US President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Kash Patel, 44, as the next FBI director. Patel, a former national security aide and son of Indian immigrants, is known for his strong criticism of the FBI and Department of Justice. If confirmed, he pledges to shut down the FBI headquarters "on day one" and decentralize its operations nationwide. Patel’s career includes roles as a public defender, terrorism prosecutor, and chief of staff to the acting defense secretary. His nomination underscores Trump’s agenda of reshaping government institutions and replacing current director Christopher Wray before his term concludes.

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has predicted three changes in India's playing XI for the Pink-Ball Test against Australia starting December 6 in Adelaide. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill are set to replace Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel, while KL Rahul will drop to No. 6. Gavaskar also suggested that Ravindra Jadeja might replace Washington Sundar in the lineup. India leads the five-match series 1-0 after a dominant 295-run victory in Perth. Australia's Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the second Test due to a side strain, adding to their challenges at the Adelaide Oval.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has threatened a 100% tariff on BRICS nations, including India, China, and Russia, if they attempt to replace the U.S. dollar or create a BRICS currency. Trump stated on Truth Social that such moves would face severe repercussions, urging BRICS nations to abandon de-dollarisation plans. While Russia and China explore alternatives to the dollar, India has opposed the idea. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar clarified that India supports pragmatic economic strategies without targeting the dollar. Trump’s warning follows the 2023 BRICS summit, where the viability of a shared currency was discussed.

Cyclone Fengal completed landfall near Karaikal and Mahabalipuram early Sunday, bringing heavy rains and winds of 65-75 km/h across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. The storm is expected to weaken into a deep depression within six hours, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Chennai International Airport resumed operations at 4 a.m. after flights were suspended. Authorities issued red alerts for Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala, with schools closed and 471 people moved to relief camps. Three electrocution-related deaths were reported in Chennai. Fishermen were advised to avoid venturing out as disaster response teams remained on high alert.

Manish Tiwari, the Managing Director and Founder of Here and Now 365, was honored as British Indian of the Year 2024 at the Viksit Bharat Investment Summit 2024. Celebrated for his work in multicultural advertising and championing the Indian diaspora, Tiwari stated, “Let us harness our expertise, resources, and networks to mentor talent, drive innovation, and explore new markets. Together, we can build ecosystems that are not only profitable but also deeply purposeful.” The summit, hosted by the Indo-European Business Forum (IEBF), was attended by prominent figures, including Karnataka Labour Minister Santosh Lad and Baroness Sandip Verma. Discussions focused on strengthening Indo-European trade, innovation, and sustainability partnerships. Tiwari's organization, Here and Now 365, is the UK’s largest multicultural advertising consultancy, known for creating campaigns that resonate with diverse ethnic communities. Under his leadership, the firm has become a significant platform for bridging cultural divides and advancing the aspirations of Indian migrants in the UK. Other awards included Top Fund Manager of the Decade for Krishna N. Narnolia and Shailendra Kumar, and Fintech of the Year for Ashesh Jani. The event highlighted the immense contributions of Indian migrants, emphasizing their role in fostering global innovation and economic growth while strengthening Indo-European ties.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declared the India-Australia cricket rivalry bigger than the Ashes, citing India's dominance in recent series and the global popularity of cricket. Speaking on Fox Sports, Albanese highlighted India's passionate fanbase, referencing his experience at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium. He also emphasized the significance of the ongoing five-match Test series, the first since 1992, and the importance of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, expected to attract 100,000 spectators. Hosting Team India in Canberra, Albanese praised Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, sharing their camaraderie online, as rain delayed the Prime Minister’s XI warm-up match.

Rebels have taken control of most of Aleppo, Syria's second-largest city, marking their first return since 2016. The offensive, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and allies, resulted in the temporary withdrawal of Syrian forces, who plan a counteroffensive. Russia responded with airstrikes, reportedly killing 300+ people, including 20 civilians. Aleppo's airport and major roads are closed, displacing many residents. The UN expressed alarm, citing heavy civilian casualties, including children. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights attributed the rebels' rapid advance to weakened government allies due to Israeli strikes. This marks a significant challenge to Syria's government and Russia.

Cyclone Fengal made landfall near Puducherry on Saturday afternoon, bringing heavy rains and wind speeds up to 90 km/h. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Karnataka. Coastal districts like Karaikal and Mahabalipuram faced the cyclone's maximum impact. Schools and colleges remain closed in Puducherry and parts of Tamil Nadu. Fishermen have been advised to stay ashore, with 471 people evacuated to relief centers in Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam districts. Authorities set up toll-free numbers and WhatsApp helplines to assist the public as the Indian Navy activated disaster response plans.

Bangladesh authorities arrested Hindu priest and ISKCON member Shyam Das Prabhu in Chattogram without an official warrant on Saturday. He was detained while visiting spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das, previously arrested on sedition charges and denied bail. Radharamn Das, ISKCON Kolkata’s vice-president, condemned the arrests and revealed that an ISKCON center in Bhairav was vandalized. “No respite in sight,” he posted on X. These incidents have intensified concerns about the safety of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh. ISKCON has called for justice and security for its members amid the escalating unrest.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has agreed to a hybrid model for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, contingent on the International Cricket Council (ICC) implementing the model across all events until 2031. The decision follows India's refusal to play in Pakistan due to security concerns, prompting PCB's demand for neutral venues for future ICC events hosted by India. Under the hybrid model, India's matches will be held in Dubai, while Pakistan will host other fixtures, including the final if India is eliminated early. PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi assured state-level security for all participating teams.