Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced on Friday that Farhan Akhtar’s war film 120 Bahadur, which portrays the legendary bravery of the Charlie Company of the Kumaon Regiment, has been declared tax-free in the national capital with immediate effect. The Chief Minister highlighted that the movie showcases the inspirational leadership of Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, whose courage and selflessness remain a defining symbol of heroism in India’s military history.
Gupta stated on X that 120 Bahadur honors the extraordinary courage, leadership, and sacrifice of the 120 soldiers of Charlie Company, 13 Kumaon Regiment, who fought valiantly in the Battle of Rezang La during the 1962 Sino-Indian War. She added that, as a special mark of respect to these brave soldiers, the Delhi Government has decided to grant the film tax-free status in Delhi from November 28.
Farhan Akhtar had earlier expressed his desire for the movie to be tax-free so that it could reach a wider audience. Speaking to PTI at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), he said that making the film tax-free would allow the story to reach more people and hoped the decision would come into effect. Prior to the tax exemption, PVR listed tickets for prime rows of 120 Bahadur at ₹410. With the 18% GST removed, the ticket price for Delhi viewers will be reduced by ₹62.54 starting November 28, making it more affordable for audiences.
120 Bahadur, a 2025 Hindi-language historical war film, narrates the true events of the Battle of Rezang La during the 1962 Sino-Indian War. Farhan Akhtar plays Major Shaitan Singh, who led 120 soldiers of the Charlie Company against overwhelming Chinese forces. The film highlights the incredible bravery and selflessness of these troops, most of whom belonged to the Ahir community, as they defended a post at Rezang La, a Himalayan pass at freezing high-altitude conditions.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Business Standard.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Chairman and Managing Director DK Sunil said on Friday that there is “absolutely no problem” with the Tejas fighter jet, calling the recent crash in Dubai an unfortunate event. Speaking at the ANI National Security Summit, he stressed that Tejas is completely safe and maintains one of the best safety records globally, adding that the Dubai accident will not affect its future. The crash occurred on November 21 during the Dubai Air Show 2025 and resulted in the death of Wing Commander Namansh Syal. It was the second Tejas crash since the aircraft joined the Indian Air Force a decade ago; in last year’s Jaisalmer crash, the pilot managed to eject safely.
Addressing concerns that the incident might hurt HAL’s reputation, Sunil said that while people are free to share their views—especially on social media—the company has full confidence in its abilities. He explained that criticism often surfaces whenever an indigenous system is involved, but the armed forces and the industry have no doubts about HAL’s capability. He pointed to aircraft like the HTT-40 trainer and various helicopters developed by HAL as proof of its competence.
Sunil reiterated that despite critics, Tejas remains a successful and highly safe aircraft, and the Dubai crash will not influence its trajectory. On export plans, he said HAL is working toward becoming a global player in line with government policy. He added that the company already has orders for 180 Tejas jets and expects a strong export market as part of India’s growing international outreach.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Wikimedia Commons.
With Delhi’s air quality stuck in the ‘Very Poor’ range for several days, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the government was continuously monitoring conditions and taking daily measures to control pollution. Speaking to the media, she noted that today’s efforts would show results in the future. Gupta held a roadshow in Shalimar Bagh ahead of the MCD by-elections in 12 wards, expressing confidence that public support would translate into results on November 30 and December 3. She said Delhi residents would again choose the BJP and that the party would work for the city’s development.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi demanded a Parliament debate on rising pollution across major cities before the Winter Session. In a post on X, he criticised the Centre for showing “no urgency, plan, or accountability,” and said children were growing up breathing toxic air. He called for a detailed debate and a strict action plan, stressing that clean air is a basic right.
Delhi’s AQI stood at 384 at 8 am on Friday, according to CPCB data, remaining in the ‘Very Poor’ category after recording 377 on November 27. Several locations registered ‘Severe’ pollution levels, including Ashok Nagar (417), Bawana (413), Chandni Chowk (408), Jahangirpuri (420), JLN Stadium (401), and Burari Crossing (403). Anand Vihar recorded 408 amid dense smog.
