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Twenty-five victims of a deadly Goa nightclub fire are now identified. The blaze claimed 20 staff and five tourists. Management has been arrested. Officials face suspension. The fire reportedly started from electrical firecrackers. A probe is underway to prevent future tragedies. Families are taking loved ones home.

U.S. Stock Market Outlook: S&P 500, Dow Jones, Nasdaq investors are eyeing on the U.S Fed Interest Rate Cut meeting.

A Chinese tourist, Hu Congtai, has been detained in Kashmir. He entered Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir without permission, violating his visa. His phone history revealed searches for CRPF deployments and Article 370. Agencies are questioning him. He arrived in Delhi on November 19 and traveled to Leh and Srinagar. Authorities are considering his deportation.

India is hosting a significant UNESCO meeting on safeguarding intangible cultural heritage. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar addressed delegates at the Red Fort, emphasizing the democratic nature of cultural expressions. The 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee will review nominations and existing elements. India showcases its rich cultural heritage for this important global event.

Military and security sources said that around a dozen soldiers had been arrested, including those behind the coup bid. The west Africa region has experienced a number of coups in recent years, including in Benin's northern neighbours Niger and Burkina Faso, as well as Mali, Guinea and, most recently, Guinea-Bissau.

India is set to host an Arab foreign ministerial meeting in January. This initiative aims to deepen engagement with West Asia. Syria's foreign minister may attend the gathering. High-level visits to the Arab world are also planned before the January meeting. Prime Minister Narendra Modi could visit Oman and Jordan this month.

In a bold political maneuver, suspended Trinamool MLA Humayun Kabir is teaming up with AIMIM as West Bengal gears up for its assembly elections. Kabir has initiated talks with AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, with hopes of jointly contesting 135 seats. This collaboration could significantly sway the Muslim vote in the region.

Sergio Gor is set to become the new US ambassador to India. He plans to bring his own team to assist in managing the important Indo-US partnership. This move comes as the relationship has faced challenges. Even before Gor's arrival, the current US Cd'A, Jorgan K Andrews, has reportedly been asked to step down.

West Bengal is embarking on an ambitious plan to add around 9,000 new polling booths, a significant move prompted by the Election Commission of India's recent directive for booth rationalisation. This initiative specifically targets urban areas where large housing complexes exist, ensuring easier access for voters. Additionally, the digitisation of enumeration forms is rapidly approaching completion.

Pakistan and Armenia are moving forward to establish diplomatic relations. Discussions are underway to open a Pakistan embassy in Yerevan next year. This development follows the official establishment of diplomatic ties between the two nations on August 31. India is closely observing these events.

I told them that if they don't react, we Europeans will be forced to take strong measures in the coming months, Macron told business daily Les Echos after returning from a state visit to China. Such measures could be modelled on steps taken by the United States, he said, such as tariffs on Chinese products, for example.

A devastating fire ripped through Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in North Goa. Twenty-five people, including four tourists, lost their lives. Most victims were staff trapped in the smoke-filled basement. Authorities have arrested club management and issued warrants for owners. Government officials face suspension. Investigations are underway to determine the cause and prevent future tragedies.

EQT Partners is gearing up to divest its substantial 40% interest in CitiusTech, aiming to secure close to $1 billion. The Swedish investment firm is collaborating with advisors to identify interested private equity firms willing to step in.

In a bold display of courage, BSF troops executed two effective midnight operations. In Amritsar, they intercepted a stash of 12 packets containing 6.638 kilograms of heroin. Meanwhile, in Ferozepur, they confiscated a pistol complete with a magazine and four live rounds. These initiatives underline BSF's unwavering commitment to safeguarding India against the influx of drugs and weaponry.

Netanyahu spoke during a news conference with visiting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and stressed that the second phase, which addresses the disarming of Hamas and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, could begin as soon as the end of the month. Hamas has yet to hand over the remains of Ran Gvili, a 24-year-old police officer who was killed in the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attack that sparked the war. His body was taken to Gaza.

Senior American officials are visiting India to strengthen political and trade partnerships. Discussions will cover regional security and economic cooperation. A key focus will be innovation in US-India research. Trade talks for a bilateral agreement will also commence. Both sides aim to finalize the first part of the trade pact by year-end.

The Indian rupee is under pressure and could soon slip below the 90 threshold against the dollar. This forecast stems from a burgeoning trade deficit and lukewarm investment climate. The urgency for a trade pact with the US is more pronounced than ever.

New Year 2026 Horoscope: As 2026 approaches, interest in what the upcoming year might signify is growing rapidly within astrology and numerology communities. Following what practitioners describe as a challenging Year 9 in 2025, defined by endings, emotional shifts and deep self-reflection, many are now turning toward the next cycle with a sense of optimism and anticipation.

In a commendable show of restraint during Operation Sindoor, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed his admiration for the Indian forces. He officially opened the Shyok tunnel in Ladakh, a crucial all-weather route that will enhance connectivity in a strategically significant area.

Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 after eight years of fighting between Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian troops in the Donbas, which is made up of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The Ukraine war is the deadliest European conflict since World War Two and has triggered the biggest confrontation between Russia and the West since the depths of the Cold War.

