Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant has ordered the demolition of the Romeo Lane beach shack in Vagator. The shack is owned by Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, who also run the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora. A fire at the nightclub on Saturday night killed 25 people, including staff and tourists. Police said the Luthra brothers left for Phuket early Sunday morning. A lookout notice is active, and Indian agencies are working with Thai officials to track them. Five people linked to the club’s operations have been arrested as the investigation continues. (PC: HT)

India’s aviation regulator has ordered IndiGo to cut its flight schedule by 5% after days of major disruptions. The move will reduce about 115 daily flights, mainly on busy routes. IndiGo must submit a new schedule by Wednesday. The airline faced thousands of delays and cancellations due to crew shortages caused by new pilot rest rules that began on November 1. IndiGo admitted it misjudged how many pilots it needed. The DGCA has started an inquiry and issued notices to IndiGo’s top leaders. Temporary relaxations have been given till February 10 to help IndiGo stabilise its operations. (PC: X)

Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, once known for their fast-growing cafes and clubs, are now fugitives after a fire at their Goa nightclub killed 25 people. The brothers built a large hospitality brand over nine years, starting with their first outlet in Delhi in 2016. Their success collapsed when a blaze at “Birch By Romeo Lane” exposed major safety violations, including flammable decor and missing fire equipment. A narrow exit and delayed rescue made the situation worse. Hours after the incident, the brothers left India for Thailand. Police have filed a case, and a hunt is underway to bring them back. (PC: NDTV)

IndiGo said it is “profusely apologetic” and “deeply regrets” the widespread flight cancellation chaos that has stranded hundreds of thousands of passengers across India. The airline told DGCA the disruptions were caused by a “combination” of factors — including technical glitches, winter-schedule changes, weather, heavier air-traffic congestion, and the newly enforced crew rostering rules under Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms. While over 2,000 flights were cancelled last week, IndiGo says it’s now gradually restoring operations and working to compensate affected travellers. (PC: News 18)

During a special Lok Sabha discussion marking 150 years of Vande Mataram, Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to the song’s composer, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, as “Bankim Da.” Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy immediately interrupted, insisting the formal “Bankim Babu” should be used out of respect for the literary figure. Modi responded graciously, correcting himself and acknowledging the proper title, which elicited smiles and lightened the proceedings. The brief exchange highlighted cultural sensitivity and the importance of honoring historical legacies while adding a moment of levity to the parliamentary discussion on India’s national song.

A quirky incident on an IndiGo Bengaluru–Vadodara flight went viral after a pigeon entered the aircraft moments before take-off, startling passengers already frustrated by the airline’s ongoing crisis. Videos show travellers laughing and recording as the bird flew around the cabin while crew members attempted to guide it out safely. The episode comes at a tense time for IndiGo, which has canceled over 450 flights this week due to a severe cockpit crew shortage following revised pilot rest rules. While the pigeon was eventually removed, the moment added unexpected humour to an otherwise difficult travel situation for many.

Two brothers, Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, owners of the Goa nightclub where 25 people died in a massive fire, allegedly fled to Phuket, Thailand, just hours after the incident, police said. A look-out circular has been issued, and Goa Police are coordinating with INTERPOL and the CBI for their return. The FIR highlights major safety violations, including no fire-safety equipment, inadequate emergency exits, and missing mandatory licences, which may have contributed to the high casualties. Authorities continue the investigation while rescue teams identify victims and assess the cause of the blaze. (PC: X)

An IndiGo pilot's heartfelt apology amid flight delays went viral, earning widespread appreciation. Captain Pradeep Krishnan addressed stranded passengers, explaining he too wants to "go home" while promising to work fast. His video, shared on Instagram, garnered over 67,000 views. He apologized for inconveniences and requested passengers be kind to ground staff. His Coimbatore flight was delayed, but passengers remained patient and supportive. IndiGo's disruptions stem from new crew safety rules ensuring pilots get more rest, disrupting roster planning. The airline's on-time performance improved from 30% Saturday to 75% Sunday, offering full waivers for rescheduling and cancellations, with operations expected to stabilize by December 10.

IndiGo announced refunds for flights cancelled between December 3-15 with full waivers on change and cancellation requests, preponing the refund date by 48 hours amid mounting pressure. The airline has refunded over 9.5 lakh tickets worth Rs 827 crore, with six lakh tickets (Rs 569 crore) covering December 1-7's peak crisis. Aviation Minister Rammonan Naidu warned of tough action to "set an example." The chaos stems from two-year-old flight safety rules addressing pilot fatigue by increasing downtime, requiring more crew recruitment. IndiGo, operating 2,200 daily flights, fell short on pilots when rules kicked in, causing hundreds of cancellations. DGCA temporarily relaxed norms while opposition flagged the sector's duopolistic nature.

During the Lok Sabha debate on December 8, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Vande Mataram as a unifying national symbol and criticized the Congress for allegedly diluting its sanctity under historical pressures. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra sharply contested his claims, calling the speech “weak on facts” and accusing the government of politicizing the national song ahead of West Bengal elections. She read out Subhas Chandra Bose’s letter highlighting selective historical representation, arguing the debate misrepresented events from 1937. Priyanka questioned the necessity of revisiting Vande Mataram decades after independence, labeling it an unnecessary politicization of a cherished national symbol. (PC: India Today)