Fourteen Indian Hindu pilgrims were denied entry into Pakistan while attempting to join Guru Nanak Jayanti celebrations at Nankana Sahib, Guru Nanak’s birthplace. Pakistani immigration officials reportedly told them, “You are Hindu, not Sikh,” preventing their participation. The group, originally Sindhi Hindus now settled in India, was among around 2,100 pilgrims cleared by India’s Home Ministry and issued visas by Pakistan. Additionally, nearly 300 others were stopped on the Indian side for incomplete documentation. The incident has drawn criticism for violating religious harmony and freedom of pilgrimage between the two nations.

The White House said India and the United States will continue their trade talks. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Donald Trump is “very positive” about ties with India and often speaks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She said Trump last spoke to Modi during Diwali celebrations at the Oval Office. Leavitt added that trade teams from both sides are holding “very serious discussions.” Trump had earlier hinted at a new trade deal after tensions rose over higher tariffs on Indian goods. The talks are expected to focus on easing trade barriers and strengthening economic ties between the two nations. (PC: NDTV)

Zohran Mamdani declared his campaign "toppled a political dynasty" after winning New York City's mayoral race in a stunning political upset. The 34-year-old democratic socialist becomes NYC's 111th mayor and first Muslim leader, defeating independent Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa. Addressing jubilant supporters, he proclaimed, "The future is in our hands," thanking diverse coalition members including Yemeni bodega owners, Senegalese taxi drivers, Uzbek nurses, Ethiopian aunties. His grassroots campaign spanning Brooklyn's gentrified neighborhoods to Queens' immigrant enclaves focused on taxing the wealthy, expanding social programs, and addressing affordability crises. Mamdani emotionally thanked parents and wife Rama, recalled a Bronx woman's lament inspiring his renewal message, promising "a new dawn built by the people."

Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval secured re-election with overwhelming support, capturing over 79% when AP called the race at 8:13 p.m. with 22% votes counted (Pureval: 12,694; Bowman: 2,835). The Democratic-preference mayor, serving since 2022 after winning May's primary with 80%+ votes, defeated Republican Cory Bowman (VP J.D. Vance's half-brother). Pureval previously served as Hamilton County Clerk of Courts (2017-2021). His victory speech emphasized continued prioritization of public safety, job growth, and affordable housing. The high-stakes election centered on public safety amid ongoing police chief Terri Theetge internal investigation. Bowman criticized current policing plans but graciously conceded, thanking supporters while expressing hope for Cincinnati's success regardless of leadership. (PC: Cincinnati Enquirer)

Three Indian-origin candidates achieved historic electoral victories across America on November 5. Zohran Mamdani, 34, won NYC's mayoral race with over 50% votes (1+ million ballots), becoming the city's first Muslim and South Asian mayor in record-breaking turnout exceeding 2 million voters. Virginia's Ghazala Hashmi secured lieutenant governor victory with 53% against Republican John Reid, becoming America's first Muslim woman in statewide office after making history as Virginia's first Muslim South Asian legislator in 2019. Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval, of Indian-Tibetan heritage, won re-election with 79% votes, defeating Republican Cory Bowman (VP J.D. Vance's half-brother). The victories underscore growing South Asian political influence from city halls to state capitals nationwide. (PC: VPM, Ideastream & ABC News)

Indian-American Democrat Ghazala Hashmi won Virginia's lieutenant governor race, defeating Republican John Reid. Born in Hyderabad in 1964, she emigrated to the US at age four, joining her father in Georgia. Hashmi becomes the first Muslim and South Asian American serving Virginia's Senate (15th District since 2019). Her victory triggers a special Senate seat election. She flipped a Republican-held seat in 2019 and chaired the Senate Education and Health Committee in 2024. Hashmi earned a PhD in American literature from Emory University, spent 30 years as professor at University of Richmond and Reynolds Community College, founding CETL. She lives in Richmond with husband Azhar Rafiq; daughters Yasmin and Noor graduated from UVA. (PC: X)

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)