed the government and judiciary were hurting minority rights and said recent court rulings showed “pressure” on judges. Madani argued that cases moving ahead despite the Places of Worship Act were signs of constitutional breach. The BJP hit back, accusing him of provoking Muslims and attacking the Supreme Court. BJP MLA Rameshwar Sharma said Madani’s words were dangerous and “anti-national.” He urged strict action and warned that India would not accept any call that harms peace or unity. (PC: India Today)

Thousands of Airbus A320 planes around the world need an urgent software fix after a flight last month suddenly lost altitude and injured 15 passengers. Airbus said up to 6,000 planes require an update because strong solar radiation may corrupt key flight-control data. UK airlines worked overnight to install the update, and officials say only minimal disruption is expected. Most planes need only a two-to-three-hour fix, but around 1,000 aircraft may need extra hardware. Some airlines, including American Airlines, Air India, and All Nippon Airways, have reported delays and cancellations. Safety agencies in Europe and the US have issued emergency orders. (PC: iStock)

A Russian oil tanker named Virat was hit by unmanned sea drones in the Black Sea on Saturday. The crew sent a distress call saying, “This is Virat. Help needed! Drone attack! Mayday!” The tanker had also been struck a day earlier. Turkey confirmed that unmanned maritime vehicles attacked the ship twice. The vessel suffered minor damage, and the crew is safe. Ukraine has claimed responsibility, saying its SBU and navy used upgraded Sea Baby drones to target Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’. These tankers are under Western sanctions for moving Russian oil. Ukraine says the attack deals a major blow to Moscow’s oil transport.

Cyclone Ditwah has caused major damage in Sri Lanka, killing more than 120 people and leaving over 130 missing. The storm brought floods and landslides, forcing the country to declare a state of emergency. It has now moved into the Bay of Bengal and is heading towards the north Tamil Nadu–Puducherry coast. The IMD has issued red and orange alerts in several Tamil Nadu districts and warned of very heavy rain in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. Over 6,000 relief camps have been set up. Chennai has cancelled 54 flights, and many schools and colleges are closed across the state. (PC: HT)

Air travel in India may face delays as airlines work to fix a major software glitch in Airbus A320-family aircraft. IndiGo, Air India, and Air India Express are updating systems after Airbus warned that strong solar radiation could affect flight-control data. Around 400 aircraft in India may be impacted. The DGCA has ordered immediate upgrades, and more than half the planes have already been fixed. No cancellations have been reported so far, but some flights are delayed. Airbus said this is one of its biggest recalls and stressed that safety remains its top priority as airlines rush to complete the changes. (PC: India Today)

A planned debate at Oxford Union on “India’s Policy Towards Pakistan is a Populist Strategy Sold as Security Policy” collapsed as each side blamed the other. J Sai Deepak — who was to represent India — produced email and call‑log evidence confirming his participation and that Indian replacements were offered when original speakers withdrew. The Pakistan High Commission in the UK countered that the Indian team pulled out last minute, giving Pakistan a “walkover.” The cancellation triggered accusations of poor coordination by the Oxford Union and spurred sharp social‑media reactions debating which side withdrew. (PC: X)

A heartwarming video from a high-altitude border post shows Indian Army soldiers improvising a game of cricket in extreme winter conditions. With heavy snowfall covering the landscape, troops used a snowball as the cricket ball and a shovel as the makeshift bat. The light-hearted moment captured the soldiers’ resilience and ability to stay upbeat despite harsh weather and demanding terrain. The clip has quickly gone viral, drawing admiration for their spirit, camaraderie and creativity while guarding the nation’s frontiers.

India has dispatched approximately 12 tonnes of humanitarian relief to Sri Lanka under “Operation Sagar Bandhu” following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah. A C-130J aircraft landed in Colombo carrying tents, tarpaulins, blankets, hygiene kits and ready-to-eat food items. Additionally, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed 80 rescuers and four search dogs to assist in relief and rescue operations. 

Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana and music composer Palash Muchhal, whose November 23 wedding was postponed due to separate health emergencies in both families, have drawn renewed attention after updating their Instagram bios with identical nazar (evil-eye) emojis. The symbolic update appeared shortly after news of the delay, leading fans to interpret it as a coordinated message. Both families continue to maintain that the postponement is purely due to ongoing health-related circumstances on both sides. Despite the speculation, no new wedding date has been announced, and the couple has remained private while focusing on recovery and family well-being. (NDTV)