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National / The Times of India
Sri Lanka is facing a severe crisis as Cyclone Ditwah has caused devastating floods and landslides, resulting in at least 334 deaths and nearly 400 people missing. Over a million individuals are affected, with low-lying areas in Colombo still inundated. India has dispatched an additional 10 tons of disaster response aid, including a medical team, to assist the nation.
Elon Musk discussed US trade policies and the H-1B visa system with Nikhil Kamath, expressing his opposition to aggressive tariffs and advocating for free trade. Musk also boldly predicted that advancements in AI and robotics will make working optional within 10-15 years, leading to a world of near-limitless abundance.
Despite Operation Sindoor destroying several terrorist launching pads across the LoC, the BSF reports that some remain active, with Pakistan attempting to infiltrate terrorists ahead of winter. These shifting launchpads, now located in depth areas away from the border, are reportedly used for pushing terrorists into India, with groups now mixed.
Two Booth Level Officers died in Uttar Pradesh amid the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of poll rolls. Sarvesh Singh died by suicide, citing work pressure. Shobharani died of cardiac arrest after working late. The Election Commission has extended the revision schedule by one week. These incidents highlight the strain on BLOs across several states.
British Airways is significantly boosting its India operations, adding a third daily flight to Delhi next year. Citing incredible potential and strong outbound travel demand, the airline sees India as its second-largest market. This expansion includes local hiring and a robust contact center, underscoring a commitment to the growing Indian aviation sector.
A teenage girl in Nanded performed symbolic wedding rituals with her murdered boyfriend's body after her father and brothers were arrested for his killing over their inter-caste relationship. The girl, Aanchal, stated her family opposed their union due to caste differences and vowed to live with her deceased lover's mother.
Navy chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi expressed confidence that India's relationship with Bangladesh will improve, referring to the nation as a friend despite current political strains. He recalled warm hospitality during his visit and hopes for a positive turn after Bangladesh's February 2026 parliamentary elections.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his 'Mann Ki Baat' broadcast on Sunday, expressed his special affection for Uttarakhand and highlighted the immense potential of winter tourism, adventure sports, and wedding destinations in the state, according to an official release.
Gold prices are poised to approach historic highs as investors await crucial US economic data, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's speech, and the RBI's policy announcement. Analysts anticipate continued strength driven by manufacturing and services PMIs, US jobs data, and consumer sentiment, alongside central bank acquisitions and geopolitical uncertainties.
Banks nationwide will observe several holidays in December 2025, in addition to regular weekend closures. These closures, dictated by the RBI's festive and regional holiday calendar, will impact in-branch services. Online banking and UPI will remain operational throughout these observances.
Rashmika Mandanna's film 'The Girlfriend' is set for its OTT debut on Netflix on December 5th. The movie, which explores a woman's journey through a toxic relationship and her subsequent empowerment, will be available in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam. The film, also starring Dheekshith Shetty, garnered appreciation for its sensitive narrative.
The Election Commission of India has criticized the West Bengal government for delaying increased honorariums for booth level officers (BLOs) and payments for the special intensive revision of electoral rolls. This comes as the TMC delegation accused the ECI of having lood on their hands over the revision process.
Foreign investors pulled a net Rs 3,765 crore from Indian equities in November, reversing October's inflow. Global risk-off sentiment, tech stock instability, and a preference for primary markets drove the outflows. Despite domestic economic stability, high valuations and weak industrial indicators contributed to caution.
Veteran actress Jaya Bachchan has expressed her strong disapproval of paparazzi. She stated her relationship with them is zero, contrasting it with her respect for the media. Bachchan finds their intrusive behaviour unacceptable. She also mentioned she does not care about social media opinions. The actress recently refused to pose for photographers at an event.
India's REIT market is poised for massive growth, with an estimated Rs 10.8 trillion opportunity in office and retail sectors by 2029. The market has already surged past Rs 1 trillion in capitalisation, driven by increasing institutionalisation and a six-fold expansion in managed commercial space. Experts predict a five-fold market expansion in the coming years.
Under Operation Sagar Bandhu, Indian Chetak helicopters deployed from INS Vikrant conducted search and rescue missions in Sri Lanka following Cyclone Ditwah. India has reaffirmed its solidarity, delivering 27 tonnes of relief material and standing by Sri Lanka through its Neighbourhood First policy.
Eyewear retailer Lenskart reported a robust first quarter as a public company, with operating revenue climbing 21% to Rs 2,096 crore and net profit increasing 20% to Rs 103 crore. The company attributes its improved profitability to investments in technology, supply chain, and an omnichannel model, with plans to open over 450 new stores in India this fiscal year.
Equity benchmarks concluded last week with a third consecutive winning streak, reaching fresh all-time highs. Global markets were boosted by U.S. Federal Reserve rate cut expectations and hopes for progress in Russia-Ukraine talks. Domestically, strong growth projections supported confidence, despite weak export trends.
India's currency is facing a sharp decline in 2025. What are the top reasons behind? Is it the trade disputes with the US or the reduced foreign investment or the Reserve Bank of India's managing of the situation with a restrained approach. What is making the rupee's value fall significantly this year?
India received 5.4 million tonnes of Russian oil worth 2.1 billion euros via 30 vessels operating under false flags between January and September 2025, a report reveals. This highlights Russia's use of a growing 'shadow fleet' to bypass Western sanctions, with India being a major recipient of these oil shipments.
Ahead of Parliament's Winter Session, an all-party meeting saw the Opposition demanding detailed discussions on national security, the SIR issue, pollution, farmers' concerns, and democracy. They expressed worries about the government's handling of key national matters and insisted on parliamentary debates. The government stated its readiness to listen to the Opposition's concerns during the session.
