The White House has defended US President Donald Trump’s views on the H-1B visas, saying that he has a nuanced and common-sense opinion on this issue. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, President Trump would allow importing foreign workers just at the beginning, but ultimately be replaced by American workers. President Trump supports limited, short-term use of foreign skilled workers when companies invest heavily in US manufacturing. She also stressed that the end goal is always to put Americans in those jobs. She noted that there has been a lot of misunderstanding of the President’s position on the issue, and President Trump has conveyed to foreign companies that if they’re investing in the US, they’d better be hiring his people.

At least ten civilians, including nine children, were killed after Pakistani air forces struck a residential area in Afghanistan’s Khost province, the Afghan government said today.  According to officials, the attack took place shortly after midnight and targeted the home of a resident, reigniting concerns about escalating hostilities along the border.

Spokesman for the caretaker Afghan government, Zabihullah Mujahid, stated that the strike occurred around 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday in the Mughalgai area of Khost’s Gurbuz district. This latest strike has raised fears of another cycle of violence as tensions once again spike along the volatile border region. This follows a brief lull in cross-border violence between the two neighbours after intense clashes in October.

India has expanded its Visa-on-Arrival (VoA) facility for UAE nationals to include Cochin, Calicut and Ahmedabad international airports. With this move, UAE citizens now have access to VoA at nine major entry points across India. Earlier, the facility was available at centres in New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Kochi. 

The facility is available exclusively to UAE nationals who have previously obtained an Indian e-visa or a regular paper visa.  UAE citizens arriving in India under this scheme may stay for up to 60 days and can enter for tourism, business, conferences or medical purposes. The visa allows double entry within 60 days. Applicants must hold passports with a minimum validity of six months and may be asked to provide proof of funds, accommodation and return or onward travel.

The VoA facility is not available to any UAE national whose parents or grandparents were born in or are permanent residents of Pakistan. The fee for Visa-on-Arrival remains 2,000 or the equivalent in foreign currency for each passenger, including children. There is no limit on the number of times a UAE national may avail the facility in a year.

The expanded access aims to further streamline travel for UAE nationals and strengthen people-to-people ties, amid growing movement between the two countries for tourism, business and medical visits.

Germany will not achieve its own 3.5 per cent defence spending target by 2029. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said that the country ramps up spending in the wake of Russia’s war with Ukraine. Germany’s defence spending will only be 3.05 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) that year. A NATO summit in The Hague this year agreed that allies will reach a new spending target of 5 per cent of GDP by 2035. The target is made up of 3.5 per cent in the defence budget, and another 1.5 per cent of defence-related spending.

Ukraine reported that Russia launched hundreds of strike and decoy drones along with dozens of missiles. The attacks came as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy travelled to Turkey for talks aimed at advancing efforts toward a possible settlement. Meanwhile, Russia said, debris from intercepted Ukrainian ATACMS missiles struck civilian sites in Voronezh.

In Bangladesh, the International Crimes Tribunal will announce its verdict today in the high-profile crimes against humanity case involving former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two of her close aides. The three-judge panel, headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, confirmed the verdict date as security has been stepped up across Dhaka. Additional forces from the Border Guard Bangladesh, Rapid Action Battalion and the army have been deployed around the tribunal premises.

The charges against Hasina originate from the student-led uprising of July-August last year, during which, prosecutors allege, the then Awami League government carried out a violent suppression of protesters. Along with Hasina, the tribunal is trying former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and ex-police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who has since turned state witness.

Hasina and Kamal are being tried in absentia after fleeing the country in the wake of the unrest. Al-Mamun, who remains in custody, has reportedly given detailed testimony describing how alleged directives from top officials were executed.

Security agencies have intensified patrols not only in Dhaka but also in Gopalganj, Madaripur, and Faridpur, anticipating political gatherings or unrest following the verdict. Analysts say the upcoming verdict could have significant political repercussions, arriving just months ahead of the scheduled national elections.

The United Kingdom will announce its largest shake-up of immigration in modern times. UK home secretary Shabana Mahmood will address the House of Commons today to lay out the most sweeping reforms to tackle illegal migration in modern times. The home secretary said Britain must restore order and control over who enters and remains in the country. Modelled on the Danish system, the aim of the reforms is to make the UK less attractive for illegal immigrants and make it easier to deport them.

Under the plans, refugees will face a 20-year wait before they can apply for permanent settlement. Under the proposals, refugee status will become temporary and subject to regular review, with refugees removed once their home countries are deemed safe. Housing and weekly allowances will no longer be guaranteed for asylum seekers. The home secretary also plans to change the law so that multiple attempts to appeal against refusals for asylum will no longer be allowed. The Home Office said the “golden ticket” deal has seen asylum claims surge in the UK, drawing people across Europe, through safe countries, on to dangerous small boats. But the shake-up will also see the introduction of safe and legal routes to the UK in a bid to cut dangerous journeys in small boats across the Channel.

