Air India said its check-in systems are back to normal after a third-party technical glitch caused delays at several airports on Tuesday. The issue affected multiple airlines and led to long queues and late departures. IndiGo flights were delayed by 30 to 90 minutes across many airports. FlightRadar24 showed a high delay level at Delhi Airport during the disruption. Air India said teams worked to manage passengers and warned that some flights may still face short delays as systems stabilise. The glitch came weeks after a major ATC snag in Delhi that disrupted over 800 flights. (PC: India Today)

A 13-year-old boy shot and killed a man convicted of murdering 13 members of his family in Afghanistan’s Khost province. The execution took place in a packed stadium with nearly 80,000 people watching. The Taliban said the man, Mangal, was found guilty by all courts, including the Supreme Court, and the victim’s family refused to forgive him. The act was approved by Taliban chief Hibatullah Akhundzada. The UN Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan called the execution cruel and against international law. This was the Taliban’s 11th public execution since returning to power in 2021. (PC: India Today)

India faces its biggest privacy controversy after the government mandated pre-installation of Sanchar Saathi app on all smartphones. The Department of Telecommunications' November 28 order requires manufacturers to preload the fraud-reporting app within 90 days and ensure features remain unrestricted. Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia claims users can delete it, but tech experts warn system-level embedding may prevent removal. Apple indicates non-compliance citing privacy concerns, while Samsung reviews the directive. Opposition leaders, including Congress's Mallikarjun Kharge and AAP's Manish Sisodia, call it unconstitutional surveillance, comparing it to the Pegasus scandal. The Internet Freedom Foundation warns mandatory state software poses serious privacy risks, though some experts support enhanced telecom security measures. (PC: X)

Air India announced Tuesday evening that a third-party system disruption causing check-in glitches and flight delays across multiple airports has been fully restored. The carrier confirmed operations returned to normal after the technical issue affected several airlines, including Air India. Airport teams worked to ensure smooth check-ins while the system was progressively restored. The airline had advised passengers to verify flight status before departure and arrive earlier than usual. This incident follows a similar disruption last month when over 400 flights were delayed at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport due to an Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS) technical failure, forcing air traffic controllers to manually prepare flight plans and causing significant operational slowdowns. (PC: Hindustan Times & Getty Images)

Apple will not comply with India’s order to preload its iPhones with the government’s ‘Sanchar Saathi’ app, sources say. The app, meant to track stolen phones and block misuse, must be installed on all new and existing devices within 90 days. Apple says the mandate raises privacy and security issues and is not required anywhere else. Other companies like Samsung and Xiaomi are reviewing the order. Critics, including opposition leaders, call it government overreach and surveillance. The telecom ministry defends it as a security measure to prevent phone fraud and control the second-hand device market. (PC: NDTV)

A new study finds India’s Supreme Court often uses biased language in rulings, even while protecting Dalit rights. Researchers examined 75 years of top court judgments and found words that were demeaning, comparing Dalits to animals or people with disabilities. Some rulings described caste as “benign” or suggested education alone can end discrimination. Experts say this language reinforces stereotypes and reflects social bias, even without intent. The court has started efforts to change this, including a handbook on avoiding discriminatory language. Scholars call for more Dalit judges and diverse perspectives in the judiciary to ensure fairness. (PC: BBC)

Hong Kong leader John Lee has ordered an independent inquiry into the deadly fire that killed at least 151 people at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex. Seven of eight towers were under renovation when flames spread quickly through unsafe protective netting. The blaze took more than 2,000 firefighters 40 hours to control. Thirteen people, including construction company directors, have been arrested for suspected manslaughter. Fire alarms in all blocks failed to work. Residents are still missing, and the toll may rise. Rights groups have criticised police for detaining people who called for an independent probe into the tragedy. (PC: BBC)

Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said the Sanchar Saathi app is optional and users can delete it anytime. His comment came after strong criticism of the Centre’s order asking phone makers to pre-install the app. Scindia said the app does not spy on users and works only after activation. The DoT had told companies to keep all features active and send the app to existing phones through updates. Opposition parties called the move a threat to privacy, with some leaders comparing it to Pegasus. The app helps users block stolen phones, check connections, and report fraud. (PC: India Today)

Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia clarified that the Sanchar Saathi app, mandated for pre-installation on phones, can be deleted by users who don't want it. Addressing the massive uproar, Scindia emphasized the app is "completely voluntary" and aims to protect citizens from online fraud and cybercrime. He compared it to pre-installed apps like Google Maps, stating users can delete or keep it dormant. Congress flagged privacy concerns, with KC Venugopal calling the directive "beyond unconstitutional" and Priyanka Gandhi labeling it a "snooping app." Scindia countered that the Opposition is seeking issues, noting India faced Rs 22,800 crore in cyberfraud during 2024, justifying the government's consumer protection initiative.

Chennai and Thiruvallur are under a red alert as the remnant of Cyclone Ditwah brings extremely heavy rain. The India Meteorological Department said the deep depression over the Bay of Bengal is about 35 km from the north Tamil Nadu coast and will weaken in 12 hours. Maximum temperatures in Chennai are around 27°C and minimum near 23°C. Schools and colleges in Chennai, Thiruvallur, and Kanchipuram remain closed on December 2 to ensure student safety. Residents have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel and follow government safety instructions. Rain and thunderstorms are expected to continue in the coming days.