Fashion retailer Zara has apologized for an ad campaign that was accused of being insensitive towards the Israel-Palestine conflict. Images showing mannequins missing limbs wrapped in white triggered outrage and boycott calls from pro-Palestinian groups who felt it resembled dead bodies in Gaza. Zara said it regretted the "misunderstanding" and removed the controversial photos, clarifying the campaign was inspired by historical men's tailoring. The brand affirmed respect towards everyone. The backlash highlights the landmines global companies now navigate regarding the Israeli-Palestinian issue, as calls for corporate boycotts over Middle-East policies grow. Zara's apology follows other brands like Balenciaga also facing flak last year over controversial ad campaigns that impacted sales. (Image Source: Zara)

Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla has reportedly bought a massive $138 million mansion in London's posh Mayfair area near Hyde Park. The 25,000 sq ft Aberconway House, built in the 1920s, is set to become the UK's most expensive home sale this year. The property will be acquired by Serum Life Sciences, the Poonawalla family's UK subsidiary. While the family has no plans to permanently move to UK, the mansion will serve as a base during their visits. The record deal highlights the resilience of London's luxury real estate market despite economic headwinds. It caps a meteoric rise for Adar Poonawalla who gained immense global prominence for Serum Institute's role in supplying Covid vaccines during the pandemic.

Canada has doubled the minimum financial requirement for international students to acquire a study permit, from CAD 10,000 to CAD 20,635. This will significantly increase costs for Indians who comprise a large chunk of Canada's international students. Students will now need over Rs 12 lakh in their accounts, up from Rs 6 lakh earlier. This reflects Canada's rising living costs which the earlier requirement failed to capture. Many Indian students may find it difficult to sustain themselves on the higher amount due to high rents and limited job vacancies. The last-minute announcement leaves students scrambling and may compel some to explore alternatives destinations. 

Terrorists affiliated with Tehreek-e-Jihad Pakistan (TJP) stormed a security compound in Pakistan's Dera Ismail Khan on Tuesday, killing 23 people and injuring 27 more. The attackers detonated an explosives-laden vehicle at a school building being used as a makeshift military base, causing an initial explosion. Most victims were soldiers sleeping there in civilian clothing. TJP claimed responsibility for the suicide attack led by Mawlawi Hassan Gandapur. This is TJP's second major attack in two months, after damaging fighter jets at a Pakistan Air Force base in November. The violence highlights Pakistan's ongoing struggle with domestic terrorism, exacerbated by the Afghan Taliban's unwillingness to restrain Pakistani Taliban militants since retaking power.

The BJP has chosen first-time MLA Bhajan Lal Sharma as the new Chief Minister of Rajasthan. A three-member BJP central observer team led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Jaipur to oversee the legislature party meeting where Sharma was elected CM. Sharma won from the Sanganer constituency in the recent state elections where the BJP secured a thumping majority with 115 seats. Other names speculated for the post included former CMs Vasundhara Raje and Kirori Lal Meena, but the party sprang a surprise by picking the relatively low-profile Sharma to lead the government. His elevation underscores the generational shift in the BJP's state leadership after its spectacular comeback in Rajasthan.

US President Joe Biden is unlikely to visit India next month to be the Chief Guest at the 2024 Republic Day celebrations, despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi having extended an invitation in September, according to sources. The invitation has not been officially confirmed by India yet. Separately, the proposed Quad summit dates in late 2024 were found not suitable for all partners, so new dates are being considered for the meeting to be hosted by India. Biden gracing the Republic Day celebrations as Chief Guest was uncertain already, and the postponement of the Quad summit makes the January 26 date impossible. With no revised timeline yet for either event, Biden's India visit next month seems implausible now.

The Income Tax department recently unearthed a massive Rs 350 crore in cash along with 3kg gold during raids on properties of Congress MP Dhiraj Sahu. Referring to the popular show 'Money Heist', PM Modi said Congress has been looting India for 70 years through such "legendary heists". The cash haul is the highest ever by a probe agency. This set off a political blame game between BJP, BJD and Congress in Odisha. BJP alleged BJD allowed Sahu's liquor business for 20 years. BJD hit back saying BJP in the Odisha state is trying to save Congress. Congress dismissed the charges as political vendetta. The high-profile raids have stirred up a political storm ahead of key state and national elections.

As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) unveils potential chief minister candidates in Rajasthan, the party's MLAs will convene on Tuesday to decide the state's new leader. Among the prominent contenders are former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, Union Ministers Arjun Ram Meghwal, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and Ashwini Vaishnaw. The BJP, having already announced chief ministers in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, anticipates resolving the suspense in Rajasthan. Party observers, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, will meet in Jaipur. The swearing-in ceremony for the chosen leader is expected to take place on Friday following the BJP's triumph in Rajasthan's elections.            

A 30-year-old man, Tyler Anderson, was arrested in Dover, New Hampshire, for threatening Indian-origin Republican US presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. Anderson responded to a campaign text with disturbing messages, stating, "Great, another opportunity for me to blow [the candidate's] brains out!" and "I'm going to kill everyone who attends and then f**k their corpses." Mr. Ramaswamy's campaign promptly alerted law enforcement, leading to Anderson's swift arrest. Expressing gratitude, Ramaswamy commended the team for ensuring his safety. Anderson faces potential imprisonment up to five years, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.

In a late-night scare, Karnataka Raj Bhavan faced a hoax bomb threat as an unidentified caller claimed to have planted an explosive. Responding swiftly, Bengaluru Police dispatched a bomb squad, conducting a thorough search that yielded no evidence. Authorities vow to file an FIR, initiating a second search. This incident follows a recent wave of bomb threats targeting 44 schools in Bengaluru, causing widespread panic. The police, despite suspicions of hoaxes, ensured the safety of students and staff by evacuating threatened institutions. Investigations into both incidents are underway to apprehend the culprits behind these unsettling threats.