A pervasive uniform aesthetic in consumer culture reflects a decline in individuality, driven by insecurity and the desire to belong. Brands and creators exploit this by selling ready-made identities, leading to overconsumption and environmental strain. This trend prioritises perception over utility, turning curated identities into disposable consumption.
A viral video of a littered Amsterdam street sparked debate on civic sense, with some users defending the city's overall cleanliness and blaming tourists for the mess. Despite the clip, global rankings indicate the Netherlands excels in environmental standards, with Amsterdam noted for its good air quality.
Cyclone Ditwah has prompted a high alert in South India, with Tamil Nadu and Puducherry bracing for potential rain and thunderstorms. The cyclone's path runs parallel to the coast, posing a threat after claiming 159 lives in Sri Lanka. India has launched Operation Sagar Bandhu, deploying relief and rescue teams to assist the island nation.
Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi highlighted technology as the armed forces' greatest future asset at the NDA's 149th Passing Out Parade. He emphasised that military strength secures peace, quoting Prime Minister Modi. Admiral Tripathi also commended the second batch of women cadets, urging them to focus on duty over awards, as they stood shoulder-to-shoulder with their male counterparts.
Maulana Mahmood Madani has ignited controversy with his remarks on the Supreme Court's handling of key cases and his views on 'jihad' and 'ghar wapsi'. His statements have drawn sharp criticism from the BJP and differing opinions within the Muslim community, highlighting a divided political landscape.
Over 1,000 Amazon employees have signed an open letter warning of dire consequences from the company's rapid AI development. They argue Amazon is sacrificing climate goals and its human workforce for AI dominance, citing increased emissions, water consumption for data centers, and job displacement. The workers demand ethical AI practices, including clean energy use and employee involvement in AI decisions.
India's annual groundwater recharge saw a slight increase in 2025, yet nearly a quarter of assessment units remain in stressed categories. This is due to declines in recharge in several states, despite overall improvements in some regions attributed to good rainfall and conservation efforts.
The BJP has sharply criticized Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of sympathizing with Maoists and potentially endorsing urban naxals. This accusation stems from Gandhi sharing a video that reportedly featured individuals raising pro-Naxal slogans, including support for a slain commander, during a protest. The ruling party's attack comes as the government intensifies its efforts to combat Naxalism.
IndiGo has fully updated its entire A320 fleet, becoming the first Indian carrier to complete mandatory software enhancements. This rapid upgrade, prompted by an Airbus global warning about solar radiation affecting flight-control systems, saw Air India and Air India Express also making significant progress. While minor delays occurred, cancellations were largely avoided as airlines raced to meet regulatory deadlines.
Central agencies are scrutinizing the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) process for alleged rigging and misuse. The ED arrested Amit Katyal, Lalu Prasad Yadav's aide, in a real estate fraud case involving undervalued land sales and bid manipulation. Investigations reveal collusion between bank officials, resolution professionals, and buyers, leading to significant financial irregularities.
Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran stated that Air India represents a responsibility for the Tata Group, not just a business opportunity. He highlighted the significant growth potential in India's aviation sector, driven by economic expansion and increasing consumer aspirations. Despite challenges like supply chain disruptions and geopolitical factors, the commitment is to build a world-class airline.
Jamiat-Ulama-Hind chief Maulana Mahmood Madani accused the Supreme Court and government of undermining minority rights, suggesting judicial verdicts are made under government pressure. He also defended Jihad as a noble duty against injustice, while the BJP condemned his remarks as inflammatory and divisive, particularly his opposition to Vande Mataram.
Indian airlines swiftly addressed a critical software issue affecting Airbus A320s, linked to solar flare risks. Operators worked through the weekend to roll back flight-control updates on 338 aircraft, preventing potential pilot control loss. This rapid fix, under DGCA supervision, avoided mass cancellations during peak holiday travel, with minimal delays reported.
Robert Kiyosaki, author of 'Rich Dad Poor Dad,' warns of an unprecedented market crash, attributing it to AI-driven job losses and real estate stress. He reiterates his 2002 prediction, now linking it to current global instability. Kiyosaki advises investors to consider silver and gold as safe havens amidst this predicted turmoil, though market indicators suggest a more moderate downturn.
Jammu and Kashmir High Court ruled cross-LoC trade as intra-state, asserting Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is part of the Union Territory. The court dismissed petitions from traders challenging GST notices, stating the trade was internal. This ruling comes after the Indian government suspended cross-LoC trade in 2019 due to misuse concerns.
Journalist Arafaz Ahmad Daing's home demolition in Jammu has ignited a political firestorm. Deputy CM Surinder Choudhary is demanding an inquiry, questioning who ordered the action. Former BJP President Ravinder Raina also visited, claiming the LG's administration wasn't involved. CM Omar Abdullah accused Raj Bhavan-posted officers of selective demolitions, undermining the elected government.
Leh Apex Body (LAB) has urged a judicial probe panel to obtain medico-legal reports of civilians injured in alleged security forces firing on September 24. LAB also demanded scrutiny of CCTV footage and investigation into delayed medical reports of police personnel, emphasizing these as crucial for a fair inquiry.
Housing sales in India's 15 major Tier II cities saw a 4% value increase to Rs 37,409 crore in Q3 2025, despite a 4% dip in unit volumes. This rise, attributed to expanding employment and infrastructure, indicates strong buyer willingness for quality and amenities, signaling a maturing market.
Following fatal bus fires, the National Human Rights Commission has ordered chief secretaries to immediately recall buses violating safety norms. This includes removing driver partitions, installing fire detection systems, and stricter checks on bus builders. The NHRC stressed accountability for officials who approved unsafe vehicles, deeming the accident preventable.

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