Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami announced his retirement from Test cricket on Friday, bringing an end to a career spanning more than a decade. The 35-year-old made his Test debut against the West Indies at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens in 2013 and finished with 229 wickets in 64 matches. His final appearance came in the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia. Shami recorded six five-wicket hauls, with career-best figures of 6/56 against Australia in Perth in 2018. He also scored an unbeaten 56 against England at Lord’s in 2021. The pacer thanked the BCCI and Cricket Association of Bengal for supporting his journey.

US President Donald Trump has claimed that Israel and the wider Middle East would not exist today if his administration had failed to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said his role in stopping Tehran’s nuclear ambitions was widely known but rarely acknowledged. “Israel and, in fact, the entire Middle East, WOULD NOT EXIST TODAY if I did not stop Iran from having a Nuclear Weapon,” he wrote. The statement comes as Trump continues to present preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons as a central objective of his administration’s policy towards Tehran.

Thomas Markle, father of Meghan Markle, the wife of Prince Harry, has been arrested in the United States on a charge of possessing child pornography, the US Justice Department said on Friday. The 82-year-old, who lives in Lakeland, Florida, faces one count of possession of child pornography, according to a statement from the US Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California. Markle is expected to appear in court in Tampa on Friday. The charge is an allegation, and the information provided does not establish whether he has entered a plea or how the case will proceed. No further details about the investigation or alleged material were disclosed in the statement. (PC: Radar Online)

US Representative Ro Khanna has said he opposes “Hindu nationalism” and supports student protests in India, a day after securing another term in the US Congress from California. Khanna, co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans in the House of Representatives, made the remarks on November 4, notable given his role in the caucus and visits to India hosted by the government. His comments came as the US Commission on International Religious Freedom criticised the Indian government over minority rights and described shootings outside gurdwaras in Punjab as “vigilante attacks”. India’s Ministry of External Affairs had not responded, while an Information and Broadcasting Ministry adviser criticised Khanna’s remarks. 

The Election Commission of India has given voters excluded from draft electoral rolls during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) another opportunity to seek inclusion in the final lists across seven states: Delhi, Maharashtra, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Telangana and Nagaland. Electors marked absent, shifted, dead or duplicate can resubmit enumeration forms without filing Form 6. The Commission has directed officials to display fresh booth-wise lists and contact excluded voters through Booth Level Officers, including house visits, calls and digital communication. Applicants must provide declarations and relevant address proof where required. Accepted voters will retain their previous EPIC numbers. Those who have already submitted Form 6 need not apply again. (PC: PTI)

Indian-American Democrats Nithya Raman and Zohran Mamdani are now leading Los Angeles and New York City, two of the largest cities in the United States. Raman recently won a closely contested mayoral race in Los Angeles, becoming the city's first Indian-American mayor. Mamdani took office as New York City's mayor in January 2026, becoming its first Muslim and South Asian mayor. Both politicians are associated with the Democratic Socialists of America and have made affordability central to their political agendas. While Mamdani campaigned on rent freezes, free buses and childcare, Raman focused on affordable housing, homelessness and public transport. However, they differ on political alliances and organisational positions.

Iran is reviewing proposals submitted by Qatar concerning its nuclear programme, raising hopes of renewed negotiations with the United States to end the West Asia conflict. A diplomat familiar with the discussions said Tehran was considering greater transparency over its nuclear activities, potentially creating room for compromise. Talks have remained stalled since an interim agreement collapsed in June. US President Donald Trump also spoke with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani about efforts to bridge differences between Washington and Tehran. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held discussions with regional counterparts, while a senior Iranian security official met Russian President Vladimir Putin. The diplomatic efforts follow the US midterm elections. (PC: X)

India’s retail inflation is expected to have accelerated in October, moving closer to the Reserve Bank of India’s upper tolerance limit of 6%, according to a Reuters poll of economists. The projected increase is largely attributed to rising food prices, with food inflation estimated at 8.20%. Higher global food prices and input costs are adding to pressure on household budgets. The RBI’s inflation target range is 2% to 6%, while its forecast for average inflation during the current financial year stands at 5.2%. The anticipated rise could influence the central bank’s monetary policy decisions, as policymakers assess price pressures and the outlook for inflation in the coming months. (PC: X)

India-born Democrat Saba Haider has won a seat in the Illinois House of Representatives, becoming the first South Asian woman elected to the state’s General Assembly. Her victory brought celebrations at her family home in Ghaziabad, where her mother, Shahnaz Haider, stayed awake through the night awaiting the result. Speaking to PTI, Shahnaz recalled receiving Saba’s phone call around 6:30–7 am, when her daughter announced, “Mummy, I am winner.” Overwhelmed with happiness, she informed Saba’s father and brothers, and the family celebrated together. Shahnaz said the achievement made years of hard work, dedication and sacrifice worthwhile, describing her daughter’s success as a defining moment in her life. (PC: X)

Israel is facing questions over its longstanding alliance with the US after American midterm results exposed growing criticism of its policies across both major parties. Democratic candidates criticised Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank, while Vice-President JD Vance cited the relationship as one reason voters abandoned Republicans. President Donald Trump also announced plans to end $3.8 billion in annual US military aid two years earlier than scheduled, raising concerns about future arms supplies and joint defence projects. Israeli opposition leaders blamed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for weakening bipartisan ties. Analysts warn that congressional scrutiny could complicate military cooperation and increase pressure on Israel, although officials expect the alliance to endure. (PC: Getty Images)