A shocking attack shook Washington, D.C., on Wednesday when two National Guard members were shot while patrolling just a few blocks from the White House. The soldiers, part of a routine security patrol, were ambushed by a lone gunman.

Tragically, 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom lost her life, and her colleague, 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe, remains critically injured in hospital. The attacker, identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who came to the US in 2021, was wounded in the exchange and is now in custody.

Authorities are treating the incident as a possible act of terrorism. Multiple agencies, including the FBI, DHS, and ATF, are investigating how and why this happened. In the meantime, US immigration officials have paused new asylum applications for Afghan nationals as a precaution.

President Donald Trump called the shooting “an act of evil … a crime against our nation” and announced an additional 500 National Guard troops would be deployed in Washington to strengthen security.

Neighbors and colleagues described the scene as chaotic and heartbreaking, with many expressing shock that such violence could strike so close to the heart of the US capital.

Sarah Beckstrom’s death is a tragic reminder of the dangers faced daily by those who protect the country, and the need for vigilance even in familiar surroundings.

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The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 mega auction, held in New Delhi, produced high-value signings and unexpected misses as 277 players went under the hammer on Thursday. UP Warriorz made the biggest splash of the day, using the Right-to-Match card to secure India all-rounder Deepti Sharma for ₹3.2 crore, the highest bid of the auction.

Mumbai Indians strengthened their line-up by signing New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr for around ₹3 crore. Gujarat Giants added experience with Sophie Devine, bought for ₹2 crore. UP Warriorz also picked former Australia captain Meg Lanning for ₹1.9 crore, indicating a clear focus on leadership and balance.

In a major twist, Australian star Alyssa Healy, listed at a base price of ₹50 lakh, went unsold, surprising team officials and fans alike.

Ahead of the auction, Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals retained their full quota of five players each, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru kept four. UP Warriorz entered with the strongest purse of nearly ₹14.5 crore, giving them the flexibility to outbid rivals. Gujarat Giants had a purse of around ₹9 crore.

With squads capped at 18 players, teams used the auction to rebuild cores and add depth. The bidding trends suggested a shift toward all-rounders and value-driven picks, with franchises prioritising balance over big names.

The WPL’s fourth season is expected to see fresh combinations and new leadership groups as teams finalise their updated squads.

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OpenAI has revealed that some of its API users had their details exposed due to a hack at Mixpanel, a third-party analytics company the company uses. The breach happened on 9 November 2025, and Mixpanel informed OpenAI soon after.

The leaked information includes names linked to API accounts, email addresses, user or organization IDs, approximate location, and technical details like browser and operating system. These details were collected to track API usage.

OpenAI confirmed that no sensitive information was exposed and  this includes passwords, payment information, API keys, chat logs, or any data from ChatGPT users. Only customers using the paid OpenAI API platform may be affected. Users of ChatGPT or other OpenAI products are not impacted.

In response, OpenAI has stopped using Mixpanel for all production systems and is alerting affected users directly. The company is also reviewing its vendor security policies to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Experts warn that even limited data leaks like this could be used for phishing attacks, where attackers send fake emails to trick users. OpenAI recommends that users watch for suspicious messages and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on their accounts.

The incident highlights how third-party services can pose risks to user data, even when the main company’s systems remain secure. OpenAI says it is taking steps to strengthen its security audits and oversight of external partners.

Also Read: Deepti Sharma tops WPL 2026 auction at ₹3.2 cr

It’s a special Thanksgiving in space this year. Three new crew members,  NASA astronaut Chris Williams and Russian cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergey Mikaev,  are on their way to the International Space Station (ISS), carrying not just supplies but also a sense of celebration.

The trio launched early Thursday from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan aboard the Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft. Their journey will take just a few hours, and if all goes to plan, they’ll dock with the ISS by evening (IST). Waiting for them aboard the station is a diverse international crew deep into their research schedule, but also ready to welcome new faces.

This arrival is especially meaningful because it comes on Thanksgiving Day. Astronauts aboard the ISS have already spoken about the small but heartfelt meal they’ve prepared, including traditional favourites adapted for microgravity. The new crew is expected to join right in, sharing stories, adjusting to weightlessness, and settling into life 400 km above Earth.

Beyond the celebrations, the expanded team will help boost scientific work on human health, materials research and space-based technology. But for today, the focus is simple: a safe docking, warm handshakes, and a rare holiday moment shared far from home.

Also Read: India deactivates 2 crore Aadhaar numbers of deceased

A 38-year-old woman, daughter-in-law of a pan-masala business owner, was found dead by hanging at her Vasant Vihar home in Delhi. A diary mentioning personal issues was recovered. Police are investigating, while the family alleges harassment.

