Delhi's air quality has slipped back into the 'severe' category on Friday after briefly improving earlier this week. Thick smog enveloped the city as the 24-hour average AQI rose to 412 in multiple areas. This marks the tenth 'severe' air day this November for the capital. Morning walkers claimed breathing difficulties due to the pollution which intensifies in winter. Authorities have reimplemented lower GRAP stages after withdrawing the highest stages few days back when air quality had relatively improved. However, forecasts predict no significant meteorological changes in the coming days to disperse smog. Despite recent intermittent fluctuations, Delhi's average November AQI this year matched previous years signaling sustained pollution crisis.

Israel freed 30 Palestinian prisoners overnight, including 23 minors and 7 women, as part of an extended truce agreement with Hamas. This brings the total number of released Palestiniansprisoners to 240. The releases are part of a hostage swap deal that has seen 110 hostages freed by Hamas, including 80 Israelis, since the truce began on November 24th. Under the agreement, a minimum of 10 Israeli hostages should be released each day in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. The deal is set to expire within hours, though a source says the releases so far have fulfilled the stipulations. The prisoner releases aim to deescalate tensions, though long term resolution remains uncertain.

After being trapped in a collapsed tunnel in Uttarakhand for 17 days, all 41 rescued workers have been declared medically fit by AIIMS-Rishikesh. The workers were admitted to the hospital on Wednesday and underwent extensive health evaluations. The medical bulletin stated that no injuries were found and all workers were physically normal and clinically stable. 40 workers have been discharged, while one worker stayed for treatment of a pre-existing heart condition not related to the tunnel collapse. Officials gave clearance for all workers to return home, ending their life-threatening ordeal. The complex rescue operation saved the lives of all 41 workers, who thanked the rescue teams. AIIMS advised the workers to consult doctors if they experience any mental changes in the coming days.

The 14th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) between India and China on Ladakh's border standoff concluded without immediate signs of a breakthrough. Discussions centered on resolving remaining issues and achieving disengagement in the region. Specific friction points, including Demchok and Depsang, were not addressed in the official statement. Both nations affirmed the importance of maintaining peace along the border, committing to further dialogue through military and diplomatic channels. The next senior military commanders' meeting is set to be held promptly to advance objectives. The Ladakh situation remains a focal point in bilateral relations.    

US prosecutors accused an unnamed Indian official of directing a plan to assassinate separatist Gurpatwant Pannun in America. On Thursday, the Justice Department charged Indian national Nikhil Gupta for allegedly colluding with the official on the foiled New York murder scheme against the Sikhs for Justice founder. US Attorney Damian Williams asserted "The defendant conspired from India to assassinate, right here in New York City, a US citizen of Indian origin..." The indictment follows reports US agencies disrupted the plot and warned India about potential involvement. Though anonymous, the official allegedly "directed" the attack on US soil by recruiting Gupta to orchestrate Pannun's killing. Despite global calls for restraint, allegations emerge of Indian authorities spearheading an extraterritorial rendition effort against a separatist leader.

Meeting US Secretary Blinken, Israeli PM Netanyahu asserted "I told him we have sworn, and I have sworn, to destroy Hamas. Nothing will stop us." Netanyahu insisted to the visiting dignitary "This is the same Hamas" behind the October massacre and ongoing terror plots. His forceful comments came shortly after a Jerusalem attack killing 3 Israelis was claimed by Hamas. The group called it a "natural response" to occupation "crimes." Netanyahu's uncompromising stand on obliterating Hamas contrasts with cautious US-backed efforts to sustain an uneasy truce. But he remains singularly focused on decisively crushing the "same Hamas", impervious to growing international calls for Gaza calm.

At least three people were killed and eight wounded when two Palestinian attackers fired on civilians at a crowded Jerusalem bus stop on Thursday before being shot dead. The militants arrived in a car armed with rifles and a handgun, rushing out to open fire as terrified people fled. Security footage showed soldiers and a civilian stopping the vehicle moments prior. The deadly incident occurred soon after Israel and Hamas agreed to further extend the Gaza truce for more hostage releases and aid passage. Earlier conflicting reports emerged over proposals to enable the truce extension. But Israel then confirmed Hamas provided an adherent hostage list shortly before the initial deadline expired. The peace remained precarious amid violence like the bus stop assault in Jerusalem.

Exit polls suggest a thumping win for Madhya Pradesh's incumbent BJP with most predicting a dominant showing against the Congress. The Axis My India survey shows BJP securing 140-162 seats in the 230-member assembly, far ahead of Congress' 68-90 seat tally. The median projection gives BJP 152 and Congress 76 seats, pointing to anti-incumbency beating by CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan. He leads as most preferred CM choice too. Though one exit poll said Congress has a slight edge, overall surveys signal advantage BJP. On aggregate across 5 polls, BJP is forecast winning 130 seats, beating Congress' 98, confirming the saffron party's strong position despite being in power and winning narrowly last time against a Congress fightback post Kamal Nath.

The Rajasthan assembly election is headed for a close contest as well with exit polls showing a slight edge for the ruling Congress. The India Today survey projects 86-106 seats for Congress in the 199-member house while BJP gets 80-100 seats, indicating a cliffhanger and hung verdict chance. Vote share is forecast as split between the two at 42% Congress and 41% BJP. Other polls also show a tight race. Despite anti-incumbency, CM Ashok Gehlot emerges most preferred for the post as per India Today poll. But the pendulum trend in Rajasthan continues with surveys unable to conclusively call if Congress will beat BJP, now forecast within touching distance after a 2018 rout.

The Chhattisgarh election is headed for a close finish between Congress and BJP with a hung assembly possibility as per exit polls. The India Today survey shows Congress winning 40-50 seats, leading BJP's 36-46 seats tally in the 90-member house. Congress is tipped to lose 23 seats from its 2018 landslide while BJP gains 26. Vote share is almost split equally between the two. CM Bhupesh Baghel retains most preferred CM choice. Other exit polls also signal a tight race though C-Voter projects BJP inching ahead. This is a setback for Congress which secured a massive 68 seat victory in 2018 against BJP's 15. With polls predicting a major drop in Congress numbers, the state could be headed for a fragile government scenario.