Record floods have hit southern Thailand, killing at least 18 people and cutting off many towns. Hat Yai saw its heaviest rain in 300 years, with 335 mm falling in one day. Homes and cars are underwater, and thousands are trapped on rooftops waiting for help. More than 2 million people are affected, but only 13,000 have reached shelters. The Thai military has sent ships, helicopters, and trucks to rescue people. A navy carrier may be used as a floating hospital. Floods have also hit Vietnam and Malaysia, where thousands more have been forced from their homes. (PC: BBC)

A 16-year-old national-level basketball player named Hardik tragically died in Rohtak, Haryana, after a heavy iron hoop pole collapsed on him while he was practising alone in the Lakhan Majra playground. CCTV footage shows him jumping toward the hoop just before the unstable pole buckled and came crashing down. He was rushed to PGI Rohtak by nearby players but succumbed to his injuries. The incident has renewed serious concerns about the safety and maintenance of sports infrastructure in Haryana. 

On Constitution Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a letter calling on citizens to fulfil their constitutional duties, saying they are the bedrock of a strong democracy. He quoted Mahatma Gandhi, noting that rights flow from the performance of duties, and argued that civic responsibility is key to India’s social and economic progress. Modi also urged schools and colleges to honour first-time voters turning 18, underlining the importance of strengthening democracy through participation. (PC: NDTV)

Ramanagara MLA Iqbal Hussain has made a bold claim, stating he is “200 per cent” certain that Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar will soon be elevated to Chief Minister. The remark has intensified ongoing discussions within Congress about a possible leadership change, especially as several MLAs have traveled to New Delhi to lobby the party high command. Meanwhile, senior leader Veerappa Moily has publicly backed Shivakumar’s rise, calling his eventual promotion a “settled matter.” 

During Operation Sindoor, Pakistan attempted to target India’s Uri hydroelectric plant, but the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) successfully foiled the attack, according to a CISF statement. CISF said 19 of its personnel, under Commandant Ravi Yadav, neutralised hostile drones, reinforced bunkers, redistributed weapons, and evacuated about 250 civilians from nearby residential areas. Thanks to their vigilance and preparation, there were no casualties or major damage to the plant. (PC: HT)

A plume of ash from the eruption of Hayli Gubbi in Ethiopia on 23 November reached Indian airspace late on 24 November, drifting over Gujarat, Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reports that as of ~10:30 pm on 25 November the ash cloud had entirely exited Indian territory. While aviation was affected — with flight cancellations and delays — there is currently no impact on surface weather or air quality over North India. (PC: X)

India strongly protested after a UK-based Indian citizen from Arunachal Pradesh was allegedly detained for nearly 18 hours at Shanghai Pudong International Airport. Chinese immigration officials reportedly declared her Indian passport “invalid” because her birthplace was listed as Arunachal Pradesh, claiming it is part of China. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a formal demarche, calling the incident a violation of international aviation norms and China’s own 24-hour visa-free transit policy. India also reaffirmed its position that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India, rejecting China’s territorial claim. (PC: The Hindu)

Former US Representative Dr Dave Brat has alleged massive fraud in the H-1B visa system, claiming Chennai's consulate processed 220,000 visas exceeding the nationwide statutory cap of 85,000. Speaking on Steve Bannon's podcast, Brat stated 71 percent of H-1B visas originate from India, calling it "industrial-scale fraud." Former US diplomat Mahvash Siddiqui corroborated these claims, alleging 80-90 percent of Indian H-1B visas involved fake degrees or forged documents between 2005-2007. She identified Hyderabad's Ameerpet as a fraud hotspot where shops sold fake employment letters and certificates. Chennai consulate handles applications from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, and Telangana. Despite criticism, President Trump recently expressed support for H-1B visas, emphasizing America's need for global talent.

Britain's Business Secretary Peter Kyle has expressed concern over wealthy individuals, including Indian-origin billionaire Lakshmi N Mittal, leaving the UK due to Labour government's tax increases. Mittal's tax residency has shifted to Switzerland, with plans to relocate to Dubai amid growing tax burdens. Kyle acknowledged that Labour's taxation regime, particularly the closure of the non-dom tax loophole effective April 2025, is driving the exodus. Around half of wealthy UK non-dom residents have decided to leave since Chancellor Rachel Reeves scrapped the policy. The primary concern is inheritance tax, levied at 40 percent in the UK but absent in Dubai and Switzerland. Mittal, worth 15.4 billion pounds, joins other entrepreneurs like Herman Narula exiting Britain. (PC: NDTV) 

Smriti Mandhana's father Srinivas has been discharged from the hospital after suffering a heart attack on Sunday, with doctors confirming no blockages were found during angiography. The medical emergency forced cricketer Smriti Mandhana and groom Palash Muchhal to postpone their scheduled Sunday wedding indefinitely. Despite Srinivas's recovery, neither family has announced a revised wedding date, triggering speculation after Smriti deleted all pre-wedding pictures and videos from Instagram. Her teammates also reportedly removed related content. Adding to concerns, Palash has been admitted to Mumbai's SVR Hospital due to stress from continuous travel for concerts and wedding preparations. Fans await clarity on both the wedding plans and Palash's health condition.