New York's newly elected Mayor Zohran Mamdani shared a symbolic City Hall subway station video as his first social media post following his historic mayoral victory. The 34-year-old becomes the first Indian-American Muslim holding NYC's top office after a remarkable grassroots campaign rise from relative obscurity. Born in Uganda to an Indian-origin family, Mamdani moved to America at age seven and became a US citizen in 2018. His digitally savvy, cost-of-living-focused campaign earned praise from New Yorkers despite criticism from President Donald Trump. Mamdani entered the general election as favorite after securing a 12-point Democratic primary victory in June, deploying 100,000 volunteers and knocking on millions of doors.

Democrat Zohran Mamdani made history as New York City's first Muslim, Indian-origin, and African-born mayor, defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the November 5 election. The 34-year-old progressive's populist working-class message energized voters across five boroughs, achieving the city's highest turnout since 1969 with over 2 million votes. Born in Uganda to filmmaker Mira Nair and academic Mahmood Mamdani (both Indian-rooted), he became a naturalized US citizen in 2018. Republican Curtis Sliwa finished third after Trump's attacks labeling Mamdani "communist" and questioning his eligibility. Mamdani becomes New York's youngest mayor in over a century, marking a significant progressive Democratic victory amid national party divisions over countering Trump. (PC: X)

The White House said on Tuesday that US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi speak frequently as trade talks between the two countries progress. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump has “great respect” for Modi and that both sides are engaged in serious discussions on trade and economic cooperation. She added that Trump recently spoke with Modi during Diwali celebrations at the Oval Office. The talks come as Washington and New Delhi work to ease tensions caused by recent US tariffs on Indian imports, imposed in response to India’s continued purchases of Russian oil. (PC: India Today)

An Indian tech manager working in the US on an H-1B visa said he feels unfairly hated due to growing resentment toward Indians in tech. In an anonymous post on Blind, he wrote that he has always hired fairly and mentored diverse teams, yet faces stereotypes that Indians only hire their own. The manager said he feels isolated even after years in America. His post sparked debate online, with some supporting him and others blaming H-1B workers for damaging the industry’s image. Many users called the remarks against Indians racist and urged empathy for immigrant professionals. (PC: Unsplash)

As the United States votes, several Indian-origin and South Asian candidates are on the ballot. Zohran Mamdani, son of filmmaker Mira Nair, is running for New York City mayor and leads the race. In Virginia, Ghazala Hashmi is contesting for lieutenant governor. Aftab Pureval is seeking re-election as Cincinnati’s mayor. Other candidates include Satish Garimella in North Carolina and Dini Ajmani in New Jersey. The group Indian American Impact said it endorsed 50 South Asian candidates this year, with 36 appearing on ballots. The elections highlight the growing influence of Indian and South Asian voices in US politics. (PC: HT)

India and Israel formalized defence cooperation through a Memorandum of Understanding signed during the 17th Joint Working Group meeting in Tel Aviv on November 4, 2025. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Israeli Ministry of Defence Director General Major General (Res) Amir Baram co-chaired the meeting. The MoU facilitates comprehensive collaboration across strategic dialogues, training programs, defence industrial cooperation, research and development, artificial intelligence, cyber security, and technological innovation. This agreement marks a significant advancement in the long-standing defence partnership between the two nations, expanding cooperation beyond traditional military domains into cutting-edge technology sectors. The signing demonstrates both countries' commitment to deepening strategic ties across multiple defence and security dimensions.

Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus presented controversial "Art of Triumph" artwork depicting "Greater Bangladesh" including India's northeastern states, particularly Assam to a visiting Turkish parliamentary delegation, following a similar presentation to Pakistan commanders. Intelligence sources claim the document contained "battle plans" and "post-victory management frameworks" for transforming Assam under Dhaka's influence. Experts view this as deliberate ideological signaling toward transnational Islamist networks rather than accidental provocation. The gesture aligns with Turkey's pan-Islamist South Asian outreach through military cooperation, drone technology, and defence partnerships since early 2024. Sources describe it as the first overt territorial ambition hint from Dhaka's interim government, marking sharp rhetorical escalation that India's security establishment monitors closely. (PC: X & The Business Standard)

Six years after the 2019 Ethiopian Airlines crash killing 157, a Chicago federal jury will determine Boeing's compensation to families of Kenyan mother Mercy Ndivo, 28, and Indian UN consultant Shikha Garg, 36. Boeing accepted responsibility for the 737 Max disaster, which occurred minutes after Addis Ababa takeoff alongside a similar Indonesian crash five months earlier, totaling 346 deaths. Faulty software repeatedly pitched planes' noses down based on single-sensor readings. The company has accepted its fault and settled most of the dozens of lawsuits by families of victims in the six years after a Boeing 737 Max jetliner crashed. Even in the trial for these cases now in Chicago, where Boeing used to have its headquarters, the jury won't examine the the company’s liability. US prosecutors charged Boeing with fraud conspiracy, pending a $1.1 billion settlement agreement. (PC: NDTV & HT)

Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar called India a "global superpower" with bilateral ties "stronger than ever" during his exclusive NDTV interview after meeting External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. The nations are preparing a defence cooperation Memorandum of Understanding, advancing partnerships across defence, innovation, counterterrorism, and trade. Sa'ar praised PM Modi for being the first world leader contacting Netanyahu post-October 7 attacks, expressing gratitude for India's support. He emphasized the Trump peace plan for Gaza, rejected immediate Palestinian statehood citing security concerns, and confirmed plans to dismantle Hamas governance. Economic initiatives include reviving the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor and expanding Adani's Haifa Port investment. Direct flights resumption and participation in India's AI Summit were confirmed.

A viral video from Toronto shows an unprovoked racial attack on an Indian-origin man at McDonald's. The intoxicated assailant, wearing a Toronto Blue Jays jacket, shoved the victim near the mobile order counter, causing his phone to drop. After the victim calmly retrieved it, the attacker grabbed his collar, pinned him against the wall, and shouted "Why acting superior?" The victim repeatedly asked to be released without retaliating. A McDonald's employee intervened, escorting the aggressor out. Police have not released statements, and identities remain unconfirmed. This incident follows another Ontario McDonald's attack where a white man told an Indian female employee to "go back to her own country," intensifying concerns about rising anti-Indian racism in Canada.