General
(1) Cyclone Ditwah batters Sri Lanka
As Cyclone Ditwah crossed Sri Lanka, it brought torrential rains, leading to overflowing rivers and landslides. The death toll reached 159 on Saturday (November 29, 2025). Most fatalities were recorded from Kandy and Badulla districts.
Water levels at gauging stations breached minor flood and major flood levels along rivers like the Kelani near the country’s capital Colombo. Rainfall was recorded at 375 mm in ASC Chedikkulam station, in the country’s north on November 27, and Kilinocchi station further north recorded 295mm rainfall on November 28. For November 29, rainfall intensity was higher in the northernmost parts, with Jaffna receiving the most rainfall as the cyclone began moving towards India’s east coast.
The cyclone had strengthened into a cyclonic storm off Sri Lanka’s east coast and remained a cyclonic storm as it made its way along the coast to re-enter the Bay of Bengal. The cyclone is set to weaken into a deep depression by November 30 and then a depression by December 1 off the coast near Chennai.
(2) Volcano eruption triggers flight cancellations
The Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia erupted on Tuesday (November 25, 2025), sending an ash cloud that began moving eastwards toward China. The ash cloud caused disruptions to aviation, with several flights being cancelled from and to major Indian cities. Volcanic ash affects flying in various ways, from less severe damages like electrostatic discharge on the surface of the aircraft to more severe damages like hindering smooth engine operation.
Here is a look at the different kinds of damages aircraft can sustain after an encounter with volcanic ash.
A database of aircraft encounters with volcanic ash between 1953 to 2016 showed that abrasion, ash deposits in different parts of the aircraft and sulphur odour noted within the aircraft were among the top damages reported. While there have been no incidents where an aircraft has crashed due to ash, the substance poses risk to smooth functioning of navigation and communications, critical components and passenger comfort.
(3) Fire in Hong Kong kills at least 94
A disastrous blaze in a Hong Kong high-rise residential complex killed at least 94 people and injured several others on Wednesday this week (November 26, 2025). Renovation work was ongoing in the complex at the time of the incident. Materials like bamboo scaffolding and construction nets helped the fire spread to seven of the eight blocks in the complex. Three people have been arrested by the Hong Kong police for suspected manslaughter.
This fire’s toll is the highest since 2005 as per statistics from the fire service department, with the next highest toll being 33 in fires reported last year. Moreover, fires in domestic buildings have made up between 15% to 25% of all fires reported in the region (excluding false alarms and unwanted alarms).
Hong Kong’s government provides estate housing and residential complexes like the Wang Fuk Court to eligible citizens at affordable rents and affordable prices for home ownership. The Wang Fuk Court was one such complex meant to help people buy homes at subsidised prices.
(4) Actor Dharmendra dies at 89
Veteran actor Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol, affectionately known as Dharmendra, passed away in Mumbai on Monday (November 24, 2025). The 89-year-old actor had been in and out of Mumbai’s Breach Candy hospital several days earlier this month. He was later discharged and continued his recovery at home.
On Monday, a police statement said that the actor passed away in the morning. Fans thronged the crematorium area from noon till evening causing traffic snarls in the locality. The actor is survived by his wives Prakash Kaur and Hema Malini, sons Sunny and Bobby Deol, and daughters Vijeta, Ajeeta, Esha and Ahana.
Dharmendra has left behind a stellar legacy by having played some of the most loved characters in Hindi cinema in the last six decades. The timeline graphic below highlights his journey into superstardom followed by a shift into some memorable character roles along with other significant events in his life including his stint as a Member of Parliament from 2004 until 2009.
(5) ICC T20 World Cup 2026 schedule announced
The 10th edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, to be hosted by India and Sri Lanka, will begin on February 7, 2026. Six teams, including defending champions India, will be in action on the opening day.
The group stage goes on till February 20, following which the Super Eight stage will begin the next day. The top four teams from the Super Eights will qualify for the knockout stage, with the semi-finals to be held in Kolkata/Colombo and Mumbai, ahead of the title clash on March 8 in Ahmedabad/Colombo.
Traditional rivals India and Pakistan have been clubbed in Group A and will play each other in Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium on February 15, 2026 as per the schedule.
Click here to know all about ICC T20 World Cup 2026 schedule