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)

President Trump signaled readiness to impose fresh tariffs on Indian rice and Canadian fertilizer after US farmers complained about cheap foreign imports undercutting domestic producers. During a White House roundtable unveiling a $12 billion farmer bailout, Louisiana's Kennedy Rice Mill CEO Meryl Kennedy identified India, Thailand, and China as "main culprits" dumping subsidized rice. Trump directed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to list offending countries, promising to "take care" of the issue quickly. A senior US Trade Representative delegation led by Deputy USTR Rick Switzer visits India December 10-11 for Bilateral Trade Agreement discussions. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal leads India's negotiating team, optimistically targeting year-end agreement despite Trump's previous 50% tariffs on Indian goods imposed last August.

Chinese national Congtai Hu, 29, was detained in Jammu and Kashmir for visa violations after traveling to restricted areas in Ladakh and Srinagar. Arriving November 19 claiming to be an investor, his visa permitted only Buddhist sites in Varanasi, Agra, Delhi, Jaipur, Sarnath, Gaya, and Kushinagar. Leh Police stopped him December 1 near Chang La Pass; he subsequently traveled to Srinagar, checking into an unregistered homestay, overstaying by two days. His phone, sent for forensic examination, contained browsing history on CRPF deployments and Article 370. He visited strategic locations including Zanskar, Harwan Buddhist Monastery, and Awantipur ruins near Army headquarters. Hu claimed unawareness of visa restrictions, alleging nine years' US residence and Boston University physics studies. (PC: X)

Goa nightclub 'Birch by Romeo Lane' owners Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra fled to Thailand via flight 6E 1073 to Phuket on December 7 after a fire tragedy killed 25 people. The brothers departed from Delhi's IGI Airport at 5:30 AM, prompting police to issue a Look Out Circular and seek Interpol's assistance. Four staff members named as Chief General Manager Rajiv Modak, General Manager Vivek Singh, Bar Manager Rajiv Singhania, and Gate Manager Riyanshu Thakur have been arrested, along with management member Bharat Kohli. Goa government formed a four-member magisterial inquiry committee led by North Goa District Collector Ankit Yadav. Fireworks emerged as the likely cause; the club lacked fire NOC and proper documentation. (PC: X)

Starlink Vice President Lauren Dreyer clarified that the company has not launched its India website or announced official pricing, despite screenshots of apparent subscription rates circulating online. She explained that a technical configuration glitch briefly exposed dummy test data meant solely for internal use, causing confusion among potential customers. Dreyer confirmed that Starlink is not accepting orders in India yet and is still awaiting final regulatory approvals. She emphasized the company’s commitment to bringing high-speed satellite internet to India and assured that authentic pricing and service details will be released only once the website officially goes live. (PC: HT)