Modi speaks to Trump on economic ties

Days after hosting Russian President Vladimir Putin for a bilateral summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday. “Had a very warm and engaging conversation with President Trump. We reviewed the progress in our bilateral relations and discussed regional and international developments. India and the U.S. will continue to work together for global peace, stability and prosperity,” said Prime Minister Modi after the telephone conversation.

Bangladesh to hold general election, July Charter referendum on February 12

Bangladesh will hold its 13th national election on February 12, 2026, A.M.M. Nasir Uddin, the Chief Election Commissioner of Bangladesh, announced on Thursday (December 11, 2025). Announcing the poll schedule, which will be the country’s second election in 26 months, Mr. Nasir Uddin also declared that a referendum on the July Charter– a set of principles aimed at amending the onstitution of Bangladesh – will be held on the same day.

Mexico’s 50% tariffs have been in place since 2024, but can still hurt India’s auto exports

The tariffs of up to 50% approved by Mexico’s Senate on Wednesday (December 10, 2025) on imports from Asian countries, including India, have been in place since April 2024 and will not have a material impact on India’s overall export picture, an analysis of trade data shows. However, they could continue to impact particular sectors, such as automobiles. As per the Senate’s decision, the tariffs are expected to apply from April 1, 2026 onwards, and will apply to countries with which Mexico does not have a free trade agreement, which includes India. However, documents on the Mexican government’s website show that these tariffs are not new.

Goa nightclub fire case: Delhi court dismisses Luthra brothers’ transit anticipatory bail pleas

A Delhi court on Thursday (December 11, 2025) rejected the transit anticipatory bail pleas of Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, owners of Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Goa, where a massive fire last week killed 25 people. On Wednesday (December 10), the accused sought four weeks of transit anticipatory bail so that they would not be immediately arrested after their return to Delhi from Thailand. Additional Sessions Judge Vandana dismissed the bail plea. A detailed order is awaited.

Supreme Court says ‘migration’ in SIR order may include illegal crossings into India

The Supreme Court on Thursday (December 11, 2025) said that “migration” stated in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) order could include crossings into India, underscoring the Election Commission of India’s reason to verify citizenship. “The cities in India are more urbanised, economically viable for our neighbouring populations. Will not the movement of these populations across the international border amount to ‘migration’?” Justice Joymalya Bagchi, part of a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, asked.

IndiGo offers travel vouchers worth ₹10,000 to passengers severely impacted during Dec. 3-5

IndiGo, which has been facing significant operational disruptions, on Thursday (December 11, 2025) announced that it will offer travel vouchers worth ₹10,000 to each passenger whose flights were cancelled or delayed for long during December 3-5. The compensation would be in addition to the amount that needs to be provided to passengers for flight cancellations under DGCA norms.

Putin calls Maduro, Lukashenko meets Venezuela envoy as Trump cranks up pressure

Russia and its close ally Belarus reached out to Venezuela’s embattled leader, Nicolas Maduro, on Thursday (December 11, 2025) as U.S. President Donald Trump ramps up pressure for his removal, raising the possibility he could seek refuge abroad. Mr. Maduro told Mr. Trump in a phone call on November 21 that he was ready to leave Venezuela, provided that he and his family had full legal amnesty, sources have told Reuters.

At COP30, China’s tea-infused fabric and India’s austerity

Maybe it is just the magic of the panda,” Liantong Zhou told me in a paroxysm of laughter, seriousness, and bemusemen. Something strange was happening at the Chinese pavilion in the Hangar Convention and Fair Centre, the venue of the COP30 climate talks in Belem, Brazil. These pavilions at the annual United Nations conference are where countries set up cultural displays that tout their commitment to sustainable development and clean energy. They are also venues for panel discussions and seminars, and provide opportunities for bureaucrats, ministers, and businessmen to network. They are like temporary embassies where all the countries mark their presence over the fortnight of talks.

SIR of electoral rolls: ECI extends timeline in five States, one UT; no change in West Bengal

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday (December 11, 2025) extended the schedule for Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in five States and Andaman and Nicobar. The draft electoral rolls will now be published on December 19, 2025, for Tamil Nadu and Gujarat; on December 23, 2025, for Andaman and Nicobar, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh; and on December 31, 2025, for Uttar Pradesh, according to the revised schedule. However, no change in the schedule for West Bengal has been announced.

Delhi court grants interim bail to Umar Khalid to attend sister’s wedding

A Delhi court on Thursday (December 11, 2025) granted interim bail from December 16 to 29 to Umar Khalid, who is an accused in the case regarding the larger conspiracy behind the 2020 Delhi riots, to attend his sister’s wedding.

IndiGo offers travel vouchers worth ₹10,000 to passengers severely impacted during Dec. 3-5

IndiGo, which has been facing significant operational disruptions, on Thursday (December 11, 2025) announced that it will offer travel vouchers worth ₹10,000 to each passenger whose flights were cancelled or delayed for long during December 3-5. The compensation would be in addition to the amount that needs to be provided to passengers for flight cancellations under DGCA norms.

At least 18 from Assam killed, three others missing as truck falls into gorge in Arunachal

At least 18 people from Assam's Tinsukia district have been killed and three others are missing as the truck they were travelling in fell into a gorge in Arunachal Pradesh, officials said on Thursday (December 11, 2025). The accident took place on Hayuliang-Chaglagam Road in Anjaw district on December 8 when a truck was carrying 22 labourers from Tinsukia district, Defence PRO Lt Col Mahender Rawat said, citing the lone survivor’s version.

Mexico’s Senate approves tariff hikes on Chinese, other Asian imports

Mexico’s Senate on Wednesday (December 10, 2025) approved tariff hikes of up to 50% next year on imports from China and several other Asian countries, aiming to bolster local industry despite opposition from business groups. The proposal will raise or impose new duties from 2026 on certain goods such as autos, auto parts, textiles, clothing, plastics and steel.

Former Pakistan spy chief Faiz Hameed sentenced to 14 years in prison: army

A military court sentenced the former head of Pakistan’s powerful Inter-Services Intelligence spy agency to 14 years in prison on charges including violation of state secrets and misuse of authority, the army said on Thursday (December 11, 2025). Faiz Hameed, who served during the tenure of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, was also convicted of “engaging in political activities”.

Rubio orders U.S. diplomats to stop using Calibri font in latest anti-diversity push

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has ordered diplomats to stop using Calibri font, calling it a “wasteful” example of diversity initiatives established under the Biden administration, media reports said. Mr. Rubio instead directed State Department staff on Tuesday (December 9, 2025) to use the serif typeface Times New Roman

IOC president Coventry sets early 2026 target for new Olympic policy on gender eligibility

The IOC set a target of early 2026 to detail a new policy on eligibility in female sports that could see transgender athletes excluded from the Olympic Games. International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry also stressed the Olympic body’s statutory belief in access to sport being a human right for all people at grassroots and recreational level.

India vs South Africa 2nd T20I | De Kock does the star turn as Proteas draw level

It’s a delight to watch Quinton de Kock bat. The stylish opener unfurled a lot of his signature shots at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium on Thursday (December 11, 2025). His 46-ball 90 (5x4, 7x6) proved invaluable as South Africa beat India by 51 runs in the second T20I and levelled the five-match series 1-1. Asked to bat first, the Proteas took full toll of a mediocre bowling show from India to amass 213 for four in 20 overs.