Delhi’s air quality remained in the “red zone” on Saturday, recording an AQI of 335 — among the worst in the country. The city’s minimum temperature dropped to 11 °C, three degrees below normal, intensifying smog conditions. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, PM2.5 remained the primary pollutant. Experts warned that the combination of falling temperatures and stagnant air is trapping pollutants closer to the surface, worsening visibility and health risks across the region. Authorities urged residents to limit outdoor activity, especially during early morning and late evening hours. (PC: AP)

The Trump administration’s updated immigration rule empowers U.S. consular officers to deny visas to applicants with chronic health issues like diabetes, obesity, heart disease, or mental illness, labeling them potential “public charges.” This policy broadens medical evaluations beyond infectious diseases, requiring applicants to prove they can financially support their healthcare needs for life. Critics argue the rule unfairly discriminates against individuals with manageable conditions, giving consular officers excessive discretion and raising ethical concerns about the U.S. government’s treatment of disabled and chronically ill immigrants. (PC: X)

Five Indian nationals working on an electrification project were abducted by armed men on Thursday near Kobri in western Mali, according to company and security sources. The country, governed by a military junta, has seen a surge in unrest led by jihadist groups linked to Jama'at Nusrat al‑Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) and Islamic State – Sahel Province (ISSP). No organisation has claimed responsibility for the kidnappings. Other Indian workers employed by the same company have been evacuated to the capital, Bamako. Government officials are monitoring the situation closely amid growing ransom concerns. (PC: AFP)

A major glitch in the Airports Authority of India’s automatic message-switching system (AMSS) caused the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi to delay over 800 flights and cancel around 20 on Friday. The disruption, affecting both domestic and international services, forced air traffic controllers to revert to manual planning, leading to departure delays averaging up to an hour. By Saturday morning, authorities said the system was “up and functional” and advised passengers to check flight status with airlines due to residual backlog. (PC: PTI)

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has raised a formal complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the missing 2025 Asia Cup trophy, which remains with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi. The BCCI objected that the trophy, won by India, was never officially handed over during the post-match ceremony. In response, the ICC has formed a special committee led by Oman’s Pankaj Khimji to mediate between India and Pakistan and ensure the rightful transfer of the trophy. The dispute adds another layer to the tense cricketing relations between both nations. (PC: AP)

Ajit Pawar has said his son, Parth Pawar, and partner were not aware that a 40-acre plot in Pune’s Mundhwa area belonged to the government and thus ineligible for sale. The firm linked to Parth had entered a proposed ₹300 crore transaction for the land, whose market value the opposition estimates at around ₹1,800 crore. Pawar announced the deal has been cancelled and a high-level committee will investigate how registration proceeded despite the land’s status. (PC: NDTV)

Harmanpreet Kaur revealed that the decision by India’s women’s cricket team to hand the World Cup trophy to Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami after their historic win was deliberate. She said the squad had agreed that the legends, who had carried the burden of near-misses for years, must be part of the moment. “We had decided that whenever we do it in the future, we will make sure that they would be in the stadium,” Kaur said. The gesture underscores the team’s respect for the pioneers who laid the foundation. (PC: X)

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has submitted a provisional schedule for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to the International Cricket Council, proposing that the tournament be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Under the plan, the final would take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad—unless Pakistan national cricket team reaches it, in which case the match would shift to Sri Lanka. Pakistan’s group matches are planned entirely in Sri Lanka amid India-Pakistan political sensitivities. The tournament is expected between February and March 2026. (PC: X)

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that no U.S. government official will attend the 2025 G20 Summit in Johannesburg, calling the event a “total disgrace.” He criticized South Africa for alleged human rights abuses against white farmers and what he described as illegal land seizures, claiming the country’s policies are unjust and incompatible with U.S. interests. Trump also stated that the United States will instead host the next G20 summit in 2026 in Miami. The move highlights his ongoing influence in U.S. foreign policy debates and underscores tensions with South Africa ahead of the global economic forum. (PC: AP)

Narendra Modi on 8 November 2025 inaugurated four new Vande Bharat Express trains from Varanasi, connecting key routes: Banaras–Khajuraho (Uttar Pradesh-Madhya Pradesh), Lucknow-Saharanpur (UP), Firozpur-Delhi (Punjab-Delhi) and Ernakulam-Bengaluru (Kerala-Karnataka). The Banaras–Khajuraho train cuts travel time by around 2 hours 40 minutes and links major cultural and heritage cities. The Ernakulam-Bengaluru route reduces journey time by over two hours, enhancing connectivity between major southern tech and commercial hubs. Modi described the new services as symbols of India’s infrastructure and developmental leap, aiming to boost regional mobility, tourism and economic growth. (PC: HT)