Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed sorrow over the death of former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia. In a post on X, he said he was “deeply saddened” to learn of her passing and offered condolences to her family and the people of Bangladesh. Modi recalled meeting Zia in Dhaka in 2015 and said the discussion had been warm. He added that her vision and legacy would continue to guide cooperation between the two neighbours. Modi also noted Zia’s role in strengthening India–Bangladesh relations and said her contributions would be remembered. Zia, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson, died in Dhaka after a long illness. (PC: HT)

Many Indian migrants in the United States are cutting travel as visa rules become stricter under the Trump administration, a KFF and New York Times survey shows. The study found that 27% of all immigrants avoided travel inside or outside the country to avoid contact with immigration officials. Among H-1B holders, the figure was 32%. About 15% of naturalised citizens also limited travel. Nearly two thirds of undocumented migrants avoided all travel. Reports say the TSA has begun sharing some travel data with immigration agencies. Recent changes include ending remote visa renewals, adding higher fees, and widening social media checks. Lawyers and firms have advised caution on travel. (PC: India Today)

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that Russian leader Vladimir Putin told him Ukraine tried to attack his residence in northern Russia. Kyiv denied the claim and said it was false. Speaking in Florida, Trump said he was “very angry” after hearing the allegation and added that this was not the right time for such actions during peace talks. He said there was no proof yet and that more details would emerge. Russia said it was reviewing its position in negotiations after the reported drone attack. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected the charge and accused Moscow of using the claim to justify new strikes. (PC: NDTV)

Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister, died on Tuesday at the age of 80 after a long illness. Doctors said she was in extremely critical condition and on life support at a Dhaka hospital. Zia led the Bangladesh Nationalist Party to victory in 1991, ending two decades of military rule. She later served two more terms, in 1996 and from 2001 to 2006. Her career was shaped by a fierce rivalry with former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. Zia was jailed on corruption charges in 2018, which she denied. She was released last year after Hasina was forced into exile. (PC: BBC)

India is reportedly seeking over $30 billion in compensation from Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) and its partner BP over alleged under‑production of natural gas from the D1 and D3 offshore fields in the KG‑D6 block of the Krishna‑Godavari Basin. Government submissions to a three‑member arbitration tribunal claim the companies failed to meet production targets, causing losses of gas and value. Final arguments concluded in November 2025, and a decision is expected by mid‑2026. However, Reliance has strongly denied any $30 billion claim, calling reports “factually incorrect”. 

Bollywood spy thriller Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh and directed by Aditya Dhar, continued its strong box office run on Day 25, earning over ₹10 crore on its fourth Monday and crossing the ₹700 crore mark in India. Despite a dip in weekday collections, the film’s total national net now stands at about ₹701.25 crore, according to Sacnilk box office estimates. Released in theatres on December 5, Dhurandhar has sustained audience interest well beyond its opening weeks, solidifying its place among the year’s biggest Bollywood hits. (PC: X)

A tragic accident occurred on Monday night (Dec 29, 2025) when a Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) bus, while reversing on Station Road near Bhandup West, struck pedestrians around 10:05 pm. The collision killed four people and injured nine others, officials said. Emergency teams from the Mumbai Fire Brigade, police, BEST staff, and ambulance services rushed to the scene and transported the injured to nearby hospitals. Authorities have secured the area and launched an investigation into the circumstances of the accident.

British former heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua, 36, was injured in a serious car crash on the Lagos‑Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State, Nigeria, local police confirmed on December 29, 2025. The Lexus SUV he was travelling in collided with a stationary truck, killing two passengers at the scene. Joshua, seated in the rear, sustained minor injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment. Authorities said preliminary investigations suggest excessive speed and a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre caused the crash. An official inquiry is underway, and details about the deceased are yet to be released. (PC: AP)

Indian ODI vice‑captain Shreyas Iyer is nearing a long‑awaited return to competitive cricket following a near‑fatal spleen laceration injury sustained during an ODI against Australia in Sydney in October. After being hospitalised and treated for internal bleeding, Iyer was discharged and has been progressing well in recovery. He recently resumed batting and is training at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru as he builds fitness. Reports indicate he could play for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy on January 3 and 6, before potentially rejoining India for the ODI series against New Zealand starting January 11, 2026. (PC: X)

India’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has approved defence procurement proposals worth about ₹79,000 crore (≈ $8.8 billion) to significantly strengthen the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The approved acquisitions span advanced systems including loiter munitions for precision strikes, lightweight radars to detect low-flying drones, and long-range guided rockets for the Pinaka rocket system. The Army will also receive integrated drone detection systems, while the Navy gets high-frequency radios and leased high-altitude drones. The Indian Air Force’s plan includes automatic take-off/landing recorders, Astra Mk-II missiles, simulators, and precision guidance kits, bolstering operational readiness and modernisation. (PC: The Telegraph)