The family of I-PAC chief Pratik Jain has filed a police complaint in Kolkata, alleging that important documents were stolen during an Enforcement Directorate (ED) raid at their Loudon Street residence. The raid, conducted in connection with a money-laundering investigation linked to the coal pilferage case, reportedly began early morning and continued for nearly nine hours. Jain’s wife approached the Shakespeare Sarani police station, claiming personal and official papers went missing during the search. The police have confirmed receipt of the complaint and said the matter is under verification and inquiry. The ED also searched I-PAC offices, sparking political controversy.

A Bengaluru-based entrepreneur, Suraj Biswas, founder and CEO of deep-tech startup Assessli, has publicly defended Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal, drawing on his own experience as a former Zomato delivery partner in 2020–21. In a LinkedIn post, Biswas said his time delivering food helped him pay college fees, support his early team and stay financially independent, with monthly earnings of around ₹40,000, and he knew riders earning up to ₹90,000. He described gig work as offering independence, dignity and opportunity, and rejected calls to ban ultra-fast delivery models, arguing that flexibility and tech-led platforms create economic mobility. (PC: LinkedIn)

Bangladesh police have arrested Yasin Arafat, a 25-year-old former madrasa teacher and imam, as a key suspect in the lynching and burning death of Hindu garment worker Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh’s Bhaluka upazila on December 18. Authorities said Yasin played a leading role in gathering and inciting a mob that beat Das to death, dragged his body, and set it on fire, triggering widespread outrage and concerns over minority safety. He was captured in Dhaka after nearly two weeks on the run. The total number of arrests in the case has now reached at least 21. Investigations continue.

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence said it detected 77 Chinese military aircraft and 17 naval vessels operating around the island as of 6 a.m. local time, during large-scale drills by China’s People’s Liberation Army. Of the aircraft, 35 crossed the median line into Taiwan’s Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ), the ministry added, and it monitored and responded to the activity. The exercises, dubbed “Justice Mission 2025,” involve joint Army, Navy, Air Force and Rocket Force units and have raised concerns about regional stability and risks to civilian air and sea traffic. 

Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was the woman shot dead by a US immigration agent in Minneapolis. City leaders said she was a legal observer of ICE activity. The White House said she interfered with officers. Her family said she was “kind and compassionate.” Good was an award-winning poet who studied creative writing at Old Dominion University. She later worked as a dental assistant and at a credit union, but had stayed home in recent years. She had moved to Minneapolis last year from Kansas City. A fundraiser for her children raised more than $370,000 within hours. (PC: BBC)

Bangladesh police have arrested another suspect in the killing of Hindu garment worker Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh. The detective branch said Mohammad Yasin Arafat, 25, was held from Dhaka’s Sarulia area on Wednesday. A senior officer said Yasin “played a leading role” in the murder and went into hiding for nearly two weeks after the attack. He was working as an imam and also taught at a madrasa, police said. Officers added that his role was confirmed by other accused and witnesses. So far, 21 people have been arrested in the case, with most sent to jail. (PC: HT)

The United States said it will oversee sales of Venezuelan oil and keep the proceeds in US Treasury accounts. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Washington will first sell stored crude and then handle future output. “We’re going to market the crude coming out of Venezuela,” he said. President Donald Trump added that Caracas would hand over up to 50 million barrels for sale. The White House said revenue will be held in accounts in Venezuela’s name. Officials also said sanctions are being eased to allow US firms to help rebuild oil facilities, while talks continue with state firm PDVSA over sales arrangements. (PC: NDTV)

Poland has voiced support for India as Washington threatens steep tariffs over New Delhi’s Russian oil imports. Speaking in Paris, Polish Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski said he was “satisfied that India has reduced Russian oil imports,” adding that such trade “is fuelling Putin’s war machine.” He made the remarks after India joined the Weimar Triangle talks with France and Germany. The comments come as the US weighs penalties that could reach 500 per cent on countries buying Russian energy. President Donald Trump has already imposed duties of up to 50 per cent on some Indian goods and warned of further action. (PC: X )

Actor and politician Divya Spandana, known as Ramya, reacted on social media to a remark made by the Supreme Court during a hearing on stray dog attacks. The court said it is hard to judge “what mood a dog is in the morning” and that this creates a risk of attacks. Referring to the comment, Ramya wrote, “Put all men in jail?” to question how fear should be applied in public policy. Her post was widely shared online. The hearing is part of a case on how states handle rising cases of stray dog bites and the safety of people in public places, especially children and the elderly. (PC: HT)

Protests broke out in Minneapolis after a US immigration agent shot dead 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good on Wednesday morning. Videos show ICE officers approaching her car in the middle of a street. As the vehicle moved, at least two shots were fired. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Good had blocked officers and tried to use her car as a weapon. The Minneapolis City Council said she was helping neighbours when she was killed. Hundreds of ICE agents are now in the city under a federal immigration drive. Mayor Jacob Frey urged the agents to leave. The FBI is investigating the shooting.