Cyclone Senyar formed over the Strait of Malacca on Wednesday after a deep depression intensified, the IMD said. The storm is moving west at 10 kmph and is expected to make landfall on the Indonesia coast this afternoon. Winds may reach 70 to 90 kmph. A second weather system over the southwest Bay of Bengal has also strengthened and may turn into a depression soon. Both systems are bringing heavy rain to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. Parts of Tamil Nadu are flooded after earlier rains, and schools were closed on Tuesday for safety. (PC: X)

Former US Representative and economist Dr Dave Brat has claimed large-scale fraud in the H-1B visa system. He said on a podcast that Chennai alone received 220,000 H-1B visas, far above the annual US cap of 85,000. Brat argued the system has been taken over by “industrial-scale fraud” and warned that this hurts American workers. His remarks revived older claims by former US diplomat Mahvash Siddiqui, who said most H-1B applications she saw in India involved fake or forged documents. The issue comes as the Trump administration increases scrutiny, even as Trump says skilled workers are still needed. (PC: India Today)

Comedian Kunal Kamra has triggered a fresh row after posting a photo wearing a T-shirt that allegedly mocked the RSS. BJP leaders called the post insulting and warned of possible police action. Maharashtra minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said police would act against “objectionable” online posts. Shiv Sena minister Sanjay Shirsat said the BJP must respond strongly, recalling that Kamra has earlier mocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde. In March, Kamra faced backlash for comments against Shinde during a show. After the latest dispute, Kamra said the photo was not taken at a comedy club. (PC: X)

Record floods have hit southern Thailand, killing at least 18 people and cutting off many towns. Hat Yai saw its heaviest rain in 300 years, with 335 mm falling in one day. Homes and cars are underwater, and thousands are trapped on rooftops waiting for help. More than 2 million people are affected, but only 13,000 have reached shelters. The Thai military has sent ships, helicopters, and trucks to rescue people. A navy carrier may be used as a floating hospital. Floods have also hit Vietnam and Malaysia, where thousands more have been forced from their homes. (PC: BBC)

A 16-year-old national-level basketball player named Hardik tragically died in Rohtak, Haryana, after a heavy iron hoop pole collapsed on him while he was practising alone in the Lakhan Majra playground. CCTV footage shows him jumping toward the hoop just before the unstable pole buckled and came crashing down. He was rushed to PGI Rohtak by nearby players but succumbed to his injuries. The incident has renewed serious concerns about the safety and maintenance of sports infrastructure in Haryana. 

On Constitution Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a letter calling on citizens to fulfil their constitutional duties, saying they are the bedrock of a strong democracy. He quoted Mahatma Gandhi, noting that rights flow from the performance of duties, and argued that civic responsibility is key to India’s social and economic progress. Modi also urged schools and colleges to honour first-time voters turning 18, underlining the importance of strengthening democracy through participation. (PC: NDTV)

Ramanagara MLA Iqbal Hussain has made a bold claim, stating he is “200 per cent” certain that Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar will soon be elevated to Chief Minister. The remark has intensified ongoing discussions within Congress about a possible leadership change, especially as several MLAs have traveled to New Delhi to lobby the party high command. Meanwhile, senior leader Veerappa Moily has publicly backed Shivakumar’s rise, calling his eventual promotion a “settled matter.” 

During Operation Sindoor, Pakistan attempted to target India’s Uri hydroelectric plant, but the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) successfully foiled the attack, according to a CISF statement. CISF said 19 of its personnel, under Commandant Ravi Yadav, neutralised hostile drones, reinforced bunkers, redistributed weapons, and evacuated about 250 civilians from nearby residential areas. Thanks to their vigilance and preparation, there were no casualties or major damage to the plant. (PC: HT)

A plume of ash from the eruption of Hayli Gubbi in Ethiopia on 23 November reached Indian airspace late on 24 November, drifting over Gujarat, Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reports that as of ~10:30 pm on 25 November the ash cloud had entirely exited Indian territory. While aviation was affected — with flight cancellations and delays — there is currently no impact on surface weather or air quality over North India. (PC: X)

India strongly protested after a UK-based Indian citizen from Arunachal Pradesh was allegedly detained for nearly 18 hours at Shanghai Pudong International Airport. Chinese immigration officials reportedly declared her Indian passport “invalid” because her birthplace was listed as Arunachal Pradesh, claiming it is part of China. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a formal demarche, calling the incident a violation of international aviation norms and China’s own 24-hour visa-free transit policy. India also reaffirmed its position that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India, rejecting China’s territorial claim. (PC: The Hindu)