India's assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak confirmed Dhruv Jurel as a potential No. 4 batsman for the final Test against South Africa in Guwahati, pending Shubman Gill's fitness test Friday. Gill developed a spasm on day two of the opening Test in Kolkata, which India lost by 30 runs, and hasn't returned to nets since. Jurel batted at No. 4 during India's second innings after Gill's injury. The BCCI sports science team is waiting before making a final decision, with the second Test starting Saturday, November 22. Kotak stated Gill is recovering well but physios must assess whether spasm recurrence risk remains, even if fully recovered.(PC: Forbes India)

British-American journalist Mehdi Hasan criticized Eric Trump after he accused NYC mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani of hating Indians and Jews. Eric Trump called the 34-year-old Democrat a "socialist communist" who wants to nationalize grocery stores and arrest Israeli PM Netanyahu. Hasan responded on X, stating "Zohran Mamdani is Indian," calling Eric "the dumbest of the dumb sons." Mamdani, son of filmmaker Mira Nair, won the mayoral election and will become NYC's first Muslim mayor and youngest leader in over a century on January 1. Eric Trump argued New York needs "safe streets, clean streets, reasonable taxes" instead of Mamdani's policies. Mamdani hasn't directly responded to the accusations.

US Senator Bernie Sanders accused President Donald Trump of disliking Muslims except billionaire autocrats who can enrich his family, following Trump's lavish White House reception for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Crown Prince's November 19 visit marked his first US trip since 2018, when relations soured after journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder inside Istanbul's Saudi consulate. Trump brushed aside human rights questions, praised the prince's statesmanship, and announced hundreds of billions in Saudi investments. The elaborate welcome included fighter jet displays, honor guards on horseback, and an East Room dinner. Discussions covered commerce and potential F-35 fighter jet sales, despite US intelligence implicating the prince in Khashoggi's killing.

A 19-year-old college student from Kalyan East, Maharashtra, died by suicide after allegedly being assaulted during a Hindi-Marathi language dispute on a local train. The victim, Arnav Jitendra Khaire, a first-year science student at Kelkar College, was reportedly attacked by four to five men on the Ambernath–Kalyan train after speaking in Hindi. His father said Arnav returned home anxious and uneasy, later found dead by hanging. A complaint was lodged at Kolsewadi Police Station, with authorities registering an accidental death report and launching an investigation, including reviewing CCTV footage. The incident has reignited debate over rising linguistic tensions in Maharashtra and the psychological toll such confrontations impose on young students. (PC: The CSR Journal)

India and Israel have formally signed the Terms of Reference to begin negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), a move Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal hailed as “historic.” Speaking at the India-Israel Business Summit in Tel Aviv alongside Israel’s Economy Minister Nir Barkat, Goyal emphasized the “unlimited possibilities” for expanding economic engagement. The FTA, combined with a bilateral investment treaty, is expected to boost market access, capital flows, and trade in goods and services while removing barriers to business. Key areas of cooperation include infrastructure, manufacturing, and artificial intelligence. India also offers promising investment opportunities for Israeli businesses, strengthening bilateral ties and economic predictability.

Nalin Haley, son of Indian-American Republican leader Nikki Haley, urged the Trump administration to limit foreign students, alleging some are "spies." He doubled down on anti-immigration stance, demanding naturalised citizens be barred from public office and dual citizenship eliminated. The 24-year-old stated only US-born individuals should hold elected positions, arguing "growing up in America is the biggest part of understanding the country." Previously, he called for ending H-1B visas and halting legal immigration, claiming foreign workers take American jobs. He also demanded British-American journalist Mehdi Hasan's deportation. Nalin faces criticism given his grandfather Ajit Singh Randhawa immigrated from Punjab, India in 1969.

US President Donald Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr, visited the Taj Mahal in Agra on Thursday, accompanied by 126 special guests from nearly 40 countries. He arrived at Kheria Airport at 1:30 pm via special aircraft, lunched at Oberoi Amarvilas Hotel before touring the 17th-century monument. This marks his first visit to the world wonder and second India trip, following his 2018 tour of Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, and Kolkata. Around 200 police personnel were deployed for security. Authorities conducted special drives, rounding up stray animals near Fatehabad Road and the Taj Mahal. Trump Jr will subsequently attend a billionaire's wedding in Udaipur, staying at Leela Palace until November 24.

Sheikh Hasina's son Sajeeb Wazed expressed "eternal gratitude" to PM Modi for ensuring his mother's safety after Bangladesh's interim government requested her extradition following a death sentence. The International Crimes Tribunal sentenced Hasina in absentia for alleged crimes against humanity during student-led protests. Wazed argued the interim administration lacks legal standing, stating India has no extradition obligation since Bangladesh's government is unconstitutional and due process wasn't followed. Hasina called the verdict "biased" and "politically motivated," alleging it came from a "rigged tribunal" under Muhammad Yunus's unelected government. The Awami League rejected the ruling as "malicious, retaliatory, and vengeful," criticizing the tribunal as illegal.

Indian cricket star Smriti Mandhana confirmed her engagement to music composer and filmmaker Palash Muchhal through a humorous Instagram reel with teammates Jemimah Rodrigues, Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav, and Arundhati Reddy. The viral video featured choreographed dancing to 'Samjho Ho Hi Gaya' from Lage Raho Munna Bhai, ending with Mandhana flashing her engagement ring. Muchhal had hinted at the relationship in October, joking Mandhana would become Indore's daughter-in-law. Prime Minister Modi congratulated the couple, revealing their wedding date as November 23. The announcement follows Mandhana's stellar World Cup performance where she scored record-breaking 434 runs, surpassing Mithali Raj's tournament record and helping India win the championship.

Social media influencer Orry has been summoned by Mumbai's Anti-Narcotics Cell in connection with an alleged Rs 252-crore drug case. The popular social media sensation received orders to appear before the Ghatkopar unit at 10:00 am Thursday. Details about Orry's specific involvement or role in the massive drug case remain unclear. The summons comes as authorities investigate what appears to be a significant narcotics operation worth over Rs 252 crore. Orry, known for his prominent social media presence and celebrity connections, must present himself for questioning as part of the ongoing investigation. The Anti-Narcotics Cell's Ghatkopar unit is handling the case proceedings. (PC: IANS Live)