India is poised to acquire its second homemade aircraft carrier, a $4.8 billion warship displacing 45,000 tons to accommodate at least 28 fighter jets and helicopters. The new carrier, expected to be approved by the Defense Acquisition Council on Friday, will fly French-made Rafale jets as part of its arsenal. The acquisition comes a year after India's first indigenous carrier INS Vikrant joined the fleet. The expanded naval capabilities aim to counter China's increasingly dominant People's Liberation Army Navy, already the world's largest with 370 ships and submarines. India plans a three-carrier battle group to project wider influence across the Indian Ocean amid intensifying regional competition. India has set a goal to field 160 warships by 2030 and 175 by 2035 through its naval expansion and modernization program to keep pace with rivals.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally spoke by phone to the 41 workers after their rescue from the collapsed Silkyara tunnel. "You all have shown exemplary bravery," Modi told them, adding "17 days is not a brief period and it was commendable that the workers did not lose hope." One worker recounted to the PM, "We stayed together like brothers. We used to eat together. After dinner, we used to walk inside the 2.5 km tunnel." Praising their unity, Modi said, "It is not rare to get into a little tu tu-main main. This happens even in a railway compartment. But you all have remained united." Lauding the rescue efforts as well, the PM highlighted that VK Singh "showed his Army training and discipline.”

Indian actress Rashmika Mandanna is encouraging women, especially young women, to speak up if they are targeted by deepfake videos after a manipulated video of herself recently went viral. In a statement, Mandanna said if this had happened when she was in school she doesn't know how she would have handled it. The 27-year-old said the support from colleagues in the film industry after the incident made her feel safe, but she wants all women to know this behavior is not normal and they should not stay quiet. Mandanna called for the issue to be addressed urgently before more people are victimized by such identity theft.

After being trapped for 17 days in the collapsed Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi, all 41 workers have finally been rescued. Vishal, a resident of Mandi, Himachal Pradesh described the initial days as "difficult" but said morale remained strong with proper food. Vishal's mother, Urmila, thanked the Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh state governments for the successful operation. Rescue teams involving the NDRF, SDRF, Army, and tunnelling experts worked tirelessly before cheering crowds greeted the escape. The men were taken to local health centers while residents celebrated their miraculous survival.

"I thought they would progress at the rate of two to three meters in 18/20 hours. But they managed to do 10 meters in less than 18 hours," said Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain, a member of NDMA, praising the "rat miners" who rescued 41 people trapped in a tunnel in Uttarakhand for 17 days. The specially skilled labourers, experienced in narrow shaft digging, worked "under extremely cramped conditions" yet "took impediments in stride and managed to deliver fast." Hasnain compared the nonchalant, confident miners to "battle-hardened soldiers", saying their years of experience enabled the quick 12-metre breakthrough that special devices had failed to achieve. Asked how the rat miners were roped in for the job, the officer said the suggestion probably came from an open source and "someone took it seriously". Thank God!

Hamas is under pressure to locate and release 10-month-old Kfir Bibas, the youngest hostage, and his family being held hostage in Gaza as a 48-hour ceasefire extension is agreed upon with Israel. Hamas says it is not holding all of the hostages. The Bibas family — parents Yarden, 34, and Shiri, 32, along with four-year-old Ariel and Kfir were transferred to another Palestinian terror group in Gaza, according to the Israeli military. The pause provides relief for Gaza's Palestinian population, allowing aid to reach the beleaguered territory. Amid conflicting reports on the Bibas family's location, Israel Defense Forces expressed doubt about their release during the truce. With 51 hostages released so far, families experience moments of uncertainty, while Hamas denies holding all hostages. On Tuesday, 28 November 2023) 12 hostages including 10 Israelis and 2 Thai nationals were released by Hamas and returned to Israeli territory.

At the recent groundbreaking Indo-UK Leadership Summit held in London to explore blending ancient Vedic knowledge and modern innovations, retired NASA scientist Professor Randal Mieke captivated attendees. In his keynote speech, he unveiled astonishing details about 5,000-year-old ancient Indian Vimana (flying machines), mentioned in the Hindu holy text Ramayana, that harnessed mercury and thorium for energy production. Professor Mieke in his speech highlighted that replicating this long-lost knowledge could provide sustainable, eco-friendly solutions to the global energy crisis. This revelation from the Summit, which convened experts across industries from India, the UK, and the USA to harness the wisdom of the past to empower the future, underscored the towering capabilities hidden within centuries-old Vedic science waiting to be rediscovered through cross-cultural collaboration.

The 41 workers rescued from Uttarakhand's Silkyara-Barkot tunnel face 24-hour medical observation at Chinyalisaur health center. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami notes decisions on their next steps await doctor recommendations. Despite health, workers crawled through rescue pipes, declining stretchers. The state pledges Rs 1 lakh aid per worker, with cheques to be handed over soon. Jharkhand and Odisha consider air travel for their workers; other states decide post-medical checks. Rescue teams and machines nationwide begin departing. Government announces forthcoming safety audits for all Uttarakhand tunnels. A crucial phase of care and recovery unfolds for the rescued workers.

After 17 tough days, 41 workers rescued from the Uttarkashi tunnel express immense joy, calling it their "real Diwali." A relieved father shares, "The mountain finally opened its lap today." Foreman Gabbar Singh Negi, true to his word, exits with a smile. Families, emotional but hopeful, thank the rescue teams. Chief Minister Dhami applauds the challenging rescue, prioritizing the youngest. Another father adds, "I have brought clothes for him; I want to see him in washed clothes." Emotional stories of survival and camaraderie unfold as families prepare to travel with their loved ones to medical centers. A heartwarming end to a challenging rescue.

The UK braces for potential disruption as the Met Office issues yellow weather warnings, forecasting snow and ice that could lead to hazardous conditions. Affected regions, including Central Scotland, Tayside, Yorkshire, and more, are advised to prepare for longer journey times on roads and railways. With an emphasis on potential slips and falls on icy surfaces, residents are urged to exercise caution. Snow accumulation of 1-3cm is expected, reaching up to 5cm in northeast Scotland. The warnings, spanning from Tuesday evening to Thursday morning, prompt safety measures, including checking on vulnerable neighbors and adopting extreme caution for unavoidable travel.