High-stakes US-Russia talks in Moscow failed to achieve a breakthrough on ending the Ukraine war, with the Kremlin stating "no compromise" was reached on territorial issues. Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff during a five-hour Kremlin meeting. Top Putin aide Yuri Ushakov called discussions "useful" but noted Russia rejected several proposals in the revised US peace plan. Putin demands Ukraine surrender claimed territories and opposes European monitoring forces. Ukrainian President Zelensky insists any settlement must be permanent, transparent, and include Ukraine's participation. Trump acknowledged the situation is "not easy" and called it a "mess" during a White House cabinet meeting. (PC: X)

Delhi Police's arrest of Bandhuman Singh, an alleged Goldy Dhillon gang member, reveals a multi-country gang conflict behind the Kapil Sharma café firings in Canada's Surrey. Singh, who provided weapons and vehicles for the August shooting at Kap's Cafe, claims he was threatened afterward by Jash Behbal from Malaysia's Bambiha gang. Investigators say Goldy Dhillon, aligned with Lawrence Bishnoi and Sonu Khatri, allegedly masterminded the extortion-related firings. Rival gangs include Bambiha, Goldy Brar, Arsh Dalla, and Taran Gill, operating from Canada, the US, Malaysia, and Europe. Before fleeing to Canada in 2023, Singh visited Dubai thrice and Bali once. He was arrested in Ludhiana after returning from Canada. (PC: News18 & X)

India will procure additional satellite-linked Heron MK II drones under emergency provisions following their successful deployment in Operation Sindoor. The Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAVs, currently operated by the Indian Army and Air Force, will now join the Indian Navy. Israel Aerospace Industries confirmed all three armed forces branches selected the Heron MK II for emergency procurement, though exact numbers remain undisclosed. The drones reach 35,000 feet altitude and remain airborne for 45 consecutive hours. IAI plans manufacturing in India through partners HAL and Elcom, targeting 60% indigenous content under the "Make in India" initiative. The Defence Ministry's September RFP seeks 87 MALE drones with foreign collaboration permitted.

Severe floods and landslides triggered by Cyclone Senyar, Cyclone Ditwah, and Typhoon Koto have killed at least 1,250 people across Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, leaving many more missing. Record-breaking rainfall caused rivers to overflow and landslides, devastating communities and infrastructure. Experts link the storms’ intensity to climate change, with warmer oceans fueling heavier precipitation. Over a million people in Sri Lanka alone have been displaced, while emergency services struggle to provide aid. Authorities are mobilizing rescue operations amid warnings of continued rain, highlighting one of the deadliest flood events in recent history. (PC: Reuters)

Vladimir Putin declared on December 2 that Russia is “ready right now” for war if European Union countries initiate conflict, accusing European powers of sabotaging peace efforts. The warning came just before a five‑hour meeting in Moscow between Russian officials and US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, convened to revive a US‑backed peace plan for the war in Ukraine. Despite calls for negotiations, the talks concluded with no agreement on territorial control or military constraints. Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov described the outcome as “neither further nor closer” to resolving the crisis. Putin rejected modifications proposed by Europe to the peace framework, labeling them “absolutely unacceptable.” He insisted Russia’s original demands must be the basis for any deal — a stance that undermines confidence in a diplomatic path forward. 

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has temporarily halted processing of all immigration applications — including green cards, citizenship, asylum, and visa requests — for individuals from 19 non‑European nations. The suspension affects countries already under prior travel‑ban restrictions, including Afghanistan, Somalia, Iran, Libya, Yemen and others. The move follows a deadly shooting in Washington, D.C. by an Afghan national now under arrest, prompting the administration to cite national security and public safety as reasons for the pause. Immigrants in process, even those who have undergone prolonged vetting, may now face indefinite delays or re‑review under stricter screening rules. 

The air quality in New Delhi has sharply deteriorated as a thick haze blankets the city, pushing the Air Quality Index (AQI) to around 376 early Wednesday, placing it on the cusp of the “severe” category. Some hotspots like Chandni Chowk (431), Jahangirpuri (406) and the area near Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (405) have already crossed the 400-AQI threshold. The smog is attributed to stagnant winds, low mixing heights and accumulating pollutants from traffic, industry and regional sources. Health officials warn that prolonged exposure at these levels can cause serious respiratory and cardiovascular issues, especially for vulnerable groups. (PC: ANI)

Sunali Khatun, pregnant and from Birbhum in West Bengal, was taken by Delhi police in June while working as a rag-picker, and later deported to Bangladesh under suspicion of illegal entry, though her family claims Indian citizenship documents. Her father says he is “waiting for her to walk through the door,” as she remains stranded in Bangladesh despite legal appeals and the Supreme Court of India asking the government to repatriate her and her family on humanitarian grounds. (PC: The Hindu)

The Ministry of External Affairs said it processed Pakistan’s over-flight request for a humanitarian aid flight to Sri Lanka within hours of receipt — the request arrived around 1 p.m. on December 1, 2025 and approval was granted by 5:30 p.m. the same day. India called Pakistan’s allegation of delay “ridiculous” and an attempt to spread misinformation. India affirmed its support for Sri Lanka during flooding and clarified that all transit requests are processed based on established diplomatic norms. (PC: India Today)

The State Duma has formally approved the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistic Support Agreement (RELOS) with India—signed in February—allowing Indian and Russian military formations, warships and aircraft to access each other’s facilities for logistical support, including refuelling and maintenance. The move comes on the eve of Vladimir Putin’s state visit to India on December 4-5 and signals deeper defence cooperation within their longstanding strategic partnership. (PC: AFP)