Donald Trump expressed confidence in a swift victory over Iran, suggesting military strikes before midterm elections are possible, with the primary goal of denying Tehran nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi declared readiness for a "doomsday war" if hostilities resume, while also expressing openness to diplomacy if assets are unfrozen and oil sales allowed.
Navigating this geopolitical minefield requires a cold-blooded blend of immediate tactical pleading, structural domestic diversification, and aggressive collective resistance, suggests Ambassador Rajasekhar.
Donald Trump announced a landmark agreement with Venezuela, claiming it to be the 'biggest oil deal in world history'. The deal reportedly grants the US majority control over more than 65 billion barrels of Venezuela's proven crude oil reserves, aiming to double American oil reserves and lower domestic gasoline prices.
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor met Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh during a two-day visit to the state. They discussed strengthening relations between the US and Manipur, with Gor also visiting local cultural sites and expressing appreciation for the focus on North East India's development.
A Special POCSO Court in Amroha has sentenced a man named Bunty to life imprisonment for raping a minor girl. The verdict was delivered within eight months of the trial, and a fine of Rs 50,000 was also imposed, with 90% directed to the victim.
The US Department of Homeland Security faced widespread criticism for an AI-generated advertisement featuring a brown-bearded man identified as "Mr Singh" in a campaign against unlicensed commercial drivers. Advocacy groups, including the Hindu American Foundation and Sikh Coalition, condemned the ad as "racist" and "anti-American" for its perceived targeting and profiling of Sikh and Hindu communities.
President Donald Trump has announced a promise to issue a USD 5,000 dividend to every adult US citizen if Republicans secure victory in both the House and the Senate in the upcoming midterm elections, citing the nation's economic success under his administration.
Boxing Federation of India president Ajay Singh has suspended secretary general Pramod Kumar with immediate effect. The suspension is pending an inquiry into alleged financial irregularities, non-cooperation with investigations, and misuse of authority. Allegations include unauthorised work orders for broadcasting and failure to cooperate with inquiries into championship cancellations.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh felicitated armed forces sportspersons who won 27 medals at the recent Asian Games. He highlighted the role of the Mission Olympic Wing and stressed a focused approach for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, aiming to establish India as a leading sporting power.
US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, highlighted the evolving US-India space partnership, moving from cooperation to "co-creation" at the Bengaluru Space Expo. He emphasised joint design, funding, and co-authoring the future of human discovery, citing the NISAR satellite and India's participation in the Artemis Accords as key examples of this growing synergy.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and Bihar Special Task Force (STF) have dismantled a Nepal-origin charas smuggling network in Raxaul, Bihar. The operation led to the arrest of two individuals and the seizure of 5.14 kg of charas, valued at Rs 5.14 crore, intended for transport to Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
India firmly dismissed the concerns raised by the United Nations human rights body on Sunday regarding the security measures implemented ahead of the proposed Cockroach Janta Party demonstration in Delhi, branding the remarks as "unwarranted" and an "unacceptable interference" in domestic matters.
The Congress party has appointed former Indian hockey captain Pargat Singh as the new president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, replacing Amarinder Singh Raja Warring. Warring resigned voluntarily amidst internal party infighting and speculation about Sachin Pilot's influence, with the change coming ahead of state assembly elections.
India on Tuesday firmly rejected Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's reference to Jammu and Kashmir during his address at the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), asserting that the issue pertains strictly to the country's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
The Bombay High Court severely criticised the Maharashtra FDA for its "undue haste" and "high-handed" actions, forcing the regulator to withdraw orders against Cipla Pharma and five restaurants at the Mumbai Cricket Association premises. The court admonished the FDA for violating principles of natural justice and taking a "pedantic instead of pragmatic view," even threatening contempt action against officials.
Trade negotiations between the United States and Canada have collapsed, leading to the US imposing 50% tariffs on nearly $28 billion worth of Canadian imports, with Canada immediately vowing to retaliate dollar-for-dollar.
A Delhi court has granted default bail to six Ukrainian nationals arrested in connection with an NIA probe into a drone-warfare training camp linked to ethnic armed groups in Myanmar. The court also discharged them from Immigration and Foreigners Act charges after the FRRO compounded the offences with a fine. The NIA's UAPA probe is ongoing, with a supplementary chargesheet possible.
A 40-year-old man, identified as Imran, who was an accused in a 2021 murder case and out on bail, was shot dead by unidentified persons in Jewar, Gautam Buddh Nagar. Police have registered an FIR and formed teams to apprehend the culprits.
'While the population remains relatively young, its age structure is beginning to shift, setting the stage for a much older population later this century.'
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a significant increase in fees for the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Programme, effective November 30. This programme allows foreign investors, including many from India, to obtain permanent residency by investing in US commercial enterprises and creating jobs. The fee hikes, some more than doubling, are intended to fund USCIS operations, which are largely supported by fees rather than taxes.
The Reserve Bank of India's recent measures, including a dedicated dollar window for state-run oil marketing companies and tightened foreign exchange derivative rules, are expected to provide near-term relief to the rupee's depreciation, but market participants believe global factors and balance of payment dynamics will continue to exert pressure in the medium term.
The reigning champions Indian men's chess team suffered a significant 1.5-2.5 defeat against Uzbekistan in the sixth round of the 46th Chess Olympiad, losing their lead. While key players like Praggnanandhaa, Erigaisi, and Gukesh drew their matches, Nihal Sarin's loss to Nodirbek Yakubboev proved decisive. This setback leaves the Indian men needing a strong comeback, while the Indian women's team showed promise against the USA.