The first round of Chile’s presidential election did not produce a clear winner, so the top two candidates, leftist Jeannette Jara and far-right Jose Antonio Kast, will compete in a second round of voting in December to decide the final winner. 

Partial results with 52.39 pecent of votes counted show Jara is in the lead with 26.58 percent, Antonio Kast is in second with 24.32 percent, and the next closest contender, Johannes Kaiser, has accepted defeat and will not continue in the race. 

The campaign has been overshadowed by rising crime, including murders, kidnappings, and extortion, which has been linked to foreign criminal groups. Migrants now make up 8.8 percent of Chile’s population, doubling since 2017. Jara is currently ahead in the first round, but winning the December 14 runoff will be challenging. The reason is that the total support for all right-wing candidates is much larger than that for left-wing candidates, so Kast could consolidate right-wing votes and potentially overtake her in the second round.

Jara plans to expand the police, lift banking secrecy to fight organised crime, and tackle cost-of-living issues. Kast, compared to Donald Trump, wants to build walls and trenches along the border with Bolivia to curb migrant inflows. The election is seen as a test of the South American left’s recent decline in countries like Argentina and Bolivia.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is considering reviewing the country’s long-standing Three Non-Nuclear Principles, which is certain to draw backlash. An editorial published in the Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun pointed out that, as a country that suffered atomic bombings, Japan has positioned the Three Non-Nuclear Principles as a national policy, which has long received widespread support from the Japanese people.

In updating Japan’s National Security Strategy, Takaichi was considering revising the third principle, which prohibits nuclear weapons from entering Japan’s territory. If the principle is changed, it will represent a significant shift in the country’s security policy and is certain to draw domestic and international backlash, the report said. While Takaichi has no intention of revising Japan’s stance on not possessing or producing nuclear weapons, she believes that not permitting the introduction of nuclear arms could hinder port calls by US nuclear-armed vessels, therefore weakening US nuclear deterrence, the report said.

The Three Non-Nuclear Principles, not possessing, not producing and not allowing introduction of nuclear weapons into Japanese territory, were first declared in the Diet, Japan’s parliament, by then Japanese Prime Minister Eisaku Sato in 1967 and viewed as a national credo. The national security strategy, one of the three documents approved by the Cabinet in 2022, states that the basic policy of adhering to the Three Non-Nuclear Principles will remain unchanged in the future.

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar chaired a conference of Indian Consul Generals in the United States, convening senior Indian diplomats from missions across the country to review India-US bilateral cooperation and engagement with the Indian diaspora. The meeting, held in New York yesterday, brought together senior diplomats from the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C., and consulates in New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, Boston, Los Angeles and Seattle.

In a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, Chaired a Consul Generals Conference in New York today. Reviewed our bilateral ties and support for diaspora activities. Appreciate the commitment and efforts of our Embassy & Consulates to strengthening the India-US partnership. The meeting was also attended by Indian Ambassador to the United States Vinay Kwatra. Jaishankar on Thursday met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for a wide-ranging discussion of the current global situation and multilateralism.

The National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) has been honored with the prestigious CIMUSET Award for its climate change gallery “On The Edge?” at Science City, Kolkata. The award was announced during the 27th ICOM General Conference in Dubai, marking a significant achievement for India’s science museum community. Science City, Kolkata, a unit of the National Council of Science Museums under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, created this 10,000-square-foot permanent gallery to address the urgent realities of climate change.

The gallery embodies the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and aligns with global sustainability goals. Jacob Thorek Jensen, Chair of the CIMUSET Award Committee, praised the initiative, stating that “On the Edge?” stands out as a powerful demonstration of what science museums can achieve when they take their responsibility toward society seriously. He noted that the project addresses climate change urgency through an impressive combination of scientific rigor, community engagement, and genuine inclusivity, showing how science museums can act as agents of change.

Mr. A. D. Choudhury, Director General of NCSM, expressed pride in the achievement, emphasizing that winning the CIMUSET Award reinforces their commitment to creating museums that inspire awareness and collective action for a sustainable future. Through interactive exhibits and evidence-based storytelling, the gallery helps visitors understand the human-induced causes and severe impacts of climate change and the urgent need for mitigation and adaptation.

Mr. Anurag Kumar, Deputy Director General of NCSM and former Director of Science City, Kolkata, described the award as a reaffirmation of their commitment to creating meaningful, research-driven, and engaging experiences that bring climate action to the forefront. He commended the dedication and creativity of the curators, designers, and technical teams who worked tirelessly to bring the gallery to life.

