Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has accused the Centre of preventing more than 100 foreign speakers from attending the Bharat Summit in Hyderabad. In a post on X, Tharoor alleged that 115 of the 315 speakers cleared by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) were either denied entry into India or had their visas cancelled. He claimed the decisions were taken on the instructions of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Tharoor said he learnt about the restrictions after arriving in Hyderabad for the summit. Criticising the alleged move, he questioned why a democracy would suppress voices it feared might be critical. The allegations have placed the Centre’s handling of foreign delegates under scrutiny.

At least 14 people, including Indian nationals, were killed and 30 injured after a heavy truck overturned and triggered a 23-vehicle pile-up near Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates before midnight. The crash occurred on Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street, where the truck reportedly struck another vehicle before overturning into slow-moving traffic. The impact sparked a fire that spread across vehicles. Authorities said victims included nationals of the UAE, India, Oman, Brazil, Pakistan, Jordan and Egypt. The fire left some victims unrecognisable, and police specialists are conducting DNA tests to identify them. Fifteen injured people were discharged, while 15 remain hospitalised. Emergency teams responded immediately, and the cause is under investigation.

A massive road accident near Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has claimed 14 lives and injured 30 others after a truck lost control and rammed into multiple vehicles shortly before midnight on November 12. The truck initially collided with another vehicle before overturning and hitting vehicles caught in slow-moving traffic. The collision triggered a fire that spread across several vehicles. A total of 23 vehicles, including five trucks, were involved. The victims included Indian nationals and citizens of several other countries. The Indian Consulate in Dubai is coordinating with local authorities to assist affected families. 

Sikkim’s iconic Green Lake trek has reopened after a four-year closure, with a seven-member Russian team completing the first expedition since its reopening. Located in North Sikkim near Mount Khangchendzonga, the high-altitude route is known for its Himalayan landscapes, glaciers and rugged mountain terrain. The trek officially reopened on October 31. Led by Andrei Fedorovich, the Russian team completed the expedition on November 9, accompanied by guide Shumiran Rai and support staff Dhurba Rai, Sajan Rai, Nitesh Rai and Tendup Sherpa. Organising agency Khangri Tours, Treks and Expedition called the expedition a significant achievement. The reopening is expected to boost adventure tourism and create livelihoods for local communities. (PC: X)

Masha, a Russian woman who has lived in India for nearly four years, has criticised foreign travel influencers for portraying the country negatively through videos highlighting dirty streets, unhygienic accommodation and unpleasant experiences. In an Instagram video, she argued that tourists should explore India more widely before making generalised judgments about the country. She also urged visitors to increase their travel budgets rather than mock local conditions over inexpensive stays. Masha said India offers diverse travel experiences, food and culture at a fraction of the cost of holidays in Europe and other countries. Her comments have sparked discussion about travel expectations and how India is represented online.

A Liberia-flagged crude oil tanker, MT Dominica Prosperity, carrying 19 Indian seafarers was struck by a projectile off Mina Saqr, United Arab Emirates, on November 11. The vessel was carrying 22 crew members when the incident occurred while it was drifting offshore. The UAE Coast Guard successfully evacuated all 22 crew members, including the 19 Indian nationals. Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed that everyone was safe and no injuries were reported. The Indian government is maintaining contact with the ship management company to monitor the crew's safety and provide necessary assistance amid regional maritime security concerns. (PC: Reuters)

Aarti Shah, an Indian-origin business executive, is drawing attention as Nvidia faces uncertainty over the future of its CEO, Jensen Huang. Shah has been a member of Nvidia’s board of directors since November 2020. She previously worked at pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly for 27 years, serving as its senior vice-president and chief information and digital officer before retiring in 2021. Born in India, Shah studied statistics and mathematics at Gujarat University before earning a PhD in Applied Statistics from the University of California, Riverside. At Nvidia, she serves on the audit and compensation committees, giving her a role in corporate oversight. (PC: X)

Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng Svendsen has alleged that the Indian government cancelled her visa shortly before she was due to travel to Hyderabad for the Congress-organised Bharat Summit on November 13–14. She said the Indian Embassy in Norway called her around 10 minutes before her planned departure, despite her having a visa and political clearance. Svendsen, who works for Oslo-based newspaper Dagsavisen, claimed she was given no explanation and suggested the decision could be linked to her criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, questions about press freedom, and comments on industrialists Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani. She urged the government to reconsider the decision.

India has overhauled its visa system, reducing main visa categories from 13 to nine and sub-categories from 49 to 23 to simplify foreign nationals' travel. Announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the changes also cut application form fields by approximately 65–70 per cent. The Tourist Visa has been renamed the Visitor Visa, covering tourism, business meetings, medical consultations and short courses. Medical, student and business visa provisions have also been streamlined, including new arrangements for foreign technical specialists. The revised framework aims to reduce paperwork, eliminate overlapping categories and improve processing efficiency. The government expects the new system to become operational by December 2026. (PC: ANI)

IBM has decided to stop sponsoring H-1B visas and green cards for most positions in its US consulting division amid tighter immigration rules under President Donald Trump. The move could affect Indian professionals, who make up a significant share of skilled foreign workers in the US technology sector and rely on these visa programmes for employment. According to reports, affected employees may have to relocate outside the US or leave the company by the end of 2026. IBM said its use of high-skilled visa programmes had been declining due to changing skill availability and client requirements. The decision adds to concerns among Indian technology workers. (PC: The Indian Express)