UK companies expanded their Indian footprint with Rs 5,693 billion turnover and 552,902 employees, according to Grant Thornton Bharat and CII's 'Britain Meets India' 2025 report. The study identified 794 UK-owned companies operating in India, up from 667 last year, with 146 high-performers achieving 49% average growth. The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), signed during PM Modi's July UK visit, aims to enhance the 44.1-billion-pound bilateral partnership pending British Parliament ratification. Business services lead at 19%, followed by industrial products (18%) and financial services (14%). Maharashtra and Delhi NCR host 67% of high-growth UK firms. Vedanta Limited tops UK companies with Rs 1,463 billion revenue and 97,015 employees. (PC: X) 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump held a phone conversation Thursday amid ongoing trade negotiations between both nations. Modi stated they reviewed bilateral progress and discussed regional and global developments, emphasizing continued cooperation for "global peace, stability and prosperity." The call followed US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer calling India "a difficult nut to crack" while acknowledging receipt of India's "best ever" trade proposal during two-day talks in New Delhi. Key disagreements persist over farm imports, particularly US crops like corn and soybeans, with India protecting small farmers from foreign competition. Trump recently threatened new tariffs on Indian rice over alleged dumping, adding to existing 50% tariffs, America's highest on any country.

The Delhi High Court criticized the Centre over the IndiGo crisis involving hundreds of flight cancellations, questioning how airlines increased fares to Rs 40,000. Justice Gedela asked why other carriers were allowed to exploit the chaos, with Mumbai-Delhi economy tickets reaching Rs 35,000, normally Rs 20,000 round-trip. The court questioned why the situation arose and why pilots were overworked. While DGCA issued show-cause notices to IndiGo, which apologized profusely, the court emphasized concerns about lakhs of stranded passengers and economic impact. The Centre reduced IndiGo's winter schedule by 5%, cutting 110 daily flights from their 2,200-flight operation. Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu assured strict action, stating safety is "non-negotiable." (PC: X & The Hindu) 

The Indian government informed Parliament that global air quality rankings by organizations like IQAir, WHO, Environmental Performance Index, and Global Burden of Disease metrics are unofficial, conducted by no recognized authority. Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh clarified that WHO air quality guidelines serve only as advisory values, not binding standards, helping countries establish their own norms based on geography, environmental conditions, and national circumstances. India has notified National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for 12 pollutants to protect public health and environment. The government conducts its own annual Swachh Vayu Survekshan, ranking 130 cities under the National Clean Air Programme based on air quality improvement measures, with awards presented on National Swachh Vayu Diwas (September 7). (PC: X)

India won the toss and elected to field in the 2nd T20 against South Africa in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh. South Africa blazed to 79/1 in 9 overs at a run rate of 8.78, with Quinton de Kock smashing 52 off 27 balls (4 fours, 4 sixes) in dangerous form. The Proteas scored 53 runs in the powerplay for one wicket as De Kock and Reeza Hendricks launched a fierce assault. Varun Chakravarthy dismissed Hendricks to provide India a breakthrough. Aiden Markram stands at 13 off 17 balls. Hardik Pandya conceded 17 runs in 1.6 overs. The match remains evenly poised, though India needs quick wickets to regain control.

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan confirmed he will meet football legend Lionel Messi at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium on December 13 during Messi's GOAT India Tour. Khan posted on X, expressing excitement about the "Messi" day ride, sparking massive fan enthusiasm online. Fans celebrated the meeting between megastars from their respective fields. Meanwhile, Shah Rukh Khan prepares for his upcoming action drama King, co-starring daughter Suhana Khan, alongside Abhishek Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Rani Mukerji, and others. Khan revealed he's wanted to make this film for seven-eight years, collaborating with director Sujoy Mukerji for emotional correctness. Director Siddharth Anand, who made Pathaan, maintains strict secrecy about production details.

Former Pakistan spy chief Faiz Hameed received a 14-year prison sentence for violating state secrets and abusing authority. The military court convicted him of engaging in political activities and causing wrongful loss to persons. Hameed served as ISI chief from 2019-2021 under former Prime Minister Imran Khan's government and remained a staunch Khan supporter who openly challenged the military. After Khan's ouster, Hameed took early retirement but was detained in August 2024 following allegations of raiding a real estate developer's businesses. He was stripped of all rank for multiple violations of the Pakistan Army Act. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed Hameed interfered in politics by advising Khan post-retirement, spreading chaos. (PC: NDTV)

Mexico approved tariffs up to 50% on hundreds of goods from countries without trade agreements, including India and China, effective next year. President Claudia Sheinbaum's government justified the move to protect local employment and manufacturing. Indian automakers face the heaviest impact, as Mexico is India's third-largest car export market after South Africa and Saudi Arabia. The tariffs threaten $1.8 billion worth of shipments from Volkswagen and Hyundai. India exported $5.63 billion to Mexico in 2025, with vehicles comprising $1.86 billion, followed by electrical equipment ($612 million), machinery ($561 million), organic chemicals ($388 million), and aluminum ($386 million). Indian industry groups are lobbying to prevent implementation. (PC: AFP) 

Bangladesh announced its 13th National Parliamentary Election for February 12, 2026, marking the first general polls since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ouster. Chief Election Commissioner Naseeruddin declared the country ready to conduct "free and democratic voting," urging citizens against fake news and rumors. The election will coincide with the July Charter referendum, with 300 parliamentary seats contested. Non-resident Bangladeshis can apply online from December 12-25. The nomination filing deadline is December 29, 2025, with scrutiny from December 30-January 4, 2026. Appeals against returning officers' decisions must be filed by January 11, with the Election Commission disposing them by January 18. Candidates can withdraw nominations until January 20, 2026. (PC: India Today & HT)

Sanskrit teaching has returned to Pakistan for the first time since the 1947 Partition, with the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) introducing a Sanskrit course after strong interest from students and researchers. What began as a three-month weekend workshop evolved into a full university credit course. Pakistan’s Punjab University houses a rich but long-undervalued Sanskrit manuscript collection that local scholars now aim to engage with. LUMS plans to offer courses on the Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita to cultivate homegrown expertise. Professors hope this initiative fosters cultural bridges and may grow into year-long language programmes by 2027. (PC: The Tribune)