Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire starts

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is expected to visit China soon for Special Representative talks, following an agreement reached in October regarding patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control. Tensions between India and China escalated in 2020 due to a border standoff in eastern Ladakh, leading to strained relations. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reiterated India's commitment to engaging with China through bilateral discussions for a fair and mutually acceptable boundary settlement. Full Article

Rizwan Kadri of PMML Society wrote to Rahul Gandhi requesting the return of "important" historical documents allegedly withdrawn by Sonia Gandhi, including letters between Nehru and Mountbatten. After receiving no response from Sonia Gandhi, Kadri sought Rahul Gandhi's help in restoring the documents, citing their significance to Indian history. BJP's Sambit Patra found the situation intriguing, hinting at potential censorship in the Nehru-Mountbatten correspondence, raising questions about the need for their removal from the Nehru...

China conducted coercive military drills around Taiwan from December 9-11, the largest since the 1996 Taiwan Strait Crisis, in protest against Taiwanese President Lai Cheng-te's transit through Hawaii and Guam. The drills involved 90 Chinese naval and coast guard vessels and dozens of aircraft, aiming to prevent foreign interference in China's coercion of Taiwan. The exercise was described as "total military intimidation" by a Taiwanese official, and China's Ministry of National Defense stated that it...

The GST Council's Fitment Committee has proposed raising the GST rate on old and used electric vehicles from 12% to 18%, aligning with the existing tax structure for larger vehicles and SUVs. This potential increase could make second-hand EVs less appealing to buyers and lead to higher overall taxation on second-hand vehicle sales, potentially impacting the resale market. The council is set to discuss this recommendation at their upcoming meeting in December in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan....

Turkey's Defence Minister Yasar Guler stated that Turkey is prepared to offer military support to Syria's new Islamist-led government if requested, emphasizing the need to give the new administration a chance. The rebel alliance Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, although linked to Al-Qaeda, has shown efforts to moderate its stance and ensure the protection of Syrian rights and adherence to international laws. The new government has committed to respecting established institutions, the UN, and reporting any evidence...

A nine-member delegation from Bangladesh, including Mukti Joddhas and armed forces officers, arrived in Kolkata for the Vijay Diwas celebrations, attended by West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The delegation, led by a Bangladesh Army brigadier, will also include six family members and participate in the wreath-laying ceremony at the Eastern Command headquarters to commemorate the victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war. Banerjee will later witness a military...