Pakistan’s Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) has reintroduced Sanskrit through a four-credit course, marking a rare classical language initiative in the country. The program exposes students to Sanskrit literature and includes the Urdu translation of Mahabharata’s theme song, “Hai Katha Sangram Ki”. Dr. Shahid Rasheed of Forman Christian College, who has studied Sanskrit extensively, emphasized its cultural significance and potential to unite South Asian communities. LUMS officials indicate that in the coming years, Pakistan may develop its own scholars in Sanskrit classics, including the Bhagavad Gita and Mahabharata. (PC: NDTV)

A coalition of 19 U.S. states, led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, has filed a lawsuit in federal court to block President Donald Trump’s new $100,000 fee on H-1B visas for highly skilled foreign workers, arguing it exceeds the executive’s authority and violates federal law by far exceeding administrative cost limits. The states say the fee would place heavy burdens on employers in tech, education, healthcare and public services that rely on foreign talent, worsening labour shortages and impeding innovation. Earlier legal challenges have been filed by business groups and unions opposing the fee’s legality. The White House defends the policy as lawful and designed to protect U.S. workers. (PC: The Hindu)

US President Donald Trump said Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to restart a ceasefire following renewed violence along their disputed border. In a statement shared publicly, Trump claimed leaders from both countries committed to halting hostilities and returning to the terms of an earlier truce brokered with US involvement. The ceasefire had previously reduced tensions but collapsed after fresh clashes resulted in casualties and displacement. While Trump described the agreement as a positive step toward stability, officials in Bangkok and Phnom Penh have offered limited public confirmation, and reports indicate sporadic fighting continues. The situation remains fragile as diplomatic efforts to enforce the ceasefire continue.(PC: EPA)

Three Democratic members of the **US House of Representatives — Deborah Ross, Marc Veasey, and Raja Krishnamoorthi — introduced a resolution to end President Donald Trump’s 50% tariffs on Indian imports, calling them “illegal” and economically harmful. The measure targets the national emergency declaration used to justify the tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which raised duties on many Indian-origin products to 50% after initial and “secondary” duties. Lawmakers argue the tariffs hurt American workers and consumers, disrupt supply chains, and damage US–India economic and strategic ties, urging reversal to strengthen bilateral cooperation. (PC: AFP)

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif found himself in an unusual diplomatic moment in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, after waiting over 40 minutes for a scheduled meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at an international forum. Frustrated by the delay, Sharif walked into a closed-door meeting between Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, drawing widespread attention and social media mockery. The Pakistani leader stayed only briefly before leaving. The incident highlighted possible scheduling miscommunication and sparked commentary on diplomatic protocol among the attending world leaders. 

US President Donald Trump announced Thailand and Cambodia agreed to halt border hostilities starting Friday evening after separate conversations with Thai PM Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian PM Hun Manet. Both leaders committed to immediately stopping gunfire and returning to the peace framework previously negotiated with US involvement alongside Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim's mediation. The renewed ceasefire follows several days of deadly clashes displacing thousands of civilians, threatening to unravel an earlier Malaysia-brokered truce. Trump, who attended follow-up meetings in Malaysia in October, emphasized both nations expressed readiness to restore peace and maintain strong US trade relations. Speaking in Pennsylvania earlier this week, Trump hinted at personal intervention, positioning the resolution as another conflict he claims to have resolved. (PC: X) 

The IMF imposed 11 new conditions on Pakistan's $7 billion bailout, raising total requirements to 64, targeting deep governance flaws and elite capture. Key demands include mandatory public disclosure of high-ranking bureaucrats' assets on government websites by December 2026, with banks granted full access to identify income-asset mismatches. Pakistan must release anti-corruption action plans for 10 high-risk departments by October 2026, coordinated by NAB. The IMF demands sugar market liberalization by June 2026 to dismantle cartel influence. FBR must finalize reform roadmaps with KPIs by December 2025, implementing reforms in three priority areas. Additional conditions address power sector privatization, remittance cost reviews by May 2026, and Companies Act amendments for corporate governance modernization. (PC: X)

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif faced diplomatic embarrassment in Turkmenistan after waiting over 40 minutes for a scheduled meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The incident occurred at an event commemorating Turkmenistan's 30th neutrality anniversary, attended by leaders from Russia, Turkey, Iran, and Pakistan. RT India footage showed an impatient Sharif waiting with Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar before gate-crashing Putin's ongoing meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Sharif reportedly departed after just 10 minutes. The viral video sparked online ridicule, with users calling it a significant diplomatic embarrassment. Turkmenistan, possessing the world's fourth-largest natural gas reserves, declared neutrality in 1995, recently signaling economic diversification beyond gas exports.

Iranian authorities arrested Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, 53, at a memorial for a deceased human rights lawyer, her foundation announced Friday. Mohammadi was violently detained alongside other activists, with supporters demanding immediate unconditional release. She had been serving 13 years nine months for collusion against state security and anti-government propaganda, plus backing 2022 Mahsa Amini protests. Released on medical furlough in December 2024 for three weeks, her freedom extended months despite risks. The engineer-turned-activist suffered multiple heart attacks in prison, underwent 2022 emergency surgery, and had a potentially cancerous bone lesion removed in November 2024. She's been imprisoned 13 times, convicted five times, totaling over 30 years in sentences.

The IMF imposed 11 new conditions on Pakistan's $7 billion bailout, raising total requirements to 64 over 18 months. The fresh directives, announced after Thursday's $1.2 billion disbursement, target corruption reduction, governance improvement, and identifying government leaks. Key conditions include publishing high-ranking bureaucrats' asset details on government websites by December 2026, developing anti-corruption action plans for 10 identified departments, and allowing banks full access to officials' declarations. Pakistan must study remittance costs projected at $1.5 billion annually and submit an action plan by May 2026. The IMF demands sugar market liberalization policy by June 2026 to end elite capture. So far, $3.3 billion has been disbursed from the 39-month program. (PC: X)