Delhi will launch its first hot air balloon rides on November 29 after successful trials at DDA’s Baansera Park on the Yamuna riverfront. Lt Governor VK Saxena said the rides follow high safety standards and will add to the city’s recreation options. The service will soon expand to Asita, the Yamuna Sports Complex and the Commonwealth Games Village Sports Complex. Each ride will cost ₹3,000 for a 15–20 minute aerial experience, with morning and evening slots based on weather. The balloons are tethered for safe and controlled flights. A certified operator will manage all launch and safety operations. (PC: India Today)

Ukraine has called for President Volodymyr Zelensky to meet US President Donald Trump in the US this month. Ukraine’s security chief said both sides now share a “common understanding” on key parts of a possible peace deal discussed in Geneva. The White House has not confirmed any meeting. The US will also hold talks with Russian officials in Abu Dhabi. Meanwhile, heavy overnight strikes hit Kyiv and Russian regions, killing several people. Ukraine said Russia launched missiles and drones, while Russia claimed it shot down hundreds of Ukrainian drones. Peace efforts continue, but major differences remain between Ukraine and Russia. (PC: X)

A Bengaluru resident said his grandmother was stuck at Doha’s Hamad International Airport for 27 hours after flight cancellations caused by the Ethiopia volcano eruption. The woman, in her 70s, was flying from Doha to Kolkata with a transit in Delhi. Her visa had expired, so she could not leave the airport. Air India cancelled several flights due to ash clouds drifting toward India. The airline said passengers were given hotels or lounge access, but the family said she received neither, as lounges were full. She waited on public seats with her relative. A new flight was finally confirmed early Wednesday. (PC: HT)

French police have arrested a fourth suspect in the jewel heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris. The robbery took place on October 19 and lasted only minutes. Officials said four people were detained on November 25 as part of the ongoing investigation. The group includes two men, aged 38 and 39, and two women, aged 31 and 40, all from the Paris region. They are now being questioned by investigators from the Paris Specialized Interregional Jurisdiction. Police are working to confirm each person’s role in the planned theft and to trace the stolen items. (PC: X)

Investigators say Delhi bomber Umar Un Nabi used a large suitcase as a mobile bomb-making unit. He worked as a doctor at Al-Falah University in Faridabad and tested chemical compounds in his campus room. The suitcase contained chemicals and containers used to make the IED that later killed 15 people in Chandni Chowk. Another suspect, Muzamil Shakeel, told officials that Umar called himself the “emir” of their terror group and was highly educated. The group first planned to move explosives to Jammu and Kashmir, but the plan failed. Umar then gathered materials from the Nuh-Mewat region before the blast.

The Civil Aviation Ministry said on Tuesday that flights across India are operating normally, even as volcanic ash from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi eruption drifts eastwards. Only a few flights were rerouted or made to fly lower as a safety step. The ministry said it is working with ATC, the IMD, airlines and global agencies to track the ash cloud. The IMD said the ash moved over parts of Gujarat, Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana. It is expected to leave Indian airspace by 7:30 pm. The volcano erupted on Sunday, sending ash 14 km high. Monitoring and advisories continue.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday that the “new India” neither fears nor bows down to terrorism. He spoke at an event in Kurukshetra marking the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur. Modi said India wants peace but will not compromise on security. He cited Operation Sindoor as an example. India launched the operation on May 7 after the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people. Indian forces struck terror and military targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The clashes continued for three days before a ceasefire on May 10. Modi said the world saw India’s strength. (PC: X/@NarendraModi)

Smriti Mandhana and music composer Palash Muchhal postponed their wedding after her father suffered a serious heart issue. Soon after, Smriti deleted all wedding posts from Instagram, which sparked online rumours. Unverified screenshots claiming to show Palash chatting with another woman began spreading on social media. More anonymous posts on Reddit accused him of flirting with a choreographer and even kissing another woman days before the engagement. None of the claims are confirmed. Fans have reacted strongly and are supporting Smriti. Both families have not spoken about the rumours and have asked for privacy due to health emergencies. (PC: X)

India struggled again in the second Test in Guwahati after South Africa set a massive target of 549. The pitch suddenly helped bowlers, and India lost both openers early. Yashasvi Jaiswal was hit on the fingers by a sharp bouncer from Marco Jansen, while Simon Harmer bowled KL Rahul with big turn. India ended Day 4 at 27 for 2, with Sai Sudharsan and nightwatchman Kuldeep Yadav unbeaten. South Africa had declared at 260 for 5 after building a strong lead. India now face a near-certain whitewash, with their batters lacking confidence throughout the series. (PC: India Today)

The IMD said the ash cloud from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano will leave India by Tuesday evening. The ash entered Gujarat and Rajasthan on Monday, moved near Delhi around midnight, and travelled across east and northeast India through Tuesday. IMD chief M Mohapatra said the particles are at 8–15 km height, so there is no impact on air quality or public exposure. The main risk is to flights over Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. The ash cloud is now moving towards China. IMD also forecast heavy rain for Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Andaman & Nicobar Islands this week. (PC: HT)