Goa nightclub fire owners Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra booked Thailand flight tickets at 1:17 AM on December 7 while rescue operations were underway at their burning club that killed 25 people. They boarded IndiGo flight 6E 1073 to Phuket from Delhi at 5:30 AM. Co-owner Ajay Gupta was detained in Delhi after being declared missing, while British national Surinder Kumar Khosla remains under Look Out Circular. Investigators discovered the brothers' SIM card was registered under their former driver Ram Hari Singh's name without his knowledge. Four luxury vehicles owned by the family have vanished. An Interpol Blue Corner Notice remains active. Their newly-built crore-rupee Goa house stands deserted.(PC: Moneycontrol & The Economic Times)

US trade delegation led by Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer arrived in India for crucial bilateral talks, meeting Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and negotiating teams. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal expressed optimism, stating discussions are "progressing well" with "many dots connected." US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer praised India's "strongest trade proposals in years," calling New Delhi "quite forward-leaning." However, Trump's 50% cumulative tariffs on Indian goods complicate negotiations, causing Indian exports to decline 8.58% to $6.3 billion in October. Both nations pursue parallel tracks: a comprehensive trade agreement aiming to boost bilateral trade from $191 billion to $500 billion by 2030, and a framework deal addressing tariff challenges. Officials hope for resolution this calendar year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu held a strategic telephone conversation Wednesday, reviewing their growing bilateral partnership and regional challenges. Both leaders strongly condemned terrorism, reiterating zero-tolerance toward all forms of terror. They discussed the evolving West Asia situation, with Modi reaffirming India's support for just and durable peace, including early implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan. The conversation follows their October call when Netanyahu paused a cabinet meeting to speak with Modi, who had congratulated him on Gaza peace progress. The leaders expressed satisfaction with the continued momentum in India-Israel ties and committed to strengthening the partnership for mutual benefit. They agreed to remain in regular contact.(PC: The Hindu)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday. Netanyahu called Modi to discuss ways to strengthen the India-Israel strategic partnership. Both leaders said they are happy with the current progress in ties between the two nations. They also repeated their shared zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism. According to an official statement, Modi and Netanyahu agreed to keep working together for security and mutual benefit. The conversation highlighted the growing cooperation between India and Israel in defence, technology, and other key areas. (PC: Reuters)

The United States said India has given its “best offer ever” in the current trade talks. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer called India a “tough nut to crack” but also “forward-leaning”. A US team led by Deputy USTR Rick Switzer is in New Delhi for negotiations on farm goods and other products. Greer said India’s new proposals look promising as the US tries to expand its export markets. He added that the US will keep trade ties with China as well. Another US official, Allison Hooker, met India’s foreign secretary to push progress on the broader strategic partnership. (PC: AP)

A new US rule asking H-1B and H-4 visa applicants to make their social media profiles public has caused panic among Indians. The rule starts on December 15 and lets consular officers check posts on X, Instagram and LinkedIn. Many fear extra delays and tough scrutiny. Visa interviews in Indian consulates, including Hyderabad and Chennai, have been suddenly cancelled and moved to March 2026. This has disrupted jobs, travel and family plans. The US Embassy warned applicants to follow their new dates. The State Department said the rule is needed for security checks and applies to all applicants. (PC: India Today)

Amazon announced it will invest $35 billion in India by 2030 to expand its digital, logistics, and AI businesses. The investment aims to create 1 million direct and indirect jobs across technology, operations, logistics, and customer support. Amazon has already invested nearly $40 billion in India over 15 years, digitising 12 million small businesses and enabling $20 billion in e-commerce exports. The company plans to make AI tools accessible to 15 million small businesses, support 4 million students with AI education, and quadruple exports to $80 billion. This move strengthens India as a key growth market. (PC: India Today)

The US Embassy in India issued an urgent advisory warning H-1B visa applicants after numerous appointments were rescheduled due to new social media vetting policies. Arriving on original appointment dates will result in entry denial. This follows the Trump administration's December 3 announcement of enhanced vetting for H-1B applicants, requiring consular officers to review LinkedIn profiles and resumes for work involving "censorship," content moderation, fact-checking, or online safety. The US has revoked 85,000 visas since January, including 8,000 student visas, citing DUI, theft, assault, and politically sensitive activities. The policy particularly targets tech sector workers from India and China, focusing on alleged suppression of conservative voices and free speech concerns.

US President Donald Trump signaled fresh tariffs on India after learning that American rice farmers face stiff competition from imports. During a White House roundtable with agriculture sector representatives, Louisiana rice mill owner Meryl Kennedy told Trump that India, Thailand, and China are "dumping" rice into US markets, devastating southern producers. Kennedy specifically noted Puerto Rico, formerly a major US rice market hasn't received American shipments in years due to foreign competition. When Trump asked Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent about India's tariff exemptions, Bessent confirmed they're "still working on their trade deal." Trump emphasized tariffs would "solve the problem easily" and promised to "take care of it," while announcing $12 billion in federal aid for struggling American farmers.

Hina Mir, a Labour Party councillor and solicitor from west London, has been fined £40,000 after losing an appeal over breaching immigration law by hiring Indian student Himanshi Gongley as a nanny illegally. Gongley, 22, was paid £1,200 monthly in cash despite lacking UK work rights. Reports revealed she worked “24 hours a day, six days a week” caring for Mir’s children. The student, distressed, flagged down police in August 2024, later claiming abuse and suicidal feelings. Mir denied wrongdoing, calling her a “social visitor.” Judge Stephen Hellman found Mir’s evidence inconsistent. Alongside £3,620 court costs, opposition councillors demand her resignation, citing serious breach of public trust. (PC: NDTV)