The gallery was inaugurated on January 11, 2025, by Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Government of India. Since its opening, more than one million visitors have experienced the facility. Mr. Pramod Grover, Director of Science City, Kolkata, highlighted that the gallery integrates immersive exhibits, augmented reality and virtual reality experiences, and an interactive LED wall to clearly convey climate impacts, underlying causes, and actionable solutions, particularly encouraging young people to participate in collective climate action.

Subha Sankar Ghosh, Curator at Science City, noted that the gallery was developed to meet visitor expectations of the institution as a place of trust. Following its inauguration, regular outreach activities with different student groups have been conducted, playing an instrumental role in promoting climate literacy.

The CIMUSET Award honors outstanding science and technology museums and centers that drive positive social change and advance a more equal, inclusive, and sustainable world. Rooted in the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, it recognizes innovative projects that embody contemporary museum values and hybrid practices. Supported by ICOM, the award celebrates institutions that foster community engagement, shared heritage, and lifelong learning beyond traditional boundaries.

CIMUSET is the International Committee for Museums and Collections of Science and Technology, operating under the International Council of Museums (ICOM). It brings together professionals from science and technology museums worldwide to exchange knowledge, strengthen best practices, and champion the vital role these institutions play in society.

US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said that South Korea and the United States have opened a new chapter in their alliance with the release of a joint fact sheet on bilateral security and trade agreements. Landau, during a forum co-hosted by the Atlantic Council and the Korea Society said just recently, yesterday, our two countries released a historic joint fact sheet on President Trump’s historic state visit to Korea at the end of October, inaugurating a new chapter in the US-Korea alliance.

The senior diplomat said that the priorities include rebuilding and expanding critical industries, maintaining foreign exchange market stability, enhancing commercial ties, promoting reciprocal trade, modernizing the bilateral alliance and furthering the two countries’ maritime and nuclear partnerships. Noting that the two in-person summit meetings have taken place, Landau said that Trump has a great relationship with Lee. He also stressed that during Trump’s state visit to Korea last month, he secured billions of dollars for the American economy in landmark deals.

Confirmed by a Senate vote in October, Gor will be the youngest US ambassador to India and was the Director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office. He would also serve as a special envoy for South and Central Asian affairs.

The US Senate has approved a bipartisan measure aimed at ending the 40-day federal government shutdown by advancing a compromise bill yesterday to reauthorise funding and undo the layoffs of federal employees. The bill received exactly the 60 votes needed to advance in the Senate, with almost all Republicans voting in favour along with eight Democrats.

The compromise bill will now need to be approved by the House and signed by Donald Trump. The bill promises to reverse US President Donald Trump’s firings of federal employees during the course of the shutdown. The shutdown disrupted federal operations nationwide, including air travel. The government shutdown, now the longest in US history, also affected numerous other programmes, from national parks to federal research operations.

Typhoon Fung-wong has made landfall in the Philippines, forcing the evacuation of over nine lakh people and claiming two lives. The storm struck Aurora province in Luzon as a typhoon with winds of 185 kilometres per hour and gusts reaching 230 kilometres per hour. It later weakened while moving across La Union in western Luzon.

The Philippine meteorological service has warned of destructive winds, life-threatening storm surges, and heavy rainfall likely to trigger flooding and landslides. Nearly 300 flights have been cancelled, and several airports remain closed. Authorities continue rescue and relief operations as the typhoon moves northward over Luzon.

Fung-wong, known locally as Uwan, follows Typhoon Kalmaegi, which left over 200 people dead and prompted a state of calamity across the country.

Tornado Hits Brazil’s Parana State, Leaving Six Dead and Hundreds Injured

A tornado accompanied by strong winds and heavy rain struck the southern Brazilian state of Parana, killing six people. As per authorities, over 437 people were treated for injuries, and about 1,000 were displaced. According to the Parana Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring System, the tornado’s winds reached speeds between 180 kph and 250 kph. While expressing condolences to the victims’ families, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva wrote in a social media post that all the help and assistance provided to the people of Parana

Mr Goyal also addressed the Indian diaspora along with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Mr McClay. Addressing the diaspora, he said, the government is working to promote Ease of Doing Business by reducing tax burden, eliminating red-tapism and lowering compliances. He said, the efforts have been taken to make India an attractive destination.

He added that the finalization of the Free Trade Agreement between India and New Zealand will not only strengthen trade and investment ties between the two countries but will open immense opportunities for them. He highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for deepening the India-New Zealand partnership saying that a fair and balanced Free Trade Agreement can unlock new opportunities and benefit people of both sides.

The minister also highlighted the contributions of the Indian diaspora, who play a pivotal role in advancing economic and cultural ties between the two nations.