Nepal has formally appealed to Russia to cease the deployment of Gurkha soldiers in Ukraine, where six Nepali soldiers embedded in the Russian army have lost their lives since February 2022. The Nepali government has requested the immediate return of the soldiers' bodies and compensation for their families. Expressing concern over the recruitment tactics, Nepal's ambassador to Moscow revealed that between 150 and 200 Nepalis have been working as mercenaries in the Russian army, with some being trafficked under alluring financial offers. The foreign ministry urges citizens to refrain from joining foreign armies outside existing agreements.

Severe Cyclonic Storm Michaung struck Andhra Pradesh, causing extensive damage and disrupting normalcy. Officials report the destruction of standing crops on thousands of acres, with uprooted trees and electric poles hampering relief efforts. Bapatla district alone sees the deployment of 50 special teams for cyclone relief workers. Over 1,350 people in Bapatla have been relocated to 27 relief camps. District Collector P Ranjit Bhasha instructs officials to assess the severe impact in 111 villages. Coastal areas, including Suryalanka and Guntur, still witness rough seas with 2-meter-high waves. South Central Railway cancels 305 trains, and Visakhapatnam suspends air traffic due to heavy rains.

In a shocking exposé, the BBC reports on gruesome details emerging from the Nova music festival attack by Hamas on October 7. Witnesses and video evidence depict a horrifying scene of gang rapes, mutilation, and executions, with victims spanning from children to pensioners. Several people involved in identifying bodies said they saw signs of multiple sexual assaults, including broken pelvises and torn tissues, among victims. In one police video, a witness described how Hamas terrorists passed and raped a bleeding victim, cutting her breast off before shooting her in the head. Few victims likely survived to recount their trauma. Police indicate "multiple" eyewitness accounts of sexual assault, but surviving victims are yet to be interviewed. Israel's Women's Empowerment Minister, May Golan, confirms rape survivors are undergoing psychiatric treatment. The article unravels the tragic and unsettling events that transpired, urging readers to delve into the full report.

The 29th Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) kicked off with a spectacular dance extravaganza as West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee joined Bollywood luminaries Salman Khan, Sonakshi Sinha, and Anil Kapoor on December 5, 2023. The vibrant celebration featured a lively performance to the KIFF theme song, captivating the audience. Salman Khan, a prominent guest, humorously remarked on the festival's grandeur and playfully teased about Mamata Banerjee's residence. The star-studded event also saw the presence of Mahesh Bhatt, Shatrughan Sinha, Sourav Ganguly, and others, adding to the glamour. KIFF, honoring global cinema, promises a cinematic feast for enthusiasts in Kolkata until December 12, 2023.

In a recent interview, Angelina Jolie suggested she may retire from acting in the near future, citing her disdain for the "unhealthy" Hollywood environment. The 48-year-old star slammed the industry as "shallow" and invasive, saying she's unimpressed by fame and would likely not have chosen acting if starting her career today. Jolie revealed plans to leave Los Angeles to instead live full-time at her home in Cambodia once resolving custody with ex-husband Brad Pitt, whom she split from in 2016 after a notorious plane altercation. Their bitter divorce and custody battle has restricted Jolie's travel and left her eager to escape the public Hollywood sphere. If she departs acting, Jolie's focus will shift to humanitarian work and her new sustainable fashion line.

Cyclone Michaung, initially a severe cyclonic storm, has weakened to a cyclonic storm after making landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast. Chennai faces severe flooding and continuous heavy rainfall, resulting in thirteen reported casualties. Red alerts are in effect for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts gradual weakening of the storm. Rescue operations, led by NDRF and IAF choppers, are underway. Chennai airport resumes flights, but Foxconn and Pegatron halt production. TDP Chief Chandrababu Naidu criticizes the Andhra government's response. Tamil Nadu seeks ₹5,000 crore in Central assistance for relief and redevelopment. Concerns linger over potential crop damage and infrastructural issues, with the IMD anticipating a gradual subsiding of rainfall by next week.

Ranbir Kapoor's latest blockbuster, "Animal," directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, achieved a milestone with an unprecedented Monday box office performance, earning over ₹40 crore. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh hailed it as the "biggest Monday ever," pushing the film's total to ₹216.64 crore in the Hindi version alone. With regional dubs contributing ₹29 crore, "Animal" eyes entry into the 500 crore club alongside 2023 hits like "Pathaan" and "Gadar 2." The film's relentless success prompts predictions of continued dominance until the festive season, marking a historic year in Hindi cinema.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will appeal directly to US senators in a video address Tuesday, as the White House warns Ukraine's ability to fend off Russia's invasion could soon grind to a halt without further American military and economic assistance. Zelensky's classified briefing comes as Congress debates approving $60 billion in additional support for Kyiv. The Biden administration says prior aid packages totaling over $100 billion are nearly depleted, even as Ukraine fights to defend critical territory against Russian advances. With Republican skepticism growing over the price tag, the effort to pass the new Ukraine aid package faces uncertainty. Zelensky will make an urgent case that continued robust US assistance is vital for Ukraine's survival.

The Israeli military has launched a major new offensive in southern Gaza, with troops surrounding the city of Khan Younis, the army's chief of staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi announced Tuesday. Halevi said the IDF is now in the "third phase" of its Gaza ground invasion, aiming to capture Hamas strongholds after seizing territory in northern Gaza over the past two months. Intense urban warfare is underway in Khan Younis, as ground forces battle Hamas militants with heavy firepower. Halevi vowed to strike Hamas "above and below ground," including eliminating senior commanders. The offensive comes after a week-long truce ended, with hostilities also resuming with Hezbollah in the north. Halevi asserted the IDF has seen success against terror on all fronts.

Former BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has reaffirmed his stance on Virat Kohli's exit as T20I captain, stating, "I didn't remove Virat from captaincy." Ganguly explained on Dadagiri Unlimited Season 10, "He wasn't interested in leading T20Is. After his decision, I told him, if not interested in T20Is, it's better to step down from entire white-ball cricket." Highlighting the importance of separate captains, Ganguly pushed Rohit Sharma to assume the role across formats. He acknowledged, "I have a bit of contribution, but it's the players who perform well on the field." Ganguly reiterated his commitment to enhancing Indian cricket during his tenure as BCCI President.