Foreign traveler Porter has declared Chandigarh India's most well-designed city in a viral Instagram video garnering nearly one lakh views. Visiting India twice this year, Porter praised the city's cleanliness, modern infrastructure, and Sukhna Lake's pristine waters while recommending travelers skip conventional tourist triangles like Delhi-Agra-Jaipur. He highlighted Chandigarh's unique Punjabi-Haryanvi cultural blend, exceptional food, minimal traffic, and absence of excessive honking. Designed by Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier in the 1950s, the planned city features wide boulevards, tree-lined avenues, and organized sectors. Social media users appreciated Porter showcasing India's positive aspects, with some suggesting Chandigarh deserves European-standard tourism recognition alongside Kerala, Sikkim, and Kashmir.

Iran has suspended visa-free entry for Indian citizens holding ordinary passports effective November 22, ending a facility introduced in February 2024 for tourism promotion. India's Ministry of External Affairs revealed the suspension follows numerous job scam cases where Indians were lured by fake employment offers and false transit promises. Criminals exploited the 15-day visa waiver facility, originally meant exclusively for tourism once every six months. Upon arrival, many victims were kidnapped and held for ransom by criminal gangs working with unscrupulous agents. The MEA issued strong advisories warning citizens to avoid agents offering visa-free travel or onward transit through Iran, emphasizing the suspension aims to prevent further exploitation by criminal elements.(PC: Foreign Policy)

A major tragedy hit Indian Umrah pilgrims in Saudi Arabia on Monday. A bus carrying pilgrims from Mecca to Medina crashed into a tanker and caught fire. At least 42 Indians died in the accident. Rescue teams said the bus was burned completely, making it hard to identify the victims. One person, Mohd Abdul Shoiab, survived but is in hospital. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other top leaders expressed deep sorrow and support for the families. The Indian Consulate in Jeddah has set up a 24x7 control room. The government has also shared helpline numbers to assist families of the victims. (PC: NDTV)

India has formally responded to Bangladesh’s request to extradite ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former minister Asaduzzaman Khan. The Ministry of External Affairs said it “remains committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh,” adding it will engage constructively with all sides. Dhaka wants both returned after a Bangladeshi tribunal sentenced them to death for crimes during a student protest crackdown. Under the 2013 extradition treaty, India may refuse if the request is politically motivated—a clause often cited by Hasina since she fled Bangladesh last year. (PC: India Today)

Iran has ended its one-way visa-free entry for Indian citizens starting November 22, 2025. From this date, all Indian travellers must obtain a visa to enter or even transit through Iran. The MEA issued a strong advisory after several Indians were lured to Iran with fake job offers and promises of travel to other countries. Many were kidnapped for ransom after arriving there. The government said the visa waiver was being misused by criminal groups. Airlines have been told to check visas before boarding passengers. The move marks a major shift from Iran’s earlier policy meant to boost tourism and ties. (PC: India Today)

Professor Ron Hira, an Indian-origin expert, argues that U.S. employers prefer H-1B visa holders over domestic workers for two key reasons: lower wages and greater control. He explains that H-1B workers’ legal status is tied to their employer, making them “indentured” and less likely to switch jobs or report abuses. While the program does attract some highly skilled talent, Hira stresses that many H-1B workers possess skills readily available in the American labor market. Citing Disney and University of California cases, he warns the program often displaces U.S. workers. He calls for stronger protections, clarifying H-1B is a labor not immigration policy.

Dr. Shaheen Shahid, prime suspect in the Delhi Red Fort blast linked to Jaish-e-Mohammad, faces mounting revelations. Investigators discovered she held three passports with different addresses and guardians, including her father, husband, and brother. Records show at least three trips to Pakistan and six foreign visits, including Thailand. Authorities are probing seven bank accounts across Kanpur, Lucknow, and Delhi, which saw transactions worth ₹1.55 crore over seven years, with notable deposits between 2014–2017. GSVM Medical College has delisted her from its faculty board following her name surfacing in the terror probe. Meanwhile, NIA arrested Amir Rashid Ali, alleging conspiracy with bomber Umar Nabi, marking a breakthrough in the case. (PC: X)

Pakistani rapper Talha Anjum sparked international controversy after waving India's tricolour at his Nepal concert, accepting the flag from a fan and draping it while performing. The 30-year-old Karachi native, co-founder of rap duo Young Stunners with 3 million Instagram followers, defended his actions on X, stating "My art has no borders" and pledging to repeat the gesture. He emphasized his expression was rooted in humanity, not politics, declaring "Urdu rap will always be borderless." The incident intensified existing tensions with Indian rapper Naezy, who previously dismissed Anjum's popularity and made threatening remarks. While some applauded the gesture as South Asian unity, Pakistani critics accused him of crossing a line and disrespecting his homeland.

India formally acknowledged Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal verdict sentencing Sheikh Hasina to death for alleged crimes against humanity during July's student protest crackdown. The Ministry of External Affairs stated India "remains committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh, including peace, democracy, inclusion and stability." Dhaka requested Hasina's immediate extradition, warning countries housing her commit "an extremely unfriendly act and disregard for justice." Bangladesh submitted formal extradition request in December 2024. However, the 2013 bilateral extradition treaty allows India to refuse if deemed "politically motivated", a phrase Hasina repeatedly uses. Article 8 permits rejection on political grounds. India has provided refuge since Hasina fled during 2024's unrest. (PC: The CSR Journal & X)

A Lucknow father, Manu Srivastava, has appealed to Indian and Russian authorities to include his 21-year-old son suffering from stage 4 cancer in trials for Russia's experimental Enteromix vaccine. Russia is considering the humane request, with the matter forwarded to their Ministry of Health. Enteromix is an mRNA-based personalized cancer vaccine that trains the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells based on individual tumor genetic profiles. In September, Russia announced the vaccine demonstrated 100% efficacy and safety in initial human trials, showing tumor shrinkage without serious side effects. Developed by Russia's National Medical Research Radiological Centre and Engelhardt Institute, it initially targets colorectal cancer, with future potential for glioblastoma and melanoma.