Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended India's ecological-economic equilibrium at COP28, highlighting its 17% global population share with less than 4% carbon emissions. He affirmed India's commitment to NDC targets, aiming for a 45% reduction in emissions intensity and a 50% share of non-fossil fuels by 2030. Proposing COP33 in India in 2028, Modi advocated the Green Credit Initiative for carbon sinks. The PM emphasized global responsibility for climate welfare, stating, "Mother Earth is looking towards us." Modi's proactive stance made him the sole leader at COP28's opening plenary, alongside COP28 President Al Jaber and UN Climate Change President Steill.

Israeli military leaders possessed detailed documents outlining Hamas' battle plans for October 7, a year before the deadly attack occurred. The intelligence, codenamed 'Jericho Wall,' accurately predicted Hamas' methods of breaching the border, targeting infrastructure, and taking hostages. Despite having a 40-page document, Israeli authorities dismissed the plan as too ambitious. Tragically, on October 7, Hamas executed the attack with shocking precision, resulting in 1,200 Israeli casualties and over 200 hostages. Israel's subsequent siege on Gaza has led to significant Palestinian casualties, with efforts for a temporary truce mediated by Qatar. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu asserts an unwavering commitment to eliminating Hamas.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed hosting the COP33 climate summit in India in 2028 during his address at the opening of COP28 in Dubai. Modi reiterated India's goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2070. Additional world leaders speaking at the summit include King Charles III, Kenyan President Ruto, Turkey's President Erdogan, Ukraine's President Zelenskiy, and Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Modi will spend 21 hours in Dubai, delivering 4 speeches, attending 2 initiatives, holding 7 bilateral meetings, and informal pull-asides. Further climate finance and policy progress is expected to be announced during the action-packed COP28 summit.

Indian Navy chief Admiral R Hari Kumar has asserted that the government is making an "all-out effort" to ensure eight former naval officers sentenced to death in Qatar are brought back to India. While a Qatari court accepted India's appeal against the death penalty last month, the government remains actively engaged with authorities there to resolve the issue casting a pall over bilateral ties. Admiral Kumar reassured that the veterans with outstanding service records have the full support of Indian agencies working closely to protect their welfare and facilitate their return. The former naval men were working for a private Qatar firm when detained last August on unspecified charges rumored to involve espionage.

A senior Paraguayan official has been fired for signing a cooperation agreement with representatives of the purported "United States of Kailasa," presented as a South American island state. The officials met with multiple ministers to discuss projects and establishing diplomatic ties. However, Kailasa does not actually exist, and "Paramashivam" is an alias for Indian fugitive Nithyananda. After the embarrassing blunder came to light, Paraguay's Agriculture Ministry dismissed the chief of staff who signed the now-worthless memorandum framed with official letterhead and seals. The ministry said procedural errors were made and the document carries no governmental obligations, while regretting having been duped by the fictional state and its fugitive leader.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has implemented major changes to the assessment system for Classes 10 and 12, ceasing to award overall divisions or distinctions. As per a new CBSE notice, focus will shift to individual subject performance instead of aggregate scores. The onus of choosing the best five subjects for grade calculation now falls upon the admitting institute or employer in cases where students opt for more than five subjects. The notice clearly states that the CBSE itself will not calculate or declare percentages, leaving any required percentage calculations for admissions or jobs to the concerned authorities. This move aligns with CBSE's decision last year to not publish merit lists or declare overall toppers. (Representative Image)

Sikhs for Justice founder Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has mocked the Indian government's investigation into alleged assassination plots against him, stating "The only thing, I think, (the) Indian government is going to investigate (is) why their hitman could not kill one person." Rejecting his terrorist designation by India, Pannun claims he fights "India's violence with words" and "bullets with ballots." Indian intelligence sources criticize Pannun for trying to gain money from U.S. charges against an Indian national for allegedly conspiring to kill him. They say the U.S. should see Pannun's role in threatening India, and he should be handed to India for prosecution under multiple NIA cases rather than being harbored. India and U.S. remain in discussion sharing intelligence on the matter.

As exit polls predict a Congress edge in the recently concluded Telangana Assembly elections, the party high command is considering shifting its MLAs to Bengaluru or another city after results are declared on December 3. This contingency plan aims to prevent poaching if Congress falls just short of a majority in a tight contest. Telangana Congress president Revanth Reddy remains confident Congress will secure a two-thirds majority win, but the central leadership wants to take no chances. Coordinators have been deployed to escort winning candidates to undisclosed spots initially, before likely transporting legislators together to Karnataka under the watch of Congress leader DK Shivakumar, known for successfully managing similar situations.

As heavy rains continue to lash Chennai, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin held a review meeting on cyclone preparedness as a storm brews over the Bay of Bengal. With the IMD forecasting cyclonic storm 'Miachaung' likely forming on December 3, Stalin directed officials to evacuate vulnerable residents and be prepared to clear fallen trees, drain flooded areas, maintain smooth traffic, and take all precautions. The CM asked officials to focus on Chennai's waterlogged neighborhoods by immediately deploying pumps. The IMD predicts heavy rains and thunderstorms will continue hammering Chennai and other coastal Tamil Nadu districts over the next few days ahead of the expected cyclone.

Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh has finally broken his silence over the controversy sparked by a photo of him resting his feet on the World Cup trophy after Australia's finals victory over India. Facing intense criticism from Indian fans, Marsh stated that he meant "no disrespect at all" in the photo and hasn't given the angry social media responses much thought or attention. However, an activist in India still filed a police complaint against him last week over the perceived insolent gesture. Marsh claims he was unaware of the furor and stands by not having any "disrespect meant" when the photo was taken during the team's celebrations, though the image clearly upset many Indian supporters regardless of intent.