Vance's hug with Erika Kirk ignites rumours, Trump backs Cuomo in NYC mayoral race

The top focus of this episode of India Today Global is the swirling rumours around US Vice President J.D. Vance and Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk, the high-stakes New York City mayoral election, and Pakistan's acquisition of Chinese-built Hangar-class submarines. Discussing the tight race between Zohran Mamdani and Andrew Cuomo, US President Donald Trump stated, "He's a communist. He's not a socialist, by the way." The programme also delves into the strategic implications of Pakistan's new naval assets for India's maritime security in the Indian Ocean. Further segments explore a prolonged US government shutdown and compare Delhi's struggle with air pollution to Beijing's successful clean-air campaign.