India has overhauled its visa system, reducing main visa categories from 13 to nine and sub-categories from 49 to 23 to simplify foreign nationals' travel. Announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the changes also cut application form fields by approximately 65–70 per cent. The Tourist Visa has been renamed the Visitor Visa, covering tourism, business meetings, medical consultations and short courses. Medical, student and business visa provisions have also been streamlined, including new arrangements for foreign technical specialists. The revised framework aims to reduce paperwork, eliminate overlapping categories and improve processing efficiency. The government expects the new system to become operational by December 2026. (PC: ANI)

Iran has demanded that the United States fulfil seven conditions before reopening the Strait of Hormuz and resuming negotiations. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Tehran had communicated its demands to Washington but was yet to receive an official response. In an interview with Al Jazeera, he declared that responsibility for the next diplomatic move now rested with the US. Ghalibaf also warned President Donald Trump against launching fresh military strikes, claiming Washington would face another defeat. Meanwhile, former IRGC commander Mohsen Rezaei warned that American military bases beyond the Middle East could become targets. Tehran's conditions remain central to the future of negotiations and regional maritime security. (PC: X)

Russia and Ukraine agreed in principle to a large-scale prisoner-of-war exchange during the first US-brokered peace talks since February, held in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. A senior Ukrainian official confirmed the preliminary agreement, while Russian military intelligence official Alexander Zorin said the proposed swap could involve more than 1,000 people from each side. However, the two-day negotiations produced no major breakthrough, with both countries remaining divided over territorial control. The talks had been suspended after the US-Israeli war against Iran began. The latest diplomatic effort marks a renewed attempt to end the conflict, now in its fifth year, as US envoys prepare to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

The Indian government has announced major changes to its visa system, renaming the Tourist Visa as the Visitor Visa and reducing main visa categories from 13 to nine. The number of sub-categories has also been reduced from 49 to 23, while application form fields have been cut by 65–70%. The new Visitor Visa includes short-term business meetings, medical consultations, wellness retreats and cultural courses. It offers V-1 visas for 30 days and V-2 visas for one, five or 10 years, subject to eligibility. The revised framework aims to attract foreign tourists, students, patients and investors. Implementation is expected by the end of 2026. (PC: The Hindu)

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on November 11 approved a ₹62,370 crore subsidy budget for phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilisers for the 2026–27 Rabi season. The allocation represents a 64.3% increase from ₹37,952 crore in the previous season. The decision comes amid rising international fertiliser prices and supply-chain disruptions linked to the West Asia conflict. The subsidy will cover 28 fertiliser grades, including DAP and NPKS, under the Nutrient Based Subsidy scheme. Applicable from October 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, the move aims to ensure affordable fertiliser supplies for farmers. (PC: ANI)

At least 11 police personnel, including a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and a Sub-Inspector (SI), were killed and 12 others injured after gunmen ambushed a police team in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on November 11. The team was travelling through the Gambat area of Kohat district to conduct a raid against illegal gold mining when attackers opened fire from surrounding hilltops in the Darbokach Jalandhar Banda area. Five police vehicles were reportedly set on fire. Additional security forces rushed to the scene as an intense exchange of gunfire continued. Authorities launched a response operation. 

China's growing use of artificial intelligence in information warfare is raising concerns across South Asia. Raw street footage, originally recorded for everyday purposes, can be repurposed using AI tools to create misleading visuals and narratives. Such content can be circulated online to influence public opinion, spread confusion and exploit regional tensions. The threat comes as India and China face renewed tensions along the Line of Actual Control in Arunachal Pradesh. Recent incidents involving manipulated military videos and recycled footage have highlighted the risks of digital misinformation. The developments underline how AI is changing information warfare beyond traditional military operations. (PC: News18)

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has survived an impeachment attempt after the House of Representatives voted to block a resolution accusing him of waging war against Iran without congressional approval. In a 211-204 vote on Tuesday, lawmakers referred the impeachment articles to the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee, effectively ending the effort. The resolution was introduced by Republican Congressman Thomas Massie and included 8 charges, including alleged unlawful military operations. Hegseth called the move a political stunt and described it as “sabotage”. President Donald Trump welcomed the outcome, while House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries warned that the matter was not over. (PC: BBC)

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's political ideology and his association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in her new memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love. She describes their differences as a clash between two visions of India rather than a personal rivalry. Gandhi writes that her vision is based on inclusiveness, secularism and social justice, while she believes Modi's worldview gives priority to religious identity, hierarchy and control. She also claims that Modi often avoids eye contact during their rare meetings. The memoir, published by HarperCollins India, was released on November 10. (PC: The Indian Express)

A terror attack on a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district left 3 personnel injured on Wednesday. CCTV footage of the incident has surfaced, capturing the intensity of the firing. According to officials, motorcycle-borne attackers opened fire at the CRPF camp in Akhran, near Mir Bazar, at around 2:15 pm. Nearly 30 rounds were fired within the first 15 seconds, followed by several more shots. The attackers fled after the shooting. The injured personnel were taken to a hospital in Anantnag for treatment. Security forces rushed reinforcements to the area and launched a search operation.