Many Indian H-1B visa holders are stranded in India after US consulates delayed or cancelled visa renewal appointments this month. Immigration lawyers called the situation the “biggest mess” they have seen. A report by Washington Post said hundreds are affected. Lawyers said appointments between December 15 and 26 were rescheduled without clarity. According to US Citizenship and Immigration Services, Indians make up 71 per cent of H-1B holders. The US State Department said delays are due to expanded social media checks. New rules under Donald Trump have tightened visa scrutiny. (PC: Reuters)

A 26-year-old Indian-origin Singaporean man placed a fake bomb inside St Joseph's Church on Sunday, forcing the cancellation of all services. The accused, Kokulananthan Mohan, made the device using cardboard, pebbles, wires and tape. The Singapore Police Force said the object was meant to look like an explosive but posed no real danger. Mohan told police his actions were influenced by lack of sleep due to night shifts. Authorities said there was no terror or religious motive. He has been remanded for psychiatric checks and may face up to 10 years in jail. (PC: AFP)

Around 50 Indians are still trapped in the Russian army amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the government told Parliament. The Ministry of External Affairs said over 200 Indians were recruited, mostly through fake job offers. So far, 119 have been brought back. At least 26 Indians have died and seven are missing. Junior minister Kirti Vardhan Singh said India is working with Russian authorities for early release and safe return. Indian missions are helping with travel, DNA identification, and the return of bodies. (PC: AP)

Former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina said she will return to Bangladesh only when the country has a legitimate government and an independent judiciary. She rejected extradition demands by the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, calling them politically motivated. Speaking to ANI, Hasina said she left to prevent bloodshed after student protests last year. She criticised rising violence and lawlessness under the current administration. Hasina also accused the Yunus government of harming ties with India and failing to protect minorities. (PC: Reuters)

India rejected what it called misleading claims by Bangladesh over a protest in New Delhi. India said 20–25 people briefly protested outside the Bangladesh High Commission over the killing of Dipu Chandra Das. Officials said there was no security breach. Police dispersed the group quickly. Bangladesh rejected India’s statement and questioned how protesters reached a secure area. Dhaka warned it may scale back diplomatic operations if tensions rise. Both sides said talks are continuing through diplomatic channels. The protest followed unrest in Bangladesh after the killing of the Hindu man. 

An Air India flight from Delhi to Mumbai returned shortly after take-off on Monday. The aircraft, a Boeing 777, faced a technical issue mid air. Reports said engine oil pressure dropped to zero on the right engine. The crew shut down the engine as a safety step. The plane landed safely at Delhi airport. About 355 people were on board. Passengers disembarked without injury. The airline arranged another aircraft for the journey. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation is investigating. The Ministry of Civil Aviation sought a full report. (PTI/ File)

The US Justice Department has restored a photograph featuring President Donald Trump from the Jeffrey Epstein files. The image was briefly removed for review. Officials said it was taken down “out of an abundance of caution” to protect possible victims. After review, they found no Epstein victims in the photo. The image was reposted without changes. The move came amid criticism over redactions in the document release. Officials denied political motives. Lawmakers from both parties questioned transparency. Jeffrey Epstein died in jail in 2019. Trump faces no accusations. (PC: US Department Of Justice)

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina accused the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government of empowering extremists and causing Bangladesh's descent into chaos following Inqilab Moncho leader Osman Hadi's death. She warned that India "sees the chaos," threatening South Asian stability. Hasina alleged Yunus placed extremists in cabinet positions, released convicted terrorists, and allowed groups linked to international terrorist organizations into public life. She blamed the government's extremist links for strained India-Bangladesh relations, particularly following attacks on minorities including the lynching of Hindu man Dipu Chandra Das. Hasina expressed confidence that once legitimate governance returns, Bangladesh will restore its partnership with India, calling India Bangladesh's "most steadfast friend for decades." (PC: Times Now)

A Chinese-made assault rifle scope capable of attachment to sniper rifles was recovered near the National Investigation Agency headquarters in Jammu and Kashmir's Asrarabad area. A six-year-old boy found the weapons scope in a nearby garbage dump while playing, prompting immediate police action. Senior officers conducted searches in Sidhra region following the discovery. A 24-year-old man was detained in Samba district in connection with the scope recovery. Separately, police took Tanvir Ahmad, an Anantnag resident currently living in Samba, into custody after a Pakistani phone number was found on his mobile. Jammu Rural Police and Special Operations Group teams are investigating both incidents while urging public not to panic. (PC: NDTV)

US Vice President JD Vance defended H-1B visa restrictions as "true Christian politics" prioritizing American labor and economic dignity at Turning Point USA's convention. He argued that Christian values should inform government's approach to economics, questioning why companies bypass American workers for cheaper third-world options. Meanwhile, Indian H-1B visa holders face severe disruptions as US consular offices abruptly rescheduled appointments between December 15-26, stranding professionals who traveled home for visa renewals. The delays follow expanded social media vetting policies implemented under the Trump administration. Previously limited to student visas, the online presence review now covers all H-1B specialty occupation workers and H-4 dependents, creating uncertainty for Indian professionals.