Argentina captain Lionel Messi virtually unveiled his 70-foot statue at Kolkata’s Sreebhumi Sporting Club during his India tour, drawing huge fanfare. The statue celebrates Messi’s legendary football career and global influence, with fans gathering despite heavy security. Messi, along with teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, participated in promotional events across Kolkata and Hyderabad, marking his first India visit. Authorities managed crowds carefully after previous concerns over stampedes at large events. The statue installation aims to inspire young footballers in India while commemorating Messi’s status as one of the greatest footballers of all time.

India’s largest budget airline IndiGo has estimated it will pay more than 5 billion rupees (about $55.19 million) in compensation to customers affected by massive flight cancellations in early December, the airline said. Around 4,500 flights were scrapped due to poor pilot roster planning and difficulties adapting to new aviation rest-and-duty rules, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded, prompting the civil aviation regulator to cut IndiGo’s domestic winter schedule by 10%. The airline is identifying passengers severely impacted between December 3–5 and will compensate those whose flights were cancelled within 24 hours of departure. IndiGo has also adjusted its capacity and revenue forecasts. 

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 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)

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. 

The Union government has decided to rename the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), India’s flagship rural jobs scheme, as the Pujya Bapu Gramin Rozgar Yojana. Along with this rebranding, the Cabinet approved increasing the number of guaranteed workdays from 100 to 125 per year and is expected to revise the minimum wage to ₹240 per day to boost rural income security. A bill to formalise these changes will be introduced in Parliament. The move reflects an effort to refresh the scheme’s identity while continuing to support rural livelihoods and employment. (PC: The Hindu)

JioStar and ICC jointly dismissed reports claiming the broadcaster plans to withdraw from its $3 billion ICC media rights contract ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. The Reliance-Disney joint venture affirmed full commitment to contractual obligations, stating preparations for upcoming events proceed as planned with no impact on viewers, advertisers, or partners. Both organizations issued statements clarifying their existing agreement remains fully in force, with JioStar continuing as ICC's official Indian media rights partner. The joint statement emphasized focus on delivering "uninterrupted, world-class coverage" while maintaining regular communication on operational, commercial, and strategic matters. Earlier reports had suggested JioStar informed ICC about withdrawal intentions due to financial losses. (PC: X)

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)

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)