Every CEO I speak to believes AI is transformative. The debate is not whether it will reshape industries but how dramaticallyDavid Bach President, IMD

India prepares for Vijay Diwas celebrations honoring the 1971 War victory. A 20-member delegation from Bangladesh, including army officers and Mukti Yoddhas, will attend events in West Bengal. The Eastern Command's Vijay Rally concluded, marking the start of these commemorations. Celebrations include a Military Tattoo and wreath-laying ceremonies.

Lando Norris secured his maiden Formula One World Championship in Abu Dhabi, sealing the title with a calm and commanding drive that earned him a third-place finish in the season-ending Grand Prix.

The Assam Cabinet has approved significant decisions. History and Geography will be compulsory subjects for Classes VI to VIII. Land has been approved for a new airport in Silchar. A logistics policy aims to make Assam a hub. A joint project with Dassault Systems will offer specialized courses. Compensation for land acquisition and a new Sainik School are also approved.

China's navy said Tokyo's claim was completely inconsistent with the facts and told Japan to immediately stop slandering and smearing.

A fire broke out at a Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation (BVFCL) unit in Namrup, Assam, causing panic just days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to lay the foundation for a new fertilizer project. No human casualties were reported, but damage assessment is ongoing. The incident raises safety concerns as the fire occurred near the Prime Minister's event site.

As McLaren driver Lando Norris marks his first Formula One world championship, the spotlight is extending beyond the paddock to his personal life, especially his relationship with Portuguese model and actress Margarida Magui Corceiro.

Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt and his wife Shwetambari were arrested by Udaipur police in Mumbai over a Rs 30 crore cheating case. The couple, along with six others, are accused of defrauding Dr. Ajay Murdia, founder of Indira Group of Companies. Murdia alleged he was promised Rs 200 crore for a biopic that never materialized.

December 8 holds historical significance. It is National Brownie Day. Falkland Islands observe Battle Day. India lost its first Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, in 2022. The US entered World War II on this day in 1941. It is also the birthday of legendary actor Dharmendra and acclaimed actress Sharmila Tagore.

Iranian forces and diplomats left Syria in December, abandoning President Bashar al-Assad. This happened as rebel forces advanced rapidly towards the capital. Syrian officers and consulate employees described a hasty Iranian exit. Iranian personnel were paid and sent home. Assad fled to Russia after Damascus fell without a fight. Iranian bases were found abandoned with documents left behind.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared he will not step down from politics even if he receives a pardon from President Isaac Herzog in his ongoing corruption trial. Netanyahu requested the pardon last month, citing hindrances to governance. Pardons in Israel are typically granted post-conviction, with no precedent for mid-trial pardons.

Delhi's air quality stayed 'very poor' on Sunday. The Air Quality Index reached 308. Transport emissions are the biggest local cause. Industries and neighbouring districts also contribute significantly. Air quality has been unhealthy for weeks. Temperatures are low, limiting pollutant dispersal. This situation continues to affect the national capital.

Telangana is naming a new radial road after Ratan Tata and a road near the US Consulate after Donald Trump. The state also plans to name a stretch 'Google Street' and may recognize Microsoft and Wipro, aiming to position itself as a hub for innovation.

Google and Epic revealed the settlement agreement in a joint legal document they filed in a San Francisco federal court.

The meeting is important as both sides are eager to conclude the negotiations as early as possible. The team, led by EU's Directorate-General for Trade Sabine Weyand, is here to iron out differences on issues pertaining to both goods and services. They have fixed the year-end deadline to conclude talks.

A new UIDAI rule will soon prohibit hotels and event organisers from collecting photocopies of Aadhaar cards, promoting digital QR-based verification to strengthen privacy, eliminate paper storage risks, and align authentication systems with upcoming data protection law in India nationwide.

The Consortium of NLUs successfully conducted CLAT 2026 on December 7, 2025, across 141 cities for BA LLB and LLM admissions. The exam featured 120 MCQs with negative marking, and a provisional answer key is expected by December 14. Candidates will need to re-register for counselling to select university preferences.

Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council reports China's digital surveillance is faltering. The suspicious death of actor Alan Yu, met with swift censorship, fueled public doubt and conspiracy theories, proving suppression backfires. This incident highlights how censorship itself becomes the story, eroding trust and revealing vulnerabilities in Beijing's propaganda efforts.

Authorities have arrested the chief general manager and three staff members of a North Goa nightclub. The arrests follow a devastating fire that killed 25 people late Saturday night. The blaze reportedly started from a cylinder blast. Most victims were kitchen staff, with some tourists also among the deceased. Investigations are ongoing.

Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy criticized Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for labeling him a manuvadi after Kumaraswamy advocated for the inclusion of Bhagavad Gita teachings in educational institutions. Kumaraswamy argued that the Gita's essence would foster moral strength and clarity among students, aligning with the National Education Policy's emphasis on value-based education.

Benin military coup: On television, eight soldiers with assault rifles, wearing berets of various colours and calling themselves the Military Committee for Refoundation (CMR), proclaimed a lieutenant colonel president of the CMR.

The state-of-the-art facility will allow scientists to study, isolate and culture microbes for industrial, biomedical, and environmental applications.

Under Secretary of State Allison Hooker visits India Dec 711 to strengthen US-India strategic and economic ties amid recent tariff tensions, focusing on security, trade, AI, and space cooperation.

Benjamin Netanyahu made the remarks during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.