President Joe Biden expresses concern that Israel is losing international support due to its indiscriminate bombing in Gaza amid the Hamas conflict. Speaking at a fundraising event, Biden suggests a shift in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's hardline approach. Netanyahu reaffirms U.S.-Israel unity but highlights differences on Gaza's future, ruling out a return of the Palestinian Authority. White House adviser Jake Sullivan plans to discuss the war's timetable during an upcoming visit to Israel. Biden also schedules a meeting with families of Americans held hostage by Hamas. Tensions persist over the handling of the Gaza conflict.

Amid the aftermath of Cyclone Michaung, an oil spill in Chennai sparks a blame game between Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) and Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL). The spill in Ennore, home to refineries, raises environmental concerns and compounds challenges for flood-affected locals. TNPCB directs CPCL to map affected areas, implement remedial measures, and faces operational suspension threats for zero leakage. Residents suffer health issues, and CPCL is held liable for compensating affected families. The National Green Tribunal's intervention adds pressure for accountability in this post-cyclone environmental crisis.

FBI Director Christopher Wray assured the National Investigation Agency (NIA) of an "aggressive" investigation into attacks on the Indian Consulate in San Francisco. During high-level talks, NIA's Dinkar Gupta highlighted the expanding nexus of terrorists and gangsters reaching the US. The July 2 attack by pro-Khalistan supporters followed the killing of Khalistan Tiger Force chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Wray emphasized common ground with NIA and discussed cyber threats, terror financing via cryptocurrency, and challenges posed by encrypted apps. Both agencies pledged to enhance cooperation against evolving terrorism threats. Wray's visit aims to strengthen collaboration between US and Indian security agencies.

In the opening address at the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared, "AI has the potential to revolutionize India's tech landscape, but it also poses risks." He underscored the dual nature of AI, cautioning, "AI tools in the hands of terrorists is also a big threat." Expressing concern about deepfake technology, he added, "Deepfake is a challenge for the world." Modi urged international collaboration, stating, "We need to plan how to tackle this," emphasizing the necessity for a responsible global framework for ethical AI use. The warning aligns with escalating worries over AI's illicit and unethical applications.

Despite facing plagiarism accusations, Harvard University President Claudine Gay will remain in her role as the governing board offers support, signaling confidence in her leadership. The decision, following a meeting, has stirred speculation about the longevity of Gay's tenure. The Harvard Corporation affirmed its belief in Gay's capacity to guide the community and address societal challenges. However, questions surrounding the integrity of her scholarly work persist. The board's stance defies external pressures, highlighting the delicate balance between free speech concerns and allegations of antisemitism on campus. The controversy adds complexity to Harvard's academic landscape.            

The Indian government has presented three redrafted bills in Parliament aiming to replace existing criminal laws. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam bills seek to replace the Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure Act, and Indian Evidence Act. Notable changes include the inclusion of "economic security" in the definition of terrorism. Home Minister Amit Shah stated the decision to reintroduce the bills was based on recommendations from the parliamentary standing committee. The proposed amendments also address issues like the publication of court proceedings revealing identities of victims.

In an unexpected move, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has appointed first-time MLA Bhajan Lal Sharma as the new Chief Minister of Rajasthan, following the party's recent overwhelming victory. This decision diverged from speculations favoring Vasundhara Raje and other prominent names. Sharma, a relatively unknown figure outside Rajasthan BJP circles, promptly expressed gratitude to Vasundhara Raje for proposing his name. The deputy chief ministers, MP-turned-MLA Diya Kumari and Prem Chand Bairwa, aim to balance caste equations. The surprising selection reflects the BJP's strategy in the lead-up to the upcoming general elections.          

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has named Diya Kumari, scion of the royal family of Jaipur, as one of the new Deputy Chief Ministers of Rajasthan. Born on January 30, 1971, to the last ruling Maharaja of Jaipur, Man Singh II, and daughter of war hero Brigadier Sawai Bhawani Singh, Kumari has a rich background. Her political journey began in 2013 as an MLA, later ascending to the national stage as a Member of Parliament in 2019. Beyond politics, she manages various business ventures and runs the Princess Diya Kumari Foundation, focusing on women's empowerment and philanthropy.

Former President Donald Trump continues to dominate the 2024 Republican presidential nomination race with 61% support among GOP voters in a new Reuters/Ipsos poll. His closest rivals Florida's Ron DeSantis and ex-South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley trail at 11% each. The poll shows Trump maintaining his solid support base despite facing criminal charges for allegedly soliciting election fraud and inciting the attack on U.S Capitol in 2021. Just a quarter of Republican respondents believe those accusations, indicating limited impact on Trump's standing. With the first nomination ballots two months away, the poll also found no evidence of Republicans coalescing around an alternative like DeSantis or Haley as a Trump alternative.

India's retail inflation rose to 5.55% in November from 4.87% in October, official data showed. While lower than economist estimates of 5.8%, inflation has now spent 50 straight months above the RBI's 4% medium-term target. A low base from November 2021, when prices had fallen 0.1% month-on-month, coupled with higher food prices drove the uptick. The sequential rise in Consumer Food Price Index at 1.1% outpaced the broader Consumer Price Index's 0.5% rise, underscoring the pressure from food items. Despite staying within the 2-6% tolerance band for three months, persistent above-target inflation remains a policy concern.