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.

As New York gears up for its mayoral election, an old video of filmmaker Mira Nair calling her son, Zohran Mamdani, “a total desi” has gone viral. The 2013 interview resurfaced amid Mamdani’s rise as a leading candidate in the race. In the clip, Nair said, “We are not firangs at all. He is very much like us.” The Monsoon Wedding director also said her son was deeply interested in politics, not films. Mamdani, a New York State Assembly member, has promised to make life easier for New Yorkers if elected mayor. (PC: NDTV)

Former Miss India and Bollywood actress Celina Jaitly has appealed for help after the Delhi High Court heard her plea about her brother, Major (Retd.) Vikrant Kumar Jaitly, allegedly detained in the UAE since September 2024. The court directed the Ministry of External Affairs to arrange communication between the family and Major Jaitly and sought a status report on India’s efforts. Calling the order “a ray of hope,” Celina shared an emotional post saying, “You fought for us, bhai.” She urged the government to ensure justice and protection for Indian veterans abroad. (PC: Economic Times)

Indian-British billionaire Gopichand (GP) Hinduja, chairman of the Hinduja Group, passed away in London at the age of 85. The news was announced by British lawmaker Rami Ranger, who called him “gracious, humble, and a guiding force.” Hinduja was known for leading one of the world’s largest family-owned conglomerates, with businesses in banking, energy, and healthcare. Tributes poured in from global leaders and industry figures, describing his death as the end of an era. GP Hinduja’s leadership and philanthropy made him one of the most respected figures in both India and the UK. (PC: X)

Entrepreneur Manish Wahie has warned that rude and entitled behaviour by some Indian travellers is harming India’s global image. “People have started judging us the moment we walk in,” said Wahie, who lives in Kazakhstan. He blamed rising aggression and sudden wealth for this trend. Sharing an example, he said a group of Indian passengers once spread a bedsheet near an aircraft’s emergency exit to gamble. “They don’t realise what kind of impression they’re creating,” he added. Wahie urged airlines to hand out short etiquette guides to travellers to help protect India’s reputation abroad. (PC: Business Today)