Arunachal Pradesh resident Pem Wang Thongdok accused Chinese authorities of detaining her for over 18 hours at Shanghai airport on November 21, 2025, during a London-to-Japan transit. Immigration officials declared her Indian passport invalid, claiming Arunachal Pradesh is Chinese territory and refusing to recognize her Indian citizenship. Her passport was confiscated despite holding a valid Japanese visa, preventing her from boarding her onward flight. Officials mocked her and suggested applying for a Chinese passport while denying food, facilities, and updates. She was told she'd receive her passport only after purchasing a China Eastern Airlines ticket. After contacting the Indian consulate through a UK friend, she was eventually released and continued her journey.

India and Canada have agreed to formally resume negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement following a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian counterpart Mark Carney at the G20 Leaders' Summit in Johannesburg. However, the nations differ on trade ambitions as India targets $50 billion in bilateral trade by 2030, while Canada aims for $70 billion by the same year. Current bilateral trade in goods and services stands at approximately $22.6 billion as of 2024. A Canadian statement noted both leaders welcomed positive momentum in bilateral relations since their previous meeting at the G7 Summit in June, signaling improved diplomatic ties between the two countries.(PC: DD News)

Legendary Bollywood actor Dharmendra, known as the "He-Man" of Indian cinema, died at 89 at his Mumbai home on Monday. Previously hospitalized at Breach Candy Hospital for respiratory issues, he leaves behind an extraordinary six-decade career. Survived by wives Prakash Kaur and Hema Malini, and six children including actors Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Esha Deol, and Ahana Deol, Dharmendra starred in iconic films like Sholay, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, and Chupke Chupke. He received the Padma Bhushan in 2012. His final film, Ikkis, releases December 25, 2025. Born December 8, 1935, in Ludhiana, Punjab, he remained active on social media, sharing farming videos and lifestyle content until his death.(PC: Facebook)

Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana deleted all wedding and engagement-related Instagram posts, including her proposal video, amid family health crises. Her father Shrinivas Mandhana and fiancé Palash Mucchal were hospitalized, though Palash has been discharged. Teammates Jemimah Rodrigues and Shreyanka Patil also removed announcement videos. The November 23 wedding in Sangli, Maharashtra was indefinitely postponed after Shrinivas became unwell during breakfast and required hospitalization. Mandhana's manager confirmed she decided against proceeding until her father recovers, emphasizing their close bond. The family has requested privacy during this difficult time. Earlier casual photos with Palash remain on her Instagram. The couple's families are focusing on Shrinivas's recovery.(PC: NDTV Sports)

UK-based vlogger Backpacker Ben shared an "awful" Indian train experience on Instagram that went viral. The influencer documented a fellow passenger repeatedly placing his foot on Ben's seat despite polite requests to stop. The situation worsened when another passenger allegedly spat chewed cucumber on his arm. Social media reactions were divided as some sympathized, while others criticized Ben for choosing the cheapest general, non-AC compartment and expecting comfort. Users argued upgraded classes cost only $5-10 more. Critics accused him of deliberately selecting uncomfortable conditions for viral content. This follows similar incidents where foreign vloggers documented unpleasant experiences in crowded Indian general coaches near toilets.

An IndiGo flight from Kannur to Abu Dhabi (6E 1433) was diverted to Ahmedabad and subsequently cancelled due to volcanic ash from Ethiopia's Hayli Gubbi volcano, dormant for nearly 12,000 years. Passengers received refreshments, with alternate flights arranged to return them to Kannur. The DGCA issued comprehensive safety advisories requiring airlines to avoid affected altitudes, monitor ash movement via satellite imagery, conduct mandatory engine inspections, and implement fuel adjustments for rerouting. Airports must inspect runways for ashfall before resuming operations. Pilots are instructed to report any ash encounters immediately. The advisory includes continuous monitoring of NOTAMs, ASHTAMs, and meteorological data until conditions normalize, with strict compliance mandated.

Australian far-right Senator Pauline Hanson wore a burqa in Parliament on Monday, sparking accusations of racism after being denied permission to introduce a bill banning the garment in public. This marked her second such stunt since 2017. Chaos erupted as proceedings were suspended when Hanson refused to remove the covering. Muslim senators Mehreen Faruqi and Fatima Payman condemned the act as "blatant racism" and "disgraceful." Hanson defended her actions on Facebook, calling the burqa "oppressive" and stating, "If they don't want me wearing it, ban the burqa." The Queensland senator's One Nation party holds four Senate seats following gains in May's election amid rising far-right support.

A huge ash cloud from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano is moving towards northwest India and may affect Gujarat, Rajasthan, Delhi-NCR and Punjab. The ash is 10–15 km above the ground and is mainly a threat to flights. Airlines have begun cancelling and rerouting flights, with more disruption expected on Tuesday. IndiGo has already cancelled six flights. IMD says the ash will make the sky hazy but will not affect the surface much. However, experts warn it could worsen pollution. Delhi’s AQI was already near the “severe” mark on Monday. Officials are closely monitoring the situation. (PC: Afar Government Communication Bureau via AP)

Community kitchens in Gaza are serving more meals after the ceasefire, but essential food items are still missing. Anera, a US-backed aid group, now cooks up to 120 pots a day and feeds over 20,000 people. But workers say they cannot get fresh vegetables, meat or chicken. Most meals are rice, pasta or lentils. Many families rely completely on these kitchens as food prices remain high and cash is scarce. Aid groups want Israel to open more border crossings to increase supplies. People in the camps say life has not improved much, and they still struggle to feed their children. (PC: BBC)

A Delhi court heard serious claims from protesters detained during a demonstration at India Gate over toxic air. Several accused said police beat them in custody. Some women told the court they were groped by male officers. The court spoke to them privately. Protesters showed injury marks, and one medical report noted a neck injury. Police denied wrongdoing and said the group used chilli spray and shouted slogans supporting Naxal leader Madvi Hidma. Seventeen people, including 11 women, were sent to judicial custody for up to three days. Police said they will seek custody after checking seized phones. (PC: PTI)