Politics News

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president KT Rama Rao (KTR) has demanded ₹36,000 in financial assistance for every agricultural labourer who had lost their livelihood due to drought in Telangana, and the immediate release of four pending instalments of Rythu Bandhu to farmers.

Jatayu Earth’s Center in Chadayamangalam, Kollam, Keralam, has evoked renewed attention following the cinematic depiction of battle between Ravana and Jatayu in Ramayana: Part 1. Historian Rajeev Pallikkonam says origins of the place name have more to do with Pandya ruler Maran Chadayan than Valmiki Ramayana, while its association with Jatayu is believed to have emerged only in the 1970s.

A US Army sentinel guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery reprimanded Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his senior advisers on Wednesday for laughing and chatting near the memorial after a Veterans Day ceremony. The Pentagon spokesman said the soldier "correctly and respectfully" reminded the group to maintain decorum.

Speaking at the National Veterans Day Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, US President Donald Trump defended his administration's military action against Iran, saying America did not start the war and that Tehran had been hostile since 1979. He claimed US operations severely damaged Iran's capabilities and vowed a 'total victory,' noting 18 American soldiers were lost.

Alexander Darchiev, Russia's Ambassador to the United States, died suddenly on November 11 at age 66, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced. The ministry called him 'an outstanding diplomat' and expressed deep sorrow. Darchiev had served as ambassador since March 2025, with his tenure coinciding with a thaw in US-Russia relations under President Trump.

Foreign affairs expert Robinder Sachdeva warned that a possible US-China 'grand bargain' under Trump — dividing spheres of influence across the Indo-Pacific — could have strategic implications for India. He added that after US midterm results constrained Trump domestically, the president is likely to become more proactive in international relations.

India and Moldova held their third round of Foreign Office Consultations in New Delhi on Wednesday, co-chaired by Ambassador Sibi George and Moldova's State Secretary Corina Calugaru. Both sides reviewed bilateral ties and discussed cooperation in energy, agriculture, connectivity and capacity building. They agreed to hold the next round in Chisinau.

Iran's National Security Council chief Mohsen Rezaei warned that Tehran would target all US military bases — including distant installations in Europe and islands — if Washington attacks Iran. He also ruled out transferring enriched nuclear material abroad and said the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed until Iran's seven conditions are met.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police reinforced security across Bangladesh's capital with checkpoints, night patrols, and surveillance after cocktail explosions and arson attacks hit multiple districts. A BNP ward office was torched, four buses set ablaze, and a bus driver killed in Faridpur. Police arrested 11 and detained six during overnight operations amid rising political tensions.

Canada's Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree has ordered an investigation into allegations that China operates over a dozen liaison points across the country to suppress dissent and monitor the Chinese diaspora. The move follows an October 27 report by Safeguard Defenders, which identified 1,247 alleged CCP-linked points worldwide, including locations in Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal.

EAM S Jaishankar launched the website for the 19th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) 2027 and an AI-enabled 'Bharat Ko Janiye' quiz platform in New Delhi on Wednesday. The quiz runs for over a month, with winners invited for a 10-day India tour. PBD 2027 will be held in Kolkata from January 7–9, 2027.

The central government is planning to call a special Parliament session before the winter session to clear the delimitation and women's reservation bills, TimeNow reported quoting sources. The BJP-led government is reportedly confident of securing the two-thirds majority needed to pass the bills. Home Minister Amit Shah may reportedly accept the challenge for debate on SIR if Rahul Gandhi agrees.

EAM S Jaishankar expressed condolences over a deadly pile-up on Bulgaria's Trakia motorway near Yambol, which killed at least 12 and injured 48. Dense fog reduced visibility to 30 metres, causing a multi-vehicle crash involving over 50 cars and heavy vehicles. Bulgarian PM Radev cancelled engagements while the motorway was shut in both directions.

Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman met Turkish President Erdogan in Antalya on Tuesday, on the sidelines of COP31. Talks covered defence cooperation, trade, energy investment, Rohingya repatriation, and climate change. Rahman thanked Turkey for its ICJ support on the Rohingya crisis and urged continued advocacy within the UN and OIC.

Nine Kennedy relatives, including descendants of Senators Robert F. and Edward M. Kennedy, have filed a legal motion to halt construction of US President Donald Trump's proposed 250-foot triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery. They argue it would obstruct views of family gravesites and war memorials, while a federal judge had already imposed a 14-day construction injunction last week.

Macao's Court of First Instance sentenced former pro-democracy lawmaker Au Kam San to 12.5 years on November 6 under national security charges, including subversion and links with foreign forces. Human Rights Watch called the prosecution baseless and demanded his immediate release. The EU condemned the verdict; Portugal raised the matter directly with Chinese authorities.

PM Narendra Modi extended Diwali greetings to Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda and his wife. "Happy Diwali and Nutan Varsh Abhinandan to you Sam Bhai and to Anjana Ben...Praying for a joyful year ahead," PM said, despite their political differences. PM Modi was replying to Pitroda's remarks, calling him "Gujarati friend" and a "warm, kind, loving and caring" personality.

Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor said Brahmins in Bihar should mend fences with Muslims, whom he claimed they had "needlessly" alienated by aligning with BJP. "Of late, they've sided with BJP and taken to abusing minority community on social media," Kishor added. "This is despite the fact that Muslims aren't their adversaries and aren't beneficiaries of...reservation system," he stated.