The Haryana State Narcotics Control Bureau (HSNCB) has arrested a Nigerian national in Gurugram for possessing 15.04 grams of MDMA (ecstasy). The accused, Udeh Frank, was intercepted near Sai Temple, Sector 53, and a case has been registered under the NDPS Act. This arrest is part of an ongoing crackdown on synthetic drugs by the HSNCB Gurugram Unit.
Gurugram police arrested three alleged criminals following an encounter in Sector 62 on Friday night. A police official and two accused sustained gunshot injuries during the shootout. The arrested individuals, identified as Marfat alias Maru, Phool Babu Sheikh, and Srikul Sheikh, all from West Bengal, had MDMA and firearms in their possession.
A US Congress-constituted advisory body on religious freedom, the USCIRF, has urged the Trump administration to revoke the visa issued to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, citing concerns over alleged violent attacks against religious minorities by RSS subgroups.
Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters has threatened "continuous, effective and painful" attacks on US bases and interests across the region if Washington resumes military action against Tehran, amid escalating tensions and a US naval blockade on Iranian ports.
SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, is establishing an in-house foundry in Bastrop, Texas, to produce high-spec gas turbine blades and vanes. This strategic move aims to alleviate a critical supply chain bottleneck hindering power generation for AI data centres in the US and accelerate natural gas turbine availability by up to 18 months. The facility will also leverage synergies with aerospace component manufacturing.
An elderly couple and their domestic help were brutally murdered in Dehradun by their plumber, who allegedly used a screwdriver during a payment dispute. The accused was arrested hours after the incident, and police are investigating a potential robbery motive after recovering a gold chain from him. The incident has sparked political criticism regarding law and order.
A CNN reporter was denied entry to the White House and had her press pass seized on Saturday (local time), as the Trump administration began enforcing President Donald Trump's announced ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House premises.
IBM India and South Asia MD Sandip Patel stated that India is at a defining moment with a unique opportunity to shape exponential technologies like artificial intelligence, emphasizing that "when India builds, it builds for billions," leading to scalable impact. Speaking at the IBM Think 2026 event, Patel highlighted that the AI revolution is still in its early stages, requiring enterprises to redesign their operations around agents, real-time data, automation, hybrid architecture, and trust. He also introduced the concept of "digital swaraj" or sovereignty in the Indian context, stressing the importance of control over operating environments, data, technology, and AI execution. IBM also announced an MoU with MeitY Startup Hub to accelerate India's deep tech innovation and startup ecosystem, providing startups access to IBM's technology expertise and platforms like watsonx and Sovereign Core.
Opposition parties, led by Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, plan to march to the Supreme Court on Monday to meet the Chief Justice of India. They aim to submit a memorandum regarding alleged 'vote chori' and demand CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation, halting of SIR, and a return to paper ballots. The protest follows widespread detentions during previous demonstrations, which the opposition condemns as an assault on democracy.
Thane Crime Branch arrested two individuals with 2.72 kilograms of ambergris, also known as whale vomit, valued at Rs 2.72 crore in the international market. The protected marine substance, used in luxury perfumes, was seized during a trap operation, and a case has been registered under the Wildlife Protection Act.
Carlos Alcaraz and Andre Agassi are advocating for significant changes to Grand Slam scheduling, particularly to avoid late-night finishes that impact player welfare and fan attendance. Alcaraz's US Open campaign ended in a 3:33 a.m. finish, prompting his call for matches to conclude by 11 p.m. Agassi supports guaranteed downtime for players, highlighting a broader push for improved working conditions in professional tennis.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has publicly acknowledged India's intensified diplomatic efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict, engaging directly with both Kyiv and Moscow. India is focusing on critical issues like Black Sea shipping safety, grain exports, and energy supplies, moving beyond its previous advocacy role. Jaishankar also highlighted India's historical ties with Russia and discussed the evolving global geopolitical landscape, including the repositioning of the US and the rise of China.
The inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship saw thrilling performances on its second day, with Audrey Werro defeating Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson in the women's 800m and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden clocking the season's fastest time in the women's 100m. Other notable winners included Kenny Bednarek in the men's 100m, Collen Kebinatshipi and Marileidy Paulino in the 400m, Haruka Kitaguchi in javelin, Klaudia Kazimierska in 1500m, Miltiadis Tentoglou in long jump, and Sandi Morris in pole vault.
Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa secured his first victory at the Sinquefield Cup, defeating Javokhir Sindarov in a 95-move game.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Sports Demonstration Games, emphasising India's commitment to placing sport at the core of nation-building through significant investment in infrastructure and grassroots development. He highlighted India's indigenous sports like Mallakhamb, Yogasana, and Kalaripayattu, and discussed the country's ambition to host major international events, including the 2036 Olympic Games.
Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi voted in favour of a Russia sanctions act in the US House, diverging from his Democratic party and other Indian-American lawmakers. The bill, which passed, imposes tariffs on Russian oil and gas buyers, potentially impacting India and China, and exempts US uranium purchases from Russia.
US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, announced during his visit to Srinagar that the United States would reconsider its travel advisories for Jammu and Kashmir. He acknowledged the efforts by the central government and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in enhancing safety in the region, expressing hope that more Americans would visit the "incredibly beautiful place." Gor also met with CM Abdullah to discuss strengthening US-J&K relations.
The Election Commission replaced the inspector-in-charge of Nandigram police station, Ajay Kumar Mishra, with Debashis Sarkar a day before the bypoll, following complaints from opposition parties alleging Mishra's closeness to the ruling party. This move comes amidst heightened political scrutiny and concerns raised by opposition leaders regarding the fairness of the election process in Nandigram, a constituency with significant political history in West Bengal.