A resident, Vinod, attributed the increased pollution partly to volcanic ash from Ethiopia drifting into India. He noted that while the government attempted cloud seeding to trigger artificial rain, the effort did not succeed. Other parts of the city also reported very poor AQI levels, such as Mandir Marg (320), ITO (393), Najafgarh (365), Sirifort (394), and Sri Aurobindo Marg (354).
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
A powerful cyclone struck Sri Lanka on Friday (Nov 28), killing 46 people and leaving 23 missing, officials said. The weather department warned that the storm could strengthen as it continues to move across the island over the next 12 hours. Most of the deaths were caused by landslides after more than 300mm of rain fell in 24 hours as Cyclone Ditwah battered the country, with the eastern and central regions suffering the worst damage.
According to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), 43,991 people were evacuated to schools and public shelters, including families rescued from rooftops. Schools remained closed, train services were halted, and the Colombo Stock Exchange ended trading early due to ongoing heavy rain. Rescue work is still underway in the hardest-hit areas, though blocked roads from landslides are making access difficult, Brigadier S. Dharmawickrema, the DMC’s Emergency Operations Director, told Reuters.
Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Anura Karunathilake said Sri Lanka may divert flights from its main airport to Trivandrum or Cochin in southern India if conditions worsen. Local media reported that six flights—arriving from Muscat, Dubai, New Delhi, and Bangkok—had already been diverted from Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
A Russian Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft launched toward the International Space Station (ISS) on Thursday, carrying two Russian cosmonauts and one NASA astronaut, according to a live broadcast of the event. The Soyuz 2.1a rocket lifted off from Kazakhstan’s Baikonur Cosmodrome at 12:28 pm Moscow time (0928 GMT). The crew consists of Russian commander Sergei Kud-Sverchkov, on his second space mission, along with first-time space travelers cosmonaut Sergei Mikayev and NASA astronaut Christopher Williams. Following liftoff, the spacecraft is set to complete two orbits of Earth before automatically docking with the ISS’s Rassvet module at 12:38 GMT on Thursday. After docking, the crew will enter the ISS and is scheduled to remain there for the next eight months, with a planned return to Earth in late July 2026.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
Erika Kirk, widow of the late right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, has expressed openness to backing JD Vance if he runs for president in 2028. Meanwhile, Katie Miller, wife of White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, hosts senior Republicans on her podcast to engage with conservative women. The Trump administration is also crafting policies aimed at baby boomers to attract female voters ahead of the midterms. Jonathan Freedland discusses this Republican effort to appeal to women with Guardian columnist Arwa Mahdawi.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from The Guardian.
From April's "Liberation Day" to the end of the year, tariff changes have produced distinct winners and losers, along with a long list of countries still under close examination. Some nations hit hardest by the tariffs have managed to mitigate the impact by shifting supply chains and negotiating strategic side agreements. As global trade patterns adjust, new beneficiaries are starting to emerge. The wave of bilateral agreements expected in 2026 could once again alter the global landscape. Andrea Heng and Susan Ng discuss the year's developments with Chris Humphrey, Executive Director of the EU-Asean Business Council.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.
Just over 50% of voters acknowledge that climate change is real and driven by human activity, according to the latest Guardian Essential poll. Interestingly, a similar proportion held the same view more than 15 years ago. Essential Media’s executive director, Peter Lewis, and political reporter Josh Butler examine the disconnect between climate science and the politics of climate action in Australia. They also discuss why self-aware AI, rather than climate change, is seen as the biggest existential threat, and how strong public backing for gambling reform highlights the gap between Prime Minister Albanese’s current policies and the public’s appetite for change.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from The Guardian.
A recent study reveals that maintaining a sense of control is crucial for ageing well. Seniors who retain independence and the ability to make their own decisions tend to be healthier and happier. Post-retirement, men often face more challenges, whereas women’s social networks help them stay resilient. The research underscores the significance of purpose, social connections, and dignity in later life. Andrea Heng and Genevieve Woo discuss the study with A/P Justina Tan, Vice President of Strategic Partnership and Engagement at SUSS.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
