A resurfaced podcast clip featuring Michigan senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed has gone viral after his victory in the November 3 US midterm elections. In the conversation, the Democrat recalled his Egyptian uncle questioning why he had married an Indian woman, Sarah Jukaku, when Egypt had 80 million people. El-Sayed responded humorously that India had a billion people, making his choice statistically likely. Sarah was born and raised in Michigan, but her family traces its roots to Bhatkal in Karnataka. Her grandfather, Jukaku Shamshuddin, served as deputy finance minister in the erstwhile Mysore State. El-Sayed married Sarah in May 2006, and they have two daughters. (PC: Reuters)

US Representative Ro Khanna has said he opposes “Hindu nationalism” and supports student protests in India, a day after securing another term in the US Congress from California. Khanna, co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans in the House of Representatives, made the remarks on November 4, notable given his role in the caucus and visits to India hosted by the government. His comments came as the US Commission on International Religious Freedom criticised the Indian government over minority rights and described shootings outside gurdwaras in Punjab as “vigilante attacks”. India’s Ministry of External Affairs had not responded, while an Information and Broadcasting Ministry adviser criticised Khanna’s remarks. 

Indian-American Democrats Nithya Raman and Zohran Mamdani are now leading Los Angeles and New York City, two of the largest cities in the United States. Raman recently won a closely contested mayoral race in Los Angeles, becoming the city's first Indian-American mayor. Mamdani took office as New York City's mayor in January 2026, becoming its first Muslim and South Asian mayor. Both politicians are associated with the Democratic Socialists of America and have made affordability central to their political agendas. While Mamdani campaigned on rent freezes, free buses and childcare, Raman focused on affordable housing, homelessness and public transport. However, they differ on political alliances and organisational positions.

India-born Democrat Saba Haider has won a seat in the Illinois House of Representatives, becoming the first South Asian woman elected to the state’s General Assembly. Her victory brought celebrations at her family home in Ghaziabad, where her mother, Shahnaz Haider, stayed awake through the night awaiting the result. Speaking to PTI, Shahnaz recalled receiving Saba’s phone call around 6:30–7 am, when her daughter announced, “Mummy, I am winner.” Overwhelmed with happiness, she informed Saba’s father and brothers, and the family celebrated together. Shahnaz said the achievement made years of hard work, dedication and sacrifice worthwhile, describing her daughter’s success as a defining moment in her life. (PC: X)

Iran is planning to exempt commercial vessels from India, China, Qatar and Iraq from restrictions on transit through the Strait of Hormuz. However, the proposed arrangement carries four major risks for shipping operators and participating countries. First, vessels could still face attacks, misidentification or collateral damage in the conflict zone. Second, payments reportedly collected by Iran for passage could expose companies to US secondary sanctions and restrictions on dollar-based financial systems. Third, high war-risk insurance premiums could make the route financially unviable. Finally, Tehran could use access as diplomatic leverage, with exemptions reportedly tied to political support or specific arrangements, including India's medicine imports. (PC: Reuters)

India-born politician Nithya Raman has won the Los Angeles mayoral race, defeating incumbent Karen Bass and becoming the first Indian-American elected to lead the US city. Raman described the victory as a deep honour in a post on X, promising to work towards building the city's future. Born in Kerala, she moved to the United States with her family at six. A Harvard graduate, she later earned a master's degree in urban planning from MIT and launched a civic-data organisation in Chennai. Raman has represented Los Angeles's 4th District on the City Council since 2020 and was re-elected in 2024. Bass conceded defeat and congratulated the city's incoming leadership. (PC: AP)

Nepal Prime Minister Balen Shah met Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri in Kathmandu on Thursday, marking a diplomatic shift months after reportedly refusing to meet him over protocol concerns. The earlier snub had led to Misri’s visit being postponed, with Nepalese media reporting that Shah was reluctant to meet foreign officials who were not his equivalent in rank. Their latest meeting came as Misri concluded a two-day visit to Nepal and ahead of Shah’s expected November 22 visit to India. It will be Shah’s first bilateral trip since taking office in March. The turnaround signals a pragmatic approach as Nepal prepares to engage its largest trading partner. (PC: India Today)

Indian-born politician Nithya Raman has scripted history by winning the Los Angeles mayoral election, becoming the first South Asian mayor of the United States’ second-largest city. The 45-year-old Democratic Socialist defeated incumbent Mayor Karen Bass in the November 3 election, securing approximately 52% of the votes. Bass conceded defeat on November 5 and congratulated Raman. Born in Kerala, India, Raman previously served on the Los Angeles City Council. Her campaign focused on affordable housing, homelessness, public transport, police reform and improving city services. Her victory marks a significant milestone for Indian-origin representation in American politics. (PC: AP)

France has conferred the prestigious Knight of the National Order of Merit (Chevalier de l’Ordre national du Mérite) on renowned Indian cardiac surgeon Dr Devi Shetty, founder and chairman of Narayana Health. The honour was presented by the French Consulate General in Bengaluru on November 5, 2026, recognising his support to the French community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr Shetty and Narayana Health provided vaccination initiatives and logistical assistance to the French Consulate and French residents. French Consul General Marc Lamy praised his generosity, describing his contribution as a symbol of solidarity and India-France friendship. (PC: X)

France has conferred the prestigious Chevalier de l’Ordre national du Mérite (Knight of the National Order of Merit) on renowned Indian cardiac surgeon Dr Devi Shetty, founder and chairman of Narayana Health. The honour was presented by the French Consulate General in Bengaluru on November 5, 2026, recognising his support to the French community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr Shetty and Narayana Health provided vaccination initiatives and logistical assistance to the French Consulate and French residents. Established in 1963, the award is France’s second-highest national distinction after the Legion of Honour. Dr Shetty expressed gratitude for the recognition. (PC: X)