Storm Darragh, the fourth named storm of the season, has caused severe weather across the UK and Ireland. A rare red "danger to life" warning has been issued, affecting Wales and parts of the South West of England. Wind speeds of up to 90mph and large waves are expected, with disruptions to transport and power. The government issued a text alert to three million people, advising them to stay indoors. The storm, which started in Ireland, is moving towards the British Isles. People are urged to gather essentials and avoid unnecessary travel.

Rebel forces have captured most of the Deraa region in southern Syria, the birthplace of the 2011 uprising against President Bashar al-Assad. Reports say rebels gained control of military sites after intense battles, forcing Syrian troops to retreat. A deal reportedly allows military officials safe passage to Damascus. The rebels, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), also claimed victories in Hama and are advancing toward Homs. Over 370,000 people have been displaced by the fighting. Syrian forces are struggling with low morale and limited support from allies Russia and Iran. The UN has urged an end to the violence.

A statue of Lingayat seer Shivakumar Swami was vandalised at Bengaluru’s Siddaganga Mutt on November 30. The accused, Srikrishna, a 37-year-old delivery worker, claimed he was inspired by a dream of Jesus Christ to deface the statue. Police arrested him and are conducting a mental health evaluation. Archbishop Peter Machado called the act “baseless and reprehensible” and urged calm. Shivakumar Swami, known as the “walking God,” was revered for his philanthropic work in education and social welfare. The incident has sparked outrage, with police continuing their investigation into the motives and circumstances of the vandalism.

The Indian government has urged its citizens in Syria to “leave at the earliest” due to the worsening situation in the country. In a late-night advisory, it stated, “Those who can, are advised to leave by the earliest available commercial flights.” For those unable to leave, it advised taking “utmost precaution” and restricting movement. Rebels have captured key cities like Aleppo and Hama, threatening President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. The Ministry of External Affairs also shared an emergency contact for the Indian Embassy in Damascus, stressing, “Stay in touch and ensure your safety.” The crisis continues to escalate rapidly.

5 young men died, and 1 was injured after their car plunged into a lake near Jalalpur village in Telangana’s Yadadri Bhongir district on Saturday. The victims, aged 19 to 23, were from Hyderabad’s LB Nagar area. Police suspect they were driving under the influence. They had reportedly gone to the village early in the morning to drink fresh toddy. The speeding car lost control and veered off the road into the lake. Police and locals retrieved the bodies and sent them for postmortem. A case has been registered, and investigations are ongoing. The injured survivor is receiving treatment.

The UK is bracing for "nasty" Storm Darragh, with the Met Office issuing a rare red warning for wind in parts of Wales and South West England from 3 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday. Gusts over 90mph, heavy rain, and snow on northern hills are expected, causing power outages, fallen trees, and coastal waves. Flood risks remain high in saturated areas, with up to 90mm of rain forecast in South Wales. Airlines have warned of travel disruptions, and the Welsh FA has postponed all football matches tomorrow. Authorities have alerted millions of residents to the "risk to life."

The BJP has accused the US State Department and a "deep state" nexus of destabilizing India and targeting PM Narendra Modi. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra alleged collusion between US entities, billionaire George Soros, and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, citing unverified reports linking the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) to US funding. In Parliament, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey echoed these claims, demanding Rahul Gandhi’s investigation over alleged meetings with anti-India figures. Congress, led by Shashi Tharoor, condemned these remarks as defamatory and demanded an apology. The US State Department has yet to comment on these allegations.

Actor Allu Arjun addressed the tragic stampede during the Pushpa 2: The Rule screening at Sandhya Theatre, Hyderabad, which claimed the life of 39-year-old Revathi and left her 9-year-old son critically injured. Expressing his condolences, Arjun announced a donation of ₹25 lakh to Revathi’s family and promised to cover medical expenses for her son. He urged fans to prioritize safety while enjoying films. The incident occurred on December 4, during a special screening of the film. Pushpa 2 was released worldwide on December 5, drawing massive crowds to theaters across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Bengaluru.

In Dhaka, multiple opposition parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, led by Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, and Amaar Bangla Party, recommended the formation of a public relations cell to counter India’s influence. During a political summit, leaders also proposed establishing a special committee for Bangladesh's minority communities, aiming to address ongoing concerns about representation and rights. These suggestions come amid growing debates on improving domestic and international policies. A Jamaat representative stated, "This move is vital to ensure justice and counter external narratives." Analysts note these developments reflect political strategies to consolidate support across diverse demographics.

India criticized Pakistan after UN-designated terrorist Masood Azhar publicly addressed a gathering in Bahawalpur, urging renewed jihadist operations against India and Israel. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) labeled Pakistan’s denials of Azhar’s presence as “duplicity.” “Masood Azhar must face justice. He is involved in cross-border terror attacks in India,” said MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. Azhar’s Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), responsible for the 2019 Pulwama attack, has reportedly expanded facilities near Bahawalpur despite Pakistan’s claims of action. Azhar’s speech marks his first public address in over 20 years, igniting fresh demands for accountability from Pakistan.