Three Indian-origin truck drivers — Manjot Bhatti (26), Navjot Bhatti (26) and Amanjot Bhatti (22) — were arrested by Peel Regional Police in Brampton, Canada, for their alleged roles in a tow-truck rivalry shootout that erupted on October 7 in a parking lot near McVean Drive and Castlemore Road. Police say an altercation between rival tow-truck groups escalated into gunfire, injuring one person slightly. After weeks of investigation, warrants were executed on November 20 leading to the arrests; all three now face firearm-related charges, while a fourth suspect remains at large and police have released footage seeking public help. (PC: NDTV)

Aditya Beri, 42, was arrested at Garrod Farms Estate Winery & Stables in Saratoga on December 8 after attempting to start a fire. When confronted by staff, he threw a wine bottle and fled in his Tesla, intentionally crashing into two parked cars before driving off an embankment. After refusing to surrender despite de-escalation attempts, police used pepperball and spray to force him out. The Menlo Park entrepreneur was booked on assault with a deadly weapon and resisting arrest charges, then hospitalized for evaluation. Beri founded BetterLYF Wellness, an online mental health platform, and serves as Executive Director at Fieldking farm equipment. He holds degrees from University of Illinois and Indian School of Business. (PC: NDTV & X)

China welcomed India's decision to expedite business visas for Chinese nationals, calling it a "positive step." Foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated easing cross-border travel "serves common interests." India tweaked visa rules allowing Chinese nationals to apply under business visa category, issuing short-term 'B' visas within three-four weeks instead of six-month employment visas. The change follows surge in Chinese applications for short business visits. Relations deteriorated in 2020 over LAC tensions in Ladakh, but improved after Modi-Xi meetings at 2024 BRICS (Kazan) and SCO (Tianjin) summits. India resumed tourist visas for Chinese nationals in July 2025 after five-year gap, with flights resuming and Kailash Manasarovar pilgrimages restarting. (PC: HT) 

Prada will launch limited-edition Kolhapuri-inspired sandals at Rs 83,000 ($930) in February 2026, collaborating with Indian artisans after facing cultural appropriation backlash. The Italian luxury brand plans producing 2,000 pairs across Maharashtra (Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara, Solapur) and Karnataka (Belagavi, Bagalkot, Dharwad, Bijapur) regions, partnering with state-backed LIDCOM and LIDKAR organizations. Following June 2025 Milan show controversy where Prada showcased 12th-century Indian footwear designs without acknowledgment, the company established a three-year partnership including artisan training programs in India and Italy's Prada Academy. Chief Marketing Officer Lorenzo Bertelli confirmed the multi-million euro project aims to preserve heritage threatened by cheap imitations while fairly remunerating artisans. India's luxury market, valued at $7 billion in 2024, is projected to reach $30 billion by 2030. (PC: India Today)

For the first time since Partition, Sanskrit is being formally taught at Pakistan's Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), with students studying Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita passages alongside the Urdu version of the iconic Mahabharat TV theme song. Professor Shahid Rasheed from Forman Christian College spearheaded the revival after overwhelming response to a three-month workshop, now evolved into a university course planned to become year-long by 2027. Rasheed emphasized Sanskrit's regional heritage, noting grammarian Panini lived in present-day Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Dr. Ali Usman Qasmi revealed Punjab University holds extensive untouched Sanskrit documents for decades. The university aims to train local scholars, potentially producing Gita and Mahabharata experts within 10-15 years. (PC: India Today) 

US President Donald Trump is reportedly exploring a new "Core Five" (C5) forum comprising America, Russia, China, India, and Japan, potentially sidelining the Europe-dominated G7. According to Politico, the proposal appeared in an unpublished National Security Strategy version, though the White House denies its existence. The C5 would prioritize major powers based on population and military-economic strength rather than wealth and democracy. The first proposed agenda item is Middle East security, specifically Israel-Saudi Arabia normalization. National security experts call it "Trumpian," noting Europe's exclusion signals Russia's recognition as a regional sphere-of-influence power. The move departs from Trump's first-term great-power-competition approach, raising concerns about legitimizing strongmen and weakening Western unity. (PC: X) 

India expressed concern over damage to the 1,100-year-old Preah Vihear Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site on the Thai-Cambodian border, during renewed border clashes. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called the damage to conservation facilities "unfortunate," noting India's involvement in preservation efforts. The 11th-century Hindu temple, built during the Khmer Empire's golden age, suffered artillery and aerial attack damage to gateways, statues, staircases, and conservation buildings. Despite a US-brokered ceasefire, fighting resumed at over a dozen locations along the 817-km border. Thailand's PM stated operations won't stop, while Cambodia claims self-defense. UNESCO invoked international heritage protection laws, offering technical support when conditions improve.

India has expedited business visa processing for Chinese executives to four weeks by eliminating administrative vetting layers, according to Reuters. This strategic shift aims to attract Chinese investments amid warming bilateral relations and punishing 50% US tariffs on Indian exports. India-China ties, which deteriorated after the deadly 2020 Galwan Valley clash killing 20 Indian soldiers, have improved through diplomatic dialogues. Full disengagement from Depsang and Demchok standoff sites occurred in December 2024. Bilateral trade reached $127.7 billion in FY25, with China becoming India's second-largest trading partner after the US. Early FY26 data shows exports rising 19.97% and imports increasing 13%, signaling economic momentum despite trade imbalances. (PC: X) 

Luxury fashion house Prada has signed a landmark pact with Indian government‑linked bodies LIDCOM and LIDKAR to bring traditional Kolhapuri chappals to the global fashion stage, blending centuries‑old artisan techniques with modern design. The “Prada Made in India – Inspired by Kolhapuri Chappals” collection will be crafted in India by skilled artisans from Maharashtra and Karnataka and launched worldwide in February 2026 across Prada’s 40 retail outlets and online platforms. Supported by the Maharashtra government, the initiative aims to honour artisans, expand global recognition, and provide training, employment and new opportunities while preserving this GI‑tagged heritage craft. The collaboration follows criticism of a previous Prada collection that featured Kolhapuri‑inspired designs without proper credit, prompting the brand to work directly with local craftspeople. (PC: NDTV)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a warm and engaging phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump amid ongoing India-U.S. trade negotiations, reviewing progress in their Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and discussing regional and global developments. Modi stated that India and the U.S. will continue to work together for global peace, stability and prosperity, highlighting shared efforts to sustain momentum in trade discussions. The talks in New Delhi saw both sides aim to expand cooperation in technology, energy, defence and security. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said a deal will happen only if mutually beneficial, while U.S. officials acknowledged India’s strong offer. (PC: Reuters)