At least 25 people, including three children, were killed in a major Russian attack on western Ukraine. Two apartment buildings in Ternopil were hit by missiles and drones, causing heavy damage and trapping people under rubble. Another 73 people were injured. The strikes also hit Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Kharkiv, damaging homes, cars and energy sites. Ukraine said it shot down most missiles and drones, but its air defences are stretched. Power cuts were announced after new attacks on the energy grid. The strikes came a day after Ukraine used US-supplied long-range missiles inside Russia. Tension remains high across the region. ( PC: BBC)

A US congressional panel revealed China exploited the May 2025 India-Pakistan conflict to conduct its first real-world combat tests of advanced weapons supplied to Islamabad. The four-day clash, the worst in 25 years, saw missile strikes, drone attacks, and artillery exchanges before a US-brokered ceasefire. Pakistan claimed to down six Indian aircraft, including Rafales, using Chinese HQ-9 missiles, PL-15 air-to-air missiles, and J-10C fighters. India acknowledged losses but reported shooting down Chinese jets and F-16s. The report accused China of disinformation campaigns undermining Rafale sales, while French intelligence confirmed fake imagery was circulated. China, Pakistan’s main arms supplier, hailed successes but urged restraint publicly. (PC: Subkuz News & Bloomberg)

India’s sport climbers face daunting financial and institutional challenges as they strive for Olympic recognition. With no government-recognised body to support them, athletes rely largely on the Armed Forces for livelihood opportunities. The Olympic movement has embraced sport climbing, a modern spin-off from traditional rock climbing, yet in India the path remains steep. Many athletes dream of wearing the India jersey, but reality often forces them to improvise. Nagaland’s Kehihyulo Khing, for instance, was asked to create his own competition t-shirt and attach the logo of an unofficial governing body to compete internationally. For India’s climbers, scaling walls is easier than scaling systemic barriers. (PC: The Indian Express & YourStory.com)

A woman booth level officer (BLO), Shantimoni Ekka, was found dead in the courtyard of her home in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. Police suspect death by suicide. Her family says she had been under severe stress due to long hours, field visits, and heavy election-related work. They said the pressure had become unbearable for her. Police have sent the body for post-mortem and started an investigation. The incident comes as top Election Commission officials are in Bengal to review the voter list revision drive. BLOs in the state have been protesting against the workload. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed shock and blamed the intense pressure put on BLOs. (PC: NDTV)

Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned of potential "all-out war" with India, stating Islamabad remains on "full alert" amid escalating tensions. His Samaa TV remarks followed Army Chief General Dwivedi's description of Operation Sindoor as an "88-hour trailer," asserting readiness to "teach Pakistan responsible behavior." Asif claimed Pakistan faces simultaneous eastern (India) and western (Afghanistan) border threats, alleging India sponsors attacks from Afghan territory. He stated "Delhi sponsors Taliban decisions" and Kabul fights India's "proxy war." The warning follows November 10's Delhi car explosion killing 15 and April's Pahalgam attack. Heavy October clashes between Pakistani forces and Taliban resulted in significant casualties before Turkey-Qatar brokered ceasefire on October 19.

Wanted gangster Anmol Bishnoi received 11-day NIA custody after deportation from the US, arriving in India and appearing at Patiala House Court under heavy RAF security. Lawrence Bishnoi's younger brother faces 22 Rajasthan cases and was key accused in NCP leader Baba Siddique's murder. The NIA sought 15-day custody but received 11 days. Investigators revealed Anmol "executed" terror acts from the US, working closely with brother Lawrence and designated terrorist Goldy Brar. Chargesheeted in March 2023, the Fazilka native fled India via Nepal in 2022, traveling through multiple countries before US arrival. He operated terror syndicates using ground operatives, marking the 19th Bishnoi gang-linked arrest.

Pakistani leader Chaudhry Anwarul Haq openly admitted Pakistan's role in cross-border terrorism, boasting terror groups struck India "from Red Fort to Kashmir's forests." His viral video referenced the November 10 Delhi car blast killing 14 and April's Pahalgam attack killing 26 tourists. Haq stated, "By Allah's grace, we've done it and they're still unable to count bodies." Sources revealed the Faridabad-linked Jaish-e-Mohammed module planned "Operation D-6," a major December 6 suicide attack marking Babri Masjid demolition anniversary. The white-collar terror network included five-six doctors from Al-Falah University who procured explosive chemicals. Dr Shaheen Shaheed allegedly established JeM's women's wing, Jamaat-ul-Momineen, while mastermind Dr Umar executed the Red Fort blast.

The family of Mohammad Akhlaq, who was lynched in Uttar Pradesh in 2015 over false beef rumours, says it will keep fighting for justice. The state government has asked a local court to drop charges against 18 accused men, citing gaps in witness statements. Akhlaq’s family says this move has shocked them and increased their fear for safety. They deny the claim that beef was found in their home and say the mob acted on a temple announcement. The court will decide on 12 December. The family hopes the court will not close the case after 10 years of struggle. (PC: BBC)

Bangladesh’s National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman, a close aide of interim leader Muhammad Yunus, arrived in Delhi to attend the Colombo Security Conclave. This is the most important visit by a Bangladeshi official since Sheikh Hasina’s government fell in 2024. The visit comes days after Hasina was given the death sentence and continues to live in exile in India. Delhi sees the trip as a sign that both sides are keeping communication open. India is also worried about Bangladesh’s plan to revive the Lalmonirhat airbase near the border. NSA Ajit Doval will host Rahman and other regional security leaders. (PC: NDTV)

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said people from Kashmir were being unfairly viewed with suspicion after the November 10 Delhi blast that killed 10 people. He said a “wrong environment” was being created, as if all Kashmiris were guilty because a few men from Pulwama and Anantnag were involved. Abdullah said, “Even driving a J-K registration vehicle in Delhi is being seen as a crime.” He added that parents now fear sending their children outside the state. He urged people not to blame an entire population for the actions of a few and said innocent residents should not suffer. (PC: HT)