Nineteen-year-old Uzbek grandmaster Javokhir Sindarov defeated Wei Yi in rapid tiebreaks to win the 2025 FIDE World Cup in Goa. He became the youngest-ever champion, earned $120,000, and qualified for the 2026 Candidates Tournament.

Adiala Jail officials have dismissed rumours claiming that former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was moved from the prison or was in poor health. They said he is  fully healthy and receiving proper medical care.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif added that Khan is getting food and facilities better than what some five‑star hotels offer. He also has access to TV and exercise equipment.

The clarification comes after social media and some reports spread false claims about Khan’s health and location.

Khan has been in prison since August 2023 on multiple charges, including corruption and terrorism-related allegations, following his removal from office in April 2022.

This confirms that Khan remains in Adiala Jail under careful supervision and is not facing any health emergencies.

Also Read: ISS welcomes three NASA astronauts on Thanksgiving

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has deactivated more than 2 crore Aadhaar ID numbers that belonged to people who have passed away. This is part of a major national clean-up to make the Aadhaar database more accurate and secure.

According to UIDAI, the deactivated numbers were identified using death records shared by the Registrar General of India (RGI), various state governments, welfare departments, and other official agencies. The aim is to ensure that Aadhaar remains a reliable identity system and is not misused for illegal benefits, fake claims or impersonation.

Officials said Aadhaar numbers once issued are never reassigned to anyone else. So removing the IDs of deceased individuals helps prevent their identity from being wrongly used in pensions, subsidies or banking transactions.

Earlier this year, UIDAI also launched an online option on the myAadhaar portal where families can report the death of a relative. The feature is currently active in 25 States and Union Territories that are connected to the civil registration system. Users need to enter the Aadhaar number and the official death certificate details. UIDAI verifies the information before deactivating the number.

UIDAI is also working with more institutions, including banks, to improve the sharing of death-related data so the database stays updated.

People are encouraged to report the death of family members through the portal to help prevent any misuse of their Aadhaar details.

Also Read: Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano eruption subsides

A devastating fire swept through the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Tai Po, Hong Kong, on Wednesday, claiming at least 55 lives, including a 37-year-old firefighter, and leaving hundreds still missing. Neighbours watched in horror as flames engulfed multiple high-rise towers, sending thick black smoke across the district.

The blaze broke out around 2:50 p.m. on scaffolding outside a building undergoing renovations. Strong winds and highly flammable construction materials, including plastic sheets, foam-filled windows, and bamboo scaffolding, allowed the fire to spread rapidly, consuming several towers within hours. Videos from the scene showed flames leaping from upper floors while residents screamed for help.

Emergency crews responded immediately, deploying over 800 firefighters, 128 fire engines, and dozens of ambulances. Despite heroic efforts, thick smoke and intense heat made it difficult to reach many trapped inside. Nearly 900 residents were evacuated to temporary shelters, while hospitals treated dozens injured by burns and smoke inhalation, with many in serious condition.

In a significant development, three people connected to the renovation company — two directors and an engineering consultant — have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. Authorities are investigating whether unsafe construction practices contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.

Neighbours recounted the chaos as residents tried to warn and help each other. Families now search desperately for missing loved ones, with the number of unaccounted-for residents estimated at 279.

“This is the deadliest residential fire in decades,” said a local official. “We will hold those responsible accountable and strengthen safety checks to prevent such tragedies in the future.”

The disaster has sparked renewed concern over building safety in Hong Kong’s high-density housing, particularly regarding renovations and construction standards. Officials have promised stricter monitoring and enforcement to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Also Read: Afghan immigration halted after White House attack

The Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia, which erupted on 23 November after nearly 12,000 years, has subsided, officials said. While the main eruption has ended, a residual ash and sulphur dioxide (SO₂) plume continued drifting at high altitudes but has now moved out of Indian airspace, easing flight disruptions.

Satellites tracked the volcanic cloud traveling across the Arabian Peninsula, over the Arabian Sea, and reaching western India within two days. States such as Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi-NCR experienced the plume overhead. Fortunately, the ash remained high, and ground-level air quality in Indian cities was largely unaffected.

Airlines including Air India and Akasa Air cancelled or delayed several flights to avoid ash-laden airspace. Aviation authorities issued safety alerts for flights connecting to the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. With the plume clearing, flight operations are gradually returning to normal.

Near the volcano, villages in the Afar region faced heavy ashfall, respiratory problems, and contamination of water and grazing lands. Livestock and crops were affected. Relief teams have been deployed to help residents, and no major casualties have been reported.

Experts note the eruption highlights how volcanic activity in one region can affect distant parts of the world, both in terms of air travel and potential climate effects. The release of sulphur dioxide into the upper atmosphere can form sulfate aerosols, which may temporarily influence regional climate patterns. Satellite monitoring played a crucial role in tracking the plume and issuing timely warnings.

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