Top news of the day: November 21, 2025

IAF’s Tejas fighter jet crashes at Dubai Air Show; pilot killed

An Indian Air Force Tejas fighter jet crashed during a flying display at the Dubai Airshow 2025 on Friday (November 21, 2025) claiming the life of the pilot. The accident occurred at approximately 2.15 p.m. local time at Al Makhtoum International Airport, which is the venue for the Airshow. Viral visuals on social media capture the aircraft spiraling out of control just above the ground, igniting on impact, and sliding for a short distance before being engulfed in flames.

Labour laws passed by Parliament in 2020 comes into effect today

The long pending four Labour laws, that were passed by Parliament in 2020, were enforced from Friday (November 21, 2025).“Today, our Government has given effect to the Four Labour Codes. It is one of the most comprehensive and progressive labour-oriented reforms since Independence. It greatly empowers our workers. It also significantly simplifies compliance and promotes ‘Ease of Doing Business,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on X.

Strong tremors felt in Kolkata, other parts of West Bengal

Strong tremors were felt in Kolkata and other parts of West Bengal at around 10.10 a.m. on Friday (November 21, 2025). Though the epicenter is reportedly in Bangladesh, people of West Bengal felt the jolts for a few seconds in many parts of the State.Videos of furniture and ceiling fans shaking inside homes and offices went viral on social media from across West Bengal. Many offices in Kolkata were also evacuated following moments of panic.

Afghan Commerce Minister urges expanded use of Chabahar port, says Govt considering five-year tax exemption for arriving industries

“We request the Indian government to help ensure the trade route from Chabahar Port is functional, so that the trade remains competitive,” Afghanistan’s Commerce and Industries Minister Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi said Friday (November 21, 2025) Representing a business delegation at an event of the industry body PHD Chamber of Commerce Industry (PHDCCI), he also called upon the Indian private sector to make further investments in the route to ensure its worthy prospects.

MGNREGS workers from Haryana stage protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi

Scores of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) workers from Haryana on Friday (November 21, 2025) staged a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, claiming that they were unable to get employment under the flagship rural livelihood scheme and that several works have been removed from the list of permissible works under the scheme.

Schools to report on compliance with mental health guidelines: Education minister

After a class 10 student was found dead due to alleged mental harassment, Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood on Friday (November 21, 2025) said he will seek a report from every school in New Delhi over compliance with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)’s guidelines on psychological well-being of students.

T.N. Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin calls Sanskrit ‘dead language,’ BJP hits back

Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, on Friday (November 21, 2025), called Sanskrit “a dead language,” drawing a sharp response from the BJP which said leaders must be more responsible while making remarks. The DMK leader was addressing a book release event held at Chennai, where he criticised the Union government for allotting only ₹150 crore for Tamil Development. In contrast, Sanskrit, “a dead language,” was getting ₹2,400 crore, he said.

U.S. denies ending South Africa G20 boycott

President Donald Trump’s administration on Thursday (November 20, 2025) vehemently denied South Africa’s announcement that the United States was ending a boycott of this weekend’s G20 summit in Johannesburg, saying no U.S. official would take part in talks.