Two women died and more than a dozen people were taken to hospital after a suspected toxic gas leak in the Kenduadih area of Dhanbad, Jharkhand. The victims, Priyanka Devi and Lalita Devi, died on Wednesday evening and early Thursday. Locals said the deaths were caused by “gas exposure,” which has created fear in the area. Officials said the exact cause will be known only after post-mortem reports. Angry villagers blocked the Dhanbad-Ranchi road and burned tyres in protest. Authorities are trying to find the source of the suspected leak and are monitoring the health of affected residents. (PC: HT)

Russian President Vladimir Putin said his viral car ride with Prime Minister Narendra Modi was his own idea and a sign of their close friendship. He spoke to India Today ahead of his two-day state visit to India. Putin said the drive during the 2018 SCO Summit in China was not planned and that both leaders “simply got into the car as two friends.” They spoke about the summit and continued talking for 45 minutes after reaching the venue. Putin arrives in Delhi tonight for talks, a formal dinner, and key agreements marking 25 years of the India–Russia partnership. (PC: India Today)

In a pointed attack from his prison cell at Adiala Jail, former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan accused army chief Asim Munir of intentionally escalating tensions with neighbouring Afghanistan, alleging the move is designed to boost Munir’s international profile and curry favour with Western powers. Khan claimed Munir’s policies have been “disastrous” for Pakistan’s national security, citing refugee expulsions, drone strikes, and rising terrorism. He described Munir as a “mentally unstable man” whose moral failings have led to the collapse of law in Pakistan. Khan also detailed his own confinement, accusing authorities of serious human-rights violations. (PC: India Today)

A jet from the United States Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration team—an F-16C Fighting Falcon—crashed Wednesday morning near Trona Airport in Southern California’s Mojave Desert during a training flight. The pilot ejected safely around 10:45 a.m. local time and was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The aircraft erupted into flames on impact, sending a large plume of black smoke into the sky, and authorities confirmed the scene posed no immediate threat to nearby terrain. An investigation by the United States Air Force is underway to determine the cause. 

A morning ride in a posh colony in Gurugram turned fatal when a cyclist and businessman, Amitabh Jain (58), was struck from behind by a Hyundai Santro around 7:15 am. CCTV footage shows him riding in the left lane before the car overtook and hit him. He was critically injured and later died. The driver fled the scene; police traced the registration via CCTV but found no car or owner at the registered address and have launched a manhunt. 

India’s crude-oil imports from Russia plunged by around 38 % in October 2025 compared with earlier data, marking the steepest drop yet in this trading relationship amid growing Western sanctions on Moscow. Refiners in India are reportedly scaling back deals with Russian majors to comply with pressure from the US and EU, even as Russia remains a key supplier. The shift reflects New Delhi’s tightrope act—balancing energy security and relations with Moscow while addressing geopolitical and economic constraints imposed by the West. (PC: Reuters)

IndiGo cancelled over 200 flights on Thursday due to staff shortages and operational disruptions, affecting major airports including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has called IndiGo officials for a meeting to investigate the crisis. Flight delays are also impacting other airlines as IndiGo planes occupy parking bays, straining airport capacity. The Federation of India Pilots blamed the airline’s hiring freeze and lean staffing strategy, while ALPA India raised concerns over crew management and regulatory oversight. IndiGo cited technical glitches, weather, congestion, and new crew rules as reasons for disruptions. (PC: India Today)

Meta has started removing Australian children under 16 from Instagram, Facebook, and Threads ahead of the country’s social media ban on 10 December. Around 500,000 accounts are expected to be affected. The law fines companies up to A$49.5 million for failing to block under-16s. Teens can download their posts or request age verification if wrongly identified. The ban aims to protect children from harmful content, cyberbullying, and online grooming. Other platforms like YouTube, TikTok, X, Snapchat, and Reddit are also included. Critics warn the move may isolate children or push them to less-regulated apps. (PC: X)

Delhi is on high alert as Russian President Vladimir Putin prepares to visit India for two days. Over 5,000 police personnel, SWAT teams, snipers, and anti-terror units have been deployed across the capital. Anti-drone systems and secured VVIP routes are in place, with traffic advisories planned to reduce commuter inconvenience. During the visit, Putin will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a private dinner and attend the 23rd India-Russia annual strategic summit. Discussions will include trade, defence, industrial cooperation, technology, healthcare, and space exploration. Security officials are closely monitoring every movement to ensure the safety of both leaders. (PC: HT)

A record 74,000 Indian students left the UK in 2025, raising concerns about stricter visa and dependant rules. New policies, including limits on postgraduate dependants and uncertainty around post-study work visas, are driving students away. Experts say this trend could hurt universities heavily dependent on international fee revenue, with potential budget shortfalls and course closures. Countries like Australia, Dubai, and Germany are attracting Indian students with clearer pathways and longer work options. Education specialists urge the UK to stabilize the Graduate Route, revisit dependant rules, and offer transparent immigration policies to restore student confidence and maintain its global competitiveness. (PC: India Today)