A political row erupted after Congress leader Ragini Nayak posted an AI-generated video showing Prime Minister Narendra Modi selling tea at a red-carpet event. The BJP condemned the clip and said the Congress was mocking the Prime Minister’s humble past. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala said the party had insulted Modi many times and could not accept a leader from a modest background. This is the latest in a series of AI videos that have angered the BJP. Congress has faced similar criticism before, including over a video about Modi’s mother that the Patna High Court ordered removed.

Talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner ended without a breakthrough on a Ukraine peace deal. The Kremlin said the meeting was “constructive” but key parts of the US-backed plan were still unacceptable to Russia. Putin earlier criticised changes proposed by Kyiv and Europe, calling them unrealistic. Ukraine and Russia remain divided over territory and security guarantees. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said there was a chance to end the war but only with clear guarantees. Fighting also continued on several fronts, with both sides rejecting each other’s claims of battlefield gains. (BBC)

Jailed former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan launched his fiercest attack on Army Chief General Asim Munir, accusing him of being "mentally ill," "morally depraved," and destroying Pakistan's constitutional framework. In a message on X, Khan described four weeks of solitary confinement without human contact, claiming he and wife Bushra Bibi face "severe mental torture" on false charges. He accused Munir's policies of fueling terrorism resurgence and sacrificing national interests for Western approval. Khan resigned from PTI's political committee, giving Secretary General Salman Akram Raja full authority. He urged Pakistanis to "break chains of slavery" and resist "mafia systems," warning those threatening governor's rule to "see what happens." (PC: The Hindu)

A 13-year-old boy executed a man convicted of murdering 13 family members, including nine children, in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan's Khost province. Approximately 80,000 people witnessed the public execution at a stadium, which was ordered by Afghanistan's Supreme Court and sanctioned by Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada. The convicted man, identified as Mangal, had killed Abdul Rahman and his family approximately 10 months earlier. After victims' families refused forgiveness offers, the boy fired the fatal shot amid religious chants. UN Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett condemned the execution as "inhuman, cruel and contrary to international law." This marks the Taliban's 11th judicial execution since returning to power in 2021.

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)

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. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin met US envoy Steve Witkoff and Donald Trump’s adviser Jared Kushner in Moscow for talks on the Ukraine war. Before the meeting, Putin said Europe’s peace demands were “not acceptable,” adding that Russia does not want war with Europe but is “ready to fight” if needed. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said parts of the draft peace plan still need work but believes there is now a real chance to end the war. Fighting continues on the ground, especially near Pokrovsk. Ukrainian soldiers and civilians remain divided on whether peace talks can bring a solution soon. (PC: BBC)

Schools in Chennai will stay closed on December 3 as the IMD warns of very heavy rain in Tamil Nadu. The rain comes from the weakened Cyclone Ditwah, now a depression near the Tamil Nadu–Puducherry coast. Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kanchipuram also shut schools on Tuesday due to nonstop rain and flooding. Several parts of Chennai, Chengelpet and Kanchipuram saw waterlogging. The state said four people died in rain-related incidents and over 1,600 houses were damaged. Chennai received 15 cm of rain in 24 hours. More rain is likely in Chennai, Cuddalore, Kancheepuram and Thanjavur. (PC: HT)

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Europe on Tuesday that Russia is "ready right now" for war if European nations choose that path. Speaking at a Moscow investment forum, Putin accused European leaders of abandoning peace efforts and supporting continued hostilities in Ukraine, stating "they are on the side of war." He claimed European governments are making unacceptable demands that obstruct U.S. President Trump's negotiated settlement efforts. Putin's comments came as U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held high-stakes talks in Moscow regarding a 28-point peace draft. Putin also threatened expanded strikes on Ukrainian ports and vessels, describing recent attacks on Russian tankers as "piracy" and suggesting cutting Ukraine off from sea access. (PC: Al Jazeera)