Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in India for a crucial two-day state visit, his first since the Ukraine war began in February 2022. Prime Minister Narendra Modi broke protocol by personally receiving Putin at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, surprising Russian officials with this rare gesture. The leaders exchanged warm greetings before sharing a car to Modi's residence for a private dinner. Putin's agenda includes the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan, delegation-level talks, and discussions on defense, trade, economy, science, and technology cooperation. The visit comes amid US pressure on India regarding Russian oil purchases, with potential deals on fighter jets and defense systems expected. 

Singer Palak Muchhal has broken her silence on the controversy surrounding her brother Palaash Muchhal's postponed wedding to cricketer Smriti Mandhana. Calling it a "very tough time" for both families, Palak urged for positivity amid swirling speculation. The wedding, scheduled for November 23 in Sangli, Maharashtra, was indefinitely postponed after Smriti's father experienced chest discomfort and required hospitalization. Reports surfaced with unverified claims about infidelity, though no official statements have been issued. Palaash himself was hospitalized due to emotional distress, requiring IV treatment and tests. Both Palaash and Smriti recently added the nazar emoji to their Instagram bios, symbolically warding off negativity during this challenging period. (PC: X)

A bronze statue of Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol in their iconic DDLJ pose has been unveiled at London’s Leicester Square. This marks the first time an Indian film is featured in the city’s “Scenes in the Square” trail. Installed outside the Odeon Cinema, the statue celebrates the 30th anniversary of the 1995 classic and honors its enduring global cultural impact, highlighting the film’s legacy in popularizing Bollywood internationally and cementing the legendary on-screen chemistry of SRK and Kajol. Fans and tourists can now view and take photos with the beloved cinematic landmark.

A resident of Delhi used ChatGPT to trace an online scammer who posed as a former class-mate and offered “Army transfer/cheap goods” deals. After suspecting the impersonation, he bypassed the scammer’s QR code payment push by creating a fake payment portal with AI assistance, capturing the fraudster’s geolocation, IP address and front-camera snapshot. The scammer panicked and begged for forgiveness, while the incident sparked broader discussion on how AI is changing both scams and counter-measures in India. (PC: Reddit)

In the Kenduadih-Basti neighbourhood of Dhanbad district (Jharkhand), two women died after an alleged toxic-gas leak, and over a dozen people were hospitalised. Locals claim exposure to gas caused the deaths; officials say post-mortem results will confirm the cause. The site lies within the mining zone of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), which has begun evacuating residents from affected areas with about 10,000 people impacted. Protests erupted early Thursday, with residents blocking the Dhanbad-Ranchi highway and demanding relocation and relief measures. 

India is set to pay around $2 billion to lease a nuclear-powered submarine from Russia, a move reportedly concluded ahead of Vladimir Putin’s visit to New Delhi. The agreement, after years of stalled talks over pricing and delivery, signals a deepening of defence ties between the two nations. The lease is expected to bolster the capabilities of the Indian Navy, expanding its under-sea deterrence posture in a strategic region. Analysts note that while conventional submarine contracts have advanced previously, this deal underscores a major leap in India’s maritime ambitions. (PC: Reuters)

The Supreme Court of India has ordered state governments and union territories to allocate additional personnel for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls conducted by the Election Commission of India, in order to ease the heavy workload on booth-level officers (BLOs). The court acknowledged reports of excessive pressure on BLOs, including stress-related incidents, and emphasised that administrations are “obligated” to support the exercise and ensure welfare of staff deployed for this key electoral process. (PC: PTI)

At the Organization for Security and Co‑operation in Europe (OSCE) annual council in Vienna, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha asserted that his country seeks a definitive peace — not a repeat of historical concessions that emboldened aggressors. He referenced the 1938 Munich Agreement, warning that “bad peace deals only lead to catastrophe.” Sybiha pledged to seize “every opportunity to try to end this war” while rejecting any settlement that merely appeases Vladimir Putin’s Russia. Meanwhile, the OSCE — including Russia, the U.S. and 55 other nations — is being positioned as a forum for post-war settlement discussions, reportedly with Switzerland aiming to launch a monitoring mission. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he will still visit New York even though incoming mayor Zohran Mamdani has threatened to enforce an International Criminal Court arrest warrant against him. Netanyahu, speaking at the New York Times Dealbook forum, said he would talk to Mamdani only if the mayor-elect accepts Israel’s right to exist. Mamdani has said he supports Israel’s existence but not the idea of a Jewish state. He has also vowed to direct police to arrest leaders wanted by the ICC, including Netanyahu and Vladimir Putin. Experts say such an arrest is unlikely and may exceed a mayor’s authority. (PC: NDTV)

Israel said the body handed over by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad has been identified as Thai worker Suthisak Rintalak. He was killed during the 7 October 2023 attack and taken to Gaza. His return means only one more dead hostage remains to be handed over under the ceasefire deal. Israeli leaders expressed deep sorrow and promised to bring home the last hostage, police officer Ran Gvili. Rintalak moved to Israel in 2017 and worked on farms near the Gaza border. Thailand thanked Israel for its help. The ceasefire remains tense, with both sides accusing each other of violations. (PC: BBC)