Indian authorities confirmed the arrests of two of India’s most-wanted gangsters abroad. Venkatesh Garg, accused in multiple murders and extortion cases, was captured in Georgia. Bhanu Rana, a key member of the Bishnoi gang involved in grenade attacks and arms trafficking, was arrested in the United States. Both fugitives had been evading capture for years while orchestrating crimes from overseas. Coordination between Indian and international law enforcement led to their arrests. Authorities are now completing legal formalities for their deportation to India, marking a major victory against organized crime networks. (PC: NDTV)

Saikat Chakrabarti, a 39-year-old Indian-origin Democrat, is preparing to contest for the San Francisco congressional seat after Nancy Pelosi’s retirement. A Harvard graduate and former chief of staff to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Chakrabarti is known for his progressive views and digital-driven campaigns. Inspired by Zohran Mamdani’s New York mayoral win, he said, “Organised people beat organised money.” Born to Bengali parents in Texas, he co-founded Justice Democrats and advocates a wealth tax to support working families. If elected, Chakrabarti will become the sixth Indian-American in the US Congress, representing a new wave of progressive Democratic leaders. (PC: India Today)

A new Bloomberg documentary claims British intelligence helped Canada link India to the killing of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023. The report says the UK’s GCHQ intercepted calls discussing three targets — Nijjar, Avtar Singh Khanda, and Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The information was shared with Canada under the ‘Five Eyes’ alliance and kept highly confidential. The Sikh Federation UK has asked why this intelligence was not shared earlier. India has rejected all allegations as false and politically motivated. Relations between India and Canada have slowly improved after diplomatic tensions last year. (PC: The Hindu)

In a recent interview, former CIA counter-proliferation officer Richard Barlow alleged that India and Israel had planned a covert operation in the early 1980s to bomb Pakistan’s Kahuta Research Laboratories uranium-enrichment facility. According to Barlow, the operation was aimed at halting Pakistan’s nuclear weapons development. He criticized Indira Gandhi’s refusal to approve the plan, calling it “a shame”. Barlow said his information came from intelligence circles though he was not directly involved in the planning. 

Five Indian nationals working on an electrification project were abducted by armed men on Thursday near Kobri in western Mali, according to company and security sources. The country, governed by a military junta, has seen a surge in unrest led by jihadist groups linked to Jama'at Nusrat al‑Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) and Islamic State – Sahel Province (ISSP). No organisation has claimed responsibility for the kidnappings. Other Indian workers employed by the same company have been evacuated to the capital, Bamako. Government officials are monitoring the situation closely amid growing ransom concerns. (PC: AFP)

Nearly 700 flights were delayed at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on Friday due to a technical fault in the Air Traffic Control's Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS). The malfunction, which began Thursday evening, forced controllers to manually prepare flight plans, causing widespread disruptions. All airline operations were impacted, with 97% of flights delayed. The average departure delay reached 62 minutes. Major airlines including IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air issued advisories. The disruption cascaded to Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and other airports. International flights to Rome and London faced delays exceeding two hours. IndiGo shares dropped 2% while SpiceJet fell 1%. Long queues formed at terminals as passengers awaited updates.

Democrat socialist Zohran Mamdani won New York City's mayoral election despite 26 billionaires spending over $22 million against him. His progressive platform includes city-run grocery outlets, free public transport, and universal childcare. Michael Bloomberg led opposition with $8.3 million supporting opponent Andrew Cuomo, while Bill Ackman donated $1.75 million and William Lauder contributed $2.6 million. Other notable donors included Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings, casino magnate Steve Wynn, and oil baron John Hess. Sixteen billionaire donors are NYC residents. Following Mamdani's victory, critics like Ackman and JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon, who called Mamdani "more Marxist than socialist," extended support offers. Mamdani takes office January 1, 2026. (PC: New York Times) 

India has fortified its eastern border by establishing three new military garrisons at Bamuni, Kishanganj, and Chopra along the Indo-Bangladesh frontier to secure the strategic Siliguri Corridor, known as "Chicken's Neck." This 22-kilometer-wide strip connects mainland India with its seven northeastern states. The move follows Bangladesh's interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus engaging with Pakistan's military establishment and China for investments, shifting from former PM Sheikh Hasina's policies. The Trishakti Corps oversees corridor defense, supported by Rafale jets at Hashimara Airbase, BrahMos missiles, and advanced air defense systems including S-400, MRSAM, and Aakash. India has also deployed Bhairav battalions and Ashni drone platoons, reflecting a strategic shift from deterrence to dominance. (PC: India Today)

India sharply criticized Pakistan's alleged nuclear weapons testing, with MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stating that "clandestine and illegal nuclear activities" align with Pakistan's history of smuggling, export control violations, and the AQ Khan network. Jaiswal responded to President Trump's recent claim that Pakistan has been secretly conducting underground nuclear tests. Trump stated in a CBS News interview that while the US hasn't tested for over 30 years, countries like Pakistan, North Korea, Russia, and China continue underground trials undetected. Pakistan denied the allegations, asserting it wasn't first to test and won't be first to resume. India emphasized it has consistently highlighted Pakistan's nuclear proliferation record to the international community.

Ajit Singh Chaudhary, a 22-year-old medical student from Rajasthan’s Alwar district studying at Bashkir State Medical University in Ufa, Russia, was found dead in a local dam nearly 19 days after he went missing. Singh had left his hostel on October 19 to buy milk and never returned. His clothes, phone, and shoes were earlier discovered near the White River. Russian authorities have initiated an investigation into the incident. The Indian Embassy in Moscow is coordinating with local officials to facilitate the repatriation of his body. (PC: X)