The UK will enforce mandatory Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) from February 25, 2026, for visitors from 85 countries previously exempt from visa requirements. This digital permit, costing £16, allows stays up to six months for tourism or family visits. Launched in October 2023, over 13.3 million ETAs have been issued during the voluntary phase. From February 2026, travelers from the EU, US, Canada, Australia, Japan, and others must obtain an ETA before boarding transport to the UK. British and Irish citizens are exempt. Applications through the UK ETA app or government website require passport details and photos, with most approvals granted within minutes. Valid for two years, the ETA aims to modernize immigration, enhance security, and create a contactless border system. (PC: Yahoo & NDTV)

Twenty-six-year-old Nick Franke from London has cycled over 11,500km across 22 countries in six months, raising funds for Future Hope, a Calcutta school for street children. On Thursday, students gave him a hero's welcome with hand-drawn flags representing every nation he crossed. Franke, nephew of school founder Tim Grandage, visited Future Hope in 2004 and now combines his cycling passion with philanthropy. His journey began in May from the UK, traversing Europe, Turkey, Central Asia, Nepal, and India, covering 100-120km daily. After departing Calcutta on November 27, he'll continue through Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, and the US, aiming to reach London by May 2026 for his best friend's wedding. (PC: Instagram) 

Bollywood lost its iconic "He-Man" Dharmendra on November 24, 2025, at age 89, just weeks before his 90th birthday. The legendary actor had been battling health issues and was receiving treatment at home after being discharged from Breach Candy Hospital. His Sholay co-star Amitabh Bachchan penned an emotional tribute calling him "another valiant Giant" who left "a silence with an unbearable sound." Bachchan described Dharmendra as "the epitome of greatness," praising not only his physical presence but "the largeness of his heart." Industry icons including Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, and Akshay Kumar attended the final rites at Pawan Hans Crematorium. Filmmaker Karan Johar called it "the end of an era." (PC: Facebook) 

Three-year-old Oliver Chu from California has astounded doctors after becoming the first person globally to receive groundbreaking gene therapy for Hunter syndrome, a rare inherited condition causing progressive brain and body damage. The devastating disease typically proves fatal before age 20. At Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, medical staff altered Oliver's stem cells by inserting a working copy of the faulty gene, enabling his body to produce the missing enzyme crucial for cellular health. Nine months post-treatment, Oliver is thriving producing hundreds of times normal enzyme levels, developing speech and mobility dramatically, and no longer requiring weekly infusions. The £2.5 million trial, nearly cancelled due to funding issues, now includes five boys worldwide, offering hope for similar genetic disorders. (PC: BBC) 

Indian-origin steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal has relocated from the UK to Switzerland and Dubai ahead of anticipated tax reforms by the Labour government. The 75-year-old ArcelorMittal founder, worth £15.4 billion and ranked Britain's eighth richest person, now owns property in Dubai, including developments on Naïa Island. The primary concern was inheritance tax rather than income or capital gains tax. While the UK levies inheritance tax up to 40 percent on worldwide assets, Dubai and Switzerland impose no inheritance tax. Mittal's departure follows similar moves by other wealthy entrepreneurs including Herman Narula and Nik Storonsky as Chancellor Rachel Reeves prepares a budget addressing a £20 billion fiscal deficit. (PC: The Hindu) 

A Bengaluru cab driver's compassionate act has gone viral after he bought sandwiches for content creator Yogita Rathore, who had missed meals due to her tight schedule while rushing to catch a flight. During a phone conversation, she mentioned being hungry, which the driver overheard. He stepped away briefly and returned with sandwiches, saying it would pain him if his own sister were hungry. The overwhelmed influencer shared the touching moment online, thanking Uber India and encouraging others to spread kindness. Social media users praised the gesture, though some expressed concerns about accepting food from strangers, highlighting the complex balance between appreciating kindness and maintaining personal safety.

Several flights were cancelled today as volcanic ash from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi eruption moved toward India. The volcano erupted for the first time in nearly 12,000 years, sending a huge ash cloud across the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea. Weather agencies say parts of Rajasthan and Haryana are already seeing ash plumes, and Delhi may be affected soon. The DGCA has asked airlines to avoid ash-affected routes and report any unusual engine issues. Akasa Air, IndiGo and KLM cancelled flights to the Middle East and Europe. Airports have been told to monitor runways and keep checking satellite updates. (PC: X)

Bollywood legend Dharmendra died on Monday at the age of 89 at his home in Juhu. The actor had been recovering from a health scare earlier this month. He was cremated at the Pawan Hans crematorium in the presence of his family. Born in 1935, Dharmendra began his career in 1960 and became one of India’s most popular stars. He played romantic roles in the 60s and became Bollywood’s original action hero in the 70s and 80s. He worked in many hit films, including Sholay and Chupke Chupke. He is survived by wives Prakash Kaur and Hema Malini and six children. (PC: X)

The Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia has erupted for the first time in around 10,000 years. The eruption sent a massive ash and sulfur-dioxide cloud up to 15 km high over the Afar region. Satellite images first detected the blast in the remote Danakil Depression. The ash cloud moved across the Red Sea toward Yemen and Oman, causing aviation alerts and air-quality warnings. Some flights in the region were diverted, including an IndiGo flight to Abu Dhabi. Experts say the area is too difficult to access, so monitoring will continue through satellite data. Scientists call the eruption rare and highly significant.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said progress was made in peace talks with the US in Geneva but warned that Russia’s demand for recognition of occupied regions remains the main obstacle. The talks ended without a clear plan on how to bridge the gap between Kyiv and Moscow. Zelensky said Ukraine cannot give away land taken by force. US officials said more discussions will follow, and a meeting between Zelensky and US President Donald Trump is expected. European leaders urged caution, saying peace will take time. Russia did not join the talks and said it received no details of the meeting. (PC: BBC)