Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri will visit Dhaka on December 9 or 10 for the Foreign Office Consultation (FOC), marking the first high-level visit since the interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, assumed power. Discussions will cover extradition of Sheikh Hasina, visa issues, and minority rights. Bangladesh Foreign Adviser Md. Touhid Hosain stressed building relations on reciprocity. Sheikh Hasina faces trial for alleged involvement in mass killings during the July-August uprising. Bangladesh's Foreign Secretary Md. Jashim Uddin will co-lead the discussions with Misri. The visit highlights efforts to stabilize bilateral ties amidst regional tensions.

IndiGo has rejected the findings of the AirHelp Score report 2024, which ranked it 103rd out of 109 airlines. The report also placed Air India at 61st and AirAsia at 94th. IndiGo stated it consistently performs well in punctuality and customer satisfaction, citing data from India's aviation regulator, DGCA. "The report lacks clarity on sample size and methodology, raising doubts about its credibility," IndiGo said. With over 7.25 crore passengers and a 61.3% market share this year, IndiGo remains India's top airline. The company reaffirmed its commitment to offering on-time and hassle-free travel.

During a press conference in Maharashtra, a lighthearted exchange between Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar sparked laughter. The leaders had gathered with BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis after staking their claim to form the state government. When asked if Shinde and Pawar would take oaths as deputy chief ministers, Shinde said, “Let’s wait till evening.” Pawar humorously added, “He’ll find out by evening; I’m taking the oath.” Shinde quipped back, “Dada has experience taking oaths both in the morning and evening.” The witty remarks lightened the mood as the leaders prepared for the oath ceremony.

Kashyap "Kash" Patel, Donald Trump's nominee for FBI director, was reportedly targeted by hackers linked to Iran, CNN reported. Anonymous sources claimed the hackers accessed some of Patel's communications, though the timeline and response remain unclear. An official spokesperson neither confirmed nor denied the incident but acknowledged Patel's future role in Trump's administration. This is not the first report of Iranian hackers targeting Trump or his allies. Earlier, the FBI stated Iran tried to use stolen Trump campaign data to approach Joe Biden’s team. Microsoft has also warned of foreign threats to the 2024 U.S. election.

Indian police are seeking details from Elon Musk's Starlink after finding its device on a seized Myanmar boat carrying $4.25 billion worth of methamphetamine. The Indian Coast Guard intercepted the boat near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, arresting six Myanmar nationals. Police say the smugglers used Starlink's satellite internet to navigate and create Wi-Fi hotspots, bypassing legal networks. Starlink, which promises fast broadband globally, does not yet have permission to operate in India. Authorities have asked for information on the device's buyer and usage history. Investigations are ongoing to uncover any links to local or international drug syndicates.

Astronaut Sunita Williams is growing "Outredgeous" romaine lettuce on the International Space Station (ISS). The experiment, called Plant Habitat-07, studies how water availability affects plant growth in microgravity. This research aims to develop farming techniques for deep-space missions and improve water-efficient farming on Earth. By growing fresh food in space, astronauts can reduce resupply needs and enjoy better nutrition and mental health. The findings may also help address global food security and drought challenges. Williams, aboard the ISS since June, will return to Earth in February 2025 after completing several scientific and maintenance tasks.

Bank employees are unlikely to see a 5-day workweek this December, as the government has not provided any approval. The All India Bank Officers’ Confederation (AIBOC) plans to start protests soon. According to AIBOC General Secretary Rupam Roy, bank unions have invited other associations to join their movement. An agreement on the 5-day week has already been reached between the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) and unions, but it awaits final approval from the government and Reserve Bank of India. Unions have assured that customer service hours will not be reduced, with longer daily work hours planned.

Indian cricketers faced harassment during an open practice session in Adelaide ahead of the second Test against Australia. Over 3,000 fans gathered, leading to chaos and rude comments directed at players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Rishabh Pant. Selfie requests disrupted training, and some players were body-shamed. To avoid further issues, the BCCI cancelled all open practice sessions for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Training is now media-only. Despite the distraction, the Indian team is preparing for the day-night Test starting Friday. Shubman Gill is likely to return, while Rohit Sharma may bat in the middle order.

A 5.3 magnitude earthquake struck Mulugu, Telangana, at 7:27 AM on Wednesday. The quake, at a depth of 40 km, is the second-largest in the state in 55 years. Tremors were felt across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Maharashtra. Experts attribute the quake to the Godavari fault zone. Although aftershocks are possible, scientists advise there is no need to panic. Telangana lies in Zone II, a low-risk seismic zone. Residents reported ceiling fans swinging and items falling. Experts urge stricter building standards to ensure safety, citing past disasters where earthquake-resistant designs saved lives.

Devendra Fadnavis has been chosen as Maharashtra’s chief minister by the BJP. Flanked by Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, he met Governor CP Radhakrishnan to stake claim to form the government. The oath-taking ceremony will be held tomorrow at Azad Maidan, Mumbai, at 5:30 PM. Union Minister Vijay Rupani announced that two deputy chief ministers would also take the oath. Ajit Pawar is likely to be one of them. The BJP-led alliance, Mahayuti, secured a big win with 235 seats. Fadnavis called the victory “historic” and thanked voters for their support. Cabinet discussions will follow soon.