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The Maldives government on Sunday suspended three of its ministers over derogatory remarks made against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he posted about his trip to Lakshadweep on social media platform X.

According to several media reports, ministers Mariyam Shiuna, Malsha Shareef, and Mahzoom Majid have been suspended for triggering a massive row which has resulted in 'Boycott Maldives' trending on social media platforms.

"The foreign ministry has issued a statement on the social media posts that are insulting to neighbouring India ... Those who made such posts on social media while in government positions have now been suspended from their jobs," the Maldives government said in a statement.

Striking a major blow at the very heart of piracy emanating from the Gulf of Aden, Indian warship INS Chennai and its marine commandos thwarted the attempted hijack of a Liberia-flagged merchant vessel and safely rescued its 21 crew members, including 15 Indians, in north Arabian Sea on Friday evening.

The Navy said the five to six armed pirates, who had boarded MV Lila Norfolk around 460 nautical miles east of Eyl in Somalia on Thursday evening,“probably abandoned” the merchant vessel after the “forceful warning” issued by Indian P-8I patrol aircraft through open channels as well as the “interception” by the 7,500-tonne guide missile destroyer INS Chennai.

Several parts of Delhi-NCR woke up to dense fog on Saturday, accompanied by a bone-chilling cold wave. The national capital, already grappling with chilly weather, experienced a further dip in temperature as the cold wave tightened its grip. Residents navigated through thick blankets of fog, with the mercury levels plummeting, making it a challenging morning for commuters.

Parts of Uttar Pradesh also found itself shrouded in a blanket of fog, adding to the winter woes.

In Rajasthan, Jaipur city witnessed a layer of fog enveloping its streets, and, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), is expected to experience 'dense or very dense fog with cold day conditions' today. The minimum temperature is predicted to drop to 8°C, while the maximum temperature is anticipated to reach 18°C.

At least four people were killed after a train in the Gopibag area of Bangladesh's capital, Dhaka, caught fire in an alleged case of arson ahead of the national election, scheduled for January 7, the Associated Press reported.

Four coaches of the passenger train, Benapole Express, came under the grip of the blaze in what is alleged to be an attack aimed at scaring people and barring them from voting in the parliamentary elections. The fire broke out as the train was moving towards the Dhaka railway station at 9 pm (local time).

The two prominent political parties – the ruling Awami League and the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party – are at loggerheads over the conduct of the elections.

India has 60 days to file an appeal against the ruling of Qatar court of appeal in the Indian Navy veterans' case that reduced their death sentences but upheld 'spying' charges against them. The foreign ministry on Thursday said it is in touch with the legal team and the family members to decide the next course of action.

The team has the option of filing an appeal in the court of cassation, the highest court in Qatar. It is responsible for deciding on appeals against judgments issued by court of appeal.