The death toll in Gaza has crossed 70,000, the Gaza health ministry said on Saturday, even though a ceasefire has been in place since October 10. At least 352 people have been killed since the truce began. Two boys, aged 8 and 11, were the latest victims after an Israeli drone strike near a school in Beni Suheila. Israel said it targeted people who crossed into Israeli-controlled areas but did not mention children. Hamas has accused Israel of breaking the truce, while Israel says it is acting only against militants. The war began in 2023 after the Hamas attack on Israel. (PC: HT)

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the world is now seeing politics dominate economics, and India must secure its needs by diversifying supply chains. Speaking at IIM-Calcutta, he said the US is now dealing with countries on a one-on-one basis, setting “radically new terms of engagement”. India and the US are holding two trade talks at the same time. Jaishankar also said China has long followed its own rules, creating uncertainty in global trade. He stressed that India is building strong infrastructure and pushing self-reliance to become a major manufacturing hub. He added that India aims to expand its global role. (PC: NDTV)

India face South Africa in the first ODI in Ranchi on Sunday, with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli back in the squad. KL Rahul leads the team as India look to recover from their Test series loss. Injuries to Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer give India a chance to try new players in key roles. Yashasvi Jaiswal will open with Rohit, while Kohli bats at No. 3. India will also test their young pace attack. South Africa arrive with a strong squad and will look to build on their recent success. Dew is expected, making chasing easier in Ranchi. (PC: India Today)

Cyclone Ditwah moved closer to the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts on Saturday, bringing heavy rain and strong winds. The IMD issued a red alert for several districts, warning of very heavy rain and possible flooding. Chennai and nearby areas faced major travel disruptions, with 54 flights cancelled on Saturday and 47 more scheduled for cancellation on Sunday. Tamil Nadu deployed disaster response teams and set up 6,000 relief camps. The storm is expected to move parallel to the coast and may cause a storm surge of up to one metre. Officials urged people to stay indoors and follow safety advice. (PC: X)

Venezuela has accused US President Donald Trump of making a “colonialist threat” after he claimed the airspace over the country should be treated as closed. Venezuela said the statement was illegal and aimed at creating fear. Trump’s post warned airlines, pilots, and others to avoid Venezuelan airspace. The US has no authority to close another nation’s airspace, but the warning may disrupt travel. Tensions are rising as the US increases its military presence near Venezuela, saying it is fighting drug trafficking. Venezuela says the real goal is to remove President Nicolás Maduro. US lawmakers from both parties have criticised Trump’s actions. (PC: BBC)

Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi have been charged with criminal conspiracy in the National Herald money laundering case. The Delhi Police Economic Offences Wing filed a new FIR based on an Enforcement Directorate complaint. The FIR names six people, including the Gandhis, Sam Pitroda, Suman Dubey and Sunil Bhandari. It also lists three companies linked to the case. The FIR alleges a plan to wrongly take control of Associated Journals Limited, the parent company of the National Herald. The case dates back to 2012, when Subramanian Swamy accused Congress leaders of cheating and misuse of funds. A court decision is due on December 16. (PC: NDTV)

A child’s birthday party in Stockton, California, turned tragic when a gunman opened fire on Saturday night. Four people were killed and at least 14 were injured at a banquet hall on Lucile Avenue. Police said the suspect is still on the run and early signs suggest the shooting was a targeted attack. Some reports say the incident happened near a Dairy Queen. The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office said the scene is active and details are still being confirmed. Stockton Vice Mayor Jason Lee said he was “devastated,” adding that families should never fear for their lives at a party. (PC: HT)

India is strengthening security along the Siliguri Corridor, the narrow link between the northeast and the rest of the country. Three new military bases are coming up at Dhubri, Kishanganj, and Chopra. These bases will host rapid deployment teams, intel units, and special forces. India is acting after Bangladesh’s political shift toward China and Pakistan. Reports say Bangladesh may buy Chinese J-10C jets and work with Beijing on drones. India fears this could raise risks along the sensitive border. With new bases, Rafale jets, BrahMos missiles, and stronger air defence, India aims to protect the corridor and keep it secure. (PC: India Today)

Severe monsoon-fuelled flooding and landslides have killed more than 350 people across Southeast Asia, especially in Indonesia’s Sumatra and southern Thailand. In Sumatra, over 100 are still missing as rescue teams face blocked roads and limited access. Thailand’s southern provinces, including Songkhla, experienced up to 3 m of floodwater, overwhelming morgues, and prompting evacuations. Governments have launched cloud-seeding to curb rainfall and are mobilising relief and clean-up efforts amid mounting public criticism. (PC: EPA)

In the early hours of Sunday, a Mercedes G63 lost control near Delhi’s Vasant Kunj, crashed into three people waiting at an auto stand by Ambience Mall. A 23-year-old man, identified as Rohit from Uttarakhand, died on the spot, while two others were injured and rushed to hospital. The driver, 29-year-old Shivam from Karol Bagh, was detained; police say the vehicle veered off due to a road diversion. (PC: AFP)