India

Google Maps is undergoing a major AI-driven transformation, integrating Gemini AI to offer a more conversational, hands-free experience. The redesign enables users to ask for directions and nearby recommendations, with improved precision using landmarks instead of distance cues. The update will roll out to iPhone and Android users.

India will scale down direct Russian crude imports from late November as US sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil take effect. Reliance, MRPL, and HPCL-Mittal have halted purchases, triggering a sharp decline in December arrivals, with gradual recovery expected via intermediaries

India-born Democrat Ghazala Hashmi has been elected as Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor, becoming the first Muslim and South Asian American to hold the post. Born in Hyderabad in 1964, Hashmi was four years old when she emigrated to the US

Indian-origin Democrat Aftab Pureval won a second term as Cincinnati’s mayor, defeating Republican Cory Bowman, half-brother of Vice President JD Vance. The 43-year-old’s re-election strengthens Democratic control and marks another milestone in his rising political career

Despite the defeats, both Haria and Gupta, along with two other Indians -- Malkeet Singh and Hussian Khan -- were given first-round byes in the second of the two-event first stage

The Election Commission dismissed Rahul Gandhi’s charge of “wholesale theft” in the 2024 Haryana polls as unfounded, noting no appeals or objections were filed and that booth agents failed to flag irregularities. EC said Gandhi’s claims should be tested in court

The creation of an International Panel on Inequality deserves urgent attention as global inequality reaches ‘emergency levels’, endangering democracy and social cohesion

Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is back in the team after an impressive show in the four-day game for India A as captain against South Africa A at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru

India is scheduled to play Bangladesh at the National Stadium in Dhaka, in their AFC Asian Cup 2027 Final Round Qualifiers match on November 18

Progress isn’t assured; the Nobel laureates Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion, and Peter Howitt stress the need to protect innovation and openness

Having drawn the first game of Round 2 against Nepomniachtchi, Diptayan took advantage of a slight error from the Russian in the opening exchanges and made the most of it to win in 47 moves

Albert Torras' opener in the 28th minute set the tone for the Malabarians, followed by Samuel Lyndoh doubling the lead early in the second half, while substitute Juan Carlos Rico added a third to seal his side's victory

The drug major continues to see healthy demand across key markets, with US and Europe businesses performing in line with expectations, said its Vice-Chairman and Managing Director K Nithyananda Reddy

Actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) announced it will contest the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections independently. Vijay is the party’s Chief Ministerial candidate, with 12 resolutions addressing voter rights, law-and-order, farmer issues, and fisherfolk concerns

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said the India-New Zealand free trade agreement will boost trade, investments, and jobs. Both countries aim to collaborate in sectors like defence, education, tourism, and aerospace, reflecting closer ties and shared focus on inclusive, sustainable development

Microsoft will allow Microsoft 365 Copilot interactions to be processed locally in 15 countries by 2026, including India. The move enhances data security, sovereignty, and compliance for governments and regulated industries, following recent legal and operational updates in India

NASA and ISRO will declare their joint NISAR satellite operational on Friday, ISRO chief V Narayanan announced. Launched in July, the dual-band radar mission can scan the entire Earth every 12 days. Narayanan also revealed timelines for Gaganyaan and India’s planned space station

In Maharashtra’s Latur district, a 70-year-old farmer and his 20-year-old son were killed over a land dispute in Rudhda village. Police arrested two men from the same village after the victims were found dead near a water tank on Tuesday morning

Senior BJP leader Basavaraj Bommai urged Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to ensure sugarcane farmers get Rs 3,500 per tonne. With protests raging in north Karnataka, Bommai proposed Rs 3,300 from factories and Rs 200 from the government, warning delay would hurt thousands of farmers.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra alleged that the NDA is attempting to form the government in Bihar through “vote chori”, claiming 65 lakh people’s names — including many women — were deleted from the electoral rolls via the SIR exercise. She challenged voters to oust the ruling bloc and pledged jobs, land and medical cover under an INDIA-bloc government

Four pilgrims from Narayankhed mandal died after their car collided with another vehicle near Humnabad while returning from the Dattatreya Temple in Gangapur, Karnataka. One person remains critical at a Bidar hospital. Relatives have rushed to the site.

ThunderPlus and Trinity Cleantech launched the world’s first ethanol-based 150 kW EV charger in Hyderabad, offering grid-free, rapid deployment and 80% lower emissions—revolutionizing India’s clean mobility and biofuel integration.

Three pilgrims from Narayankhed mandal in Telangana died and two others were injured in a road accident near Humnabad, Karnataka, on Wednesday. The devotees were returning from the Dattatreya Temple in Gangapur after offering prayers on Karthika Pournami.