Aliya Fakhri, 43, sister of Bollywood actor Nargis Fakhri, was arrested for setting fire to a garage in Queens, New York, killing her ex-boyfriend Edward Jacobs, 35, and his friend Anastasia Ettienne, 33. Witnesses reported Aliya yelling, "You’re all going to die today," before the fire started. Jacobs and Ettienne succumbed to smoke inhalation and burns. Aliya faces charges including murder and arson, with a possible life sentence if convicted. Her mother expressed disbelief, citing Aliya’s past opioid struggles. The District Attorney described the act as malicious, with condolences offered to the victims' families.

ISKCON Kolkata has advised its followers in Bangladesh to avoid visible religious symbols following attacks on Hindus. Spokesperson Radharamn Das said, “In this hour of crisis, they must protect themselves. I’ve suggested they avoid wearing saffron clothes and vermilion on their foreheads.” He also urged monks to hide tulsi beads and cover their heads to avoid standing out. This guidance comes after advocate Ramen Roy, who defended Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu, was attacked and critically injured. ISKCON called it a reflection of the growing dangers faced by those defending religious minorities in Bangladesh.

The Biden administration has approved the sale of MH-60R helicopter equipment to India, valued at $1.17 billion. The deal includes advanced systems like tactical radios, fuel tanks, and infrared sensors, aiming to boost India's anti-submarine warfare abilities. Lockheed Martin will serve as the main contractor. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency stated that this sale will strengthen India's defence against current and future threats. The agreement, announced weeks before Biden’s term ends, will require US personnel to travel to India for technical support. President-elect Donald Trump will take office on January 20, 2025.

US President-elect Donald Trump has warned Hamas of severe consequences if hostages in Gaza are not released before he takes office on January 20, 2025. He declared that those responsible would face unprecedented retaliation from the United States. Trump made the statement on his social media platform, Truth Social, emphasising his strong support for Israel. Hostages were taken during a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,208 people in Israel. Israel’s retaliation has since caused over 44,000 deaths in Gaza, according to the UN. Efforts to negotiate a resolution by the Biden administration have not yet succeeded.

The suspense over Maharashtra's next chief minister will end on December 4. BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis is expected to return to the top post. The BJP’s legislature party will meet tomorrow to finalise the leader. Central observers, Nirmala Sitharaman and Vijay Rupani, will oversee the meeting. Caretaker CM Eknath Shinde has stepped aside for BJP to lead the government. The Mahayuti alliance, which won 230 out of 288 seats, will likely have two deputy CMs, one each from Shiv Sena and NCP. The new government’s swearing-in is scheduled for December 5. Official confirmation is awaited.

Russia has used over 60 North Korean-supplied ballistic missiles during the war in Ukraine, says Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Ukrainian military spokesperson Andrii Chernyak noted these missiles’ outdated technology and poor accuracy, yet acknowledged their threat. North Korea has strengthened ties with Russia, with Kim Jong Un pledging military cooperation. Meanwhile, former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba expressed concern about Ukraine's ability to turn the tide, warning, “Things look bad on the battlefield.” He emphasized that the conflict's resolution depends on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s terms.

President-elect Donald Trump has issued a stern warning regarding hostages held in Gaza, vowing “hell to pay” if they are not released before his January 20 inauguration. Trump declared that those responsible would face unprecedented retaliation, describing it as the harshest action in U.S. history. His statement, shared on social media, underscores rising tensions in the Middle East as efforts to secure the hostages' freedom continue. Trump's comments mark one of his first foreign policy stances ahead of his presidency, signaling a tough approach toward the ongoing crisis in the region.

India head coach Gautam Gambhir will rejoin the team in Australia on December 3, ahead of the second Test against Australia in Adelaide. Gambhir had returned home due to personal reasons after India’s emphatic 295-run victory in Perth. In his absence, assistants Abhishek Nayar, Ryan ten Doeschate, and Morne Morkel oversaw preparations. The pink-ball Test, starting December 6, will also see the return of captain Rohit Sharma, who missed the first match due to the birth of his child. With Shubman Gill recovering from injury, Gambhir faces a critical task in finalizing India’s playing XI.

Advocate Ramen Roy, representing Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari in Bangladesh, was brutally attacked, ISKCON stated. Roy, now in ICU, was targeted by alleged Islamists for defending the priest accused of sedition. ISKCON’s Radharaman Das called for prayers and highlighted escalating violence against minorities. Protests in West Bengal and Tripura condemned the attack. In Tripura, over 50 protesters breached the Bangladeshi mission, prompting India to term the incident "deeply regrettable." Meanwhile, Bangladesh denies claims of escalating violence, amid heightened tensions following the arrests of Hindu monks and activists. Indian authorities urged Bangladesh to protect minorities effectively.

The UK is bracing for sub-zero temperatures overnight, with rural areas, particularly in Scotland, expected to plummet to -10°C, forecasters warned. Sky News weather producer Chris England highlighted a widespread frost, while parts of Northern Ireland and north Wales may dip to -6°C. Tuesday will bring dry conditions for England and Wales, though rain and snow may impact Scotland and Northern Ireland. Snow is likely on higher ground above 400m, with limited impact at lower levels. This sharp drop follows a milder weekend when Cardiff recorded 16.4°C. Northerly winds could bring further freezing temperatures by the weekend, meteorologists predicted.